Steel Ball Frontier (Part 1)

The weather was tumultuous; no need to work in the freezing wind, pulling a trolley of rocks from the excavation site back to Canterlot. A contentful swoon, cemented in the sea of pillows and blanket fur pelts as the stallion began to write in its journal. Hunkered down in the back of his carriage, the fire pit crackling close by. "Never been a stallion to gamble. But you can say, the gods pulled in my favor. I was on vacation in Baltimare, no real reason behind it. After coming back from that year-old journey from the Old World, I felt I deserved to rest my withers. Went to an art gallery, watched a play for the first time, and I came across the Nightlife. Much, much different than the scenery I was used to in other towns. There was a group that recommended this spot on the outskirts, that trailed down a road path between a ravine cliff. Crazy, but youngsters." Wolfbane paused momentarily, attempting to recollect the memories. Perk of his shoulders, his maw began swiftly, striking the parchment quickly. "The further I went down this road. This MASSIVE sign nearly blinded me. Coalminers was the name. You hear the life of the party, the music, the clanking of mugs and glasses, shouting, and cheer of winnings. Sounded like a good time. So, why not? I went to it. A Pint or 4 wouldn't hurt. And the mead and hard liquor warm a body. Then this, I can't really even describe it, but they were a character. Had a bomber jacket. Cropped, and was wearing a full body suit. A Shadowbolt outfit? I was thinking, 'Oh, is it a costume party? Surely it wasn't a 'fashion choice'.." [Flashback] "HEYHEHYHEYE, Big Dog, Get that clown outta mah bar! That barrel of molded hay was slippin' cards!" "Uuuhuh? Oh I'm not a-" "Look, you want a money pouch tonight? Right!? Stomp his ASS til it's unrecognisable!" "Woah, look you need to chill out. I'm not a bouncer." "What the f- wait. You're not who I hired? For real? Shidddd, could have fooled me! You look like you can steamroll a freight train!" " If I had a gold bar for every statement regarding that." "You'd be a rich stud, aye? Sorry about that. Didn't me to dog down on you like that." He was friendly, but wow lad had a mouth on him. He gave a slap on my back with his wings and followed up with the name- "Oonski! I'm the owner of this place, Coalminers! I See you're new blood! Welcome, drink til' you fall under the table, hopefully with somepony in your hooves, Eyyy? Gamble and let heads roll, you gamble, yehahehehheah?" "Never ever." "OHHH C'mon. What's a few dimes gon' missin'!? What'sya name?" "Wolfbane." "Oooo, Big Bad Wolf! Already! Let's get you hot, let's gooooo!" "I know more than anypony that the house always wi-" "Ain't stop nopony SHID!" That flyer was one of the most eccentric ponies I've ever met. That toothy grin. That one dilated eyeball, stallion was running on rage and chuckles. He offered complimentary chips to take a shot at the money pot. From blackjack, roulette, Hater 8s.. I'd win some, get a hefty size, and lose it all. Could have cut my losses, but once you get that taste of winning, it pulls you like quicksand. And, luck would have it. I started putting my own earned money into the chance. And Oonski looked at me, this sinner look in his eye. "Hey, hows bout we make a lil' wager. In this roulette, you win with your WHOLE POT. Put your whole life on it. And I'll give you the running prize." "Ohhhhh no, too rich for my blood." "I'll make that blood straight gold, if you give it a chance.." he offers a glass of alcohol, as the seal deal. "Take a drink, and we spin it. Hows bout it~" "....." That was a lot to lose. I owned a house and garnered so many artifacts throughout my life. It was work, my home. And to put it on the line for this supposed 'running prize'? Not like nothing was truly tethered there. And so, that liquid courage pushed me on. And I did it. That was the hardest and longest stare at anything I have ever gazed my eyes to. My heart felt as though it was falling out of my chest cavity. The whole parlay was surrounded, shaking me, cheering me on. Shouting 'Big Bad Wolf' in rhythm chants. And that razor-thin line of luck. On black.. All of it, I won. I shouted to the heavens of that victory. But oh did Oonski want to roll it once more. And again, win. A deal, was a deal. And so he took his honor on his word, shook on it. "Well, slap me on my flank, back 2 back. Congrats, house doesn't 'always' win. But I gotta keep my word. So that prize, meet me here tomorrow, midday." Wolfbane stops, tucking his head into the cloak. The gale of icy winds was biting into his fur, allowing for the gust to past. No one would dare be out here at this time. But there was a reason for all this. This 'prize' that he was resting on was a plot of land he won. Oonski offered his winning as a land grab prize. Shocked it was massive, range of mountains overlooking the desert plains. He stated that the land was going to be renovated as a resort, but the funds fell through. So the untouch region was now his. To do with as he pleased. It gave him ambition, the potential to make something out of all 'this'. It was the reason he was here, in that wagon. Trolly after another of the rocks to be taken back to Canterlot for resources to reinforce his home. But little would he know what actual 'find' he would discover. But only time will tell.