Anon: Vampony Hunter! Getting to Know You (2/2)

>Day Macintosh Rhapsody in Equestria

>You are Carnelian, a pony of the bat persuasion.
>And right now you are walking to town with one of the most dreamboat stallions that you have ever met!
>His name is Big Macintosh, but you prefer to think of him as ‘gorgeous’.
>You and Anon are paying back Big Mac and his sister for letting you feed on their cow’s blood.
>Back home in Hollow Shades, there are herds of large animals all kept for the sole purpose of feeding the blood drinkers that live there.
>Here, not so much.
>That’s why you are really grateful for this arrangement.
>You’re especially grateful to the big red pony walking beside you.
>If it hadn’t been for him talking down his sister you might have had to leave town to find other sources of nourishment.
>He is just as sweet as his name implies.
>Now, the two of you are headed into town to get steel, coal, and rivets so that you can begin repairs on the Apple’s farm tools.
>Anon had assigned you to help Big Red because you are the resident metal-smith.
>Never before have you been so glad of your profession.
>You continue to walk along in companionable silence.
>Macilicious isn’t much of a talker and you don’t really know what say to start up a conversation.
>You go with the old standby.
“Beautiful weather today, huh?”
>”Eee-yup.”
“Do the pegasi maintain the weather here?”
>”Eee-yup.”
”Do you ever get to make special requests for rainfall for your crops?”
>”Nnnope.”
>Ok. No more yes-no questions.
“How do you and Applejack get water to your crops if the weather schedule doesn’t match what you need?
>”Cisterns. Irrigation ditches. Buckets.”
>Well at least you got him to say something.
“Yah, the farmers I know back home have to do the same thing most of the time.”
>”Ya’ll can’t drum up some clouds?”
“Not really. We can sit on clouds and push ‘em around, but bat ponies don’t really have a sense for weather like pegasi.”
“And, we don’t have access to the weather factories in Cloudsdale. At least we didn’t for a long time.”
>”Ah thought every pony got there clouds from there?”
“Not Hollow Shades. We were cut off during Princess Luna’s banishment. Had to make do with whatever clouds came our way from Fillydelphia and the coast.”
>”Hmmph!”
>It feels kind of good that Mac seems offended on your behalf.
“It’s not that bad, really. We got used to it. In fact, we got so used to things that when the Princess returned we didn’t bother with Cloudsdale. Didn’t need them anymore.”
>Your companion chuckles.
>”Wish Ah could say the same thing sometimes.”
>By now, you have reached the edge of Ponyville.
>Big Hunk decides that the farm needs a few other things so you head towards the market square first.
>You are surprised at how many ponies don’t seem to mind your presence.
>In fact, the few odd looks that you get are more nervous than anything else.
>It sure beats looks of fear and loathing.
>While your shopping buddy haggles with a rope merchant, you decide to have a look around.
>All the stands are so brightly colored, and with the sun so high in the sky, you have to squint mightily.
>You pause briefly at a flower stand.
>The mare tending the flowers does her best to ignore you, so you move on.
>Next up is a stand hawking pewterware.
>The quality is mediocre at best so you ask the salespony where he gets his stock.
>Perhaps you could supply him with better stuff?
>All of a sudden, a loud shriek pierces the air.
>The flower mare that you just passed is screaming that she’s been robbed!
>You and a few others rush over to her stand as she frantically looks about and explains what happened.
>”…and the lock box was gone. No, Daisy. I haven’t been away from the stand all morning!”
>One of the ponies asks if she has seen anybody suspicious.
>Of course, that’s the precise moment you come into the hysterical mare’s view.
>She points an accusing hoof at you.
>”You!  Did you take my money box?!”
>”Rose! “ somepony whispers. “You can’t just accuse anypony like that.”
>”I don’t see why not! She passed by here not one minute before I noticed the robbery. Well?”
>She stares at you and everypony in the crowed turns to join her.
>Just as you begin to fear that another trial awaits you, somepony shoves his way through the crowd.
>”Now just WHAT in the sam hill is goin’ on here?”
>Much to your relief, Mactastic puts himself between you and the crowd.
>The flower pony restarts her rant, this time for the guardian’s benefit.
>You start to feel sick again as you wonder why this sort of thing keeps happening to you.
>As Rose gets into the swing of things she starts gesturing wildly and stomping her hooves on the ground.
>Wait.
>That stomp.
>That stomp didn’t sound right.
>You close your eyes and open your ears.
>There it is again.
>When the flower mare stomps on one spot near the corner of her stand the echo sounds…
>Hollow.
