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Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner.

Posted by PonyvilleFor group 0
Ponyville
Thu 12 Apr 2012
at 03:57
  • msg #1

Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

-=Sugarcube Corner=-

Sugarcube Corner is the number one snack spot in Ponyville.  Owned by Mr and Mrs Cake, this colorful sweets store supplies everypony with their sugar fix anytime they need one.  The shop regularly holds social events for the town as well, such as parties, tea luncheons, and other celebrations.  Both the Cake Family and local party pony, Pinkie Pie (who works as an assistant), live in the upper floors of the store.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:35, Sat 14 Apr 2012.
Blue Shield
player, 22 posts
Tue 17 Apr 2012
at 06:40
  • msg #2

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

[Arrval from Town Square]

Blue Shield was on the scene as soon as possible, looking for an apple cart, or at least some clue that it had been in the area. He'd taken to the sky, relying on a strong sense of sight to catch clues, and spot the area where Lyra claimed to have found the spilled apples. The police officer was pretty easy to spot, at least for anypony looking up.
A Series of Events
Tue 17 Apr 2012
at 14:57
  • msg #3

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

Sugarcube Corner was a favorite spot in Ponyville for many of its residents.  There were plenty of candy and sweets shops in town, but none quite so enticing as that one.  The Cakes were famous for their wondrous treats and held the well-deserved standing of being the best confectioners this side of Manehatten.  The place was normally bustling with lots of ponies looking to make orders, but thankfully it was still early in the morning and crowds had yet to form since the shop wasn't officially open just yet.  There was a short line along the outer wall of ponies milling about, chatting or waiting patiently for the store to let them in for purchases.

There were few traces of anypony coming around that time of morning, but a clue did make itself known.  A stream of water ran itself across the street from a nearby rain gutter -- though rapidly disappearing due to the warm morning sun, there were distinct tracks of pony hooves and a two-wheeled cart having passed through the water and dragged some of it along.  The trail led directly toward Sugarcube Corner.  Based on the spacing of the hoof prints, Blue Shield's keen instincts would tell him that it was a female pony... which limited the potential suspects down to about 75% of the population of Ponyville...

Aside from that, there weren't any other clues within immediate sight.  Sugarcube Corner seemed to be active though -- the top portion of their door was open to allow a breeze in and the rich, sweet scent of bubbling caramel, baking sweet breads, and the earthy aroma of crushed nuts drifted out into the streets.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:29, Tue 17 Apr 2012.
Keen Eyes
player, 7 posts
Gumshoe
Tue 17 Apr 2012
at 16:41
  • msg #4

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

Detective Keen Eyes was on the scene, though not for the same reason as the police officer.  For Keen Eyes was on his morning walk.  Carrying along with him via the use of the horn on his head, a Ponyville newspaper.  Keen Eyes didn't really find Ponyvilles newspaper quite as intriguing as Canterlots, but it would do.  As he carried the newspaper in front of him it seemed to almost completely obscure his field of view.

For now, Keen Eyes relied on his other senses to avoid walking into any other ponies.  That and the occasional shifting of the paper so he could get a quick glance of his surroundings.  There hadn't been many ponies on his route this early in the morning though.

As Keen Eyes shifted his paper once more, somepony flying above his location caught his eyes, and his walk was cut short.  As he watched the Pegasus it quickly became apparent the one flying was a police officer.  Keen Eyes' curiosity was slightly piqued and he only moved a few more feet in the direction he had been heading before coming to a complete stop.  For the moment, Keen Eyes kept his newspaper raised, though, not quite as much as before; he allowed himself an easy view of the officer.  For the moment, the detective wasn't quite certain what was going on.  It could have been nothing, though, the detective had his doubts, simply based on the actions of the Pegasus.  It looked as though he was looking for something.
Applejack
player, 21 posts
Tue 17 Apr 2012
at 17:01
  • msg #5

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

Arriving from Town Square

Trotting fairly steadily along from the square, Applejack caught a whiff of the delicious baked goods.  It did remind her she would want to pick up something for lunch, and she did have a couple of bits on her now. Still, it was a bit early for lunch-buying, so she put that off for now, and instead slowed down as she approached, beneath Blue Shield. Following his gaze to the water, she raised a hoof. "Hmmm.. Those are spaced about right fer mah cart's wheels." she said. And they went straight to the Sugarcube Corner. Maybe she should check here...

