Deliberation
Ditzy was busy doing some housework, taking the time to take in the world her mail mare job was providing for her and Dinky. It wasn't fancy but it was warm (mostly) and it provided them with everything they needed (so long as they were frugal).
But there was more to life than just surviving and no matter what she felt about moving to Manehatten, what mattered most was providing for Dinky. It wasn't the money that mattered but the quality of life she was providing her daughter.
"Mommy!" Ditzy was brought out her thoughts by the feeling of Dinky giving her a hug.
The grey mare brightened instantly as she returned the hug. "Hello, muffin. Did you have fun with Sparkler?"
"Yeah!" the young filly then started to list off all the things the two sisters had managed to fit into their afternoon. About halfway through was when Sparkler made it into the apartment.
"Just remember to stop for breath." She teased.
Dinky replied by taking in a deep breath and blowing a raspberry at Sparkler. Ditzy would have scolded her if Sparkler hadn't blown a raspberry right back. Dinky then ran off to put away her school bag, giggling the whole way. The two older mares looked at each other and smiled as they rolled their eyes in good natured camaraderie. They then quickly looked away, things were still awkward between the two mares but they were getting better.
"Hope she wasn't any trouble."
"She was wonderful." Sparkler assured her. "I really had a great time."
"That's good, Dinky had been looking forward to today."
"Yeah, me too." Sparkler replied.There was another moment of silence. This time a little less awkward. "So Dinky was telling me about a Fluttershy today and how she had helped her with the bunny census."
"Yeah, Fluttershy takes taking care of the animals around Ponyville seriously. Dinky likes to help out when she can."
"Well between helping out Fluttershy and being an assistant for The Night Court Representative's Magic shows, Dinky definitely leads an exciting life."
Ditzy paused, thinking about Fluttershy, Trixie and all the other things Ponyville had to offer. "She does, doesn't she?"
At that moment Dinky came back in. "Mommy, Sparkler taught me the sparkle charm she uses for her displays. Take a look at this." Dinky's horn lit up as she prepared to do the spell.
Sparkler quickly leaned over and whispered into Ditzy's ear. "Shield your eyes."
"What?"
The room was then filled with a blinding white light.
"Still a little strong, Dinky."
Trixie led Cheerilee to her lounge. The teacher declined the offer for a drink as she made herself comfortable on the couch.
"Alright so what did you want help with?"
"Did you know Big Mac was a bounty hunter?"
Cheerilee stopped and starred at her. "How is this relevant to the policy you wanted my help with? In fact, how is that relevant with anything?"
"Relevant!! Bounty hunters are nothing but a bunch of money crazed scumbags!"
Cheerilee pursed her lips. "You know my father used to have a bounty hunter license." She paused "I don't think he ever caught anyone though. I think he just kept renewing his license cause mom liked it. I remember she would shake her flank at him, saying 'I've got your bounty right here'. Then they'd send me to go play at the neighbour’s house."
The teacher sighed when she saw the look of dismay (and slight disgust) Trixie was giving her. "Look, I know that bounty hunting comes with a stereotype but it is legal. Also, it's common practise for big farms to have at least one employee with a valid bounty hunting license. Honestly, would you want to mess with a farm that had a bounty hunter, especially one that looks like Big Mac?"
"This isn't just about precaution, Big Mac has collected." Trixie levitated over the registry and opened it to the relevant page showing the bounty collections that had been paid out by Ponyville Representatives, including who they were paid to and the criminals that they were paid for. "Look at the top three pay outs here in Ponyville. Hardball, Steal-Beak the griffon, Chuckles, all three were high profile bounties with substantial pay days, all collected by Big Mac."
Cheerilee nodded her head as she looked at the list. "True, though you know what else they have in common? All three were dangerous criminals hoping to hide out in Ponyville." She explained "I know for a fact that Chuckles had put at least three ponies in the hospital and could have killed one of them if Big Mac hadn't stepped in. He was doing Ponyville a service."
