The dim alleyway echoed with the sounds of the busy street it separated from. The clop of hooves again the pavement mixed with the clatter of hundreds of voices, the tall stone wall of the massive buildings that enveloped the narrow alley acted as an all to perfect amplifier, elevating the hustle and bustle of the Manehattan to a raucous din, even in these early morning hours. Gentle rays of sunlight streamed over head, piercing through the smoggy clouds. A young mare looked up to the sky, her dull grey eyes were tired and dull as she slowly got off the dirty cement floor, loudly cracking her neck as she stood. Her mane was bedraggled and her fur was dusty, as she stood up on all fours she took a deep breath accompanied by an immense yawn. Arching her back and stretching her legs, she readied her body for the day ahead as she always did.
“I wish the city would sleep in for once.” With a sigh, she quickly shook her head back and forth, reclaiming the last bit of her alertness from the clutches of her bleary mind. Her stomach gave loud growl that echoed through the empty alleyway. 'Ugh, I guess I need to try to get some breakfast today...' With that thought and an empty stomach, Cloud Drift padded out of the dark alley and onto the street, her eyes squinting, trying to resist the sudden brightness of the day. Time to get to work.
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Her expression was blank, her most masterful poker-face not giving so much as an inkling of dissatisfaction as she navigated the throngs of ponies, but on the inside, she was grimacing. They popped in and out of shops and restaurants by the hundreds all around her, chatting loudly. One might even be able to hear every individual word they said if not for the roar of the traffic blaring in her hears. She had been down this particular street more times that she could count, by now feeling more than confident she could find her way even if she were blind. Normally, the greatly important things Manehattaners had to do kept the other pedestrians from even glancing at her, but sometimes, she would be honored with a darting, curious glance. Her mane? Her coat? Did she smell? Or was it just that, innately, they can tell? Questions that she had asked herself everyday once before now seemed irrelevant, every time one of “Them” looked at her, she nearly boiled over with rage. Damn I hate this place. What time is it? I need to eat something. Looking up to the immense structures, she scanned over the skyscrapers, one by one, until she found what she was looking for. An old clock tower, a remnant of a bygone time, still ticking away tirelessly keeping track of every second, every day, for as long as she could remember. Seven huh? Good timing I guess, I still wish I was able to sleep in. Couldn't they do this later, like, eleven instead or something?
“Guess I still have a little time to get there.” Cloud Drift trotted slowly down the streets, her weak, malnourished body unable to do much more than amble. Glancing around the street, she felt the darting eyes of the few pedestrians who didn't know better, looking at her before quickly retracting. They must be new to this part of town... It was an unspoken rule, or at least, that's how it seemed to her. You ignore the poor, underprivileged ponies, walking around with dirty manes and scrawny frames. You just don't look, keep walking, unless you know them, you keep your distance. The churches and a few volunteer groups are the only ones to make eye contact. They're the only ones that go out of their way to deal with the likes of us. Sometimes the normal ponies will look at you if you beg for change or try to bum a cigarette, but even then, unless you're downtown in the slums, nopony is likely to look at you for longer than it takes for them to feel like you wont mug them. “I hate this city.”
“Then leave, nopony wants you here anyway.” A young mare's voice called from behind her. Cloud Drift slowly turned to face her. There weren't many ponies that would talk to her, much less talk to her that casually. As she completed her about face she found a familiar filly smiling slyly at her. A young mare, she was pitch black from tail to nose save for bright streaks of hot pink in her mane and her equally vivid, near neon pink eyes. She wore a baggy dull grey hoodie and a keyboard was slung over her back. Cloud Drift returned the wily grin.
“You're one to talk about not being wanted Synth, you think ponies like that noise pollution you call music?”
“Hey at least one of us is trying something close to an honest living. I bet you can't even name the last song you've listened to.” Synth trotted up beside her, the two fell into step together as they made their way down the street.
“An honest living? Right, how many bits did you make in your last show?” Cloud Drift said snidely.
“Hey, we're establishing an audience! Once we have our following our music is gonna explode!” Her retort came with a mock glare of frustration.
“I'm sure that's what every amateur with an instrument says. By the way, can I bum a cigarette? I haven't had one in like a week.” The smell of cigarette smoke wafting on the breeze triggered her craving, it helped stave off hunger, curb boredom and de-stress, it was really a must have for ponies like her, she thought. Synth looked up at her with a shocked grimace.
