StrawberryBlossom

Unfortunately, it seems I'm going to have to step back, and I am sorry for my recent lack of activity. I truly apologize. Having gotten bogged down in admin duties for another group (we're kicking off a huge summer event, and hosted a real-life meetup at my house), I... forgot about Canterlot entirely. I really have no excuse for that, and again I apologize. For this reason, I am going on hiatus and resigning my Cast characters. Hopefully I can pick up again when things cool off with my other group; unfortunately, as an admin there I have to prioritize that group. Perhaps I can reapply for Twist in a month or so. Again, I apologize, and thank you for your patience.

"Why, you're absolutely right, Sweetie!" Rarity laughed, nodding. "After all, a mess left alone will only get bigger!" She smiled as she listened to Scootaloo. Adventure, hm? Well. She could think of something the girls might like. "Well, the first thing is to get all the excess water off the floor. Cleaning the floor is what we do last, of course - but the first thing is to open the doors and use brooms and rags to chase the water out." Rarity trotted over to open the door so she could demonstrate - with a broom, the water could be scooted across the floor and outside. "Ready?"

((Sounds fine with me. Sorry I've been so slow myself. v.v)) "I think that's a great idea." Strawberry smiled, also taking in the scents of the shop. It reminded her a little of home, really; everyone up early, her sister and parents in the kitchen while she brought in the day's produce... it could almost make her homesick if not for how much she was enjoying Ponyville. "I need to head to the library anyhow; it'd be nice to show Miss Lemon here around while I'm at it. How long have you been in town?" She looked over at the foal as she addressed her, ears perked curiously.

Rarity perked her ears on hearing the unicorn's voice - at last! She turned and trotted over to greet him, beaming. "There you are! Why, I've been looking everywhere for you! You see, you left something in my boutique, and I wanted to return it and speak with you." She turned to levitate the sketchbook from her saddlebag, chattering all the while. "And really, this is rather fantastic. Not that I went looking through it, mind you, I understand as well as anyone that art is often highly personal, but it had fallen open to a particular ink drawing, and I must say it was exquisite! But oh my, listen to me go on!" Rarity gave a ladylike titter as she moved the sketchbook to Inkwell. "Perhaps you'd like to join me for coffee and danish?"

It had been a few days since the disaster at her shop. Rarity had, of course, quickly forgiven Sweetie Belle and by extension Scootaloo; nothing too disastrous to her career had occurred, and with the help of the foals she had gotten her boutique quickly back in order. Once that was done (and the promised sisterly bubble bath!), it had been a simple matter to finish her order. All in all, Rarity was in high spirits! At least until she found the sketchbook again. She had nearly forgotten the creature who had had the nerve to try to scold Sweetie in her place until she opened the drawer to discover his sketchbook. Rarity had paused, remembering the exquisite (even if slightly damaged) drawing she'd seen, and smiled a bit at the memory. She had to wonder what the rest of the book was like! Not that she was going to go rooting through. Oh no no no, that was rude, like someone going through her concepts without permission. But perhaps he would show her, if she could find him and return the book. They had gotten off on the wrong hoof, certainly, but that could be dealt with one artiste to another! With this in mind, Rarity levitated the sketchbook into her saddlebag and was of at a brisk trot.

Raspberry perked her ears as the door opened, smiling at the young stallion entered. Time to put her customer service skills to the test! "Good morning, and welcome to Sugar Blooms!" She trotted around the counter to greet him - still careful and dainty as she could manage. "You're in luck - I just finished the morning's special a few minutes ago. Raspberry tortes today. We also have lemon cake, if that's more to your liking, and a few other goodies - feel free to have a look around and let me know when you decide!"

"Exactly!" Rarity chimed in response to Scootaloo before looking over at her sister. The unicorn's ears ticked gently in time to the song's rhythm as she listened to Sweetie Belle sing, and when she was finished Rarity clopped her hooves in polite applause. "You see? That's wonderful! Now. As to my... earlier days... I'll show you pictures from those once we're all cleaned up, all right?" Oh the sacrifices she made for her sister! Those pictures deserved to be burned! Or buried! Or burned and then the ashes buried! Rarity kept her smile, though, stepping a bit back from the foals to start shaking water from her mane and tail. "Now then. Who would like a hot bath? I have some lovely bubbles I've just gotten my hooves on!"

