“Put me down!” the intoxicated pegasus loudly slurs, her voice echoing down the empty street.

You ignore her, of course. The present situation requires the both of you to run away as fast as possible, and considering Daring has elected not to move quickly, you will have to do so for the both of you.

The only noise that can be heard is your feet rapidly colliding against concrete as you make your way back to the only place that can currently provide any form of safety.

For whatever reason, carrying a half-drunk horse feels pretty strange, but you’re getting used to it.

You have a vague idea of where Marley’s motel is, so you try your best to run in that direction.

The streets are dark, except for the few spaces that are barely illuminated by the flickering or dead street lamps, so you can barely see. Luckily, you don’t see anyone immediately in front of you.

“I said put me down!”

“I heard what you said. Shut up.”

You begin panting as you race down the road, carrying your only friend like a baby.

An intoxicated baby.

Beads of sweat begin to form on your forehead and you try to remember when the last time you worked out was.

Probably never.

You have both arms held out in front of you with Daring properly situated so she won’t fall as you run.

“I hate you.”

Those large stallions in the bar could have been anybody, and that is why running away is the best option.

Maybe they were security guards?

Security would have just kicked you out of the bar. But if they were police, or heard that you are wanted for murder, you could be in a cell.

That is one experience that you have already had, and would not mind never having again.

For all you know, though, they may be some of Daring’s enemies, which she appears to have a lot of. If that is the case, then running was clearly the best option, lest you are captured once again.

Daring hiccups.

“Put me down!” she yells, slurring just a bit. “Or you’ll suffer the con… consequences.”

You would roll your eyes, but you don’t want to look away from what is directly in front of you.

Daring does not intimidate you, and a drunk Daring does little more than amuse you.

Despite all her protesting, she has not actually physically tried to free herself from your grasp. She is just yelling at you to put her down, but she hasn’t moved an inch since you picked her up.

All four of her legs are tucked into her body, her wings are furled up against her sides, and she periodically glances at your surroundings. Unmoving.

Not that you mind.

If she was rolling about in your arms, then you would drop her, and who knows what those ponies chasing you will do if they catch up.

Why are ponies always chasing after you anyway? And why the hell would they want you dead?

Seriously, ever since you woke up a few days ago things of all shapes and sizes have been trying to kill you. Whether it be booby traps that were set up centuries ago that still somehow work effectively, or aggressive, miniature, psychopathic equines that are after ancient clay figurines.

They definitely know that you’re after those three idols, so why would they try to kill you? Why wouldn’t they simply find it themselves? It’d save a lot of time and effort for everybody.

Or why not wait until Daring collects all three before attacking the both of you? That way they could get all three artifacts and Daring. From what you’ve gathered, basically everyone wants the artifacts, and at least one of your enemies wants Daring. So why not wait?

There could be hundreds of answers to those questions, so you won’t assume anything.

You quickly glance back and only see a dark street with no sign of life to be found.

Good.

For the moment, it seems like you’re in the clear. You’re not actually sure if anyone ever started chasing you and Daring in the first place, but just to be safe, you ran.

And picked Daring up.

And there was a perfectly acceptable reason to do so at the time! And there still is!

You wouldn’t want her falling or stumbling around this sketchy area of the city.

“I’m sorry. I don’t hate you.”

The entire area around you almost seems deserted. Occasionally you see a few ponies or camels or whatever inside one of the rundown buildings just chilling, minding their own business. But no one seems to be out on the street right now.

Aside from you and your partner.

“There’s the happy couple!” an old, familiar voice booms, shattering the pleasant quietness of this part of the city.

It seems that you have finally reached Marley’s motel, which looks just as shitty at night as it did early in the day.

“Where you two been?” he asks as you approach him, Daring in your arms. “Y’all’ve been gone for some time now.”

“Just went to a bar, Marley,” you say, feeling the effects of running for the past ten or fifteen minutes. You’re very tired.

“Ooh hoo! Ms. Do was always a classy one!” He laughs, and you would too if you had the energy for it. “And I can see she’s had a little too much!”

You look down at her, and she seems to be staring at the motel doors, completely ignoring the fact that you and Marley are talking about her.

“Uh…” you think, trying to remember just how much she had to drink tonight. “I guess? She did drink a lot pretty fast without eating anything, so I guess so.”

You just now notice a bucket of paint with a paintbrush laying on top of the can.

“What are you doing out here, Marley?” you ask. “It’s a little late to be working, isn’t it?”

He shakes his head resolutely. “No suh! Not at all! Why, nighttime is the best time to do anything. See, everypony else is sleeping, so it’s real nice and quiet, and it’s not hot.”

That makes a surprising amount of sense coming from the one of the craziest being you have ever met.

Why can’t you meet anyone normal?

Seriously, you haven’t spoken with a single organism that could possibly qualify as being “sane.”

“Well alright,” you begin, “but what are you doing?”

“Painting!”

“Painting?”

He nods his head. “My pappy taught me that the better the paint job, the less the cracks in the wall are visible, the better the place looks.”

Well okay then.

