Chapter 8:
A Tall Order
"Here we are, mate! Welcome to Hoofington!"
Scootaloo couldn't help but stare in awe as Tailspin descended into a bustling mercantile city. It was like nothing she had ever seen before. The air was filled with the sound of multiple conversations and arguments going on at once. Several ponies traveled to and fro, haggling with merchants and applying their own trades. Not even the Ponyville marketplace was ever this busy.
"Enjoy the sights while you can, mate," said Tailspin as she made a wobbly landing that nearly caused Scootaloo to fall off. "The sooner we find Daring, the better it'll be for both of us."
Scootaloo said nothing as she climbed off of Tailspin's back. Tailspin shrugged.
"Alright, stick close to me, mate," she told Scootaloo as she looked around the city. "Daring would really lay into me if she knew I let a filly like you get lost in a city like this."
Again, Scootaloo didn't respond. Tailspin turned to the orange filly and frowned.
"Hey, are you listening to me?" she asked. "This is important."
"Huh? I'm sorry, were you talking to me?" said Scootaloo.
"Who else would I be talking to, mate?"
"Well, there's this pony named 'Mate' you keep bringing up..."
Tailspin gave Scootaloo a bemused look. "Oh, hardy har har. Aren't we the clever pony?" she said dryly. "Now c'mon, stop being such a grump and follow me. I promise, Daring will find a way to get you back home, wherever that is."
Scootaloo sighed and rolled her eyes as she picked herself up and trotted after Tailspin. After a while of walking through the streets and alleys of Hoofington, she began to get agitated.
"Do you even know where we're going?" she inquired.
"O-of course I do. Why wouldn't I?" said Tailspin, although her tone of voice conveyed otherwise. "We just have to find our contact is all."
"But there are like a million ponies in this city!"
"First off, you're exaggerating. Secondly, trust me when I say our contact is not exactly hard to miss. Ah, speaking of which, I think I see her now."
"What do you mean? I don't see any..."
Scootaloo trailed off as she caught sight of a bizarre-looking creature that she had never seen before. It stood as tall as some of the smaller buildings, with long pole-like legs and an even longer neck. Its coat was white with brown speckles of various hues, and was dressed in fine cloth. Scootaloo just stared at the creature, her mouth agape.
"Hey, it's not polite to stare, mate," said Tailspin, jabbing Scootaloo with her elbow. "Honestly, you act as though you've never seen a giraffe before." She then waved her forelegs and flapped her wings. "Genny! Hey, Genny!"
The giraffe took note of Tailspin's call and made its way over to her. It then bent down its large neck, looking over Tailspin with its striking eyes of silver.
"Ah. I thought I recognized you," the giraffe said in a soothing, melodious voice. "Back so soon from Argoats?"
"You bet, Genny," said Tailspin, taking out the map. "And we found the map there, just like you said we would."
"Hmm. Let me take a closer look at that," said the giraffe. "Doreimi!"
As if on cue, a small bird with bright blue plumage flew out from behind the giraffe and snatched up the map in its thin beak. Her eyes sparkled as she read it over.
"There is no doubt about it. This is indeed the map to Das Reingold's treasure," she said. "My congratulations to Professor Daring. She is truly as great as the stories say she is."
She then took a look around before raising an eyebrow. "Speaking of which, where is she?"
Tailspin blinked. "I, thought she was with you."
The giraffe frowned. "It appears we have much to discuss," she said, noticing the gawking younger pegasus. "And, who might this be?"
"Oh, sorry! I guess I should make some introductions," said Tailspin sheepishly. "Mate, this here is Genevieve. She's the resident expert of ancient runes and hieroglyphs here in Hoofington. Genny, this is..."
She turned over to Scootaloo, who was still in a state of shock. The yellow pegasus groaned.
"Alright, mate. Cut it out," she said, batting Scootaloo with her tail. "Sheesh, were you planning to rent yourself out as a statue or something?"
"Must you be so callous to the little one?" asked Genevieve. "If I remember correctly, you had the same reaction when Professor Daring first introduced us."
Tailspin's face became as red as her scarf. "Uh, ha ha! G-good one, Genny!" she said with a nervous chuckle. "You're such a kidder."
Genevieve sighed, and looked over at Scootaloo. "I take it this is the first time you have met a giraffe in person," she said.
"Y-yeah," said Scootaloo. "Um, my name's Scootaloo. I'm from Ponyville."
