I find myself thinking of PP and his wife lately. I don’t know why. It’s not like they were responsible. Still, PP’s the one who got me started on that tour. At the time I was… what’s that word? Right, ‘blasé.’ I was doing good, didn’t need the bits. I still remember the look on his face when he first suggested it. Had I known then exactly who it was that made the offer, I’d have been more firm in my objections. Then again, how was I to know? How was he to know?

Poor PP.

Even without that, I didn’t want to go on that tour. I mean, it didn’t seem worth my time. But Trixie deserved a little more love. Gotta admit, Amethyst hogged a lot of my attention. I hate to say it, but Trixie really was the outsider, and I did a terrible job of hiding the fact. I should have been a better sister for her. I wanted to be. That’s why I made the choice I did.

And Ammy still stole the limelight.

Sometimes I feel so stupid.

—Vinyl Scratch, Book of Shadows XLVIII

May 24, 1007

Vinyl stepped out to a rainy spring night, the lights of the city illuminated in sparkling glimmers by the droplets in the air. Her ears still rang from the music that had bounced from the club’s speakers and, despite her weariness, her head continued to bob to the ghost of her last song of the night. A carriage pulled up right on time to greet her at the curb. Not surprisingly, a few fans braved the weather to watch her cross the sidewalk, and she happily waved to them. After all, she loved her fans.

Stepping into the carriage, Vinyl accepted the towel hovering in the air by PP’s yellow aura and dried herself off. “Hey, PP. Great gig, as always.”

Upon hearing only silence, Vinyl perked her ears. The lack of his usual praise put her on high alert, but she kept her manner jovial and finished drying herself off before looking to him. PP shifted in a manner as if he had some secret he could barely hold on to.

Satisfied that the news was good, Vinyl tossed the towel in his face. “Alright, PP, what’s going on?”

“Am I that obvious?” he asked, voice muffled by the towel. He tugged it off with both hooves and grinned.

“You’re worse than Amethyst in that regard.” Vinyl sat back and watched as the city drifted by her window. “But seriously, what’s going on? My night’s not complete without the usual ‘you’re doing awesome’ speech.”

“Bull.” PP smirked and tossed the towel aside. “And I quote: ‘Would you stop yammering about how awesome I am? I get that enough from my sisters.’ ”

“Yeah, and you still do it every night.” Vinyl cocked her head his way. “You’re ruining my groove, dude.”

PP raised his hooves in a defeated manner. “Fine, you were awesome tonight. Good show, great work with the crowd, yadda yadda yadda. Satisfied?”

“Eh, it’ll do.” Vinyl waved a dismissive hoof. “So what’s got you all excited?”

He giggled like a little colt. “While you were performing tonight, some highbrow elitist came up to me with an offer. You like charity work?”

“Charity work?” Vinyl cast a curious look his way. “I’ve made more bits in the last two tours than I know what to do with, so yeah, I’ve got no problem with it. But c’mon, PP, you’re already lining up new work? My current run doesn’t end for another month.”

“And you’ll get three months to relax with your sisters,” he countered smugly. “The job doesn’t start until late July… should you decide to do it. You will, once you realize what it is.”

Vinyl stuck her tongue out at him. “Would ya stop beating around the bush? So what’s the job?”

PP rubbed his hooves together with a grin Vinyl would almost describe as wicked. “A military tour. An international military tour.”

She stared at him for several seconds, eyes gradually getting bigger. She abruptly leaned forward and grabbed him by the shoulders. “Whoa, whoa, what do you mean, international?”

He nodded, eyes glowing as he stared at something beyond her vision. “The Eastern Isles. Saddle Arabia. Grypha. A world tour, Vinyl. We’d be going to Equestria’s most prominent bases abroad.”

“Wow.” Vinyl sat back once more, her mind struggling to take in the idea. “That’s just… wow.”

“I know, right?” PP gave a giddy laugh. “I mean, it’s a charity tour with a few other artists, but just think of the recognition! This is a huge step up, Vinyl.”

“You’re telling me.” She rubbed her hooves together with trepidation. “How long?”

“What?”

