//------------------------------// // Morning Rain // Story: Fallout Equestria: Broken Hearts // by Aragem //------------------------------// The rain was rolling down the windows in wet streaks when I woke up. It was a steady torrent that promised wet streets and a dank smell from the customers. I checked the cracked clock face and saw that it was 6:32 in the morning. I could sleep for a half hour more before being roused for breakfast, however I wanted a bath without having to wait in line. My roommate Lucky was still asleep and I was careful not to wake her. The washroom was down the hall and knowing the way by heart I didn't need to turn on the hallway lights to get there. The tub was a large metal basin with rusty edges. I turned off the water once the tub was a quarter full. Our water use was limited even though Madame Dove made an under the counter deal to get more water than what was normally rationed to businesses along Pearl Street. I took my time bathing, soaking my coat and watched my tail float in the water between my backlegs. The water lapped at my flank where my mark was of a sea shell in sand. While I scrubbed my tail with a soap, I thought about the day ahead. If the rain kept up till tonight, then business would be slow and I might be able to turn in early. Wait, no, nix that. There was a boat due from the mainland today, bringing in traders, merchants, explorers, brigands, tourists, and fortune seekers from the Equestrian Wasteland. Most of them will want to taste the local colors, or that was what Madame Dove liked to say whenever the boat came. It would be a busy night after all because rain doesn't deter newcomers. It sends them indoors out of the wet cold and toward warm company such as myself and the other mares who work here. If I wanted to go to Slappy's store before the rush, I would need to get going. I quickly wash and rinsed. After drying myself I headed to the kitchen for a quick breakfast. Much to my grief, Candy Hearts had came out of her room and was approaching the bathroom as I was leaving it. She was a lovely pink earth pony with a white and red mane and tail in the resemblance of a candy cane. On her flank was an image of wrapped candies. She gave me a derisive look, “Did you leave any water for the rest of us?” I trotted past without looking at her and said, “There's plenty of water. You know that.” I wanted to say that there wasn't enough water in the world to wash away nasty, but that would throw us into an insult match and Madame Dove made it clear that she wouldn't tolerate anymore fights between us. Next time she would cut our wages for a month and I needed my money today. Cookie, our resident cook, maid, and courier, was setting the table for breakfast when I arrived. “Mornin', Sandy.” “Good morning, Cookie.” I sat down in my usual spot and waited patiently for breakfast. Lucky slouch through the doorway just as Cookie was setting a plate of biscuits on the table. I helped myself to one, floating it to my plate with magic. She landed heavily on the bench next to me and then dropped her head on the table. She peeked at me at through her tangled mane and muttered, “Kill me.” “Sorry, not today. Maybe tomorrow when the blood lust strikes me.” I nibbled my biscuit. Lucky was the only pony in my life I could call a friend. She was a sweet happy drunk that would laugh at any joke, even if they were made at her expense. She was a unicorn like me, but a bit overweight around the middle. I could smell the booze that still stained her blue coat and her mangled green mane was in dire need of brushing. At her flank was a four leaf clover. Cookie set a bowl of oatmeal before me and pushed a mug of steaming coffee towards Lucky. I thanked him and ate quickly, wanting to be out of there before Candy finished her bath. I didn't want her sitting at the same table with us trying to bait me. I nudged the blue unicorn, “You better sober up. Madame Dove is going to think you've been in the cellar again.” “Good, then I can tell her that she needs to restock on the wine,” she mumbled as her hoof found the mug. She sipped it with a loud slurp. “Are you going out to get your book?” “Yeah, Slappy said that it would be in today.” I levitated a spoonful of oatmeal to my mouth. “He's probably just saying that to get you in his shop. You know he fancies you.” Lucky muttered over the mug's brim. “Then he should save his caps then he can afford a half hour with me,” I snorted. Lucky laugh, or cawed in a high nasal whine. “He was until Madame Dove raised the prices. He might have to settle for me or Cottontail. I hope it's me because I'll take care of him!” She cawed some more and her hoof whacked the table. Though I hadn't finished eating, I needed to get out of there before Candy reared her pink head. I got up, “I'll chat with you later, but I really got to go.” “Laters.” Lucky waved goodbye. I trotted past Cottontail, a white earth pony with navy blue mane. She was the youngest member here and the newest addition to the