{"id":33700,"date":"2023-03-03T12:14:54","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T18:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=33700"},"modified":"2023-03-03T12:14:54","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T18:14:54","slug":"chapter-3-liv-belen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2023\/03\/03\/chapter-3-liv-belen\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 3: Liv & Belen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Liv grimaced as she paused outside the rickety edifice with a shabby sign overhead that read <\/span>Butch\u2019s Oddities Shoppe<\/span><\/i>. The establishment was a bit more ramshackle than Liv had been led to believe–at first glance, this was little more than a junkyard. But it was still better than the alternative waiting for them at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you really think he’ll help us?\u201d the blue mare at Liv\u2019s side–her sister, Belen–said hesitantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the trouble he got us into, I don’t see that he has a choice,\u201d Liv said, a frown marring her emerald green face. \u201cHe either helps us, or he goes down with us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf only you hadn\u2019t done business with Churro!\u201d Belen sighed for the umpteenth time. \u201cHe’s ruthless–the last pony you’d want to get caught passing counterfeit money to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had it under control. It’s not my fault the <\/span>caballo<\/span><\/i> we were conning turned out to be a con artist himself,\u201d Liv defended herself. This <\/span>was<\/span><\/i> an unpleasant wrinkle in their plans, but nothing the sisters couldn\u2019t weather.<\/span><\/p>\n

Out of the corner of her eye, Liv saw a blue stallion approach the door from the inside. He flipped the sign from OPEN to CLOSED. Seeing them, he gestured at the sign and shook his head emphatically. Liv, ignoring him, knocked insistently. He studied her face, then drew back in surprise. Something had finally clicked in his head.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLiv?\u201d he asked disbelievingly, opening the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Butch, it’s me,\u201d Liv said, smiling in a bemused manner. \u201cYour fiance.\u201d May as well make him squirm a bit, though she had no intention of binding herself to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Butch stood gaping, but quickly recovered, setting his mouth in a tense line. \u201cI’m afraid I didn’t receive word that you were coming,\u201d he said, looking back and forth between the sisters. \u201cNot to mention that there were two of you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, this is my sister, Belen,\u201d Liv briefly introduced them. \u201cWe were in a rush; circumstances were such that we had to leave in some haste.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don’t you come inside, and we’ll talk.\u201d Butch held the door open as the mares filed in, then closed and locked it, peering out into the street suspiciously. Not speaking, he led them into the back room where they sat around a rickety table with a faded checkered tablecloth. They eyed each other warily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA friend of ours pointed out that the money you’ve been sending is fake,\u201d Liv said, cutting straight to the chase.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s a <\/span>good<\/span><\/i> fake. You\u2019ve gotten plenty of use out of it,\u201d Butch protested, his tenseness letting up, a cheeky grin appearing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe authorities were after us,\u201d Liv said with a pointed look. \u201cAnd since you got us into this mess, you can sure as heck give us a hoof to get out of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Butch rocked back in his chair. \u201cI admit that this is a little inconvenient,\u201d he admitted. \u201cI\u2019m going to level with you–you were never supposed to come here. I\u2019m not in a position to marry you. Figured you were scamming me as much as I was scamming you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s on account of you that we had to leave our home,\u201d Liv said with a scowl. \u201cWhat is your game, anyway?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUhhh, just helping out a compadre,\u201d Butch said vaguely. \u201cShake up the economy a little.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNever mind; I don\u2019t really need the details of your schemes,\u201d Liv said, tossing her mane. \u201cBut the least you can do, since Azucar is no longer a comfortable place to live, is to assist us in getting settled.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what do you expect me to do?\u201d Butch asked, looking at her intently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSponsor us for permanent visas,\u201d Liv said in a wheedling tone.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot sure the feds will take any recommendations from me,\u201d Butch said, raising his eyebrows. \u201cWe\u2019ve had our share of\u2026 disagreements.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut you have resources that we don’t,\u201d Liv argued.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLook, you’re going to have to give me some time to look into things,\u201d Butch said. \u201cIn the meantime, I guess I can try and find a place for you to stay the night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Liv inclined her head in acquiescence.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

This was an unexpected wrinkle in his plans, Butch contemplated as he stepped over to his desk. None of his marks for unknowingly distributing counterfeit money were supposed to have actually taken him up on his offer of marriage. They were all con artists themselves, separating lonely stallions from their money.<\/span><\/p>\n

