CH. 7 Feelings
Daring Do woke up and faced the waxing moon. She sat up, rubbing her eyes as she took a look around; her head throbbed in pain. She groaned and rubbed her head, muttering “Stupid hangover,” under her breath. Daring swiveled her head around the room, her brow arched in realization. “Wait, how did I get to my room?” She looked down at her bed to find Ahuizotl sleeping silently beside her. She jumped slightly, but noticed he had his chin resting comfortably on the edge of the bed. She put two and two together and knew it was Ahuiziotl who brought her back. She must have went over her limit. She hadn't drank that much since Saddle Arabia, and that was because she was celebrating. It had been years. She would have to work on her bad drinking habits. But for now, she needed to find the pearl.
“Ahui…" Daring whispered. "Ahuizotl, wake up.” She whispered but a little bit louder. He opened his eyes, his yellow pupils shining like a cat’s eyes. He sat up, cracked his neck and faced her.
“Ah. So the alcoholic is finally awake.” He mused as he stretched his legs.
“Shut up." She snapped. "I am not an alcoholic." She said, jumping off of the bed.
"The first step is "admittance", Miss Do."
"What time is it?” She asked, ignoring his last comment. Ahuizotl glance up at the moon and clicked with his tongue.
“Midnight. Fairly close to one in the morning.”
“Good. Everypony must be asleep by now. Ready to do some snooping?” She threw off her coat and beret, revealing her camo vest.
“What is the plan?” He asked as she opened their suitcases. She took out her whip and placed her pith helmet on the top of her head. She took out Ahuizotl's weapon and threw the dagger at him. His eyes widened in fear and dodged the blade. It landed right on the bed. The blade's tip had sunk itself into the mattress. He whirled at Daring and shot her a look of contempt. She smiled apologetically.
“Uh… oops? Kinda forgot you don’t have hands.”
He rolled his eyes and picked up the dagger's handle with his teeth and placed it into his satchel.
“We’re going on top of the train.” She began, opening the suite’s window. Her mane flickered as the fierce wind hit her face. She looked out at the fast moving train checking at the roofs of the carts. Flying out, wasn't an option for her. If she tried to open her wings, the force of the wind will make her barrel roll straight to her death.
"Is that really wise?"
She moved her head back inside. "We can't afford having the other guests hear us, or see us. The roof is our best bet."
The amount of noise the train generates along with the wind outside, no one would be able to hear them. “Something also got me thinking, If Blanco does have the pearl here, he must keep it in a safe place.”
“Perhaps he keeps it in his bedroom.” He replied. “Somewhere close, somewhere he can guard it, where no one else can enter.”
“Maybe. But I don’t think he’ll keep something important like the pearl under his bed, I was thinking more like the bag storage area, near the back of the train. He might have a safe back there." She stuck her head back out and positioned her whip. She focused on a small metal handle that sat on top of the train. She snapped her whip out, immediately grabbing the metal handle. She pulled, making sure it was tight enough to jump over. It was.
"Yes, but perhaps we should investigate his bedroom fir-"
She turned back at Ahuizotl and let out a laugh.
“Race ya to the back~” She said and jumped out.
Ahuizotl rushed to the window to see her swing her self on top of the train, landing with ease. She balanced herself against the wind, gaining her bearings. She glanced down at Ahuizotl and grinned. He mirrored her grin and removed his amulet, turning back into his true form. He placed the amulet in his satchel alongside his knife. it was easier to climb up using his hands instead of hooves. He went up beside Daring who was enjoying the feel of the wind against her face, she gave Ahuizotl a look and took off running, beginning the race. He let out a soft chuckle and ran after her. He jumped, almost cat-like and twirled in the air, landing from cart to cart keeping up behind her. Daring turned back and was impressed by how easily he was keeping up with her, but he was still lagging behind.
“Come on Ahui, getting slow in your old age?” She said, letting out another laugh. He jumped to the next cart, and let out a scoff. He knew she was trying to get under his skin.He saw the last cart, the storage cart, and quicken his pace running past Daring. Her eyes widened as she saw him leap over her, directly landing on the last cart. She jumped and landed in front of him.
“Cheater.” She accused. "Must be easy with those hands of yours. The train is slippery, especially on hooves." He let out a soft laugh.
“It is not my fault if you are slow..." He replied, giving her a poke on her forehead. She shuffled back and snorted. "It must be because of that large belly of yours. Must be weighing you down.”
