Chapter 6
Vanilla smiled politely as she accepted the payment for the purchase from the customer. She had already gathered everything into a paper bag and then gave it to the pony who thanked her before leaving the shop. The morning had been busy, many ponies had come in to buy sweets, but as it neared lunch time things were quieting down.
With a sigh the mare sat down, forgetting for a moment that she wasn’t quite alone. Two old eyes peered at her from the other side of the counter, they belonged to an older pony, the owner of the shop, Toffee Swirl. Her once powder blue coat was getting a bit darker and her silver mane had few last strands of the original caramel brown color in it.
“You did not talk that customer’s ears off, Vanilla,” the elder mare remarked, there was a hint of surprise in her gravelly voice. “As a matter of fact, you have been unusually quiet all day.”
“It’s been that obvious?” the younger pony looked uneasy, she didn’t try to smile now that only Toffee and her were in the shop.
“As plain as the mark on my flank,” Toffee stated and patted with one hoof the image of a bowl of candy on her flank. “What’s the matter kiddo? Can’t have my future replacement down in the dumps.”
“I…” Vanilla cringed a little as she remembered yesterday. She had spent most of the evening crying in the arms of Mrs Fin, who tried her best to comfort her.
“A friend… he… well… something happened, he was drunk… I don’t think meant what he said… but he said some awful things… he’s been under a lot of stress lately… he’s on probation… and this local thug in our neighborhood… keeps bullying him,” she started explaining with some effort, she could feel new tears coming.
Toffee hummed as she listened and nodded. The old mare then turned to the shop entrance, locked it and turn a signed that read ‘Out on lunch’. Then she gestured Vanilla to come with her to the back room. In there the elder gestured her to sit by the break table while she went to make some hot chocolate.
Vanilla was bit glad for the early break. She had considered not going to work today, but then realized that she just needed to leave Hoofington, if only for the few hours work allowed her. The mare hadn’t really talked with Mrs. Fin, just cried until she finally fell asleep. She woke up snug with a blanket but no sign of her heavy set neighbor, who had probably returned to her own apartment once Vanilla had calmed down.
“So this friend of yours, I take it he would usually not cause you such grief,” Toffee said as she placed a mug full of hot chocolate with marshmallows, whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles in front of her. The old pony sat on the other side of the table with her own drink.
“No, he’s always been so polite, though he often looks sad and like he’s just given up,” Vanilla told her and sighed. “He helps though; he seems somewhat driven to help. He even helped me against that thug I mentioned, while still injured and barely able to stand.”
“I was trying to return the favor, help him, he seemed to need it. I just wanted to be a friend, I wasn’t going to replace anyone.” The mare sniffed and sipped her drink.
“Well they do say the booze has a habit of making a fool out of you. Never liked the stuff myself. I’m sure he’ll apologize once he’s sobered up and realized what he said,” Toffee nodded.
“Oh I’m sure he will, just… it was so scary to see him like this,” Vanilla whispered and slowly let the marshmallows in her cup swirl in circles.
“I’ve no doubt about that, the way you describe the fellow he doesn’t sound like someone who loses control easy. Those are usually the scariest when they finally snap,” her employer told her.
Vanilla didn’t respond to that just kept swirling the marshmallows that hadn’t melted yet. For the first time since she moved to her apartment in Hoofington Lane she hadn’t checked on any of her neighbors, wishing them good morning, asking or telling them news if she hadn’t spoken with them the day before. The mare had just grabbed her bag and headed straight out, she ate her breakfast when she arrived at work. She hadn’t even glanced at Tango’s door as she passed it.
“You know, if you feel like you need to be alone I can take the counter for the rest of the day, you can do the inventory,” Toffee offered, she had hoped to cheer up her employee but could see that the younger pony needed a little more time.
“But… the inventory won’t take so long,” Vanilla frowned a little. That was about the only reason Toffee was here today.
“Then you can take the rest of the day off that much earlier,” the old mare chuckled and drank the last drips from her mug.
“T-thanks.” The younger Pony managed a weak smile. Maybe taking the day early and just wander a little about Manehattan was a better idea than just work and then go home.
“Think nothing off it, I’ll head off now and open the shop up again, you finish the inventory when you feel you’re ready.” Toffee smiled and took the mug to a sink. Then she left the backroom.
Vanilla took her time to finish her own mug before taking it to the sink. She washed up both containers before going to her work. As the mare had suspected there wasn’t a whole lot to do, Toffee had already finished the majority of it. She considered asking the old mare if she didn’t need help with something else, but thought against it, her employer would probably not hear it. She tended to stick to her promises to the letter.
