Queen of Hearts Chapter 2

>You pack your gear, the party is done.
>And you too, are visibly drained.
>You remove all of your sleeve tricks, neatly placing them into your trademark briefcase.
>Turns out, this was a rarity here in Equestria.
>The lack of hands explains why.
>You take your coat and turn to leave.
>A hoof stops you.
>You turn to face the blue moustache, and that calm, soothing expression of his.
>It was none other than your employer and host- Fancy Pants.
>”I suppose you enjoyed the night, Anonymous?”
>You smile and nod.
“Of course I did, I always enjoy your parties, Fancy Pants.”
>”Ah, ah ah. I prefer the term ‘Entertained Rendezvous’.”
>The two of you share a laugh.
>Haha wut.
>…
“Is that it, Mr. Fancy Pants?”
>He shakes his head.
>”I’m afraid not. I’ve caught wind of you catching a certain mare’s attention?”
>You hesitate.
>”No need to fret my boy, her name is Fleur De Lis. She spoke greatly about you.”
“Is that so?”
>”Absolutely. Looks like you have your ways with the mares.” He nudges you slightly, as he chuckles to himself.
“Thank you?” You give a nervous grin.
>Suddenly, Fancy Pants holds your arm.
>”Listen Anonymous, I’m warning you, she is not a mare to be taken lightly. She… makes plans. Please do be careful.”
>You give him a strong pat in the back.
“No need to worry sir, it is all professional interest.”
>He still has his solemn look on his face.
>”That’s what I’m worried about, Anonymous- she pulls on heartstrings.”
“Excuse me?”
>He opens his mouth to speak, before hearing the clock ring.
>”Where are my manner, go on Anonymous, we’ll talk tomorrow. No sense to keep you late.”
“Alright, if that is what you think, good night, sir.”
>”As to you, Anonymous.”
>You pull your coat tighter.
>Ever since it started snowing here, the nights have gotten colder.
>You can’t really argue against it, nature’s way and all.
>You pocket a hand, brace through the wind and clutch onto the briefcase tight.
>The breeze was really kicking up.
>The metallic handle of the briefcase soaked up the cold, ironically burning your hand with the cold.
>You hold on though, this was your livelihood.
>You can spot some ponies in the dark roads, heading off to god knows where.
>Your home was still few blocks away, a humble apartment on the third floor.
>Sure, you could have gotten a better stead with your pay, but you’re not the flaunty type.
>Besides, it was hard to find rooms accommodated to your size.
>”Excuse me.”
>A soft voice catches you in the cold breeze.
>”I am lost here and- oh!”
>You shield your face, to see a familiar mare.
>”You were the human from the party, right? It’s hard to forget a face like that.”
>You smile and nod.
“Of course, and you would be… Fleur De Lis?”
>You eye her fur coat and hat- how is she wearing that?
>Weren’t ponies extreme vegetarians?
>It was pink in base color, white fur dressing the sides.
>Her mane was safely tucked inside the hat, while a hole was made for her long horn.
>”So you’ve caught wind of my identity…”
>She lets out a small smile, as she slightly tips her head away- eyeing you with her left side.
“Oh, we’re definitely catching wind tonight, Miss.”
>You look around, trying to find shelter.
>A coffee shop comes into view.
“Come.” You call to her, motioning her to follow.
“A lady should not be in the cold.”

>The shop is mostly empty, seeing how late it was.
>You take the window seat, allowing the two of you to gaze out to the snow covered city.
>”Lovely sight, is it not?”
“It sure is.”
>”I am… Infatuated with the sights, I must admit.”
“Is that so?”
>She locks eyes with you for a moment, before sipping on her drink.
“Well, I guess I can say the same.”
>You take your own sip.
>”Interesting…”
>Her lips curl into a smile.
>What is this mare playing at?
>”So,” She goes on, unblinking.
>”How long were you in the capital?”
>You recline on your chair.
“Well, that is a long story.”
>She leans closer towards you, eagerly waiting for the answer.
>”I got all night.”
>You try to keep the story simple, on how you woke up in Equestria, how you struggled to find work and food, and the list goes on.
>Fleur occasionally brings in comments and her thoughts, otherwise, she watches you as you tell your story.
“And the next thing I know, I meet a delightful mare- and here we are.”
>She smiles at your words, and meditates for a second.
>You also take a moment to take a breather, as you glance out to the once vibrant streets.
>You see a square of orange light appearing nearby, and a stallion drunkenly steps out.
>He falls to the cold snow, and tried to get back up.
>From the way he’s shaking his legs, he’s intoxicated.
>He then gives up, as the snow starts to settle on him.
>You immediately get up, sensing the danger.
>”Is there something wrong?” Fleur looks worried.
“No, nothing is wrong; I just need to go help this feller over there.”
>You point at the downed stallion.
>”Oh my.”
>She gets up as well, putting on her own coat.
>”We should assist him.”
“That we should.”

