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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 8, 2013 11:33:34 GMT -5
I decided to make a change to the last sentence of part 3, so instead of the pond, Twi and the narrator are going to the Everfree Forest.
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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 8, 2013 19:26:32 GMT -5
I am now done with part 4, and decided to put the Poison Joke effect in part 5. Here's scroll/part 4.
As we approached the Everfree Forest, Twilight advised that we slow down, for safety reasons, and we did. As we entered the ‘border’ of the Everfree Forest, I asked Twilight, “Ummmm….Twilight, why are we going in here? To be honest, I thought we’d be heading back to Ponyville after seeing Applejack and her family.” “Well, you see, Antonnius, while the Everfree Forest isn’t the friendliest place in the area, there is one pony, or rather zebra, that lives here, and she’s a friend of mine, so why not introduce you to her while in the area?” She replied, smiling at the end, but began to examine the ground rather often. “Although, you should keep an eye out for blue flowers, especially in a group.” I blinked, as we walked on, and questioned, “Why?” I, myself, began to look around as well. “Well, I don’t think you’d want to know, especially since I’m not sure what would happen to you if you came into contact with it. Poison Joke is the name of it.” Twilight answered. I looked at her and asked, “Were you affected by it?” Twilight nodded and blushed, “Yeah, and it wasn’t fun, least not much. In fact, it was at the exact same time me and some of my friends, such as Applejack and Rarity, met this zebra, who at first the whole town found as strange or creepy, as if she, as Pinkie Pie put it, was an evil enchantress.” “Mind if I ask how you were affected?” I shyly asked. “Well…..you see, my horn became rather limp, as well as blue-spotted and my magic wouldn’t work.” Twilight blushed. I did my best not to smirk at this, but continued to walk, that is before Twilight put a fore hoof in front of me, at which I stopped and looked down to see a patch of blue flowers, in our path. “So that’s poison joke.” I spoke, examining it from where I stood, interested in it as to what would happen if I made contact with it, yet also nervous or weary of it. I looked at Twilight and asked, “What happened to your friends, the ones I’ve met so far, when they touched it?” Twilight looked at me and answered, “Well, Pinkie Pie’s tongue, for some reason, stuck out all the time, causing her to not be able to talk, Rarity’s mane, least the front of it, got all frizzy and covered her face, and Applejack shrunk to where she was smaller than her little sister, Applebloom.” I pondered upon this, mentally scratching the back of my head. Poison joke made Applejack the little sister, in regards to height, of her family. Rarity’s rather beautiful mane got ruined, as did Twilight’s source of magic, and Pinkie Pie, well she couldn’t talk. I looked at Twilight and nervously inquired, “Do you think it’d be okay if I touched it, just a little? I’m honestly intrigued to find out, and what isn’t life without discovering a few things?” I smiled in a friendly manner. Twilight gulped a little, thought for an extensive period of time, and then reluctantly shrugged her shoulders, “Well…..okay, but don’t blame me for whatever happens.” “I won’t.” I smiled calmly, as I looked down at the poison joke, which she flew over using her wings, though her flying was a little clumsy, and very gently touched the front of them with my fore right hoof. Incidentally, I touched about 4-5 of them. I looked at her and spoke, “Nothing’s happened.” “...Yet. Nothing’s happened yet.” Twilight corrected me. “How long does it take?” I asked. “I don’t know, when I was affected, somewhere in the afternoon, I didn’t know about the effects until I woke up the next morning.” I nodded, understanding her answer, but shrugged, since I couldn’t make heads or tails of an assumption for the time period, especially since I only lightly touched some of the flowers, although I definitely was unsure about what would happen to me. I looked down at the flowers for a moment, moving my hoof away and, after thinking of a way to get over the patch, used my magic to levitate myself over the patch and onto the opposite end, next to Twilight, at which we continued walking down the path, to this zebra’s house. After no more than three minutes, still with no effect, we came up to a tree that, just seemed to stand out from the others a little, such as the fact it had a door, windows, and one or two tribal equine masks against it. As we could both see, there was a light coming from inside, caused by the burning of a fire underneath a cauldron. I was about to take a peek inside, through the window, when Twilight caught sight of me and I stayed next to her in front of the door. This time, Twilight was successful in knocking on the door, with her hoof. Inside, we could hear somepony talk, but I honestly couldn’t hear the specific words since they seemed somewhat calm, that and because of the fire burning inside, but it sounded like it was all in rhyme. Seconds after the voice occurred, the door opened out to us slowly, as it was being pushed open by a grey, charcoal-black, and white zebra, with blue eyes, wearing gold/yellow, jewelry let’s call it, such as an earring, several bracelets on the fore left leg, and some tight necklaces, but the zebra didn’t seem to be bothered by them. And this time, I wasn’t staring. The zebra, by the sound of things certainly a female, then spoke, looking at Twilight, in a kind manner, “Ah, hello Twilight, my dear. Tell me, to what do I have the pleasure of you being here?” “Hi Zecora, I was stopping by to introduce this new pony to the citizens of Ponyville.” Twilight answered, not in rhyme. Zecora then looked at me, and asked, “And what would your name be, sir? Don’t be afraid, for I’m no stranger.” I blushed a little at hearing the constant rhyming. I enjoyed poetry, but being able to talk all in rhyme seems amazing or, to some, ridiculous. I then shyly replied, “Antonnius Thespis, or Antonnius, my dear zebra. And I’m not from here, but from Fillydelphia.” I couldn’t help but smile a little at the rhyme I did, but I had a slight feeling it might’ve just vaguely annoyed Zecora, since she looked at me in a stern way briefly. “Anyway, Zecora, we also stopped by to ask if there’s any space in your home for Antonnius to sleep here while he’s living in Ponyville.” Twilight asked. Just by looking at the interior from what I could see, I doubted that’d be possible. Zecora, examined me before looking inside and then back at Twilight as she answered, “Though a little small for his age, he may be, I’m sad to say there’s no space for him to sleep here with me.” I blushed at this as I did feel a bit small for my age, since I was about Twilight’s height, which is smaller than Big Mac’s, but I kindly responded, “That’s okay, Zecora. It’s fine. Besides, I can see, or rather hear or smell, that you are busy with something?” “Ah, yes, as you can see I have in the cauldron a liquid of blue. But that is not water, I’m working on a special, new brew.” Zecora answered, with a smile. However, she caught sight of a tint of blue at the bottom of my fore right hoof, which was actually just remnants of a leaf of poison joke, at which she raised an eyebrow and looked at me, but then at Twilight and was about to ask her something, but then I shyly burst in, admitting, “She did tell me about it, but I touched it of my free will. It’s not her fault, and I don’t blame her.” Twilight and Zecora blinked at this as they looked at me, which only caused me to blush even more, but Zecora nodded, and looked back at Twilight and asked her, “Do you still remember the remedy for those leaves of blue, that Applejack’s little sister told you?” Twilight nodded, “Yes, Zecora, I still remember.” I blinked at this, but shrugged, and spoke, “Well, sorry for keeping you from your work, Zecora.” “It’s not too much trouble, it was nice to see you again, Ms. Sparkle.” Zecora smiled. “Same to you.” Twilight smiled back, as we turned around and walked away from Zecora, who went back inside her home to continue with the brew. This time, neither of us touched the poison joke, and we were heading out of the forest, towards an open field, specifically a pond, with a tree next to it out in the open.
“So far, nothing has happened, dear.” I mentioned. “Well, it has only been a couple of minutes, and you did touch just a little bit of it.” Twilight considered, at which I nodded, agreeing with her. “So, are we going for a swim, or just relaxing for a moment?” I kindly asked her. “Well, no. There is one friend of mine that, sometimes relaxes out here, either to swim or read a book, which she is embarrassed about. She’s a pegasus, and a fast one.” Twilight answered, at which I looked towards up into the sky, expecting said pegasus to fly above us, but nothing happened. Twilight then stood next to the tree, and looked up into it, as she called out, “Are you up there, Rainbow Dash?” Just then, we heard a voice, come from down near the ground, rather than up in the tree, say, “Yes, Twilight, I’m here.” At that point, Twilight and I looked down and walked around the tree to see a light blue-furred, rainbow-maned female pegasus, with a cloud that had a rainbow-colored bolt come out of it for a cutie mark, sitting against the tree, wings folded at the sides, reading a book, the title of which I couldn’t make out distinctly. “Still reading those Daring Do books, I see.” Twilight smiled, while I honestly didn’t even chuckle, but just smiled in a kind way. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but blush a little as she nodded, “Yeah. They’re so cool and exciting.” She then blinked as she caught sight of me, and added, “Uhh….who’s this unicorn with you, Twi?” I cleared my throat and, after politely bowing, answered, “Antonnius Thespis, but you can call me Antonnius. I’m from Fillydelphia. Twilight is just showing me to the citizens of Ponyville.” “Uh-huh Okay. “ Rainbow Dash replied. “Just asking but, is there any chance that the place you live in, or sleep in, might have some space for me?” Rainbow Dash blinked and couldn’t help but smirk, as she chuckled, clearly trying to hold in a laugh, “You’re kidding, right?” I blinked and looked at Twilight, who then explained, “Rainbow Dash, like some or most pegasi, live up in the clouds, and unicorns and Earth ponies can’t exactly stand on the clouds without the use of magic or the hot air balloon.” At this, I blushed deeply, feeling stupid, while Rainbow Dash continued to chuckle before eventually calming down. “Sorry about that, but it’s just that I thought you’d know that by now.” Dash apologized, with a smirk but clearly being honest, mostly. “No, it’s okay.” I replied. “Well, it is getting late, and we still have at least one more pony to see.” Twilight spoke. “So, we’ll be going Rainbow Dash.” “See ya, Twilight, and Antonnius.” Dash replied, nodding her head. After bowing again, and saying good-bye to Dash as well, Twilight looked at me, as if insisting that I get a head-start, kind of, which I did, and could’ve sworn that the two were whispering. About what I did not know. After no more than a minute, Twilight caught up with me, as we were leaving the pond and blushed as she apologized, “Sorry about not telling you earlier, Antonnius.” “It’s fine, my dear. Considering how many ponies you introduced me to, it’d be easy to forget such a thing.” I politely responded, as we walked on, away from the pond and closer to a more forested area, but not so thick nor dimly-lit.
(End of scroll/part 4)
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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 9, 2013 12:51:35 GMT -5
I've got good news. I've just finished part 5, [and it is a heck of a read, {so far, the longest part I've typed imo}]. However, I've decided to include the poison joke effect in a later part, most likely the next one. Srry, but enjoy. As we walked into the woods, which thankfully had a distinct pathway, I blinked as I started to feel a bit odd, and stopped. Surely no longer hearing my hooves hitting the ground, Twilight stopped in her tracks as well and looked back at me, “Is something wrong, Antonnius?” “I just feel…..weird.” I replied, raising a brow as I looked down at my fur. “It must be the poison joke, finally taking effect.” Twilight assumed, as she looked at me, waiting to see what would happen. However, instead, my stomach just growled, and nothing else happened. I blushed at this deeply, but we both sighed, as I nervously chuckled, “I guess I’m just hungry.” “Well, we have been walking for quite a while, and you haven’t had food for hours.” Twilight replied, at which I nodded in agreement. “After you’ve met my last friend, in Ponyville that is, we can go back to Ponyville, and get a bite to eat.” My stomach growled again and I nodded my head swiftly at this, which seemed to make Twilight smile a little as if she was giggling, but I was still blushing. After a little more trotting, rather than galloping, we came across a fine looking house that, to sum it up, looked like a house made out of a green-topped mushroom. Specifically, the top half of it was covered in foliage, or rather a bush, with windows and birdhouses peeping up in some parts. In fact there was at least 7 birdhouses in total around the house, some of them not against the house. Twilight looked at me and told me, “Now, try to be gentle and careful with Fluttershy. When I first met her, she was very quiet and nervous, and I’m honestly not sure how she’d act towards you since she’s never seen you before.” I nodded, understanding her concern, but simply and kindly replied, “Don’t worry. I’ve been kind thus far, especially to Rarity. So it shouldn’t be too hard. And by the looks of things, she seems to surround herself with animals.” “She really does love animals.” Twilight spoke, nodding in agreement. I then walked up to the door and was about to gently tap it, but stopped when I faintly heard sounds from inside, well mainly one, which sounded a bit like humming, but not like a hummingbird, rather someone humming. The voice, though muffled by the door, was tender, soft, and clearly feminine. I smiled at the sound of it as I gently knocked on the door with my fore left hoof, at which the humming stopped. In fact, things seemed to go silent. I looked nervously at Twilight, feeling embarrassed, but then we heard a slight creak, like a door slowly being opened, but instead of the whole door coming out, only the top half rotated out towards us, at which we moved back to avoid being hit by it, despite it being slow. Twilight and I then looked at the open doorway to see a cream/vanilla-furred, pink-maned, blue-eyed female pony with pink and blue butterflies for a cutie mark, shyly look at me, and ask, with a tender, soft voice, “Ummm…..Wh-.....Who are you?” To me, she sounded fragile, as if the wrong gesture or words from me would hurt her feelings greatly, so I simply cleared my throat a little, sweating a bit, and was about to politely, kindly, and gently answer, but then Twilight spoke up in a friendly way, “Hi Fluttershy. It’s good to see you doing well.” The pony then looked at Twilight and smiled, with a less nervous tone, but still that same tender voice, “Oh, hello Twilight. I didn’t see you there, and it’s good to see you too. Ummm….who is this pony next to you?” Twilight looked up at me, as if to ask if I’d like to introduce myself or prefer if she did it. I then cleared my throat, and looked back at Fluttershy, after blowing on my bang, and bowed briefly, showing etiquette, as I kindly, softly spoke, “My name, dear...uhh….Fluttershy was it, is Antonnius Thespis, but you may call me Antonnius, if you like. I am from Fillydelphia. Twilight here, was just showing me around Ponyville, introducing me to her friends.” “Oh, well that’s awful nice of her to give a new stallion a tour of Ponyville. Have you met everyone else?” Fluttershy asked, still a bit shy. “Aside from the pegasi who stay in the clouds, excluding that Rainbow Dash, yes, I have my dear.” I nicely replied. As I looked around the house and took a quick peek inside, “And by the looks of things, I’d have to say you rather love animals.” “Oh, yes. I do love them. They’re so cute, kind, and loving.” Fluttershy smiled, blushing a little, seeming to gradually come out of her shell to me, metaphorically speaking. Most of them, I thought to myself, but physically nodded, agreeing with her. “Mind if we come in?” I kindly asked. “Oh, I don’t mind at all. And I’m sure Angel wouldn’t mind.” Fluttershy smiled. “Angel?” Twilight whispered to me, “Her pet Rabbit. He’s the main animal she cares for. He can be a little stubborn at times.” I nodded, understanding her explanation. Fluttershy then slowly opened the door, but at that point, I looked up at the sky and saw that it was near dusk. I remembered insisting to Rarity about working with her later today, and gulped a little, but nonetheless walked in. However, I did tell Fluttershy, “I’m sorry, my dear, but I must be on my way soon, but that doesn’t mean I can’t stay for a short time. You see, I told Rarity I’d try to help her with designing a set of costumes for a play.” “Oh, I understand. I do see it’s getting late. In fact, I was just trying to help Angel go to sleep.” Fluttershy nodded, understanding my apologies. “Is he giving you any trouble?” I kindly asked, stammering a little. “Oh, no trouble at all. He’s just having a bit of trouble sleeping.” Fluttershy answered, as she looked down at the white rabbit, standing on his hind legs, looking up at me with a raised eyebrow briefly. “Is there anything he wants, aside from staying awake?” I questioned softly. “Well, he does want another carrot, even though I just fed him around an hour ago.” Fluttershy replied, at which I caught sight of Angel tapping his right hind paw on the ground, either in a stubborn or impatient way, or both. “Mind if I try persuading him to sleep?” I inquired. “I don’t mind at all, but be gentle.” Fluttershy responded, at which I nodded, but lowered down, after walking a few steps up to the rabbit, so that we’d be looking each other in the eye, at an even height, and told him, “Now, considering how you just had dinner…*clears throat*....Angel, I don’t think it’d be such a good idea to have another full carrot just before bed.” Angel just looked at me with a stern look, but this one didn’t pass. It just stayed there on his little, white, and honestly adorable face. “So…...instead of a full carrot, why not, to say the least, a 3rd of one? A little snack, perhaps. Perhaps a small leaf or some green plant, as well?” I kindly smiled at him, but at this he stopped tapping his paw and lost the stern look, looking at me with his eyes wide open, as if curious a little, and then nodded. I extended my left fore hoof, raising an eyebrow, and asked, “Promise me you will go to sleep right after your snack?” Angel paused for a moment, and was clearly pondering upon this before he slightly reluctantly nodded, and touched my hoof with his fore right paw. I looked at Fluttershy and smiled, “He shouldn’t be of no trouble to you anymore, least for the night. Just give him a 3rd of a carrot, and one or two small leave or green plants, as a snack, and then he’ll go to sleep. I’m sure of it.” “Oh, thank you so much, mister….uh…..Antonnius. But what should I do with the rest of the carrot?” Fluttershy replied, smiling kindly. “Well, since it is near dusk, I’m sure you do have at least one nocturnal friend that, like Angel here, eats plants or at least fruits.” I assumed, in a polite manner. “Oh, yes, there is the little raccoons, and some cute little bugs, that would like to have some fruits or vegetables.” Fluttershy nodded. “Splendid. Simply try to share the remaining two-thirds of the carrot amongst them.” I insisted. I looked off out into the sky and blinked in astonishment, “Well, I best be going, dear. I’m sorry for making this a quick visit, but I’m sure that Rarity is waiting for me.” “Oh, it’s alright, Antonnius, especially since you helped me with Angel.” Fluttershy kindly, and tenderly replied. I then bowed to Fluttershy politely, and was about to walk to the door, but looked at Angel and smiled, “Now remember, Angel, the ⅓ of a carrot, and a small leaf or two and off to bed. Good-night, my little furry friend.” Angel nodded, understanding the promise he made, as he hopped up to Fluttershy and stood next to her, as I began to walk to the door, but looked at Twilight, “Shall I go off first, my dear?” Twilight nodded, “I’ll be with you soon.” I shrugged and went out the house, crossing the brook in front of it, and stood on the other side of the brook, examining the house but in a happy manner, smiling at all the homes for birds. After several minutes, Twilight came back out, smiling about something, but I decided not to ask, as we faced the path back to Ponyville. I asked, “Shall we gallop there, or still take a simple walk? I’d really like to be back at Rarity’s before nightfall.” Twilight smiled, giggling a little at my worry and hurry, “Let’s gallop back.” At which point, I took off in a swift sprint, running down the path back to Ponyville. Eventually, after a few seconds, Twilight caught up with me, using her wings every now and then. Eventually, just as we made it to the perimeter of the main town, I slowed down, and stopped, exhausted from the race we had, which Twilight won by half her length. “hehe It seems…*pant*....you won…...dear.” I panted, chuckling a little. Twilight, also panted, giggled, “Indeed, I did, but I was using my wings, so I guess that would count as cheating.” After getting my energy back, which was low on account of lack of food and water, I smiled, “Oh no, dear. You only used your wings to jump into the air and get ahead a little. You didn’t fly even half the time. So, I wouldn’t count that as cheating.” Twilight blushed at this, turning her head to the side, but my stomach growled again, “Urrgh…..I could really go for even a single carrot.” I groaned. Twilight smiled, and began to walk into town, “Follow me.” I began to obediently, willingly follow her, since I didn’t entirely know my way around town, especially since I was certain most or all restaurants would be closed. After a while, she led me up to her tree, which had the lights closed, took a peek in the window, and told me, “Stay out here, please. I’ll tell you when to come in.” She insisted. I assumed it was for a surprise of sorts, so I did so, and patiently waited as Twilight opened the door about her width using her magic, and walked in, closing it as she stepped in. As I waited outside, I could faintly hear talk come from inside, but was too worried about getting back to Rarity’s on time to care. After several minutes, Twilight walked up to the door from the inside, and spoke, “Okay, you may come in, Antonnius, but close your eyes, until I say so.” I nodded, and closed my eyes, as I heard the door open and walked in slowly and carefully, and stopped as I heard Twilight tell me to do so, as she closed the door. She then spoke, as I could sense, through my eyelids, light come on, “Okay, Antonnius, you may open them.” I then opened them, slowly, and, once they were fully open, I saw practically every pony I saw that day, in the tree house, exclaim with joy, “SURPRISE!” at which I flinched a little, but only in astonishment, in a good way. Specifically, the ponies I could make out from that crowd were Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and, honestly to my surprise, Rarity. Pinkie Pie was in the middle of the crowd’s front row, and ran up to me, and began to talk, VERY swiftly, “Welcome to Ponyville, Antonnius! When I first saw you, I could tell you were