//------------------------------// // 02 - A Running Start // Story: Solar Sails: Adrift In Canterlot // by Bluecho //------------------------------// Ch. 2 - A Running Start “Uh...morning?” Such was the most polite greeting Sarin Miles received while jogging through the streets of Canterlot. Most others gasped, gawked, muttered and moaned, or simply tried desperately to avoid staring as the Fatae ran past. It was everything Sarin feared and more when she decided to run beyond the gates of Canterlot Castle. But they'll just have to deal, thought Sarin, brushing away the shocked reception. Sarin's entrance into the capitol of Equestria had not been a pleasant one. Trussed up in chains, exhausted from a long night of espionage and threatening ponies with weapons, Sarin had become the show for what few residents were around during the early morning. Mostly those getting an early start or a late bid for bed. Enough ponies had seen her to warrant more than a few rumors. A strange biped marched into the castle dungeons? That makes for great gossip. As far as Sarin witnessed, the residents of the city hadn't quite believed the rumors. Had doubted. Jogging down the streets casually, with no apparent guard escort, Sarin summarily put their doubts to rest. Much to their shock and horror. And I'll make a habit of doing it so long as I live in this town. So get used to it. I need my exercise. She shot off a salute to a pair of guards stationed under an awning. They blinked, but made no move against her. If Princess Celestia vouched for the strange creature, it was sufficient. Not that she remained unmonitored; Sarin could swear that pegasus soldiers flew about, ducking behind buildings so as to keep tabs on her comings and goings. Made sense. Even with a pardon, the modified soldier posed a possible risk. She had killed at least one creature in the time she walked on the planet. Admittedly, it was a voice stealing, pony devouring, hodgepodge monster. A detail of covert observers was hardly unreasonable for the foreseeable future. She couldn't get any proper spy work done for her Empire anyway. Not without a line of communication. And not when she started to suspect that the powers that be were more than a little evil. Rounding a corner, Sarin's path brought her side by side with a pony, also engaged in jogging. He wore a red track suit, and had a tan coat and brown mane. Casual glance at his cutie mark revealed a checkered flag. Turning to face his new companion, the pony – an earth pony – drew a shocked expression. Eyes splayed, he sputtered a moment, then said, “Oh! Hi...you...” “Hello!” Sarin chirped, flashing the pony a smile. “...what are you...?” the pony said, his narrowing inquisitively. “...doing! That is. What are you doing?” His expression became more apologetic, followed by a forced, terse, breathless laugh. “Jogging.” “Oh,” said the pony, suddenly looking straight ahead. He shook his head, wincing. Sarin couldn't be sure, but it seemed like her companion realized how stupid his question seemed. “I'm sorry.” “No problem.” “So...are you that...something or other?” he asked. “The one everypony kept talking about?” “Probably.” “The one who got taken to the castle in chains?” he continued, beginning to look uneasy. “Yep,” Sarin said. “Princess Celestia let me go after a while, so now I'm jogging.” “Huh,” said the pony, his nervousness seeming to fade. “Now you're jogging?” “Yes.” “Just like that?” “Yes.” “...you sound like my kind of...” began the pony, grinning. He quickly discovered his ignorance. “...my kind of...” “Fatae,” said Sarin helpfully. She flashed another smile. “And thank you.” The pony smiled, his step growing lighter. As the modified soldier increased her pace to keep up with the stallion, he said, “So you're a Fatae? What's your name?” “Sarin,” she said. “Sarin Miles.” “Nice to meet you Sarin,” the stallion said, stopping to jog in place on his hind legs so he could extend a forehoof. Sarin returned the place-jogging, limb extending gesture and shook his hoof. He continued, “My name's Cantering Place. Of the Place family.” Cantering Place pronounced his name with a silent G. “Nice to meet you, likewise,” Sarin said. “What do you like most about running, Sarin?” Cantering asked. Odd question. It made Sarin pause, stroking her chin while looking wistfully away. “I guess...I like running because it's what I was made to do.” “Really? Like a special talent?” “If by special talent, you mean I was engineering by Fatae science to be very good at running fast,” explained Sarin, “then yes, absolutely.” Cantering Place continued his own stationary jog, pondering this interesting concept. “...so you fancy you're pretty good on speed, eh?” “Yes,” she answered. “I guess I do.” She smiled. The pony jogger grinned back. “How about we test that theory? Race to Canterlot Square?” Her already beating heart quickened. Sarin's smile grin expanded. “You're on!” Then they took off into a run, leaving pedestrians who had watched the unusual exchange to gawk in their wake. To her dismay, Whole Heart was unable to catch a cab carriage. Physically unable, as it turns out. Even unburdened by her luggage, the crystal mare was slow as a rule. Just trotting after a carriage for ten seconds, only to see a suited unicorn jump in and demand egress, left Whole Heart gasping for breath. She bent over, sucking air desperately. She took in her surroundings. The street in front of the hotel had no other waiting cabs. She groaned, gasping. Whole Heart would have to walk, and she had numerous places to go that day. The crystal pony had a tidy sum of bits – exchanged from Crystal Currency back home – but they weren't a fortune. As it turned out, a