The Harmony Clinic stands out uniquely from the rest of Ponyville due to the decorations it has, among other reasons.  A pair of paper lanterns adorn the outside, lighting the way at all times with a magical light within them that calms the heart.  Inside, the smells of herbs and incense dominates the building, with shelves full of medicines and ingredients lining one of the walls.  The decorations are sparse, but beautiful, with a minimalistic simplicity that seems to have been put together with a very complex plan.  There is a desk at the front with a delicately carved bowl full of freshly made rice candies at all times.  A pair of Chineighs dragon statues carved from wood sit just outside the door, and there are red tassels hanging from a bell on the door.

Behind the first room is a larger, more private area with a quartet of simple bed-like tables, a stove, and various tools for grinding and mixing potions and poultices.  In many ways, it seems akin to Zecora's hut, although with everything being a much smaller scale of production.  The tables, designed for both stability and comfort, are where Shai Ni performs her acupuncture treatments when needed.  Her needles, of course, are kept clean and sanitary, and always cleaned before and after every use.

Upstairs from the clinic is her personal boarding, covering everything but a kitchen, which she uses her stove downstairs for when preparing foods.  Her pantry is in a fake wall panel so it does not do anything to pull away from the decor.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:08, Tue 23 June 2015.

-=Start Day 8=-

Shai has been up since before the sun rose in order to get everything fully set up.  The previous day had been spent unpacking and arranging everything, with the ones prior to that finding and arranging for the building that is now her new home and clinic to be hers with Mayor Mare.  All that was left was ensuring the deed was filed properly with Canterlot as well.  Oh, and writing home with the wonderful news of her date today.

Having finished the 'homework' Pinkie Pie had given her, Shai is more unsure than ever if she can do this 'date' thing, but thankfully she did get some clarification on the matter from other mares she had asked - with a very red face.  Lotus and Aloe were very helpful in clarifying certain things, of course, as were others.  The dress she had obtained from Rarity rests upstairs, clean and unwrinkled, as well as her make-up and other things specifically set aside for the date.

With everything ready for business, she opens the door and flips the sign with her hoof to show that her business is now, officially, OPEN.

She then heads back inside and begins preparing for the appointments she has promised as thanks for assistance and kindness, double and triple checking her medicines, poultices, salves, incense, and needles - especially her needles, which she physically and spiritually cleans individually more than once to ensure the best treatments for her clients - occasionally floating a rice candy from the front desk to her mouth as she works.

While it was always quiet where she was previously, she finds that she has dearly missed the sounds of daily activity, and finds herself once again wishing to thank whoever blew up the roof of her old clinic.

His walk brought him to the business district. Fair that, he did most of his odd jobs here when not gardening and working with plants for the gardeners and farmers of Ponyville's surrounding area. He gave a yawn... maybe he hadn't slept as well... no surprise with the position he woke in and his back was killing him...

Trying not to think on it he noted a new place... well it had probably been there before but not like this place. The Twin Dragon statues caught his eyes. He was half Chineighs, after all. He made it his business to meet and locate links to Chineigh here, far away from his mother's homeland, despite his general inclination to purposefully remain ignorant of current events.

As he stepped into the door he heard a chime and gave a brief smile before his face went straight like usual. There was a familiar scent on his keen nose as he stepped further in. Reminded him of, "Shai Ni?" He asked more himself than anypony inside. That was absurd, though. The Acupuncturist lived outside Ponyville proper and this was definitely inside the town limits.

Pausing from her work, Shai places the cleansed needles back in their container before turning to look towards the front and smiling as she sees who it is, having been a bit too busy to pay attention to the voice itself.  She trots out of the back and replies with a gentle voice, "Nihau, Mister Transcendence Form.  You are the first pony to grace my new clinic with their presence!  What brings you here this day?"

As she smiles at him, another one of the rice candies floats out of the bowl and into Shai Ni's mouth.  One wonders how she keeps them stocked with the amount of snacking she does.

But... they're just so good.

The tall stallion gave a curt smile to Shai Ni. "Nihau" He tried not to look surprised, "Curiosity," He answered her question honestly. "In town now?" He asked innocently, looking about the new clinic Shai Ni had made her own

With a cheerful prance, Shai Ni replies happily, "Yes!  At first, I was worried about being forced to relocate, but I am rather happy that I have.  I did not realize how much I missed the busyness of being in the center of a town until this morning."  As she walks around the desk to speak to Form more properly, she tilts her head to the side and asks, "Did you not hear?  The night of the Moon Raising festival, I awoke to find out that something had... exploded... the roof of my home and clinic.  So I packed up my things and came into town.  Miss Lotus and Miss Aloe very kindly gave me a place to stay while I looked for a new place to house my clinic.  And now, I am here."

She looks rather pleased for somepony who had part of their house explode within the last week.  And there's another rice candy in her mouth.

He quelled the urge to inquire about the explosions. Normally those sort of questions only complicated matters, bringing up long stories and distracting from the better positivity of the world. He gave a brief bow in acknowledgment. "My apologies," He spoke to her, mostly for not knowing she'd relocated, also for her loss of the old clinic. It had been a lovely little shop.

Idly he wondered if she had to pay much for those rice candies or if she made them. Form knew how to make Rice candies from his mother a while back but they'd never been "Mom's Cooking" if it translated that way. Then again, his talent was working and thinking, not baking and cooking. He left that to the delightful inhabitants of Sugarcube Corner and The Summer Song Cafe.

He hesitated as he almost asked for an appointment but realized he hadn't exactly left with money for an expensive treatment like acupuncture. barely six bits to his name, Form didn't like money but begrudgingly accepted it for the pseudo-permanent bane on society it was, thankful the barter system was still working strong, nonetheless. "No bits." He let her know, seeming to feel a bit guilty.

"Oh, it is no trouble at all.  It was a good thing to have happen," Shai replies cheerfully before moving to lead Form to the back for a treatment, something she can tell he wants.  When he mentions a lack of bits, she shakes her head and keeps leading him into the back.  "Do not worry about bits.  As always, you can pay me when you have them, or with other means.  There is always work I and other ponies need done, after all."  She gestures for him to climb up on one of the tables as she uses her magic to light a stick of incense.

"I am not worried, Mister Transcendence Form.  It would not be right for me to deny anypony for lack of payment, least of all a friend."

Form was a bit confused by Shai's response to his lack of funding. A lack of payment was normally the reason for being turned down at the door. His mind wandered as she led his to the table. He allowed himself to lay down and relax on the acunpuncture table. though most ponies weren't very fond of the idea of hundreds of small needles into one's nerve centers it had been a common practice to him for as long as he had lived, having a Chineighs mother. He was very fond of the effects of acupuncture.

"Thank you very much." he gave his sincere gratitude as he exhaled, meditating on balance while Shai Ni got ready to work.