"And getting paid handsomely for it."
"Oh, you are not going to play that card." Cheerilee scolded. "Tell me, how big was our reward for stopping Corona again?"
"That's different."
"Yes because it was you getting the reward." Cheerilee rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Look I know this is somehow going to lead to you accusing Big Mac of having an agenda, so let’s hear it."
"What if somepony has put a bounty on the elements?" Trixie theorised, "Big Mac might be trying to collect."
"Well, for a start, it would be illegal. License or not, collecting a bounty that is not government sanctioned would lead to him potentially getting prosecuted for various crimes including abduction, harassment, assault and trespassing, to name a few."
"If he was caught."
"And if he was suspected of taking private bounties he could lose his license."
"Why are you so quick to defend him?" Trixie asked.
"Why are you so quick to condemn him?" Cheerilee shot back. "Look, I know you want to be cautious but this has gone from being cautious to being paranoid."
"Maybe a little paranoia wouldn't hurt."
Cheerilee closed her eyes and mentally counted to 10. "Trixie, let me explain a little bit about how being a teacher works. I have a classroom full of young fillies and colts that I have to teach. Do you know what that means?" She didn't wait for Trixie to answer. "It means that I have to leave all personal feelings and opinions I have about my students or their families at the door. What I do in that classroom could affect my students future so I don't get to hold grudges or suspicions. Hay, there's one student whose mother used to call me 'Smear-ilee" at school but you can bet that I still give that student the same care as I give any of the others."
"But..."
"But it's not easy." Cheerilee continued, "I'm not perfect and some days I find it damn hard to stay professional, especially after having to deal with some stuck up know-it-all parent looking down their nose at me and thinking either I'm the one who should be raising their kids or that they know more about teaching than I do. But every once in a while I deal with some pony decent, who wants the best for their family but also trusts me to do my job. Somepony like Big Macintosh." Cheerilee then seemed to stare right through the representative. "Now I know this whole thing is your way of trying to be a good friend but just remember that tomorrow I have to look Applebloom right in the eye and act as if a friend hadn't tried to 'prove' to me that her brother is dirty and out to get me."
Trixie stared and then opened her mouth, not sure of what she was going to say, but then closed it again when Cheerilee raised her hoof.
"Look, did you actually want my help or was this all some scheme to talk to me about Big Mac?"
Trixie, slightly hurt by the accusation but realising that she kinda deserved it, pulled out a file and laid it on the table. "You don't have to..."
Cheerilee gave Trixie a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "I love helping my friends. So what did you want help with?"
It was late at night at Sweet Apple Acres, Big Mac was the last pony up, pouring over his file of active bounties. So far he hadn’t found anything matching the two he had seen in the market but Caramel had done some digging, none of the local builders knew anything about a Manehatten based Construction Company coming to Ponyville and absence of a bounty didn’t mean absence of guilt.
He was brought out of his thoughts by a mug full of tea being placed on the desk. He looked up and saw the wise old face of Granny Smith smiling at him.
“Saw yer light on.” She looked at the papers. “Planning yer next hunt?”
Big Mac smiled gratefully before taking sip. “Eeyup.”
Granny Smith chuckled as she ruffled Big Mac’s mane. “Just like yer grandpa, always keeping yer eyes open for ways to make Equestria a better place.” She then took the empty chair nearby. “So Applebloom told me ya went to see Cheerilee today. Did ya tell her about the job offer?”
“Eeyup.”
“She take it?”
“Nope.”
“Well no surprise there. Speaking from experience, once a mare like that strikes a claim there’s little in this world or the next that will get them to move.”
Big Mac sighed. “I know.”
“The important thing is that ya tried.” Granny Smith said, “Besides, maybe it’s for the best. I know ya trust yer connections in Fillydelphia but it’s better to keep those six together and as they say, if ya want something done right, do it yer self.”
