"Umm... weren't we going to see a doctor Val?" I held my hoof up to the yellow cross and pink butterfly sign we had just passed, a rusty sign reading 'Chem-I-Care Clinic' hung below it.

My griffon friend took the drink being offered to her by a pretty mare in a sequined costume, standing outside a strangely decorated building housing a restaurant called 'The Tasty Treat' by the colorful sign. She slugged the sample down and smacked her beak in appreciation, sneering at the clinic sign and waving it away.

"Don't wanna go there boss, even if it weren't you. They're more interested in sellin' ya some drugs, probably try to push some Hydra an' Med-X an' send ya on yer way. If they didn't poison it too... them places are owned by that stallion back in Diamond City we supposedly killed. Don't think we're valued customers now." She had a definite point there, I thought the name sounded a bit familiar and knew several of the D.C. nobility had their hooves in less upstanding businesses out of their squeaky clean city, especially here in Goodneighbor.

Still... I wasn't seeing any other medical care in this wild town. I limped along behind her, passing another restaurant called 'The Gilded Fork' that had three horseshoes pinned next to the flowing script of the neon sign above the doors. From what I could tell we were heading towards what was an old theater when the world ended, a few dirty letters were still hanging on the marquee but the sign taking up the bulk of it was newer, large red metal letters lit with flickering bulbs, reading 'Memory Den'.

"If you are off to tend to the medical needs, I believe I will ask around there for awhile..." I turned back to follow Zed's pointing hoof, a rowdy sounding establishment the faded pre-war sign identified as 'Iron's Gym', before the addition of 'Combat Zone' partially covered the 'Gym' portion below the silhouette of a minotaur. The large, brick structure had a crowd of tough looking ponies, griffons and a cluster of zebras, standing apart from those entering and leaving with the distinct look of customers.

"Ok Zed, hopefully we'll be done soon and find you. If not, just catch up when you're ready, lemme know what you find out ok?" The brusque zebra waved over his shoulder as he trotted off, a stallion on a mission.

That left the rest of us to indeed enter the Memory Den, trusting in Val to lead us to some help with my leg burning at every step. Despite my faith in the griffon, I was a little dubious when we came out of the short hallway and into the main room, what had been a small playhouse was converted into a strange business of some kind I was at a loss to explain.

Long red velvet drapes from the old stage curtains were hung on the brick walls, gaps showing several doors leading off the main floor where spectators once sat. Steps led up to the small stage at the end of the room, a beautiful peach unicorn mare in a fancy, feathery red dress lounged on an overstuffed sofa, the swooping blond curls of her mane and tail held up by more feathers.

Strangest of all were the egg shaped chairs scattered around the room, power cables and arcane connections were festooned over them and snaked across the floor towards the stage. A distracted looking pale green unicorn mare in glasses and a lab coat worked in the backstage area, all the wires terminating in a wall of computers and equipment that made me drool.

Eyeing all the equipment critically put the pain in my leg aside for a moment, a couple of the chairs were occupied by a ghoul stallion and a pony mare. Both looked to be asleep but the odd crowns on their heads attached to the chair proved it was more than a fancy place to take a nap.

"Recollectors?" I gaped at the nearest empty chair, carefully looking over the wiring leading to the crown inside. I only saw pictures of the devices before, but that was a recollector alright, though the whole setup was more complex than what I read about and I saw no attached black pearl or memory orb.

"Yes indeed! Good eye you have there cutie. Well, Valkyrie Bloodtail, what brings you back in town? Good to see you gal! Who are your friends?" The attractive mare lounging on the stage sat up and called across the room, an old fashioned cigarette holder floating in her warm brown magic.

Val gave Glitter a happy squeal from her back, flapping across the room to land on the stage by the mare on the sofa and grabbing her in a hug. "Good to see you too Caramel! This is Glitter, her robot babysitter's over yonder, an' that there is the boss. Don't worry, I been doin' lots better lately. Actually stopped by here first hopin' ta bug Mori there to do a little doctorin' if she could, ran into some Miretanks on the way in."

The science mare behind Caramel flipped a few more switches on her equipment with a field of yellow magic and turned to Val, blowing her disheveled auburn mane out of her eyes before she rolled them. "Nice to see you haven't changed Val, are you asking because you can't pay Shamrock and the Chem-I-Care both, or for some reason I don't want to know about? Nevermind... I see the foal has suffered what you call medical care, that's reason enough. Your other friend can come along as well I suppose. I'm Dr. Memento Mori, pleased to meet you, give me a minute to clean up down there."

At that she wandered offstage behind the curtains, her hooves clopping against wooden stairs leading down back there somewhere. Glitter had hopped down and was wandering the room with interest, even if her minor wounds on her hooves weren't totally healed by now, I seriously doubted she could feel them with all the magical bandages wrapped around them.

She stood up on her hindlegs to stick her head up into a vacant chair and stared over at the occupied ones, turning back to me to ask curiously. "What are these things dad? What's a rec... reco-lecturn?"

"Recollector honey, see the crowns on their heads? It's a way for a non unicorn to record a memory, or view a memory orb, without magic. I've never seen any like these though, what is this place Val?"

Before Val could answer, her friend took over for her from the sofa. "You didn't tell him? I am wounded Valkyrie, you know how valuable word of mouth is. Welcome to the Memory Den Mr... you have to introduce him better than just 'boss' Val... We sell dreams here young buck, pleasure to meet you, I'm Caramel Divine."

"Fast Times, nice to meet you too Miss Divine. You sell dreams? So... time in the recollectors? With what memories?"

The extravagant mare smiled and blew lazy smoke rings to the ceiling, earning her a cheer from Glitter as she answered kindly. "Just Caramel, please! Whatever memories the client wants Mr. Times. Be it their own or something from our extensive stock, we pay for memory orbs and to copy memories from those who wish to sell if they're marketable. Interested in giving it a spin? Any time in your past you'd like to revisit, or see the world before the war? Ever fantasize about what it would be like to fly as a pegasus or even a griffon? Feel what it's like in a different body, try out how us fillies feel?"

I shuddered at the thought, memory orbs were often interesting and the sensation of being in somepony else's body was odd, but I could do without the repeated sensation of certain bits being missing I had already experienced in my own adventures with memory magic. Val's eyes widened at the suggestion though, a greedy glint in her eyes as she spoke up. "Oh yeah! Yer pre-war boss, you could sell a couple memories and we'd be rollin' in the caps, bet you got plenty of good ones!"