“How long, PP?” She cast a long gaze at the city beyond her small window. “How long is the tour?”

“Oh… nine months.”

She cringed. “That’s… a long time.”

PP cocked his head uncertainly, then smiled. “Hey, don’t worry. I’m sure Amethyst and Trixie will be fine. Your friend at the orphanage could watch after them.”

“My friend is getting married in two months,” Vinyl replied with a sigh. “I think I’d rather let her have some time to herself… and her fiancé.”

He let out a small curse. “Come on, Vinyl, you can’t possibly say no to this. Think about what it’ll do for your career! Sure, you might be away from your sisters for almost a year, but after this you’ll have ponies all over Equestria just begging for concerts and tours. You’ll be able to hoof-pick your jobs, which will mean more time in the long haul for Amethyst and Trixie.”

She raised an eyebrow at him, not sure whether to feel disdain or anger. Settling with mild annoyance, she said, “You and your wife don’t plan on having any foals, PP, so I get it that you don’t understand. Amethyst is only nine years old, and I want to be there for her when she needs me. It’s very important for her, and I don’t just mean for her comfort.

“And Trixie? She’s sixteen. I don’t have hardly any time left before she’s old enough to be on her own legally, and you want me to blow off nine whole months? That pony needs me there now, not later.”

“But… I… You…” PP’s face contorted in disbelief and frustration. “Vanilla, think of your career!”

“My career isn’t half as important as my sisters.” She shook her head firmly. “I’m sorry, Polished, but my answer is no. I owe you big time, but no.”

He raised his hooves as if to reach for her, then pulled them back. His lips worked silently for some time and the desperation was clear in his eyes. At last he bowed his head, and Vinyl turned back to the window. Though sadness ate at her for having to turn down such a good offer, she closed her eyes and imagined Trixie and Amethyst. She was confident – absolutely, unwaveringly certain – that this was the right course of action. Her career was off to a great start as it was, and she had plenty of bits.

“Take them with you.”

Vinyl chuckled. “You don’t give up easy, do ya?”

“I’m serious,” PP said. “Come on, how many fillies can honestly say they got to travel the world? You’ll be the best sister ever.”

“Stop it.” Vinyl shot him a smirk. “You’re just trying to butter me up so you can get some more moolah later.”

“Yes. Yes I am.” He clapped his hooves together. “Please, Vinyl, at least think about it? You can talk it over with Amethyst and Trixie. You know I haven’t steered you wrong before.”

“True.” Vinyl rubbed a fetlock under her chin as she considered him. As far as she could tell, there was nothing that would get her to agree. Amethyst didn’t need to travel, she needed to go to school. Trixie, on the other hoof, would probably jump at the opportunity. Still… including them in the conversation was only fair.

And she might be able to shut him up.

“Alright, PP, I’ll think about it.”

PP gave a loud whoop that made her jump and wrapped her in a tight hug. “Thank you! You won’t regret it, Vinyl, I promise!”

She worked to push him away, blushing mildly at the unusual close contact. “Hey, hey, watch it! Your wife’s gonna get ideas.”

He laughed and let her go. “When she finds out about this she’ll want to hug you herself!”

“I didn’t say I’d go, you know.” Vinyl sighed and shook her head. “Just like a stallion, getting all ahead of himself.”

“Deny it all you want, Vinyl,” he replied, “but in the end you will be going on this tour.”

“We’ll see, PP.” She turned her eyes back to the window. She couldn’t help but feel a little apprehension at the thought of going home.

“You said no?”

Trixie stood atop her bed, gawking at Vinyl as if she’d grown a second head. “Vinyl, you can’t be serious!”

“Like a plague.” Vinyl sat beside Amethyst’s bed, tucking the filly into her covers. “I have more important things to deal with.”

Amethyst peeked from under her blanket with wide eyes. “But wouldn’t it be good for your job?”

“My job is to be with you two.” Vinyl smiled and tousled the filly’s mane. “I’m not going anywhere, Little Sparkler.” Her smile was returned, and the sight of Amethyst’s pleasure warmed her heart.

