It was a cloudy day in Canterlot, every now and again a few wet drops of rain splattered against the cobblestone in the shadowed alley behind the shoemakers store, a threat of the storm to come that day. In the corner of this alley a large mass of cardboard boxes have been stacked and taped together. But just in the opening of the box a pair of black hooves poked out. A fat cold rain drop rolled off the roof of the shoemaker store and landed on the hoof. Yawning a changeling face pops out of the opening his eyes a crimson haze. He blinks and then waddling out of the box hut, shakes and stretches. A red leather collar around his neck and a tag with the word Thorn on it jingles slightly. "Well, now that I'm awake might as well see what is for breakfast." Thorn makes his way to the back door of the shoemaker store and presses his head against the door. A few muffled voices can be heard in the store. He pushes the door open and as he steps inside his body begins to transform. When Thorn emerged from the alley into the back room of the shoemaker store Hera's now a grey earth pony in a stripped vest and a derby.
Now disgused as the shoemaker Thorn trots through the empty workshop to the door at the other end of the room. Peeking out of the crack in the door, he looks around to see the real shoemaker pony talking with a customer. The shoemaker nods something and starts to walk to the back. Thorn hides behind the door as the shoemaker enters the workshop and unknowingly passes the changeling. Silently Thorn slips out into the main gallery and greets the customers he then proceeds to open the register and plunder through, grabbing five bits, before trotting out the front door.
At a local drinking hole, a cyan blue windigo, wrapped in a violet magi cloak, sat across from the draconequs Discord, sipping a mug of cider and staring out at the impending storm clouds. "That was quite a journey," Frozen said, "So do you still intend to introduce me to the princess, though I confess my interest in her has changed significantly." He was referring to his infatuation with a mare named Xarame, a Zebra and Frozen's fiancee.
"Hmmm?" Discord said, looking up from the pyramid of cider he was making, having drunk all the tankards they were once contained in. "Oh, I'm not sure, the more I think about it, the worse an idea it seems." Discord had suggested the tavern in an attempt to steady his nerves for his planned meeting with Celestia, but he wasn't certain it was working. He signalled the worried looking barkeep for another drink; the Draconequus and the Windigo were certainly drawing some strange looks from the other customers...
"I suppose you may have a point," Frozen said. He signaled for a glass of wine and slid his tankard to the side. "I know you have reservations about it. I can tell you're worried about me suffering the same fate as you, all those years ago, but I think it's fine now. We won't go stamping on the dragon's tail while it sleeps, at any rate."
Discord looked at the curious faces around them. "Well I suppose we have no choice now; news that the Villain Discord and a Windigo are in town together must be all over Canterlot by now. It won't take long for Celestia to hear of it."
Walking out into the streets Thorn made his way to the local watering hole the five bits jingling in a little sack. He stands outside the door until a red stallion walks out. Thorn waits till he passes then walks through the door into the pub, his body changing to look like the same red stallion that just left. He trots up to the counter and drops one bit on it. "One hard cider please".
After a long drink from his mug, Thorn looks over and notices discord and a blue unicorn sitting by themselves. He slides closer trying not to be obvious. Waits a bit then closer.
"Yes..I suppose a confrontation is inevitable, though I am certain she will understand, you are reformed are you not?"
Finally pressing up enough courage Thorn sits beside the blue windigo and tosses two bits on the counter. "Might I buy you gents a drink?" "Old Sawbuckle keeps the good cider in the back."
Discord looked at the red stallion in surprise. "You mean we were meant to be paying for these?" He asked, looking at the drinks he and Frozen had already been though.
Frozen snorted at his father's remark, "I've been picking up your tab." He turned and eyed the red stallion suspiciously, but nodded his affirmation. Something seemed a bit...off about the stallion.
Discord sensed Frozen's mistrust. "Oh come on Frozen! Anyone willing to sit with us is ok in my book! Clearly this is one smart Stallion!" He raised his tankard to the stranger.
"Very well, I suppose you are right," Frozen said, lifting his glass as well. "Cheers." Frozen took a long sip and set his tankard down, "So, as I said, remember when you introduced me to fluttershy? That went swimmingly, and she has princess twilight's ear, who has Celestia's. I am certain good word has already been passed to her about you and I."
Thorn banged on the counter and a old stallion with a goatee walks over. "Yes sir, what can I get for you gentleponies today?" Thorn tosses his last three bits on the counter and stares at Sawbuckle. His eyes spark a slight red then return to normal. The finest of your bad apple cider! Milud." Old Sawbuckle nods then with out a word pushes two bits back and takes one. "Right away sir."
"Hitting the sauce a bit strong there aren't you?" Frozen asked with a chuckle, taking a sip of his wine.
With a loud crack of thunder rain begins to pour outside. Thorn looks out the side window to a small alleyway between the pub and a flowershop to see the rain pouring down in torrents. He sighs. "Danm Pegasus and their weather. Looks like a long storm. "
Thorn throws back the last of his cup and chuckles. "Of course, not much else of fun to do at the moment."
Frozen nodded with a hurrumph, "I suppose we will be stuck here for a while at any rate. Apologies for the lack of manners, I am called Frozen Heart, this is my father Discord!"
X giggled continually, she had scaring ponies all over. She flicked her ear and noticed a dainty pub. She strolled towards it, acting like a normal. "What normal place to be for normal or alcoholic people." She was trying too hard. Quickly she gave way to stealth mode and haunted the ceiling sneakily. She was prepared to drop down and give the victims her spooks. These lucky people were the three chatting. (You know who you are. >w>)
