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101

Canterlot Archives / Re: Sweet and Elite: An Evening of Fancy (RP, NOT a Jump-In)

2013 Sep 29, 02:06:53

Strokes had to groan, of course. He'd completely neglected fancy in his emotions, the poor stallion. Strokes hadn't had a chance to think about a single other pony for quite some time now. Of course the old Stallion was lonely and a little worse for wear from life, he was just the same. An old friendship and a setup where the two of them could avoid each-other for days if they upset one another enough. It wasn't only a wonderful suggestion, it was ideal, an almost perfect dream, at least for Strokes. Fancy would still have his ponies he'd have to deal with, still would fight the injustice of the world and even the corruption.

So strokes nodded, for the moment every argument against the agreement was void and everything good about it was magnified a thousand times. Perhaps it would not turn out so perfectly in reality but to reminisce and enjoy the company of his old friend again, it sounded perfect. And of course he knew these grounds, they were quite open, he even remembered that one crag in the mountain he visited when he was younger, his own special place to greet the morning. He'd tried to keep it secret for the longest time but eventually Fancy found him and it was then he learned the joy of sharing such moments with a friend.

This place would be inspiration to him, their friendship and even their lives and the outcomes of all of Equestria. "Forgive this old fool, Pants. I-I've been in such discomfort for such a long time and I'm not used to thinking about a single individual, not even myself. In the past five years I've worried about what was most comfortable for the group. . ." He indicated the lazily drifting mares and passed out stallion. "And of course Equestria and the rest of the world. Yes, I'd love to stay, not only for your sake but for mine. Perhaps we can rekindle our friendship once more, not that it's ever died but we've grown somewhat lax in maintaining the hearth. Or at least, I have." He smiled sadly into his reflection.

"Please my friend, I would love it if you let me stay. Perhaps in time we might think of something." But he said so with a sarcastic grin and a flick of the hoof, as he escalated in exaggeration. "Turn the world into a perfect place, together, and all ponies will have a choice in exactly what they want to do." He finished chuckling and nodded to Fancy. "It really is good to see you again, old friend."

102

Canterlot Archives / Re: Sweet and Elite: An Evening of Fancy (RP, NOT a Jump-In)

2013 Sep 28, 00:12:17

The old aristocrat's lips quirked up in a small smile, half to himself.  "Is it worth it?  Yes, I think, even despite all the hardship and pain."

He thought about all the riots and protests, the battles in the streets, the silent, chilling advance of the Black Guard.  He thought of the desperate looks on the Green Revolutionists, as they had been known then, willing to turn to any metaphorical port in the storm of near-revolution.  He thought of the amazement he had felt when Green Strokes himself, battered, dusty, exhausted but unyielding, climbed onto a small hill of rubble and screamed for all to cease their pointless bickering and listen, for heaven's sake.  And listen they did, to the lone, weary figure in the dust.

Knowing eyes flickered over to the time-scarred philosopher relaxing in the mineral waters beside him.  The stallion's familiar face, now creased with wrinkles and scars, worry lines, light and fading stains from countless days of mourning at the injustice of the world.  Graying, unkempt coat and unshorn fetlocks, thick with knots and split hairs and burrs from decades of travel in harsh wilderness.  Taught, wiry muscle strained from the burdens of carrying all of one's possessions for years on end.

"Yes, Strokes," he said softly, "if you think you are ready."

He thought for a moment, considering what he was about to offer.  "If I may say so, Strokes... I currently have what amounts to complete international political immunity at the moment due to that little contract from a few years ago.  I have, obviously, plenty of guest rooms, and more than enough resources to purchase art supplies.  And the Green Fundamentalist party is on good terms with me as well..."

He looked up at his friend with a smile.  "How... how would you like to stay with me, Strokes?  Just stay here at the Manor.  You'll be able to be free from government ponies chasing you all over the known world, have me by your side anytime you want, be able to speak directly with the Green Fundamentalists, have as many art supplies as you'll ever desire.  No more need to run or hide your ideas.  An outlet for all those passions and opinions."

