Kalfu sat in the train with Scootaloo snoozing soundly as she rested her head in his lap, Rarity sat across from him feeling a little bit jealous of the foal, but understanding the relationship between the two was strictly father and daughter only. So she was willing to look past it. Kalfu smiled at the mare before he looked out the window as the city came into view as they came out of the tunnel. “Believe it or not, this is my first time riding a train. It’s definitely an experience to be sure,” he whispered to Rarity as he stroked the sleeping filly’s side comfortingly as she slept, having even draped his long coat over her so that she could sleep somewhat decently on the long trip.

Rarity nodded in response with a smile “Indeed it is. I remember my first train ride when I was a filly. I was so nervous around the other ponies we were traveling with. It was me and my parents heading to Canterlot one year, and so many strangers were stuffed in one cart with us. I had no other children my age in there with me. So seeing all the adults crowded around me was so overwhelming.” Kalfu listened as she spoke, his eyes then shifting back to her “Well, while I didn’t have access to riding trains, we did have buses from where I come from. Think of it as a train car, but it can be driven by an operator instead of pulled.”.

Kalfu continued to share things with Rarity about his world while her friends talked among themselves. He was just happy that he got to come and support her in her dreams. He knew full well that this was going to be a big deal for her. And here was all for it. It wasn’t until the train had finally come to a stop in the station that the sudden slowing and stopping of the train woke the filly from her slumber. She let out a soft yawn and stretched as she looked up at Kalfu “We..made it huh?” she asked before sitting up.

Kalu waited till she woke up enough before grabbing his coat and placing it back on him “Mhmm, we made it safely, sweetie. We just gotta go check in then we will meet up with the others for a good dinner. We got a busy day tomorrow after all.” he said before he grabbed his own bag and Scootaloo’s as well. Thankfully the two of them packed lightly, as they didn’t need much. The perks of having a tomboy daughter.

As they walked out of the station, Kalfu’s eyes marveled at the vast largeness of the city and its architecture. It definitely reminded him of the big cities he’d see on TV or in pictures in his old life. He was always a rural boy, never having visited places like this before. It was certainly a bit overwhelming for him. But at the same time, it was also quite a view to behold. “Wooow. It’s even bigger than Canterlot…” he said as he continued to admire the city and what it had to offer.

As they continued to walk to their hotel, Kalfu took notice of a cafe that had a rather familiar looking mark on its sign. It was his mark. “I will have to stop by here before I leave this city…” he said to himself as he peered in through the large window as they walked by. The cafe seemed quite popular as all the tables were full from what he could see. He looked at the time hours of operation on the sign “Hmmm, eight PM till four AM. A late night establishment it seems…”.

Suddenly, scootaloo’s voice brings him out of his train of thought as they are already about to cross the street “Dad? Hurry, we are crossing!” she called out to him while she gave a big wave. He nodded before quickly making his way back to the group “Sorry, something caught my attention for a moment!” he said as he resumed walking with them all. He gave one more over-the-shoulder glance at the building in question before facing forward. He’d check it out for sure before they left.

–The Next Day–

After having gotten ready and meeting with Rarity down in the lobby, Kaflfu walked along the sidewalk arm-in-arm with the vampire mare. He had noticed a change in her attire lately. While she used to wear many pastels and brighter shades, she has been leaning more towards darker hues now. And her once blue eyeshadow was now as black as the night. It seemed that becoming a vampire had changed not only her appearance but her fashion sense as well. Not that she wasn’t any less beautiful than she was before. Far from it in fact.

However, the sun did bother her quite a bit. He could see it in her facial features every now and then when her poise slipped a little. But she was quick to regain her stride. “Rares…I am sorry you have to deal with the negatives of this curse. You can’t enjoy the sun like you used to anymore and it's my fault…” he said as he lowered his head a bit.

Rarity steps in front of him before turning to face him. She brings both of her hands up to lovingly cradle his cheeks in her hands, her black painted nails gently caressing his flesh “Kalfu..my darling, my master~. I want you to know that I hold nothing against you for what you did for me that night. You brought me back, and I get to remain with you forever and ever. Sure, I can't enjoy the sun like I used to along with a few other things. But I don’t care. The pros definitely outweigh the cons in my situation. So, don't you dare keep beating yourself up about it? I am far happier than I have ever been in my life thanks to you. Plus, these dark powers you have bestowed upon me aren’t all bad~. Every time I stick myself when making clothes, the wound seals up like new. That is definitely a plus~.”.

Kalfu reached up and gently squeezed her wrists before leaning in and planting a loving kiss upon the mare’s lips. She blushed heavily but leaned into the kiss just as eagerly as he did. He wrapped his arms around her waist firmly as he held her close. If it is one thing he was happy the curse didn’t take away, it was the warmth of her soft and supple body. And her scent was just as comforting as it had always been. Even though she had taken on a darker outward appearance, he could see her soul still shone brightly and was fuller than ever.

“As long as you are still happy, Rares. That’s all that matters to me…” he said as he pressed his forehead against hers, the mare giving off a soft “Aaawwwwrrr…” before she kissed him again, pulling at his tie in a playful manner before she reluctantly pulled away from him “We..shouldn’t be doing this right now though, handsome~. We must be on our way.” she said as she lopped her arm back around his as they continued walking along the sidewalk to the place where the event was being held.

