//------------------------------// // 2: Fields of Snow // Story: Crossed Gears // by TheFoxern //------------------------------// Pain. That was all that he could register. And cold. Pain and cold. He gasped for breath, trying to get a sense of his surroundings. What had just happened? Where was he? His eyes cracked open slightly, he could see flames and the remains of something. He opened his eyes further, seeing the remains of the train. Every breath burned his lungs. He figured he must have been thrown out in an explosion. “Where's the conductor...” he muttered as he made an attempt to get up. It didn't go too well. His left front leg was broken. Now that he knew this, his second attempt to stand went far better. He actually made it up onto his hooves. Hooves. He had hooves again. Not hands. His mind reeled a moment, trying to understand what just happened. He shook his head; that would have to wait. First thing was to check damages. Left front leg, broken. Wing, broken; not like it would have been any use anyways. He was fairly certain he had a few broken ribs and had a few burns. But the snow had been good for those and they only stung a little. Several lacerations; some bleeding, but it would be a while till he bled out. Overall, he decided he would live. Now to find the conductor. He opened his mouth to call out, but immediately decided against it when a few other thoughts registered. The train had been exploded. Somepony did that. Somepony that could be nearby. He knew he couldn't fight in this condition, or run away. No, he had to find the conductor first. “Damn it I didn't even get his name...” he mumbled as he made his way towards the train wreckage. None of his legs were in terribly good shape and walking was difficult. Given a moment’s rest as far as his mind went, thoughts raced. Was that a dream? Did that actually happen? Was he dreaming again now? “Well well well...what do we have here?” There was suddenly light and Copper had to sit down in order to block his eyes with his good leg. “That looks a lot like Copper Feather...” How many ponies were there? “Yah, it is. Look at the wing. Ain't gonna be nopony else.” Then a voice that caused a knot in his stomach. A voice he had not heard in a long time, but still filled him with dread. “Well now. Here we are set to rob a train...a train that's supposed to be empty...and who do we find, but none other than Copper Feather.” “Don Burrasca...” Copper managed; all he could see were shapes. “Oh I'm so pleased that you remember me,” he said and Copper heard the crunch of snow as somepony came closer. “Now...here we were looking at manifests...and what do we find? A train carrying nothing. Now that is odd. Not a single passenger? Not even any supplies? They at least carry supplies... So I thought to myself...” The lights dimmed and Copper stared at the griffon in front of him. He was large even for a griffon and wore a large fur coat which made him appear even larger. “Why would nothing be on the train?” “I told Corser the train should have had ponies...” Copper mumbled; he was going numb. “Oh my. Where are my manners. Someone get Copper a coat this moment.” Don Burrasca stopped in front of Copper, grinning down at him. “After all, can't make money off a corpse.” He looked back and called back to other figures. “And get a healer. I don't want him a hundred percent, but we can't have him dying.” There was a griffon who placed a large coat around Copper and he held it to him tightly. It was still warm. “Ransom, eh?” Copper said, closing his eyes. His mind was working fast at this point, faster and faster as he warmed up. “And the conductor.” “Mm?” Don Burrasca looked back at him. “Ah yes. Poor fellow...somewhere in all this I'm afraid. He would have died if he'd been where he was supposed to. Shame for him you saved his life. Would have been a quick de-” “You'll get more for two, than for one,” Copper interrupted. “If you're already going to bother with one hostage...might as well have two.” He frowned at him and then his grin returned. “Oh yes, that is true. Guess it's that guy’s lucky day.” Again he turned back and looked at the group. “Someone find the conductor. If he's still alive, make sure he stays that way.” Copper smiled a bit and took a deep breath. There was something else familiar. A smell... He looked to the side at the griffon who had had put the coat over him. “Gilda...” he said softly. “You know you've cost me quite a lot of money over the years, Copper.” He gestured his hand vaguely away from the the train. “Gilda my dear, please take our guest to our camp... We'll move out when the light comes. “This way Copper,” Gilda said as she began walking. He did not hesitate to follow her. There was no way of