With the line in place by the door, Applejack settled into a spot. Maybe she'd buy herself something while she was here.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:27, Tue 17 Apr 2012.
Blue Shield
player, 23 posts
Tue 17 Apr 2012
at 19:01
  • msg #6

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

Blue Shield dropped from the sky at the sight of the cart tracks being driven forward by the gutter water. Applejack confirmed that the cart tracks were at least akin to those on her cart and it was leading right towards Sugarcube. There was no indication of where the apples had fallen yet, but the search was still young. Producing a notepad and pen from one of his uniform pockets, he made sure to jot down everything he could gather from what trail was there. It made him wish he'd done K-9 training, but the academy had advised against it due to dogs being unable to fly.

"All right..." Blue was happy to get the first clue, but he wanted to make sure he didn't celebrate too early. What he'd been able to gather so far didn't eliminate too many ponies from the equation. "We got hoofprints, which is always good." From the wet spots on the ground, he gave a rough estimation of their width and height, using the edges of the notepad as a makeshift ruler. "Perp is most likely female, since the tracks are narrowly spaced. Obviously not a filly, as I'm guessing the cart was pretty heavy. You don't look the type to take a light load."

When they got to the line, Applejack had been considerate of the others enough to get in the back of the line. But Blue Shield wouldn't have to do such a thing. After all, there was a line of ponies waiting outside the door, who all could be perfectly good witnesses depending on how long they'd been waiting.

With a small cough to clear his throat, Blue Shield spoke loudly enough to get the line's attention, trying to not sound too stern. Nopony here was to blame, at least not likely. "Attention, everypony!" Once he got the attention he needed, Blue continued on. "There's been a report of a missing apple cart passing through this area, so I'd like to know if anypony here has happened to see it while waiting so patiently. Any information you have would be greatly appreciated."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 19:02, Tue 17 Apr 2012.
Applejack
player, 22 posts
Tue 17 Apr 2012
at 19:12
  • msg #7

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

Applejack felt a bit of a blush coming on. She could ask about this her own way, right? But Blue Shield was  making an open announcement. The only pony in town with an apple cart was her, for the most part, and...  It was a bit shameful, and she felt her pride stinging as the situation was made outright public.  She scuffed the dirt with a hoof, and glanced up past the rim of her hat to watch and see if anypony volunteered information. And she hoped nopony would turn to look at her.
Twilight Sparkle
player, 16 posts
Tue 17 Apr 2012
at 19:32
  • msg #8

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

<-- Enter from Town Square

Twilight had taken consideration for the slower pace of their newest add-on, Strawberry Toast.  As such the other two ponies would arrive a bit after Blue Shield and Applejack had already gotten to the sweets shop and she hung back a bit when she saw the spectacle the officer was making.  Well... it was understandable, at least.  They were looking at a possible grand theft apple cart and he was taking the most direct route to getting answers.  Goodness knew Twilight herself had a habit of making public displays, but she'd learned from them enough to recognize the sheepishness from AJ's wounded pride.

"Maybe we should've kept this a little more under wraps..." the unicorn muttered.
Strawberry Toast
player, 10 posts
Tue 17 Apr 2012
at 19:47
  • msg #9

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

Entrance from Town Square

Strawberry was glad that Twilight had taken the consideration of slowing her pace a little, the chubbier pony wasn't used to exerting herself for long periods of time. All she could think as she arrived was that she should probably work on her fitness a little more in the future, all of that bread snacking was not doing her any good. Meanwhile horses like Applejack were at the top of their game, something that Strawberry admired greatly.

The officer was making a bit of a scene, rallying up everyone to give information where it was needed. Strawberry herself wasn't much for finding out secrets or deriving information from scenery but she could tell when someone was feeling down. Usually she'd go over to talk to Applejack about how she was feeling but she was sure that the pony didn't want to draw any more attention to herself so Strawberry resolved to give her some space for a bit.

