Boss_Hoss1

Madam Bistro blushed brightly at the handsome businesspony's sweet praise, her heart skipping a beat.

Her doe-like freeze up ended when she saw Max blush just as brightly as herself and ask her to go for a stroll before coffee.

The Mocha Mare smiled sweetly and put her folding fan away It would give them a chance to loosen up around each other before they actually have the coffee. "I would be honored to, Max."

Caramel Bistro shyly offered her hoof "Care to lead the way, kind sir?"

Thorn rolled his eyes good naturedly as he thought. * Silly ponies, acting like this around each other. No sir, He wont act like that for some jenny. Donkeys are practical.. And that new Jenny in town doesnt make your heart flutter? Riiiight... *

With a slight blush over his thoughts, Thorn waves "All right you two, have fun. Coffee will be at the peak of readieness when you get back."

I've been considering asking this after chatting with other players about the background of my critter catcher, Candy Catch-em

She has current physical and mental scars from her fight for survival with a insane griffon.

Somepony asked "well why would a griffon patrol just happen to be there on that part of the border right then unless this was somegriff special and it was a search party? And a price on her head if she's found in Griffon territory seemed a bit much even for griffon pride unless he was important family of at least middle class.

So, does anyone want to add a mortal enemy to their griffon's RP opportunities or start an RP on locating/challenging the pegasus pony who somehow managed to kill their crazy uncle (fill-in-the-name)?

Amber Wands nickered "I found Miss Rainbow Dash and Spike, Balance seems to have found Fluttershy and I see miss Rarity. Who else is left to find?"

She looked over to Mandaline and Lightning "And if you two are up to it, can you explain about yourselves a bit? I am Amber Wands, of REIN. We are fighting to capture and put the Chaos God, Discord back in his prison. He has been wrecking the laws of physics and magic all night and day. Some of you may be a bit lost from your home locations if your appearances arent some of his tricks on you."

Flim hmmed and levitated the telescope, examining it closely, from all angles. "Hmm, very shiny my Dear Brother..." He paused as he thought he noticed extra smudges of ponies in the reflection on the side, he turned it so the big lens was before him and he caught a fisheye reflection of two ponies hiding nearby.

"*a-hem!* Oh I really think we can do better Brother Flam. Paint perhaps?"

He nudged his brother in a signal of trouble they had to perfect over the years and whispered "Ont-day Ook-lay, Errif-shay..."

----------

Meanwhle Madam Bistro happily put spoonfuls of toppings on the buffalo's ice cream. "If all you buffalo are so polite, i cant wait to have more of you show up. By the way, Apple pie with ice cream on top is really fantastic. I'm sure your chief will be happy to stop in after the next stampede, right?"

Nearby, Shanna and Hoss gave each other a worried look at Apple Strudel's question, knowing some mares were touchy about the subject of age. Hoss finally elbowed Shanna with his wing. She sighed "Right, safer to come from a fellow mare... you chicken."

Hoss smirked and stuck out his tongue as Shanna answered."This comet was last seen over Equestria 101 year ago, with sepia print photos remaining of that visit. Are there records of that in Ponyville? Mayor Mare told us during Winter Wrap-up that the town is well over a hundred years old...."

Thorn had watched in wonder as his boss had spent the last hour rushing around, fussing and fretting over herself and making sure the espresso and coffee machines were at peak performance.

After yet another look at herself, she gasped and galloped to her room.

On her way, she yelled over her shoulder "Thorn! Make sure you get my private stash ready! STAT!"

Thorn shook his ears in wonder "I wonder what could have Madam in such a tizzy? This is even more over the top than when Mr. Rockefilly and Miss Snowfall came in the other day."

Frantic thundering hooves sounded fro her room as she rushed about doing... whatever it is mares do while he got out some of her private coffee collection and started preparing it.

What shook him was the sudden agonized wail of "I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR!"

The biggest chink in the unflappable donkey's mental armor was any female being upset. Since this was his boss, it was worse on his nerves.

He quickly trotted to her door and knocked "Madam, are you all right?"

An agonized sob came from behind the door. "I kinda... sorta... have a date very, very s-soon! - A real date, not a business date... I literally cannot remember the last time I had a date-date! I'm PATHETIC!"

She sobbed for a full minute before Thorn knocked again "You have plenty of fine dresses your date cant have seen before that look smashing on you.

Listen, Madam Caramel Bistro, If your date is this evening, may I suggest that blueberry blue one you ordered from Carousel Boutique from Miss Rarity's new Full Spectrum Fashion line. If it's in the daylight, might I suggest that cream colored one with caramel colored trim. You were so proud to have gotten that one from Hoity-Toity's boutique in Canterlot."

