Fragrant smoke filled the hotel room as Octavia enjoyed the imported Bridle cigar, eyes half-closed as the Churchill was set between her teeth.

‘Very nice, very nice…’ she hummed to herself, ‘Vinyl must have helped.’

They had slipped back to their usual hotel in the Moonlight District, the old merchant quarters nestled near the Dockyards. It wasn’t the high fashion and ‘ritzy’ style accommodations that Octavia’s fellow non-local members preferred, but that was fine- such hotels would not have liked this particular form of celebration. Vinyl had turned up with a few bottles of cheap wine, but it had been Nightsong’s gift that had brought a tear to the eye. She shot the mare a grateful smile before settling back to relax in the recliner provided by the hotel; a few days here would be divine.

“We have so many sights to show you, Nighty,” she piped up, voice barely muffled by the cigar in her muzzle, “You’ve never been to Canterlot, right?”

The thestral was comfortably settled on the herd-sized bed, gaze almost constantly flicking between Octavia, Vinyl relaxing beside Octavia’s chair, and their cello settled back against the wall. Poor thing still looked fairly thunderstruck by it being there. She started slightly at Octavia’s question, flashing her that shy smile.

‘Need to trademark that…’

“N-no, I haven’t. I’m looking forward to it, though! It’s so big.”

“Heh, that’s-”

Octavia barely registered her hoof coming into contact, very lightly of course, with Vinyl’s horn, or the light click of said contact. Sigh.

“Ah, ya killjoy…”

Octavia shot Vinyl ‘The Look,’ as she called it, though had never elaborated fully to the cellist quite what that look… well, looked like. Ah well. She returned her gaze back to Nightsong, making sure she had switched off ‘The Look’ for a smile again.

“I deeply appreciate you being there for the show, my dear. It means all the world to me. I-”

Was having a muscle cramp. Octavia closed her eyes and set her jaw, doing her best not to move as the muscles on her right foreleg and shoulder began to seize and ripple. Vinyl’s magic warmed the area almost immediately, sonic pulses brushing through her fur and skin.

“Octavia? What’s wrong?”

It took the Earth Pony a moment to focus enough to look back to her marefriend; Nightsong had stepped off the bed and over to her side, eyes wide. Octavia lifted her good foreleg to grip the batpony’s, giving her a shaky grin.

“She didn’t drink enough water,” Vinyl piped in, her annoyance tempered- for her, at least, “And overdid it. S’alright, though, she always does this.”

“It’s why… I asked to stay in town for a few days.”

Octavia let out a slow breath through her nose, relaxing back into the seat as the pain faded, though not the tightness. Mrf. Socked hooves hardly made a noise on the carpeted floor- Nightsong had all but dashed to the bathroom, returning with a pair of cups clutched in her wingclaws. Vinyl’s magic gently lifted them out of her grasp, tipping one back for Octavia to chug.

Her ear swivelled lightly towards Vinyl at her trademark giggle- and a little gasp from her younger marefriend.

“Now, now… she’ll be fine, babe. Just going to take it easy tonight. Movie, dinner in bed…”

Octavia gently nudged the now empty cup away to peer at her loves, a little thrill running through her. Vinyl had stood onto her hind legs and leaned against the wall, tugging Nightsong back against her chest, wings tucked in tight. Octavia did her best to suppress an aroused hum- that batpony made the best shy faces; that little blush running up her neck and ears… Vinyl gently kissed the tip of a tufted ear.

“We’ve got all week to have some fun, pet. Just relax... “

Those little fangs flashed in the low light of the hotel room, Nightsong’s muzzle dropping open instinctively as Vinyl’s magic ran along it. She shivered noticeably, wings twitching a few times.

‘Vinyl is too good at that… poor thing doesn’t stand a chance.’

The Canterlot market was to Ponyville’s like an ocean was to a lake; dozens, if not hundreds, of stalls lined the new shopping quarter outside the palace. Three or four mega-stores, owned by some of the richer Houses, made up the boundaries of the marketplace, though side streets boasted a few lesser known shops of their own. Nightsong did her best to control any jealousy- some of these stalls looked so nice! A few were even selling instruments…

Vinyl had convinced her to dress up for this occasion- her comfortable Traveller-style dress, with its many pockets and short length, and matched with stockings stitched and colored into the Riski band pattern- zigzagging greens and reds. What was conservative amongst her own people was, annoyingly enough, somewhat risque for outlying Earth Pony villages, hence the issues between the two. Nightsong had taken to not wearing the garb a year or so back. It… felt good to wear it all again.

Octavia had helped put Nightsong’s main into little braids, keeping her bangs out of her eyes; she flashed her a warm smile. Octavia had opted to stick with her bowtie and collar as usual, though one foreleg was settled in a compression wrap. Most of the previous night had been spent in the tub or in bed, the three of them cuddled up in a pile. The intimacy was… addictive. She wasn’t sure she’d manage to sleep well alone in bed when they went home again!

