//------------------------------//
// 71: A visit to the jail. 
// Story: My Little Fortress: Dawnpick 
// by Paaaad 
//------------------------------//

Jaxler was making his way to the jail. He had a lot to think about after Granite told him that he was a kleptomaniac. Jaxler knew that he couldn't handle this on his own so he was going to talk to a pony who could help. As he made his way down to the dark jail room he saw him. There Flux was, but to Jaxler's surprise there two others in the room.

Stiletto perks up when she notices the new visitor. "Hello Jaxler, I thought Kat was our guard."

Flux looks up from lounging by Stiletto as best the cell will allow.  "Hmm? Oh, um, heya Jaxler."

Kat steps down the stairs with a tray of food that she was sent to fetch for the three of them and almost bumps into Jaxler, but manages to stops herself first. "Oh! hey there Jaxler. Whatcha doing down here?"

"Hello Kat and... Stiletto. Yes, Kat is your guard but that's not why I'm here. I need to talk to Flux in private about the safety of one of our citizens."

Flux cocks his head to the side, confused.  "Me? Uh, what?"

Stiletto eyes the food, her hunger growing. "Oh, well I really can not leave here yet."

Kat tilts her head slightly at that. "The safety of one of our citizens? With Flux?"

Jaxler nods.  "The problem is currently a personal mater and the guard hasn't been informed of it yet, mainly because the parties involved wish to stay anonymous at this time."

Flux  still looks confused, but goes along with it.  "Um... ok?"  He looks to the two mares.  "Um, Stiletto? Kat? Can Jaxler and I, uh, have some privacy?"

Kat sets the tray down on the table nearby for now. "well.. I could, but what about Stiletto?"

Flux glances at Kat's wings and the keys underneath.  "Uh... the keys? I, um, don't think it'll take long?"

Stiletto looks reluctant to leave Flux's side. "For you my kindest love." She then looks to Kat. "I can show you how I cook."

Flux nuzzles Stiletto to try to reassure her that it'll be alright.

Kat smiles and nods, opening one of her wings to take the ring of keys from it's place, unlocking the cell door and opening it for Stiletto to come out. "I still have no idea how you're going to cook this."

Jaxler watches the two leave the room but doesn't say a thing until both of them are gone. "Flux, are you still Granite's master?"

"Um... maybe? I don't know if, uh, being arrested stops that. Um, why?"

"Well, *sigh* Granite stole my crossbow recently and after I caught him he told me that he has kleptomania.  Seeing how you have some influence on him, I thought that you could help me try to help him with it."

Flux looks concerned, but not too shocked.  "I...I'll try. I, um, don't know how much he'll listen to me, but I'll do what I can."

"Also, I think that you might want to talk to him about his drinking problem."

"I've, um, talked to him a bit about it, but he... still shows up to the furnace drunk sometimes."

"I'm sorry, I'd talk to him about his drinking problems, but I'm not really one to give advice when it comes to drinking."

Flux opens his mouth like he wants to ask something, but decides against it. He instead gives a small nod and apologetic smile.

"Also, the foal has some self-esteem problems and thinks that everyone hates him."

Flux sighs, knowing self-esteem problems first hoof. "I think I can help him with that, at least."

"Good, 'cause I really can't do crap about any of those things, but I really need to get the kleptomania in check before he gets arrested."

"Um, I think he might be doing it because of his self-esteem issues."

"Cool, but I need to find a fast way to help him handle his kleptomania.  So, do you have any ideas as to how I can take care of this quickly?"

"Um, I don't know if this can be fixed quickly, but..."  Flux sits down, considering for a few moments.  "Um, I have a bag of bits under my, uh, mattress in my room. Would you... take some and buy an instrument?  He needs something to focus his energy on. I, um, think an instrument might be just the thing."

"Sure, but before I go, you need to promise me that you won't tell anyone about this, not even Stiletto. I wasn't even supposed to tell you about this."

Flux solemnly swears, complete with the motions.  "Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

Jaxler nods, relieved.  "Good, then I guess it's probably about time I leave."

"Um... ok then, Jaxler. Thanks for, um, visiting."

Jaxler got up to make his way to the stairs but stops at the first step. "Oh, I almost forgot. Can you please stop using that piccolo?"

Flux looks down, having forgotten about his other crime.  "Um... ok..."

Jaxler then makes his way up the steps. "See ya later Flux"

Flux keeps his eyes in the floor. "Um, ya... see you later, Jaxler..."