The sound of quiet breathing and softly blowing snow caused Flitter’s eyes to flutter for a moment before opening fully. She could feel the slight chill rolling in through the cave from the entrance; it nipped at her hind hooves and the edges of her wings where they laid splayed out from under the thermal blanket. Behind her, Jack huffed quietly in his sleep and shifted on the cot. She stretched her stiff limbs, before tucking back into the cozy warmth of the shared blanket. He’s like… the old wood stove granpa had… Pulling up the worn cotton hood of her hoodie, Flitter nuzzled into Jack’s warm chest before letting out a content breath. Closing her eyes; Flitter rested her ear against his sternum and listened to his heart beat away without pause. It was steady and strong, albeit a bit faster than she’d thought it would have been. As Flitter hugged against Jack to avoid the cold; she felt him shift, and twitch; the metal tags and strange cross he wore around his neck jingled ever so slightly from the movements. Such a small motion, she may have completely missed it had she not been paying attention to him in the first place. Again, he twitched, and his cybernetic legs whirred quietly as he moved.

Frowning ever so slightly, Flitter looked up at him to find his face slowly pulling into a look of displeasure and concern. His lips curled downward ever so slightly, causing the long scars on his head to stretch and change colour from the pressure. Shaking her head, Flitter nudged Jack lighty. “Jack? It’s alright. I’m here.” She had to suppress a squeak of surprise as he curled his arms around her and pulled her in as if she were a stuffed animal. His twitching continued onwards.

________________________________________________________________

“Jack? It’s alright. I’m here.”

The words rebounded around him as he clenched his fists and grit his teeth. Across from the table from him sat a tall, auburn haired woman with severe cheeks, a small nose, and startling blue eyes that absolutely refused to meet his.

“Jack… Why do you have to make this difficult?” The woman asked as if she’d spoken it a thousand times, and had grown tired of it. On her ring finger was a small engagement ring that she idly fiddled with like a scab.

Running a damp hand down his drawn features and two week old beard, Jack couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. “Make this difficult… Yeah, right, sorry.” He snarked slightly, before slugging back some of his nearly cold coffee. The rain slammed against the coffee shop windows, framing an ugly night for an ugly talk.

The woman rolled her eyes and rested against the back of the booth. “Fine, fuck it. We both know that this isn’t working out, so let’s just get it over with.” She tugged the ring off and let it clatter onto the table as she started getting up. She paused as he eyed the removed ring with disbelief and shock. “Oh, what? You didn’t see this coming?” She fumed slightly as he gripped his cane tightly. “Just look at yourself for fuck sakes. You think you’ve got it the worst ever? Grow the fuck up Jack.”

Jack clenched his hand tightly around the head of his cane. He hated that cane. Hated that he needed the support just to walk around on his spindly prosthetics that pinched every time he stepped too far or too short. He felt his body coiling up like a spring, save for his legs. He closed his eyes for a moment, and willed the muscles in his calves to flex, to tense, to let him bound up and grab his fiance by the shoulders and shake her. Ex-fiance. His subconscious reminded him, before he spoke. “Who.” He turned his head and regarded her with smoldering, sunken, bloodshot eyes. “Who were you fucking Elissa?”

Letting out a long, hot breath through her flared nostrils, Elissa let the ghost of a begrudged smirk cross the beautiful curvature of her lips. “Paul. Paul Harten.”

His hands shook with fury; his dirty nails dug deep into the wood of the cane as he gritted his teeth. “How long.”

Snorting, Elissa adjusted her small bag. “Six months.”

Jack chuckled to himself and looked out the window as he turned the ring over in his fingers. He wanted to wrap his fingers around her neck; to strangle the life from her; to impart upon her the pain he’d felt while she’d been riding dick. “Fuck you, Elissa.”

Flipping her middle finger upwards towards him, she sneered. “And fuck you too, Nasty Fuckin’ Jack.” At that, she turned around, and strode out of the small coffee shop and into the pouring rain.

Jack. Wake up.

He blinked in confusion as the familiar voice echoed around, and the world warped. Jack blinked again, but now he was laying on his cot, with a concerned Flitter staring up at him from over his chest. Letting out a small groan, he stretched out and yawned.

