//------------------------------// // Lost // Story: The City of Dreams // by maxxxxxx //------------------------------// “This place is incredible!” Honeybun marveled as she walked down the crowded city streets. Looking at the towering structures that loomed overhead with wide eyed wonder. The midday sun gleamed off their mirror like surface casting an almost halo like light on the towering structures. The city was full of so many sounds, sights and smells. It was almost overwhelming for the small town country girl. Everypony sure seems in a hurry though. I bet you'll never run out of things to do in a place like this. It's nothing like back home. I doubt I could ever meet everypony in the city and I know I'd never be able to remember all their names. She couldn't help but grin conspicuously everywhere she looked, eyes glittering with excitement. High end shops and vendors round every corner captivated her curiosity and wonder. Stopping in front of a display window for an upscale dress shop she gazed behind the glass like a child would a toy shop. “It's beautiful!” She was mesmerized by a luxurious light blue dress that looked fit for a princess with ornate lace and ribbon and perfect stitching. Her eyes slowly wandered down to the price tag listed at the base of the mannequin. “Sweet Celestia!” She blurted out much louder that she'd have liked as she looked around for the incredulous stares of passerbys. To her relief and surprised, no pony was paying any attention to her. With a sigh she returned to the price tag. Well, I wouldn't have any need for a dress that fancy any how. Besides, Nopony back home would even recognize me if I came home in something like that... Still, maybe someday. Smiling, she left the window and continued down the bustling street. I wonder, I still have some time before it gets dark, and the landlord let the moving service in so I doubt I have to worry about my stuff. I guess I could take a small detour to learn about the city and feel my way around. I don't want to spend too much time out since I still have to unpack and get settled in. Besides, I don't start my apprenticeship till the day after tomorrow, I can spend more time exploring tomorrow. I bet I'll never see everything this wonderful place has to offer. She wandered around, passing by delicious smelling fast food vendors and peddlers stands full of more wears than she had ever seen in her local shops back home. High class restaurants were a common site in this city as she passed by many establishments, most were completely packed with hungry customers. That'll be me soon, my own restaurant. Filled with smiling faces enjoying my hard work and chatting happily. I can't wait! Beaming with confidence and excitement she sped her pace, nearly skipping down the street. A new and rhythmic sound tore her from her thoughts. Turning her head down a narrow street she located the source of the sound. “A street performance!” Excitedly, she hurried down the street to see a group of four young ponies. Two pegasai and two earth ponies. Some of their instruments were unconventional at best, as a large, muscular orange pegasus was improvising trash cans for drums while a dull grey earth pony was producing a fast paced beat from his throat that the drummer was playing in time to. Behind them, a light brown stallion with a shaved mane strummed on a beat up looking guitar. A young earth pony mare with ebony black coat and a short, pitch black mane with streaks of hot pink was jamming out on a portable keyboard. She was wearing a dark grey hoodie and was looking really into her performance. Actually, It kind of looks like she doesn't care about her performance at all, I don't think any of them notice that I'm here. But they sound pretty good and look like their having fun, I've never heard music like this before. It's chaotic, it's messy, but, I can tell they're having fun, it shows in their music. She watched silently as their session continued, losing herself in the unusual melody. Soon, she closed her eyes and let the music flow over her, it was invigorating and empowering. Time seemed to fly by as her mind focused on very nuance. Without her even realizing it, she had begun to bob her head to the beat. The thing that stood out to her the most was the keyboard. It's sounds seemed to seep into ever facet of the song, permeating throughout it with it's rapid fire notes and energetic chords. She could tell they had a lot of practice, but the filly on the keyboard had talent and passion. She reminds me of old Mr. Viola. Well, not the music, but the same love of her music. You can just hear it in her playing. I bet her cutie mark is something to do the keyboard. “Hey, you gonna just stand there with your eyes closed?” A fillies voice shook her from her daze as she opened her eyes. The entire ensemble was looking at her and smiling. A blush spread across her face as she glanced around her, as if to ensure nopony else was staring at her. “Uh, I- Um... I guess I got a bit caught up in your song and thinking about how good it sounded, I kind of got lost in my thoughts.” Honeybun stammered nervously, avoiding the eyes of band. “Thanks, not every pony here appreciates our talent and hard work.” The hooded filly on keyboard grinned slyly, looking over to her band mates. The drummer, an earth pony, tipped his head, letting his beret fall into his hoof. He smiled expectantly at Honeybun who was looking rather bemused. “Care to provide some bits to some struggling artists?” The filly prodded. Finally it clicked for Honeybun. “Oh! Oh of course! Here.” She reached into her messenger bag and fished out a few bits, dropping them into the drummers beret. “you're music was really unique and I could tell you were really enjoying it.” She gave a heartfelt smile as she spoke. The filly seemed taken aback by her earnest and pleasant nature, even