Loose Leaf's ears flattened a bit as Twilight Sparkle corrected her and tried not to say something snarky back to hide her embaressment. "Sorr-y," she mumbled just a bit, a bit of that whining inflation dragging on the "y". "I guess I just missed it walking over here. Still, the important thing is that it's NOT that bad. Was just a bit nervious about walking into some sort of weird epedemic thing. I'm Loose Leaf by the way, and considering the purple and the alicorn thing going on, I'm going to make an educated guess and say you're Twilight Sparkle."

At that, Loose Leaf put on a satisfied grin and put out her hoof for a shake.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:42, Wed 17 Apr 2013.

=>From: Summer Song Cafe=>

"Pansy!  Pansy!" Wordsmith called after the mare as he caught up to her.  "Sorry about that.  Mom was teasing me, not you." he said softly, chuckling a bit, "I should have warned you that we all have a fairly similar bad sense of humor."

From Summer Song Cafe-->

Pansy paused long enough for both of them to catch their breath.  Hopefully they had a small bit of time before his family caught up.  "It's fine, I just..."  One hoof traced a circle on the platform. "Rose Luck told me all the rumors that had been flying around about us being gone so long, and having eloped, and all.  I didn't expect your family would go along with it!"

Wordsmith blushed, "Yeah... hearing those rumors were a bit of a shock." he said, "I'm sorry they said those things about you... I hope..." he blushed, "... I hope I haven't caused you trouble."

"My mom told me when she found me." He explained, "They didn't believe we had done that.  It's more... if you don't make fun of it... how can you get over it, I guess."

He blushed, "We still make jokes about Dad's fake legs" he motioned to his hind legs, "If we don't make fun of it, we go 'crazy with grief' as it were."

"I guess that makes some sort of sense," she replied, significantly calmer now. It sounded like the kind of advice that Pinkie Pie might give.  "I guess I just thought it might end up being harder to shake the rumors if your parents are still teasing us about it."

"I like you, Wordsmith.  I don't want other ponies to think badly of you because of silly rumors."

"Then we can ask them not to." Wordsmith smiled, blushing brightly at the fact she said she liked him.

As a friend.  Just as a Friend he had to remind himself.  They hadn't known each other all that long.

"They'll listen, and understand.  I promise, they meant nothing mean-spirited by it."

OOC: Posting on behalf of Applejack with permission.

-= Afternoon Begin --> From Sweet Apple Acres =-

Rainbow Dash's wings were getting tired, but she would never admit it. She could fly for hours on end by herself, but this was a different situation. Hooked around her waist and with straps that went around her 'shoulders' for support, was a cart containing Applejack.

Applejack looked more than a little bit nervous as she sat in the cart, that was most definitely not designed for flying. "Uh, Rainbow? Ah'm mighty grateful that yer' flyin' me here an' all, but couldn't we have walked?" she asked, trying not to look over the edge and the listen to sound of the creaking wood.

"Walk? With your hoof? Forget that! You've done so much for me... I just wanted to return the favour." Dash countered, looking down and seeing the station below. "We're almost there."

Applejack nodded, looking over to Rainbow and gauging her expression. "You alright, RD?" she asked.

Dash was about to deny it, but she couldn't bring herself to. "It's... well everything that's been going on. With you. With Scootaloo. I don't like leaving her alone again so quickly."

Applejack nodded with a deep sigh. "Ah know what ya mean. She's just gettin' used to havin' ponies who care for her like a family an' all." She paused and then gave a comforting smile. "Besides, she ain't gonna be alone. Granny Smith and Big Mac will take care of her."

Dash let out a deep sigh again and nodded. "You're right, Apples. Thanks. Ready to land?"

"Sooner the better." she responded quickly.

Dash took the cart into a gradual descending spiral before coming to a nice soft landing outside the station. She quickly unhooked herself and ran around to give Applejack and helping hoof off the cart, making sure to take the weight off her injured hoof.  Together, they walked into the station. "Hey, everypony."

The yellow pegasus turned and waved as Applejack and Rainbow Dash neared, "Good afternoon, everypony." She greeted with a small smile. She hoped that Rainbow and Applejack were getting along well since the contest. It certainly had been an interesting set of affairs, one that turned out almost like the contest for Tank; In the end it didn't matter what Rainbow Dash thought she'd been looking for, she got who she needed. That was what mattered, after all. "How are you two?"

Applejack made a point of stepping out of the formerly-airborne cart, and onto her delicate hoof. "nhh...  Doin' just fine, don't ya' worry, Fluttershy." She made her way steadily toward the group, and took her hat off for a quick bow to Luna. "Princess.  Sorry we were runnin' a bit late." She smiled at Twilight, then - and made no mention of her still-aching hoof, standing as steady as ever now that she wasn't walking on it.

Still, it'd probably hold her back some, but she didn't seem like she was ready to make excuses of it. "This looks like everpony..."