getting to the Crystal Empire on hoof. None that he knew of, anyways. His focus now turned to Gilda, walking a few hooves in front of him. How long had it been since that incident on the train? What could he possibly say to her, now of all times? He looked back behind him to look at Don Burrasca. He was overseeing something...something that was important...something that wasn't the search for the conductor. “Interesting...” he mumbled. Turning back he stopped abruptly, staring into the eyes of Gilda. She was staring him down. Copper was in no mood to try and test wits and blinked owlishly at her. She looked past him a moment and then hissed, “What the hay are you doing out here, Copper?” His brow wrinkled. “What does it matter to you?” he said quite casually, giving her a slight smile. “I'm trying to enjoy my retirement. Never been to the Crystal Empire...thought I'd visit before completely settling down.” She raised an eyebrow at him. “So it's true then. She really did retire you.” He nodded slowly, smiling a bit. “Yup.” He rubbed his face a bit, though again he had to sit down in order to do so. “How far is this camp? I don't know how much farther I can go on one broken leg and...I think two sprains?” Gilda looked at him. “Not far,” she said softly and turned away from him. But she did not move and after a moment, she turned back and froze. Despite what Don Burrasca might think, he is not as stealthy as he would probably have liked. Gilda may not have heard his approach, but Copper sure did. “I thought you would have been there by now, my dear,” he said, Copper could hear the mirth in his voice. “My fault, I'm afraid,” Copper said, looking back at him. “I needed a break...tad beaten up you see.” “Yes well...that is understandable...” But his eyes did not leave Gilda. ~ His stomach turned slightly. It was not painful, or uncomfortable, but it was a tad odd. But the oddest thing was suddenly looking at a completely different place. “You can put the gun away now...I'm pretty sure they're gone.” He turned his head slightly to see Scootaloo, grinning at him. “Ah...” He holstered the gun back under his coat. “Right...” He took a deep breath; it was a lot warmer here and the air didn't burn. His mind worked for a moment and he sighed as he leaned against the wall. “No time has passed...” he mumbled, staring at the other wall. Scootaloo moved slightly in front of him, the other gun disappearing onto her person. “What?” He shook his head. “There wasn't any passing of time. I must have spent at least an hour...” She frowned slightly at him. “You're being crazy again,” she said, as she leaned against the opposite wall. Laughter could not be stopped from coming out. Not the way that he felt. “Quite...but our movie theory was wrong. No time passed from me leaving to me coming back.” “So swapping is out as a possibility then?” At least she was trying to be helpful, even if she thought he was just going crazy. He knew he wasn't. Now especially. He had just gone from being here, to being back there and then back again. Either this was some sort of insanity that he could not properly describe, or, more likely, magic. Magic always felt like such a lame answer, but it had to be it. It was the answer to most things that couldn't be readily explained. “Yeah I think so... It's more like I'm living two lives...when I'm not in one, nothing happens till I get back...” There was a few moments of silence, before she spoke again. “So are we going to just wait for Miss Rarity?” Copper nodded and closed his eyes a moment. “Well we want that thirty dollars, don't we?” He cracked an eye open slightly to look at her, smiling. She grinned at him and nodded. “Yes. We need it. Hundred would have been better, but I guess I can see why you would want a low price.” “Oh?” She nodded again. “Yes. If we charge too high a price we won’t get enough people coming. Better lots of little jobs worth a decent amount of money, than the rare job worth lots of money.” He couldn't help but chuckle; she was quite smart. “Quite right. Though to be honest I was thinking more that I needed to figure out how money works here...seems things are either very expensive here, or cheap there...” There was a few moments of silence as she stared disbelievingly at him. Copper let his mind wander to events, trying to organize his own thoughts that were jumbling up inside his head. He had easily doubled his problems with whatever had happened to him. He now had to work out things across two lives. “What's going on in your...other life?” It took a moment for Copper to refocus. “Oh...well, honestly the usual struggle... Being held captive by some criminal and held ransom. Just another day in my life, to be honest...” That struck a thought and