eying her suspiciously for a moment. Soon however, she relaxed her mistrust and smiled back at her. “Thanks, most ponies around here have no taste in good music at all. Speaking of which, you're not from around here are you?” “Oh, is it that obvious? No, actually I just moved here today from a small town to the west. I got a really good opportunity out here so I decided to see it through. Oh, I'm sorry I didn't even introduce my self yet! The name's Honeybun and it's a pleasure to meet y'all.” She dipped her head respectfully. A gesture the band seemed to find oddly formal. “The west huh, well Manehattan is gonna be a big change then. I'm Synth, over there on vocals is Bounce. Drums is Beat. And on guitar we have Strum.” The band bobbed their heads in greeting. “Nice to meet you all.” She responded pleasantly. Are those really their names? I've hears singers and artist sometimes use stage names. “Anyway, welcome to the city. It's probably scary being in a place like this but don't worry too much. Just learn who, what and where to stay away from and you'll probably make it out of this place just fine.” Synth's tone became cool and distant as her light pink eyes seemed to drift off to something intangible. Her sudden change filled Honeybun with a sense of foreboding that almost made a shiver run down her spine. “W- what do you mean... make it out?” She stuttered nervously. In response an annoyed look flashed across Synth's face. “Just what I said. You should get out of here. This part of town isn't bad, but still not somewhere you want to be wandering around in the dark in, especially if you don't know where you're going. We've got to get going. Come on guys. We're done for the day.” Mumbles erupted from the other ponies as they begrudgingly packed their respective instruments. Synth walked right by her without making eye contact, her keyboard slung over her shoulder, so large it was only inches off the ground given her short stature. I wonder what she meant by that. This city seems wonderful and everypony I've met is seems nice. Maybe what Mama and Papa told me about the big city is true... No way, that was all just a bunch of hooey, try'n to keep me from coming out here. I'm sure it's nothing... I'm sure of it. ******************************************************************************* “Ah! This hay dog is so delicious!” She said bubbly, biting down on the last morsel of her meal. Licking her lips she sat up from her table with a content smile. Casting her eyes to the sky, a disappointed look took over her expression. I guess I have to get home soon, the sun will be going down soon... Her thoughts drifted back to what Synth had said earlier as she started making her way down the street once again. Even if she was exaggerating, I still don't want to get lost here at night. Speaking of which.. “Where am I?” She said blankly, coming to a stop in the middle of the side walk. Ponies walked around her like water in a river would around a rock as she looked frantically around at the street signs, looking for a street name she recognized. Failing that panic soon set it.'No! no, no, no, no! I can't be lost! How did that happen? I swear I only turned all of about three times! This isn't good, this is really not good! “Um, Excuse me sir I-” She asked, trying to elicit help from one of the other pedestrians but was ignored as he continued to walk right by her. Turning her head she spotted an older mare walking towards her. Feeling more confident talking to a less intimidating stranger she intercepted her, stepping right in her path. “Ma'am, do you think you could help me? I'm trying to find Exmoore Ave, do you think you could help me? I just moved here and I'm kind of lost.” Honeybun asked hopefully with a cheery smile. The mare glanced around her quickly before returning her attention back to Honeybun. “I'm sorry, I don't know where that is. Sorry, but I really must be going.” Before Honeybun could respond the mare side stepped her and hurried down the sidewalk, joining the throngs of ponies. Her heart began to race, as the prospect of being lost in the massive city became increasingly real. What do I do? If I try to find it on my own I could just end up getting more lost, or end up in one of the places that Synth said to avoid. But I can't just stay here and do nothing, I'm running out of time. What should I do? Maybe if I find a police station they could help me... But where's the police station? Oh I have no idea what to do! I wish my Mama was her, her sense of direction is way better than mine. If Papa were here I bet he would be able to talk to strangers better. Maybe this was a mistake. She could feel tears building up in her eyes and her chest felt tight. She shut her eyes tight, squeezing small drops from them. Her chest spasmed as she tried to force back her sobs. Don't cry Honeybun, don't cry... “Um, are you alright? You said you're lost right?” A voice pierced the white noise of mumbles that was coming from the crowd. Her eyes shot open to see a pegasus mare, about her age standing in front of her. She had a wispy grey mane that looked like the darkest of storm clouds and a pale blue coat. She was almost unreal as the blue of her pelt looked like her body had frozen, like her fur and skin were frosted over. Looking at her gave Honeybun a chill and an immense desire to wrap her hooves around the stranger to try and warm her up. On instinct alone she almost asked if she was okay. Instead, she got control of her thoughts just in time to weakly respond. “Y- yeah.. I just moved here and I got lost. I can't find my apartment and I'm scared I'll be stuck out here in the dark and nopony will help me.” She was struggling against the urge to cry the entire time she spoke, trying to sound as normal as she could, but her voice would crack from her strained throat. She began wiping away her