Lollipop Swirl was walking down the streets of Ponyville. She was heading towards the Apples' market stand, to buy some of the sweet fruits. She was humming a song, one that was usually sang for little fillies. The day was perfect, and she felt like nothing could ruin it. She looked left and right, admiring the way the sun reached the walls of the familiar houses. She was so distracted by the beauty of this quite everyday view, that she bumped into the stand she wanted to reach.
"I'm so sorry!" She quickly said turning towards the young salespony. The mare selling the fruits didn't look like somepony from the Apple family, they probably hired her. Lollipop Swirl put the few apples that fell down to the ground after the collision with the stand in front of the other pony. She added some more apples to the small pile, then smiled at the salespony and bought the apples she put in front of the other mare. Placing the fruits into her saddlebag, she said goodbye to the other pony, and turned around humming a song.
But soon, getting distracted again, tripped in a stone. She hit her nose on the ground, and the apples fell out of her bag. But she didn't do anything. She was so surprised by simply falling that her brain froze for a short while. She just stared forward blankly, trying to understand that she wasn't walking anymore. Some ponies stopped and stared at her, for she could have seemed like she was seriously hurt, others, who knew her already, just walked past her, knowing this happened to her millions of times a day.
Book Keeper trotted along the marketplace, taking in all the scenery. It was her first visit to Ponyville, and a much needed vacation from all of her work. The marketplace was small, but quite busy, with ponies of all kinds selling their wares. As she moved forward, she noticed an earth pony who had tripped onto the ground, apples spilling out of her saddlebags. She quickly moved to help the other pony.
"Hey, are you alright?" she asked as she helped the mare to her hooves.
"Yeah, are you all right?" Butter Cookie said standing next to Book Keeper.
Lollipop accepted the help of the unfamiliar mare in front of her.
"Thanks!" she said with a friendly smile. "Yes, I am fine. This happens a lot to me." she added, smiling at the other pony too.
"I'm Lollipop Swirl. You two are?" she said finally.
"Why, I'm Book Keeper!" the unicorn exclaimed, striking a pose. "The best knowledge broker Baltimare has to offer!"
(yay! you posted! ^-^)
"And I'm Butter Cookie, the only known Nrocinu in Equestria! Well, at least, I think."
Ice Blossom quietly trotted through the marketplace, her mane covering her face as she hung her head low in an effort to avoid everypony.
"Woah, knowledge broker? You must be so clever!" she said, really excited. The word "knowledge" could easily make her look up to anypony. She seemed to completely ignore everypony else.
"Weeeell," said Book Keeper with a grin, "I'm clever enough. I've got to be to keep up with the competition!"
Ice Blossom overheard the conversation and rolled her eyes. Her long mane still covering her face as she walked past the two conversing ponies.
Suddenly, Book Keeper's ears pricked up. Her inner sense was telling her that the earth pony passing by was doubting her abilities!
"Excuse me miss," Book Keeper addressed the mare. "I'll have you know that I'm very capable!"
'Please don't be talking to me, please don't be talking to me, please don't be talking to me.' Ice Blossom repeated over and over in her head as she continued to walk.
"Oh dang, she ran off again. Which way did she go?"
"That pony didn't answer? That's impolite." Lollipop said, and immediately started walking in the direction she thought quiet mare headed. She really wanted to ask her what was wrong. "Are you two coming with me?" She asked, looking back at the others.
"I can do that," Book Keeper answered her, and she followed after Lollipop.
Ice Blossom took a deep breath once clear of the other ponies. Just breath... Just breath... The blue mare continued on towards the edge of town.
"I can of course, I mean, I asked the question..."
"There she is!" Lollipop said happily, and started trotting after the mare she spotted in the crowd.
Ice Blossom continued towards the open space outside town. Once she felt far enough from town, she flipped her hair back, out of the way of her eyes, and sat back on her haunches.
"Lead the way!" Book Keeper said cheerfully as she followed after Lollipop.
Ice Blossom sighed and sat there in the grass, eyes closed.
(( :3 ))
*Someone walks in front of her, and stops*
???: Hello..? :l
One of Ice Blossom's ears flicked at the sound of another pony. She sat, eyes still closed and didn't move, hoping they would think she wasn't paying any attention.
*The other pony stands their while GM pokes Ice*
GM: She could be sleeping... :3
Imfamous Catch: What do you mean 'could?'
Ice Blossom opened an eye and peeked at the pony who had poked her. "Yes? Can I help you? The mare said with a soft and quiet voice.
"Ah! There you are!" Book Keeper said in sing-song voice as their group reached the pegasus mare.
Ice Blossom's ears flicked again at the sound of another pony.
"Yay! We found you!" Lollipop said with the kind of smile a small kid has on their face when winning a game of tag: a little tired, but happy and victorious.
"Hmm... Well, I've tried village hall, a boutique, the plaza, a library and several main streets: It really isn't easy to find one mare within the busiest times of the day."