There was a moment of silence, then a sniffle and the sound of a nose being blown. "T-thank you T-thorn...I..i can always count on you..."

Sighing in relief, Thorn trotted back to finish preparing coffee while Bistro frantically got herself ready.

about 10 minutes went by, when Maximilian entered and announced himself. "Ah, good afternoon, Mr. Rockefilly. Madam will be out momentarily. It seems she has a date of some kind this evening, and she must really be impressed by this stallion as much of a tizzy as she has been in this past hour trying to make herself presentable..."

Thorn suddenly went wide-eyed as he realized that Max was oddly nervous and had paid even more attention to detail on himself than he had that morning before the tour.

"*ahem* Excuse me, is her date... You, by any chance?"

After a moment, Madam Bistro came out of her room and stopped at the sight of Max already there in her bistro. She blushed, suddenly shy, as she composed herself and trotted forward wearing the cream colored dress in a similar style to her normal burgundy, with a matching victorian stlye hat adorned with white and yellow pegasus feathers. "G-good afternoon, Max.. May I call you max? It is so good to see you here, and right on time."

Inside she quivered and thought * Oh Celestia! I'm babbling arent' I? *

Candy waved a wingtip at the newcomer as she was introduced "Good day, Miss Apple Cinnamon. Pleased to meet you! I am Candy Catch-em. I am working with a zoological expedition nearby."

Thorn stood and made an elegant bow "I am Thorn, and I am pleased to met you as well, Miss Cinnamon. Please feel free to stop in at Madam Bistro's, where I work."

Candy stepped over to Louise "Oh you look stunning!" And stifled a giggle with a wingtip at Sherrif Silverstar's reaction.

Thorn hmmed as Apple Cinnamon asked for Molly Troton's manestyle. "This should be interesting to see while i am waiting to talk with the others about that barbershop quartet..."

(OOC: not sure if Mojo wants to initiate a Benny Hill chase now or later once everypony (and zebra) is cured so I'm leaving that open if a dragon wants to freak out, but the bros clearly dont know what Poison Joke is and I'm playing on that

Following the "Rule of Funny", the Poison Joke had waited patiently as the brothers had sampled the test batches for 3 days, and only now manifesting in the brothers at the worst possible time to really make it funny.

Pinkie Pie would have been proud of the Elixir's sense of timing...

Flim was amazed that the sweet tempered pegasus with the lovely manestyle had actually completed the transaction with him after all the changes happening around her, and suddenly chugged down another bottle. "Oh Heavenly days! If only all our customers were just like you, Miss Cloudchaser!"

He breifly wondered if she was just silly enough to talk into a date with him.

Flim turned to his brother Flam to exclaim that something was finally going right, when his eyes bugged out and his jaw dropped to the floor for a moment. There was a DRAGON with his brothers clothes, and, looking quite silly on a dragon, his brothers horn, wavy-styled mane and moustache. "FLAM! Oh my Dear Brother! What have we done?!? Y-You are a DRAGON!!"

His Scootaloo-sized wings beat uselessly in panic as he trotted in place in horror, only to stop in shock when an elderly green pegasus zoomed in over head, warning everyone in the park that their energy drink was laced with Poison Joke.

Flam bounced around in sheer panic mode "AGHHHHH! My Dear Brother Flam! We're going to...to... AGHHHH!! We've been Pois...." He sheepishly stopped and looked up at the Professor "E-excuse Me s-sir... What the Hay is "Poison Joke?"

Just then Carrot Top cut through everypony's panicked shouting with an earth-shaking shout of her own and pointed at the brothers, speaking in a only slightly lower voice;

"NOW, I MAY BE A SIMPLE CARROT FARMER, BUT I DO KNOW ABOUT BUSINESS. SO, I"M SURE THAT THE FLIM FLAM BROTHERS WILL BE ABLE TO WHIP UP AN ANTIDOTE WITH THAT CONTRAPTION OF THEIRS AND ALSO REFUND EVERYPONY THEIR BITS."

Flim looked at his brother with a stunned expression and a bit of sickly green at what he was about to say. "I...i think we are in a bind, my Dear Brother Flam..."

He suddenly burst into twin fountains of tears "We...We... We will refund to everypony ...who wants one..." He went down on his foreknees and looked up at the professor. "Kind sir! We..we have no choice but to put our skills and our SSCS6K at your disposal. Just cure us! Pleee-hee-heeese!"

