>Day Reconciliation in Equestria

Companion image is here: http://victor-whiterock.deviantart.com/art/Carnelian-Friends-Victor-Whiterock-394178994

>You are Anonymous: Vampire Hunter!
>And it is now time to practice some of that friendship and harmony stuff these ponies are always raving about.
>Beside you trots your newest charge, Carnelian.
>She looks decidedly nervous and you can’t really blame her.
>Over the past few weeks she has been stealing blood from the cows that live at Sweet Apple Acres.
>The owner, Applejack, was so mad that she actually had Carnelian brought up on assault charges.
>Fortunately for your batty buddy, you managed to get her off due to a technicality.
>You'd like to think that you did Perry Mason proud, but frankly, he would probably be disappointed that you used such cheap tactics to get your client off.
>Then again, Perry Mason never had a bat pony for a client. 
>After the hearing was over, you convinced Carnelian to stick around.
>You did this for two reasons.
>One, you feel kind of responsible for her seeing as how you are the one who dragged her back to civilization.
>And secondly, as a vampire hunter you are still slightly uncomfortable with the idea of leaving a creature that drinks blood to her own devices.
>To be sure, Carnelian is not one of the undead; she just supplements her limited diet with blood.
>In fact, over the past couple of days you’ve seen that she is an intelligent pony who simply happened upon hard times.
>But you also know that bat ponies get persecuted pretty regularly in Equestria and you want to see that Carnelian gets integrated properly into Ponyville society.
>And that means getting right with Applejack.
>Hey, if this all works out maybe you should change your title from ‘vampire hunter’ to ‘vampire rehabilitator’.
>Hmn… That doesn’t sound nearly as cool.
>As you walk towards Sweet Apple Acres, your companion looks as though she’s headed to the gallows.
>Time for a distraction.
“So, what’s your cutie mark mean? A Chisel and… a jeweler’s hammer?”
>She’s snaps out of her funk.
>”Yah. I’m surprised you recognize what kind of hammer it is.”
“I’ve had quite a few dealings with jewelers over the years. You’d be amazed how many times I’ve tracked down a nosferatu through a piece of antique jewelry.”
>”A what?”
“Sorry, a vampire.”
>Her eyes widen a bit as she considers your words.
>Crap. You forgot that other ponies probably call her a vampire too. 
>It might even be some kind of slur here.
>Time to back pedal.
“What I mean is; a nosferatu is one of the undead. I mean, we have critters back on my home planet that drink blood and I don’t hunt them because they’re not undead. See?”
>”I know. You kinda explained it before. They just sound really weird.”
“You don’t know the half of it. True vampires can do all kinds of crazy stuff. Change into a bat or a wolf, hypnotize victims, it only gets stranger from there.”
>”And you would actually… k-kill them?”
>You keep forgetting what a peaceful word this is.
>As far as you know murder is all but unheard of here.
>How to explain this so you don’t come off as a murdering psychopath?
“Well, the thing you have to remember is that they are already dead. They’re just brought back by their curse. And if my fellow hunters and I didn’t take care of them, the undead would drain their victims until they died. If the vampire wanted, the victim could even come back as an undead themselves and then it just keeps going.”
>”That’s horrible!”
“That’s why I hunt them. Or I did anyway."
>Something occurs to you.
"All the magic in this world and you don’t have any creatures like that?”
>”No, thank goodness.”
>She gets a thoughtful look on her face.
>”But now that you mention it we do have stories back home about the whisperers. They’re sort of like what you’re talking about.”
>Oh crap. 
>That’s how it always starts. 
>First it’s old stories and then, before you know it, you’re beheading a minor mythological character that has supposedly kept a village safe since the 1500’s in exchange for a virgin sacrifice every solstice.
“Tell me about these whisperers.” 
>She picks up on your grim demeanor and laughs. “Oh, they’re not real.”
>Don’tsaythatdon’tsaythatdon’tsaythat!