brothel having came in last month from the mainland. I believe that she had came from Dise and was working here because her previous contract holder owed Madame Dove a favor or caps. I gave her a quick greeting and trotted to the dressing room. We were allowed to go out onto Pearl Street on the condition that we advertise ourselves whenever we went out. Which means we dress up nice to tempt any potential customers into visiting the Prancing Filly later. With my magic I went to work styling my petal pink mane and tail. I sprayed sweet smelling perfume onto my soft blue coat and then selected an outfit. I chose fishnet stockings held up with black garters beneath a deep red dress. There were even matching ruby red slippers that fit my hooves snugly. Some blush and eye shadow completed the look. I even applied some mascara to make my eye lashes startling against my pale coat. Slappy was easily persuaded into discounts just by my flirting with him and I was hoping he would give me a big discount today. Once I was satisfied with my appearance, I geared myself up to perform the task of approaching Madame Dove. In the mirror, I saw Candy Hearts walk in and study me critically, “You're going to need another layer of makeup.” “Oh, if I used up all the makeup, then how can you cover up that thing that is your face?” I said sweetly as I brushed past her. She retorted with something nasty which I ignored. Madame Dove's office was upstairs near the brothel rooms. She told me once that being high up gave her a sense of control of everything that happened on her premises. I was half way up the stairs when I paused in fright. Standing at the top of the stairs like a dark nightmare was a black minotaur. His name was Ambrose and he worked as a bouncer for the Prancing Filly. He showed unruly customers the door and made certain that we came to no harm and kept us in line. Madame Dove said that he came from far away, from outside of Equestria. He wore dark breeches held up by a thick leather belt. I was familiar with that belt, as were other mares who ever displeased Madame Dove. “Uh, is Madame Dove awake?” I asked so softly I barely heard myself. He flicked an ear with a large gold hoop in it. “She's in her office.” His voice rumbled deep from his barrel chest. “Thank you.” I quickly went past him and headed toward the door at the end of the long hall. I knocked and waited until I was granted permission to enter. Madame Dove sat behind a huge desk with several stacks of caps before her. She was an aged white unicorn with auburn mane styled up into a cone. A large beauty mark was drawn beneath her left eye and a dangling necklace hung at her breast. She had a ledger open and her horn glowed as a pen scribbled numbers and notes. “Good morning, Sandy Topps,” she said in a thick syrupy voice. She spoke to me with as a loving mother would, but it was empty, false. She didn't see any of us as her own foals, she saw us as a merchant would see merchandise or assets. “What can I do for you this morning?” I had to choose my words carefully. I smiled brightly, hoping that she was in a good mood this morning. “I was hoping that instead of getting my wages tonight, that I might get them this morning. Slappy ordered a new book for me and he said that it might come in today so I was hoping I could buy it before it got too busy tonight?” I kept my voice low and lilting. The same way a foal might ask her mother for a favor. The pen settled in the groove between the ledger's pages and Madame Dove regarded me with silver eyes. I felt a shiver roll down my back, but I stayed where I was with a hopeful look on my face. It was several moments before she finally said, “You certainly look pretty enough to go out today, perhaps too pretty to march out there in the rain and get your dress wet.” “I'll use an umbrella and I'll be very careful around puddles.” I made sure that my response wasn't too quick or blunt so she wouldn't take me for being insubordinate. It wasn't looking too good that she was suggesting I stay in today. I also added, “The boat might come in early and I can say hello to some of the tourists.” That won her over. Anything that would draw in business had her blessing. “Oh alright, I suppose I can give it to you early this time, but don't make it a habit.” With her magic, she picked up a small coin bag and floated twenty caps into it. I tried not to take it too eagerly when she floated the bag to me. I bowed my head graciously and thanked her. As I turned to leave, she stopped me, “Sandy, one moment, please.” I froze and turned back with the coin bag floating above my head, “Ma'am?” “You wouldn't know if any of the other mares are . . . holding back money, perchance?” She folded her fetlocks together and regarded me over them. My heart skipped a beat. Unlike what most ponies on the Pearl would think, the prostitutes of the Prancing Filly weren't paid much. Of all the thousands of caps paid by customers only a tiny percentage got into our purses and pockets. For you