new in town, and just had to make a welcome-to-Ponyville Party for you. And since you were with Twilight, I figured what better place to hold a party than the library.” She continued to explain why the party was made, and such, at a FAST pace, but I was just smiling, and blushing, at how every pony in town took part in a party for me. After she was done talking, which took several minutes, I walked up to Rarity, after greeting, for the 2nd time in the day, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash. I greeted Rarity, as did she, and, began to blush and sweat rather distinctly, while the rest of the ponies began to chatter amongst themselves, as I stammered, trying to apologize, “Uhhhh….Rarity, dear. I’m uhh….honestly sorry I couldn’t return to your house before sunset. I really tried to get back in time to help you, since, as you said, you were short on time.” I felt quite embarrassed at this. However, Rarity just smiled and calmly answered, “Oh, it’s alright darling. What’s one little night? After all, Twilight did say she was showing you all of Ponyville. Also, when Pinkie Pie told me that she was planning a party to welcome you to our quaint little town, I just simply had to accept the invite, deary.” I blushed at this, feeling flattered. Now I knew how Rarity felt earlier when I helped her out. I then began to look around for the punch bowl and snack table, as my stomach growled again, which Rarity heard, and smiled, as she insisted to follow her through the crowd, during which she lead me to the punch and snack table. Relieved at finally having something to eat and/or drink, I used my magic to move some of the snacks on the table, least a hoof-ful or about the size of a carrot, to my mouth and happily devoured them. After that, I took a few gulps from the punch bowl, feeling refreshed enough to not feel fatigued. I looked at Rarity, smiling, with some punch remains around my lips, and bowed, before saying, “Thank you, my dear. I promise, I’ll try to get to your home at least once every two days before nightfall to help you with your designs.” “Oh, no need to promise it, deary. I’ve already got leading female’s outfit done, and a female side character’s outfit finished. You, darling, simply need to wear the villain’s outfit, the hero’s outfit, and a male side character’s outfit. But perhaps, we shall start with the villain’s outfit. After that, I could take you to the spa, to get your mane trimmed, and possibly dyed a little so that you’ll fit into the hero’s clothing more perfectly, if you don’t mind.” Rarity smiled. I kindly replied, “I don’t mind, at all, my dear. Besides, this bang is getting rather annoying.” I blew on the bang again, after which we had ourselves a little laugh. I then excused myself from her presence so I could go converse with the other ponies, which she didn’t mind, since we ourselves did talk, but I have a slight feeling once or twice she might’ve followed me. Anyway, after Rarity, I walked up to Fluttershy and began to talk with her, after a polite bow, that is, “I trust that Angel went to sleep, after his snack?” “Oh yes, he was very willing to take a nap after his little treat. He’s such a good boy.” Fluttershy smiled, nodding her head, flapping her wings, since was a pegasus, and there wasn’t much room on the floor. “By the way, my dear, I forget to tell you, in my hurry, that I honestly love animals. Least, most of them, I’m afraid.” I told Fluttershy, at which her eyes gleamed with happiness briefly. “Oh, really? Ummmm…..what animals don’t you like?” she smiled, shyly asking. “Well…...eh-heh….I don’t like bugs, or more specifically, I don’t like bees, scorpions, or spiders. Other bugs, such as ladybugs or butterflies, I’m fine with.” I admitted, hoping she wasn’t too disappointed. “Oh, well, at least you don’t dislike all bugs.” Fluttershy smiled, looking down at me. “If Angel ever gives you a little trouble, just come and tell me, dear. I’d be more than willing to help.” I offered. Fluttershy nodded, “Okay, but he isn’t too much trouble.” I then excused myself from her presence, and walked up to Applejack, who tipped her hat to me in a kind way, and we chatted a little, during which we walked up to the punch bowl to have a drink. Near the end of the conversation, I thought about the offer, and, since I didn’t want to take up room in the homes of the other ponies, especially Fluttershy, Rarity, and Twilight, I told Applejack, “About that offer you gave me, dear. I’d be fine with sleeping in the barn, and, if necessary, I’ll be fine with helping out at the farm if that pays for my stay.” “Well alrighty then, sugarcube. You won’t have to work all day though, since I’m sure you’ve got other things to do, but thanks for the help. How strong are you?” Applejack asked, smiling in a friendly way. I blushed, “Well….not much, least, not as strong as you are, in the legs.” Applejack then thought for a moment, and then nodded, “Very well then, perhaps you could help us with pushing the buckets o’ apples, and maybe with Granny’s cookin’.” I nodded, “I’ll be very fine with doing that, my dear. Starting tomorrow, I take it?” Applejack nodded, answering my question, and we chatted a little more before, as before, I excused my presence and went to chat with some of the other ponies, such as Mayor Mare, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and one gray-furred, yellow-maned, yellow-eyed pegasus that had bubbles for a cutie mark named Derpy. I honestly didn’t mind her clumsiness or how her voice sounded. I found it cute. As the party quieted down and eventually ended, I told Twilight where I’d be sleeping while I stayed in Ponyville, and she was fine with it. So, I politely bowed to her, and followed Applejack, and Big Mac, home to their farm. As I was walking towards the barn, I said goodnight to Big Mac and Applejack. I finally walked into the barn, feeling well-fed and well-refreshed, but definitely ready for a good-night’s sleep, as I laid down next to a hay bale, and fell asleep, eventually. (End of scroll/part 5) Go ahead and state your opinion on this part, whatever it is. I'm REALLY enjoying this story, [despite me being the author of it]
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Post by Belchic on Oct 9, 2013 13:14:29 GMT -5
This is giving me some ideas!
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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 9, 2013 14:09:31 GMT -5
Good to know. I take it, you're enjoying it?
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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 10, 2013 14:12:50 GMT -5
I have part 6 done. Here it is, and enjoy. The next morning, I awoke at about the crack of dawn, laying on my belly, with my Stetson, (which I had acquired the other day at the party, thanks to one of the ponies, because Stetsons are cool), lying next to me, flat on the ground. Feeling the sun’s light upon me, and the chirping of birds, I turned to the side and began to yawn as I was slowly waking up. After a few seconds, I finally woke up completely, and began to stand up, but something felt off. Everything seemed bigger to me, even my Stetson. I then began to ponder upon what could’ve caused this and recalled the poison joke. I tried to put on my stetson using my magic, but it went over my eyes, since it was now too big. I frowned a little at this, and gulped as I began to think of what Applejack and the others might think. What if I was now too small or rather too weak, in regards to strength in order to even push a bucket of apples? I wouldn’t be able to pay for my stay. I then heard a ringing of a bell, or rather a triangle while thinking of this, as I used my magic to remove the hat upon my head. I then heard Applejack’s voice, and knew she’d be coming my way. Feeling rather nervous about her seeing me this way, I hid behind the hay bale, and put the Stetson on, despite its size. As I hid, with my face mostly covered by the Stetson, I could hear Applejack approaching but then stopped, as I heard her voice, “Antonnius, where are ya’ll? It’s for some work, or well…..actually some breakfast.” I shuddered a little, far from certain about showing myself. I could sense her coming closer, as the sound of her hooves hitting the ground got louder. Once again, they stopped, and I slightly raised the front of the Stetson, so I could peek out from inside the hat, but I saw her staring down at my in astonishment at my size. “Antonnius? Is that you, sugarcube?” she asked. I sighed sadly and stood up on all fours, and nodded, using my magic, which didn’t seem to be as strong, to set the Stetson to my side.. Far from it in fact, since it was a challenge to even lift the hat up, “Yes, Applejack, it’s me.” I blinked at my voice, noticing how it was a higher pitch, but I assumed that was only because I was smaller in height. “What in tarnation happened to you?” Applejack questioned, still staring at me, as she walked around, and faced me from the front. I blushed, looking down at the ground, feeling embarrassed I hadn’t told anyone before, especially Zecora or the other mane 5, but eventually looked up at Applejack and very nervously, reluctantly spoke, with quite a stammer, “P-...P-...P-...Poison J-...Joke. I touched a little yesterday after meeting you, and it must have shrunk me overnight.” I just saw Applejack stare at me, her mouth hanging open a little. Applejack then sweated briefly, biting her lip a little before honestly replying, “I think it did more than shrink you, sugarcube.” “What do you mean?” I asked, gulping and frowning in fear. “Well…I think the poison Joke might’ve turned you into a colt rather than just shrink you. You’re about as tall as Applebloom now.” Applejack answered. Now it was my time to gape and blink, as I asked, stammering, shaking in fear a little, “Wh-...Wh-....What?” Applejack began to look around, no doubt for a reflective surface, but she then caught sight of a bucket full of water, and spoke, “It’s true. Go ahead and see for yourself, sugarcube.” She then looked at the bucket, which I saw and began to walk towards, just as Applejack picked up my Stetson and set it on the haybale. After about a minute of walking, during which I nearly fell over once or twice, not yet used to a sudden change in height and length of my legs, I stared into the water and my mouth just dropped. I saw myself, except younger. My eyes were a bit bigger, or least more bright and shiny, as was my fur. They bore that young or otherwise childish appearance that Applebloom’s fur and eyes bore, excluding the gender difference. I was definitely a colt. I looked at Applejack and tried to smile, but it was nigh impossible as I spoke, “Well, that explains why my magic is weaker.” I tried my best to hold in tears of sadness, or rather fear, and walked up to Applejack, and nervously added, “Th-...Th-...Thanks for being honest, Applejack.” Applejack seemed to use her fore right hoof to bring me close, and nicely replied, “You’re welcome, Antonnius, but, if ya don’t mind my askin’, why did you touch the poison joke? Didn’t Twilight tell you about its dangers even a little? Twilight didn’t touch it, did she?” I sniffed and replied, blushing, “Yes, she did tell me, and no she didn’t touch it, but….well….I touched the poison joke, only a little, out of curiosity. I didn’t know what would happen to me one bit, and I was a bit intrigued, while also nervous, about the plant. I touched the plant before meeting Zecora, but it was a small amount, and nothing happened yet, so we didn’t tell Zecora.” “Well, now you know what happens to ya’ll.” Applejack spoke, but then blushed, recalling what happened to her. “You’re just lucky you didn’t walk right into it, like I did.” “I know. Twilight told me what happened to you.” I kindly replied, smiling a little, but not trying to seem like I was teasing her. However, I lowered my head and sighed, “I guess I won’t be able to help as much as I was hoping to. I’m sorry, Applejack.” Applejack blinked, and tilted her head, “Sorry? About what? You might be about Applebloom’s height, but that don’t mean you can’t help, such as with Granny’s cookin’ or pushin’ the buckets around.” She smiled down at me in a friendly way, and at this I smiled as well, but only a bit. “Speakin’ o’ which, I think we better get out there and get to work.” she added, and I nodded in agreement, at which we both began to walk out of the barn, after Applejack put my stetson back on, but at an angle or position, so that it wouldn’t cover my eyes, which my bang no longer could do, since it was above my eyes, instead of in front of. A few seconds after leaving the barn, Applebloom came up to us, and blinked, seeing me, then asked Applejack, “Uh. Sis? Where’s Antonnius?” I blushed at this question. Applejack looked at her little sister and cleared her throat before sincerely answering, “Well, Applebloom, this here colt is Antonnius.” Applebloom blinked and looked at me, as she kindly asked, “What happened to ya?” Applejack smiled at me, and gently tapped me with her fore left hoof, trying to encourage me. After a moment of silence, I wiped away the sweat on my brow, cleared my throat and tried to explain, “Well….uhh…..to put it short. The other day, after meeting you, Applejack, Big Mac, and Granny Smith, Twilight lead me to Zecora’s house, and there was a patch of Poison Joke in the way. While Twilight did tell me what happened to her, and your older sister, and didn’t touch the plant, I was curious and touched only a little of it. And well…...this is the effect, for me.” Applebloom lowered her ears briefly as she spoke, “I’m sorry to hear.” She began to examine me, walking around me, as Applejack stepped aside so she could do so, and added, with a bit of a friendly smile, “You’re as tall as me.” at which I blushed and nodded my head. “By the way, lil’ sis. What was the cure for poison joke again?” Applejack asked, blushing due to her forgetfulness. “Oh, right. It’s simple.” Applebloom replied as she smiled at me. “You just need to take a bubble bath.” “So, I guess I’ll have to visit the spa to deal with this, right?” I asked, blushing at my slightly high-pitched voice, at which the Apple sisters nodded their heads. Applejack then asked me, “Would you like to take care of it now, sugarcube?” I pondered upon this for quite some time, but, since I could still help around the farm, despite my current age and size, and that the spa was surely on the way to Rarity’s house, I shook my head and insisted, actually smiling, “I’m fine with helping around the farm first. After all, it’s not good to put off until later what one can do now.” The Apple sisters couldn’t help but smile as Applejack cheered a little, as if to support my selfless, hard-working choice or attitude, “Ain’t that the truth. Now then, let’s take care of those apples.” Applebloom and I nodded in agreement to Applejack, as we walked towards the house. We, of course, had to explain what happened to me to both Big Mac and Granny Smith. Anyway, for around an hour or two, at most 3, we all worked around the farm. Applejack, Big Mac, and sometimes Applebloom, bucked apples, while me and Applebloom, and often Applejack and Big Mac themselves, pushed the buckets with the utmost care. Several times, I went inside to help Granny with cookin’ or making of produce, such as apple pie or cider. Despite how much hard work that was, I honestly found it a little fun, especially when I helped Granny. Sometime near the end of, least, my work for the day, I was pushing buckets back to the house, when Granny Smith spoke to me, and offered me to just sit on the front porch and relax, and talk a little bit. I looked at Applebloom, who was near me, and she nodded, as if to say it was okay. I then smiled and trotted up the stairs and stood next to Granny Smith as we chatted a little, once or twice laughing or chuckling over something. After around half an hour or so, our chatter ended, during which she offered me a small glass of cider which was delicious, as I went back out to the fields to tell Applejack that I was ready to go to the spa. I helped Applejack push the last few barrels of apples to the house, and we, after Applejack explained to Big Mac and Granny where we were going, began to walk away from the farm, towards Ponyville. Several times, I had to gallop to keep up with Applejack, but we just chuckled a little at it. As we entered the town, I looked up to Applejack, smiling kindly, and told her, “Funny thing is, dear, I actually do have a little more work to do, but it’s elsewhere. I’m helping another pony.” “And who would that be, sugarcube?” Applejack asked. “Rarity. I’m helpin’ her with her costume design for an upcoming play in Canterlot. Far as I know, I’ll be wearing the costumes of the male hero and the villain.” I replied. “Ya’ll are gonna need a trim after the villain.” Applejack commented kindly. “I know. Rarity does too, I think.” I nodded, chuckling a bit, as we walked up to the spa, and entered it. To, least my surprise, Rarity was inside, having her hooves done. Seeing her, I blushed, since I was certain she’d see me. After paying for a bubble bath session, Applejack and I were lead to the back to where the hot tub or least bubble bath, was. Just as I was about to get in, once it was prepared, Rarity must have seen Applejack and I, because she then politely spoke, “Oh, Applejack. Hello, darling. Mind if I ask, what you are doing here?” “Oh, howdy Rarity. It seems that somepony touched some poison joke yesterday.” Applejack answered, as I began climbing into the bathtub. “Oh, really? The poor dear. I take it, that colt right there is the poor thing that touched it?” Rarity asked, at which I blushed deeply. Applejack nodded, “Eeyup.” She then looked at me and whispered, “Why don’t you go ahead and show her, sugarcube.” I was nervous about doing this, but since it would only last a few seconds, or maybe a few minutes more, I turned my head, just as I had my fore hooves on the edge of the tub, to Rarity and shyly, softly spoke, “h-....Hi Rarity.” Rarity’s eyes went wide with surprise at this. “Oh my goodness! Is that you, Antonnius, darling?” I blushed, lowered my head, and nodded my small, young head. “What on earth, happened to you, dear?!” Rarity questioned, still in shock to some extent. “Like Applejack said, poison joke. I only touched it a little, but it regressed me during the night to a little colt.” I answered, as I got back on all fours, on the ground, so Rarity could get a full examination of me from where she laid. “My word, you’re about the same size as my little sister, Sweetie Belle.” she blinked. “Applejack said the same thing, except referring to Applebloom.” I nodded. I then chuckled nervously, “I don’t suppose you had to make any filly or colt costumes, huh?” Rarity pondered for a moment, and replied, “Well, I did have to, but they were more along the lines of brightly-colored. Also, I only had to make two, which I already did.” I smiled a little in a friendly way, and asked, “May then get my bath, so I can age back, my dear?” Rarity blushed and giggled a little before nodding her head, “Of course, darling. After all, we still have some work of our own to do.” I smiled and was about to step into the tub but stopped when Rarity spoke up, “Although, darling. I don’t mean to delay you, but….would it be okay if you tried on the colt outfit I made, just so I’m sure it works?” I thought for a moment, but considering how being a colt didn’t necessarily disable me to some distinct extent, I looked at Rarity, and nodded, “Yes, dear. I’ll be fine with doing it.” At this, Rarity smiled, “Oh, thank you darling.” I nodded as if to say you’re welcome but looked up at Applejack and blushed, “Sorry about, well, making you waste some money, Applejack. …...Maybe you could relax in the tub?” Applejack smiled down at me, not at all, or least mostly, disappointed, and kindly replied, “It’s alright sugarcube. Besides, considering all the buckin’ I did yesterday and today, I suppose a nice bath would be nice.” “Make sure you use the tub this time, deary, not a bucket.” Rarity jokingly said, meaning good humor, but Applejack blushed at this, smiling in an embarrassed way, but I just smiled in a kind way up to her, which after a short moment, did make her smile, and lose the blush, as she took off her hat, and set it on a nearby table so it wouldn’t get wet, and began to climb into the tub. Rarity stood up on all fours, about a minute after her hooves were done, and looked down at me, as she kindly spoke, smiling as I walked up to her, “Come along, darling. We have some work to do. Once you’ve tried on the colt’s costume, we’ll come back here, so you can finally have that bath.” I blushed and nodded, as I followed her to the door, which I physically opened for her, since my magic wasn’t that strong, at which we left the spa, heading to Rarity’s home, with Applejack relaxing in the bathtub. After several minutes of walking, during which once or twice I asked Rarity if she was fine with walking despite her just having had her hooves done but she simply replied saying that she couldn’t possibly fly and that we had work to do, we made it to Rarity’s home, the door of which I also physically opened, just to be, literally, a gentlecolt, which made Rarity feel flattered, clearly. She used her magic to hold the door open once she stepped in so that I could let go and follow her in, at which she closed it. I looked around the room, and actually smiled at how it looked neater compared to yesterday. Now more mannequins were out but a majority of them were clothed, two of which were young equine mannequins and wearing the outfits Rarity spoke of. Rarity looked momentarily before she called out in a kind, loving voice, “Sweetie Belle, dear, we have a guest.” However, there was no reply whatsoever, “Hmmmmm ...perhaps she’s off with Applebloom and Scootaloo.” Rarity assumed, as she led me up to the mannequin bearing the colt’s costume. At that point, she turned around and examined me briefly, “Well, your mane doesn’t cover your face as much now as did yesterday, so that shouldn’t be an issue. So…..are you ready, dear?” She used her magic to take the costume, carefully, off the mannequin, leaving the costume floating next to her, at which I nodded, and she gently lowered the outfit to my height, as I began to very cautiously move my legs and head so that I could get the costume on, with Rarity’s help, of course. Once it was on, Rarity began to walk around me, often stopping to closely examine a certain angle of it from a short distance, then walked around to my front, and smiled, “I think it fits just fine, darling. Especially on you. Thank you for helping me with this one little costume.” “Don’t thank me, yet, Rarity. There’s still several more costumes to try on. Larger ones, at that.” I smiled, blushing. The costume honestly made me think of something Raul from Phantom of the Opera would wear, possibly. There were some whites, mainly down the middle, some black here and there but for the most part it was ocean blue. Rarity nodded, smiling in a friendly way, as she helped me out of the costume, “Oh of course, dear. But for you to try those on, we must get you back to Applejack at the spa, so that you may be cured of poison joke.” I nodded in agreement as the last of the costume was off, and Rarity used her magic to fit it back onto the colt mannequin. I walked up to the door, tried using my magic to open it, which was almost successful since the door was open to about my width), but I pushed it open the rest of the way physically so Rarity could leave. Once we were both out, with the door closed, Rarity and I began to walk back to the spa, with me next to her, at a slow, steady pace. (End of Scroll/part 6)
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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 11, 2013 13:21:50 GMT -5
I now have part 7 done. Here it is.
