132 replies to this topic

[NeilWacaster]

"Now we're getting somewhere!  Good show, my boy, good show.  I knew that the watch was worth more than the asking price, but had not noticed the signs to indicate that it was stolen, since I did not take the time to examine the back, as you did.  I am much impressed."  They continued on down the street, the hustle and bustle of the large town serving as the music accompanying their travel.  He kept looking around for another test.

[Twimsy]

"I can understand completely. Every time I try to act - even though I don't even do so in public much, anymore - it feels odd. Not up to par, I suppose." She smiled at him, "But, I think someone like you would enjoy living here. It can certainly be unforgiving in comparison to other places, but I do not regret moving here. You can always find a roommate to share expenses with, as well."

It wasn't long before their food was served, and Persnickety didn't hesitate in taking a big, unattractive bite out of her own ponini. Nom nom nom. At least she was well-mannered enough to swallow her food before she spoke again. "Speaking of the audition again, do you have any ideas on what you might perform?"

[DeepBass]

Bass smiled at the mare, as he watched her take a huge bite of the sandwich, snickering softly into his hoof. There's no way anypony can be that adorable.
He then took a bite of his own sandwich, although much smaller than hers. Hmmm. This is actually pretty good.
He was then snapped from his thoughts (and chewing) by a question from his lunch companion. He quickly swallowed his food, looked at her, and offered a small, unsure smile.
"To be honest, I have no clue. I've got a few, but they're not exactly the happiest songs. I kind of wanted to do something a pinch... happier, but I can't really think of anything I've written recently that's been anywhere near happy. Not even sappy. It's all been kind of... crappy?"
Bass chuckled softly at his unintentional rhyme.

[Twimsy]

"Well it's impossible for it all to be crappy. I'm sure some of it is...snappy?" She crinkled her nose. That was cheezy, even for her. "But, no. I know what you mean. A lot of the material I've come up with lately has been nothing but tragedies. I don't want to send everyone into a fit of tears, from sadness or boredom."

"Canterlot is quite a ways away. If we're both going to be traveling there, perhaps we can compare notes along the way to help each other out?"

[DeepBass]

Bass laughed at her cheesy rhyme, and took another bite of his sandwich, washing it down with a sip of his tea. It was actually kind of funny to him. Not the rhyme, but the fact that she just tried that horrible rhyme. Although he could sympathize with her sad writing. Nearly everything he had written was a sad, sorrowful melody, normally referencing a certain ivory mare he had once known. However, something had struck him. Something brown, and feathered.
His ears perked up, instantly at her proposition, as well as the rest of his demeanor.
She wants to travel to Canterlot with me? This couldn't get any better!
"That… That sounds great! I'd love that!"
He blushed slightly as he realized how overly enthusiastic he had just sounded.

[Twimsy]

Really, Persnickety had expected her proposition to be met with a much less energetic response. She blinked a little when he seemed totally excited about it, soon grinning from ear to ear.

"Wonderful! One is always their worst critic, so hearing each other's opinions on our work might help a bit, mm?" She hoped she wouldn't have to acquire a spoon to eat her words with - she dreaded showing just about anyone her own work, and it had been quite some time since she'd done so to someone who hadn't commissioned her for it.

[sevofthesands]

Wine looked over and saw something that made him stop. three rich looking pony's or so they seemed Wine smiled and stopped Bigwig
"Alright how bout i test your street smarts" he said gesturing towards the three fancy looking ponys "these three look very high up in the social ladder but 2 of them aren't.. which two?"

[NeilWacaster]

Bigwig glanced casually at the three ponies that Wine had indicated.  He chuckled.  "I hope that your further questions are more difficult, as this one is mere foal's play.  That middle one is clearly a noble, as no other would be able to afford that suit he wears.  The mares to his left and right are clearly mistresses, but ones of a much lower class.  You can easily tell this by the way they appear to be uncomfortable in their clothing, and by their immensely out of date, as well as cheap, hairstyles.  He obviously has bought them for the night, and had to dress them up so that he could socialize with his friends without disgracing himself.  In fact," he smiled grimly, "I would not be surprised if he has purchased one of them as a 'gift' for a client.  See how the one on the left is walking slightly behind, speaking much less than the other?  She is clearly nervous about meeting whomever he is taking her to, while the other one is perfectly happy with her match, as she is chatting away like a magpie."

"That mare on the right, well, she's lucky to have been picked up by anypony.  But that other one deserves much better.  Her cutie mark belies her as an artist, but I see much more than that.  She has plied her trade for years in a small, cramped studio, as she now needs corrective lenses.  Her work must have not gone as she planned, considering her present state."

He sighed.  "Sad, the way the world works, isn't it?  These two females, trapped by some circumstance, allow themselves to be used and then thrown away like so much rubbish.  It's sights like this that drive me forward in my work.  I want to keep ponies from having to go through the horrors that those two experience every day.  To give shining talents the opportunity that they deserve, allowing them to escape lives of suffering."  He looked downcast.  "Sometimes I'm too late.  Sometimes the scars from the past are so deep that they cannot continue.  I have learned not to even try to help these ponies anymore, as fame only destroys them."  He seemed to be reliving a painful memory.

"But enough of that.  All in all, yours was a good riddle, and I look forward to solving another one."  

As they continued down the sidewalk, they came upon a street musician playing a mandolin.  "Ah, now here is a fine test of skill.  When you look at this musician, what do you see?  In particular, does he play on the street because he wants to, or because he has to?"

[sevofthesands]

"his clothing suggests that he does not have much money but enough to afford his instrument. he has talent probably enough to get far in the industry of music but he like me probably got fed up with the politics that come with fame. he just wants to play for pony's nothing more nothing less. pony's like that have a unique strength i do not posses. unlike me they desire no fame or fortune but just to do what they love, a valuable trait that not many possess." Wine looked at the street musician wistfully before continuing
"but lets go the blushing ivory's is close by." pointing towards a building down the street  "we can continue our discussion in there while we wait for the show" Wine felt that he had gotten to close to himself he had broken rule #1 never let the facade slip.

[NeilWacaster]

"Again, well done, good fellow.  I must admit that I misjudged your powers of judgement.  You are quite the appraiser.  And agreed, let us go to the Blushing Ivory posthaste."  Bigwig smiled and began to trot in the direction of the café.

[sevofthesands]

they entered the bar/club it was decorated in what Wine guessed was a neo modern Style that somepony thought would suit the place Wine on the other hoof thought it made the place look desperate for attention. he sat in a booth that had a good view of the stage and as Bigwig sat down he said "this place has potential but it needs a different style than it has give me some bits to work with and time and this place would look beautiful with Dark Ebony's with Ivory coloring to accentuate it. what do you think Bigwig?"

[NeilWacaster]

"Indeed, it could use the touch of a tasteful interior designer," Bigwig replied.  He looked around at the milling ponies, some ordering drinks, some merely chatting, and others reading books or newspapers.  In one corner, a portable stage was being set up by a couple of manual laborers.  As always, he was intrigued by all the ponies he saw, but no great talent stuck out to him at the moment.

[DeepBass]

Bass smiled at Persnickety, taking the last bite of his ponini, and chewing as she spoke, swallowing before speaking again. "I completely agree. And perhaps even get to know each other a tad better."