>You dust the snow off the stallion, and slowly lift him over your shoulders.
>He’s heavier than you expected, as you try to balance his haunches with your arms.
>Fleur helps you with a bit of her magic, holding the body just so you can move.
>You had no time to check for any details, implying you’d recognize him at all.
>”W-wha? Unhand me ri-“
>The stallion mutters a few words, before going limp.
>Boy, is he out.
“Where to, guy?”
>The stallion lets out few whimpers.
>”C-cast-tle.”
>”What did he say?” Fleur asks you.
“I think he said the castle.”
>”Oh my- This certainly is an interesting afternoon.”
>You let out a chuckle.
“Well, I *am* an interesting person.”
>She chuckles as well, and chimes in.
>”You definitely are.”
>”Talking, so much talking.” The stallion whines.
>You hasten your pace, feeling the snow crumpling under your feet.
>And soon enough, you see the pride and power of Canterlot-
>The castle.
>You call out the guards, who come to you with indifference.
>Their expression soon changes when they see who you are hauling.
>You are greeted by the staff, and one of the princesses.

>And that is how you met Blueblood.

>You clink the glass with another, as you proceed to drink it down.
>”You know, Anonymous, you are an interesting persona, I have to admit.”
>You nod.
>Blueblood plays around with his drink, and eyes the crowd.
>”So, what do you think of the idea? Would it work?”
“Possibly.”
>”Possibly? Elaborate.”
“On one hand, you have the support of the nobles, am I correct?”
>He nods happily.
“And on the other side, we have the cretins- Ahem- Earth Ponies.”
>He smiles at the word ‘cretin’.
>”Of course, they are vile, poisonous creatures who belong in the dirt.”
“I’ll drink to that.”
>The two of you clink glass again, and gulp the rest down.
>Sure, Blueblood was a complete dickwad.
>He had that snobby attitude that outweighed pretty much all of the rich.
>And you just used that to earn his favor.
>Suck up to his ego.
>Blueblood often came to you with his ideas, and you often gave second thoughts.
>Seeing how he came up with three ‘plans’ of his tonight, he must have no one to talk to.
>Which was to your advantage, of course.
>You had your potential ally- who would consider you as a friend.
“My prince, how about we retire from political ramblings, and move on to simpler pleasures of life?”
>He raises a brow, confused.
>”Such as?”
>You gesture to the party.
“The luxuries, the simple indulgences-“
>And with that, you whistle.
“And the mares.”
>Five mares surround Blueblood.
>He looks annoyed.
“What, you prefer stallions? I got them rounded up too.”
>Before you call to them, Blueblood stops you.
>”No! I’m just not interested.”
>He shoos away the mares, but they are unrelenting.
“What? Not interested? Humor me, my prince.”
>”They are just… Low class.”
>He spits his words with such venom.
“Low class, eh?”
>You motion the mares to back away.
“How about…” You point at another flaunty mare in the crowd.
“That one? I heard she was a duchess.”
>”Anonymous, I’m guessing you’re trying to get rid of me.”
“Anything for the prince, sire.”
>”Very well, I suppose she will do.”
>As he gets up, you make sure to pull him back down again.
>”What?”
“A word, my prince.”
>”Shoot.”
“Please do try to be… Nice with the mare, alright?”
>”As in to be kind and loving?”
>You nod.
>”Anonymous, it’s like you don’t know me.”
“Do it for the mares, let them have their fun, at least.”
>”I frankly do not care.”
“Are you admitting the great prince of Equestria is incapable of a simple ruse?”
>”What? Why I never.”
“Prove me wrong.”
>”I shall, and revel in my glory. Heed this, Anonymous; I shall be ‘nice’.”
>And with that, he trots off.
>You’d watch, but mother told you it was rude to laugh at people.
>Besides, another pony grabs your attention.

>”I see you made quite a friend.”
>The pink haired mare takes Blueblood’s empty seat.
“I suppose so.”
>”You know, they say friends affect each other.”
“I wouldn’t say we’re friends.”
>She cocks her head a little.
>”Are you absolutely sure? He craves for your presence.”
“It is nothing like what you’re thinking, I assure you.”
>She smiles, and turns away.
>”If you say so.”
>You watch as Blueblood tries to be ‘nice’, before he spills some drinks onto a bystander.
>It was almost painful to watch.
>”So, tell me, Anonymous-“
>She eyes Blueblood.
>He shoots you an annoyed glance, as he tries to hand over his drink.
>You can only smile and give thumbs up.
>”They say friends change each other.”
“Sure.”
>”And who are you? The one who is affecting, or the one affected?”
“I’m not here to talk philosophy, Fleur.”
>”Then why are you sitting in the corner?”
“Fine.” You stand.
>You offer a hand to the confused mare.
“Would you like to dance?”