Volt

... ... ... What? I have nothing else to add.

[colour=#9900cc]"Silver Flash?"[/colour] - mare could recall if she had ever heard this name. Was it possible that the royal city of Canterlot turned her into an ignorant? When did she change so much? Star made yet another note to herself, this had to change. But for now she could only accept it. Risi raised her hoof to make a first step and lead the VIP towards the ballroom, but she wasn't allowed to lower it. Instead, she kept it risen mid-air, observing how Merlot passes her and continues on his own, disappearing between the crowds. Her jaw dropped from disbelief when he couldn't see her anymore, while her mind went blank for a quarter of second. If he turned back then, he'd see her lower her hoof followed by a heavy frown on her face. [colour=#9900cc]"How did he know where to go exactly...?"[/colour] - that thought kept bouncing around her mind right now. If her suspicions would be confirmed, she wasn't certain if she'd like to think about all the implications... Or perhaps? All she had to do is to catch up with him, and- [colour=#9900cc]"Catch up?"[/colour] - Risi became confused, wasting a second on two until her brain processed the events - [colour=#9900cc]"Did he just walk away and... IGNORE ME?"[/colour] - she wasn't sure if she was angry or completely lost here, but of one she was certain: Star was going to give him a piece of her mind about this. Annoyingly enough, the crowd suddenly became thicker, making it hard for her to maneuver between the individuals. Risi proceeded towards the entry of Ballroom B, and managed to catch a glimpse of Merlot entering it already. [colour=#9900cc]"Excuse me, sorry... oh move finally!"[/colour] - an unlucky ... pony? Well, something at least, since some of the costumes looked simply as if they came from the Tartarus itself... Still, it was blocking her way and was too busy to care about the surrounding. That's why he got gently, but decisively, pushed aside. Ignoring his protests, Risi made it to the entry of the Ballroom... only to discover that she couldn't track her subject between the crowds anymore. It seemed as Merlot managed to escape her, hiding somewhere in the hall. Unicorn sighed heavily, feeling that her anger is losing on strength a bit. [colour=#9900cc]"Just who does he think he is!? First behaving like he did and later running away like that! Nopony ever treated me this way, nopony!"[/colour] - in fact, nothing was lost yet. She'd simply stay in the Ballroom, taking care of her work, and await the panel to finish... or wait for some kind of break. The idea was simple. Risi leaned against the wall with her front hooves crossed as her gear started glowing with azure aura. Having decided that the spot was fair to set-up her stand, mare deployed her tripod and examined the cameras. It took her a few minutes of preparing, and just as she was nearly done with setting up, she heard some disturbing sounds coming from the hall behind, including shouts, screams and cracks which penetrated the typical racket of any convention. Even though she wasn't a reporter herself, she had just a tiny part of their famous 'sense' (least she liked to call it like this, instead of calling it 'common sense' simply). And right now Star felt she should head back to the hall she left behind. She rushed back, fighting the crowds again, but her height came to her help this time. Even from afar she could see knocked down stands and some ponies getting back on their hooves. As she made it past the observers, a complete chaos presented itself to her eyes. Broken stands, grumbling ponies, various items scattered around the floor... as she followed the trail with her eyes, she also managed to spot spilled paint a bit further. That's when a sob drew her attention. It was a little filly in front of her, lying next to one of the broken stands. [colour=#9900cc]"Oh dear..."[/colour] - mare trotted towards the filly and dropped on her knees, positioning herself in front of her - [colour=#9900cc]"Darling, are you alright?"[/colour] - that didn't produce any result, so she patiently attempted to calm the child once more - [colour=#9900cc]"Hey, hey, it's okay, everything's fine, no need to cry."[/colour] - in her mind she thanked Celestia that the filly spotted her and seemingly started calming down slowly - [colour=#9900cc]"Are you hurt? Let me check."[/colour] - upon examining the filly, she found a single bruise at her back. [colour=#9900cc]"Oh... it's that why you've been crying?"[/colour] - as the filly nodded, Risi threw a friendly smile at her - [colour=#9900cc]"But it's just a single bruise darling. That's not a reason for such a mature filly like you to cry! Besides all your friends will envy you when you'll tell them your story."[/colour] - she managed to earn a smile in response. [colour=#9900cc]"Now, get up and go to your parents, I bet they're worried about you."[/colour] As the child left, Risi stood up and straightened, searching for the source of all this commotion. Unfortunately, it was nowhere to be found. [colour=#9900cc]"What kind of creature may have caused all of this..."[/colour] - Star couldn't tell. But of one she was certain, whoever it was, he or she should be immediately removed from the convention. Posing a threat for ponies, and more importantly fillies and colts, was enough reason for her. That's why she called the first thing that came to her mind. [colour=#9900cc]"SECURITY!" [/colour]- only thing left to do now was... take photos. After all, that's what she came here for initially.​

Mysterious dark powers of Ponynomicon were summoned forth once more! After a whole year of peace, another thread strikes back when least expected! Entertaining choice as for a 'first post'.

I'm somewhat surprised nobody mentioned Hyundai Pony yet. Unless I've missed it.