hotel in the capitol of Equestria cost a lot, so she couldn't afford to stay for more than a week where she was. So in addition to finding employment, Whole Heart needed to find cheaper lodging. Which meant additional running. Whole Heart felt like ducking back inside and brushing the entire ordeal off. Instead she started walking. Necessity may have been the mother of invention, but she was also a harsh mistress. At least that's what Whole Heart thought, her chest still thumping minutes after her run. Somewhere in the distance behind her, she could hear the rush of wind. It passed soon enough, like two gales rushing down a perpendicular street. Whole Heart considered her options. Being that the Crystal Empire held strong ties to the Canterlot royalty, she could attempt to inquire about jobs at he castle. She worked hard, and she'd heard legendary tales of the magnitude of Canterlot's bureaucracy. If anypony needed help, it would be them. But then again, since the castle had such ties to her home country, the possibility existed that most of the staff were partially familiar with crystal ponies in general. Which meant they would know what most of them looked like. Which means they'll be thoroughly unimpressed by me and my imperfection, Whole Heart thought, dejectedly. No, better to save the castle as a last resort. She didn't think the gleam of her skin could hide her Flaw. Not from them. Whole Heart sighed, then sighed again when she turned over her shoulder and realized how little progress she'd made. It's going to be one of those days, isn't it? The two joggers panted together, resting at the foot of the Canterlot Square fountain. Sarin smiled, while Cantering Place let out sporadic chuckles. Around them, ponies dotted the sidewalks, chancing furtive glances or staring outright. Not just because of the Fatae's appearance. “Can't believe it,” Cantering said, stroking his mane. “Didn't think anypony could run that fast.” “Told you I was designed for speed,” Sarin said, barely out of breath. She chuckled alongside the pony. “Here I was, not believing you,” Cantering said. He stuck a hoof out to wave into the distance. “And then bam! You pull out ahead and leave me in the dust at the last second.” He peeked over to his new companion. “You held back that whole way, didn't you?” “Didn't want to make you feel bad,” Sarin said, giddy when the stallion responded with another amused chuckle. “Besides, you weren't half bad yourself.” “Ah, if you thought that was impressive, you should see my brother Trotting.” “Trotting Place?” “Yep,” confirmed Cantering Place. “Lives over in Trottingham.” “Is this an intentional theme?” Sarin asked, raising an eyebrow. “Not at first,” said Cantering, wiping sweat from his brow. “I moved here to Canterlot a while back. Trotting thought it was the funniest thing, so he left our home in Baltimare and moved to Trottingham. Just to supply the pun.” “Does he like it there?” “Oh yeah,” he said, waving a hoof. “He met his lovely life there.” They continued their conversation until around noon. When the sun reached its apex, Cantering said, “Ah, this has been nice. But I got to go. See you on the streets tomorrow morning?” “Yes, absolutely,” Sarin said. “It's been so long since I had anyone to run with, let alone talk to.” An accurate statement. Truth be told, aside from superior officers making sure she kept up her training regiment, she spent her time running alone. It was an activity she enjoyed – a pastime she knew she didn't fail at – but which was supremely lonely. As Cantering Place jogged off, waving as he went, Sarin waved back. A bubbling sensation sat in her stomach. She felt better after that good run than she had in a long, long time. I think I might come to love running again, she thought, taking off back towards the castle. Her feet felt light as a feather. I think I might come to hate running, Whole Heart thought, trudging back to the hotel as the setting sun painted the sky a brilliant red. Her hooves felt heavy as lead. Not one lead on a job. Eight different businesses visited, and none had need for a secretary. No papers needed pushing, no messages taken. Everypony had an assistant or help already. With each passing disappointment, Whole Heart's hooves grew slower, her gait more labored. By the time she'd given up and turned for home – or rather the hotel she stayed at – she felt like she would need entire days to heal from that day's exertion. No doubt she would feel it all the worse in the morning. She'd even stopped by one of the only other hotels in town. No vacancies. She would have to sleep in her pricier one for the foreseeable future. At this rate I'll run out of bits before I find a job, she thought. How can a city like this not have employment opportunities? Plodding along, the crystal mare passed a young stallion, laden with books. He glanced her way, then almost kept moving. Then he stopped and stared. “Excuse me, miss?” “Huh?” said Whole Heart, unable to properly remove the edge of frustration from her voice. “What do you want?” “You're a Crystal Pony, right” he said, nervously. “No, I'm a Saddle Arabian,” said Whole Heart, scowling. She shook her head, trying to dispel her foul mood. “Sorry, long day. Is there some reason a crystal pony surprises you?” The pony's face lit up. “Oh, not at all. I study Crystal Pony anatomy at Canterlot Academy. It's just that...well...I've never seen...something like that in my studies.” He pointed to her body. Part of Whole Heart would have been confused at the lack of explanation. It would, if another part didn't already instinctively know to what he referred. The mare grew nervous. The student stallion was talking about her Flaw.