Chapter 7 - Ripper
Before Trixie stood a scruffy, dark blue stallion, wearing an old tattered bowler hat. The stallion was filthy with black grime covering his smug smiling face and a greasy black mane sticking out under his cap like an animal trying to escape.
He grinned, showing off a shiny gold tooth amongst his pale yellow teeth. “‘Ello, dearie. Nice evenin’ for a walk, eh?” he said with a heavy, Trottingham accent. The stunned mare wasn’t sure how to answer the stallion that towered over her. When she didn’t respond, he took off his hat and held it over his chest before bowing his head in a crude manner. “The name’s Ripper,” he said before lifting his head again, still sporting a big smile. “And you appear to be far from the garden my little blue rose.” Trixie almost gagged on the foul stench of his breath as he leaned in close and eyed her with a sinister gaze, his green eyes running up and down her body.
“What do you want?” Trixie demanded as she attempted to clear the air with a few waves of her hoof.
Leaning back and putting his hat back on, Ripper chuckled, “Nutin’, nutin’ at all my sweet. You know, you’re lucky me and the boys happened upon ya when we did.” The sound of hoofsteps began to suddenly echo around her. Trixie quickly looked around to see a circle of scruffy ponies surrounding her, all similarly messy, wearing tarnished bowler hats, and grinning at the nervous look on her face. “It’s quite dangerous out ‘ere for one so…lovely.”
“Magus,” Trixie said uneasily in distress, “where are you?” There was no answer and she was unable to see much beyond the bowler hat ponies that blocked her way. He seemed to have vanished at the worst possible time.
“So, my little poppet, what brings ya out this way?” Ripper said in a sly, playful tone.
A lump formed in her throat as she took a step back and looked around to hopefully find a way to escape. Like a pack of wolves, the goons stepped closer, tightening the metaphoric noose around her neck and leaving no means of a getaway in sight.
“Not to worry, poppet,” Ripper said with another chuckle. “We ain’t gonna hurt ya, so long as ya tell us where ya be goin’?”
“The-the antique shop,” she said trying not to sound as worried as she felt.
The bowler hat ponies snickered and laughed at her answer as Ripper replied, “The antique shop, really now? What would a lovely mare want in an ol’ run down place like that, eh?”
Trixie didn’t know what to say, she wasn’t even sure if they were going there in the first place!
Before she could come up with an excuse that would aid in her escape, Ripper said, “Because ya know, if yer lookin’ for odds and ends the boys and I could ‘elp ya with that.” The group chuckled again, stepping closer until they were only a couple feet away.
Her mind went blank by the threat. Normally, she might be able to talk her way out of these kinds of situations or preform some kind of trick to help, but she was at a loss for words and unless she learned how to teleport right now, there was no use running. 'Where’s that pony when you need him?' she thought, wondering where Magus was while these animals toyed with her.
When they were close enough that she could smell their horrid breath, a voice rang out, putting her fears to rest. “We’ve come in search of a mirror,” Magus’s stern voice sounded.
The thugs stopped their approach, as they turned to face the sound, seeming almost stunned. Two of the brutes moved aside, allowing the apathetic, hooded Magus to calmly stroll up to the gold toothed pony. Trixie let out a quiet sigh of relief as she saw him approach. She didn’t think she’d be so glad to see him…saving her life for the second time.
The large, bowler hat pony smiled. “And just what kind of mirror would ya be lookin’ for?” Ripper asked in a curious, but still playful tone, like this was one big game to him.
Magus removed his hood before confidently responding, “One that shows the truth in the darkest night; for those who seek a safe haven, in the new days light.”
Ripper’s henchmen fell silent, as if waiting for something to happen. A serious expression crossed Ripper’s otherwise grinning face as he stared at the silver-maned pony that stood boldly in front of him. A moment later, Ripper abruptly began to laugh before he said with a smile, “Good ta see ya again Magus. Been a long time, hasn’t it?”
“Indeed it has. Marvelous to meet you again after such a long time.”
'…What just happened?' Trixie thought, looking between the two, as the tension of danger in the air vanished like a storm had ceased to blow.
Magus shifted his gaze to Trixie. “She is with me.” The bowler hat ponies nodded and began to move away, spreading out and lining up into rows behind her in a military-like manner.