he reached up, feeling his face. There was no scar on his muzzle. “I thought you were in a train wreck?” He laughed and nodded. “I was. I was trying to find the conductor when I ran into some men... Their boss is not the kind of guy I'd really like to deal with multiple times, but unfortunately this time I didn't have a choice.” “Yeah...sometimes you have to deal with people you'd rather not,” she said, giving him a slight smile. “Oh? Was that a jab at me?” He put a hand over his chest and put on the best feigning of pain he could muster. “You wound me, Scootaloo.” They both jumped as the door swung open and Copper had to resist pulling his revolver. “Oh, Detective! Thank goodness. Marvaline said she heard voices out here. I had hoped it was you.” Miss Rarity was dressed...the only word that Copper could think to describe it was, provocatively. But regally so. Copper nodded slowly, giving her a smile. “Just us, Miss Rarity. And if I'm any judge I do believe we solved your little problem,” he said as he gestured vaguely down the far end of the alley. “That's good.” She shivered slightly. “Would you like to come inside? It's awfully cold out here.” He looked at Scootaloo, who was in fact shivering. To him it was nothing, but than again he had just come from the fields of snow. “Ah...yes...” He gestured to Scootaloo, who moved quickly inside as Miss Rarity moved out of the way. He glanced both ways down the alley, hesitating only slightly before following her in. “I'll go and get that last thirty for you right away,” Miss Rarity said, before heading off down a hallway. “Take your time,” Copper said and looked around. They were in what appeared to be a dressing room for a theater. He had been in one of those once...what was the name of the play? “This doesn't look anything like I thought it would...” Scootaloo said as she examined the makeup in front of a large mirror. “What did you think it would be like?” Copper said, noting that there were three girls at the far end, the way Miss Rarity had gone. They were staring at him and whispering. They were dressed...similarly to Miss Rarity. He nodded to them before turning back to Scootaloo and attempted to ignore their sudden fits of giggles. “Well...I...have never had much interaction with them and we were always told in school that burlesque ponies were...well...dirty. It’s something only desperate girls do...but the dresses they're wearing.” She was looking down at the three girls. “They're pretty...” “Mm...I suppose so...” He had caught his reflection in the mirror. It was the first time he had gotten a look at this body. His hair was ragged and unkempt, but still the same color, as was his fur. His own eyes surprised him. They were definitely his eyes, the same shine and depth. He was average build as far as he could guess from the other ponies he had seen, though his shoulders were a tad on the wide side. “I mean...just look at this stuff... These must cost a fortune...” Copper heard the edge on her voice. The longing. “I don't think they would suit you,” he said, giving her a slight smile. She spun on him, glaring up at him. “Oh? And what's that supposed to mean?” He waved a hand vaguely in the air. “Not every girl needs makeup, that's all.” “He is quite right.” A shiver ran down Copper's spine at the sound of that voice and then he felt the pressure. He watched as a hand leaned Scootaloo's head, whose body had otherwise gone rigid, to the side slightly. “That is something that I have always said about you, dear.” “Madam Raven,” he said, staring at the pitch black feathers of the griffon in front of him. Much like Rarity, she was dressed...provocatively, and he couldn't help note that it looked like she might pop out of that corset with a bust that large. But that was a simple passing thought, the rest of him went calm, despite the panic that set in in part of him. “Oho? So Detective Feather knows little me?” She smiled at him and he felt the sting of a wound that he knew this body shouldn't have. Something that did not leave a mark, but still bothered him on the rare occasion. He put so much effort into forgetting that time. “I was not aware that someone of your standing would know of me... Unless sweet little Scoots has mentioned me.” “I am aware of many ponies and griffons,” Copper said, giving her a slight smile. She tilted her head to the side slightly, staring at him with those crimson eyes. “Mmm; I would not doubt that...but,” she straightened up. “Where are my manners? I have yet to thank you for such the service you gave to my little Rarity...” Little...yes, everyone was little to her. She was a large griffon; not large as in physical size, but large in terms of her presence. It filled rooms. It knocked down doors