{"id":36831,"date":"2023-12-17T18:12:05","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T00:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/?p=36831"},"modified":"2023-12-17T18:12:05","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T00:12:05","slug":"chapter-1-5-garnet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/2023\/12\/17\/chapter-1-5-garnet\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 1.5: Garnet"},"content":{"rendered":"

One night the following week, Garnet met Troubadour at a dive bar on the outskirts of Misty Hollow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI knew Inky’s little girl wouldn’t let me down,\u201d the teal stallion said with a leer as Garnet hoofed over the necklace. \u201cCan I interest you in dinner?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ugh, what a sleaze! Nothing she couldn’t handle, though. \u201cOur business is done. Now scram!\u201d Garnet spat.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a chuckle, the stallion ambled off into the shadows.<\/span><\/p>\n

Garnet looked after him with pursed lips. This job, a favor to her father’s old friend, had been laughably easy. She was skilled in laying her hooves on things that didn’t belong to her, and there were plenty of ponies willing to pay for her assistance in acquiring certain rarities. Garnet did feel bad for stealing the necklace from Fern, who seemed wholly inoffensive; but this is what Garnet did, after all. She wasn\u2019t a con artist so that she could showcase her immense compassion.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ignoring the annoying nagging sense of injustice–what had been so important about the necklace that Troubadour wanted it, anyway? There had to be more to it than the sentimental value it held for Fern–Garnet turned and made her way to the casino a few blocks away, where her shift in the accounting office was starting soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t know how long she would stay in Misty Hollow. She was still getting the lay of the land, conducting a sort of cost-benefit analysis of various schemes before determining where to invest her energy. Anything was possible at this point, but the amount of money that passed through the casino was intriguing to Garnet.<\/span><\/p>\n

On her way inside the bustling, brightly-lit building, Garnet ran into Chocolate Chip, her boss’s girlfriend whom she had strategically befriended. \u201cHey,\u201d she said good-naturedly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGarnet, hi!\u201d said Chocolate Chip, coming to a stop. \u201cThe place is hopping tonight.\u201d She shifted her backpack. \u201cI just stopped by for dinner with Birchbark. He\u2019s looking for you, has some questions about the ledger.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll set him straight,\u201d said Garnet with a smug look.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you will,\u201d said Chocolate Chip, smiling. \u201cHey, should we do movie night this Friday? We can invite Fern.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Garnet felt a twinge of guilt at hearing Fern\u2019s name. She hadn\u2019t intended to continue her association with the mare, but Chocolate Chip had taken a liking to her. Aloud she said, \u201cSure, sounds good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think she\u2019s still bummed about losing her grandmother\u2019s necklace,\u201d Chocolate Chip continued glibly. \u201cIt\u2019s a real shame no one turned it in. Well, I gotta get to my chemistry study group. See ya!\u201d and she continued on her way.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Despite keeping up a friendship with Garnet, Fern harbored secret suspicions about the overlap of her necklace\u2019s disappearance and the entrance of Garnet into her life\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe she was wrong, that the necklace had fallen off on its own, and she was suspecting a good-hearted mare for no reason, Fern thought with a pang of guilt. But her misgivings prompted her to ask some questions. Her searches for a local pawn shop led to a place called Butch\u2019s. As she stepped inside and looked around at the relics that surrounded her, she realized that the shop catered to an earlier time period than her necklace was from. Maybe this was all for nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI, uh, I’m not sure you can help,\u201d Fern said, cautiously walking up the counter in the back of the store and addressing the blue stallion at the cash register. \u201cI’m looking for a particular necklace I lost. Do you buy jewelry? Like a pawn shop?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOccasionally,\u201d he said guardedly. \u201cWhat can you tell me about this necklace?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Fern promptly presented a sketch she had made from memory.<\/span><\/p>\n

The stallion considered it, then pushed the paper away, shaking his head. \u201cNope, haven’t seen anything like that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d said Fern, reclaiming the sketch, disappointed that the exchange had ended without any leads. \u201cWhat about a red mare? All red. Darker mane and tail.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

At that, the stallion started. \u201cI mighta seen this mare,\u201d he admitted. \u201cShe came by with some pretty trinkets, but nothing like your necklace.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally! Can you tell me anything else?\u201d Fern leaned forward eagerly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t keep tabs on all my clients,\u201d he said laconically. \u201cYou think she took your necklace?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Stole<\/span><\/i> it!\u201d Fern said resentfully, then sighed. \u201cI don\u2019t have any evidence,\u201d she admitted, \u201cjust a feeling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He tilted his head, studying her. Fern thought he might feel a little bit sorry for her. \u201cIt’s valuable?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t think its financial worth is all that much. It’s mostly sentimental value,\u201d Fern said thoughtfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

