A change of pace

I do not know what it is that prompted me to leave my life behind and start from scratch, or just why I can't seem to keep my hooves on the ground. Why in Celestia's name should a mare with an academic degree want to sell everything she owns, quit her job, and become a weather pony of all things? But, that is precisely what I have done. I'm still quite young and have my whole life ahead of me; surely there is more to be experienced than what can be found in the library..."

Midnight Sun closed her journal and placed the quill beside it on her modest writing desk. Far from Manehattan where she had just abandoned a promising career as a history teacher, and even further from her home in the rural lands of northeastern Equestria, the young grey pegasus had indeed given up everything to answer the call of wanderlust.

From her small apartment in Cloudsdale, Midnight contemplated her future and its infinite possibilities. Life was meant to be an adventure, after all.

The apartments were known as 'Nimbus Heights' which caused the owner to will it would be absorbed by the next twister to appear. Such a cliche' name. He would be soon to tear it down the moment he could send the papers.

He had taken seize of this building under a complete legal means from the very cooperative colt who was inspired after a late night meeting. He landed in front of his newest tenant home.White covers the edges of his ears like a halo in the sea of light tan brown that his coat expresses. His mane is styled in a straight cut path of black wildfire that runs from his forehead to the bottom of his neck with bits of white patches on the lower end. His legs are jet black up till a little over the knees where they become part of the pale brown of his body.

He tapped a few times upon the door.

Absorbed in her reverie and the journal scribbles that it prompted, Midnight didn't notice the tapping until the vistor had knocked several times. Finally she realized that somepony was at the door and put her writing aside.

She had only just moved in to the modest apartment a few weeks ago, and was wondering if perhaps it was one of the residents coming to welcome her to the neighborhood.

The petite grey mare opened the door and smiled cordially at the stallion standing in front of her.

"Good morning sir. Sorry I almost din't hear you knocking. May I help you?"

Meeting you at the door was inquisitorial fossil amber irises as he tucked his wings into his taupe cape. He wore a beautifully designed ultramarine blue and grey shaded suit with a purple trim to hold it together. The saddle he adorned was a black velvet, smooth like those ropes you feel when waiting in line to higher end club. The back has a slot to allow his hair to stick out and covers the entire of his back of his neck.

Her coat seem to be light soot stained as her wings folded commonly behind her as he retained a unforced smile. She had yet to discover his true presents here, perhaps that could be played as his advantage. "Help is variable term, yet today we may be able to seek a benefit too my liking. may I enter your... livings." He said with a bit of fight with himself at the thought of entering such a place without proper knowledge of her maintaining abilities

Midnight's face was stern and expressionless as she stood in the doorway facing the well-dressed pony. Until he clearly stated his intentions, there was no way she was going to allow the stranger to enter her flat.

"Perhaps if you would be so kind as to kind as to introduce yourself? What exactly is it that you wish to discuss?"

The grey pegasus remained calm and composed, showing no signs of being intimidated or alarmed. The stallion appeared to be a salespony or solicitor of some kind, but living in Manehattan for several years had taught Midnight to be a bit more cautious and less trusting than most folk around Ponyville and Cloudsdale. If his intentions were less than honorable, she was prepared to fly away as quickly as possible. To her advantage, she was very fast flier.

She took a small step forward, her body still blocking the entrance to the apartment as she waited for his response.

(I love you called it a flat. XD Yes!)

He leaned his head to be standing with symmetry in his shoulders as his cape fell a bit to his side as he removed the wings from there pockets. A quick flap as allowed a cooling breeze to float by you as he meet with her eyes. His were a fossil amber, like the kinda you saw beetles and many other bugs encased in. He neglected adding any need for intimidation. Why instill fear for the purpose to appear strong? Seeming weak is always a advantage. Though full control had been decided when the deed was given.