After several minutes of walking, we went back into the spa, and saw Applejack out of the tub, getting her hooves done. When she saw us, with Rarity giggling a little but in a friendly way, she blushed, but told me, “The bath is still ready, sugarcube. Go ahead and hop on in.” I nodded and smiled as I walked up to the tub, and, with Rarity’s physical assistance, using her back to lift me up, I climbed into it, submerging my whole body in the water, before I floated back up to the surface, leaned on the side and closed my eyes as I relaxed, sighing happily, “Ahhh…..this feels nice.” After several seconds, once Applejack was fine with how her hooves looked she walked up to me and Rarity, who was simply relaxing on a lounge chair nearby, and spoke, “Well, good luck with your designin’, Rarity. I best be gettin’ back home, so’s I can sell some of those products we made today.” “Thank you, Applejack, deary. And good luck to you as well.” Rarity kindly replied, nodding her head. I looked at Applejack and, by my guess, surely still young, waved a hoof at her gently as I spoke, “See ya later, Applejack. Oh, and don’t worry about my hat. I’ll come back later for it.” Applejack nodded, as she turned to the door and left the spa, heading for Apple Acres, far as I was aware, at which I turned around, facing the center of the tub and closed my eyes, waiting for the bubble bath to cure me of the poison joke. “You know, darling, since you are helping me with the outfits, perhaps I could ask the staff if I could invite you, for a reduced price, to the play.” Rarity offered, smiling. I blushed at this generous offer, and replied, “That would be awfully nice of you, dear, but I’m just a model in our case. You’re the designer.” “Oh but I do insist. You helped motivate me the other day with this task of creating multiple costumes, and soon, you’ll be helping me judge the villain’s costume, to see if it works. I couldn’t have possibly done this without you, darling.” Rarity responded, causing me to blush more to where my face, if my eyes were open, would be reddish-pink. “Well…...okay, Rarity. I accept the offer.” I smiled. “Wonderful. I’ll tell you when the performance is when we’re done with the final costume, for now, we simply relax.” Rarity replied, at which I nodded in agreement. A few seconds later, I dove underwater, and stayed there for a few seconds, before swimming back to the surface, and swinging my head back as I surfaced. I looked at Rarity and noticed I got her mane and fur a little wet, and blushed, “I’m sorry about that, dear.” However, she was smiling in a friendly way, and replied, “Oh, it’s alright, darling. And besides, it seems that you’ve aged back to a, might I say, rather fine-looking stallion.” This made me blushed, as I smiled, but looked down at my body and noticed that I was taller, since I was practically touching the bottom. I looked back at Rarity and asked, “Shall we go back to your home now, Rarity?” “Oh, let’s wait a little, darling. You do need to dry off, for those costumes to fit you.” Rarity insisted, at which I shrugged and climbed out of the tub and laid back on a lounge chair near Rarity.
Several minutes later, once my fur and mane was dry enough, we got off of the chairs, left the spa and went towards Rarity’s house, side-by-side. Multiple times I caught Rarity looking at me, but when I looked back at her, she looked away and blushed. However, now and then, my bang, which grew back to its original length, often got in my sight, and I had to blow at it. Once we made it to her house, just as I was about to open the door, with my magic, we stopped as we could both hear some sort of motion inside. Small hooves, but often running back and forth across the room. We both stepped in, to see what was going on, and we saw Rarity’s little sister, Sweetie Belle, trying to sew something together. What it was, I had no idea whatsoever. But, to be honest, it was rather sloppy sewing. “My word. Sweetie Belle! What on Earth are you doing here, and with my materials and tools.” Rarity asked, quite astonished by this. Sweetie Belle looked up at us, mainly Rarity, and stopped as she apologized, “Sorry, Rarity. I’m just tryin’ to design something like you do all the time.” By my guess, it was to see if her specialty was in sewing. Rarity was rather steamed, especially since due to Sweetie Belle trying to sew, her materials, mainly her supply of threads and fabrics, was lowered. However, she composed herself and spoke, “Anyway, dear little sister, we have a guest. His name is Antonnius.” I stepped forth, and kindly bowed to Sweetie Belle, as I spoke, “It is good to meet you, young filly.” Sweetie Belle smiled and simply greeted me, but nevertheless in a friendly way, “Hello, ummm...Antonnius. You know my older sister?” “We met yesterday, when Twilight was showing me around Ponyville. You must have been elsewhere when Rarity and I met.” I assumed. Sweetie Belle nodded but then caught sight of my flank, and smiled, “Hey. You don’t have a cutie mark, just like me. Are you still trying to figure out your specialty.” She asked me this in a kind, sympathetic way, as she showed me here blank flanks. I blushed and cleared my throat, “You could say that, deary, but if you actually wish to learn what it is your specialty is. Rather than try starting big, at the expert’s level of skill, try starting small, at an amateur’s level, like say, a simple headress or hoofwear. If your skill is good enough, then continue to train yourself and practice. Perhaps you might succeed at this, but if you don’t, then try another skill, but remember, at a low level first.” I smiled to her, in a polite manner. Rarity blinked at my kindness to her little sister, and blushed a little, but Sweetie Belle just simply smiled and nodded, “Yes sir.” She walked up to Rarity, and apologized, “Rarity, I’m sorry about the mess I made.” While I blew at my bang, Rarity looked down at Sweetie Belle and replied with some minor reluctance, “Oh, it’s alright Sweetie Belle. Now, if you don’t mind, run along. Antonnius and I have some work to do.” “Okay, sis.” Sweetie Belle replied, as she left the house, no longer using her magic to grip or hold up objects, such as sewing needles, spools, or the project/fabric she was working on. Rarity closed the door behind Sweetie Belle, but not forcefully. Rarity looked up at me as she walked towards the fabric and her materials, and blushed, rather quiet, but smiling. She used her magic to hold up whatever fabric she was working on, as we both examined it. “She surely has a long way to go.” I commented, blushing since I thought Rarity might have been offended by that opinion, but she just nodded agreeing with me, and set the project down on a distant table and walked up to a cabinet which bore spools of thread and small fabrics or materials, using her magic to take some of them out and carry them back to the table I was at. “First thing we should do, though, is work on that hero’s costume.” Rarity suggested, at which I nodded. “I have the costume ready, but I put it away so it wouldn’t get ruined in all this clutter.” She then used her magic to bring out a mannequin, about my height, with a rather dashing costume on. We then both used our magic to make the costume fit. Rarity lifted it and carefully stretched some parts so I could get my head and hooves in, while I used my magic to, say the least, move my bang to the side, so that I’d look more fitting in it, since it was for a hero, not a villain. Once again, Rarity circled me, blushing VERY deeply this time, and then faced me from the front, smiling, once again quiet but then spoke up, “It’s perfect for the play.” She then helped me get out of it, and I let go of the bang which fell back into its original position, in front of my left eye. Rarity, meanwhile, once the costume was on the mannequin, went to the table with her materials and began to sew. I walked up beside her and kindly asked, “You don’t have the villain’s costume done, do you dear?” She just shook her head, blushing. At that point, I began to ponder upon a fitting costume from a villain that I’ve seen or read about before, for the play, but since mainly all of them were human, I couldn’t decide upon one, so I just suggested, “Perhaps red and black should be the main colors. Dark red, that is.” Rarity paused for a moment, and then nodded, finally speaking again, “Glorious idea, darling.” What was going through her head, I could never tell. After around an hour or maybe two, Rarity finally finished the villain’s costume, which looked like it would’ve fit in Edgar A. Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher”. “Simply a perfect design, Rarity. Spot-on.” I sincerely spoke. “Like I said, I couldn’t have done the work, especially this costume, without your help, Antonnius.” Rarity blushed as she helped me into the costume. This time, I left the bang alone. When I was in this costume, I tried several poses. One was of pride, like a villain in a Shakespearean tragedy, while another was of mischief, like Mr. Edward Hyde. Once or twice, Rarity did seem quite in fear of me or at least astonished at me, in certain poses, but that showed that the costume, without a doubt, worked. After the poses, during one of which she nearly shrieked, but held it in, Rarity helped me out of the costume and put it on the last equine mannequin. She then noticed me blow on my left bang again and, while using her magic to carefully lift and move a pair of scissors, spoke, “Let me take care of that darling.” She then successfully cut the bang to where it wasn’t even in my sight at all, and I smiled in a kind way. “Now, about that performance date.” I spoke. “Oh, almost forgot. It’s in about 4 days.” Rarity answered. “And I must get these costumes to Canterlot before the eve of the play.” Once again, she was in that hurried manner I first saw her in, but she then stopped and looked at me, blushing, and smiled, as she walked up to me, “Oh, but….thank you, for all your help, Antonnius, darling.” I blushed at this, feeling honored and flattered, but then thought of that offer for a reduced price and shyly asked, “Ummmm….is there any chance I could invite a fellow pony?” Rarity blinked for a moment but smiled and nodded, “Of course, dear. Who did you have in mind?” I blushed more as I looked down at the ground, slowly moving my fore right hoof in a small circle, and answered, “F-...F-....Fluttershy.” In less than 10 seconds, Rarity replied, “Very well, darling. I shall ask that they give you and Fluttershy a reduced price on your tickets.” “Thank you, my dear.” I spoke kindly, as I looked up at her. “No need to thank me, darling. It’s just your reward for helping me with these costumes.” Rarity blushed, bringing a fore hoof to her mouth. For a moment, I could’ve sworn she was a little disappointed that, despite my kindness, respect, and help towards her, I wasn’t in love or attracted to her, but it was only for a moment. I then looked out the window and spoke, as I politely bowed, “I shall see you sometime later, then.” She smiled and extended her hoof, expecting me to lightly kiss it, which, being a gentlecolt, I did, as she spoke, “Hopefully before the play, darling.” I then took my leave, and left the building.
Only problem was, I had no idea where to go now, so I simply wandered the streets for a while. I could perhaps go visit Twilight for a short while, or at least see what there was to read in Ponyville, go to the park and relax some more, but this time in the sunlight, or even go see Pinkie Pie, wherever she may be. However, once I thought of Pinkie Pie, apparently the last part of her name made my stomach growl. I had forgotten that it was around lunch time, and that I hadn’t eaten since before I started helping Applejack with her family’s work around the farm. So, I decided to look around for a restaurant to dine at, which I eventually did find, and ordered a hay sandwich, with a few fruits and vegetables. Once I finished my lunch, I went back to pondering upon what I could do next. To be honest, I couldn’t really think of much. That is, until I thought of visiting Fluttershy. As I walked through Ponyville, when I thought of visiting Fluttershy, I blushed, which I could tell since once or twice I caught sight of a female pony or two giggling a little, but not entirely to tease me. About the only other thing I thought of doing was visiting Zecora, just to explain what happened yesterday, and today, only regarding the poison joke, and to apologize that I didn’t tell her even though I touched the plant prior to meeting her. Thankfully, Zecora’s home was in the general direction of Fluttershy’s house, so I walked through Ponyville, and left town, heading for the Everfree Forest.
(End of Scroll 7)
P.S. Sorry if, despite the title, I haven't necessarily been focusing on Fluttershy, as much as Rarity or Applejack, but just so you know. When I came up with this idea, [or when I come up with any fictional story idea], I don't think up the whole story, just a main idea, whose details might be changed as the story is made.