Finishing her greetings with Princess Twilight, Loose Leaf turned to Princess Luna with a polite nod that bordered on a bow. "Sorry to interrupt you shin-dig, just wanted to make sure I wasn't running into something blindly."

Of course part of her concern had been the fact most of the ponies leaving were friends of hers. New friends, but friends non the less. Loose Leaf put her leg around Rarity and gave her a friendly squeeze. She was by far the closest to her of the bunch.

Well, maybe not the closest. Wasn't like she tried to kiss her the night before, failing completely and now just trying to give her space so that she would chill out, and maybe then Loose Leaf would feel less awkward because apparently casual conversation - say like the conversation earlier that morning oh hohohohoho! - was just going to make things worse! Not like that with RARITY at ALL!

Where we before this totally off topic rant about a certain kirin started?

Oh right, Rarity hugs.

"And what can I say? I'm protective of my friends. I don't like the idea of them running into danger, even if they are elements of harmony... barrier... ponies." Loose Leaf made a face at that. Huh, she had never really figured out if there was an official name for them.

*~*~Power Ponies Friendship Force! ~*~*

No that's stupid.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:30, Tue 23 Apr 2013.

The train ride from Trottingham had been a rather dull experience all around.  Pip wanted adventure. Excitement.  And pirates!  Yes....pirates.  He was rather obsessed with pirates as his dress quickly gave away to anyone who gave the tiny colt a seconds glance.  A small red bandanna was atop his head, the short brown hair of his mane poking out just above his eyes...er eye. Aye?  He had an eye patch over his right eye with a skull on it.  Very frightening. Oh -- and lest we forget -- two swords across his back.  Well, not real swords.  Wooden swords.  But what would a pirate be without his weaponry? Defenseless, that's what..

When the train finally pulled into the station, Pip was about ready to go stir crazy.  It's a bad idea to try and keep a colt locked down in a seat for who knows how many hours.  The doors opened and Pip hurriedly rush out the door and past a few other ponies.  His hooves moved a bit faster than his brain could keep up with though and he tripped and landed on the ground, all four feet splayed out.

"Great way to start your adventures in Ponyville, Pip."  He said quietly to himself as he stood up, dusting himself off.  Now which way was he going to go?  This was the first time he'd actually been on his own, though technically not really alone, ever in his life.  His parents had given him permission to leave, albeit they seemed oddly glad about it.  He wasn't sure why.  Grownups were weird like that.

"Ok," Pansy nodded.  "Hey, if we don't want to miss the competition, we should probably catch the train."  She pointed to the train that would be heading for Manehatten in a few minutes.  She knew Wordsmith's parents hadn't gotten here yet, but if they missed the train, he wouldn't have a chance.

Wordsmith chuckled, "Yeah... Dad's a little slower walking because of his prosthetic hind legs."

He looked around, hoping to spy them.  Pansy was right, they would have to leave soon so they didn't miss the train.


Seeing his father floating above the crowd he waved to him, Long Wing waved back.  Wordsmith pointed to the train, then the big clock, then made a "rushing" motion with his hooves

Long Wing nodded, understanding.  Wordsmith blew him a kiss before turning to Pansy with a grin

"I think we can go now." he said

Enter Trixie --> Summer Song Cafe

The sky-blue mare spotted Wordsmith and Pansey quickly enough after arriving at the station. Rushing about to meet wwith them on the second platform, she stopped a few steps off from Wordsmith, and cleared her throat. "A-ahem... Wordsmith...  You mentioned that you could help Trix- ... I mean - me..." She looked away awkwardly, and cleared her throat. "Trixie was rude... err... Thank you.. for offering... though."

Wordsmith turned, blinking as Trixie spoke, "ah.. um" he blushed, "It's okay Trixie, things have been a bit weird for us all the last couple days.  Thank you though." he smiled

Twilight shook Loose Leaf's hoof in a good-natured manner, already recognizing that she'd gone and rubbed the mare the wrong way.  Even after so long, she still had trouble with interactions sometimes... with the whole call to duty in Canterlot and how little information Celestia had given them on the matter, she was a little more on edge that she fully realized.  It had been some time since they'd all been called upon to handle any major issues and she was left fretting inwardly over what the problem could have been that so little could be revealed about it.

As much as she loved and trusted Celestia, her mentor had a habit of hiding big events in little packages.  "Get out and make some friends" became "Save the world from Nightmare Moon and restore Princess Luna".  "Take a test" became "Fend off King Sombra and help save the Crystal Empire and all of Equestria by proxy".  Twilight didn't know what to expect, and that didn't sit well with her at all.

The others arrived one by one to the train platform just as the express from Trottingham came into the station and began to unload.  That was their train out, as it would circle past Canterlot on its route over the mountains.  However, Twilight was left looking about curiously when Applejack summed up their group.

"Wait, we're one Pony short.  Where's Pinkie Pie?" she asked as she looked about.  Nearby, one of the train windows slid down and the party pony herself poked her fluffy head out.

