Pony_Sage

The Gallopocus Island's weather was always hot and sticky, it was a tropical island after all. The plants relished in the moisture. Green was abound everywhere, from the treetops in the canopy to the floor of the forest. There was many different animals going about their daily lives in this green heaven. Their calls and cries combined to make a sort of peaceful and very serene background noise. This was shattered intermittently by a rather rhythmic “PING" coming from somewhere in the distance. These strikes came at regular intervals just a tad slower than a moderate walking speed. If one were to listen closely they would be able to her a faint melody twisting and twirling its way around these sharp and harsh strikes. There was a metallic quality to the strikes that was alien to the very natural environment that they were pealing through. They may have been strange and alien but they were definitely the cadence that the lighter more familiar tune was using to keep its self in time. A quick walk through the forest in the direction of the tune and the cries of metal a small shop could be found. The whistle was emanating from there and so were the strikes of metal on metal. It was not a large shop, but then again not too small. Two stores in the main part seemed to be embedded into the side of the mountain that sheerly rose up into the clouds. There was a small house connected to the shop, this was also embedded into the face of the cliff. Large white barn doors were open on the front of the Shop and the whistling poured out of there. The inside of the shop was dingy, dusty, and most of all dark with smoke and soot. There were four forges in the shop proper. The two towards the front were normal forges, albeit large but they had two stage billows and up-draft chimneys. The two towards the back, however, seemed to be of a different sort. They looked like that they were almost part of the mountain that formed the back wall of the shop. Formed out of the stone and fired by an unknown source. Flames leaped from the maw of one of these forges. Before this forge stood a truly massive pony. He wore an odd smirk on is face as he watched the fire heat some unknown object. He retrieved a pair of tongs and quickly pulled the almost white hot metal out of the forge, the front edge of which sparked and sizzled in protest of the sudden temperature change. He roughly placed the wedge shaped metal onto the anvil that was close at hand. He reared up on his hind legs, he stood rather tall for a pony. He made sure that his aim was dead on and brought a hoof down on the steaming lump of metal. “CLANG!" Sparks flew out in all directions. Again. “PING!" The metal seemed to be protesting this beating. And again.“CLING!" The colour of the metal had changed from white hot to a dull red. He returned to all fours and put the metal back in the furnace. He looked away from the furnace and sighed. He wiped his brow with a dirty piece of cloth and smiled up into the rafters of his shop. “Akh lookin' mer an mer leek ahn acks ain't eet?" His voice boomed over the shop. It seemed from years and years of working in very loud conditions he had forgotten how to talk softly. “Yah yah, dat stheel iz herd tah geet tah co-up-er-ate bah unce et dahs. Ye gut ahn acks dat wheel last ya fer-evah." His voice was up-beat and bright in comparison to his surroundings, the“R's" rolling ever so slightly. He chuckled at his unseen companion before returning to his work. The whistling and the cadence of metal on metal soon filled the shop and the surrounding area yet again.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Rivet gently blew the steam from the top of her cup of tea. There was a chip in the side of the rim so she situated the cup as to drink from the non chipped side. Rivet did not have fancy tea cups or a tea service like her parents did back in Canterlot. She had to make due with old cups and a beaten up tea kettle. They suited her needs well though, she was not a fancy pony. She levitated her cup with a green glowing tendril of magic and sipped the tea. It tasted of roses and a hint of mint, just a blend that she picked up on one of her few trips into town, nothing too fancy. She turned her head to the side and crinkled up the bridge of her nose at Spade's question about working for a theater company. 'Why would I work for a theater company? I can't act. I can't even speak. That would be an odd play.' She mused to herself. She watched the little pink filly flutter about the room near the ceiling. 'Oh I hope she doesn't knock anything over, I have everything in such order.' Rivet worried. Order to Rivet was not the same as order to any other pony. What looked like chaos on the shelves in her home was perfect and orderly to Rivet. She could remember where every bolt and nut was on those shelves. If another pony moved them how ever she would be completely lost. Spades said something incomprehensible about mime ponies. 'Is he making fun of me?' Rivet questioned herself. She was only half listening, far too worried about the pink filly flapping about her home. 'He isn't making fun of you, you're paranoid.' She quickly scolded herself. The Pink pegasus slowly sunk into the chair that was awaiting her. As she landed she stumbled a little and Rivet stifled a silent giggle with a hoof over her mouth. 'Wait, she can't walk?' Rivet thought as she inspected the pink filly a little closer. The pegasus was definitely missing part of her rear leg and her fore-leg had a nasty scar on it. 'Oh my she must have been in an accident! I hope she is alright!' Rivet worried silently. The little filly spoke a mile a minute about ghosts and adventures. Rivet listened intently with a small smile. She sipped her tea and nodded when appropriate. The filly's demeanor suddenly shifted from one of happy exuberance to solemn contemplation. She apologized for something, for what Rivet hadn't the foggiest. The dirty unicorn was absent minded when it came to manners of etiquette herself so the pink filly's actions had not even registered as incorrect to Rivet. Rivet smiled softly at the filly and nodded. "I am Rivet. From Canterlot, live here now though. Pleased to meet you. Thank you, house is mostly my design. Made it better than what it was. Used to be ramshackle, now better. Lots of steam devices." The typewriter clicked and clacked out. Small green tendrils actuated the keys as Rivet smiled at her company. She turned her attention to Spades. "Theater company? Why? I tend light-house. Can't talk, mute. How could work for theater?" The typewriter asked as Rivet put on her genuinely confused face. She then turned back to Whirlwind. "Missing leg, can't walk. Sorry, are you O.K.? How? Accident?" Rivet told the typewriter to ask the pink filly. She was rather tactless about that unfortunately. After she typed it up she realized this and winced. She didn't mean to upset the little pony, she was just curious. After all this was the most visitors that she had in her house, well ever.