Gently humming a pleasant tune, Shai Ni gets to work on adjusting Transcendence Form's position on the table, positioning him just so, making micrometer adjustments to the direction of his hooves, the bend of his knees, and other such tiny details that to most ponies would go completely unnoticed.  She then walks to stand at his head and closes her eyes, focusing on a spell that will allow her to see his chi flow and let her know where the paths are currently blocked or overflowing.  Well practiced in her art, she remains where she is and floats over her needles one by one, placing them in Form's body so they align with his personal flow and allow her to made the necessary nudges and tweaks to ensure his body is at its peak balance.  With the discipline Form practices daily, as well as the frequency of his treatments (compared to others in Ponyville, at least), it is relatively quick and simple, with just under a dozen needles being used.

Once all the needles are in place, she leans over and places the tip of her horn on Form's forehead, her own magic gently requesting his to make the changes necessary to restore balance to his chi.  Content with her work, she takes a step back and says, "You are always a joy to work with, Mister Transcendence Form.  Most ponies require the more drastic realignments and adjustments.  With you, it is always the most subtle of nudges.  Improving your chi flow is always a challenge in the finer techniques of the art."  Content that he will not be moving, she walks over to the incense and carefully blows on the stick to increase the burn.

"I will remove the needles in some minutes.  I do not wish to leave them in too long, or I may end up over-correcting your flow of chi."

Despite his normal seriousness Form let a smile touch his lips, knowing better than to move. he didn't like being called Mister. His father was Mister Stalwart Form, Guard General of Cloudsdayle to civilians; Sir Form to his subordinates, his entire life despite the fact that marrying Anxi Meiyo, his mother, technically marked the first day of his official retirement.

"Form is just fine." He said, mindful to remain still nonetheless. His smile faded, as it normally did, back into his standard straight face. "Xie xie, Shai Ni." He said anyway, assuring he kept good manners. He was glad he was more joy to work on, but something always nagged at him afterward, despite knowing Shai Ni, of all ponies, would never proverbially "Miss a spot." Despite that the feeling after acupuncture in his hard times was less nagging than the feeling that he got when he didn't have the Chineighs unicorn work on him in the first place. Shai Ni's skills were the greatest boon to martial artists like Transcendence Form.

Several minutes pass in non-conversation as Shai Ni busies herself with other things around her newly opened clinic, singing gently and occasionally checking up on Form with a glance to make sure nothing is going wrong.  She also gets some water boiling on the stove, simply letting it boil over before returning to Form and giving him her full attention.  "Alright.  I am going to start removing the needles," she says, focusing on them as a whole and individually, being as careful as she can to not alter the flow of his chi any further while removing the needles one by one.  There is no pain as she does so, of course, and each needle is placed in the boiling water after it is removed.  One would want them as sanitary as possible before retempering them, after all.  Just because she does it with magic does not mean she shouldn't be extra careful.

Once all of the needles are removed, Shai walks around Form and examines him with her magic as well as her eyes, ensuring that she made no mistakes while removing the needles.  No chi disruption, and, more importantly, no bleeding.  Content that she performed her treatment satisfactorily, with only the usual positive effects, she takes a step back and smiles.

"All done," she says as her horn stops glowing, "Would you like a rice candy?"

At the mention of her favorite treat, her horn glows again and the bowl floats over next to her so Form can take one after he stands up.

It wasn't very difficult for Form to last through the treatment. "Don't think of them as Needles and they won't hurt." his mother had told him his first acupuncture, despite his father's traditional grumpiness about any medical procedures not of Equestria. He had found it relieving back then. As Shai removed the several needles from his body he felt the energy wash over him, newly balanced. He knew now what that relief had been, more practiced in the Chineghs arts.

He sat up slowly, giving a blink or two. Things were brighter, more colorful, sharper. He gave a brief smile before a twinge ruined it... Back still hurt. He reflexively reached for an area just to the left of his spine; the part of his back that gave him the most trouble. "One please. Xie xie, Shai Ni." He thanked her again, taking a rice candy.

Giving a frown as she saw the twinge from Form, Shai floats him a single rice candy before saying, "You should find a bone doctor or a chiropractor to look at your back.  Or perhaps see Miss Lotus and Miss Aloe at the spa.  Their treatments make a wonderful complement to mine."  She then pauses and heads to the window to look outside in the direction of the town square.

"I wonder what is going on?  There seems to be a bit of dust being kicked up at the town square."  She really cannot make out too many details from the distance, but she can see the telltale signs of a certain blue pegasus with a rainbow mane, strangely separate from the chaos.  There are some other ponies she doesn't recognize running around, and one of the fillies she sees around being energetically chaotic - and who has been unseen, from what she has heard, for the past week.

With Dash there, however, she feels there is no need to get involved.

"There is Miss Rainbow Dash, and some ponies I do not recognize, and a filly... Scootaloo, I think.  She is the pegasus filly that is always with Miss Applejack's and Miss Rarity's younger sisters, is she not?"

The Earth Stallion nodded numbly. Normally he did all of his stretches and yoga to manage his back and pains by himself... If Shai Ni's acupuncture was expensive a trip to the spa was both expensive and embarrassing. He was, after all, a very masculine sort of stallion and, inside a spa he was a little out of place to say the least. "No Bits..."

He didn't want to tell her the about his dislike, or rather feeling of being unwelcome in places Mares normally frequented. It wasn't her business and, more importantly, it was something Form would like to take on himself and get done with before it would start to matter. He only hoped his excuse didn't come back at him; like Shai Ni getting in contact with Aloe and Lotus to convince them to allow him a free spa day. That seemed just like the thing Shai Ni would do to... There was also the... exotic looks of the Spa sisters. Form couldn't deny his preference toward... variety as far as romance went along. he didn't want to be inclined to say something stupid in the presence of the lovely spa mares.

He didn't know what must have been going on in town square but he looked out the window anywho, curious enough as to satisfy himself. He knew of Rainbow Dash but hadn't gotten too much time alone with her to get to know her very well. "Interesting..." he muttered
This message was last edited by the player at 23:29, Sun 16 Sept 2012.

"Oh dear," Shai says as she continues to watch the kerfuffle in the distance.  "That looks like Miss Zecora.  I have never seen anypony like the little one before, though.  She looks similar to a unicorn, yet... Equestria truly is a wondrous place to have such a diverse population!  Oh!  And there is Miss Pinkie Pie, with a police officer.  Hopefully, they can find out what is going on.  The mare that was attacked looks like she just had her roof explode."

They do say to go with what you know, and Shai's most weary experience was packing up and bringing all of her things into the town proper after that incident a week ago.  As she watches, she floats another rice candy into her mouth to eat.  How she keeps her figure, let alone keeps the bowl stocked, is a mystery to the ages.

The philosopher Stallion strained his eyes at the Town Square. Okay, maybe he did need to get those glasses his mother had recommended a year ago. She had to wear glasses, after all, and not everypony could have perfect vision like his Father. He guessed he inherited his mother's eyes. Good for the police officer, though. He liked when the authorities did their job. Made everypony's life easier.

