I stared out the moving train window misty-eyed, and even though the pale stallion next to me glared at the other passengers suspiciously, I practically bounced in my seat. I had never bee traveling before, and while this wasn't the best reason for it, I was glad to be going somewhere else. It was... invigorating to see the Manehatten skyline drift into the night, and my thoughts turned to the journey.
Silver Tongue was... interesting, and an admittedly morbid curiosity in me wondered what exactly he did to get that stallion after him. At that moment, it really didn't matter. It is a wonderful thing to be necessary, and my previous occupation didn't really help.
I smiled at that thought, and looked back to the fading Manehatten skyline with a daydream about using my powers of detection and Silver Tongue's... well, his silver tongue to be, like, awesome vigilantes. I could have a suit or a coat like Shadow Spade, and maybe Silver would have a jacket like Carriage Puller-
"You look like you're having fun," Silver said, and I realized my smile was growing wider as the fantasy continued.
A weak laugh escaped my lips as I answered, "Oh, yeah. Yeah, um.. It's just. I've never been traveling before."
He cast a reassuring smile before responding, "I just wish it were under better circumstances." He sighed. "Alright, so what's with that detection thing of your's? We didn't exactly have time to talk before, so we might as well make use of this."
I shrugged, not entirely sure how to answer. "You know, I don't really know. It sort-of started when I was a filly, but at the time, I thought I just had really quick reflexes. Then, when I was seven or eight, I started to realize it was an actual power."
I looked to Silver, who appeared confused by my explanation. "So, how exactly can you tell when something is going to happen?"
I looked to the ceiling, trying to put together the words, "It's just... like, a feeling. Other than that, I don't really know how to describe it. I mean, it's not like I cant tell you exactly what's going to happen next Tuesday, because I can't really tell. It's just, like, stallion at two-o-clock! Then, there he is!"
Silver leaned back in his chair, apparently satisfied with my answer. I had a question of my own, however. "So, your name. Silver Tongue. I guess you're good at, like, lying or something?"
He shrugged, "I guess you could say something like that. It's a lot easier to tell the truth, but in a deceiving way. Like, telling the service lady that I needed a drink to deal with the pain." He gestured to his cut, now exposed because wearing a bath towel on public transit was frowned upon.
I glanced down to the empty shot glass under a hoof and pursed my lips, "Is it really that bad?"
"Adrenaline was keeping the pain to a minimum before," he groaned, "but now it feels like that blade's still in there."
I sighed, trying to think of some way to help him. He responded first "It's fine. I'll get some Aspirin or something when we get to Baltimare. In the meantime, I recommend you rest. It's only an hour trip, and we both have to get up bright and early tomorrow."
I rested my head on the back of the seat, but found myself unable to relax. "Silver, what are we going to do when we get to Manehatten?"
He took a deep breath, eyes still closed. "Maybe stay for a day or so, then move on to the next town," he groaned.
"So, what?" I muttered, turning to look at Silver, "We keep running from town to town until we die? I saw you wheezing after ten blocks in Manehatten. You won't survive lone running."
He sighed, eyes fluttering open as we both realized what we were about to get ourselves into. "That depends on whether he follows us. If he doesn't, we'll be fine in Baltimare. Maybe we should move on again just in case.
"If he does follow us, we move on for a while, make it across Equestria. Out of Equestria, if we have to. Then, find a little town, far from a major city, and stay low." His eyes turned to the glass under his hoof. "But, no. We can't keep running."
I leaned back in my chair, trying to distract myself with the train compartment's ceiling. I took a deep breath, wishing I knew what had gotten Silver into this mess, though, I felt I'd soon find out.
We departed the train in much more somber tones than our entrance. After the adrenaline-fused exuberance died, our eventual fate finally settled in, bringing us to a harsh reality of what was in store for us.
We shambled out of our compartment, Silver's eyes on the crowd, and mine on the surroundings. Pegasi whizzed overhead in uniform, carrying somepony's luggage over the crowd. Large stone sculptures were carved out of the Baltimare's train station, each shining with light from the bowed glass ceiling. A crowd moved in an organized mess of ribboned paths leading to a long wooden desk with several attendants, each of which bore fake smiles to the crowd.
