Queen of Hearts Chapter 5

Chapter 5

>It was a rainy morning.
>Rain.
>In the middle of winter.
>You’d suppose it was more of a hail.
>Newspaper said there was a fault in the weather factory, some shenanigans pulled by an idiot with a sword and a bag of bits.
>Nevertheless, you have to go.
>You pull on a thick trench coat, and a hat.
>It won’t protect you for long, but luckily, you don’t have to stay out long.
>Just a quick visit.
>Tiny pebbles of ice tap on your hat, rattling your head.
>You duck under the canopies of road-side cafés, sparsely filled with lazy ponies.
>Some recognize you and try to make short conversation, but you only gave them short answers and waved them off.
>You almost trip on the partially frozen landscape, forcing yourself to go slower.
>You groan and focus on your steps, making a steady haste.
>Too focused to not notice a mare tailing you.
>You cross a road to the next building, not forgetting to slide a little by the end.
>You slide your hands into the coat pocket, to avoid any injury.
>The hail lightly taps on your shoes, and your trousers.
>The cold winter wind is still there, chilling your legs.
>You’re getting spiked boots later on.
>After a few more minutes of walking straight, you reach your destination.
>It was a doughnut shop, evidently shown by the large icon hovering above the building.
>A large doughnut.
>A neon sign hung over the entrance, reading ‘Donut Joe’s’
>You’re not even sure if it the two are the same thing anymore.
>The sign would light up at night, with this red-sometimes-flickering color.
>You push through the glass door, gripping on the metal handle.
>A bell rings, turning a stallion’s gaze to you.
>The shop had little customers, a few ponies sipping coffee and donuts.
>Most were busy doing their business, either reading the newspaper or staring outside, waiting for the hail to end.
>You walk over to the counter, looking at the skin-colored pony.
>He has this thick jaw, with his paper hat thrown in.
>He blinks once, and looks to you with indifference.
>”May I take your order?” He asks monotonously.
“I’d like a dozen box, mixed- on the house.”
>Joe’s eyes glimmer a little.
>You lean closer, and cup a hand over one side of your mouth.
“With a dash of magic.”
>Joe smiles, and makes his way into the kitchen.
>”To the back, then.”
>You glance at your watch.
“Wait, silly me- I have to go, I’ll be –back- here.”
>You put emphasis on the word ‘back’.
>He smiles again, and disappears.
>You do the same, stepping out of the shop.
>Instead of going off to do whatever you just claimed, you take a sharp turn into the alleys.
>You make another turn, ending behind the shop.
>A backdoor opens, basking the dark alley with orange light.
>You immediately enter the through the door.
>”So.” Joe sits on a chair. “What can Joe help ya with?”
“I need a lock.”
>”A what?”
“You heard me, the hardest damn lock in Equestria.”
>”For a door, or-“
“I’ll need a han- hoofcuff.”
>”Getting kinky in the bedroom, eh, Anon?”
>He chuckles a little.
“I’ll need it for a show.”
>”Oh.” He perks up. “The one against Trixie?”
“How did you know?”
>”Mate, the entire city is buzzing with it! Is this what you need for the show?”
“Exactly. Now, here are some specifications…”
>You hand him a small parchment.
>He takes it with his magic, and quickly skims through it.
>”This is pretty specific, Anon. How long do you have?”
“A few days.”
>He nods once.
>”Alright, I’ll look up my contacts. Maybe a sex toy shop in some minotaur kingdom, eh?”
>He cracks a smile.
>You nod and leave.
>Joe shakes his head, looking over the parchment once again.
>”Damn Anon, what are you playing at…”