Freddie laughed a little at Klondike's question. It was a valid question but he just wasn't expecting it. He gave a wink to Klondike and briefly excused himself from the table. He retrieved a small leather pouch from his saddle bags and then returned to the table. He opened the pouch and showed its contents to Klondike. It looked to contain sticks and twigs along with ground up greenery. "Tea! Of course. My own personal blend, it may not be up to par with some other ponies creations but I like it rather well. Tea is the great equalizer, no matter where a pony comes from or how they feel, tea always is a good idea!" Freddie said with a smile. The waiter brought them their food and the kettle of hot water as Freddie had asked for. He preceded to make tea for Klondike and himself. It was a blend of sassafras and lemon. It was interesting although it lacked something that a tea making pony would have known to put in. Freddie ate his food and occasionally offered a quip of insight to Klondike. It seemed that this old pony could talk for forever and a day. Always adding something of vague usefulness to the conversation and running off on strange tangents. As the night wore on he did start to show signs of tiring though. After the meal was finished he looked over to his new friend. "I have to thank you for a wonderful evening and a great supper. Both are much apprecated. I have not had somepony to talk to for this long in quite a while. Thank you again." He said with a smile as he slyly put some bits on the table for a tip. "I am sorry, but this old pony needs to get home and rest his bones. I am pleased that I met you and will definitely stop by your shop when it is open if I ever need anything fixed." He continued with a yawn. Freddie packed up his things, strapped on his saddle bags and started for the door.

"Sophie!! Oh it is so good to see a friendly face. Scotchie over here has just been abusing me since I met her." He snickered at his own abuse of Scotchie. He knew that she would get him back eventually. Chris smacked his lips together, they were a bit chapped, and his tongue had this strange paste on it as it stuck to the roof of his mouth. "Water would be wonderful, I hate paste mouth." He said with a grimace. Chris tried to stand up from his seated position, his legs didn't seem to want to cooperate at first. They shook and nearly buckled but he eventually got the hang of it and was standing on all fours again. Next was the walking, he was having enough trouble with this let alone trotting or galloping. He wandered around in circles on shaky legs before he was happy with his ability to move himself in a semi-straight direction. "Alright, so we need water and Willow? Why willow? And what is loam? Jeez, I am pretty good at survival situations, but it seems that you two have me beat." He said with a chuckle and a smile A bird squawked high in the canopy and Chris winced in pain. His eyes clamped shut and his ears pressed against his head. 'Well this is new.' He thought to himself as his ears blocked most of the sound from causing him pain. It was rather pleasant actually, he could now regulate his hearing with out using his hands, well hooves. "So the stream is this way?" he asked after the pain had subsided. He began to shakily walk off in the direction that Cherry had indicated.

