> Crossroads
>  by Jasmine Tea
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: the journey of 1000 miles begins with one drunken step
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 1
Canterlot: the capital of Equestria.
A disheveled light baby blue unicorn found himself stumbling out of an apartment. He was hung over, his hoof shielding his eyes from the punishing sun.
He licked his teeth and tasted last night's alcohol concoction. The pasty film made him gag. He groaned tiredly but was relieved knowing that he couldn't throw up anymore. 
“Should have been easy on the liquor last night,” he rasped out, feeling nothing in his stomach. He held his belly for a moment before deciding to go home.
Pulling out his signature sunglasses out of his black T-shirt, he placed them over his eyes and trotted along the city street. 
The chill winter air did wonders for his hangover. Until he slipped on some ice: hitting his  head, making his headache even worse.
"Ah, shit," he muttered to himself. 
“Sweetie are you alright?” a concerned feminine voice asked. He looked up to where the voice came from. Standing in front of him was a purple mare looking down at him with pink cat-like eyes.
“Yeah just peachy.” He growled out, feeling like crap.
“Oh my, this will simply not do.” She looked at him with disapproval, her nose scrunching up. “What if your family saw you like this.” 
“Wha?” He said still in a drunken stupor.
“My dear boy, you’re a walking mess. We need to get you home immediately.” She lifted him up on to his feet. “Can’t let you smell like liquor all day, now can I.” The young stallion looked annoyed by the action.  
“Lliistennnn lady with the weirrrdd looking eyes. I appreeciatee you helping mee, but I'm hung overrr, not helplesss,” said the stallion as he took a wobbly step and nearly fell into the street again, before the mare could catch him. Dammit why is this happening to me!
“Sweetie, you need help, but I take it that you're stubborn.” She said giggling, noting his sour look. "If I didn't know any better, I would say that you don't like strong girls."
 “Nah, stroongg mare’s are fine by me as friends; it's just kind of embbaarrassing if your girlfriend saves your ass." His hooves went to his head. "Grrrrr, I feel like my horn is splliittiingg, stuuppid hangover." The affect of the alcohol was beginning to fade from his system, making him more coherent at his company.
For starters she was a bat pony. Weird, was the first thing that popped into his mind, seeing her glasses and brown short messy mane cut. But the strangest part was the fact that she was so chatty with a complete stranger.. 
"I just hate being useless,” she replied while having a all-knowing grin. “You know like you can do it but, you didn't. You just want to be a hero in your own story, am I right?" Turning, she eyed him, expecting an answer.
“Ha, yeah ssoometing like that. Pluss mares do like strongg guys,” he said while trying, but failing, to flex his front leg muscle. Her tongue clicked at his response.
"You know, not all heroes are strong. Sometimes they're weak, but can do amazing things that others can't understand. it's what you do that makes the hero." Eyes widening she asked. “Oh how rude of me, I forgot to ask for your name good sir.” She said, quickly changing the subject.
“It’s Neon, Neon Light and yours?” He asked a bit confused with her accent. It sounded like she came from Fillydelphia. Ah fuck it, I need another drink.
The mare paused for a moment, tapping her hoof on the floor: like she couldn't remember it. “My friends call me Jasmine Tea.” They turned a corner to where he lived in upper crust Canterlot. The mare stopped, "wait, you mean Neon? The DJ who goes by W1SH?" His head nodded, wincing at the motion. Jasmine chortled, "mine, Oh my! what an interesting development I seem to find myself in." Ignoring that weird comment, Neon asked.
“So Jasmine, what brings a mare like you to Canterrlot? You don’t seem to be the type to be here.” 
The bat mare had the most obnoxiously happy answer to that. “Well Lights my boy, an old friend of mine asked me to check on her story, it seems like she’s having trouble writing it,” Jasmine replied loudly, making his ears whine. 
“Not so loud, please, I’m still rreecoveering from last night,” Neon hissed out, his head throbbing from the high-pitched noise.
“Oh, sorry I forgot about your condition-" her voice going quiet, "-so yeah, I’m here because my friend is in trouble.”
“Yeah... trouble, I can sort of relate to that. Once my dad sees me like this, he’ll probably start yelling at me,” he said bitterly. 
        “I wouldn’t worry about it too much about that. Every hero finds a way to conquer their fears. Besides, I have a funny feeling it will work itself out, Oh look were here!” In front of them was a large mansion in an Austrian style. 
        “Yeah I guess… wait how did you-” but when Neon turned the mare was gone, “-know where my house is?” Wow, I might be more drunk than usual. I guess it doesn’t matter. He gloomily opened the door of his home and swallowed the lump in his throat, awaiting the lecture that was in store for him. Hopefully, he was sober enough to deal with his father.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When Neon walked into his father’s mansion he was greeted by a blue earth pony instead of the usual unicorn Butler.
        “Uh, hey dad you’re up early today,” Sir Pony Moore, his father, didn't reply to him. “so where’s Earl Grey-” 
        “Do you like disappointing me son?” the older stallion asked, cutting off his sentence. “Why is it, every time I see you you're either drunk or hungover?” He peered down at his son’s quivering form. Silence permeated the room. “Answer me!” 
“I just finished the paperwork on the project you wanted done and thought I should reward myself,” Neon said, his answer squeaking. He hated it when his father looked at him like that. It was made worse when his headache flared up.   
“For the fifth time this week?” Sir Moore prodded. Neon nervously looked down on his hooves that were prodding at the rug. Stay calm, he just wants an answer.
 “Paperwork is hard to do,” he choked out and immediately regretted it. That's a great answer, dumb ass.
“Hard? Neon! My question was why did you go party for the fifth time?” Moore answered, coming out with barely any control. “Of all the excuses you can come up with. This, by far, is the laziest one of them all, Neon!” He shouted, making Neon cringe. “To think that you’re the next head of the Moore family,” Sir Moore said, his hoof going to his face. It stood there for a moment before sliding down, showing the elder stallions tired eyes. It only drooped for a second before they hardened. Sir Moore could only stare at his wayward son.
'Ah, the fabled Moore’s, the oldest noble family in Canterlot, known for their long dedication to the crown. Pfft, what a load of shit.' Neon thought mockingly. Having to grow up with that legacy surrounding him, he was almost tempted to call his father by his actual name instead of that stupid title.
“You’re leaving this house immediately,” Sir Moore said flatly. Neon responded with a shocked look.
“Wait what! Why!?”  Neon incredulously asked.
“Because I honestly don’t recognize you as my son, and if your mother was still…” Sir Moore paused, “here she would agree with me.” He avoided looking at his son’s angered face.
“Don’t you bring up mom like that. You can’t use her to guilt trip me!” Neon yelled in protest. “And mom would say the same about you!” He continued to yell in frustration.
“Enough! Just pack your things and go. You have two days to get out.”
“Fine!” Neon snorted angrily. He stomped up the stairs and slammed the door, completing his image of a child throwing a tantrum.
Sir Pony Moore let out a long sigh. He stared at the spot where his son had stood and regretted his decision. He walked to the living room, peering up to look at a beautiful mare, lounging above the fireplace. 
She looked out from her portrait to silently watch over her family and everything that transpired in front of her. She gave a warm smile down to her groom, and he took comfort in that small gesture. He gazed longingly at her and she just smiled; that’s all she would ever do, give that wistful smile.
“Are you alright, sir?”  asked a polite voice, startling Moore out of his enchantment.
“Oh, Earl, it’s just you.” The cultured pony turn to see a grayish purple unicorn enter the great room. “I’m fine Earl, just things on my mind that’s all.” The stallion in the well-tailored uniform gave crinkled his mustache at that remark.
        “Would you like to talk about it sir?” Earl inquired. 
Sir Pony Moore continued to look at his bride, pondering on what to do next. “What’s there to say? I’m a king among stallions. I have respect and admiration from royalty, a good size of wealth, and... I had... her at my side.” He went quiet for a moment, thinking hard for the next few words. “But yet, I failed at my most important task of all. I failed at being a father. Heavens, Neon’s twenty-one but still acts like a child. I shudder to think what the other heads of nobility would do to him if I pass.”
        Stoically, Sir Moore stared at the cold fireplace and remembering of better times. “Earl, am I doing the right thing here”?
“Sir, to be quite honest with you. I don’t know, I still have trouble speaking to my own daughter but, I think your wife only wants you to try your best. Creator knows I should have,” the golden eye stallion said somberly. Moore looked up from the fireplace, giving him an apologetic look to his saddened friend.
        “I only hope I’m doing the right thing here, for me and Melody,” Sir Moore lamented.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upstairs, Neon was busy assessing the damage from last night. A giant bruise was on the left side of his face. Lipstick was peppered around his matted coat as well as a bit of vomit. A quick scan of his memories told him nothing, but a lack of a sticky feeling between his legs told him that he didn't sleep with anyone.
“Mm, well it’s not that bad, but I really am a mess. I guess it could be worse,” he said to himself. 
       He turned on the shower and dug right into the water’s embrace. He hummed  happily  letting the water run its course. With his body distracted, he let his mind wander to things... I honestly don’t recognize you as my son, and if your mother were still… here...
I haven’t changed! I’m still me right? Mom you can still tell it’s me right? Guilt started to flood his mind. “I’m sorry mom. I didn’t mean it.” As he remembered, salty tears fell down on the shower floor, mixing with the lukewarm water. Oh, how badly he wanted her forgiveness.
Oh Neon, what am I going to do with you. My sweet baby boy. A sweet feminine voice echoed through his memories, having him put on a quivering smile. "Mom… I'm not a baby anymore. I'm a big boy now, you don't have to worry about me".
        Putting the water on high he actually began to clean himself up. Steam flooded the bathroom, letting him go off to his blissful world. Until he touched his bruise. “Ouch, well that bitch really did a number on me,” he muttered. 
“Now that I think about it, why did I date her anyways?” he mused. “Oh yeah that ass.” He let his mind wander back to his memories of his last encounter with his ex-girlfriend. 
        ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Neon!!”  The mare’s cry fell on deaf ears in the nightclub.
Ponies filled the crowded dance floor while strobe lights went off haphazardly in the bar area. There was an off-duty DJ along with two bottles of vodka. The night was about to turn sour for our idiot.
“What the hell, Neon!” a furious mare yelled at him. He took a glance at her and chuckled. 
“Hey I forgot -hic- about you again,” he slurred between hiccups.
“Just a freaking... Hey! Did you honestly just say that to me?” she said in a snooty tone and looked over the bar area. “How much did you have to drink tonight?!”
“Muh, -hic- I think- think- think aa new record?” he says now pricking his ears, “heyyy everypony -hic- aa round of drinks on mee. I just broke myee -hic- personal recordd.” Neon called out to the crowd but with the loud music and the alcohol flowing none of them paid him any attention.
“Ugh, this is sooo degrading,” she said in disgust. It was clear that the mare was a high society snob. “A nobleman of your stature, shouldn’t be in this undignified state.”  She finished with a sneer.
Neon couldn’t care less about that. In fact he couldn’t care less about her either. “Whatever gold digger,” he said while looking at his half finished drink.
“What did you just call me!” she screamed at him. “I am a lady from the honorable Peel family! and you dare, to call me a whore!” Her hoof slammed the table, jostling the empty bottles except the one full bottle next to Neon.
“Nooo, I called you a goold diggeer, a mare who associatess with or marriies a stallion chiefly for materiall  gain,” he said surprisingly sober. Turning to the mare, he took in her reddening face. “What, youu thought I was an easyy target, huh”. Smirking he continued on with his inquiries. “You’re rrather transpaarent, High Price. Honestly youu might as well wear a T-shirt saying 'I’ll sleep with anyone if they have the bits for it'. It’s rrather ppatheticc really”. Saying that, Neon finished his drink with a smack of his lip. “Oh, and now I’m calling youu a slut.” 
The mare’s face contorted into a beastly snarl. With as much venom as she could muster she spoke, “ You disgusting swine! You should be grateful that I took my time to spend with you”! And with that declaration, Neon got ready for the coming blow. 
The bottle’s swing signified the last of his clear memories of the night; the rest was nothing but a blur of color and sound.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Turning off the shower Neon stepped out and steam billowed out around him causing the mirror to fog distorting his image. He sighed to himself and grabbed a towel to wipe the condensation off from it. 
Come on, look at the bright side. You’ll finally move out of dad’s house. A vacation from the paperwork… Oh who am I kidding, he’ll probably send work for me. Shit, I have to find a house too! But before he could panic his phone rang with a wub sound ring tone.
Neon smirked, happy for the distraction. Picking up the phone and flipping it open, he called out. “Vinyl, Vinyl, Vinyl, you must be desperate to call me for help,” he stated in a joking manner.
“Ha ha funny guy, what? can’t an old friend call to say hi?” she said in a mock hurt voice.
        “He he, yeah…” he sighed, letting the humor of the conversation slip away. “Hey vinyl, it’s, actually a good thing you called.”
        “What’s the matter buddy? It’s actually rare to hear you serious about things,” she replied still  having a hint of amusement in her voice.
        Neon  sighed, “It’s my dad. He’s kicking me out.” 
        “What!” It was almost comical how her voice sounded a lot like a record scratch. “Why?!” 
        “Well I wanna say it’s because he’s a dick, but…” he trailed off; for all the annoyances that his father put him through, he couldn’t just hate him.
        “But what?” Vinyl pressed.
        “Look it doesn’t matter, right now I need a place to stay for a while. You guys mind if I crash at your place?” Neon ask, hoping for a yes.
        “Well, I wanna say yes but, Tavi’s cribb is full to-” 
        His knees fell to the ground, ears drooping. With both front leg shaking, he threw them up.“WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME!”  he cried out in a melodramatic fashion.
        “HEY! calm down. I wasn’t done yet,” she she said annoyed. “Geez, you're such a drama queen. I’m starting to see why he’s kicking you out.”
        “Okay okay, you know, for a friend who had my back since middle school you’re still kind of mean.”
        “Good, then that means you’re listening. Now, Octavia has a full house, but there are some vacant apartments in town. I can get the paperwork filled out for you and stuff like that.”
His face lit up, feeling the warm and fuzzies for his friend. I'm one lucky bastard, “Vinyl, I, don’t know what to say.… Thank you.” 