>You brace through the hail again, walking under the covers of the scaffolding.
>Since your objective was complete, you supposed you could use some breakfast.
>The day was still young, and you were feeling peckish.
>You stop by a store to pick up a sandwich, and some coffee to boot.
>You pay the cashier, and take the seat by the window.
>You slowly chew through your food, staring at the wooden table.
>A staff begins sweeping the floor, and eventually reaches you.
>”Hey, I know you.” The mare points a hoof at you.
“Hm?” You raise your head.
>”Yeah, Anonymous, right?”
“I am, how did you know?”
>The mare snikers.
>”I may- or may not have seen you with a certain mare.”
>She lets out a mischievous smirk, before resuming her work.
>You turn away, only to notice that the rest of the building’s occupants are staring at you.
>They immediately avert their gaze, upon making eye contact.
>Odd.
>You quickly finish your meal, and vacate the premise.
>You might have not realized this before, but you’ve been gathering stares for the day.
>You quickly dodge the attention by diving into the road, onto the cold embrace of the hail.
>You hear gallops, and a shout.
>You turn to see a carriage coming right at you, the driver waving madly.
>You jump and roll out of the way, just in time for the carriage to stop.
>You hear insults from the driver, as well as the occupants of the vehicle.
>The door kicks open, and a stallion stick out his head.
>”Anonymous?”
>You know that voice anywhere.
>That white coat with blond, styled mane.
>Blueblood.
>”What the devil are you doing here? Come in!”
>He ushers you inside with a hoof.
>Without a second thought, you hop in.
>You shake the ice and water off your hat.
>”Now, what are you doing here, Anonymous?”
“My prince. Just looking for a quick way out, that is all.”
>He quirks a brow.
>”From what, may I ask?”
>You wipe the cold sensation from your face, and rest your back on the seat.
“Whispers.”
>Blueblood relaxes a little, and draws breath, relieved.
>”I’m guessing you’ve gotten some dirty looks, eh, Anonymous?”
>You nod.
“What are they… Saying behind my back?”
>”Mainly the issue of a pony-human relationship.”
“It’s about Fleur, isn’t it?”
>Blueblood shifts a little.
>”… Yes.”
>The carriage stops, and you hear a knock from the top of the carriage, most likely from the driver.
>You hear pitter-patter of hooves on the wet dirt outside, and the carriage door is flung open with magic.
>A maid smiles sheepishly at Blueblood, and holds up an umbrella with her magic.
>Blueblood grunts once, and puts his nose up.
>You tap him once on the shoulder.
>You frown and shake your head.
“Remember what I said, my prince?”
>What?! Even to these lowly ponies?” He spits out the word.
>You ponder for a moment, and you shrug.
>He sighs.
>He then shakes his head.
>You lift your index and thumb, placing a little gap between them.
“Not even little?”
>”I refu-“
“It is alright maid, you can go.”
>You take the umbrella, and smile.
>She smiles back, and goes off.
>”Anonymous! Why I never!”
“Forgive me sire, but it applies to all mares.”
>”ALL MARES?” His face droops a little.
>You hold the umbrella, and step out.
>You put on your hat, and hold the stick close to the carriage.
>Blueblood cringes at the mud under him, and steps out gently.
>You sigh, and lead a slow march into the castle.
>At least the driver had a good laugh.

>Crimson liquid fill the glass, turning darker as more poured.
>The bottle paused, before twirling lightly in mid air.
>Blueblood set the wine bottle on the table, and handed you a glass.
>You took it hesitantly.
>Blueblood spun the glass, swirling the contents around.
>”Tell me Anonymous, do you trust me?”
“Sire, if this-“
>”Answer me.”
“Yes, yes I do.”
>”Excellent. Then let us talk about this ‘problem’.”
“Does this have to do with Fleur?”
>”Unfortunately, yes.”
>You sip on the drink.
“Well then, fire away, my prince.”
>”Tell me Anonymous, what is a stallion’s greatest wekness?”
“A mare?” You answer, unimpressed.
>”Exactly. An enthralling, enchanting, mystical mare. Do you know what the danger of that is?”
>You don’t answer- it’s probably a rhetorical question anyway.
>”You don’t know if the feeling is mutual.”
>Blueblood eyes your reaction, taking a drink.
>You grow stiff on the words, hesitant to deliver your argument.
>”You see Anon, Fleur de Lis is this mare. She cheats young and old stallions with her looks and charms. And then, she robs them blind.”
“Of all the nonsensical musings I’ve ever-“
>”Anonymous.” Blueblood clenches his teeth, and his voice goes harder.
>”What makes you think I’m making this up?”
>You flinch with the strength in his voice.
>”Anonymous, are you familiar with the Blueblood family bank? Of course you’re not.”
“You don’t mean-“
>”Yes, I once doted over the she-devil. Lost all but my name. Anonymous, please be warned-“
>Blueblood comes up and places a hoof on your shoulder.
>”For your sake, you oafish idiot, let her go.”
>You look down, and close your eyes.
>You then slide his hoof off your shoulder, look up.
“Sorry, but I just can’t.”
>Blueblood groans audibly, before going to grab another glass of wine.
“No- no, what if-“
>”Anonymous…”
>A stupid idea flashes through your head.
“What if-“
>”No.”
>You slowly stand face going brighter.
“What if I made her fall for me?”
>Blueblood brings his hoof to his face.
>”Anonymous…”
>You’re already on your foot, walking to the exit.
>You open the double doors with each of your hand, facing a clearer sky.
“No, it just might work!” You turn your face to Blueblood.
>You look over the white city.
>It could work.
>You just had to win her over.
>Play the right cards with the Queen of Hearts.
>You will make her play by your hand, your rules.
>And you know,
>The house always wins.