With a small saddlebag hanging from his back, the stone-coloured stallion walks the dirt road leading towards the outer edge of Ponyville. His head had been swaying from time-to-time as he scanned the open area of plantations and fields. After being around the village for a couple of days, Act One had gotten the gist of where the main hotspots of Ponyville, and obtained some vague information about something he was interested in. It was the reason why he had come to the area for this particular visit.
However, his immediate problem is trying to find somepony of a certain description who can help further by providing the information he seeks.
"Well, since I can't imagine such a pony would have a big store with a sign screaming "I've got all the knowledge you need!" in town, she must have her own place that doesn't advertise where she work - especially if it's her own home that they work at..."
Right then, he notices a couple of small groups of ponies merging together in one place. Just catching his eyes, he notices one pony that has attracted his attention.
"Bright mane, white coat, book cutie mark - Bingo! I better catch up to her."
Act starts to sprint towards the groups, as he hears the target shout out to the pegasus. Instead of making a new ruckus, the two-tone maned stallion thought it would be polite to approach the other ponies quietly and not interrupt them.
I'm not in any particular rush to get this done - I'll let her sort this out first and cut in before she gallops off.
After thinking so, Act One slips besides the rest of the incoming group's members and watches on.
Ice Blossom opened her other eye and looked around. "Can I help any of you?" She asked, slightly irritated.
As the questioning winged pony scans the group with both eyes, Act felt like an extra log that's been thrown into some fire. He pleas his innocence by holding one hoof up and takes a small step back. Trying to portray the notion of "I'm not one of them" and giving her breathing room, he wonders if it's starting to look like some cruel intervention.
He hangs back to observe the situation in case it starts looking ugly.
Book Keeper nodded. "Yes, you can!" she said brightly. "How come you ignored me back there?"
Ice Blossom looked at the bright white unicorn with a fiery mane. "I had... other things to attend to." Blossom said quietly.
Book Keeper raised an eyebrow. "Like lying down and enjoying the clouds?" she asked
"Like meditating." Blossom looked at Book with blank look.
"Oh," Book Keeper replied thoughtfully. She thought for a moment, then asked, "Mind if I join you?"
She contemplated for a moment, her throat closed up a little in panic, but she kept a straight face. "This is everypony's medow... I have no right to say no, but I wouldn't mind it."
"Great!" Book Keeper responded cheerfully as she sat down next to the other pony. She folded her legs beneath her, placed her forelegs on them, and closed her eyes.
Blossom felt eyes looking at her, other ponies were still here.
After the brief conversation seeming slighty sour and then brighter, Act One felt like as the mares are comfortable that now was a good time to make his push. Gently trotting to the blazing-haired mare, he clears his throat to speak.
"Howdy. Excuse my rudeness, but by any luck a type of pony who may aquire knowledge and sell for an asute price? If so, I'd like to arrange a trade if you have what's needed. Heard a mare of your description was SUBLIME in such work..."
He hopes the cheery tone and a little flattery could pay it's dues in getting a fairer trade.
Lollipop looked at the stallion with amazement. She understood nothing of what he said to the white unicorn, but he sounded really clever and well-learned. For her, it seemed like he stepped right out of one of the tales she heard as a filly.
"Um, sorry for interrupting, but you seem like an awesome pony to me! What's your name?" she said to the light-grey pony.
Slightly blushed by the unexpected compliment, Act One steels himself and keeps his "well-bred" demeanor. Giving an acute bow, he answers towards aqua-blue maned inquisitor.
"Please pardon my rudeness, my neglect towards mares in present company is unbecoming of which I shall correct. I am Act One - And "awesome" am I? I'm not the type of "PEPSK" that goes around boasting about unconfirmed skills. However, who am I to deny other ponies' opinion of me? I say that is the correct material to build for somepony's claims."
The "aristocrat" then holds out his hoof to pass on his question of mutual respect.
"May I ask of your name, little miss?"
Pixel walked to the applemarket to get a few baskets of apples.
"Sure I am Lollipop Swirl, you can call me Lollipop." she said cheerfully, and shook the hoof of the stallion.
"Huff, huff, huff... Sorry, I'm a bit slow.. What's happening Lollipop? and who is this stallion? I also feel like I sound suspicious... :I"
Blossom was about to lose it, she was surrounded by strangers who had interrupted her meditation.
"Oh my, ponies keep popping out everywhere."
The stallion in question turns to the late comer and addresses them.
"Please, do not worry - I'm trying to do business with the other mare beside us."
He then notices the scrunched face of the earth pony trying to find "inner peace" and lowers his volume. Putting his hoof towards his mouth and leaning closer to the remaining ponies, Act whispers.
"But maybe we all better tone it down a notch, for I feel we are intruding upon another's duty."
Ice Blossom inhaled sharply, calming her a little. 'Why can't I be a unicorn and teleport away, or a pegasus and fly away?' She though to herself.
Lollipop smiled apologetically in the direction of the pony trying to meditate. "I'm sorry." she whispered towards her, and walked a few steps away, to give the mare some space.
Blossom waved a hoof in appreciation and returned to meditating.