"Well, it's nice to meet you, Scootaloo," said Genevieve. She then arched her neck back so that she could address both pegasi. "I'll bet you two are hungry after such a long journey from Argoats. I would very much like it if you joined me for tea. We can discuss everything back at my place."
"It's as if you read my mind, Genny," said Tailspin, licking her lips. "Lead the way."
The giraffe nodded and headed off, walking in graceful strides as Tailspin and Scootaloo trotted after her.
***
"Well, here we are," said Genevieve as they entered a modestly-sized house that had perhaps the biggest door in the city. Despite that, it looked like a rather normal study with row upon row of books as well as maps and mobiles hanging from the ceiling. The only difference was that some of the pieces of furniture were bolted to wooden beams sticking out of the wall.
"Just make yourselves comfortable." said Genevieve, sitting herself down in front of a desk that was bolted to the rafters. "Doreimi, would you be a dear and get the tea ready?"
The bird twittered an affirmation and flittered off to the stove.
"Thank you very much for your hospitality, Ms. Genevieve," said Scootaloo, seating herself on a cushy stool.
"Not a problem," said Genevieve with a warm smile. "It's not often that I entertain guests." She then looked over at Tailspin. "So, what exactly happened at Argoats?"
"Oh, it was pretty crazy!" said Tailspin, her face lighting up. She then began to recount the whole adventure, swooping and flying around the giraffe's head. When she had finished, Doreimi flew over, carrying a tray in his beak.
"Thank you, Doreimi," said Genevieve, pouring herself some tea. The little bird then flew over to Scootaloo, who helped herself to a biscuit.
"So, what do you think?" asked Tailspin.
Genevieve placed a hoof to her chin and nodded sagely. "It's a most curious affair, to be sure," she mused. "I'm afraid I don't have much to say about it beyond that. It's outside my area of expertise."
"Ah, I see," said Tailspin, her expression drooping. "Well, could you at least translate the map for us as a favor to Daring?"
"Of course, of course," said Genevieve. "Just set it on the desk there. Doreimi!"
Tailspin did as she was told as the bird flittered away, returning with a strange-looking pair of spectacles with one lens far bigger than the other. Genevieve donned the spectacles and began reading over the map with a critical eye.
"Hmm. Interesting. Very interesting," she mused. "You are quite a clever one, Das Reingold."
"What is it, Genny?" inquired Tailspin.
"I expected this to be written only in codes that sea ponies typically use," explained Genevieve. "But this map also incorporates buffalo markings and glyphs only used by sphinxes. Das Reingold cleary didn't want anypony to find his treasure."
"Well, can you translate it?" asked Tailspin.
"I can, but it'll take me some time," said Genevieve. "Give me a day, perhaps two."
"Two days?!" said an aghast Tailspin. "We might not have two days! That Crimson Baroness could be out looking for us right now!"
Genevieve gave Tailspin an annoyed look. "Do you want the map translated or not?" she said tersely. "Besides, didn't you say you lost her?"
"W-well, yeah," said Tailspin, twiddling her hooves. "B-but..."
"Then I don't see a problem," said Genevieve flatly.
While Tailspin and Genevieve continued to argue, Scootaloo heard a noise outside. She looked out the window just in time to see a shadow disappear from sight.
"Um, Tailspin?" she called out. "I, think somepony's spying on us."
But Tailspin was too preoccupied with haggling to pay her any mind. Scootaloo sighed, and looked out the window again. Her eyes then glistened as she spotted an unattended scooter parked outside with an orange helmet hanging on the handlebars. She took one quick look back at Tailspin before sneaking outside. As she commandeered the vehicle, she saw the shadow run off into the alleyway. She was just about to leave when a young colt caught her in the act.
"Hey, that's mine!" he yelled.
"Sorry, but I need this!" Scootaloo yelled back, her wings buzzing. "Don't worry, I'll bring it back!"
Before the colt could protest anymore, she zoomed off. The commotion outside caught the attention of Tailspin, who had to smack her face with her hoof.
"Blasted troublemaker. Why must she keep causing me grief?" she grumbled. "We'll continue this later, Genny."
"Only if you want to hear the same thing over and over again," Genevieve retorted. "I'll work as fast as I can, but you have to be a bit more patient, Tailspin. Didn't Professor Daring teach you that?"
"Really not in the mood, Genny," Tailspin growled through gritted teeth. Before Genevieve could inquire as to what she meant, the yellow pegasus flew off after Scootaloo.