Pretzelparty

Bevel was still inspecting the room when Fire called out to her and Dunnie. Disappointing as it was, there wasn't very much there to inspect and if Fire was right, the only time something interesting might happen would be when all six of Equestria's heroes were here. The fluffy maned mare gave a subtle huff and hopped to her hooves, "I'm coming!" She said with a peppy smile. Once she cleared the door, Bevel walked up along with her two friends. All the while she was still looking at the crystalline corridors they traveled through, "So, where are we headed next?"

"What one or many believe is not always true, Your Highness." The fox said with a surprising solemn expression, "I have never extorted peasants, stolen anypony's heart, or caused any infighting. To help with your impressions, I've only gotten gifts of food from peasants in exchange for protecting rice fields, I've enchanted noone to fall in love with me, and I asked that your brother not tell you. So don't bear the prince any ill will." 

While Yanhua was keeping her calm, inside she was rather annoyed. She'd heard that legend many times around the palace and told to fillies and colts around the capital. It was absolutely maddening to hear her history so butchered and so obviously re-written to suit the crown. "There are many falsehoods in that story. Do you wish to know the truth about the story of my imprisonment, Your Highness? It may not matter as most witnesses have passed away, but I'm sure an enlightened mare like yourself would be at the least bit curious about the other half of the story."

"Hm." Taira perked up as Apple Bloom spoke up behind him, "Oh! Yes. Two bits and a mug." He inhaled swiftly and then exhaled two clouds of minty green smoke. The clouds  zipped off to the table with clean mugs, one being taken up and brought right over to the sturdy looking Kirin. In the meantime, the other wisp zipped off to snag a few bits from bag he'd left by his workstation back at the treadmill. Once their tasks had been done the smoke dissipated harmlessly into the open air while Taira placed the bits on the counter, "Thank you, Miss Applebloom!"

While the filly got to work, Taira was content to resume his talks with the princess. "Oh? I had hoped I made a good impression on her. I think we both enjoyed the chance to share our experiences over the years."

Luna's concern for her subjects made the old spirit smile. No wonder these sisters had ruled for so long! It wasn't often one found monarchs who genuinely cared for their subjects in his experience, all the better that those in Equestria were so long lived. "A bit of a hardheadedness can be a very admirable quality!" Said the eager old yokai, "As for what brought me here... it was equal parts curiosity and contract. I made a wager with the current winner of the running of the leaves and I lost. So, I resolved to work for her and aid her family's farm." Once Applebloom brought the kirin his drink he would give her yet another thanks and then tilt his head as if realizing something that only puzzled him further. He'd come to realize he'd already had one drink of cider today and that was amazing... but now there was a shortage. Getting a second drink somehow felt greedy to him. 

"Your highness, Did you happen to hear anyone who might be especially desperate for a drink of Cider? I'd already had one today and with it in such short supply, I'd feel guilty if I drank two cups... Have you had any yet?"

Taira's ears perked at the sound of his name being spoken, Blueblood had mentioned working on the presses... How fun! He'd been on the treadmill already most of the day. It would be a welcome change of pace!

The walk along the rails was rough. Between biting cold and tired eyes, Fiver was already feeling winded. Thankfully Daze was willing to spare a scarf and hat so she wouldn't freeze. The pegasus took the hat and secured it on her head as best she could, same with the scarf. That scarf was a bit harder to get on. That wind was threatening to rip if from her neck and leave it fluttering in the whiteout beyond the party. 

As the shadow of the mountain hung over them, a deeper shadow was somewhere a head. It seemed as that the tracks lead to a tunnel. The opening of which was right ahead if they kept on trudging through the snow. "I see a tunnel up ahead. Looks like it goes on quite a ways. We could get some shelter from the wind and cold in there I think!"

Would it be okay If I said that they find a cave? I'll be working on a post tongiht

A quick look at both Daze and Zelda made it clear that seeking shelter was the better option. Neither of them  looked up to trying to look at the wreckage any further. The trio had their luggage, hopefully they all had something to help keep them all warm once they found something to shield them from biting winds. 

