private Canterlot Noir (Nightmare Season, Raven Rawne, Dark Horse)

[Dark Horse 12,961]

 

@@Nightmare Season @@Raven Rawne,

 

"East... North... Down... S-spiral..? Erm..." Saffron twisted and moved his front hooves in awkward looking ways as he tried to take mental note of Peony's directions. He was used to simply turning right from his own room, not run an indoor maze. Peony seemed to notice this as well, because she soon decided it would be best for her to just take lead. Crystal followed, seemingly amused by the Stallion's plight, whom pretended not to notice her reaction.

 

Saffron stayed silent until they had descended the stairs to the lower level, where a coincidental knock came to the front door as they approached. Saffron suddenly felt very conscious of being something of an unwanted guest to anypony else who might have visited. It wasn't of typical custom for Upper Canterlot ponies to mingle much with those of the lower classes, even a fairly respectable citizen such as himself. At least he was dressed for the part.

 

Somewhat unsurprisingly to Saffron by this point, a servant pony seemed to materialize out of nowhere to come and answer the door. A bright red stallion stood waiting on the other side, looking as though he was in a bit of distress, and it didn't take Saffron long to figure out why. He had to drop his muzzle slightly and bite his lower lip in order to stop himself from laughing out loud at the stallion's sudden burst into a poetic cry for Peony. His figure of speech reminded Saffron of one performance in particular where his own character played almost identically, though the exact name of the play alluded him right now. Still, he had always assumed it to be a mocking exaggeration of aristocratic behavior, not something to actually encounter in somepony for real. This city was full of surprises...

 

The stallion then decided to just let himself in and approached the now timid-looking mare with a line of courtship, and Saffron quickly felt as though he was now interrupting something. He tried to find ways to distract himself, but it was hard not to acknowledge what was happening in front of them, especially when an entire entourage of ponies entered in from behind the red stallion, carrying several trays of flowers presented as gifts.

 

Mercifully, it seemed as though Peony had picked up on how awkward this must have been, because she quickly shooed the stallion out, who left looking pretty smug with himself. "Tch. What a showboat..." Saffron muttered under his breath. While Peony saw to his swift exit and those of the flower trays; Crystal took hold of him with a foreleg and privately expressed her concerns over the sudden guest with him.

 

"An interesting coincidence to be sure, Miss." Saffron whispered back in agreement, trying to simultaneously add what they had just witnessed to all they had learned so far. "But not enough for us to be sure of anything yet. And as you imply, 'twould seem as though this stallion is set to be courted with Peony as some form of alliance, likely between the two families. I think we would do well not to earn the ire of either house, and keep any investigations as quiet as possible." Crystal's reasoning made sense, but Saffron wasn't willing to bring down the rich and powerful on his head if things went pear-shaped. Not without further proof at least.

 

The crystal mare released her hold, and Saffron straightened up his tux before speaking: "I hope you had no prior engagements we're interfering with here, miss Peony?"

[Nightmare Season 617]

@@Dark Horse, @@Raven Rawne,

 

Peony turned back to the stallion still on the stairs. "Oh no love, I was not expect'n him this even'n. He is just some stallion my folks wish me to wed. Both families are into jewelry businesses, so they reckon we would do well by each other. I for one do not fancy how he looks down on the poorer ponies. Funny how he knew of my garden in the shape it's in. I have yet to show him around. So I do not figure he knew of the blue rose."

 

Peony then escorted her guests into a much larger day room by the main hall. She figure this would be the best place to ask all the servants about the crime. Twenty two servants were called to the room where they each was questioned. For Crystal and Saffron, they quickly learned how much her parents did not want her into flowers. None of the servants were aloud to help Peony with her garden. The very last servant that interrogated had the first clue.

 

The mare remembered that one day she was talking to some stallion in a restaurant a few days back. The only thing she remembered was he wore a cloak over himself and that he spoke in some accent she did not recognize. She let slip about seeing a blue rose in Peony's garden and he seemed interested in it. She told the three which restaurant it was in the middle class part of the city.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@@Nightmare Season,@@Dark Horse,

 

The cherry mare thought a bit about the stallion's imput. Especially how he seemed to be referring to rich families like some demi-states. Could things be really so different in Canterlot than back in the Empire? Well it would explain why she's treated the way she is by her current employers at least.

 

Hearing Peony shooting down her theory made Crystal both relieved and concernd, since they were stil in the dark. She followed the unicorn to a large day room, already starting to miss her own dress as she had to keep in mind this one was not a perfect fit... Since it was the time to ask the servants, she took a seat on one of the couches, since, apparently, it will take quite some time, judging by the amount of servants that seemed to be coming out of the woodwork.

 

(some time later)

 

She was mentally tired, and could use something to eat and drink, quite honestly. Twenty two ponies were questioned. How do they even earn so much to pay so many serfs? And maybe more importantly, why a family of three would need twenty two to attend to their needs? Canterlot was... positively insane. Not only that, but Crystal started to actyally feel sorry for Peony - it was crystal clear, pun unintended, that she was being discouraged, nay, barred, from fulfilling what clearly was her talent, because of family ambition. As if her parents couldn't just have another foal and hope they would take up the family business... Another reason to scratch Canterlot from the list of places where she can work. This city is just awful.

 

The mare rubbed her temples and closed her eyes as she speaked up: "A mysterious cloaked pony in a restaurant... Why they never pick a cue that ponies wearing cloaks in public spaces aren't necessarily the most trustworthy sort? At least I could have a bite to eat if we go there... oh and, uhh, I would really appreciate if you sent a note to my employers, miss Peony. It's not like they will resign from my services, but, I prefer being sincere with whoever I work for at the moment."

[Dark Horse 12,961]

@Raven Rawne @Nightmare Season,

"I see..." replied Saffron, a tone of suspicion to his voice. "Well it seems as though he is quite infatuated with you all the same."

Saffron didn't bother giving any more input than that, there wasn't time to be pointing fingers at every pony they came across, but he would keep the stallion in the back of his mind for now, just in case. He had a look about him that Saffron didn't like, and it wasn't just his usual distaste for snobby rich folk coming through. Something else about him was off... He would have to ponder it later. For now, Peony beckoned them to follow in order to begin questioning her servants.

--

A short time later, and the three had found themselves in yet another room, not too unlike the last they had rested in, though it was much larger, almost looking like a function room of sorts to Saffron's eyes, though he silently lamented the lack of efficient usage of space. He'd have killed to have this kind of space available at home.

Peony set to work quickly, and within a matter of minutes, no less than 22 servants were lined up in an orderly fashion before them, ready to be questioned. Saffron had to admit, he admired the efficiency the young mare and her servants displayed.

The questioning, unfortunately, did not go so smoothly. Some of the servants were obviously less than thrilled about being pulled from their work for what they saw as blatant interrogation, and it was hard not to sympathize with them, especially when it became obvious that most of them knew nothing about what had happened in the garden. It turned out that, although Peony showed great fondness for her flowers, her parents were less than enthusiastic about her choice in hobbies. In an obvious attempt to persuade her interests, they had forbidden the servants from offering any kind of assistance, and so none of them were anywhere near her flower beds when they had been vandalized, most attending to the private fields and crops that her household maintained for self-sufficiency.

Saffron levitated a notebook in front of him that, asides from a few minor trivialities, hadn't seen much use during the questioning. He glanced over to Crystal, who was looking similarly burnt out and tired. Neither of them, it seemed, had been able to learn anything useful. Perhaps they had started looking in the wrong place after all.....