AS HE IS MEANT TO. Seriously, glad you like him. He was fun to work with and ever so cooperative.

Twist dutifully listened to the geography lesson, occasionally perking her ears at the mention of places where she had family. It would be fun to go back to Manehatten! Maybe a school trip like Miss Cheerilee had suggested! Like most of the foals, even Twist tuned out a bit when the teacher announced that lessons were over. Until, of course, the show was namedropped. Travelling Players! One of the things she hadn't gotten to do in Manehattan! And that play? This was going to be awesome! Even the connected assignment sounded great! Twist popped from her seat, hoof waving in the air. "I want to go!"

Rarity blinked, taken aback. Then she smiled, leaning forward to nuzzle her sister again. "Oh, Sweetie. That's simply not true you know! You're quite good at singing - why that little song you were singing as you came in was as good as anything I've heard from grown-up performing ponies! It was simply wonderful and I would like to hear all of it. And do you remember those little capes you made for the Crusaders? Why, those were simply darling!" She decided not to mention the... interesting... talent show costumes. "In any case. Why, I should show you some of the designs I had at your age. I think you could use a good laugh. And... urgh... what I came up with in Cloudsdale. NOT one of my finer moments, I assure you." Rarity would, in fact, rather forget the entire incident - but she wanted her sister to be happy too. Besides, now Scootaloo was crying as well and she was certain the little pegasus would enjoy some of her... less inspired moments. In fact, she turned to give Scootaloo a little nudge too. "Now, dear, I simply won't see this from you either. After all, if you and Sweetie are like my friends and me, then you're practically sisters, aren't you? And what would that make the two of us?" She beamed at the pegasus, head tilting. Oh she hoped this would work! She wished she had some of Fluttershy's way with 'little creatures' right now!

Raspberry looks SO cute! Thank you!

Twist gave the yellow filly an exasperated look - one mean pony just left, do you feel you have to take his place? - but said nothing to her, instead smiling over at Sweetie Belle. "You have a lot of fun with that, huh? Mind if I tag along now and then? Maybe I can... I dunno, help mark-check? And the more ponies thinking about what to try the better, right?" Back in the crowded classroom, she'd slipped back into trying to avoid 's' words to minimize her lisp. Sometimes it couldn't be avoided, though; she just hoped the inevitable sibilants didn't stand out too much. Twist looked over at Starlight and Grim with a smile, head tilting. "You two gonna go with them? Maybe later I can show you my new mixing trick... I think Those three already tried to get candy-making marks, but there are lot to try, and you guys can come too!" She perked her ears at Purple's mention of hoofball and glanced over. "I don't know the game, but I can learn!" Of course, she had the misfortune to be one of the last to speak when Cheerilee called for order. She slid down behind her desk in embarrassment, barely registering the sullen filly's sudden enthusiasm.

Strawberry beamed at Twilight's favorable response, nodding. "Sounds good!" Twilight's yawn triggered one from Strawberry too, and she laughed apologetically. "But maybe after we both get some rest. Say, you ever tasted the jalapeno chocolate cake here? Ordered a little from this pony called Pinkie Pie, gotta pick it up while we're here." Like Twilight, Strawberry paused to let Lemon enter first. "Go right ahead! Think we should get some packed up for your parents too?"

Rarity's cold stare remained on Inkwell as he fled, the unicorn's ears flattening against her skull as she heard her poor little Sweetie Belle crying. She stood still a long moment once he was gone, taking a few slow, deep breaths to compose herself. Then she switched her sign to CLOSED and turned to survey the damage. One thing was certain: she was not going to be visiting Hoity Toity's order today. Well - fine. She'd made sure to give herself plenty of leeway this time. There was plenty of time to start fresh and have the dresses ready before deadline. For now, there were foals to attend to, so Rarity turned to head to the back room where Sweetie and Scootaloo had gone. As she walked, her hoof came against the abandoned sketchbook; she blinked, gazing down at the image a long moment. Well now! It certainly was a shame to see such a thing damaged, and she did feel for the artist. Still, it was no excuse. The sketchbook could be returned later; Sweetie first. A moment more to admire the image and she flipped the book closed before levitating it into a drawer for safekeeping. That done, she finally approached the foals. Rarity gazed down at Sweetie, and Scootaloo's attempts to comfort her, for a long moment. Then she smiled, kneeling in front of her sister and nuzzling her just below her nubbly little foal horn. "Well! I don't think those designs were working out anyway, do you? I needed to make a fresh start of it anyway. For now - what would you girls say to taking a break for the afternoon and heading out to the spa? We'll bring Apple Bloom too if she'd like!"

