Pretzelparty

Taira remained focused on his run on the mill, doing his darndest to produce at least some cider for the day. If there was one thing somepony would say about him it wasn't going to be "He doesn't work hard." His huffing and puffing on the mill must have been noticed as he soon heard Applejack talking to Blueblood and that one mare from the other day. He'd failed to catch her name then, but now he could overhear it being spoken: Bellissima.  It was a lovely name and it was even lovelier to see her warming up to the farm. Perhaps the other day the stress had gotten to her. 

Even better it seemed as though Blueblood was joining them to help out with the broken mill! This day was getting even better. He gave the fetching Bluebelle a happy smile as she drew closer,  taking on paw off the mill to wave once and then right back to work.


Applejack's holler back to him made his ears perk up. WIth a delighted smile he would call back, "That's right! No magic at all! ... Don't try to cheat now: I'll smell your aura if you do!" He said with a wry grin as he kept up his pace on the mill, only slowing a moment as he noticed a surprising potent magical aura nearby. He stalled a moment on the  mill but pushed on through, only taking a moment to look around to investigate... and noticing an alicorn was here! Not just any Alicorn either, but Celestia's sister. Goodness, this farm was drawing in all sorts of bigwigs! 

A multitude of questions popped up in Taira's mind. He had enjoyed his visit with celestia during the last Nightmare Night. HE had so few opportunities to speak to beings as old or older than himself. With a happy bark he would look to his now feminine friend, "Blue! Is that one of your aunts over there? I don't think I've gotten to speak to her yet? Does she like tea and cake as much as your other one?"

In between panting he would look to his perspective temporary co-worker and chuckle at hesitant words on sweat, "It certainly is from what I've heard! I wish I could sweat, all I can do is huff and pant to cool off." He slowed up a little on the mile to offer the mare a smile, "I'm Taira, I don't think we got to speak yesterday. It will be a pleasure to run with you!"

If the question from Sunset was a single arrow in her side, Feng's long answer to felt as though she'd been turned into pincushion. It took a few seconds before Yanhua actually spoke up. She was silent with her usual smile and near-shut eyed expression masking a hurricane of frustration brewing inside her mind. "... I trust you just fine, I just realized that I didn't tell you what type of apples would have been best for baking purposes." Her tone was its usual calm register, "I suppose now that I'm here I may as well remain to get a look at what I'll be working with." 

Her tail was twitching... she was thankful when Feng turned his attention back to Sunset so she could take another breath to steady her nerves. Yanhua liked Yu as much as she could like an employer, but this situation with Feng and her unique past with the family made thing's very tense. To make matters worse hearing how well Feng could describe the empress had made the cook somewhat concerned. Was her own form so unremarkable? She'd spent so much time thinking about and crafting it but it seemed the only compliment she ever felt she got on it came from either Prince Lian or Wuya. In the hopes of distracting herself from her worries again, Yanhua looked to the new stallion: Tiger Blood. 

"Yanhua, Imperial chef. It's good to make your acquaintance."

A small smile came to her muzzle as Sunset greeted her, "Thank you, Sunset. It's good to see you as well. Have things with Tempest and ... other interests of yours been going well? I'm sure letters will be a fine method to communicate. No need to trouble the new ruler of the lands with such a small request when a simple paper based remedy will do." 

Yep. She was one of the old kirin from the stories all right. That fiery transmutation of her body into an avatar of her own anger fit in well with the stories grandpa told her.  Rin coudl even feel the air getting toasty. Thank goodness Autumn shifted back before a big scene could be caused. "That's pretty neat! I used to hear stories about kirin who looked like you from my grandfather." She looked around Autumn once again before stretching out the prosthetic wing again, "... and I meant that this is a replacement wing. The old one had real feathers and everything,  but this one is pretty cool. I was thinking about painting it up to give a cooler look." 

The spear carrying stallion seemed pretty curious about her an autumn. Rin was more subtle about inspecting him than autumn was, anypony with the bearing of a mercenary made her nervous given her past. Now her past was behind her, she could just enjoy the day!

"I know I've wanted to see the farms and saloons... I've only seen them in movies."

