SteelEagle

- Caramel Apple is here as well!

I thought I was going to lose the Apple Bloom application and afterwards was going to come here in defense of the current system. I then avoided it after I won since I didn't want to appear to be just defending my position, but since this topic is bumped and I find it interesting, I want to say what I was going to say back then. The current system is perfectly fine. Let good, active players who are selected keep the characters active. A tenure system, while interesting on paper, murders creativity. RPs tend to take months to do. If you are only going to have a character for, say, three months, that means you will only be able to have a minimal impact on the character. You can't do anything long term nor anything not strictly in line with the character, because you will end up running out of time and then the character will act different if he/she/it comes back under new management. While we may focus on who gets to play the cast characters, we need to remember that the majority of interactions for those cast characters are with OCs. Most characters period in the RP are OCs. I do not entirely understand the belief that, "its only fair that everypony should get a chance to play." in relation to this. Well...agreed. Everypony should get a chance to play. That's why you have OCs. Everypony already gets that chance to play. But being a cast character is different. Imagine you are on a little league team. Everyone gets to play, but not everyone gets to pitch. Also, why would anyone be upset that they lost? Interacting WITH your favorite character when well-roleplayed can be just as much fun as roleplaying as that character. You should be happy that your character isn't dead or inactive but out there spreading great justice, and you can have fun with him/her. I'm distracted by a crying baby and am not making much sense. In the end, cast characters do not drive the RP, they flavor it. The real stars are your OCs. As such, if someone is active and plays well, the cast characters shouldn't change.

"I'm sure we'll manage. Like Daring Do in Sapphire Stone, we pegasi can't be counted out entirely on hoof, after all," Pathfinder couldn't have agreed any more with what Snowy had said. Many consider Pegasi to be one-trick ponies, able to fly around and beyond that generally incompetent otherwise. Such foolhardy notions! Pegasi may not have had the coiled and all-around powerful muscle structure common in Earth ponies, but they were hardier and tougher than their Unicorn friends. Pathfinder wanted to add that Daring-Do had also broken her wings twice- once in Daring Do and the Mystery of the Manehattan Minute, in the most gruesome passage in the series' history, and in the background information of Young Daring-Do and Bravado's Locket. Sure, maybe some wanted to forget about the latter work, but who didn't like to go back in time and see the seeds of a future romance laid down in an adventure? "Speaking of which, you ready to start again?" Pathfinder was starting to fall in love with Snowy. She wasn't content with just layin' about like some weak foals, she wanted to get up and moving! Her kind of mare, right there. Pathfinder shot up out of her chair, her wings beating powerfully. She was about to take off excitedly when she remembered that it was a course designed for no wings. She landed and gave a very hearty, embarrassed chuckle. "Yes! Yes I am, Snowy," Pathfinder said simply, motioning for the waiter to come over.

"Of course I have, I've been on a lot of dates with an assortment of mares and stallions back in Stalliongrad. Never has it done me very much good. Relationships fall apart before they even form. My name, my wealth, the weight of its too great. Most ponies are either afraid of getting close to a pony in my position or seek to do so only for material gain. It's all lies and masks with those sorts of ponies and so often it can be painful." The more Snowy talked about her difficulties, the more that the veneer of wealth insulating against heartache faded. Indeed, it seemed to be a curse all its own, trapping her in a shell from which there was little escape at times. Even other ponies that seemingly sought her companionship either cowered in mental fear or sought t take advantage of her wealth and power. It made Pathfinder happy that she was so destitute; any interest anypony else had in her was forced to be genuine, because aside from herself there was little else. "That's why I decided to try our friend Matchie. I wanted a different sort of date, somepony removed from that whole entire social scene, somepony I'd never even meet if left to my own devices," Snowfall smiled and gave a nod as she spoke. "And so far I must say I'm satisfied with the outcome.You've certainly shown me the most interesting date I've had in quite a long while, Pathfinder." Pathfinder blushed rather vividly and wildly, though for the first time a small pit of fear embedded itself in Pathfinder's stomach and throat. Pathfinder couldn't quite place the feeling, as though despite her wide range of experiences some personal emotions and feelinsg remained perhaps her greatest adventures. "Well, I'm happy that I'm makin' the date interesting for you, and I'm doubly happy that you said that after you told me that all of the others didn't treat you the way you deserved to be treated because they're a bunch of cowards who saw the position and not the pony who held it. Reminds me of this stallion about two years back, dear Celestia was THAT a mistake! I'm happy Matchie set us up. I was worried she wouldn't find a decent date for me since I'm always on the move and I live a dangerous lifestyle, so I don't think I can tell you how happy I am too!" Pathfinder said rapidly, pushing through whatever was in her throat as she played with her hooves nervously. After a few more seconds she looked behind herself. Taking a deep, deep breath, she looked at the next obstacle. "Looks like the next series of obstacles are no-wings only."

