I readjusted the rearview.
Still a little blonde pony. Still the big, wide, eyes.
But now her face was smeared with chocolate.
“Where did you get the candy?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She turned her head, then ducked out of my line of vision.
“I can hear you trying to wipe it off.”
“What? What’s that, Delaney? I’m certainly not eavesdropping onyourprivate business with that swarthy police officer who didn’t even offer us the latte he was carrying.”
“Xtelle.”
She sat back up. “Fine! I ate chocolate. Is that against your boring Ordinary rules?”
“Depends on where you got it from. I didn’t have any in the car, so you’ll want to think real hard about what you’re about to tell me next.”
“You are a terrible dresser,” she said.
“That’s one. Three strikes and you’re out, Xtelle.”
“And your hair is stringy.”
“Two. Gonna go for the whole enchilada?”
She narrowed her pony eyes, and her hooves clicked together as she crossed her stubby arms. “I…acquired it.”
“Details.”
“With magic.”
I waited.
“What?” she asked in false outrage. “I just told you the truth. Thetruth, Delaney,” she moaned. She stuck her tongue out several times like she was trying to get rid of a bad taste. “I hope you’re happy.”
“I’m not. Where did you magically get this chocolate from?”
She mumbled something that sounded like “your butt.”
“And we’re just gonna go for three and a miss,” I said.
“The store! Okay? I got it from the…” she waggled her hoof north, “sweet shop place right down the road.”
Gods, I was so glad she wasn’t going to be my charge. “Everyone pays for what they want in Ordinary. I hope you’re ready to wash dishes for a week.”
Her horsey mouth fell open, and her eyes went so wide, she looked like a cartoon. I bit the inside of my cheek and counted down from thirty to keep from laughing.
Then her eyes narrowed. “Youwouldn’t.”
“I absolutelyam.” I started the car.
“But I’m a…a little pony.” She jumped up and did a little prance in place. “I am to be admired while I frolic the days away. I am to be petted and fed sugar cubes from the palms of muscular, naked men. I do not do menial tasks.”
“If you thought taking that form would get you out of work, you are mistaken.”
“Pony work,” she said.