and lingered wherever she went. She was something of a fluke, at least as far as Copper knew. A magical griffon. “No need to thank me. I am simply doing my job.” It was hard to stay calm. “Oh but that is where I must give thanks...” He had to try very hard to not flinch as she brushed his cheek slightly with the back of her hand. “Most would not even look twice at somepony like my little Rarity. Not even police officers would come to the aid of a burlesque girl.” His cheek felt like it had been burned, but he knew that was in his head. “That is unfortunate,” he said, looking past her at Rarity. In his peripheral he saw Madam Raven's expression shift drastically for a moment, to something that was close to annoyance at not being the center of attention, but then shifted into curiosity. “Yes...but I am sure a Detective such as yourself is quite busy,” she said as she reached, much to Copper’s surprise, into her bust. She pulled out several dollars, which she held out to him. “The last thirty is on me.” The smile that her expression melted into was one Copper had never seen. He had seen her feign interest. Feign sincerity, trust, love...but that smile was of genuine thanks. “Thank you,” he said and took the dollars. He did not even look at it as he put it into his coat pocket. There were seconds of silence, before she turned away, looking down at Scootaloo. He struggled to hide his shock. He had stared her down and won. Scootaloo, however, was completely unable to hide her disbelief. “You being a good girl, Scoots?” She was at a complete loss for words and simply nodded. “Good...” Her gaze returned to Copper, who smiled slightly and nodded slightly to her. “I'm afraid, Madam Raven, that we must be going. As you said, quite busy now that we're in business again. But be sure that anypony who comes to me for help is going to get it.” “As long as they can afford it,” Scootaloo added, staring up at him. “Ah, yes. Of course. Money does keep us going, so that is a must as well.” He turned and opened the door, taking a step outside. Scootaloo rushed after him, almost in a panic. “I will remember that,” was all he heard before the door closed. Scootaloo stared at him, her mouth hanging slightly open. He looked at her a moment and then lifted her chin, closing her mouth. He smiled as he watched her mouth open and shut several times. “I...you just...that was...and you...” She flailed slightly as she sought for words. “C'mon. Let's get back before it gets any later,” he said as he began walking. She ran past him and stood in front of him, forcing him to stop. “Who...who are you?” He smiled at her. “Copper Feather, as I said. Though she is quite different than the Madam Raven I know...” He smoothed out his coat, looking at Scootaloo. “Seems this one actually likes me in a good way.” He reached up to confirm that his cheek was not on fire and it was indeed his imagination. “At least I don't think she does...but you could only really tell when she hated you...” “I...you stared her down...like...like it was nothing!” She was staring at him, her mouth opening and closing again as words failed her. “She...” he hesitated a moment and glanced back at the building. “She is the most terrifying woman I have ever met.” “I...” She stared blankly at him a moment. “But you...” “The things I do and say are very different from the truth sometimes,” he said as he fiddled with the sleeve of his coat. “It is possible to lie with one’s body and actions, as well as with one’s words.” “You...you were acting?” Scootaloo floundered, her eyes wide. “Pretty much. I'm quite good at it sometimes. But the truth is that that woman terrifies me. Always has.” Again he glanced behind him; it was hard to not feel like they were being followed at this point. “So...you have met her before then?” Scootaloo said as she watched the ground, walking beside him. “Yes. Not here though. Fairly certain I killed her.” Her eyes widened at him again. “But there was no proof of her death. Then again...I would have expected her to take revenge by now...” He took a deep breath and sighed. “You...you killed her? But she was right-” “Not here,” he said, looking down at her. He gave her a slight smile. “You have remember I'm not from here.” She nodded slowly and then she too glanced back at the club disappearing into the distance. There was a long silence, which lasted until they got to the office. Copper let instincts undo his coat; buttons were still a mystery to him. “What are we going to do now?” “Hm? Now?” He looked at her as she pulled the money from his coat pocket and smiled at her. “We wait for another job.” “And in the mean time?” She fiddled with her dress, staring at him. “Hm...” He sat down at his desk, going through it in search