"Sweetie, I'm not going to be around to hold your hoof forever. You need to know these things to function on your own, like how to disguise yourself around ponies. If you don't even know how to act around ponies, what are you going to do if you get picked to go out on a mission? I know you don't like the way things work around here, I don't think any of us do. But it's ignorant to pretend like you won't be chosen at some point. Sure, there's a chance you won't be picked, but you can't count on it to carry you through your life. I'm only trying to prepare you for the future, so that you can live on your own. What kind of father would I be if I didn't? Now come on, let's do at least a half hour of practice. We can go out to have fun in the park afterwards, sound alright?" Caustic's father smiled.
"Alright, Dad. I understand," Caustic replied, smiling back.
"Good. Now, repeat after me sweetie..."
She woke up on the train to an announcement that they'd arrive within the next 15 minutes, and to pack your things. Yawning, she took her bag and made sure everything was in it before slinging it over her shoulder. Looking out the window, she gazed in awe at the tall buildings and sprawling urban landscape. It was like nothing she had ever heard of, much less seen. The train soon arrived at the station, and she got out of her seat, exiting the train.
As she stepped out, there were ponies everywhere, more than she'd seen in her life, all at once. Holding back her nervousness, she stepped off of the platform, acting as the other ponies did. As the train was leaving the station, she noticed someone begging for money. Trotting over, she dropped 5 bits into the can.
"Thank you so much, miss. You have no idea how much this means to me," the pony smiled.
"You're welcome, it's no problem at all. Have you seen my father by any chance? Grey mane and tail, a dark blue coat, and emerald eyes?" asked Caustic.
"No, I can't say I have. Try talking to the scribe at the town hall, He keeps tabs on who passes through town. I wish I could help you more, miss," the pony said, feeling a little guilt that he couldn't help her more.
"It's quite alright. You've already helped me a lot with that little bit of information." Caustic smiled to him.
"Well, if you say so. The town hall's that building over there," the pony replied, smiling back and pointing.
"Thank you, I hope things get better for you," Caustic said as she looked over to the town hall building.
"No need to thank me, If anything I should thank you, You've helped me more today than anyone has this entire week," the pony answered as they waved goodbye to each other.
Walking inside the town hall, she looked around at the different offices. There were doors for Ambassadors, The mayor, and a lot of other civic workers. Noticing the Scribe's Office, she trotted over and knocked on the door.
"Coming," a pony said behind the door before opening it. "Yes?"
"I was told you were the pony to talk to if I wanted to find out if my father passed through here," Caustic asked.
"Correct, have a seat," the pony replied before sitting at her desk and taking off her glasses. "Now, what does he look like? I can look through my records," the pony added.
"He has a grey mane and tail, a dark blue coat, and emerald eyes. His name is Midnight Blue," Caustic answered.
"Alright, just a second," the pony said, flipping through the records. "Yes, He was here a few weeks ago, I saw him. He was headed to Canterlot if I recall. Something about trying a new solution to an old problem," the pony added.
"Thank you," Caustic replied, getting up and leaving the office.
She trotted out of the town hall, and noticed it was getting dark outside. She hurried back to the train station, quickly getting a ticket to Canterlot and getting in the train before it left. She sat down in her seat, and noticed a familiar face across from her, reading a book.
"..Snow?" asked Caustic.
"Hm? Oh, hello there. Caustic Shift was it?" he replied.
"Yes, it was. Quite a coincidence seeing each other again, right? If I didn't know better, I'd say you're following me," Caustic added jokingly.
"Well, if you did know better, you'd realize I am following you," Snow said with a smirk.
She paused for a moment, worrying that he was a spy from the hive sent to bring her back.
"What? Why are you following me?" She asked, nervously.
"Now, no need to worry. I'm following you to protect you. I was hired. Remember that train station package? That was the payment. Your old man told me to guard you with my life, and that he'd pay me whatever it took. He's a smart one, predicting you coming here like this," Snow replied in a calming tone.
"That actually doesn't surprise me, it sounds like something he'd do. But what made him trust you enough for this?" asked Caustic.
"Your dad and I have worked together here and there in the past thinking of ways to make peace between Equestria and the Changelings. Whatever brought him back here though, I have no idea. He gave up on it a little bit after you were born. He seemed to be incredibly confident that he had a way to do it this time, though. Also, while I was following you, I saw some changeling spies following you as well. I did what I could to deter them and throw them off, but in the end, I thought it was best if you knew I was following you," Snow said, calmly closing his book and putting it away.
"I see, Thank you for being honest. This is a lot to take in, so I'm going to get some rest, wake me up when we are almost to Canterlot," Caustic replied, before laying on the seat and sleeping.
"Alright then, Will do," Snow said, opening his book again and reading.