Her marefriend returned the smile cheerfully, rubbing gently to her side; they were definitely getting a few looks. Canterlot was a conservative town, despite its bohemian appearance and image. Somepony coughed as they passed. A little of the pleasant thrill chilled.

‘Right…’

“Come, come, gentle-ponies! Good wares; good prices, yes!”

Nightsong froze, ears perking at the familiar language before she spun around; she could feel Vinyl sliding up beside her. Several stalls, off to one corner of the market, were populated by familiar wagon-carts and stalls- and crewed by batponies! A stallion was grinning over at the trio- green-maned and coated, with the large frame of a more northerly band of Travelers. The red and black markings on his jacket…

“Greetings, sir!” she trilled to him in Traveler Speak, beaming and courtsying, “Good to see the Helgi again!”

Now she had their attention. Half a dozen slitted eyes had turned on her and her herd; the stallion’s eyes flicked over her before his grin widened.

“Riski, huh? Thought your band was in Baltimare this season.”

“I no longer travel with the Riski, sir,” she replied quietly, snorting after a moment, “Rookery business, y’know?”

Judging from his wince, the stallion did indeed. He lightly nodded to her, then back at Vinyl and Octavia, “You good?”

Any tension bled away, and Nightsong was happy to let herself smile wide, and spread her wings out a bit as she switched back to Equestrian, “Yeah, they’re with me. This is Octavia, and Vinyl. I’m Nightsong.”

The stallion stepped out from behind his stall to give a formal bow, wings spread wide- they were definitely getting some stares now, though now more from passing Canterlotians. Travellers were never well trusted, and Traveller custom was a little more showy than many of these Unicorns were likely used to, in public. But Nightsong’s herd were not Canterlotian- Octavia had returned the bow with a polite courtesy, and Vinyl was settled back on her haunches, smiling pleasantly and giving the stallion a nod when he looked up.

“Nice to meet’cha, man,” she piped in, tilting her head down slightly, “Been in town long?”

“Long enough for a profit,” the stallion replied easily, grinning toothily, “Torchlight, at your service. Out for a bit of shoppin’? Pulled in quite a few nice finds from Las Haygas...”

Something was up. Vinyl was glad for her shades, but made sure her easy grin still reached her eyes. The batponies were watching them, and closely; each stall they stopped at, or wagon they slipped into to look at larger merchandise, would have a new thestral posted, keeping an eye on them. Vinyl’s bit-purse had been teleported into her inner pocket, but none had made a move for Nighty’s, or even Octavia’s. Slitted eyes kept the trio firmly in their sights- and especially on Nightsong. The why was Vinyl’s main worry, and she felt the fur on her back prickling.

The current shopkeep, a tangerine-colored mare with a dark brown mane pulled back in braids, was showing off a few small elixirs when Torchlight re-emerged, nudging the wagon door open to grin up at the mares. The stallion, whom Vinyl assumed was in a leadership position among the thestrals, had slipped away some minutes ago, bee-lining into one of the larger wagons set up against the merchant quarter’s wall. The draft of opening the door sent a wave of scent in- the familiar scent of the bustling marketplace around them, and a heady wind of smoke. And the stallion had not been smoking before.

“My friend, how long will you be in town?” Torchlight asked easily, leaning forward.

Nightsong blinked and smiled warmly over at the hetman, “Oh, uh, I think Vinyl-”

“Haven’t decided quite yet,” Vinyl interrupted, stepping closer and putting on a smile, “Depends on mine and Octi’s business up here, might visit a few city friends, y’know?”

Thank the stars, Octi had the wherewithal to not openly contradict her, though the batpony mare did look back at her in confusion. Torchlight’s eyes met Vinyl’s through the glasses; he was a cool customer, all right, letting little show. The showmare knew his type; wiry from a life of hard food and hard living. Opportunistic. But he wasn’t setting up a mark. The whole band here knew something about one of them, and were interested. And this stallion was not anypony’s fool. The smile he gave the unicorn in return was as thin as the chuckle he added.

“Canterlot is a good city to stay in for a time, certainly. You should all come visit whenever you like! Maybe join us for a dinner before you head back home.”

“Of course!” Nightsong replied with a quick nod, bowing again, “We’d be honored, and will certainly keep in touch. ...it’s been so good to see Travelers again.”

“And it’s been excellent to welcome a member of Clan Night and the Riski band to our humble wagon train. Please, a gift.” His left wing extended to hold out a small set of sun-shades, built to hook around the curl of pony ears. Nightsong had a few pairs already, but still graciously took the set from Torchlight, bowing once more.

“Safe night, brother.”

“Safe night, young sister. Go in peace.”

Vinyl walked close to Octavia as they were showed out of the wagon train, giving a very quiet click of the teeth when Octavia began to question; thestral ears were far too keen, from in front, or behind. Beneath her own shades, Vinyl’s eyes flicked about as she puzzled out the scene. Something was going on with that Band, and if she had her way, Nightsong would not step a hoof back there, and especially not alone. That smoke… damnit, where had she smelled that before…

“...fuck.”