"N-No thanks Val, Caramel, it's just Fast then please. I already have enough experience with memory orbs and... I'd rather not share my memories with any random customer in here, sorry."

Glitter gave a pout as she walked back, "Aww! Even I could see those memory ball things with these chairs? You should do it dad, I wanna see what stuff was like when you was my age! The world before!"

That was probably one of the few ways I could see myself being ok with the concept involved in this business. Sharing the bright and beautiful world I grew up in with the little filly who lacked a horn to use memory orbs was somewhat tempting. Though I was still uncomfortable with the idea of Glitter experiencing being in my body, even in memories as a foal her age, it was just... weird...

"So you're friends with Val? How do you know each other Caramel?" Glitter gave a huff at my obvious change of topics, shimmering puppy eyes boring into me I resolutely refused to look at.

Caramel chuckled to herself and held a ponicured hoof out, her blue eyes filling with concern as I limped over to take the offered gesture. "Valkyrie worked here from time to time, among her other jobs when she was in town. I found myself needing a bit of security here and there, some customers just don't want the dream to stop. Any friend of Val's is a friend here Fast. Memento! Hurry up dear and help our guest, his hoof looks to be in terrible shape!"

I heard some shuffling below us at Caramel's shout and a harried looking Dr. Mori tromped back up the stairs behind the stage, glancing at her equipment up here before waving us back downstairs with her. "It wasn't bleeding or likely to fall off, he's still alive. Come on now, let's have a look at you."

The small pink and red tiled room she led us to had the look of a clinic crossed with a workshop, more of the computers from the stage overhead were down here and wired to terminals around the room, as well as a bloodstained gurney and carts with a variety of medical equipment and drugs.

My eye was drawn to a shifting, multicolored glow in a long room past the computer banks, I peeked past the bars blocking it off from this chamber and gasped. Shelves and rows of memory orbs filled the much bigger space back there, hundreds of wires wove between them, each ending with a small crystal attached to the orbs. This must be their memory orb collection, they may be selling the experiences, but I had to wonder how much information was contained in there too.

"Unless you know memory magic or let us do it, it would take years to go through all of them..." Dr. Mori's knowing look as she patted the gurney for Glitter to hop up let me know my greed was showing and I wiped it away, wincing my way over as the medical pony started snipping her bandages away.

"So what are these things really? I've read about recollectors before, this is something else though isn't it?" It was worth a few painful steps to start poking around at one of the strange chairs in here, trying to get a sense of what all the additional equipment was for while I asked Dr. Mori.

She pushed her glasses up on her muzzle at my question and gave a skeptical look in return. "Memory Recliners. Prototype commission for the Ministry of Morale, are you just asking to chit chat or actually interested? If it's just to kill time and you share Val's level of technical knowledge, I'll thank you not to play with those, only a few were ever made."

Val snorted while she started digging in a small running refrigerator in the corner, swishing her tail up in the air with her head buried in the chilly container. "Yer just mad cause I chipped one when I asked the same thing! C'mon, boss is as good at that junk as you are Mori, better maybe! Just not so hot on the medical stuff. Where's my beer?!"

"We got rid of it years ago Val... and you didn't 'chip' one, you fried one... took me months to fix it. Not that I trust her appraisal of your skills Mr. Times, but since you asked yes, these are more than recollectors, which were rare enough. The MoM dealt so much in other's memories they wanted an easier way to handle it all, without having to rely on unicorns with access to the spells needed.

Fascinating machines really, much better than viewing an orb normally, can pause playback, change viewpoint within the available memory space, view an orb in seconds, all kinds of options. Oh good grief Val, you gave this filly a set of gauze shoes for a few scratches? She's fine, knowing you it's the under-treated one that has the actual injuries... Come on, next patient."

Her exasperated prognosis filled me with relief once she got through the yards of magical bandages. I took a look before Glitter hopped down, reassured at the small, freshly healed wounds that were already fading under Dr. Mori's magic. The snort to herself when I took the foal's place and rolled up my sleeve showed she had guessed right.

"Where did they come from? Prototypes like that, I wouldn't think they were just sitting in an old playhouse right?" I had a sneaking suspicion if I started taking one of the chairs apart I'd find the spread eagle image of a pony stamped somewhere, an advanced recollector seemed right up the Institute's alley.

Asking at least took my mind off what Mori was doing, gingerly moving my hoof around and setting the bone, sending bolts of pain through the limb. Her warm brown eyes glanced up over the rim of her glasses before her horn glowed with a mending spell and she replied. "MoM hub right across the street, where do you think they came from?"

"Ministry of Morale hub? Where? Wait... the casino?!" I gaped at the medic pony incredulously, who took advantage of my stunned surprise to yank my leg back into shape and continue healing it over my yelp of pain.

"Of course the casino, don't you know anything about Goodneighbor? Mayor Shamrock didn't need them or have anypony who could do anything with them. Caramel made a deal with him when she saw the potential after they were uncovered, he's a silent partner here. Which is why I hope you're here to settle up Val, or we're going to be in trouble just letting you in." Dr. Mori's horn faded and she gestured for me to get down, staring at Val with a concerned frown.

When I hopped off the gurney with only a twinge from my leg, Val looked relieved and stopped her inspection of Glitter's hooves to prod me into a few cautious steps, waving off Mori's worry. "Bah, don't worry I got it, I got it. That was all a big misunderstandin' anyway, been doin' great since I hooked up with the boss here an' came back to pay my debts. Be nice, he don't know nothin' about a lot of stuff because... reasons... Casino was the Trotson MoM hub boss, it's kinda a weird place"

Alright, giving it some thought it made a twisted kind of sense for Pinkie Pie's Ministry Hub to be the glowing temple to partying outside, that still left another question though. "Who's Shamrock and why do you owe him money Val? Are you in trouble here?"

Dr. Mori had followed my steadying steps and snorted to herself, turning to the computers down here now that I was apparently done. "Shamrock's in charge of Goodneighbor, most of us like that just fine. Valkyrie here got herself on his bad side last time she was here, I'll let her try to explain it, never made sense when she tried with me. Now then you're all set, It is nice seeing you again, but I'm not signing on to be your personal medic while you're here, understand?"

"Hey, we already gots our own big blue doctor normally doc. Just caught us in a tight spot, 'preciate the help. If these two are all patched up maybe she don't need to know anything happened. Alright boss, kid, lemme show ya around!" Val shrugged off her concern and gentle ribbing, waving goodbye and making her way out into the noisy streets outside.