"I'm sure they were sorely disappointed to miss you, both on your no doubt fantastic novella and delicious sandwiches," Snowy said with a smirk that could only be described as searing. Or something; Maybe Pathfinder had her mind in the wrong position to be making less crude judgments. She was happy to be re-assured. Being the best Daring Do fan in the history of the character had its drawbacks, and she sometimes felt that her overwhelming awesomeness and devotion to the character could be too much for others. In her darkest of moments, she wondered if maybe they didn't like her and all of the reasons they had to get away from her were polite excuses to hide behind instead of just admitting they disliked her. However, Snowy was really smart and she reinforced the majority held opinion in the democracy of Pathfinder's mind that she just happened to have the misfortune of being around lots of unlucky ponies. One poor stallion had to attend the funeral of his great grandma more than ten times! Poor stallion's family seemed to be plagued by lots and lots of time-consuming mishaps. "Speaking of which, I'm eager to try this thing," Snowy said as Pathfinder continued her demolition of the sandwich, within a few more moments having eviscerated what was left. The fact that the daisy sandwich was such an unknown to Snowy never failed to shock and bemuse Pathfinder. As far as she was concerned, it was a foalhood staple across Equestria. The fact that Snowy hadn't even heard of it spoke perhaps more clearly than anything else the great gulf between them in terms of class and status. Pathfinder found it pretty cool she was willing to step outside of her world to try out something that her types might have considered uncouth or below their station. "That's really not that bad," Snowfall nodded as she spoke. "I can see why you like it," She finished just as, oddly enough, Pathfinder finished. Pathfinder cheered internally as one small victory was scored for the tastes and practices of Cloudsdale orphanage. "I know, right?! It's just the greatest mix of daisy and bread this side of Roam! I remember as a filly when I'd have one, I was always told to make sure I didn't eat it too fast so I could make it last. I didn't really listen now or then, always have and will eat these things the way I please. Daisies are tasty, but you should never take a daisy away from a Everfree Flower Beatle. They look at those things like home and lay eggs in there, it becomes an...interesting experience," Pathfinder blurted out excitedly, only realizing after she spoke that it was anything other than good table manners. She could never be accused of having good manners but she'd like to believe that when her hand was forced she could play the game. She took part in an awkward silence. Welp, time enough for her to recover. "So, have you ever dated somepony before?"

"Applebloom! Are you alright? You've been in there an awful long time." Cheerilee's worry was not well masked, though it spoke far less of some sort of panic and more a near parental concern for the safety of a student. Apple Bloom couldn't ask for a teacher who cared as much or as well. Apple Bloom was following behind some random foals who were slowly leaking outside to see the daring flyers of the Wonderbolts when she heard Miss Cheerilee's concerned voice as she spoke into an empty bathroom. Then the mare finally found her charge and the she continued, Apple Bloom having woozily turned around to look at her teacher. "If you want to, Applebloom, you can go home, but I am not going to make you go. I know how rare to is to see the Wonderbolts like this, so I will leave it up to you." Apple Bloom managed a forced, almost straining smile at her teacher's kindness. The one thing you could always count on from a teacher, a mare, like Cheerilee was understanding how important dates like this were to developing foals. To an adult, maybe stuff like this was common or maybe they just became dulled to it, but today at Apple Bloom's school were the Wonderbolts. Nopony else could claim to be at their level, and across the land they were held in high esteem. And today they were visiting her school and not demanding anything but what the foals were likely to pay anyway: awe and attention. Awe and attention could quickly turn into love, affection, obsession, determination, and realization...and while Apple Bloom would never claim to be that big a fan of the Wonderbolts, it was groups like them that could capture the attention of the younger generation and shape them. Cheerilee was smart to know this. Plus, Cheerilee was always so kind. Apple Bloom had never once seen her temper flare up and considering the ponies who were under her care, that probably took quite the skill. "Nah, ahhhhhhh'll be okay Miss Cheerilee...just a bad case of the...zap apple fever, th...that's what its called, ah reckon. Ah'll be okay, feelin' like an apple left in tha sun one too many days naw but sure as Celestia raises th' sun, ah'll be okay for the show..." She said, her eyes betraying her words as she eventually stumbled away from her teacher and towards the outside door. After a brief moment or ten, time seemed to be still and then pushed forward in a flurry of images, the young Apple found herself outside and in open air. Immediately, she could feel her health improve. That was probablt just psychological, but she'd take anything. When Apple Bloom had been just a wee itty bitty foal and had been causing a terrible racket due to some sort of illness, her sister had often taken her outside before doing anything else. Maybe it was an Apple thing, an Earth pony thing, and Equestrian thing, or maybe it was just Apple Bloom, but fresh air had always been almost as effective as any medicine. At least psychologically, as she was still staggering about like a pony who had been hitting the hard cider too much. “Why are you so worried about impressing them?” some filly nearby asked, Abby failing to match a name momentarily. “They said they’d be given autographs anyway, so its not like you'd have to be friends to get one?” Apple Bloom stumbled towards the pony in question, though less a b-line and more of a wave. In the end, she had wandered into the general vicinity of both the speaking pony and the colts and fillies nearby. "Ah, so, so them wonderbolts are still 'ere?" She asked, excitement edging through the illness to weave through her words. She then cast a glance around and saw the flight team preparing to do what they did best, which was dazzle and amaze. They sure looked majestic even as they stretched. "Oh, there thay are," She said, grinning vapidly as she plopped down in an unmarelike fashion on her flank. She was now as still as she could be, though her head still moved in small circles as if in compensation.