>”They’re wisps that come into a house at night and drain a victim of their spirit. They sit beside you and whisper stuff in your ears, so that’s why they’re called whisperers.”
“What kind of stuff?”
>”Oh well, uh, sexy stuff I guess.” She looks a little bashful. “I mean all the victims in the stories are always young folks. Think about the kind of stuff that gets you exited during your dreams at night.”
“I see. THOSE kind of whisperings.”
>”Yah, I guess.”
>It that case, it's probably nothing. 
>Blaming wet dreams on pernicious spirits has always been a classic thing to do back on Earth.
>After all, how can one be blamed for their ‘sinful’ dream if it’s the work of a succubus?
>Do ponies even have a concept of sin?
>They run around naked after all and Equestria is pretty innocent.
>Milton would have a field day with this place.
>But unlike him, you are not a theologian so this line of thought is pointless.
>You look over at Carnelian and realize that your original conversation has gotten seriously sidetracked.
“So, your cutie mark. Are you a jeweler then?”
>”I’m a chaser. I take metal and work it into decorative shapes. You know, stuff like bracelets, bowls, torcs? I cast stuff too, but I really love working with a hammer.”
>She points to her rump.
>”I suppose if you want to get technical, my mark is a punch and a chasing hammer.”
“You any good?”
>”Well, I was about to graduate from my apprenticeship. Take my journeyer’s exam. But then I had to quit.”
>Remembering that puts a painful expression on her face.
>Great. Now she’s sad again.
>But you’re glad that you asked about her talent.
>You’ve been struck by a great idea and just in time too.
“We’re here.”
>She glances up and you both look at the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres.
>”Wow, this place is really pretty isn’t it?”
“Haven’t you been here before?”
>”It looks different at night.”
>That’s right. Carnelian is some kind of half-bat creature.
>You wonder if she’s nocturnal.
>She has been squinting a lot this morning.
“How are your eyes?”
>“I’ll be fine as long as I don’t stand out here all day.” She sighs. “Let’s just get this over with, OK?”  
>You admire her fortitude.
>As you walk towards the barn you run into Big Macintosh.
>He greets you with a smile; in fact he’s quite friendly this morning.
>Honestly though, you didn’t expect him to hold a grudge about the hearing.
>”Howdy. Y’all here to see Applejack?”
“But of course. If you don’t mind my asking, how is she today?”
>Big Mac chuckles, “Ah, she’s cooled off some since yesterday. Still, I’d be extra polite if I was you.”
“My dear fellow, I am the model of aplomb and decorum.”
>Big Mac grins. “Yah, you just try usin’ ten-bit words like that on my sister and see how far you get.”
>You both laugh.
>Then Mac frowns a bit and turns to Carnelian.
>”Miss, I want to apologize to you. I was tryin’ to get you convicted of some pretty serious things and I realize now that you didn’t really mean any harm. I guess I just got caught up in everything.”
>Carnelian looks at her hooves.
>”W-Well that’s OK. I mean, what I did was wrong. You had every right to be mad. I just… wasn’t really…”
>She trails of like she’s trying to think of something to say and Big Mac comes to her rescue.
>”Well I just want you to know that I’m sorry. I don’t know y’all that well yet, but I expect you’re a good pony and I’m glad that this is all getting’ worked out.”
>Man, this is seriously the most words you have ever heard coming out of Big Mac’s mouth at one time.
>Carnelian still has her head down but now she is glancing up at the big red pony.
>”Thank you. I swear I won’t do anything like this again.”
>”I believe you. Now, I got to get goin’. Applejack’s in the barn. See y’all later.”
>You head further in to Sweet Apple Acres and Carnelian pipes up suddenly.
>”So he’s Applejack’s brother?”
”Big Mac? Yes, why?”
>”Oh, no. I was just trying to figure out how they were related at the trial.”
>Her tone is casual but you aren’t fooled.
>You have three sisters and you recognize this line of questioning for what it is.
“He is a pretty great guy, er, stallion isn’t he?”