The mare was soon out and about to explore parts of Manehattan she had never been in. She went to the more touristy areas and tried to pretend she was one of them, visiting the city for the first time. But yesterday’s event still lingered on her mind and she knew that she couldn’t delay it forever to return home. It was dangerous to be out and about in Hoofington after dark.
Vanilla kept delaying it though, thinking she still had plenty of time. When she reached Bridleway it was already late afternoon. The mare was busy examining theater posters and musing if she should go and see a play when she realized the time and noticed that the streetlights were turning on.
Oh horseapples. The mare cringed, she still wasn’t sure if she wanted to go home but there really wasn’t much choice, she didn’t have money for a hotel room and didn’t know anyone in this part of the city. Surrendering to the fact the pony hurried to the nearest subway station.
The sun was already set when Vanilla finally arrived in Hoofington. With a heavy sigh she slowly headed out of the station and up to the now semi-dark streets. Vanilla shivered a little, it had been a while since she walked this path so late.
Oh you’re being silly; he would never hurt you. He was drunk, yes he threw that bottle but he didn’t do anything else, Vanilla thought as she slowly started to walk down the street.
I mean, he was upset about something. He was talking about somepony. Replace who? Who was he afraid I was trying to replace? The mare was so busy going over what happened yesterday that she didn’t notice that she turned in the wrong direction and started to walk in the opposite direction of her apartment building.
I probably should… check on him… if he’s still drunk…I will just… Vanilla cringed a little and now worried she might just be barraged with more insults.
Or maybe I should just leave well enough…huh? She looked up when she noticed voices up a head.
Vanilla blinked when seeing all the ponies there on the street. They had formed a large circle and in the middle of it were two earth ponies duking it out, they didn’t spare their kicks and bites and already had bloodied wounds all over.
Oh Luna, where am I? She quickly looked around and suddenly realized she was on the completely wrong street. This is Avenu, Lane is several streets back.
The mare carefully backed away from the circle, so far the ponies hadn’t noticed her and for that she was relieved. She already recognized some of them belonging to Barricade’s gang. Vanilla froze when her tail and rump touched a chest, slowly she glanced back and inwardly winched when seeing the unicorn standing right behind her.
“Well, well, this is an odd sight, what are you doing out here so late?” Barricade inquired with a smirk, he made no sign that he was going to move.
“I… I took a wrong turn.” Vanilla turned herself around so she faced him, not thrilling at the concept of her rear parts so close to the unicorn’s front. She did glance back to the fight and cringed at the violence on display there. “What in sweet Celestia’s name is happening there.”
“Hm, that?” Barricade eyed the circle. “Eh, we’re just having a little fun.”
They call that fun? The mare felt sick and did not want to see more of this. Better to risk seeing Tango drunk again, so she started to move back the way she came. Barricade immediately stepped into her way.
“Leaving so soon? You just got here.” He grinned unnervingly down at her.
“Barricade… please,” Vanilla didn’t have the will at the moment to sound defiant. “I’m not in mood for this. Let me go home.”
“Why should I?” Barricade whispered, lowering his head towards her.
“Why are you doing this to me?” The mare took a step back. She cringed when noticing that some of the other ponies had noticed what was going on and were watching, some even began taking strategic positions that prevented her escape from the street.
“Please… I just want to go home.” Vanilla was starting to get frightened. She was alone, completely alone, face to face with Barricade and surrounded by his thugs.
“You haven’t answered my question,” the unicorn pointed out in a sing-a-song voice.
“I… don’t know… what do you want from me? You want to do me? Then just do me already and get it over with,” Vanilla cried and dropped down to the ground sobbing loudly. “Just make it quick.”
Barricade watched the crying pony in front of him. The unicorn rolled his eyes and started to examine one hoof while waiting patiently. Some of the ponies around started to snicker and said something he heard, the stallion gave them a glare and they fell silent.
“Are you done?” he asked once the sobbing had quieted down a little. Vanilla hesitantly glanced up at him.
“First of all, do me? What are you, a teenager still afraid of the f word? Seriously, just use that or say sex. Secondly, no I’m not going to ‘do’ you as you put it,” the unicorn snorted, then he whistled sharply. “Yo, Gold Shovel come over here.”
Vanilla watched as a golden brown colored mare came trotting closer. She was an earth pony and her dark red mane was cut rather sharp and stylish, she wore a jacket that was long enough to cover her cutie mark.
“So Goldie, want to do it?” Barricade asked in a matter of fact tone. Vanilla tilted her head a bit in confusion when Gold almost lit up and wrapped her front legs around the unicorn.