I think the old topics should be allowed to stay open so people can wrap up their mini-storylines and whatnot and post their characters moving to new threads.

"No, they vanished. The entire expedition. Not a single trace was found of any of them, though with how the snow falls up there, traces can be notably hard to find... and with all the dragons in the region, there are a lot of ways ponies could disappear...but who knows. Maybe my father, his expedition, your parents and their show.... maybe all of them, maybe they're all still alive in this Equunus of yours. Wouldn't that be something...?" Hope could be a silly, foolish belief to some. To Pathfinder, however, hope sprang from every moment and notion a pony held until it became a rock-solid part of one's spirit and being. And spirit was the greatest gift any pony could ask for, as it was stronger than any armor and sharper than any sword. Who could argue that the greatest heroes in all of Equestrian history were universally those with the greatest spirit? Nopony could, for it was fact. Hope and spirit were completely intertwined. Pathfinder liked to believe she had the spirit for such a belief in the safety of her parents. That she had the hope. The fact that she had to believe that she had the hope instead of acknowledge it as fact pointed to it being hollow. She had long ago accepted her parent's death, but indeed, believing they were safe was a truly wonderful fiction. And if so, if what she was feeling was true and this was anything other than chance that brought them together, then fiction and reality may yet blur. And that possibility alone had Pathfinder's heart screaming. "Yes...that WOULD be something..." Pathfinder said, eyes trailing the waiter with the daisy sandwiches as he plopped them in front of the two pegasi, bowed, and left. Pathfinder's mind entered a new gear. Indeed, she ruminated heavily on the implications of fate and what this would mean for her in the short and long-haul and the debate regarding whether she should venture there immediately, but something new occupied her mind as well. Daisy sandwiches. "I LOVE daisy sandwiches!" Pathfinder squeaked fillyishly as she grabbed hers and took a huge and very unmare like bite. "I remember this one time when I was in Canterlot for the fourth annual Daring Do Convention, I made daisy sandwiches for everypony to have while I read my own Daring Do novella that I had written while out in the desert. Why, everypony was so excited by my story and so happy with my sandwiches, that each and every one had to leave early to go tell their friends! They were awfully shy about it, too, always avoiding me and eventually saying they needed to leave the convention to go and take of problems. It was really odd how dozens and dozens of ponies suddenly had sick brothers and sisters that needed to be tended to, but I guess they got better because when an emergency meeting of the fan club presidents was held, they all showed up!" Pathfinder said, devouring her sandwich and retelling the story gaily, having forgotten what she had started talking about. That happened when her mind was occupied with solving a mystery.

