WillowWisp

Willow Wisp wasn't sure how to respond. She'd planned on surprising Braeburn, but she didn't know there was going to be a party when she got there. And more so, she didn't know that the Stallion would have a date. She glanced between the two and then gulped. She was interupting. "Oh, heh, don't let me interupt your um..dance. I wanted to surprise you and bring you one of the first copies of my journal on the adventure we had here in the desert. I mean if it weren't for you, Braeburn I never would have gotten to see such an amazing sight..." She glanced down, really embarrassed now. And Caramel's tone didn't help. It actually saddened her a little, even if she didn't want really admit why. But that adventure, and even the Gala, every time she saw the Stallion, Wisp couldn't help feeling a bit drawn to him. But who was she kidding? He lived out in the wilds and she was in Ponyville. It should have been no surprise that he would have met a pretty Earth filly in his town. "Well sounds like your dance here is starting. I didn't know there was going to be anything going on when I decided to visit so... I guess I'll just head to the inn and um... well I can get you your book later..." She turned and was ready to gallop off before things got more awkward. "Nice to meet you Ms. Caramel..."

Okay I should be back around the 11th. Mom is having her post op then so hopefully I will have more time to myself.

UGH sorry still behind. Mom's surgery plus the holidays. I'll try to post at least Fluttershy today or tomorrow. Sorry again for being absent... it's that time of the year and then some. X_X

Hey I'm going to be slow with Fluttershy replies this weekend. Mom has to have elbow surgery so I've been the one doing all the holiday stuff since she's not suppose to be moving her arm. I should be able to get all my posts caught up no later than Tuesday. Sorry for the wait, but I've had hardly any time to sit down lately.

It seemed all sorts of ponies were showing up. And they all had such interesting pets. Fluttershy was so happy to see all the different animals that other ponies had made friends with. When the little Filly came up with the snake she was about to point her in the right direction but Applejack handled it instead. "You have a very cute little snake." She commented before her attention was drawn back to the farm pony. "An act? You came up with an act? Oh dear... I didn't know that was part of the show. I don't have anything planned out with Angel." She bit her lower lip. How could she have missed that on the fliers? Now she had to come up with something. "Ah here we go..." A voice picked up from the entrance though it was followed by a yawn. "Too bad this isn't later in the day." Willow Wisp, the Unicorn from Ponyville's so called "Haunted" house, entered the tent. Right after her a rather good sized fruit bat flew in and hung from a support in the tent. He didn't look like he was all too awake. Then again neither did she. "Not everypony is up all night like you, Wisp." A young Earth Pony trotted in beside her. He had a clear box on his back and inside was a large spider. "Are you sure Scribe counts as a pet? I mean I think he is... but other ponies think spiders are just bugs..." "It'll be fine, Grimmy." She reached out with her right front hoof and ruffled his mane. Her little cousin was always worrying. "Now let's see... Ah, there we go..." She moved over to the table to sign the two of them in. After that she finally took notice of the others in the tent. "Oh, hello Fluttershy. I should have guessed you'd be here." "Oh...Willow Wisp...and Grim." Fluttershy looked at the two with a smile. She'd only met them briefly. Technically they were neighbors since her cottage was outside of town like Wisp's house. And Willow needed help with her bat, which is how they met. Fluttershy was still a little nervous about the creepy pony but she was trying to not let it show. "You brought Morty. He is a very interesting pet." Looking back to Applejack she whispered, "Have you met Willow Wisp? She's the pony in the haunted house."

((ooc: forgive me for the slowness. had some compy troubles)) "Well I suppose if I just wait here for him then I'll be able to spot him." After all if it was a town event, then Braeburn surely would show. She just nodded to Dan with a smile. At least she got a nice little greeting. "A hoedown?" She laughed. "Ah it's just like a well think of a down home country party. That's about what it means. They use to have them back in the small town I grew up in. Like for the Harvest Festivals and what not." It was then, out of the corner of her eye she thought she saw him. She glanced past Dan and sure enough, not far off was Braeburn. She didn't really take note that he was standing with another mare, thinking she was just another party guest. Her eyes lit up and she smiled. "Oh there he is! Ah, I'm sure we'll bump in again during the party, Dan... Excuse me for now though." Willow Wisp happily trotted over, ready to surprise the stallion with her presence and gift. "BOO!" She called out as she came up beside him. "Surprise, Braeburn! I thought I'd come by to give you a special gift... had no idea there would be a party though when I got of the train!"