"Stay with you, Fancy? Here? Don't think me rude, my friend but I'm not so sure I'd get along well here. First off it wouldn't really be something I worked hard for and secondly I'd be imposing on you in some manner or another. I'd feel . . . beholden. I might even turn bitter for awhile, I'm so used to the sun lite valleys and nature around me. I'm not at all accustomed to staying in someplace for any length of time. " He cringed at the thought of it. There was a necessity for continuous change and growth in his character and if he settled somewhere he had a fear, irrational though it may be, that he would find himself grow lethargic and unable to fight for what he believed was 'right' at that moment in time. Perhaps not so irrational though, he'd seen how many had changed when the fight was taken from them.

"But, I have to admit I'm tired of being chased for my tail. The idea some people are out hunting for me, for money . . . perhaps I'll stay awhile and you can help force me to enjoy it."  He chuckled. "I suspect I could learn to like it, especially with all the chances to write and sit and contemplate. Would it be possible to keep my student and Righ-Hoof on as well though? They've become as part of me as any limb I have, and those two deserve some comforts after chasing me in my mad rush to find some solution, some answer for all this." He gestured a hoof around the room, hoping his friend would understand what he meant, but deciding to add it on at the end anyways, "All the problems in this world."

And he leaned back into the bubbling water, "I just don't know, Pants. I just don't know."

103

Canterlot Archives / Re: Sweet and Elite: An Evening of Fancy (RP, NOT a Jump-In)

2013 Sep 22, 07:15:31

Strokes chuckled as he softly bumped against the side, and began floating back, "They actually did it, huh? They pulled themselves back together? Oh, don't worry friend I'm not disappointed with that result, what disappoints me is the amount of influence the sisters still have over the government." He frowned, as the whole 'incident' flashed back to him. "The secrets governments keep from people should never escalate to what happened, but that seems a rather common experience in our world.

"But the world IS changing, slowly and not for the worse, though their is revolution everywhere and reformation. It is one thing to talk about it and quite another to put into action. Quite a few of these reformations have been . . . painful to watch; others quite violent. " It was then Strokes took effort to strain his neck and look into Fancy's face, "It's worth it though, isn't it Pants? Truly it must be, else why would we keep fighting for things like justice or freedom of speech?"

The small stallion sighed, and slowly submerged himself completely.

Politics and Government. Politicians and Nobility. It would be so nice to just tear that cancer away from the world, the conniving games, the triple meanings. But it wasn't possible, the skepticism suspicion and intrigue had to go somewhere it wouldn't just be disappeared. Without the politicians the games they played would permeate all ponies, then each and everyone would have to learn the game.

Because that's how ponies were, and it made Strokes sad to say it: They were individualistic creatures, they didn't know how to act together how to care together, it was always for the self. And he could understand why! Had he not spent his years traversing the world so he'd never grow too attached to any-one portion because there was suffering everywhere and no-pony or being could escape it. No matter how little, it existed.

Now he was old, and he'd seen it all. There was nowhere left to go, everyone was a part of him. Every-creature, every being, every-pony. He knew they were all suffering and the end journey was no pleasant one, things had begun to change but as a policy and over-tone, not the actual substance of pony-kin. The substance of pony-kin, it seemed that's what he had been striving to change all along. Their very wants and motivations, their hearts and minds.

Strokes submerged with these thoughts, coming back from that bleak under-water world and nodded to Fancy. "My dear friend, I think it might be time for me to settle down and help where I can.

104

Canterlot Archives / Re: Sweet and Elite: An Evening of Fancy (RP, NOT a Jump-In)

2013 Sep 21, 11:49:46

Strokes was busy soaking himself in those luxurious baths Fancy had, had far into the past. Further back than he could remember and the soothing, medicinal quality of the bathwater sent shivers through his spine. He hurt, far more than he could ever remember hurting before. No, that was a lie, a lie brought on by the proximity and constant pain. But even as his thoughts drifted away from his sore back, the pain seemed to drain away into the perfectly heated water. "More than likely drawn from an underground hot-spring."