tears with her forelegs. “Hey don't worry, I've lived here my whole life. Why don't you tell me where you're apartment is? I can probably tell you how to get there from here.” The stranger smiled reassuringly. “Really?! Oh thank you! I was so worried I would have to sleep out here! I don't know how I would have handled that. Thanks bunches! My address is five- fifty- one Exmoor Ave. Do you know where that is?” She smiled back hopefully, and to her relief, the mare nodded. “Yeah, I know how to get there. See that street there?” Honeybun followed her hoof as she pointed down a street to her left. “Go down there, then take a left on to Celestia street. From there keep going till you hit Mane street. Exmoor will be the first left on Mane.” “Oh, so I'm not that far! Thank you so much, I don't know what I would have done without you.” “Don't worry about it.” She smiled softly back at Honeybun. “But hey, I know a faster way to get there if you want. It's a shortcut I take to get home all the time and it goes right past your street.” “Really? Would you mind showing me? I want to get home and get unpacked as soon as I can.” “Sure thing.” She nodded before she began trotting slowly. “Follow me.” With Honeybun in toe they walked a short way down the street before the pegasus made a sharp turn down an alley way. Turning around she looked almost impatiently at her follower. “Are you coming?” She asked. Honeybun looked wearily around the threshold of the narrow and poorly lit alley. “Are you sure this is a shortcut?” She asked nervously. “Of course I am, I use this way all the time to get home. Trust me.” At her guides behest, she gingerly stepped down the alley, following closely behind her to avoid getting further lost. Then, something caught her eye on her new acquaintance’s flank. She doesn't have a cutie mark? But she looks like she's almost as old as me, maybe older. Why doesn't she have it yet? As she pondered this, they rounded one more narrow corridor. Suddenly, they came to a stop. “So, this is your first day in Manehattan?” She spoke without even turning to look at Honeybun. “Y- yeah.. Today's my fist day. Why?” She was starting to get a strong, uneasy feeling as she took a step back instinctively. The pegasus turned to her, with calm smile she spoke. “Well then, consider this your welcome party.” Suddenly, with a blur of motion she felt a painful blow to her face, striking with such force that it caused her to stagger. Her ears rang and she could taste blood flowing into her mouth. Then, in another pale blue blur she was pulled to the ground and a familiar weight left her shoulders. As her senses returned she could only see the back of the pegasus as she ran off with her bag, and everything in it. “No! Please come back! I need that! Please...” She cried out, but it was too late, her assailant had already bolted down another alley, and was long gone. She slowly got back on her hooves. Blood seeped from her mouth down her lips, staining her fur. The impact she made with the pavement had tore through her fur and scraped up her front knees. Her heart was racing and her body was shaking from adrenaline, but everything still hurt. Her soft sobs echoed around her as she stared dejectedly where the pegasus vanished to, tears effortlessly flowing down her cheeks. **************************************************************************** “Why is this happening? T-this was supposed to be a new start for me. I was supposed to have a happy life here. Why would somepony do that? Take something that doesn't belong them? I- I didn't do anything to her.” She trotted down the street to her apartment building, finally having found it with the directions given to her by the thief. Her eyes were were sore and tired right along with the rest of her body. Her mouth still had the repulsive taste of blood in it and the fur on her cheeks were soaked through with her tears. I shouldn't have come out here.. My Papa was right, this is too much for me. I really am still just a filly. I should go back home. Mama and Papa would be happy to have me back, besides, I've been worried about how Papa will do without me helping him. As she approached her small, three story apartment she saw a rather bulky earth pony stallion stepping out from the front door and locking it. Nervously she called out to him. “Excuse me, wait! I need to get in there!” Coming to a stop at the small set of cement stairs that led up to the door she looked up at the stallion with eyes filled with desperation. “Do you live here?” “Yes, I um, I just moved in today. Well, At least my stuff is moved in. My key, it just got stolen and-” “Do you have an ID?” “Well that was in my bag with my key so...” “Sorry kid, without a key or ID only the landlord can let you in, I'm just maintenance and security. And the landlord just left about ten minutes ago. You can try and catch up with him I guess he lives about twenty minutes from here. Otherwise you wont be seeing him until at least tomorrow morning.” He spoke plainly and unsympathetically. “But, but I... I don't know this city. I'll just get lost again if I try to find him!” Tears were again stinging her eyes as the flowed down. “I don't know what else to tell you. You could try the police station, but I doubt you'll be able to find it before it gets dark if you don't know your way around. Anyway, I got to get going, hope it works out for ya. Night.” He nonchalantly brushed right past the distraught mare, leaving her alone at the base of her steps. “No. No... Why is this happening to me?” Honeybun whispered to herself, her throat sore and hoarse from struggling against her whimpers. Sitting on the lower most step, she buried her head in her forelegs and, giving up on holding back her feelings, cried in despair. The sky was dyed a dull red from the setting sun, it would be night soon, and she was all alone.