That whole Iron pony business proved to be quite the pain in Yanhua's neck... really it had ended up being a pain just about everywhere for her. Thankfully, in the aftermath the imperial chef found herself with some interesting friends. Friends who were now in on her secret. There were still many other confession to make in good time, but for now she would make the most of her time in this most unusual country. 

While she did feel somewhat safer after meeting Sunset and tempest. Yanhua still felt the urge to be wary. There were so many strong mages in this land, not all of them in town but many so close by in canterlot. Having her cover blown now would be the worst way this trip could end, so she stuck close to the scent of those she knew she could trust. Today, her nose lead her to this farm. Two familiar aromas were lingering here: The steadfast and loyal defender of the empress, and the interdimensional traveling mage. Feng and Sunset. It seemed they'd only arrived recently so Yanhua soon followed them into the line. She'd sent Feng out earlier for some apples for the kitchen... but waiting for him at the inn or around the carriage was leaving her feeling anxious. 

Then she came upon the sign. 

"Country kisses..."

Internally she fumed, but quickly fought down the anger. Surely Feng would probably just get a kiss on the cheek or something. He'd never share his lips with anypony but the empress... and just like that she got herself annoyed again. It was fine, She'd sent feng out before, surely he'd be fine that she decided to come along. They may have an assortment of apples and she failed to describe a particular type that would be best for baking...

The chef quietly walked up behind her fiery maned friend and smiled, "Good afternoon, Sunset. Feng." She came in just to hear the last question from sunset and immediately it felt like she'd been shot in the side with a barbed arrow. Somepony with empathy might have felt that...

So she didn't speak Neighponese? Did she speak the Long sun's tongue? It was a shame Rin didn't know any of that... but fortunately the strange kirin spoke Equestrian! She sure had a lot of questions. Nothing that Rin couldn't handle, but she must not have seen or heard anything about the eastern regions at all. 

Rin cleared her throat and accepting the offered cloven hoof, shaking it with her own. "Hello there. I'm Shiori Rin... and, well, I'm from Neighpon! A country all the way to the east. I'm a Ryuma, but those further east call my kind Longma. Others back in my homeland look like me, but some don't have wings and they're called.... well, the Kirin! But they look  a little different then you... can you do breath magic?" Hoping to Demonstrate for this new friend, Rin took a deep breath through her nose and soon exhaled a faint glowing smoke that scooped up her canteen, making it levitate like a unicorn might with their magic. Once she set it back down she picked it back up with one of her wings (the natural one) and set it back beside her cart. 

"As for my appearance, well... I lost one of my wings in an accident a long while ago." She opened and closed her prosthetic wing a few times for her friend, "Back home everypony has two horns too... well unless they file one of them down. I've seen some do that! I love your mane and scales though!"

Rin's ears perked as someone whistled. When she turned around she was expecting some rugged looking ranchpony. It was a bit surprising when she looked to see somepony with a spear... though he was still clearly some sort of rugged. "Um... I suppose there is, Stranger." She dipped her head towards Tiger, "Both of us Just arrived here I think... do you know much about this town?"

An ominous feeling was rising up in the hexxer's gut. Just before She was telekinetically thrown towards the lake nearby she had a feeling as if something terrible would happen.  This heroine knew she really had no chance of beating back this enemy but she still felt she had to try... even as she was tossed aside like Refuse. While she waited for the contact with the water... it never came. Instead she found her tail yanks as if something bite down and then let her hang in place before setting her back down. 

When she looked up she beheld a white cervine... a caribou maybe? She was a strong looking creature with an intense glare.Her antlers were somehow mismatched, one looking natural and smooth almost with runic carvings along its branches and the other looking black, gnarled and sharp. Her fur giving off some bright, shifting light underneath old and slightly weathered looking armor, "You should stay back." She said as she calmly walked towards Ossia and her ...victim? To this caribou it seemed irrelevant. Oddly enough she didn't seem in any kind of hurry. She had an old looking spear at her side that she set down in front of her once she saw the alicorn with her prize. 