As the words escaped his lips he felt the presence upon him, and raising his head with more effort than he cared to admit, he found his friend standing just across from him. Slowly his face broke into a soft smile. "Pants." A small gasp, an exclamation that shewed his sheer exhaustion but even that fell away at the sight of his old friend. "Pants!" He spewed with more vigor and pulled himself free of the bath, his toned muscles flexing as if in protestation but finally letting him upon the marble flooring. Strokes did not hesitate he was upon the old stallion and a great hug was already under-way.

Bright Mane, Right-Hoof and the sorceress looked on but all three were exhausted from their unnatural journey and the bubbling massage of the hot spring beckoned. So they dozed, lightly, leaving the two old friends to their privacy.

Strokes beckoned to the steaming pools. "Please, come join me old friend, I've been worn down from my recent traveling and the method of travel I took here was, exhausting. Do your old friend a favor and let him submerge these arthritic bones in boiling water." His laughter danced out like bells, as he, unceremoniously, fell back into the delicious relief.

"Oh Pants." He gasped slightly, "It's been far too long, again. How are you, things were . . . difficult for a time I heard and . . . saw. I also heard things are easier now. I wasn't misinformed was I?

Strokes stared his friend down. The stallion did indeed look older, and more worn, as he knew he must look, but it brought a chuckle to him. The nostalgia of it all, "Just like six years ago, huh? Still, maybe this will be the end of our trials, not the beginning of more. Though, I suspect our trials will never end. " A morbid smirk crossed Strokes face as he drifted away from Fancy.

[Green Strokes]

105

Canterlot Archives / Re: Sweet and Elite: An Evening of Fancy (RP, NOT a Jump-In)

2013 Sep 15, 23:31:13

 

- Green Strokes -
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

The sight of Fancy's splendor stabbed strokes upon two edges, first the beauteous decor was reminiscent of past times when things weren't so complicated, where two boys had pranced around the yard playing with their imaginary swords and slaying those great 'dragons' of olde. Back when dragons could be slain with a single blow and not endless deals that came close to stealing one's soul away.

Then a brief span of vertigo passed over him and he clutched to one of the pine trees, as the second edge cleaved him through: The splendor the gaudiness reminded him too much of the Princesses and their manipulative power-hoarding and wealth collecting. Those 'goddesses' that had little love for Strokes and for whom he'd strive to keep himself discrete and unattractive, their magic eyes might have already caught hold of the strange passage lain down by Sorceress Yi but unless trouble began to unfold they'd be more than happy to leave the work for Fancy and guards.

Finding his legs working proper, once more, Strokes pulled himself up and truly saw the mansion for the first time. There were ponies . . . gathered around it. Fabulous, it was to be another ball.

Strokes massaged his already flaring temples, as they began to pang, screaming to be heard. "This isn't . . . going to be as relaxing as I'd hoped. I'll have to find that old charming self, of mine, before I head into that throng." A twinge shuttered through his spin as the sorceresses strange-cold hoof touched his back, she had to be the first to reach him.

"Worry, you not dear Strokes. Despite you smacking yourself down, all the time. You are still quite the adept with tongue and word. Perhaps this will show you just that."

Wherein, Bright-Mane pranced forward and placed her hoof upon his back as well, then finally Right-Hoof. There they stood for a moment about the man, sending his eyebrows a twitching until he brushed all his friends off with a light chuckle. A creeping grin that finally touched his eyes after months of frustration and disappointment.

"Alright then, let's show them why I was banished from Equestria, shall we?"

* * *

So the group descended amongst the throng of well dressed ponies with their warn traveling 'leather' vests and Strokes' book sash, as prevalent as always. Catching hold of what eyes he would and chuckling to himself if he spotted disapproval, disapproval . . . his stock and bread, the thing he loved to use against others and twist around his hoof, then turn it into understanding. And far off he caught a sight, a pony trailing his hooves along the outer wall. A pony he remembered from a not to distant past, but he was much changed and for now all he wanted was to get inside and take a long hot bath, he'd find that old comrade of his later and inquire what happened to him after their travels to Lamatobad and beyond.