A small smile crossed Flitters muzzle as she nudged him. “What was that all about? Having bad dreams again?” When Jack flicked his hand up in the air, in his ‘I fucking guess so’ motion, Flitter couldn’t help but giggle lightly and lay back down to rest against him. “I wonder why Princess Luna doesn’t help….” Sitting up slightly to look down at her, Jack raised one brow up into his fringe. He blinked hard, before blowing air. He gestured again and rolled his legs out of the cot. Flitter whined quietly, and pulled her haunches up onto his lap to keep them inside the blanket where everything was cozy and warm. Jack shivered a bit as the wind blew through the cave; his eyes went to the dead fire, but his mind remained on his dream. Giving his head a shake, he gently lifted Flitter off his lap and deposited her into a pile of hoodie, blanket, pony, and wings. The mare grumbled quietly before sticking her hooded head out from under the blanket. “It’s cold as balls in here. You should try and make that door better before it gets really cold.” Jack shrugged as he yawned; he flicked the flint of his zippo lighter repeatedly, but to no avail. An angry murmur was issued at the empty lighter, and his eyes remained on the logs and cold coals.

Before long, a spark lit up behind Jack’s eyes, and he snapped his fingers loud enough to startle the still sleepy Flitter. She poked her head up and watched as he treaded over and pulled one of his rifle’s boxy magazines from the solar charger. He crossed over to where his rifle lay next to the cot, and stuffed the fresh magazine into it. Setting the power as low as it could go, he point the muzzle at the cold logs and pumped a three round burst into them. Flitter giggled lightly as he grinned in triumph and flipped off the now crackling fire. Setting his rifle down gently against the large log he used for seating; Jack grasped for his PDA and tapped out a quick message.

“Want anything for breakfast? I have-” There was a brief pause as he looked over his meager supplies. “Water and bandages. Also rubbing alcohol chasers.” He smirked slightly, before rubbing his fast growing beard.

Flitter rolled her eyes as she remained in the blankets. They were slowly cooking off without Jack to keep them toasty warm. “I think I’ll pass on the bandage sandwich…” She trailed off as she tapped her chin. “Maybe we should go into town, get you some real food. What day is it anyways? The thirteenth?”

“Thirteenth of October. And is that a smart idea? I mean, look at me. I don’t exactly play the metal gear theme wherever I go.” He gestured towards himself, before prodding the fire.

“Well…” Flitter rubbed her cheek lightly as she thought. “I can easily lie and say you’re… from the Griffon Empire. Some kind of pit-fighter turned rescue human!” She grinned. “It’ll work, almost every single one of the ponies in town have never gone further than Canterlot. They get scared of new things, the Flower Sisters freak out and scream ‘Monster’ when they see Zecora for fucks sake. She’s just a pony with stripes!” She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Anyways, so long as you behave, and don’t carry any huge weapons and laugh, I think we’d be able to sneak around well enough.” She smiled at him, hoping to pass on her faith in the plan.

Jack chuckled lightly as he rubbed the nook of his left elbow. “So we gotta do this sneeki beeki like, huh? Alright.” He pulled on the small metal necklace around his neck, and rubbed the little cross and the tags that hung there. Flitter furrowed her brow lightly with curiosity, before brushing it off in favour of the question that plagued her mind.

“Jack, what were you dreaming about?” Frowning, he waved a hand, as if he could shoo the question away like an unwanted pest. Flitter furrowed her brow and pouted lightly, before pawing at him. “Jaaaack…” He turned her head away from her and squeezed the little metal beads on the necklace. She in turn pouted even further and resorted to nudging and nuzzling against his stomach. “Jaaaaaaaaaaaack.” His eyes flicked over to her, and his features contorted as he beheld the adorable wide saucer eyes that begged him for an answer. She rolled over onto her back with the help of her wings and nudged at his stomach and chest as she looked up at him. “Plllleeeeeaaasse?”

He cringed and tried to look away as his defenses crumbled bit by bit. “I don’t wanna.”

That only spurred her on further. Bringing her hooves up to rest on her chest as she continued to stare up at him. “But Jaaaaaaacck… We’re a team… How am I supposed to help if you won’t tell me?” She sniffed theatrically, and suppressed a broad smile as he groaned loudly and threw his hands up in defeat.

“Fine, just stop with that diabetes crap. Got enough wrong with me.” He stretched his hand for a moment as he stared at the PDA’s screen. Flitter smiled smugly to herself as she sat up and resumed a more becoming position. “I had a dream about my ex-fiance.”