It still looks like a rundown motel to you, but alright.

“Whatever works.”

“How’re you, Ms. Do?” he asks, looking at the pegasus in your arms.

You wonder why he doesn’t think it’s weird that you are carrying her, but then you remember that he thinks you’re a couple for some reason.

How could anyone possibly come to that conclusion?

“Mmmm…” Daring groans, shifting herself in your arms. Luckily you manage to hold on to her. “Aight.”

“Ms. Do’s seeming a little tipsy!” he shouts unnecessarily, as it is obvious that she is intoxicated. He looks up at you. “Crazy night?”

“I guess you could say that,” you respond, not seeing a point in trying to convince him that you’re not a couple. He wouldn’t believe it anyway.

“I bet ya it’s only gonna get crazier!” he yells, laughing.

You shake your head and release a breath. “Yeah, sure, whatever. Marley, I need a favor.”

He stands up as straight as possible and looks at you with determination. It would be amusing if you didn’t think you could end up being arrested at any moment.

“Yes suh!” he shouts, saluting. “What you need old Marley to do?”

“If anyone comes looking for me or Daring, just tell them we aren’t here… Or tell them we ran somewhere far away from here.”

That might throw them off your trail.

“You betcha!” he says going back over to the wall. “Anthin’ for a frien’ of Ms. Do, there!” He points back to the inebriated horse in your arms, who isn’t moving. “Don’t you worry, child. Ms. Do has come to me for help for many years, now. We’re friends.”

Good.

“Thanks, Marley,” you say, walking by him and into the motel.

“And try to keep it down, youngins!” he shouts, roaring with laughter that bounces off the semi-empty buildings and echoes down the street.

==========

You glance down at the pegasus in your arms, now that you know you’re safe. She still isn’t moving much, but at least she’s alive.

She has her forelegs wrapped around her chest, and you see something underneath them.

“What is that?” you ask. “What are you holding?”

Her forelegs wrap tighter around her. “Mine!” she yells, her voice echoing down the long, empty hallways.

“Daring, what is it?”

“It’s mine!” Her eyes shut tightly and she lowers her head, trying to hold the object even tighter.

“You’re a child,” you say, shaking your head and managing to get your room key out of your pocket while still holding Daring.

You don’t know what the hell she is holding or how you did not realize that until now, but you suppose you just weren’t paying much attention to her until now.

You unlock the door and walk into your room.

It’s dark in here, and the only source of light seems to be a lamp on an old wooden desk at the far end of the room. You don’t plan on sleeping just yet, so you move to turn it on.

But first, you literally toss Daring onto the bed, where she lands with a squeak from the bed and a squeak from her.

“Hey!” she shouts, sounding more alert than she was a few moments ago. “Watch it! You almost spilled my drink.”

You ignore her, of course. There is no need to listen to her while she is like this.

You turn on the lamp and the light bulb flickers for a few seconds before finally shining brightly, and illuminating the room. Looking around, you think it would have just been better to leave the light off. The room is a mess and looks like a crime scene.

You stroll back over and close the door.

That run from the nightclub to this shitty motel room has really tired you out, and you need a bit of a rest.

“Jay!”

Maybe you actually should go to bed? It’s pretty early but it’s not like there is anything to do. You could read one of Daring’s magazines or something, maybe, but that doesn’t seem to interest you right now.

And you didn’t eat. You went out to eat, and no eating occurred.

Just last night you were eating a big, juicy steak in a 5 star hotel, and now you are eating nothing in a negative 18 star piece of shit, rundown, smelly murder scene.

Maybe you should try going out again? You don’t think anyone is following you anymore.

“Jay!”

You look over to Daring who is shouting from the bed.

“Answer me when I talk to you!” she demands.

You shake your head. “Look, ‘Jay’ clearly isn’t my name. If you actually said my real name, I would have looked up.”

At least, you assume you would have.

“I need a new name,” you say.

“Yeah? How ‘bout I call you ‘A humongous pain in the a-”

“Jay’s fine.”

“Good! Then answer me!”

You rub your eyes, feeling more and more tired by the second. “Jesus, Daring, what the hell do you want?”

She gets up and stumbles over to the desk before placing a bottle on it.

Is that whiskey?

She hiccups.

“Is that whiskey?” you ask, still standing by the door.

“Mm-hmm.” She nods her head before pulling the top off with her teeth with an audible “pop.”

“Where did you get that?” you ask as she takes the bottle into her hooves and taking a large swig directly from it.

“Aaagh!” she sighs, scrunching her face a bit at the burning sensation. “Behind the counter at the bar!” she smiles, looking at the alcohol as though it is a priceless artifact. “Before you dragged me… dragged me out of the place, I just reached over the counter and took it!”

She laughs, hugging the bottle close to her chest.

“That’s illegal,” you point out.

“Arrest me!” She starts drinking again.

“I think you’ve had enough,” you say, beginning to walk towards her. You need to get that bottle back.

Why is she drinking so much, anyway?

She literally told you, no less than an hour ago, that in this “business” of hers, it is best to always remain sober.