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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 15, 2013 12:50:01 GMT -5
Here's part 8. Enjoy. This time, when I entered the Everfree Forest, it was pure daylight, since it was just past noon. Since I had some private time as I trotted through the thicket, keeping an eye out for poison joke to DEFINITELY avoid, I began to think to myself, some thoughts of which might have come out of my mouth as a whisper or mumble, (which I tend to sometimes do when alone, a bit like the Doctor). I thought of several things. Thoughts of Fluttershy, ponderings of the rest of Equestria, such as Appleloosa, Canterlot, and the Crystal Empire, (which I am certain would be possibly too great a distance off to visit), and other things, but mostly those two. And of course I somewhat thought of how exciting this was, even though by now, having been in Equestria for a night, I was rather accustomed to it. I’ve seen several characters in games, shows, and rarely or sometimes films break the 4th wall, but this, (even though I wasn’t in my reality anymore), felt like somepony, I guess in this case Twilight, had just demolished the whole structure formerly called the 4th wall, on accident though. When I thought of Fluttershy, I lost focus and track of my footing or what was in front of me. Once or twice I nearly walked into a small patch of poison joke that was not in the trail, or I almost bumped my head into a tree’s trunk. I couldn’t help losing focus, since, as I said, Fluttershy was my favorite of the mane six, and while I was rather social and polite with her the other day, I think it was because I met all the other ponies in Ponyville, which helped me relax a little. In truth, inside I was rather nervous and shy, but now I can’t resist showing it a little. Just as I was about to begin mainly thinking of the rest of Equestria, mostly Canterlot due to the play, I came across that very same patch of Poison Joke in the path and stopped inches from it, at which I stepped back. I then breathed calmly, and began walking about a yard backwards, stopped, then took a running start for the patch, just as I was around 6 inches from it, I jumped into the air and, without using magic, landed on the other side, BUT my rear left hoof made contact with a leaf of the plant. Aside from that, I was clear of it. Regardless of touching the plant, especially since it was a little contact, I continued to calmly trot down the path to Zecora’s. This time, I knew I had no choice but to tell her, since the amount of physical contact this time was more than the previous incident, making the time up until the activation of the effects shorter. After several minutes, I came across Zecora’s treehouse, technically speaking, and, noticing light inside, knocked calmly on the door. Following a few seconds, Zecora opened the door, saw me, and greeted me, as usual in a rhyming or otherwise poetic format, while I also greeted but not in a rhyme. I asked if I could come in, and Zecora nodded her head. After examining the room, carefully walking about it, as Zecora seemed to be working on a brew, she looked at me, and asked, “So, Mr. Thespis, what are you doing here when the sun has passed its highest?” I finished looking around, at all the masks, books, and decorum, and walked up to the cauldron, opposite side of Zecora, and answered, “Just to talk a little.” However, I then blushed and added, eyeing towards my rear left hoof, “Although, I do wish to apologize AND ask of something.” “What are you sorry for, sir? You have not wronged me before.” Zecora answered, smiling kindly. “Well….eh-heh...the other day, prior to meeting you, Twilight and I came across a patch of that Poison Joke in the middle of the path. While Twilight did tell me the dangers and use her magic to safely cross it, I was curious and intrigued, while also a little nervous, about the plant’s potential effects to me. So, yesterday, I touched the plant a little before using my magic to cross it.” I shyly answered. “Ah, I understand very well. What happened to you, pray tell?” Zecora responded. “The effects activated overnight, when I was sleeping, since in the morning, I noticed it was a colt. However, regardless of it, I was willing to help Applejack, since I was sleeping in her barn, to pay off, I guess, the rent. Later, I went to the spa and took a bubble bath, since Applebloom told me the cure of Poison Joke.” I explained. “About the only reason I think Poison Joke would do that to me, would be that I am from FILLYdelphia. I have a feeling that if I made near-full-body contact with it, say up to here,” I put a hoof to my chest, “I might actually turn into a filly rather than a colt.” “Well from now on, don’t get curious, or you might become young and small, Mr. Thespis.” Zecora advised, with presence of a stern tone in her voice. I honestly deserved it. “Now then, what is it you want to question, dear stallion?” I rotated myself, after walking around the cauldron, so that my hind left leg would be quite visible to Zecora, and looked at it, then at her, as I inquired, blushing, “Ummmm…..Do you have a small concoction similar to or essentially the same as a bubble bath? This time, when I crossed it, by doing a galloping jump, I ended up touching a full leaf of it, maybe more, with my hind left leg, when I landed.” Zecora then left the cauldron as she looked through her supplies and books and, after a while, turned towards me and answered, in rhyme, “Lucky for you, curious pony folk, I have but 2 containers of the cure to Poison Joke.” I examined my leg and saw a little amount of what looked like pollen just below my hind left knee, then asked, trying to be conservative of Zecora’s cure, “You think half of a container will be enough?” “Since it’s been a while after you touched the fungus, I’m afraid not, Mr. Thespis.” She then grabbed one of the containers, walked over to me, and placed it, upright, on the ground in front of me. I knew she meant the whole thing, so I used my magic to carefully levitate the flask, open it up, since there seemed to be a bit of cork keeping it sealed, and very gently tilted it, pouring the liquid onto my whole hind left leg, after laying down once or twice so I could get it all around the leg. Once my whole leg was covered in the water-like substance, the flask was purely empty, aside from a few drops here and there inside it, against the walls of it. I looked at Zecora and spoke, “Thanks, Zecora.” “Perhaps from now on, if you easily crossed the patch with magic, you should always go over the patch with it.” Zecora suggested, at which I nodded, blushing a little. We then chatted briefly, during which I helped her with her brew, though what it was I never learned, until I decided to leave, excusing myself from her presence, and left her house, this time levitating over the Poison Joke, and just galloping out of the Everfree Forest, since there were only several hours left for the day until nightfall. After a while, on my way to Fluttershy’s house, I stopped, and looked towards an opening in the woods, in which Fluttershy was, with some of her animal friends, including Angel. I was about to turn in that direction, but due to how nervous I was about talking to her now, alone, (excluding her animal friends), I began to sweat profusely and my legs quivered a little underneath me, as if gravity’s force intensified. After no more than 4 steps towards her, I then just, very reluctantly, gave up and began galloping off to Ponyville, ashamed of myself for not showing the courage to just walk up and chat with her. However, on my way back to Ponyville, I remembered about my Stetson and headed towards Apple Acres. While I was there, I said hello to Applejack, to say the least, grabbed my Stetson, saying I nearly forgot about it, and left, this time meaning to go to Ponyville, so I could stop maybe at a restaurant, or the park, and just think to myself, as if I had a bad day. Once I was there, I sat upon a bench, and just looked up at the sky, (not directly at the sun though), feeling somewhat pathetic. “Come on, you can do it.” A part of my mind said. “You talked to her yesterday. You even helped her, and chatted with her during the party, without much stammering.” “But you’re alone this time, and before meeting her, you encountered dozens of other equines, reducing the stress and anxiety.” Another portion replied. This internal, mental argument went on for some time, as I sat there, once or twice sighing in a somewhat depressed manner. That is, until I caught sight of Pinkie Pie a short distance off, smiling and being happy as usual. Apparently, for some reason, she could tell I was depressed, since she stopped saying hello to the other ponies in the park and ran right over to me, stopped right in front of me, and asked what was wrong in a concerned manner. I sighed, and answered, blushing, “Well…...there’s this one pony….err...more specifically pegasus, that I’d like to talk with, just not with another pony with me, BUT I’m too nervous to talk to her alone. I met her yesterday, while with another pony, yet I’m too shy to go up and chat with her today.” I lowered my head, feeling of low self-esteem, in regards to courage. Pinkie Pie frowned with me, but only briefly, (and thank goodness, because I’d rather deal with her optimistic side than her pessimistic, crazy side), as she looked up at me and smiled and began to chatter on, until she suggested that I follow her to the bakery. I shrugged, and did so. Once we were inside the bakery, I took a seat at a table, and she went into the kitchen, moving at a somewhat swift pace, but from the looks of things, with flawless actions, since there didn’t seem to be a terrible mess once she stopped. She then walked up to me, and set a cake on the counter, telling me to come over, which I of course did. What she specifically had on the table, was a cake in a multitude of colors, mainly pink, yellow, and light blue, with some white, which said, in light blue icing, “Welcome to Ponyville”. I blinked at this and looked up at Pinkie Pie, who almost instantly began to explain, at a fast rate, why she made it for me now, saying that in all the commotion, anxiety, and excitement yesterday of her trying to get the party ready, she forgot to bake a Welcome cake. At this, I couldn’t help but blush and, more importantly, smile at this as I shyly spoke, “Th-....Thank you.” “Well, dig in.” she smiled, quite happy or relieved that I was no longer depressed. I then used my magic to levitate a knife and fork. I used the knife to cut out a slice of the cake, from the corner, and used the fork to, of course, eat the slice, piece by piece. I was about to burp a little, but I put a hoof to my mouth to prevent myself from burping into Pinkie’s face. I looked at her as I began to get up on my hooves from where I sat, and told Pinkie Pie, both of us smiling, “Go ahead and share the rest with anyone you like. You may have it yourself, if you want. One slice is enough for me, and…...thank you, Pinkie Pie.” “Okey dokey lokey.” Pinkie replied, nodding her head, at which I tipped my hat and left the bakery, feeling better now, and a little braver now. So, I decided to leave Ponyville for Fluttershy’s house, and this time, I was determined on chatting with her, though it was a little late in the day, so I began to gallop. After a long while, I went down the path to her house, looked out at the clearing, but Fluttershy wasn’t there, so I continued on to her house. Once I was there, I knocked on the door. No reply nor sound was heard inside, so I called out in a kind, shy voice, my legs quivering but a little, “F-...Fluttershy, you in there?” No response came. I pondered upon this, and looked up at the sky. It was not dusk nor pure night just yet, so she couldn’t have been sleeping. I was about to knock again, a little softer though, when the lower portion of the door seemed to open, at which I stepped back. Inside the house, in front of the open half of the doorway, was Fluttershy’s pet rabbit, Angel, looking up at me, but he seemed to be tapping his right foot, as if displeased with me. I assume I awoke him from a nap. I cleared my throat, after blushing a little, and asked him, “Ummmm…..Excuse me, Angel, but is Fluttershy here? If not, could you tell me where she is?” Angel just shook his head once, as he tapped his foot, staring right up at me. Clearly, he wouldn’t tell me exactly where Fluttershy was, since she wasn’t here, so I began to think of a generous, kind, and most importantly non-threatening way I could persuade Angel to tell me where Fluttershy is or where she was heading. After a while, I smiled and politely questioned, “Could I…..come in, perhaps?” Angel stopped for a moment, but smirked and nodded his head, at which I used my magic to open up the door properly, after which I walked in and closed the lower half behind me. Once inside, I looked down at the white rabbit, and asked, “Perhaps a snack and little drink might help you go back to sleep, correct?” Angel smiled, and nodded his head as swiftly as he tapped his foot moments ago. I looked out the doorway, focused on the tree, and used my magic to remove some of the healthier-looking leaves, and brought them into the house, and set them upon the floor in front of Angel. I then used my magic to pick up several drops of water from the brook, brought those in and poured them onto the leaves, keeping them moist. Angel smiled at the leaves but when he noticed there was no carrot, or rather that I was done, I looked at him and apologized, “I’m sorry, Angel, BUT, since Autumn is just around the bend, we have to conserve the carrots and similar foods for later, so the other animals will have plenty of energy to survive the winter while they hibernate or otherwise migrate. Also, that water on the leaves is your little drink, PLUS it keeps them fresh.” Angel glared at me for a few moments before shrugging and getting down on all fours as he began to eat the leaves. “Now then, after you’re done, you better at least try to tell me where Fluttershy was last headed, and be honest.” I sternly spoke, staring down at Angel, which he no doubt felt. He looked up at me, and nodded, as he finished his leaves and began trying to gesture the location that Fluttershy was at or otherwise heading to. After several tries, I finally got the point that she left her house to go talk with Twilight at the park. Either her or Rainbow Dash, but I don’t speak rabbit, unlike Fluttershy. So, after getting my destination figured out, the park in Ponyville to be exact, I tipped my hat, and helped Angel go to sleep, by singing a soft song I knew from my reality (which was Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera). Once he was in his bed and asleep, I slowly left the house, gently opening and closing the door so that no sound was made. I then trotted away from the house until I was certain I was out of Angel’s earshot, at which I burst into a gallop, heading towards Ponyville. (End of scroll 8)
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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 16, 2013 13:15:07 GMT -5
Here's part 9. Hope ya'll like it.
As I galloped into Ponyville, I often looked to the skies, in case I might see Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, or even Twilight, fly by. Once or twice, I saw Rainbow Dash but I never saw Fluttershy nor Twilight fly by, which, I assumed, meant that Fluttershy was with Twilight in the park, or in her house, so I went to the park first. Once I entered, I began to trot around the area, often staying on the path, so the grass wouldn’t be ruined immensely, even though I wasn’t wearing any hoof-wear. After a while, I caught sight of a flock of small birds, but a variety of them near the fountain. I trotted around the fountain until I caught sight of a yellow-furred pegasus and a purple-furred alicorn. I smiled, and began to walk in the direction of the two, with my legs shaking but a little, as I cleared my throat, prior to approaching them. Once I was within earshot, even though Fluttershy and Twilight were talking, I walked up until I was no more than a yard from them, at which I stopped, and just looked at them, listening to their chatter, but before a minute passed I cleared my throat and politely, shyly asked, “I…….hope I’m not intruding in anything private between you two, am I?” Twilight and Fluttershy looked at me, but Twilight spoke, “You’re not intruding Antonnius. Fluttershy was just telling me about her filly years, when she was nervous about flying, since I still have yet to get used to these wings enough to even fly half as fast as Rainbow Dash.” I nodded, understanding as I looked at Fluttershy, who was blushing, and nodded her head, validating Twilight’s explanation. “Anyway, Antonnius, what are you doing here?” Twilight kindly asked. Now it was my turn to blush, as I cleared my throat, several times, sweated a little, before answering, stammering quite a bit, “Oh….ummm…...I’d just...l-..like to talk to..errr...with….F-.....Fluttershy. Although, if you two are still talking, I’d be fine with waiting.” After I finished talking, I used my magic to fan myself with my Stetson. Fluttershy and Twilight then looked at each other for a few moments, after which Fluttershy looked at me and spoke, “I don’t mind, Antonnius.” Twilight nodded in agreement, “In fact, Fluttershy finished explaining her filly years moments ago. So go ahead. I need to catch up on some studying, and practice.” At that, Twilight left, most likely heading for her house. At this, I blushed rather distinctly as I finished fanning myself and set my Stetson back upon my head, while Fluttershy and I were left alone by the fountain, aside from the brightly-colored songbirds nearby. “...So, what did you want to talk about?” Fluttershy asked in that calm, soft, and tender voice. For quite a while I was silent, and clearly shy, which I’m sure she picked up on, until I was about to open my mouth to tell her about the play but, in a way to me, it felt a bit like a date, so instead I just made up a reason, as I looked at the birds briefly, “Ummmm….well…...given that those are songbirds, and rather good-looking ones at that, especially that crimson one right there…..perhaps...uhh….you could ask them to sing a little?” If I was bipedal, or at least a centaur, I would’ve been scratching the back of my head nervously. Fluttershy blinked for a moment but answered, “Oh. Sure. I don’t think they’d mind singing.” She then looked up at the birds, who were perched upon nearby branches and some in the fountain, and cleared her throat a little before she began to move her head as if she had a maestro’s baton in it, at which the birds began to sing. They performed several songs, one of which I recognized as that “Here Comes the Bride” song, usually performed at weddings. During the performance, I decided to sit down and just listen to the music. Once she was done conducting the flock, or in this case orchestra, of birds, I smiled, opening my eyes and began to clap my forehooves, showing that I enjoyed the music as I spoke, still a little nervous, “Beautiful.” Fluttershy blushed a little at this, but so did some of the birds, least the ones that weren’t red-headed, as she spoke, “Thank you.” The birds then chirped briefly which Fluttershy translated as them thanking me as well. After a few moments of awkward silence, Fluttershy spoke up, “How did you know I was here?” I blushed very deeply at this and cleared my throat as I explained, “Well...Angel told me. I went to your house, wanting to talk to you, but you weren’t there. I incidentally woke up Angel, who, after giving him a few moist leaves from a tree, tried to tell me where you were. Since I don’t speak or understand animals, as much as you do, I assumed you’d either be with Twilight or with Rainbow Dash. I didn’t give him any carrots though, since it’d be best to preserve those for later in the year. After his snack, I helped him go back to sleep.” Fluttershy, and the birds, listened to my explanation, after which Fluttershy smiled, “Well, that is rather nice of you for helping Angel go back to sleep, and of Angel for telling you where I might be.” I blushed at this, feeling flattered. Another several moments of silence passed, before I noticed that it was near dusk, and spoke up, stammering, “Oh, eh-heh….look at the time. I suppose I best get back to Apple Acres, since that’s where I’m sleeping….and working. Good night, Fluttershy.” I tipped my hat, using my fore right hoof. “Good night, Antonnius.” Fluttershy smiled, innocently, as she began to flap her wings, bringing herself into the air and began to fly off, as I smiled at her.
Once she was gone, I began fanning myself again with my hat, and, while not depressed nor entirely happy, I felt like I had missed a chance to actually connect a bit more with Fluttershy, verbally speaking, so I began to trot back to Apple Acres, rather calmly, positioning my Stetson so that the horn was under it, so that it wouldn’t fall off, if a slight gust were to become present. After near 15 minutes, or something about that long, I made it back to Apple Acres, just as the last bit of the sun was going down in the horizon to the West. I walked up to the house, and knocked on the door with a hoof, rather than just walk in so that I wouldn’t be invasive or intruding, after which Applejack answered the door and greeted me. She was sweatin’, but only a very little, clearly from a hard day’s work, but she was used to it. “Well, howdy, Antonnius.” she greeted, not wearing her hat, most likely because it was essentially nightfall, and therefore about the time to sleep. “You done near missed supper. You’re lucky ya made it in time. Come on in.” I did as suggested, using my magic to take off my hat and set it on a nearby vacant desk/table, as I followed her to the dining room, where Big Mac was. “Granny Smith and Applebloom should be finishing up with dinner in a few moments, sugarcube.” Applejack told me, at which I nodded, understanding the circumstance. After dinner, which was essentially made up of grain, hay, and apples, (and a few vegetables), I said goodnight to Applejack and her family as I was making my way out the door and to the barn. However, just as I left the front porch, Applejack walked out onto it, and informed me, “By the way, Antonnius, thanks for the help, even when you were a little colt about Applebloom’s height, and maybe age. If you want, you could take the day off tomorrow, and instead, go visit some fellow Apple family members in Appleloosa. I’ll show you to the train tomorrow.” I blushed very deeply but smiled distinctly as I replied, “I only worked for one day. I don’t really deserve a day off just yet.” “Sure ya do, sugarcube.” Applejack smiled. “Even though you didn’t buck apples with Big Mac and I, which we could check to see if you can do, you still helped us make the daily amount of apples and apple products we usually reach earlier. In fact, some of those apples from supper were leftover apples from today’s work.” At this, my whole face became red, as I tilted my stetson down over my eyes, feeling quite flattered. After a few seconds, I lifted it back up and, since I couldn’t possibly refuse a generous offer, especially from a kind and honest fellow pony, a female at that, I nodded my head, “Very well, Applejack. I’ll go visit Appleloosa tomorrow.” “Be back before sunset, sugarcube.” Applejack advised, at which I nodded my head and we walked to our individual sleeping areas. I went to the barn, while AJ went back into the house and upstairs. That night, just before going to sleep, I laid upon my side, with my stetson on the haybale and thought to myself, “About four days, and three nights to go until the play.” I then yawned, relaxed and closed my eyes, eventually falling to sleep. What I exactly dreamed of, was a mix of things. Possibilities of the play, of Appleloosa, and….rather nervously, of Fluttershy. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I think at one second I saw what looked like a mare in a black cloak in the distance in my dreams, looking right at me, but it was gone in the next second. To be honest, that unnerved me a little, or in other words, made me shiver slightly.
The next morning, I woke up several hours after sunrise, at what I assumed to be around 9 or 10 in the morning. Just as I was opening my eyes completely, I caught sight of Applejack, and her pet dog Winona, walking into the barn, with Winona rather running and wagging her tail, anxious to start a day’s work. After yawning, (not facing Applejack), I looked up at AJ and spoke, as I began to stand up, “Good morning, Applejack.” “Mornin’ sugarcube. I see that this time, you have stayed as a stallion through the night.” Applejack greeted, at which I blushed, but we both chuckled a little. She then introduced me to Winona, who barked happily once, as if to say hi or hello. I nodded my head, as if to reply the same thing, since I had yet to put on my Stetson. “Ready for breakfast?” Applejack asked. I grabbed my stetson and placed it upon my head, covering my horn, and nodded, “Of course, dear.” We all three then walked into the house to have breakfast, after which Applejack told Granny Smith, Applebloom, and Big Mac that she was taking me to the train station so that I could go to Appleloosa for the day, due to the assistance I provided the other day. We, (that is to say, Applejack and I), left Apple Acres, and headed to Ponyville for the train station. Applejack paid for my ticket, since I didn’t have any coinage on me, (where would I put it anyway). Just as I got to a seat, and looked out the open window, down at Applejack, she smiled up at me, just before the train started movin’, “Ya know, sugarcube. Ya’ll look mighty nice in that hat.” I blushed slightly but simply replied, “Well, Stetsons are cool.” To be honest, that’s something I often wanted to say to someone, or in this case somepony, especially one that agreed with me. I then tipped my hat, using my magic, politely as the train began to move out of the station, away from Ponyville and towards Appleloosa, out in the Wild West, or in other words, the Desert.