"A fire, no. A candle flicker in the dark room it pertains." He lifted his hoof with a swirl as he met it to his front with a dip of his head, letting his back left leg lean back as he bowed. "Martingale. Owner and manger of these," He paused for a moment as he thought of a name more pleasing "living spaces." He finally said with a sour tone as he tucked back in his wings with moment that seem rehearsal to return his head to a higher position as he met her eyes again. Such will in them. So rare. "May I enter now that I have been demanded to use my position to greet a paying tenant? One with such fire shall be granted my forgiven this once, perhaps twice if we hurry along."

He fought a smile, for it is bad taste to gloat about such a simple exchange. Why should the one in command have any need to feed his ego when clearly it has been filled when the previous manger was so generous as to sign him the deed only a week before he decided to leave town on his own, absolutely unrelated accord.

Despite his proper introduction, there was still something about the pony that made Midnight feel not entirely comfortable. Yet, as the owner of the apartment building he did have the right to enter. She stepped aside and allowed him to pass, her keenly observant eyes focused on his every move.

Upon entering the residence of the young intellectual, one would likely take notice of how sparsely yet tastefully the small flat was decorated. The main living area contained a writing desk and chair, a large bookcase filled with rare antiquarian tomes, and a richly upholstered settee that looked to be over 100 years old. A stack of books sat upon the floor beside an empty teacup and spoon.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir. I'm Midnight Sun. Now what business brings you here?"

The residence hailed to tell the visitor of the fillies pursuits for knowledge clearly.It was done likely so upon budget, yet it had a favor to it that was much more agreeable then the beer can ridden floor of the apartment he had the displeasure of arriving in. It was like all the others with yourself already half way in the living section. He saw the desk, but thought nothing of it when he noticed the wood it was made of. However he did slide over to the bookcase with renewed hope this might be a pleasant experiences.

He sniffed a quick draw in at the scent of tea as he did a sweeping turn to her. He could feel her eyes latched to him as he walked the room. He would feel a bit of flattery had it not the clear mistrust draining from them. "Deviously curious, dangerous so if were cats." He said as he relaxed, setting his wings in the pockets a bit more as he strolled about the room, keeping a close dsitant to the books as he would read a few covers at a glance.

"I would say a welcome, but I am assured it wouldn't be enough to quench your clear thirst for knowledge. Shall we discuss business of rent and service over some tea, or is a another interest I could hold your gaze and attentions with?"

"Yes, of course. Allow me put the teakettle on, and please forgive my...initial rudeness if you will. I'm afraid I've developed a natural mistrust of most ponies, which is one of the reasons I left Manehattan to begin with. It gets rather tedious to constantly be on guard."

She departed for a moment to the kitchen area to prepare the tea, aware that the visitor had been assessing her collection of books. It was an old trick; try to find out what sort of pony you are dealing with by seeing what they read. If that was indeed what he was doing, then he would be aware of her study of Equestrian history and folklore, and would perhaps find it amusing that a pegasus would possess so many magic books as well. She smiled to herself, glad she had stored her small collection of comic books and adventure novels in the trunk beneath her bed.

It was actually a good thing that the landlord had come to discuss manners of rent and service, because Midnight had begun to notice a few things around the complex that needed to be addressed. The low rent and immediate availability of an apartment was what had drawn her here, but she was becoming annoyed with the overall condition of the premises and the behaviour of some of the riffraff who were unfortunately her neighbors. She welcomed the opportunity to discuss the situation.

She emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray laden with teacups, saucers and a sugar bowl. Placing it on the table beside the antique settee, she looked at Martingale and spoke.

"The tea is ready. Now, let's get down to business, shall we?

He rounded back with a concentric, flowing motion. He seem dramatic in the way he would dominate the space he would take as he flicked his cape before falling slowly into the chair nearest to the book shelve. He had grown accustomed to chairs that yielded little to no comfort as watched the mare prepare the tea, revealing a small sly smile, which seem well practiced should she ever turn from her work. He had been pleased to discover some of theses books were of value. How she had came about them couldn't have all been the will of bits. It seem foolhardy to seek more then the snip of information concerning them at the moment. They had his permission to remained tucked away in her bad memories of Manehatten for later discussion.