see, Madame Dove takes payment for room and board, food, clothing, water, medicine, and protection out of any money we generated sleeping with any stallion or mare with caps. Sometimes clients want to show their appreciation for our services with gifts. Mostly we would get flowers or candies, but sometimes a client may leave a few caps on the table beside the bed. Madame Dove doesn't have a problem letting us keep flowers or candies, but we sure as hell better hand over any caps or we had Ambrose to deal with. “No, ma'am. I don't think anypony here would do that.” Or at least, I hope everypony here knew better than to try it. She tapped the edge of her hoof against her chin thoughtfully, “But you would tell your old Madame Dove if you knew anything, right?” I nodded, “Yes ma'am, but truly, I don't know anything.” “You may go.” She waved me away and went back to studying her finances. I quickly departed tucking the coin bag into a pocket on the inside of the dress. A bead of sweat roll down my cheek. Was there a pony holding back? I hoped not, because not only is that pony going to be due for a “chat” with Ambrose, but that could mean that Madame Dove will knuckle down on the rest of us by cutting back our wages or meals as a dire warning to each of us. Wait, was she suspecting me because I asked to be paid early? No, no, if she suspected me, then she wouldn't let on that she knew something was amiss. She'd rather swoop on me like a hawk carrying off an unwary rabbit. I push my fears to the back of my mind and went downstairs. Ambrose arranged an escort for me and I went out onto Pearl Street with an umbrella floating over head. My escort was an older, but tough pony who called himself Pistol Whip. He was a muddy color with a dark mane and a pistol for a cutie mark. Madame Dove recently hired him as extra security when a fight broke out among in the bar while Ambrose was upstairs dealing with a client insisting he paid for more time with Candy. He always wore shades and leather barding and was very quiet. When he spoke, which was rare, it was in a deep voice with a mainland accent. When we stepped out into the rain I put on the mask I wore for customers. I smiled, winked, and fluttered my eyelashes at any ponies or mares that looked my way. I drew many admiring glances as we passed the shops, bars, and casinos of pearl street. When the Last Day happened, the vacation island of Sunny Days was spared from the Balefire Bombs. It remained isolated from the Equestrian mainland until several decades ago when ponies began reclaiming the Wasteland, merchants from Dise came and reopen the shops and casinos bringing Sunny Days back to life with tourism and gambling. On the street corner, I saw two small foals tipping over a garbage bin. We stopped to wait for a cart to roll down the street and I watched them sift through the trash for bits of food. I saw myself in them. Years ago, I was going through the trash of the wealthy to find any leftover food. Were the foals sleeping under the bridge at the outskirts of Pearl Street on a folded cardboard box with a plastic bag as a blanket like I did? One of the foals noticed my watching them and made a face at me. I stuck my tongue at him and took delight that it surprised him. Then a whistle blew and both foals scampered away as a shop keeper galloped up. He gave them a halfhearted chase before turning back to the fallen trash bin and set it straight. My escort cleared his throat and I noticed the street was clear now. We continue on our way to Slappy's shop. It was near the main gates of Pearl Street. I often wondered what Slappy did to have his shop in such a prime position as all visitors would pass by when they came and left Pearl Street. Lucky said that he either blackmailed the mayor or did something really underhanded to get it. The bell rung as Pistol opened the door for me. Slappy was behind the counter and beamed when he saw me, “Well, if it isn't my favorite mare on the island!” I made a show of fluttering my lashes shyly and offered him a small smile, “I bet you say that to all the fillies and mares, Slappy.” Only to the pretty ones, Sandy.” He gave me a big grin. There must be donkey in his ancestry because his had the biggest teeth I had ever seen in an earth pony's mouth. His mane and tail was shaven short and his cutie mark was of a cash register which looked exactly like the one on the counter. “I take it you're here for that book ya ordered last week.” “You did say that you would have it today.” I reminded him. “I believe I have it somewhere in the back, one moment.” He went into the back and came back moments later with a package. “Take a look.” I peeled back the paper and looked at the cover. The Book of Littlepip was scrawled on the cover in large bold letters and I stared in amazement at the newness of the book. The books I've read in the past were relics from before the Great War with torn pages, burnt edges, and soiled covers. This book was unblemished with white pages and a pleasant