Truth be told, Fiver wasn't dealing terribly well with the cold either. It was times like this she regretted her larger frame and leaner muscle, warmth was going to be harder to hold on to the further this went. At least Golden Daze wore some things better suited to the weather, Fiver only had a coat. Already, she could feel the warmth slowly draining out of her as she trudged along through the snow with her two new friends.  A particularly potent shiver broke fiver's proud and lead her to speak up to golden as they walked, "You said you had some extra clothes? D-do you have a scarf or anything?" 

Making further up the trail along the slowly dissappearing tracks, Fiver had an idea. She stepped over to a bit of dark grey steel poking up from the rising white snow. She carefully bumped her hoof to the side of it, noting the clang that traveled up her foreleg. "If  we keep out hooves close to the tracks we should be able to stay on the trail of them for a while... at least until the snow gets too deep."

(Sorry this took a while, please tell me if I missed/forgot anything.)

Thank you so much. It's been a while so I sorta forgot the name. >_<

So if Szalhi isn't coming back. I'll get to work writing something up as soon as I can. 

This is sorta embarassing, but could someone link the thread here for me?

I'd be up to trying to continue, I'm not sure I remember who was up next though. 

[Since Switchback hasn't been on for a while, Its okay if we skip them. Try to keep to posting order to a reasonable degree if you all could!]

Corva's compliments on the tattoos and the acknowledgement of Toboe's kind words got a playful wink from the bartender. Nice to see Jian still hired some upbeat individuals and not just stone faced gangsters... though he did certainly have a surplus of such folks. 

Speaking of Jian, he gave her a questioning look as the mare burst in. They'd known eachother long to understand eachother with simple gazes or gestures.  In response her eyes wandered to her 'no strong perfumes/colognes' sign in the window. It wasn't like she could cover herself in fancy scents like the mares who would so often fawn over such a tall, dark, and handsome qilin like Da jian-ya. His question about the foreigners made her chuckle, "[I can't make much of a business if I don't have a diverse customer base.] She couldn't but but smile at the curl of those whiskers, "[... and if I ever do have a litter, you'll be the first to know.]" She gave the scruffy looking boss a smirk and would polish the glass she had in hoof while a serpent dragon made his way into the establishment. 

"Welcome to bar, my serpentine friend. Let me know if you need anything. We got plenty o' warm food, and cold drinks ready for enjoyment."

She would leave her greeting at that. It was clear he worked for Jian and she wasn't about to get in the way of business on somepony else's turf. For now their friendly new patron would take some attention. She seemed nice enough as she sat down on the barstool with the rest of Toboe's customers. Bluemoon's remarks about the establishment managed to get a chuckle from the slightly scruffy bartender. Glancing over at the ominous qilin nearby she snickered. It sure would be a weird place for dogs, wouldn't it? Her eyes would say. The mention of squeaky toys gave her pause for a moment. Technically there was a squeaky toy on the premises... but it was for the boss's personal use. Mostly stress relief. Just as she was thinking of what to say about that she was caught off guard by meeting of a hoof to her snout. There was no squeak, but her muzzle did squish.  

The Barkeep's muzzle scrunched and her eyes narrowed for a moment. Once she pulled back from the boop she noticed a bit of dirt on Bluemoon's hoof. After fishing a tissue from beneath the counter to clean her nose of any debris she would itch her nose for a few seconds, "Since you've only done that once and you're new. That's for free. Any further pokes to this bartender's nose will cost at least five bits." Even after the poke was over the mare continued to rub at her muzzle, just because she'd taken the shape of a pony didn't mean her nose became any less sensitive. With a small smile she bowed her head to Bluemoon, "I hope you've got something to drink in mind, Ma'am."