Name: Coal Brightfire Sex: Male Age: Stallion [ Analog Human years Mid thirties ] Species: Earth Pony Pelt Colour: What is known as Roan. See picture for better understanding. Picture! Mane/Tail/Markings Colour & Style: Both his mane and his tail are kept cropped rather short. This keeps them from catching fire while he is working, also it keeps him cooler. His mane and tail are both solid black. Eye Colour: A fiery red, almost as though they are embers of coal themselves. Cutie Mark: Crucible pouring molten metal. Stylized version of this. Physique: "Built like an Ox!" Most ponies say. He was always one of the largest ponies during his youth, the blacksmithing has only served to fill out his large frame with muscle. He has feathering fetlocks. Origin: He was originally born to a loving earth pony family in the town of Rockwington. His parents payed a gruff griffin blacksmith so that Coal could apprentice under the Master Blacksmith. Once he reached the level of journeyman he moved out of his parent's home and struck out on his own. Residence: Thunderhoove Volcano on the Gallopocus Island. Roleplay Type: 'Mane' RP Occupation: Blacksmith. If it is made of metal and you need it he can most likely make it. Although he is not as adept at the finer filigree. He has the facilities to both forge and cast equipment. Motivation: To be know Equestria over as the best blacksmith there is. He is steadfast in this conviction and nothing can steer him astray. Likes: The heat of a well fired forge. Iron, Steel, Bronze, Copper, Tin, any metal that he can get his hooves on. Hammers, anvils, files, punches, tongs, all his tools he holds very dear to his heart. He has a special place in his heart for Arnthrud, his hoof-hammers. Dislikes: The cold. Running out of metal. Breaking tools. A forge going out. Ponies who do not respect his equipment or profession. Stuck up ponies who can not take a joke. Companion: He has a companion friend that is a Bat. Her name is Sooty. One day while Coal was working on metal in a smithy the knells of Arnthrud pealed out over a forest it would seem. It fell upon the ears of a lost Bat. She followed the noise to Coal's shop and promptly flew right into his face. After the initial fright of the encounter Coal soon realized that the bat was lost and needed a place to roost for the day. He gently took her and placed her on one of his rafters as he worked through the day. The bat watched on and off all throughout the day. She seemed to like the pinging sound that rang out when ever Coal struck the anvil with Arnthrud. The bat also proved to be a good listener. Coal would spend hours talking to her. As night came she flew and he expected to never see her again. But the next morning there she was, hanging from the same rafter. Ever since that day Sooty and Coal have been inseparable. She even serves as his messenger when he needs to get a quick message to somepony in town. That took a little bit of training to accomplish but it works out just fine now. Sooty is a very laid back bat, she loves nothing more than to just relax on the rafters and watch Coal work and interact with his patrons. Character Summary: Coal was born like any ordinary foal, to a loving earth pony family in Rockwington. He had brothers and sisters, more than enough to keep him occupied with games and such. His mother was a baker and his father a carpenter. Coal was a little different from his brothers and sisters. When he could have been out playing in the busy streets and markets of Rockwington he instead opted to peek intently in through the window of a nearby blacksmith's shop. He would spend hours watching the big griffin smith work the hot metal into all sorts of fanciful shapes and designs. His siblings would often tease him about his hobby but it never phased him. He would just sit and watch the smith. When he was on the cusp of Colthood his parents surprised him with a gift. They would pay for his apprenticeship with that griffin smith that he watched everyday. Coal was unbelievably happy with this news. He could barely sleep the night before he started working for the Smith. Coal's apprenticeship went the usual way an apprenticeship would in that line of work. He first learned how to build maintain and pump billows. He did this for about a year, then he moved on to actual metal working. He was at a disadvantage in this arena. Seeing as his Griffin Master could hold hammers in his talons and Coal could not. He started out by using his mouth to wield the hammers and other tools. He became proficient in this but never really excelled. He longed to work the metal with his hooves like his Griffin Master. This did not hamper Coal's resolve though. He pressed forwards until his apprenticeship was almost up. He was always a grand dreamer, he would think of new and interesting ways to make something or a new improvement on an old design. While the Griffin Master appreciated these ideas he was a bit stuck in his ways and never implemented them. Coal soon reached the end of his apprenticeship and his Master was rather pleased with Coal's work. The Griffin passed him on to the stage of journeyman, as a present the Master presented him with Arnthrud. These were a pair of heavy iron shoes that Coal could slip his feet into and secure onto his legs with leather straps. These would function as Coal's new hammers, his dream of working the hot metal with his hooves was finally a reality! This day was full of surprises for Coal! He even received his cutie-mark as he began to try out his new hoof-hammers. This day could not get any better. With his apprenticeship over, he embarked on the next leg of his journey. He packed up his equipment and sett off into the wide open world of Equestria. He wandered from town to town, always learning something new about his trade from the various smiths that he met through his travels. He would stay at a shop for as long as he was needed and then move on. His dreams growing ever grander with each year. He eventually reached the grade of Master Blacksmith. He eventually washed up on the Gallopocus Islands. He loved the weather and the ponies there. He liked all the greenery and the easy access to the beach. It is just a wonderful place. Plus it afforded him with a unique opportunity to realize his grand dreams. He opened up a shop that was recessed into the side of the Thunderhoove Volcano. This let him have easy access to some of the volcanic vents. He uses these vents to fire what he calls his 'Vulcan Forges'. He can create temperatures that far exceed the temperatures of normal forges. This lets him work much harder metals and even liquefy metals so that he may cast items. He is a very skilled smith, especially when it comes to crafting unique and one of a kind parts for airships and the like. Being that he is stationed on an Island there are not vast supplies of coal or metal. He uses his friend Monty's surplus shop as a shipping hub for his wares and required items. He usually gets coal and metal in weekly in huge loads. Most of the time these loads are just dropped from an airship on Coal's front yard for him to unpack. His shop is a little out of the way and surrounded by greenery but it is well worth the trip. He makes some of the best goods in all of Equestria. Especially hardened metals and strong items. His hardened steel cutting edge equipment is starting to gain popularity among both the agrarian ponies and the enterprising Griffins. Hardened steel is a hard commodity to come by and is in constant demand. Personality: Even though he is a very determined pony Coal often enjoys a good joke with friends. Sometimes you can find him in the local tavern just being rowdy with his buds. He is very friendly and just a nice all around pony. He even enjoys making iron toy puzzles for children. When ever a foal, colt, or filly stops by his shop he always has something for them to take home and play with.

I just stopped home for a moment and wanted to say, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I really appreciate the happy birthdays. Yes even from you Scotchie. So thank you again, made me smile. You all have a wonderful day too. =p ~Sage AkA Freddie Freewings

Hello there Skink! First I would like to say that your art is wonderful! Since you have a request thread up I figured I might ask for a favor. Would you mind terribly drawing one of my OC's for me please? His name is Mister Freddie Freewings. Sitting sipping tea, or maybe playing his harmonica, or what ever strikes your fancy. Thank you very much, even if you can't get to him. ~Sage AkA Freddie Freewings P.S. I used to own a blue tongued skink named Puff. One of the best pets I have ever owned, sweet and silly at the same time. I can see why you love reptiles.

Amazing. Plain and simple. AMAZING! Thank you so much for the artwork, your precious time and your skills. There are not words that can express how appreciative of this that I am. Thanks again Buxy. You are epic. ~Sage AkA Freddie Freewings