“Oh.” Flitter winced as if she’d pinched a nerve. Maybe I should have let that one lay…. “I’m… what happened? I mean, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” She waved her hooves in a placating manner. To her relief, Jack glanced over and cracked a weary smirk.

“Things went south. We split but she managed to make life fucking miserable for me regardless. More than half the reason I’m here right now. Let’s just put it-” He paused for a moment, before continuing with a grim look about him. “If she were to appear here, now, there’s three things I would give her.” He tapped the center of his chest twice, before tapping between his eyes once.

In response, Flitter arched a brow of concern and mild confusion. “Oooohh..kay. I’m umm… Wow.” She smiled a bit. “Well, at least we both know how crappy relationships are, right?” She grinned a little bit wider, and found it returned weakly by the human seated next to her. Snorting into the chilly air, Jack started chuckling as he circled his index finger around in the air above his head. A, ‘woop-de-do’, if you would. Flitter returned his enthusiasm by bouncing up. “Come on, toss on your sweater. We’re gonna go to town!” She clopped her hooves happily at the prospect as Jack groaned and stood up with effort. Her smile dimmed slightly as he dug around within his plate carrier, and produced a snub-nosed revolver that was sprayed matte black with a dark wood grip. He stuffed it into the side pocket of his fatigue pants, and it was followed by several small shining brass cartridges. Flitter cocked her head, and furrowed her brow. “What’s that?”

“.44 Magnum insurance policy. I won’t use it unless I absolutely have to.” At that, he adjusted his belt and donned his worn olive drab pullover. He seemed to regard his knife belt for a moment, before pulling it off and offering it to Flitter. “Put that around your waist, under the hoodie. You can keep it, I’ve got a spare somewhere around here.” He prodded at his pack with his boot, before shrugging.

She looked up at him with mild shock; her eyes drifted down to the dangling leather sheath and sturdy canvas belt. “Are… are you sure? I mean, It’s your knife, you should carry it.” Her eyes didn’t leave the knife. Jack smiled lightly, and nodded. He pushed the belt at her again, and thankfully she took it this time. Flitter smiled happily as she used her wings to secure the canvas belt around her waist, where it would be covered up by the hoodie but remain easily accessible. “Thanks Jack. This is… probably the coolest birthday present anybody has ever gotten me.” She leaned over and nuzzled his side.

Jack looked incredibly surprised; his eyes wide and his eyebrows up in his fringe. “It’s your birthday and you didn’t say anything?” He made an unhappy groan, before scratching between her ears.

Cooing softly at the ear scratches, Flitter shook her head. “I-it’s tomorrow.” She sighed softly as she hopped up off the log and stretched out. “Mom’s gonna send me some unsigned birthday card and Cloudy will… probably forget again.” She glanced over at Jack as they walked together toward the entrance to the cave. “So uh… I’ll probably hang out with you tomorrow for the most part until I gotta work. I mean, if that’s alright with you.”

“Course’.” Jack gave her a toothy grin, but inside his scarred head, the cogs were turning. Shitty birthday? Girl, you ain’t had a birthday until you’ve had one with a Kessle. Mom would have a conniption fit if she heard about unsigned cards. He smiled a little bit more broadly as a plan started to come together within his mind. Flitter relaxed, and fell into step beside Jack as the fresh snow crunched away under their steps. The entire forest seemed paused in time, almost as if they were the only living beings within it. A soft breeze rattled the barren branches, occasionally dropping small clumps of snow onto the ground below. Stuffing his hands into his fatigue pockets, Jack blew long motes of icy breath into the air. Within the pocket was the comforting form of his hold-out revolver. He slowly drew a finger over the end of one of the loose .44 magnum shells. Super hand load, Trident series hollow points. Reciting the words in his head gave him comfort. Comfort in the familiar, comfort in the reliable.

Flitter turned her head to regard him, her ears flicking under the hood. “So, remember. Don’t smile, don’t flip anyone off, don’t show your PDA, and don’t look as if you understand anything, alright? Also, aggression would be bad.” She chuckled quietly. “Yeah, this should be fun, right?”

“Right.”