>You sidle up to your tall protector and whisper something in his ear.
>”Rose, did ya’ll know that you got a tunnel underneath your stand?”
>”Don’t change the subject Big Macintosh! I never will… What? A tunnel?”
>He walks around the flower stand.
>”Where is it Miss Carnelian?”
“Right there. That corner”
>Big n’ Burly swipes away some dirt with his hoof.
>Then, with that same hoof, catches the edge of a wood panel and pulls it up revealing a hole beneath.
>”What is this hole doing under my stand?!”
>You want to tell the salesmare to shut up but, given the situation, decide to go for the soft approach.
“Ma’am, I think I know what made this hole. If I can have everyone be quiet for a moment?”
>It takes a minute but, finally, everypony simmers down.
>You poke your head into the darkness.
>Well, after your eyes adjust it’s not that dark.
>You start sending clicks down the hole.
>Long narrow tunnels can often cause weird echoes if you’re trying to get a complete picture with your clicking.
>In this case though, you can “see” enough to know what you’re up against.
>When you stop clicking, you also hear another interesting sound.
>Snoring.
>As you pull your head out of the hole, everyone starts bombarding you with questions.
>Stoic Mac quiets them with a single, stern look. (Wow, he pulls that off well!)
>You tell the crowd that the culprit is more than likely down at the bottom of the tunnel.
>”But if they’re down there, then how will I ever get my money back?”
>You think for a moment.
>Then you notice the bundle of rope hooked on your crimson companion’s yoke.
“I think I know how we can get him. Big Mac, can I borrow your rope?”
>After explaining your plan, the crowd starts to move off to give you and you partner some room.
>As he ties a loop in the end of his rope, the Big Apple gives you a look.
>”Ah don’t like the idea o’ sendin’ you off into that tunnel alone.”
“Well, I don’t like ponies accusing me of more stuff. Don’t worry, he’s asleep. I’ll sneak down, do what I need to do, and you haul him up.”
>You take the loop and place it under a wing.
“Just be ready when you feel the rope tugging.”
>”Right.”
>You turn to the assembled ponies.
>Might as be dramatic about it.
“Well, here I go. Wish me luck!”
>You salute the crowd and start sliding down the hole.
>Fortunately, you don’t have to slide far as the tunnel turns horizontal.
>Must be a pup if it didn’t dig any deeper than this.
>You scurry along in a low crouch.
>You’re not a big pony but the earthen ceiling is pretty low.
>There is no light of course, but you make do with some soft clicking.
>Not too loud, though.
>Most non-bat ponies can’t hear the high-pitched sounds that clicking makes.
>You’re pretty sure, however, that your prey can.
>Luckily, as you get within earshot of your target some light starts to seep your way.
>It must have a lamp of some kind.
>You come out into a small chamber.
>As you creep forward on your belly, you see all kinds of junk piled up.
>This little fella has been pretty busy.
>You make your way over towards a rumbling pile of straw.
>When you peek over the top of the pile you see the source of your grief.
>A diamond dog.
>You wouldn’t have thought that these mutts lived so far from Hollow Shades
>This one seems pretty young.
>Maybe he got lost from his pack.
>You go to work, slipping the loop over one of Fido’s rear paws.
>As you cinch it tight you also give the line a huge tug.
>Feeling something pull on his leg, poochy wakes up.
>Before he can respond to the strange pony that’s disturbing his nap, you look down and grin.
“Byeeeee!”
>The rope goes taught and the diamond pup goes flying out of the cave, pulled along by Mighty Mac.
>You hurry and follow.
>You don’t want to miss this.
>When you finally emerge from the hole, your big hunk o’ apple is trying to get the rope wrapped around the struggling thief.
>After a few good swipes towards his captor, the diamond dog is finally hog tied.
>As you walk towards him, the dog stares at you with loathing.
>”Stupid, stupid bat! How did you find me? YOU were supposed to get in trouble for that box. Why did they let you find me? Wahhhh-hah-Hahhhhhh!”
>While somepony fetches a guard to arrest the blubbering pup, the mare, Rose, comes up to you.
>”How did you know?”
“We have a lot of problems with diamond dogs back home. Thieving little critters. Anyway, there’s a whole lot more stuff down there that he stole.”
>You look around at the crowd and smile innocently.
“Anypony want to help me haul it up?”
>As it turns out, the only one who is both willing to help and small enough is a bright pink earth mare named Pinkie Pie.
>She has no problem helping you get stuff out of the tunnels.
>It turns out that the dog has dug them all over.
>During one of your trips Pinkie sees something and rushes over to it.
