Songs of Innocence

Chapter 88: Pony Tales II

Fluttershy's cottage, many moons later

"The Temptress' plan was to turn Equestria into a world where everycreature gave into their urges without a second thought. It sounds like a utopia, if you don't really think about it. Whatever urge comes to our minds, we would give into. But soon, it would become a cycle of pleasure that will affect us less and less as it goes on. Eventually, our mindless selves would go mad from confusion, and resort to acts I won't even try to imagine, just in hopes to feel pleasure again after it had run dry. It's not so perfect now, is it? I don't even need to mention the obvious - how we would all be turned into mindless animals who only act on instinct."

Fluttershy sighed, and took a sip of her tea. She sounded a little fatigued by all this talk of grand schemes and bizarre philosophies. It made her glad she could be here today, and it made her further be able to appreciate that every day was blissfully serene. She wasn't too old, but she didn't mind the image she currently had, of an old mare recounting youthful adventures to a youth of the current generation.

And speaking of those... maybe she could take a break from telling ones focused on Sun, even if just for a little bit. She had stories to tell about the other figures of Sun's tale, and even she knew they could stand to have a bit more focus on them.

She turned to Avalonia, and asked curiously, "Um, what about I tell you about what Sun's friends were up to on one specific day?"

The filly gave her a look that shewed her skeptical reluctance to say yes.

Fluttershy chuckled softly. "Oh, don't worry. It'll be fun! Sun's friends do things when they're not around her, you know. Alright, let's see... Let's start with... Obassi and Dragon Rose! Yes, that's perfect! Um, so... you see, after Dragon Rose left her job at the Kingdom House Cafe, she joined Obassi, becoming his personal assistant, I think. Today, the two of them were meeting a very influential pony named Ms. Harswhinny for a story about her personal life. It was Dragon Rose's first job, and... it was certainly more than she expected."

Part 1: Catching Up With Our Favorite(?) Wage Slaves

Manehattan, many moons ago

Up the sidewalk of lovely Paddock Street, the two journalists walked tirelessly behind Ms. Harshwhinny as she lead them to a specific location that they hadn't a clue as to what it was. Almost every single shop they passed by was yet another in the seemingly endless amount of this street's eccentric fashion outlets shilling clothing brands of the biggest, most expensive names in the entire industry. The answer as to where Harshwhinny was leading them seemed like it was going to be one of the myriad of fashion stores lining the streets, but as they finally found out, that was not the case.

With the two following after her, Harshwhinny finally came to a stop at one of the few stores that didn't fit in with the artistically-indulgent textures of the other stores on the street. No, instead, the establishment they had come to was one of a familiar, more corporate design. It was a Stoater's - a greasy fast food chain that both Obassi and Dragon Rose were rather familiar with, but they would never admit to themselves going to them often. Wait, but why would a mare as prestigious as Ms. Harshwhinny bring them here? 

"Here's a secret for you two that you shouldn't share." Harshwhinny discreetly spoke to them, "I go here every once a week. I'm well aware that a mare like me, especially one of my status, shouldn't even touch this garbage, but... well, sometimes I just don't want to think about making a meal for myself. Again, don't share this."

Obassi took that as his opportunity to suck up to her. "Don't worry, Ms. Harshwhinny. Your secret's safe with us." he said, with an exaggerated enthusiasm to his tone.