{"id":16433,"date":"2020-11-11T15:43:54","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T21:43:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=16433"},"modified":"2023-01-19T11:49:46","modified_gmt":"2023-01-19T17:49:46","slug":"chapter-4-open-house","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2020\/11\/11\/chapter-4-open-house\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 4: Open House"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cI dunno about this. I don\u2019t really do parties,\u201d said Tabby, grimacing as she straightened a stack of magazines in the waiting area on the eve of the open house event.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a party, exactly,\u201d Thomas placated her. \u201cThe Old Milk House Foundation said they\u2019ll send over some cake and hot cocoa, maybe a few balloons. It will be fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby stopped and stared at him. \u201cThe <\/span>what<\/span><\/i> Foundation?\u201d she echoed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Old Milk House Foundation. Haven\u2019t you heard of them?\u201d Thomas looked at her disbelievingly, even though <\/span>he<\/span><\/i> had certainly never heard of them before their postcards started showing up at his apartment in New Pony. <\/span>Exciting business opportunities for professionals like YOU!<\/span><\/i> and so forth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby shook her head, looking extremely skeptical.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey provide grants for new businesses in under-serviced areas,\u201d Thomas elaborated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, see, I\u2019m pretty sure that\u2019s not a thing,\u201d Tabby said, frowning.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, this building and everything in it came from somewhere, whether you believe or not,\u201d Thomas insisted, gesturing around. But he <\/span>was<\/span><\/i> slightly uneasy that the locals hadn\u2019t heard of this organization. They had sounded nice over the phone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Old Milk House Foundation\u2026 that\u2019s a mouthful!\u201d Tabby was still suspicious. \u201cMaybe they go by their initials–T, O, M, H, F,\u201d she worked out slowly. \u201cHey, that kind of spells your name.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUmm\u2026\u201d Thomas considered it for a moment. \u201cKind of…\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you think that\u2019s strange?\u201d she pressed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019s merely coincidence,\u201d he brushed it off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd who are <\/span>these<\/span><\/i> guys?\u201d Tabby asked, pointing emphatically at a pair of cloaked humans coming up the sidewalk to the clinic door. One of them held a toolbox.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, speak of the\u2026\u201d Thomas trailed off. The door opened.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello, we\u2019re with The Old Milk House Foundation,\u201d said the spokesman of the pair, presenting himself respectfully before the ponies. \u201cWe\u2019re here to do the finishing work on the grout.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, of course. Go ahead.\u201d Thomas waved them on. He went out of his way to act casual in front of Tabby as if this wasn\u2019t all very sketchy, <\/span>because it was<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby stared, open-mouthed, as they went down the back hallway. \u201cWhy are you taking mysterious grant money from a cult? And more importantly, why are you letting them work on the <\/span>grout<\/span><\/i>?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re very hands-on, is all,\u201d Thomas said blandly. \u201cThey\u2019re <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> a cult.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what else do you call random humans dressed like <\/span>that<\/span><\/i>?\u201d Tabby demanded, looking irate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t judge ponies–people–on appearance,\u201d Thomas lectured.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can make an exception this time,\u201d Tabby said, brow creased in consternation. \u201cWe\u2019re going to end up sacrificed in some arcane ritual, <\/span>mark my words<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can keep your conspiracy theories to yourself,\u201d Thomas admonished.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

The following morning, Thomas heard a commotion outside and looked out the window of his apartment on the second floor of the clinic building. He was surprised to see a cavalcade of carts, wagons, and cloaked humans in a frantic scurry of activity.<\/span><\/p>\n