        “Hey, we’re friends, that’s what friends do for each other. Now pack your crap. You’re moving to Ponyville ASAP!”
> Chapter 2: End of the journey 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2
Everfree Forest:
The night was dark with the moon barely lighting the land. A traveler took comfort with the small light, counting herself fortunate for her luck. Trotting along a thorny path she felt a brush of winter air running across her raggedy old cloak, making her frame shiver. But she pushed her discomfort aside and pressed onward.
However, to her dismay, the wind picked up a photograph that she was keen on keeping. With a quick hoof, she grabbed it and looked upon it. She didn't know why she kept it but the best reason she could come up with was for memories. The mare carefully folded it up again and placed it in her cloak. There will be another time, she thought.
The forest that she was in made her wary. Looking up through the barren branches, she tried see the North Star through the sea of the sky. She didn't want to stay out there longer than she had to.
Her cloak shifted a bit, allowing her eyes to be shown through the shadow of her hood. They were a simple brown, framed by a pair of glasses with strange symbols etched on the frame.
“Beautiful,” she whispered with a tiny smile creeping onto her face. Pulling down her hood all away to the spine, revealing herself to be an Earthpony. With a deep red coat and cream/purple color mane. Her face was rather exotic, with her muzzle a bit longer then regular ponies, her eyes having a unique shape to them. But all those features were occupied by the sky. She was quite tempted to just lie down and stargaze all night. However, it wasn't the place or time to do it. Finding the North star she quickly moved down the trail heading towards hopefully an exit out of the gloomy woods.
Snap! Her ears swiveled, halting in her tracks. She peered at the dark surroundings. Nothing. She frowned, with a bit more caution she moved forward.  Snap! Snap!
"ROOOOOARRRRRR!”
“Come out already. I don’t have all night to wait for you,” she stated, scowling at her situation. Claws flashed across her eyes and in a fraction of a second her face calmed while her body relaxed and moved.
A second later the manticore roared in agony and clutched at a stump which previously held a paw. The cries could be heard throughout the forest alerting the inhabitants of his plight. None stepped forward to his aid.
The mare looked at the creature with pity, her face holding a frown. Next to her the missing paw lay there in a puddle of blood.
It was just an animal with no real anger towards her. It was just doing what a predator there should be doing.
She looked hard at the paw, an onlooker might say she seemed conflicted. She heard the beast's whine again as it started to curled up. Then her face straightened, dashing all previous thoughts away.
She calmly picked up the paw and slowly walked up to the manticore. The beast snarled at her and thrashed wildly; the intimidating presence was impressive but she continued onward. She suddenly felt a burning sensation on her front leg. She bit her tongue, not letting a scream whisper out from her lips.  Amongst all the thrashing she failed to notice the manticore's stinger coming at her.
The beast roared in a petty victory, if he lost his paw to this prey then she should lose something too. The mare grit her teeth in pain; she would have to take care of that later but for now she had this to contend with.
"Be still," she commanded, making the cat jump back in fright. He tried to stand on his paws again but couldn't. His whole being shook as she was next to him now. She lightly pet him. “Easy now, I’m not going to hurt you, I’m just putting your paw back on,” she quietly said, being mindful of the creature's state. It still cowered in front of her but she took it as better than before. Calmly the mare went up to his stump placing the paw next to it. A green circle of squiggles appeared front of the lion’s paw and arm.
The mare squinted her eyes in concentration, this was going to use a lot of her reserves.
Both ends of the fleshy wound began to glow. Tentacle like flesh came snaking out from his stump being guided by the lights. The same could be said for his paw, the two mounds of flesh attaching to each other. Once the two halves reunited with each other the circle vanish. The mare stood rigid, panting slightly.
"Go now," she commanded, not showing an ounce of fatigue. The cat sniffed at her, memorizing her scent; then he did something that she didn't expect. He bowed his head towards her and went off. With that the hybrid left giving a mighty roar, alerting the area of his turf; she’d have to thank him for that.
A few moments later she collapsed gritting in pain, the poison and energy drain affecting her now. Gathering her wits she began sucking the venom out of her leg and then spitting it out. She continued doing this process until she was satisfied with her work. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to stop the hallucinations.
______________________________________________________________________
Screams flooded her head. The world around her began to melt away, leaving old film images in it's wake. "By the indalo amazulu." The earth was covered red like a painter gone mad. Red tin soldiers fluttered out from the blobs of red. They all lined up forming into a smiling face. That smile soon collapsed after the ground began to break apart and float upward.
"Please awaken from your slumber." An upside down concrete city springs up from the sky, shining from an land below. Burst of fire began to appeared, dancing throughout the city with its own manic glee.
"You will be safe here. Stop! Do not chafe your body! It is only your mind being unkind. Leave that ill world behind you now." Bodies began to pile up on top of each other, having horrified looks on them. Until one of them exploded, then they all exploded in a happy glee of blue dust. "What is this on your forehead?"
In the center of the mad mare's world was a filly, looking down on her world. In front of her was a bipedal creature. As far as the filly knew it was female to her, it stood on two legs that were translucent, the same could be said about her five digit claws on her arms. The chest was flat with a strange crystal embedded into it. Despite the unusual nature of everything else, the face was the most interesting part of the creature all because of its absence. Only a dot on her forehead.
A black horse came up to the filly and sat down next to her. He looked around at the chaotic mess, then to her again. "Hello my little alien, how are you?" The filly didn't answer, he looked across to the creature. "You know, I think she's lonely over there. Why don't you go over there and be together?" he said warmly, she still didn't answer. The horse frowned, "You're still too scared to talk to her, aren't you?"
"This place isn't real, you aren't real either," she said looking at the black horse. He wore a vacant look before shattering into dust.                              
______________________________________________________________________
Slowly the images began to vanish, leaving her gasping in a cold sweat; clutching her chest. Her mind remained filled with hazy nightmares.
Quickly she looked around with bleary eyes, finding herself in a strange place; her cloak and saddle bags placed neatly next to her. There were Zebrican artifacts covering the walls and floor, some herbs that she recognized and others that she didn't know. In a corner of her eye she saw something black and white.
“I see you’re awake my-” before the zebra finished she was pinned to the wall by the Earthpony mare. Now in the light of the hut the zebra could see something extraordinary about the mare.
Both of her irises were different colors, the left an icy blue and the right a rich brown. Both had a star shaped pupil, which by all accounts was considered quite odd. At the moment those star-shaped pupils were dilated.
She stared at the zebra unflinching even though she was still poison-induced.
“Are you a friend or foe?” The red mare asked in the zebra’s native tongue. Taking stock of her captive she studied the zebra; she wasn't wearing the usual uniforms that she encountered. Her eyes fell to the markings on her gold bands and instantly recognized it. Eyes widening, she quickly and carefully let down the mare from the wall, letting her catch her breath. The Earth mare kneeled down on the floor, her hooves now feeling strain from the earlier adrenaline.
“You are a Shamanka!” she said letting her remorse show in her actions. "Please forgive me for my foolishness.”
The striped mare was in shock. In her long years of travels she had never met a creature like her before. Not only because she spoke her language fluently but she completely jumped her.
"While this is the most unusual way to greet one’s host but I can understand that you are not well," the zebra continued to speak in her tongue, not bothering to make any rhymes. She noticed how disheveled the red mare was.
“Thank you Shamanka,” The young mare replied; still kneeling in front of her. She felt her body burning up but she ignored that feeling.
“Just Zecora will do," she said; pausing for a moment. “What is your name child?” Zecora asked with a motherly tone.
“My name?” she hesitated for a moment, feeling herself going pale. “My name is Chai Tea,” she said not lifting her head up. Zecora lifted her chin up to truly see her, however the poor state of the mare was much more prominent than before.
“Come now Chai Tea, I fear that you may get sick on my floors,” no sooner had Zecora said that Chai emptied out the meager contents of her stomach. She wheezed out her breath and her face was pained; she closed her eyes and proceeded to pass out. “After a bathe first,” Zecora added.
____________________________________________________________
Chai woke up that morning with a clear mind and felt oddly refreshed. So, with her vision cleared, she stared up to the ceiling seeing a tribal symbol. It was a sun with a spiral inside. She let out a quiet sigh, knowing that she would be safe in this witch-doctor's house. The sound of music perked her ears. She looked to the center of the room, where Zecora stood over a bubbling cauldron; singing a nursery rhyme along with an old gramophone.
“That’s quite beautiful,” Chai couldn't help herself, it just came out. “So Diyara, right?”
The zebra stopped what she was doing and turned. Chai could feel the mare study her, like she was a new species or something. But not like an interrogation or a dissection, it was just too innocent for that. So she decided on calling the situation, curiosity.
"Yes," Zecora for her part just gave a good natured chuckle. “I thank you for the compliment, but may I ask how you knew? It’s not often that I meet another fellow traveler as myself was.”
“I picked up Swahili when I was in the grasslands. A chieftain was kind enough to give me this knowledge,” Chai replied. A memory came floating to the forefront of her mind and a feeling of dread washed across her face. She quickly propped herself up from her bed looking around for her glasses.
"Chai are you are right? May I help?” asked Zecora gently so not to repeat yesterday’s debacle.
The injured mare paused for a moment; thinking carefully of her next few words. “Tell me Zecora, did you see my eyes?” she asked while avoiding looking the zebra in the face.
“Yes. They are like the sky and Earth. Hmm, reminds me of a story I once heard,” as Zecora finished she saw Chai fish out a pair of glasses and put them on. Immediately both eyes began to change. The left blue eye began to fade to Brown, while both her irises contracted into circles. Chai looked up to the zebra with ordinary brown eyes. That unnerved  Zecora, but she said nothing.
“Yes, Heterochromia can do that to a pony,” Chai said in a strange tone, making the zebra eyes glaze over for a moment before she blinked her eyes several times. The red mare continued the conversation like nothing happened. “A story you say?”
“Well not much of a story but, a legend,” Zecora replied nonchalantly. “But enough of that, let us see what we can fix.” She turned off the gramophone and moved towards Chai.
“There’s no need for that, I’m fine now see,” as she said that she began to stand up fully. One by one she moved all her limbs in a circular manner.
“It seems so but still, I worry,” Zecora said frowning.
“Please don’t worry about me, Zecora. Just... did anything happen... after you found me?” Chai asked, having a gut feeling that she did.
“Yes, I’m afraid to say, the other night you attacked me when you were still ill, my dear mare,”  she said, sitting down and rubbing her hoof on her other leg . “I’m only thankful that you saw me as a friend then as a foe,” Zecora added, giving timid smile to the red mare. Looking at the zebra mare closely there was some discoloration around her neck and front leg.
She looked down, her hair covering her face. she felt a stab in her chest. “I’m sorry, thank you for your hospitality; I’ll leave now,” Chai replied in a monotone voice.   
Opening her bag, Chai peer at her belongings with a sense of familiarity. She reached in only to pulled out a small blue glass-like rock. “For all the trouble I put you through,” she said placing the stone in Zecora’s hooves.
Grabbing her bags she passed the zebra mare and headed off to the door, not waiting for her response. She wanted to put distance between Zecora and herself.  
“Are you afraid of yourself warrior; does your heart tell you that this is the right thing to do, to run away?” Chai stopped dead in her track, her whole being shook at that statement. It sounded like blasphemy to her, just what did this zebra know about her anyways. Only three words repeated in her mind, to run away. She turned to the zebra facing her.
“I am a wanderer, Shamanka. Constantly drifting off to places. What gives you that idea that I am?" Chai said politely as to persuade the zebra but Zecora wouldn't have it.
“You recognize me as someone important, someone that should be respected at all times,” Zecora pressed but Chai refused to comment on that. "Outsiders see my craft as the same as any other, except warriors from my land. So again I ask, how is it that you knew?"
"Zecora, Shamans are known throughout the world. That's a bit of a silly question, don't you think?" Chai explained, her argument being valid. She turned back to the pathway, set on leaving.  
"Yes, I am aware of them, however a Sharmanka from the summit of Zebraliland are one of the few to understand combat." The zebra said sagely, "you even gave me a sacred stone that is only known to my kind, to my home. Only given to those who has bested them." Chai had only one thing to say to her.
“Then that should tell you why I must leave," she said in a cold tone. Chai could admit that the zebra had a point; however she had a better one.
"Perhaps you're right, you could've slane me and be on your way,–" as I thought. "–But your honor will not allowed that, my young Maasai." So she thought, Chai could already feel her words biting back at her.
"I do not know who you are, but you show great pain that weight heavily in your heart.  I don't believe a creature with this strain cannot also greave." The zebra came to Chai’s side, nudging her back inside. She didn't budge, Zecora got the idea that she didn't want to speak, then asked. "Do you have a home to g–"
"Where's the nearest Ocean-port town?"  Chai asked forcefully.
"All right then, you do not have to speak. Just listen to what I have to say. You might just want to stay," she said while trying to urge her back inside.
Chai was at a crossroads with herself. She could just leave this mare and be on her way to the next town. On the other hoof, she could stay and listen; it was not like she had anywhere to be. Somehow that notion made her feel unpony like. That home comment struck a chord in a forgotten part of her mind.
‘Chai, home is where the heart is at and if you let other’s in it will only grow bigger.’ Her face softened hearing that distant memory. How did I forget about that saying, brother... Maybe… it's time for me to settle.
“Alright,” Chai began, “I’m listening.” Zecora smiled at her.