"Oh Gods." Chris said as his stomach tumbled at the mention of Tequila. He felt like he was going to heave. He quickly looked for a bush but the feeling soon subsided as Scotchie talked about Emergency rooms and Stomach pumping. He couldn't help but chuckle at Scotchie's mention of pinching. All the scenes in those corny movies where the main characters always end up whacking one another to see if they are asleep briefly flashed though his mind before a dull pain shot up his leg. Then another whack. Scotchie had kicked him in the flank with some force. Seeing as He was not used to standing on four legs he stumbled a bit, it would have been alright if his hooves didn't get all tangled up in one another. His hindquarters flopped onto the soft grass and leaf litter that was the forest floor. "Well, it is definitely you Miss Kicks-a-lot." He said rubbing his flank with his hoof. He noticed his own cutie mark. He mentally sighed, it was his tattoos just crossed with one another, 'How original.' he thought to himself. His ear's pricked at the mention of his OC's name. He was only half paying attention to Scotchie. She was musing about meeting their characters in the world that he and Scotchie now inhabited. ". . . There was RC's friend too. For the life of me I can't remember her name though, Elly? Something like that. Uhm. I think I remember Cherry somewhere in the mix. Uhg, I can't remember. . ." He trailed off rubbing his head this time with a hoof. His normal headache had been multiplied numerous times as the alcohol wreaked havoc on his brain. His hoof had become sticky again from the apple that had popped in his face. He decided that the best course of action would be to rub his face in the grass until most of the goop came off. If it worked for shoes and gum, why shouldn't it work with faces and apple bits? "Moh mudden't et me fum if me ram imfoo Chopfme?"ÂÂ** He asked as he rubbed his face on the grass. Rustling came from a nearby bush and the strains of the last part of a song. Chris picked his head up out of the grass, some of the leaves clung to his mane as it fell in front of his eyes. Usually a moderate annoyance was now multiplied a thousand times because he could not seem to push his mane back behind his ears due to his hoof not having fingers. He blew at his forelock and jerked his head about until it finally cooperated and stayed out of his face for the time being. A small white and brown splotched pegasus filly stood before him and Scotchie. The new arrival immediately drew rather large wings in front of her as if to cover her self from view. This made for an odd effect, she looked like one of those dancers that prance about with the feathery wing things to cover their mid sections. The traffic pylon on her noggin did not help the affair to be any less funny. Chris stifled a laugh. "Oh yes it is a nice day for a walk isn't it Princess Cone-nonoke?" He chuckled a little at his own horrid joke. He knew it was just horrendous but he couldn't help it, it just popped into his head and he had to run with it. "I'm sorry about that, it was just too perfect to pass up. Hopefully you are either another one of our friends or someone that can help us. I am Chris and this little flappy thing over here is Aimee or Flutterscotch. You seem familiar for some reason. This may sound like an odd question but were you out drinking with us earlier this morning or last night?" He asked in a polite tone with an inquisitive look towards the little pegasus. ** [[ OOC: Just a note here, since he was rubbing his face on the ground (bright I know) his speech was a little skewed. He meant to say. "Oh wouldn't it be fun if we ran into Chotchkie." Just wanted to clear that up for you. ]]

"Ugh what the hell?" Chris said as he felt the sun beat down on his stomach. He teetered from side to side for a moment. He flung what he thought were his arms out to the side to no avail. He plummeted to the earth below. *THUD* Quite the jolt awake for anyone. His eyes shot open as he took account of his surroundings. He felt as though a truck had run him over. His body ached and his head pounded. He figured that moving was not the best course of action at the moment. He lay on his back as he had fallen out of the tree with his eyes closed hoping that he would stop spinning some time soon. "Body check time. I can turn my head, ouch. I can move my right, ugh, and left, eeeh, arms. Can I wiggle my fingers. . . nope. Both hands are crushed. I can move my legs alright although they feel like they are bending backwards, oh that's not good, and no toes. Hands and legs are messed up." He went through his post 'crash' check out loud to keep track of things. He flicked open his eyes, things seemed rather bright and cheery. It looked a little familiar, but why. The pain in his limbs had subsided a bit, he decided that this was an opportune moment to flip onto his stomach. The world spun again as he turned over. He gave a quick peek down at where he thought his crushed hands were, "Hooves? What the . . ." He shook his head and wiggled his hoof in front of his face accidentally whacking himself in the muzzle. "OUCH!" He rubbed his muzzle with the crook of his ankle. "Fetlocks too eh?" He slowly regained his composure. He looked about a little more and came to a sudden conclusion. "I'm dead, or dying. I have crashed my bike and whoop here I am. Thinking I am a pony in Equestria. Slowly dying on the side of a road some where. Or in a tree. Did a Bennie push me off the road?" He paused for a moment as he tried to stand on his new legs. He looked like a shaky foal just learning to walk. "Well at least it is a nice delusion to go out on. Dying thinking of ponies." He chuckled to himself as he stumbled about the area where he had awoken. He walked over to the tree and looked up to where he had fallen from. His horn smashed into a low hanging tree branch as he tilted his head back. "HORSEAPPLES!" He shouted as the pain shot through his forehead like a hot piece of re-bar being pounded through his skull. His vision went blurry for a moment and he almost passed out. "I can't even curse right can I? Buck, Shoes, Horseapples, Rutting, Gorramit, Ugh this is too much." "Alright let's not do that again. So maybe I'm not dead? Cause if this is heaven that was an awful lot of pain to go through. OH I could be in the other place . . . but ponies in hell. . . NAH. So I'm a unicorn am I? Lets seeee." He mumbled to himself. He spied an apple on a top branch of the tree. He closed his eyes and concentrated on the apple and how he wanted to bring it down to himself so he could have something to eat. He heard a humming in his skull followed by a loud *CRACK*. He looked up just in time to dodge the falling tree top as it came crashing down to the ground. "Well I got the apple. But I may have to practice that again before I try anything more delicate." He laughed to himself resigned to his fate that he was now a pony. He reached out with his magic again, this time gently caressing the apple as he brought it to his face. He took a bite, it was rather tasty! Off in the distance a faint cry could be heard. "HELLOOOOO... *mumbling*" It distracted him, the apple exploded in his face covering him in sticky apple bits. "OI! WHO'S THERE!?!" He shouted as he went trotting off towards the familiar female voice that was shouting into the forest. He soon came upon a yellow mare with brown tousled hair. She was shorter than he was and seemed to be wearing a familiar bracelet. "Scotchie?" He blurted out at the pony standing before him. "Is that you?" He laughed a bit. "Cause if it is, then I am definitely not in heaven. Where are the little red dudes that are going to stab me with pitchforks and dip me in boiling oil? Where's Hitler?" He was poking fun at Scotchie, something that he could not help doing. "Well at least I'm not alone. But how did you get here? I thought I crashed my bike and died? Or did we somehow get transported to Equestria??" He asked his new companion rather bewildered.