“L-large?” She looked at herself sheepishly, her hoof going to her stomach. Ahuizotl chuckled as she began to prod and poke it. Her mouth morphing into a frown. He didn't realize her confidence could be shaken by just mentioning her weight. He tested her resolve, her will, her experiences...nothing could sway her. But, having a simple belly, makes her feel embarrassed. He flicked at her pith helmet, making her look up at him.
“You are not the only one who makes jokes, Miss Do…"
"Yeah. Well, whatever, I know it was a joke." She said crossing her arms.
"You have a perfect form.”
She glanced up at him and blushed.
“R-really?...I mean, yeah!” She flicked her mane back. “Whatever, I knew you were joking. Always.”
She focused back to the task at hoof. In between them, was a hatch that lead to the inside of the cart. She turned the round handle opening it. Ahuizotl peered inside, to make sure it was clear. He took his head out and nodded, signaling her to jump inside. She silently landed on the wooden platform. She moved out of the way for Ahuizotl crawled inside, closing the hatch behind him with his tail. The cart was filled with suitcases, handbags and a few wooden boxes all strapped and piled high together to the wall and close to the ceiling.
“Wonderful,” Ahuizotl began bitterly. “There must be a thousand bags here, how much do these ponies need to bring?”
“We got all night to look, I’ll go high, you look low.” She flew up to the top and began to look through the bags, moving aside clothes and opening every single pocket she can find. Ahuizotl frowned but with three hands he could open three bags at a time, but it was minimal to the sheer amount of it all. He found a golden necklace stashed behind some dresses and quickly stuffed it into his satchel. His head buckled when he felt a harsh slap, behind the head. He whirled to find Daring glaring at him.
“No. Stealing.” She growled. He let out a growl of annoyance as he rubbed his head returning the necklace back where it was. Satisfied, Daring returned to her own side of the search, but kept a close eye on Ahuizotl. A couple hours passed as they looked through the last of the bags but found nothing.
“This is beginning to seem like a lost cause.” Ahuizotl said, tossing a suitcase aside. “We should have been looking in his room.”
“It can't be in his room” Daring replied, tossing a bag over her shoulder. “He can’t be that stupid.”
“But what if it is there? All I am saying is we must make sure our search isn’t in vain until we look through any possible location.”
“Well…” she tapped her chin in thought. “I guess you are ri-! Wait…” she whirled to the door and heard a set of hoofsteps. “Do you hear that?”
A flash of light shined through from the cart across from them. They both dive to the floor hearing two pony guards making their rounds on the train. Daring looked up at the hatch, they have to leave before they were discovered and she didn't have her disguise to try to act her way out of this situation. She takes out her whip grabbing the wheel of the handle and pulled. And Pulled. And Pulled. Her eyes darted back to the door, she grinded her teeth as the whip fell.
“Ahuizotl, you idiot!” she whispered. “You locked it!”
“Nonsense!” he chided. He put out his hand tail grabbing a hold of it. “You are not pulling hard enough!” He pulled, and pulled and pulled counter clockwise. It wasn't budging. He cursed under his breath. Their hearts began to quicken as the guards pulled open the door in the cart in front of them and was now heading towards them. He swiftly brings out his amulet going back to his pony form.
“We are going to have to improvise."
“How?! In case you haven’t notice but I am not exactly “in character” right now!” She said, motioning to her camo. Ahuizotl put his hand over her mouth but it was too late.
“Hey, did you hear that?” One of the guards said. Daring eyes widen. She heard Ahuizotl slew out a sentence that sounded like curse words in his language. They saw the lights from the flashlights shining back into their cart. Ahuizotl began to process the situation, instinct was telling him to fight, he had the knife but he was certain Daring would not like two dead guards. They have to do something, and they have to do it now. Ahuizotl shoved Daring onto one of the large wooden crates making her land on her back, going over her.
“W-what are you doing!?” she whispered angrily. She heard the guards coming closer. Ahuizotl managed to slide the two them closer to the wall, hugging it close while also moving suitcases in front of them. “Get off me, you creep!” she said punching against his chest.
“Stop struggling! you are going to have to trust me, Miss Do!” He replied, they heard the door clicked. The door flew open and Ahuizotl pressed his body closer to her, wrapping his arms around her in a heated embrace. Daring froze, her eyes on the guards as they shone their flashlights up and down the cabin. Daring could hear how fast Ahuizotl's heart was beating by how close he was to her. The light crossing over to them for one tense moment before moving along. The guards couldn't see them. One of the pony guards scratched his head.
"Weird. I thought I heard some pony in here." He said. His partner was still shuffling along the cabin before he let out a grunt.
"Yeah. I thought I heard it too. Must have been the train or something."