She heard Trixie flop onto her belly and emit a groan. “You foal! How many opportunities like this are you gonna get? Trixie would do just about anything for a chance to tour the world, and you’re turning it down?”

Vinyl raised an eyebrow at the disgruntled teen. “You can stop referring to yourself in the third person, y’know. Or is this part of the Awesome and Mighty Trixie’s new act?”

“It’s the ‘Great and Powerful Trixie,’ thank you very much.” Trixie’s frown shifted to a grin as she waved at the opposite bed. “Amethyst thought of it. Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

“Yeah, it kinda does.” Vinyl nuzzled Amethyst, who giggled. “Doesn’t explain why you’re talking in third person, Trix.”

Trixie rose to her haunches and set a hoof to her chest in a pompous display. “Trixie must constantly maintain her image if she is to gain the fans she so clearly deserves.”

“Or maybe you’re just trying to make up for your low self esteem.”

The teen choked and sputtered, her face going beet red. After a few failed attempts at a counter she turned around and dropped to her side in a huff. Vinyl winced at the sight and, with a last nuzzle for Amethyst, walked over to Trixie’s bed. “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for.”

Trixie gave no reply, but her barely controlled sniffles were hint enough. Vinyl leaned against the bed, keeping her eyes towards the window. “Trixie, I’m gonna keep asking. Why do you want to be a performer so much when you have so much trouble doing it?”

“Who cares?” Trixie grumbled. “It’s not like you do.”

“Is it because you feel challenged?”

Trixie tensed, but said nothing.

“I’m going to tell you both a little secret.” Vinyl glanced towards Amethyst, who was listening intently. “You promise not to tell anypony outside this house?”

Her face scrunched up with seriousness, Amethyst nodded. Trixie kept quiet.

“Being a DJ and going on tour is easy. It’s what I was born to do, and because of that I have absolutely no trouble with it.” Vinyl smiled at Amethyst and spoke in a loud whisper. “But you know what’s hard?” Amethyst shook her head. “Taking care of you two.”

Amethyst gasped, her expression pained. Trixie merely made a hmmph sound.

“I love my job, but I’d rather spend my time with you.” Vinyl reached out to touch Trixie’s shoulder. To her relief, Trixie didn’t shy away from the contact. “Every time I go on tour, I worry about what I’ll find when I get back. I want to be with you two. Sure, we butt heads a few times and get on one another’s nerves. Sometimes we say things we regret. But that means something special.”

Resting her chin on a hoof, Amethyst asked, “What does it mean, Vinyl?”

With a warm smile, Vinyl leaned close to Trixie’s ear. “That we’re a normal family.”

Trixie shifted, her moist eyes meeting Vinyl’s. Surprised laced her expression, but she only let Vinyl have a brief glimpse before dropping her head back onto her pillow.

Even so, what Vinyl saw was enough. She sat up again and kept her warm smile. “I love having a normal family, no matter how trying it might be. Trixie, soon you’re going to be able to strike out on your own. How much of that time do you think you’ll spend with me? Not much, I bet.”

Trixie huffed. “Maybe I don’t want to spend any more time with you.”

“That’s not true at all.” Amethyst gave Vinyl a broad smile as she settled back in her bed. “She misses you when you leave.”

“Thanks, Ammy,” Trixie growled. Amethyst only giggled.

Vinyl sighed and considered the situation for some time. Her thoughts strayed to PP and his desires, then to Amethyst and her schooling. Trixie… if she was truly honest with herself, Trixie had always played second fiddle to her kid sister. Perhaps it was time for that to change.

“I know I can’t stop you from travelling, Trix.” Vinyl set a hoof on Trixie’s shoulder once again. “To be honest, I’m just grateful you stuck around for the entire tour this time.”

“I wasn’t gonna leave Ammy alone again,” Trixie grumbled. “Wasn’t for your sake.”

Vinyl leaned over the pony with a broad smile. “How would you like to go on the tour with me?”

Trixie’s head rose with a jerk, nearly smacking horns with Vinyl. “What?”

“I want you to succeed in your travels,” Vinyl said. “And you once said you wanted to watch and see how I work. This way you get the experience of world-travelling and get to spend time with me doing it.”