[ Pony Related Character ] Name: Chris [Yup that's me.] Sex: Male Age: Stallion – He is often mistaken for being much older than he is. Species: Unicorn Pelt Color: Appaloosa – Primarily white with black spots Mane/Tail Color & Style: Mane and tail are dark brown. His mane is usually kept pulled back and neat looking, although it has a tendency to fall forwards onto his face when he leans forward. Unshorn fetlocks! Eye Color: Slate grey Cutie Mark: Aequitas and Veritas crossed at the 'I' to form what looks like a cross. [i had trouble with this one, I just used my tattoos and crossed them sorry about that] Physique: Very large and well built. Looks like a bouncer. What the equivalent of a Draguht Horse would look like as a Pony. Residence: The land of beaches and bennies known as NJ. Wakes up in Everfree forest questioning whether he is alive or not. Occupation: He is an Enforcer for. . . WASTE MANAGEMENT!! Yes that is it, waste management. Nothing to see here move along. That and he helps run a small business. Motivation: To do what ever he pleases. Likes: Ponies obviously! Rifles, hiking, fencing, bug collecting, his pets, German beer, coffee especially the Irish kind, the fall, smoking his pipe and playing his banjo, re-enacting the civil war. The list goes on and on. Dislikes: Friggin IDIOTS! LEARN HOW TO DRIVE YOU GORRAM BENNIE!! GO BACK TO YOUR OWN RUTTING STATE! *leans on horn* Character Summary: Born only child to wonderful, if not a bit crazy, parents he has lead a pretty normal life. College and work take up most of his time. He had decided to take a break from the monotony of everyday life an meet up with some of his fellow 'Bronies'. After a long night of riding the circuit he awakens in the Everfree forest. His head pounding and questioning if he is dead.

Monty watched in a combination of utter interest and hilarity as the guards soon approached the now shrieking Glow. He had guessed that spending time with her would be interesting but never this interesting! He made a futile attempt to quiet her down before the guards crashed down upon her. "I believe you mentioned 'Lying to you about being an oil tycoon' already, Glow." Monty chuckled and shrugged. 'At least is isn't me this time.' He said with an outright laugh. There had been more than a few times he was thrown in the drunk tank to sleep one off. As Jessy hopped from her bar stool with a comment towards the Gala ending Monty quickly followed after her. He trotted up next to her and started to steer her a little towards the right. Her current course would have taken her right into the center of the ice sculpture instead of the exit. He made idle conversation with her as they walked but was particularly interested in how she was going to get home that evening. It had been a fun night for Monty and he was glad that he had come. He met new ponies and had gotten the name of his shop out there at least. He knew that the Princess was sure to at least look at his card and that was a major accomplishment for Monty! He was getting tired though and really needed to head back to Hoofington and look after his shop. He had an order coming in bright and early the next morning, Clyde would sure be upset if he didn't get his … 'Items' … on time. Monty let out a little chuckle at the thought of an angry Clyde.

Monty was enjoying the time he was spending with Ginger Mint. They apparently had chatted the night away, the din of conversation was less than when they had started and the number of ponies fewer. As Ginger spoke with the bartender Monty nodded and gave another smile at the pony who had been serving them drinks that night. 'Yes, thank you again! I know that absinthe is an odd drink to make, and you made it perfectly!' Monty said as he slipped the barkeep another five bits. He was usually a little more stingy with his money but after all how many times will one get to go to the Grand Galloping Gala!? Monty thought for a moment about how the night had played out. He had met many different ponies, most of them beautiful mares, and he had given at least that many business cards out if not more. The name of 'Monty's Surplus' would surely be more common now! His train of thought was interrupted by Ginger's soft voice asking him to dance. Monty smiled widely and his ear flopped over. He knew how to ballroom dance but he rarely had the chance to, most of the clubs that he frequented were 'New Age' dancing. 'Oh boy, I hope I haven't gotten too rusty.' He pondered to himself. 'Why my dear Miss Mint, I could not think of a better way to end this fine evening than dancing it away with you.' He replied to Mint's question. Monty followed her onto the dance floor and took his position opposite of her. The band began to play a slow waltz. The beat and the music wafted across the dance floor and like a wound up coo-coo clock the ponies that were standing on it came to life. The mare's looked like pieces of tissue paper floating gracefully on the wind as the stallions lead them about. The memory of waltzing soon came back to Monty and he twirled Ginger about himself. He was not the most graceful or practiced dancer there by any means, but he was having fun and he hoped that Ginger was as well.