The corner of her muzzle tugged at the single word answer. “Something up, Jack? I-” She clammed up the second Jack stopped in his tracks, and placed a hand over her barrel. Her ears perked, and her eyes quickly scanned around for trouble. “What-”

Before she could finish voicing her question, a young, naked human burst through the bushes with a screech, the lone forest critter echoing the noise as the child plunged down onto it, bludgeoning its skull inwards with a pointed rock. Flitter and Jack froze in place, watching the display with wide eyes. The child froze in response, and slowly turned its head to regard them. It’s eyes went wide as it regarded Jack’s towering frame; the child mewled quietly, and grabbed its kill with grubby paws. Jack took a tentative step forward, his hand outstretched in a placating manner. The child froze up again as he neared, its eyes narrowing as it growled. The sound of cracking branches and harried breathing broke through the sounds of winter, and before either Jack or Flitter could react, a nude human woman burst through onto the trail and grabbed the child. She shot a wary glare at the pair on the trail, before freezing.

Jack’s eyes wandered down for a scant moment, before he mentally forced them back up. She’s… kinda cute? In a uncanny-valley nude hippie kinda way… Ehhhhhhh… He mentally cringed at the myriad thoughts that ran through his head. The naked woman cocked her head, sending her greasy dread-locked black hair cascading about as she eyed up Jack. The woman released her child, and took a tentative step forward towards them. She made a strange little chirping noise, before swaying her upper body side to side. Eyes up! Come on man, this could be important! He mentally cursed himself, and lifted his hand up to cautiously greet her. The woman tilted her head to the other side as she regarded the hand with open suspicion and barely hidden curiosity. behind her, the child squawked and mewled in protest. She seemed to shush the boy by making a series of harsh clicks and chirps, before turning her attention back to Jack. It was almost as if she didn’t even register anything save for him. Jack slowly arched a brow and leaned back as she got uncomfortably close and sniffed at him like a dog would. The woman’s features shot up in confusion and she backed away. She chuffed quietly for a moment, and seemed utterly confused; within a mere moment her confusion melted away to blatant fear. She scrambled back, and grabbed hold of the boy. Letting out a terrified cry, she turned away from them and shielded the child with her body.

Jack turned to look at Flitter; the sudden rush of air past his head nearly knocked him over, and the horrendous roar that followed shook the teeth within his skull. The pair whirled around, and found themselves face to face with the largest lion Jack had ever laid eyes on. It’s massive scorpion tail lashed about as it drew back from the failed strike. Flitter screamed- “Manticore!” -and took flight immediately to avoid one of its heavy pawed swipes. Jack let out a startled grunt as the blow meant for Flitter found his side and catapulted him through the trees and into the snow.

High up above the altercation, Field Note sat with bated breath as he watched the wayward manticore attack the strange human it had knocked over. The creature lunged forward, grabbing the humans leg between its teeth. It dragged him back into view, and started trying to rip the leg clear from its socket. To his surprise, Field Note watched as the human lashed out with its other leg, smashing the manticore in the nose with his heel. The massive amalgamation keened in pain as the human rained down kicks onto its muzzle.

“The domesticated human male is fighting on, despite receiving an obviously grievous wound! It seems more concerned about inflicting as much damage upon the manticore as possible before it is killed than surviving. The male appears to be incredibly aggressive, which raises doubts about it being domesticated… Speaking of, I still cannot see the mare… She must have fled.”

The manticore released the humans leg and shook its broken face in anger; spraying its freely flowing blood over the snow. The human pushed itself back with both of its legs; trying to create room between them. Field Note watched as the Manticore’s tail lifted up high, poised to strike down and end the humans struggles.

“JAAACK!”

The mare's voice carried through the woods as she crashed down onto the manticore's tail, throwing the strike off as she slashed at it with a small knife. Field Note blinked in surprise, and resumed taking notes. “Interesting. The human male must be a loved pet for the owner to risk her life in such a futile-” Field Notes jaw fell as the manticore's tail was severed cleanly by the slashing blade held in the mare’s grip. The creature howled in horrendous pain as its tail stump spewed blood, only to receive a powerful stomping kick to its front left paw. Even high in the trees, Field Note could hear the thick bone shatter; he watched as the manticore collapsed into a heap. It snapped and snarled at the offending human as he planted his foot on the it’s muzzle. The human then pulled some kind of small black object from its clothing and pressed it against the manticore's swollen eye.