(I'm really, really sorry about taking so long to post. I shall try to avoid that in the future X3)
"Do you need it right now or can it wait?" Book Keeper addressed the stallion, eyes still shut. "I'm kind of on vacation right now."
On vacation? After coming all the way out here?
After the slim thoughts of defeat swam in his head, Act pushed them aside and built up some determination. He may only have so much time before somepony or something may affect his mission. So he'll be a little selfish this time.
"Actually..." The stallion pulls the bag from his bag off to slip onto the floor. His explanation continues whilst rummaging through it. "I need to get the information a.s.a.p. based on location, routes, any rumours link to either of those points, and about something I have here. But I wont show you until you have agreed to help."
The hoof pushing items in the cloth container stops short of bringing out something inside.
Blossom inhaled deeply. 'Why can't you go away...' She thought as business was being conducted next to her.
(Sorry, I've been really busy the past few days X3
Also, I finally get to show her at work. Yay! ^-^)
Book Keeper sighed. She really had been looking forward to a nice break, but sometimes, there was just no escaping her work. Muttering to herself that she was going to have words with a certain someone. She stood up and walked a short distance away from the group, beckoning to Act One to follow.
Judging by the complimentary sigh and body language as the white mare rose to her feet, the short stony stallion recognized that she beckons him to follow in her reluctance. Through the glimpse of guilt, he still pushes a glimmer of triumph in his poise. Act hurriedly knocked the item back further into the bag and flung it onto his spine. Rushing up to get side-by-side with the information broker, he whispers to her from a respectable distance.
"Thank you, Madam. I sense that this may have been troublesome on my part, but I will make sure you are well endorsed for the efforts. A good deed (even if it's part of the occupation) should not go unnoticed, as I see it."
As they start to wander away from the others, they leave without the knowledge of a certain cloth pouch flung into the air and landing with a jingle. It is left near the grass of the other ponies' gathering.
((OOC: The contents is purely economic, with numerous "bits" gathered inside.))
"Look..., they dropped that!" Lollipop remarked, looking at the bag, then staring after the forms of the two leaving ponies. Lollipop trots to the pouch, and picks it up in her mouth, starting to hurry after the stallion and the mare. She looks back at the other ponies, and says a muffled "Bye!" to them, in case they don't follow her.
"..." Book Keeper didn't answer as they continued walking. After a little while, she stopped and turned to face Act.
"I require an advance payment of two bits", she said in a neutral tone. "I will also require from you a short description regarding your talents, cutie-mark related and other, as well as your occupation."
A tilt of the head and his mane falls slightly to the side to reveal more of his face. This reaction comes from the perplexed lack of reason for him to detail such unrelated things in his mind to the other pony. Nevertheless, he thought giving the information wouldn't harm his goal.
"Well, to be truthful, the cutie mark isn't specific to any one major talent... To be frank, I'm not an extraordinary proprietor of any skill. More closer to the fact I am able to do all the smaller tasks any other pony can do, but I can do it on my own. A jack-of-all-trades and somepony that can adapt on his own, to act out alone. Hence "Act One." Or so I'd like to believe anyways..."
After explaining such a vague and possible non-particular ability, the hoof scratches the back of the neck and with closed eyes grins in mixed emotion.
"I'm not really employed by anypony and I haven't got a job at this moment, which is why I saved up to do this at this time. My last job was helping to renovate the village hall for a couple of days. Oh, speaking of money-"
At this moment, the stallion rests on his flank and pulls the saddle pack from his back to his front. Opening the container, his nose reaches in closer as his hoofs dig into the contents to dig out his money. The object of mystery - pencil and pad - used train tickets - a slightly melted bar of chocolate - a letter of Thank You from Mayor Mare - pencil and pad - melted chocolate bar...
Wait a minute... This isn't right.
... Used train tickets - the mysterious object - the Thank You letter - the bottom of the bag - those annoying tickets again!
At that point, beads of perspiration turned into streams of sweat, and his focus starts to become frantic. Without hesitation, the bag is flipped over and the contents falls out after some shakes.
Spread out on the floor was - a pencil - a chocolate bar part melted - a letter from Mayor Mare - a pad - a wrapped up object - and a pair of trai-
"You're kidding me!!"
Pounding the now worthless scraps of paper for his train journey, his breathing becomes accelerated and his mind blank. Appearing after a moment comes inner questions of "Where could it be?" and "How much was in there?" as well as, "What am I going to do now?" A flood of confused queries, but none having an answer reach them.
Lollipop Was trotting towards the two ponies, with the pouch still in her mouth. She wanted to call out to them to wait for her, but then she would have dropped the bag.
She heard them talking, but she couldn't understand the words said, since they were too far. As she got closer, she saw the stallion sit down, and start looking for something in his bag. Even Lollipop understood, that this something must have been the pouch they dropped earlier.
Suddenly the stallion started acting really angry, or so it seemed to Lollipop. He looked really scary, so Lollipop stopped trotting right away, and sat down in the grass, small pouch still hanging from her mouth.
She was scared, but she also wanted to return the small bag, so she decided to sit down, and wait for the storm to pass entirely.