Amethyst jumped out from other the covers with a squeal. “What about me?”

“Yeah, what about her?” Trixie sat up to and gestured to the filly. “I thought you didn’t want her to miss school. Take her and she misses a whole school year.”

“I wanna go too.” Amethyst tried stomping for effect, but the impact was muffled by the sheets. Her attempt to make up for it with a scrunched up expression of determination nearly brought giggles to Vinyl. “You can’t take Trixie and not bring me.”

“Hmm…” Vinyl rubbed her chin as she considered the dilemma. “Tell you what: we’ll go see the headmaster this week and ask him what you need to learn next year. Trixie and I will keep you on track while we travel.” She turned to Trixie. “That’s a condition, Trix. If you wanna come, you have to help Amethyst with her homeschooling.”

Trixie went pink and stared at her hooves. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, me trying to teach anything to anypony?”

“Amethyst taught you how to read.” Vinyl nudged her chin with an elbow. “Think of this as returning the favor. I’ll handle the actual learning, you just help keep her on track.”

“I don’t even know what you mean by that.” Trixie thought on the condition, lips pursed in a tight frown. “Well, it’s not like I’m going to get another chance to do this again. I’ll try.”

Vinyl’s smile grew. “That’s all I ask.”

Amethyst let out another squeal and began bouncing on her bed. “We’re gonna see the world! Best sisters ever!”

Laughing at her enthusiasm, Vinyl used her magic to catch the filly by the tail and ground her to the bed. “You should be getting to bed! Come on, kiddo.”

Amethyst shook her head even as she let Vinyl tuck her back under the covers. “How am I supposed to sleep now? We’re going on tour. Beyond Equestria!”

“Look at it this way,” Vinyl said, patting her on the muzzle. “The faster you fall asleep, the sooner the tour will be.”

With an exaggerated gasp, Amethyst promptly dove her head under pillow and ceased all movement, as if keeping completely still would invite slumber. Vinyl chuckled and considered reminding her to breathe, but figured it was best to leave well enough alone. She turned to bid Trixie goodnight… only to find the opposite bed empty.

Frowning, she looked around the dark room. There was no sign of her elder surrogate sister. Wondering what Trixie was up to now, Vinyl left through the open door.

Trixie waited in the hallway, her expression serious. She gestured at Vinyl, who took the hint and closed the door behind her. “What’s up?”

“I just wanted to say something.” Trixie’s ears lowered and her eyes dropped to the floorboards. “I know you favor Ammy more than me. Ah—” She raised a hoof before Vinyl could get a word in edgewise. “Don’t bother. I understand, Vinyl. You two have a bond, and I’m just… here. I got used to it a long time ago.”

Vinyl cringed at the words, her heart twisting. “You make yourself sound like the third wheel.” She paused to think of her words. It was exceedingly rare for Trixie to speak so openly, and Vinyl wanted to take full advantage of it. “I admit, my attention has been kinda focused more on her, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you, Trix.”

“I know.” With determined eyes, Trixie finally met her gaze. “I also know that your offer with the tour is entirely for my sake. You’re trying to make up for it.”

Vinyl blushed and rubbed the back of her head. “That obvious, huh?”

“Read you like a book.” Trixie smirked, but it lasted only a second or two. “Vinyl, I wanted you to know… I appreciate it. Not just the trip, but everything.” She turned her face away, cheeks a soft pink. “I know I’m something of a brat. I know I don’t make it easy for you. But really, I… If Amethyst hadn’t found me, I’d…”

She fumbled with her words, cheeks growing ever brighter. Vinyl waited patiently, heart filled to bursting as Trixie rubbed her eyes. She wouldn’t rush this. It felt too good.

“You gave me a home, Vinyl.” Trixie sat back and rubbed her eyes some more. “It’s the best gift I’ve ever received. S-so just remember, no matter h-how much of a problem I’m being tomorrow, I… I am really grateful. You don’t have to go on this tour just for me.”

At what point had Vinyl started grinning? She came forward to wrap Trixie in a hug. The pony stiffened under the contact, but after a second or two she returned the motion, sniffling quietly in Vinyl’s mane. They held onto one another for a long time, neither willing to let go.