"My father... things with him are kind of complicated," Snowy's voice fell into a somber tone rather swiftly and stayed for some time. "He was a very strict stallion, especially when it came to how I was raised. As a foal I thought him cruel. I spent most of my young life hating him." Pathfinder's face dropped at this. From everything Pathfinder had heard, Mr. Snowy didn't seem like a nice chap. Perhaps worse than having no parents were- wait, what was Pathfinder saying? Even if strict, it was clear just by the way Snowy was he had done something right. Still, being strict and seemingly unfun- that was a foalhood just as much a straight jacket was proper attire for an adventure. "Then, just after I became an adult mare, he disappeared during an expedition to the badlands, leaving me behind to take over control of the company. I don't really know what to think of him now. I kind of see what he was so strictly preparing me for now; so much of what I learned because of him comes into play in doing this job. I never got a chance to truly see eye to eye with him, and yet as his successor I'll always be in his shadow. All of it together, it just leaves me so uncertain." Pathfinder's mind came to a stop at this. Her dad had gone missing in the badlands? What terrible sadness and anguish to have known a pony and then find that space in your heart replaced by a void. And the badlands? Sweet Celestia, her parents had vanished into the dustbin of history on the edge of the badlands. What cosmic coincidence was it that two ponies sharing the same cause of loss in the same location born into two different worlds who were so different and had no knowledge of one another could be set up by a third person who lived in an entirely different city, and it was done through letters? Pathfinder's mind was doing all sorts of acrobatics, connecting dots both imagined and real. No coincidences existed of this scale. The badlands. Wealthy industrialists, the greatest flying duo in Cloudsdale history, all of their expedition and staffs. Their off-spring from such different circumstances and lifestyles fated to meet off-handedly, a giggle and a wink, a form in the mail. One was a beautiful, wealthy industrialist whose business specialized in technology. The other was a rough and tumble adventurer who spent her days flying around caves and avoiding traps. Somehow, they were fated- but for what? Pathfinder may have been socially unaware, but she wasn't an inconsiderate jackwagon. While her heart beat with sincere excitement, no part of her felt anything other than pity for Snowy and her heart beat sorrow in line with excitement. The fact that her mind was formulating something grand shouldn't stop her from treating Snowy the way she deserved. "As for my deal, it wasn't really for a sum, at least not one that can be known at the moment, I entered into a partnership with Maximillian Rockerfilly of the Manehattan Rockerfillys and Lola Silverbeak, of Aquelia's famous Silverbeak family on a joint project to revolutionize and expand the railroad system in Equestria. We'll be adding freight lines between major cities, adding a direct line through the Roughrider Ridge from Stalliongrad all the way down to Appleloosa, and even adding a line from Appleloosa to Rockwington that will bridge Equestria and Aquelia together. NSI parts will be used all along the way on this project which will surely bring us all closer together. Profits are uncertain, but I must say I expect great things." Silverbeak? Oh boy, not that family again. The project sounded grand and Pathfinder was completely impressed with Snowy's business now. That would surely help Equestria more than it would Aquelia as there was more traffic on the ground in Equestria, but it would be great for everpony anyhow. And Snowy had done this? Millions of lives would be altered in some fashion, and she had done it with some words and pen strokes. It almost made Pathfinder feel small in comparison: Snowy could do more with a few movements of her wrists than she could do in decades. But...Silverbeaks? Pathfinder had a run-in with that family recently in Talonopolis, the capital of the Griffon nation. She had been hunting for the Helm of Commander Hurricane and had broken into one of their private art galleries. It had been...unfortunate, to say the least. The Silverbeaks had a file or fifty on the Pegasus, and Pathfinder would under any other circumstance have grown nervous. But for now, at that time, all she could think about were two things. The first was the vast and complex web being woven and how they fit into it, her mind hammering away at the high wall of doubt and trying to configure clues to match her wild theories. Inside of her saddlebag was a nearly silly supply of paper, each packed with information. When she had a time, she would do what she hadn't done in a while- review everything she had with a theory in mind. A part of her worried she'd try to make the square pieces fit the round holes. That same part also realized the futility of worry since the other side was doing cartwheels in an attempt to formulate the greatest story ever told. Whatever mystery was being solved, it was worth being solved- for Equestria's sake, for Pathfinder's sake, for adventuring's sake- and for Snowy's sake. The second thing was Snowy. That was more physical, her demeanor not having changed since she learned of Snowy's father having went missing. Pathfinder's wings fluttered a bit and eventually she launched herself towards the CEO and embraced her tightly. "I'm so sorry to hear that, Snowy. It must have been awful to lose someone you know, especially in such a mysterious fashion. I at least had the luxury of never knowing mine- they went missing on the Badland's border with Aquelia soon after I was born," Pathfinder said evenly and somewhat remorsefully, her words at best a cold comfort to Snowy. She dropped back into her seat after a second, her eyes now set. "That's awfully strange though, isn't it? Your father, a wealthy industrialist with an entire expedition. My parents, the best flying performing duo ever with their show. Tell me, did they find anything of your father's expedition? There was no evidence of what happened to my parents' show. Several dozen ponies worked on it, they all went missing and everything they had on them as well. No trails or nothing. What of your father?"