Someone summoned me! I would be happy to continue The Howler's Den thread. Just bring no attention to the change in Toboe's design and none shall be kicked out/dissappear mysteriously.

I Look forward to playign again!

Taira had mostly been sticking to his job on the mill for the past few days and focusing on that. The conversations of the surrounding equine were always fascinating, but he had a job to do for a friend. Today though, he'd been given some time off. His labors had been beneficial to the apple clan in this season, though not so much that he could take much pressure of his gracious host: Applejack. In his younger days he might have been able to keep at it nonstop through the night, but as he was getting on in years he felt he needed a break... and there were even some eager volunteers trying their hoof to push this season forward. How Fortunate!

The old yokai's curiosity soon lead him to one of the few ponies here he had not yet gotten to speak to. Princess Luna. 

It was curious how many royals he was running into on his travels. First Blueblood, Then Celestia, and now Luna! Maybe he was having a run of good luck. It wasn't everyday he got to talk to someone so close to his age. So, with this time off he had been granted he saw fit to approach the princess. Not wanting to appear too obtrusive, he'd taken on his kirin shape once again. It was a good choice for social interactions. 

For the moment, It seemed that the princess was involved in decidedly one sided staring contest with Applejack. It was clearly a very intense one... had something happened between them? The stories he'd heard made no mention of animosity between the Moon Princess and a heroine of this wondrous land. Green eyes bounced between Luna and Applejack. Taira stuck a hoof out and waved to the princess, leaning into her line of sight.  He spoke up with a rather pleasant tone, "Good day, Princess! I'm Taira from the mountains to the far far east, may I ask what brings you to cast your gaze on Miss Applejack this day?"

 

The kiss with Applejack lingered longer than Yanhua thought it might. At first the qilin's eyes popped open when the lips met, but then shut again once she was more comfortable... as it lingered, Applejack would have felt the qilin growing especially comfy as the kiss channeled at least ten years of romantic frustration into the meeting of the muzzles. Once it was finally over, the qilin stood there with a very dreamy look on her face, Her mind having replaced Applejack with the stallion she'd been so fixated upon in front of her... until he spoke in the drawl and she promptly snapped out of it and cleared her throat. 

"Um... Thank you, Miss Applejack. This has proved a most um enlightening experience." She hurriedly exhaled a few motes of  green flame that seemed to pick up the bushels of apples, "Perhaps before I get home I can speak to you about something that has been lingering on my mind since I saw your farm. But for now I'll take my leave. Farewell." With all that had happened in the rock climbing competition, the last thing that Yanhua wanted was to push her way through another awkward atmosphere. 

As she approached both Lian and Feng she was... a little curious about how Feng may have taken it. The petty side in her made her hope he felt at least a twinge of jealousy like she felt earlier. If he felt just the smallest bit annoyed maybe there was hope for her. 

Then he spoke. His words weren't the usual oblivious arrows in her side this time. At first she had rush of elation when he openly said that she looked cute... but the further meaning behind his words dawned on her. Frustration was boiling over already. Yanhua took a deep breath and again exhaled those ribbons of smoke as Feng's eternal obliviousness got her dander up. "You know, Feng. I think I will need help carrying these." She non-chalantly added the weight of her bushels onto the stallion's load before walking over to Prince Lian, "My lord, I believe you are up next in line. Do try not to break a filly's heart, will you?"  She glanced back at the bow wearing filly and then took a seat by Feng as he got used to this newly added weight on his back.
 

The memory of the Rock climbing event brought a shaky smile to the qilin's lips. Internally, .He was thankful that despite her mishap none had noticed how much she'd changed under duress. Perhaps the distance between the wall and spectator's stands was a blessing in disguise. It was probably awkward for quite a few when she didn't show up to accept the award until later in the day when she was in less of a panic.  "To be honest, I think I handled the cupcake eating contest better... and it made less of a mess of my coat." A small chuckle escaped her at the memory, " Making that whirl of fire was much more fun... and the cupcakes were delicious."