Rivet was a bit nervous about her chance encounter, this was the first time that she had invited a stranger into her home. 'Well what is it? There are no strangers, just friends that you have not met yet.' She thought, trying to assure herself that Spades being in her home was alright. She turned about to ask him what kind of tea he wanted but he was too fast. Spade's head was almost on the floor as he mumbled "My humble host." Rivet shifted a little, turning her head to the side. Suddenly the white stallion was mere inches from her face. 'A-are his eyes purple. . .' Rivet began to think but her thought was almost immediately derailed as he gently put a leg over her withers. She was not used to physical contact at all. It slightly unnerved her. Her body went stiff as an automatic response and she blushed out of sheer nerves. She began to brux her teeth, an old foal-hood habit that always resurfaced when she was extremely nervous. She tried to shift her body away from his but she was so startled that her muscles refused to move, she was trapped there by her own body, forced to enjoy the magic show. First a coin appeared and then disappeared. This intrigued Rivet, from her angle she could not see how he managed to do it. She knew that the law of conservation of matter prevented him from making it out of thin air. 'But where did he hide it?' she pondered as he waved his hoof about. She felt his hoof leave her withers and was relieved that he was moving off. Little did she know what he had planned. His hooves gently pushed against her cheeks. Again her body went stiff with fright and she nervously blushed a light pink across the bridge of her nose. Hopefully her grime cover and glasses would hide it from Spades. He moved Rvet's head about, as his eyes met hers. She had no idea what to do. Should she run away? Should she call for help? 'How would you do that huh?' She jabbed at her own thought of yelling. 'Just let him finish and then ask him to leave politely, maybe he won't do anything more to you. . . Well he isn't being mean, he is just hoofsy. Just ask him to back off? Ugh I have no idea what to do!' Her mind rambled as he tilted her noggin about. Suddenly he pulled a greasy blue tulip out of her mane. She scrunched her nose up and looked at the flower. 'I didn't feel him put that in my braid.' She pondered. Spade's eyes shifted colour yet again as his gaze fell upon Rivet's countenance. 'How does he do THAT!' She raged in her head. For the life of her she could not figure the eye changing colour trick out. The others were slight of hoof and distraction. But the eyes, they were something different, he could not pull that off with slight of hoof or distraction. She pondered possibilities of how he would achieve some such effect. He then proceeded to take out a deck of cards and explain his name. She could not help but let out a silent giggle, which must have looked rather strange. Spades did not seem to understand her unique brand of humor. When she was commenting on his name she had been referring to his poster, on which a black spade stood on a white background. She had been being silly and playing on his words at the time of her comment. She wanted to explain this to him but she erred on the side of just letting it go as to not confuse the stallion further. Rivet weakly smiled as Spades bowed yet again. 'What does he want now? Oh I hope he doesn't grab me again. Applause maybe? I haven't the foggiest.' She thought to herself. She decided to applause. She lightly stamped her fore hooves on the antique pitch pine floorboards. She looked around the room for a distraction, anything that would change the topic of conversation and maybe prevent him from grabbing at her again. 'I could show him some of my inventions, take him on a tour of the house, there is a pink filly with her muzzle pressed up against the window, maybe make him some food, or a pot of tea like I was going to, show him the observation deck, the steam tunnels, wait what a pink filly?' Rivet's mind was working a mile a minute, so fast that she almost overlooked the pink filly looking in through her window. 'How, irregular, two ponies that want to visit me.' She thought as a slight apprehension tightened in her chest. She was not fond of crowds and with any more than this it would soon turn into a crowd in her kitchen. Rivet smiled gently at the filly and trotted over to a lever jutting out of the floor. She pushed on it with her hooves and the outside door flung itself open. She had mechanized most of the structure of the light house during her time there. She poked her head out of the door, thankful for the filly's intrusion and not at all perturbed. She motioned at the Pegasus with her hoof to come inside, 'Maybe she will be enough to keep Spades from being so hoofsy.' She hoped. Rivet trotted back into her home hoping that the pink Pegasus would follow. She trotted over to her kitchen counter and pulled another lever. A tea kettle came zipping out of the rafters above. Rivet took it with her magic, a slight green hue crackled around the kettle. She filled it with boiling water, some run off from her steam powered contraptions. One of the advantages of living in a steam workshop was the ever abundance of boiling water for tea. She put a large tea ball that was stuffed with tea leaves into the kettle to let it steep. She then took three moderate sized tin cups from the cupboard. She eyed them and blew the dust from their surfaces. She placed these cups on her small kitchen table. There were four chairs surrounding the table, in the center of which stood the Grand Type-writer that the Griffon engineer had given to her. Rivet hung up her portable type-writer and took a seat at the table, making a gesture to her other guests to take a seat as well. "What brings you here?" The large type-writer clattered out as Rivet smiled meekly, she was asking anypony that wanted to answer the question really.

River beamed as Chotchkie asked him to show her his "Bestest plant friend." He trotted about in a circle before blowing raspberries at her. He took a playful stance as he looked at Chotchkie. He then took off into his own private jungle. The cavern that he called a basement was rather large. River twisted and turned through his plants. He carefully dodged conifers and darted around cacti. Hopefully Chotchkie could keep up with him. She was most likely more maneuverable and lighter on her hooves than River was, but he had the home field advantage. River knew exactly where he was heading. He had been there many, many times before and knew the way well. Even though River was well . . . insane . . . this didn't stop him from being a fun loving pony! This was the most fun he had shared with anypony, well anydeer, in a very VERY long time. He cackled madly as he galloped through his plants. The cackle echoed off of the stone walls of the cavern, producing a myriad of eerie phantasms that sounded as though they were darting through the plants as well. Come to think of it most of the things that River did were eerie. He didn't mean to be, it was just his nature. He slid to a stop in front of a moderate sized display. There was a single light purple flower encased with in the glass enclosure. It stood alone on a wasteland of dry, barren and cracked rocks. It seemed to be growing in defiance of its surroundings. Its face turned to the sky, shouting at the heavens, egging them on to throw more hardship its way. Its roots deeply entrenched into the rocks, ready for what ever was to be thrown at it. The green stalk was spindly with coarse translucent hairs running its length. There was an abundance of thin leaves at the base but few of those rose up with the stalk. The face of the flower was open and brandished a yellow center that seemed disproportionate to the stalk thickness. The entire flower was on a slight lean, like an old pony walking with a cane would look The crookedness of the plant seemed to mirror River's smile. Bright red light streamed into the enclosure, it looked like an alien landscape. As though this plant had been transported here to Equestria from some far off, distant, planet on the other side of the cosmos. Ripped from it's original resting place along with part of the planet and dropped here just for River to admire and coo to. River put his hoof gently against the glass with a crooked smile. He gently whispered to the plant as though he had known it for a very long time, as though they had some secret language all to themselves. Words and meanings blended together into an indecipherable lullaby sung by a madpony. A small tear came to the corner of River's eye. Was it a tear of happiness, joyfulness that he was showing his "plant friend" to a new sentient friend? Was it a tear of sadness, lamenting at a life spent in the DARKNESS working with his only friends the plants? It was so hard to tell while looking at River. He pulled out a small mister and opened the case. He gently misted the rebellious flower. The tiny droplets of water soaked into the cracked alien soil almost immediately. The flower seemed to perk up a little with this new attention and drink, as though they gave it a new strength. River reached in with his mouth and plucked off a dead leaf of the plant. He was so caring and gentle to this plant, he could have easily been mistaken for a mother tending to her child. He placed the dead leaf next to the enclosure and then proceed to seal it back up. There was a small tarnished nameplate below the flower that grew despite the darkness of the surrounding area. River looked down at the name plate and sniffled a little. He wiped his nose and eyes on his foreleg before taking a rag and wiping the name plate. The inscription could be seen much more easily now. The red light played tricks with the shining bronze. Sprites darted across the walls nearby, caught up in their own little dances and forays. The plate was held on with four bronze rivets and the border boasted rather eloquent etchings and filigree. Inside that wistful borded, engraved with great care by somepony with a tremendous amount of skill, the words "Erigeron maniopotamicus - - Mad-River Fleabane" could be seen. This flower shared two unique traits, one of which being that it looked almost identical to River's cutie mark. The second being that it shared both of the names that it owned with the earth pony that took such diligent care of it. River puffed his chest out and held his head high and in a loud almost insolent whisper said the name, "Erigeron maniopotamicus . . ." There was no echo to his voice this time, it just trailed off into oblivion. The DARKNESS seemed to quake at the mere mention of the name. Like a long lost tongue that unlocks the truth of everything the name was ancient and the power that it held was antediluvian and forceful. The room looked a bit brighter and not as spooky. All the fear and unknown that was held within that ever permeating darkness seemed to sublimate into the twisting nether, back from whence it came. At least this is how River saw things. Whether or not it was the true nature of things he could not tell. The truth of things had long since been lost to his delusion. Or was it a delusion? In any case, to him, at least, this name held power, it was the key to all things. Something that could be used as both a shield and sword against the frightful shadows that dwelt in the world. At least when pertaining to the plant that contumaciously stood before him. When it was applied to the pony that was being reflected in the crystal glass of the terrarium it held no power what so ever. It was nothing more than a tool to be used against him by THEM who inhabited the DARKNESS, again that is what he thought. River turned away from his reflection in the glass and looked for his companion Chotchkie. She was sure to be close at hoof. His bedraggled purple eyes searched the reaches of his private forest. She had asked to see his "Bestest plant friend," after all and he wanted to show it to her.