As the two walked around the large room where the stage was being set up, they were doing a little meet and greet with the fellow fashionistas who had also come to compete. Somewhere rather flamboyant stallions, others were very sassy mares who thought they were the talk of the town with how they lifted their noses up at the competition and tossed their manes around while they talked. Kalfu was doing his best to keep his mouth shut. A little humility would do these ponies some good for sure. Every little quip and jab they threw at Rarity was enough to have him return a smart-ass comment about them. But, it seemed that she was handling it quite well, throwing her own brand of smartass remarks at them and doing it with grace and style.

It wasn’t until a finely dressed stallion wearing a white suit and red tie approached the couple. He had a golden fur coat and a golden mane and tail which were slicked back in that gangster style, his bright red eyes gazing upon them both as he approached. “Well well, I am pleased to see the rumors of your..accident were false, my dear.” the stallion said as he then focused on Kalfu for a moment “And I see you have someone accompanying you to this event. Who might you be, sir?” he asked as he started sizing up Kalfu.

Kalfu could feel the animosity radiating from the stallion even though his outward appearance spoke otherwise. He just tipped his hat toward the stallion with a toothy grin “I am called Kalfu, good sir. I am Rarity’s mentor..so to speak. I figured I’d come and support her in her dreams to become the next big thing in fashion. As a mentor should.” he said as he idly tapped his cane on the ground as they spoke. It was clear to Kalfu that this stallion was definitely a rejected suitor. But, could he be the one responsible for calling the assassination on Rarity? He couldn’t know until he knew more about this stallion.

“Aah, hello to you too, Razzle. It has been quite some time since I have seen you, darling,” she said in a rather forced friendly tone. The mare squeezed Kalfu’s arm as tightly as she could to the point where it was even starting to hurt Kalfu slightly. Kalfu’s gaze shifted towards Rarity for a moment before it went back to the stallion. It appeared that this stallion was causing a great amount of discomfort for Rarity. “Would you mind terribly if I spoke to Rarity in private for a moment, sir? Surely she can do without her mentor for a few minutes or so.” He said as he reached out to take Rarity's free hand.

Kalfu stood in front of the mare with his cane held out to stop the stallion’s advance. Rarity gasped slightly as she stayed behind Kalfu while peeking over his shoulder at the stallion. “I am afraid that I cannot allow that. As a gentleman who is accompanying a lady, it would be poor manners to let another steal her away from me if she doesn’t wish to go. And she chose to bring me here with her.” he said as he gazed into the stallion’s crimson eyes.

The stallion chuckled in return before moving in closer to Kalfu, his face mere inches away from his “Listen here, asshole. A mare as fine as her is wasted on a fool like you. Now, you will either back off and let me take her with me, or I will lay you out on the floor right here in front of her and everyone else here. My father runs this town from the shadows and I can get away with whatever the fuck I want here. So putting you down isn't going cause me any heartache..” he said with a knowing smirk forming across his face.

Kalfu narrowed his eyes with a smirk “Ooooh, hiding behind daddy’s authority, so intimidating~.” he said mockingly while waving his hands about. “Let me guess. Only child, given everything he has ever wanted because daddy gave it to you. Thinks he can take what he wants, including any mare that crosses his path…” he said before placing the brunt of his cane under the stallion’s chin “...Well guess again, shitstain. Rarity is out of your league. And out of your reach. You can make threats towards me all you want. But just a few words from my lips, and I can make sure that you lose everything. And that comes from my own power. Not my father’s…” he said as his wicked smile grew even bigger.

“Pfft, and what can you do, dandy? You are an absolute nobody compared to my family. Soon enough, I will be running this town when my father retires. Then I will be able to really do what the fuck I want.” he said as he leaned in closer to try and intimidate Kalfu further. It wasn’t until Kalfu placed a hand in the middle of the stallion’s chest and pushed him back slowly “Then…may your family experience nothing but misfortune and sorrow from this day forward. I hope that all the ill-gotten gains you have acquired will disappear. And you will be forced out into the streets and looked down upon by the ponies you look down upon yourself. You are going to learn humility…very quickly.” he said as he placed a greed and arrogance curse upon him just from a mere touch.

“Enjoy your cardboard box in an alleyway…” he said before he took Rarity’s hand into his and led her away from the conversation before things got physical. The stallion was so shocked by Kalfu’s words that he stood there speechless. Let alone the fact that he spoke back to him, that he was outright denied of what he wanted. It was clear to the stallion that this upstart needed to be put in his place. But, here wasn’t the time or place to do it. He had to get rid of this asshole and do it quietly.

As Rarity stuck close to Kalfu, she finally spoke “Darling, what did you say to him..? He looked like he was about to explode…” she asked in a whisper. “Oh, nothing you need to concern yourself with, beautiful. However, if you do run into him later, you can hurt him, just don’t kill him. Understand?” he asked as he lovingly squeezed her hand “I planted a curse on him that is going to be far worse than death. And he can’t learn his lesson if he is dead.” he said before they now stood at the refreshment table, the man grabbing an empty glass and pours his beautiful date a glass of punch.

Rarity happily takes the glass from him before he pours a glass for himself. They both stood there with smiles on their faces as they sipped on their drinks.The rest of the morning went off without a problem. The meet and greet was over, and the fashion show itself was going to begin later that afternoon. Kalfu spent most of his time in the back rooms with Rarity getting things ready. He was going to make sure that this mare’s dreams came true. She definitely deserved her rise to stardom. He believed in her wholeheartedly and that she was the most deserving out of all the ponies there.

While things were going on there, A group of ponies closed in on the hotel that the couple was staying at. It seemed that the stallion was going to make good on his threat and attempt to cause Kalfu trouble. A mistake that the ponies will regret soon enough when he finds out.

Here is another one, guys.

May the darkness grant you peace.