While Applejack perused the apples in stock, Yanhua was noticing something very familiar about this orchard. It reminded her of something from a very long time ago. It was hard to place at first but eventually she realized it was the scent of apples combined with this strange clan of characters running it. It brought to mind a family of qilin in the high mountain regions of Long Guo. She skimmed the deep trenches of her mind to try and recall the name but was interrupted as Applejack spoke up with another question about her selections: this time about the Quantity.

"I think two will suffice. I'm hoping to make something special for the kitchen staff back home."

A bushel was a lot of apples after all... If they were especially good, Yanhua might be tempted to snack on more than a few on the way to their next destination. Fishing the bits from her saddlebag and onto the counter she smiled, "Ten bits as agreed... As for the kiss. You'll have to forgive me I haven't kissed anypony in a very long time." At least not on the lips, She'd not done so in... What was it, a hundred years? Where does the time go?

"I'm afraid I might be a bit rusty." She said with a small chuckle.

When greeted and asked her name, Yanhua initially responded with a polite little bow of her head. There was still a tinge of jealousy lingering in her soul that she simply couldn't shake, but she buried it down in order to give a polite introduction. "It is good to meet you, Miss Applejack. I am Yanhua, a chef from Long Guo." She brought her head back up with that smile still keep her eyes shut to slivers, "A better question would be what aren't I baking. I had planned to work on a bit of everything while I had to opportunity to work with Equestrian Apples. The one's I'm used to in Long Guo are a bit different and as a culinarian I hope to experiment and learn further."

As she talked she tried to keep her mind away from the thoughts of moments previous before, eventually realizing  just where she'd seen the orange pony before. "I recall your performances in the Iron pony competition. I understand why you are one of Equestria's heroes." Hanabi hadn't gotten involved in too many of the Iron pony events. The only ones she had she had actually won to her surprise. Well, the only ones that really surprised her was her conquest of the climbing wall, There was little chance she was going to end up losing an eating competition. Her stomach had been what originally led her to long guo after all. 



 

"Well, Your empress." Began the qilin shaped creature, "What I hope to gain is freedom from guilt. I have served the palace for quite some time and have managed to keep my nature concealed from most. As a favor to me, Prince Lian has not told anyone about me." A while ago when the prince was done with rather nasty summer cold, Yanhua had brought him some soup to help him heal. She ended up catching his cold and having to hide away for a time until he came around to try and help her heal... and the rest was history. A history that the empress might not be privy to. 

As the empress listened, Yanhua couldn't help but notice that stiff upper lip of hers. How nearly unchanging her expression was as she worked to not show any hint of weakness. The only reason the chef noticed was because of how much harder the empress seemed to be trying to keep it up. That, and even while she worked to keep her emotions in check, Yanhua could sense unease in a room well. She could practically smell it. 

"You don't need to steel your heart, Empress. I'm not like that spirit from the stories that steals your face the moment you furrow a brow..."

Yanhua cleared her throat, "... Also you don't have to shower me in compliments. I had enough  that sort of thing in the kitchen and when I used to guard ricefields. I must admit it is oddly fun to hear you doing it to me for once." She gave a soft chuckled before opening up her eyes for the empress, revealing the vibrant green eyes with slitted catlike pupils. "I have been 'constraining' myself as you put it because there is someone very close to my heart is in your employ. He in fact inspired me to start up the restaurant in the capital that lead me to this new occupation."

In some ways Yanhua was thankful for Feng's short and undetailed reply. While she could put two and two together to realize that it was likely the empress in his dreams that tutored him in his ... Kissing practice?  At least she didn't need to hear it be confirmed.  Rather than dwelling on Feng's imagination she would turn her attention back to the kissing booth as Feng enjoyed his selected apple.