Derp >.>' Took me 2 minutes...

Star couldn't help but to stare helplessly at the stallion as he explained her who the ponies were. She then risked taking a look at the scene again. [colour=#9900cc]"CEO of the NSI?"[/colour] - she couldn't recall if she had ever heard of this company. Who knew just how rich this mare was? And, more importantly, what was she doing here, at the con? As for the one called Pathfinder, Star could only believe in what her companion said. Though... something was amiss in this image. Adult mare frowned, trying to figure out one thing... [colour=#9900cc]"Why would a serious businessmare deal with anypony who's described as 'nuisance'...?"[/colour] - point was, both costumes were extremely well crafted. She could understand Snowfall's costume being so detailed, as she would be expected to be wealthy. But Pathfinder's? Perhaps she also was some kind of wealthy VIP? Or would it be that this 'Princess Veil' simply had poor taste when choosing her companions? But, in the end, this issue didn't concern Risi, so she simply noted down that explanation in mind and turned her eyes back at her own VIP whom she accompanied, only to restore the eye contact she broke for a moment. Stallion finally decided to introduce himself. Of course, it's not like it was a secret, everything was probably written at his ID card, but Star didn't want to be nosy and simply respected one's privacy. What happened next caught her completely off-guard. Making an inquiry about her, stallion grabbed her hoof in an old-fashioned way, which was quite a popular gesture in past, especially if gentlecolts were involved. She stood there, staring in his eyes with her lips half-open. Such an unexpected gesture... but why would he do that? Although... whole this situation felt like some kind of a Déja Vu. And suddenly, the solution struck her. The fact that he was so endearing, his willingness to engage into conversation and even fact that, as she had just realized, he was already late to his panel! Star lowered her eyes a bit as it wandered sideways nervously. At once she pulled her hoof back and placed it on her chest. An azure aura burst out of her horn as she readjusted her equipment with magic. [colour=#9900cc]"Oh... Ow, I... I'm..."[/colour] It wasn't planned, nothing more than an instinctive reaction. [colour=#9900cc]"I'm Star..." [/colour][colour=#0000ff]"...regal..."[/colour] [colour=#9900cc]"...your Maje-"[/colour] - she bit her tongue instantly, although a tad too late as it seemed. Her hoof moved from her chest up to her face. One would truly have to be plain foalish not to notice that she, for a moment at least, retreated inside of her defensive shell in embarrassment. But it was just a brief moment after which she regained her senses. Star waved her hoof aside in a splashy gesture, as if she was trying to brush the incident off. [colour=#9900cc]"Rising Star, private photographer from the city of Canterlot. Pleased to meet you."[/colour] - she explained in a steady voice, maintaining a serious expression virtuously. [colour=#9900cc]"Two can play this game..."[/colour] - she thought as she curtsied in front of him, allowing herself this way to make fun out of his last gesture. She held for two or three seconds before finally allowing herself for a slightest smile to show that she's only having some fun. [colour=#9900cc]"So... he is an arch-... "[/colour] - she suddenly remembered - [colour=#9900cc]"Shouldn't you be at your panel already?! Dear Celestia, you're late... All these ponies waiting for you. I mean, you can't keep them waiting, they all came here especially for you. You're not going to fail their expectations, are you?"[/colour] - it was nothing but a rhetorical question coming from her side. [colour=#9900cc]"Really, I understand that these ponies might be your friends, or whoever they are..."[/colour] - she threw a glance at that direction only to see that poor reporter being assaulted again.​ [colour=#696969]"All right, everypony! [/colour][colour=#696969]Let's not give him any power! All he wants is a reaction - somepony eager to have their spot on the news! I made a mistake confronting him, I let my anger get the better of me! But that's what he wants! It gives him power![/colour]" She stared in disbelief, listening to yet another mare's words. Star thought that DDCon community was great so far, but at this rate she might want to reconsider her position. What was with all these ponies getting on this poor reporter's head? She sighed and turned back at Merlot again. [colour=#9900cc]"...but you'll have plenty of time meeting and talking to them later on. We both have more important things to do right now."[/colour] - she had to remind him of this, even if a part of her honestly regretted this decision.​

Guess what? Yep. Easter. Disappearing in 2 hours (27th) and reappearing in a week probably (3rd or 4th). Short quick bounce.

There are so many different time-wasters today in this world that I'm more than sure your creativity will come up with something quite soon xD

Whelp the serv is not updated with newest mods yet. It's everything in the comments.

How did you manage not to notice this?

No, Miss Rarity is Phil's ._. And even though she's, as he says, fabulous to no limit, I still cast my vote for background pony named "Lotus Blossom". PS: Those kind of threads somehow never get old, no matter how many of them you have, lol.