She instead turned her attention to the officer. "Um, excuse me. Are you able to tell what direction the cart went and how long ago it might have passed through here? If so we might be able to get an idea of where it might be going."
Witnesses
Tue 17 Apr 2012
at 20:03
  • msg #10

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

There was plenty of chatter that came from the line of ponies as Blue Shield made his announcements.  Given the way gossip spread around Ponyville, there was no doubt that the entire town was going to have heard about the event within the hour.  It took a few moments of noise from the lot of them before anyone spoke up with any sort of coherent information.  The ponies at the end of the line were new to the location and hadn't been around long enough to see anything unusual.  The front of the line was another matter entirely though.

"Well, yeah, there was a cart that came by here earlier.  I didn't see who was pulling it, but there's no mistaking the smell of Sweet Apple Acres apples." was the explanation from an Earth Pony seated at the front of the line.  He'd been there most of the morning awaiting an order he'd made, but had a newspaper laid out before him that had apparently been the focus of his attention prior.

"I think it went around to the back of the store.  That was a couple minutes ago, I guess." added a Pegasus mare a few spaces down.  She gestured with a wing to the side of Sugarcube Corner -- round back was the rear entrance of the shop and other streets that led further into the Business District.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:04, Tue 17 Apr 2012.
Blue Shield
player, 25 posts
Tue 17 Apr 2012
at 20:11
  • msg #11

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

Answers came quickly, which was fantastic. Perhaps it was a bold statement that he'd made, and he still didn't know he'd gone and embarrassed poor Applejack, but only being minutes behind the cart, it was good to get going quickly. Cart pulling wasn't exactly the fastest way to travel, so they had a chance of catching up. "Thank you both. Sorry for the intrusion. Hope you all have a good day." Blue gave the two a nod of thanks before trotting away from the scene, bound for the direction so kindly pointed out by the Pegasus. Since he wasn't technically supposed to have civilians tagging along during an investigation, , Blue didn't particularly wait for the other ponies who were hot on the trail, but he was on land this time.
Mr Cake
NPC, 1 post
Tue 17 Apr 2012
at 20:17
  • msg #12

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

All the noise outside the shop had caught the attention of the owners.  No sooner had Blue Shield vanished away around the corner of the store did Mr. Cake poke his head out from the front door and curiously peer around.  His coat and mane were spattered with traces of caramel, chocolate drizzle, and he had a fresh, shiny Candied Apple clenched between his teeth by the stick.

"Eh?  Sommin' goin' on ow' 'ere?" he asked in confusion, careful to keep his teeth clenched tightly so as not to drop his Candied Apple.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Tue 17 Apr 2012.
Keen Eyes
player, 8 posts
Gumshoe
Tue 17 Apr 2012
at 20:33
  • msg #13

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

Keen Eyes kept a safe distance from the other ponies.  Still, he kept within earshot and he didn't have to wait around long before the police officer announced to everyone that a cart had been stolen.  By this point, the detective's curiosity had gotten the better of him.  He folded up the newspaper and nonchalantly trotted towards the evidence the others had been gathered around before moving on.  Keen Eyes took a quick moment to look over the scene.  It didn't take him too long to draw the same conclusion that the others had.  The suspect was likely female.  Keen Eyes finished up and began to approach the line of ponies, just in time to catch the bit of information that sent the police pony on his way.  Instinctively Keen Eyes followed after the pegasus, not even sparing a moment introduce himself to any of the other ponies involved.  He hadn't even been hired, but it was just like him to stick his muzzle into other ponies business...
Pansy
player, 3 posts
Wed 18 Apr 2012
at 00:56
  • msg #14

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

Up the lane came a familiar looking Earth Pony, her coat a light tan and her mane a bright lilac.  Why, it was Pansy, the garden shop pony!  She had a basket on her back full of brightly colored blooms, including her namesake, as she approached Sugarcube Corner.

