Chapter 5: Throw Caution to the Wind
Lookout had scored her assignment: Ponyville weather team. She got to report for her first day of work during Winter Wrap-Up. She’d be able to find a connection there. The shakes hadn’t started yet, she still had some time.
After nearly having a bad run-in with a razor grass dealer in Manehattan, she decided it was time to quit the skulking around. She was going to get a job and keep her habit on the down-low. Maybe, just maybe, she could kick it for good. Eh, that day isn’t coming any time soon.
She thought back to her first time with razor grass. The ponies she was partying with introduced it to her. Said it was this natural treat from Zebrica, feels weird at first, but then really good. Lookout tried it. All across her tongue, it felt like little cuts. It wasn’t unpleasant, just odd. After a while, she started to feel it. Relaxed like the world was all good. She swears she saw pink fluffy unicorns dancing on rainbows, but not much after that.
She had more after that, each time feeling good, but in different ways. It wasn’t easy to find, and she learned why: It was illegal. Apparently some ponies thought it was bad for this or blah blah blah. Didn’t matter, she always had an itch for it.
Then came the shakes. She didn’t buy any for a while, but she wanted to. One day, her wing started shaking. She asked her friend about it, he gave her a little razor grass. Told her if she gets the shakes, she better get some razor grass soon. The shakes can get worse. He’d heard of ponies going to the hospital for it. What he didn’t hear was the ponies who’d die from it. In Zebrica, before someone would die, they would be called the walking dead, because their legs would just move like they were trying to walk. It was the last stage before the end.
Nevertheless, ignorance can be bliss, and in Lookout’s case, she had no idea what would happen if she ran out of time.
“So, new pony from Cloudsdale, huh? Yeah, had to retire Old Greyfeathers, didn’t think I’d get a replacement before Winter Wrap-Up though.” Rainbow Dash looked over the transfer’s paperwork. “I’d have to adjust formations for the clearing and I don’t have the time to… ooh! I know! How do you feel about flying south?”
Lookout looked at her oddly. “South? Why south?”
“Well, I normally send this one pony to get the birds to come back to Ponyville, but she had the feather flu and just got over it. That and she always seems to go the wrong direction. Anyway, I need somepony to go south.”
Lookout just hung her head. Her sky blue fur would have had some ponies think she was Dash’s twin if it weren’t for her red mane peppered with black hairs. However, the attitude would have made anypony know she was not related. “I’m not that strong a flier. Plus the forecast maps I brought with me? We have some strong winds coming in from the south. I don’t think I could fly against that.”
Rainbow Dash tossed the papers. “Dang it! I got just enough wingpower to do the clearing properly, but I need someone to get those birds. I can’t just place you in somepony’s spot without testing you and rebuilding the formation. Grr, what am I gonna do?”
“Can you borrow anypony from another team?”
“Hmm… Not really. There’s Fluttershy, but she’s in charge of waking the animals from hibernation. Not that she wouldn’t enjoy it, but she really wouldn’t be able to handle those winds. Hmm… Wait, I know! Rarity has a couple working for her on the nests, I think. I’m gonna ask if I can get one of hers! Good idea, Lookout!”
Rainbow Dash made ready to bolt, “Wait a minute, I still need a job for you… How are you at building nests?”
Lookout thought for a moment. “Two left hooves.”
“Oh well, so much for a fair trade. Actually, what can you do?”
Lookout smiled with confidence for a change. “Best eyes and ears you’ll find. I can pick out details up to 2 miles away.”
“I think I can use that tomorrow. Okay, you get some rest, I’ll fill you in later.” And with that, the rainbow had dashed.
Lookout was exhausted. Rainbow Dash was energetic for a manager. It just seemed to take it out of her. Not to mention she had an itch. One thing at a time.
Lookout wrapped herself up in a stray cloud. She always enjoyed cocooning herself, like when she was a child. Life was so much better now. Lookout had one job, make sure nopony saw. Then, payday.
She used the bits to run away. Her household wasn’t the best. Maybe the worst. She was the second of five children, but a pegasus born to a family of unicorns. Her family just didn’t care. They had her tutored on how to fly, but didn’t care if she actually did. There was talk on marrying her off since she was the family embarrassment. Sometimes, her father would drunkenly accuse her mother of cheating on him, but they kept it quiet. At least, they thought they did. It turned out, the pegasus actually came from her father’s side, four generations back. Colonel Quick Wing was a decorated member of the Wonderbolts.
Still, she was an embarrassment. The shame of the family. That which ponies do not speak of in polite company.
On one of her rare trips outside, she met him. He offered a job. The money would be enough for her to set out on her own. A couple months later, she checked. Her family hadn’t even batted an eye. Nobody was looking for her. That was good enough for her.
She woke up about an hour before dawn. She wandered into Sugarcube corner, bought a couple donuts, and wolfed them down. She thanked Mrs. Cake and wished her a good day. As she left, Mrs. Cake swore she saw her left wing shake just a bit.