 
   
	
	

> Chapter 3: they said there be a rainbow after the storm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3
Ponyville:
Darkness, nothing but the inky blackness of the abyss. Only the echoes of conversation cut through the abyss.
“I’m quite surprised love. Your settling down in one place now,” a masculine voice called out, a hint of a European accent in his voice. “I thought I was going insane when I heard that.” He said almost mockingly to himself.
A strange flame like orb floated in the dark along with another one, a frosty mist. “How is project green power doing?” asked a frosty turquoise mist. Her tone was dry and cold, unwilling to explain herself. “I would like to have the business done first.”
“Fine, the Gaia Corporation is done with testing and is proceeding with the plans in Europe, along with the other projects that you invested in. Camilla is making sure of that.” the orange orb recited mechanically.
“And the sky boards? Their popularity hasn’t reached Equestria yet.”
“Camilla is covering that too. So, Equestria, that’s where you been hiding eh,” he cheekily replied. “That’s a pretty isolated country you’re in. I heard the Princess of the moon came back- Oh! Will we be seeing her in the dream link~!”
“I’m not in the mood to deal with your personality, Nightshade.”
“Least I have one,” he muttered under his breath. “ Tea you can’t avoid the subject now, now can you?” The two-color ball stood silent. “I know it’s been a while since we last talked but," he sighed. "Look don’t make me think hard for the words here.”
“I was getting tired of traveling. Is there something wrong with that?” She questioned the orange fireball.
“How about the fact that you’ve still not given me a straight answer?” his light flickered angrily. “Chai you don’t do things without reason.”
Chai reluctantly spoke in a soft voice, “I ran into someone. We talked for a bit about things, then I realized something.”
“Oh? So, you’re finally going to admit that you're a workaholic.”
“Please take this seriously Shade, unlike you I have to be more considerate in my actions. I must think of the world’s benefits first before my own. No matter what my feelings are,” Chai dryly replied.
“I see you’re still as emotionally detached from ponykind as ever, my sister. I still don’t understand why you left us? It wasn’t hurting the world and you were so happy,” he pleaded.
“Nightshade, you know why,” she said in a tone unrecognizable to him. The blue/ brown ball mist became colder. “I need some time alone to control myself after that last mission we had together.”
“Have you forgotten that I too was part of that mission years ago and you can control yourself... This is about what Stryker said to you isn’t it?”
“If I explain why I’m staying will you drop the subject?” The orange globe stood silent. “Well, you're right in some parts, but that isn’t the problem.”
“Then what is it?”
“Shade, I want a normal life.”
“Chai? You do realize that we can’t be normal to begin with, right? We, are, not, normal! Why in the world would you want that?”
“Just listen to me, when I met her I nearly killed her.”
“You-”
“Yes, she was only just trying to help me but I hurt her. Shade, I tried killing her, an innocent bystander!” She cried out. The cold exterior of her orb became cracked. The two colored ball flamed out from the mist. It violently distorted the space around it.
The orange orb name nightshade tried grabbing her, trying to calm her down. His soul burned at the effort and at the energy she was creating. Now he was truly worried for his companion.
“Shhhhh, it’s okay Chai just, tell me anything,” he soothed, Aroosh, it’s been years since she’s been like this. You better fucking intervene in her life you worthless angel.
“Shade, where do I belong?!” Suddenly cracks began to appear in the void. The two orbs separated from one another; Chai couldn't hear what was said to her, instead she felt herself coming back into something solid, along with a sensation on her neck...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“What in the sam hill is that!?” exclaimed an orange mare wearing a stetson. Her companion squinted his emerald eyes. The two pairs of apple farmers looked up at the newly made tea shop to see a peculiar site. There on the rooftop apparently sat a snow pony.
“Looks like a snow pony, Sis,” the large red stallion offered. He chewed a bit on his straw trying to figure out why it was there.
"Well ah sure as hey doubt Ms. Tea'll be appreciatin' that on her house." With that declaration the mare known as Applejack smile proudly pulling out her lasso out from the cart that her brother was hauling and began to spin it. “Ha, this is going to be easier than taking eggs from a rooster!” she boasted to herself.
The red stallion, known around town as Big MacIntosh, rolled his eyes. To him it was nothing to make a fuss over. His policy was to just let the owner know. Of course that didn’t apply to his sister.
As she threw her lasso at the snow pony Big Mac squinted his eyes and noticed what looked like a patch of red fur.
“AJ, I think that’s no snow pony,” Big Mac said as the lasso landed on the figure’s shoulder blades; where the neck would be.
A red hoof popped out and grabbed the rope. “What in-” escaped Applejack’s lips before she was pulled upward. “Whoa Nelly!”
A red mare popped out from the snow, her hair capturing the morning sun. She spun the rope around a surprised Applejack in mid flight and tightened it when she landed on the roof. All the while her eyes were still closed. Then she dug in the snow to look for something. Glasses appeared in her hoof and were placed over her eyes and she looked at her assailant.
“Miss Applejack?” Chai said dumbfounded, eyes widening in surprise. “What are you doing?”
“Uhh, can ya put me down their first, partner?” she asked, shock apparent in her voice.
“Of course, Ms. Applejack,” she said giving a polite smile, slowly lowering the mare. Applejack was so grateful to be on the ground that she didn’t realize she was still tied up. Chai shimmied down using the rain gutter.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what are you doing here so early in the morning?” Chai said mustering the most polite tone possible.
Big Mac knocked on the cart he was towing. “Ya ordered some dry apples, Ms. Tea,” he said, eyeing her tensely. “What were ya doin’ up on the roof?”
“Meditating, I must’ve forgotten today was delivery day. May I ask if you could put it in the front for me please?” she asked in a straightforward manner. Oh, that reminds me, I have to go to the market today. He nodded stiffly and started unloading the barrel.
“Odd place to medicate,” AJ mused out loud, “ah figure ya would be doing that indoors.” Her head tilted in thought.
“Meditate,” Chai answered, “and I have a clear view of the stars their. It’s... a good place to think about things.” Not to mention a clearer link.
“And when did ya’ll learn those fancy rope moves. Ah’ve been ta the rodeo couple times and never seen tricks like that before. Ah must say, I’m mighty impressed.” the cow pony said in admiration.
“Oh, it’s nothing special, I just picked it up in my travels. Can’t be too careful when you’re on the road,” the red mare said cooly. In truth Chai was kicking herself for revealing it.
“Ah well ah see then, but can ya humor me for one more question?” Applejack asked humbly. Chai hesitated, this farm filly was too nosy for her taste.
“I guess,”  she said forcing smile on her face.
“How did ya manage to get Fluttershy to open up to ya?” she asked, her brother joining with them.
“Well it’s nothing really interesting or anything like that,” she quietly murmured. Rather glad for the change in subject.
“Well shoot, we have time ta listen. Isn’t that right Big Mac?” He nodded, still wary of her.
Chai looked at the both of them. “Sure, perhaps over some tea.” There’s no harm to this, she thought.
“We would be delighted to Miss Tea,” Applejack beamed.
_________________________________________________________________________
When Chai first met the shy Pegasus she was a bit put off by her. She was constantly quivering around her. The poor thing just couldn’t even speak at her. It was probably pure luck that she made it over here without fainting on site. But she was a customer and it simply wouldn’t do if she was whimpering out her orders. She had enough of that sort of treatment in the military already. It was no wonder that she got an idea. So pulling out a pencil and a sheet of paper Chai began to write.