"Thanks!" Strawberry beamed at the artist, happily placing the bits where indicated. Oh, this would look wonderful opposite her window, over the bed! "And I was glad to help. The paintings are beautiful - be a real shame if nopony saw." She smiled as she maneuvered her own new possession onto her back. "Thanks for the warning about the poison joke too - I'll keep it in mind and keep my distance." She headed over to Sugar Orange then, smiling at the pretty stallion. "Ready for that cake now, if it's no trouble...."

"Sweetie, no, I don't need--" Too late. Her sister was already off and running. At least the child had the grace to be clean when she returned! Rarity skittered back from Sweetie Belle's rather enthusiastic cleaning, eyes wide as she peered over her glasses. Oh no! Now Scootaloo was in on it! "Sweetie, please be careful! I don't want you to...." Fall. She groaned as the foal started to slip. Then she SHRIEKED as the bucket landed on her, soaking the curl from her mane and tail and leaving her coat a mess of muddy suds, her glasses whisked away by the torrent. She heard Scootaloo's crash and turned just in time to see the mannequin go down, water splashing across what was left of her shop in an inexorable wave. Rarity turned very slowly to the foals, reddening skin very apparent beneath her pale, damp coat as the unicorn trembled with rage. She took a breath to speak. She was really going to let them have it! Then Inkwell beat her to the punch. She turned - very slowly, even moreso than with the foals - to stare at him. The NERVE. Taking THAT tone. With HER sister. In HER boutique. She gave Inkwell a long, withering look, eyes narrowed as she stepped smoothly between him and the girls, removing the bucket from her head with a graceful toss. That gaze remained on him a long moment before she spoke, voice cool. "I apologize for harm done to your belongings, and will compensate where I am able. However. I will also thank you to never take that tone with my sister or her friends, least of all beneath our own roof. I think it best you come back later, sir. Good day." Clients were clients and messes were messes - but Sweetie Belle was also her Sweetie, thank you very much!

"You okay, Starlight?" Twist kept close to Starlight as he made his way back up the stairs after his tumble. It was cute! Once they were both safely in, she trotted to her desk. She was curious and a little worried about the unicorn filly, and - she had to admit it - that nasty little colt, but it was time to settle in. The geography was familiar to her, but, well, it was only the first day. Twist was half-tuned out when the unicorn reappeared, now with Sunrise. And then the teacher was gone again! Twist watched Cheerill go with bemusement, ears flickering, before looking over at the purple filly with the strange accent. "Um... I never heard of that rule."

"Oh, you're good with flowers?" Strawberry beamed at him, nodding. "Makes sense. I love gardening myself - maybe we can work together sometime! 'Course, I'm just getting started with mine." She nodded cheerfully at his offer - it sounded like a good time, and she could make a new friend and see some interesting new plants. Just the thing after her long trip! "Sounds like a plan! I'll be there. And hey - maybe some time you can show me your library tower. I'd like to see Canterlot at least once, I think it--" She cut off in a surprised yelp at the heavy thump of hooves against tree. That was... could that be another pony? "Y'hear that Bramble?" she asked slowly. A pause, and she crept toward the tree.

"Morning Miss Twilight!" Strawberry called. "Care for some berries?" She smiled at the unicorn, pausing to let Twilight approach. "This is Lemon Sunrise... Lemon, Miss Twilight here lives at the library." This confirmed that the little one was a newcomer, at least; maybe her family was exploring the surrounding area. "I'm pretty new myself - but maybe we can show you around between us after a little rest. I was in the forest all night," she explained to Twilight after making the offer. "Found some pretty plants that bloom under the moon - think you can help me find a book about 'em later?" She started walking again, moving at a slow, easy pace so that the smaller ponies could easily keep up. "Anyway, I was gonna treat Lemon here to breakfast before walking her home. Care to join us? Going to Sugarcube - not the healthiest breakfast I know, but a treat won't hurt an' I'll be she'll love the lemon cake."