She couldn't help but be impressed by the how deep the kiss between Applejack and Sunset had become. It was almost uncomfortable to watch. Recalling that Sunset had some unresolve romantics issues of her own... Yanhua figured it might be wise to see how her fiery friend felt about it afterwards. Based on that awkward and expedient exit, Yanhua would be assuming:  Not well. Any further pondering about the state of her friends would be put on hold as she heard the mare in charge call out for the next in line. The empty space in front of sure wasn't going to kiss anypony, So Yanhua stepped up to the kissing stand. 

The qilin shaped yokai dipped her head in greeting, "Um... Good afternoon. I was looking to buy a few apples best for baking. Do you have any Braeburns, Granny Smiths, Honey crisps, or Jonagolds available by the bushel?"

Watching Applejack kiss Feng was not an easy thing for this cook. It was especially tough seeing how long it went.. and how very deep it seemed to get. She couldn't help but wonder when Feng became such a playcolt. As she searched her memory she couldn't help but feel more and more jealous as she remembered all those looks he would so often receive. While externally she looked calm and cheery as always. Some territorial instinct was brewing in her, stoking some fire in her belly. A fire that was both figurative and literal. A couple strands of smoke seemed to flow from her nostrils as she gave out a frustrated sigh. Something a certain prince nearby might have noticed. 

It took a second before Yanhua noticed. Once she had her eyes momentarily widened and she would fan the smoke away from her muzzle until it dissipated on the wind. 

The Chef cleared her throat for a moment and gave Feng a smile, "That was... very impressive, Feng. Have you been practicing somewhere when I wasn't looking?" She asked as she watched the stallion taking his apples up. She wasn't about to break the line to grab hers so she was going to stick around while she could. 

The glowing caribou remained seated, responding to Ossia's warning with only an unimpressed stare. She then looked down to the dirt she sat upon and began to draw some pattern on the earth in front of her. It was a tic-tac-toe board and she was starting up with the xs. "Take your time. " She said with an unusual calm, "I'm in no rush. Once you are finished with the Toy soldier... we can have words." Just like that her gaze went back to the grid she made on the ground. 

Lightning's quickly cut off warning did managed to bring the cow's attention back up for a moment, "Hm. The toy soldier can speak... maybe someone at the academy can help you later. If you manage to live through this... I promise that any punishment you recieve will be foals play compared to her." While Lightning's core was building to a possible explosion, the core of the mysterious cow's being was burning hot with something else: purpose. Her divine sphere of influence lent itself towards revenge on behalf of the wronged.  Many ponies were hurt in that freak hurricane earlier. The pale huntress couldn't quite tell the full scale of the damage, but the very need for retribution was fueling her to act in this moment... If this explosion happened and by some measure Ossia and this cow survived, things could become quite harrowing very quickly.

While she laid on the ground, continuing her game. The cow's muscles were tense and ready, her glow slowly raising in intensity until she was ready to strike.

"Oh it's a very old house...  built when ponies first tried settling here and then left when things got all spooky." She said leading her friend down the hall, "I really should get in the habit of dusting when I wake up. Especially with company over. Not allergic are you?"  The pale pony took a turn down on of the halls lined with lamps. One could still see some small motes of dust floating in the low light. 

Tempest's question about old places brought a grin to Foxglove's face, "Do I poke around old places? I -always- poke around old places!" She smiled back at her guest, "The stone forts are honestly some of the best places to explore. Have you ever been to some of the old castles and ruins in Fet loch? Those are chock full of history of old ponies engaging in contests of strength and great battles." The ghostly mare seemed almost giddy as she went on, only stopping once she arrived in front of a pair of large doors with an old sign by them. "I can understand wishing to live in the past... sometimes I think if I'd lived back then I'd have been some mysterious druid or enchantress. I still seem to scare ponies sometimes, but I've grown used to it-- oh! This is the library." 

The pony pushed open the doors to reveal a sizeable collection of books upon many shelves. Nothing quite that cook hold a candle to the libraries in Canterlot and Trottingham, but still an impressive collection. Many of the tomes looked old, but well cared for. The shelf with the least dust on it seemed to carry many books on alchemical and potion brewing ways of ponies from the bayou and even some translations of Unyasian literature of the same topic. Other shelves had collections of poetry and historical accounts from all across Equestria, "I spend a good deal of time here when I'm around."

