Totally oblivious of her companion's conspiracy thoughts, Carbon put her ears back slightly at the rejection to tell more about the book but let it go. An author would probably say something like that if the story was still unfinished.

The topic had been shifted back to the living arrangements in Ponyville and Carbon gave a troubled look towards Penny."I...'m not sure if my stay will be permanent. Maybe rent a room or something..." She wasn't sure if there was even rooms for rent but buying an estate from Ponyville had never crossed her mind. She had originally planned staying in the local inn but if the stay would become longer then she might as well seek to rent an apartment.

Penny's offer made Carbon smile, raising her mood again."Thanks. I'll look forward reading your book when it comes out." She said innocently, not really sure when to expect the said book to be published.

"I'm sure you'll figure something out," Penny said reassuringly, "in any case, it's <hic!> good to know I won't be the only new pony in town."

She took the temporary lull in the conversation as an opportunity to finish the rest of her salad. Which didn't take very long, considering Penny's table manners, but she was still a little peckish, and the dish had been decent enough that she didn't mind scarfing it down. Not to mention it was soaked with about a glass' worth of white wine, and you couldn't let that sort of stuff go to waste. When that was done, though, Penny started to wonder if it wasn't time for the two of them to return to their compartment. She voiced her thoughts out loud:

"Hmm, not that this place wasn't everything I dreamed of and more, but maybe we should head back before anybody sees the cabin is empty and help themselves to our luggage."

As soon as Penny finished her salad, Carbon realized she had still over half of her sandwich left. Letting out a silent gasp, she started to eat with quicker bites, thinking it would be rude to make the other pony wait while you ate. She nodded briefly at Penny's words, still munching away her food. She might be right, although Carbon didn't have much luggage anyway.

"Right." Finishing her meal pretty quick, the shy mare just silently rose from her seat and got ready to follow Penny. Her expression was slightly somber and after short silence, she spoke up again."Um...I'm sorry. For being so boring company. Not used to conversations." Her ears drooped on sides enhancing her puppy-dog look, Carbon avoided Penny's eyes in embarrassed manner. Why couldn't she come up with anything interesting to talk about? Maybe if she could have practiced the conversation before hoof she might have thought up a good topic but pulling things out of a hat was out of her expertise.

"I...I don't think anypony would be interested in my stuff. I don't have much possession." Smooth, talk about how plain and poor you are. Face-hoofing in her mind Carbon just gave an awkward smile.

As soon as CC was done with her sandwich Penny got up, as well. She offered to pay for the meal; it was no trouble, especially as CC had ordered the cheapest item on the menu for some reason. Penny didn't see why she didn't make more of the opportunity, truth be told -- I mean, they were serving meals... On wheels! Penny tittered to herself at the mere thought of it. In any case, when the meal had been paid for, she started back towards their cabin.

"Hmm. Boring company... or attentive listener?" Penny said when they were out of the hustle and bustle of the dinner cabin. "You gotta learn to turn a phrase, CC. You know, find the positives and point out the upside of things. Emphasize the good, paint the picture from a different perspective. Or draw it, in your case!"

She didn't go on with the metaphors; they were back at the cabin. Fortunately, nothing seemed to be out of place or tampered with. "Quite so; you can't lose what you don't have in the first place. See, that's what I'm talking about -- look at the bright side. Now where did that paperback go..?"

Her voice trailed off and Penny all but forgot the other pony in the room as she took to looking under her seat, her cushions, her luggage, and so forth for where the errant novel had gotten itself to. She accidentally pushed her overpacked suitcase to the floor in the process; the strained lock sprang open, and a small cloud of... bank notes? Flew out. Penny magicked them back in as best she could and then climbed atop the thing in an attempt to close it again, muttering something about a "dumb Wheeler's dumb locks not working" as she did. Muttering turns to a slightly nervous laugh when she remembered CC was with her. "I..." literally got bit by a bank robber as a kid and have an irrational fear of banks and a dislike of the idea of trusting them with money ever since then? Nobody would believe that -- even if truth sometimes was stranger than fiction. "...it's a long story! So let's change the subject."

