Find the River

by Atlas_Nebula

Chapter 2

Polaris was beautiful city, almost dream-like, especially when fellow thestral were around. Made way down to Main Street and adjusted to mildly shiny neon signs of shops and workplaces. No need for fragile wings here; walking far more trustworthy than flying on most days. Was on way to complex B, which stuck out unbelievably among shorter buildings, when thoughts were interrupted by blurry conversation from mile away.

Not sure why there were tourists coming to P-City from other parts of country, but never understood daywalkers anyways. Couple of blokes were over at new stand, which was probably caravan but couldn’t tell from distance. Most likely traveling businesspony, judging from static generated from local dimwits. “If you’re unicorn, then why bother using magic for show, young lass?” Heard thestral talking down to lady, which was never alright even by standards of foreign policy. Wing carried over at great speed, kicking up gravel, to commotion, and saw clearly who businesspony was.

“Now listen here, you hooligan, the Great-” she hesitated, coughed awkwardly. “Trixie doesn’t need your foolishness getting in her way. I’m not going to be treated like some ruffian from the far west!” Buddy of said hooligan giggled at mare’s language.

“Far west? Only ways here are north and south, little lady. Don’t confuse your ways with thestral. Not wise choice, eh?”

“You talk like brutes too, and if you really must know, I can do a lot more than just do magic tricks.” Was not necessarily businesspony, then. Kinda pretty, actually. Not every day that unicorn mares come to Polaris for sake of it.

“Oh, sure you can do lot more than magic tricks,” first grunt said, then snickered. Surprised local idiots haven’t been sterilized. Horrified that some have children who grow up to be as problematic. “How about we buy you drink? Must treat horned ladies like you lavishly, right?” Grinned and looked over to his friend, who stepped closer and closer to showmare.

“Treat her like natural treasure, boy-o.”

Unicorn mare who only glared at idiots, and focused on me hiding behind corner. Didn’t notice until she frowned intensely and lit up horn with aura. “What’re you doing over there? Waiting to ambush me and have these beasts join you? Trixie will not stand for this!” Startled by mare’s perspective, and immediately went on defense.

“Sorry! Overheard fellows here, didn’t mean any harm!” said as came out from behind corner of tall building and glided to between thestral morons. “Not with these guys, promise that much.” Glanced side to side at fellows who both spread wings out of sheer habit. First bloke looked at me with skeptical face, not sure what business had doing there.

“Is that so? Well,” mare said in smug manner. Probably thought I was soldier or royal guard or some kind of law enforcement for lovely P-City, but was erroneous. “I’ll have you know that these ‘gentlestallions’ have been harassing Trixie and poking fun at her livelihood.”

“Who’s Trixie?” Question made magician sigh and rub hoof against temple.

“I’m Trixie, not-” struggled for nanosecond. “I’m just a passerby trying to make a few bits!” Tried to be modest, bless her soul.

“If that’s case, then welcome to Polaris, lady,” noticed two blokes just standing next to each other, dumbfounded. By what? Good conduct was mandatory with mares, even of other races. Did parents not love them enough when were kids? Walked up to Trixie and lifted azure hoof of hers, causing gasp of surprise, and gently kissed. “Hope you enjoy stay here. Truly.” Wasn’t sure if custom from far away land, because as soon as did so, Trixie blushed if only for split second, but could tell anyways. Vibrant red against azure cheeks was admittedly adorable combination.

“U-Um...” she stuttered, then gained footing. “Thank you, whoever you might be. Good manners are hard to come by these days.”

“No problem. Is normal behavior here in great city. Mares are treasures, even if they aren’t ours,” turned around and scowled at local idiots. “Thought would about how things run around here, or maybe forgot?”

“Magicians don’t get that kind of treatment here!” First bloke yelled as if trying to be rebellious. Didn’t know who I was. Stallion next to him was not so confident in antics. Good for him. If lucky, then won’t threaten with sterilization.

“Not even thestral mare...” muttered under his breath, to himself most likely, but heard anyways. Perked ears up and took formidable stance.

“Correct if wrong, comrade,” slowly made way towards him, keeping wings erect to appear larger than really was. “But implication of committing rape is capital offense. Especially when implied to mare. Any mare. From what gathered, you two plan on taking advantage of Miss Trixie here. This simply will not do.” Saw first fellow getting worried.

“Were only joking, comrade!” Frantically said to me. Wasn’t working. “Traveler comes along and we play around some. No harm, right?”

“Not when clearly being tribalist,” said to him matter-of-factly. “Acceptance is how we survived in first place, and be damned if scum start messing with tourists. Pretty mares like Miss Trixie most of all.” Glanced over shoulder and could see Trixie smiling with slight sign of confusion. Gears were turning in head, but knew problem was not yet eradicated.

“Who do you think you are,” second bloke said to me. “Some kind of righteous messenger from Luna?”

“Not really. Just stating facts here. Actually,” glared at him. “could rip your throat out if necessary. Am allowed to do so under city law, considering circumstances.” At that moment, both stallions recited particular law in unison, as if some memory clicked into thick skulls.

“Ponies of any race or gender are allowed to stop threat to female populace, even if means are fatal and/or harmful to offender or offenders.”

“Correct.” Bared fangs and silently told blokes to piss off. So they did in hurry.

“Quite a decent display there,” Trixie said to me. Sounded genuinely impressed. Turned around and gave her blank expression. “Sorry, but I never asked for your name. You seem like a true gentlestallion, appearance aside.” Had something against thestral anatomy? Not surprised if thought ladies of Polaris were strange in looks, but fascinating at same time. Didn’t take offense either way. Common reaction to creatures like us.

“Lambda, Miss Trixie. Work at Complex B just one street over. Nice place, although isolated more than necessary.” Forgot had work to do. Still had some time, though. Trixie mumbled something to self but couldn’t hear what exactly was, surprisingly. Tiled head to side and looked at me, puzzled.

“What do you do there, if you don’t mind me asking? Trixie is curious.”

“Simple, really. Translate books all day.”

Comments

[mlplunalover]

my god man! lear to wrie!