The veterinarian made his way downstairs, where the reception area had been transformed with crepe paper, balloons, and flowers. Men and women were underfoot, tweaking the placement of items.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThrow it wherever!\u201d shouted the human in charge, a tall woman with blue hair. \u201cI\u2019m a military strategist, not an interior decorator. All I know is that we need plenty of balloons if we\u2019re going to make a go of this!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Ravenwood?\u201d Thomas asked tentatively, approaching her. He had only spoken to the Foundation representative on the phone, but she had a distinctive accent.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s Cap–\u201d She whipped around and cut herself off. \u201cOh–it\u2019s you. Yes. Hello, good morning,\u201d she said stiffly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very, um, festive,\u201d Thomas said, looking around at all the furbelows.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you really think so?\u201d The woman looked doubtful. \u201cThrowing parties isn\u2019t really in my training. But my superiors said it was up to me to make this a success, so… here we are.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The door opened and high-pitched chatter was heard. Tabby and Strawberry had arrived.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow lovely!\u201d trilled Strawberry, gazing around in delight. \u201cThomas, you didn\u2019t say it was going to be this fancy!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI heard there would be cake,\u201d said Tabby, craning her neck to see all angles.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere you go, my lady,\u201d said one of the cloaked humans, solicitously handing her a plate with a generous helping of what appeared to be a mound of frosting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOoh!\u201d said Tabby, accepting it. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no appointments today, so we can all focus on visitors,\u201d Thomas reminded the mares. \u201cTabby, you should be at the door handing out leaflets. Strawberry can help when she\u2019s not needed at the desk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby made an indecipherable sound that boded ill for her cooperation. \u201cDo you have any chocolate cake?\u201d she asked the cloak.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will see to it,\u201d he said with equanimity. He gestured, and an assistant guided Tabby to the cake table in back.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not necessary,\u201d Thomas protested. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to do everything she says.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA corner piece! Lots of roses!\u201d Tabby was demanding of the cake table attendant.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s no trouble,\u201d the cloak said calmly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven so, she\u2019s taking advantage,\u201d Thomas frowned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are here to serve you.\u201d His voice brooked no argument.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI like the Foundation,\u201d said Tabby, re-joining them while balancing an additional piece of cake.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to them being a creepy cult?\u201d Thomas asked as an aside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey have cake!\u201d Tabby said cheerily. \u201cSo, what will <\/span>you<\/span><\/i> be doing today?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI will be mingling,\u201d Thomas said with an air of authority. \u201cIt\u2019s a very important job.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, whatever.\u201d Tabby rolled her eyes and wandered off in Strawberry\u2019s direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ponies of Misty Hollow liked a good party, and there was a distinct lack of anything else happening in town on this cold January day, so the open house made no small stir in local society. The crowd grew as word spread that there was free cake and hot cocoa.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strawberry was kept busy at the reception desk, answering phone calls and printing receipts for purchases from the retail area. Tabby was left to distribute informative leaflets, coupons, and business cards. Thomas mingled, making small talk and charming the townsponies.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

An older mare who Tabby recognized from church approached her. \u201cThe doctor is so dreamy,\u201d fawned Frilly Frocks. \u201cIs he married?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not,\u201d snapped Tabby, not sure why she was so emphatic when she really knew nothing about his personal life.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA girlfriend, then? There must be a girlfriend,\u201d Frilly determined, being none-too-subtle in eyeing the unicorn stallion up and down from across the room. \u201cEven so, I would throw my hat in the ring if I was ten years younger.\u201d She gave Tabby a conspiratorial nudge.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t be absurd,\u201d said Tabby, her voice flat as she dumped another empty cake plate in a nearby trash can. Honestly, the way these starry-eyed romantics were acting, you would think there were no other stallions around for miles. But this one had town polish, she supposed, which was a novelty.<\/span><\/p>\n

But now that the seed was planted, the thought bothered Tabby–DID Thomas have a girlfriend? He had never mentioned one. But he also hadn\u2019t said he <\/span>wasn\u2019t<\/span><\/i> attached. Maybe there was a mare back in New Pony. Maybe she\u2019d be moving here. Maybe–well, it didn\u2019t matter one way or the other. Tabby was merely curious and thinking idle thoughts, she told herself. It wasn\u2019t the kind of personal information she would ordinarily ask out-right… but\u2026 customer service and all that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby approached Thomas. \u201cDo you have a girlfriend?\u201d she blurted out. \u201cI\u2019m asking for a client,\u201d she quickly clarified, gesturing at Frilly Frocks across the room, who smiled and waved back.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas looked at Tabby, bemused. \u201cI\u2019m glad you\u2019re taking customer service so seriously,\u201d he said with a smirk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI need to be able to answer these pressing questions that ponies have,\u201d Tabby snapped. \u201cSo? Girlfriend or no?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Thomas said at length, after appearing to study her closely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Tabby said briskly, turning to take her leave. \u201cI need more cake.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s for the visitors, you know,\u201d Thomas called after her retreating form. She lifted a hoof in dismissal.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