But, now, it was time to alleviate the ailments of those who'd been anxiously prancing around outside the gates for far too long. Any-longer and their finery might be dusted and we couldn't have that, could we?

So smiling to himself Strokes nodded to Hacklimb, giving a whispered: "Good to see you well old friend, when the sun rises in the east the moon sets in the west. And that elderly, pompous, know it all better be here and well! " Giving Hacklimb a companionable touch on the shoulder, he moved in to talk even more quietly, "Give thanks to old pants for me, and let him know, somehow, that I'm going directly to the bath rooms."

Then the stallion swept up the bubbling red liquid, as it transmuted into a deep-ocean blue and drank the thing down in one gulp. "Thank you, for waiting on me."

And the small group was in and away, darting through the mansion as if it were their own.

[Spoiler: A Friendly Response, from Green Strokes •]

106

Canterlot Archives / The Return of Green Strokes and Company

2013 Sep 01, 21:51:10

Spoiler: A Friendly Response, from Green Strokes • show

Pants? Is that you? Well by all things bright and sunny!

I, mean. Dear, Fancy Pants.

This is a formal deceleration that I, one Green Strokes, have more than joyfully accepted your invitation! In all seriousness, need you really have asked? All you needed to say was when, how and by what means and I would be there, my old friend! Well, of course you must give me a little time. After our last . . . debacle I had to stay out of Equestria for a time (even more so than before) and well, it's only by a small miracle I even received your letter. But we'll have plenty of time to catch up when I return!

I am, so very happy you were not ill-affected for long and, well, that you weren't overly harmed by your association with me. Still your faith in me gave my heart quite a warm hug when I heard the self-inflicted house arrest you were placed under.

Fondest regards and wishes, my dear friend. You can expect me to find my way there within a few days. I've made a promising acquaintance and together we will travel with greater speed than alone. So, with promises to explain all when I arrive
   
               - Your Dear Friend, Green Strokes.

~| ~| ~| ~| ~| ~ | ~ |~ |~ |~ |~ | ~| ~| ~| ~| ~ | ~ |~ |~ |~ |~ | ~| ~| ~| ~| ~ | ~ |~ |~ |~ |~

- A Return to Equestria; The End of an Exile-  

~| ~| ~| ~| ~| ~ | ~ |~ |~ |~ |~ | ~| ~| ~| ~| ~ | ~ |~ |~ |~ |~ | ~| ~| ~| ~| ~ | ~ |~ |~ |~ |~


- Green Strokes -
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

The cavern was . . . ethereal, dark and strangely intangible. Green Strokes knew, if he let his hoof slide from the sorceress' hand dire consequences would befall him. What those dire end of the world scenarios might be? He couldn't say, the supposed the sorceress didn't even know. Supposed only those who fell into the abyss would understand. And the chain behind him would not be too pleased, if they fell away into another universe or reality! That he could be sure of.

He peaked an eye around to spy the compatriots behind them, they too were glued hoof to hoof, all the way up to him and continuing up to the sorceress. It was a difficult method of travel, especially for Bright Mane and Right Hoof, as two of their hooves were occupied by a compatriots. Limping along, it was hard for him not to wonder: "How was this quicker than another mode of transport?" Still he knew each limp took them miles from their original destination and, as the sorceress said: "We'll be there before the hour is up." So the group lamely stumbled along, hoping she wasn't just some crazy old witch. Green Strokes trusted her, and she had showed her ability in the magical arts, but . . . there was always that small string of dread that wound it's way around a pony's heart.

Bright mane was slightly more convinced, but she was apt to take sides with anything concerning a magical solution. She claimed she had some natural inclination towards these things, being a unicorn. Of course Strokes had to laugh about that, no matter what she said some of the more 'simple' magic theories eluded her an inclination to magic his eye.

Right hoof . . . was enjoying the journey too much to say anything. The strange phantasmagorical images that flew past his head only brought nods and even sighs at times.

