NeilWacaster

Newsworthy grinned. "I'm a pony. You realize that we're descended from animals that were food for manticores way back when, right? We get feelings like that quite often. And yes, I've been concerned about that too. Like that blackbird we saw? There was way too much noise in the bushes for that to be the only explanation. We should probably take turns keeping watch, I suppose." * * * Meanwhile, Twilight was crouching a few dozen yards away, listening intently to the conversation of her two friends. They're getting suspicious, she thought grimly. I need to do a better job of staying hidden.

Newsworthy brushed the dust off of his coat. "Good." While Partheus was gone, he plucked a few branches off of nearby trees and bushes that he knew were edible. They weren't nearly as tasty as the food he was used to back in Ponyville, but the woodsy, wild flavor of the leaves was not unpleasant. When Partheus returned, he tried some of the fruits. A bit underripe, but better than nothing. "Thanks, Partheus," he said gratefully. "Here, have some oak and poplar. Not particularly flavorful, but good to fill the stomach at least."

Newsworthy tried to help Partheus set up the camp, but was mostly useless. It was obvious which hammock was his, as it was much lower to the ground. He rested his weary bones and sighed contentedly, retrieving a book from his saddlebag. Just as he started to read, Partheus mentioned getting food. Hunting for food. "What!?" Newsworthy said, scrambling clumsily out of the hammock, falling flat on his face, and planting himself in front of Partheus. "Hunting, you say. Please tell me you're going to use that knife to cut branches or grapevines. Because you'd better not be doing what I think you are."

After about half an hour more of plodding, Newsworthy's hooves were causing him a great deal of pain. He spotted a small clearing a little way off the road. "Here, can we stop here for the night? I don't think I can walk any more."

Newsworthy's ears perked as soon as he heard the rustling in the bushes. He was pretty sure that the sounds were caused by more than a blackbird ... he had heard that these woods were full of predators. Despite Partheus' magical prowess, he did not want to be caught off guard. Walking close by his friend's side, Newsworthy put on a brave face. "I'll do my best. I'm I'm lucky, your king will let me wash of this itchy makeup and let me explore a bit. I really would like to get some good interviews, and of course that fabric."

Newsworthy grumbled something under his breath and stood to his hooves. He began trotting down the road as before. After about an hour or two, the sun began to set, signaling the changing of the duties of the princesses. The crickets and other nocturnal beasts stirred from their slumber, causing the forest's aural aura to shift. After a lull in the idle chit chat, Newsworthy looked back at his dull, grey coat and asked, "Are you sure this disguise is going to work? If nothing else, it's going to be difficult for me to pretend to be just a normal pony."

"Of course." Newsworthy rolled his eyes, and began rewrapping the invisible bandage around his midsection. "Celestia decided that it was time for the ponies of Equestria to at least know about what extends beyond the borders of Equestria. It's about time we started trading with more than just the zebras, for crying out loud. Who knows? Enchanted items could probably fetch a pretty penny, and perhaps we could do with a few more machines. Rarity, at least, has been dying to get some fabrics from your country. I'm going to bring a few bolts back for her if I can."

Newsworthy glared at Partheus. "Like I said ... stupid. Why you don't have a regular system of government with a morally perfect demigod I can't understand." He pushed something unseen off of his torso revealing a large pair of grey wings. He stretched them with a grunt, and began to preen them with his mouth. "You don't know the half of it," he said, between mouthfuls of feathers. "Even with saddlebags I can fly all day. But walking ... ugh ..."

Note: Private RP between NeilWacaster and Partheus. Feel free to read, but unless your name is Partheus, do NOT post a response to this thread. Thanks Along a long, dusty road, two travelers plodded. One, a human, wore a white collared shirt and black pantaloons, and the other, a grey earth pony, wore nothing but a look of disgust. Both were sweating, the saddlebags of the pony and the satchel of the human feeling heavier with every step. At the pony's insistence, they stopped for a rest at a small lake, looking little more sanitary than Froggy Bottom Bog. At least the breeze off the water gave a short respite from the heat. The equine produced a water skin and took a long drought. He wiped his mouth with a free hoof and then rubbed his temple. He had a splitting headache from the combination of the exertion, heat, and nerves. "It really is a pity you humans can't fly," he said, grimacing. His lilting Trottingham accent made the words all the sharper. "This trip could be so much easier if we had just taken a flying carriage like I suggested. But no. Your stupid kind would probably shoot it out of the sky with their ridiculous cannons."

Hyperbrony88 ... Me too. Also, for you and anyone who doesn't know, you can see lots more of my art on my tumblr http://asknewsworthy.tumblr.com/

PfftHAHAHAHA! "What is it this ti..... OH MY CELESTIA WHAT DID YOU ..." I see that you had quite the fun time last night, Newsworthy. "That was supposed to be ... um ..." Private? I'm sorry, so now, apparently what you do in the privacy of your own dance hall I'm not supposed to see? "*violently blushing* Whatever." She does look rather dashing in that dress, I must admit. "Yeah ... *dreamy sigh*" And you in your cute little suit, my my ... "*glare* Stop. Just stop." Fine, fine. Although dancing with your wings ... *snicker* extended must be pretty hazardous. "DELETE THAT PICTURE RIGHT NOW, YOU ... CAD!"