"What do you think happened?" He asked in his deep tone.

Glancing over at Form and asking with a bit of hesitation, Shai asks with a quiet voice, "Do... do you really want to know what silly ideas I have in my mind right now?  They are rather... strange."

Seriously, though.  More candies make their way into her mouth from the bowl via telekinesis.  And the bowl does not seem to empty.  Is it some sort of magical candy-making artifact?

Form appraised Shai Ni questioningly. He wasn't a mind reader, though he was okay with psychoanalyzing other ponies but he preferred to save that particular skill for himself so as to increase upon self improvement. "I wouldn't mind." He said plainly. Couldn't be the strangest thing he'd ever heard.

"Okay, but remember, you did ask to hear it after I gave you a warning," Shai replies before taking a step back, blushing slightly, and closing her eyes tightly as if it would hide her from the supposed shame she will be feeling in a moment.

"Robots.  They're both robots and they are fighting over whether to make Scootaloo a ninja or a pirate."

With a little squeak, she adds, "I told you it was strange."

Transcendence Form's normally blank expression went confused for a second before fading back to its normal straightness. He nodded a bit. Indeed it was strange and, if that was the case then Form himself had a feeling he wanted to stay out of it. "I see..." He said plainly. There was a feeling of needing to be elsewhere... not Town Square but definitely elsewhere.

He gave a warm smile to Shai Ni and a small bow. "I think it's time I be off." He said simply, helping himself to another rice candy and giving yet another bow. "Xie Xie Shai Ni." he thanked as he let himself out.

To Elsewhere! ----->

As Transcendence Form makes his way out of the clinic upon hearing her thoughts spoken, she watches him with lowered ears and a bit of a sad expression.  To her, at least, it feels as if she weirded him out so much that he's going to avoid her now FOREVER, which is patently false, but she still thinks it anyway.  As such, she slowly makes her way to the back again, sitting down and working on her needles again, magically reforging, sanitizing, and purifying them for use on the next patient.

Slowly eating her rice candies to try and drown her depression with sweets, she pouts in the back room, working with her glowing horn in order to try and keep her mind off of her rampant imagination.

Day 8

Shai Ni didn't have all that much time to wallow in self-pity before there was a very light knock at the door of the clinic, as if somepony was being quite careful with their hoof.

"Hullo?" came a familiar voice from out front.  Big Macintosh had decided to pay a visit and had his head stuck through the ajar front door, not sure whether or not Shai Ni was even home just then or if he would go inside.

The bell on the door, combined with Big Macintosh's voice, causes Shai to suddenly jump up and drop everything she was doing - which causes a needle to fall and stick in her slipper (but not her hoof) as she tries to turn around.  This causes her to trip and fall with a loud crash, then stumble back up and leave her slipper behind as she runs over to the front.

"Mister Big Macintosh!" she exclaims, wearing the bowl of rice candies on her head and looking rather silly.  "Welcome to my clinic!"  She does not appear to be aware of her appearance, which includes...

A bowl of rice candies on her head
A mussed up mane
A missing slipper on her front right hoof
A dress that is hiked up due to her fall and exposing her flank, and thus her cutie mark
Some acupuncture needles stuck in the bowl

Big Mac just stared for a long, quiet moment as Shai Ni appeared in such a state.  He looked her over with that same passive expression he was prone to wearing before giving a small cough to the side.  "Ah can come back later..." he muttered, seeing as how he apparently interrupted something that left her looking in such a mess.

"No, no, it is fine!  I am fine!  I-" Shai blurts out before realizing exactly how she must look, then blushes and quickly fixes her dress, floats the needles out of the bowl, the bowl off of her head and onto the front desk, then sets the needles down next to the bowl before floating all of the candies up from the floor (and her mane) and back into the bowl.  With a hopeful, yet desperate smile, she unpins her slipper and floats it over to put it under her hoof as she steps into it, the needle also floating up to lay next to the bowl with the others.

She then blows a bit of her mane out of her face and says, "... am perfectly fine.  What brings you to my clinic?"

The towering stallion politely looked aside while Shai Ni tended to cleaning up, pretending to find a spot on the wall particularly interesting until she'd managed to put herself back in proper sorts.  Once she gave the all-clear, he swung his head back around and stepped into the clinic foyer.

"Just came by t'give y'a house-warmin' gift, seein' as y'got all settled in." he said as he tucked into his saddle bag and withdrew a small woven basket covered with a checkered cloth.  Inside was a freshly baked apple pie still warm from the oven -- knowing The Apples, it must have been made just that morning.  "Place looks nice." he added through clenched teeth around the basket handle.

As is to be expected, Shai's face brightens upon being given the housewarming gift.  The basket is covered in a gentle golden glow as Shai takes it from Big Mac and floats it over to herself so she can smell the pie's aroma.  "Thank you for the lovely gift," she says, the smell of the pie calming her and helping her to recover from her previous... action.  The small unicorn sets the basket full of pie down on the front desk as she smiles and looks around with Big Mac.  "Thank you.  All of the decorations are from my homeland, and some of them were made by my family.  I make all of the rice candies myself," she says proudly before floating one over and hovering it front of Mac's face with a smile.  "Would you like one?"

All the fancy decorations were pretty, though Big Mac was a Pony of simple tastes and found them a little overwhelming all at once.  Still, he could see their charm.  When Shai Ni offered him a candy, he returned a gentle smile.  "Much obliged." he said as he reached out and plucked the rice treat from the air in his teeth.  The farm pony took a few moments of quietly chewing and trying to figure out whether or not it was good or bad tasting.  He was accustomed to more overtly sweet treats, after all... the subtlety of a rice candy was fairly lost on him as a result.  Still, far be it from him to refuse generosity and a home-made treat.

"Pardon Miss Shai; Ah don't mean no rudeness, but... does this acupuncture stuff really work?" he asked after swallowing the candy and wished he could have phrased that better.  "Th'reason bein' is that Granny Smith's hip is actin' up again, and she's bein' right stubborn 'bout seein' th'doctor."

Having been in Equestria long enough to get over the previous question, blunt as though it may be, Shai does not take offense, and instead simply nods, which is a much better response than the first time an Equestrian asked questioned her medicinal skills.  Scolding someone and trying to explain the history of your skill set in a language you have yet to gain even conversational fluency in ends in headaches for all involved.

"Yes.  It does work.  I also know some healing magic, if she will not let me give her a proper acupuncture treatment.  Our elders can be rather set in their ways, after all," she says with a tiny smile, "It is one thing that remains constant amongst all ponies, I have learned."

She floats over her traveler's box of needles that are ready for use and sets them on the desk next to her before floating over a few salves, potions, powders, and pills, placing them in several small pouches to keep them separate.  As she gets prepared, she asks, "Would you like me to make a visit now, or would a later time be preferred?  I can also schedule an appointment for her to come in, if that is your desire."