Eyes looked up to Ossia and then to her spear, in a small flash of the light the spear was gone. The owner of the weapon produced a small hollow laugh before soon laying down in front of the alicorn and the ticking time bomb in her hooves. She just sat before them, watching them intently with a tired smile on her face. 

Hexxer followed the strange caribou's orders, unsure where she'd seen her before. That bad feeling in her gut told her she should probably go and see if she could find any ponies who might be stuck in this park turned battlefield. 

[Exit Hexxer]

Back on the treadmill once again. Taira took to the task with gusto, eager to continue his work for the apples. The other day had been one of the most fun. He'd met some of a friend's friends and even met a skilled artist that not-so-casually tried to get his likeness on paper. Never one to turn down the creatively inclined Taira assumed a pose that he thought might look regal for the shiny yellow mare. He did end up having to take care of other things before the finished result could be shone however, so he hoped that he could run into her once again!

The moment she emerged from her tent, Taira's nose told him he definitely would! He recognized the smell of graphite and paper from the mare and even as he dashed on the treadmill he poked his head out a moment and gave the mare a quick "Hello!" before returning to his run!

IT seemed that the tudents of the friendship school had come back too, the two feathery ones would surely be a fun pair to watch as the day unfolded.

Foxglove smiled as Tempest looked back to her home. It had a worn down but sturdy look to it. It had some local history and spooky stories attached to it, but Foxglove confirmed for herself there was no horror lurking these halls. Well, unless you were scared of dust bunnies and the occasional creak in the night.  "Well, since It has been so long since I've had company... and nopony really wants to come so far out here."  Foxglove gestured to her home's front door, "Would you like to stay a while and look around? I've never given a tour before."

" To answer your question though, I am a writer. A fairly competent one... I mostly write horror, dark and gothic fantasies." She didn't like to toot her own horn. If Her friend wanted to get a feel from her work she did have a few manuscripts laying around in her study, "...and if you're looking for 'removed' it doesn't get further removed from Pony civilization as this."

Indeed it didn't.  Hollow shades was an old and ominous place. While not as dangerous as Everfree, it held a dastardly reputation as Equestria's most haunted spot.  Long ago some very special trees grew here. An industrious pony of the past harvested them down to next to nothing and since then, this swathe of land produced tale after tale of horror stories and ominous folktales. Perhaps it wouldn't be one day, thanks to the efforts of a certain driven unicorn named Moondancer. Since that little party saved this author's life, foxglove had taken care of the Lumi tree in a special room in her manor. 

"I have a very important duty to take care of here now and again, so sadly I won't be selling it anytime soon."

The fuzzy mare bowed her head and smile as she sauntered in, "Thank you  very much." her expression of gratitude sounded almost reflexive. As Toboe looked around the small place she realized it might have been for the best to hold her business proposals for now. With so many ponies (and birds) present it wouldn't do very good to put this Ice storm on the spot. For now,  toboe waved over to Ice storm. "I don't suppose you have peanut butter flavored Ice cream, do you?" She could kill for some of that right now, "I've never tried it as ice cream before!"

The patch wearing mare would curiously look over the patrons. The cloaked alicorn was definitely curious about this bird at first, but it seemed whatever he did to get her attention took her by surprise. 

That magic she did was unquestionably impressive. Unicorn magic was always impressive to see in action. Still, Toboe prefered the familiar magitech back home. Being around it so long made it so much easier to mess with or hide from. All the more personal and old fashioned magic that seemed to thrive in this city seemed almost alien to her, and she was already alien in her own hometown.  Perhaps she could find a way to worm into the conversation in the near future, she'd need to keep her ears up.

This land is so hot!  Rin knew from the stories she read about how hard the sun could beat down on a pony,  but now she could feel it first-hoof. In all the comics about outlaws and marshalls, Rin imagined of one day trotting down these paths. Having finally made it to the west she had to admit she needed time to get used to this. She could feel sweat in so many places.  Her persistence in her long walk did eventually pay off. 