It may have seemed a little odd to most ponies, actually listening to Big Macintosh talk. He was a stallion of few words usually. But being quiet herself, Fluttershy was more than happy to listen. She trotted along nodding now and then as he explained the juice making process. She'd seen Applejack stomping grapes before, but nothing like the apple press. "Oh, you want me to help? Well... I don't know... I don't want to mess it up but..." She trailed off as she looked over to the apple buckets. She could lift one right? She wasn't that weak. 'You can do it Fluttershy! Remember, you're stronger than you think.' And with her little mental pep talk, she put her things down then trotted over to the apple barrels. It took her a moment, but she managed to get one up on her back, which led to a proud little smile. 'I did it! And somepony saw!' With the barrel in tow she went back to the press and then poured them into the opening they went in. "Do we need all the barrels?"

I'll be a little behind posting for a couple days. I fell ill this week... and I just haven't been able to sit for long or relax. Hoping the doc can give me some answers here in a little bit.

Willow Wisp had been scanning the area of the part to see if she could spot the pony she came to see. But honestly the last time she'd been in Appleloosa she didn't spend much time in the town at all. So she didn't even know where to look and as ponies were gathering she could only hope she'd spot him in the crowd. "Ah," her attention was grabbed as Dan came up to her. After his introduction she nodded her head with a smile. "Nice to meet you. I'm Willow Wisp." She glanced around again. "I'm not really lost... just looking for somepony. I just didn't know the day I picked to drop in for a surprise would be a party." He seemed like a newcomer but surely he would know Braeburn right? That pony was so friendly. Wisp was sure he probably helped welcome anypony who came to town. So there was just a chance Dan could help her. "You see, I'm looking for a Stallion named Braeburn. I have something for him and I thought it would be fun to surprise him with a visit rather than just mailing it from Ponyville." A little blush came to her cheeks as she looked off to the side for a moment. "I just hope he's around. Otherwise I would feel silly." Not too far off she could have sworn she heard his characteristic pronunciation of the settlement's name. She quickly looked around again but it was getting a bit crowded and hard to tell where sounds were coming from. Or for that matter, if she was hearing things or not.

Grim's ears went flat against his head. Braeburn's greeting was a little loud and the normally quiet and gloomy pony was a little startled. But at the mention of knowing his cousin he cocked his head to the side. "Oh you're the one from the time she fell asleep on the train and ended up in the desert." A little smirk came to his face. Wisp always teased him about Sweetie Belle so now... "Wisp was sure happy to have such a good adventure. Even more because she said there was a handsome-" "Grimmy," Wisp nudged him in time to cut him off. She gave him a look that told him not to press his luck. "Why don't you just relax and I'll tell the story." She'd already flipped to the page she wanted as Braeburn commented that he'd never heard of the creature she was going to speak about. "A Spirit Fox," she smiled as she began. "Is a fox with pure white fur. It's so bright that in the stark darkness it seems to glow... but that's just because of the contrast. It has either blue or red decorative markings on it... and eyes to match whichever color is on it's fur. The most peculiar part is they seem to have necklaces that are natural and a part of their body. One large bead in the middle and as they get stronger little ones appear on either side of the large one." "Wisp, this sounds like a report, not a story..." Grim had made himself comfortable, laying down next to his cousin. "I'm just explaining what it is first." She laughed. "I've encountered one myself. They feed on spirit energy and that's how they grow stronger. Now when I was in my awkward filly years... I was traveling with my father to a ruin he was studying...and that's where I saw it. And let me tell you... that was some adventure. Because this Spirit Fox wasn't happy just having natural energy... it wanted to drain it from ponies, become really strong and from the ruins, terrorize the near by towns..." She trailed off to see if Braeburn was listening. "And I was the only one that could see it."

