//------------------------------//
// 80 
// Story: My Little Fortress: Dawnpick 
// by Paaaad 
//------------------------------//

Stiletto knocks lightly on Willow’s door. "Ms.Willow, are you in today?"

Willow opens the door. "Hello?"

Stiletto smiles and bows while putting her hat on her chest. "Good day to you, Ms. WiIlow. Do you have time to speak with me?"

Willow raises an eyebrow at the formality. "Uh, of course. What is it?"

Stiletto magically lifts a barrel from behind her. "I have heard that you like strangler wine. I came across a large patch of the plant while I was removing Badger Ponies from the hill. May I please come into your apartment and share it with you as we speak?"

"Oh, um, alright." She motions for Stiletto to follow her inside. "What did you want to speak about?"

Stiletto trots inside and removes her hat. "Straight to the matter at hand then. I have come today to talk to you about the artifact you created." She places the wine down and opens the cork to let it breath.

Willow raises an eyebrow and thinks for a moment. "Artifact? Oh, you mean that flute?"

Stiletto takes a pair of mugs from her saddle bags "Yes. I wanted to tell you that meine freundlichsten Liebe has taken quite the liking to it. I was wondering if you would consider allowing him to buy it from you?"

Willow has a dumbfounded look. "Your who?"

Stiletto fills the mugs and offers one to Willow. "Meine freundlichsten Liebe, Flux. He is an incredible musician."

Willow accepts the mug and sips at the contents. "Oh, Flux... haven't seen him around much these days." She sips again. "You say he's a musician? Really? Wouldn't have guessed."

Stiletto takes a drink from her mug. "Indeed he is. He has many talents. Would you please allow him to buy the Piccolo from you?"

"Buy it, huh?" She sips again and ponders it for a bit. Truthfully, she'd forgotten about the thing, but she couldn't just pass up an opportunity like this. "Um, how much is he offering?"

Stiletto looks to the ground. "He does not have very many bits. He has been saving for a long time now and only has one dragon. Maybe there are other things he could do for you to earn it?"

Willow feels a bit bad for trying to extort the poor smelter. "Um... well..." Willow sips again. "Tell you what... I'll let it go for half that... how's that sound?"

Stiletto gulps down her entire mug as her eyes go wide. She then puts the mug on the barrel. 'es ist mehr als viereinhalb Platin Drachen wert! Ja Möchten sie ... oh my!' "That is incredibly generous of you, Willow. I do not know what to say. Is there anything I can do for you, anything at all?"

"I... uh... well..." She gives what must be a cheesy grin. "Just make sure it's going to a good home?" It was a pretty stock thing to say to something like that, but she was 500 bits richer now, and didn't really care what happened to the thing.

Stiletto put her forehoof on the side of her head. "I just..." She shakes her head "I have never met such a generous pony before in all of the years I have lived." She pours out another mug. "I toast to you, Willow. May you goodness be repaid tenfold."

Willow grins sheepishly. "Oh... it's nothing..." She prepares to say something about it being worthless to her, but she still had the 500 bits... "Just glad it could go to somepony who can use it."

Stiletto holds her mug out to Willow to finish the toast. "I am glad to have met you. I do hope we can become close friends."

Willow completes the toast with Stiletto and maintains her small grin. "Of course, it's always good to get to know new ponies." Although she'd heard a few strange things about Stiletto... she'd just have to be a bit cautious if that sort of stuff came up. Willow savors the flavor of the drink in her mouth and nods. "Yes, and take care of that flute.