He gave her a shrewd look. \u201cWould it hold value for anyone else?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere’s Granny’s sister and her husband, but they already have the whole of the estate,\u201d Fern considered, desperate enough to spill the whole of her life story to this stranger. \u201cWhy would they want to take this last reminder I have? Are they really that full of spite?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe it’s a key to something larger,\u201d he suggested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA hidden treasure?\u201d Fern\u2019s mouth turned slightly upwards at the whimsical thought that her grandmother had left behind a mystery. A shrewd businesspony, Granny would have made sure things were all ship-shape and above-board. \u201cI don\u2019t think Granny\u2019s the type.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou never know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, thank you, Mr. Butch. You\u2019ve given me some things to think about.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

Fern continued to muse about the situation, and she met Chocolate Chip one day later that week for lunch. She wondered if the dedicated college student could be an ally\u2026 or was she working with Garnet? But Fern had no one else to turn to, so she had to hope for the best.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow long have you known Garnet?\u201d Fern asked, trying to sound casual.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince she’s been working at the casino,\u201d Chocolate Chip said, unwrapping her sandwich. \u201cThree months, I guess.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe doesn’t talk about her past,\u201d Fern mused.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chocolate Chip shrugged. \u201cSometimes there\u2019s not much to say,\u201d she said matter-of-factly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just, my necklace, I can\u2019t help but wonder\u2026\u201d Fern trailed off, letting Chocolate Chip fill in the words that were unsaid.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGarnet? You think she was involved? No way,\u201d Chocolate Chip protested. \u201cShe wouldn’t do that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut what do we know about her, really?\u201d Fern forged ahead. \u201cWhat’s her background?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I\u2026 I’m sure Birchbark has that information on her application,\u201d said Chocolate Chip, a little uncertainly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCould you get your hooves on that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou’re serious about this?\u201d Chocolate Chip asked, still sounding incredulous, but also a tiny bit sympathetic. \u201cOkay. Let me talk to him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cFern thinks Garnet is up to something shady,\u201d Chocolate Chip announced, dropping in on her boyfriend at work later that day. Since Birchbark was the owner of the casino, Chocolate Chip was allowed to take certain liberties that might be frowned upon in other work situations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGarnet?\u201d Birchbark echoed, looking up from the official-looking forms on the desk in front of him. \u201cWhy does she think that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFern lost a necklace. It\u2019s really important to her, and she thinks Garnet copped it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGarnet\u2019s very reliable,\u201d Birchbark protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Chocolate Chip agreed. \u201cBut I think it might make Fern feel better to get a sense of her background.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHer background?\u201d echoed Birchbark, an uneasy look crossing his face.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, where she\u2019s from, where she\u2019s worked in the past. Surely there are references that you followed up with from the application,\u201d Chocolate Chip said cajolingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn’t actually get references,\u201d Birchbark admitted. \u201cShe interviewed really well, and, um,\u201d he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, \u201cwe really needed to fill the position.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Chocolate Chip\u2019s demeanor changed. \u201cSo we don’t really know anything,\u201d she said, gaping. \u201cFern could be right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat’s a big leap,\u201d Birchbark cautioned, rolling back his chair and reaching for a filing cabinet drawer. \u201cI\u2019m sure everything is fine. But let\u2019s just take a look at her employment file if it will make you feel better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cFern, I’m sorry that I dismissed your suspicions,\u201d Chocolate Chip said, seeking the mare out later. \u201cThere’s some things about Garnet that don’t add up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally? Like what?\u201d Fern had come to the conclusion that the final recipient of the necklace was likely her grand-uncle Troubadour, and that pursuing Garnet\u2019s involvement was probably futile. Fern nonetheless felt a sense of relief at having someone to share her suspicions with.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere were no references,\u201d Chocolate Chip admitted. \u201cShe got the job solely on how she interviewed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cInteresting,\u201d Fern murmured, glad to have Chocolate Chip on her side, but still facing all the unknowns surrounding what she should do next. It was beginning to look like she should take the bull by the horns, and call out her uncle on whatever nefarious counterfeit will he had produced. But for that, she would need legal assistance, and that required money.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, it\u2019s getting late,\u201d Chocolate Chip realized with a glance at the clock. \u201cCome to supper with me at Strawberry’s.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrawberry\u2019s?\u201d asked Fern, not being familiar with a restaurant by that name.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe mare I board with,\u201d Chocolate Chip explained. \u201cShe’s really nice.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I couldn’t intrude,\u201d Fern protested.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrawberry won’t mind at all,\u201d Chocolate Chip assured her.<\/span><\/p>\n