Fortunately (or perhaps not so fortunately, Saffron thought, given they had to be the last in line..) the final servant questioned actually came forward with some relevant information. Saffron was seriously considering running up and yelling at the poor pony for not speaking up sooner and keeping them around all day, but resisted the urge. It turned out that the servant had been chatting with a hooded stallion in a restaurant, apparently one with a foreign accent, though she did not recognize from where. She had divulged to this hooded stranger about Peony's missing Blue Rose, and Saffron shook his head in disbelief over the servant making such an obvious error. "Weren't you ever told not to speak to strangers?" He said in a dismissively joking tone. "I don't suppose you could give us a name for this establishment? Middle Canterlot isn't exactly known for lacking in places to eat."

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, turning back to face his two companions. "My sincerest apologies. It's not my intention to provoke negativity, but I was hoping we would have more to go on than just a restaurant. Unless we find the remains of this stallions favorite soup near the flower beds, I don't know how much we could expect the business to tell us."

At that, the stallion's stomach grumbled; and he suddenly took note of how much time had passed since he last ate. "Hmph.. on the other hoof..." he added with a dry smile.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne, @Dark Horse

 

Peony was finally relived that they had some bit of news. A strange pony in a restaurant. Saffron had a good point and she asked the pony what restaurant. She got her answer, it was the Hay Filler dinner over by the theater. Though Saffron seemed more worried about that bit of news. Could he know the culprit?

 

Crystal Clear once again asked for that letter to her employers. "Oh sorry dear, I was work'n on it while we talked to the servants." Peony levitated over the paper she was using to write on. The two thought she was taking down notes. Guess she too thought the questioning was dull and wrote up the letter while asking questions. The letter contained an explanation on why Crystal Clear did not show up today, and how Crystal was helping out Peony Spring. To finalize it, Peony had pulled out wax and a seal and stamped it. "I pray that will suffice love?"

 

Peony went to one of the chefs and asked to have some food brought around for her and her guests. That was something the servants agreed to do, and they all scattered to do their jobs. "So what do you two think of the clue we have discovered?" Peony asked them when they became alone again. She then went over to the window and peered out at the landscapers working in her garden. "It feels positively strange seeing other ponies working with my flowers. Normally it would just be myself."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season @Dark Horse (something's not working...)

 

The cherry mare raised an eyebrow at being presented with a finished letter, and accepted it from the magic grasp into her hooves. "Hmm, I think it will prove most useful for pardoning my absence, yes. Thank you." She folded it neatly and looked for a pocket in the dress to temporarily hide it there while the unicorn mare asked the servants to prepare a meal for her and the guests. A free meal wasn't bad in Crystal's view.She looked up, hearing the question about their view on the clue. The mare patted her chin in thought. "I do have some... reservations over whether this lead will lead us further, sonce, they probably have dozens of guests every hour bit, let's just hope that particular individual caught the eye of other ponies. And that they will be willing to talk with us in the first place, we're not the Guard, after all." Crystal Clear tried to look outthrough the window from her seat, but couldn't see the portion of the garden her cart was parked in, so she just sat back and continued the conversation until a meal arrived. She wouldn't mind something stronger after that brain numbing questioning, to be honest. 

[Dark Horse 12,961]

@Raven Rawne @Nightmare Season

"The Hay Filler Diner..." Saffron reiterated to himself, being well familiar with the name. Located on one of the busier streets in Middle Canterlot, it was a popular destination for ponies of all kinds looking for anything from a quick rest stop to even a full course meal. While not the most lavish of establishments, it's affordable prices and relatively comfortable surroundings made it a frequently populated place. Saffron at least had never seen it empty except for when it was closed. If they were having to look for somepony there, he'd cynically believed that they'd need far more to go on than just a simple description.

"I sincerely hope that the diner hasn't seen an influx of hooded, shifty looking stallions in recent months. Otherwise our jobs may just become harder." Saffron said dryly, though holding a hint of honest concern behind his voice. "As you pointed out, Miss Crystal, it has no shortage of customers, and I'm not sure how kindly they'd take to three intrusive ponies creating a bad atmosphere by questioning them over a potential criminal having dined there." He stepped over to the large window, and gazed out over Canterlot's shining cityscape once again, before sighing low. "But... I suppose it is the only lead we have." He added with a resigned tone. "We simply have no choice."

Surprisingly, Peony didn't seem too disheartened by the circumstances, and instead ordered her servants to go and fix up a meal for the three. Saffron hadn't really been thinking of food up until the Diner was mentioned, but he silently appreciated the hospitality. It had been an eventful day so far, and he could do with stopping to rejuvenate for a while.

He sat himself down on a low armchair near the window, and pondered. He briefly considered going to ask some of his old friends from Middle Canterlot if they had seen anyone suspicious or unusual in the area, but then decided against it. Many of his old friends held even lower opinions of Upper Canterlot ponies than he did, and he did not want to add complications to their search. Besides, many of them he hadn't even seen for ages. When the troubled times that came with the industrial revolution fell, many of them had simply... disappeared. Over time he would hear rumors about some of them falling in with rough crowds and becoming criminals, but he refused to believe they were anything more than misinterpreted gossip.

He hoped.

"...Crystal?" He asked suddenly, looking over to the burgundy mare. "Forgive me for asking but... have the recent advances in industry affected your work in any way? Have the factories or new machines made it more difficult for you to sustain your work?" A sudden change of topic, but he felt compelled to ask how another independent worker like herself was coping against a sea of rapid industrial progress.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne@Dark Horse

 

Peony Spring looked away from the window back at her two companions in the room. She listened to Saffron and listened to Crystal's reply of the stallions question. When the two were done talking about work and the new machines, She walked over to them. "What would the two of you like to do from here? Go the the restaurant, or head to the forest to find the antidote."

 

By this time, the servants started bringing in what the other two believed to be a small feast. Defiantly not the kind of fancy food the two were use to. When the table was all set and the food presented before them. Peony sat down and motioned them to help themselves. "I pray this small meal would be adequate to you two. We can decide our next move on a full stomach."

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season@Dark Horse

 

The mare tisked at the mention of "causing bad atmosphere" in the diner. This will be hard, unless somepony greases the wheels with some coin... Bits have a magic of their own it would seem.

 

She looked up at he stallion, since he called her by name - "Yes?" The crystal mare shooked her head with a smirk, but then, resumed her politely neutral expression and answered. "Not really, no. For once, the Empire, after it reappeared, had been largely sheltered from the new advances of ponykind. Being flung a millenium into the future is enough to wrap your head around in one sitting, and the crystal Princess eased us gradually into ho the world looks like right now." She sighed. "Of course, the visitors tried to make quick buck off our... lack of tech savvy... but the new regulations give me hope that the Empire will stay Crystal some time longer. Until the Guild has enough sway in the Court at least... So, to answer your question, no, not really. I am a certified Master of Crystal, so I have plenty of work back home. Crystal ponies may like the new Equestrian shinies, but they like them wrapped in crystal, so we make a lot of cases and boxes lately. Not the most profitable orders, but it's something. And there's the new fashion for crystals down South. Rich ponies seem to love to show off their wealth by employing us, and the pay is adequatly high."

 

Crystal Clear though for a moment, as if wondering whether to add something more, then finished. "For now, I'm doing reasonably good, even if I have to work away from home every now and then, like now."