Rarity's shock was broken by the sound of Inkwell's voice, and she looked at her guest in thinly veiled horror. Someone was here! Seeing her shop like this, with these filthy little mudsplatters all over the place! There was a time and place for mud, of course - the time was 'when Rarity is not around' and the place was 'far away from Rarity' (unless one was talking facials, but that was neither here nor there). All right. She couldn't fault Sweetie's response to Inkwell's question. She was a smart little foal - so why was it so hard to learn to not track mud? Steady, Rarity. "Please excuse me," she said to Inkwell - smiling, peeking over the rims of her glasses with lashes lowered just so. "I'll be right with you, because my sister is right of course! I just need to speak with her a moment and then we can get started. Thank you so much for your patience!" That said, she trotted briskly to Sweetie, stopping just out out reach of any muddy nuzzles. "Sweetie Belle," she said slowly - carefully! - as she looked the foal over. "You're... quite right... that you need to get cleaned up, darling! But... ah... have you noticed what you've trailed all over OH GOODNESS!" She leaped back as Scootaloo tackled her sister, narrowly avoiding getting caught in the mudball. Oh my! That was close, they had nearly gotten mud on-- Then Scootaloo shook her wings, spattering mud on Rarity's pristine pearl coat. For the second time in less than five minutes the unicorn was frozen in shock. At least this time she couldn't really see; her glasses were mudspattered too. She was afraid to remove them. "Children," she said after a long moment. "I think... well... Sweetie, don't you think you and Scootaloo might have more fun outside?" Her voice was controlled, but it was tenuous. She was fighting another outburst. Oh her beautiful coat! Her beautiful shop! Oh how COULD they?!

Twist leaped back in surprise as Champ ran by, staring after the colt with wide eyes. Oh, she had heard the outburst from inside all right. Oh, this was a strange day all right. She looked over at Starlight with a sigh, shaking her head slowly. "I... I dunno. But Miss Cheerilee'll know what to do." Twist was confused, though; having heard the final outburst, and seen that, it was somehow harder to think of Champ as just a nasty foal like Diamond Tiara. She was also quickly proven wrong - it didn't seem like Cheerilee was going to go retrieve him. That was even weirder! Twist headed inside with her new friends, head slightly lowered and ears slightly back in thought. The day had taken a turn she didn't like, and she wasn't sure how to handle that.

*Cough*Reminds me of Astro Boy*Cough* *gasp* Oh noes! What shall I do?! ^_^

New one! I have... no idea what drove me to this. XD Snout is off, though... still working with the head shape, particularly for foals.

Welcome aboard! We're happy to see you. ^^

Strawberry twitched her ears, intrigued by the formal accent. Poor thing, Ponyville was going to be a bit of a culture shock. "Pleased to meet you too!" She imitated the curtsy with a grin. Strawberry was not the most elegant of ponies simply due to her body type, but she wasn't clumsy either; the effect wasn't too bad. She gave Lemon the berries before setting off toward town, keeping a slow, easygoing pace a little foal could easily match. "Want me to carry that bag for you? Looks like a load - y'get separated from a camping group?" A soft laugh at her enthusiasm over the tart berries. "Good to know. I'm a big old sweet tooth myself. But my mom makes a great lemon cake with sour frosting - I mean, I'm not big on sour myself personally, I like a good sweet berry torte, but ponies seem to like it so I guess there's something to it! Besides, what's a bakery like with only one kind of treat?" Boring, that was what - there was nothing like seeing rows of colorful pastries waiting to be chosen, unless it was a garden filled with colors bursting from buds... but that was off-subject. "My family's bakery is in Fillydelphia, of course, but maybe Sugarcube Corner will have something just as good." She turned to Lemon as they entered Ponyville. There didn't seem to be any frantic searches for a missing foal, so maybe it was all right after all. "What do you say? Think your parents'll mind if I get you a treat for breakfast?"