The gray ryuma wiped the sweat from her brow and turned around to retrieve a canteen from her wagon. "Maybe I can get a hat while I'm here... That'd be so useful." She took a heavy gulp of water, "So much to see... I actually made it to the west." Just being able to hear herself say those words filled Rin's body with  renewed vigor as her excitement grew. No need to worry about all that mess back home. She could make a new living for herself out here! All she really had to do was make sure she got the parts for her wing's maintenance now and then. She could meet real settler ponies, Live off the land, get all tough and have singalongs at the saloon. Maybe she could make some ramen for some of the ponies here.

Maybe if she brought along her water bottle she'd be good on energy for the rest of the day. She'd only just made it to Appleloosa: Seeing the sights was an absolute must. One sight in the immediate area caught her attention. Was that a kirin? One of group of the past who migrated to the west to isolate themselves? That needed some investigation. Experimentally, Rin called out the kirin bolting down the path. She called out in Neighponese to try and get her attention, "[Hello! Are you visiting too?]"

It was about time Toboe got some time to walk. Her time in Equestria was interesting so far, but still she found herself slightly homesick. It left this entrepreneur with a desperate need to unwind. What better way than to get some fresh air. Equestria previously had a princess of the night not long ago, maybe that was why the evening sky looked so beautiful.  It wasn't at all like the skyline of Polohama. Toboe's home city was a sparkling gem of magitech development and culture, but it did have quite a problem with Light pollution. The only time she'd truly ever beheld the beauty of the night sky was on camping trips with her adoptive family. In Canterlot there wasn't as much light to drown it out so staying out a bit later to enjoy it once the sun set seemed like a good way to relax on this vacation.

Since the end of the Iron Pony event she'd stopped showing up as her alias "Tokkuri", figuring it was best to just lay low now. It was a good disguise to keep any possible investigators off her tail.

As she wandered the streets with only the sound of her hooves meeting cobblestone and her own subdued humming as company, eventually she noticed some trace of ponies in the air... well ponies, an extraordinarily large source of magic, and ... was that a bird?  One investigatory sniff later she confirmed the last question: Definitely the smell of feathers.  If there was one thing this 'pony' was known  back home it was her nosiness.  If something unusual was going on she had to know about it. Following her nose, Toboe rounded a corner to hear the sounds of conversation coming from a cozy looking residence. A crystal unicorn was at the door, inquiring about ice cream. Ice cream did sound like a nice treat, even on a slightly chilly night.

Just as she approached her shop, Toboe's ears perked up as somepony mentioned being the owner of a franchise. Sensing a possible business opportunity, she picked up her pace and poked her head up through the door frame where Kay had just entered. "Excuse, me." She said as she stepped out in front of the door, "Um... Who said that they owned this plaaaaa---?" Once she got a proper look inside, her jaw dropped. Was... that an alicorn? In this shop? Talking to the source of the scent of feathers? Now that she was so close now she could tell there was a subtle aroma of sea-salt coming off the bipedal bird. Just what was going on in this building? Did she wander into some secret society meeting?

It might be best to play it cool, "Um. Apologies, I didn't expect to see such a high profile pony here. I'm a ... tourist." The mare bowed her head in Twilight's direction. She looked over to the bright blue unicorn who smelled the most like this building, assuming her to be the owner. "Could I come in, Ma'am?"

Yanhua swayed subtly on her chair, "Well... the short answer is I'm what Long Guo might call a ... Yao-Guai" It was the qilin language's word for Yokai. Perhaps a bit older than it , but still it should be enough to give a broad idea as to what she was. Taking note of the incense burner that the empress so casually brought forward, Hanabi thought that maybe the empress had come with some of that magic incense rich ponies in Neihgpon had to try and ward off yokai. A short olfactory investigation later, she could tell it wasn't. There was definitely something special about the smoke in the air though. It still seemed as though Yu wasn't getting anxious (not like the practiced ruler would ever show such signs), perhaps this may go better than she thought. 

"Specifically... I'm a fox." The chef's fluffy and swirled up tail seemed to lengthen and then give off a few motes of green flame, "I've... been in Long Guo for nearly a millenia learning how this country cooks and serves food." 

That was a true statement, no need to bring the confession of once having spirited away your boss's great grandmother to the forefront on such a pleasant evening...