new smell. I had been paying for this book a little each week for nearly a year. “Nice ain't it?” Slappy said while I marvel over the book. “Followers of the Apocalypse took it fresh from the printers in Fillydelphia and sent it straight to your lovely hooves.” I tore my eyes from the book. “I know we agreed that I could take it with me if I paid the rest of the thirty caps, but unfortunately, I only have twenty for you.” “Oh. Sorry, m'dear, but I can't let you take it home unless you pay the rest. I'll keep it safe and sound for you until then.” He reached forward to take the book back. I hugged it to my chest away from his hooves. As soon as I saw the flawless cover, I had to take the book home with me. I couldn't stand to wait another week before combing through the fresh pages. “I can pay the rest next week, Slappy. You know I'm good for it. Please?” “Sorry, I can't let you take it. It goes against my policy.” He pointed at a board sign mounted to the wall above his head. On it was a list of rules, one of them being that nothing leaves the shop unless its paid in full. Damn, I was hoping that he would be lenient. However, I wasn't ready to give up yet. I batted my eyes at him and before I could give him a witty response full of innuendo, my escort appeared at the counter beside me and dropped ten caps on the table. I stared at him stunned. Slappy moved toward the caps, “Are you offering to pay the difference, sir?” “Yes.” I quietly paid the remaining twenty caps and thanked Slappy and left with the book tucked beneath my skirt. As we headed back towards the Prancing Filly, I kept glancing at my escort wondering what his game was. One thing I've learned in my pained life is that nopony did anything for free. “I'll pay you back next week,” I told him. I wasn't wearing my mask, totally ignoring the lustful glances and leering looks from passing pedestrians. “No need,” he said without looking at me. “Yes, there is,” I said under my breath. “What do you want? A trip upstairs? Or in the alley? Sorry, but Madame Dove says we're high class prostitutes, not street hookers. So it'll have to be upstairs.” “I don't want to sleep with you,” the mud colored pony replied dryly. I didn't press the issue. If he wanted something from me he would make it known soon and if not, then he was surprisingly dumb. I pushed back my suspicions and allowed myself the pleasure of anticipation. I had heard the tales and many ponies before had claimed to have fought side by side with the Light Bringer during the Wasteland war. It was amusing to hear a young buck speak about the war as if he had been there. The book about Littlepip's journey had been distributed throughout the Wasteland freely. I just had to pay the insane shipping and ordering fees. My pleasure was cut short when I heard preaching up ahead. “Oh no.” Down the street was a unicorn mare standing on a box wearing a white robe with an emblazon sun. She spoke loudly holding her hooves outward toward any pony that drew close. “Celestia's love has been returned to us! But just as love is given freely, it too can be taken away as it was on the Last Day! If we do not turn to Her love, then we may suffer the same fate all over again! Do not turn away from this second chance to redeem ourselves!” Ever since the Light Bringer cleared the sky, the Church of Celestia was a growing religion that was spreading across the Wasteland. They believed that Littlepip had guided Celestia back to Equestria and that ponykind was given a second chance. They preached that if ponies would turn away from sin then Celestia would come back in the flesh to govern us as she had centuries ago. They often come to "dens of sin" to preach and lead ponies back to Celestia's Light. Behind their backs they were called Sun Worshipers. They came to the island several weeks ago and Madame Dove had sent Ambrose to send off a hapless preacher when he attempted to dissuade customers from going into the Prancing Filly. As we drew close, the preacher noticed me and pointed a hoof at me. “Sin comes in all shapes! It may look pretty, it may give you a few minutes of pleasure, and may make the sweetest promises, but it is still ugly! You lie with sin, the you are stained! You talk with sin, then you are stained! You lust for sin, then you are stained! Celestia abhors sin and at the end of your days when you go before Her Light to be judged and she sees all that sin on you, She will turn away from you in disgust and cast you down to the Depths where all the wicked burn! Don't let this trollop lead you Down! Look away and look toward our Goddess's Love and know Her!” This went on and on until we were well out of earshot. I felt the tension ease from my shoulders. It had been worse before. One time a preacher had young foals attending his street sermon and they began throwing trash and rocks at me. When we stepped into the Prancing Filly, I felt the tension in the barroom so thick I felt it's weight on my face. Lucky was sitting at the bar with her usual