River plopped down on his flank in front of her. He turned his head to the side and scrunched up his nose looking disappointed. It occurred to him that Chotchkie had no idea what he was talking about when he mentioned the DARKNESS or THEM. He debated whether to expound upon it with her. She seemed to be at least half interested in what he would blather on about. He picked up on the last part of what she was saying, about friends and family. He did have a mother and a father but he had no idea where they were, he had no contact with them after he left. It didn't help that his parents tended to move around more often than not. He felt a little pang of sadness at his lack of ponyfriends, or even sentient friends for that matter. All he had were his plants but he was pretty much okay with that. They were good listeners and never said mean things about him behind his back. At least he was pretty sure they didn't. You can never be to sure about those pitcher plants. . . He looked back over his shoulder into his private jungle. The sad look on his muzzle quickly melted away to reveal a crooked smile. "No friends, only plants, plants are friends. Plants can hold the LIGHT, and protect from the DARKNESS! Plants don't say mean things. Mah and Dah, I don't know where went. I left, came here, protect others from THEM in the DARKNESS." River trotted over to the table with the tome on it. He flipped to a page and made a note of where he had put the tiny blue flower. He looked back at Chotchkie. "What want to do?" He asked in a surprisingly cogent manner.

Symphony slowly walked around the room on the upper level. There was less dust up here but it was by far more frightening than the ground level. He gingerly approached the balcony and looked down. "Oh my, this is an amazing view of the open floor of the barn, maybe we could put some tables up here as well." Symphony thought aloud. Symphony's ears pricked back towards Maple as she spoke to him. She sounded even more uncertain now than she did before. He trotted up next to her and brushed against her side. He scanned the room again. There was a boarded up window that, at least Symphony thought, faced the valley and would look out over it. He walked over to the window and began to pry at the boards with the crowbar. They creaked and moaned as his magic pushed the tool against them. At one point it sounded as though the entire side of the barn would fall off into the valley below. Slowly but surely the boards came free and fell to the side. A soft orange glow filtered in through the broken and filthy glass that still hung in the window. Symphony sat down in front of it and looked over at Maple. "I don't know about the whole tearing it down idea. I kind of like this old place. It has a certain charm to it, something that I can't place my hoof on." He said nonchalantly with a soft smile on his muzzle. He motioned for Maple to come take a seat next to him.

Monty smiled widely at the bar-pony causing his ear to flop over. He slipped her a business card as he took his drink. He gave it a quick sip, the anise flavour was perfectly balanced with the sweetness of the sugar cube. He winked at the bar-pony before returning his attention to Ginger. 'Yes, sorry about that again. I tend to poof off to do things, call it Zebra magic. Thus far the Gala has been wonderful for me though, met lots of interesting ponies, and ponies got to meet a Zebra! How about you Miss Mint? I hope your night a the Gala was as much fun as mine. Did you make any new friends?' Monty jabbered. He let out a sigh, it had indeed been a long night for him. It was nice to meet up with Ginger again she was a quiet and sweet pony. She was a nice break from the other crazy ponies at the Gala and some of the rich folk that were there. He sipped his drink again and awaited her response.

Monty sipped on his 'Swamp Water' as the other ponies interacted. He almost lost it when he realized that Hank was a train robber and a thief. 'Well that trumps my joke by a mile.' He grumbled to himself. 'Well a Jailer watches cells and a Jeweler sells watches. . . Bah dum tisch!' Monty chuckled out. It was not the most entertaining joke but he liked the corny puns. He smiled at Glow and Hank as they got smashed together. He leaned over and whispered into Jessy's ear.'This should get, interesting.' He chuckled and leaned back into his seat. 'So Hank, your rob trains and steal from the Sherrif. It sounds like you lead a rather interesting life. I am sure that Glow would LOVE to hear all about it!' Monty added before waving the waitress over to get a bottle of their best whiskey and two cups. He poured both Glow and Hank a shot and would keep them coming as long as they were sitting up. A devious smile came across his muzzle. This was going to be a fun night.