To be honest, and I honestly found this a little funny, during the ride I often thought of that one song from my reality by the band simply called America. The song titled, “A Horse With No Name”. Mainly I thought of the refrain, which goes: “I been through the desert on a horse with no name. It felt good to be out of the rain. In the desert, you can’t remember your name, Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain.” Heck, I even began to whistle in tune of the song, but nopony onboard recognized the song, nor did they ask what the song was. There’s no way I could even tell them, unless I were to claim the singer to be someone like Spike, a small young dragon. Aside from whistling the tune and thinking about Appleloosa, among other things, I mainly looked out the window, gazing at the landscape. I don’t know why, but whether it is by plane, automobile, locomotive, or anything, I just enjoy looking out through the windows and watching as the terrain goes by. Maybe it’s curiosity, to say the least, about what’s out there in places I’ve never seen or have seen. After a long while, about an hour, the train began to slow down, and eventually came to a stop. Looking out the window, I could see that we were far out in the desert. However, I only saw a few buildings. Not even enough to be considered a town like in those Western Showdown scenes in those Wild West films. However, incidentally, that was because my side of the train car was facing away from the town’s center. Silly me. Anyway, I got off the train and was now facing the majority of Appleloosa, and it looked exactly like a town that would be used for a showdown in a Western film, with a dirt or otherwise sandy road down the middle, equines, (most of which were Earth ponies), walking back and forth across it or up and down it, with mainly two sets of buildings on opposite sides of it, with what looked like the saloon on the right and the sheriff’s office at the end of it all, with the front of it facing the train station. As I looked out at the town and landscape, stepping aside so that the remaining passengers, who rode for Appleloosa, could get off, I just couldn’t help but smile and shout, “Yee-haw!” Despite feeling ridiculous, I couldn’t help it since there were two styles or settings I enjoyed. One was the wild west, and the other was mainly a noir crime setting. Some of the other passengers, of course, stared at me momentarily, but just went on their way. However, when I yelled that, a grain-yellow-furred, orange-maned, and green-eyed Earth pony wearing a dark brown and black cowboy hat, with a brown jacket I suppose as well, galloped up to me with a distinct air of excitement and enthusiasm. He then greeted me, unaware that I was a unicorn since my stetson covered the horn, “Well howdy there, fellow earth pony. Name’s Braeburn. Welcome to Aaappleloosa!” I couldn’t help but smile a little at his enthusiasm, but then spoke, not trying to make a Western accent/tone, “I’m just visiting for the day. For the moment, I live in Ponyville at Apple Acres, where I work, alongside Applejack and her family. Due to how, a little thanks to my help the other day, they reached the usual amount of apples and apple products made, she suggested that I take the day off and come here.” “Ah. Cousin Applejack. Well that’s mighty nice of her, and of you to help her out.” Braeburn responded, as he and I trotted off the platform and away from the station. “Where exactly are ya from? I don’t reckon I’ve seen ya’ll before.” “Oh, well...I’m from Fillydelphia, and I’ve never really been this far out of the city, let alone as far as Ponyville.” I replied. “Oh, and the name’s Antonnius Thespis, but you can just call me Antonnius.” “Oh, a city pony, okay.” Braeburn nodded. “Well, would ya’ll like it if I gave ya a tour of our fine town?” I nodded within 5 seconds, at which he spoke, “Very well then. Follow me.” And of course, I did as so. The first location on the tour was the sheriff’s office, by the look of which we noticed that the sheriff was of course inside, at his desk. Next joint was the Salt Lick, the local saloon where, instead of alcohol in the case of humans, equines simply just licked cubes or small blocks of salt. I honestly didn’t know why licking salt was such a fantastic thing for equines. That is until, Braeburn briefly lead me inside for a quick small cube of salt, (or scientifically speaking sodium chloride), and a small glass of water. To be honest, despite a distinct presence of dehydration in the mouth, the salt wasn’t really that bad. It would honestly be hard to compare it to what humans consider a delicacy, not including alcohol, especially since I was now a horse, not a human, but trust me, it was good. I guess, in a way, it was a little like a frozen popsicle, but then I started to notice a bit of flavor. I guess, a graham cracker, [or any type of salty cracker], would do to compare it. Anyway, after the cube of salt, I drank up the glass of water, using my tongue rather than magic, after which Braeburn lead me outside of the saloon, and continued with the tour.
To be honest, the tour was quite exciting and interesting, especially since a few times I caught sight of buffalo wearing Native American-like head dresses, (which I knew to be the Equestrian equivalent of Native Americans from my reality). After the tour, during which of course Braeburn learned that I was actually a unicorn which he didn’t mind, Braeburn lead me back to the town, since we were near Appleloosa’s orchard at the end of it. I couldn’t resist smiling after all I saw and learned briefly about, (then again, it could’ve been a slight effect of the salt lick), as I looked at Braeburn and spoke, “Thank you, for the tour Braeburn.” “You’re welcome, Antonnius.” Braeburn smiled back. “Tell me, did you…...nah...forget about it.” “What?” I asked, tilting my head. “Well, I was about ask ya’ll if, while you worked at Apple Acres, did ya help Granny Smith with cookin’ apple pies?” Braeburn admitted. “However, my cousin did give ya’ll the day off, so I’d rather not put work upon you.” I smirked at this, chuckling a little, “Yes, I did help Granny with her cookin’, and I don’t mind helpin’ out. Besides, after workin’ with Applejack and her family, I went and helped Rarity, Applejack’s white-furred, purple-maned unicorn friend. Also, it’s only a little work.” Braeburn pondered for a moment but nodded, “Alright then, come with me...wait. Just askin’ but do ya’ll have any change on you?” I shook my head, “Nope. That’s why I’ve been working at Apple Acres, as a way to balance out the fact that I’m sleepin’ there, and don’t have even a coin on me. My money is back in Fillydelphia, safe and sound.” Braeburn then smiled and asked me, as he, using his head literally, pushed me, but flawlessly, (as in without me falling), over to the front of the Salt Lick and suggested, “Perhaps, while ya’ll are here, though it’s just for the day, you could work behind the counter here. I’m sure the owner wouldn’t mind payin’ ya a coin or two for a few hours.” I shrugged and then nodded, “Okay, Braeburn, thanks for the advice.” “You’re welcome, Antonnius.” Braeburn replied. “Good luck.” I nodded, tilting my hat a little, which he did the same after me, and I trotted into the saloon, and up to the counter, where the, I guess, bartender was, and asked him for a brief job at the Salt Lick. Brief, because I was only visiting Appleloosa for the day, as suggested by Applejack in Ponyville. I told him I could work the counter, and clean up any spills that occurred, (thanks to my magic), until it was about an hour to sunset. After several minutes of discussion, and slight persuasion, he allowed me to work but only at no more than 3 coins an hour, which, (considering how I had no money whatsoever in Equestria yet), I was fine with.
So, for the majority of that day, I worked diligently at the Salt Lick, most of the time cleaning up spills of salt or water, (since it would ruin the woodwork), but sometimes behind the counter when there was more than one customer at a time. At one point, I actually had to use my magic to kick a customer out that was, like an alcoholic and their beer, using/licking too much salt. They asked for a glass of water, at which I looked at my temporary boss, and he just shook his head, but I walked up to him and suggested that I just give him half a glass. Rather than deplete my pay to 1 coin for that hour, or none, he pondered for a moment but nodded, saying that I’d only get 2 coins for that hour, which I accepted, and used my magic to carry out the half glass of water to the dehydrated, (or dry-tongued), customer, who thanked me for the water. Once he was finished drinking, he gave the glass back to me, which I carried, via magic, back into the saloon and cleaned off before setting it on the cabinet behind the counter. By the end of my shift, I had about 17-18 coins. Problem was, I had no idea where I’d put ‘em and I knew I couldn’t hide them under my Stetson, so, (using my magic to carry the coins), I quickly trotted out of the saloon, went to a nearby store, and purchased a brown and black jacket, of the same design as Braeburn’s, thankfully with pockets, and paid the price of about 5 coins for it, leaving me with no more than 13. Since it was around an hour to sunset, I put the coins in least one of the pockets, and galloped to the train station, careful to not bump into anypony, or any of the Natives, (one of which was a deer), and paid for my ride back to Ponyville which was about 7 coins, leaving me with 6. I didn’t complain of course, since it would only make sense for quick transportation, especially out in the desert to be of that price, (though to be honest, I didn’t and still don’t understand the value of currency in Equestria). Anyway, just before the train left, I boarded it, with my ticket, and took a seat at a window that showed the majority of Appleloosa, at which the train began to move, back to Ponyville.
(End of scroll 9)
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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 17, 2013 14:34:50 GMT -5
Part 10
To be honest, I think sometime during the ride back to Ponyville, I might have dozed off, since when we made it to Ponyville, one of the staff or train workers was gently pushing me with his hoof, trying to wake me up. After a few seconds, I did and tipped my hat to the staff and burst into a gallop to Apple Acres, noticing the time it was, mere minutes to sunset. Thankfully, I made it back to Apple Acres, just as the sun set, but panting quite a lot, since I was nearly out of breath. I knocked on the door, and eventually, this time, Applebloom answered the door, at which she told me that dinner was ready, and allowed me to come in. However, I think during that meal, I might have drank water, or cider, more than I ate. Later that night, I thought to myself, “3 days and 2 nights to go”, and, recalling that one figure in the distance from my previous dream, began to fall asleep, thinking of some of the villains or enemies the mane six have faced, mainly Queen Chrysalis, monarch of the Changelings. And as fate/logic would have it, I dreamt of some of those enemies. Of the hydra, the Changelings, King Sombra, (who was honestly one of the least intimidating villains I came across in my dreams), and a few other creatures that were not on the mane six’s side. However, near the end of the dream, I saw that the cloaked equine figure was closer. Either that or it was taller. For a reluctant moment, I tried peering into the shadow of the cloak, but I could only see the outline of the end of a dark-furred equine mouth, and white eyes staring at me when I looked, at which I turned away, nervously. I was curious as to who or what that equine figure was, but nervous every time I looked or it stared, or rather glared, at me.
The next morning, I could tell that I must’ve been a tad restless during the night since my Stetson fell of the hay bale, which was moved a little away from me. After waking up, earlier this time, (around 7-8 am), I put on my Stetson, and walked up to the house since it was time for breakfast, during which I kindly took off my hat while in the house. After breakfast, I went to work with Applejack, Big Mac, and Applebloom, while Granny stayed in the house, taking care of cookin’ and preparing products. This time, I decided to try out on buckin’ apples with Big Mac and AJ. However, I wasn’t able to knock all the apples off a tree in one kick, but I did get at least ⅓ of the apples on a single tree off in a single kick. So, since it took no more than 4 kicks to a tree to knock off all the apples, I decided to assist in pushing the buckets, AND buckin’ apples, which in turn caused us to reach the daily goal/requirement even sooner, as we finished by 11 am. Just after lunch, while Applejack and I were trotting to Ponyville, Applejack spoke to me, “Woo-wee, that was done rather quickly.” I nodded in agreement, but she then added, “However, that’s only the summer work. The apples and apple products we have to make are higher in fall, since that’s harvest time.” “That and them apples won’t survive the winter.” I smirked a little, which we chuckled, but quite briefly, as we entered Ponyville, with Applejack and I pulling a cart into town, to use for sellin’ apples, to say the least. Once we found a sufficient space in town to set up the cart/stall, Applejack and I got to work on preparing it, after which Applejack stood behind the counter. “By the way, Applejack, I don’t think I told you, but while in Appleloosa, I got a temporary, day-long job at the Salt Lick, and was paid for my work to boot.” I smiled, as I used my magic to bring out the 6 coins left in my pockets. “Originally I had 18, but I had to pay for a ticket here, and this jacket, which I use to carry my coins.” Applejack just smiled and replied, “Well, that’s great, sugarcube. Don’t try to waste the rest of it, though. Ya’ll are gonna need those coins to pay for other things, such as a session at the spa.” I blushed and nodded, but then she tilted her head briefly and added, “Ya know, in that Stetson and jacket, you almost look like my cousin Braeburn, who I’m sure you probably met in Appleloosa, if it weren’t for your light brown fur and black mane.” I blushed more at this, but then asked, “Need any help with the stall, by the way?” Applejack shook her head and kindly answered, “No, sugarcube. You did your work for the day. Besides, I can take care of the booth myself, even if any varmints try to steal from me.” She then lowered her head and raised it back up, revealing a rope, or rather a lasso, which she held in her mouth at the handled area. I nodded my head, understanding her form of defense and spoke, as I turned around, “So, I’ll be seeing ya later.” “See ya, Antonnius.” Applejack waved good-bye as I walked off.
After a while of walking through Ponyville, I decided to stop by Rarity’s, to see how she was doing. I walked up to the door, and knocked on it gently using my fore right hoof. “I’ll be right there, darling.” Said a feminine voice from inside that I could easily identify as Rarity. After a few seconds, Rarity opened the door, using her magic, as she stood in front of the doorway in her house, but she was a little surprised to see me but in a good way. “Why, Antonnius, darling, what are you doing here?” she asked. “I just came to see how you were doing, dear.” I answered, politely with the tip of my hat. “Have you succeeded in carefully sending those designs to the opera house?” “Oh, but of course, darling. They were sent to the Canterlot Opera House yesterday. I still have yet to get mail from them on what they think, but I’m hoping it’s good, since the play is in but two days.” Rarity replied, starting to get a little stressed. “I’m sure they’ll find the outfits at least sufficient for an opera. Honestly, I’d say the colt and Villain uniforms were my favorite.” I smiled, which made Rarity blush a little. “Also, since the play is in a few days, they’ll practically have no other choice but to accept them, unless they’d rather delay, or worse, cancel the performance, and I’m sure the rest of the staff would not agree to that, considering all the work the other ponies must put into props and scenery. That, and rehearsals.” It was obvious that Rarity found this QUITE encouraging since she began to calm down, and smiled at me, blushing, but then asked, “By the way, darling, have you told Fluttershy of going to the play yet?” Now I blushed, but far more than Rarity did as I turned to the side, and softly admitted, “N-...no.” “Well why on Earth not, darling? The play is in two days and you haven’t even told her?” Rarity asked, rather astonished but trying to be polite. “Well…..I’m just a bit…...shy around her, especially when it comes to telling her about the ticket offer for the play you gave us.” I replied. “Well then, darling, I suggest you go and tell her, or at least ask her, today about the performance.” Rarity advised, rather proudly or boldly. I nodded my head, as I tipped my hat once more and turned around, heading out the door. However, Rarity blinked and spoke up, “Oh, and one last thing, darling. I find that tomorrow, we should definitely get you and darling Fluttershy proper attire for such a performance.” I was about to ask what’s wrong with a stetson and jacket, but since I was supposed to go meet Fluttershy, I decided not to ask. Besides, I could do it tomorrow. So, I simply nodded, and left the house, heading for Fluttershy’s home just outside of Ponyville.
After a while, on my way to Fluttershy’s home, I caught sight of her out in the field with some of her animal friends. I stopped in my tracks, and looked at her for a while, sweating distinctly, my legs shaking, until I closed my eyes and breathed deeply, after which I began to walk up towards Fluttershy and her animal allies, most of which were small mammals and birds. Once I was certain of being within earshot of her, I then cleared my throat, and spoke, “Ummmm….Good afternoon, F-..Fluttershy, dear.” Fluttershy looked up from the animals gathered around her at me and replied, “Oh, hello Antonnius. Is there something you came here to talk about?” I began to sweat distinctly, “Y-...Yes…….Ummmmm…..is there any chance you’d be okay with going to a Canterlot opera performance...w-with me in 2 days?” Fluttershy blinked and asked in her shy and tender voice, “....Excuse me?” “Well, you see, after helping Rarity with finishing up the costumes she had to make for this performance by today, she gave me an offer on a reduced ticket price, and allowed me to bring along a friend….and….well…...I chose…...you.” My whole head was red as a rose, at this. I could tell that Fluttershy was flattered by me offering her to come along, and at a reduced price to boot, but she looked at her animal friends for a while, during which Angel gave me a few stern looks, assuming it was to be meant as a date, which I honestly didn’t want it to be considered, until Fluttershy looked up at me, as she laid on the ground, and smiled, but still shyly, “Sure Antonnius. I wouldn’t mind coming with you. Is there anything I should wear?” I blushed, and sat down to scratch the back of my head with my hoof, though it was more like a rubbing, as I answered, rather relieved, “Good to know. If it helps, I could ask Rarity to give us either a balcony seat, or one that isn’t between multiple rows. And as for clothing, I think Rarity will help us deal with that, tomorrow.” There was a compliment I wanted to say but was too nervous to speak it. “Oh. Okay.” Fluttershy answered. “And yes, that would help a little.” There was a distinct moment of silence between us two until one of the birds, specifically a male duck, quacked up, at which I spoke, “Well…..I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow then, at Rarity’s. If not there, then at the train station, for a trip to Canterlot.” Fluttershy just shyly nodded, at which I began to walk back to Ponyville, feeling rather happy and relieved that Fluttershy accepted the offer. Even though I didn’t consider it as a date, I couldn’t help but smile as I trotted happily down the streets.