of something. “I'm not sure...I was planning on going and seeing some movies. They sound very...interesting.” “Movies...” She stared blankly at him. “Are you serious? You're just going to-” there was a knock at the door. ~ The stomach turning was starting to get on his nerves. “Yes well...how long are you going to be at this break, hm?” The look on Don Burrasca seemed quite sobering from the feelings he had felt just a moment ago, as was the biting cold. “I'm fine now,” he said as he continued to walk, following Gilda. Don Burrasca moved beside Copper and looked down at him. “I must say I was shocked to hear of your alleged death. Where did you manage to slip away so quietly and vanish for so long? It must have been excruciating for you to remain hidden for so long.” “So then you do not believe I died?” Copper looked at him and watched as his expression became one of amusement. “Of course not, how absurd. But I suppose that you would be unwilling to divulge such secrets that you must of used...” His expression shifted to wistfulness. Copper gave him a smirk. “Oh trust me, I would very much like to...divulge the secrets of my disappearance... He opened his mouth to respond, but there was a shout in the distance. He turned and rushed off without a word. “Did...did you really die?” He turned to see Gilda, staring at him. He took a deep breath, which burned and then nodded. “Yes. I did. And it was very powerful and ancient magic that brought me back. But it can't be done again.” Copper could see tents now and soft lights off in the distance. “What did it feel like?” There was a moment of hesitation. No pony had asked him that since he had fully come back. How did it feel? What did it feel like? What was it like? He thought a moment, closing his eyes. “There was a lot of pain...and then nothing for a moment, before I was waking up again. I feel like there...there was something...I forgot...but it doesn't matter. I am more interested in you. My exploits have been most likely exaggerated, though widely told. How are you?” “I...” she hesitated and then took a deep breath. “I am quite content, thank you. Things were going quite well until you showed up and I lost my coat.” It was clear that she was forcing politeness. “Ah...sorry about that...would you like it back?” He could see the tent they were heading towards. She frowned at him. “No. I do not want a coat that is covered in blood.” Copper looked down at the coat. “It's not covered in blood...sure there are a few stains-” “Stains I'd rather not have to constantly explain.” She opened the tent and he moved inside. “I'm sure it would help your reputation,” he said, looking back. But she was already gone. “Thank you,” he said, knowing she must still be able to hear him. But the tent was empty now, besides himself and a cot. He wondered who had been staying in here as he moved over to it and laid down on the cot. Eventually a pony came in, a unicorn. “Ah...healing, yes?” The unicorn was heavily garbed, approaching him slowly, his horn glowing. Copper started to feel better. “Weel thes sure is a surprise. Ah wasnae sure if they whaur tellin' me th' truth.” Copper could hear the smirk in his voice. “Pots,” Copper said, staring at him. “Afraid aam nae tay guid at healin', but that's wa Ah got awa' wi' offerin'.” He pulled the hood off of his coat. “Nane ay them ken we're friends. Sae, what's yer escape plan?” “Why am I not surprised...” He shifted slightly; the broken leg was set and his sprains were better. He probably could fight, but not very well. “You used to work for Don Burrasca, so I guess you running back to him shouldn't be a surprise...” “Oi, it ainae loch 'at, Copper. Th' Don's a stable employer, an' Ah needed tae gie it ay Equestria,” Pots said defensively, sitting down at the entrance to the tent. “Aam oan guard duty, by th' way. Th' Don dornt hink yoo'll be runnin', but wants tae keep an watch oan ye aw th' sam.” He sighed, relaxing down onto the cot. There was quite a lot of things happening. “I had a feeling it was you...when I saw the explosion. Not many ponies could do that...” He stared at Pots, trying to guess at the line of events that lead him to Don Burrasca. But he was too tired. He needed sleep. “An' nae mony ponies can teel th' difference atween explosions,” he said with a grin. Copper smiled slightly and nodded. “Yes...now...please...I need to sleep.” Pots simply nodded and didn't say another word. Copper drifted off to sleep, it was a normal, uneventful sleep, which allowed him to organize his thoughts. When he awoke, he saw a different pony sitting by the entrance. Red furred and purple maned. “I'm sorry Copper...I didn't want to wake you...I...we have things to discuss.” ~ There was no stomach turning