"How about free lunch."

Penny then cleared her throat, conveniently found her paperback within spell's reach, and did her best to immerse herself in the book and not any conversations about where she'd gotten a suitcase full of money.

"All month."

Giving serious consideration to Penny's words while she sat on the seat she had left her meager luggage, CC did what she always did when she had something to think: She took out her sketchbook. She took a quick look at Penny who was now searching something and wordlessly started doodling the scene unfolding in front of her in the book.

CC got more and more absorbed in her work until a sudden sound made her peek over the book. She saw Penny quickly shuffling some bank notes back inside the bag and closing it with her own weight, a sheepish and not very convincing smile plastered on her face. There was clearly something in those notes Penny didn't want to talk about.

CC calmly flipped a page in her sketchbook, text written on the side facing Penny so she could read it.

Whatever you mean? Surely nothing happened? I didn't notice anything, at least not a suitcase full of money. Did you see something like that?

She gave a sheepish smile, trying to wink but it came out more like she had a very bad twitch in her other eye. Welp, hopefully her message was clear.

Might as well try this new perspective Penny spoke of. The other mare probably had her situations and they were not CC's to meddle into. After all, they were practically still strangers to each other. In her mind CC wished to change that but now the atmosphere had turned too awkward for further discussion. She closed her sketchbook and started preparing for the night. Tomorrow would be eventful so she needed to recharge as much as possible.

"It's late. I'm gonna sleep. See you tomorrow." She mumbled sleepily as she drifted to sleep.

Penny read(or at least pretended to read) for a good while longer. It was way past midnight untill she had reached the end of the book and could let herself rest as well.

-=End Day 8=-

--------------------------------------------------------------
-=Start Day 9=-

The train arrived at Ponyville early in the next morning. Carbon yawned softly as she stepped on the platform, sandlebags packed and slung over her back. Despite going to bed early she had had problems in getting sleep due to her anxiousness. No matter how many times you experienced it, arriving into a new town always made her extra nervous. She wouldn't know her way around and everypony was a stranger.

She stopped to wait Penny, a mare whom she had made acquaintances with during the trip, and took some time to inspect her surroundings. Ponyville appeared more peaceful than the cities she had visited before and had homely feeling. This made CC feel more confident. Perhaps here she could find friends and a new start she had been searching for a while now.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:42, Fri 01 Feb 2013.

While CC had wisely tucked in early last night, Penny had stayed up all night, and was still snoring away even as the train began to slow down and roll into the station. She snapped up at the sound of brakes gently chiming (well, it was more of a slow screech, really), bleary-eyed and not entirely there -- but this wasn't the first time Penny had to make a quick getaway after waking up and seeing where she was and what was happening.

Well-trained as she was in morning-after make-offs, she quickly scanned her place to make sure she wasn't leaving anything important behind (still missed the book, though) and made her drowsy departure along with CC, her suitcase rolling along on squeaky wheels behind her. She yawned as they exited the train, not looking nearly as excited as her fellow out-of-towner, and truth be told, right now, she wasn't. It wasn't even noon! What an unprincessly hour to wake up at, she thought, much less settle into a whole new place! She mentally chided the engineer and the conductors and the rest of the crew for not slowing down the train so they'd arrive at a more convenient hour. They didn't hear it, of course, but it made Penny feel better.

She yawned again.

"Nice place." Penny said, but her mood struck through and made her sound a little insincere; she kicked herself a little about it for a couple seconds. But she lit up again when she realized that there was one thing that would help if she could find it. "Alright. If I'm going to live here, I'm going to need to," she yawned again! Darn yawn reflex. Penny rubbed some sleep out of her eyes, trying to clear her mind up a little with the gesture. "I'm going to need to figure out where I can get a good cuppa on a regular basis. And frankly I could use one right now."