This one, Liv, had been a bit more creative, crafting letters that were almost mistaken for being heartfelt and sincere. If he hadn\u2019t been so world-wise, Butch might have fallen for it–as it was, she <\/span>had<\/span><\/i> made a pretty picture to keep on his desk. Was there a way to use this to his advantage? Butch tapped his hoof thoughtfully, then picked up his phone and dialed. \u201cHey, Sundance,\u201d he said when the line was picked up. \u201cI need your help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

His sister, who was surely accustomed to his antics by now, sighed. \u201cWhat is it this time?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGot a couple friends visiting from out-of-town,\u201d Butch said briefly. \u201cMight they stay with you for a night or two?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a significant pause. \u201cWhat kind of friends?\u201d Sundance asked at length.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNice, respectable girls,\u201d Butch assured her. \u201cThey\u2019re, uh, pen-pals up from Azucar.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, don\u2019t give me that! What have you gotten yourself into this time?\u201d Sundance said in exasperation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRelax, it\u2019s under control!\u201d Butch insisted. \u201cYou\u2019re in no danger. I\u2019ll have them out of your hair in no time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, what are you going to do with them?\u201d Sundance demanded.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all honorable and above-board,\u201d Butch said indignantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSomehow I doubt that,\u201d Sundance said, and he imagined that this was accompanied by an eye roll. \u201cFine. Bring them over, and we\u2019ll talk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

The door of the trim white cottage opened slowly. Belen observed a white mare with pink hair standing inside. \u201cHi,\u201d the mare said simply.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere she is! This is my sister, Sundance,\u201d Butch said to the sisters. \u201cSundance, this is Liv and–er–this one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBelen,\u201d said the blue mare, taking no offense at the slight. This was Belen\u2019s role, to sit in the background unnoticed and gather information, while her sister charmed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe doesn\u2019t say much,\u201d Butch said by way of explanation. \u201cAnyway, here they are!\u201d And Belen sensed his relief that his problem had been hoofed off to someone else. He was a scamp, certainly. But there was something about him, even in his letters, that had intrigued Belen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, come on in,\u201d Sundance invited, opening the door wider. \u201cTell me about your situation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As they filed in and settled on the couch and easy chairs in Sundance\u2019s tidy living room, Belen noted the admiring way Butch looked at her sister. Even if their relationship was a farce, Butch didn’t seem too inconvenienced by being around Liv. But Liv had her eyes on bigger and better things. She wouldn’t stick around with this yokel, even if he wanted her to. She would use him as long as necessary, then discard him without a backward glance. That was how the sisters lived, how their father had taught them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe intend to settle here,\u201d Liv said bluntly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d said Sundance, her emotion hard to read. \u201cI assume that you\u2019ve planned ahead and filed the correct paperwork?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, we were forced to leave our old home abruptly,\u201d Liv said, throwing a significant look at Butch. \u201cWe only have our tourist visas.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll need money,\u201d Sundance said, leaning forward and frowning pensively. \u201cAnd with that, a lawyer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can get jobs,\u201d Belen piped-up. Her sister abhorred manual labor, and would take her time getting around to this consideration. \u201cPerhaps you and Butch could stand as references?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I suppose that\u2019s a start,\u201d Sundance said. \u201cWhat did you do for a living back in Azucar?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a singer,\u201d Liv said proudly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know that there\u2019s many paid opportunities for the performing arts,\u201d Sundance said, frowning, \u201cbut Pony-mart is always hiring. And we can check the help wanted ads in the paper.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you have performance venues?\u201d Liv asked a little petulantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are occasional special events at the town center,\u201d Sundance said slowly, thinking. \u201cKaraoke night at the SSSS–the ice cream shop. And I guess there\u2019s the salsa shop; Beauregard usually has some kind of music going on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, then, I\u2019ll start with those,\u201d Liv said, sitting back and looking appeased.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBelen, what\u2019s your work background?\u201d Sundance turned her attention to the younger mare.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI waitressed at the cantina Liv performed at,\u201d Belen said, \u201cbut I also volunteered at <\/span>el centro m\u00e9dico<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we have some health care facilities in town, but I think Pony-mart will be your best bet,\u201d Sundance counseled. By this time, both the sisters were having a hard time hiding their yawns, travel fatigue catching up to them. \u201cButch, get out of here,\u201d Sundance chided, ushering her brother to the door. \u201cThey need to rest.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGoodnight, ladies,\u201d Butch said, looking back and tipping his hat. Belen saw his gaze rest a long moment on Liv.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe’re very sorry for the imposition,\u201d Belen, who was more in tune to social niceties than Liv, said to their hostess as Sundance showed them to her spare room. \u201cI\u2019m afraid I don\u2019t know what the future holds for us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Butch always lands on his hooves, and he has honor after a sort,\u201d Sundance said with a tight smile. \u201cWe\u2019ll see that you get wherever it is you\u2019re going.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