companion of whiskey and the bartender was intensely cleaning a glass as if it was his life's mission. Silky, a gold colored earth pony mare, was sitting at the end of the bar with an untouched bottle of Sparkle-cola in front of her. She looked like she wanted to throw up. Pistol paused beside me, likely noticing the odd tension. I trotted forward to the bar and whispered to Lucky, “What's going on?” Lucky turned to me and I got a mind numbing whiff of her breath, but her words sobered me quick. “Cottontail was holding back caps and Ambrose is upstairs having a “talk” with her about it.” My blood ran cold and I wished I could go back outside. I would rather stand there and be ridicule as a sin spreading whore than here right now. I looked back and saw that Pistol had disappeared possibly not having a taste for what was happening. I sat on the stool next to Lucky and we sat together in silence. We both had experienced what it was to have a “talk” with Ambrose and our hearts were going out to Cottontail who was likely in the middle of hers. I was glad that the upstairs rooms were sound proof for client privacy as it prevented us from hearing what was happening. We didn't want any sound to aid the mental images in our head. Why didn't I warn the others when Madame Dove asked me about holding back caps? Cottontail could have had the chance to hide her stash . . . no, if I had done that and Madame Dove found out that I had gave warning, I would be upstairs too feeling the bite of a belt. “He'll go easy on her.” Lucky murmured before taking a swig from her bottle. “She's young and new here and a lot of clients like her.” “Yeah, but she committed one of Madame Dove's cardinal sins," I whispered back. Before Lucky could respond, we heard a door open from upstairs and heavy hooves clomping on the stairs. Ambrose came down slipping his belt back around his waist. When he caught us watching him, he gave us a meaningful look and then went into the backrooms. I felt my heart resume it's normal beat and nearly sagged in on the stool. Lucky scooted off her seat and said, “We should go check on her.” I snapped my head around, “Excuse me?” “She needs friends right now.” Lucky floated her near empty bottle of whiskey with her. “And you need to talk to her.” “Why do I need to talk to her?” Lucky cast a glance at Silky who was chatting with the bartender and was sipping her neglected Sparkle-cola. She leaned in and whispered, “Because she's was trying to save her caps for a stallionfriend, that's why.” All the air went out of me in a whoosh. I felt so light headed, I could have spilled off the stool and crumbled into a heap on the floor. I planted my hooves firmly on the counter and glared at her, “You have no right to bring that up.” Lucky was sober enough to look regretful, “I know, I know, but history is gonna repeat itself if you don't go up there and talk to her.” What Lucky was asking me was no small thing. She was referring to a chapter of my life that I wished I could erase. Bringing it back up would be painful and Lucky only knew of it because she was there when it happened. I brushed a hoof across my brow trying not to look at Lucky who was watching me expectantly. “I'll go up with you, but I make no promises. Okay?” “It's enough, Sandy, thanks.” We went upstairs after I took off my dress and hid my book in our room. I don't suspect that anyone in the brothel would want to steal it, but I didn't want it ponyhandled before I had the chance to read it. Lucky carried a little round container of Miracle Salve and floated a bottle of whiskey with her magic. I wondered how much of it would Lucky drink before she would think to offer any to the injured party. It wasn't hard to find which room she was in. We could hear the sobs from the open door. Lucky poked her head in first and then trotted inside. I followed her and saw the state Cottontail was in. She was sprawled on the bed with welts along her legs and back swelling beneath her coat. There were even welts across her cutie mark of a white rabbit nibbling a carrot. Her face was tucked beneath her folded forelegs and her shoulder jerked with each sob. I stood back and waited while Lucky spoke soothingly to the white earth pony and applied the salve to her welts. When she lifted her face from her forelegs I could see the forming bruise on her cheek were she had likely been slapped by Madame Dove. The Miracle Salve Lucky was using was a recent creation from the Followers of the Apocalypse. It treated any minor skin irritations from sunburn to bug bites and any form of skin inflammation. Madame Dove liked it became it can make belt welts heal and disappear in minutes just in time for opening time. She believed that we loose our value if customers saw us with marks or injuries. So far, Lucky hasn't brought up Cottontail's stallionfriend so maybe I could get out of talking about my past. Just as I thought I could sneak out, Lucky said, “What happened, hon?” “Madame Dove searched my room and found my caps