"I'm all caught up, Don't worry about it... still, though nice to meet ya!" The wolf winced and her ears perked as if someone got off a very cutting remark, "To answer your other questions though, I'm myself and what the dog you knew could have been. Hogo-sha's a bit annoyed at the moment and he can actually hear you as I hear you!" Kanshi-in shook the princess's hoof, the okami was definitely a strong one. Seemed a tad excited too. "So... accordin' to the stone I'm supposed to stick to this fella and help him grow past his flaws whatever they may be." 

Kanshi-in looked around the room and marveled at the architecture, "This place is so fancy! I grew up on the mountains like this guy did, or at least I have memories of it. I wonder if the rest of the family knows... " She thought aloud as she began wandering around the room, sniffing curiously at the air.  "This place smells incredible... So much magic in the air." She looked back to twilight, "I've got answers if you've got questions! Well, most answers at least." 

Taira listened curiously as Blueblood explained the situation with the feline scent clinging to him. It was such an old scent, the type that you'd think to find in some musty old tomb. The old dog brightened up as he heard some details. Nilaavin must be a sphinx: How incredible! Taira may be almost as old as the last sun princess, but there were many things he'd never gotten to see. A Sphinx was one of those very things. When he was a pup his traveling uncle used to share stories of all the creatures that lived across the seas: Such stories were what inspired him to want to travel in his old age now!

The revelation of Blueblood's new position as archancellor of the school brightened the yokai even further. "It's a shame I don't have a mug in my paw or I'd raise a drink to you. Maybe once I get some time off we can celebrate! ... And as for your students and friends." The wolf smiled over to Dunnie and Zelda. In the case of the former creature he noticed the stare.  "Wonderful to meet more of a friend's Friends! " The wolf rubbed at his muzzle once in case some bit of suds might be clinging to the end of his nose, "As For your students I can tell they must be fun to work with! The pink one isn't lacking in energy and the Blue looks like the sort who thinks often ... and may work himself up with such thoughts." He snickered as he caught the bluebirdcat sneaking another look at the fluff of Zelda's chest. 
 

While a certain prim and proper pony not far off was looking rather stressed, Taira offered his hoof to the griffin and pegasus. "Again, wonderful to make your acquaintances. I'm Taira of the Northern Neighponese Misty mountains.  I hope that the both of you are enjoying this cider season!"

"I think they all show a hint of promise... a bit bunch of diamonds in the rough perhaps. But isn't that what we all are at the start?" Asked the foreign canine as he enjoyed the  show down in the pits. That one with the spear was doing quite well. The stallion's words made Hogo-sha perk up a little, "Not today, I do have something I plan to join soon. I like to see how competition looks before I jump right in. Are you the same, Stranger?"

The foreigner extended his paw to the pony, "Oh! Where are my manners. I'm Hogo-sha. It's a pleasure."

Yanhua couldn't help but notice the difference in height between her and her cook's chairs. It was an interesting psychological use of furniture that Yanhua had the barest bit of insight in from her past. Back when she had her own temple there was a layout not dissimilar to this. Her thoughts didn't distract her long and soon she took a seat. The Chef took a deep ,steady breath before speaking. 

"Well ... that would be something to talk about afterwards if you're still willing to have me cook for you." Yanhua looked to the floor a moment and then back up to  the empress, "You see my empress,  I have some things to confess to you. The most important one I'll start with now." Yanhua gulped once and then let the words out, "You see, I'm not a Qilin. In fact I'm not any kind of equine at all."

That was a good start, Now Yanhua could try and ease into the other parts of her confession. Her past kidnapping of the empress of Long guo, her escape from the forest, and perhaps her feelings towards a certain member of the watch. 

Hogo-sha heaved a sigh as the fake tribe ran off. He already felt his enthusiasm draining as the wallets and masks fell to the ground, "Ugh... Did that one in the pirate outfit really just try and pass the Germaney dialect as an aboriginal pony language?" 