"Good morning, Mr. Cake.  I brought those flowers you wanted for garnishing," she said softly as she approached the door.  She didn't want to anypony to think she was cutting in line.  Not that she wouldn't have loved a bit of pastry.  She was just here to make a delivery.

Of course, just after she arrived, she noticed Blue Shield and Keen Eyes race off after...something.  "Oh!  Is something going on?"  Everypony knew Blue Shield was the local policeman.  Something must have happened.
Applejack
player, 23 posts
Wed 18 Apr 2012
at 02:29
  • msg #15

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

Applejack managed to make out 'Back of the Store' while overhearing the discussion, but was relieved that few ponies seemed to be staring right at her. Shuffling her way out of line and  back toward Twilight, Applejack noted where the officer  trotted off, and lightly stamped the ground in front of her - it was a pensive clutter of hooves, not an angry one, but Twilight could see her a little bit unsettled. She took a deep breath all on her own, though. "C'mon. We should get caught up.  The sooner we figure this out, the sooner ah can...." she scuffed the groups, and sighed.  "Let's just go see..."

She tried to slink off behind the lace without being scene, but she wasn't exactly inconspicuous. She was stuck between trying to solve the problem and feeling awful about everyone knowing how badly she had bumbled this morning... Just having the help of officers who were diving headfirst into the case was bugging her. She  depended on herself, and her friends, and she could accept help, but she felt more like they were trying to do it for her, and  that stung her pride as much as the inadvertent public humiliation.

Applejack let out a breath as she rounded the corner. She would be fine, she told herself.
Twilight Sparkle
player, 17 posts
Wed 18 Apr 2012
at 02:37
  • msg #16

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

Twilight was left a bit bewildered and behind.  The case was moving on quickly now that Blue Shield had apparently decided to take the reigns, leaving the rest of them suddenly just following his trail.  She gave Applejack a truly sympathetic look -- it was obvious how much the poor pony's gears were being ground by the whole event.

"I guess we should follow them too.  C'mon Toast."  the unicorn sighed a bit as she canted her head in a beckoning gesture.  She didn't want to just drag the other pony along on a wild goose chase, especially since it had suddenly become the rest of them being drug along too... but so long as they could hopefully find Applejack's cart, it would be worth it.  Right?
Mr Cake
NPC, 2 posts
Wed 18 Apr 2012
at 02:43
  • msg #17

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

Mr. Cake just looked even more confused as a few very familiar ponies headed off out of sight, leaving him scratching his head.  Pansy's approach brought his attention back around with a smile though.

"Y'guess is as gud as... gah, hod on." Mr Cake seemed annoyed by his inability to articulate with the treat he had clenched in his teeth.  He gave a flick of his head and tossed the caramel-coated apple skyward, flipping stick-over-stem above the Earth Pony at the front of the line.  "Hey you!  Free sample!"

Said Earth Pony deftly caught the apple in his jaws on the way down, giving a muffled but appreciative cheer at his good fortune.  While he was content to chow down on a free treat, Mr. Cake was finally able to speak correctly again.  "There, that's better.  Good morning, Pansy dear.  Thanks so much for coming over so early -- we've got a ton of back orders to take care of and a breakfast rush to boot.  C'mon in."

The tall confectioner pulled open the door to let Pansy follow along inside and closed it quickly after her.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:45, Wed 18 Apr 2012.
Strawberry Toast
player, 11 posts
Wed 18 Apr 2012
at 02:47
  • msg #18

Re: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

"That officer is going full tilt, maybe I shouldn't have eaten that fourth loaf this morning." Strawberry let out a breath, normally she wouldn't be so out of it, even if she was a little pudgy she could still run with the regular ponies. Or at least that was what she liked to believe. Poor Applejack though was just along for the ride at this point, it was painfully obvious that she wasn't feeling very good about this whole situation. Which made the otherwise empathetic Toast a little glum that one of the ponies was feeling down. She continued to resolve though that anything she could do would just make the situation worse.

"I'm right behind you..." Strawberry followed after the unicorn, at this point she was just trying not to be in anyone's way. Which was probably the best thing to do in an investigation like this. She just wished that she could be a little more use to someone, right now she felt like a seventh wheel.
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