After a while, I decided to stop by Rarity and tell her the good news. When I got there, I noticed there was a letter on the doorstep, which I lifted up using my magic, but didn’t open it, to prevent from stepping on it, at which I knocked calmly on the door, still grinning in a friendly way. Following a minute or two, the door opened up, revealing little Sweetie Belle, who looked up at me, but I then asked, “Hello, Sweetie Belle, dear. Is Rarity here?” Sweetie Belle nodded, and turned around, calling into the room, “Rarity. That stallion Antonnius is here!” Due to how close I was to her, I cringed a little at her volume. However, seconds after Sweetie Belle called out, Rarity ran up in front of us, clearly distressed about something, as her mane was a little messed up in one or two places. She blushed due to how she assumed she looked and greeted me, “Oh. Welcome back, darling. I trust you told dear Fluttershy about the show?” I nodded my head, smiling at the end, “I did and…..she accepted the offer. Though I think it might be best if we could get either balcony seats, or ones either in the front row or along the sides.” “Of course, darling. Oh and it’s simply splendid to hear that she said yes.” Rarity spoke, rather hesitantly. “Tell me, did you happen to see a letter on the doorstep? Or a mail-carrying pegasus come by the house?” “I didn’t see a pegasus stop by the house.” I started, as I used my magic to hold the letter, addressed to Rarity, in front of me in the air. “BUT, I did see a letter upon your doorstep, addressed to you. And trust me, I didn’t read it. Your mail, your privacy.” Almost instantly, as I showed her the letter and finished talking, Rarity used her magic to take the letter, at which I stopped using my magic, should the letter tear, and began to pant, anxious to see what the letter was about and/or who it was from. Rather swiftly, she opened up the envelope, and pulled out the message, reading it to herself, softly, but her mouth running quickly. After no more than 3 minutes, she stopped reading, with the paper in front of her face, a few inches away from it. I looked at Sweetie Belle, who also looked up at me, concerned about Rarity since she fell silent. I turned my attention back to Rarity and asked, “Rarity, dear…...is everything alright?” “Oh, Antonnius, darling,” she started, with the paper still in front of her face, before suddenly raising it to show an expression of pure happiness, excitement, and relief. “Everything is absolutely fine! My costumes. M-....err….our designs, were accepted by the opera house.” I blushed and kindly questioned, “Our designs? Don’t you mean your designs? I was only a….model for the costumes. I didn’t choose the colors and format necessarily.” “Oh I know, darling, but I couldn’t have possibly made that dark and grim outfit for the villain without you!” Rarity cheered, nearly squealing with delight, which only made me blush more. However, she then blinked and a look of surprise or realization presented itself upon her face, as she began to worry, “Oh, but I must decide on what to wear, if I am to go to the performance myself.” She then began to rush around the room, looking at some of her previous designs and clothes, mainly ones she herself wore. This constant motion of hers continued until I spoke up, “Honestly, I don’t think it really matters WHAT you wear, dear. All of these designs, or at the least the ones that would go with your complexion, would be fine for a visit to an opera.” Hearing this, she stopped in her tracks, and looked right at me and smiled, as she ran up to me, “Oh, you are so right, darling. Why don’t you decide on what I wear? After all, you helped me confirm the designs for the costumes for the performers.” I felt rather flattered but couldn’t possibly refuse and began to examine the fine-looking outfits that Rarity wore, such as the bridegroom outfit or her Galloping Gala uniform. Her artistic critic-like outfit, (as in the black clothing with a I guess magenta beret), was there, but I honestly didn’t think it would fit an opera. After several minutes, I then stopped trotting around until I looked at Rarity, and spoke, pointing to her Gala uniform, “Why not wear this one, dear? You are going to Canterlot after all, but not for a wedding.” Rarity looked at the costume and, after several seconds, looked at me, and nodded, “Very well, darling. I shall wear that design of mine.” She seemed to whisper something but I decided not to ask. I looked at her mane and her fur, and then suggested, smiling kindly, “Perhaps for the rest of the day, you should go to the spa, and just relax. Like you said, we’ll worry about my attire and Fluttershy’s tomorrow.” Rarity nodded, agreeing with me, “Of course, darling. I do seem to be quite a mess, as she began walking to the door. As for me, I walked up to Sweetie Belle and suggested to her, “While Rarity is gone, I think it might be best if you go outside, rather than try to make something without her assistance.” Sweetie Belle nodded, “Yes, sir.” She then followed Rarity and I outside. While Rarity went to the spa, and Sweetie Belle left to no doubt look for Applebloom and Scootaloo, I honestly had no idea what to do or where to go. After a while, I shrugged and decided to simply trot to the park, so I myself could just relax and enjoy the warm sunlight.
Several hours later, I noticed it was near sunset and began galloping back to Apple Acres. This time, I didn’t nearly miss supper at all. I was actually at the farm near half an hour until supper. However, all four of the Apples were there. Since there was about 30 minutes to suppertime, I decided to just simply chat with Granny Smith, until it was time to cook. That night, we had a large meal, and I’m not just referring to Big Mac’s meal, considering his size. Oddly enough, when it was time for bed, Winona apparently wanted to sleep with me. She was rather anxious or happy to spend the night with me, which Applejack was fine with, so I allowed her to rest by my side, while my Stetson stayed on the hay bale. However, that night, that hooded equine was closer to me, but still a distance off. This time, I noticed there was a slight bulge in the hood, which I assumed, after the figure was gone, to be the effect of a horn, meaning that the equine was at least a unicorn, but it still gave me a bit of fear, since the being was rather intimidating, even at a distance with that kind of stare.
(End of Scroll 10)
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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 21, 2013 10:39:04 GMT -5
Part 11. It's a long one, imo. Enjoy. The next morning, I woke up around an hour after sunrise, but it was clearly Winona was up before me, as she was standing around a foot away from me, on all fours, smiling at me, wagging her tail. I couldn’t help but smile, “Mornin’, Winona.” She just barked once happily back at me. Once I got up and put my Stetson on, we walked out of the barn, I was heading to the orchard, when Applejack walked up to me and put a hoof in front of me, as she shook her head and spoke kindly, “Nuh-uh sugarcube. Far as Rarity told me, you best not get your fur, hooves, or mane dirty for today, nor tomorrow, so’s you can look good when trying on clothes and while at Canterlot. And besides, you’ve been a BIG help these past few days, but if you kept workin’ everyday with us, we might end up with no apples left to buck around a week or day before harvestin’ time.” I looked directly at Applejack, and sighed, but calmly replied, “Very well. It would be best to regulate or maintain a decent supply of apples rather than harvest, cook, and/or sell them all before it’s the proper time to do so.” I then turned towards Ponyville, as Winona ran up to Applejack’s side, at which I tipped my hat politely and began to trot down the dirt road to Ponyville, specifically Rarity’s house. After around 20 minutes, I made it to Ponyville. However, as I entered the town, I realized I had forgotten about breakfast, and blushed as my stomach growled. I then began to ponder on what restaurant to visit, until I remembered Doughnut Joe and decided to eat at his bakery. I walked into the bakery, which was thankfully just opening, took a seat at the counter and, asked for a doughnut hole with white icing, and one with chocolate icing, with sprinkles. It cost a total of about 2 coins which I paid, leaving me with 4 coins, but probably not enough to pay for my ticket. Oh well…. Anyway, once I finished the chocolate doughnut, which was honestly the sweeter one of the two, I got off the seat, tipped my hat and walked out the door, opening it with my magic. While I didn’t necessarily have much of a meal, it was sufficient until lunch, to say the least. Besides, I only had 4 coins left, and I needed to save them to pay for least my ticket, if I could. I then began to walk off to Rarity’s boutique. However, when I walked up to the door, and knocked on it, Rarity eventually opened it, but with a slightly messed up mane, and somewhat tired eyes. Clearly we were both embarrassed at the scenario. Rarity hadn’t yet completely woken up, or at least hadn’t properly woken up, (thanks to me), therefore she was in a bit of a mess, at which I blushed and apologized, “Ummmm…..eh-heh….Sorry if I’m early, dear. Applejack told me you told her of what you and I were going to do today, so she allowed me to take the day off. Rarity yawned a little before replying, “Oh, it’s alright, darling. I was almost done with my beauty sleep, anyway. Although, could you perhaps go ask Fluttershy to come here? I think it’d be easier if she’s here while you are, so we can figure out the designs for your costumes.” I then thought of something and blushed as I suggested, “Should I also ask Twilight to come along? As an assistant to the choice of attire?” “Why not, darling.” Rarity smiled, as she yawned again, which made me blush a little. “Now if you don’t mind, I think I’ll go back and finish my beauty sleep.” I nodded my head as I tipped my hat and slowly closed the door, as she turned around and began walking deeper into her humble abode, while I trotted off, to Fluttershy’s house, since it’d take the longest time to get there, than to trot to Twi’s house, allowing Rarity to get plenty of sleep. After around an hour, I made it to Fluttershy’s house, and was standing outside the door, a little nervous about knocking on the door, should Fluttershy also be asleep or at least just waking up. So, after around 5 minutes, I gently knocked on the lower half of the door, after clearing my throat a little. After several minutes, the lower half opened out, at which I stepped back, and Fluttershy’s head was visible in the doorway, but when she saw only legs and hooves, she eyed up but couldn’t exactly see my face so she simply closed the lower half and opened the upper half, at which point she smiled, and stepped forth, keeping the lower half closed so that her head could peek/stretch out from inside, as she greeted me, “Oh…..hello Antonnius. What are you doing here so early?” I blushed and bit my lip a little before shyly answering, “Well, Rarity wanted me to come get you so the three of us, along with Twilight, could figure out the designs of our costumes at the same time. Although, I wouldn’t suggest flying off now. Maybe in no more than 10 minutes, would be best to fly off, since I talked to Rarity nearly an hour ago, and she didn’t completely have her beauty sleep.” Fluttershy nodded, understanding my explanation, but turned her head to the side, looking down at the flooring of her house and then looked at me and asked, “Do you think Angel could come along with me?” I shrugged, but smiled, “I don’t see why he couldn’t. It’s not like he’ll cause any trouble, which he better not do.” Fluttershy then smiled and flapped her wings once, as she cheered, in her soft, tender voice, “Yay. I’ll go to Rarity’s soon.” I shyly tipped my hat as I replied, “See you there, d-....dear.” At which I began walking back to Ponyville. Getting to Twilight’s house was rather simple, since it was essentially at the center of Ponyville of course. I knocked on the door with my fore right hoof, but rather than Twilight answering it, a small purple-and-green young dragon, on two legs, answered the door. I blinked at the sight of him but then he simply turned his head around and called out, “Twilight. Some black-maned, light brown unicorn is at the door.” Though I didn’t see Twilight, we both heard a friendly reply come from upstairs, “Let him in, Spike.” Spike then looked up at me before opening the door all the way and stepping aside so I could enter, at which I used my magic to calmly close the door, since there was really no need for it to remain ajar. I looked around at the interior, and smiled a little, recalling when I first came to in Equestria, and had that little ‘chatter’ with Owlowiscious. Spike then walked up to me and spoke, “Twilight’s up in her room. She’ll come down….eventually.” However, in the midst of the sentence, I turned my attention to all the books in the technical treehouse, and walk up to the shelves, examining the spines of each book, and occasionally the cover of them. A large majority of them were about either history, Equestria, how to do things, or magic, while a few of them were more for fictional tales, such as Daring Do. Just as I was about to pull out a book on magic, so I could learn a thing or two, I heard Twilight’s voice kindly call down to me, “You may come up, Antonnius.” I then stopped and put the book back in its place as I began to trot, on all fours, up the stairs to Twilight’s bedroom, in which I found her, laying down, with her legs folded or naturally bent of course, with at most 3 books in front of her. As I entered her room, she looked up at me, smiling and asked, after I bowed and tipped my hat, “Was there something you wanted, Antonnius?” I cleared my throat and answered, “Well, due to helping her out with the costumes, Rarity offered me and Fluttershy a reduced price on tickets to the performance she was designing the outfits for, and well, today, we’ll be deciding on what clothing Fluttershy and I should wear. It was Rarity’s idea, honestly. And, I figured, since there will be two ponies wearing the costumes, but only one making suggestions or decisions, I figured it would help if a fourth pony could be there, and assist.” I smiled kindly down at Twilight. Twilight simply sighed, chuckling a tad, “Rarity does always try to make the best outfits for her friends that visit places where she works, especially if Canterlot is involved.” I nodded in agreement. “Sure, I’d be happy to help. When should I go to Rarity’s?” “Well, I’d say go ahead and leave in about 3-5 minutes, since you’re clearly busy studying…..something.” I kindly replied. “Okay, then. I’ll finish studying this spell, and then I’ll head to Rarity’s.” Twilight nodded. I bowed politely, using my magic to temporarily remove my hat from my head as I spoke, “I’ll see you there then, Princess Sparkle.” At this, Twilight blushed but simply nodded, as she turned her head back to her books and continued studying as I calmly trotted down the stairs, opened the door via my magic and began heading towards Rarity’s boutique, once again. To be honest, when I suggested that Twilight helps out, I was thinking of bringing Applejack or Rainbow Dash, but since it’s a Canterlot Opera, I’m trying to look fine and classy/proper, not cool. And also, well, if Rarity suggested me not wearing the Stetson, then I had a feeling AJ and Rarity would argue a little over what I should wear...maybe. So, to prevent any distress amongst the ponies present at the boutique at the time of dress ‘rehearsal’, I suggested Twilight. Anyway, after a short while, I made it to Rarity’s boutique, and, as I figured by then, Fluttershy was already there, and Rarity was seeing what design would look best for the opera on the following day. However, as I walked in and was about to see what Fluttershy was in, Rarity hesitantly used her magic to hold a cloth in front of my face, but not on it, so that I couldn’t see the progress thus far, if any, as she spoke, “No. Not yet, darling.” I shrugged a little but decided to go with it, so as not to stress Rarity. However, for some reason I could sense Angel just glaring at me from within the room, but from what direction, I didn’t know. I then calmly replied, “I take it, you’re trying to make it a surprise?” I heard Rarity’s hooves walk away from me, back to Fluttershy no doubt as she replied, “But of course, darling. After all, the more someone wears something, the less dazzling it becomes.” “Indeed.” I nodded my head, as, with Rarity’s help, I walked over to a separate doorway or portion of the room, that led into another, one almost as large as the current one. I stopped at the exact moment she told me to, and by the sound of things, I was facing away from the two, but I could faintly hear the sound of thread, fabric, or any form of clothing being snipped/cut, moved on a surface or anything of the sort, except being set down of course. Rarity then removed the cloth, which was apparently from in front of my eyes, and, advised that I walk into the separate room I was in front of, where my costume would be decided on. However, I asked, “Couldn’t we simply separate the main room into two halves, so that it’d be easier for the materials to be used in time?” Rarity stayed silent for quite a while, but seemed to apologize to me, “I’m sorry, darling but there is the possibility of you and Fluttershy seeing each other in your outfits before they’re finished.” I sighed and shrugged but kindly replied, “Very well, dear.” I then trotted into the room, taking off my hat and setting it on a nearby table. Incidentally, Opalescence, (or Opal for short), Rarity’s pet cat, was upon the very spot where I set my hat, as I heard a somewhat harsh meow, at which I raised it, apologized to Opal and set the hat upon a separate desk. Luckily for me, Opal just growled a little before laying back down instead of clawing at me. However, as I set my Stetson on the separate table, I sensed that Rarity drew, or in other words hung/closed a curtain between the main room and the one I was in, since the lights, in my perspective, dimmed distinctly, but the sources of light in my room were still glowing sufficiently. There was just no light coming from behind me. I stayed in that room, alone, (except for Opal of course), for several minutes, sometimes, using a nearby comb to stroke or straighten Opal’s fur, (which she didn’t like at first, but it was better than using my hooves), that is until, Rarity must’ve decided to enter my room and help start me off with at least the 1st layer of clothing. She saw me in my Western-like jacket and spoke, “Oh, darling you must get that outfit off right this moment, if you’re going to try on some fine and fancy clothing.” I did as she suggested, flipping my Stetson upside down so that I wouldn’t lose my coinage while taking off the jacket, which I did once the coins were inside the Stetson. Rarity then looked into the other room, and used her magic to bring in the simple male underdress for things such as tuxedos or an actor’s outfit in general. It was essentially the same shirt that Raoul from “Phantom of the Opera”, (the musical one), wore at the end. It was white, thin, and a little loose, but it fit. Once my first layer was on, Rarity left my room to go work more on Fluttershy’s outfit. Around a minute after she resumed on that outfit, we all heard a knocking at the door, at which I simply used my magic to open the door, as Rarity spoke, “Come in, darling.” “Hey Rarity. Uhh….Where’s Antonnius?” I heard Twilight ask. “Oh, he’s in that room over there.” Rarity answered, in a bit of a stressed or hesitant voice. At that point, I heard hooves approach my room, after which I saw Twilight poke her head through the curtains, as she kindly greeted me, “Hello, Antonnius.” I smiled and bowed politely, since I couldn’t tip my hat, “Hello, Twilight.” Rarity must’ve been looking at Twilight, since I heard her ask, “Twilight, deary, any chance you could help Antonnius with his uniform while I assist Fluttershy?” Twilight seemed to be thinking for a moment but smiled in a friendly way as she looked at Fluttershy and Rarity, “Sure, Rarity.” “Splendid, the outfits I have picked out for darling Antonnius are over there.” Rarity answered, a little less stressed. Twilight must’ve looked at the outfits, which I couldn’t see thanks to the curtain, until a few seconds later, at which she used her magic to bring about three sets of outer layer clothing, but no accessories just yet. They were mainly suits/uniforms. The first one, was a simple tuxedo, black and white of course, while the 2nd one was more along the lines of the Phantom’s usual black attire, but the third one appeared to be the same outfit that Raoul wore during least the first song sequence of Phantom of the Opera, (not including the overture). To put it short, the third one, was essentially a deep blue, with some white areas. Setting the outfits on the table that my stetson was on, Twilight looked at me and asked, “Which do you think would look best on you, Antonnius?” Looking at the three costumes, I only found the 1st and 3rd to be decent enough to wear to the opera, without being considered a phantom, even though I wasn’t sure