//------------------------------// // [1] - Daddy Won't You Please Come Home? // Story: Eyes and Ears // by SnowTheGeneric //------------------------------// "You can't be serious, do you have any idea what they do to changelings that try to leave? That's not what I want for you, and it's not what your father would want for you. Besides, what makes you think you could just waltz into Equestria and be completely accepted, especially after what the Queen did at Canterlot? *sigh* Look, you're an Adult now, so I can't stop you, and while I won't report you missing, it's not going to be long before they realize something's up. You're a smart girl, so please, I urge you make the right choice and just stay home. I know life here isn't perfect, but it's a life nonetheless, because out there, you'll have a lot more to worry about than your father being missing," said Caustic's mother. "I understand. I just miss him so much, I don't know what to do, and it worries me, not knowing whether he is even alive or not," Caustic added. "I know, dear. I miss him too, but I'm sure wherever he is, he is doing something he is very passionate about. He would have to be, to just leave without a word like that. Now, if I were you, I'd go to bed, because you know how these curfews are. You know what they say, Sleep early, Work early," her mother replied. "Alright, I'll see you at breakfast, goodnight," she said, heading up the rickety stairs of the small hut, to sleep. Her eyes slowly opened, feeling heavy from last night's sleep, or lack thereof. The roof of the forest hung over her like a constant reminder that she was more than far away from home. She had decided to camp and sleep a small ways from the Equestrian border, to go across in the morning. She had traveled around the border to a more western gate, to not seem suspicious, as southern gates are specifically instructed to check for changelings, or so she heard. Today was the day that her luck and skill would be tested. She had thought over her plan to get across multiple times, but the nervousness of actually doing it was almost unbearable. She groaned as she got up off of the forest floor and gathered her things, changing into her pony form, which was a unicorn with black hair, a white coat, emerald eyes, and a cutie mark of a test tube. It was believable enough. She began to walk towards the border checkpoint, into the sight of 2 ponies guarding it, and one to decide who gets in and who doesn't. As she approached, she was stopped by the inspector. "Hello there, Please state your business in Equestria," the pony stated, seeming friendly enough. "I am only passing through on my way to the Griffon Kingdom, I am being sent there to deliver a message," said Caustic, trying to suppress nervousness in her tone. "Alright then, I will also require some sort of identification. Things have been a little paranoid around here recently, so we have to check identification, Understand?" asked the pony. "Yes, that is perfectly reasonable, I understand," she added, before pulling out a very generic looking I.D. card with information as to Name, Height, Weight, etc. and handing it to the pony. "Alright, let's see here... It looks like we have all the information we need here. Welcome to Equestria, We hope you enjoy your stay and we ask that you do not disturb the peace," the pony said with a smile, before opening the gate. "Thank you," said Caustic, before walking through the gate, making sure she had everything. As she was heading along the path, feeling relieved, she noticed a small train station surrounded by some trees. Since there were no other landmarks she could see from here besides the border, she decided to head on over and see if she could take a ride to somewhere more lively. She stepped onto the platform, and up to the pony who seemed to be running the place. "Hello, I was wondering if I could take the train to somewhere?" asked Caustic. "Yes, Of course, do you have a ticket?" the pony replied. "...No, I don't. How do I get one?" said Caustic, worried she might have to just walk like she had for weeks getting here. "Well, you have to buy one with bits, darling," he answered. "I assume that's the currency here in Equestria?" Caustic inquired. "Yes, That would be correct. I'll tell you what, since you don't appear to have any money, I'll help you out if you help me. There's a pony here, Snow is his nickname. Some doctor-type pony with a violet coat and orange mane and tail. He has a package that I need you to give to him. I'm too busy over here to deliver it myself, so if you'll take this to him, I'll give you a ticket to anywhere of your choosing. Simple, right?" he replied. "Yes, thank you very much, I appreciate it," said Caustic, Smiling. "No problem, Thank you," said the pony as he handed her the package. "Oh, by the way, have you seen my father come through here? Grey mane and tail, a dark blue coat, and emerald eyes?" Caustic asked while putting the package in her bag, hoping for some kind of information. "Sorry miss, I can't say I have," replied the worker. "It's alright," said Caustic. With the package in her bag, she looked around at the 10 or so ponies waiting at the station, one of them matching the description given by the worker. She went over to the pony, carrying the package in her saddlebag. He was quite a bit taller than her, and seemed incredibly bored by the waiting at the station. "Hello. Snow, is it?" asked Caustic. "Yes, and who might you be?" replied Snow. "I'm Caustic Shift, and I've been sent to deliver a package to you that arrived at this train station for you to pick up." Caustic said before taking the package out of her saddlebag and handing it to him. "Ah, thank you. Here's some money for the trouble. I noticed you coming through that border gate, so you must need some kind of money to get started here," Snow replied before handing her 100 bits. "Oh, thank you, I appreciate it!" Caustic answered happily. "No problem, Have a good one," Snow said before going back to reading a book. She walked back over to the worker, putting the bits in her bag before speaking to him. "I did that errand for you," said Caustic. "Wonderful! Where to?" asked the pony. Thinking on it for a moment, she realized she doesn't know the names of any towns or cities here. "Well, what is there? I'm looking for anything from a settlement to a city," Caustic replied. "Well, the shortest rides from here are Ponyville and Canterlot. You could also try your luck in Las Pegasus. If you're willing to go a little further, there's the cities of Vanhoover, Baltimare, Manehattan, and Fillydelphia. Or if you want a small town, there's Appaloosa or Dodge junction," he answered. "I think I'll head to Baltimare," Caustic decided after a bit of thought. "Excellent, here's your ticket. Enjoy the ride!" the pony said before handing her the ticket. "Thank you," Caustic smiled, before sitting to wait for the train. It wasn't long before the train stopped at the station. Everyone boarded and handed the tickets to the worker on board. They headed to their seats, and Caustic sat alone in a booth. It was going to be a long ride, and so she decided to kill some time by napping.