 

The cherry mare glimpsed the imflux of servants setting up the tables. The parade of trays seemed to have no end though... She perked an ear and looked back at Peony, who asked a question. "huh, hard to tell really. For once, pony memory is fleeting so time is against us in the diner, but the antidote is important too... But only crucial after three days. Considering that I'm not very thrilled with the prospect of visiting the white spot on the map called Everfree Forest - I haven't head much about it other than countless iterations of "don't go there" - personally, I'd start with the locale at hoof."

 

Apparently the tables were set and they were asked to take their seats. Crystal Clearwas pretty sure that she won't be able to hold any semplance of a reasonable diet by this table - too many interesting and tasty looking meals. She nodded at the unicorn mare and answered. "I believe it will be more than adequate, miss Peony, thank you." She narrowed her sapphore eyes, looking for the forst dish to fall victim to her appetitte.

 

 

[Dark Horse 12,961]

@Raven Rawne @Nightmare Season

Saffron nodded. At least some ponies were able to continue working comfortably. He had only visited the Cystal Empire once since it's sudden reappearance after 1000 years, he had hoped to find some new inspiration and even delve into a bit of personal research about the Empire and it's unique architectural designs and the culture of the crystal ponies themselves. However, he wasn't the only one who was interested, as he quickly found out upon arriving to streets almost as crowded as those of Canterlot itself. Tourists mostly, but there always seemed to be some sort of significant event going on near the Crystal Palace. It's leaders had done much to see it integrated back into Equestrian society, and while he could appreciate that, it did annoyingly mean that he could rarely find the space or even permissions to do what he needed to, and so his trip had been much briefer than he would have liked. He had always hoped to return some day, but for various reasons it had just never happened up until now.

"Hmph. No doubt the wealthy of Canterlot see crystal as yet another display of prestige. But I suppose it keeps you in business." Saffron mused. He still didn't like to think how much equivalent bits could be spent in getting even some of the Lower parts of the city functional again; instead of wasted on these, while aesthetically beautiful, still practically useless tickets.

He threw the thoughts from his mind. This was neither the place nor proper company for it, and they had more pressing issues at hoof than his own grievances right now. Instead, he focused his attention on the plates of delicious looking food being hurriedly set up for them by the ever efficient servant ponies. He resisted the urge, albeit with some difficulty, to just grab and eat before they had finished.

"I agree with Crystal." He said in response to Peony's query. "The antidote isn't going to go anywhere in the Everfree; but I fear that the longer we wait to track down this lead at the Restaurant, the less chance we have of finding critical information or evidence that might get cleared away, and we do so desperately require that right now above all else. An antidote will do us no good on its own."

He glanced down at the variety of plates laying in front of him, the mixture of exotic and familiar smells sending his stomach grumbling. As soon as the last maid had finally finished setting the tables; he delved into the nearest plate, not even bothering with the proper tables manners. He hadn't had the opportunity to eat this good for a long time, and he most certainly wasn't going to squander it. He'd be sure to thank Peony for it later.

'A small feast'. He thought to himself with amusement as he stuffed his muzzle with all he could fit in one bite. Ahh, the life of the privileged.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne@Dark Horse

 

Peony helped herself to the small feast that was presented to them. She did show the two how well mannered and "trained" she was with her table manners. Every bite she took, took great care on what silver-wear was used. Made sure that she never dropped anything, or got her mouth dirty.

 

When the three had finished their meal and were satisfied, the servants did a reverse and cleaned the table off is a timely manner. When the three were left alone once more in that room, Peony spoke up again. "Alright, so we will attempt to find the rose before any pony becomes enchanted by its entrapment? So the only thing we have to go on, is the restaurant. The Hay Filler. I can get us a carriage to take us there." Peony then looked out the window once more to look in on her garden and to see how the landscaper ponies were doing. She felt more nervous about them in her garden then having strangers help her track down an extremely rare rose.

 

"I shall go and get us that ride to the dinner. You two are welcome to remain here till I return." Peony left them in the day room as she went to go look for a servant to head out to get them the ride they needed. About ten minutes latter, Peony returned to her new companions.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season @Dark Horse

The cherry mare nodded slightly at the stallion's remark, nibbling on some unknown delicacy. "It;s the newest "in" trend and I intend to capitalise on it as much as I can, before the fashion shifts. My regular customers don't pay so well." She was hungry, sure, but also a proud member of a positively ancient race, and acted accordingly. Even if she didn't know why they had so many tableware to choose from and sticked to what seemed most comfortable of the bunch, Crystal ate at moderate pace, tasting various dishes of local upper class. Not the same as back home but, yeah, she could "get used to the taste" alright. Of course, she ate more tha she probably should, but it was worth it in her opinion. Looking at the small bulge at the ress made her miss her garment all the more.

 

Yhe servants seemed to work like enchanted, packing up everything as soon as they finished eating. Crystal resumed her "vigil" on a couch, and listened to the other mare as she relaxed. Tugging gently at the sleeves of her dress she nodded. "The sooner we get there, the bigger the chance to find somethng, yes..." She was a bit surprised with the urgency to get a carriage, of all things, and found heself pointing a hoof at empty air where Peony once stood, about to ask a question. Instead, she asked it to Saffron. "Um, you think they'll give us our clothes back? I like that dress..."

[Dark Horse 12,961]

@Nightmare Season @Raven Rawne

Saffron probably wasn't the most graceful of guests at the dinner table, but he was so hungry and the dishes so appealing that he simply didn't care. Once or twice he caught the sight of passer-by servants who shot him scornful looks at this complete lack of upper-class etiquette, something which he'd noticed Peony display with great care. Obviously it had been ground into her from an early age.

"A commendable work ethic I suppose." He said in reply to Crystal. "You're fortunate that Empire crystal has been in such high demand since its reappearance." Crystal seemed to be trying a little bit of everything, as if comparing it her own delicacies of the Crystal Ponies. Saffron understood that they were very proud of their ways and culture, and Saffron respected that. Though they could sometimes appear alien to him, he had always appreciated the rich and detailed history they carried, a people who were truly proud of their lands, even enduring through the dark times under the rule of King Sombra. The history of the Empire was one of Saffron's favourite topics of study.

Once they had finished, the servants cleared the tables in their usually efficient manner, and before long there was little evidence at all that they had even just ate, asides from three ponies looking slightly more plump. Saffron took his place on the low armchair and sank into the comfortable seat. After a meal like that; he could almost drift into slumber for a while... Fortunately, Peony was eager to get them moving.

"Oh, the way I feel now a restaurant would be the last place I'd want to visit.." Saffron stretched and groaned a little in the chair. "But I suppose we should make haste, before it closes for the evening.." He wasn't actually sure what time it was, having lost track of the day after all that had occurred, but he had to assume it was now well after midday. "And might I also say--"

But Peony had already left to arrange the transportation. Saffron chuckled and sat back in the chair again. That young mare didn't let anything slow her down. Crystal seemed to notice it as well, as she redirected a question towards him. "Hmm. I hadn't thought of that. I would assume that they have been thoroughly cleaned by now? I mean, the tuxedo is nice on me." He brushed at his collar a bit. "But it would be a bit conspicuous at the Hay Filler. Upper-Class ponies wouldn't normally dine there. I suppose we could ask when she returns.."

It was about 10 minutes before Peony finally returned to them; seemingly satisfied that the appropriate arrangements had been made. "Everything ready, Miss Peony?" Saffron inquired.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne@Dark Horse

 

Peony came back with a slight smile on her lips. Right behind her was a servant that carried the freshly washed and ironed clothing of the manor's guests. "Well dearies, I have a servant head'n off to obtain us a coach to the Hay Filler Dinner. Also, your articles of cloth'n were finished and properly folded. So if you two wish to change back into your own attire, we should have just enough time till our ride arrives."