“What is it do-”

KRAKBOOOM

The black object in the humans hand bucked, and spoke of thunder. The brilliant flash of light and thunderous boom emitted from its barrel caused Field Note to emit a high pitched bat-shriek of terror. The manticore slumped to the ground, obviously dead. A large, smoking, bloody crater was all that remained of its left eye socket; the other side of the manticores head was a bloody pulp that had been sprayed across the disturbed snow. Field Note’s magic barely held as he hyperventilated. “I-I-I d-do believe t-that I’ve discovered a-an anomaly wi-within White Tail W-woods…” He swallowed meekly and tried to catch his breath. “Goddesses protect me…”

Back down on the forest floor, Jack pumped a fist and hooted in exhilaration. He practically vibrated in place as the snub nosed magnum smoked in his hand. Galloping over, Flitter started looking him over with wide, worried eyes. “Are you alright?! Oh please be alright!” She propped herself up on his leg so she was near his chest. “Are you hurt?”

Waving her off, Jack retrieved his PDA from where it had fallen and tapped out his message. “That lion hit like a bitch.” He grinned, before gingerly touching his ribs and moving his leg to confirm his own statement. A slow testing kick from his chewed leg confirmed that titanium did in fact, beat enamel. “Scared the bejesus out of me though.”

Letting out a relieved smile, Flitter hugged him tightly. “I was terrified… I’m so sorry!” She nuzzled apologetically into him as the massive corpse cooled at their feet/hooves. Jack lightly patted her shoulder, before giving her an appreciative squeeze. She managed a weak smile, before noticing that he was pointing at the creatures stumped tail. He gave her a happy grin, and a jerky thumbs up as he laughed excitedly. “Well… It was the only thing I could think of… You did all the work, distracting it.” She blushed at the praise, and watched as he pulled a spent brass casing from the exposed wheel of the gun. He slid a fresh one into its place, gave the wheel a spin, and clicked it closed. Flitter swallowed lightly, before looking around. “It looks like your friend is gone… Huh.” She huffed as the excess energy bled from her system. “Enough excitement for today, let’s go to town.”

“Right. No more mutant lions or crazy naked ladies. Questions later.” He chuckled alongside Flitter and stuffed the revolver back into his pocket. Without further delay, they both made their way towards town; completely unaware that they had an invisible observer following them and documenting everything.

___________________________________________________________________

Stopping just on the outskirts of Ponyville, Flitter glanced around furtively to check if the coast was clear, before looking to Jack. She smiled up at him, hoping to pass on some of her faith to the clearly nervous soldier. “It’ll be alright. Just pretend to be like the other humans. I’ll do the talking.” She patted his leg, and watched as his eyes shifted down for a moment to regard her. His smile took a moment longer than normal to appear, and it only lasted a scant second before he resumed scanning the area. Flitter sighed, before jerking with a start. “Crap, I’m gonna have to leash you....” She cringed inwardly as his gaze snapped down at her, and the corners of his mouth created harsh downward lines. “Just… hold on for a moment… Bylaws are getting crazy…” She looked around, trying to find something that could work. To her surprise, a coil of thick earth coloured cord was held out before her. Jack pressed the coil into her hooves as he fiddled with his belt.

His fatigues slid down lower on his hips than he’d remembered; his bony hips pressed through the skin at his waist almost alarmingly. Jack did his best to suppress a heavy frown as he cinched the loose fitting fatigues in place as best he could. By then, Flitter had managed to uncoil the roll of paracord, and was waiting for something to tie it to. Rolling his eyes, Jack looped the belt slowly around his neck. He closed his eyes as the metal tongue clicked through the sizing holes. Fuck does this ever feel familiar… He shivered lightly, and immediately loosened the belt up by two holes. Taking the offered end of paracord, he quickly tied a loose knot around the old leather belt that sat limply around his neck. Sighing quietly, Flitter took the cord in her hoof and motioned forward. “I’m really sorry about this Jack… Just tug three times if I pull to hard or something, okay?” He swiftly nodded, but didn’t meet her gaze as his head swiveled around, taking in the village.

By the time that the pair had entered Ponyville, most of the town had woken up, and another lovely winter day was starting. Ponies wearing snow gear trotted around, happily chatting each other up and discussing the news, the weather, and other useless garbage. Jack rolled his eyes as Flitter helped weave through the streets and gathering crowds. His ears pricked over one bit of news, overhead from a dull orange mare wearing a stetson.