There was much that could be said upon the stubborn natures of their elders and how it was common amid all cultures, bridging the often staggering distances between different regions in a single unifying trait.  There were sweeping social comments to be discussed on such a topic, and plenty of deep theorizing on the emotional drives of Ponies the world over to make them behave in such a way.

"Eeyup." Big Mac always did have a certain eloquence about him. "Might as well have a go at it now.  If we let her know ahead of time, she'll figure out a way t'dodge it."

Admittedly, that wasn't entirely the reason he'd come in the first place.  Between business at the farm picking up very heavily unexpectedly due to some fancy convention going on in Manehatten soon, and Shai Ni's clinic getting under way, the two had missed their date.  They'd both agreed to wait until they had more time available to them, but it almost seemed as though she had forgotten all about it.  He didn't feel right bringing it up either... so for now, he would simply wait and see how things developed on their own.

Big Mac's comment on Granny Smith's predicted behavior brings a small giggle from Shai Ni as she levitates her things into a saddlebag, then levitates the saddlebag onto her back.  She also floats over a hairbrush, removing the ribbons from her mane so she can fix her manestyle as they walk.  "I do not have any appointments until much later," she says as she brushes her mane, "so we do not need to rush."

As she walks past Big Mac to go out the door and flips the sign around to let any potential customers know that the clinic is currently not open due to a house call, she says in a slightly flirtatious tone, "I do hope there will be an occasion soon to show you the dress I was given by Miss Rarity."

Feeling rather proud of herself for the comment, she exits her clinic and begins to head for Sweet Apple Acres, confident that Big Macintosh will catch up to her and guide her the rest of the way.

--> To: Sweet Apple Acres

Big Macintosh's eyes widened a bit at that coy remark and, not for the first time, he was glad his coloration prevented a blush from showing up on his cheeks.  The farm pony let off no other indication that Shai Ni had gotten a rise out of him and simply trotted along to escort her back to the orchards.

--> to Sweet Apple Acres

--> From: Sweet Apple Acres

After finally making it back to her clinic, the bell on the door startles Shai Ni from her rice-induced bliss, and she sits up rapidly to look around.  At least, she would if she wasn't slung over a stallion's back.  Instead, she starts to sit up and finds herself falling, causing her to flail around in a panic and grip onto her current surface with all four hooves, clinging for dear life.

This, of course, makes her hug rather tightly onto Big Macintosh's back, and she gets a sheepish grin on her face as she blushes and says, "I... see we are back."

Meanwhile, her mind is trying to figure out how she got back to the clinic and ON BIG MACINTOSH when her last bit of awareness of the outside world was tea and a muffin.

<-- From Sweet Apple Acres

It spoke volumes about Big Macintosh's comfort and confidence that he could walk through the middle of town carrying a catatonic Pony on his back and not have anyone give him a sideways glance.  Somehow he imagined if it had been his sister or one of her friends in his horse shoes, a simple trip would have somehow turned into an involved comedy of errors.  But things were less eventful for him.  Soon enough he had Shai Ni back home, safe and sound and strangling him and eeergh~!

"Uug...eeeh... eeyup." he managed to grunt out after gently loosening Shai Ni's forearms from about his throat.  The towering stallion crouched down to get his passenger closer to the floor for disembarkation.  "Y'kinda zoned out for a while there.  Y'sure y'feel alright?  Been gettin' enough sleep?"

<-- In from Town Square <-- From Carousel Boutique

The steady trot of Applejack's hooves approached shortly behind her brother's hulking frame. She'd spotted him en route as she left the boutique with Silva. Noting the fact that hew as carrying Shai home on his back, she'd followed after them, a bit concerned.

And so she ended up coming upon them with Shai's hooves squeezing her brother's neck and flank, and she couldn't help but raise a brow at the display, not sure what to make of it.

Shai Ni starts to disembark in time to hear the bell on the door ring again and signal the entrance of Applejack.  Obviously, her current situation makes things a little awkward.  The moment she can tell it is, in fact, Applejack entering (not that the identity of the pony entering would have mattered for her initial reaction of nearly jumping off of Mac's back), Shai quickly turns and ends up smacking Big Macintosh in the head with her flank with a huge, awkward grin.  She then jumps to the side and looks slightly horrified at the situation.  Not only has she been caught in a compromising position (in her mind) with Big Macintosh by Applejack, but she smacked him in the head with her rump.  That just isn't done, especially to such kind, helpful stallions!

Never mind that it is both tiny and soft compared to other things that have struck Big Mac in the head (like bales of hay and carts of apples gone free).  She just smacked him with her bum!  In front of his sister!

With a very, very forced, nervous smile, Shai says, "W-welcome to my clinic, Miss Applejack!"

Thankfully for everypony involved, Big Macintosh was a stallion of sturdy resolve and not so easily made bashful.  Unlike Shai Ni, who was in her usual state of flipping out gracefully as ever.  If nothing else, he was a bit accustomed to having mares climbing all over him for various reasons... Pinkie Pie liked to use him as a jungle gym sometimes, which only mildly annoyed him.

"AJ." he stated in a simple greeting.

Entering from: Carousel Boutique

The griffon following Applejack didn't seem all that bothered or annoyed by the sudden detour.  In fact, she had gone without any issue.  She looked at the big red stallion and Shai Ni curiously, but said nothing.  If that stallion could put up with that kind of contact, he could probably deal with far less courteous sounding ponies than the mare standing so close to him.  She decided that it's not any of her business, especially if it was some sort of bizarre pony way of showing affection.  Their nuzzling at least made a little sense, since they didn't have beaks, but it still didn't seem all that sensible...

Forcing her thoughts away from that, she smiled gently toward the two ponies. "Are you two all right?"

As Silva came along with her, Applejack gave her a glance, then trotted along to enter comfortably.  "Howdy, Miss Shai.  Ah was just wantin' ta' make sure ya'll were alright.  Ah spotted ya' crossin' the square." She chimed lightly.

With the same panicked, awkward smile, Shai Ni's eyes dart around between the three guests in her clinic as she says, "Alright?  Why would I not be alright?  I am fine.  Perfectly fine.  Nothing wrong at all.  I most certainly have not done anything strange with your brother, Miss Applejack.  Ahahahahahahahaha.  That would be silly."  Descending into an inward spiral of madness eerily similar to that of Twilight Sparkle, the tiny unicorn mare looks around desperately for a change of subject before she floats over her bowl of rice candies and asks, "Does anypony want some rice candies?  They are absolutely delicious!"

"Thank you, but no...I have a figure to mind, Miss Shai." The skinny griffon noted with a light nod.  She took a couple of steps back, not wanting to imagine what too much indulging would do to her beautiful form.  It was a good thing she was getting so much walking and exercising in...