I seriously doubted we could keep the excitement from Jade despite her hopes, I couldn't get away with lying or covering things up from her and Glitter would surely let it slip. Best to just accept my punishment which was sure to pale in comparison to the mental bucking I was still giving myself for such a close call. Looking out at the darkening sky I was more concerned for her to get here soon than her finding out anyway.

Val led us out into the festive atmosphere outside, pointing out another, smaller casino called "King's Gambit" next to was visibly jarring, considering all the magical energy weapons on display. The casino was decorated with a number of large pieces of crumbling statuary, chess pieces as big as a pony standing sentinel outside the doors, matching the black and white tiles and decor I could see inside. It looked older and seedier than the circus across the street, the games and rides were older and in worse repair.

The guards wore tattered suits and black and white security barding, rather than the pink of the guards around town. For some reason a good number of them seemed to favor a similar pompadour style to their manes, a common thread seemed to run through their fashion sense too, lots of pale suits and... capes? I noticed they had a lot of impressive magical energy weaponry on display too, both worn by the King's casino guards and apparently also for sale in an occupied pink storefront next door, the scorched candy decorated sign for the upscale pre-war bakery still reading 'Sugar Rush'.

Listening to Val's short synopsis as we passed filled me in on both establishments. "Weaponsmith's shop and casino there boss. Store focuses on magic energy stuff, casino's cheaper to stay at than the big one but I don't think stayin' there's a good idea. Both run by one of them nobles in Diamond City too so...."

The trio of guards that gave us a hard look before trotting over reminded me of the slimy Bullet Bishop we had met back in Diamond City, they had the same look of greasy criminal ponies in fancy clothes and sneered as they approached. The lavender stallion with the black pompadour mane in the lead blocked our progress, while his two companions came up behind us, their Novasurge rifle battle saddles hummed menacingly as the leader paced before us and smirked.

"Look who we have here... It's the twerp an' the griffon Bishop put the bounty on with those other snobs boys. What's it up to now, 7500 caps? Have mercy! We just hit the jackpot fellas!" The cruel looking leader jeered in an odd accent, his buddies chuckling along nervously.

Val scowled back at the threatening pony but didn't seem overly worried, replying with a bored drawl. "Sure you King's wanna rock the boat like this? You know how Goodneighbor works, really think you'll be claiming that bounty here?"

"We go along with the rules to make things easier, don't mean Shamrock's actually in charge of anything around here griffon. Kings ain't scared of that pansy ghoul pretendin' to be the mayor of this shithole. We'll all just take a friendly walk out of the gates where we can have some privacy, or the little filly might get hurt..." A small pearl handled .22 pistol floated out from his jacket in a dingy field of pink magic, waggling in Glitter's direction threateningly.

I pushed her behind me protectively as a surge of fury nearly had me draw my weapons and blast that smug expression off his face. A raspy laugh that caused everyone nearby on the street to pause stopped me from dealing with the threat myself immediately. I glanced that way to check if this was some new problem and lost my murderous train of thought in surprise.

For some reason the earth pony ghoul throwing himself into the situation with a grin was wearing an ancient Equestrian military uniform, an ornate red coat with a funny black tricorne hat. The ghoul looked like he was once tan or pale orange, before his coat started rotting and sloughing off anyway, wisps of brown mane and tail fluttered as he walked sedately across the street.

All eyes were on the stranger cantering forward with a smile. The guards in the pink barding were watching closely, but none moved to step in. I spotted a sleek, dark red griffon with black accents prowling along in the center of the gaggle of ponies watching the show, bristling with weaponry holstered on her metal armor.

The thugs surrounding us got visibly nervous at the new arrival and the pistol threatening Glitter disappeared as the ghoul spoke with a chuckle. "What's all this then? I swore I heard my name this way and what do I find but a bunch of Kings who sure look like they're misbehaving... What's the rule about bounty hunting in Goodneighbor again Stain?"

"Goodneighbor's a b-bounty free town Shamrock... there's no trouble, we were just..." The punk in charge of the crew of gang ponies gave what sounded like an oft repeated recitation of the rule he was violating, stopped short when the mayor of Goodneighbor sidled up and threw a foreleg around his shoulder in a friendly gesture and continued speaking right in his face.

"That's right! No bounty hunting in Goodneighbor! I was sure we've been over that rule before Stain. Do you know why? It's because we're good neighbors here! Good neighbors don't turn their neighbors in for caps, they welcome any and all guests to the party! No bounty hunting, no raping and robbing, no slaving, simple rules right? We're all about everypony getting along together! Why's that folks?!" Shamrock gave a wink and looked out to the crowd nearby, holding a hoof up to his wilted ear.

The chorus that answered didn't sound afraid or worried at the mayor's question, giving the expected reply with pride in their voices and a cheer. "Goodneighbor's of the ponies, for the ponies!"

"Yes indeed my good little ponies! We're all in this together, we all follow the rules so this place keeps chugging right along. But when some ponies don't want to follow those few, simple rules, they're not working together are they? Those that won't stand together with their neighbors here and play nice..." Shamrock leaned closer to the gangster's ear as he spoke, sounding like a patient parent right up until the knife sprang out from his sleeve. The ghoul held on to his captive by his grip around the shoulders, burying the knife on his other leg into the chest and stomach of the gang pony as he continued in a hiss. "...fall by themselves."

The unicorn in the dirty, sequined blue suit gurgled and fell in a heap to the asphalt, a pool of his blood spreading quickly beneath him that Shamrock casually stepped over to address the remaining Kings. The dead pony's comrades grimaced and stared at their former leader, but didn't make a move against the ghoul watching them with a kindly expression as he wiped the blood from his knife and returned it to his sleeve.

"We've had our problems before, but I really hoped Stain would pay attention fellas. I'm sure you two were just following his lead though, you'll pay attention to the warning right? Somepony comes through those gates, they're our guest until I say different. Now clean your friend off my street and let's all get along, ok?" Shamrock's gravelly voice was still friendly, but the commanding tone was clear and the remaining gang members took the dismissal, moving to drag the corpse back to The King's Gambit nearby.

"Er... thanks Mr. Shamrock... for the help and all." I ventured cautiously to the ghoul trotting over to us.