With the prince's approval, Yanhua got back up and smiled. "Forgive us, Prince Lian." She stretched a little in place, "Palace protocol makes bowing a very powerful habit."

Yanhua perked up a moment at Lian's little jest about a date, For a moment she scooted the tiniest bit closer to Feng... only to deflate as the stallion again took the wind of her sails.  With a small sigh she looked over to Feng and then back to Lian, "... Actually, I asked him to pick up some apples for the kitchen back home and I realized I hadn't told him what type." She explained in a somewhat dry an unenthused tone. Hei Lian's connection to the apple family definitely caught the chef's attention though. Maybe they could get a discount and better deal for apples if they were patient.

Feng's earlier words on the empress left Yanhua with a bitter taste in her mouth... but the opportunity to share a snack on the way back home with Feng quickly washed it out, "That sounds wonderful, Feng. Thank you." It was these moments of thoughtfulness that so easily drew Yanhua to Feng, even the tiny ones. Now that she thought about it, the trip back home would be quite a long one. Perhaps she could try and get a bit closer to her friend Feng on the way back: They did have much catching up to do now that secrets were revealed on her side of the relationship. 

The sound of a very familiar voice made the chef's eye's crack open for a moment.  Immediately she stiffened up and bowed her head to None other than Prince Lian. This would prove... interesting. A certain mishap in the not too distant past had left Yanhua confiding quite often with the prince, he was possibly the only other individual in the dynasty who knew about her secret (besides Wuya). Yanhua couldn't thank him enough for keeping his lips sealed about her past, his reputation of kindness being a well earned one. Yanhua would offer the stallion a friendly smile, "Good Afternoon, Prince Lian. Feng and I were just going to pick up some apples for me to bring back to the kitchen... and we end up meeting up with a newly acquired friend." 

Just as Sunset started trying to give her friends some space, Yanhua gestured to the unicorn. "Allow me to introduce Sunset Shimmer" She smiled to the mare and then back to the prince, "A very talented mage and friend of the land's new princess."

Hogo-sha smiled at Anu, "I'll be happy to share, friend. It's been too long since I've had someone to share fish with!" Back home Hogo-sha would often share the fist caught with his siblings. While he was glad to be able to go out on his own and make his own legend, there were times he missed his home back on the mountains with his family... even if he still had issues talking to his father.

A momentary glance in Nilaavin's direction managed to get a small smile from the dog. Allergic as he was , This 'dog' couldn't deny a big cat living out their fantasies in a fish market was a curiously endearing sight. He couldn't help but notice how deep in thought Blueblood seemed to be, but soon he spoke up with a most generous offer! "You're too kind, my prince." Said the canine as he dipped his head to the stallion, "I will be sure to make the most of it within reason."

Foxglove chuckled warmly at Tempest's quick apology, "I can't hold ill will against somepony just because they haven't read my work. But if you like I've some copies in my study. if you'd like to get a glimpse... but for now I think a tour sounds lovely." 

With a chuckle she would looked back again to the gates, "No need to keep apologizing. Personally I love the change... it just makes it looked more ominous!" She smiled as she stepped a bit closer towards the gate and then back to her guest.  HEaring her say how she spent a lot of her time outside, the image of Tempest out alone during rainy nights made the author shudder. "Well... let's get you inside then. You must be tired if you've been walking on hoof all the way here." Foxglove gestured for her friend to follow along to the front door of the manor.  The earth pony pushed open one of the doors, revealing the Foyer. 

It was an elegant looking hall, if a tad dusty and worn. It seemed to be sturdy, but the wear from the elements and old age was easy to see. The lamps around the walls and in the doorway seemed to give off some faint blue glow that gave a serene aura.