“I’m glad I got to be your sister,” Trixie whispered.

“Me too.” Vinyl leaned back to grin at her. “And I do have to go on this tour for you. It’s been a long time coming, Trixie.”

Trixie grinned and rubbed her eyes yet again. “Y-you can say that again. I expect my own flying chariot, alright?”

Vinyl chuckled. “Why flying?”

Brushing her mane back, Trixie took on a haughty pose.

“Trixie doesn’t trust wheels.”

The synthetic tones pumped into Vinyl’s ears, the bass shaking the headphones. Frowning, she turned a knob to lessen the thumping. Her hooves moved over the turntable in an automatic fashion, adjusting volume here, changing tempo there. She was ‘in the zone,’ taking in the music and modifying what felt off to her. A lot of things felt off about this particular song, and she suspected it would be a weaker one on the new album.

Her stomach churned, indicating a clear drop in altitude. Vinyl glanced up to examine the massive suite she’d called home for the last three-and-a-half months, with its plush red carpet, hardwood wall paneling and fancy chandelier. That last one shook a little as the airship began its slow descent. Vinyl’s eyes shifted to the large window making up the wall of the suite, confirming that they were still over the clouds.

She smiled upon noticing Amethyst leaning over the back of a couch with her face pressed against the glass. She did that often. Removing her headphones, Vinyl saved the track and meandered over to her sister. “So, any different from last time?”

“It’s so cool!” Amethyst giggled and pulled back to bounce on the couch. “We need to ride in airships more often!”

“Yeah, maybe.” Vinyl wasn’t about to mention that the cost for such a trip was huge, or that this one was being paid for by her record label as a business expense. “Did you read that book I gave you?”

“Most of it.” The filly’s muzzle was pressed against the glass once more. “I’ve got another five chapters left.”

“Good girl.” Vinyl patted her on the head, the motion gaining little recognition. “Remember, Trixie’s gonna quiz you on it this weekend before the show.”

Amethyst’s eyes were glued to the clouds. “Uh-huh.”

Rolling her eyes with a smile, Vinyl left her to cloud-gaze and approached one of the two big doors on her right. She pushed her way through to find a bedroom sporting two beds. One was neat and empty, whereas the other had a large lump beneath the covers. Vinyl approached and sat by the shape, noting how it trembled.

“Hey, Trix. You okay?”

A groan arose from somewhere beneath the mass. “It’s moving again. Why is it moving again?”

“We must be close to Neighrobi.” Vinyl patted where she thought Trixie’s head was. “The ship has to land at some point.”

“Does not.” A blue hoof rose up from under the covers and waggled back and forth in a denying motion. “It can stay up here indefinitely. We’ll survive off the clouds like pegasi.”

Vinyl chuckled. “Sorry, Trix. Don’t think it works that way.”

Another groan answered her as the hoof retreated like a snake into the bowels of the sheets. “When you said we could travel with you, you didn’t say anything about flying…”

“Would it have mattered if I had?”

“No.” Trixie’s head poked out from beneath the covers, her face green and her ears flat against her skull. Her mane was a frazzled mess and she looked about as miserable as Vinyl had ever seen her. “I’d never flown before, so… no. Goddess, I hate airships.”

Vinyl turned her attention to a nearby desk, using her magic to open a drawer and pull out a small, clear bottle of green liquid. “We’ll be in Neighrobi for almost two weeks, so you won’t have to worry about it for a while.” Moving cautiously against the rocking airship, she unscrewed the cap and poured some of the thick, syrupy mixture into it. “Here ya go.”

Trixie eyed the cap as if it might contain poison, but opened her mouth wide. Vinyl tilted the cap so it would be easier to drink out of, and Trixie sucked down the medicine in one quick gulp. She coughed a few times and stuck out her tongue. “What is it about medicine that requires it to be nasty?”

“Dunno,” Vinyl admitted as she screwed the cap back on. “Maybe it’s another Celestia conspiracy.”