"Your bits may still be in the area; it is possible that you dropped them somewhere here," Book Keeper commented with the same neutral tone as Act searched frantically.
After the words came out of Book Keeper's mouth, Act's temperament went from a bubbling boil to a slight swirl of worry. Scooping his items into the saddle pack, he replies in a different and natural form than the fancy accent.
"You're... You're right. Just gotta get my head straight and retrace my steps. I gotta go back to the fields. I definitely had my bits before then."
With that, he got up and started to gallop the way they came, thinking the companion would follow.
Ice Blossom sat with her eyes still shut, and inhaled deeply. "Okay... I'm good for the day. She stood and made her way back towards the market.
Book Keeper noted that the mare she had followed had gotten up and was leaving. In doing so, she noticed that Lollipop was sitting down not far away, with a cloth pouch in her mouth. She narrowed her eyes, and walked over to her.
Seeing Book Keeper walking towards her, Lollipop stood up, and carefully placed the pouch down on the ground. She smiled at the mare. "Is this yours? Or maybe Act One's?" she asked, with a tilt of her head.
Wizzing past the cheerful mare and missing her from his perception, Act gets back to the grassy area that everyone in the unplanned gathering had been, and started looking eagerly for the familiar pouch.
After a few seconds of searching, he notices one of the former group was on their way away, so the desperate One chased after her.
"Wait, please?!" Act then stops just short of the fore-mare. "You haven't seen a small pouch lying around here while we were around, did you? I must of lost it when I threw my bag over before I left..."
Maple sighed as he finished for the day on his boiler which had broken down agian for the past week. As he got up and turned of his blowtorch he didn't realize he had a smear of grease on his cheek as he walked out into the fresh air.
Book Keeper relaxed a bit as Lollipop explained herself. "The pouch does not belong to me," she told the earth pony. "I suspect that it indeed belongs to Act One."
(btw, I forgot to mention that Book is right now speaking in a Manehattan accent X3)
Maple decided to go for a walk stil not realizing the streak of grease on his cheek
"Oh, to Act One...? Thank you very much." Lollipop smiled and turned around to walk after the stallion.
Didn't even bat an eyelash...
The stunned male was on his flank again, with a mouth gaped open and hoof outstretched, yet slacked in rejection. It seemed like his request went past the other pony as if he had never said anything. As she walked off further from him, Act could only sit in bewilderment.
"Must of been a zen-trance thing..."
After short spell of confusion passed, the blue eyes turned and focused on what they was doing before - looking around the immediate area for his belongings. After not being successful for about a couple of minutes, the twin orbs start to droop down in defeat. They could see now that not only is his quest not going to be fulfilled, but his stomach will crave and not have, and then themselves will not taste sweet slumber on a soft, warm pillow.
A last ditch effort - The eyes manage to catch something in their arc. A young mare that the stallion had spoken to is caught in his sights. Gently and gleefully trotting over towards them, and they record the image to pass to the brain. But one image sparks an immediate reaction as the eyes transmit one thing to the mind to digest.
The pouch!
MINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINEMINE
The legs thundered across the soil at lightning speed, as if projecting the many legs of a centipede when there is only 4; Back and neck flattened for a more aerodynamic frame, like a rocket punching through the air; Mane and tail whipping with each motion, creating subatomic sonic booms with each flick:
But the most dynamic feature change was the face. Nostrils pumping steam through like an engine would - A tightly scrunched muzzle contorted with strain - but most of all, "They" were monstrous. Eyes burning with intent, breaking normal boundaries as they span almost half the face, yet they cave in the middle as if sending scorn directly towards their target. If one were to look directly into them, they would be torn between a cold chill that will freeze them in place and a powerful force that would shatter their spirit.
And this being of "pure intent" is heading straight for the cheery mare with seemingly all-too-kind demeanor.
Book Keeper was watching Lollipop turn and walk after Act One when Lollipop started moving very slowly. Realizing what was happening, she glanced around a bit and saw Act racing towards them in an odd position. She took the precious time remaining to decide her next course of action.
"Calm down," she said harshly as time resumed. She wrapped her telekinesis around Act's forelegs, hindlegs, and torso, and pushed down with immense pressure. Looking into his eyes, she saw an incredible spirit that threatened to crush her, yet stayed firm. She had grappled with wills greater than this, and would not waver.
'Hmmmm. Interesting,' she thought to herself.
Blossom saw the commotion and rolled her eyes. "For Celestia's sake." She walked towards the commotion.
" I wonder what's going on " maple asked
Lollipop stepped back from the scary stallion, and stared at him in surprise and terror. She then looked at Book keeper with a confused face. Lollipop didn't quite understand what was going on, but she did feel like there was some kind of fight between the mare and the stallion, not a physical one though. She also noticed that there was unicorn magic involved. Which she could never understand, being an earth pony, and definitely not the brightest out there.
She decided that the best option could be asking about what is going on. So, turning towards the white mare, she did so in her own way.
"Um... Are you two not friends now? C-can I help solve this in any way...?" she said to the unicorn in a worried voice.