this time; apparently blinking at the right time saved him. But there was another knock on the door, as Scootaloo stared at him. He nodded to her, holding his revolver to the side after retrieving it from his desk. Scootaloo opened the door and the pony behind it was unmistakable. “Corser...surprised seeing you here,” Scootaloo said, glaring up at Corser. “I see you're still here,” he said down to her, his eyes narrowing. “Honestly Copper, I don't know why you continue to associate with this criminal-” “Hey! Don't you dare-” “Corser. Scootaloo,” Copper said firmly and both of them turned to look at him. “Knock it off the both of you.” Scootaloo made a “harumph,” before moving away to the filing cabinets. There was a moment’s silence while Corser watched as Copper placed the revolver on the table, pointing it at the wall. But he made no move to enter. “What brings about this visit, Corser?” He was desperately searching through his head for any sort of old clue to his relationship with Corser in this world. “Have you gone absolutely mad?” Corser demanded, staring at Copper. “What do you mean?” Copper tilted his head slightly to the side. Corser adjusted his dark jacket, “I'm talking about what happened tonight. It's one thing to take a job from one of Raven's girls, but to pull a gun on Don Burrasca's men...that's just suicide!” “Were they Don Burrasca's men?” Copper looked at Scootaloo, who looked quite bewildered and gave a frantic shrug. “Oh yeah, like she would tell the truth,” Corser said, glaring at Scootaloo. Copper raised a hand before she spoke. “Corser. If you're not going to speak kindly to Scootaloo, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. Scootaloo? Were they his men?” Scootaloo frowned, folding her arms. “How should I know? I've been out of the loop for months.” Copper gestured a hand towards her. “There you go. She doesn't know.” His face scrunched up in anger, but he managed to fight it down. “I just can't believe you would trust her and not me. I know Chrysalis had a fondness for her, but when she left you I thought you would ditch her.” He felt a sting in his chest and saw Scootaloo bite down on her lip. “Corser,” he said slowly, staring Corser in the eyes, “I trust both of you. It...doesn't matter if;” he felt his mouth go dry, but he forced himself to continue. “Chrysalis left. I'm not going to simply abandon Scootaloo.” Corser frowned at him, staring blankly. “Well, they were Don Burrasca's men. And I'm sure he's gonna be plenty pissed that you drew a gun on them. What the hell were you thinking?” “I was thinking that there was someone being harassed that needed help. And since police,” he found himself spitting the word, “Weren't willing to help. I had to step in.” His eyes narrowed as he glared at Copper. “You...” He grit his teeth. This Corser was not as level headed, a bit quicker to anger. Probably not as good a fighter and Copper could probably put him down if necessary. “I see how it is. You'll side with criminals over us.” “I will side with anyone who asks me for help.” His hand was inches away from his gun. He wasn't sure if this Corser would draw a weapon on him. “You've changed...so much that I don't even think I know you anymore.” He turned away, grasping the door handle. “At least you're not drinking yourself silly anymore.” With that he closed the door. Silence followed. The long awkward silence when one party sits and waits for the other to fess up to something. He let his mind wander, letting her think her own things. He thought of the pony who was sitting in front of him back in the other world. Something had seemed off, but he would have to confirm his suspicions when he went back. But he turned his focus back to Scootaloo, who was standing on the other side of his desk. “Ya know how you asked what you were to me?” He nodded slowly, she seemed quite uncomfortable. “Well...you're sorta my...parole officer.” He arched a brow at her. “Parole officer,” he said, knowing what it meant. “What for?” She put her hands behind her back. “Not...not for anything too bad. I just...I used to work for Don Burrasca. Well, I mean my father was another boss, but when he was murdered in the war, Don Burrasca took me in with his guys and I...well mostly I just made deliveries and stuff...moved money around...” Copper leaned back slightly in his chair, simply content to listen to her. “But I got caught and they were pinning crime after crime on me...a lot of the things I didn't do and...and you stood up for me. You came to my defense...I...I don't know why you did. But you did.” Perhaps the Copper that used to be wasn't a bad pony. “I see...” “And...and I didn't tell you earlier cus I was hoping to just avoid the whole thing. If what you were