 

As Peony said, as soon as the two were back into their own clothing, a servant came by to announce that the coach had arrived for them to head for it. Peony, in her fancy dress headed off with her flower on her back. Saying that it would tell them if they got close to the blue rose.

 

As the party left the front doors, the two noticed the coach. It was fancy enough to be used by ponies heading off the the Grand Galloping Gala. Peony seemed to have spared no bits on their ride, They definitely will stand out once they got to the middle class district. Peony was helped inside the coach first followed by the crystal mare than the stallion.

 

When all was on board, the driver started to get the ride started and on their way. The view of upper district was wonderful and beautiful, Then past one gated wall, they found themselves in the middle district. The view was completely different that what was on the opposite side of the wall they passed. A few minutes passed as they then found themselves pulling up in front of the dinner that was named during their questioning.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season @Dark Horse

 

The crystal mare nodded and patiently waited for their host's return. Truth be told, she could use a break after the meal but, since she kind of committed to this... case... it would be rude and, quite possibly dangerous in the long term to just get off this cart and trot in her merry way. The wait gave her some time to ponder over her current situation, strange as it was. Seeing Peony come back, and with her dress no less, was a relief. "Ah, I was starting to worry it was sold to somepony so they could copy the Crystal Empire style and cut... that was a jest, worry not miss Peony. but I;d gladly put it back on, yes."

 

Crystal's mood improved once she was back in her own attire. Somehow the "reunion" was made even better by the fresh scents of some kind of perfume they used on the outfit. One last readjustment of the wide brimmed hat, and she could go. Of course, checking back on the tool cart beforehoof - priorities are priorities, and no Master worth her crystal would leave her tools like some common items. Still, their host/crime victim's decisivenes to take that flower with her was... peculiar. And that coach looked just so... hat was the word? Again? Like an eyesore, with all those reliefs in, no doubt expensive, wood, with gold and silver all over the place. Canterlot was so strange to her, with thos ostentatious displays of wealth. Still, she accepted te invitation to get inside and made herself comfortable in the cushioned seat.

Since nopony was up or a talk, it seemed, Crystal Clear took to the window and observed her surroundings. A clock on one of the houses said it was half past one, and it shocked the mare, but other clocks they passed by confirmed the reading. And while she had no love lost for the Canterlot architecture style, she begrudgingly admitted before herself that at least it's consistent enough to be esthetically pleasing to the eye, with those miniture towers, fountains, gardens...

A jolt shook the carriage as one of the wheels got into a pothole - a sure sign they were in the Midle Level, as the locals called it. Just one glance outside confirmed it. Simple decor, if any, tall and narrow buildings put side by side, like bricks, forming walls of houses, with shops and other businesses on the ground floor. The gates were like portals to other places, it seemed - the city changed so dramatically as soon as they rolled down from the Upper Level, you could hardly tell it was the same city. But, the buildings and overall style, plain as it was, looked Canterlot enough. The ponies were also less richly dressed, and there were no carriages like theirs around, just cabs.

Eventually, the carriage pulled up by one of many, seemingly the same buildings on the corner of two streets. "The Hay Filler" was located on it's ground floor. "Not that bad, actually..." - Crystal idly comented on the establishemt's look from the outside. And it seemed to have a lot of guests too. She waited for the doors to open as the driver would inevitably do the honors and let them out, Peony first.

[Dark Horse 12,961]

@Raven Rawne @Nightmare Season,

Saffron needn't have asked twice. Efficient as ever; not only had Peony already arranged the transportation; she had also seemingly read the minds of her guests (Saffron inwardly forced himself to believe it was nothing more than a coincidence) and had returned with their freshly cleaned and pressed clothing; Saffron's travel cloak looking as though it had just come straight off the production line. "Ah! Thank you kindly my dear. I wouldn't want to ruin this tuxedo of yours in case things got a little messy later on." Saffron said, although really he just felt glad that he change back into something a bit more familiar to him. This high life stuff, while admittedly having its perks, didn't really suit his personality, nor opinion of the upper classes.

A brief change later; and Saffron found himself staring into a large stand mirror in the corner of the room, well pleased at the handy work Peony's servants had done to the cloak. It looked even better now than the day he acquired it, a new shine and feel to it that he had never really got before. Splendid! Crystal seemed equally pleased with her own newly worked dress, whilst Peony had changed herself into something quite fancy for the occasion. "Heh. So much for being conspicuous." He chuckled to himself. No matter. The important thing now was to get there.

Before long, Peony's transportation had arrived, and oh Celestia! Peony hadn't so much arranged for a cart as so much a Gala night stagecoach, at least that was the only place Saffron had ever seen them in use. He felt as though he should make another comment about the benefits of maintaining a low-key in these investigations, but he couldn't quite manage to bring the words out, instead being stuck in awe at the magnificent carriage. Before he even realized where he was; he was inside the opulent carriage with the two mares and off down the road.

It took at least a minute for him to regain his composure and focus on his surroundings again. Both Crystal and Peony seemed lost in thought at the moment, Peony no doubt still concerned over her missing rose and Crystal in observance of their surroundings: the pristine cityscape of Upper Canterlot shining around them. Saffron would have done the same, but he'd honestly felt as though he'd seen enough for one day. This wasn't his home, and he had to remember that, and while the Ponies of Upper Canterlot enjoyed their cushy lives, things were considerably more difficult for those beneath them. Or at least... that's what he'd believed until this morning. After all, if something like this could happen to a family like Peony's...

A sudden jolt of the carriage pulled him from his thoughts, and a quick glance out the window gave the reason for it. The shining, clean white streets had been replaced with a much more modest scene. Simple, functional buildings lined the streets. Considerably smaller in width than anything in the Upper Levels, but easily much taller, designed to allow multiple tenants and families to share the same space. Some of the streets were separated by small parks or rest areas, but nothing too fancy or captivating like Peony's personal flower garden. Several different looking ponies trotted through the streets, most wearing considerably more casual clothing, some in smarter looking business suits, but none in anything too formal. It made Saffron all the more glad to have changed out of the tuxedo. Although he imagined their arrival in this richly looking carriage was drawing more than a few looks. Almost all the transportation around these parts were simple cabs.

Despite all this, the stallion felt glad to be back in his own element. These were his streets, and while he wouldn't go as far as to suggest he knew them all off by heart, he had a good feeling his experiences growing up here may yet come in handy.

Soon the carriage pulled up outside their destination: The Hay Filler. One of my more prominent establishments of Middle Canterlot, the Hay Filler catered to all clientele so long as they paid. It generally did good business, and Saffron could see that today was no exception. The diner looked rather busy, as he had feared. Hopefully this wouldn't make things more difficult for them.

"Packed as always." Saffron sighed to the others. "I suppose the best place to start would be with the counter staff. They often say that the barkeep hears and sees everything. Let's see how true that is." He waited for the others to disembark ahead of him.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne@Dark Horse

Peony Spring was the first to disembark from the luxurious carriage. She waited for the other two got out before she headed for the front doors. Inside, Peony almost stumbled over herself. The sight she saw took her breath away, and not in a good way. She was so use to high class get together, the simple hustle and bustle around her left her uncomfortable. The number of ponies also made her uncomfortable as well.