if Equestria had its form of that play. However, since the 3rd one looked similar to the one colt outfit I tried on a few days ago, I decided to try on the tuxedo, which lacked a tie. Twilight then looked in the direction of the other room and spoke, without calling out, “Rarity. Any chance you could come in here and check the outer layer?” “In a minute, darling.” Rarity replied, no doubt occupied with working on Fluttershy’s attire. However, I did catch sight of Angel peeking his head in between the curtains and looking up at my uniform. Though he did look at me sternly, he seemed to nod as if to say he liked the tux sufficiently, at which I smiled down at him a little, after which he hopped on back to Fluttershy. Following around 3-5 minutes, Rarity stuck her head in through the curtains, and examined my choice of costume, and kindly spoke, “Glorious choice, darling. Now for the accessories.” She used her magic to lift up the other two uniforms, move them out of my dressing room, and back to the main one, and brought in several accessories, such as ties, (of least two different forms, and two different colors for each set), a monacle, a pair of glasses, and a top hat. “Choose what you like, darling. I need to finish up Fluttershy’s dress and her own accessories.” Rarity told me, as she went back to the main room. Even before Twilight asked me what I’d prefer to try on first, I immediately used my magic to put the black bow tie right into position below my neck, in the upper middle portion of the tux. Twilight blinked at this, seeing how fast my first choice was, but I simply replied, “What? Bow ties are cool.” Though most of the tux was black, the bow tie stuck out mainly because the color of the portion of clothing it was in front of was white. We then began to examine the other accessories. I know I was supposed to look fine and fancy for the opera on the following day, but I didn’t have to look wealthy, so I didn’t go for the monacle, but I did go for the glasses, since they made me think of the 10th Doctor’s ‘brainy specs’, and I think they looked good. As for hat, it took me a while to decide on this, as I was thinking of wearing my Stetson maybe, but did know it wouldn’t entirely go well with a more urban or city-like outfit. However, I wasn’t entirely sure that the top hat would look good either with the glasses, which had round, clear frames/lenses. So, the result for the accessories were as follows: Black bow tie Clear, circular-framed glasses No hat I then spoke up, “Rarity, I’m finished with the accessories. Mind if you come in while Twilight helps Fluttershy finish up?” Rarity simply replied, surely in a happy or friendly tone, but not rushed, “Of course, darling. Besides, I’m already done with Fluttershy’s clothing…..mostly.” At that, Twilight left my dressing room, and, (following about a minute), Rarity entered, and began to scrutinize my choice of clothing. About the only issue she told me was that she would’ve suggested wearing the red bow tie, most likely because it would’ve provided more variety of color to my attire. However, since it was still a bow tie, I decided to switch out the black one with the red one. Once she was done, she smiled up at me, since I was on a slightly raised platform, and spoke, “You know, Antonnius, darling, despite a few problems with your selection of clothing, well really one, you do look rather dashing in that tuxedo and all.” I blushed at this and replied, “Thank you, Rarity, dear.” She smiled but then leaned her head in and whispered, “Although, I have noticed that Angel has been giving you a few mean looks. Why is that, if I may ask?” I whispered back to her, blushing, “He thinks that this visit to the opera with Fluttershy is a date, which it isn’t.” Rarity smiled and giggled a little at my hesitant ending and Angel’s assumption, but she then quietly asked me, “I never said it was, darling. Although, why did you ask Fluttershy to come?” At this, I sweated a little, lifting up the glasses so the lenses wouldn’t get foggy, as I blushed immensely and whispered back, “Can you keep a secret, dear?” Rarity blinked and stayed silent for a moment, before whispering back, “Well….*clears throat*...darling, I can, but not as well as dear Applejack can, but I’ll try. What is it?” I looked to the table upon which Opal was earlier, (she left the room after we finished the outer layer, before accessories), and whispered, “I...honestly…..l-...l-....like F-F-....F-...Fl-...Fluttershy…..a….l-...l-.....lot.” Once again, Rarity blinked, somewhat astonished at my attraction towards Fluttershy, and began to sweat herself, before softly replying, somewhat reluctantly, “Well, I’ll do my best to keep that a secret. But is it really a date, darling?” Instantly I blurted out, a little too loudly, since I saw Rarity flinch a little, “No. It ISN’T. Of course it isn’t.” After declaring that, which I’m sure Twilight, Fluttershy, and Angel heard, I noticed that Rarity was taken aback by the volume and force in my response, at which I frowned, feeling bad about what I did, and looked her in the face, about to dearly apologize for it but Rarity put a hoof in front of my mouth, looked me in the eyes, a little sternly mind you, but calmly whispered, “It’s okay, darling. I’m sorry for assuming it was.” I turned my eyes downward to the floor, and then back up at her and replied, also in a whisper, “It’s alright, dear. I shouldn’t have yelled. “Although, does this tux have pockets, like that jacket of mine?” I then lifted the coins I had in my stetson and placed them on the table next to it. “But of course, darling.” Rarity smiled a little, as she used her magic to lift one of the coins and placed it in a black pocket on my right side, just in front of and above my right rear leg. Knowing that the uniform chosen had pockets, I sighed with relief, since I would’ve had to bring along a hat, (which wouldn’t have looked good), to protect my change and payment for the tickets, despite the reduced offer. “Now then, about us seeing one another in our costumes, will that be today or tomorrow?” I kindly questioned Rarity. “Tomorrow of course, deary.” Rarity answered, as she used her magic to remove the glasses from my head and the bow tie from my tux, and carried the accessories back to the main room. “I’m still able to see Fluttershy outside of her...dress, correct?” I shyly asked, as I began to use my magic to carefully, without a rip, take off the tux, (after taking the coin out of the pocket and putting it with the others). “You’ll have to anyway, darling, since you and Fluttershy will eventually leave, and surely see each other before night comes.” Rarity smiled, at which I blushed. Around half an hour later, once our costumes were put away, separated from the options not chosen, Rarity offered to take us to the spa, so we could relax for the day, after such a scramble, kind of. While Fluttershy, Rarity, and Twilight got a hooficure, I mainly just relaxed in a lounge chair, once or twice going into the hot tub, and received a bit of a spinal massage, which was VERY helpful. Anyway, once our session was up, sometime close to sunset, we left the spa, said our goodbyes and went our separate ways. Rarity to her boutique, Twilight to her treehouse, Fluttershy to her humble abode, and I to Apple Acres. Of course, I did my best to keep my fur and mane clean on the way there, and I chose to trot calmly rather than gallop. As usual, when I got to the farm, one of the Apples, (this time, Big Macintosh), allowed me to enter the house to have supper with the family. After cleaning the fur on my face and partly my neck, I said goodnight to Applejack and the others, walked over to the barn, found a mostly clean portion of the interior with a hay bale nearby, set my Stetson upon that, laid down against it, and closed my eyes, rather anxious, yet also a tad nervous about the following day. (End of part 11) (and before/if any of you say something about this fanfic not entirely fitting in with the thread, [or the forum style/focus], I know that, but, (while I am thinking of doing Youtube videos of me reading this fanfic, [maybe], or possibly putting it onto Deviantart, [again, maybe],), I figured it'd be easier for me to share the story with you, my CFF's, (canine friends forever), and PFF's, (pony friends forever), as it is developing, [excluding any ideas I come up with that are for far later in the story].
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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 22, 2013 8:35:23 GMT -5
Well, after several posts that are about my developing story, rather than my life, something actually comes up that's worthy, imo, of talking, (or ranting), about. (Expect some, or a lot, of swearing). The topic/thing is that today, (and once or twice in the past 3-4 days), my mom told me that, [due to how A, she can't live in the current district on her own, since she doesn't have enough money to pay for the apartment, and B, the person we're living with that mom actually cares for, (or at least she used to when we first moved to this district), is acting like a total, totalitarian jack@$$], there's a high chance we'll be moving back to the district we left no more than 10 months ago, and boy was that place a piece of Sh*t. Lower academic levels, students that are more crazy, wild, and careless about their education or well-being. It's my personal prison, but I am wrongly placed in it. She says that we'll most likely be moving before the semester is out. (She didn't really say that, but I KNOW that's what'll happen). the only decency, if any, is that the 1st Marking Period ends thursday. She's had enough of the sh*t he gives her, which he can't handle either. (In other words, he's fine with getting angry and loud at mom, but when she becomes that towards him as a result, he gets on the defensive and cowers, verbally speaking. He gets angry over everything, accuses her of stuff she isn't doing, and doesn't even take the blame when something bad IS HIS FAULT!! For example, on Saturday, (as my mom told me, and I'd believe her more than him), sometime before we left the apartment to go to Field of Screams, but after we bought the tickets online and printed them, my oldest niece called, asking if she could come along. The guy, (I'd rather not give names, but I'd be fine with giving some details), said she could come along, but didn't say he didn't have enough money to pay for a 3rd ticket. But when she called again, to ask if a friend of hers could come along, he said they couldn't come at all, not because he couldn't pay, but because it was supposed to be a guy's night out, and that I didn't want them to come along. First off, while I didn't want my oldest niece nor her friend to come along, (bcuz of all the chatter and shrieks from them within a foot of my ears), it was NOT supposed to be a guy's night out. He offered my mom to come along, but she can't handle scary stuff. He offered my brother to come along, but he didn't want to. So, it was just the two of us, though I admit I enjoyed being there. If you'd like to know some details of him, or what I would LOVE to just say.....no....SHOUT to his F*ckin', cowardly, useless face, then I will tell some details, least about his past, and if he finds out about this, f*ck him. I don't give a sh*t. Ya f*ck with my mom, (heck once or twice he actually made her cry), YA F*CK WITH ME!!! And he's definitely F*ckin' with me by making us move back to that hellhole. Anyway, the details I will tell are that he was once in the Mexican drug cartel, (and as my mom told me, his family was afraid of him), and he was DEFINITELY a participant in the 'activities' of the concept, which ended up putting him in prison, (don't know where, but I don't care), for I think least a decade or two. He tends to smoke and drink, mostly smoke...tobacco. The funny thing is, I thought that being in prison, HARDENED one's heart, mind, and, oh yeah, SENSE OF SELF-CONFIDENCE. He's soft & weak as diarrhea. Now for the things I'd, as QC said in the disguise of Princess Cadence in season 2 finale said, "love, love, LOVE", to state straight to his face, but not ranked. 1, "GROW A F*CKING PAIR!" 2, "Ya f*ck with my mom, ya F*ck with ME!" 3, "Go drown yourself in booze and weed, ya cowardly convict!" 4, (If he ever blames mom for what I yell at him), "Leave my mom out of this! If ya leave her out of it, then I'll leave your f*cking famiily out of it!" 5, *raises both middle fingers and mouths "F*ck you"* 6, "You deserve to be in prison for your whole, useless life." 7, "You are FAR from anything human". 8, "You DON'T deserve to be a human, let alone a mammal even the size of a white mouse." 9, "Grow a f*cking brain.....CELL!"
I could think of several other things, but I'd rather not spam this post with insults that are directly aimed for him, none of you. Oh yeah, there is maybe one paper-thin ray of hope, that my homeroom teacher gave me when I told her what my mom told me this mornin'. We could go online to Craigslist and look for a property that can be rented at least for a cheaper price than our apartment is. The other option is to ask around, and see if someone's rentin' out a property. I honestly don't know if we'll be lucky enough to stay in the current district til the year's up, [and I mean 2013, not the school year], but I'm pretty certain there's no home cheaper than a freakin' apartment, aside from maybe a low-ranked motel/hotel room. Here's F*ckin' hoping we find SOMETHING still in this district that is cheap enough to rent, at least, (but since my mom is attending school/college to become work as a nurse I believe, and she only works on at least Saturday and Sunday, I honestly doubt she'll be able to rent a cheaper property). So, high chances are....my mental and emotional stability, (or mainly my sanity), are F*cked.
About the only decency through all this bullsh*t is that I'm still able to talk with you pups and ponies, and hopefully I still will be if we move back to the lesser school district.
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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 24, 2013 11:57:20 GMT -5
Time for part XII or 12, and boy did this take a while to type, (I only typed it during school). Hopefully, you'll enjoy it.
That night, I dreamed of several thing, mainly plays and musicals from my own realm, (or at least ones that had to deal with opera), such as Phantom of the Opera, to put it short. I dreamt of the musical scenes I remember most from the play, or rather film since I never saw a stage production of it, except on DVD or TV. I found myself as the Phantom or properly-named Erik, with Rarity as Madame Giry, (a young and beautiful form of her, mind you), and Fluttershy as the ever innocent and pretty Christine Daae. As for the other main characters, including Raoul and Carlotta, I didn’t seem able to decide upon a single pony, let alone anypony to play them. Although, I did at one point think of Gilda, (Rainbow Dash’s griffon friend), as Carlotta most of the time, since she did make Fluttershy cry the one time. I felt more like the Phantom than Raoul because, well...I was in a location, or rather around folks, that I honestly felt like I didn’t belong in, even though they didn’t hate me nor oppose me, to my knowledge, because of what I truly was. Not an equine, but a human, and not from their reality/realm to boot. About the only songs I dreamt of that night were the more good-hearted ones such as “Music of the Night”, “Phantom of the Opera”, “Think of Me”, “Angel of Music”, and even “All I Ask of You”. However, multiple times in this dream, did I notice that hooded equine figure, and for nearly all those occurrences did it stare at me, with those white eyes, as if showing least slight anger to me. To be honest, its constant appearance made me shiver with fear like how the Phantom’s presence and actions scared the new owners of the Opera house in the play I dreamed of. However, during a certain scene, (specifically the part following “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again”), when me, as the Phantom and some random character, (or actually the hooded figure oddly), as Raoul were fighting and, as usual, I came down, I stared into the figure’s face, until I saw the eyes change from that pure white hate, and some color was added, and the eyes bore a slightly light blue shade to them, but still the look was of anger. I noticed that the end of the equine’s mouth, which jutted out from the shadow of the cloak, was a deep/dark blue. Unfortunately, before I could begin to ponder who it was that was playing Raoul, (and certainly not on my suggestion/choice), the figure lunged the sword down at me, towards my throat, at which I woke up, scared out of my fur, since in the play/film, THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN! I looked around, panting heavily, but realizing it was merely a nightmare, and then brought up a coin from my pocket of my jacket to check my neck for anything, such as a stab wound. Thankfully, nothing. It took me around 15 minutes to calm down, during which I paced the interior of the barn, looking as if I just saw a ghost or something of the sort. Once I was calm, I noticed that it was just about sunrise, as the rays of solar light began to peek through the cracks in the barn. I walked up towards the doors of the barn, and opened them using my magic, but had to squint due to the light. I looked back into the barn and levitated my Stetson onto my head, and began to walk up to the house, hoping to make some breakfast, since I figured I was the earliest one up.
Boy, was I wrong. Turns out that Applejack and Granny were in the kitchen, gettin’ breakfast ready. They both noticed that I seemed rather stressed and scared, and AJ asked what was up, but I just told her it was a nightmare, and I didn’t want to talk about it. Anyway, after breakfast, I sat upon the porch, and chatted with Granny for around an hour or so, before I decided it was time for me to go to Rarity’s boutique, at which I began to trot towards Ponyville, BUT Applejack told me to stop just before I left Apple Acres, and turned towards her. She smiled at me in a friendly way and seemed to be once or twice trying to keep her hat balanced or still. After talking for a while, in which she said she and her family were grateful for my help, she stated that perhaps I deserved a small cut from the profits they made, at which she took off her hat, revealing two coins atop her hair, at which I smiled in a thankful, kind way and used my magic to put the two coins into my pocket. Applejack seemed to feel like it wasn’t enough but I assured her it was fine, at which I continued towards Ponyville. However, on the way there, I realized that my hooves and leg fur were a little dirty and that I should get at least a hooficure at the spa, which I did, and it cost 3 coins, which left me with about 5. I didn’t stay long, since I had to get to Rarity’s a while before the train to Canterlot, for the opera. I only stayed long enough for my fur and hooves to get cleaned, (and maybe filed a bit). Once they were sufficiently clean, I tipped my hat to the employees of the spa, and left, at a calm trotting pace, towards Rarity’s boutique.
This time, I was the first one there, that is aside from Rarity, who had plenty of sleep this time, since her mane and fur weren’t a mess, (either that or she purposely woke up early to get prepared). As she allowed me into her house, I tipped my hat to her politely as I entered the boutique. She then suggested that I take off my Stetson and jacket, which I of course did, setting my coins inside my Stetson, after which I took position upon the slightly raised platform in the main room, standing boldly and firmly on all fours. Rarity and I, using our magic, carefully began to put the costume I tried on the previous day, upon me, starting of course with the white underdress, and then the tuxedo, which I carefully handled myself with my magic. However, just as I was about to start putting it on, a knocking at the door occurred at which Rarity trotted calmly over and opened it using her magic. It was Fluttershy, without Angel, who apologized in that soft, fragile voice, “Oh….ummmmm….I hope I’m not too late.” Rarity simply smiled and replied, as she hung a curtain between me and the two of them, so Fluttershy couldn’t see my uniform just yet, “Nonsense, darling, you’re just in time. Follow me to your dressing room.” I heard the sound of hooves moving away from my position to my right, as I continued to fit in the tuxedo, which was a little tight, but it would’ve been better to be tight than to be loose, unless it was a trench coat like the 10th Doctor wore. Of course, once the tux was on, I very cautiously placed the bow tie in its position. I say cautiously because I didn’t want to ruin the fabric, AND I was trying to place it in its exact, specific location. Funny thing is, as the bow tie was on, I couldn’t help but feel a little pride in my outfit, as I began to remember the song, “The Life I Lead” from that 1964 Disney musical film that I’m sure nopony needs to be reminded of the name, in which the lyrics, (the ones I thought of), go: I feel a surge, of deep satisfaction. Much as a king, astride his noble steed, When I return from daily strife, To hearth and wife, How pleasant is the life I lead.