saying was true, I thought that maybe we could get...I don't know, a clean start...a time where every time you look at me I don't feel like you're disappointed in me...or like you're judging me...and...you haven't. And so I...I didn't want to tell you...” She looked like she was on the brink of tears. “I...I can see this seems a very big deal to you.” He realized the gun was still on the table and opened the drawer that it was to go in. “I personally could not talk. I have consorted with criminals. I have helped criminals. I have been helped by criminals. Some have called me a criminal and I have committed many crimes.” He placed the gun back into the drawer. She gaped at him, trying to speak, “I...you...” He looked at her and smiled. “Do you think it would be possible to get a meeting with Don Burrasca?” Her eyes widened and she looked around almost in a panic. “What? Are you nuts? After what you just did, you just want to go and have a talk with him?” The smile did not fade and he nodded. “Quite right. Can you?” She was frowning at him, but sighed. She rubbed the back of her head. “I don't know, I could try...but I don't think they'd like me just popping in and telling them that Detective Feather wants to speak with their boss. I don't know if that would work where you come from, but here, that's suicide.” “We'll see,” he said as he stood up, smiling. Worst case scenario, he would be in for a hell of a fight. But if this one was anything like the other, the mere fact that Copper was trying to talk to him would pique his curiosity too much to deny. “How much is a movie?” Scootaloo blinked owlishly at him. “What?” “A movie? You mentioned them earlier.” As he spoke, he walked around to where he had seen her hiding the money. “I...uhm...a quarter,” she managed. He grabbed ten dollars and wondered if that was literal. “And there are four quarters in a dollar, yes?” She nodded and he smiled. “Which way to the nearest movie?” Her brow wrinkled slightly. “We watch them in a theater.” Copper raised an eyebrow. “Then they are some sort of play?” “I...sort of? I'm not sure how to describe it...well...hm...the nearest theater is just a few blocks away.” Copper stared at her and then pointed down the street. “That way. It'll say Movie Theater on a big sign. Hard to miss.” He smiled, at her as he put on his jacket. “Thank you. For everything. I know I must be quite bothersome to deal with.” She sighed, nodding. “Very. I'll see if I can get that meeting for you.” Her brow wrinkled again. “Are you not going to take your gun? There may be ponies looking for you...” Copper shrugged, opening the door. “It'll be interesting,” he said as he left and began walking. He half expected her to come running out after him, but he reached the Movie Theater with no problems. It took him a moment to decipher the sign, but he figured that three movies were playing. It wasn't until watching the second film for the third time that he felt it. ~ “What do you mean discuss?” It only took Copper a few seconds to remember what was going on. The other pony looked from side to side and then out the tent quickly. “I...I know you don't have reason to believe me, but I'm...I'm on your side.” Copper stared at him a moment. “And how many changelings work for Don Burrasca?” The other pony froze. “Not that I have any problem with you working for him, or being a changeling,” he said as he stretched and then regretted it. He collapsed onto the bed, clenching his teeth. That he had forgotten. The pain. The other pony seemed to snap out of it and made a move towards him, but stopped abruptly. “I...are you all right?” “No...” Copper said through clenched teeth, trying to take in as much air as he could. “But I will be eventually...” He closed his eyes again. “How...how did you know?” The other pony said, sitting down in the middle of the room. “Know you were a changeling?” He took another deep breath, but kept his eyes closed. “I've spent a long, long time with them... You tend to notice things, but mostly it's in the eyes and the way you speak. Impossible to tell at a glance, but I had a hunch and took a shot.” He frowned at Copper, thinking for a moment. “So...you tricked me by accusing me, despite being unsure?” Copper smiled slightly, nodding. “Yup. But, what do you need to discuss?” “I...I want to help you, but I don't know what to do,” he said, staring at Copper. He knew he was staring, despite having his eyes closed. “No need to help...” Copper said, taking another deep breath. “But...but what's your plan to escape?” “Yes, I am quite curious about that myself,” Don Burrasca said, as he came into the tent and the changeling went rigid. Copper cracked his eyes open. “Oh but Don Burrasca...that would ruin the surprise.”