Shamrock grinned and tipped his funny hat to Glitter as he came close, holding a hoof out in greeting and speaking as if he hadn't just perforated a pony seconds ago. "Not at all, you alright buddy? Sorry for all that, don't let that prick taint your opinion of our town. Course I'm sure the Shrouded Stallion could have handled himself just fine eh? I just had to step in to make an example of him. Speaking of which, Val Bloodtail, as I live and breathe! It's been quite awhile hasn't it? I assume you're here to pay your debt? I'd hate to have to make another example, but can't have even a pretty griffon like yourself try to rob me and get away with it..."

The dark griffon shadowing the mayor narrowed her eyes at Val and stroked the sawed off shotgun at her side, "Bloodtail, you got the boss' money, or do I get to finally take out the trash?"

"Rob him? Val you stole from the mayor of this place!?" I stared at the fiery griffon incredulously as she dug out a hefty bag of caps with a jingle from her duster.

Val scratched her head sheepishly, waving off my shocked expression. "Sorta... It wasn't supposed to be Shamrock that was getting robbed. I got lied to about a job, was just as surprised as you boss."

"You robbed the mayor..."

"No! Attempted robbery boss, Shamrock's merc Scarlet over there was waitin' on us, cleared up the misunderstandin' real quick. I didn't appreciate bein' tricked inta stealin' from the mayor of Goodneighbor, I'm dumb but not that dumb." Val's hurried explanation glazed over who she meant to rob, but at least it wasn't the ghoul in charge.

Shamrock nodded sagely, flipping his head to dislodge his hat and deftly roll it down his outstretched foreleg, ending up upside down on his hoof and getting a surprised giggle from Glitter. "As she says friend, a simple misunderstanding she made clear she wasn't in on when she... terminated her relationship with that dishonest employer. I was more than willing to take the caps they paid her and call it even, though I expected it a bit sooner than this."

Val tossed the bundle of caps into the waiting tricorne hat apologetically, "Right, sorry! I would'a right away but I kinda... spent it... Made sure not ta come back till I had every cap though! Here ya go mayor, er... sorry boss, have to dip into some of our funds, but I been holdin' this back awhile..."

"I don't care about the caps Val, you know that, you complain about it enough. Will paying your debt make it ok?"

Shamrock hefted the bag of caps in his hoof and nodded, tucking it into his coat with a smile. "Sure it does Mr. Shroud! I'm an understanding sort, Val here made an honest mistake, took a job from the wrong mare. I had to have some kind of compensation of course, but I'd much rather have the caps than her head. Now I could point out I should get some interest considering how long it took, but she did bring famous guests to my humble town. I'd be willing to call it even for a little of your time Shroud, maybe a word with the Princess? Though I don't see her about, don't tell me the rumor mill was wrong about that one?"

"Huh?! Oh! Um... no, Mayor Shamrock, she's just out er... visiting relatives. Pleased to meet you, I'm Fast. Princess Jade should join us soon, I'm sure she'd like to meet the leader of your... interesting town."

He broke into a wide smile and waved out to the town invitingly, "It's just Shamrock please! We don't put on airs here, Goodneighbor's of the ponies, for the ponies. Perhaps I could offer a tour in the meantime, we don't have celebrities in town often, have to extend our hospitality as good neighbors right?"

I looked to Val questioningly, but she just shrugged and waved me on, now that her debt was paid she didn't seem on guard with the ghoul which was good enough for me. I fell in beside Shamrock with Glitter next to me, taking in the sights as he continued meandering down the streets and speaking with residents between talking to us quietly.

I was struck by the number of different groups sharing space in the town, besides the pompadour maned King's centered around their casino. There were the Gourmands in the Gilded Fork restaurant, a group that favored tuxedos and chef's clothing that seemed to actually focus on food, running the fancy old eatery they occupied. A couple of Gunners watched us closely from a ramshackle stand bearing the skull and crossed rifles mark of the mercenary company, there to take contracts in Goodneighbor rather than execute them thankfully. I spotted a few ponies with the distinct look of the Trigger Jewels gang hanging around the Chem-I-Care, though they weren't making a show of taking up territory like the other gangs.

The glow from a neon Red Rocket sign hanging above a battered storefront made me smile, glad to see the courier service operating here among all the shops as well. The King's Gambit and nearby 'Sugar Rush' storefront looked to handle most of the weaponry in Goodneighbor, limiting our shopping here, but Shamrock pointed out a crumbling pawn shop down the street he assured us could handle our needs with a wink.

A small two story building tucked away down a side street caught my interest when the mayor pointed it out, not solely because it looked like a giant, dirty gingerbread house. A faded statue of a young Pinkie Pie stood sentinel at the gate in the candy cane fenced yard in front, guarding a gaggle of foals of varying ages. The brightly colored sign above the doors read "Friendly Foals Daycare", though Daycare was partially covered by a rough addition in sloppy paint, amending it to "Orphanage".

Judging by the way the children in residence swarmed their mayor happily as he tossed candies from his coat to them, the ghoul in charge actually seemed to care about them. Glitter bounded out to the filthy herd of fillies and colts, amazing me with her mastery of social skills that were a mystery to me by instantly making friends with several. I knew Jade would be very interested in this place when she joined us and it was a definite mark in Shamrock's favor.

Towards the edge of the town by the ramshackle wall was what looked to be another entrance, a good number of caravaners and travelers were gathered outside of the 'Four Stars Station', stairs led up to the old monorail line stretching off into the city above and others led down to the subway lines below, a neon sign reading 'The Third Rail' pointing the way. Another way to travel in the convoluted maze of downtown Trotson was welcome, the mayor assured us one could get around quite well in the city if they knew the routes to take.

At least Shamrock seemed friendly and the residents looked to genuinely like their leader, something I had realized was unfortunately rare in most communities I had gone to. He seemed to know everyone by name, inquire about some personal detail or relation with everypony he spoke with. His popularity worked against my better judgement however, many of the stops he made on his tour involved an offer of drinks to the mayor and his guests, refusal of which was an insult to their hospitality.

Even trying to merely sip and move on politely wasn't good enough in the infectious party atmosphere, by the third free round on ducking in to the exotic smells of the Tasty Treat, I was getting a tad fuzzy. Val took every offered drink eagerly and helped finish some of mine with a grumble, while Glitter was starting to look a little twitchy from all the sugary snacks and sodas she was offered instead.

The mayor of Goodneighbor ended his tour with his own casino, the Wingding Circus / Ministry of Morale hub. The bright, gaudy and well preserved tower gave the impression of a cavernous circus tent on the ground floor, the huge space was filled with games, rides, slot machines, gambling tables, pretty mares in sequined costumes selling drinks or other party favors, others wearing even less selling themselves, guards in pink barding watching it all and customers from all walks of life in the wasteland having a good time.