“Ooh, you mean tonight?” she asked eagerly.
“Sure, why not, see you when I’m done here,” the stallion confirmed and freed himself from the mare. He winked her and Gold trotted happily away. Barricade turned his attention back to Vanilla who looked even more confused and mildly bewildered.
“You saw the key difference here?” he asked and rolled his eyes when Vanilla shook her head slowly. “She is willing.”
Barricade laughed when the mare looked even more confused. Some of the other ponies looked as amused as him. Once the laughter died down, the unicorn lowered his head down to Vanilla’s level.
“Seriously, you think I force myself on unwilling mares? You know how much of a bother that is? I much rather have them all into it as well,” the stallion smiled deviously.
“Then why…” Vanilla whispered. “Do you keep tormenting me?”
“Because it’s fun seeing you squirm,” Barricade chuckled and started to circle the mare. “I can’t help it, you look so adorable when you try to be all big and brave and defiant.”
“You’re sick.” The mare started to slowly rise up. She froze when Barricade was right next to her, put one leg around her and pressed his head up against hers.
“You have nooooo idea,” the stallion chuckled.
Usually Vanilla would have been incensed at this blatant violation of her personal space, demanded the unicorn let go of her and tried to wiggle out of the grasp. But she was still feeling frightened and a bit numb, also deep down she knew this was delaying her returning home even further. The lack of struggling didn’t go unnoticed however.
Barricade let go and stared at her genuinely puzzled. Vanilla looked down to the ground, waiting for some taunting comment or further embarrassment from him.
“Barbell, I think I broke her,” the unicorn called. “Or she came here already broken.”
Barbell came walking from the pony circle. She looked at Vanilla critically then eyed the stallion. She pushed him out of the way and stepped up to the smaller mare. Barbell frowned in thought then glanced at Barricade.
“Get lost, I’ll take it from here,” she snorted.
“Well excuse me, I’ll just go to Goldie then,” the unicorn snorted and stuck his tongue out at her before walking away.
“Don’t tire him out, Goldie, I’ve plans later tonight!” Barbell shouted in the direction Barricade was going. She then turned her attention to Vanilla.
“Come, on pretty face, I’ll walk you away from here.” The large mare nudged the smaller one to walk and they departed the street.
They walked in silence until they were at least a street away from the crowd of ponies. Vanilla was though more just on autopilot right now; she just wasn’t sure anymore what she wanted to do. Go home? Go see Tango and see if he’s doing better? After a while she glanced carefully at the large mare walking beside her.
“Barbell?” she whispered. Barbell didn’t turn her head but her eyes narrowed a bit.
“Look, I know what you are going to ask. The answer is simple, you ponies don’t know me, I go my own path and not some perceived one the rest of you have for me. Is Barricade a colossal asshole? Yes, I’m not blind and not some brainless ditz he’s brainwashed. Not even Goldie is brainless, she just likes having sex. We like Barricade because he is at least honest about being a jerk. I’m not exactly miss sunshine either, I am jerk. I can deal with Barricade, he knows I can whoop is ass if necessary, so please stop wondering. You see something to avoid like he’s a spawn from the deepest bowels of Tartarus. I see magnificently manipulative bastard I happen to enjoy bantering with.” Barbell now first looked at Vanilla. “And the sex isn’t so bad either.”
“Sorry…” the other mare looked down again. “I just… never mind.”
Barbell groaned a bit, she did in fact remember Vanilla from back when they were in school. But as the smaller mare had told Tango, they hadn’t been friends, just knew of each other. The larger earth pony just never understood why ponies assumed she was some brainless victim of Barricade. She had never concealed who she truly was, the mare had never been the nicest of ponies, admitted it willingly and without any shame. Sure she put up a nice front when interacting with customers at the gym, but anyone who truly knew her, knew Barbell first and foremost thought of herself.
“Listen pretty face, you need to stop thinking so much in black and white, there are gray areas in life too,” Barbell grunted and rolled her eyes. She was about to say something more when a faint noise caught her attention. The mare stopped and halted Vanilla as well.
“W-what is it?” she asked, they were still a street or two from her home.
“Trouble,” the bigger pony whispered.
“Run. Now!” Barbell snapped and took off.
Vanilla followed the best she could but even if she galloped as fast as possible, Barbell was faster and already way ahead of her. The mare was confused and wondered what was going on. Then she heard the hoof beats behind her and insane laughter. Vanilla tried to look back but in the process of doing so tripped and hit her forehead on the sidewalk. The last thing she knew was something striking her hard on the head.
End chapter 6