Just then, Cloudchaser stepped forth to defend the brothers in as elouquent a manner as a Manehattan Socialite, making his jaw drop again. She didnt' sound that smart a minute ago. "...Perhaps not her just yet, my dear sir...."

Thorn brayed softly and moved to help Gale if she needed it , while keeping an eye on the buffalo calf.

"careful now Miss Gale."

His ears lopped and he did a facehoof as Honovi suddenly seemed intent on continuing the chase.

"You cant be serious! You have cuts and rootbeer all over!"

The dapper donkey brayed and hopped over the glass, trying to catch the calf. "Fine! If you make us chase you again, You'll be so itchy from it drying in your hair and in those cuts you'll beg us to take you to Madam Bistro's bathing room!"

(OOC: Quicklime said she would be away for several days so I have permission to pass over Cousin Reno for a round or so. If anypony intendeds to keep their SSCS6K from being able to move, this might be an opportune moment.)

Flim looked around in growing horror, before plastering a forced smile on his face. That old codger that Flam tested a bottle on was now a young superstud!

He really hoped he was hallucinating as more wierd things started happening.

Flim's smile warped a bit like when Twilight Sparkle was being stressed out. All as he saw the color changing zebra and the Royal Canterlot Carrot top, and a very Irate Harrington Sleuth barking up the wrong tree.

He quickly looked to see that Dear Cousin Reno was out of immediate earshot before turning back to Cloud Chaser.

Before him was her stack of bits. He quickly noticed she had miscounted but since scrutiny was likely to hit them hard and fast, overcharging was not going to help in the least in court so he reluctantly pushed one bit back, nervously laughing. "Oh, one bit too many. cant be too careful with any pony willing to buy a case, eh? And I can personally assure you Miss, it works, I've been awake for three whole days and I am fit as a fiddle!"

Just then, his shirt and barber shop vest bulged on his back, them split, revealing two tiny wings. "Errr, ahhh See? If it gave me wings! It can only help your flying skills, right sistah?"

Flim was now visibly sweating and praying that he was just hallucinating from lack of sleeeeeep.

Amber Wands helped the injured pony inside the Tardis and reguarded the strange new pony (well, strangeER pony)

She kept her wand floating but at a more casual pose and looked at the heroine near the door. "Come on Miss Fluttershy, time to go."

Amber looked to the glowy pony as she spoke to Balance and Lightning "Um, Mandaline is it? Are you asking if we are essentially what I do with Spells loading them on my wand?"

She spared a glance at the thatched-rooved houses floating in the sky "Perhaps we had better continue this discussion at the rendevous. Lets not keep the Doctor waiting and get into the TARDIS, everypony."

Madam Bistro rose from her bow as Princess Luna directed her to do. "You are most welcome, your Highness."

The Mocha Mare hmmed at Cadenza's question and pulled out a pocket watch from a hidden pocket in her puffy shoulder sleeve. "I believe there is still time before the Friendship Express arrives, Princess Cadenza. If time gets close though, I will go on ahead." She smiled brightly "My whole business revolves around the coming and going of trains by each of my locations so I'm familiar with the quirks of the rail system."

Bistro suddenly heard Yuki's comment about Luna and facehoofed "Oh dear..." She hoped he was not about to be banished to the sun or somesuch...

And then High Roller got close to Princess Luna. -Really close as he tried to examine the Royal Canterlot Mane. She smirked as she sidled up and gently nudged him, whispering "Personal space, High Roller, personal space."

In a slightly louder voice she continued "Oh, please excuse this stallion Princess. You know how artists get at times, and his tiny sculpting work is amazing..."

The mare blinked suddenly as she saw Saddlesore get his comeuppance, forced to eat a straw hat...

Amber Wands looked over her shoulder at the first aid going on "Can we move him yet? The longer we are out here, the more chance something totally chaotic will happen."

The unicorn snapped her head around to look up at the streak of light overhead "L-like that! Oh my Celestia!..."

(OOC: Sorry delays, I thought there were still 1 or 2 players before me)

Flam zipped around, feeling really jazzed. He hoped it was the caffinated goodness of their product as he handed out bottles and collected bits. Though it might have been the sight of BITS entering their coffers and the excitement of drawing in ponies to buy their product...

He slipped around to the storage bin and grabbed the case he had set aside, then brought it out to Cloudchaser. "And how does..." He looks over to an abacus floating in a green nimbus of magic and flips a few beads around "Umm 18 Bits sound for a case of (12) bottles?" (ooc; Feel free to haggle)

Flam gasps at the sudden appearance of a grey pony Adonis accosting his brother for all he can get of their product. " Well my pretty mare, looks like you have your case just in time! I think we may be out of stock temporarily in short order!"