It was certainly a nice feeling to be able to forget about one's duties for a moment. Although Star's consciousness protested, she felt much better being able to give herself a short break. Perhaps she was working too hard lately? Pressurizing herself and pushing to her limits... Striving for improvement was one thing, but blindly forcing herself into work was an entirely different matter. VIP stallion caught up to her and trotted by her side. Risi was coming up with a topic for a conversation, but it seemed that the stallion beat her to it. So she just decided to, for once, remain quiet and simply listen. And colt if he didn't have a lot to say...She kept nodding to ensure him that she's listening while making her way through the crowd. His story sounded familiar though... It reminded herself of her fillyhood. Perhaps not the convention part, she never really held any warm feelings towards conventions. She remained rather completely indifferent. But the tough time his brother had... It reminded her of the time she used to spend with her sister. While being loving daughters separately, together they've created truly a mischievous duet. From drawing allover the house, through 'adopting' random animals and finishing on sneaking out when they weren't allowed to. Star was so relished with her memories that she completely missed the moment stallion ceased talking. As she caught a grasp of her surrounding again, she turned to him: [colour=#9900cc]"Ow, it seems your tale zon-"[/colour] - but her recipient wasn't there. From the place she was standing she could see the Ballroom B entrance already. But it didn't seem as if the VIP rushed towards it. She peered behind hoping to find him there, and after a brief delay she managed to achieve that. To her surprise, he was just standing there, looking somewhere to his side. [colour=#9900cc]"Hey! We're nearly there!"[/colour] - mare shouted, but quickly realized that her voice simply dissipated between hundreds of other voices around. Star trotted close to the VIP. [colour=#9900cc]"We should keep going."[/colour] - she marked calmly, but her curiosity took over her. She drew near the stallion and leaned above his head (what wasn't too hard considering her height...). After a brief moment she managed to track down the possible reason of this delay. Those were the two mares she managed to spot earlier and, it seemed so at least, another pony working in staff. Her face presented sudden enlightenment. [colour=#9900cc]"Oh I saw them already!"[/colour] - she marked while pointing a hoof at them - [colour=#9900cc]"Such a wonderful costumes, truly. I think they're, so far, one of best I've seen. Although I don't know who the staff is."[/colour] - Risi turned her sight at the VIP. She was close enough now to catch the colour of his gray eyes. And since she was never shy, considering how popular she was as a filly, maintaining eye contact was quite natural for her. [colour=#9900cc]"You happen to know them? I mean, what's so interesting in this image...?"[/colour] - she inquired with a slight head tilt, forgetting they were supposed to head to the Ballroom completely. Star was quite confused and wasn't even trying to hide it. ​

Oh, this one is easy as pie Because really, their brotherly 'love' is so touching. Literally. Vergil is what comes to my mind first when I think of it.

So, offline temporarily or permanently?

:> I simply couldn't hold myself back.

It was a bit of surprise for certain mare to see how much the streets of Manehattan have changed. Back in her youth, she'd be able to name and point out most buildings and facilities in some areas. Now everything seemed new. It was true that Star's last visit in Manehattan was about six months ago. But the sole reason for them was always the same: renewing family bonds. It was her hometown, after all. Albeit this time was different. Tall Unicorn allowed herself for once to go and refresh her memories of the city. It was then when she stumbled across an announcement proclaiming a certain art exhibition which, coincidentally, went astonishingly well with her own field of interest. She couldn't miss such an occasion. And now, she found herself standing in front of Das Foto, throwing the structure a critical gaze. She couldn't recall if such an institution existed when she was a filly but, undeniably, it stood firmly in front of her with prestigiously looking ponies seemingly enjoying anything it had to offer. Of course, she couldn't allow herself to arrive unprepared. For this evening, she decided to dress herself in white. Long and padded silken dress with a gentle white collarette. No complicated or intricate designs were needed, since Star always depended on her natural appearance. She allowed herself only for two additions. A silver necklace containing a small, white opal, resting gently at her neckline; And a white-pink lily, her favorite flower, interwoven in her wavy mane, mysteriously covering left side of her face. She wondered if the flower wasn't too much, but she was determined to conserve her individuality. As soon as she stepped inside, mare became wrapped up with investigating the art. She didn't waste time, it was what she came here for after all. Still, being a photographer herself, it was hard to simply enjoy the art itself and try to avoid being judgmental. Her feelings were mixed. There were some pieces which seemed to be ideal, but on the other hoof she had her own visions as for how different ones should be photographed. It was indeed a habit she couldn't fight. She was just admiring the game of shadows when her ears picked a few snatches of conversation ongoing nearby. Driven by her instincts, Star decided to investigate the issue. The discovery that Photo Finish was one of the participants was quite a surprise for her. Of course, she knew the exhibition was her doing, but wasn't expecting to meet her herself. It seemed as she was deeply engaged in conversation with a truly sophisticated and rich-looking mare. Approaching the scene, she decided to turn to a dark brown* Pegasus, obviously also taking part in the 'incident'. [colour=#9900cc]"Pardonnez-moi monsieur, but could you please explain to me what's all this about?"[/colour] - she asked in a silent, confidential voice, carefully observing both the mares.​

Is being Starswirl not good enough reason for you Tales?

Actually, wasn't that hard.

Low Priority. SRG, 'tis pony: Cute/positive results most appreciated. She really doesn't get enough attention, they both don't. Thus, I'd be glad to see anything with her as main star.