//------------------------------// // The Discussion // Story: I'll catch you, you THIEF!!! // by Knightofstories //------------------------------// Thief in Canterlot 4 “Spirit no matter what I don’t want you to go and rescue my parents.” Phantom looked at her with a blank stare and a stone expression as Olivia was starting to get slightly uncomfortable at the silence and started to shift her sitting position. As she awaits his response she closed her eyes awaiting his response on her request. Olivia just knows what phantom is going to say. “WHAT! WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOT GO AFTER YOUR PARENTS!? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!?” But in reality “Ok.” Olivia’s eyes bulged out in shock as she heard those words come out of his mouth. She turned her head and couldn't help but say. “Huh?” Olivia tilted her head as she said that and Phantom was slightly surprised by her surprised action. “What? Why are you so surprised, if anything it should be the other way around?” Phantom said in a calm manner as Olivia shook her head out of her shock. “I-I mean I, you know, Expected you to be more agitated, more stubborn…. Not so…uhh.” Phantom tried to answer for her “Calm, collected, not so pig headed about doing things his way.” Olivia’s mouth stood open and then spoke “I was going to say something else, but you pretty much described it.” Phantom then continued eat his bread and spoke while eating “Well when you told me what happened. I sort of understand why you don’t want me to even think about going to rescue your parents.” Olivia was staring at Phantom as he continues speak wanting to hear what he has to say. Phantom then swallowed his bread and spoke “You pretty much went through many emotional distress when you ran from that mountain to here, feeling guilt that you are the only one to get away and that you left your parents to who knows what those Diamond Dogs might do.” At this information Olivia looked down at the ground with a forlorn expression signifying that what Phantom speaks is pretty much true. Olivia then spoke up “Yes, you’re pretty much on the dot. Also I told you this pretty much, knowing you, you probably would find out about this another way and go after them.” Phantom didn’t respond as he knows that what Olive says is true. Olivia continued “And if you did find out and then leave to go find them.” Olivia then slumps down as she imagines what could happen with Phantom going there. “I don’t know what will happen to you and my parents.” Phantom then looked towards Olivia with a concerned expression but try to tell her “Olivia you don’t have to worry, you are talking to someone who can easily handle himself against an earth pony who are profound for their strength.” Olivia didn’t budge but instead became even more emotional as tears were starting to form around her eyes. “Spirit, I know you can handle yourself but that makes me even more worried.” Phantom was confused at this and Olivia says “I know you’re strong but those three diamond dogs were strong as well even taking my dad’s head on tackle and even taking him down. There were three of them and they can even attack from beneath you as they did with my mother and me and who knows how many more of them there are. I know you can fight Spirit but…” Olivia pauses as she starts to sniffle at the memories of her parents before she escaped and them being taken away to who knows where to do who knows what. Olivia starts to croak out the words “If you went and … didn't come back I… I don’t know what I will do…” Olivia then turns her head to Phantom who sees her eyes were starting to drip tears and Phantom was starting to feel the weight of the sorrow and pain that Olivia went through that he could not comprehend. Olivia croaked out her request to Phantom practically pleading him “Please Spirit I don’t want another family to end up being taken by those Diamond Dogs and leaving me alone. I don’t want you to end up how my parents did.” Olivia then walks up and sits in front of Phantom with pleading eye’s stained with tears of sorrow and pain. “Please promise you won’t go and let the Princess handle this, I’m certain they can do it…. So …Please.” Olivia’s words struck hard on Phantom as he sees Olivia a strong headed, stubborn mare practically in tears pleading him to not go save her parents in fear of him being gone as well. Phantom wanted to go and save her parents the instant that Olivia told him what happened but seeing Olivia as she is now he knows where priorities lies. Phantom then got on his legs and kneed cuffing his hands around Olivia’s face, using his thumbs to wipe her tears away and spoke “Alright Olivia I promise. I won’t go, but only if you promise to stop crying. Alright.” Olivia was still sniffling but she started to hold back her tears and smiled with a sign of relief *sniff* “Ok… Thank you.” Phantom takes his arms and wraps Olivia in a much needed hug which Olivia practically melted in his arms as she started to relax, and Phantom comfort’s her in his arms by running his hand through her mane just the way she likes it. After practically half an hour of silence with comforting Olivia who has calmed down much since her emotional scenario, Phantom then asks. “So since you’re here I assume that you’re heading towards the Princess Castle after this?” Olivia just nods her head as she doesn't feel like speaking now, just embracing the much needed comfort that Phantom is giving her. After 10 more minutes of silence Phantom then speaks. “Olive isn't it about time that you head towards the castle now, the line for the day court will be very long if you wait too long.” Olivia smiled at hearing her real name from Phantom “yeah I guess you’re right, and thank you Spirit …. For you know calling me Olive.” Phantom smiled as well “Yeah.” He then picks her up and puts her on her feat much to the slight disappointment from Olivia. “Well I guess I have to get going now.” Olivia said as she smiled at Phantom who smiled back and then Olivia asked “Hey Spirit why don’t you come with me to the castle.” This request shocked Phantom (for OBVIOUS reasons) “I’m sure that if the both of us go then I’m sure Princess Celestia will respond to our request faster.” Phantom is sweating buckets as he knows that if Olivia found out that he broke into the Princesses Castle’s and stole something from them (even if it’s just brownies) She will have a fit and also cause her unnecessary worry for him now being a target for a certain Princess and her guards. Phantom in his mind “WHY of all the places I had to hit, I was dumb enough to steal from the Princesses castle. Why didn't I just hit Jet Set’s place at least he would be too scared to