NeilWacaster

Newsworthy couldn't help but grin. "I'm sure you overheard when I asked Miss Persnickety to go to Sydphony's concert. After our enjoyable evening yesterday, I asked her if she wanted to attend the play with me tonight. We had a great ti --" He looked where he thought Persnickety was standing, only to realize that she had already stepped up to the bar. He turned to her. "Ah, we had a great time at the performance." He smiled, and looked at the busy bartender. "A cider for me and my friends, here, if you would be so kind." Hearing rather cruel laughter behind him, Newsworthy glanced back to see a pony in old-fashioned clothes surrounded by jeering, richly-dressed aristocrats. His heart went out to him, and he tried to think of a way to help. "Ahem, bartender? Another cider for my ... colleague over there," he waved for the unicorn to come join them at the bar.

Yes ..... let the magic flow through you ... ohgod it would be so adorably cute

A snuggie? A cute, snuggly snuggie? makes me think of persnickety and newsworthy under a fuzzy blanket ... subliminal messaging

Neil: Dear lord ... Persnickety in socks!? Don't tell - Newsworthy: What's that? Neil: Oh, nothing .... Newsworthy: Why are you looking at pictures of Persnickety again!? Neil: This girl keeps sending them to me. I don't know why. Newsworthy: *wings pompf* Neil: ... Newsworthy: *blushing* Neil: You just noticed the socks, didn't you. Newsworthy: Well, I mean come on, didn't you? Neil: Yeah. They're socks. Newsworthy: You have a lot to learn about ponies. Neil: Some of which I don't want to know. Good grief, stallion, if you look any more intently your eyes will fall out.

The blue pegasus peered in the direction she indicated. "Looks like him ..." With the new clothes, it was difficult to tell from this distance. However, upon closer inspection, he appeared to be taking his sweet time to place a drink order with a rather bored-looking bartender. Newsworthy had little doubt it was him. "We should get some drinks for ourselves, anyway. Let's see if it is our fellow café-goer." He ran a hoof through his mane, and replaced his hat. It was always a little nerve wracking for him to be in a place with so many important ponies. However, being a member of the press gave him a significant advantage. He noticed that most ponies, especially ones with little to moderate fame, flocked to him and practically begged him for interviews. Actors, in particular, knew how much a good review from a syndicated columnist like himself could mean for their careers. Often, they made him feel like he was the celebrity, which was very odd at first. Newsworthy led Persnickety into the ballroom towards the bar. A dozen or so ponies looked their way as they entered. A few whispered as they passed, "Isn't that the one who stopped Discord?" "Who's that pony with her?" "Must be her bodyguard or something." "Wow, I can't believe somepony like her stopped somepony like Discord." Newsworthy was frustrated at this. He knew how reserved Persnickety was, and was certain she did not wish for personal attention, as much as she enjoyed appreciation. In fact, he felt strangely protective, as if he wanted to just wrap his wings around her and hide her from the prying eyes. As they approached, he saw that the pony standing at the bar was indeed Pocket Change, the eloquent and rather eccentric pony they had met just two days before. "Hello, sir," Newsworthy said, cordially. "I see you have a taste for the theater?"

When they approached the hotel door, a butler in a crisp red suit with gold trim took a glance at their tickets stubs and waved them inside. The place was well furnished, with chandeliers and ancient carved furniture. "The program said it was just up ahead, in ballroom B." Newsworthy stopped for a moment to get out his camera and put back on his suit jacket. Let's see, I need to talk to Vainglorious and any other ponies who would have interesting opinions. I heard that Sydphony is one of the special guests tonight ... maybe he would even agree to an interview! He noticed that Persnickety was looking nervously at the floor. "Is something wrong?" he asked, concerned.

"My family traveled a great deal during my foalhood, but settled down and bought a bed-and-breakfast in Solstice Heights just before my teen years. A miserable, country existence, it was. Not disrespecting those who prefer a rural life, mind you, but it's certainly not for me. As soon as I could, much earlier than other colts my age, I left for university in Canterlot, even before I received my cutie mark. It was there that I found my passion for journalism. As I told you earlier, young one," Newsworthy nodded at Squallmane, "I own a paper called the Ponyville Express. It's finally picking up readership after several years of red ink. Who knows, with more stories like this one, we might even break even this year." He had ordered a cider appletini earlier, and the waiter brought it to him. He sipped it thoughtfully.