A mare, some shade of pink, approached Thomas. \u201cHi,\u201d she said, extending her hoof. \u201cI\u2019m Dusty Rose, with Sunset, Daisy, and Brambleburr Law Office.\u201d She must have seen some wariness in his expression, and she laughed melodically. \u201cNo, I\u2019m not here on official business. Just checking out the open house. My office is across the street.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They exchanged pleasantries, and Thomas answered some questions she had about cat behavior. \u201cMaybe we can grab coffee sometime,\u201d she suggested before taking her leave.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dusty Rose was poised, professional, and sure of herself; Thomas had dated countless mares like her\u2026 and didn\u2019t care to fall back into that cycle. \u201cMy schedule is very full,\u201d he said, depressing her pretensions. \u201cSince I\u2019m the only doctor at the clinic,\u201d he added to soften the blow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Dusty Rose said coyly. \u201cBut you never know. I\u2019ll be in touch.\u201d With a final lingering look, she took herself off and quickly found another conversation to insert herself into.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas had lost track of all the similar lures tossed his way that day; the attention was gratifying. His younger self would have been in over his head, but now he was prepared with noncommittal responses. Best to keep a clear head while adjusting to his new situation in life.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby\u2019s mind wandered as she absentmindedly greeted ponies at the door. The chocolate raspberry <\/span>was<\/span><\/i> good, she considered, but it might be time to switch it up with vanilla lemon when she went back for her next cake slice. She wasn\u2019t entirely sure what she thought of fruit filling in cake. There was something sublime around the simple union of cake and buttercream frosting, without the addition of the jellylike substance\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

A beige, rather nondescript, stallion started upon seeing her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey! Tabby!\u201d he greeted her heartily. \u201cRemember me? Pork Chop? We were in General Cooking 101 at Greener Pastures!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026 yes,\u201d said Tabby distantly. He did look vaguely familiar, but she had tried to put that year of school at the local tech college out of her mind. It had been one of her more ill-advised ventures.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou made the <\/span>best<\/span><\/i> deep fried potato skins!\u201d Pork Chop enthused, standing a little too close for Tabby\u2019s comfort.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby looked at him incredulously. \u201cThey were rotten and covered in dirt,\u201d she said bluntly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, whatever you did, they were amazing!\u201d He winked. \u201cMy offer of marriage still stands.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, I\u2019m good, thanks,\u201d said Tabby. \u201cThe cake\u2019s over there.\u201d She waved a hoof in that direction, and turned her attention to the next pony entering the building.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby never knew what to say in conversations like that. She had no head for flirting, and had learned to cope by avoiding it at all costs. Not that Pork Chop was even her type. And not that she even knew what her type was. It might be nice to be appreciated for more than her deep fried food of questionable quality, though. If Thomas thought half as much about her medical skills as Pork Chop thought of her cooking, well\u2026 she didn\u2019t know what that would mean, but she thought she would like it.<\/span><\/p>\n

As it was, Tabby hadn\u2019t been fired <\/span>yet,<\/span><\/i> which was something. But Thomas was always critiquing her methods–the x-rays were over- or under-exposed, or she was too forthright with customers–and she wasn\u2019t yet convinced that he didn\u2019t regret choosing her for the job.<\/span><\/p>\n

At least there was cake.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou hired HER?\u201d One of the mares who had been interviewed for the assistant position, fresh out of high school, seized Thomas\u2019 foreleg. \u201cShe\u2019s a trainwreck!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh\u2026 Trudy,\u201d Thomas fished his memory for her name. \u201cHi. Well, Tabby\u2019s experience may be unorthodox, but she\u2026 has a lot of raw potential,\u201d he vaguely defended his choice. It was difficult to explain exactly what he saw in the quirky pink unicorn. She tried very hard, and there were some shortcomings stemming from her lack of experience in a clinic setting, but she never made the same mistake twice. Thomas could see that she had untapped depths, and he intended to help her learn.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe makes these weird magic potions out in the woods,\u201d Trudy said with a shudder. \u201cProbably in a cauldron. I don\u2019t trust her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think Tabby\u2019s cool,\u201d piped-up the colt at her side. \u201cI heard she wrestles hodags! Does she have a boyfriend?\u201d He looked at Thomas hopefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle bro, don\u2019t be stupid,\u201d Trudy admonished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re just jealous, Gertrude! She has a personality,\u201d observed her brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUGH! Why did you have to tag along with me!\u201d Trudy grabbed his foreleg and dragged him away.<\/span><\/p>\n