"I wonder what my father might think if he could see me now," Snow started, her voice becoming solemn for a moment. "Well, if it was right in this moment, I know he would scold me. There's nothing about this particular scene he would approve of. Me, away from Stalliongrad, away from my work, with a mare and one like you, 'wasting time'..." Snowy sighed and shook her head, "But just last week I cut what could be the biggest deal since I took the reigns. Maybe he'd be proud of that part? I don't really even know for sure anymore." Why was Snowy's voice sort of down and out, solemn, as she talked about her dad? No answer could be a good one, and as Pathfinder retraced her part in the conversation, all she could come up with were poor answers. And even at its most positive, the results weren't buoyed by her description of her father. Pathfinder completely understood and respected anypony who worked hard to support his or her family, but at what cost had her father built his empire of wealth? He seemed like a pony given to extreme opposition to anything exciting. Such a drag! And he wouldn't approve of what was happening now? His daughter was having fun with a nice pony, or at least Pathfinder thought she was a nice pony. In what mindset was this bad? Such a poor mare was this Snowy- for all of her wealth, she had been denied so much more. Pathfinder's ears drooped to a low point, streamlined against her head. "But a superhero, huh? If only it was so glamorous. I do wish I could be myself more often, but running a business isn't about having fun. Sure, there are moments where even in my public persona I can insert a little lightness, but generally it calls for me to be as firm and strong as I can be," the mare continued Pathfinder almost felt a desire to correct her, as superheroes could be as firm and strong as anything else. But in light of the realization that their childhoods were so different, Pathfinder decided to just be happy she at least knew of Daring Do. "As for technology, it is a little more prevalent in Stalliongrad than in other parts of Equestria, but technology is poised to garner more of a hold in other areas, which means profits for NSI. Technology offers practical solutions and ones that aren't so exclusive as magic can be. But indeed, at NSI, we endeavor to only put for the finest products" Part of Pathfinder felt an incessant desire to throw bits at Snowy, for reasons she couldn't grasp. The other part of her not given to concerns over her father agreed emphatically with her company's statement. The only thing stopping Equestria from becoming more and more advanced was resistance from unicorns who feared their place in the world would be replaced by technology. Pathfinder subscribed to this belief, even if others called it conspiratorial nonsense. "Twelve bits though? I suppose your last few adventures didn't offer up much in the way of treasures then?" Pathfinder's ears perked up a bit, though more due to a nervous twitch than any relief. It was accompanied by a nervous chuckle. "Haha, well adventuring can be really stressful on a pony financially, ya know. Most of the time, you end up spending all your time, energy, and resources only to find out that the tiny silver jewel you found buried at the end of the cave is worth a total of five bits. Between most quests costing you and having to visit the hospital a lot- I've been hit by arrows, boulders, poison darts, been bitten by all sorts of creatures and put under a whole host of spells- you end up in alot of debt. I've hit the jackpot a few times, relatively speaking, but what I make gets spent quickly. I make payments on hospital bills, send the majority of what's left to the orphanage, and then restock my supplies. After that, I can honestly say I've never had more than twenty bits on me. I usually end up broke for weeks, a few times a few months, at a time." Pathfinder began slowly before gaining steam. By the end, there was a glint in her eye and she leaned forward. "BUT, I don't think that's a bad thing. No, if anything, I'd rather have no money on hoof in my adventures than too much. It forces me to be awesome at everything I do. If I don't take care of myself and stay sharp in a ruin, I'm in serious trouble. If I'm out of food and I'm not searching well enough, I'm in trouble. If I'm lazy and don't pull my weight doing some odd job to get by, I'm in trouble. Rationing what I've got, planning my routes and explorations, stocking and packing my provisions- I have to be razor sharp. If I'm not, I'm in trouble. And that's the essence of an adventure, because danger creates excitement and if you aren't excited, you aren't alive and the only way to know you're alive is if you're excited! Besides, I'll only be a young mare once. Better to get all my poor adventurer days over with now. I'll be a rich adventurer when I'm older and I'll own my own business that makes survival gear. I'll bankrupt the thing outfitting an expedition of explorers and adventurers to go beyond the badlands, to the land of Equunus. Some say its just a myth, a conspiracy theory. And if it is, the adventure will be worth the expense anyway and I'll just have to be an older poor adventurer, which is fine by me. But I'll be the one to know for real- and if it is real, I'll bring back the treasures of the old Pony Tribes and everything I've ever done will be worth it. I'll have changed how we view history and I'll have done so in the fashion of Daring-Do- by adventuring!!!!" Pathfinder screeched with glee, her excitement completely overtaking her as her mind ran with it. She was hovering above the table, striking a pose with the hoof pointed off to the distance and eyes closed. After a few seconds, she opened them up and blushed, a little embarrassed by her suddenness. She took her seat just as the daisy sandwiches arrived. She coughed in order to regain herself. "So, how much was that deal for? And...if you don't mind me asking, why are you sounding so sad about your dad?" Pathfinder whispered.

"Well, that's certainly a lot of questions. Let me see if I can answer them all..." Pathfinder blushed. Had she perhaps been a little excitable? She imagined that was likely the case. Then again, Pathfinder deciding the difference between being normal Pathfinder and over-excitable Pathfinder was a mite unfair since to her the difference became apparent only when others pointed it out. "CEO stands for chief executive officer; it's pretty much just a formal way of saying I'm the boss of the company. NSI produces machine parts and technology. We don't actually make airships themselves, but we do make parts used in them, and yeah, I could probably get you a discount on an airship from one of our contractors if you'd like." Chief Executive Officer? Sounded like a rank in the Royal Equestrian Army. Pathfinder briefly wondered whether Northern Storm Industries had started off as some sort of military outfit- it would certainly be a much cooler origin story than, say, some business loan. And it was pretty cool that Snowy was, of all ponies, the absolute boss at Northern Storm. No one above, everypony below- a common feeling for a pegasus in flight but not normally anywhere else. When she mentioned getting that discount, Pathfinder gave a big laugh. She had been mostly kidding- mostly- since she had so few bits and even getting into an airship airshow cost more or less her entire account of twelve bits. But it was still cool and somewhat flattering that she had taken the offer so sincerely. What was even cooler was that her company didn't make plates or something like that, but machine parts and technology. You didn't see a lot of either anywhere in Equestria, so whatever she helped with- Airships included- had to be awesome. Then she stopped for a moment as if in thought, a blush appearing. She was even cuter in color. "As for the last point, I guess you could say there's a bit of a gap between who I am publicly and who I am privately. I'm more than capable of being the strong, confident leader NSI needs; I can be considerably more strict and business like when my job calls for it-- but right now, with somepony like you, I just don't think I need to be that kind of pony. I'm free to be more myself. That said, you're right. I didn't found the company, my father did. I merely inherited my current role." So she was like a superhero and it was a secret identity? Okay, so it wasn't a perfect fit, but Pathfinder decided to use it as the basis for future plotting. It was a little sad that her business life and personal life had to be seperate. For Pathfinder, the two were one and the same- business was pleasure was personal was business! But she guessed that it couldn't be the same for everypony else. The fact she could be strong was something Pathfinder doubted not and very much approved of for reasons ranging from practical to personal and in ways she couldn't quite place her finger on. Then Snowy revealed her father had started the company and it was inheritance: It made so much sense now! "Well, I bet your dad's really proud of you! You're probably the best CEO of all time, and a really nice mare to boot. No father could ask for any more. It's a little sad that you have to hide who you are because of your position, though. I guess you can kind of pretend to be a superhero, what with secret identities and all, BUUUT wouldn't it be more fun to be this way all the time? It'd certainly make business more entertaining if you did!" Pathfinder said with glee, imagining Snowy leaping out of a boardroom and flying around Stalliongrad in a daredevil fashion, her peons trying to catch up behind her while shouting monatery information. It was an excellent, excellent image. "I think it's really cool that your company does what it does. How many machines and high technology things do you see? Not much! I bet that everything your company works on has to be absolutely spectacular, right? As for the airship offer..." Pathfinder said, giving a hearty, if nervous, chuckle, "I was just kidding around...unless you want to give me one for free, that is. I only have...twelve bits to my name, right now. I couldn't even afford to get into Trottingham's airshow last month." She said, the waiter nearby seeing what they had ordered on the sheet and swiftly bringing the orders to the cook. Daisy sandwiches were the simplest items on the menu; only a few minutes until Pathfinder would eat the deliciousness.