hidden beneath my mattress. I think Candy ratted me out.” Cotton rubbed her eyes with a hoof. She was sitting at the edge of the bed with Lucky. She looked miserable when she said, “I just want to leave.” “Dear, then you're going to have to pay off your contract first,” Lucky said gently. Alright, let me explain the thing about contracts. It's a wicked little tool that pimps and madames such as Madame Dove use to keep prostitutes from leaving. What? You think we stay at the Prancing Filly because we liked having sex with strange ponies for little to no pay and being terrorized by Ambrose under Madame Dove's tyranny? No, because each of us signed a contract. If a pony wants to end a contract then she would have to pay it all off or the holder of the contract agrees to tearing it up. “How!? She barely pays me anything! If I saved every cap she gives me it would still take years before I pay it off!” Cottontail sniffle looking poor and miserable. “And she even docked my pay for three months . . .” “You knew better than to try holding back caps,” Lucky admonished gently. “You need to just keep your head down and do as Madame Dove says and get more clients. She'll pay you more if you do.” “I . . .I can't wait that long.” Cottontail stammered. “Why? Because your stallionfriend is going to be leaving on a boat soon?” Lucky said. Cottontail gawped at her and she said, “Darlin', I've been in this job a long time and I've seen young fillies like you come and go in this line of work and trust me, I know a filly in love when I see one.” Cottontail looked away with narrowing eyes. “You don't know anything. Neither of you do.” I had enough. “Let me guess. You and he have a plan to run away together, am I right?” It was my turn to be gawped at. “H-how do you . . .?” “I know because I lived it, honey.” I sat on the floor and glowered at her. “And trust me, it was all a damn mistake that I wish I could go back and change.” Lucky floated the whiskey bottle over to me. I accepted it and I realized that she had brought it up for me. She understood how hard this would be for me and I silently thanked her for it by taking a long swig. The liquid burned going down, but it was quick to loosen me up to dampen down the walls I had to keep from being hurt. I set the whiskey bottle down and began my tale. Ten years ago, I had been Cottontail's age and I had been working for Madame Dove for two years. Back then, I had thought of Madame Dove as a surrogate mother because she was the one that took me off the street and kept me clean and fed. That's a different story for a different time. It was during one of my trips down Pearl Street to do some shopping with the caps I had saved up when I met him. His name was Barley Hay and he was the most good looking earth pony I had ever seen. His coat was tan brown and his mane was pure gold. He was a shop owner's son, but he had dreams of going out into the Wasteland and starting his own caravan company. All he lacked was the caps to do it. At that time, Madame Dove wasn't strict about us going out alone ( however, after this story, you'll see why she decided that we needed escorts to go out ). I was able to go out and meet with him each day. He didn't care that I was a prostitute, all he cared that I was Sandy Topps and he was in love with me. Then one day, he told me that he was going to be leaving on an evening boat and he wanted me to come with him. He said he wanted to marry me and we could start a caravan company together. I was so in love with him that his dream became my dream and I agreed to run away with him. I sneaked out the back with a bag full of my scant belongings and whatever caps I had and met with him at the boat. The boat was late to leave so we were waiting together at the docks when Madame Dove arrived with Ambrose. My beau had a gun and had been prepared to use it to defend me when Madame Dove offered him 700 caps to get on the boat without me. He accepted. I will never forget how he accepted that bag of caps and never looked back at me as I screamed his name from across Ambrose's shoulder. When we got back to the Prancing Filly, Ambrose took me upstairs and raped me. Then he beat me so severely, I thought I was going to be beaten to death. I spent weeks recovering from a broken leg, cracked ribs, and a fractured skull. When I recovered, Madame Dove told me that my contract sum had gone up. She said that I now owed her the 700 caps she paid off Barley with and for the weeks I didn't work recovering, and also the healing potions that kept me from dying that day. I never seen or heard from Barley again. As I finished my story, Cottontail was staring at me in amazement and, to my chagrin, pity. She asked, “Why did she pay him the caps?” “To teach me a lesson. To teach me that caps and money weigh a lot more than love and friendship,” I told her. “It cost a lot, but I never made the same mistake again.” Level Up! New Perk: Flirtatious Customer - You are able to use your charms to get a 20% discount from merchants.