The siblings walked out of earshot, and Thomas made his way over to Tabby. \u201cDo you have a boyfriend?\u201d he asked with a wicked grin. \u201cAsking for a client.\u201d He gestured at the gangly youth.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh my gosh.\u201d Tabby threw up her hooves in exasperation. \u201cDo you have any idea how many marriage proposals I\u2019ve fielded already <\/span>today<\/span><\/i>?\u201d There was a wild gleam in her eyes, and the pitch of her voice was increasing. Even with the short duration of their acquaintanceship, Thomas knew that these were not good signs. She was losing it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you take a break?\u201d Thomas suggested kindly, leading her to a chair and procuring a glass of water from the water cooler. He sat with her for a moment to make sure her sensibilities settled. He hadn\u2019t really gotten an answer to his query, and he wasn\u2019t going to pester her now, but it <\/span>was<\/span><\/i> nagging in the back of his head. He racked his brain trying to recall if she had said anything; but no, she had largely avoided mentioning her personal life. What would her type even be, he mused? Who would put up with her outbursts, meltdowns, mood swings?<\/span><\/p>\n

But, Thomas thought, a little wistfully, as Tabby got back on her hooves and waved off his help, it <\/span>was<\/span><\/i> hard not to get caught up in those amethyst eyes\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrawberry, do you have a boyfriend?\u201d Tabby asked, approaching her friend, who looked puzzled at the query. \u201cSorry, it\u2019s just the question of the day,\u201d she explained. \u201c I feel like I have to ask.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrawberry! Sorry I\u2019m late.\u201d A blue stallion with seafoam green hair approached the desk and gave Strawberry a quick kiss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, speak of the devil,\u201d said Tabby, rolling her eyes. It was that <\/span>math teacher<\/span><\/i> beau of Strawberry\u2019s. Tabby still hadn\u2019t taken to him since he had moved here in the fall, mainly because he occasionally pulled Strawberry away from ice cream gatherings and shopping expeditions, and that offended her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan you take a break?\u201d Vanguard asked Strawberry, regarding her warmly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby, could you handle the desk for a little bit?\u201d Strawberry asked sweetly. There was a lull in activity right then, and the prospect wasn\u2019t too intimidating, so Tabby shooed them away. These two were so lovey-dovey, it was a little annoying.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shortly after, a different blue stallion approached Tabby at the desk.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d Touchdown said brusquely, leaning on the desk, \u201cI thought the cake was free; why do I gotta look at all this advertising?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat IS the cost of free cake!\u201d Tabby snapped impatiently. \u201cNothing is free! Don\u2019t be a moron.\u201d Their friendship dated back to grade school; and though their interests ran in different directions, their relationship could hold up under sharp reports like this.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFalse advertising.\u201d Touchdown shrugged. \u201cHey, did you see the Hodags game last night?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTouchdown, what are you doing here?\u201d Tabby sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t talk sports, and you don\u2019t have a pet.\u201d She followed his gaze to where Vanguard and Strawberry were sitting down with their cake and hot cocoa. \u201cAhhh. Stalking.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe cut me out at the Snowflake Festival, you know,\u201d Touchdown said, leaning in conspiratorially. \u201cShe didn\u2019t enter the ice fishing contest with me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, and Strawberry, um… loves fishing,\u201d Tabby fibbed. \u201cWell, all<\/span> I<\/span><\/i> know is that she canceled our shopping plans next weekend on account of going to visit his parents.\u201d Whatever his flaws, at least Touchdown had been less of a draw on Strawberry\u2019s time.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHis parents?\u201d Touchdown was incredulous. \u201cHow long have they been dating?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTouchdown, I\u2019m very busy. I have work to do,\u201d Tabby said, writing down random numbers on a piece of paper.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, thanks for the cake,\u201d Touchdown said irreverently and meandered off. \u201cHey, professor; hey, Strawberry,\u201d he was heard to remark laconically as he passed by the cozy couple.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby shrugged. Vanguard was a sensitive topic and one that Tabby didn\u2019t wish to elaborate on with Touchdown, of all ponies. He could fight his own battle.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