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

\u201cHow lovely to meet you, Fern,\u201d said the hostess with a smile upon being introduced to the mare. \u201cChocolate Chip’s friends are always welcome.\u201d Strawberry stepped aside and allowed the two mares to enter the house. \u201cLet me introduce you to my friends.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Fern choked upon seeing the two unicorns further inside the house. Tabby was well-known as Toby’s ex-fiance, and she was accompanied tonight with the stallion who she had thrown Toby over for; Fern had never anticipated crossing paths like this. She couldn’t help but wonder about the mare who would toss the greatly idolized Dr. Collins aside\u2026 Lost in a haze of disbelief, Fern managed to muster the appropriate pleasantries. (The veterinarian seemed nice enough, but he was no Dr. Collins, thought Fern steadfastly.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Feeling a little light-headed, she realized that the circle she found herself in was far more influential than any she had ever been exposed to previously, and that doors could open for her if she played her cards right tonight. She prepared to be her most charming self.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you from the area, Fern?\u201d Strawberry inquired when they were seated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up near Bushley with my grandmother.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe must miss you,\u201d said Strawberry, always very sensitive to loss.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe passed away last year,\u201d Fern said softly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I’m so sorry,\u201d Strawberry commiserated. \u201cTabby, would you pass the rolls, please?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere you go,\u201d said Tabby, passing the bread basket across the table.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fern stole speculative glances at the enigmatic heiress, who chattered easily enough with the others, but refrained from exchanging words with Fern. How could Fern get on her good side?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you a student, Fern?\u201d Dr. Fairfax asked conversationally.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m taking some online courses in office administration,\u201d Fern said. \u201cI work in admin at the hospital.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a growing field,\u201d he noted.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fern noted Tabby\u2019s glazed-over expression indicating boredom at this turn in conversation. Fern mustered up her brightest smile and addressed the pink unicorn: \u201cTabby, I heard you collect My Little People.\u201d This was a well-known quirk of the heiress, and often spoken of in hospital gossip disparagingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

But at that question, a change came over Tabby\u2019s countenance, her face brightening. \u201cI have all the Mestruna releases, except for Kaitlyn, but I have a lead on tracking her down,\u201d she said with enthusiasm. \u201cWell, and I don\u2019t have all the Petite People, but I don\u2019t really count that scale as the main focus of my collection, you know. Same thing with the Beautiful Dreamers; they\u2019re on a larger scale. I count the standard dolls and others that are scale with them–baby people, merpeople, fairy people, that sort of thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s very interesting,\u201d said Fern politely. Though her own awareness of dolls didn\u2019t extend past the hoofful she had played with as a foal, she nonetheless found Tabby\u2019s spirited discourse somewhat endearing. \u201cWho is your favorite?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, um,\u201d and here Tabby looked rather perplexed, \u201cwell, there are a lot of them that I really like, but if I had to choose one, it would probably be Cornelia. She has purple glitter hair.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI had one\u2026 I think her name was\u2026 Penelope.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAhh, that would be Year 3, from the Secret Fairy Surprise collection,\u201d Tabby said with authority.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I remember the fairy wings,\u201d said Fern with a smile.<\/span><\/p>\n

That kept the conversation going for the remainder of the meal, with everyone sharing reminisces of foalhood toys. After dessert was served, Fern knew that she could not politely extend her visit indefinitely, and though she had managed to draw Tabby out, still hadn\u2019t come around to the business she had in mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Tabby and Dr. Fairfax were heading for the door, Fern made her move. \u201cTabby, could I speak to you for a moment?\u201d asked Fern, trying not to sound desperate.<\/span><\/p>\n

The pink unicorn exchanged a quizzical look with her date, then looked back at Fern inquiringly. \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know we’ve only just met, and this is an imposition, but I’m desperate and have nowhere to turn,\u201d Fern spoke in a rush. \u201cI’ve been cheated out of my inheritance, and I need a lawyer to contest the will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh. Well,\u201d said Tabby, clearly confused. \u201cThat sounds terrible and all, but I don’t see how I’m a qualified pony to help.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was hoping you might know someone?\u201d Fern asked hopefully. She had a vague notion that affluent ponies were all friends with lawyers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, if you were having medical problems, or issues with a supernatural entity, I could probably figure something out for you,\u201d Tabby said slowly. \u201cBut I don\u2019t really have any contacts that could do anything about a forged will.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Fern had put Dr. Fairfax\u2019s presence in the back of her mind during this exchange, so she was somewhat startled when he spoke: \u201cI have a friend who works for an estate lawyer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDusty Rose? Really?\u201d said Tabby, wrinkling her nose.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Fairfax ignored the snide remark, and continued talking to Fern. \u201cI’m sure she’d be willing to look over the details of your case and bring it to Mr. Brambleburr’s attention.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

“Really? That would be great!” Fern said, finding her opinion of the veterinarian rising. “I don’t have a lot of money, though,” she confessed. That seemed to be a sticking point with the law offices she had approached.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey work pro bono cases,\u201d Dr. Fairfax assured her. \u201cI think Dusty Rose would be happy to take up your cause. I\u2019ll give her a call right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, she\u2019s always available to talk to <\/span>you<\/span><\/i>,\u201d said Tabby, rolling her eyes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you! Both of you\u201d said Fern fervently. \u201cTabby, I always thought you were kind of out there, but… now I think I see what Dr. Collins saw in you.\u201d Tabby started at the mention of that name, and Fern blushed at being so forward and bringing up unwanted connections. \u201cI mean, thank you! From the bottom of my heart!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

One night the following week, Garnet met Troubadour at a dive bar on the outskirts of Misty Hollow. \u201cI knew Inky’s little girl…<\/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-36831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36831","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=36831"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36831\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36832,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36831\/revisions\/36832"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36831"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36831"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fakiespaceman.com\/toyblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36831"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}