I'm in the opposite camp in regards to when I want a show I like to end. I understand the thought process behind, "End it while it's still kicking butt". I get it. I, however, prefer to see something I like go on and on until they hit a wall and produce a bad season. Why? Because while I may not enjoy the end, I'll get whatever awesomeness is between when I thought it might end(S3) and whenever it does end. I know that the show ended only because it exhausted itself and that the creative minds behind it did their damndest and just couldn't work with it anymore. No 'what-ifs' or mysteries about who, what, where, why, when regarding its cancellation. No discussion if it had anything left in the tank. Keep going until it isn't good anymore.

Valen was somewhat taken aback by the offer of no payment. While it was certainly a kind thing to do, he had no intent of getting free services such as this. Professionals needed to be paid for their work, or that was how he had been raised. Whether it was service, medical, or retail of some sort, all ponies needed to be paid for their work or else somewhere down the line somepony was getting the short end of the stock. Ethics told him it was wrong, even if the morality of it from the professional's point of view was perfectly reasonable. Secondly, he was using a business' resources. His Manehattanite mannerisms and Upper Crust way of thinking would not abide by that for free. For him, it was a relatively simple and straight forward manner of thought. Without bits, one goes out of business and without that business, who is there to do the job? No, Sunrise's offer was very, very kind, but she would find herself financially emboldened by her work on the foal. Whether it happened now or later was the only debate. He was about to give voice to these thoughts as the superbly kind dentist placed on him a muzzle linked to the canister of gas, the same his dentist back in the big city had used. "I am going to turn it on and you are going to Start to feel giddy as it takes effect, reducing the pain you will feel as I perform the surgery." Sunrise said gently, telling the foal nothing he didn't already know but her re-assurance effective nonetheless. It took effect quickly, and within a few brief moments the featherweight foal was drifting off. Only as he started to disconnect slightly from himself did he take stock of just how bruised he was. Every muscle ached. Every part of him felt tenderized and raw, beaten, dragged, defeated and disgusting. But this gas played its game on him and soon afterwards, just as she began to start her work, gas-induced serenity was the state he was in. Such joy, joy, joy, joy to disconnect, if only for a brief while and even if the mind realized what falsehoods it currently believed. But sometimes, the lie was better than the truth and this was a pleasant fiction he would gladly live as the dentist did her work.

"Two daisy sandwiches it is then!" Great! So she loved them as much as Pathfinder? It was kind of odd, but nice- ponies tended to love those delicious flower-based sandwiches less and less as they grew old. She had never understood it, however- deliciousness was deliciousness! "Right, I am born and raised in Stalliongrad. As for my accent, well, you see, my mother is from Cloudsdale and most of my tutors were from either Manehattan or Canterlot. My father was the only one I grew up with who really had the Stalliongrad accent, and as a filly I really didn't want to talk like him," Her mom was from Cloudsdale? That was cool! She guessed that she shouldn't be that surprised by it, though. It seemed as though most pegasi did come from there, Pathfinder as well. But Pathfinder had sort of assumed that her entire line and life originated in Stalliongrad, due to her roots. Nice surprises rolled in. Tutors from Canterlot and Manehattan? Pathfinder had already known she was well off, but that sealed the deal. Not only did she have tutors, but tutors from Manehattan and Canterlot? That took some serious bits right there. Her dad was Stalliongrad born and bred and as she continued, Pathfinder pegged him as the start of all this. A pause on Snowy's part. "Well, actually... you see," Snowy said slowly and near breathlessly, a whisper if anything as if saddened or ashamed "I'm actually the head of my company. Acting CEO of Northern Storm Industries." That sounded pretty cool. Pathfinder couldn't claim to be an expert on businesses at any level and as such the name didn't really strike a chord with her at first. The more she ruminated on it however, it rang a bell- sorta. Kinda. Maybe. Still, it was really cool that she ran her own company! That would mean she just wasn't anypony, she was an important somepony. Her personality didn't strike Pathfinder as the type to have started the business, and her upbringing gave some clues. It didn't take a genius to put the pieces together. "That's really cool! What's a CEO?" But then again, Pathfinder wasn't a genius. "What does your company make? It sorta sounds familiar. Do you make magitech airships? If you do, can I buy one at a discounted rate or rent one? I've always wanted one! It's really, really cool that you have your own company, Snowy. Was it your dad's? You don't seem the type to have started a business- oh gosh, no offense intended! I just mean that most company starter-uppers tend to be all strict and formal and you just aren't all stuffy like that, you're really cute and nice and fun to be around," Pathfinder said in a stream of consciousness, eyes glittering and showing the range of emotions as she expressed them swiftly.