Big Mac pointed to himself “Just one stallion.”
“Sonny, the day that yer ‘just one stallion’ is the day I’m a just a senile old grandma.” Granny Smith paused. “Don’t answer that.”
The next day was another bright and sunny one as Ditzy headed to the post office, her spirit considerably lighter than it had been the night before.
"Ah Miss Doo, puntcual as always." Ditzy turned to see Parley and his assicioates. "I trust that you have had a good night. Did you think my offer over?"
"I did," Ditzy replied. "and the answer is no."
"Excellent, now we will have to leave soon so I've taken the liberty of..." Parley did a sudden double take. "NO?!"
"Thank you so much for the offer." Ditzy said sincerely. "But Dinky and I have a good life here in Ponyville and I don't think now is the right time to move."
Parley stared at Ditzy, trying to process what he was hearing. He then chuckled. "Well I guess we were kinda short changing you. Tell you what, why don't we add another 50% to what we offered you before."
"Sorry but the money was never what was important to me."
"Not.. important...."The gears in Parley's head start to grind. "Well then, tell me, what is important? What can I offer you that will make you reconsider."
"Is there I way that I would be able to work from Ponyville?"
Parley did not look amused "No."
"Then there is nothing you can offer me." Ditzy turned to leave. "Sorry to have wasted your time but I hope you enjoyed your stay anyway."
Parley, looking even less amused, signalled Plata and Plomo. The two big stallions proceeded to box Ditzy in against a nearby wall. Parley also closed in, leaving a Ditzy with no real means of getting away aside from straight up but considering how close the stallions were, they would be on her before she could fly away.
"Alright, I'll keep this simple. Have you ever heard of the expression 'carrot and stick'?"
Ditzy looked around at the three stallions that were suddenly crowding her "Er...yeah, there's a mule on my route who sometimes uses it."
"Well, Ditzy. This job offer was the carrot, it's big, it's juicy and it's ten times better than anything a pony like you could ever hope to get."
"I told you, I'm not interested."
"Now you see, the funny thing is, I don't care. My employer doesn't take no for an answer. Which means I don’t take no for an answer. Which means you are going to go to Manehatten, whether or not you’re interested." Parley closed the distance until he was almost touching noses with Ditzy. "So take the carrot or else get the stick."
"HEY!! LEAVE HER ALONE!!"
Ditzy and Parley looked away from each other and saw Post Haste standing there. Parley scoffed at the scrawny postal worker.
"Beat it, my friends and I were just having a word with Miss Doo."
"Well your word's over."
Silver Script stepped out of the post office, carrying a baseball bat that had the words "Love & Tolerance" written on it.
"If you don't leave right now, I'm going to love and tolerate the shit out of you!"
Parley weighed his options, not really wanting this encounter to turn physical. "Alright, point taken." He turned back to Ditzy. "I'll be at room 6 of the May Flower Motel. In case you change your mind."
The Manehatten ponies then left. Once they were gone, Silver Script lowered the bat and went to check on Ditzy.
"You okay?" Ditzy nodded. "What did they want?"
Ditzy took in a deep breath to steady herself. "They wanted me to take a job in Manehatten and when I told them no, they started to threaten me."
Silver Script nodded. "Alright Ditzy, you're taking the day off." Ditzy opened her mouth to protest. "No arguments. Post haste will cover for you." Ditzy closed her mouth. "You're friends with the Night Court Representative right?" Ditzy nodded. "Do you trust her?" Ditzy nodded again. "Well then come on, I'm going to make sure you get there safely. No arguments."
Parley was muttering angrily to himself as he spied Ditzy and the bat wielding postal worker walking off from around the corner. Once they were out of he turned back to Plata and Plomo.
"Got everything you need for plan B?"
"Sí. A diferencia de usted, realmente podemos hacer nuestros empleos."
"I heard a 'Sí' in there, so go get ready. We're leaving this afternoon." Parley ordered. "I'm gonna go get these tickets exchanged."
