Chapter Three
So, now what?
Blank Slate stood outside the hospital for the first time that he could remember, the road into town stretching out in front of him. He had absolutely no idea what he was doing. After going through several hours of paperwork creating a legal identity for himself, he had been given saddlebags with a map, enough money to last about a week, and a list of places he might be able rent a room for the time being. As far as he figured, he would need get himself a place to stay first, but after that...
One step at a time. I need to get to town first. Should I try flying? He stretched his wings, working out their stiffness from going unused for who knows how long. Basic flight is instinctive, right? Should be a piece of cake.
Five seconds of tumbling through the air later, he learned that flying was, in fact, not instinctive. Luckily, the only thing injured was his pride. After brushing himself off, Blank opted to just walk into town.
I'll figure out how to do that later. Maybe I can find a tutor...
The walk in to town was more tiring than he expected it to be. It was about noon when he arrived, and thanks to his early start and non-stop paperwork that morning, he had neglected to have anything for breakfast. However, his hunger did nothing to diminish the incredible sight of the town itself. It was a simple place, but that wasn't what made it feel special.
Everything here is so... happy! The hospital, while by no means drab or dull, simply felt sad and oppressive. Ponyville, however, was brimming with life. Ponies bustled about every which way, all smiling while they shopped, chatted, and generally had a good time, the technicolor display of their various coats only adding to the air of liveliness in the town. Deciding to grab something quick to eat, he found his way to the market, where many ponies had set up brightly colored stands selling just about anything he could think of, and plenty of things he hadn't thought of as well. Eventually, he settled on grabbing a bite to eat from a nearby apple stand.
"Howdy, stranger!" The orange behind the stand mare smiled as she greeted Blank. "What can I do ya for?"
"I'll take three apples..." Blank began, trailing off as he saw the array of mouthwatering treats laid out on the table. "...and one of those." He pointed a hoof at a delicious looking piece of cake in the middle of the table.
"Three apples and a slice of Granny Smith's Homemade Apple Spice Cake? Mighty fine choice for a lunch if I do say so myself! That'll be five bits."
Blank rummaged around in his saddlebags for the necessary coins before handing them over to the mare behind the stand, who continued to speak.
"I reckon you're new in town?"
"What gave me away?"
"Well, I ain't ever seen ya 'round town before, and the way you were lookin' 'round makes it clear as day."
"That obvious, huh?" I guess I'm not from around here after all... Just another mystery for the list.
"Yep." The mare glanced about nervously before leaning closer to Blank. "Word of advice," she whispered, "there's a certain pink pony in town that has a knack for trackin' down new ponies and throwin' them a surprise party. While that's all fine 'n dandy, it can get mighty disruptive if you've got any plans. Just thought I'd warn ya before hoof."
"Uh... thanks, I guess." So, avoid pink ponies, got it.
The apple mare packaged the pegasus's purchase in a brown paper bag passed it over the table. Picking the bag up in his mouth, Blank waved a hoof to say goodbye to the mare and trotted off to find a place to eat.
"Be sure to come on back, n-" The mare stopped mid sentence as the pegasus walked away, as if she had seen something strange. Blank hardly noticed, though. He was already deep in thought about where to go next.
I think I remember a park on my map. That should be a nice and peaceful place to eat...
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WHAM
Papers scattered throughout the office as a drawer was ripped from the filing cabinet with telekinesis, slamming into the opposite wall.
Why!
WHAM
A second drawer flew across the room.
Why!
WHAM
Why!
WHAM
WHY!
WHAM
Quick Thought panted as the last drawer clattered to the floor. This was the last straw.
No matter what I do, no matter how hard I try, he always ruins everything! He condemns my methods, disregards my research, releases my subjects, and yet he is the one with the cushy office and the prestigious position while I'm stuck in this little space in the wall! It should be me in that office! Better yet, I should be at one of the prestigious hospitals in Canterlot! There's no future for me in a backwater hole like this.
And this is where she hit a wall. She couldn't get a job elsewhere without credibility. As much as she hated to admit it, her father was the reason she had gotten this job in the first place. To get credibility, you either needed to be strongly recommended or make a breakthrough. Under her father, she would get neither. As if that wasn't enough, the one subject she needed had been taken from her. She needed him back, and she needed Clear Thought gone.
It's hopeless. The only way to get a pony back in the the psych ward is if they commit themselves, or if... That was it! The solution to all of her problems was clear now, and all it would take is few nudges for everything to fall into place.
Quick Thought ran through her plan of action repeatedly in her head as she returned her office to its original, spotless state. As the drawer slid into place, she had everything figured out. She left the hospital, taking the rest of the day off. She had worked more than enough overtime to make up for it. Now, all that was needed was to talk to the right ponies, and she knew exactly which ones to see...
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A trio of earth pony mares sat around their usual table at the local cafe, discussing the goings-on of Ponyville.
"Did you hear what happened to Derpy this morning?" Lily asked the group.
"I heard she was caught hiding in Fluttershy's chicken coop again," Rose replied.
"I heard she got caught in a botched spell and spent a day in school as a little filly," said Daisy.
"No, no, no, those happened last week. Today, I heard she ended up in a snow globe!"
Lily and Daisy gasped.
"That's horrible! Is she alright?"
"Oh, yeah, the spell wore off pretty quick. Too bad about the snow globe though..."
"Ahem."
The trio turned to see a dark blue unicorn standing by their table. They recognized her from around town, but none of them knew her personally.
"Uh... Hi... Can we help you?" Rose said, wondering what the unicorn wanted.
"Oh, nothing, I was just passing though," the blue pony replied, a strangely smug smile appearing on her face. "I did hear the most fascinating tidbit today, though. You see, a new pony recently arrived in town."
"So?" Lily said, "We've been getting a lot of new ponies here lately. I heard Pinkie Pie's been working around the clock preparing parties for them all."
"Well, just wait until you hear where this pony came from..."