"I quite agree. I might actually try and thank her personally next time I'm in Fillydelphia," Snowfall nodded while Pathfinder said "I haven't had this much fun in a long time." Well, that was a little sad to hear. Wasn't there much to do up in the big city of Stalliongrad that a well-off mare like her could take advantage of? I mean, maybe she didn't have all this fun flying room in the cold north, but as it was, wouldn't she find something? Or was there something more? "I wonder what we should get to eat..." Snowy asked as they leafed through the menus. It wasn't anything special; nothing high class nor anything to write home about. But the daisy sandwiches looked great and that was all she needed to see! "Daisy sandwiches are just the best!" Pathfinder squeed loudly, closing her menu. Daisy sandwiches were a favorite of fillies and stallions everywhere and for good reason; daisies had a wonderful after taste after all. Of course, they were devoid of much nutritional value and were decidedly a somewhat silly food item. But they tasted good. "So...Snowy, you're from Stalliongrad, right? You don't have MUCH of an accent, but I can detect a tiny bit of Stalliongrad in your voice. And you're a businessmare? What's your bit, Snowy?" Pathfinder asked, hoping to learn a bit more about the businessmare in front of her.

Pathfinder was independent and had been so for most of her life- even back as a filly, she had flown to the beat of her own wings, nopony else's. Still, the offer of payment by the well-off businessmare wasn't something she would say no- she had only twelve bits in her bit-purse. She was proud, but pride was only as useful as it was valuable and here it wasn't worth anything. Especially not around Snowy, who was nice enough to deserve the honest truth and not some prideful snark. "That'd be fine, Snowy! Really nice of you, too. Why, I need to start on my thank-you letter to Matchie, between setting me up with such a fine mare to picking our this awesome location, she certainly did her job," Pathfinder said excitedly, laughing garishly as she flapped her wings as a sign of joy. They walked towards the eatery, Snowy being the larger and more imposing of the two. She may not have had that adventurer's edge, but she had a more built form. Pathfinder studied it for reasons both scientific and personal, of course. Pathfinder was far less physically imposing, though her eyes were a bit sharper. That was owing to her lifestyle- not only was she by birth a tad shorter and smaller than average, but her uneven diet had left her wiry.

Pathfinder looked on in breathless excitement as Snowy raced ahead, finally seemingly giving in to the abandon that was free flight. She didn't fly in as acutely experienced a manner as Pathfinder did, but she didn't need to be. Speed, agility, and awareness were all she needed. Then they hot the final formation. Snowy shot through a tight crevasse at high speeds, followed by a break-neck turn upwards, not perfectly straight but she did the job well enough to fire herself over the rock formation on the other side of the crevasse, high as it was. Pathfinder followed right behind. Snowy was noticeably larger and had a harder time with the crevasse than Pathfinder, which had made Snowy's excellent shot through it all the more impressive. Pathfinder moved through it smoothly and followed Snowy upwards. Here, Pathfinder could feel the sheer power she had. Snowy might not have known it, but she was an impressive physical specimen, her wings holding a great reserve of power. She then flew down towards the platform and Pathfinder was in swift pursuit, landing a few moments after her. "Great job, Snowy! And here I thought you businessmares were supposed to faint at the first sign of trouble...it must be the hat!" Pathfinder said before she gave Snowy a big hug, squeezing the larger and better fed mare for a few seconds before quickly pilfering the hat back and putting it back on. A large sigh of relief followed, her features serene. It was like a mama bear had found her cub. She then shook her head and looked around the platform. Even fewer ponies were here than had been on the last platform, but at least it was the end of the pure flying segment...and they had a small outside eatery. "Good a time as any to eat, right? Boy-howdy, I've sure worked up an appetite! Those mutants didn't give me any time last night or this morning to eat, which was a shame because I had just made a fresh daisy sandwich! Those things go bad so fast, ya know?" Pathfinder rambled on as she trotted towards the eatery, taking out her small bit purse, ready to pay for both of them.