“Gee, ah sure do hope Max is aw’lright. Can’t believe Rainbow and Pinkie just up and skedaddled on him during the storm.” She shook her head as she set out several buckets of fresh apples. “And infected humans, inside town! Talk about rotten luck, hey Big Mac?” She prodded the massive stallion’s side, and earned a grunt and a ‘Eeyup’ in return.

Jack perked a brow with interest when the mare mentioned infected. His mind went to the psychotic humans with dribbling black puss that leaked and sprayed from their bodies as he bludgeoned them to death. Maybe a natural effect on the locals… like an organic fever dart toxin. The connection send an electric shiver up his spine. If I catch that… His fingertips went to the solid form of his revolver as it sat in his pocket. He set his lips into a thin line and resolutely stuck by his mental choice. He felt a soft tug on the leash, and his eyes returned to Flitter. She smiled weakly. “Come on, we’ll get some groceries, and then maybe… go check out the new pet-store? Yeah.” She smiled a bit wider, before moving along with Jack in tow.

Watching Flitter dump what seemed like random assortments of fruits and veggies into bags from the vendors, Jack’s eyes went a little wide as she hoofed over several hoof-fuls of golden coins. He watched as several thousand dollars worth of gold was traded for forty dollars of produce, almost like it was nothing at all. He shook his head, and resolved to start gathering some of the coins if the chance arose.

Feeling his hackles rise up uncomfortably, Jack glanced around, only to find several sets of eyes watching them with open curiosity. More than a few ponies were staring at him, which sent a cold shiver down his spine. A sparse few domesticated humans were wandering around behind their masters; a select few were well trained enough to carry bags of groceries. A small male human, no more than sixteen by Jack’s guess, skittered out of their way with a quiet, frightened chirp as it stared at Jack. In response, he furrowed his brow and made a harsh click with his tongue. The young male mewled, and swiftly turned its attentions elsewhere.

“Here, hold these please.” Jack blinked, and looked back over to Flitter, who held out several bags of groceries. He grabbed them, and took the weight off of the mare leading him. She smiled in thanks, before leading him further into the markets.

The shopping felt like it dragged on for hours on end, like a lousy patrol in the asshole of some backwater country. Having figured that the locals posed absolutely no threat, Jack relaxed, and did his best to memorize what was where, and cross-reference it with what he remembered from his night raids. There was the bakery, which looked much less threatening now that he knew fuzzy pacifist ponies ran it. There was a library apparently situated within a large tree, and several odd businesses strewn about. Just off the corner of the main drag, Jack could make out the ‘fine’ establishment that he’d raided, and the bench where he’d first knocked out Flitter. He took note on how Flitter blatantly avoided that stretch of road as she made her way to some kind of pet store. When nopony was close enough to hear, she slowed down and whispered. “That’s the old store, they don’t let humans inside, so you’ll have to wait on the bench.” He arched a brow at her, as if to ask what she planned on getting in the store. Flitter simply smiled, and patted his metal leg. “It’s a surprise. Just hang tight.” Flitter lazily lashed the cord around a small post that was situated by the bench, before trotting in through the door.

Plopping down onto the thankfully cleared bench, Jack carefully set the groceries down onto the snow before him and stuffed his hands into his pockets to keep them warm. Ponies trotted by, crunching the snow underhoof as they went about their daily business.

It’s real peaceful here. Too bad I have to act like a retard, or risk getting dissected. He watched with idle curiosity as some of the horned ponies lifted things around without touching them. Some kind of… psychokinesis? Some Fantasyland crap right there… He huffed quietly to himself, and let his body relax further into the wooden bench.

“Hellloooo, what do we have here?” An older mares voice filled his ears, and caused his skin to crawl. Lowering his head back down, he could now see a well defined mare with, what pained Jack to admit, was a very attractive young woman at her heels. He eyed up the girl for a long moment, before tearing his eyes away. The mare smiled crookedly. “My my… Aren’t you quite the specimen. Where on Equis did you come from boy?” She asked him, as if she expected an actual answer. Jack tried to ignore the fact he was being eyed up like a hunk of meat at the butchershop. She tilted her head this way and that, but didn’t touch him. “Maybe an alpha, but so well behaved!” She tittered quietly, before cupping his chin in her hoof to force him to look up. Jack jerked away and shot her a needle-filled glare of vehemence, causing her to back up a step and the female leashed to her to whine quietly. “Oh my… Very rare eye colour, and… such an odd eye shape. Very toned muscles... You aren’t from around here, are you?” The mare licked her lips wantingly as she spoke and ran her eyes over his form. Jack’s fingers went to the solid frame of the weapon within his pocket, and mentally cursed.