It was going to be a big surprise. Willow Wisp hadn't been back to Appleloosa since the adventure in the desert. And well, she wanted to surprise one of her fellow adventurers with a gift. She'd finally gotten the whole report on the event written up and she had a copy just for him. One of the firsts printed. She'd even signed it with a little dedication to the Earth Stallion. 'To the stallion without who I would have never gotten such a chance to see into the life of Spirit Lanterns. You're always welcome to join me Braeburn.' She had the book tucked in her saddlebag as she stepped off the last train heading into the town for the day. It was rather long to go from Ponyville to Appleloosa but she wasn't about to rest. After all she slept most of the ride there. To her surprise the town seemed to be having some sort of party. She trotted over to where ponies were collecting and looked around. She wasn't at all dressed for such an occasion and she felt out of place. Maybe she could just find Braeburn and give him the book before hiding away in the local in. "Looks like I picked an odd time for a surprise visit... I don't have anything to wear."

Dawww she looks so cute... -pinches chubby pony- thanks.

Fluttershy perked up when she heard her name. Looking over to her friend she smiled shyly. "Oh good morning Applejack...and Winona." She eyed the medals the dog had and smiled. "Oh you must have won a lot of contests. That's very impressive." At the mention of the basket she set it down, finally and smiled. "Oh Angel had some stage fright and wasn't sure he wanted to come. So I brought him in this basket." At the mention of his name, the annoyed rabbit pushed the lid of the basket off. He looked none to please to be there, and even tugged at the bow tie Fluttershy eventually managed to get on him. Unlike Winona, he really didn't want to partake in any contests. "Oh are you still feelings upset?" Fluttershy was still trying to play off that it was just stage fright. After all to her, a show for animals seemed like so much fun. "But our friends are here." She smiled again and turned her attention back to Applejack. "I think he's just nervous."

How about Willow Wisp?

"Oh, thank you very much." Fluttershy smiled. At least Big Mac was one of the quieter and gentler ponies in town. Honestly sometimes even her friends could make her nervous. Pinkie Pie always had so much energy and Rainbow Dash could be loud... Applejack could be just as so for that matter. Perhaps that's why she considered Rarity her best friend. Sure the Unicorn was a little dramatic at times, but she usually wasn't bouncing off the walls or trying new "tricks". As he brought over the bucket of apples and suggested they make the juice she needed, she nodded, her gaze darting to the ground and back again. Even when she tried to be assertive, it seemed like unless there was impending danger, her shy demeanor wouldn't leave her completely. "Ah...so..." she went to follow as he nodded in the direction they were going to head. "How do you make the juice? Do you smash them all on your own? That must be very hard."

True, Fluttershy was expecting a greeting from her friend Applejack, but Big Macintosh wasn't bad. She gave a meek smile and then nervously looked to the ground. She hoped she hadn't interrupted his work. "Oh...no... I'm sure you can help me. I mean, if you're not busy. I can come back later... or wait... it's fine." She shuddered a little, true to her nature, not wanting to be a bother. But at the same time she needed the apple juice, it wouldn't really do her any good if she went home without it. "No, wait... I mean," The yellow Pegasus sighed. Her friends always tried to encourage her to be more assertive, but it was just so hard. Still she needed to deal with those sick bunnies. So with that in mind she took a deep breath and tried again. "I... I need some apple juice. The fresher the better. I need to make some soup for some sick little bunnies."

It was a nice fall morning and Fluttershy was out bright and early. She needed to run some very important errands. It seemed that a little cold had broken out among the wild bunnies and she wanted to treat them all. So after gathering all the sick ones, and cleaning the warrens they lived in so the cold wouldn't spread, she was off to get supplies. She believed in home remedies, such as bed rest and a good bowl of soup. That always worked. Well except when trying to treat a Phoenix who wasn't really sick to start with. She laughed a little to herself at that thought. "Lets see, I've got the carrots and lettuce... oh and the herbs I need grow in my garden... ah I got the alfalfa as well... I just need one more thing..." The yellow Pegasus paused and looked down the path to her destination. She needed fresh apple juice for her soup and no better place to get it than the farm. She just hoped somepony would be up as it was rather early. "Um...hello?" she called out quietly as she walked through the entrance gate. "Ah... is anypony up?... I... I can come back later if... if I have too."