She started off to begin her search, but stopped when she thought of something. She looked to CC. "Of course, taking care of the bare necessities first and then grab coffee might be good, too... what do you think?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:30, Sat 02 Feb 2013.

The little bit of confidence was scared out of CC when Penny's tired voice reached her ears. When had the other mare sneaked there? Letting out a shy 'eep', CC snapped out from her thoughts and turned towards her latest travelling companion.

Penny had presented a good question. Both options were sound and while the cup of coffee sounded very tempting, taking care of the necessary legal stuff was important. If alone, CC would have probably headed to the town hall without a second thought but one look at Penny told her the mare was in dire need of something to wake her up. Paper work and filling out forms probably had the opposite effect and deep down CC felt Penny wouldn't enjoy dealing with red tape either way.

Flashes of previous evening appeared in CC's head; Penny's bag full of bank notes and the awkward smile she had when exposed. The grey mare shook her head to get those images out, she had made a decision not to inquire about that. Penny would talk when she was ready.

"Coffee sounds fine." CC muttered, slowly starting off towards the exit of the station. She had no actual idea where to find a coffee shop but maybe some of the locals could point a way?

-->Exit station and eventually to Summer Song Cafe

Penny Dee looked relieved at CC's decision and trotted along behind her, looking forward to getting herself her first dose of caffeine of the day. This morning was looking better and better by the minute already.

-->Exit station, to Summer Song Cafe
This message was last edited by the player at 06:04, Mon 04 Feb 2013.

--> Arive from Manehattan.

"Where is that crazy little filly? Running away from home! Did she honestly think mom and dad wouldn't send someone after her?" The strange mare who currently was staring at the map of Ponyville on the train station wall muttered as she tried to devine the rout to Sweet Apple Acres.

---> From Masion Le Rich

After about fifteen minutes of trying to haggle over the price of a train ticket and being disappointed in the outcome of a "fixed rate" despite the fact she was charming as ...!

Well it didn't matter. Loose Leaf had gotten her ticket and was simply sitting on a comfortable wooden bench with her pack over her back. Running around mostly naked really made packing so much easier. She had even been able to snag a dafodile sandwich from the stand for dirt cheap (and that had been much easier to haggle for) and was now enjoying the last couple of bites.

Peering around for a trashcan, Loose Leaf noticed a brown pegusus woman staring at one of the maps conveniently next to a trash can.

"Can I help you with something?" she asked, crumbling the empty sandwich wrapper and tossing it away.

"Why, yes, I think you could." The mare replied with a Manehattan accent thick enough that you would have to cut it with a chainsaw. "Do you live around here? I am trying to find my way to Sweet Apple Acres." She asked politely of the red and cream mare. Up close Leaf could see that the other mare was a veritable giant, distinctly a draft, and tall even for one of that breed. She stood almost 15 'hands' and had the stocky/athletic body that Miss Leaf had rarely seen except on one of the Apples, namely Big Macintosh.

If it hadn't been for the slight curves and the face, Loose Leaf would have assumed the mare had been a stallion. She was big. Like merriweather big. Maybe bigger.

Oh right, she asked a question. You should get to that.

"Oh, well I've only been living here for about a week, but I do have a basic diea where it is," she admitted, and her hoof went down on a sizable patch of green on the putskirts of town. "If you cut across town, you should get there pretty quick. What brings you to Ponyville anyways? You have relatives i  Sweet Apple Acers or just whanting to see the farm? I'm Loose Leaf by the way."

Loose Leaf wasn't sure if the farm got tourists, but with the 6 barriers of the elements of harmony, she didn't push the possibility away.

"Ah, well, I am a cousin of the Apples and my sister came to visit but it is time I take her home." Gale hedged somewhat nervously, then, smiling with ill fitting pretense, bid the other mare good day. "Thank you kindly for pointing the way for me, I hope I will see you again some time." And quickly trotted off in the indicated direction.