Hello my name is Chai Tea, but you can call me Chai.


After she was done, she passed the note over to the butter yellow mare while giving her most comforting smile. Fluttershy looked at it for a moment.
“Um, I’m Fluttershy,” she whispered.
Okay, now we’re getting somewhere.
“Flutter Shy, that’s a pretty name. So Ms. Shy what would you like to order?” Chai spoke softly to the mare.
“Oh, almond tea please, if you don’t mind?” the butter yellow mare asked a bit braver but went back hiding behind her waterfall like hair. 					Her name really does suit her well, Chai thought smiling at the action. It was starting to grow on her.
She nodded and went to the back. A moment later she returned with a hot cup of tea and a nut.
“Here you are Ms. Shy. I hope you enjoy it. Oh, and one more thing,” Chai held up the hazelnut next to her mane. The shy mare looked puzzled at the pleasant tea maker.
Suddenly a white rat popped out from her hair. “Here you go little guy, a nice yummy nut for you,” she cooed, letting her affection show.  The rat took the offering and happily munched away. The pegasus looked at Chai with wide eyes.
“H-how did you know he was there?”
“I have a sense for these things. Is he your pet?”
“Oh, no he’s a gift for a sick colt. I was heading off to the hospital to deliver him.” Chai shuddered at the thought. “The poor deary has a weak heart.” The mare went silent for a moment. “I’m sorry, I’m depressing you. I should probably go now. How much for the tea?”
“It’s on the house. Just come back and visit sometime. I… would like to hear more, if you don’t mind.” Fluttershy looked a bit confused at the reply.
“Oh, well okay but why do you want to know? If you don’t mind me asking.” Chai bit her lip and let out a deep sigh.
“Well, you see… I, well ~sigh~. Sorry I’m not used to asking about this. I usually help from afar, but lately I’ve been trying new things in my life. So I wouldn’t mind listening to your problems. And –” she said rather awkwardly, shuffling her hooves together. She didn’t exactly look at the mare eye to eye but Fluttershy understood where she was coming from.
She must be shy just like me. The pink maned pegasus thought. “Umm, would you like to come with me? If you want to that is,” she asked, giving a look reminiscent of a puppy.
It was official now, she liked this mare. She wasn’t the bravest of ponies but she had a kind heart. “Sure, thank you... Would you mind if I brought along a book with us?” Chai asked humbly, Fluttershy smile while nodding.
“Of course.”
_________________________________________________________________________
“Golly, it was that simple for ya.” Applejack was just finishing her drink when the story was finished.
“Well yes, it’s obvious that Miss Shy can’t stand talking to new ponies. It’s probably due to being verbally abused when she was young. So, she took to preferring the company of  animals instead of her fellow ponies since they don’t judge.
Knowing this, I simply got rid of the verbal part of communication and replaced it with written language,” Chai said her face neutral. The Apple siblings stared at her incredulously. Chai continued sipping her tea before a voice broke the atmosphere.
“Wowee that sounds super smart, but kind of mean too,” a mysterious voice said from the ceiling.
“What in tarnation!” exclaimed Applejack. While the two siblings were stunned Chai  remained calm. With a small smile she addressed the ceiling.
“Ah, Ms. Pinkie Pie it’s nice to see you. I hope my ceiling isn’t too dirty,” she said calmly, her face now having a genuine smile. Applejack cocked an eyebrow at her.
“Nope! I’m squeaky clean, see,” the voice from the ceiling responded. Then the pink mare spun around on her back leg.
“Good to know, I take it that you have an invitation for us.”
“Yup! A friend of a friend is finally moving into Ponyville! Isn't it super do fantastic!” Pinkie cheered while confetti came flying out from her hair. Without realizing it Chai began to chuckle.
“You’re just like my little sister,” she burst out, the second she said it she regretted it.
“Ya have a sister?” AJ asked. “Ah thought that ya was an orphan. Why didn't ya tell us?” Her green eyes narrowing. Chai took a sip again.  
“Ms. Apple, if you’re referring that were blood related, then no. I have no siblings or kin that I know of,” Chai stated sharply. “It’s quite a sensitive topic for me, and I rather not have ponies asking about it.” Her eyes narrowed, like they were ready to attack.
*crack*
AJ was taken back by the harsh tone. But before she can rebuke, Chai continued. “Don’t get me wrong Ms. Apple, I love her dearly like any older sibling should; however, I was in a very dangerous occupation that I couldn't allow my sister to be near,” At this Chai’s jaw clenched and a red puddle formed on the table.  
AJ looked nervously at the red mare while Pinkie’s mane noticeably deflated.
“Ah understand,” McIntosh spoke up suddenly his eyes wide. “We shouldn't’ve pried into yer personal life like that and we ain’t gonna 	push the matter on ya.” He stood up. “It was nice speaking to ya Ms. Tea. Ah’m mighty sorry if we offending ya. We’ll take our leave.”
Going to his sister, Big Mac grabbed her and proceeded to dragged her out. “Mr. McIntosh,” Chai called out, Big Mac paused. “Thank you,” she said simply. He nodded and went off along with his sister.
“I did it again.” Chai said looking down at her broken cup, her hoof bleeding. “And now your friend is scared of me.” Her face soured.
“Yeah you did,” Pinkie said softly, before breaking out into a smile. “But I think you just… surprised them.” She said trying to cheer up Chai. She snorted quietly.
“Just like my little sister, always the optimistic one,” she said wistfully. Getting up Chai began to clean up the table, ignoring her bad hoof. 	“I hope my brother is being a good example to her. Creator knows what I would do to him if he gets himself into jail again.” Her teeth ground 	at last sentence.
The thought of family stirred the mare’s memories. Memories of a black Arabian horse and his sister, Aroosh, I’m doing my best here.
“She sounds fun. I hope I can meet her someday,” Pinkie said perking up from the compliment.
“Me too Miss Pinkie, me too,” She said smiling a bit, before she stashed it away. “Pinkie, I hope I’m not offending you but, I don’t think I’ll come to the party tonight”.
______________________________________________________________
*Wshooo*
“Next stop Ponyville,” a conductor called out to the nearly empty train car. There were only three occupants; all of them sitting in the same booth. The two mares chatted with each other while the other looked nervously out of the window with his headphones on.
Neon’s music was blasted on high, drowning out the sounds of the train. Feeling a tap on his shoulder his whole body tensed as he whipped his head to see his two best friends look at him worriedly.
“Hey buddy you hanging in there?” Vinyl asked.
“Yeah, just fine. Nothing like a drink that can help me,” he replied, subconsciously loosening his scarf and adjusting his sunglasses. 	Octavia frowned at that along with Vinyl. Both mares came next to the jittery stallion and wrapped their forelegs around him.
“Neon we’re here for you, remember,” Octavius sued. She turned to Vinyl for more encouragement. She nodded and continued.
“Yeah, remember what that quack said, you need to chill out or else I will make you laugh,” Vinyl said wickedly, her bottom jaw stuck out showing her teeth in a goofy fashion.
“Vinyl, stop it,” Neon said trying to be serious. But she continued on with her eyes crossing each other. Dammit Vinyl, it’s bad enough that you're trying to cheer me up but you’re going to make me wet myself!
“Vinyl? Who is this Vinyl? I am Lord Snobby Kit; master of all uptight snobbery. I like eating smelly cheese and having a stick up my plot,” she said in the worst Trottingham voice. At this point Neon was laughing on the train floor.
“HA HA HA HA! Dammit Vinyl, you know that one always gets me, now I’m going to piss myself here ha ha ha.”
“Ponyville station!” the conductor called out again. Vinyl smirked at the window seeing the approaching platform.
“Heh, it looks like you don’t have t, you lightweight, we're already at the station,” she said cheekily.
The car door was barely open before a light blue blur came rushing out looking for the nearest restroom.
“Quick, somepony tell me where the bathroom is!” Neon shouted out.
Pinkie Pie suddenly showed up out of nowhere and pointed a building behind her. “It’s right there silly!”
“Thanks Pinks, I owe you one,” he said rushing to the outhouse.
“No problamento!” she called out, her muffled voice barely reaching his ears. Oh sweet release, he thought in his bliss like state.
Two minutes later Neon came out feeling better than ever. He turned to his friends, seeing that they unloaded all his belongings. “Heh, sorry for dumping all this work on you guys.” He said sheepishly.
“It’s not a problem Neon, Vinyl and I don’t mind doing the work.” Octavia said cheerfully. Vinyl was about to make a retort but Octavia elbow her ribs.
“Yeah, what she says.”
“Awwww, thanks you guys, life wouldn’t be the same without my two best friends and my favorite party pony,” he said, wiping away a coming tear.
“Don’t thank us just yet. We gotta move all your crap into the apartment,” Vinyl wheezed out, trying to levitate all his luggage.
“Don’t worry, I got this!” Exclaimed Pinkie Pie, she took a lung full of air and shouted, “Applejack, Big Mac, can you help me pleaseeeee!”
“Heavens-to-Betsy, Pinkie! Was that necessary, we been here the whole time,” Applejack scowled. “And besides didn't y’all ask us to help ya?” But Pinkie didn't acknowledge her friends gripe.
“Applejack! You’re here already, great. Oh you even brought Big Mac here too, double yay!”
“Mac my main stud, what’s up?” Neon said, extending his front leg for the universal hoof bump.
“Hmmmm, the sky,” Mac retorted with a smile, returning his hoof bump.
“Ha, that’s what I like about you Mac. Always the straight forward stallion,” he lowered his hoof and turned to Applejack when something strange caught his eye. “Yo Jack, why do you have rope burns? I didn't think you’re into that kind of stuff,” Neon saids, wiggling his eyebrows.
“I ain’t, y’all can thank the new residents in town. Shame, she’s a nice gal too but reeeaaaalllll businesslike that one is,” Applejack said dejectedly.
“Aww, Applejack it’s okay, she’ll open up eventually. You just have to be patient.” Pinkie sued. Neon blinked at the weird scene that he just saw.
“Ummm, okay that was weird. Vinyl, do I need to quit the booze?” Neon asked his unicorn friend.
“Nope, but then again, I could be hallucinating the same thing too,” she said then pause. “Wait, are you guys talking about the freaky tall mare that moved in town a couple weeks ago?”
“Yupper-rooney, she’s super nice to me and Flutter," Pinky answered, "she even reads stories to the foals at the hospital.”
“Oh, you mean Ms. Tea, that lovely mare. I never expected that from her. How exactly did you get yourself tied up by her, Applejack?” inquired Octavia.  
“Ah spooked her while she was sleeping on the roof. She says something about meditating or something,” she grumbled.
“Well, as interesting as this mare sounds, we should be moving all my stuff into the apartment,” Neon interrupted with annoyance at the group. They all looked at each other and nodded at the same time.
“Right then, but me and Mac here have to go through to the market first. Y’all don’t mind a detour?” the orange farm filly offered, her hoof adjusting her stetson.
“Not at all, so let’s-a go,” Neon chirped happily starting to head off to the market while the remaining quintet of ponies stood back.
“So ya’ll think he’s going to end up like the rest of them,” asked AJ.
“Yup, he has no chance against her,” Mac added.
“Don’t count my boy out just yet. He may not look it; but underneath that playcolt persona is a sweet colt,” Vinyl said proudly. “You just need to dig for it.”
“I can’t believe you three, are you really betting on Neon’s chances with Ms. Chai tea!” Octavia said angrily.
“You just never know Tavi, you never know,” Pinkie Pie finished.
> Chapter 4: life goes on
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 4