A yellow stallion with a distinctive aqua cowboy hat strode over and gave Thomas a hearty hoofshake. \u201cHowdy, pardner!\u201d he drawled. \u201cName\u2019s Beauregard. Welcome to town. I run the Salsa Shop on Main Street. Stop in some time for good food and good company. If you have any musical inclinations, we have open mic night on Saturdays!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, um\u2026 thanks,\u201d said Thomas, processing the deluge of information. \u201cI\u2019ll keep that in mind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not from these parts, are you?\u201d Beauregard continued without a sign of abatement. \u201cNeither am I; my family moved up here from Leadbend when I was ten. Nice place, though. Folks are real friendly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I have gotten that impression,\u201d said Thomas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have a tarantula. Is that a kind of critter you\u2019ll see?\u201d Beauregard queried.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI have some experience with arthropods,\u201d Thomas admitted. \u201cIs it a rose hair or murelican?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRose hair. The little fella is always getting into some sort of mischief.\u201d Beauregard shook his head. \u201cLike last month, there was the <\/span>mosh pit incident<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Thomas asked, frowning. The pets hereabouts, and their owners, got into the most improbable situations. He steeled himself for an explanation likely to be head-scratching.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, at the Thick and Gritty concert,\u201d Beauregard said, naming what Thomas thought was a country band.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat may not be the safest environment for a tarantula,\u201d Thomas cautioned.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but he’s their biggest fan,\u201d Beauregard insisted. \u201dHe got autographs from all the band members. Anyway, he was all right in the end. But nice to know there\u2019s somewhere to take him if things go wrong\u2026\u201d Another stallion sidled up to them, and Beauregard\u2019s tone cooled considerably. \u201cButch! What are you doing here?\u201d he barked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSame as you, I reckon,\u201d the newcomer, blue with white hair, retorted. \u201cI heard there were free drinks. You got anything stronger than cocoa?\u201d He shook Thomas\u2019 hoof. \u201cHah hah, that\u2019s okay, I\u2019m kidding. Well, unless you do have something behind the counter–\u201d He gave Thomas a knowing glance \u201c–then I wouldn\u2019t be adverse to imbibing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoc, this is a wily one; you\u2019ll want to watch him,\u201d Beauregard warned with a stern glance.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGot a pet duck, you know,\u201d Butch said with a sidelong look at Beauregard, \u201cand I \u2018spose that gives me about as much right as anyone to be here. Ducks don\u2019t need any shots, do they?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot usually,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cBut you\u2019re welcome to bring him in for an exam if you have any concerns.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell then, I guess I\u2019ll just be gettin\u2019 some of that there cocoa now,\u201d Butch said, tipping his hat before sauntering off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to make sure he doesn\u2019t spike the pot,\u201d Beauregard excused himself.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Kyrene, reporter for the local interest section of the Misty Hollow Gazette, strode into the police station. She was a regular enough fixture there, and her presence didn\u2019t cause any stir. Her work didn\u2019t require much coordination with the police department, but she was always trying to up her game with coverage of higher-caliber happenings. Fortunately, she knew someone on the inside.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