As Plata and Plomo left, Parley pulled out the two tickets and looked at them for a brief moment.
"Ditzy Doo, you brought this on yourself."
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And now things are starting to get interesting. Let’s see where it leads.
In regards to Cheerilee's POV, I can't personally speak for teachers but my dad is a doctor in a small town. His car had been stolen and set on fire by some locals (don't ask me why) and though the people responsible had been caught and prosecuted he had made it a point not to find out who they were. When I asked him why, he explained that chances are that someday he was going to have to treat one or all of the people responsible. That was what came with the territory of being a doctor and frankly it was easier for him not to know.
I think being a teacher is similar in that you can't control who your students or who their parents but you still have responsibility to those students regardless of personal feelings. I'm not saying that Cheerilee shuts her eyes to potential threats but she's not going to start thinking the worst of people at the first suspicion.
Side note, it was suggested that I leave out the translations for what Plomo says and just have the Spanish, any thoughts?
First, at some point, these people have to learn that acting against the Bearers is an incredibly stupid move, especially in the Lunaverse.
Second, I kind of want Post Haste's bat. It's a cool bat. Also, 'love and tolerate the shit out of you' with a bat like that is brilliant.
I like that bat.
And now I'm really curious about Big Mac. I'm pretty certain he's a friendly, or at least a neutral, but you've successfully piqued my curiosity.
A few errors I spotted:
The spelling is 'frugal' I believe.
'Led' is the proper past-tense form of 'lead'.
You're missing an opening quotation mark after 'paused'. And what do you mean 'she would her flank him'? 'She would show her flank to him' maybe?
You need to capitalize 'Cheerilee' here.
You need an 'a' in 'considerably'.
On the one hand, proper grammar would be 'Dinky and I' as in 'I have a good life here' rather than 'me have a good life here', but I tend to give a fair amount of leeway on these things when they occur in dialogue. Either way, 'Ime' isn't a word, much less a first-person pronoun.
No errors, this is just plain awesome!
909327
Found and fixed. Thanks for pointing them out. What it was suppose to say was "Shake her flank at him".
909390
Ha! I like tht bat. It's like the fan appreciation bat from...
...huh, I forget where. I want to say Megatokyo.
And Cheerilee's opinions seem spot-on.
thats a win
Damn. It's definitive. I bucking LOVE the Lunaverse.
Meinos Kaen
Sliver Script isn't going to get the chance to love and tolerate anypony. A largish red earth pony will have beaten him to it.
Actually as a teacher I find it important to know what the parents of a student are like especially if that student is having trouble in school and also if said parents are capable of assisting them as well.
Anyway though very nice story. Could maybe use a bit of expansion in some places but overall a very entertaining story.
Nice, always a fan of badass Big Mac, can't wait to see how he handles the troublemaking trio.
Silver Script, you better swing by the school and make sure Dinky is allright, that's where they'll strike next!
Also 'Night Court' is two words.
Ponyville has a motel now?!
Sounds to me like the villains are going to try and kidnap Dinky to try and get Ditzy to work for them which is a spectacularly bad idea. Not only will Ditzy go balistic but I think she might be at school so Cherilee will be protecting her, Trixie is rather fond of kids particularly Dinky and the CaraMac crew are keeping an eye on them, if Snails is at school at the same time then Raindrops will be falling on their heads as well.... I cant wait.
911752
Good point.
Thanks, I'm glad your enjoying the story so far though are there any specific places you feel could do with expanding?
912707
Thanks I'll remember that.
Well the town appears to get tourists so you would assume that there would be some form of accomadation available though I doubt they would have a hotel.
I grew up in a town of only 500 people that still managed to have six motels catering solely to the tourist trade.
913514 There wasn't one as per The Night After. Though don't worry, I'll drop a construction site for the motel in Where There is Smoke.