“That wouldn’t surprise me any.” Trixie’s head retreated back under the sheets, giving Vinyl the distinct impression of a blue tortoise. “This stuff better kick in soon…”

“It will.” Vinyl patted her head through the sheets. “Trust me, Trix.”

A light knocking came from the open door. “Is it safe to come in?”

Vinyl rolled her eyes. “Honestly, PP, what do you think we’d be doing in here for it not to be safe?” She turned just in time to see the stallion trot into the room. “Seriously, and you call me dirty-minded. Lookin’ good, by the way.”

PP gave a cheeky grin as he adjusted the tie to his expensive white suit. It went well with the dappled grey shades of his coat and brought out the deep blue in his mane. His trademark sunglasses were tucked into a pocket, ready for use in an instant. “Yeah, I do look pretty suave, don’t I? At least, my wife thinks so.” He examined her unclad form curiously. “You planning on dressing up any for your first appearance in Neighrobi?”

“Ponies – or in this case, zebras – don’t pay to see what clothes I’m wearing. Besides,” Vinyl sat and raised one hoof in a haughty pose, using the other to flick her mane, “why would I want to mess with perfection? I’m just fine au naturel.”

Trixie’s frail voice rose from beneath the mass on the bed. “Besides, wouldn’t want to outshine that peacock wife of yours when we first step off the ship.”

“Probably a good call, that.” PP chuckled and glanced over his shoulder as if expecting his wife to be listening in. He sobered a little as he turned back to Vinyl. “For your knowledge, the Guard’s gonna be all over the place when we land. Those are the ponies you’re performing for, so it might be a good idea to stay in form as we depart.”

“Oh, uh, okay.” Vinyl rubbed her chin as she thought on this. “Why would there need to be security around us like that?”

“I wouldn’t be too worried.” He waved a dismissive hoof. “Apparently there’s some minor rebel group in the area. The Guard captain of Neighrobi is being overcautious because they’ve been raiding small towns and whatnot lately.”

“What, seriously?” Vinyl rolled her eyes. “What the hay would a bunch of rebels want with somepony like me? Sounds like the captain’s paranoid.”

“I agree, but they are the Royal Guard.” PP shrugged. “What they say goes, y’know? Just try to appear nonchalant, and for Elysium’s sake, don’t say anything to my wife. If she even hears mention of the word ‘rebel’ she’ll freak and refuse to leave the ship.”

The lump that was Trixie shifted beneath the covers. “She really gets that worked up?”

“Are you kidding?” PP asked with a laugh. “If she feels a drop of water on her muzzle she’ll swear it’s about to storm and refuse to step outside for the day. That mare jumps to the craziest conclusions.”

“Well, I’m not gonna fret over it.” Vinyl sat next to Trixie once more and reached out to stroke what she presumed was the pony’s back. “They can look as grim as they want, those soldiers are still my audience. They’ll get the same treatment everypony else does. If anything, I can make them think they’re getting an early look. Hey…” She shot PP a hopeful expression. “Maybe we can arrange for me to get close, chit-chat with some of them after we land. Maybe give out a few backstage passes or something.”

“I like the way you think, kid.” PP rubbed his chin, his eyes set on the floor. “Might have to clear it with their captain. Let me get to the radio room and see what I can dish up. You’ll know all I do by the time we land, which should be in about an hour.”

Trixie let out a low groan. “An hour?”

PP chuckled and turned for the door. “See you soon, ladies.”

“Don’t worry, Trix.” Vinyl patted her sister. “The meds will kick in long before then.”

Trixie’s reply came as a mere moan. Leaving her to her misery, Vinyl went back to the lounge, where she found Amethyst watching the passing clouds. The filly rested her forelegs over the back of the couch, though she no longer held her face against the glass. Her gaze was set on a particularly large cloud formation that floated by, curiosity set in her calm eyes.

Vinyl sat beside the filly and followed her gaze. The cloud drifted lazily along, quiet and the same as every other save for its size. She couldn’t help but wonder what made it so interesting. “What are you looking at?”

“A mountain.”

Vinyl glanced at Amethyst, then peered at the cloud. She supposed it did have a sort of triangular shape. Perhaps a mountain. “Anything on it?”