He wondered if Flam would go ahead and slip in the bad batch on the amazingly handsome stallion to clear it out...Suddenly, he heard a high vice of a foal, and looked around, spotting Cousin Reno GoLucky."Ohhh Hello Dear Cousin Reno! We are selling Energy Drinks. Its all the rage in Canterlot and Manehattan, so we thought we would make our own!"

He shed an unbidden, proud tear and smiled as Reno offered what had to be his last bits for their concoctions.

After a horrible moments thought on what a foal on a megadose of caffene would be like, he put his hoof over the foals hooves and gently pushed them back

"Oh save your Bits my lad. How would you like to test one for us?" Flim winked to Flam as he pulled an unlabled bottle of water from their lunch cooler, and hoofed it to the foal. "We call it... Elixier Clear! Yes, and its yours for free if you can tell us wether it works or not after a half hour or so."

On the whole, I suppose its still better than the infamous Frank Zappa kid's names, "Moon Unit" and "Dweezle"

Madam Bistro trotted on over to the tables to see how her new customers were doing, still surprised at how large the buffalo were up close. -Even the half grown bull was larger than her by half. She nodded to the tray of toppings on her back "Would you gentle... er, bulls like to try caramel, apple slices, or nuts on that now that you've tasted plain vanilla?"

Lightning Horn grinned "Oh yes please! All of those! This will be as popular as apple pie!"

The twins laughed happily at seeing the buffalo enjoy themselves then looked back to Granny Smith. "This is a very good telescope as we said." "Yes, you can even count the craters on Luna's Moon with this if you wish." "Watching the comet will be a breeze, Granny Smith and Uncle Strudel."

Madam Bistro sideled over to whisper to Louise "Try not to attract attention to them by going to look, Louise, but I noticed them though the window. They seem to be keeping an eye on those two shifty unicorns..."

Meanwhile Flim was busy alternately calling out his sales pitch to the line of townsponies, or helping flam power the tools churning out parts for telescopes.

With a growing amount of scrap in use, the telescopes started looking a bit rougher. "Still quite useable I assure you. -And made with parts of your lovely town. These are instant unique heirlooms, right?"

Flim blushed sheepishly as cousin Reno told the waitress about them.

He silently resolved he and his brother must do their best to live up to little Renos expectations of them.

"Fantastic news Reno, I am sure you shall be a top notch cowpony someday."

Then certain details of what Reno had said about earning his Cutie Mark filtered through his brain.

His eyes went wide in surprise! What was it about the Apple family that drew theirs like iron to a magnet? Perhaps having Reno buy the apples they need in their stead was not such a good idea -for Reno's sake. And how could they tell him not to mention his uncles in their presense? They would have to walk on eggshells on advisng Reno about the... er, strained relations between the Apples and themselves. Even if that Applejack was quite the kisser....

"You met the Apple family and earned your Cutie Mark with them? That is an amazing happenstance. -And with little Applebloom's help too." He winked teasingly to let Reno know he was just playing. "If you play your cards right, perhaps someday you could marry into the most honest family in Equestria..."

Flim looked to his brother "A most wonderful suggestion, my Dear Brother Flam." and nodded agreement not to go inside..

Snails ulped and blushed as he belatedly realized he had grabbed the bucket that Miz Cheerilee was going for. He felt like crawling under a rock as she declared NO MAGIC right after that. "Ah'm sorry Miz. Cherrilee!"

Suddenly Sweetie Belle started rallying the students into fighting the fire after Caramel yelled out instructions.

Snails looked at his friend Snips, laying by the tree until the water got him up "Hay Snips! we kin still help. We just gotta try!"

Spotting the tree where Remington lay sleeping, too close to the burning tree for his tastes, Snails realized he had something to do! "Ah'll join th' bucket line after ah gets Remington awake or away from th' fire."

Snails trotted over and pulled Remington onto his back and ran over to the hay stack Reno disappeared into, then rolled him off gently onto the hay. "Wow! Ah didnt know Pegasuses..umm -sai were so light! Hay, Remington! Wake up! Its a fire! We need yer help!"

(OOC; Oops, didnt mean to leave the impression Harrington was being passed over. I thought I had Flim react to him in the last round. trying again.

I also apoligize for the delays today, had 2 fences go down and was busy all day)

Flim whinnied excitedly as he passed a bottle to Carrot top, flashing an endearing smile.. "Enjoy it in good health, sistah. You'll soon feel like a new mare!"