I marveled at the excellent condition everything was in mechanically, the glass on a crane game was cracked and dirty, a whack a pest game clicked and hitched, some of the slot machines ground a bit as their reels spun, many of the holotape game displays flickered or were discolored, but it was all working and intact instead of rusting hulks of junk. Judging by the destruction out in the streets of Trotson, this place must have had some powerful defenses against the balefire bombs. Trinity Tower had shown a similar resistance to the ruin around it as the Ministry of Arcane Science hub, I wondered where the other four hubs were and if they each had protection to match.

A large arcade machine titled "Dance Prance Revolution" in blinking lights got Glitter's sugar fueled attention, dashing all around it trying to puzzle out the bright display and loud music it blared out. The little filly zipped back to me and started dragging me towards it, her words spilling out in a rush as she bounded around it. "Ohmigosh! What'sthisdad?Iwannaplay!How'sitwork,huhhuhhuh?"

"It's an old game Glitter, see the arrows on the two screens? You're supposed to... umm... match the arrows on the screen to dance and hit the right buttons on the floor controller... thingy there." I pointed out the set of 8 worn directional arrows barely visible on the buttons in front of each screen woozily, peering over the slot for pre-war bits that looked to have been changed to accept something else, surely not caps though...

Shamrock ruffled her mane and dug in his pockets, pulling out a couple of pink chips stamped with the name of the casino and hoofed them over to the ecstatic foal. "Everything takes chips here, you can exchange them for caps or vice versa, this game's on me for the cutie and her pop. Do good enough and you get tickets you can turn in for prizes at the counter kiddo, show me what ya got!"

A glance to the counter he pointed out and its selection of lethal and / or narcotic 'prizes', had me make a mental note to take any tickets the old machine spit out. Glitter took the offered chips with wide eyes, giving a squeal and scrambling to feed them to the machine that started up with a fanfare or horns. The tough little earth pony shoved me forward as it started, forcing me onto the left control mat as she dashed to the right and grinned up at me hopefully.

"Er.... Glitter, I'm not very good at dancing, maybe yous should ask Val to..." The immediate use of her shimmering pink puppy eyes and lip quiver obliterated my resistance to playing the game with the foal, despite not wanting to clomp around clumsily on a freshly healed hoof. I sighed in defeat and hit the start button, smiling to myself at her overjoyed shout.

The negative sounding beeps and boops I got from my side as I tried to stumble along with the arrows scrolling down the screen was countered by the positive noises Glitter elicited, matching each step perfectly at a frenetic pace. At least she was burning off some of that sugar, her tiny hooves a blur as she matched each arrow to electronic shouts of "Great!", "Perfect!" and "Awesome!", while my side got increasingly rude in its appraisal of my skills with negative noises and "Bad!", "Very Bad!", "Awful!" and the topper of "You suck!".

I glared at the snide machine on that last insult while Val hooted behind me and Glitter giggled, slowing down to match my lower speed and panting out encouragement. "C'mon daddy! You can do better than that! Follow me!"

It took awhile to find the rhythm with her, computers were supposed to do what I wanted, having this one actively ridicule me was getting under my hide. Eventually I managed to start matching the foal who picked it up with such ease though, falling in sync with her and slowly speeding up as a small crowd paused nearby to watch and cheer.

As the music reached its peak we were sent in a series of hops towards the center and back, all four hooves hitting mirrored keys with each jump. The last instructions were so complex I stumbled drunkenly and ended up falling in a heap with Glitter as the song ended and it tallied the score, spitting out a stream of tickets above us as we laughed wildly and tried to disentangle ourselves. Rolling around on the floor with the filly I ended up looking up to a big, blue, upside down face smirking down at us.

Well that explained part of the crowd that had gathered behind us... more were stopping to watch the spectacle of the alicorn princess that had appeared in the midst of the party. She looked momentarily nervous at the attention, glancing around at the murmurs that started nearby, Glitter managed to erase her unease with her happy yell though.

"Miss.. um Mom! There you are! Didya see us?! This place is fun, I wanna play this with you too! Did your talk with your sisters go ok mom?" The sweaty filly pulled herself free and pounced at Jade's long legs, giving her a hug and prancing around her happily while I floundered on the floor.

Jade's blue eyes glistened softly and she nuzzled the foal when she held still a moment, turning back to me with a kind smile and a cocked eyebrow. "Yes dear, things went well enough. I see you have been enjoying yourselves? I could not find you out on the streets, you have not been having too much fun on your own have you Fast?"

That silkily dangerous edge to her voice and sniff of distaste she gave as I scrambled up told me I was caught, best to dig myself out now while Glitter had her so happy. I lunged up from the ground and wrapped my legs around her graceful neck, planting a long kiss on her muzzle before she could complain about my obvious intoxication. Her eyes widened and darted around at the hoots and whistles nearby as she turned bright red, then moaned pleasantly and returned the affection despite the audience.

"'Course I haven't! You weren't here sos I couldn't have toooo much fun! I missed you Jade!"

She nickered to herself and fluffed her wings in embarrassment, nudging me gently down and gave me a dubious smile. "I have only been away a few hours, you are incorrigible Fast... Have you found somewhere to stay here yet? Or have you all been too busy playing and drinking?"

"Ummm...." Finding lodging had somewhat slipped my mind...

Shamrock had been watching with interest, now he swept his tricorne hat from his head and gave a bow, saving me. "Princess Jade! There you are, Mayor Shamrock at your service, I've been anxiously awaiting your arrival. Forgive your young buck there, it's all my fault I'm afraid, we were filling the time waiting for you to join us. Of course he accepted my offer to provide rooms here at the casino before indulging, at my insistence I admit! I do hope you'll accept my hospitality as apology?"

I stared at the crafty ghoul gratefully as he took Jade's hoof and gave it a leathery kiss, tipping a wink in my direction while she was flustered answering. "O-Oh... of course Mayor Shamrock, thank you very much! No need to apologize, I w-was merely teasing Fast. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure's all mine my dear! I've heard a good deal about your new kingdom and must admit I'm impressed. I'm sure you'd like some time to settle in, but I would be honored to speak with you two privately later. My office perhaps? Scarlet! Why don't you set these folks up with proper accommodations and show them the way? A leader's work never stops, as I'm sure you know, so I'll attend other matters while you make yourselves at home. I look forward to seeing you soon!"

