In the Middle of Nowhere

This isn't happening. This is not happening. Finnigan Hawk hated to admit it, but he was lost. Hopelessly lost. He was in the middle of nowhere. After outrunning that wacked up gang of ponies he had cheated on in poker, he had hoped he was close to a town, or some cource of civilization. But no. All he could see for miles around was sand. Sand, and a few tumbleweeds here and there. At least he had his money he had "earned" from that ever so lovely experience.

Beside him, his ever faithful companion Scratchy gave a faint meow. Finn sighed in angreement with the cat. He was hungry, thirsty, and extremely tired. If he could just find some place to stay...

The earth pony's eyes widened as he caught site of a building. No, more than one buildings! It was a town! Finn looked around, and sure enough, a battered wooden sign read in faded red spraypaint " Welcome to Appaloosa". The thief gave a faint grin, and slowly started to trudge towards the dustball of a town, Appaloosa with his sack of money. He highly doubted this town could cough up more than a pouch of bits, but maybe he could stay somewhere, rest up a bit, have a bit of cider. Possibly gamble a little even. This pathetic town of dirt seemed easy enough to cheat on.

Silvernight sighed heavily. She leaned into the battered chair. It had been a long and hot train ride to Appaloosa. She had come seeking a vacation in the quaint little town, hoping to channel in on her wild west side. Silver had expected the town to be a tourisim hotspot, but it seemed they rarely got visitors. The hotel was very old timey, and she was suprised they had indoor plumbing and electrictiy. At least this place is certainly stuck in the old west.. She thought dismally.

As Finn trudged closer to the town, he could make out a figure outside a building resting on a chair. Squinting as he walked closer, he could tell it was a female. A pretty female. He noticed her neatly groomed mane, glossy and carefully prepared. Probably a rich mare as well. He must have hit the jackpot. He eagerly trotted up to the pegasus, his wearieness forgotten. " Well, well, well. What's a gem like you doing in a place like this?" he said, with a cocky grin. " I'm sure a rough and tumble place like this is a bit much for a wealthy mare such as yourself to handle," he said smoothly.


Honestly, Finn somewhat detested anypony wealthy. They seemed to be allowed a life that fate had assured Finnigan could never have. Plus, they had no sense of humor. Why they didn't appreciate him "borrowing" their jewels, food, and whatnot was beyond him. Still, she looked promising. Pampered, naive, innocent looking. Finn suspected all he needed to do was charm her, quietly pocket one of her valuables, and make a run for it. Easy.

Slivernight picked at the scruffy interoir of the chair.
" Well, well, well. What's a gem like you doing in a place like this?" Silvernight's head shot up." I'm sure a rough and tumble place like this is a bit much for a wealthy mare such as yourself to handle," Standing in front her was a dirty stallion, with a even dirtier cat and a sack stuffed with who-knows-what. Silvernight, who likes to assume the best of ponies, assumed he was a honest, hardworking farmer, who had just got back from a honest excursion with his honestly earned money.
"Er.. you look...hungry. Can i get you something to eat or drink?" Yet, something inside of her didn't trust him or sleazy grin.

"Er.. you look...hungry. Can i get you something to eat or drink?" the mare said carefully, giving his a somewhat suspicious look.


" Don't mind if I do," Finn said, and sauntered into the hotel. He gave a small frown. The hotel was a bit run-down, perhaps she was just "modest." He hoped so. If not, he wasn't one to waste a time with somepony as pretty as this mare.

" Go ahead. A bit of chicken, maybe some mashed potatoes... oh, and some cheesecake wouldn't hurt," Finn said. He figured this was a wealthy pony's typical snack. Seemed legit, they seemed to constantly stuff themselves.

" Don't mind if I do," The stranger said lazily. He swaggered into the hotel.
" Go ahead. A bit of chicken, maybe some mashed potatoes... oh, and some cheesecake wouldn't hurt," Silvernight frowned. "I'm sorry but I'm a vegan- no chicken or eggs." Then it struck her. Her mom put her on a vegan diet, and her mother was staying the other much more luxurious hotel. And she was craving a piece of cheesecake herself. "On second thought, I could head to the market to get some chicken." She grabbed her purse and headed for the door.

"Oh where are my manners! My name is Silvernight. Would you so kindly tell me yours?"

"Oh where are my manners! My name is Silvernight. Would you so kindly tell me yours?" the mare suddenly asked.

Finn stared at her for a moment, then thought for a moment. It likely wasn't wise to say his real name, so he might as well go by another.

" I'm.... Barthalamew. But my friends call me Barty," he said. ( Ha, I don't even think I spelled that right.) He looked the mare in the eyes.

" You are my friend, right?" he asked in a flirty manner, patting her on the head. Finn's eyes wandered towards her purse. " I'll snag- I mean, I'll hold that for you."

"Um.. No thanks! I'm fine actually. But-uh it was nice of you to ask," She responded hastily.She slipped out the door, wandering towards the marketplace. She surveyed the stands."Um excuse me, Did you know the way to the-" She asked a passing pony. The mare walked past her. She followed the pony curiously. "Barty!" She gasped."SQUARE DANCING!"

Finn cursed silently under his breath as the bag slipped his grasp. Oh well. He was tired anyway, clearly this wasn't going to be one of his best days. He had almost forgotten how exhausted he was after seeing this jackpot.


"Barty!SQUARE DANCING!" the mare squealed. Finn looked up, and sure enough, lively music flowed from an old fiddle an elderly pony joyfully played. Not a lot of ponies seemed to into it, and he couldn't blame them. This town seemed as exciting as owning a pet rock.

"Whoop-de-doo," he muttered, rolling his eyes slightly. As beautiful this mare was, she was becoming extremely annoying. Scratchy padded up next to him, and gave a half-hearted growl towards the dancers. Seemed like he wasn't the only one who was tired.

" I'm not exactly in the mood for dancing," Finn said, an amused tone creeping into his voice. Did she really think he was up to square dancing? Of course she couldn't really know he had been chasing/chased by a group of thugs through a desert, but he knew for a fact he looked even worse than he did. Of course, he still looked just as handsome as ever. How could he not?

Silvernight rasied her eyebrow. "Awww... but Barty, I thought we were friends?" Silvernight teased mischievously. She almost never flirted, but she on vacation. She dragged him into the small circle of dancers, pairing him with a lively earth pony. She began promptly tugging ponies into the crowd, and the group grew. She smiled to herself pleased, everypony seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Finn blinked as he was shoved into a dance with a giggling mare, batting her eyelashes. Finn winked at her, then quickly slipped away. Ugh. I'm all for a good dance and some pretty mares but... The thief's thoughts slipped away as he noticed a building that was labeled messily " Appaloosa Bank".

Ah, one of my favorite places. These babies are bulging with dough. The stallion darted into the bank, and quickly considered his options. He thought simply threatning the rather bored looking secretary was rather uncreative, but his time was slipping away, and he needed a fast way to steal. I guess I'll have to go for breaking into a vault. Oh, well. As poor as this humble town was, he was sure to be able to get a quick fix to restore the old pockets.