The show itself was a spectacle. Ponies grooved and danced energetically to the rock tunes put out by the mares up on the stage. Even Tabitha couldn't argue that the music seemed well done and performed as they played and sang together. It wasn't human music, but it was similar enough that she started to get into the rhythm of it and started to sway in place.

"Miss?" It was Sugar, smiling up at her. "You can wave your wings. It's alright."

Most pegasi were doing just that, and she was, in theory, one of those. She didn't actually have wings though. How did she make those limbs she didn't have move? She shook her head at the little filly. "I'm alright, promise."

"Like the music?" came from the other way at Razz leaned in. "They really lay a smooth groove, right?"

They did, and they were close enough to easily see it. The din of the crowd was almost entirely behind them. Tabitha smiled almost in spite of herself. The concert hadn't been her idea, but... "I'm glad you brought me out here." It was everything she really needed to remember she wasn't in a bad place, just a bizarre one.

There was some ruckus behind them as some ponies got carried away with their revelry. Security guards descended on them swiftly and they were escorted away. It seemed that the show hall had some standards, which Tabitha was alright with. Their smooth rock didn't really need a mosh pit.

When the performance entered a break, a pony came towards them with half-glasses tinted a bright purple. She smiled at all three of them. "You can go back now. The break's for about half an hour."

Razz and Sugar were both eager to go, and Tabitha went on for the ride. She didn't know these ponies, so they weren't her idols, but that didn't stop her from getting a little excited as she went. They were stars, even if it was a world of horses.

They entered the back where the titular mares were seated in comfortable-looking pillows and chatting quietly. That conversation faded as they approached and the mare they saw outside smiled up at them from where she sprawled. "Righteous. Welcome to the chill-out."

One of the other mares tipped a rather ornate pipe she had hanging from her lips casually. "You're the one that put the smack down on that perp outside, right?" The first nodded. "Wicked. What's your name, filly?"

The other two with Tabitha looked ready to burst, but didn't butt in on the conversation as much as they clearly wanted to. "Tabitha," she offered with a smile. "I just kinda did what came to mind and worried about it later." They all had to look of grungy musicians, but they seemed nice enough. "Nice to meet you."

One who hadn't spoken yet sat up and looked over Tabitha's pony form. "She's acting like she ain't never saw us before tonight. She's either playing it cool, or..."

"She hadn't," volunteered Razz, getting in on the chat. "I brought her here to hear some good music."

"Good taste," complimented the first. "Hey, little filly." She was looking at Sugar. "Come here."

Sugar stepped forward with a little shaking, smiling ever so wide. "Yes?"

The mare offered a hoof. "Keep it cool, alright?"

The filly giggled nervously before she raised her own hoof and they met with a loud clop. "I'm your biggest fan!"

The Grateful Mare smiled gently. "Biggest? Afraid they come a bit larger, but I can tell you're real. Keep a hold of this." She took off her own glasses and handed it out with a hoof.

Sugar drew a sharp breath before she accepted the glasses. She ran off giggling and squealing, her night made complete.

Tabitha could see the piercing green eyes of the singer as they met gazes.

"Now that it's just adults in here... There's something off about you, Tabitha."

Tabitha flinched faintly, but Razz practically jumped. Horses were bad at keeping secrets. She shook her head. "How so?"

"Hard to place," admitted the mare as she looked to her band-mates. "Any of you get it?"

"Drinks are, like, here." Another mare approached with a dreamy look to her face and a little smile.

"You're the best, Tree," spoke one of the ponies as they accepted their mugs.

The pony with the half glasses peeked around the corner. "Show's about to wind up, time for the VIPs to get back."

The mystery seemed it would remain just that, which was alright by Tabitha. She wasn't sure how ready that world was to greet the human that walked among them just yet.

When the show was over, she casually moved for the exit. Razz was stunned at the idea. "You don't want to hang out more? Come on, they were cool, and they dug you."

"Perhaps, but at least one of them got a bit too curious for my liking. If they want to stay at my building, that's fine, but I'm not in any hurry to go telling people outside that." Tabitha waved a few fingers before she departed, alone.

She knew the way home, at least. Her general sense for city geography hadn't failed her, even in horse city, and she made her way there unerringly. As she reached for the handle to the front door, she saw the reflection of the mare she fought before and ducked out of the way just in time for a sack to strike at empty air.