Applejack gave Shai a bit of a stunned look at her frantic denials, and a sheepish look up to her brother before giving a shrug of  her shoulders. "Err... Awright..." She stepped over at the offered basket, and took one treat with her mouth, nibbling it down. "Ah could use the energy for the contest."

Frankly, Big Mac felt that Shai Ni had enough rice for one day... but he took one of the treats all the same.  He still didn't think they really tasted like anything at all, but if he was going to propose growing a rice crop on the farm then it was best he start familiarizing himself with the products.  This was going to take some research... perhaps the library would be a good idea...

"You're really gonna enter then?" he asked his little sister with a quirked brow.

Rather thankful for the subject change, Shai Ni floats the bowl back to the desk and begins to retreat into the back of her shop in order to prepare the needles she has just used for use again, but only manages to get halfway there before mention of the contest catches her attention.  She stops and ponders what sort of contest they are talking about, having a vague memory of some sort of event being mentioned in the past.  Something about... somepony... contest... Miss Rainbow Dash... aha!

Shai Ni turns around to face everypony again with a much more natural, pleasant expression on her face as she says, "I think that is a wonderful idea.  I had considered entering as well."

It seems that, despite her previous behavior, she still has not quite gathered what it is to be a Special Somepony.  "I have wanted to be more involved in the festivities in Ponyville.  This seems like a wonderful opportunity."

"It'd be a marvelous test of physical capabilities, and a good way to make friends.  If you still want to enter, I don't see why you shouldn't do so now." Silva nodded at Shai Ni and took a step forward, feeling more comfortable now that the food was hidden.

"I'm Silva, by the way." She forced down the urge to extend one set of talons at the pony, though.  She seemed like a spaz enough without pointy things pointed her way...

Applejack glanced briefly between Shai and Big Macintosh as Shai spoke about entering the contest. Was Shai serious, or did she just not get the situation. "Err.. Awright..." she added, after Silva's encouragement that she enter. "Ah guess that's  okay. Ah just wish ah knew where Rainbow was."

Realizing she has not made proper introductions with the new arrival, Shai Ni bows her head politely and replies, "I am Shai Ni, of Shanghay."  She stands back upright before giving Silva a pleasant smile and saying, "I perform acupuncture treatments and provide medicines to those who need them."

"Ah haven't noticed her 'round town yet.  S'pose she's layin' low until th'contest?" the red stallion suggested.  Of course, when Shai Ni proposed that she was going to enter as well, he couldn't help but give her a confused sort of look.  She wanted to date him, right?  Was she hedging her bets in case things didn't work out between them?

"Maybe she's planning something special.  When she was a filly, she'd always do things as spectacularly as possible.  It wouldn't be a good contest if she didn't make a grand entrance and do everything with the perfect amount of 'awesome'." Silva smiled, remembering all too well the little filly who never gave up and never settled for simple and ordinary.

Applejack chucked at the thought. "Heh..  yer' right about that, Silva. She's always been pretty awesome.." Applejack admitted, with just a hint of a glow in her cheeks. "Guess all ah can do is wait 'till she's ready to show up."

Noticing both the confused look from Big Macintosh and Applejack's blush, Shai Ni ponders if she is thinking of a 'Special Somepony' in the correct way.  Tilting her head to the left, she asks, "Should I not enter?  Am I misunderstanding something?"

"D'pends on how y'understand it, Miss Shai." Big Macintosh drawled as he shrugged his yoked shoulders.  "Th'contest is so that Rainbow Dash can find somepony t'start datin' and be her Special Somepony.  If y'happen t'be interested, then y'got every right t'join in." of course, as he said that, he cast his sister a pondering glance.

"Why would I not want to be her Special Somepony?  It sounds so-" Shai Ni begins to reply before she finally processes the entire statement - and its implications.  "Wait.  It is accompanied with dating... dating is supposed to be a romantic activity... romantic activities are supposed to be done with... oh.  Oh."

Shai blushes brightly once again, but manages NOT to let her horn glow (with much effort!) as she says, "I... do not think I will be entering after all."

The farmpony didn't really say anything,  despite her brother's look.  But as Shai seemed to figure things out, she raised a hoof to fuss with her hap, her own shade darkening a touch. "Ehe.. Yup. That's what it's all about.  Ah think she's bein' foalish with this, ya can't hold a contest ta' pick a Special Somepony..."

"Ah don't wanna see'er get hurt, like this..." Applejack wasn't the best with her truth-dodging, really. "And... uhh..."

"It's not the worst way to find a special somepony, Applejack.  After all, the best pony would win in a contest like that, and Rainbow Dash would hardly be hurt if that pony did win." Silva still would enter, of course, but her suspicions were confirmed. "Just try not to worry about it, okay?  The kind of pony that will win the contest wouldn't hurt her, right?"

She gave Applejack a careful and soft pat on the back to avoid pricking her.

"She'd be upset if someopony entered just to test themselves and happened to win! Or if the winner wasn't interested in the prize..  or..." She stomped a hoof lightly, "Ahem... I... uhh.. gotta keep an eye out..." She trotted along to one of the windows of Shai's shop, glancing out into the square anxiously.

Silva just tried to look understanding without being amused.  She could sense passion about a subject, and she didn't want to deny it.  Maybe she could motivate Applejack to perform a little bit better so that this contest would go closer and closer to how it should...

The thought did amuse her a little, though.

Applejack was a good Pony... she cared deeply about her friends and always worked hard to make sure they were taken care of.  In that respect, one could easily see her entrance into the competition as her just looking out after Rainbow Dash as she claimed.  After all, an athletic mare like her could easily cull the unsuitable contestants.

But, then again, Big Mac also knew his little sister a lot better than most.  And she was a terrible liar.

"Ah think we should be gettin' along then.  Ain't right t'be crowdin' up Miss Shai Ni's space like we are." the stallion spoke up before he looked to the diminutive Unicorn.  "Ah'm much obliged for all th'help so far.  Ah'll be sure t'look into what's needed for growin' rice first thing.  How much d'Ah owe y'for Granny's treatment, and when should we expect y'for another visit?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:58, Wed 24 Oct 2012.

Applejack kept watch out the window until Big Macintosh suggested they leave. Trotting back over, she gave him a glance. "Rice? Huh.. Could be somethin' interesting since we ain't done it before." she couldn't help a curious glance at Shai Ni..  Applejack suspected it had been her idea...

While not the most romantically wise, Shai Ni is no stranger to embarrassment when talking about others due to certain matters.  That, combined with Applejack's inability to lie in any sort of convincing manner whatsoever, give Shai enough of a hint to see that there is more than just wanting to keep Rainbow Dash out of trouble going on.

Another reason to stay out of the competition.