((Sorry for late reply. Couldn't find the time to post anything until now.))
Brought down by a thumping pressure on half his body, Act was suddenly also half a face buried in the dirt as he crashed down. Coming to a stop at the white unicorn's hooves, the "incredible spirit" remained still for a moment as his ears picked up what was being said around him. That, and he wasn't so comfortable having the posture of his flank level above his head height. After the words were spoken by the 2 mares, the "pop" of something being pulled out, like a vegetable from the soil, made sound as the head of the stallion sprung out of the ground.
"Daw - but I was only going to ask her to return what's mine. Nothing more-" The blue in his gentle eyes came back in it's gleeful glimmer as he spoke to the white mare. He continued with his explanation, "I mean, I just got a little excited seeing my pouch safe-and-sound."
After telling the broker his intent, Act's head swivels to Lolipop and smiles to her before he speaks.
"And we're associates, but by no means are we fighting. If there's something to be solved, then could you please drop my pouch next to my face... I'm kind of stuck down here at the moment, and I need to pay the fee that I owe."
Lollipop, relived by the change of events, picked up the pouch she had dropped when she spoke, and quickly carried it to the stallion. She dropped it down, and smiled.
"Here you go!" she said cheerfully. "I am happy that you two won't hurt each other. But... could you be a little less frightening in the future? You really really scared me." She added that last part a a nervous tone.
This whole situation was so confusing that she didn't care to understand anything anymore. All she wanted was for problems to be solved, and things seemed to get more and more untangled with every second passing. So as long as no more complications were to come, she was happy.
A snicker escapes from the grounded pony's mouth. He wasn't trying to mock or insult, but the words said to him took him by surprise and it was just a little humorous to him.
"I'm sorry. I'm not trying to be a jerk, but frightening? I'm not a big stallion, since I barely match up to you two. How can I be scary?"
Totally unaware of his ego forcing its presence upon the others in his excitement, he tries to put himself in their hooves nevertheless.
"If I did seem like a monster, then I apologize. It's never my intention to upset anypony. Guess that's why I'm planted here. When I'm done with my deal with my associate, would you let me buy you a snack as penance for my misdeeds?"
Book Keeper released her hold on Act One; the stallion seemed to have come to his senses.
"Take care not to conduct yourself in ways that endanger others," she said coldly, before resuming her neutral tone. "Are you ready to continue?"
"Sure - one moment, please."
Being able to free his limbs now, the stony-coated forelegs move, hoof-flat to the ground. Like a catapult, his front half that was lower than his rear shoots up, and a crack comes from his back as the spine readjusts itself into proper posture. A small sense of relief surfaces on the face and he looks back to the broker with his smile again.
"First off, your payment before it takes a wonder again."
Two shiny coins are picked out of the bag from his pouch and rolled individually towards the mare from his mouth. He then slips the pouch into his saddlebag and resumes his speech.
"Actually, why don't I "kill two birds with one stone." Let's go to the local cafe and we can discuss the job and give payment to the lil' miss here? I think I can trust her."
Blossom watched from a distance. Some ponies... She shook her head.
Book Keeper activated her magic. A small, black hole appeared beside her, into which she levitated the two bits.
"This is acceptable," she replied to Act.
"Thank you both a lot! I love snacks." Lollipop said cheerfully. She smiled with her eyes closed at the two other ponies.
As the ponies trot into the local cafe, Act One holds the door for the mares to follow inside. As they entered, he immediately looked around for a spot where there was no window near them, away from most of the other guests. Luckily, the group stumbled in when peak time was over, so there were a few spots. He picked out a corner table so that he can check easy in one direction is anyone was prying into the conversation.
"Found a table, this way please."
Making his way to the seats, he picked the one in the corner, but waited until the other 2 had sat down to take his. At the same time, this allowed him to get the pouch and the mysterious item which was wrapped up and tied in paper and string.
((OOC: I'll be away for a few days after this post, but will come back to this on Sunday earliest. Sorry for such the huge wait.)
(that's ok X3)
Book Keeper chose a seat directly across from Act, and sat down. The stallion was definitely not your average pony; that lightning-fast movement of his bespoke a rather interesting career. She called a waiter over, and told him, "An Earl Grey tea, if you please. What will you two be having?" she asked the other two ponies.
//I hope it's not too late for me to jump in? If it is just say so and I'll leave you be, I'll wait for an answer before I join in.//
(sure! the more, the merrier! ^-^)
//Awesome! Sorry for taking so long to get back//
A young grey mare trot into the cafe. She looked worn out and over worked, when in reality she'd just overslept by a lot. Though it wasn't her fault as she'd had a lot of work to get through the previous night and fell asleep as she was reaching the end of her work. So the over worked description wouldn't have been so innacurate.
She walked up to the counter and ordered a plain coffee, levitating the money out of her saddle bags and dropping it onto the counter before yawning. Once it was done the unicorn took her drink, thanked the barista and went to sit down.
"I'd like an ice-coffee, as sweet as possible." Lollipop smiled at the waiter.