When Belen woke in the morning, Liv had already gone out job-hunting, Sundance relayed as she offered Belen a cup of coffee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe should have woken me up,\u201d Belen said, dismayed at being asleep so long. She accepted the drink and took a seat at the kitchen table.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe said to let you sleep,\u201d Sundance said, calmly sipping her drink.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Pony-mart? Whereabouts is it?\u201d Belen asked, not wanting to be a burden on this mare any longer than necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me draw you a map,\u201d Sundance offered, grabbing a scrap of paper from the counter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus equipped, Belen went out to face what was in store for her. The morning rush seemed to be over, but she was met with a few ponies and unidentified fluffy creatures, and they all greeted her with a smile. It seemed like a friendly community. Belen wondered how she and Liv would repay their trust.<\/span><\/p>\n

The route took Belen past Butch\u2019s shop, and something made her go inside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Belen. I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here,\u201d the stallion said, brightening as he saw her, and Belen\u2019s heart lifted. \u201cGot a supplier with a load of salvage, but I gotta move quick. How would you like to watch the shop this afternoon?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

So that\u2019s why he was glad to see her. Best not to get any ideas, Belen warned herself. \u201cOh\u2026 sure,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat do I need to do?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Butch gave her a crash course in checkout procedures. At least this way, she could legitimately claim to have retail experience when she applied at Pony-mart, Belen considered.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, and Quackers\u2019ll need feeding, if you could take care of that,\u201d Butch added on his way out the door.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Quackers, <\/span>el pato<\/span><\/i>!\u201d Belen said, grinning. \u201cI, ah, read some of Liv\u2019s letters where you mentioned him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYup, he\u2019s a spunky feller,\u201d Butch said with obvious pride, slinging a satchel across his back. \u201cStill don\u2019t know how he broke free of that riptide he got caught in. Pen\u2019s out back; one cupful of feed. Remember to latch the gate behind you; he\u2019s a wily one!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Belen said. That sounded simple enough. \u201cI\u2019m sure we\u2019ll get along just fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlright. Thanks, Belen.\u201d And then Butch was off.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Liv smirked to herself as she walked away from Pony-mart. Though an unpleasant prospect, she knew she’d need something steady to replenish their coffers until a better gig came along. The manager who had interviewed Liv had predictably fallen under her spell–all it needed was her tragic tale of being an orphan and raising her little sister, with only a few embellishments needed from reality–and had hired her on the spot. She would start next week.<\/span><\/p>\n

And if the immigration paperwork didn’t work, there was Calimidad Island, just a ferry ride away, and they didn’t put much stock in legalities. If the sisters had to, they would head there; but given the option, Liv preferred a more refined society than pirates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Liv\u2019s attention was caught by a storefront topped with a garish red chili pepper, and she realized she was looking at the salsa shop that Sundance had mentioned. She may as well check it out. Entering, she grimaced. The chili peppers and cowboy hats were tacky and over the top. But, she was starting from the bottom in this new environment. She strode toward the counter in back. It was quiet at this mid-morning hour, with no one else in the store.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHowdy!\u201d said the yellow stallion behind the counter, arranging jars on a shelf. \u201cGot some new extra spicy. Care for a sample?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Hola<\/span><\/i>,\u201d said Liv, putting her hoof on the counter. \u201cI\u2019m here on business. I hear you have live shows here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure do!\u201d he said, straightening up. \u201cYou looking for a spot?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m looking for a headline act,\u201d Liv said boldly.<\/span><\/p>\n

He looked at her assessingly. \u201cWhat do you play?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI sing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy don\u2019t you show me what you\u2019ve got?\u201d The stallion gestured at the stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