At his shout the dark red griffon that had been lurking at the edges of the crowd appeared and padded forward, taking Shamrock's place as he trotted off with a wave over his shoulder. Once she watched him wander off she gave a curt nod to Jade and pointed out a brightly painted, red and yellow counter near a pair of elevators towards the back of the casino. "Right this way Princess, will get you checked in and what not."

Jade fell in behind the griffon as she started through the room with a flick of her tail, nudging Glitter along with her with a wing and glancing back to me while I wove after them with Val. My own griffon bodyguard didn't look enthused with her opposite number being left to take care of us, bumping me with her shoulder and gesturing towards the exit.

"Go ahead boss, I'll go find stripey and let him know. Be back after red there is gone." She huffed at Scarlet's back beside me.

"Ok Val, see you up there then. You were right, Goodneighbor's a nice place, free rooms from the mayor even!"

She smirked over to me and rolled her violet eyes as she headed off. "Yeah it's tons of fun, just be careful, ain't no such thing as free around here. Shamrock's nice enough, but you owe him now boss, he'll collect soon enough."

When Mayor Shamrock offered rooms I expected simple lodging, most likely done in the pervasive wasteland style of decor. A surprisingly well preserved suite for high rollers was not what I had in mind and I goggled at the opulent room from the doorway with Jade, while Glitter ran off with a squeal of delight.

The 'Princess Luna Suite' was a little dusty and worn, but in excellent condition. Faded dark blue carpet and wallpaper peeling slightly at the edges were accented with silver stars and crescent moons, with a large circular rug in the living room woven with the image of the mare in the moon. The blue and silver furnishings were a little ragged and dirty, but the couch in front of us proved still comfortable and matched the decor enough to be original to the room.

Several rooms led off the living room, at least four bedrooms including a master bedroom with a large, inviting round curtained bed that Glitter had found and was jumping on. We rarely had room enough for everyone to have their own space outside of Sanctuary, this kind of luxury made me ok with owing Shamrock a favor so far.

I wandered over to the full length windows on one wall, looking down on the streets of Goodneighbor below. It was a nice view, though it made me wonder why it wasn't further up the tower. We had taken an elevator up here to the fourth floor, which seemed to be the top floor for the casino with the Princess Suites up here. The building itself was several floors taller, but the elevator only had controls going this far.

I looked up to the ceiling, wishing I could see through the barrier to the floors above. If this was also the Ministry of Morale Hub there had to be interesting things up there, I idly wondered how you got there and what had been hidden above with the unique recollectors from the Memory Den.

A high pitched scream from Jade short circuited my musing and I sprinted towards the sound, falling over myself with a clatter when I skidded around the corner into the fancy bathroom. I froze taking in the room frantically, seeing nothing obvious wrong and drinking in the sight of Jade without her lab coat with a confused expression. Glitter was held upside down in a field of her pale blue magic, her pink dress in the process of being tugged off her sweaty coat.

Jade was staring at her squirming little hooves intently with a horrified expression, turning on me and narrowing her blue eyes. "What has happened!? Glitter has been injured!"

"Er..."

The foal hanging in her grip whimpered anxiously, "I-I'm ok! Daddy saved me! H-He got hurt worse..."

"Oooooooh..." That wasn't helpful.

The glow from Jade's horn brightened and I immediately felt her medical magic probing at me, focusing on my foreleg in no time and yanking me up to join the filly floating before her widening gaze. "Your leg was fractured! I was not away that long Fast! What happened to the two of you!"

"Well... We found out what a Miretank is..."

My favorite doctor pony gave an unhappy whinny, grumbling to herself as her expert medical spells tended to the healed wound. "A Miretank... I am unsure I wish to know... I cannot leave you two alone for a moment, what if you had been seriously injured! I do not care how Umbra feels about it, you are not to leave without me when we return. At least you sought some care, though I am sure I would have done better. Go on Fast, Glitter and I shall get cleaned up together, then you will properly explain..."

I gulped under her stern stare and was floated out of the room, the door shut in my face and I heard the water turn on, leaving me to retreat to the living room and wait. Breathing a shaky sigh I shrugged out of my armor and sank into the wonderfully cushy armchair, reclining back with a squeal of old hinges to rest my eyes.

"She sounded rather upset didn't she?" My eyes shot open at the curious voice from the empty room, leaving me staring into a familiar pair of golden ones that resolved out of nowhere above me.

I leapt and tumbled out of the chair with a surprised yelp, rubbing my shoulder where I landed on it and wincing up at the blue alicorn with the long blonde mane tumbling out from under her Minutemare hat. "Peri!?! W-What are you doing here?! I told you not to scare me like that!"

The water turned off in the next room as Periwinkle cocked her head at me getting back to my hooves, her perplexed face slowly replying. "We escorted sister Jade here, did she not say so? I thought I would follow along rather than wait, we were unsure if we should be seen. It seems safe enough here though and sister chose to bathe with the foal instead of you, so I saw no reason to remain invisible. I'm sorry, I forgot your complaint about appearing so close."

"We? Wait did all three of you come? Hold on... bathe, are you saying if it was me in there with her you'd still be invisible?!"

".....Nooooo...." Peri looked away evasively, adjusting her tan hat and crossing her hooves. The strange alicorn really wasn't very good at lying...

A cloud of steam wafted into the room as the bathroom door opened and a very clean little white earth pony bolted out, tackling Peri in a hug and sparing her the conversation about voyeurism. "Miss Peri! You came back too!? I'm glad, I missed you!"

Jade followed her out more sedately from the bathroom, tattered fluffy towels floating around her briskly as she gave her sister a sheepish look. "Sister... I said I would come and get you soon, I had not had a chance to talk to Fast as we discussed. Where are the others?"

Pausing in her interested tugging at Glitter's wet and wild mane, Peri pointed to the windows overlooking the city absently. Ivy and Magnolia both were hovering outside, Magnolia giving a tentative wave while Ivy had a hoof to her face and shook her head slowly. The pair appeared inside the room in a purple flash of teleportation just as the door to the hall opened and Val sauntered in with Zed behind her, the sudden appearance of the alicorns barely raising an eyebrow.

"Talk to me about what? Why are they here instead of home?" I asked Jade, honestly flummoxed at the sudden company. Watching her blue eyes practically mirror Peri's evasive glance to the ceiling, I started getting the idea I wasn't alone in not coming totally clean about relevant things that happened while we were separated.