Behind the waiter she noticed some movement, it was a rather tired (maybe sleepy) looking pony. She thought about getting up and walking over to her, but then dropped the idea. She wouldn't know how to start a conversation, and it would be really impolite to just stand up and leave her company. Also, she did not know the grey mare, there was no reason to go talk to her, she just caught her eye with looking so worn out. But she did seem like she could use someone to chat with... Well, to Lollipop most ponies seemed like they could use some cheerful company.
Quick Silver noticed the mare looking at her and offered a small, polite smile. She sat down at a table and sipped her drink quietly.
((Welcome, Quill. Happy for the extra company - I hope it's to your liking.))
Following the other member's lead, the stallion makes his choice of treats.
"Thanks, I'll have a Caramel Latte with one of the mixed muffin selections to share."
He puts the menu to the side and nods to the waiter in appreciation for his work.
Happy with the conditions and having everyone present, he starts off the meeting while the food and drinks are being sorted.
"Thanks again for your patience and help with the previous misunderstandings. As I've' already spoken about, I'm looking for maps, rumours and information about a place. I believe my destination is somewhere in the Badlands, and since not many ponies would have more than a general assumption going there, I needed your help to find information - Miss... Erm..."
Before he realized it, Act had stumbled upon something - Even though he'd introduced himself to everyone, he never got the name of the other mare. He had heard Lollipop introduce herself, but not had the chance to ask of the unicorn's introduction. A little bit embarrassed from not knowing this yet with everything else going on, the secretive pony pushes the issue.
"Sorry, but I don't think I ever caught your name yet. With all the commotion, I think we lost the earlier opportunity."
//Hello Act, must say it's been quite a while since I've seen you around on the forums :)//
Quick Silver sipped her coffee in silence, though her ears perked up when she heard mention of the badlands. Though she chose to stay out of it, knowing whatever it was wasn't her business.
"My name is Book Keeper," the aforementioned mare replied. Although she was famous in Baltimare, it seemed that not many ponies knew of her outside of the city. She would correct that as soon as she could.
"Thank you, Ms Keeper - I'll be sure to remember that."
He then takes a couple of quick looks around and leans more forward and lowers his voice so that only the other 2 should hear.
"The reason I need the information is this."
As his hooves grab the paper of the hidden object, Act's teeth grab the string at an end and pulls it loose. Trying to shield any extra attention to it, he covers up and uses his muzzle to unfold the rest of the paper wrapping. Revealing the contents, the package holds a green hexagon stone that has been framed inside a brass circle. Whereas the brass would have some shimmer to it, the stone was more jaded inside the general lighting. Other than that, it was a simple design and probably wouldn't fetch most pony's attention unless they have a particular taste.
The stony coated pony would give some space for the other 2 to look at the ornament.
Book Keeper allowed her eyebrows to rise fraction at the sight of the object, but inside she was wearing a cold smile of satisfaction. Oh yes, he had definitely had an interesting career.
"This is quite remarkable. How did you stumble across it?" she asked Act.
Focusing eye contact with Keeper's inquisitive pair, he replies in the soft volume he started with.
"Well, it belong to my father - Far Out. He was an adventurer and he told me that found this green stone while excavating in the Badlands. It's call "scale shale," a fossilized material that originated from dragon's scales. It's rare for us to see it because of the obvious reason of giant elemental-breath reptiles defending their domain. Mostly fire."
Act then shifted the object slightly, now giving attention to the brass ring surrounding the green "shale."
"I don't actually know why it's inside this though - I thought it might be just to give it ornamental value, but I don't know anything else about it."
Lollipop, who was lost in the beauty of the mysterious object Act One just showed them. It looked so lovely, somewhat like mint candy. When she heard the stallion say something about his father, she stopped staring at the stone, and started paying attention to what he was saying.
"My father was an adventurer too!" Lollipop said when Act One finished his last sentence. She was talking a little loud, maybe loud enough to attract attention of ponies sitting nearby.
Book Keeper reached towards the stone and ring gently with her magic but felt no response; it was somewhat disappointing, but she didn't let it show.
"There is no magic that I can detect in these two items," she said flatly.
"Geh-hee!"
A high-pitched noise escaped out of Act's mouth as panic burst up. His eyes and head were scanning around to see who might of heard Lollipop's last comment and looked at what was now in Book Keeper's hooves. He put a hoof to his lips, role-playing as a librarian would to keep the noise down.
"Shush-shush. Sorry, but I want less people knowing about this as possible - Who knows if there are rivals trying to head to the same thing as I am..."
Calming down, he didn't notice anyone who could of heard except one pony by herself. Act dismissed it as a lucky break and continued the conversation with his peers.
"But you know, that's pretty awesome that there's something in common between us. Far Out did it privately and tried to document all he could. Most of his adventures were just to get somewhere or find something that other ponies or races knew or realized were there.
I was told that when my dad found this stone, he almost never got out of the area because of the dangers. Flame geysers, difficult crossings, the over-sized tyrants and other creatures. Water ran out quickly, but he foresaw the issue and filled already empty bottles with snow on the mountains to melt along the journey and boil it later. Shaded areas were a must to stay inside most of the time to conserve energy and sweat."