He had visited Manehatten before on his mant trips concerning his side business. It was a cesspool of who claimed to be the toughest and most vile. It's core rotten from the criminals with no loyalty expect their own. Martingale would rid the city if the filthy habits given the chance. What use in this world is a pony who obeys no master but himself?

When the tea was set he took it upon himself to grasp the heated pot with his wing as he poured with grace to his single pour, filling the cup perfectly. He stirred a bit of sugar bowl with spoon he held in his mouth before placing on the saucer at a angle. He pushed her tea cup before her as he trapped her attention with his eyes as they peered over the cup pressed to his lips.

"Yes. Let us ascertain a understanding. Before we try I will tell you changing of rent prices in non-negotiable. Unless you have a tongue coated with finer silver then a noble's." He pushed his black hair from his face with a confidence demeanor. Business was his strong point and he felt no fear the filly had no usage of her qualities, or a well practiced understanding of barter.

((I'm getting ready to go on a trip for a few days; I'll be back and able to post again on Monday. ))

(I hope you have a lot of fun! Take all the time you need. I'll be here.)

((finally back...I came home to a hurricane. Seriously...lol))




Midnight's eyes met with those of the stranger, her face devoid of emotion or expression.

"Does that mean you have come to announce your intentions to raise the rent? Although I'm not surprised, I do have to say...and with all due respect...that this place is a slum. I didn't even know that cockroaches could thrive in structures made primarily of clouds until I came here. Perhaps higher rent will drive away the undesirables residing in the complex, but it would also be beneficial if revenue was re-invested in repairs and maintenance."

She continued to eye him carefully, wondering if he thought her to be a fool. Had he been misled by the simplicity of her lifestyle to believe she was a part of the impoverished underclass, and they she could easily be manipulated into accepting unfair terms? Midnight Sun wasn't exactly as naive and vulnerable as she was beginning to think he saw her as, and she had nothing to lose by playing along with his game.

She had the eyes of unsure mongoose, wishing, begging to be be told if it was a snake or a mountain cat she faced, though she would be surprised that poison and teeth would never be a weapon against one in such situation. Though her rebelliousness had Martingale had grow fondness for her spirit. Also her sharp tongue, which was nice shade of red, which was one of the few colors he adored, though never wore unless he made a mistake when teaching the virtues of objects to others. Though she would held, for she had already lost.

"So you are in agreeance that this place requires.. a change of.. decorate placings." He said, letting his hoof lift to point at the ceiling. "Though, you are very aware that to pay for such things bits would be required." He turned to gaze at his nail, removing a nail file to fix a spot that he simply would not be tolerable as he leaned into the chair, taking his place in the center of the room, having most of the object yielding to him. "If you request me to fix your home, surely you must pay to have it be done. Be it bits, works or any manner to payment." He wore smile as he thought of few things this mare would be just perfect for.

Midnight bristled at his smile, her apprehension toward this stallion increasing with every second.

"Bits, yes...that would be the proper form of payment for such services, would it not? But I wouldn't exactly consider the problems with this place a manner of 'decorate placings', as you say."

He sure was bombastic, but if this rascal thought he could use flowery language to confuse or manipulate her, he had another thing coming.

Does this mean you intend to raise the rent in addition to requiring payment for needed repairs?

"I would reply a simple no, though I find myself often asked to explain after. The pity of being mused with understanding." He said calmly. "I have no need to raise your rent, merely I will take your request for a upgrade. As say agreement." He removed a sheet of paper from his cape's pockets. Setting in upon the table as he set a pen next to it.

"I have come to take.. control of your agreement. I need to resign your contract so that I am the Landlord. I'd hate for there to be a," He paused, twirling his hoof in the air as he looked for the right words, letting it fall to his side. "misunderstanding with my right to this place, or your right to your living space."