Then it was all over, much-much shorter than an hour. Green Strokes had to estimate that took less than 10 minutes. And they were where they expected to be, a small distance away from the Fancy Mansion. Within that delicious odor of pine-needles that pervaded the Caterlot mountains. It peaked out behind the dense thicket of grassy pines and lively red-brown. And for a moment Green Strokes felt a strange feeling, of being 'home'.

107

Canterlot Archives / Re: Teal and Nala's wedding! (Sign up to join)

2013 Jun 24, 20:13:46

 "Then please join hooves and present each other your bands and personal vows." Silkaia stepped back, hooves quivering and praying the rings were readily available.

108

Canterlot Archives / The Ceremony

2013 Jun 24, 20:05:29

"Nala Valor, do you take this handsome stallion as your husband? To cherish and to hold, to appreciate and to care for and to be with, until the end of your life?"

109

Canterlot Archives / The Ceremony

2013 Jun 24, 19:58:40

"Teal Ingot, do you take this beautiful mare as your wife? To cherish and to hold, to appreciate and to care for and to be with until the end of your life?"

110

Canterlot Archives / Re: Teal and Nala's wedding! (Sign up to join)

2013 Jun 24, 19:49:08

"Dearly beloved, here we gather as a sign of our respect and hope for these two ponies be-before me." Silkaia did her best to nod magisterially. "We come before these two, so we may witness their pledge of eternal love and loyalty to one-another. A promise to love and care for each other without reservation or exception and to care for each other through hardship and health."

"Teal - Teal . . ." Silkaia leaned into Teal as discretely as she could, on a dais. "Whats your full name and your wife's at that." She whispered.

111

Canterlot Archives / Re: Teal and Nala's wedding! (Sign up to join)

2013 Jun 24, 19:36:41

Silkaia nods, "Yes, yes I can. Uhh, sorry everyone. Yes, I'm coming up." Proceeding to the altar, Silkaia took her place just in front, looking over at everyone. "I - uh, okay. Shall we begin?"

112

Canterlot Archives / Re: Teal and Nala's wedding! (Sign up to join)

2013 Jun 24, 19:26:22

"No, no, well yes. But no." Silkaia was shaking that fantastic hair furiously.  This movement and the sweat was already beginning to unravel the tresses. "I-I can, but if you don't have a license it wouldn't be legal. I-I'm not a minister, I only know the words." Silkaia was staring back at all these eyes and almost shaking.

113

Canterlot Archives / Re: Teal and Nala's wedding! (Sign up to join)

2013 Jun 24, 19:20:41

"No, what?" Silkaia was no longer tomato, her entire COAT was cherry read. "I-I'm sorry Teal, I shouldn't be here and now I'm ruining your wedding and . . ." She couldn't stop! She was blubbering like a little girl caught with her tail in pudding! "It's awful, I mean about the minister and myself but wait, I-I was in the seminar for a little not long but for long enough. I could you-know preside over the ceremony or something . . ." Silkaia was dying off. She hadn't thought this whole thing through, she wasn't thinking at all. If they didn't have a marriage license . . . it wouldn't be legal.

114

Canterlot Archives / The Minister

2013 Jun 24, 19:11:36

 Silkaia looks around, everyone is quiet, the music has stopped and the ponies looked worried. Very worried. What was happening here?

Then Silkaia realized what was missing: THE MINISTER! "This is bad." Slikaia said, thinking it was a whisper. "What's going to happen now?" She didn't realize she was standing,and that most of the congregation was LOOKING at her. Apparently she had been shouting too.

115

Canterlot Archives / Then the Bride

2013 Jun 24, 18:19:08

 Then the bride arrived, it must of been the bride no-pony else gave off that sparkling luminosity. Her emotions were almost physically filling the air and, for a moment, Silkaia was drawn away from her worries, so enraptured by this beautiful creature there was no room for another thought. This bride's excited anxiety was hers; the bride's graceful entrance was hers. This moment was being shared will all those ponies in the room and for a moment it almost felt like her wedding.