He paused for a moment and looked at the dull treasure.
"One day though, he got the scale shale and gave it to a smith in Manehattan to put it in the ring as a gift to my mother. The day after he gave her the item, Far Out went on an adventure again, of which no pony saw him ever again. She waited for a long time, but we continued living as much as we could until she was gone too."
A slightly pained mask was visible as Act remembered those bittersweet memories. But the mask was worn for only a moment until he looked at the 2 mares again with determination.
"But this is what was really left behind by my father..."
He took the ornament from the pony opposite himself without hesitation. The hoof raised the ringed rock to a window with a full beam shining from behind Book Keeper's head. The stone then changed in luster, as the rays penetrated it and passed through, leaving an emerald-like shimmer left behind. It's like it had transformed the dull rock into a beautiful gem.
"Look at the table, friends..."
As the sun forced it's light through the stone, it tinted part of the table bright green. However, there were gaps of lighter green in places. It's as if the lighter markings were making a crude map, with an "X" to mark somewhere in a cave, and a path dotted across the area. a cave swallowed the "X" and there were cliff sides jagged and other pictures of note to look at.
Quick Silver heard one of the ponies speak quite loudly a few tables away. Something about an adventure? 'It's not your business, just stay out of it.' she reminded herself, sipping her drink. 'You don't have to be helping everyone all of the time.' she continued reminding herself to about it and enjoy her day.
"Sorry..." Lollipop whispered, then leaned forward to take a better look at the green-tinted part of the table. It looked so beautiful, she didn't even notice the map.
"Wow.... that is so pretty." she said, with her voice kept quiet as possible.
After holding out the item for a suitable amount of time for the 2 others to see, Act had pulled the object away from the sunlight. The scale shale returned to it's dim rocky form and the crude map vanished as it was returned to the paper and string still laid upon the table.
"You understand now?"
He starts to put the wrapping over the item and ties it up with his teeth. As the stallion had lowered his head to tie up the package, Act raised it back up to meet the gaze of the others - specifically Book Keeper. But it was a face contorted with a feel of determination and domination. As if his eyes has turned into polished steel and a fire burns behind the pupils, they project the eager and powerful spirit that lingers within.
With a cold and gritty voice, Act mouth begins to build his next dialogue.
"That is why I need to see accurate maps to cross-examine this one with them. That is why I need to know of any rumours of unusual weather patterns and creature's habitat and events within the area, so I can avoid any trouble between myself and them. That is why I need to know all the information I can get about this stone, to help me find this cave.
For that I need your help - To find the last gift my father, Far Out, had given to the family without being able to deliver it himself!"
His gaze slips from one to the other and returns, as if trying to recognize their attention to himself. As his eyes stop moving, his head faces down and is planted firmly on the table, with his 2 front hooves flat down beside it. It was a gesture similar to one pleading to another of superior class upon a ranking system. His voice still quiet and gritty, but with a more emotional glaze to it, he finishes off what he needed to say at that point.
"So, please - help me! Help me find what it was that he wanted us to have and see. I will repay any kindness for your services - fees or otherwise. I beg you."
The head doesn't raise after this act of submission and desperate desire. Act merely waits for the others' reply.
"Are you prepared to bear the costs of my services?" Book Keeper asked the emotional stallion. Already she was bringing up the relevant information to the forefront of her mind.
Still with the head gripped to the polished furniture, Act replies to Book's question.
"I should have enough to cover costs - Been saving up for a good while to get this chance. Name your price."
"I think I can help too." Lollipop smiled. "I'll ask my father if he knows anything!" Excited to be finally be of any help, her voice was a little louder than needed, but Lollipop started whispering again as soon as she realized her mistake. "Sorry... So, if any of you can give me paper and pen, I can write him a letter right now." she added with a serious face.
"Five thousand bits, and a contractual favor to be paid at a later date," Book Keeper told Act One.
As the head flings back with a tuff of purple-lied brown mane, Act's face is lit up with an expression of hope and excitement. With his eyes set on Lollipop, his mouth becomes a gaping hole of shock except from the tips of each edge turning up in delight. 2 hooves shoot out and grab the perky mare's nearest limb in a gentle, yet firm hold.
Now that Act has become quite enthusiastic, it now reflects in the volume and pitch of his voice slightly.
"Th-That's- That's great! Wonderful! I mean, Thank you! That would be fantastic to get some pointers from a separate adventurer. I just wanted to offer you compensation for finding the money, but this is going beyond the call... This is an awful lot from somepony who I've just met and such! So, thank you again - you wonderful, wonderful mare!"
He then hears Book Keeper's demand of 5000bits+favour - a twitch of an ear spontaneously reacts to the news.
5000... That's... doable if I can pull off a couple of more jobs here-and-there.
His face turns to a grin that's like trying to work with its surroundings in an awkward space. He's thankful for the help in a specialist field, but guesses this is "Manehattan prices" being offered and wasn't expecting that. But still, he irons through his kinks and politely accepts the helpful offer.