913642
Thanks, can't believe I forgot about that
"I'm going to reason with ya"
"Do I really need to point out that you have 'Reason' painted on the side of your shotgun?"
*Blam*
909159 Your father's a good man.
Also, yeah. Splitting up the Bearers of the Elements, literally the only thing stopping Corona, is getting to be redicupid. A combination of ridiculous and stupid, there. I mean... is Greengrass that short-sighted?
918698 Thanks
Really i don't think Greengrass is shortsighted but he is just more concerned about getting leverage. He probably thinks once he gets his hoofs on one element, he'll be able to either use it to get hold of the other elements or he'll be able to get what he wants before Corona get's here.
In regards to others wanting to get hold of an element, some are actually just shortsight but others are probably not that concerned over the threat Corona presents.
We the reader know that Corona would have probably leveled Canterlot if the elements hadn't stopped her but for all the general public know's Shining Armour's defence could have been enough to stop her.
Pretty good chapter, could use some more thorough proofing though, notably there seem to be several superfluous instance of the word 'a'.
Loved the bat though I think narratively describing the text branded on it then having Silver Scrip speak those same words in the next sentence was a bit repetitive. I might have shortened one or the other to just "L&T" or else something like this.
What you've already got though is just fine if you really prefer it that way.
913642
That was always the one thing that really bugged me about The Night After. I'd have bought the idea that what with it being the Longest Night Festival and all that all the rooms were booked, but I do think there should have always been a motel/hotel/inn of some kind.
i don't like where this is going....
934343
Yeah I will definitely consider shortening it from now on later references but the joke didn't really work unless I had Love and Tolerance both times.
Well armed Postal Workers; Do Not argue with them!
909159 My mom was a teacher for many years at a local school and felt the same way. No matter what you think of their parents, kids don't deserve to be punished for crimes they haven't committed.
I personally really like the translation. Having to stop, copy it to a translator program, read the translation, and then go back to the fic as you can guess really breaks immersion
To me it makes sense we could know what the translation is.
almostdumb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/i-will-tolerate-and-love-the-shit-out-of-you.jpg
telling me about a Fluttershy today
stopped and starred at her
leaving a Ditzy with no real means
Post haste will cover
1. I know Fluttershy is a kind of tree but...
2. Stared.
3. Ditzy ain't a thing.
4. Forgot to capitalise.
> > Enderstorm
You are correct sir!
Love and tolerate the shit out of you, HA! EPic win!
Steelbeak?
img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110408044901/disney/images/8/87/Steelbeak.png
4172194 My thought EXACTLY.
I lol'd.
Sometimes that's the only kind of "love" and "tolerance" people understand, sadly.
Post Haste
________________
27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lhjqymRSTU1qbtpcwo1_500.jpg
There were most assuredly some real knock out lines in this chapter!
And my personal favorite...
Man, Trixie was awful quick to paint Mac as a mercenary. I mean, the guy obviously has a license, a family, and a day job. You can't get more legit than that.
Nice.
5323963
Part of the problem is that bounty hunters are self employed. In one of his essays, P.J. O'Rourke said that to government types that sounds like "bum that can't hold a job". He said that he'd tell the cops that he was an enforcer for the mafia before he told them that he was a freelance writer -he reckoned that he'd get more respect.
Cap.
_____________
Applebloom >> Apple Bloom
_______________
Ohhh... You know what time it is. C'mon buddy, you know those magic words. Just say them already! You have waited your whole life to say that line, so just DO IT! Think about all those people depending on you! Don't you dare to disappoint them and SAY THOSE WORDS! Think about your grandma telling you bed time stories and ending those awesome tales with those words, think about your mother as she hugs you every time you came back from school and said those beautiful words to you everyday! C'mon man! THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO SHINE! So take a deep breath, equipment the best badass face you can manage and SAY THAT LINE!
mrwgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Crying-Happy-Tears-Meme-Reaction-Gif.gif
*sniff* Atta boy!