>”Yah…” She trails off, then realizes what you are implying.
>”Hey, don’t put words in my mouth!”
“I just asked a question. You’re the one that agreed with me.”
>She remains silent and refuses to look at you.
>Did you actually just win a conversation with a female? 
>That’s a new feeling.
>You reach the barn and hail Applejack.
>She comes trotting out and behind her are Muriel and another cow.
“Ladies.”
>Applejack nods in return, but ignores your companion.
>This backwoods feud mentality is starting to wear a little thin.
“Well, I guess I’ll start then. My friend here has something to say to you all.”
>Carnelian looks up at you, shocked at your ambush.
>Better to get the hard part over with, you figure.
>”Um, I, uh…”
>She gathers herself and takes a step towards Muriel and the other cow.
“I’m so very sorry for what I did. I swear I won’t do it again. If you want me to leave, then I’ll go.”
>Muriel walks over to the bat pony.
>”Oh, I believe you dear. You were just hungry. I give milk to the ponies here. I guess drinking some of my blood isn't so different dontcha know.”
>Holy buckets, that’s pretty deep for a milk cow. 
>The other bovine nods her head and hums her agreement.
>Carnelian looks relived but then steels herself and turns towards the real challenge; Applejack.
>”Miss Applejack, I get why you’re upset. These cows are your friends. I knew ranchers growing up. I know how protective they could get. I…”
>She pauses as Applejack glares at her.
>“I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you. Ponyville is the first place I haven’t been chased out of. I don’t want to go.”
>”And just what’ll you do? How do I know you’re serious?”
“Ahem.”
>All assembled turn to look at you.
“I have an idea. How about Carnelian and I do some repair work on the farm here. That will you a chance to get to know her and I can evaluate her at the same time.”
>”Uh, evaluate her for what?”
“Whether or not I want to take her on as my assistant.”
>Both mares open their mouths in surprise.
>“What?!” 
>Those two ponies actually sync up pretty well.
“I could use an assistant, and a pony who knows metal working will be perfect. I can teach her what she needs to know about wood working.”
>Carnelian is looking at you with an unreadable expression while Applejack is thinking.
“Come on Applejack. Free repairs for some of your farm tools? All you got to do is forgive her.”
>She just sighs.
>”Fine, ah suppose if she can prove herself then I guess I got no problem with her bein’ here. But what about her freaky blood drinkin’?”
>Ah subtlety, thy name is Applejack.
>Carnelian is about to say something but you cut her off.
”I was hoping that we could come to a business arrangement on that.”
>”Huh?” Both ponies and cows look puzzled.
“Stealing blood is bad, but if Carnelian paid for it…” 
>You give Muriel and her friend a meaningful glance.
>”No.”
“Applejack, Muriel herself said that feeding doesn’t hurt them.”
>“I don’t care. She’s not gettin’ near mah cows.”
>”Now sis, maybe we can work somethin' out.”
>You turn to see Big Mac coming around the corner with a load of apples.
>”I don’t know Big Mac, we’d have to figure out how to make it all work and I’m afraid it'd mess with their milk production.”
>”Well, we can figure out a schedule and give the cows extra grain if Miss Carnelian's gonna to feed on ‘em. Muriel would that be OK with you?”
>”Why sure, I think that would be just fine.”
>”And just how is she supposed to pay us back for that? We don’t have that many broken farm tools!”
>”I got an idea.” 
>Big Mac walks over to Applejack and whispers something in her ear.
>She gets a shocked look on her face. “You can’t be serious?”
>”She’s been livin’ there A.J.”
>Applejack thinks about her brother's words for a second, then gets a devious smile.
>Seeing a conniving look on that mare’s face is slightly disturbing.
>”Alright. I got somethin’ you can do in exchange for nibblin’ on mah cows.”
>Please be something strait forward and/or easy.
>”I need y’all to get me something from the heart of the Everfree Forest.”
>Darn it.

To be continued…