"Hehe. Right! Here I go!" Snowy said right before she did her best Pathfinder imitation and shot around and ahead of the adventurer, her confidence growing swiftly as she powered down the course. It was natural to a pegasi- that was why Pathfinder had always counted her wings among her greatest advantages- to move with such confidence in the air. Just as an Earth pony felt a sacred connection to the ground beneath their hooves and the unicorns used their horns with abandon, once a Pegasus learned to fly, it became as natural an action as a trot down the street. And Snowy was fit- she moved mighty well between obstacles, though rust and natural instincts did her no favors. It was pure physicality, and that was fun enough for Pathfinder to watch. "Gah!" Snowy exclaimed as she almost crashed into a formation. Pathfinder was briefly thrown for a loop by this and her concentration broke, and she very nearly hit the same formation. Pathfinder recovered fast and moved right behind Snowy as they neared the end of the second part of the course. Only two more formations left, then they'd have a platform to land on. "You're doing great, Snowy! Tell them Stalliongrad ponies of yours that ya didn't disappoint!" Pathfinder shouted with a hearty chuckle, revealing that she knew Snowy was from Stalliongrad, as if the slight accent wasn't enough.

"Alright! Let's see what I can do!" Snowy stated, excitement evident. Her nod and smile were infectious as she kicked off and soon took the lead, Pathfinder eager to follow. It was nice having somepony else in front for a change. Well, it was nice having anypony at all, since she was often alone. Could Snowy handle that pressure? Probably, seeing as she was some high-functioning businesspony. But could she handle something even worse- being left alone? Pathfinder had no intention of allowing her the room to test it out. Snowy moved well enough through the course, only routinely challenged by ariticial obstacles. They weren't anything too intense of a challenge, but were at least a step up from what they had seen before. Perhaps too much, as Snowy seemed to have made a mild error and was knocked silly for a brief second by an impact against a wall. pathfinder thought for the briefest of moments that she was going to lose herself, but her poise showed through and soon she was over the wall. Pathfinder took the route above, and she saw Snowy look back for her. Pathfinder moved out in front and hovered just a few feet from her face. "You're doing great, Snowy! Why, here I thought all you businessponies were supposed to be weak fly-" Pathfinder began before a moving rock nearly clipped her winds, forcing her back from Snowy. She gave a giggle. "This is fun! C'mon, I'm not supposed to be ahead of you!"

Valen nodded at the dentist, happy to have this pain draw to a close. It was one thing to have a pain you couldn't do anything about but when you could, it sometimes made the pain worse as you knew that every moment in pain was just one more that was unrequired. Within a few moments, he followed Sunrise into the operating theater. She seemed to enjoy her job, something that definitely made Valen relieved. The only thing worse than a bad dentist was a dentist who hated his or her job and Valen was more than a little pleased to see that neither was the case here. As he hopped onto the chair, though, that familiar foalish fear kicked in. He wouldn't say he was afraid of the dentist, but any foal who sharp objects poking around one's mouth was the least bit concerning was a liar. "Howth muth will thith costh, ma'am?" The foal asked as he leaned back.

Pathfinder took only a few shallow breaths as Snowy landed next to her. The course wasn't all that difficult so far, but she had just had to basically fight for her life against mutated creatures. That wasn't exactly a relaxing experience, but she figured that it was likely to be more memorable than the course would be. She would likely relate the adventure and snowy closer than she would Snowy and some weak course, but it had little to do with the quality of the course. It was all about the mutants, foal. Snowy was with her, and now Pathfinder could appreciate that she knew what she was doing. Well, that was a stretch, but she wasn't afraid and had some level of confidence. That was enough for Pathfinder. She nodded ahead towards the next series of obstacles. "Hey, Snowy, I think it's your turn to lead the way." Pathfinder said with a smile, taking off her hat and plopping it on Snowy. She strapped it on the businessmare a little bit tighter than she would on her own head. Whoever was in the lead had to have the hat was the unspoken law of adventuring, and woe be to thee who broke it! or something like that.

Applejack had once told her that eating frozen Zap Apples was one of the worst things you could do. Not only was it plain dumb to freeze one, but Zap Apples knew when they were being misused out of season. If you had any left over, you had to wait until the new season for them to work. If you tried to eat them out of season, you would get sick. Really sick. But...Zap Apples tasted too good to say no! Now, she knew to say no. Ever since breakfast, she had felt as though a war had been going on in her stomach. She hadn't let on at home because she didn't want to be left out of the cool meeting with the Wonderbolts, but as she walked to school she felt as though she was going to break inside. The only viable course of action was, the moment she got to the school, duck inside of the bathroom. There, she had done the only thing her body allowed her to do for what seemed like forever. She had missed the Wonderbolts showing up and all the foolishness of her fellow classmates that surrounded their arrival. Luckily, she felt as though the worst was over by the time everypony started working their way outside. She left the bathroom, a sickly green still, and saw her fellow classmates filtering outside. "Wha' happened? Thay already left, huh?" She asked, eyes wobbling in her head as she followed her classmates out of habit, asking nonpony in particular.