Ponyville market:


	
	“One bundle of kale, please.”


	The newly fallen snow decorated the colorful little town, especially the market square,  where ponies of all shapes and sizes were happily selling their wares, along with the exchange of pleasantries. “No problem, miss!” said the vendor, wrapping the bundle up. “Anything for my best customer,” he said in a hearty voice.


	“Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Greenleaf, but surely you have better customers than me,” said the tall mare.


	“Ha ha ha, you may be right, Miss Tea. When Cupcake was having her foals she practically bought my stand. And poor Carrot, bless his heart, had to deal with her kale cakes for months,” laughed the owner.


	Chai politely smiled at the owner, not really caring for the story, but liking the sentiment of it. It was the same type of ‘sentimental’ things that she had with her brother: wanting her to come back. It would be nice, having them here.


	She quickly stomped that idea out of her head. She wasn't ready to see them yet. “Well as much as I would love to stay and listen, I’m afraid I have a schedule to keep.


	“Alrighty then, miss, you have a nice day now,” said Mr. Greenleaf. Chai walked off into the street, half minding the ponies around her. She looked around at the vendors, seeing the same happy faces on each one of them.


	“Look, it’s her, little miss perfect, flaunting her body to everypony. Ugh, it makes me sick.”


	“I heard she turned down another stallion.”


	“Really!? Must be nice having all those stallions to choose from.”


	“I bet you that the only reason why she turns them down, is because she wants more attention. That's why –" 


	Chai ignored the gossip around her and instead focused on her grocery shopping. The one thing that she had always known was to never show weakness. Her ears perked up upon hearing a frantic flutter.


	“OW!” cried out a coltish voice. Chai stopped to allow her ears to turn to a side street, and determinedly began to trot towards it. What she saw was no surprise to her.


	“Rumble, didn’t your brother tell you not to play on top of the rooftops,” she said in a scolding tone. There at the end of the alley way was a small pegasus stuck in a snow drift. The colt somehow managed to pop his head out of the snow pile.


	“Don’t worry, Ms. Chai. I’m fine, see?” Rumble said, flexing his wings proudly, however there was a red stream flowing down from his snout.


	Chai sighed and went over to the colt. “You may be fine now, but what happens if you weren't-” she reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a bandage “-I know I would be scared if someone I knew got hurt.”


	She wiped blood off of the colt’s muzzle with her bandaged hoof. It stained a bit, but Chai didn't mind. Rumble looked at her curiously. “What happened to your leg?” he asked innocently.


	She tended to the colt’s injury before answering his question. “Well let’s say I wasn’t being careful on what I was holding. Now, isn’t there somewhere you need to be?”


	“You’re right! Mom wanted me to find Thunderlane!” he said in a panic. Unfortunately for the colt, he did not see where he was stepping.


	The colt slipped on the ice and landed on his back. “Ow ow ow ow,” he yelped. “That hurts.”


	“Here, let me help,” Chai said, picking up the boy. She placed him on her back and began to walk out of the alleyway.


	“I’m okay, Chai, I’m a tough stallion!” he said while trying to get off the mare’s back. 


	“Oh? I thought you might like a free piggyback ride while looking for your brother,” she retorted with a smirk. The colt stopped his attempt; he instead found a comfortable spot and sat there.


	“Sooooo, did you give Thunderlane pictures of you?” asked the small pegasus. Chai ruffled her mane.


	“No. But, I do know there is a local photographer that’s been hanging around my house. Don’t know why he’s been there. Especially when I’m doing my morning stretches. Why do you ask?” she feigned innocence, knowing exactly why he was there. 


	Her sister would probably yell at her for not charging a fee from him. Honestly, she didn’t care as long as they didn’t touch her hair.





	“I dunno–” he said, shrugging his wings “– I just thought, you were his new secret girlfriend or something.” He let out an annoyed sigh. 


	“That’s a strange answer to come too, and why would I be a secret?” she asked while keeping an eye out for the elder pegasus brother.


	“Because he has it pinned up in his closet. He has a whole bunch of them, too. All of them in weird poses. By the way, how can you do all those things with your legs?” he asked excitedly, almost causing him to fall off her back.


	Hmm, that would explain some things, she said to herself. “Well believe it or not, I used to be in a circus. I was an acrobat, quite good at it too,” Chai replied; a small smile formed while she recollected. “The ringmaster taught me everything I needed to know to be the best.”


	“Wow, that’s awesome!” he exclaimed. Other ponies began to look on in curiosity. “What kind of tricks did you have to do?”


	“Rumble!” a male voice exclaimed. Out of the clouds, Thunderlane came barreling toward the snow-covered street. “What are-you d-o,” he trailed off, his face going red.


	On his back was a large bag that seem to be falling apart. After swallowing his previous statement, Thunderlane opened his mouth again only to be cut off by his brother. “Oh, hey Lane. Chai was telling me that she was in a circus, isn't that cool!” he exclaimed again.


	“Yeah yeah yeah it’s amazing. Listen Rumble, we need to go. Now,” he urged, frantically avoiding Chai eyes.


	“What’s the matter, Mr. Lane? You look like you have seen a timberwolf,” Chai said in a businesslike manner. The stallion stiffened his posture.


	“Um, something like that. You mind letting Rumble down?” he asked robotically, letting his distraction show.


	Chai nodded and kneeled down for the colt. As she let Rumble climb off of her back, she noticed a few rolled up posters sticking out of Thunderlane’s bag. So, looks like he got more photos of me. Maybe I should be concerned about this. That line of thought was disrupted when the colt started to whine.


	“Aww, come on bro, she was about to tell me about her tricks!” Chai looked down at the colt, who now had a pout. His brother just groaned.


	“Rumble. I am pretty sure she has better things to do than to do circus acts for annoying little kids. Now come on,” he said, gesturing with his wings.


	As the colt grumbled, Chai subtly tilted her head towards Thunderlane. The tattered bag suddenly fell on the snow-covered gravel, spilling its contents out. As she expected, there were at least five posters of her doing yoga poses. The idea of them being lewd flew past her but not to the ponies in the market.


	The area grew quiet with the occasional whisper breaking the silence. Thunderlane froze on the spot and broke out into a cold sweat.


	“Oh hey bro, you got new ones for your closet,” Rumble said innocently. Then his face brightened up. “Hey Chai–” his hoof picked one of the posters “– can you autograph this?” He held it out like it was a trophy.


	A few gasps of laughter rose out from the crowd even though most were still trying to be quiet. Thunderlane paled even more as he tried to make himself look small.