Letting the illusion fade, Hogo-sha looked over to Wind Whistler and Pocket Change. "... Well, Ms. Whistler. I'm sorry that you ended up in this situation. Where did you say you met him again?" Asked the wolf as he shifted himself down into a smaller shape, trying to keep in mind Pocket's remarks about his tail.  Now the wolf's tail was more curled up and shorter, almost like one of those neighponese Shiba inu dogs.  "Thank you, Pocket. I was a little worried they might be drunk enough to have kept up their charge anyway." He tapped his 'sword' on a nearby rock, "This is only made of wood after all."

Leaning in towards pocket, Hogo-sha asked the stallion a hushed question. "Pocket Change, would it bother you if we shared credit for whatever we find with Miss Whistler? She seems as though she's been through enough to get some prestige."

Toboe was at the very least impressed by the stallion's visage, but you don't get to be a boss back home if you're so easily shaken by some ominous figure. She could recognize desperation when she heard it. A few sniffs of the cold air and a glance at where the pony was staring gave Toboe all the hints she needed.  With a sigh, Toboe moved over to the wreckage and the voice beneath it. "Nensho." She barked over, "Can you see if you can help that stallion out? If he's got a fancy spell sabre like that he might be an adventurer. They usually have some sort of poultice or potion somewhere."

The yokai walked briskly past squall and made her way to the pile of broken walls of wood and metal. She brought her nose to it and sniffed deeply, having to take a few  whiffs before she got the scent of feathers and... uh-oh. Was that blood? She'd have to move quick. 

If there was anything you would have heard about the Boss of the Polohama Yakuza: It was that she was a strong pony. That was no lie. Toboe was always a tough puppy, but since she had so limited a knowledge of the magic of her kind, she ended up mostly focusing on becomign a strong and fast enforcer in her family before she rose through the ranks and gained her prestige. There were rumors that she was able to pull street lamps out of the very ground! ... And when Toboe bit down into that big barrier of wreckage, lifting a chunk about three times her size up and casually tossing it out of the way as if it was papier mache. 

Toboe perked up as the scent of a pegasus became more apparent. She narrowed her eyes to see past the remaining wreckage, There was a red figure on the other side behind some more wreckage. "Hmm... Are you 'Moto'?" She called out, "There's a pony over here looking for you."

The afternoon sun shone strong through the windows in the imperial kitchen. It had been a stressful day for the head chef… hay, it had been a stressful month. Getting back from this trip of goodwill to equestria was one change of pace but to have herself exposed to Feng so soon and in such an embarrassing manner? That was simply nerve-wracking. Then to come home and receive an honor for her ‘honesty’, that only made Yanhua shudder in dread as she thought about how many events seemed to just line up so perfectly.

A bowl of bao sat in front of the yanhua, already half empty. The part where she could soothe her mind with cooking had passed, now she had to just eat this treat to herself.

After popping another into her mouth, her ears perked to a knock at the door. She hurriedly swallowed it down, “Come in!” she called back.  

The door opened and revealed one of the empress’ servants. Not one of the watch, someone less intimidating thankfully: The last thing Yanhua needed was something to worry her further. It was time. While the servant lead the chef down the corridors towards the empress’ quarters, Yanhua swore that every sound seemed… sharper. Perhaps even louder than usual. She felt her heartbeat quickening and too a few deep breaths to calm it down. It worked only half as well as she’d hoped. 

Elaborate doors were opened up by the servant, and Yanhua dipped her head in thanks before carefully walking in. The Empress was expecting her after all.

“Good Afternoon, My Empress.”

Foxglove stifled a yawn and then looked out her visitor with a smile. "No no..." She stretched in place before approaching the unicorn, "Like I said I just woke up not long ago, so you're not disturbing me at all. I may value my privacy... but it's nice to get a visitor once in a while. Especially one who isn't an overzealous fan."  She said extending her hoof to Tempest.

When her visitor glanced back at the gate, Foxglove followed the unicorn's gaze. "Oh goodness..." Her eyes jolted wide open when she got a look at the still glowing remnants of the front gate.  Soon though a smile came up after, "I love it! It looks so... ominous now. Like some mighty creature strode their way through. It's like a scene from my first story!" Looking back to Tempest she shook her head, "I'd love for you to stay. I'm sure a lot has gone on since I retreated here to start writing again. I'm sure my social skills could use some ... reinvigoration."