Before the earth pony mare could draw any closer, the door of the pet-shop jingled merrily, and Flitter exited with a small bag. She paused for a moment, before forcing a smile. “Miss Oakenbaulm, how nice to see you.” She trotted over, and gave Jack a nuzzle on the neck as she dropped the small bag inside one of the larger ones.

Oakenbaulm arched a brow and watched. “Yes, hello. I take it this is your human? I’ve never seen him in town with you before.” She glanced back over to Jack, and smiled. Her female shifted closer, cautiously edging towards Jack.

“Well… I’m watching him for a friend, but it sounds like my friend may just let me keep him. He’s such a big softy, isn’t that right Jack?” She nudged his side and smiled warmly. In return, her gave her a brief scratch between the ears.

The other mare started to slowly circle them, eyeing up Jack. “He’s very well trained… Solid stock, excellent posture; a prime breeder to be sure.” She clucked her tongue as she thought, and before Flitter could get a word in edgewise, she spoke once again. “Four thousand.”

Flitters jaw dropped and she sputtered. “I-I… what?” She shook her head, once she realized what Miss Oakenbaulm was talking about. “No, no he’s not for sale.”

“Fine, five thousand.”

Five thousand… Flitter paused and mentally recited the massive price-tag, before looking to the ground. “T-that’s um… a lot of money Miss Oakenbaulm, but-”

The older mare sighed derisively. “I’m terribly sorry… Flitter, was it? You’ve got a prime breeder here. Gold medal even. You’re wasting its potential by just keeping it as a pet. I’m willing to give you five thousand bits if you let me put it to proper use.” Jack’s lips began to part in an open toothed sneer of disgust, which he barely kept hidden.

Flitter blinked owlishly . “I’m… No. No, I’m sorry, but he’s my best friend and he’s not for sale.” She nodded resolutely and fluttered her wings as the older mare snorted.

“That human must be nearing sixteen, he won’t live much longer. Are you sure you want to pass over my offer? I assure you, you won’t get another one like it.” Oakenbalm pawed at the ground hotly, as if her offer couldn’t possibly have been passed up by anyone sane. “And I know that you need these bits. Everpony in town knows that your sister is going to lose that hovel.”

Setting her jaw into an angry flat line, Flitter shook her head. “No, not everypony in town knows, and regardless, I don’t give a fuck.” The older mare gasped and held a hoof to her chest as Flitter took Jack’s leash. “Come on Jack.” She smirked at Oakenbalm. “Have a nice day.” She started trotting away with Jack in tow; as the older mare stared at them with wide eyed shock and disbelief, Jack turned to face her, and delivered a dual flipped bird in her direction. A tinge of regret played the edge of his mind as the attractive young woman pouted sadly and preformed a tiny little finger wave good-bye; it was one that he mirrored when the mare fumed and whirled around to trot away. The woman cooed and chirped happily, before getting tugged along by the collar that sat firmly over her slight neck. Jack’s eyes lingered lower as she skipped after Oakenbalm, before someone jingled his own leash.

“Jack, come on.” Flitters features were set into a painfully flat, neutral expression, and she refused to look Jack in the eyes as she held the leash. “I’m sorry about that, I…” She trailed off and closed her eyes; she didn’t jump when Jack softly stroked her mane. Leaning up into his hand and fingers, she let out a soft sigh. “I wonder what else Cloudy isn’t telling me…” Without any warning, Jack leaned over and scooped up the mare. She squeaked in surprise as he managed to maneuver her so she was on his back. Flitter wrapped her hooves around his shoulder and held on for dear life, until she realized that he was easily carrying her; his hands holding her steady by the nocks of her hind legs. A light blush worked its way up onto her features, and was swiftly followed by a relieved giggle. “Onwards then, noble steed.” She leaned forward, and could swear she saw his cheeks crinkle upwards into a pleased smile that lasted only for a scant moment.

Many of ponies stopped to stare as the bulky human carried the little known Flitter around on his back with no complaints or difficulties. A certain fashionista would be given a near panic attack when she heard about the ungodly clothing that Flitter had worn, or the utilitarian fatigues that her human had. A lot of questions were asked that day, and in the days that followed. Few were ever answered.