 

The three of them split up to gather some clues or information that could lead them to the culprit. Peony had the most difficulties, none of the ponies even spoke to her. The wealth difference was a huge gap she did not know how to bridge. Crystal had better luck speaking to them, but her being a foreigner also made it so no pony wanted to say to much. The Stallion on the other hoof, he was well liked in such a crowed and the ponies talked to him.

 

After a good thirty minutes or so, one of the waitresses gave the first bit of helpful information. Peony found herself surrounded by ponies giving her a hard time about her attire. Crystal had to step in to get the lugs off of her. Saffron waved the two mares over to him so they could listen to what the waitress knew.

 

Apparently another one of the waitresses did not turn up for her shift that morning. Apparently she was acting strange the day before and just did not turn up. She also vaguely remembered that this same waitress was talking to a hooded stallion in the ally the day before the crime took place. With a little bit of bits from Peony, Her lips were loosened enough to tell the trio her address. "Well dearies, seems we have a lead that seems promising. Shall we head to her place of residence to inquire what she knows?" Peony asked the other two.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season @Dark Horse

The crystal mare hopped off the carriage, eager tobe done with this part of their "investigation". All in all, the quiet ride gave her some time to think and, quite frankly, she had no idea why she didn'twalk away already. Well, maybe because she was stuck in this city for a few months and there was no telling what would happen in that period of time if the blue rose gets loose? Or her parents raised her too well.

Anyway, there she was, holding the door to the diner and glancing around, not sure where to start.Once the trio was inside, Crystal frowned at the crowd and pointed a hoof to the left. "So... I'll try this side? I can almost feel they will throw us out for disturbing the patrons." The crystal mare took a deep breath, and donned her "trust me, I'm a clueless crystal pony" smile, then waded into the crowd, starting from witers and more friendly looking clients.

It... didn't go too well. Crystal Clear tried ll her tricks and even offered to buy something from the bar for exchange of information but, either nopony knew who she was looking for or, they didn't want to tell. Not that they were particularily talkative at all, come to think of it. At one point, she noticed the unicorn standing by a large table and, apparenly, getting an earful from the patrons that sat there. Since Crystal Clear had no leads yet, she decided to step in. She simply dragged Peony off-site ehile giving the ponies at the table a death glare. Only once the insults stopped and they were nearly on the other end of the diner did she let go of Peony, and looked up at her. "Don't argue, walk away. or smack the in a snout, that works too, but it's also much more risky. Trust me, I know what it means to stand out and get unwanted attention. Oh, seems our friend has something,,," She led the unicorn to Saffron who, apparently had a lead.

Not what she hoped for, but solid enough to pursue - a missing waitress. Once the trio was finally outside of the diner and off everypony's back, Crystal Clear breathed out in relied and massaged her face muscles from all the idiot smiling. "Ugh, I suppose so... Although I've got a baaad feeling about this... disappearance. Do we know how she looked like? In case we bump on the street while she's already under the influence of your rose, just to mention the brighter option."

[Dark Horse 12,961]

@Raven Rawne @Nightmare Season

Saffron waited as the two mares disembarked from the luxurious carriage steps before following them. Ladies first after all, he thought to himself, still hoping that their rather opulent entrance hadn't aroused too much attention. Sure enough, a few heads had turned to see who the occupants of this slice of Upper Canterlot were, and Saffron quickly found himself shuffling along, trying to hide his face as they made their way inside the Hay Filler. The last thing he wanted right now was for somepony he knew to catch him in this situation.

Of course, whatever fears he might have had about being recognized outside were essentially tripled when they stepped inside the popular diner. It didn't look this large from the outside! There tables everywhere; all lined up in a fairly symmetrical fashion, and occupied by an average of 3-4 ponies each. In the back of the restaurant was a separate seating area with even larger tables. These ones seated by multiple families or parties, each lined up by what looked to be dozens of ponies of all kinds. Saffron groaned. This wasn't going to be easy. Poor Peony looked even more out of her element. She was glancing around wildly with a look of pure bewilderment and nervousness. Obviously this was not the kind of environment an upper class pony like herself was accustomed to. Saffron gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder as he stepped forward.

Crystal looked as though she had suddenly realized a terrible mistake, but seemed to take it in stride and said she would try her luck with the patrons on the left hand side. Saffron nodded, and let Peony handle the other side, while he would take care of the busier tables towards the rear.

It was a job to even get there. Two or three times the stallion was almost knocked off his hooves by a rushing waiter or patron, and he very nearly tripped over a young filly who was playing on the floor. Then a waiter came over and tried to usher him towards an empty seat, assuming he was here as a customer, and getting very annoyed when Saffron tried to question if he had "seen anything unusual or funny" the last few days, snapping that he had work to do and muttering something about "time wasters" under his breath as he stomped away. Shaking his head, Saffron turned his attention back towards the tables.

Thankfully, the families at the tables were much more courteous to a fellow Stallion of Middle Canterlot, and he even came across a couple of familiar faces. To his relief, none of them had noticed him enter with Crystal or Peony, and so didn't question him about it, but he still had some difficulty trying to get as much information from them as possible without sounding too intrusive. Many of them kept trying to get him to sit down and have a drink; or trailed off on long-winded stories and topics that were of no real help. Saffron was about ready to give up, before finally a young mare who had been sitting rather quietly by herself in a corner spoke of seeing a strange hooded stallion who had been lurking outside the establishment, only speaking on occasion to one of the waitresses. She wasn't able to give any more detail on the stallion beyond that, but Saffron was convinced that it could not be a mere coincidence. Middle Canterlot had it's fair share of crooks, sure, but the majority of them would usually be far more subtle about it and try not to dress suspiciously, like in a hooded cloak outside of a restaurant during the day. What was this Stallion's deal?

Trying to follow up; Saffron approached one of the duty managers and asked if he could speak with the Waitress who had been seen with the hooded figure. The manager, however, simply shot him a stern glare and retorted that the Waitress had not shown up for work for the past two days, giving no reason for her absence, and then accused Saffron of knowing something about it! It took the stallion quite a long time to convince the obviously distressed manager otherwise. This place must have been really desperate for staff in the busy season... Thinking quickly, the brown stallion offered to go and check on the Waitress at her home to see if she was alright. The manager dismissively scoffed, but gave Saffron the address of where she lived, obviously eager to just have the stallion leave. "I'll let her know you're missing her dearly..." Saffron sarcastically quipped as he turned away.

He returned to his two companions, and couldn't help but notice that both the two mares had looked as though they had been involved in a brawl or something, their dresses looking rather ruffled and considerably less cleaner than he had remembered them. "Please don't tell me that you two beat the information out of somepony?" he joked with a sly grin, trying to lighten to mood. "I'm sorry Peony. The locals around here don't take very kindly to upper class ponies showing off their wealth. Things have been pretty rough ever since... he paused, "Well ever since everything.." He finished rather vaguely, none to keen to remind himself of the sorry state many working-class ponies now found themselves in.

"I couldn't get much of a physical description." Saffron replied to Crystal's query, the poor mare looking in pain from all the smiling, "If nothing else, we have a lead. But I don't suppose there's anything we can do to determine if a pony is under the influence of this 'Rose', is there Peony? No tell-signs or techniques, tools we can use? ...What about that flower of yours?" He was hoping not to have to rely on what seemed like 'voodoo' to him, but it could be dangerous to approach this Waitress if she really had been affected. They were on the back-hoof, and they needed all the help they could get right now.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne@Dark Horse

 

Peony listened to Crystal's question and before she could ask the same, Saffron had spoken up and answered. Then it was her turn to be asked a question from the stallion. "Well dearies, one sure sign is they will act as though the only thin' in the world will be some pony else, Lack of memories is another. Flower here will also know, but I do believe will will know once this pony starts to speak to us. That is if we can find her."