--> Exit to Center of Ponyville

Luna still had her own uncertainties about just what they'd all be doing in Canterlot, but she did know that there was some sort of crisis or else Celestia wouldn't be doing all that she'd done - Asking her to remain away from the capital, sending Discord to collect the Element Bearers....

Whatever was afoot, Luna, for now, was content to help carry Rarity's  copious luggage with her telekinesis for the moment. Fung Shui, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy accompanied her in arriving at the station, where Luna finally - and carefully - set the heavy luggage down and turned to the others.

"There we are... Now. Twilight and the others should be along soon. My Sister will be waiting for you in Canterlot, and she'll be able to tell you more - I'm afraid she told me every little, actually."

Fluttershy stepped forward nervously and spoke up with a demure tone, "Um, Princess Luna?" She inquired, "Are you not coming with us?" She wondered truly what could be happening. she'd tried to hide but it had been to no avail. Eventually she was forced to gather her own saddle full of personal things and set off, leaving Angel to hold down the fort as usual.

Once Princess Luna let her luggage gracefully land, Rarity began a careful count to make sure each and every suitcase was accounted for. She did not want to be unprepared when visiting the illustrious Canterlot! Therefore, only the most important necessities were packed away, and for this fastidious and precise mare, that meant quite the pile! Shai had offered to help her pack, but she mysteriously disappeared half way through the process without saying goodbye!

Ah, well!

Every bag and case was labeled and glittering with her own personal trademark of blue diamonds. Now, if only she could get all of them onto the train...

"You are more than welcome to stay in my Boutique, Princess," she told the alicorn sweetly, "It has everything you would ever need. All I ask is that you mind Opal while I'm gone, keep her fed and groomed. I left instructions on the kitchen table."

--> Timeshift to Afternoon, Day 9

Shai Ni found herself in a dark, but comfortable place, although there wasn't much room to move.  She could hear muffled voices, but she couldn't quite make them out.  Ah, well.  There was no use getting all riled up about it.  Might as well take a nap and deal with it after ensuring she had a cool head.

Thankfully, the short walk from Sugarcube Corner to the Train Station did wonders for the Kirin's stomach, as he quickly recovered from whatever horrid illness his sudden teleportation had afflicted him with.  Of course, he was in no way cured of his soul-crushing embarrassment, and had hung behind the group to nurse his wounded pride back to health.

He may have been better off if it had been some other ponies, but these weren't just anypony.  While Princess Luna had assuaged his knee-jerk reaction to stand on protocol around royalty, being in the presence of prestigious heroes like the Elements of Harmony and promptly making sick all over another pony's establishment was hardly his idea of a good impression.  So, when they had arrived at last at the Train Station, Fung rejoined the group in an attempt to save face.

At Fluttershy's demure question, Fung stepped up alongside her almost subconsciously.  Something about her soft-spoken demeanor reminded Fung of the mare's back in Neighpon.
"I am somewhat confused myself.  While I am more than happy to assist Equestria in any way I can, I hardly count myself equal to the ranks of the Elements of Harmony."

The princess smiled at Rarity. "I shall..  do my best to take care of Opalescence, and thank you." She did pause and spare a glance to Fung Shui, then. "Discord wasn't very clear on why he had dragged you along - We can only assume there was  a purpose behind it. I know that perhaps it isn't  expected, but I would ask you to see matters through. I'm sure, as the Neighponese ambassador, you're up to the task?"

"Alright, I hope that you find what you're looking for," Loose Leaf started, but the mare was already heading out. Didn't even introduce herself... she must have really been in a rush. Oh well, guess she couldn't judge. She was pretty busy herself. Whatever had the mare riled up though... well, Loose Leaf was glad it wasn't her. She didn't look as imposing as Merriweather, but she was certainty bigger. Loose Leaf just shrugged and turned about to sit back down on the bench and wait for the train.