Ripper laughed again, “Well of course she is!” He waved a hoof to the others, causing them to bow their heads briefly before proceeding to disband, disappearing into the dark alleyways. “Did ya really think I’d forgotten?” Ripper turned back to Trixie with a playful smile on his face. “Like I wouldn't remember my favorite little poppet.” He trotted up close to her with a skip in his step and said, “How ya been, love? Must be hard keepin’ this one in line, eh?” The once threatening thug was now acting strangely kind toward her, as if he was talking to an old friend. True, he might have seen a show or two when she was last in town, but he was acting as if he was addressing a close acquaintance.
Trixie said nothing, unsure of what he was talking about. She wouldn’t forget a pony as uncivilized as this. Ripper stood before her with a smile still on his face, waiting patiently for a response. “Do I know you?” she finally asked.
Shocked, Ripper said, “Do ya know me? Don’t tell me ya already forgotten one of yer best mates now?”
“Ripper,” Magus said solemnly.
Either the bowler hat pony didn’t hear him or was just ignoring him as he continued to speak. “Remember the Nightmare Night parties we used to go to?” he said attempting to jog Trixie’s memory of events she knew nothing about.
“Ripper,” Magus said again, but louder this time.
“Or that night at the Gala? That was the most fun I ever ‘ad.”
“Ripper”
“I mean, how could ya forget ol’ Ripper, eh?”
“Ripper!” Magus nearly shouted.
The large pony turned around, happily replying, “Yeah?” Magus beckoned him closer. Ripper nodded before turning back to her. “Be right back poppet,” he said before approaching Magus, a skip still in his step.
Magus leaned in close, facing away from Trixie as they began to talk. Trixie could only hear whispers and could make nothing out. She suspected Magus was keeping her out of the conversation just to aggravate her. Impatient, Trixie tried getting closer, but stopped when Magus shot her a strict glare. Unable to do much else, she sat and waited as their hushed voices continued.
The two talked for some time, with only an occasional "What!" or "How?" drifting over from Ripper. 'Who the hay was he referring to?' Trixie thought. 'He acted like he knew me, or at least somepony posing as me maybe.'
Their conversation soon ended with Ripper saying something and Magus nodding in response as they walked back to Trixie. Ripper’s ears were pinned back and his once bright happy face was now stricken with a sudden sadness.
As they approached, Ripper smiled slightly and extended a forehoof to her. “Sorry ‘bout all that Miss. I…thought you were somepony else. No hard feelings, yeah?”
Despite his attempt to hide it, Trixie could hear the sadness in his voice. She refused to shake his filthy hoof, instead saying, “It’s fine. I just hope you don’t treat all the mares you meet like this.”
Happiness returned to his face as he let out a short laugh, lowering his hoof back to the ground. “Not at all Miss. Just the especially pretty ones.”
Trixie didn’t mean it to be taken like a joke, but didn’t care what he thought as she was more interested in something else. “Who exactly did you think I was?”
“Oh, well…I…uh,” Ripper hesitated as he glanced over at Magus whose piercing stare struck like daggers. “Just…” he quickly looked back to her, “a friend. That’s it, a friend.”
He was obviously not telling her something, but knew that so long as Magus was around she would get no more out of him.
Ripper removed his hat and bowed once again, this time in a more graceful manner. “Uh, anyway, who do I ‘ave the pleasure of meetin’ this fine evening?” he said, appearing as if he was trying his best to change the subject as quickly as possible.
“Trixie,” she replied in a serious tone, still mad about his little spectacle.
“Trixie, ya say?” Ripper confirmed, putting his hat back on as he thought. “Yeah…yeah, you’re the pony who came through ‘ere a while back, right? Flingin’ her magic around all willy nilly like?”
Trying not to appear as surprised as she really was, Trixie smiled proudly and answered in her theatrical voice, “Yes, well, the Great and powerful Trixie is known far and wide for her unmatched magical talent.” Out the corner of her eye, she couldn’t help but notice Magus glaring at her, irritated by referring to herself in the third person again. Her smile grew as she continued, now just in spite of him, “And you should consider yourself the lucky that the Great and Powerful Trixie didn’t decide to harm you and your cohorts during that pathetic excuse for a--”
Ripper busted out laughing before she could finish. Between his chuckles and giggles, he could barely say, “That was it! Ya, pull off that ‘stupid twit’ character so well, too well in fact…I can hardly…breathe…” Ripper trailed off as he laughed harder, taking her display and talent as a joke.