You reach an arm out to grab the bottle, but before you can, she extends her wings, flaps them once, and propels herself on top of the bed, startling you.

“It’s mine!”

You put up your hands, trying to show her that you’re her friend.

“Daring,” you begin, “I really don’t want you getting hurt, alright? So just give me-”

“Why not?!” she yells back in response, sounding genuinely angry with you.

“Why what?”

“Why don’t you want me getting hurt?” She hiccups. “Why… Why… You only hang out with me so you can get back home!” she shouts as though it is an insult.

Well, you can hardly disagree, but you have to watch what you say around an angry drunk.

“Daring,” you begin quietly, trying to calm her down. “I can’t disagree with you there.”

Her ears perk up, her wings shoot out, and her eyes narrow as she glares menacingly at you, as though she is going to attack you at any moment. “I knew you-!”

“But!” you cut her off, wanting to explain yourself. “But, if we weren’t in this ridiculous situation, I would still definitely hang out with you.”

Her features soften, her wings sag a little bit, and you feel more encouraged to continue.

“You’re really cool, Daring. You’re annoying most of the time, but you’re cool. And we may argue a whole hell of a lot, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

You feel your cheeks burn at your phrasing, and you suddenly feel incredibly nervous.

“Besides, hanging out with you is the most fun I think I could ever have.”

Despite how incredibly dangerous it seems to be.

“You… R-Really?” she stutters out.

“Really, Daring. You’re strong, tough, witty, pretty funny, and you’ve always been there for me, which is a lot more than I can say for anybody else.”

Her face turns red.

Probably from all that booze.

She looks down at the mattress and rubs a hoof against her opposite foreleg, not saying anything.

You notice the almost-empty bottle of whiskey is still sitting there, and take your chance to grab it.

Daring doesn’t even seem to notice as she continues to look down at the bed, ears flat, face red, and a small smile on her lips.

You chuck the bottle out of the window and hear it shatter against the ground.

Daring still doesn’t look up.

“You really think so?” she asks quietly.

You smile for some reason, feeling really warm and happy. “Of course, Daring. I’m not gonna lie to ya.”

Damn it’s hot in here. This motel needs a new AC unit.

There is a moment of silence that passes over the room.

It has gotten really hot in here. Sure, the general location of the city is naturally hot, but this is just ridiculous. You feel almost as warm as you did when you were running.

Daring gave Marley a lot of money. That crazy old camel should really invest in keeping this place at a reasonable temperature.

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump*

You hear banging on the wall, and both you and Daring look over to see what it is.

“Oh! Ooh!” some mare moans. “Dusk Shine! Faster!”

Well… this is certainly unexpected.

Unsure of what to say now, you look over at Daring, who is already looking back at you.

The both of you quickly turn your gaze to some other part of the room, feeling too embarrassed to make eye contact.

The thumping continues, and you silently curse this motel and its’ incredibly thin walls.

“Ahem!” you clear your throat, breaking the awkward tension you feel. “Uhm… maybe we should go to bed?”

“Y-Yeah,” the pegasus stutters. “Cool. Sounds good to me.”

You strip off your clothes until you are just wearing your boxers, turn off the lamp, and waddle across the darkened room, trying to find the bed.

As it turns out, the bed finds you, and your two smallest toes bang hard into the foot of the bed.

“Agh! Fuck!” you curse, hopping into the bed and crawling up like a baby that can’t walk yet.

You can’t see, so you just blindly feel around for the end of the bed. But luckily, your vision seems to be slowly coming back to you.

“W-What? What are you doing?” you hear Daring ask.

“Nothing, nothing,” you assure, not wanting to feel anymore awkward than you already are.

“Uhm… Jay?” she asks, and her voice sounds a lot closer than you originally thought it would. Unfortunately, the room is still too dark for you to see.

“Yeah?”

“Uhm…” she clears her throat. “Uhm. Can I… Can I help you?”

Your vision finally acclimates enough to the dark room for you to see where you are.

Your eyes go wide and the room gets just a little warmer.

Right underneath you is Daring Do, lying on her back, forelegs tucked into her chest, and looking up at you with an inquisitive and nervous expression. You have both hands on either side of her head, resting on the bed as to hold you up.

How you did not realize this sooner is beyond you.

Oh shit.

“Sorry!” you apologize, before rolling onto your side and away from Daring, putting plenty of space in between the both of you. “Didn’t mean to crawl on top of you. I, uh… couldn’t see.”

“It’s… okay…”

Is she alright?

She sounds a little upset.

You shake your head to get rid of those thoughts. It’s late, you’re tired, and it’s incredibly warm in this room!

You close your eyes and try your hardest to think of absolutely nothing, which is pretty difficult considering the awkward tension in the room and the horses next door getting it on.

Eventually it works, and you manage to fall into an uneasy sleep.

Author's Notes:

God damn I am so sorry about these ridiculous delays.
But I have excuses!
Please read my latest blog post for info about future updates! It's very important!
Also, my editor has regrettably left me, so I apologize if this chapter was sub-par.
Love you guys!