"You don't think it was a...g-ghost...do you?"
"Don't be ridiculous! Come on! We are finished in here."
"Okay, y-yeah." The two guards turned around and closed the door behind them. It took a couple of minutes before Ahuizotl got off of Daring. It was silent between Daring and Ahuizotl, he pulled away from her, his eyes fixated on the door as she fixed her vest. Her face was flushed and was refusing to cool down. Her eyes darted up at Ahuizotl who had a shade of red across his face. She put her hooves over her lips, unsure on what to say.
"I…. apologize" he began breaking the silence. She kept her head down. "It was the only thing I have thought of, perhaps I overstep your...uh...c-comfort zone." He cleared his throat. "If you wish to hit me...at least do not hit my jaw, I do not wish to lose any more teeth.”
"F -forget it," She shrugged her shoulders letting out a soft chuckle. "It worked, didn't it?" She snatched her helmet from the floor placing it under her arm. Ahuizotl watched her as she hopped off the crate heading to the door.
"Let's hurry and go back to our room, we'll look at Blanco's room tomorrow"
"Right..." He muttered, following behind her. As they walked back to their room, she noticed that he kept his distance from her, which she preferred. She wasen’t sure if it was because he thought that she would hit him or from that little embrace he gave her. It might have been both. Her nostrils flared, she could still smell his scent. Musty, but it had the smell of the jungle. Her cheeks grew hot again, remembering the way he held her so gently, it happened so quick but he didn't really hurt her and the way he held her in place, almost protecting her. She felt her heart quicken, cold sweat running down the back of her neck as her breathing began to staggered from her realization. She enjoyed it. She enjoyed his arms wrapped around her, his strength,his gentleness, his-No. no, no, no. She shook her head banishing the thoughts.
"What I'm I thinking?!" She thought angrily. That meant nothing. She had to be logical. It was part of a plan, a ploy, a trick, a lie! Why is she overthinking it?! She nodded agreeing to her thoughts, it was nothing and Ahuizotl?....he's not even her type.They were both quiet, not exchanging glances at each other until they made it back at their room. Daring was the first to enter, heading to the bed and collapsing on it tossing her helmet on top of one of furniture.
She went underneath the blankets, wanting to hide herself away but she glanced back at Ahuizotl expecting him to say something. Maybe about the bed. She saw that he laid down on the floor beside the bed, resting his head over his hooves getting himself comfortable. She let out a small frown nibbling her lower lip slightly. She expected him to at least argue about her relinquishing the bed. She moved her hooves under the blankets feeling the warmth and the softness of the mattress and remembered Ahuizotl’s hatred for the cold.
“Hey Ahui-” she called, his ear perked up at her. “ You know...this bed is big enough for the both of us...you can sleep up here if you want.”
He tilted his head at her wondering if he heard her correctly. She let out a huff at him, turning to her side and facing the wall.
“If you don’t want to, that’s fine, more space for me.” She rested her head against the pillow, the blankets completely covering her. She felt part of the bed sink in, the mattress springs creaking as she felt Ahuizotl go under the covers. She pressed herself against the wall not wanting to brush up against him. He let out a yawn.
“How interesting….” he whispered lowly. She lifted her head slightly. “Are you actually being more considerate, Miss Do?”
She let out a small laugh. “I can kick you off anytime I want, you know?”
“Perhaps….or I can kick you out.” he said slyly.
“Is that a challenge?”
“Does a Pegasus has wings?”
“Ooh...so witty” she said rolling her eyes. They both let out a soft chuckle. She let out a loud yawn, her eyelids suddenly felt heavy. “Y-you're lucky…. I’m too tired, just don’t hog the covers.” she warned before falling into a deep sleep.
She woke up feeling the train jolt over the tracks. Her eyes snapped open and saw the rays of the sun. She decided to sleep a little longer. She shifted in her covers and felt a weight draped over her side. She looked down to find Ahuizotl’s arm resting over her shoulder, but not only that, he was pressed up against her as if he was hugging her. Her brow furrowed, how many times does she have to tell him to stay on his own side? She tried to push his arm off, but it made him squeeze his grip on her. He let out a sigh rubbing his head against one of the pillow, refusing to wake up. She let out an exhaled of air, staring at the blank wall in front of her. She was too tired anyway.
From their years of fighting each other, she would have never expected them to be working together, let alone sharing a bed. She looked down on his arm and place her hoof gingerly on it. She stroked his fur gently. It was rough, and he smelled. She was used to the smell because that exactly how she smells when out in the rainforest for too long. Does she smell like that now? She pressed her nose close to her arm and sniffed. She slapped her hoof against her face. No much worse.