Then sense came back. This certainly wasn't HER wedding and it wasn't even a wedding she was welcome at. Taking her embarrassed pride, she pulled herself into the corner. Hoping the bride hadn't seen her idolizing eyes, hoping she wouldn't see her at all.

116

Canterlot Archives / Silkaia

2013 Jun 24, 18:08:15

 Silkaia looks on with embarrassed admiration. These ponies were all so well dressed and they all seemed to be such good friends, why was she here? Then she caught Teal's eye and blushed crimson. She was so out of place and he looked like he didn't want her here either! He turned away so quickly when she caught him looking.

Anxiously playing with her hoof she finally forced herself to calm down. After-all what was the worst that could happen? They'd make her leave and she could handle that, she . . . she'd just say she was at the wrong wedding! Yes, she'd be fine, she'd be fine.

117

Canterlot Archives / Silkaia Water

2013 Jun 24, 17:56:35

Silkaia trotted in with a fanciful and knee-length silver dress, cut diagonally across the flank, so the lowest point reached the left ankle. She didn't know any of these ponies and her sweat was already wetting her intricate hair-style; tresses down the back and straight bangs pulled across the bangs. With an itch of the hoof and a quick glance around, she pulled quickly into a random isle, afraid of being trampled by all these large ponies. "Wh-what am I doing here?"

118

Canterlot Archives / Re: Life in Ponyville Part III

2013 Jun 21, 21:58:47

 "What is that . . ." Ara turned to face a strange force besides her, contemplating where and HOW this creature got here; her interest strayed from the oncoming fleshlings. A scowl piercing her lips. "What is this thing here, what ARE you?" Forcing her mind into the creatures she felt more than one mind. "Speak swiftly, creature, what are you? How did you come into this secured area, how are you still standing with the portal of energy so near?" To Ara this creature existed several places at once and in different forms. Just looking upon this creature was confusing, possibly nauseating to those with the reflex.


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119

Canterlot Archives / Re: Life in Ponyville Part III

2013 Jun 21, 21:33:35

 Ara'ja-meyda let off a sound an oven might make if it shifted radically in temperature. "Impressive, captain, but there seems to be a large force headed our way. I cannot predict the exact number, but I'd estimate at least a thousand fleshlings. Two with strange alien minds, one with ancient knowledge that doesn't hamper her fleshling virtues. I'd suggest prepping the soldiers, time dictates speed." Ara brought a delicate hoof to her temple, before shuddering violently. "Their minds are strong and they are determined for combat, as these fleshling all are. They seem susceptible to diplomacy, I'll keep them at bay while the soldiers finish the barriers."

* * *

  The soldiers had completed a 'portal' it seemed a miniature sun, something like a pony in diameter and a perfect sphere of light. Of course nothing but the Syntherians could determine where the 'physical' essence of the light ended and where the rays began. The thing gave off no heat, but it's mere presence was blinding to those even glancing upon it. Finished with their task and no longer worried about the coming night, they pressed onto the barriers, strengthening and reforming them. Making sure what stayed in, was in and what attempted to get in couldn't.




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120

Canterlot Archives / Re: Life in Ponyville Part III

2013 Jun 21, 21:02:34

 The refugees were too busy cowering to be any kind of threat. Their homes were destroyed, in seconds, their guards overcome instantly; now some kind of barricade was going up around the ruin, that used to be Pony-ville. These ponies' spirits were broken, they wanted to go home . . . but home was gone and it hadn't sunk in yet. Then one colt began crying and his father caught up the cry, before long it was a great communion of sorrow.

Then care left several of their eyes, and a few ponies charged the energy barrier . . . only to be stunned into submission outside the town. The government hadn't defended Pony-ville but that was to be corrected, already the princesses had gotten word of the horrific defeat. Now, a great force of the Equestrian army was diverted for the remains of Pony-ville; even Twilight and Luna were on the way. This was an act of war on the Equestrian empire and would be dealt with, just so.



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