do anything but complain.” Phantom was in a calm and composed look on the outside but he was right now in a slight dilemma with his friend’s request for him. He took a thinking position hoping to buy him some time to think but Olivia was slightly irritated in him. Olivia irritated spoke “Do you have to really think about this, this is your family that is trapped in who knows where with those Diamond Dogs doing who knows what.” “Well that distraction went well.” Phantom said as he felt dumb thinking that would have bought him time. Phantom spoke on the fly hoping what he says to Olivia will change her thought on this. “Well Olivia-” At hearing Phantom’s nickname again Olivia’s cheeks started puffing up. “Can’t you just call me by my real name for one day rather than one line?” At seeing her face Phantom couldn't help but chuckle at which made Olivia’s cheeks puff up even more. “Alright, Alright I got it already. Oliv-” Phantom spoke to which Olivia’s cheeks deflated and a hopeful expectation fills Olivia as she wait for it. “ia” Olivia’s mouth dropped to a frown and Phantom couldn't help but chuckle at messing with Olivia. Olivia just sighed and smiled at Phantom “Well I should have guessed you would do that. But really Spirit it would really help me out if another family was there to support me in case I get nervous. This would be my first time with speaking to royalty.” Phantom responded “I haven't been near royalty either so what good would I be.” Phantom knew he’s been near royalty but not exactly their good side. Olivia asks again “Please Spirit it may be a first for us both but I would really like some support even if you’re just standing there.” At this Phantom is really thinking on what to do as he knows the princesses will be sure to suspect anyone covering themselves and certainly with his figure he can’t pass as a normal pony or a Minotaur. What’s even worse is that Olivia seems like she needs the support but if he goes anywhere near the guards he will be suspected or worse found out. Phantom thought of something to say. “I’m sure that you can handle this yourself Olivia, I want to go and be there to support you but remember there is no one except me of my kind and for sure the guards may be very suspicious of me if they see me (and for good reason), they would probably scan me or other things, and if they found out what my constitution requires… Well you are the prime example of that.” At hearing this Olivia blushed at the remembrance of what she did when she and her parents found out about Phantom’s diet during the first month they first meet. Olivia snapped out of her thought and then comprehended on what Phantom said. What he says is true as she knows the guards are notorious for being really serious about their job, and she can already guess what the guards will do if they found about Phantom’s diet or his very being. Olivia sighed at this with disappointment evident on her face as she looked at the ground and pawed at it. She spoke “Yeah I guess you’re right, I certainly don’t want to have to get your flank tossed into a Canterlot cell until the Princess deem’s you ‘safe’. I really could have used the support though.” Phantom saw the disappointment on her and he knew she could use his support but with his appearance being practically famous to a certain Royal family he can’t be careless in his approaches around the city now. Phantom thought of what to do and then it came. “Hey Olivia.” Olivia looked towards Phantom as he looks at her. “I may not be able to be there at the court, but I can support you through other ways. How about until the Princesses get your parents back you can stay at my place it’s even worse than the old house but it’s home.” Olivia smiled at this feeling happy that Spirit is letting her stay at his place, after all the building that she was in before probably got taken by now. “Thanks Spirit I really appreciate that. I do need a place to sleep, it’s been so long since I had a proper place to sleep.” Olivia said but Phantom was surprised at this. “Olivia didn't you stay at inns when you said you slept at some places.” Olivia had a smile on her but phantom saw other wise. Olivia looked to the ground and pawed at it again as she said “Well when I said sleep at some places I didn't mean inn’s or hotel’s they costed money which I couldn't afford with the food and water I need to travel back here so I just slept in some alley ways or parks instead.” Phantom had slight shock on his face and then he suddenly stood up and Olivia was slightly startled at the sudden movement,Then Phantom spoke with conviction evident in his voice. “Alright Olive get going to the Princesses castle and get the meeting over with, once you are done, come to the back town center and I’ll meet you at the spot where the pony caterers serve. Then we’ll go home and you will be getting the best sleep you ever had.” Olivia was slightly surprised with Phantom’s sudden change in voice but she smiled at the news of a decent sleep the hard floor and benches really killed her back. Olivia smiled at this and spoke “Well then I guess I better get going, I really go for some rest, especially since you claim it’s the best sleep I will ever have.” Olivia then started walking out of the ally and towards the Canterlot main town to the castle. “Well then I’ll see you later Spirit.” Olivia waved back and Phantom smiled and waved back as well seeing Olivia walking out of the ally and moved out of his sight. Phantom then did some quick stretches and cracked his neck and then looked towards the sky. “Well guess I better get going.” Phantom then pulled out his gloves and put them on his hands before he started climbing up the building he was sitting against and then looked around and spotted his favorite lookout. A spire tall enough to get him a perfect view of the city. Phantom then started his way to the spire jumping and dodging all the obstacles on his way. Reaching towards the base he ran up to the base and jumped as high as he can and used his gloves to stick to the wall and started climbing to the top. It took him 3 minutes but he made it and then he scanned the city hoping the city has what he’s looking for. He then spotted it across the city near the center of the town. A shop that sells bed and mattresses run by some noble pompous ponies. Phantom smiled at this seeing as his next heist was already so soon. “Well guess I can kill two birds with one stone I can scare those noble ponies and get what I need.” Phantom then looked around where he is right now and the ground and he sweated. “I really hope they have some silk near there.” Phantom said as he started to scale down the spire. “REALLy wish I kept a spare.” End of Chapter 4