She stinks. She placed her hooves on his arm again and pushed.
“Ahui...Ahuizotl! wake up.” she whispered loudly, shaking his arm. She heard him let out a disgruntle groan.
“What is it?…” he muttered, with his eyes still shut.
“I need to take a shower….Do you mind?” She irritably said.
He let out a set of angry mutterings, still half-asleep. He pressed his muzzle against her mane and breathed deeply. She freezed up feeling him turn his face, his cheek laying against her itchy mane.
“You smell fine, go back to sleep.” He tightened his grip on her, making her let out a small gasp of air.
“Seriously, I need you to let go or I’ll get really mad!” She said still struggling against him. Too tired to fight her, he loosened his grip turning away, covering his head with the covers. She sat up shooting him a glare, which he did’it see. She flew off the bed and took off her vest, gathering a new set of clothes out of their suitcase, placing her sweat-covered vest in it.
“I’ll be back soon.” She said and flew out the door to the washrooms. Ahuizotl lazily pulled the cover off over his eyes to see the door close behind her.
Knock.knock.knock
Ahuizotl let out a loud groan, throwing the cover aside.
“Do not tell me you forgot something, Miss-” He opens the door to find a griffon standing in front of him. She had on a black dress that draped over her flank. She had orange eyes and black feathers of her eagle head as she had a white torso and wings. She had on a ponytail. She had her claw up, almost smugly as she looked him over.
“Forgive me…” She started, she had a harsh russian accent. “Did I wake you?” She flicked her finger at his bed hair. She gave him flirtatious smirk but Ahuizotl let out a loud yawn.
“As a matter of fact, you had.” He sternly says. She pulled her hand back. “What is it that you want?”
“My name is Jemina, I am the one in charge for all the guest going to Maris to arrive at La Petite’s Museum and also for the competition.”
“Competition?” he boredly repeated, only half-listening with his head against the door frame. He really wanted to get back to bed. She gave him a forced smile.
“Why yes, that all of the couples have to be required to participate in-”
“This wasn't on the invitation” He states, lifting his head. “I have never heard of this”
“Well now you are... its based on a theme of romance”
“Oh from the gods.” he whispered under his breath. “What type of ridiculousness do I still have to endure?” he asked the annoyance in front of him. She handed him a pamphlet.
“All that you need to know is in there, I’m sure to see you at the first event...handsome” she winked. Ahuizotl did 'it acknowledge it, his eyes were on the paper.
“Hmm mmm, yes...is this all?”
“Well...yes but-!”
Ahuizotl slammed the door shut, silencing her. Jemina scowled at his behavior before stomping away.
“What a crude stallion” she muttered turning a corner to find Blanco waiting for her. She gave him a glare. He was pressed against the wall with a cigarette in between his lips.
“He did not fall for you? tsk, tsk” he said with false disappointment. “What a shame, my gem”
“Be silent” she growled as she sat next to him. “This is good, this couple may be the one that we need”
“Perhaps...but I still think I can get to his darling little wife” Blanco said tapping the bud of his cigar.
“He does seem the “neglectful” type” she mused. From the way he treated her. She might as well be a wall. “Do what you can, but don’t just focus on her we still need to limit our decision”
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Ahuizotl opened up the pamphlet reading over the “workshops” of the competition, they have to pick which out of the three to do but if they fail at the one they choose, they would not be allow to go to the museum, ruining their plans in case they cannot find the pearl on the train. His brow furrowed together as he read each one carefully, becoming more and more mortified.
WORKSHOP #1 History Triva
History of Equestria! Battle against other couples to win!
Doable.
He has read many books on the history of Equestria and with Daring Do, it might be easy for them to accomplish. He looks down the pamphlet reading the next workshop.
WORKSHOP #2
Kissing game. Each couple will pick a word out of a hat, the word will be a type of kiss which the pony would have to do to their spouse in front of their peers.
Ahuizotl recoiled instinctively. ‘what type of games are these?!’ he put his hoof up to his cheek, remembering the last time he tried to kiss Daring. He did not want to lose another tooth. He decided that they will skip that one. The only thing that was left was the last workshop.
WORKSHOP #3
Cuddling your spouse, while your heart rate is monit-.
Ahuizotl slammed the pamphlet shut, crumples it up into a tight ball and throws it in a corner. He had enough. There was no way in Tartarus he would do the last one. He would rather not do any of them. He crawled back into bed, he will at least get a few minutes of sleep before he would have to tell Daring what they had to do.