So Liv took up the microphone and sang in her native tongue about lost love, her voice low and sultry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot bad, not bad at all,\u201d he said, clapping as she came down off the stage. \u201cWhy haven\u2019t I seen you here before?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust got into town,\u201d she said succinctly. \u201cName\u2019s Liv.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNice to meet you, Liv. I\u2019m Beauregard,\u201d the stallion said, shaking her hoof. \u201cThat accent–Azucar?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, that\u2019s right,\u201d she said with a warm smile. This one was almost too easy to bring around to her side.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPassed through there a time or two,\u201d Beauregard said. \u201cHow long are you here for?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI go where the music takes me,\u201d Liv said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGood answer, good answer.\u201d Beauregard grinned. \u201cLet\u2019s just take a look at the schedule.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Belen smiled indulgently as the handsome green-headed duck snapped up the scattered feed, quacking smugly all the while.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSuch a charming <\/span>caballero<\/span><\/i>,\u201d Belen cooed as she fiddled with the latch. \u201cBut you\u2019re staying out of trouble these days, aren\u2019t you? No more picking fights with coyotes?\u201d The latch was more complex than Belen had anticipated, but she thought she had figured it out–then she heard the bell ring on the front door, and she ran back into the building in time to help a customer.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the coast was clear, she returned to Quackers\u2019 pen to refresh his water supply, and found the gate hanging wide open. \u201cQuackers!\u201d Belen wailed. \u201cNo! What will Butch think! This is terrible! I must get him back!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In a panic, Belen locked up the shop–she knew she was abandoning her post, but Quackers\u2019 safety was of paramount importance. She anxiously followed the faint muddy track of webbed feet leading into the forest.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Tamara, entering the salsa shop to meet her sweetheart for a lunch date, found him with an unfamiliar mare at the counter, their heads bent conspiratorially together.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello,\u201d Tamara said, a bit coolly, positioning herself next to the green mare.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beauregard looked up. \u201cHey, Tamara!\u201d he said boisterously, with no evidence of shame, Tamara noted. \u201cGlad you\u2019re here. I bet you\u2019ll be able to help. This is Liv; she\u2019s new in town. Liv, this is Tamara, my girlfriend.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Tu enamorada<\/span><\/i>?\u201d Liv said, mockingly it seemed, a slight smile on her lips. \u201cHi.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHi,\u201d said Tamara tersely.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLiv\u2019s going to be performing for us on Friday night,\u201d Beauregard explained, \u201cbut she\u2019s looking for an apartment for her and her little sister. Maybe you could take her over to Moonglow\u2019s office, see if she knows of anything?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tamara pouted. Who did this Liv think she was, to merit all Beauregard\u2019s consideration? \u201cWhat about lunch?\u201d she asked, turning from Liv.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCloverleaf called in sick, so I\u2019ve got to cover until Sassafras gets in,\u201d Beauregard said apologetically. \u201cSorry, sweetheart. But I know I can entrust Liv to your care.\u201d Patting Tamara\u2019s hoof, he went to assist a waiting customer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well<\/span><\/i>, Tamara fumed as she turned back to Liv. As unpleasant as the prospect was, she may as well use the opportunity to see how this interloper measured up. The two mares eyed each other. \u201cI seem to be out a lunch companion, if you wanted to join me,\u201d Tamara said coolly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d be delighted,\u201d Liv said, equally frigid. This mare would be doing her own measuring, Tamara was sure, and kept her guard up.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cYou\u2019ve been with Beauregard for how long?\u201d Liv asked conversationally as the two mares settled at a table in the SSSS.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFriday is our five-month anniversary,\u201d Tamara said, as if that was such a notable event.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow wonderful,\u201d Liv murmured. The salsa shop proprietor, with his naive and trusting nature, might prove to be an interesting diversion, but Liv was still getting the lay of the land. \u201cAnd what do you do for a living, Tamara?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou must not be subbed to my channel,\u201d Tamara with an irritated edge to her voice. \u201cI\u2019m a SnapTube star.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Liv immediately perked up, suddenly seeing potential in this mare to help her. \u201cYou have lots of subscribers?\u201d she asked eagerly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m on my way to three million,\u201d Tamara said smugly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Liv\u2019s viewpoint on this mare thoroughly changed. \u201cTell me more,\u201d she purred, leaning forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cPlease, you must help this duck!\u201d Belen announced breathlessly upon bursting into the vet clinic. She held a small feathered body in her forelegs.<\/span><\/p>\n

The mare at the reception desk, looking alarmed, shouted into the back; and, momentarily, a pink unicorn appeared on the scene, ushering Belen into the exam room. \u201cA duck, huh?\u201d she said, looking incredulous.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to save him!\u201d Belen reiterated, pushing a strand of hair out of her face–she was quite bedraggled after her jaunt in the woods, she was sure, but what mattered was getting Quackers the help he needed. \u201cButch left him in my care!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cButch? You mean this is his duck?\u201d the unicorn echoed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes! You can help him, can\u2019t you?\u201d Tears streamed down Belen\u2019s face as profound guilt overcame her.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, let\u2019s see what we have,\u201d the unicorn said, keeping her calm. She inspected the injury site on the chest as Quackers quacked angrily at the indignity.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs you can see, there\u2019s a transverse cut across the anterior pectoralis,\u201d Belen said through sniffles. \u201cHe\u2019s bleeding out!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have some medical training,\u201d the unicorn observed, irrigating the wound.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh–well–just a few things I picked up,\u201d Belen hastily said. \u201cI don’t have formal training.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNeither do I,\u201d the unicorn confessed, continuing her work. \u201cHey, you\u2019re not Butch\u2019s fiance from Azucar, are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d said Belen. \u201cThat\u2019s my sister.\u201d She thought she would stick with the cover story for now.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought for sure he was being scammed,\u201d Tabby said cheerfully, going about her work. Belen kept her peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTabby, what are you doing?\u201d a unicorn stallion complained, entering the room. \u201cYou\u2019re not supposed to start a treatment regimen until I say so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI forgot,\u201d the unicorn said in an unapologetic manner.<\/span><\/p>\n