No one paid Kyrene any heed as she sat on her sister\u2019s desk, with the nameplate DETECTIVE GRACIE, and studied her hoofnail irreverently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKy!\u201d squealed a pale gray unicorn, dashing over to the desk and hugging the younger mare.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, sis!\u201d Kyrene said. \u201cI\u2019m heading over to the open house shindig at the new vet clinic. Wanna come? There\u2019s cake.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCake?\u201d Gracie echoed. \u201cAll right! Hey, CC!\u201d She whistled and waved someone over. It was her partner, Detective Candy Cane, who hated his name. \u201cThere\u2019s something going on down at the new vet clinic,\u201d she told him. \u201cWe\u2019d better go check it out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the issue? Robbery? Loitering? Crowd control?\u201d CC demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBetter!\u201d Gracie beamed. \u201cFree cake!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFree cake? Really?\u201d CC\u2019s interest was piqued, but then he remembered himself. \u201cI mean–that\u2019s not really a productive use of the force\u2019s time,\u201d he protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNonsense!\u201d Chief Tawny was just then strolling by with a donut in hoof. \u201cGo ahead, get your cake! They had chocolate with raspberry filling when I was there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI <\/span>love<\/span><\/i> raspberry filling!\u201d said Gracie, starry-eyed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI gotta get out of this town,\u201d said CC, shaking his head as he fell in behind the two giggling mares.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThomas, the reporter from the Gazette is here!\u201d Strawberry interrupted his conversation with–well, it was either a banker\u2019s wife or the niece of the mayor. Thomas had lost track.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi! I\u2019m Kyrene,\u201d said the slim aqua unicorn, shaking his hoof. \u201cMisty Hollow Gazette. Do you have time for a few questions?\u201d She flipped open a small notebook and held her pen poised to write.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, go ahead,\u201d Thomas said agreeably.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the occupancy limit here?\u201d asked a nearby white-and-red stallion, frowning. The gray mare at his side shushed him and pulled him away to the cake table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve lived your whole life in New Pony,\u201d Kyrene noted with little emotion. \u201cWhat drew you to Misty Hollow?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to work somewhere truly in need of services, and this was identified as a viable market,\u201d Thomas recited, having expected something along those lines.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, uh\u2026\u201d Kyrene\u2019s attention seemed to wander, \u201c…what made you decide to become a veterinarian?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas frowned slightly. She didn\u2019t seem strongly invested in this conversation. \u201cMy mom was on staff at the neighborhood humane society, and I pretty much grew up there,\u201d he forged ahead. \u201cMy sister and I spent as much of our free time there as we could. I always knew I wanted to be an animal doctor, just like those I saw in action saving lives every day.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s nice,\u201d said Kyrene distantly. She looked at some notes on her pad, tilted her head side-to-side as if weighing a decision in her head, and then looked back up at Thomas with a more determined stare. \u201cYour previous work was under Dr. Steuben Wexford in New Pony, is that correct?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEr\u2026 yes,\u201d said Thomas, not pleased with the mention of his old boss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe same Dr. Wexford who is now facing multiple workplace harassment lawsuits,\u201d Kyrene stated with relish. \u201cWere you aware of his conduct?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas–now thoroughly perplexed–hadn\u2019t prepared himself for that line of questioning. \u201cAt this point they are just allegations for the courts to decide, and I\u2019ve been asked not to comment,\u201d he said, feeling distinctly uncomfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave you been called to testify?\u201d Kyrene demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Thomas said carefully. <\/span>Not yet, anyway<\/span><\/i>. \u201cBut maybe we could focus on my life in Misty Hollow for this interview,\u201d he suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>What are you hiding<\/span><\/i>?\u201d Kyrene pinned him with a piercing gaze.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese are terrible interview questions. Are you sure you\u2019re a reporter?\u201d Thomas asked skeptically. His father, a crime reporter, would have had more integrity; but Dietrich Fairfax had held high standards. Who knew how the kids were being trained these days?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs she making you uncomfortable?\u201d The gray mare returned to Kyrene\u2019s side. \u201cMy sister is very intense,\u201d she said apologetically to Thomas. \u201cDial it back a notch, Ky,\u201d she said with the superior air of an older sibling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh my gosh, Gracie! Don\u2019t tell me how to do my job!\u201d Kyrene huffed. Still, the admonishment seemed to have an effect on her. She sighed, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry about my sister. She gets like that,\u201d said Gracie. \u201cHi, by the way. I\u2019m Detective Gracie. How are you? This is such a nice open house! I love the glass block transom window,\u201d she prattled on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smiling wanly, Thomas wasn\u2019t sure if either sister was in a suitable career.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kyrene pasted a smile on her face and turned back to Thomas. \u201cWell, thank you for your time, Dr. Fairfax.\u201d She flipped her notepad shut and made as if to leave.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Are you sure that\u2019s all you wanted to ask?\u201d Thomas didn\u2019t know if he should be relieved that she was leaving, or worried about the slant of her article.<\/span><\/p>\n

Kyrene shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s enough. I just needed a little filler for my piece on the Wexford allegations.\u201d Humming to herself, she dashed off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was nice talking to you,\u201d Thomas said, admittedly a bit insincerely, to her retreating form. The reporter was in so much of a hurry that she nearly stepped on the foot of one of the cloaked humans, a few of whom were hanging around to keep an eye on the refreshments.<\/span><\/p>\n

The encounter had shaken Thomas more than he liked to admit, causing the uneasy feeling that he was on borrowed time. He didn\u2019t know what effect it would have in this small town to have his past connection, and everything attached to that, made known.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

