@Nightmare Season
Turns out, Natural wasn't made for hot pursuits. She didn't catch up with the ponynappers even though she pushed as fast as she reasonably could, and travelled on the trail they already cleared out. Fatigue of several days on the road, non stop, even before this race started, proved to be too much of a burden. Seeing Baltimare glinting in the sunlight far away, without the carriage in sight, made her slump her shoulders in defeat, but she pushed on.
The city was as bad as usual - Natural rarely went into major cities because she hated the noise and all. Fortunately the flower proved substantioal in finding her way around and to some high-end hotel, where the party no doubt stopped. The carriage was there at least. A quick glance at her dirty clothes and ragged look told her all she needed - there as no way to even pass the doors looking like that. The mare pulled her wagon, with her last legs, to the outskirts of the city, where she knew of a camping site owned by a particulary laid back stallion she knew. Even without bits - and she made a solemn promise not to touch Peony's bit sack - they would come to an agreement that would allow her to stay for a bit.
By the time she had parked, washed and ate, it was late afternoon. With no clue when the ponynappers will board the train, she felt nervous the whole time - that they leave, and the trail goes cold. To make things worse, she haven't had a clue on how to even approach this situation - they were in the city, so violent acts were out of the question. She was cheated by rich ponies a few times and knew that she would be most probably thrown out if she asked the receptionist to hail Peony from the room. And that's the good outcome. Natural Order sighed, sitting on the steps of her wagon, kicking in the air with her hindlegs as her mane dried, let loose all over the place.
"It's just... hopeless..." - She slumped in defeat, unable to think of anything that just as much as might work.
Them she heard a commotion to the right. Glancing here, she saw a couple youngsters arguing over something with a pair of Police officers, who looked distinctively fed up with their present company. Natural cocked her head and mused over the idea. Her previous encounters with law enforcement weren't too good but... She rose up and went into the wagon, closing the doors with a kick. She walked over to the flower and said. "I think I have an idea. It's not perfect but, might work. I may be away for a few hours so... keep guard over the stuff, okay? And if I won't come back for the night... guess we're both screwed, and you'll need somepony else to carry you home. A-anyway, let's hope this won't happen - I'll go to the Police and tell them Peony got ponynapped, and we'll see if they believe me. Oh and I'll, uhh, give you some water, just in case. So... see ya?"
She made herself ready - meaning, tied up the ponytail - and went out, closing the doors with a key and giving it to the place's owner for safekeeping. He gave her a funny look when she asked about the nearest Police Station, but, turns out, it wasn't far. The sun was still high when she entered the intimidating building, a mix of hopes and fears keeping her on edge. Natural crossed the heavy doors and saw a reception of sorts, which she approached. The hall was mostly empty. With an awkward smile, she nodded at the officer behind the counter and said, matter of fact: "Um, hi... I uhh, I'd like to report a ponynapping."
Okay, so maaaybe that wasn't the worst idea she had in a while.Rubbing her forehead to calm a headache, caused by all thoses electrical lamps inside, Natural Order took a step outside of the Station. It was dark, and a bit cold, but they didn't lock her up, or thrown out as a liar. So that was something. Instead, she was questioned, thoroughtly, by some Detective what-was-his-name-again, who at least seemed to take it somewhat seriously. All those doubts, she wasn't sure anymore, but she did tell him everything, from the moment she saw the ad in Canterlot to now, and, for once, he seemed to believe her. As always, no promises made but, he got her adress - the camping site - and told not to leave the city till he verifies her claim. That was troubling, because she wouldn't e able to just walk away from it, or get back in pursuit. But somepony would no doubt check that Hotel to see if Peony was there, and if she stayed there on her own will. Natural nodded o herself weakly, reassuring herself that it was the best she could do in this tight situation. She walked back to the camping, retrievedthe key, and went straight to sleep. She didn't tell a word tothe flower, forgetting it was even there to be honest. The next day would maybe bring something new to the scene.