Anyway, once the bowtie was on, I then looked towards my round-framed glasses and very gently placed them upon my muzzle, making sure they were fit properly, but not too tight and constrictive of my fur and muscles. I then stood there, in that pose, waiting for Rarity to finish. However, after a while, I decided to speak up and tell her, “Rarity, dear. I am finished.” “Splendid, darling. Good to hear. I’ll come out soon.” Rarity replied, no doubt from within Fluttershy’s dressing room. I then began to look around the room myself, though I actually couldn’t see more than half of it, due to the curtain, and continued to wait for Rarity to come out. After around 10 minutes, the curtain was opened up as Rarity stood in front of me, and walked up to me, scrutinizing the tux, tie, and glasses, to make sure they fit and were in perfect position. About the only issue was that I had accidentally put on the black bow tie, not the red one, and, (according to Rarity), it was a little bit downward of its proper location, which she fixed herself. Once things were fixed, Rarity smiled up at me, “By the way, darling, Fluttershy and I have finished on getting our dresses on.” She looked in the direction of the room, “Isn’t that right, dear?” “Y-..Yes, Rarity. That’s right.” Fluttershy spoke, but I couldn’t see her, yet. “You may come on out, darling. Antonnius has his costume on.” Rarity kindly insisted. At that point, I watched as Fluttershy slowly, somewhat nervously, trotted out of her dressing room, and into my sight. At the sight of her uniform, I blinked, but not astonished in a bad way, but rather in a good way. It was essentially the outfit that Christine wore during the “Masquerade” sequence of the play I dreamed of, except this one was more than simply white. It had a mixture of white, vivid leaf green, and a bit of light blue, with a pink tulip well-hidden, but also well-placed in her mane. “H-...How do I look, Antonnius?” Fluttershy questioned shyly. I was so dumbfounded, I could answer, as my mouth hung open, “B...E...A...U..tiful, dear. Absolutely wonderful.” Fluttershy blushed at this, and smiled, “Th-..Thanks. You look rather nice as well.” I only blushed and stood there, gawking in awe at Fluttershy’s gown. After a few seconds, Rarity used her right hoof to close my mouth, to stop me from staring with it hanging open. I then blinked, as I stopped staring at Fluttershy once Rarity closed my mouth, as I sweated a little, raising my glasses so the lenses wouldn’t fog up, as I cleared my throat, and asked Fluttershy, “Well then….*clears throat*......shall we go to the train station, dear?” Fluttershy nodded, “S-..Sure, Antonnius.” She then began to trot towards the door along with me, but Rarity got in the way as she hesitantly spoke, “Just wait one minute, at least outside my house, darlings. I must get myself ready for the big performance.” I nodded my head, “Very well, dear. We shall wait outside your door.” Rarity then began to walk to her own bedroom, but stopped as she spoke up, before we stepped outside, “I almost forgot, you two must wear some hoofwear, so your fur and hooves don’t get ruined by the walking.” At that, we both stopped, and looked in her direction as she used her magic to bring out, from a nearby closet, two sets, (4 shoes in each set), of hoofwear. One of the two sets, clearly meant for me, looked like they were for dancing, or at least a waltz, as they were all black. As for Fluttershy’s hoofwear, they were closer to the likes of sandals I suppose, but they covered a majority of the hooves, and their light green and white shades worked well with dear Fluttershy’s dress. The two of us then walked up to where the hoofwear were placed upon the floor and very carefully put the them on. However, I did use my magic to help Fluttershy get her sandals on, which she noticed but didn’t seem to mind. After both our sets were on, and perfectly fit, we trotted outside of the boutique and waited just outside the door, for Rarity. After around 45 minutes, Rarity finally stepped out of her house, using her magic to open the door for herself, wearing the gown she wore at the Grand Galloping Gala, along with some hoofwear, that looked like they were, least mostly, made of sapphires, since they gleamed brightly with the shade of deep blue. “Well, then, darlings, shall we be off?” Rarity asked, in a rather proud tone. Fluttershy and I simply nodded as we began to trot off towards the train station.
After a long while, nearly an hour, during which we actually had to stop for lunch, we made it to the train station. As I was just about to bring out my change to pay for my ticket, Rarity spoke up, smiling kindly, “Allow me, deary.” At that, she dropped a total of 9 coins upon the counter, enough for a train ride to Canterlot. We all got our tickets and boarded the train, with me, as usual, taking a seat close to the window, after Fluttershy took her seat, but not right next to where I sat, rather behind me. As for Rarity, she took a seat right next to mine. During the train ride, I looked at Rarity and asked, “Wait. I don’t think I have enough for both me and Fluttershy. I only have 5 coins, and….we’re talking a performance in Canterlot. The price must be like 4-6 coins, maybe 3-4 for a reduced price.” Rarity simply smiled up at me, and calmly spoke, “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll pay for Fluttershy’s ticket, and I did make sure they’d give you a reduced ticket cost.” I wiped the sweat from above my brow, and just looked out the window, silently. Fluttershy was clearly anxious about the performance, since she often cheered “Yay” or “woohoo”, but she wasn’t as enthusiastic or excited as Rarity was. The two of them tended to talk with each other in the midst of the ride, while I just silently looked out the window. I did want to partake in their happy chatter, but I was a little shy about talking with Fluttershy.
Several minutes later, about 10 minutes or so, we made it to Canterlot, and unboarded the train. As I stepped out of the train, following Rarity and Fluttershy, I looked around at the town, or rather city, from where I stood. It was definitely a busy day, but then again what day isn’t in the middle of a city. To be honest, it made me think a little bit more of Paris in “Phantom of the Opera”, than of my home city of Philadelphia. Anyway, Rarity lead us through the town until we stopped, in front of a tall, male unicorn with a light blue mane, white fur, and wearing a tuxedo, with a purple bow tie. Rarity cleared her throat, and the unicorn looked directly at us, and, as his eyes turned to Rarity, he spoke in a VERY polite and proper tone, “Ah. Rarity. So good to see you here, today. I’m sure you are here for the opera, by the looks of things?” Rarity blushed and smiled, “It’s very glorious to see you as well, Fancy Pants. And yes, me and my friends are going to the opera.” The unicorn, apparently named Fancy Pants, looked at Fluttershy and I and asked, “Might I ask your names, fellow ponies?” I looked at Fluttershy, kindly insisting that she introduces herself first, at which she looked up at Fancy Pants shyly and spoke, “I-...I’m Fluttershy.” Fancy Pants nodded at this, “Pleased to meet you, Ms. Fluttershy.” He looked at me and asked, “And you, dear stallion?” I cleared my throat and bowed briefly as I replied kindly, “My name is Antonnius Thespis. But you can call me Antonnius.” “It’s nice to meet you, Antonnius.” Fancy Pants answered. Rather than say good-bye and lead us elsewhere, Rarity stood there for a few moments before asking Fancy Pants, “Care to join us, Fancy Pants?” He then smiled down at Rarity and nodded, “But of course, dear. I’d be more than willing to.” Inside, I could tell Rarity was squealing with delight, at least a little, but she simply just smiled widely and began to, with Fancy Pants by her side, lead us to the theater.
After around 15 minutes of trotting, we were outside of the theater, and walked up to the counter, just in time for the proper opera. Specifically, Rarity walked up to the counter first, to tell the pony behind the counter that we, (least Fluttershy and I), were the friends of hers that receive the discount. The pony, who was a pegasus, nodded his head as Rarity paid for Fluttershy’s ticket, after which I walked up and, with only 2 coins left, paid for mine. Fancy Pants also paid for his own. Seeing as how Fancy Pants paid for a ticket and was certainly not gonna be backstage, Rarity ran back to the counter and paid the full price for a ticket. No doubt she loved him in practically the same way I loved Fluttershy, but I couldn’t admit it to her Anyway, we walked inside and took our seats. While Fluttershy and I were in the front row on the mezzanine, (or the upper level seats in the back), Rarity and Fancy pants seemed to take a box seat to our right, closer to the stage. While I did prefer having a seat closer to the stage, so I could see more detail of the designs, I was more than willing to have a seat next to Fluttershy, should it make her feel more comfy. After around 30 minutes, at which the house, (that is the seats), was least 90% packed, an announcer seemed to come onto the intercom and spoke up to all of the audience, “And now, ladies and gentlecolts, please welcome, the alicorn who, without her, this wouldn’t be possible, Princess Luna.” As he stated that, a female alicorn, with a deep blue mane, light blue eyes, and a light blue mane as well, (with a black ‘necklace’/bandanna around her neck with a white, crescent moon in the middle of it), stepped forth into sight of all equines who were seated as the spotlight shined upon a box seat to our left but very close to the stage, where she could practically view everything happening onstage, and possibly see everypony seated. As she was within sight, the sound of hooves, no doubt happily, hitting floor became present, as if to represent clapping. From the looks of things, my assumption was that she was smiling at this pleasant and kind applause and welcome. She then spoke out, in that loud Canterlot voice, but meaning good tone, “Dear and fellow ponies, I thank you for the welcoming, but we are all here for the same reason. To spectate, and enjoy this very fine performance.” She then took a seat her personal box/chair and looked out, briefly examining the audience, before turning her eyes down to the stage. Her mane, no doubt representing a starry night sky, seemed to blow slowly and smoothly, though there was no wind. Either way, seeing that mane move in such a way, and display such a sight or image, was rather enchanting, but each time I stared at her mane, her eyes seemed to turn towards me, at which I turned my sight away from her and either to the rest of the house, to the stage, to Fluttershy, or to Rarity.
After another 10, at most, minutes of waiting, the play began, which of course brought on a brief applause before the first several characters trotted onstage, for the performance to actually commence. The first half, or act, of the opera lasted around at least an hour and 30 minutes, after which there was of course an intermission, during which I stretched my legs from all that sitting. I would’ve gone and purchased perhaps a snack but since I was in the mezzanine, and there was around 5-10 minutes for intermission, I decided not to leave. After the intermission, and once most of the ponies were in their seats, including Luna, the 2nd Act began. The 2nd Act, being in my opinion, the more dramatic and complicated one, lasted about 2 hours instead of less than or equal to the 1st Act’s duration. At the end of it all, the audience went wild with joy and excitement, stomping their hooves to represent a loving applause, or rather a standing ovation, which even I participated in since I simply LOVED the performance, especially since it was my first performance viewed in Equestria. The interesting thing is how, while there always seemed to be the presence of an antagonist in the play that was separate from the hero, in the end, almost like a Shakespearean tragedy, the hero, or main male character, was the TRUE villain of the whole plot, but he didn’t know it until the end. Simply a cleverly set-up tale, if you ask me. It’d be like if every time Dr. Jekyll became Mr. Hyde, he’d have Amnesia once he’d be Jekyll again, not knowing what happened or that he was an embodiment of mischief and chaos, at least mischief. Just as Fluttershy and I were leaving our seats, to meet back up with Rarity, and perhaps chatter with the other ponies in the lobby about the splendid performance before us, I caught sight of Princess Luna staring at me, but when I looked back at her, she didn’t stop staring like I did. Instead, her stare, though her face showed happiness and kindness, seemed to be more of slight anger or a lack of trust towards me, as if I was something strange that didn’t belong, but she wanted to know what I was. At this I frowned and continued trotting out towards the lobby, trying not to look at Luna, (not including the actual moon), for the rest of the day. However, in that one stare, I did recognize her as the equine, from my dreams. The one who, most of the time, stayed in the background, watching me, except for my last one.
After a fine dinner in Canterlot, the three of us said good-bye and good-night to Fancy Pants and took the train ride home to Ponyville, during which we all chattered about the play, but this time I sat next to Fluttershy and at one point, shyly set my fore right hoof upon her fore left hoof, but once we both noticed it, I removed my hoof from hers, but she only seemed to kindly smile at me, blushing only slightly. Thankfully, Rarity didn’t notice. Once we got off the station, we trotted back to Rarity’s boutique, undressed ourselves, (after which I put my stetson and jacket back on, putting my 2 coins into the pocket), and said good-night to each other. However, just before I left, after Fluttershy flew off to her home, I looked at Rarity, who was heading to her bedroom, and just couldn’t resist but gallop up to her and gently nuzzle her neck, (or whatever the term is for that action that Cadence and Shining Armor did to show their affection) except this was simply just to represent a hug in my case, as I spoke, “Thank you…...for this wonderful night, Rarity.” Rarity must’ve blushed for she was silent for a moment, surely surprised, until she replied, “Well…..i-...it was no trouble. You’re welcome, darling Antonius.” I then tipped my hat as I left her house as she went off to bed, at which I began to gallop through the town, since it was nightfall, to Apple Acres. Unfortunately, I of course got there over an hour or 2 past sunset, so I just decided to trot into the barn, so I could go to sleep without disturbing the Apples. I found the haybale I slept against the previous night, and shrugged as I decided to set my Stetson upon it, laid down while wearing my jacket, (but the coins were placed into the Stetson), closed my eyes and eventually dozed off to sleep, smiling from the sweet memory of the play I saw, and the fact that I was starting to show affection towards Fluttershy.
When I fell asleep, I was hoping to dream about Phantom of the Opera, (even if Princess Luna would ruin the plot), but instead, I seemed to be in a thick forest, in the middle of the night. But not just any forest, the Everfree forest. Surrounding me, (well actually about 320º circling me, with only one straight portion free), was the blue, organic hue known well as Poison Joke, the very plant that turned me into a colt on a small scale. Seeing this large patch surround me, I gulped, afraid I might touch more of it, causing me to, possibly, become a filly rather than a colt. However, I then heard a song, or rather humming, coming from far down the path that wasn’t at all covered in Poison Joke. It sounded rather beautiful and…..enchanting, not like Fluttershy’s gentle and soft humming. This one made me think of that song I listened to online, (and yes, it was via a PMV), “Come Little Children”. I couldn’t resist but to walk calmly down the path, closing my eyes as I listened to the humming with delight. After around 3 minutes, the humming was rather close, but all of a sudden, it just stopped, and not even at a proper ending for a tune or aria. However, as I blinked out of the slight trance, I looked in front of me and understood why the music abruptly ended, and for about a minute, it made my blood run cold. Standing before me, atop about 6 small steps upon a stone platform, was Princess Luna just as I had seen her that day, but she was standing sideways, not doubt because she was singing moments ago. I stood there, frozen in slight fear for a while, before Luna looked at me and questioned, in that loud Canterlot tone, “Dost thou not bow before Royalty?” I honestly wasn’t sure whether or not she meant to be harsh with me, but at that instant, I dropped to my belly, too hesitant and nervously to bow calmly. That, and my body was shaking, rather afraid. After about a minute in that position, Luna spoke to me, in a slightly more kind voice but still that Canterlot form, “You may stand, subject.” At that, I did as so, and looked up at her. She then began trot down the stairs, at which I stepped back a bit, simply just so she’d have some space once she’d be at the base. Once she was upon the base, she circled me once before she stood in front of me and stared down at me as she asked, in that booming tone, “Tell me, who am I?” I flinched at the volume and amplitude of her voice, which I’m sure she noticed, since only vaguely did she blush, but I answered, “You are...P-....Princess Luna. Y-..Your highness. Princess of the moon, night, and dreams.” “You are correct.” She replied in the loud voice again, but then asked in her more kind and gentle voice, “Now pray tell…..who art thou?” At that calm voice, there’s no way I could flinch, unless I was as sensitive to hearing as a bat or dog, so I looked up at Luna, and politely, shyly answered, with a tip of the hat, since apparently I had my Stetson on, “Th-.....The name’s Antonius, Th-...Thespis, Princess. I usually go by Antonius.” “Thespis…….tell me, are you an actor, and where are you from?” Princess Luna asked kindly, her mane flowing in the vacancy or lack of wind. “W-....Well, I did perform several plays in my home, but I was never really the main character.” I answered, starting to feel a little more secure. “And I’m from Fillydelphia, Princess.” Princess Luna then nodded before clearing her throat and spoke to me in a bit of a warning tone, “For a few past days, I’ve been watching you, but only through your dreams. While I do like a fellow pony that enjoys the theatre, since I am the creator of it in Equestria, some of the concepts in your dream seemed unnatural for a pony. You dreamt of plays that I’ve never heard of nor seen, and, through your dreams, I noticed that you seem to know a lot about Equestrian history…..and that you have an attraction towards Fluttershy.” I blushed, sweating a little, and nodded at the end of her explanation, “Y-...Yes, those last two are true….and I know that they’re not of Equestria, or least Equine playwright.” Princess Luna walked right up to me, and stared down at me, and asked, in her calm voice, “....What art Thou? And be honest. What are you and where are you really from?” I sighed and looked down and replied, “All I can say is, Princess Luna, that I’m not really an equine, of any sort, but if I told you, I don’t think you’d believe me.” After scrutinizing me, Princess Luna glared at me and interrogated, “Are you, a changeling?” “I don’t think a Changeling, even Queen Chrysalis, would have dreams like I do, AND actually love a pony.” I responded, somewhat calmly. Princess Luna pondered for a moment, before stepping back towards the stairs and told me, “Since you don’t wish to tell me, but don’t seem intent upon harming me and don’t really seem threatening…..well….all that and you clearly adore the theatre, I won’t tell my older sister, which will call the royal guard to arrest you, BUT, if you continue to dream about Fluttershy in this affectionate way, or show any affection towards her, let alone any of my equine subjects, as a mare would display to her stallion or the other way around, then I WILL inform my sister of a false pony in our kingdom.” During all this, I just hung my head, feeling bad about myself a little, but just sighed at the end, but once she finished, I felt I had no other choice but to look up at her. She looked down at me, feeling somewhat sorry for me, since she could tell I did love Fluttershy, and asked me, in a friendly, but firm, voice, “Do I make myself clear, ‘Antonius’?” “Y-...Yes, your majesty of the night.” I somberly responded. Princess Luna then looked down at me with some sympathy, possibly recalling back to when she had turned back into her normal self from Nightmare Moon, and declared in that same voice, “May my older sister be merciful to you, should it come to that.” I nodded in agreement and wiped away the few tears that formed in my eyes, as she stood upon her platform now, and continued to sing just as she had been doing minutes ago. I smiled a little at the singing again and shyly asked, as I imagined a baby grand piano next to the path, with regular grass surrounding it, “M-...Mind if I play along as you sing, y-...your majesty?” Luna stopped singing, or rather humming, and seemed to smile at me in a kind way, “You may. Hopefully, your hoof-eye coordination is just as good as the plays you dream about are.” I blushed at this, and began to key/play least the vocals of one of the songs from Phantom of the Opera, (specifically “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again”), and, after performing it once or twice, Luna began to sing the vocal keys to it, as I slowly went to keying the piano portion of the song. Since she surely didn’t know the words of the song, Princess Luna really just sung phrases/notes like “ooh”, or “ah”. To be honest, I found her singing, though deeper than Emily Rossum, rather charming. Then again, given that she was Princess of the calm, quiet, and soothing/relaxing night, how could it be anything else? After a while of playing in harmony, Luna informed me that she must be going, to help an actual equine, in their sleep. Blushing a little, I nodded, and tipped my hat politely and continued to play, as she left my dreams. As she left, the scenery became that of a theater, with me performing upon the stage, with some other performers of classical instruments, (such as a harp and a violin), and honestly….despite the disappointing declaration of Luna’s, I dreamt HAPPILY that night, and perhaps…..I will never sleep as gleefully as then.
(End of part/scroll 12) You may tell me what you pups/ponies think of the story thus far, if you wish, whether negative or positive. =)
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Post by Belchic on Oct 24, 2013 17:00:42 GMT -5
This story is making me cry. I don't know why. It just is.
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Post by Sweeney Terrier on Oct 24, 2013 17:12:47 GMT -5
So, I take it you're enjoying the story, right? But don't worry, chances are, you'll be crying a lot later on. =)
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