The human who Kyrene had come so close to stepping on in her quick departure, soon found his way to Captain Ravenwood to report what he had overheard.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if that just doesn\u2019t beat all,\u201d the captain said impatiently, tapping her foot on the ground. \u201cThat article can\u2019t be published. One way or another, it will be buried.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s two unicorns at that clinic,\u201d CC complained to his partner as they walked down Main Street. \u201cThey have no magic license, but you can\u2019t tell me that at least one of them isn\u2019t using magic on the job.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gracie shrugged. \u201cTabby\u2019s the only one with magic,\u201d she said. \u201cI didn\u2019t sense any on the doctor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Tabby\u2019s the one I don\u2019t trust,\u201d CC grumbled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the big deal?\u201d Gracie asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the law that we have sworn to uphold!\u201d her partner reminded her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, no need to go looking for trouble, and we don\u2019t have any evidence,\u201d Gracie said in a patient, patronizing tone. \u201cAnyway, we have plenty of <\/span>real <\/span><\/i>work to do. That little foal at the playground is really distressed about his lost teddy bear! We need to get on it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the kind of action I joined the force for,\u201d said CC. He could only hope and pray that his most recent transfer request to Hayton would be approved. This town had to be the most absurdly tame place in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

Back at the clinic, five o\u2019 clock rolled around. The doors were locked, and the cloaked helpers efficiently picked up the decorations, collected garbage, and whisked away all signs that there had ever been an event.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood job today, you two,\u201d Thomas said to his two employees. \u201cBut, be ready for another busy day tomorrow. We have a full roster of appointments.\u201d He looked at Tabby slyly. \u201cDo you want to take home the leftover cake, Tabby?\u201d He pointed at the white bakery box, the only evidence left of the day\u2019s celebration.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m never eating cake again. I feel soooo sick,\u201d Tabby groaned, leaning against the desk with her head resting on her forelegs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPoor Tabby,\u201d said Strawberry sympathetically.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to die,\u201d Tabby mumbled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told you that you were overindulging,\u201d Thomas admonished.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVanguard\u2019s here to take me to dinner, but we\u2019ll walk you home first,\u201d Strawberry said, patting Tabby\u2019s hoof kindly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, Strawberry. I\u2019ll see that she makes it home,\u201d Thomas offered, waving her off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould you?\u201d Strawberry shot her boss a grateful look as she went to the door to meet Vanguard. \u201cGet some rest, Tabby.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need any help,\u201d Tabby said faintly, lifting her head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, of course not,\u201d Thomas agreed, guiding her to the door. \u201cBut I promised Strawberry.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

* * *<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKyrene, I\u2019m not printing this!\u201d Deadline, the newspaper editor, protested. \u201cAll I wanted was a fluff piece on the new veterinarian, not a scathing review of his former employer\u2019s treatment of female employees!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe ponies have a right to know!\u201d Kyrene stood on the opposite side of the desk, ready to put up a fight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Fairfax isn\u2019t even involved in the allegations,\u201d Deadline pointed out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet, anyway,\u201d Kyrene grumbled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, but no. Absolutely not.\u201d Deadline shook his head. \u201cGive me a real interview appropriate for the local interest section.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, you stallions always side with each other!\u201d Kyrene snapped.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t turn this into a gender relations issue,\u201d Deadline said, wearily rubbing his brow. \u201cNot again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, isn\u2019t it?\u201d Kyrene demanded with a piercing glare. \u201cI\u2019m going to keep an eye on what develops. Mark my words, he<\/span> is <\/span><\/i>involved.\u201d She stormed out of the office and slammed the door behind her.<\/span><\/p>\n

Deadline sighed and sank back in his chair.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Out of the shadows on the other side of the room stepped a human form. \u201cThat was very good,\u201d came the woman\u2019s voice. \u201cGoing forward, that\u2019s all you have to do. Otherwise, dear, sweet Niobe…\u201d She made an unmistakable slicing gesture across her throat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can go to\u2026\u201d Deadline growled, but his statement was drowned out by the rustle of fabric. And then he was alone.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u201cI dunno about this. I don\u2019t really do parties,\u201d said Tabby, grimacing as she straightened a stack of magazines in the waiting area…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[1088,1090,1097,1098,1089,1096,1092,1094,1075,1077,1072,1095,1087,1076,1099,1093,1091],"class_list":["post-16433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing","tag-butch","tag-candy-cane","tag-dusty-rose","tag-frilly-frocks","tag-gracie","tag-pork-chop","tag-quarterback","tag-ravenwood","tag-story","tag-sugarberry","tag-tabby","tag-tawny","tag-tex","tag-thomas","tag-tomhf","tag-trudy","tag-vanguard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16433"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16433\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31382,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16433\/revisions\/31382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}