Of course, the train that DID come was a group of ponies, most of whom she recognized.

"Hey, what's going on with the whole crowd thing here?" Loose Leaf asked to none of them in particular, knowing most of them anyways. She did however, keep her back a bit to Fung Shui.

-Day 9 Afternoon-

"I can explain some of that, at least."

Ah, the benefits of being a walking index of knowledge.  It always seemed like Twilight Sparkle had something helpful to add to just about any situation and, thankfully, she could clear up a few things about the moment at hand.  She wasn't too keen to explain the whole shebang so long as the entire group hadn't yet gathered though.

"I've been sending messages back and forth to Princess Celestia since the initial contact this morning." the young Alicorn announced as she trotted up along the train station platform.  Unlike Rarity, she only had her saddle bags in tow and had no real need for excess luggage.  Of course, she also had her family home in Canterlot and a room at the castle, so it wasn't like she was hurting for options either.  "She's been pretty tight-lipped about most of the details, but there's some sort of epidemic hitting the castle.  It's magical in nature and has been isolated down, so it's not like there's a huge spread threatening the rest of Canterlot.  But it's still something that needs to be addressed."

She looked to Fung Shui with an apologetic expression.  "The reason you've been called in as well is because one of the afflicted is a Kirin diplomat who'd been staying in Canterlot.  Does the name 'Mugicha' ring any bells?  As you're the closest Neighponese ambassador, Princess Celestia felt it was important you be involved here."

"Ah, Twilight. There you are." She turned to face the other Alicorn, and gently smiled as she took in the mare in a different tone than before - warmer and yet more distant at once. "Just two of you left, now. I see... troubling. All of you - please be careful and be safe. I shall watch over Ponyville while you're away."

She turned then, briefly, to Loose Leaf, and smiled. "They've been called to Canterlot, and won't be in town for a bit." she explained lightly.

Fung inclined his head respectfully to Luna when she turned her attention to him, heeding the tone in her voice well.
"I am sure that whatever Celestia's need for me, I will be happy to assist in Neighpon's name."
The sudden arrival of Loose Leaf took him off guard, and he had been about to say hello when he realized that she was keeping her back to him; very subtly, perhaps, but not so much that the Kirin didn't notice.  A streak of concern flashed through him.  Was she angry with him?  Had he already done something wrong without realizing it?

As fate would have it, before Fung could articulate anything, Twilight arrived and began expositing quite conveniently.  He was surprised to hear an epidemic hitting Canterlot, and perhaps quite a bit more concerned.  To a pony who lived on an island nation with a relatively small population, Epidemics of any sort were a serious matter, especially the magical sort.  At the mention of Mugicha, Fung blinked in surprise, his expression turning concerned.
"I didn't realize Mugicha-san was here!  I suppose it is some small blessing I was not in Canterlot to greet her, or I may have fallen victim as well.  This is grave news indeed."

"So wait, the Castle is under an epidemic, or the whole city?" Loose Leaf asked, her face contorting with cynicism. "Cause if it's a whole epidemic of the city, then why hasn't the train station been informed and still letting people move in and out?"

At that, Loose Leaf lifted up her ticket to show the group. "I was able to buy a ticket to Canterlot, and I'm just a regular pony, completely unaware of what's going on, about to stumble a) into an epidemic city, or b) a city with an infected castle." If anything, Loose Leaf seemed more amused by the whole mess, though it was mostly to conceal her concern.

Twilight cast Loose Leaf a flat expression at her interruption.  "I just said that it was isolated to the castle and hadn't spread to the rest of the city.  We all know Princess Celestia isn't afraid to limit access to Canterlot in times of danger, so it's not like..."

The Alicorn paused in mid-lecture as she blinked a few times, looking Loose Leaf over.  Finally, she realized she had no idea who this Pony was.  "I'm sorry, have we been introduced?"