"I've seen your tree house when I've been out exploring. But it's always really late so I never stopped by for fear of waking you up." Wisp nodded to Zecora and then looked through her book as Braeburn introduced himself. "Oh sorry if Morty startled you. He's just grumpy because he rather be at home munching on the lemons I have. Of course I brought some with, but he knows they are limited so he can't sneak snacks or he'll run out and have to make due with other fruit." After flipping through the pages of the book she smiled. "Ah this is a perfect story. I-" "Wisp!" A young pony charged into the tent but stopped seeing Braeburn and Zecora. "Oh...you've got customers." "No no, come here Grimmy." She laughed and patted the spot next to her with her right hoof. "This is my little cousin, Grim Tales. He's been living with me in Ponyville," that said she looked back to him. "What's the matter?" "You messed with the haunted house huh?" He frowned a little. "Everypony is going to think I'm weird now... cause we're related. They'll figure out you did it." Wisp laughed and ruffled his mane. "Everypony already thinks I'm weird Grimmy. So if that's your worry, you're already weird by association." She smiled. "Why don't you sit down and enjoy the story with us?" The foal frowned and then nodded. "Okay but..." he looked at the book. "That's your field journal. Those aren't stories." Willow Wisp just smirked. "They're better than stories... they're all things that have really happened." With that she looked to her two guests. "So do you all know of the Spirit Fox?"

"I didn't do anything bad," There was an innocent smile on her face, hard to buy though with those fangs. "Just let the fake ghosts have a little more... life. They move around on their own now. But it'll fade off eventually. Nothing more than a couple animated spooky sheets." Wisp didn't get the chance to anwser the question about where she was from though, not before other company peeked in. "Huh? Oh no, come on in. The more the merrier with these kinds of things, right?" Willow Wisp cocked her head to the side as she looked to Zecora. She seemed familiar. They'd never met but she was almost certain that this was the Zebra that lived to EverFree. And since she ventured into the forest for her studies now and then, she had passed the large tree that Zecora lived in. "You live in Everfree Forest right? I'm Willow Wisp, I live in Ponyville's "haunted" house." She laughed and then nodded to another spot on the floor around the lantern. "Come over, have a seat." With that said she finally turned her attention back to Braeburn to answer his question about where she came from. "And yeah, I only moved to Ponyville earlier this year. Truth is I grew up in a little town usually not marked on maps. It's mainly farms. My aunt and uncle had a farm. And my mother a huge green house. So really I'm a small town Unicorn." Smiling she looked around a then blinked. "Ah, my book I was going to use... Morty! Have you seen it?" Perched in the shadows in the back of the tent, was her fruit bat. He couldn't be seen well as he was staying quiet, not moving, and avoiding the light. But at her call he dropped from his hanging position, swooped around the tent and then dropped a book next to her. "Say hello, Morty. A thank you." The bat flapped around over Braeburn and Zecora for a moment, gave a shriek and then flew back to his perch to sleep again. "Ready for a story?"

"Oh hello and welcome to-" She too was cut off when she saw had poked their head into her tent. "Braeburn? Is that you?" Wisp smiled and trotted over to him, flashing a happy smile, fangs and all. "Are you here for the festival?" She looked around her set up for a moment then back to him. "I came when I heard they had this festival here in Fillydelphia. It's been my favorite since I was just a little foal. We had it back home... but when I moved to Ponyville I was rather upset to find out they didn't host one there. So I had to make this trip." She moved over to a blanket she had on the floor, a lantern lit in the middle of it. As Willow Wisp sat by it, it cast a strange shadow on her face. "I'm hoping ponies will come by for ghost stories. I worked on the Haunted House at home... but well that was already taken care of here." She winked. "Don't tell nopony, but I gave it a little boost. It just didn't have enough umf." Nodding to the blanket she laughed. "So how about it, Cowpony... wanna hear a story?"