Rivet felt a little uneasy as Spades stared at her and backed up as he approached her. She had no idea what he was going to do, after all he was asking her if she was a ghost. Then he did something that absolutely shocked her, he poked her chest. She let out a startled puff as he did so and silently giggled, which looked rather strange. She sheepishly smiled at Spades as he levitated his card over to her , introduced himself and then asked about tourists. 'Tourists? Why would tourists visit here, it is just a light-house? He is either very confused or very lost. I haven't had a visitor in . . . well pretty much ever.' she thought to herself. "You touched me, same principles apply, guess not a ghost. Not many ponies at all come here. My house, light-house, work and live here. Why White Spade. Spade is black." The typewriter sprang to life as a small sheet of paper levitated over to Spades. Rivet pointed at the black spade on the sheet of paper that he was levitating. She looked over at Spades. 'Magician? Like unicorn magic? Isn't that common? Or is he a stage magician? - Where are your manners AGAIN! Invite him in and offer him some tea and snacks, he must be tired. Being a shut in is no excuse for being rude.' Rivet's mind jumped about. "Magician, stage magician? Sounds fun. Come inside, tea, snacks."ÂÂThe typewriter spat out and Rivet levitated the small sheet over to Spades. She smiled her best welcoming smile which most likely looked a little creepy due to disuse. She opened the gate in the fence and lead Spades to the front door of the house proper. The door swung inwards and creaked a little, 'Have to oil that.' Rivet thought to herself as she offered a chair to spades. Her house was a mech-engineer's dreamland on the inside, shelves everywhere with tine pieces of clockwork littering them. There were steam pipes running the length of the ceiling and some jutting out of the floor. It was as thought the outside of the light-house was actually not joined to the inside, they seemed to be from two completely separate houses. This was not the case, Rivet just did not see the need to make the outside of her house pretty. If it was serving its propose then it was fine in her book. The inside of the house was quite a bit warmer than the outside air and rather humid from all the steam contraptions. There was a low hum that permeated the house, the source of which could not be found.

River listened as Chotchkie spoke to him, her voice was quickly absorbed by the plants that obscured him from sight. He pondered about her asking him if someone was out to take his belongings, maybe she did know about . . . THEM! He placed the tiny blue flower on a small pedestal deep within the jungle, making sure that it was in the perfect location. He smiled at it and then quietly walked back towards Chotchkie. He managed to sneak around her and pop out from the jungle to address her. "Y-YOU know about . . . THEM?!?!" He asked rather astounded by the revelation. River stared into Chotchkies small plum eyes. He was trying to discern whether or not she knew what he was talking about. Personal space was never one of River's concerns, he stood only inches from her face with a look of deep contemplation. He decided to test her, "Where do . . . THEY live?" he asked and awaited her response.

Freddie gazed over the menu, there were just a few items to choose from, this was a tavern after all. His eyes, and his stomach, eventually settled on the wheat -grass stew with a side of smashed potatoes. "You are too kind Mister Klondike, but I have already taken up a large amount of your time, I would hate to take up a large amount of your bits as well. Oh this stew sounds wonderful, full of flavor and interesting ingredients." Freddie commented to Klondike. The waiter arrived with a fresh glass of water for Klondike and asked if they were ready to order. He was a stout unicorn with a yellow coat and black hair. He seemed as though he had had a very long day. "I would like a kettle of hot water and two cups please. Also might I have a helping of the Wheat-grass stew with a side of the smashed potatoes?" Freddie smiled pleasantly at the waiter as he took the order and looked over to Klondike when it was his turn to order.

Any and all of the above! We will need the manual labor to help with the big projects of fixing it up, carpenters to help with the wood-worms and the replacing of some of the super-structure, architects might be helpful to get everything in order, and well musicians will be a wonderful addition once the floor wont fall out from underneath them. Once CherryRei hops on again, we can hopefully better clear things up with a preliminary structure to what we need. More or less at the moment we were looking for anypony at all to help out, and then work them into the idea of the story! Thanks again Dio!! ~Sage AkA Freddie Freewings

Symphony watched as the doors refused to budge, he made a mental note of that for later. He was compiling a list of things that they would need to get this place up and running, well at least so that it wouldn't fall apart if anypony talked too loudly. He watched the happiness slink away from Maple's countenance. A determined smile came across his muzzle as he walked up next to her. "Nope, we never do, and we have yet to fail. We start with the small and move our way up to the bigger things." He paused for a moment as a load bearing beam groaned in protest of its burden. "Actually, come to think of it we should start with some of the big things first." He said with a chuckle. "Maybe you could keep your job at the sweets shop here in Canterlot for the time being, so we have some income. I could stay here and work on the barn. We will need: some 8x8 beams, lots of brooms and rubbish bags, nails, hammers, extra boards of all sizes, that exorcist, some elbow grease, and most importantly of all . . ." He hated to admit it, ". . . a little bit of help." "Think of it as a an empty stave on a sheet of music. Just some lines not much to begin with eh? But once you start to fill in notes, it takes shape, the more notes the more clear the song becomes. And once all of the notes are filled in, you have a masterpiece and you didn't even know it! With some helping hooves, it will make the work go like you would not believe." Symphony continued. He had never worked on rebuilding anything before, let alone an entire barn. He had lived a moderately comfortable life up until this point. Anypony looking at him though would have sworn that he had rebuilt many a home in his time. There was a look of determination emanating from him that could infect everypony standing with in eyesight. "Hay, do you think we should take a look down the cellar?" Symphony asked Maple as he trotted over towards the rickety door which lead into the inky abyss of the basement. The door creaked open and almost fell off of its hinges. "A-After you my dear." Symphony offered to Maple as he grimaced at the darkness.