>”Ohmygosh! My favorite mixing bowl! I totally thought I had lost this! I am so going to make you a super-duper thank you cake for this.”
>The hyper mare crushes you in a hug.
>”You’re the best, Carnie!”
“C-Carnie?”
>”You don’t like it?”
>”Um, not really.”
>For some reason you think of rigged games and dangerous fair rides.
>”Hmmn… “ She’s actually putting thought into this? “How about Nel?”
“…Sure. Why not.”
>Truth be told, that’s your nickname back home too.
>Not sure how you feel about Pinkie Pie using it.
>You both get the rest of the stuff up.
>Every trip brings more cries of recognition from ponies that find things they thought were gone forever.
>Finally it’s all done.
>A beige pony with glasses comes up to you.
>”Miss Carnelian? Hello, I’m the mayor. Mayor Mare. I just want to thank you for the service that you’ve rendered our fair town today.”
>She nods at all the ponies around her.
>”And I’m sure that all these fine citizens would like to thank you too!”
>The crowd kind of stops what it’s doing and looks at you.
>Then a pony starts to stomp her hooves.
>Then another.
>Then another.
>Pretty soon the whole crowd is stomping their approval.
>You aren’t gonna lie.
>It feels pretty good.
>After the applause die down, the mayor instructs some stallions to start hauling the diamond dog’s loot to city hall so they can sort and return it all to the rightful owners.
>While this goes on, Pinkie Pie comes bounding up and tells you to swing by Sugar Cube Corner on your way home.
>You thank here, but then remember your original task.
“Oh, feathers! We gotta get going Big Mac.”
>He smiles and nods to your side.
>”Ah think one more pony wants to talk to yah.”
>You turn and see the flower mare, Rose.
>She looks utterly ashamed.
>”Miss Carnelian, I need to apologize to you. I shouldn’t have just accused you like that. I’m very, very sorry.”
>Well, given the past week you’ve had, it would be kind of hypocritical to hold a grudge now.
“I forgive you. I guess anypony can make a mistake, huh?”
>”Thank you, dear. I appreciate that.”
>She suddenly gets a lot brighter.
>”Now come on over here. As an apology I’ll let you to pick out whatever bouquet you would like.”
>You look over at your silent compatriot.
>He just shrugs, clearly amused at Rose’s sudden generosity.
>After getting some roses (the only flower she has that you can stand the taste of) you finally make your way to the local forge.
>Mjolna, of Mjolna’s Metal Works, greets you warmly.
>”I heard about your little exploits in town. I think Rainbow Dash and Mare-Do-Well better watch out.”
“Huh?”
>”Ah’ll tell ya on the way back. We gotta get a move on.”
>Right.
>After you get what you came for, you remember the money Anon gave you.
“I’d also like a pair of light tinted welding goggles if you’ve got them. My eyes are kind of light sensitive.”
>”Oh, you poor thing! Let me look at you. Yes, I think I have just the thing.”
>When she returns, Mjolna hands you some rather nice looking goggles.
>”Step outside and see if these do the trick.”
>The difference is amazing.
>No squinting.
>No watery eyes!
>You trot back in and throw your money on the bench.
“I’ll take ‘em!”
>Mjolna smiles and hands you back you bits.
>”Why don’t we just call them a reward for your brave actions today, hm?”
“Really? Thank you!”
>This is turning out to be a fantastic day.
>After finishing your business, you swing by Sugar Cube Corner.
>Pinky Pie brings out an absolutely ENORMOUS cake and sets it in Mac Attack’s wagon.
>It really seems like overkill, but, whatever.
>You decide not to question it too closely.
>You thank Pinkie Pie and, finally, start to head back to Sweet Apple Acres.
>The trip home is pretty quiet.
>After all the excitement you don’t really feel like starting a conversation.
>That’s why you’re surprised when your apple amigo chimes in.
>”You did real good today Miss Carnelian. I think a lot o’ ponies are gonna treat you a mite better from now.”
“Thanks, Big Mac.”
>You walk along for a minute, gathering your courage.
“Um, Big Mac? You don’t have to call me by my full name if you don’t want to. It’s kind of a mouthful. You can call me Nel if you like. That’s what they used to call me back home.”
>”Alright then, Nel it is.”
>YES!
>When you pull up to the barn at Sweet Apple Acres, Anon and Applejack both give you a look of disbelief.
”What the hay happened ta’ you two?”
>You remember that you’re covered in grime from the diamond dog’s tunnel and your partner is covered in scratches from the diamond dog himself.
>Plus all the stuff in the wagon.
>”It’s a long story.”
>”Eee-yup!”

Fin