	“Sure, why not?” Chai said with a smile, shocking everyone in the area. She reached into her bag and pulled out a pen. “Now what would you like me to write?” she asked, still smiling. The colt grinned at the suggestion.


	“Write a catchphrase, write a catchphrase, pleeaasse!” Rumble shouted with glee. All the while, Chai was amused. Maybe I should show him a stunt before I leave, she thought, just by watching one little colt be a colt and nothing else. 


	She smiled while holding the pen and wrote out in perfect script.


	

No matter what you do, the Elastic Mare will never break




	“Here you are, Rumble,” Chai said sweetly to the colt. He nodded along with his still shocked brother, who just stared blankly. 


	Then Rumble raised an eyebrow. “The elastic mare?” 


	“Well the ringmaster thought that was a good title for me.” She turned to the town clock and noticed that she was behind schedule. “I must be taking my leave, but before I go, Mr. Lane?” The stallion shrank at her gaze and squeakily replied.


	“Yes?”


	“I suggest investing in a new bag for yourself. Have a good day you two.” And with that she walked off leaving the crowd and brothers stunned.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


	“I’m thinking something, red.”


	“Big Mac,” Neon said dryly. “Pinkie, I’m starting to think that you’re just picking Mac to annoy me.” Five minutes into their game of eye spy and the group of friends were annoyed at Pinkie. “Would somepony else start the next round?”


	“Hey, would you look at that, we’ll already here. Big Mac, can ya see Apple Bloom anywhere?” Applejack asked, hoping that her distraction worked.


	“Nope,” said the giant workhorse. “Hm, what’s wrong with Thunder Lane?” Mac questioned, seeing a crowd around his friend. A familiar blonde tail parted the crowd, leaving everyone dumbstruck.


	The group sped up their walk, heading off into the mass of ponies. “Mac, how’s it looking up there?” asked Neon.


	“Don’t know. Looks like he’s in shock,” he replied, Failing to find an opening and continued. “Can ya get through the crowd?”


	“Yeah, I think so.” He began squeezing himself through the ponies. He felt like a mare trying to fit into a dress that was two sizes too small. Hang in there Lane, help is on its way. He broke through the crowd and looked around at the ponies. “Alright everypony! Break it up, there’s nothing to see here!” Neon shouted out, turning.


	“Uh, Thunder Lane, you okay?” Neon questioned the brothers, only getting frantic twitching as a response. He looked down at the small Pegasus with a questioning look. That idea was immediately eradicated by the new one. “Who’s that!” Neon asked, pointing at the photos. When the older pegasus didn’t respond, his brother did instead.


	“Oh hey Neon, that’s Ms. Chai Tea, she told me she was in a circus!” the colt proclaimed excitedly. He held up an image to the group.


	Neon gazed at the photo of a red mare doing a split on the snow while her back was arched backwards. Her front legs curved into a circle, defining her body. And what a body it was; it was on par with the Prin– no, it was even above that, with the snowflakes dancing across her visage. Her golden/purple hair captured the little ice crystals, making it sparkle.


	“With a body like that, she better be,” he muttered out


	He could feel drool forming in the side of his mouth, along with something poking out. Damn, so that’s the famous Miss Chai Tea. She’s not half bad to look at– wait a minute. He thought, scrunching his face up.


	But her face was what really captured Neon’s attention. It was stoic. Sure, it was pretty, but it was somewhat cold looking, and lonely. He couldn’t see her eyes but he knew, in some weird deep sense, that she was–


*splash*


	“Hey! what was that for!” shouted a now thoroughly wet Neon. He looked up to see a fuming Octavia, and gulped.


	“Neon. I can accept you looking at courtesans, or anything. Heck, I’m dating Vinyl–” Somewhere in the background, Neon could hear a noise similar to Vinyl making a statement of disgust “– but I cannot accept you looking at some stalker’s handiwork!”


	“You’re darn tootin’ right, Octavia! And as for ya!” she pointed her bucket at Thunder Lane.


	“Now, sis–” Mac tried to intervene, but was cut off by his sister.


	“Don’t y’all be defending him, ya hear. And as for y’all,” she turns her fury on Thunderlane. “Ya should feel ashamed of yourself. Being a peeping Tom at yer neighbors, then taking pictures of them. I can’t believe ya having such filth around your little brother.” At that, Neon saw a spark in his eyes.


	“Hey! Don’t diss me in front of my brother! Yeah, it’s wrong of me to have these, but it’s not like I’m teaching him this,” exclaimed Thunder Lane. “And besides, it’s not like I took the damn pictures.”


	“Yeah, Thunder is an awesome bro! Chai told me that some weirdo has been taking photos around her house.”


	“Wait wait wait!” Neon interrupted the arguing trio. “You’re telling me, that this mare knew she had a stalker, but didn’t do anything to stop him?” At that, the group went quiet.


	“That’s a good point. I mean, I would get pretty pissed if somepony snapped a shot of me and Tavi when we were making sweet sweet love to each other,” Vinyl said nonchalantly, making her marefriend groan in annoyance. She levitated one of the posters from the bag, and let out a low whistle. “Dang! That girl is flexible! I can totally understand why yo –”


	“Vinyl! You shouldn’t be looking at those!” exclaimed Octavia, grabbing the poster from Vinyl. Her eyes fell upon the poster in the process. “Oh, my.” she stuttered out, her cheeks turning red..


	“I know right, she could put gymnasts to shame with those legs!” Thunder added in.


	“Shut your yapper! Ye’re still in trouble, Mr.!” AJ said, throwing the bucket at Lane. A second later a yelp of pain was heard, making Neon feel lucky that he was only wet.


*Achoo* or maybe not.


	“But ya make a good point there, Vinyl; why didn’t she get mad?” She pondered at her question. While she thought, Neon looked around at the crowd again, annoyed that they didn’t listen. Opening his mouth for a yell, he was instantly stopped by a chilling breeze. His yell died in his throat as he began to shiver, which was not made helpful by his wet clothes.


	“Hey, you guys don’t mind if I take Neon to the apartment already, right?” asked Vinyl with an edge of worry in her tone. Neon turned to his cocky friend, surprised at that tone, only to find her expression to be one of mischief. Inwardly he was rolling his eyes. Don’t want to show the pony you're too soft . 


	“Oh, of course, please forgive me, Neon, I completely forgot you were still wet,” Octavius said bashfully, her cheeks still tinged with red. “You go on ahead, just let me deal with this dog.” The embarrassment washed away at that statement, replaced with a vicious tone. 


	Poor Thunderlane, thought both stallions. “Awesome! Mac, you coming”! Vinyl called out.


	“Eeyup,” he said slowly, wincing at his sister’s dark look at the Pegasus. Neon shamefully turned around, coming to walk alongside the DJ. Thunderlane, we’ll never forget you, he thought, shedding a stallionly tear as the trio escaped. 


	The group walked a good half–mile into the market and away from the crowd while not saying much, until someone broke the ice.


	“Soooo, does anypony want to enlighten me here?” Neon asked innocently to Vinyl, who only gave a toothy grin at him.


	“That’s the mystery of–” her horn glowed and out came a poster “– Chai Tea, the weirdest mare I have ever met. What secrets does she hold beneath those glasses.” she said dramatically, her horn sparking up.


	“Right, I’m not even going to question when you got that,” Neon deadpanned. “So Mac, care to actually enlighten me?” he asked the level headed farmer. The Apple farmer looked around the market, still not seeing his little sister.


	“Beats me.” He shrugged. “All we know is that she had a hard life. Being an orphan and all, although,” he yanked at his yoke, adjusting it so it would be more comfortable, “she apparently has a little sis somewhere.”  


	“Wow, really? So little Miss perfect has a sister, hmm; wonder why she wouldn’t tell us?” she said, her face scrunched up into annoyance.


	“That’s what AJ sort of said, before she got snapped on. Said she’s not family but treated as one.” Mac nodded sagely. “Ah can respect a mare like that.”


	“Yeah but still, there’s no need for secrecy. It’s only Ponyville! I mean, it’s no better than if she was a robot or something!” she said while pouting, making Neon force down a laugh. 


	“Uh, Vinyl, Mac? I don’t mean to interrupt your gossip fests, but why do you even care in the first place?” Neon asked, eyeing the pair.


	“There’s something wrong with her, that’s why! Not a lot of ponies see it, but she’s way too perfect. Of course, Tavi thinks I’m crazy because of that!”


	“And I would too, you sound like those conspiracy nut jobs. I haven’t even met the mare yet, but you’re making her out to be an alien or something,” Neon pointed out, also looking around the market.


	“Hey! that shit is made up crap for the tabloids. What I’m saying is the real deal,” she said, puckering her lips like she’d tasted something sour.


	“Ah’m not going to say she’s right, but she has a point. There something that ain’t right about her,” Mac said, then let out a snort. “Where is that little filly?”


	“Speaking about missing ponies, where did Pinkie go?” asked Neon, his body beginning to feel stiff. The trio looked around the market, not seeing a sight of pink fluff anywhere.


	“She must’ve had another Pinkie sense when we were not looking,” she summed up before hearing Neon sneeze again. “Come on, let’s find your sister, Mac, and get somewhere warm,” Vinyl said, starting to get worried.


	“Yeah.” Sniffle~, “Just… Can we first get something hot to drink now befo– ACHOO!” Both ponies turn to him and cringed at his  haggard appearance.


	His coat was freezing up, as his mane clung wetly to his face. A stream of mucus came running down from his nose, crossing his mouth and dripping off of his chin. What made it even worse, was that he was shivering.


	Suddenly, Pinkie popped out of a rain barrel holding a large mug of cocoa. Of course this made the group scream.


	“WWWWHHHHAAAAA! Pinkie don’t do that!” Yelp Neon, now having snot running into his mouth. “Ewww it’s in my mouth now.”


	“Sorry! But my Pinkie sense is telling me that there is a new pony but it’s not a pony or is it a pony maybe it’s a half pony,” she said rapidly, the movements of her lips blurred.


	“Pinkie!”


	“Alrighty here’s a hot chocolate. Now I’m going to find me a new ninja pony,” she said, going down into the barrel. The trio just stood there, then shrugged. It was Pinkie being Pinkie. Mac produced a handkerchief and gave it to Neon, who took it gratefully. After he was done using it, Neon handed it back to a repulsed Mac as he made a face.


	“Well at least I have something warm to drink,” Neon said, levitating his drink and taking a sip of the liquid goodness. “I’m almost tempted to wonder how she knew... almost.”


	“Now that’s actual crazy talk. Ha ha, but I realize I’ve been selfish with you. You heard me talk but I haven’t heard you talk,” Vinyl said, eyeing a passing record stands.