The pale horse dipped brushed a strand of her mane out of her eyes, "I'm Foxglove. Whom do I have the pleasure of meeting?"

Keeping up his dash on the treadmill, Taira was only distracted a moment when he heard the familiar voice of Blueblood. The dapper stallion had a bit of a silly look on his face after his swig of cider, a look that made the old wolf very curious. "Come now, Blueblood!" He said as he kept up on his sprint, "A noble savvy as yourself must know the importance of keeping oneself in shape! None with a lofty titles can claim they're truly beyond the need to work now and then!" 

Taira had been at it for a short while now and despite the want to push on, he had to admit: he was feeling the burn. He was more than happy to try and push through it, but eventually he would need to take a break. At the very least he'd have to re-hydrate. All the resistance on the mill from that giant stone grinder made for quite the challenge. By the time Applejack got over to relief her new ranch-hoof (or was it paw in his case?) was panting heavily. Ears perked up when he heard the word break and soon he slowed his gait down until he could come to a full stop, "Wow... This is hard work. No wonder your family is so strong!" 

Now armed with the information of a Barrel of the cider behind the other mill, Taira perked up. He may get to taste what all this hubbub was about after all! Rather than speaking up about the barrel and potentially causing a riot if the crowd knew there was a backup barrel, Taira gave a calm nod and smile. He casually made his way to the back and found the barrel in question. After a few seconds fiddling with the spigot , He had his cup and took his drink. To any in the back it may look as if the old wolf might have been paralyzed. In actuality, Taira was completely floored by how incredible it was. He'd not gotten to taste anything this good in years! How many other things had been developed by the Equine that would be so amazing! Maybe that fox from the valleys had the right idea all those years ago to look into equine Kiwizeen... was that what she called it? Oh well, no time to get lost in his thoughts, Taira had seen many a curious creature in that line and he was hoping to get to know a bunch of them! 

Once he'd downed his cup and set it back down beside the barrel in a handy space marked "used mugs" He made his way back over to the front and into view. First he gave his attention to Blueblood and grinned, "Good to see you again, My prince." He dipped his head gracefully before sniffing at the air, "Oh-ho! Did someone get a new pet? I smell cat on you... Hoping to bring him a sample? Speaking of cats..." He looked over to a few of the catbird visitors nearby, "Are you friends with any of them? I don't believe I've gotten to speak to a griffin before... Or that stallion with the bat wings,  or her with the pinkish coat and baby blue mane. I never knew ponies and griffins had gotten so close!"

There was some dulcet, yet haunting melody in the air as Tempest followed those hoofprints. It was being hummed by some feminine voice in a not far off corner of the courtyard. Some spots of violet perked up among many washed out colors of grey and green in the garden. The plants in the ground seemed odd, they were alive but didn't carry the vibrant greens that living specimens. It almost seemed as if they looked withered and decayed to camouflage themselves in this dour land. A field of grassy blades stood tall as spears in a thicket, brushing against tempest as she came to the source of the prints. Singing soon replaced the humming, a steady beat carried by the sound of water meeting leaves.

"...Out the shadows whisper through the~
Twisted Corners... Waiting silently, for hours~

Watching every... Move and shiver, with Eyes that glitter..." 

Then came a tired yawn as a drowsy looking earth pony emptied her watering can on the thirsty shrubs.  "Well, That's all done." She said to herself before turning around to see the mare staring back at her, "Huh... Are you alive?" Asked the pale pony as she  rubbed some sleep from her eyes, "I've just gotten up from a long nap and... this early it can be hard to tell. If so... how did you get through the gate?"

As the Hexxer managed to bind the cyborg and try to disable he she sensed something amiss. Some spark of life had returned! Inaddition to some activity of consciousness on the par to her bound victim, Lus was going to retract the shadows... but then a blinding blast of furious flame burned away her bindings and gave her body a mean burn. Hexxer leapt backwards reflexively.