“There’s some ponies on the left, about halfway up. They’re walking a really rough path up the mountain.” Amethyst pointed, tracing her hoof along the glass as if to indicate a passage up the cloud. “The hole at the top is a cave. They’re gonna look for treasure.”

“Treasure hunters, eh?” Vinyl smirked and pointed at a particular set of clouds near the top of the formation. “I think there’s a manticore getting ready to pounce on them.”

“That’s not very nice.” Amethyst cocked her head to one side with a small frown. “Maybe he’s hoarding the treasure for himself?”

“Nah, that’s a dragon’s gig.” Vinyl sidled away from the filly and tensed her legs with a wicked smile. “A manticore’s just a big kitty. What he really wants is belly rubs.”

The filly’s face scrunched up in uncertainty as she considered this. “What? I don’t think—”

“Belly rubs!” Vinyl pounced, tackling the filly. Amethyst yelped as Vinyl pinned her to the couch, then laughed wildly as her stomach was assaulted by Vinyl blowing a raspberry on her belly. “Give me belly rubs or I’m gonna eat ya!”

“Noooo!” Amethyst squirmed and kicked, laughing even harder as Vinyl switched to her hooves in a tickle assault. “I’ll g-give you belly rubs, j-just stop!”

“Yes!” Vinyl sat up and took on a regal pose, muzzle turned high in the air. “As Lord of the Mountain, I demand all the belly rubs! You shall grant them to me, slave, or else—hey!” She burst into laughter as tiny hooves wriggled under the pits of her forelegs. Immediately losing her balance, she fell forward on top of Amethyst and snatched her up in a tight hug. “Manticores don’t like being tickled!”

“You don’t know that.” Amethyst nuzzled her cheek against Vinyl’s chest. “You’re just being silly.”

With a loud gasp and a scoff, Vinyl countered, “The Lord of the Mountain is never silly.”

“Right.” Amethyst giggled, then grew quiet. “Hey, Vinyl? Have you ever been to Neighrobi?”

Vinyl rolled off the little pony and sat up. “No. Why?”

Amethyst remained on her back, one hind leg sprawled on the backrest of the couch and a foreleg hanging over the floor. Her eyes remained on the ceiling, gazing upon something distant. “They sell a lot of gems from Neighrobi. I remember reading about it.”

“Well, yeah.” Vinyl shrugged. “I heard that. So what?”

“Maybe, if we have time…” The filly chewed her lip, but it seemed more to buy herself time to think than a showing of anxiety. “I’d like to see one of the mines. Just to see what they’re like.”

Vinyl’s eyebrows rose at this suggestion. “Uh, I doubt the mines around here are anything like Equestrian mines.”

Amethyst nodded, gaze still set on the ceiling. “I’d still like to see it.”

Lips pursed, Vinyl considered her options. She knew how serious her littlest sister was about getting her father’s mine and could only assume this indirect request was related to the matter. Would it be productive to do such a thing and satisfy her curiosity? Would it even be safe? Then again, how often would they get to come to Neighrobi? This might be Amethyst’s only opportunity.

A long sigh escaped Vinyl. Why couldn’t Amethyst stay focused on foal-like things? She wished she’d worry about adult stuff later. Even so…

“Tell you what.” Vinyl leaned down to nuzzle the filly. “I’ll talk to PP and the captain of the guard after we land. If we have time and it’s safe, I’ll see if we can get a tour of one of the mines, okay?”

Amethyst’s eyes drifted to Vinyl. Without a sound, she sat up and wrapped her tiny legs around Vinyl’s barrel, burying her mane in the bigger pony’s chest.

Vinyl patted the filly’s head as she glanced at the great cloud outside. Her eyes drifted to the ‘cave’ near the top, then to the ‘manticore’ below.

She couldn’t help thinking the beast looked unpleasantly fierce.

Author's Notes:

Alrighty, boys and girls, the time has finally come. I know some of you have been asking when the action's going to happen, and I can say with 80% confidence that it begins in the next chapter.

Also, this doesn't really pertain to Vinyl's story, but did anyone note the dates? You all know what's coming in the year 1000, I bet.