	“Besides the fact that my dad kicked me out! Not much, Canterlot is still filled with snobs, the economy is stable, and I broke up with my marefriend,” he said sourly, taking a sip of his drink.


	“Whoa, that’s rough, dude... so, how did it go down?” Vinyl head leaned towards his side, wanting to hear every detail.


	“How do you think! I got drunk off my ass, talked to somepony, her getting pissed at me, me telling her to take a hike, and her hitting me with a bottle. Overall, it went pretty well!” he said sarcastically; wiping his nose on his sleeve. 


	The group went quiet after the declaration was spoken.


	“Not to be rude or change the subject now but, why did your Pa kick ya out? Ah know ya can get pretty silly once y’all hit the spirits but, ya never had it this bad before,” Inquired Big Mac, passively glancing towards him.


	“Ugh, trust me when I say this, you're better off not knowing,” he said, dropping his head to the ground.


	“Why is that?”


	“It’s Nobles stuff, can we not talk about this anymore? I want out of these clothes,” he said quickly, knowing his friend’s strong belief in family. Mac nodded and looked up.


	“Ah think ah saw ma sister over there,” summarized Big Mac, looking at the empty space between the stalls.


	There, his little sister stood along talking to a red mare. “This ain't good,” he groaned out, “all the ponies she could talk to.”


	“What?” Vinyl questioned, now looking to the spot. She grinned, it wasn’t the pleasant kind of grin, it was the shit eating kind. “ Looks like she’s with Miss perfect. Hmm, wonder what they’re talking about,” she said, lighting her horn.


	Neon knew what she was doing, and quickly found a newspaper. Rolling it up, he swatted Vinyl’s head repeatedly. “Bad Viny. Bad, we do not eavesdrop on other ponies.”


	“Come on Lighty, don’t think of it as eavesdropping so much as listening in,” she defended, her bottom lip quivering.


	“Right, if y’all don’t mind, ah gonna talk to ma sis now,” Mac stated, ignoring their antics. Loosening his harness, he took a deep breath, going over his memories from the morning. Then he walked towards his sister and the exotic mare.


	Now finally done with smacking Vinyl with the newspaper, he looked up where his big red friend was heading. Sure enough his sister was there along with a mare. The same mare from the poster, except he had a perfect view of her rear. If he had to describe them, he would say ‘nice’ and ‘smack’. “So, is that her?” he asked, now noticing her cutie mark: of a teacup half surrounded by tea leaves and spices.


	“Yeah, that’s her, Little Miss perfect,” she answered, summoning a boombox for the dictation.


	“I wouldn’t call her little, she’s tall as Big Mac! And is it really necessary to play that?” he asked, rather annoyed at Vinyl’s choice of music.


	“Yiess,” she said, with the most goofy grin ever.


	“Your such a troll, you know that?” he said playfully, rubbing his hoof into Vinyl’s messy hair. She batted him away from her head and looked at him.


	“Coming from an actual troll, I take that as a compliment,”  she continued, wrapping her foreleg around his neck, giving him a quick squeeze. “So, what do you think?”


	“Think of what? Her?” Looking back up, he saw Mac talking to the mare. He could see part of her face, and knew why Vinyl was so suspicious of her. She was wearing the mask of a high society mare. Entitled little bitches that pass themselves off as ladies, Neon thought angrily. However his heart beat otherwise.


	“Nah, she’s too high maintenance for me and besides, I just broke up with that kind of gal. Although, I wouldn't mind having a one night stand with her,” he said, giving the mare a once over; yeah, definitely tap that.


	“Dude, don’t you mean high society brats,” Vinyl said, making a face. “I mean yeah, she freaks out if anypony touches her hair, but she’s nothing like those snobs.”


	“Yeah well, I’m not interested,” he said rather sure of himself before realizing something. “Wait, did you say freak out?”


	“Well,” she said, drawing it out, “it’s more like she doesn’t let anypony near her hair. Like I heard Rarity try to check out her mane, and got freaked out! Want to know what she did to her?” Vinyl’s muzzle leaned close to his face.


	“What?” Neon’s posture stand at attention, it was not often to see his friend this serious. 


	“That chick just stared at her,” she said, a bit disturbed on the answer. Neon face-hoofed. 


	“Really? That’s it, just a stare?” His voice was disbelieving “…Vinyl that’s like teacher scary. Not like Tartarus-level scary. I’m starting to feel bad for this mare.” Neon said, agitation leaking into his voice. 

/center]	“Yeah, well it’s true! Rarity said it was like looking at death itself! Luckily for her, it was short lived,” she stressed, eyeing the aforementioned mare. The tea maker’s ears twitch. “I swear she’s eavesdropping on us.” 


	Neon just raised an eyebrow at her. “Anyways, after that scare, me and a couple other guys have this bet going on. Any pony who can get a date with her wins the bet. You in?”


	“As interesting as that sounds, Vinyl, I’m not interested,” Neon said, trying to breathe through his nose. It was getting rather stuffy.


	“Winners get a cash prize along with bragging rights,” Vinyl said teasingly towards the end. 


	“Yeah, still not interested.” Stating in annoyance wasn’t a habit he liked doing often, but that just filled the fire for Vinyl.


	“Oh, I get it. You don’t think you can get her, do you,” Vinyl said, with a comprehending look on her face. Neon stood still, going over his friend’s words and then snapping at her.


	“WHAT! Wait a minute, I never –”


	“It’s okay dude. After how that gal treated you, I would have my self-esteem shattered too,” she said, sounding sympathetically, making Neon piss. He looked back at Mac, who look like he was done talking to the mare. Oddly enough, he had a puzzled look while Chai went into an alley.


	So challenge me, will you! Make fun of me, will you. “Vinyl... I hope you’re ready to eat those words!” He exclaimed, heading off where the mare was last seen.


	Low self-esteem my ass! I bet I can even get her into bed with me, Neon thought rapidly, already passing Mac and his sibling. He saw a glimpse of where the mare went, and headed to the alleyway.


	He stopped for a moment. Wait, what am I going to say to her? Crap, can’t just go up to her and start flirting with her. He rubbed his chin in thought. I’ll get rejected like that. This mare is like Canterlot, I just have to get into the mindset of that.


	Going through the cobblestone alley way, he found himself in the more quieter streets of Ponyville. Looking around, he spotted his target and casually walked up. 


	Deciding on an easy approach, he would offer a cup of coffee and then ask her out. A simple plan, but effective. Celestia! He needed something hot right now after that ice shower.


	As he walked, he noticed her head leaning down. He squinted on the ground, it look to be a patch of snowdrops. She lightly sniffed, then snipped it with her teeth, getting a couple of the little flowers.


	Neon saw her hoof going into her bag and pulling out a ball of string, as she clumsily gathered them up with her nose. That’s… kind of cute, he thought... feeling his cheeks warm. He felt a strange tingling in his nose.


	Then his face brightened with an idea. Lighting his horn, he gathered the snowdrops in front of her. Then he took the ball of string from her hoof, snapped a piece and looped it around the bouquet, tying it in front of her.


	He couldn't see the mare’s reaction, but knew he was doing something right when she held the flowers. “Excuse me, miss,” he called, behind the mare now. She took a deep breath and turned to him. “Hi I’m –AAACCHHOOOOOO!”


	Neon sneezed all over on the mare, making her drop the flowers and tense up. The mare quickly tried to wipe away the mess on her face. But, in the process she knocked off her glasses. Her eyes snapped closed after the exit of her glasses.


	He blew it, in the most literal sense he blew it. Chai tea, the mare that he was supposed to get a date, was covered in his snot. “I’m sorry, here let me help you,” he said, trying to salvage his plan. Neon’s magic wrapped her glasses, feeling a snap when he levitated it.


	Good luck, a whispery voice said in his mind. Neon paused, just… what was that? He thought, going for a second look.


	“It’s fine. Just let me have my glasses back, sir,” she said neutrally, her hoof going to the levitated item. He pulled it away from her, now having a clearer look at the glasses. They were fake, now why would you have these on if you don’t need them, he questioned, still evading the mare’s hoof.


	“Sir. I need my glasses back,” Chai said, trying to grab her frames. Neon notice how polite she was being. It sounded rehearsed to him, his brow furrowed. Maybe Vinyl isn’t that crazy after all.


	“You know, for a pony who has her eyes closed, you’re doing surprisingly well.” He stated, wondering how she was doing that. The mare stopped, and placed her hooves down into the snow. She was still, quite like a statue in his father’s garden. Jeez this one is lively, he rolled his eyes in annoyance. Then, he notice one of her hooves in bandages.


	“Sir are you –”


	“What happened to your hoof?” he asked, while wiping her glasses clean. Neon eyed her, looking for something. He would be lying if he didn’t admit that she was hot to look at. But underneath all that was probably another scheming bitch. The same cliché.


	“I had an accident with a teacup. You ask a lot of questions, sir,” Chai said politely, her face unchanging. Much to the annoyance of Neon, but what really annoyed him was the fact that her eyes were still close. Why won’t you look at me !?


	“Okay, that’s it, stop doing that,” Neon said suddenly, making her tensed. Okay there’s no way this mare is this polite. I’m literally being an ass to her.


	“Stop doing what, sir?” the mare asked, confused, her hoof gone into her bag.


	“That, stop doing that and stop calling me sir. It makes me feel old!” he exclaimed, trying to be over dramatic about it.


	“Sir? You’re not making sense here. Please explain to me why you're so agitated by me,” she said, cocking her head to the left.


	He could feel his cheeks burn when she did that. “Gah, that politeness. It feels forced… and didn't I say not to call me ‘sir!’” he said, fighting his blush back down. “Here’s your glasses.”


	To Neon’s curiosity, the mare looked genuinely surprised for a moment before reverting back. With her bandaged hoof, she took her frames out of his magic and placed it back on her face.


	“Well then, what else would you like me to call you then? I presume you have a name, correct?” she said matter-o-factly, then she opened her eyes.


	He saw them, those otherworldly eyes. She stared at him blankly, he stared back too. They both stared at each other.


	“I’m… Neon… Neon Light.”