With that, the trio climbed into the carriage that was waiting for them. Before Saffron climbed in, he gave the ponies pulling it the address of where they wished to go next. The area was on the other side of the middle class section of the city. This gave them plenty of time to look out the windows at the liveliness of the streets. Some were decent, others seemed like back allies. After an hour, the carriage pulled up to a simple lower wealth home nestled into several others. The drivers called back that they arrived.

Once Peony climbed out, the few ponies around took notice of her. Seems that the wealthy ponies rarely were ever seen in this neighborhood. Crystal once again had to come and pull her away from a crowed that was gathering. A couple even asking if she was a crystal pony. Saffron had went straight to the door of the waitress they were looking for. Almost immediately a young mare came dashing to the door and opened it. "Oh my wonderful sweety bear, have you returned for me?" She asked almost immediately. Seeing Saffron made her somewhat sad, but she still looked as though she was the happiest mare in the world.

As Peony and Crystal came up to Saffron, the waitress just turned and walked back inside rehearsing a horrible poem to was making up on the fly for this unknown lover of hers, seeming in a trance like state. "Oh my stars! It seems she is indeed under the effects of the blue rose." The trio followed her inside to question her.

The three found this line of questioning to be far harder than back at the dinner. The mare could not focus long enough to really answer any of their questions fully. She kept jumping back to her "sugar bear" and how much she loves him and will wait for his return. The most they got out of her was he was a light brown stallion with orange mane and tail that takes work from rich ponies.

"Well loves. Seems we can't get much more out of her than that. We could seek the cure for her, or one of you could beat her silly. Should still be within the time limit for that to work. Or do we seek this stallion she is head over hooves for?"

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season @Dark Horse

The crystal pony muttered something unoptimistic as they boarded the carriage. Crystal Clear sat by the window and looked outside,  busy with her own thoughts and rather uninterested in pursuing a discussion with her company, since, by her estimate, things weren't going too well. Not to mention the missing mare they were about to look for...

As previously, the carriage proved to have neigh magical qualities for focusing the collective attention of ponies in it's vicinity. The cherry mare was a bit perplexed by this phenomenon - back home, ponies would, at most, look at the decor but here in Canterlot, it's more like the carriage was some invader who rolled out from another world.  Looking at the obvious difference in wealth between a typical Middle and Upper City resident,  these were entirely different worlds indeed...

 

The crystal mare was suddenly awaken from her mixture of daydreams and introspection as the carriage stopped abruptly.  The drivers must've nearly missed the adress. Peony went outside as the first, and Crystal followed. The neighbourhood was more or less the same as where the crystal mare had her temporary quaters. No luxuries but at least the place was clean. A moment of looking around was enough to gather attention, as some ponies started gathering around Peony again.  Saffron was by the door so Crystal Clear rolled her eyes and went to het the mare out of another oppression. "Uhg, come on miss, no chit chat on the sidewalk..." This focused some attention on her too, but Crystal knew better than entertain with any retorts. She ground her teeth,  nearly dragging Peony to the door and doing her best not to snap at the inquiries about her racial belonging. 

Seeing the waitress, obviously affected by that accursed flower only worsened the cherry mare's mood. She ushered Peony inside and closed the door with a heavy sigh.  "At least she's alive..." She took a seat on an old couch and asked only a few questions,  since the waitress was obviously in no fit state for providing much information. As others struggled with the interrogation,  Crystal decided to look around the apartment. The search proved to be fruitless - if you exclude the sink full of dirty dishes and other hints that the occupant was uninterested in anything but the subject of her curse. Once Peony asked what to do now,  Crystal had a pretty clear idea. She grabbed a blanket that was laying on the floor and started meticulously wrapping it around her right foreleg. Maybe it was just dim inside, but she looked like her polished stone-like coat lost some of its luster. As the cherry mare locked her eyes on the waitress, her intent was obvious - and so was the fact that she wasn't thrilled with what she was about to do. She deadpanned: "Just give me a moment here, I can't stand seeing her like that."

She was about to take the first step towards the oblivious waitress when she felt a hoof on her shoulder. Looking up, it was Saffron. Crystal Clear frowned deeply, but loosened the blanket around her foreleg with some measure of relief. "I reckon you have a better idea?"

[Dark Horse 12,961]

@Nightmare Season @Raven Rawne,

Their business at the diner completed, Saffron was only all too happy to board back onto that carriage as quickly as possible, doing his best to not draw any more attention to himself. Once they had all clamoured back in, the carriage quickly took off to their next destination as numerous heads continued to twist and and turn while they rolled past. Saffron let out a long, hollow sigh and slumped back slightly in his seat. Things so far hadn't gone quite as well as he'd hoped, a sentiment that Crystal seemed to share, because she was looking even less impressed than he was. Saffron couldn't help but notice the sudden change in her mood ever since they had arrived in the Middle sectors. It was almost as if someone or something had been continually bothering her since leaving the mansion. Maybe she was just tired or frustrated by their so-far lack of any real progress. Saffron chose to believe that rather than pry too deeply into her personal affairs. Right now, she didn't look at all in the mood to speak or even acknowledge the other two, so the stallion left her to her thoughts and returned his own gaze out the opposite window.

Hmm... so what would somepony want with this rose? He thought to himself as they passed by bustling streets of grey stone and condensed blocks of buildings, giving the streets outside a tone of cold lifelessness. He supposed that there could have been many ponies on the streets of Middle Canterlot that had become desperate enough in their situations to try anything that might help improve it. The fear of being forced into the Lower sections of Canterlot, often described as a prison-like environment where the poorest of ponies were segregated from the rest of society, would be enough of a driving force to anypony's mind. It was possible that somepony had mistakenly convinced themselves that stealing this rose could somehow help. Peddle it off to the highest bidder perhaps. A rose with those kind of powers would be sure to fetch a high price. His mind briefly flicked back to the aloof red Stallion who had accosted Peony back at her home. Yes.. a Pony desperate to woo the affections of another with a treasure trove of Bits to spare. The perfect kind of client.

Unfortunately, that still didn't give Saffron any kind of indication as to who stole the Rose originally. That would be much harder to predict. There were many, many Ponies who were scared and desperate for their future in these times, the industrial revolution having left many out of a job or without the skills now necessary to perform them. Saffron swallowed down a lump in his throat as he glanced his own reflection in the glass of the carriage door. What if one day, it was him who grew desperate...?

He shook the thought from his head. Now was not the time. Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, he glanced over at Peony. Unlike himself and Crystal, she didn't look particularly troubled by her thoughts. Saffron silently admired her for it. She was deep inside unfamiliar territory where her very appearance would cause strife and conflict, something she had already experienced first hand at the restaurant, and yet she was determined to carry on. He could understand the desire to stop the Rose's power from being misused, but the Stallion suspected that there was more to it than that. Peony obviously cared deeply for her garden; an escapism from her hectic and demanding day-life, something that her parents had not fabricated or controlled for her. It was her own personal achievement, and Saffron could see why she would go to great lengths to protect it.

"Ooof!" Saffron was suddenly thrown forward violently as the carriage came to an abrupt halt, forcing him to grab one of the window curtains to prevent him from flying across the cabin. These cabin drivers didn't much match the kind of driving style one would come to expect from ferrying around the upper class. Looking out, he seen that they had stopped in a very clean but otherwise unremarkable neighbourhood. Saffron knew these kind of neighbourhoods well, and he actually had hoped to move out to one of them someday, back when times were easier. Seeing it now, however, just made him all the more annoyed at how quickly those dreams seemed to be slipping away from him.