My smile wasn't fake. Somehow, despite our situation, my thoughts turned to wonder as I admired the beauty, not only in the building, but in the ponies running it. "Wow, this place is amazing!" I said, speaking to no-one in particular.
I looked over to Silver, who was still between watching the crowd and the door. He sluggishly responded to my outburst, barely looking at his surroundings before muttering, "I suppose so."
I laughed as I said, "Seriously? 'I suppose' is the best you've got?"
"Well, maybe I'm a bit on-edge considering the reason behind this trip," he spat in reply, "Now, let's go. The farther from this train station we go the better off we'll be." He brought a hoof up to cover his wound and daintily patted the red streak, wincing as he drew his hoof away.
"Are you alright?" I asked with a growing worry for him.
"No," he replied curtly. "Let's see if we can get to a pharmacy or something. Can your Radar-sense find us a CVS or something?" he asked with a dry sarcasm.
I rolled my eyes, chuckling softly as I jauntily answered, "No, I don't think so, but I do have this other power that just might work." I trotted happily toward one of the train station's many attendants, smiling as I said to her, "Hello, ma'am! Could you tell me where the nearest pharmacy is?"
She groaned slightly, then gestured out the door, "Left down Cherry Street, then a right on Royal Avenue."
"Thanks," I responded gleefully, prancing back to Silver Tongue, who bore his best 'are you serious' face.
"Why, what a wonderful power that is," he sarcastically quipped, making his way toward the door, "Perhaps I can make use of this someday."
I laughed, despite the joke being aimed at me, then told him, "She said to take a left on Cherry Street. There is one on Royal Avenue to the right."
He took a deep breath, commanding, "Alright, then let's get going."
When we stepped out of the train station, it was like a distorted version of Manehatten, though at the same time, completely different. There was more brick than steel and asphalt, the buildings were structured in different styles of bricks to give them texture, and then were much shorter and closer together. The roads, lined with trees and gas-lamps, was gently coated in small crowd of ponies, weary to get to work, led by the glowing orange sunrise seen vaguely through the building.
I once again expressed the beauty of the scene before me while Mr. Grumpy Pants sulked next to me, but he once again muttered vague agreement without actually seeing what he was looking at, and my thoughts turned to the ponies around me.
A couple passed us, loudly discussing something about Hoofball. A filly ran into the candy shop across the street with her parents struggling to catch up. Two pegasi flew overhead, turned swiftly around a corner, and disappeared down another street.
I smiled at the ponies around me, while Silver continued to stare absently ahead.
The rest of the trip was without any major incident, unless you count the cashier trying not to stare at the angry red gash on Silver's cheek. As soon as we stepped out of the store, Silver sorted out four of the little red pills and swallowed them, completely ignoring the recommended dosage.
He sighed, then asked me, "Alright. We can stay here for a day or so. What do you want to do?"
I tucked my tongue between my teeth in thought, but quickly found my answer, "Oh! The Power Ponies movie came out today! Could we go see it?"
He nodded, then looked to the sky, "Yeah, I don't think any theaters open until later. We should rest first. We've been up all night."
"I suppose," I groaned with slight disappointment, "but can we at least see the Power Ponies movie later? I've been a huge fan since issue 128, and I just can't wait to see it!" Despite the slow start of the sentence, I was practically bouncing by its end, and Silver was quick to notice.
"Of course you can see it, just promise me you'll get some sleep first. We've got a while before any of the shows will start, so I'll grab the tickets while you get some rest."
"Okay, so, where should I go?" I asked, "I don't really know anywhere in this town."
"There's a place north of here run by my old friend, Grape Vine," he answered, "I'll take you there. She owes me a big favor for dealing with her husband."
"You helped him realize his love for her?" I asked, with a new-found respect for him.
"No," he curtly answered, "I made sure he ended it."