She smiles a bit when Big Macintosh mentions looking into growing rice, and then thinks about how to word her reply when Applejack chimes in about the rice and looks at her.  This, obviously, causes her to give a sheepish grin and glance to the side as if to say, 'who, me?  You must be joking.'  It seems that Shai Ni is about on par with Applejack for lies and misdirection.

Clearing her throat politely, she says with a slight blush, "All I require for payment for this treatment is... making me happy on the date."  Honestly, Shai Ni would be happy to give treatments for free if she didn't have to worry about expenses.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:06, Thu 25 Oct 2012.

Silva just observed with concealed amusement.  There were a lot of things here to be amused with.

As Shai and Big Macintosh discussed payment for. what exactly? Applejack had been our of the loop on that one. But perhaps more awkwardly... Shai's words... "Ehe...  ah'm sure ya'll will have a great time..." Applejack lightly facehoofed. "Err... not that it's any a' my business..." 

Aplejack just kept on blushing, and glanced along to the bemused Silva. "C'mon, let's  clear out, we're crowdin' the place up..."

Silva bowed lightly to Big Macintosh and Shai Ni. "Have a good day."

She led the way out slowly, waiting for Applejack.

"Ah... eeyup."  was all the stallion could manage at Shai Ni's low-voiced remark.  He normally wasn't the sort to get flustered all that easy but was once again grateful that blushes didn't show well on his always-red face.  Of course, he was going to pay Shai Ni actual money for her services later.  Flirting was nice, but so was proper monetary compensation for medicinal services rendered.

With that, Big Mac gave a polite nod of his head and turned to amble on out, holding the door open for his sister and Silva as well.

--> Big Mac exits to Town Square

As everypony (and gryphon) leaves her clinic, Shai Ni bashfully walks into the back room again, floating the basket with the pie along behind her.  Once she's in the back, she sits down and pulls out her box of needles so she can prepare them for another use, cleaning, sanitizing, and purifying them one at a time.

As she does so, she floats out a slice of pie and nibbles on it, letting the delicious taste of the pie wash away her nervousness and embarrassment.  I should have just asked for payment in pies.  This is really, really good, she thinks to herself as she works.

Applejack joined the others in departure, with a  light wave back to Shai as she ducked out of the shop.

Exit to Town Square

Having dealt with her equipment and her delicious pie (well, as much as she can reasonably manage, anyway, which is about two slices out of a dozen), Shai Ni looks outside and sees everypony gathering for the contest and sighs.  Nopony is going to come into her clinic during this, are they?  She will not exactly be the best choice for treating some of the potential injuries, either.  Some scrapes and bruises, yes, but not anything more serious than that.  There are other ponies better suited for such things.

So, with a another sigh, she decides that she might as well join the others outside to watch.  She was kind of hoping to have some more busywork to get her mind off of recent events.  A contest for a special somepony is not going to help settle her mind so much.

--> To: Special Event - Rainbow Dash's Contest

-- Begin Day 9 --

Shai Ni had been up and ready for more than an hour, despite not yet having had breakfast, as she was too busy going over her inventory and budget.  There is so much I need to restock, but it will be too expensive to order it by mail.  I may have to make a trip to Canterlot in order to properly restock until I can collect payment from the few clients I have had so far.  I wish I knew a way to attract more patients.  As much as I love assisting Miss Lotus and Miss Aloe, I cannot continue to rely on them for work, she thought to herself as she she finished taking stock and wrote out a list of things she needed.  Chief among the things she needed, of course, was rice.  She always needed more rice.

Welp.  There was only one thing she could do in that situation.

"I need pie."

Luckily, there was still some left from the previous day!  As she got herself some hearty apple pie for breakfast, she paused in thought.

If I keep eating like this, I am going to ruin my figure.  Why must it taste so good~?

-=Begin Day 9=-

A quick knock on the door would interrupt Shai Ni's indulgence. Nopony other than the diligent mailmare of Ponyville stood on the otherside of the door.

"Good morning, Miss Shiny! I hope I'm not interrupting anything. Today you were the last on my round so I decided to bring your mail personally. Most of them are adds but hey, they're fun to read nevertheless." Came Derpy's ever chipper greeting as she offered Shai Ni her mail. The pegasus was always hyper during mornings despite how she had to get up so early to do the daily mail rounds.

"Yesterday was pretty wild, huh? I saw you among the competitors, Miss Shiny. Me and Dinky were cheering for you in the crowd." Derpy chatted away in exited voice, making idle conversation while waiting for Shai Ni to take the mail.

Shai Ni paused and quickly wiped her mouth before opening the door, smiling at the sight of the resident mailmare.  "Good morning, Miss Derpy Hooves.  I have a bit of mail I just finished writing, so you have perfect timing," she replied as she took the mail with her mouth and brought it over to the front desk to deposit it.  Her horn glowed as she quickly plated up another slice of the apple pie and brought it over to the door as she returned to continue conversing.  At the same time, she brought over an envelope with the address written in both Equestrian and Chineighs, with some serious postage to make it first-class delivery.  Letters home were serious business, after all.  "Ah, thank you," Shai said with a tiny blush at the mention of the previous evening as well as her participation in the competition.  At least it had all worked out in the end!

With a pleasant smile, she asked, "Would you like some apple pie?  You must be hungry after making your rounds."

She thought about mentioning that there was too much for her to eat, but she did not wish to appear as if Derpy putting on some weight due to the rich food was better than she herself adding to her own hips.

"Pie!?"

Derpy's left eye made an exited twirl at the mention of baked good."Oh, I'd love to. Thank you, Miss Shiny." The grey mare quipped happily as she accepted Shai's offered envelope. She stared at it with disbelief in her eyes, trying to make something out of the Chineighs writing and the postages. For a second her face showed a troubled expression but in another quick moment it was gone, replaced with her usual airy smile."Wow, something tells me this letter is out of my usual rounds. Sure thing, I'll take it back with me to the post office and let the others handle it from there."

Placing the letter inside her signature mailbag, Derpy made sure it wouldn't fall off. Last time she lost mail somepony missed their siblings weddings. Luckily it was only that one time. "Actually, this is the first time I've talked with Miss Shiny personally. I've seen you in the town many times but ever since you moved your business here in business district I've waited the right chance. My wings have been feeling stiff for a while now, do you think your needle-thingy could help me?" Derpy asked in exited voice.

Shai smiled as Derpy responded positively, both to the pie and to the letter.  She set the pie down on the desk so the pegasus could eat it at her leisure and listened as she talked.  "You would like to make an appointment?  That is wonderful!  Acupuncture is always helpful for ponies, although not necessarily directly or instantly.  Miss Lotus and Miss Aloe are much better at making you feel better more quickly than I," she answered gently before making a massaging gesture with her left front hoof and adding with a tiny smile, "they have magic hooves."