"Over here!  I got us great seats!" Pinkie chirped gleefully.

"Pinkie... how did you get on that train before it got here?" the Alicorn gawked.

"No time for that now!  We've got to get to Canterlot!  C'mon everypony~!  Aaaaaaaaa~ll aboard!  Woo wooooooo~!"

---

Meanwhile, on the opposite platform, the other train running the other direction was in the midst of warming its engine for departure.  Plenty of other Ponies were busy filing on and getting their seats while Trixie, Wordsmith, and Pansy milled about on the platform waiting for the others.  About that time Merriweather herself came out from the ticket office, shuffling through various bits of paperwork and a route map with a pair of thin spectacles perched on her snout.

"Oh!  Good, you're all here.  Is everypony ready to go?" the cafe matron asked as she hovered Trixie's ticket on over to her while keeping one for herself.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:46, Wed 24 Apr 2013.

The yellow mare checked the things in her luggage and saddle bags. She wished she would have known about it being something to do with illness or she would have packed the rest of her own personal medical tools. However, it was Canterlot. For any medical expertise she could provide they would doubtless have facilities and tools for her to use. She jumped a bit when she saw Pinkie Pie on the inside of the train but quickly shook it off.

She turned to Loose Leaf, who still hugged Rarity, and gave a smile. "Good afternoon Loose Leaf," She provided kindly, trying to get rid of what awkwardness or tension there would have been with the other pegasus.

"Oh! Hey Fluttershy, I didn't hear you come up," Loose Leaf greeted eagerly, still hugging onto Rarity. "Rarity, please tell Fluttershy that letting me paint her is a good idea. Rarity can vouch for me, I painted her the other day. It's so hard to be an artist here in Ponyville. Surrounded by so many lovely ponies I feel like a dirty school colt with my hands on my paintbrush all day."

Slowly she moved her lips to Rarity's ear and whispered: "And maybe one day I'll have the courage to ask Princess Luna for a sketch too."

"Awright everypony, let's get goin." She trotted along toward the train, and motioned the others after her before stepping aboard,  turning to follow Pinkie's voice with careful, light steps.  She found herself  an open seat, and sprawled across it, getting her sore hoof off the ground.

"... Yer right, Pinkie, these are good seats."

Luna glanced up at the train as Pinkie called out to the others, then opened her mouth to speak, but stalled as Loose Leaf scooted up to Rarity. She brought her hoof to her lips, and cleared her throat. "Ahem~ You should all hurry along, though. The train won't wait forever."

She glanced briefly at Loose Leaf, as the mare voiced her laments about painting ponies... it's too bad she had to go to Canterlot, too, because Luna wasn't sure what she was going to do with herself, and a proper portrait sounded nice.

...though, she seemed rather...  what was the word...

Relieved to have Wordsmith's forgiveness, and understanding, Trixie  quickly recovered from her bout of awkwardness as Merriweather turned up, taking over her ticket's levitation, and approaching her with a gentle nod. "Trixie will return your  money when we arrive, that's a promise." she repeated. She then glanced over her shoulder and back across Ponyville, her stare becoming a little distant. It was weird, to both resent a place and to appreciate the help its people offered now.

She didn't waste time dwelling on it, taking off in a steady trot to the train and climbing aboard, showing her ticket for passage and making her way toward her seat.

"We just got here." Wordsmith blushed, "be right back!"

He trotted off quickly and came back a couple minutes later with two tickets to Manehattan for himself and Pansy

Wordsmith also looked a bit flushed from the running, apparently such weight wasn't meant to move fast.

"Got'm" he said, holding them tightly with his telekinetic magic, even if they were in his vest pocket, he didn't want to loose them after all.

The train station was apparently a very busy place.  Ponies were running to and fro, some looking a bit more flustered than others.  Pip decided this wasn't the best place to just hang around, especially being new in town and all.  He stood slowly, his knees a little wobbly from the fall, and dusted himself off and readjusted the wooden swords on his back.

With a quiet neigh and a soft snort, he trotted off, in what direction he'd hoped was the town square.  After all, he was intent on running into somepony.  He just wasn't sure who would be his lucky victim...err I mean lucky pony!

Victim...really?

And the town square seemed like the best place to find somepony.

-To Town Square-

"Hi, Trixie," Pansy responded brightly as the light blue unicorn approached.  As Merriweather came up as well, she gave a polite nod and smile.  The smile immediately faded as a realization struck her.

"Oh, right!  Tickets!"  She was about to head to the ticket office, but somehow, Wordsmith had made the connection faster and already left to get them.  "Thanks, Wordsmith."

She gave him a reassuring smile, and then led the way to the train.

Wordsmith smiled and followed Pansy, giving a nod to Trixie and Merriweather as he went, "Ladies" he said warmly, "I wonder if we're going to be in the same seating car.  Would you mind?" he said as the three ladies around/with him.


((ooc: thanks shai!))
This message was last edited by the player at 03:02, Thu 25 Apr 2013.