I realized Jade had never really tried to lie or hide anything before, judging by her reaction I guessed she wasn't much better at it than Peri was. Watching her squirm cutely was an odd change of pace, usually I was doing the wriggling under her questioning. Finally she tapped her hooves together nervously and peeked out from the towel drying her mane. "I w-was going to talk to you once we had a moment alone... Umbra sent them back with me, there were some difficulties and I felt it was the best option..."

"Difficulties?" The leader of Trinity Tower was still upset when I left, given her position on interacting with the outside world I was worried what prompted sending these three back out into it.

Ivy sighed sadly and took over for her, "We are now viewed as... I believe Umbra used the word... compromised... She was concerned we may spread dissent due to our contact with you, we were asked to remain isolated while she considers what course to take. Sister Jade insisted we come with her instead, I apologize for the inconvenience..."

A spark of anger flared to life at her shamefaced explanation, "She kicked you out!? Because you made friends with other ponies? B-Because of me?"

"Umbra said since we liked going to pony towns and breaking the rules... we were free to go to this one too... I-It is not all bad though Fast! Er... I w-wanted to come to Goodneighbor anyway, we were actually given permission! Umbra just needs some time to think without us telling stories about the outside. It i-is not your fault Fast..." Magnolia put on an unconvincing smile and tried to put a positive spin on things.

Peri at least was simple and directly honest as usual, focusing on the only thing she found important. "She wanted my hat. I would not give it, I like it. I get to keep it out here."

Nothing seemed to really phase the strange blue mare, but the other two looked somewhat crestfallen and were trying to put up a brave face. Now I felt bad for my meddling with their lives, good intentions or no, and mad... that little spark was growing steadily at the thought of Umbra kicking them out of their home. They all spoke as if it were temporary and they agreed, but they were still out here because they disagreed with their leader.

"You guys.... I'm really sorry, t-this is all my fault. I promise I'll do whatever I can to fix this, you shouldn't be punished because I encouraged you to break the rules. I uh.. I'll talk to Umbra, explain she's wrong to blame you. I know it's not your home, but you're welcome with us any time of course. A-At least we got this big suite so there's plenty of room right?"

Jade gave me a grateful nuzzle as the three alicorns nodded and started wandering about the suite of rooms, Glitter happily leading the exploration and promising they could share one of the fancy bedrooms. Val had discovered the small bar and kitchenette area during the talking, the clink of a lot of bottles coming from the open tarnished refrigerator.

Zed trotted out of one of the empty rooms now that our surprise guests were occupied, giving me an intense look with his stern grey eyes. "I believe the Church of Balefire does have a presence in this city Fast. They seem to have grown more cautious and clever since their attempts in Hexington however, I only heard rumors of a secretive cult. These three's troubles are unfortunate, but perhaps they can help find their former compatriots. Doing so may also improve their situation with this Umbra, if I may ask?"

"Sure Zed, I bet Ivy will have some ideas if you want to talk to her. Anything to try to fix this, just give them a little bit to get settled ok?" I was glad the zebra had found a lead in his exploration of the town, hopefully he was right and making progress with the splinter group from Trinity Tower would improve Umbra's mood.

My hat floated from my troubled brow in a field of Jade's magic and she gave me a quick kiss on my horn, nudging me towards the vacated bathroom. "Do not be too upset Fast, I will attend to my sisters, they will be fine. You should get cleaned up so we may meet with this Mayor Shamrock, I wish to let him know we are taking advantage of his generous hospitality and be sure their being here is alright."

Val poked her head up from the bar and called after me as I went to follow the suggestion. "Hurry it up boss, I'm goin' with ya. Shamrock's a good ghoul, but he ain't bein' so nice outta the kindness of his heart. Yer headin' into a negotiation an' neither of you two are good at the shadier side of things."

I trusted Val's knowledge of the leader of Goodneighbor, taking a shower gave me time to think and consider just what Shamrock may want from us. She was right that I wasn't great at thinking along more criminal lines of thought though, so far the mayor had been gracious and kind, whatever he wanted in return was a mystery we'd just have to find out soon.

Shamrock's surly griffon led us down a labyrinthine series of service passages in the casino, eventually reaching a sliding steel door that would fit right in back in the Stable, 'Casino Management' was displayed in a dirty sign above, next to a whirring camera lens. From the view out the dusty windows inside, the office was in the ceiling above the casino floor itself.

Scarlet crossed the large room to get the mayor's attention, interrupting a conversation between Shamrock and another ghoul stallion at his simple metal desk. The place was a lot less opulent than the suite we were given to stay in, everything looked much more focused on function over form. Though the bottles and stray drug container strewn about the room, along with some bright furniture from the casino that didn't seem to belong in here, helped make it feel fairly lived in. There was a distracting amount of impressive computers and arcano-tech on display too, even the terminal on the mayor's desk was larger and more advanced than what I was used to seeing.

The ghoul speaking with Shamrock looked to be dismissed, passing us quickly with a stack of papers floating along in his silvery magic. His eyes widened a bit as he passed, lingering on my hat for some reason, but he left without a word and the mayor called us over happily. "There we are, I trust the room is alright? You look ravishing your highness, glad you had a chance to get cleaned up and rest, well worth the wait!"

Jade flushed and whinnied at the flattery, "Y-You are a charmer Mayor Shamrock, the suite was amazing and very generous, thank you! I do not know why we rate such excellent treatment, though I d-do hope you will not be upset I took advantage of it. Some of my sisters ended up joining us, i-if it is alright for them to be here?"

His withered eyebrows went up at that and he gave an appreciative whistle through his yellowing teeth. "Other alicorns like you? Of course, the more the merrier in Goodneighbor! Wouldn't happen to be from that group in the tower nearby, would they? Always wanted to talk to some of those mares, never been precisely friendly though. I'd love an introduction when we're..."

"C'mon Shamrock, quit butterin' em up and get down to business. Whatd'ya want?" Val found an whiskey bottle that was still half full and knocked it back, derailing the conversation as she flopped back to lounge on the tattered couch.

Jade looked mortified while I stammered at the rude griffon, thankfully Shamrock merely chuckled and shrugged into his seat. "Alright, always down to brass tacks with you hon, I like that. To be honest I've been keeping an ear out for your boss and the princess here, that kingdom of Sanctuary's been a real success I think we should consider allying with. Sounds like they're a chance for change in the Commonwealth, a princess for the ponies and of the ponies, we just eat that up in Goodneighbor. I think we have a lot to offer such an alliance too."

A chance to bring another community in the Commonwealth together brightened Jade's expression, though it clouded with uncertainty she tried to politely address. "That would be wonderful! Er... you do not need to worry about what you can offer us though, you have a lovely town but we do not have a need for most of the... services you provide here."