She walked back to her desk and floated out a small schedule book and opened it with her hooves, flipping through the very empty pages as if looking for a time that would be available in an otherwise full calendar.  With a sheepish smile, she said, "I am... rather free at the moment.  I will be leaving relatively soon for a few days at most in order to resupply what I need at Canterlot to ensure a full stock of medicines, but other than that, I am able to treat you at any time.  If you have the time, I could give you a treatment right now.  It can take up to an hour, however, and I would not wish to keep you from your duties."

"Thank you, I'mm letting myself in." Taking the invitation inside, Derpy dug happily in the delicious pie and let Shai Ni take the lead of the conversation. She was the professional, after all.

She listened attentively Shai's explanation and swallowed before speaking up."Uh huh, I thought so too. This has been quite persistent little ailment I've been having for a while. Miss Lotus thinks it might have been the sudden and continuous strain I put on my wings while I was carrying both the mailbag and Dinky in the past. Oh and yes, they really do have magic hooves. I've been treated several times." She said happily, taking another bite.

"It's not really bothering me but it would be wonderful if you had time." At Shai's suggestion of instant treatment Derpy spaced out for a while before answering.

"I would love to, but today's kinda special. I'm finished with my round but later on today I have to leave to Manehattan for...now what was that...right, the cooking competition. I...oh my." As if she had suddenly realized something, Derpy's expression changed in to a troubled. She seemed to think for a while before looking back to Shai Ni."Miss Shiny, you don't suppose you know someone good with fillies, do you? I realized the competition might take longer than expected and I might return very late. I need someone to check lil' Dinky for me. I'm quite sure she can handle herself but just to make sure."

"I see," Shai Ni replied as she listened to Derpy's replies, including her sudden panic.  "If I was not expecting to go away soon, I would offer to check on her myself.  She is such a wonderful filly," she said with a happy smile, "However, I unfortunately do not know too many ponies around the town very well.  I would recommend Miss Applejack, but she is still recovering from her injury yesterday.  Miss Rainbow Dash is occupied with taking over her duties, and I believe Miss Merriweather is also attending the competition, so she will not be available, either.  Putting a hoof to her chin in thought, she mused, "I suppose you could ask Miss Aloe and Miss Lotus, or perhaps Miss Twilight Sparkle."

Giving Derpy an apologetic smile, she said, "I am sorry I cannot help you more."

Shaking her head briefly, Derpy brushed off Shai's apology with smile and for a second she focused both her eyes on the Chineight pony before returning to the wall-eyed stare."It's okay, Miss Shiny. I should have thought about it earlier. I'm sure Dinky can handle herself just fine. She's a big filly already and is used to staying home alone, after all." There was mix of pride and lament in Derpy's voice, quite unusual for her but whenever it was about her daughter the ditzy pegasus seemed to make more sense than normally.

She finished the last bite of pie and licked her lips with satisfied smile."I guess I could ask Miss Merriweather where she is going to have Meadow Lark foalsitted. Thank you for sharing the delicious pie with me, Miss Shiny." She started to walk towards the door, not wanting to intrude more than this. As she slung the mailbag over her head, she turned to look at Shai again.

"We could talk about my appointment later when I get back from Manehattan. Oh, I'm looking forward seeing the big city again." Derpy flapped her wings in exitement, her previous troubles forgotten as she was getting spirited again. Lovering her position Derpy got ready to take off but a thought came to her mind. She froze in her position and gestured towards Shai."Is there anything I could get you from Manehattan? You said about getting restock from Canterlot but I'm sure they have good supplies in there as well."

Shai could not help but feel the utmost respect for Derpy whenever she talked about her filly.  Say what one would about the mailmare, she truly cared for and put her all into making Ditzy happy.  Shai brightened when Derpy mentioned Merriweather and Meadow Lark, and gave her new friend a pleased smile when she was thanked.  "You are welcome, Miss Derpy Hooves.  I shall be waiting for your triumphant return," she said as Derpy got ready to fly off.  When inquired about what supplies there were to get, Shai Ni gave Derpy an awkward smile and floated over her list of medicinal plants - all in Chineighs.  it was a small list in appearance, but not a bit of Equestrian was present.  "I am afraid I do not yet know the names of what I need in Equestrian.  I am headed to Canterlot for translation as well as resupply.  A hope of mine is to be able to acquire the plants themselves, or at least seeds or sprouts, so I may try and grow my own.  The rest I can obtain locally through one means or another, so I do not need to run so far to obtain them."  The list rolled itself back up and tucked back into a pocket in Shai's dress as she said, "Still... I do appreciate the offer.  Thank you, Miss Derpy Hooves."

"Aw, too bad but I guess you're right. Can't read a word from those wibbly-wobbly letters. Sure hope I could. Then I could expand my rounds to Chineigh as well." Without any regard for distances or such, Derpy happily imagined herself flying around Chineigh countryside with rice planter's hat and her trusty mailbag, delivering mail to other ponies wearing similar hats on rice fields.

The grey pegasus seemed to zone out for a moment, the "screensaver"(see OOC few pages back) taking a hold before she returned to their current surroundings."Welp, I should get going now. Have a nice day, Miss Shiny! I try to remember bringing you something from the Manehattan! See you!" Before Shai could say or do anything to reply Derpy took off in such hurry she dropped the letter she was given before.

Thankfully she returned only second later to pick it up with sheepish smile, then left again this time in lot slower pace.

--> Exit to Summersong Cafe

Having kept herself rather occupied with busywork after Derpy's exit, Shai Ni feels her belly rumble once again, and in a very specific manner.  Cautiously, she floats over her purse of spending money and counts her bits.  One, two, three, four... thirty in total.  Business really needs to pick up.  Well, it needs to start, really.

While she prefers to cook for herself, when her tummy demands cake, she cannot argue.  As such, she walks out the front door, flips the sign from "Open" to "Closed", closes the door behind her, and heads to Sugarcube Corner.

Although... something feels... off.

Shaking her head, she decides it must just be her hunger.

--> To: Ponyville Business District - Sugarcube Corner

--> From: The Equestrian Express Train Station

"... and that was how I found myself, ah, 'talking shop' as they call it here, with two princesses at once.  Well, after I was removed from the stone tile.  Again."

The entire time they were walking, Shai Ni had been telling Xing Ming aaaaaaaaaall about what had been going on in Ponyville for the past year - that she knew about, at least.  When they finally got to the clinic, Shai Ni gently set down the trunk and telescope before using her magic to open the front door.

Which she then ran into because it did not open.

Taking a step back and shaking her head, she looked at the door with confusion and tried the handle with her hooves, quickly discovering that it was locked.  Frantically, she searched herself for a key, only to notice that she was carrying no keys at all.  Hesitantly, she peeked through a window and saw that, yes, her key was where it belonged.  Hanging on the wall behind the front desk, where it would do her no good.

Not sure what to do, she backed up and suddenly gasped when she saw that the window to her room was open.  On the second floor.  If only she could get up there!  But she was far too tired, and did not wish to risk climbing.  In fact, she barely had the strength left in her to lift the trunk...

