Once I got on the train, it was a relatively smooth ride. But I couldnβt help but wonder just why Moondancer had also been there. Was I being a bit overly concerned? Probably. She was probably on some small errand for Princess Sparkle.
But rather unexpectedly, she approached me instead. Who wouldβve thought. Hoofsteps gained more audibility as they came nearer and nearer towards my seat, until her dull yellow mug popped into view.
βFlash Drive, correct?β she questioned me right out of the gate. βHalf unicorn, half zebra?β
Well now that was certainly unexpected. Youβd have to be off your nut to kick off an introduction with such words. However, as she was a tad older than I, it would have been rude to ignore or deny the claims when they were painfully obvious. Admittedly, I did stick out like a sore hoof. I was a jet-black pony. Such a dark color scheme was natively impossible among regular Equestrian ponies. Combine that with my silver mane, it was impossible to hide in plain sight.
Second, my build was a tad more muscular than the average unicorn. Sure from the outside, I looked normal. But I was a tad taller than most. The only relatively normal thing about me was my horn size and shape. However, even then, I wasnβt exactly adept in casting. Zebra magic was more focused on the external and how their bodies interacted with the ether--okay it was better to show off in practice rather than explain.
For the moment, I simply responded. βYes. Thatβs me. What would you like to know, madam?β
βI was simply curious, thatβs all. I remember Tempest Shadow telling me a bit about you.β
Oh dear. Here came the assumptions. βOh really?β I asked as I leaned forward in my seat to give her my full attention, βAnd just what has she said exactly.β
βThat you might make for a decent research partner, but Iβll have to see about that for myself,β she responded and took a look at the seat next to me. βDo you mind?β
Joy. I wasnβt much for conversation when it came to...intrapersonal things. But if I had no other option, then I could at least indulge her until it came time for my stop. As I stated before, it was important to show respect to those older than yourself. βNot at all, go ahead.β
And so, she sat in the aisle seat next to me. βAppreciated. Now I have a few more questions.β
βFire away,β I said.
βYour research...what does it normally encompass?β
βVarious things,β I replied as I looked out of the window, βFor starters, my partner and I have an inherent knack for finding all sorts of information on strange creatures. In particular, weβve been studying the Umbrums.β
Something must have clicked in Moondancerβs mind. Because she started to recall something we discussed previously. β...Oh that stuff. Listen...no offense to you or anything, but you should leave that sort of dangerous stuff to the professionals. You know. The ones who have studied magic their whole lives? Equestrian magic?β
Eh, wot? Was she insinuating that I wasnβt qualified enough to handle magical affairs due to how I was raised? If so, it wasnβt the first time. Not really much to say in response other than a general deflection.
βI was hired for this position for a reason. Iβm not sure exactly what you might have learned from Ms. Shadow, but youβll see what I can do in the near future.β I didnβt want to allude to my true intentions too much. Moondancer was certain to fly off the proverbial handle if I made a poor judgement of her or anypony closely affiliated with her.
βWell, Iβve been keenly observing your entire little team,β she went on, and levitated some notes out of her saddlebag which she began to sort through. βYou and your friends are quite...resilient, to say the least. But you in particular--Iβve yet to see you accomplish anything of note in relation to the current case.β She tilted her head to look at me from around her notepad, βIs that what youβre on your way to do right now?β
Damn. She had me by the knackers on this one. No point in hiding it I suppose. βMaybe. Iβve been around loads of places for quite a while, madam. Trust me, Iβm more experienced than I appear.β The mare may have been older than I was, but it was only a few years above. Not nearly enough time for her to pass judgement upon me. βIβm unable to disclose the entirety of my operation parameters. Youβll find out once things are done.β
She let out a backhoofed sort of chuckle. βAh...haha. Playing hard, I see. Meh, doesnβt matter. Iβll have the information I need for my own research soon enough.β She put away the notes, and leaned back into her seat.
I didnβt know whether I should have felt annoyed or suspicious.
Anyhow, the train finally stopped near the Badlands. From there, I was off to take a ship towards the other side of the world. The journey was going to take me at least a day to arrive at the Zebra continent, and another day to take their train to South Zebrica specifically. It was going to be a long journey to my fatherβs homeland, but I was prepared for whatever came my way.
However, before I got off that train, Moondancer hit me with some interesting parting words. βFlash Drive.β
I stopped mid-trot, and turned back to glance at her. βHm?β
βDonβt disappoint out there.β
Is Moondancer researching Flash Drive? Recruiting him to be her research partner? Or is it something else? I'm starting to think the unspoken sexual tension between these two is getting very oblivious.
Wonder what she means by that.
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What tension? There is no tension!
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π You said that about Pale, Cheerilee, and Treehugger. Look what happened. They have a word for that: Tempting Fate.