> Chapter 5: The eyes can elude us to what’s really there 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 5 The Eyes can Elude us to What’s Really There 
Ponyville Street:
Chai was flustered, an emotion she had not known to exist in her life. This unicorn made her feel… something. It was strange, he was no different than any other pony around her, but yet, he felt familiar to her.
Even with her eyes close, she could see his life force outlining a somewhat familiar figure to her. Details were lost to Chai, but that was the price to pay for wider range of detection. Fortunate too, since she detected a another pony hiding in the same alleyway where the colt came from.
Reaching out for her glasses, they were quickly levitated by the unicorn. So you sneeze at me and now you’re taking my glasses, Chai thought dryly while trying to be polite to get her glasses back.
Chai didn’t understand why he wouldn’t give her frames back, until he pointed out her mistake. “You know, for a pony who has her eyes closed; you’re doing surprisingly well.”  Normal ponies couldn’t see with their eyes closed.
I’m an idiot, she thought, standing stock still, even though her hoof felt twitchy. It continued like that, until he told her why he was annoyed. 
“Gah, that politeness. It feels forced, weird even … and didn’t I say not to call me ‘sir?’” he said angrily. “Here’s your glasses”. He levitated her frames back, and she grabbed them using her injured hoof.
Chai cringed at that, she truly thought she did everything right.  After all, she could adapt to any situation; so why should this be any different. A change in action then, she thought, calculating as her voice changed in tone.
“Well then, what else would you like me to call you? I presume you have a name, correct?” Chai said in a business-like fashion. If this stallion wanted rudeness, then she’d give him that.
She opened her eyes to look at him, only to freeze up at the sight of him. He was definitely a unicorn, but she definitely felt like she knew him. She felt her body go cold and heat up at the same time, and her chest fluttered.
“I’m… Neon… Neon Lights,” he said, staring at her, making her hold her breath in a nervous anticipation. It’s you, I can’t forget those big, blue eyes.
“I’m Chai Tea,” she said softly, not attempting to be too quiet, and praying to something that he didn’t remember her.
He stared, as she nervously flicked her tail just to distract herself from the unicorn. The seconds felt like hours to her, and his face looked pensive. Biting the inside of her cheek to dispel her hesitation, she intensely posed a question.
“I haven’t seen you here before, are you new to the area?” she asked, feeling robotic, not sure what else to really say. However, being ever-curious, she took a good look at him. He was a head shorter than her, and had a messy, spiky hairstyle.
He snapped out of his trance and replied. 
“No. I’ve been to Ponyville plenty of times, I’m just moving in now,” he stuttered out, his hoof rubbing the back of his head. “Um, sorry for being rude to you,” Neon mumbled. 
Chai’s eyes narrowed at the unicorn.
“What’s wrong with you?” demanded Chai, startling the unicorn.
“Wha–”
“First you tried to be charming, then you question me like a criminal! Have you no shame for yourself, acting so callously to someone you don’t know?” her anger flared out, as the snow around her melted. “I was being polite, but obviously you can’t appreciate that!” She looked down, peering at his eyes. His ears folded back, his body retreating to the ground. 
To an onlooker it looked like a fight between a wolf and a house cat.
She could see the hesitation in his eyes before a spark lit up. Neon’s posture straightened, his face determined.  
“Because I hate facade, I get enough of that from Canterlot,” he yelled, “I don’t want it here. Besides, you don’t have to put up a front for anypony, and you have really pretty eyes.” His face was inches away from hers.
 Chai’s eyes widened, her feelings were unbound by a colt, and on top of that, she let her anger blind her from feeling the broken illusion spell. Her eyes snapped close, her mind overloaded with thoughts. 
Her logic kicked in as a plan formed in her mind. “I have a medical condition that makes me wear these,” the lie rolled off from her tongue easily, “it’s a very sensitive matter for me and I would be thankful if you forgot about this,” Chai said, making sure she got full eye contact.
There was a long pause as his eyes glazed over. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know,” Neon said. Chai closed her eyes; smiling inwardly at her victory. “But I’d rather see your beautiful eyes just the way you are,” he said, sounding rather cheeky. Leaning towards her ear, he spoke quietly. “It would be a shame to hide them.”
 Chai’s body moved, her foreleg pushing him back. Her face scrunched up as she splayed her ears back. She felt the ground around her squish from her step. A faint smell from him caught her nose’s tension. 
By the pits of Hades! Why didn’t hypnosis work!? … wait a minute, that smell. He’s an alcoholic! 
Neon sighed, “Well shit, you’re a virgin”. He leaned back from her, sounding disappointed. 
Chai took a risk and opened one of her eyes. He was staring at her, his eyebrows raised. She quickly shut her eyes, making him sigh again along with a chuckle. 
“You know, it’s kind of pointless to hide like that,” he said, giving her some space. I mean there’s nothing to be ashamed about them.” A hoof lifted towards her. “C’mon let me see them, beautiful.” Chai turned her head away from him. “Hey… why won’t you look at me?” 
Chai stood silent, ruminating over her situation. He caught her off guard, saw her eyes, and was once someone that she knew.
She pondered, slumping her body, trying to not look at him. It was unfortunate that she was taller than him, since it only made her more level to his head. 
“Achoo”! Her eyes flew open. Neon ran his hoof across his nose, a trail of slime following along.
Chai could see a red tint in his cheek, along with the partially frozen clothes. She had to do something.
Jumping on top of him, Chai shouted, “Why are you wearing frozen clothes?! You could catch a cold like that!” Her hooves acted without command as a tearing sound echo throughout the courtyard. 
“The fuck?” Neon yelped, “that’s my T-shirt that you're ripping!” His hooves went frantic, trying to get his shirt back, but she wouldn't let him; his torn shirt thrown aside.        
“Well I’m sorry for your loss, but you should take care of your health first," she replied sternly, her hoof now placed on his cheek. He was running a fever. Neon’s eyes widened at the contact before he started to grin.
"Well, at least buy me dinner first before you take care of me, then." His brow wiggled at her suggestively. If he stays out here for much longer he’s going to catch pneumonia. Wait, my enchanted scarf! But first. 

“Sure, how about vegetable soup. That should help you with your cold.” Her head dashed into her bag, looking for the item. Half of her body was submerged in it. “I’ll deliver it myself.” There was a warm heat behind her. 

“That’s not what I meant, and is that an enchanted bag? Wow! I only ever seen these used in Canterlot banks,” she heard Neon call, his tone rather surprised at the last statement. At this point she didn’t care about keeping normalcy anymore. 
“Yes, it is. Now let me concentrate, please,” she said, her tail pressing into her thighs. 
While enchanted bags are useful in collecting items, they were not very practical for keeping them organized. Random items floated in the magically created space, leading Chai to be frustrated at not finding the scarf.
Where is it… There! she thought, moving aside a box labeled Himalayan Honey. Next to an old Swiss Army knife was a pure-white scarf. It looked hoof-made by skilled hooves, or, in this case, hands as she knew it. 
Eyes softening, she placed a gentle hoof on the wool, feeling its soft texture. Chai’s muzzle inched closer to the item, and she gently held the scarf in her mouth.
~Poke poke~ Teeth clenching at the scarf, her pupils shrank as her body reacted accordingly. “What are you lo–” a hoof connected to his chest, throwing him back to the ground, her left back leg pinning him. Surprisingly, he didn’t struggle, it was almost like he was… 
No! Chai’s leg retreated back from him as her body exited the bag. She turned, facing him. 
Eyes closed, Neon breathed raggedly, trying to get air back into his lungs. The unicorn lay there in a heap, his legs splayed out. There was a muddy hoof-mark on his chest, in the exact place where Chai hit him. 
Her head dashed to his chest, and she pressed her ear into his fur. ~Thump thump~ thump thump~ , “UUrrfFF”, he weakly said. 
Thank goodness, he’s going to be okay. Chai breathed out, slowly lifted her shoulders back up. 
But not before taking another look at Neon’s state.
Her ears drooped. Looking at him, she could see he was cold, dirty, and smelled like a distillery; not to mention he looked sickly.
A pinching feeling settled in her chest, an alien feeling to her mind. She knew pain, both physically and mentally, but this felt... deeper, deeper than both.
Chai felt her body move, her front legs wrapped around his small frame tightly. Eyes closing, she put her head next to his. 
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for this to happen.”  
Soft lips pressed to cold ones, her tongue invading his mouth. The lewd action was short-lived once she separated, leaving it a blue mist exiting from her mouth and entering into his. Chai’s body shivered, her breathing filling the silence in the courtyard.
That should be enough mono for his body to use. She thought, her mind hazing over. Absentmindedly, her hoof stroked Neon’s cheek, the tip tracing his muzzle lines. Already, he started to look better.
With a quiet moan, Neon leaned into her touch. The corners of his lip turned upward.
Eye’s widening, Chai leaned back from him, her hoof yanking to her side. He shivered once her ministrations stopped. She glanced over to the side to see her bag partially open, but more importantly her fuzzy scarf in hoof’s reach from her. 
Without another thought, Chai grabbed the scarf and pulled it to the stallion’s neck. Gingerly, her hooves tied the white shawl around his throat, letting the enchantment do its work on him. He sighed in contentment, snuggling into the warm fabric. 
Standing up, Chai took a step back from him, and walked towards her satchel. Her light trot began to slow as she took in the scenery.
The snow melted into the ground, creating a frozen mess. Wilted snowdrops were scattered around them, their delicate petals soiled by the sludge. The once lovely scene was melted into a muddy slush, littered by dying flowers. She took a step back. 
~squelch~
Tilting her head down slowly, Chai lifted her right leg up. A small collection of snowdrops laid mangled on a hoof-sized hole, still having a string holding them together. 
A long moment passed before she yanked the flowers to her. Chai dashed to her bag, grabbing it in one fell swoop. She turned to eye Neon before eyeing the unicorn in the shadows.
“Tattoo, take him home please.” Without another word, she vanished.
Stepping out of the shadows, the unicorn revealed herself to be none other than Vinyl Scratch, however, there was something off about the DJ.
“~Mmm, there is no fooling you, my mistress.” Her voice pondered, then she paused.  Cocking her head to the courtyard, she stared at the stallion. “You’re quite lucky you know, not a lot of strangers get this kindness from her,” she said in a smooth voice, unlike her usual scratchy one. Then with a Cheshire grin, she walked up to him saying, “~Oh, I think we can help each other out~” she finished it with a giggle.
Horn glowing purple, Neon’s head lifted to the air as Vinyl eyes examined him. Head tilting left and right, Vinyl memorized his facial features. Then his mouth opened up, and the purple glow wrapped around the stallion’s tongue, yanking it out. The mare’s muzzle crinkled.
“Oh gross, you gotta stopped sticking your mouth everywhere,” she said slamming his snout, and trying to not gag herself.  “Well, besides you being a stud and short, you’ll be good for her nerves~” she said, humming happily. A purple haze seeped out from Vinyl’s horn, and phased out from reality. 
Vinyl blinked. “What the hell? Argh, my head!” she said, placing her hooves on her head. “That’s the last time I’ll take a drink from a stranger.” Rubbing her head, she noticed the downed stallion. “I guess I won the bet.”