That was it!

"Xing Ming, if I levitate your bag, can you hold onto it and let me guide you in through the window?  Then you can unlock the front door!  I was foolish and locked it behind me somehow," she explained with a sheepish smile.  She was confident she could get Xing Ming up there safely, but not herself.

<<< From: The Ponyville Train Station

Xing watched her cousin in pure rapture as she described some of her adventure and misadventure with all of her new friends in Ponyville. She was a very good audiance, gasping and giggling all at the right times, and even clasped her hoof to her mouth at a few points. She was so into Shai's storytelling, she had run into Shai as Shai had run into the door!

Silently, Xing fretted as to what had  haopened for the few moments of silence. Shai's solution, however, made her alightly cower. "Oh...! Um... o-kay... I think I can hold on... okay..." she squeaked nervously, but seemed unwilling to refuse to help.

Once she was absolutely sure the little filly had gotten a good grip on the bag, Shai Ni focused her magic on the bag itself and gave it a test lift, levitating both the bag and the filly off the ground just enough to confirm it was a good grip and that Xing Ming would be safe.  Confident that everything and everypony would be alright, Shai Ni lifted the bag (with the filly) up to and through the open window, gently past anything they might hit inside the bedroom, and then very, very slowly lowered them both to just above the ground and held it there for a good twenty seconds, allowing Xing Ming time to climb off before she set the bag down gently in the middle of the floor space.  As she hadn't lived there too long just yet, she was still a bit unfamiliar with the exact dimensions, and so she wanted to play it safe with a little wiggle room.  Another month or two of living there and she'd be fine, though.

Also, pushing herself after being awake for a good 24 hours without rest and lots of anxious excitement building up the entire time was a pretty big factor for control.  She'd have to be careful about running the clinic today.  Thank Faust she had no appointments!

--> From: The Equestrian Express Train Station

"... and that is how I came to live here," Shai Ni said, finishing her story as she stopped in front of her clinic.  She paused to smile up at it before retrieving the key from a pocket on her dress and opening the entire door, causing a bell to ring before she entered.

"I will give you the tour later, but for now, we should bring your things upstairs.  I have turned the first room on the left into your room, and mine is at the end of the hall.  I have a living and dining room of sorts in the room on the right, although I do most of the cooking downstairs, and usually eat at my desk.  Not the most luxurious of designs, but I did turn the entire downstairs into a clinic and reception area, as you can see."

<<< FROM: Equestrian Express Train Station <<<

Xing, by now, was staring outright at her cousin as she relayed the story of the giant fireball that engulfed her clinic during the night of festivities so many months ago. "Oh my goodness! You're so lucky nopony was hurt!" she said breathless. Like her cousin, she too wore traditional Chineighs garb, though while she was working at night time she found it easier to follow Equestrian ponies and wear little or nothing. It took some getting used to, that was for sure...

"Oh, my! This is perfect, Shai, I love the idea of living so close to your clinic!" she said happily, looking around as they entered the home. "It's so warm and inviting! You've done so much in so little time." She beamed at her cousin. "I hope I have as much success with everything in Equestria. I am happy you have let me come stay with you." She moved forward and hugged her cousin again happily. "I swear I will not be a bother. I will not even leave dishes in the sink, I promise."

She stepped back, still smiling. "Let me take my things upstairs. Then, why don't we have something to eat? I brought ingredients for daikon mien noodles~!" Freeze dried of course, how else would it travel? Still, it was probably the best thing she could get in Equestria!

Shai Ni was more than happy at the news of ingredients from home.  It was so difficult to get them here, although at least the staple ingredient in so many things, her beloved rice, was being grown locally now.  The knowledge that she helped the Apple family choose a crop to grow that had little local competition and was so readily accepted and utilized by the town and beyond made pride swell within her for suggesting it every time she had some.  Of course, she only suggested it and the Apple family did all the hard work, but still, she gave them the idea, right?

She was also certain that being able to cook and taste the first harvest was a date.  Everypony had fun and there was food.  Also Big McIntosh seemed to enjoy her cooking.  That seemed date-like, although she wasn't sure why Twilight and Widget seemed to have so much more fun on theirs.  Maybe she was doing something wrong?  She'd have to inquire later.

Her mind returned to the present after she finished walking into her desk and bonking her head.  "Awa!" she exclaimed before taking a step back, thankfully having her horn miss the edge so she didn't get herself stuck (again), "T-that would be lovely.  I shall remain down here and get the oven ready."

So she said, but the moment Xing was out of sight, Shai started sleeping where she stood.

Xing visibly startled when Shai bonked her head on the desk, looking alarmed. However, by the odd wedged hole in the side of the wood, it was not the first time her older cousin had knocked it. She relaxed visibly when Shai seemed to rapidly move on to the kitchen. "O-Okay. Be careful," she said with a smile, and moved to take her things upstairs. She too was sleepy, but she was more excited about seeing her cousin again, and being in a new place with new ponies, and of course meeting Princess Luna that evening when she was supposed to come to Ponyville to greet her new apprentice.

Xing unpacked quickly (she despised living out of a suitcase and wouldn't feel comfortable unless everything was put away neatly). She took off her dress, noticing on the way in how few ponies wore any kind of clothing, and felt more comfortable here without any on at all. With great care, she set up her massive telescope, which folded out several times before stopping. It was even bigger than Twilight Sparkle's at the library had been! "Perfect," she sighed happily as she adjusted the sights on a far away cloud to bring it into perfect focus. Gathering up the freeze dried vegetables and noodles, she made her way downstairs again. It had been maybe twenty minutes, but she didn't smell anything from the kitchen... Had Shai changed her mind?

"Shai Ni~" she called out as she moved into the kitchen, pausing at the sight of the golden mare standing at the counter with her eyes closed. "... Biaomei? Are you okay?"

When Xing called out to her, Shai Ni was still very much slumbering where she stood.  In fact, it took several seconds before there was any reaction at all.  Finally, however, Shai Ni slowly started to move towards the back so she could start the oven.  She moved at a very slow pace, swaying slightly as she did so, but thankfully opened her eyes and genuinely woke up before she even attempted to do anything with the stove.

The first thing Xing would notice was how meticulously organized the back of the clinic was, complete with the beds for the patients and the various medicines lining the shelves.  The second thing she would notice, however, is the bags of rice leaning against the far wall that were quite clearly locally packaged, as they were from Sweet Apple Acres.

With a tired, apologetic smile, Shai Ni looked at her cousin as if to ask forgiveness for falling asleep on her feet earlier, then very carefully lit the wood in the stove with a match so that they could cook.

"It may be a bit old-fashioned, but it reminds me of home more than the ovens and stove tops most ponies have here, and it also helps me be ready with tea at a moment's notice," she explains as she closes the stove door and latches it with her magic, "I am hoping it will also help keep the place warm during the winter."