A small tin of Mint-als came out of a drawer in Shamrock's desk and the ghoul chewed on one with a sly look, ignoring the little huff Jade gave at using the dangerous drug for fun. The horrified look she gave when he actually held the tin out to offer her and the room one set him to laughing heartily as he continued. "Oh but you do! Had to check but you do live up to the stories don't you? A little of the old world morals and sensibilities here in the wasteland, I wonder if that's all from you or because your buck is actually from the old world? Either way, it's cute and a good line, what some ponies need to hear and see again. But you need me precisely because you two are so innocent."

"You're pretty well informed Shamrock, I didn't tell you anything about where I was from..." Having him casually demonstrate he knew about us already put me a little on guard, Val didn't look upset or surprised at least.

"Nope! You didn't, but I know anyway, that's the kind of thing I'm talking about. Our main resource here I'm offering isn't partying, it's information. From what I understand you ponies are real life do-gooders, you help others, do doctoring all over with those Followers, protect others with your Minutemares. You got food, water, security an' trade, but you got a great big blind spot when it comes to all kinds of bad business you don't approve of, like my little minty beauties here. Hell that frame job in D.C. proves that, walked right into that one didn't you?

Whether you approve or not princess, ponies are gonna follow their darker natures too, even while they try to answer your call to be better. How you think things wound up in this fucked up state? See, you need to accept that and have somepony who knows how to deal with it, somepony who knows how your enemies operate and what they're up to, who to pay off, who to get rid of, somepony who knows everybody you don't basically."

"You get he's saying that's him, right Blue?" Val snickered from her seat.

"And you'd be willing to help us with all that kind of stuff right? I'll give you I'm not too good with things like that Shamrock, but I have learned enough to wonder what the catch is..." I spoke over Val's laughter, trying to cut off the offended snort and frown Jade was developing.

Shamrock nodded with a grin and waved out the windows to the casino below. "Well you should too! I'm glad you know that much at least. Fast here got the tour earlier Princess, he has an idea of how Goodneighbor works now right? I balance a lot of none too friendly groups in this town, all of them trying to grab all they can for themselves. Gunners, Gangs, rich snobs from Diamond City, and Celestia knows who might be a synth from the Institute trying to bring it all down just for fun.

Now I do want to benefit from our partnership of course, but believe it or not I also think you're just what the Commonwealth needs. I do care about the ponies living here after all and you're good for them, so I'm taking your side. Just as an example of why you need me, I bet you don't have any idea about some of the moves those nobles in Diamond City are making to take you out of the equation, are you?"

"What do you mean? They put out a bounty on me and Val, but they haven't gone after Jade or Sanctuary. Why would they?"

Val gave an exasperated sigh while the mayor laughed and wiped a tear from his milky eye. "Just what I mean, you're too naive to not have somepony watching your back. They can't go after the princess openly, their own subjects love her too much, she's too popular. That don't mean they're not trying to do it, they just have to be sneaky about it. You're lucky the General of their city guard is a straight arrow or they could have decided to just march right on your little kingdom and wipe it out.

Bishop and his Kings across the street have been shipping a lot of firepower around, selling to raiders and gangs at a discount in exchange for sending them after you folks. Silver Seed farms have been cracking down, trying to starve out any communities that support you. That Svengallop kid may have just taken over for his dead father, but his drug trade hasn't suffered at all and he's using his connections to make things difficult for you wherever he can in the shadows. He's even smart enough to try to fight you on the public relations front, hear about his upcoming nuptials to that Stable mare? They're setting that show up so Diamond City will have their very own princess and stop talking about you.

Let's not even get into what the Institute and their synths are up to behind the scenes either, even I can't keep track of them but there have been plenty of moves that don't make much sense unless it's them going after you. Hell, if I didn't make it abundantly clear you were under my protection when you arrived, you would already be in a world of hurt here in Goodneighbor."

Jade gave a concerned whimper at each point the ghoul made, easily demonstrating we really didn't understand the game our enemies were playing. She looked unhappy at the harsh facts and realities Shamrock dealt in, I knew she couldn't care for a lot of the vice in Goodneighbor, but he was right that ponies would always want what he offered here.

Finally she sighed to herself and put on a determined expression, reluctantly accepting his argument. "Very well Mayor Shamrock, I do not like it but you do make an excellent point. So what is it you wish from us in return?"

The ghoul beamed a crooked smile back and leaned forward over his desk with a twinkle in his eye. "Lots of little things, as far as your highness is concerned really just the same things you want to do anyway. You just have to keep being the common pony's princess as you have, help my constituents like you have others. Your dark little knight there on the other hoof, he may be naive but I hear he has a talent for causing chaos I can use. Goodneighbor is a delicate balancing act, I have to be neutral and can't be seen to interfere with parties I'd rather not work with, but Fast is free to do things I can't. You two stick around awhile, why I gave you the suite to stay in, we'll do each other some favors and build up trust between us."

I was pretty dubious about working with the slick boss of Goodneighbor too, but Val gave a supportive look and thumb-claw up. She had a better understanding of this kind of thing than either of us and didn't seem to smell a trap, I'd trust her judgement here. Giving Jade a nod I held a hoof out to Shamrock, who returned the hoofbump enthusiastically.

"Ok Shamrock, if Jade's ok with it we can try working together. Er.. on a case by case basis for now... So what's first?"

With a sly wink and tip of his hat, Shamrock grinned and turned his terminal towards me, an advanced and complicated interface displayed on the glowing green screen read 'Maintenance Head Application Exam'. "Fantastic! First is easy, I hear you're quite the repair-pony Fast. It just so happens I need to hire somepony with your rare skillset for my casino and I think you'll be interested. What do you know about the Ministry hubs here in the Commonwealth..."

New Perk Added!---------------------------------

Counter Canter---
----A lesson from Glitter on that old dancing game has made you a little more graceful! Your fancy hoofwork (or agile flying if you are a pegasus pony) keeps you out of harm’s way. Opponents suffer a -5 to combat skills when attacking you.

Reputation Change!---------------------

Goodneighbor-- Accepted
---- You're under Mayor Shamrock's protection as a guest of Goodneighbor! You've been given access to a residence in the city while you're here, a perfect base of operations this far from home. Residents won't try to cheat you very hard and you're free to wander all but the darkest alleys. Even the groups in town that would like to kill you won't make a move inside the city while under the leader's good graces.