While he mused, Peony and Crystal stepped out; and he quickly followed in tow, brushing past the two to head straight to the door of their destination. He wanted to get the information and get out, before he or his companions could cause any more potential ruckus.

Too late it seemed...

As if the other ponies all had a sensor in their heads that went off at Peony's presence, there was already a considerable crowd accosting the poor Mare. Some even threw sharp comments at Crystal as she moved in to pull Peony away. Seems that Crystal Ponies weren't well appreciated either, treated with suspicion and hostility for being outsiders to Canterlot. Saffron only shook his head at the display. "They're all so afraid of leaving their bubbles."

Turning back, he knocked lightly on the door with a hoof, and then very quickly regretted it when he was met nigh-seconds later by an overly-enthusiastic waitress screaming in delight that her "sweety bear" had come back to her. It took several awkward and frantic seconds for Saffron to convince the Mare that he was not, in fact, the Stallion of her dreams, though this didn't seem to have much an affect on her mood towards him, and before the Stallion could say anything else, she was up away and into the house, reciting a rather gushy sounding poem to nopony in particular.

"Ahh... so these are the more umm... pronounced affects?" He said in a bewildered response to Peony. "Well, at least she seems quite content in her own little wonderland.. let's see if we can't get anything a bit more coherent from her, shall we?" He suggested, stepping into the house with the two mares in tow.

It seemed like a very tall ordeal. Having sat themselves and the waitress down in one room, they were forced to listen to the same gushy poem being repeated over and over, being broken up only by the lovesick Mare going on and on about her "sugar bear", with whom she was annoyingly vague in his description, and other anecdotal trivialities. She seemed almost possessed, unable to think straight, and before long both Saffron and Peony were looking distinctly fed-up and nursing headaches. Crystal had just given up entirely and decided to search the room rather than continue with the fruitless conversation. "Wish I'd thought of that..." He muttered under his breath.

Several agonizing minutes later, and they had gotten all they could from the Waitress. At best, another description to go off, but nothing very substantial. Peony queried for the next step, but before Saffron could answer, Crystal had taken it upon herself to act for them. Now utilizing a blanket wrapped around her foreleg and giving the lovestruck Mare a confrontational glare, her intentions to Saffron were all but clear.

He quickly stepped forward and held her shoulder back with a hoof, meeting her surprised gaze with a disapproving look of concern. The Crystal Mare appeared quite stressed over something, and even the gleaming shine of her coat seemed to have dulled in the last while. He supposed that he couldn't blame her, but still...

"When I asked earlier if you had beaten up any Pony for information in the restaurant, I hope you realized that I was joking?" He asked in a rhetorical fashion, but still with a sense of concern behind his voice. "It's not this poor Pony's fault that she acts this way; obviously whomever posses the Rose has coerced her in some way, though for what purpose I cannot say. What is important is that we have a description and a general idea of where to look. She mentioned a Stallion who takes work from the Upper classes, not too unlike yourself Crystal." He said, and was pleased to see that the Crystal Pony had collected herself.

[Nightmare Season 617]

@Raven Rawne @Dark Horse

Peony watched as the mare wrapped the blanket around her fore-hoof, not really sure why she was doing it until she started for the waitress. "Oh my stars love!" She said as she was getting ready to try and stop her. Thankfully, Saffron had stepped in first to stop the intended assault. "We may, if I may say so, might want to search for the cure instead. Don't want to see any violence. Though I think it best if we find the thief first. If he works for a pony in upper Canterlot, then the gate guards would see him."

 

After Saffron got the blanket off Crystal's hoof, they all left the love sick mare alone. The carriage was still waiting for the three and they climbed inside. Once all were in, the driver took off back to Upper Canterlot. This time Peony looked very sad and concerned. The blue rose had been used. By accident or intent she did not know. All she knew now was that they needed to find the culprit before real harm can be done.

 

The ride stopped at the gate. There the three climbed out. This time the ponies around did not seem to nosy about the fancy carriage that stopped. The three split up to start questioning the guards. As they were doing so, a postal pony delivered a letter to Peony. She went to the other two after reading it. "Dearies. Seems I am summoned to Richly Fabulous' mansion, says he might have information on who destroyed my garden last night." She told them in a tone not to thrilled about the invite. "Will you two be alright with my absent? I will have a carriage sent here to pick the two of you up to return to my place. Can you also look after my flower loves? Don't want it inside his mansion."

Edited June 11, 2017 by Nightmare Season

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

@Nightmare Season @Dark Horse

The crystal mare was less than thrilled by the wordplay, and just stared at Saffron as he went over his musings. And now Peony chimed in too...

Crystal Clear rolled her eyes unceremoniosuly and sighed, shaking the blanket off her foreleg back into the floor. "I would much appreciate if you refrained from comparing me to that... individual. You don't know me, or my kin to make such paralells. And frankly, I've no intent to step hoof in the Everfree. Little I may know of it, but it's more than enough to know better than to trot in there." She glanced at the waitress and headed for the door. "Since you won't let me do the right thing - and I do believe it;s the leser evil in this case - then we better head off to the gate."

She didn't even look back to see what others did - the crystal mare needed some fresh air, lest she knew things would take a bad turn. The carriage was stil parked on the treet, a golden eyesore in the bare neighbourhood. Crystal Clear waited till Peony climbed in, standing by the steps like a snarky aide, then hopped in herself, swishing her tail like a whip in the air. At least her coat looke normal now. or maybe it brightened by some inner fury? Crystal ponies are strange like that...

The ride was shorter than previous ones, and the cherry mare didn't daydream, but rather look out of the window as if she was offended by the lack of crystals everywhere, flexing a foreleg absentmindedly, as if planning to strike a chisel with it. Once they had solid pavement underhoof, she was still upset, but less severely than when she embarked the vehicle. The prospect to talking with guards did little to improve her spirits, but Crystal made a couple steps away from her present company and breathed deeply for a few spells to cool down. That, at last, worked. More or less. At least she didn't have to drag Peony out of another mob lynch in the making. With the practiced smile plasteres on her snout, Crystal Clear walked back to others and asked in her "clueless crystal pony" voice: "Shall we?"

Being an outsider can be a pain sometimes. Especially if you're trying to get information that raises eyebrows. Crystal Clear trotted over to a pair of very bored guards who were chatting about something in the shade of the gate proper. they quickly acknowlendged her approach and straigtened out, trying to look professional or something. Crystal wasn't sure how to approach the subject, and posed her question rather awkwardly - asking whether they saw a stallion matching the descrition, added that she's looking for him, and made a hopeful smile. One actually tried to recall, but the other just waved a hoof dismissively, pointing that they see dozens of ponies every hour. Hedid point her to another guard, however, saying something about hat one having "an eye for stallions". Crystal wasn't sure what that meant, but thanked them nad went to a lone guard leaning over his spear in a guard box. Turned out he didn't have much to add, other than smartflank quips. The cherry mare ground her teeth, but thanked him for "help", and was about to try another guard when Peony waved her to approach. Saffron was also present. So was the "flower", for clarity's sake.

