Going Bump in the Night: Chapter 3 WiP

>While the castle with its extravagant nighttime decor is a sight that would leave many a pony speechless in awe, it simply doesn’t live up to the unique atmosphere of Canterlot after dark.

>The lit, glass windows of shops filled with ponies, both bat and otherwise, standing out in stark contrast to the darkness.

>The unique stalls and their eccentric merchants that come out, selling curios from every end of the planet.

>The soft, classical music coming from one of the countless bands around town.

>Add all of that to the sheer energy, the aura that permeates the city and makes your skin tingle; you get something that earth just… lacks. It’s hard to describe.

>But enough of that.

>You and Umbra leisurely stroll into the upscale inner district of the city, taking in the familiar sights and sounds of the slow-paced night-side of Canterlot.

>At the sound of many hooves on pounding in the street, Umbra’s training as a guard kicks in and she holds out a foreleg to stop you.

>Almost stumbling over the extended limb, you look to the vampire with the obvious question right on the ends of your lips.

>You get your answer quickly.

>A trio of batpony foals tumble by chased shortly after by an exasperated looking mare, each rough-housing in a display that most of the day-going nobles would frown at.

>Umbra smiles at them as they go past and you do too, but probably for a different reason.

>The peace here is so pleasant. No one has a care in the world and everything seems perfect.

>Those foals are the perfect symbol of it.

 

>Lost in your thoughts, it takes you a moment to realize that someone is calling your name.

>”Anon!”

>The call finally pulls you from your fanciful daydreams back to reality, where you look down so see Umbra stopped in front of what looks like a wide alleyway deviating from mainstreet.

>You don’t recall this being here. There was a gate.

“Wasn’t this gated off just a few days ago?” you ask the uncertainly. It had to have been.

>The armorless guard nods her agreement. “Mmhmm. This was a part of the city that was heavily damaged in the changeling attack at Head Captain Armor’s wedding. I think it was rebuilt at Princess Luna’s behest into an…”  

>A jet black batpony flies just inches over your head, holding a sign in his hooves that he hangs on one of the now open gates. In its whirling script, it reads…

“Artisans’ District?”

>The black pony’s ear perk up, no doubt taking notice of your exclamation.

>”Indeed it is,” he says looking up to you. “Her Majesty felt that the arts were under-appreciated, so she ordered this area to be built.”

>The bat-stallion ruffles his leathery wings and looks towards the castle fondly. “There’s even a rumor that Princess Luna paid out of her own pockets to have this done.  And ponies still have doubts about her…”

>He snorts almost scoffingly

 

>Lovesick much?

>Umbra must be thinking along the same lines as she smirks behind a hoof.

>Looking beyond the stallion, you see that the alleyway extends for quite a ways, enough to make the building at the end little more than a shadowed blur.

>To you, it seems a little irresponsible for Luna to have a whole piece of Canterlot rebuild in her image when there was likely something important before.

>But you have little room to complain. What Luna does with her power and money is no concern of yours. As a millennia-old alicorn, she must know what she wants out of life and how to get it.

>”Anyway,” the stallion continues, “things are a little bare here at the moment,” he stops to look behind him at the empty alley. The vacant buildings seem almost lonely, all by themselves in the narrow street. “But things should pick up once word gets out.”

>Umbra smiles. “That’s so cool!” she gushes. “All this space available for ponies with neat talents. I think it would be incredible once you get the place filled up.”

>The black-coated stallion seems to puff up at Umbra’s declaration.

>He must have some important role with the new district.

“Umbra,” you start with deceptive gentleness, “you don’t know anything about art. I have no idea why you’re excited.”

>Her golden eyes lock onto yours as she scrunches her muzzle up at your words.

>”Do too.”

>Does she really want to play this game?

“Name three masterpieces.”

>She holds her nose up. “The Pony Lisa. The -“

“Ones that aren’t commonly known.”

>Umbra huffs and restarts. “The…”

>”…”

“Well?”