The stallion shook his head, but didn\u2019t seem genuinely irate. \u201cMiss,\u201d he said, looking at Belen, \u201cif you\u2019d like to go back to the waiting area\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019ll watch, if you don\u2019t mind,\u201d Belen said, hovering about.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow did this happen?\u201d the doctor asked as he inspected the injury.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe escaped from his pen–my fault–and I found him tangled in a barbed wire fence!\u201d A fresh wave of tears overtook Belen as she remembered the sight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t really as bad as it looks,\u201d the doctor announced, looking up. \u201cSome stitches and he\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe hasn\u2019t lost too much blood?\u201d Belen asked anxiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll need to rest, and drink plenty of fluids, but he\u2019ll bounce back,\u201d the doctor assured her. \u201cBring him back in a week to have the stitches removed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Belen said, feeling mortified as the practical thought of payment came to mind, \u201cbut I\u2019m afraid I have no money–\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry, I know where to find Butch,\u201d the assistant assured her with no great concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cThank you so much,\u201d said Belen with genuine gratitude as she adjusted Quackers\u2019 position in the cloth carrier that Tabby had pulled out of some cabinet to aid with transportation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it\u2019s what we\u2019re here for,\u201d Tabby casually uttered the trite expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

Belen\u2019s eyes lit upon a <\/span>Now Accepting Applications<\/span><\/i> sign posted at the front counter. \u201cOh–you\u2019re hiring?\u201d she burst out without thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Tabby looked at her curiously. \u201cDo you want an application?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no, I shouldn\u2019t have said anything,\u201d Belen said, embarrassed. \u201cI don\u2019t have the experience–I\u2019m sure you have better applicants.\u201d Liv wouldn\u2019t let something like lack of experience get in her way, but Belen was less comfortable misrepresenting herself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou never know. Why don\u2019t you fill it out,\u201d Tabby said, offering her the form.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cLiv, that\u2019s too funny!\u201d Tabby heard her sister laughing as she opened the door to her house after work. She found Tamara and an unfamiliar mare sprawled out in the living room, eating ice cream, with an open laptop on the coffee table. \u201cOh, hello, Tabitha,\u201d Tamara acknowledged her sister without looking up from the computer screen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHello\u2026\u201d said Tabby slowly, looking around at the array of ribbons, makeup, and jewelry strewn around. This whirlwind of debris always seemed to accompany her sister\u2019s entertaining of guests. \u201cDid you leave any ice cream for me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s on the counter. Hey, so this is Liv,\u201d Tamara said, gesturing at the green mare. \u201cShe\u2019s new in town. I\u2019m helping her set up her SnapTube channel.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re really identical,\u201d said Liv wonderingly, looking back and forth between the twins.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yeah,\u201d said Tabby, frowning at the mostly-melted carton of ice cream on the counter. \u201cHey, you\u2019re Belen\u2019s sister, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Liv said cautiously. \u201cHow do you know my sister?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe was just at the clinic,\u201d Tabby said casually, grabbing a cookie instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s injured?\u201d Liv sat bolt upright.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cVet clinic, sorry,\u201d Tabby clarified. \u201cIt was a duck that was injured.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cButch\u2019s duck? How did that happen? I left her with Sundance,\u201d said Liv, perplexed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tabby shrugged. \u201cI dunno, but she said she had to get back to Butch\u2019s shop.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI better go check in with her,\u201d Liv said reluctantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome over tomorrow and I\u2019ll get my photographer to take some promo shots,\u201d Tamara chattered excitedly, getting up to walk Liv to the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure,\u201d Liv readily agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Liv grimaced as she paused outside the rickety edifice with a shabby sign overhead that read Butch\u2019s Oddities Shoppe. The establishment was a…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1071],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33700","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=33700"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33701,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33700\/revisions\/33701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}