The shadowconjuring mare stare down Nerezza as she cradled that pony, "I'm generally not in the business of ending lives and believe it or not, I've not met the sentinel." She looked to the pitiable creature in the dark mirror of cadence's hooves, "I'm sorry for hurting you... If you need help getting your mind and control back, I can send you to someponies who can do more with technology than that Dimestore princess can ever hope to do with you." 

"Lightning Dust... Don't look directly at her, There's an even better pink pony who can help you out I'm sure... one that puts this one to shame!"

At the mention of dogs, Hanabi wrinkled her noses. Dogs could be such an annoyance. Thankfully the diamond dogs were quite nice... at least Liviel was. Her kind didn't have the best relationship with canines in the past.  "I'll thank you not to confuse me for a canine." A huff escaped her before she stretched out with a yawn, "I'm much better looking than that." 

Scanning the area around her, Hanabi listened for any approaching hoofsteps or shadows on the horizon. A deep breath focused what magic of hers remained. Now that she was feeling so much calmer than before, it was about time she got her disguise back on. A small flick of green flame  rose up around her quickly and once it dissipated she was back to her qilin shape. She checked the bottom of her hooves, her tail, poked the end of her now qilinified muzzle: content when it came back dry.

"Sunset... Tempest... " The transformed yokai bowed her head to the pair of unicorns, "I'd like to thank you for helping me regain my senses and talk me out o my panic. I am in your debt. If you ever require my assistance in some matter of a favor. I'll be there to grant it... so long as you write. Don't worry. I can read Equestrian common." The cook's tone had changed recognizably. Sounding uncharacteristically serious about her words. It might have been something of a shock to Feng (Well, in addition to all the other shocks today), in that Hanabi in the kitchen or in his memory rarely seemed to take anything seriously.

Hogosha didn't have to think long about that, "... That's easy. I wish to be able to step out of my father's shadow and get past every one of his faults I have inherited." The things that Hogo-sha could say he disliked about his father could go on for quite a while. That air of casual calmness, his insistence of acting like some yokel fresh out of the mountain,  his refusal to use his power and his territory in the mountains to bring any sort of fame ot the family. Most importantly his inability to track down even one of his own children.  No wolf such as him should have any fame in Neighpon's long and complicated folklore. 

The stone began to emit a faint glow from behind the wolf... Something that Hogo-sha picked up on. He glanced back at it as a it bathed him in some strange light across his body... no changes yet. To the trained eye it may seem as if the stone was searching him.  There was a bit to uncover with this dog it seemed. 

"I believe this is the beginning stage of the granting part..." The wolf leaned in and narrowed his eyes at the device, "... this is so exciting!" He said with a wag of his tail. 

Analysis revealed a few issues with this Wish seeker on the stone's part. It sensed an abundance of pride,  a hint of bitterness, and an nearly immovable stubborness.  Hogo-sha's desire to get past his father's faults could be granted... maybe not in the way he wanted, but it could. It could tell what he ultimately wanted to gain of this wish: to be a figure of prestige and respect of his kind. To be able to protect all that he cared for with every fiber of his being. Such aspirations could be admirable, but just as easily be twisted and guide someone down very dangerous paths. If he sought to achieve his goal, he'd need to achieve inner harmony.

Shadows returned as the glow in the stone faltered. Then returned in an incredibly spectacular fashion.

It was blinding, filling the room and making the shadows cast by everything in the room so much darker... before returning to normal. When Twilight's eyes adjusted once again she would find her guest looking... very different.  The glow and lightning arcs across his fur were now an electric blue rather than yellow. His muzzle had thinned out... the billowing nature of his mane became a little less wild but somehow more messy.  

"Oooooooo...  By the ancestors you can shout." The new voice called out with an annoyed tone, "If you'd calm down a second I can probably set you strai- Okay, that is just rude. Keep up that tone and we'll stay this way all day!" Whatever happened, this new okami in the throne room seemed unimpressed... also much less proper. As the stranger scratched behind her ear like a certain canine down at the Apple farm, her eyes soon fell upon the alicorn. Once she got the itch, she stretched herself out without a care and offered her paw to the princess, "Nice to meet you, Kanshi-in. The old guy's being a spoiled pup about this so I hope you don't mind if I take the helm a while."