"Sure thing! Bless you for your patience and I hope good news awaits us! Do you mind if I pay most of it now, and some more in a week's time?"
At that moment, the waiter has made his return to the table with drinks and the muffin selection tray. He sets them down near the edge of the table while the ruckus is going on, trying not to interfere with a little "Well, this seems nice," smirk.
The stony stallion looks at the gentlepony and made an additional request to him.
"Excuse me, may we borrow a pen and some paper to write on, please? It's a very important spur-of-the-moment event that has occurred of which we need to record something."
The employee simply nods and leaves a notepad and pen on the table. With a "Please, leave them on the table once you're done," he walks off back to the kitchen doors.
"Please, enjoy a little muffin-buffin on me, ladies... And here are your drinks!"
Like a pro engulfed in the moment, he professionally slides the drinks near the respective owners of each beverage with his mouth. He then sits there in the same position until the other 2 made their choice of muffin...
Lollipop drank some of her iced-coffee happily, and takes a chocolate chip muffin from the plate.
"That pen and paper is for me to write the letter right?" she then said with a smile, while pulling the objects towards her with one hoof. She picked the pen up in her mouth just to drop it right after writing down "Dear Father,".
"Um, can I see the map again? I want to draw it down for him to recognize." she said, turning to Act One.
"Oh, er - sure. One moment."
Following the blue-maned mare's request, he unpacked the ornament and notice the empty seat behind her. Swapping tables, he perched himself on the chair behind and held it above Lollipop's head for the sun to shine through. As before the map (now much closer to the other adventurer's daughter) is revealed to be copied.
His face was still beaming with joy from knowing his wish comes a little closer to being fulfilled. He hasn't even noticed how close he is to the mare - something that's rare in his mild-mannered lifestyle. But he continues to be oblivious never-the-less.
A yellow pony with no mane walks down the marketplace humming pinky pie smile song unaware of the rocks and almost trips on one and says "whoa that was close"
Book Keeper patiently waited for Act to finish his other business; however she didn't plan on waiting much longer. She picked up her teacup and sipped some of her tea.
((Sorry for being absent for so long, I have three important things to prepare for as well as a newspaper to make, so I'm kinda busy. I'll be pretty slow to reply for some time.))
Concentrating on copying the map correctly, Lollipop didn't notice how close the grey pony was either. She drew the lines on the paper as delicately as she could. Her eyes were fixed on her work, and she shut out the world around her.
When she was finished, she turned around to ask the stallion if he thought her copy was okay. As she noticed him standing right behind her, she let out a surprised yelp, and fell off the chair. She sat on the ground for a moment, processing how she got there, then laughed nervously.
"Sorry, you just surprised me a little... uh... I just got a little scared..." she laughed again, then tried to get up, only to bump her head in the table.
((Not to worry, RP can wait around for whenever. Good luck with everything - Get them sorted as a priority, we'll still be here. :) ))
The quick scream broke the stallion out of his own world and he saw the mare ahead of him now fall prone to the floor. Shock and concern caught onto Act as he put the item down on the table near him and looked down towards her.
"Hey! Are you alright?!"
Act heard Lollipop apologize and he thought to himself Scared? Did I do something-. Then she bump her own head on the table whist trying to regain her footing. Seeing that, his concern forced him to leap down to her to check on her under all the furniture. A mixture of worry and shame of something he may have done to spark these events swirled inside. The shame of having a mare knocked to the floor from his actions tasted foul in his heart.
He got eye level to the hurt Lollipop and expressed his fear for her well-being.
"Woah! Are you hurt? I'm sorry! I never meant to scare you. Can you get up?"
With that, his hoof stretches out to the vulnerable pony to aid her in getting back up.
((I'm still flufflepuff0))
continues "back on my way to" looks at a map "sweet apple acres"
Lollipop took the helping hoof, and stood up. She smiled nervously, and scratched the back of her neck with one of her hooves.
"Sorry, it is my fault really, I am a little jumpy." she said. "Um, so, what I wanted to ask you, do you think my copy of the map is correct?"
She stepped aside so that the stallion could see the paper lying on top of the table.
Once relief settled, the male pony looked over the sheet on the table top and checked each point as well as the route. Act gave a nod and looked back at the one-time copyist.
"Yeah, that's everything. I still need to overlay this with the more accurate maps of the area, but that's the gist of things."
His eyes cast back onto the other mare who was still taking her time sipping the tea while all this was happening. Act returned to his side of the table and held the Caramel Latte near him, still warm.
"I think I best finish things up with Ms. Keeper, since I kept her waiting long enough on her time off."
He then takes the pen and pad and starts writing on an address on the top and bottom of it. Tearing it off the pad and then in half, he slips one piece to each companion. He looks back to Lollipop as to make sure he gains her focus.
"I'm currently staying at the "Crumb-Bum" B+B at that address. It's near the village center. If you need me or you have anything new to discuss, you can find me there in the morning or evening. It that fine?"