“I'm just an innocent filly! I would never go anywhere near those dangerous, bad things! Why would you even think I would have them?” With an angry huff, Synth turned her head away, so offended that she wouldn't even look at Cloud Drift. The pegasus rolled her eyes with a smirk.
“Come on, you and I both know your brother can't count for shit, he wouldn't miss a few cigs.” Cloud Drift nudged the filly with her wing as they walked. With a sigh, Synth turned back towards Cloud Drift, her eyes betrayed a dull sadness
“Actually, my brother says he's quitting to save money.” Her voice was forlorn as she turned her gaze to the pavement. Despite the distraught look in her friend's eyes, Cloud Drift chuckled.
“So it's getting that bad huh? Wow, it's pretty bad that I don't envy you.”
“Nopony asked you Drift. Anyway, yeah he has a few packs lying around and yeah, I may have grabbed one.”
“Well, don't keep me in suspense, you gonna give me one or not?” Her voice became irritated and her tail lashed back and forth. Shaking her head, Synth let out a soft sigh.
“Yeah, you can have one. Get me back some time soon though. Now that my brother is going cold turkey I'll need to start bumming more. Strum is the only other one in our band that smokes but he usually sells em so I can't really count on his charity.” Stopping in the middle of the side walk the pair meandered to the solid brick wall that lined it. Trash littered the curb and the edge of the walkway against the wall. Mostly fast food wrappers, some broken glass, a few beer and whiskey bottles, a used condom and sitting by the storm drain, teetering on the edge of falling, was a used needle. It was just a typical street in this part of town. Throngs of ponies rushed by as Cloud Drift and Synth leaned against the wall of the nameless building with bars on it's windows, none batting an eye and the school age filly dug her hoof into the deep pockets of her hoodie and pulled out a slightly crumpled pack of cigarettes. With a flick of her hoof, it opened and a single cigarette slid out above the rest of the half empty container.
“Thanks, you have no idea how much I could use one right now.” Without another word, Cloud Drift pulled it out and placed it filter end in her mouth. Shreds of tobacco fell from it's tip as it came out. “Got a light?”
“Nah, I just carry them around for the smell.” She scoffed sarcastically. Digging further in to her pocket she produced a cheap, disposable lighter. Holding it up she rolled the small wheel and pressed on the button. An orange and blue flame burst out after a fit of sparks. Cloud Drift raised he hoof to protect the small fire from being blown out by the breeze. The flame seared the tip of her cigarette. With a longing inhale she pulled the fragrant, nostalgic smoke into her lungs. Immediately she felt a little bit better.
“Thanks, Synth, I'll get you back for it, don't worry.”
“You better, I'm going to have a hard time getting anymore soon.”
“I hear ya, this shit's getting expensive. The total two bits you make from your shows a week isn't gonna get you much.”
“Whatever, I'll figure it out. I know you'll return the favor anyway.”
“You know it!” Cloud Drift affirmed with a content smile. “Come on, I have a place to be soon. It's on your way so you'll just have some company most of the way.”
“Okay, where are we going?” Before giving Synth an answer, Cloud Drift started walking. Without a though she followed behind.
“I'm going to get some food.”
“Oh... Drift you know I can't stick around for that.” Synth's voice took on a new worried tone and her eyes glistened sympathetically as she stared at Cloud Drift's back.
“I wouldn't let you even if you asked.”
“Drift... I know I've said this before but, I really wouldn't mind you staying at my place. We have usually food and a roof. You could stay in my room, I doubt my brother would notice, even if he did, if it's you he probably wouldn't care.” Synth's voice was gentle and sincere. Cloud Drift stopped and turned to face her, a cigarette smoldering to it's filter in her mouth and hazy white smoke seeping out of her mouth and nose.
“I appreciate that, I really do. You're pretty much the only pony in the hole of a city that I might call a friend, but I think I'll take my place over yours. Like I said, I don't envy you.”
“I guess I understand...” Her vibrant eyes became a little duller as she looked from Cloud Drift to the ground and depression swept over her.
“Hey, if you ever want a change of scenery, I can save you a spot in my usual alley,” She chuckled.
“Thanks but, I think I like having a roof too much to take you up on that.” Synth looked back up with a half grin. “I don't know how you can stand it, you don't even have a TV.”
“Hey, between the two of us, I don't think I know who has the most balls.” She joked as Synth caught up, both wanking in sync with each other, side by side. The immense city of Manehattan loomed all around them, it's shadow cast over them. For them, it felt inescapable, but at the same time, they each felt in their own way, that they were in a constant fight with it, everyday, and they wouldn't lose.