"Stand still! Damn pegasus." Her horn glowed a brilliant blue as her eyes narrowed.

Tabitha was ready to spring again, but was she? As the pony came closer, she didn't move. Her muscles refused to obey her.

The unicorn easily slipped the sack over her and pulled the string tight. "That's mor--Oof!" Tabitha's sack fell, her with it.

"Hey, watch where you're going!"

"You are in the way," spoke a stern and familiar voice. It was her monster on floor 2.

"You haven't even started to see in the way!" barked the unicorn.

"You were warned." Tabitha heard the unicorn complain, then a body hit the ground roughly. Something broke. Her monster liked breaking things by throwing them. "Miss Tabitha, are you well?"

She was pulled free of her sack and set back on her feet by the monster. She could move a little, whatever had been done to her fading slowly. "Y-yeah, she did..." She stopped as she looked around, but the unicorn was gone. "Crap, where'd she go?"

"I did not care. You are well." He moved past Tabitha and into the building without other pauses or looking back.

Tabitha let out a sigh and proceeded inside herself, closing the door securely behind herself. Pony land had its dark sides, it seemed. Where there was a city, there would be low-lifes. She saw a pony in front of the office she didn't recognize and went there instead of her room. "Hey, can I help you?"

The pony turned with neither horn nor wings. He smiled. "Are you the owner of the building?"

"I am, what's up?"

He actually glanced up before answering, "Oh, we have a bit of an overflow at the convention and we were wondering--"

"These are apartments, not hotel suites," cut in Tabitha. "What convention?" She felt a bit curious.

"Manehatten Bipedcon!" he reported with a proud smile. "And I know, but we've already tried the local hotels. I know you wouldn't be offering the usual hotel amenities, but if ponies are ready to pay and you have empty rooms?"

She was being offered money. She'd have to get someone in to clean up the rooms afterwards, but that would be considerably less than she could ring from them... "How long is it?"

"Three days, starting Friday."

That was just the next day. "Last minute huh? That'll be extra. Hundred and Twenty-five bits a night, and they need to know this isn't a hotel. We don't have room service, but they get a sink, kitchen, and all the comforts of home, which includes cleaning it yourself." That would put her solidly ahead for each pony that accepted.

It was only after he left that the thought came to her. Would ponies staying temporarily break her illusion? Would they banish the creatures from beyond? She drew in a soft hiss of breath as she ascended to her room. There was no such thing as free money, even if she had to remind herself of that once in a while.

She settled in for sleep, and was totally wound down. She even clicked off her light when the knocking came.

Tabitha sighed and wandered to the door in her pajamas to see Razz standing on the other side, grinning like a loon.

She sighed once more and opened it for him.

"Tabby! They really get to partying after the show's over. I told you to... Are you alright?" He quieted as he saw her looking tired and ready to sleep, not to mention grumpy to see him. "Is this a bad time? I thought you had fun..."

"No! No... I did." She reached for his head and pet him like any animal, an act that seemed to draw a perking of his ears. "I was just heading to bed. I have to get ready to take the overflow for some convention."

"Which one?" he asked, seeming to get right over his worry. "I'll help if I can."

That made Tabitha curious. "Razz, what do you do for a living?"

He froze.

"Razz?"

He glanced away and back at her, squirming.

"Razz..." She leaned forward. "You had money, where'd it come from?"

"My savings," he mumbled miserably.

"So you don't have a job?"

"I... Can I help you?" He smiled brightly.

Tabitha did not return the gesture. "Is this why you've been so friendly to me?"

"W-what? No! I swear! No!" He shook his hooves and wings in contrary signals. "Please, no!" He liked that word. "I... just like you."

"You said you liked me when I was a pegasus. Then I wasn't, and you kept on liking me." She raised a brow. "You'll forgive me for being suspicious."

"What con?" he asked, diverting the topic.

She sighed softly. "Manehattan Bipedcon?"

His eyes widened. "That's this weekend, isn't it?"

"Yeah? Why?"

"Ask for tickets!"

Tabitha's eyes narrowed a little. "I'm not trying to go to a..." Then it became clear. "You're a pervert for bipeds."

Razz went a bright red.

"I am not your fetish!" shouted Tabitha sternly.

"It's not that! I mean, not just that..."

"Just that? Look, leave me alone." She slammed the door right in his hurt face.

Author's Notes:

And the chapter ends with a typo, typical.