Truth be told, Crystal's hopes were raised, and then dashed expertly right there and then. Before she knew, she was standing on the sidewalk, with safron and that strange plant between them, like foals who's parents forgot to pick up from kindergarden. "So... she doesn't want her flower to hear that stallion's banter? How thoughtful of her." The mare looked up at her companion and asked sincerely. "care for something light to drink? I should have a few bits on me, unless the cleaners lifted them off off my dress. Might as well sit in the shade while we wait. Any leads so far? I've got nothing to be frank. Ponies around here seem to be rather... unhelpful to a living relic like me." She sighed an her ears drooped, then looked around at the unfamilliar street. "It's easy money, they said... grab the bits while they're laying on the ground." Crystal chuckled humorlessly. "Should've stayed home and poor, eh?"

[Dark Horse 12,961]

@Raven Rawne @Nightmare Season

Saffron frowned as Crystal left the room looking and sounding thoroughly displeased. He wished that he could have said something more to reassure her, but frankly he was finding it difficult enough to keep himself convinced at the moment. Chasing names and vague, unfounded cures to a bizarre product of nature wasn't exactly how he had envisioned his day going either. Even so; he had gone too far down the rabbit hole to not see it to its conclusion now. So with a short inhale and exhale to reassert himself, he turned to exit the building, giving an unsure goodbye to the fawning waitress. Hopefully Peony was correct and the effects would wear off gradually by itself over time.

Outside, the gleaming bodywork of the carriage still drew eyes from all over. Saffron was half expecting it to be overturned and on fire by now, but he supposed that the fairly burly looking stallions who pulled the contraption were enough of a deterrent against any petty vandalism. Crystal let Peony enter, then followed herself without giving so much as a second glance towards him, though her body language said it all. He wondered if this was the normal attitude for Crystal Ponies? He couldn't have been sure, but it was satisfactory enough for him to take it as the reason for her sudden agitations.

Come now Saffron... who are you trying to convince?

Shutting the door behind him with an affirmative *Click!*, the carriage set off, leaving the dusty, crowded streets behind.

--

It wasn't long before Saffron felt the carriage slow to halt, right on the border gate that separated the two districts. The grand and impressive wall felt equally as oppressive to his eyes. A solid reminder that he and all the other ponies of Middle Canterlot were different. Segregated. Not welcome within the 'world' of the wealthy unless they deemed it so. They didn't care what happened to them, so long as they stayed within their own divide of the city and didn't intrude on theirs. It was a curtain. A means for them to sweep the problems of the rest of Canterlot underneath a rug and not have to think about it.

And he hated it.

But now was not the time for an ideological critique. He'd have to keep focused, to show that their was at least one cool head working between them here, because Crystal had to take a few moments to seemingly calm herself down upon disembarking, and Peony seemed more concerned than ever about the status of the Blue Rose. He stayed with her momentarily, unable to really offer any advice but nevertheless hoping that putting on a calm face would ease her nerves. He didn't have to try for very long, because a rather out-of-breath looking mailpony soon appeared to deliver a letter to the young mare, who read it without hesitation.

"Richly Fabulous?" He snorted in disbelief at the name. "Please tell me that's not the flashy red Stallion with his eyes unwaveringly set on you? Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if he just fabricated some story about events so as to try and impress you. I'm not asking him for advice."

From the tone of her voice, Peony didn't seem all that thrilled about it either, but nonetheless she did as the letter instructed and went on ahead, with the promise of sending a carriage to pick the two of them up afterwards. She also insisted on leaving with them her "Flower", something that didn't really amuse Saffron. He wasn't sure what made him more uncomfortable; being seen traveling in the luxury carriage (which had just sped off with Peony), or finding himself now standing about without reason next to the small, unassuming flower pot at the edge of the district gates.

"Well... I'll just wait here then?" He said out to no one in particular.

Crystal, however, had no intention of simply waiting for Peony's carriage to return, and suggested that the two simply take some time to refresh and get a drink, to which the Stallion readily agreed. "That would be much obliged. If anything we could use a little distraction." He said as the two set off to find a nearby rest stop, Saffron levitating Peony's flower in front of him. "Funds have been tight lately, but it's not quite that bad yet." He tried to make it sound as joking as possible, but couldn't hide some level of concern from his voice. Crystal too seemed a bit disheartened, though more so with the cold reception she had been receiving thus far.

"Ha! I know some ponies who would do anything for a hoof-full of bits. I'm sure they'd kill to be in your position. Finding honest work is a bit of a rarity in these parts right now. That's why I've been traveling around; looking for inspiration mostly. But perhaps I'm just hoping the solution to all my problems will just... fall on top of my mane or something." He gave a sly look back towards the Crystal Pony. "Instead though, I've got myself all muddled up in a ludicrous situation with you and our Rose-absent acquaintance. I suppose if we do catch the thief I can write a book about it all. Might earn me a few bits on the side." He sniggered at his own joke, before adding; "I'd credit your involvement of course!"

It didn't take them long to find a suitable bar located not far from the gate, stood up against the imposing wall. They found themselves a table and ordered some refreshments, Saffron taking an iced tea as was to his liking. Before he could begin to enjoy it however, he noticed out of the corner of his eye a couple of guards chatting away next to a section of the wall. Unlike the gate guards, these wore considerably less ornate armor, and Saffron knew at once that they were of the Middle Canterlot division.

"Here. Mind this for one moment." He said to crystal, placing Peony's flower on the table next to her, and without waiting for a reply, trotted over to the two stationary stallions.

One of them noticed as he approached, then immediately greeted him with a welcoming expression. "Saffron Shadow! What brings you up this close to the wall? Normally you're looking for more ways to block it from sight." The guard chuckled, whilst his companion guard, also familiar with the Unicorn, added: "Still searching for your next big break?"

"Something like that." He replied, hoping that neither of them had noticed him traveling with Crystal. He didn't want them becoming too inquisitive. "Listen, I'm actually on the lookout for somepony. A... potential candidate I've had in mind for our next big production." He fabricated, quickly moving on before they could look too deeply. "The problem is that I don't really know his name. All I know is that he had a light brown coat with a bright orange mane. I don't suppose either of you have seen such a pony pass by recently?"

Saffron knew it was a long shot. The guards saw hundreds of ponies pass by ever day. They couldn't be expected to remember every face. Nonetheless, he'd hoped that they might remember something for him.

"Now that you mention it..." The orange stallion said, "There was a... rather odd acting Stallion who passed here just yesterday with that description. Wearing a black cloak. Couldn't really see his face, he kept his hood up, but his tail was definitely orange."

"Oh yeah. He was a weird one." The other guard said in agreement. "Said he had just come from across the wall in Upper Canterlot. Wanted to know directions to the Hay Filler, y'know that fancy restaurant near Saddlebucks. Not sure why he came all the way over to this part of the wall just to ask that. Why didn't he ask the gate guards when he came through or somepony along the road? This posting almost never gets inquires." He said with a slightly annoyed tone.

"Oh, and he had that Rose with him too."

"Oh yes.. some blue colored rose. No idea what that was about. I guess he was a gardener?"

Saffron fought back a shudder. He suddenly had a dreading suspicion that the reason the hooded Stallion was at this section of the wall was because he had, in fact, snuck over it.

"Or maybe he was an actor getting into part?" The orange guard laughed in jest. "He might be just the pony you're looking for Saffron!"

Saffron forced a laugh, but quickly gave his thanks and goodbye to the two. He ducked behind a couple of buildings on his way back so as to have the two guards lose sight of him, then made his way back to Crystal's table, taking a large gulp of his drink through a straw.

"It looks like our mysterious culprit has been busy." He said to Crystal, and relayed what he had learned from the guards to her.

Edited June 19, 2017 by Dark Horse
Forgot to bloody mention...