“Stupid twit!” Trixie shouted, trying to speak louder than Ripper’s laughter. “Just who do you think yo--” she was quickly silenced as Magus, who was suddenly next to her, covered her mouth with his hoof.
When it appeared that she would be quiet, Magus removed his hoof and turned to Ripper who was now rolling on the ground, still in stitches. “Ripper,” Magus said, trying to get his attention. He only had to say his name once before Ripper quickly quieted down.
He stood up, wiping a tear of joy from his dirty face. “Sorry about that mate, but your friend ‘ere is simply brilliant, she really is. Does she only do the road show or does she do parties as well?”
Trixie was about to object, before Magus stopped her, changing the subject. “Why have you doubled your efforts today?”
Ripper quickly got serious. “What ya mean?” he said.
“You don’t normally ask for a password unless there’s some kind of imminent danger in the area. Not only that, but there appears to be more of you on duty than usual. What’s happening?”
“Oh that, well me and the boys ‘eard that a Shade was roamin’ around near town, and ya know what those bloody things can do. Can never be too careful, don’t ya know.”
Trixie was getting used to never understanding what anypony was talking about when Magus was involved, but it sure didn’t annoy her any less.
“Right,” Magus began looking deep in thought for a moment. “Well, we need to get going. Keep up the fine work Ripper.”
“Not a problem, mate. You and poppet take care now,” Ripper said as both Magus and Trixie walked past.
As they left Ripper behind, Magus said, “Not the way I would have handled the situation, but it’s a start.”
Trixie looked at him, surprised, before almost shouting, “You could have jumped in any time and you just left me in the hooves of those animals!”
“I can assure you that if you were in any real danger I would have leaped to your aid without hesitation. Besides, it was a good test to see how you handled yourself against the unknown on your own.”
“I can handle myself just fine,” she sternly replied.
Before they could get well enough away, Trixie heard Ripper shout, “See ya soon, my little blue rose.” Trixie looked back to see Ripper grinning at her. Her eyes narrowed at him before turning back in an attempt to ignore the brute.
“How exactly do you know him?” Trixie asked amazed that the two would even be able speak to each other, let alone be friends.
“Ripper is charged with protecting the Circle and its secrets, a kind of guard if you will,” he replied before pausing for a brief moment. “…and I make it my business to know the ones who ensure the safety of our order,” he added.
Trixie wasn’t sure, but she couldn’t help but feel that the last part was a lie or at least not entirely the truth. Knowing he probably wouldn’t be honest with her she moved on to another topic, seeing how this might be the only time he would be willing to answer her. “And do you always need a password to come here?”
“By the Fates, do your questions ever cease?” Magus solemnly said, looking to her annoyed.
Trixie said nothing as she waited for an answer with a smirk on her face, like a filly with a secret.
Rolling his eyes back ahead, he sighed before saying, “In order to protect our secrets and homes from the wandering normal ponies and potential threats we developed a password system where we speak to each other, prompting the phrase to ensure that we are indeed who we say we are.” His steps slowed as he looked at her. “Ripper asked what you were looking for, to which I responded ‘a mirror.’ When he asked me what kind, I simply said the phrase and in turn saved you from what could have been a most unpleasant evening.”
“Thanks,” Trixie scoffed. “But he knew you,” she stated while adding in a more subtle tone, “and me apparently,” seeing if she could get a reaction, to no avail. “Couldn’t he tell?”
Magus paused for a moment before sighing and turning back to the road, “They are many creatures in our world; ponies, monsters, and other beings that bear ill will toward us. Some of them are… craftier than others.”
“Like whatever a Shade is?” she asked curiously.
As if he had turned to stone, he stopped in his tracks, Trixie following suit. Looking at him, she saw his face go blank and his eyes turn unfocused. Before she could speak, life returned to his face and he pressed on, responding with the unsettling answer of, “Yes…and pray you never find out why.”