He levitated a selection of bottles over to Harrington as he seemed to be getting annoyed by his checking out the fillies. "I am so very sorry my good colt, here I am giving the fillies a little extra attention, when actually all our customers are valuable. How many would you like, sir?"

Flim was working very hard to avoid the bad batch, which he hoped to later dilute with a good batch and extra sugar. Perhaps call it the Xtreme edition?

Just then, Cloud Chaser got very eager and as energetic as if she already had a bottle "Good choice my lovely! And you will get a volume discount for the box of 12 bottles."

He passed over one of the bottles he had been levitating "Please accept this one on the house while I conclude my business with Mr Sleuth here, and I will get out the special box I had put aside for myself."

He added a quick wink in her direction "I think a customer like you is worth it, right?"

Flim grinned and turned back to Harrington Sleuth. "Now where were we sir?"

Madam Bistro giggled "Trained flies, will your wonders never cease? You are truely an amazing pony, Mr Pigpen."

The ringing of the bell on the door made her look to the door.

Madam Bistro's eyes went wide as another pony entered, with a distinctive, rippling blue mane, delicate horn, and elegant wings she never thought she would see in person.

She broke into a genuine smile as she bowed graciously, eager to meet the Lunar Princess who's nights provide her with so much business. "Good day to you, Princess Luna! I am Madam Bistro..."

The Mocha Mare glanced to Princess Cadence as she rose from her bow "I take it our departure will be delayed while you catch up on things with Princess Luna?"

Shanna gasped and fluttered her tiny wings hard, moving about as well as Fluttershy did when she stayed overnight with her.

The cursed pegasus mare had been ready to cry like the foal she now was when Zecora had announced she was out of the ingredients for the cure, a special bubble bath, and asked she come again the next day.

Fortunately, Fluttershy had taken her in for the night, feeling sorry for the little foal-in-body. She was simply too embarrased at what the plant she now knew was Poison Joke had done to her to go home to her family that night, and had sent her pet owl, Blizzy to deliver a message that she was delayed at a friends house.

Well it had been funny during the Running of the Leaves when she had temporarilly gained a sister in place of a brother, but now that it was her turn, it wasnt' so funny.

A thought crept into her mind. If no one recognized her so far, what if...?

Shanna thought of the Sisterhooves Social coming up soon. She was now strangely tempted to ask Zecora if the effects of Poison Joke stayed the same each time for each pony...

The bay filly came into sight of the market at last and carefully set down after spotting the unique markings of Zecora. She blinked a moment when she saw two zebras, looking from the white and grey Zecora to the white and green striped newcomer.

Her owl landed on her saddlebags as she closed her eyes to think on the language. She spoke in Equestrian accented Unyasi < Bright the Morning, Zebra Folk. > "...Good morning Zecora, has your search for ingredients been successful? "

Madam Bistro giggled politely and figured she might as well slip a little on formality on Maxamillian's name to see how he reacts.

"I think its safe to say Miss Snowfall has not had that experience of the grand tour as yet. Max has been going out of his way to make sure she got her hooves under her before finding out how lively the town is."

She perked her ears up at the mention of the clocktower. She hoped Miss Snowfall might pick that destination next.

"Oh that's right. Somepony mentioned to me it had been damaged in the Great Pie Fight. Who built it originally? And did the same maker do the repairs?"

Grinning, Flim gave his brother a high hoof! "Yes it surely will my Dear Brother Flam! Now we have some breathing space and a little favorable boost in the eyes of the local gentry." He rubbed his hooves together as he eyed the filly waiting with the glass bottles for trade-in "Now lets get back to making and selling telescopes. Daylight is burning, Flam."

He zipped back over to the filly "I am so sorry for the interruption, just making sure your matriarch got her telescope safe and sound."

The bonnet wearing filly ooohed "She's gonna be so tickled ta see the comet! Thanks mister. Now what can ya do fer me? What do ya have?"

No time pressure yet to mess with cutting corners in production, Flam went ahead and puilled out the first one they made a short while ago "This should do nicely my dear..."

A little more bait for the masses ahead of the inevetable corner cutting...

Meanwhile, Madam Bistro herself dipped the ice cream, amazed and excited to see her first buffalo customers, watching their expressions as they have their first ice cream ever.

Lightning horn went wide eyed at the first taste "Amazing! Its cold, and melting in my mouth, and the taste seems to explode out of it. I agree Thunderclap! We must have the herd try this after the next stampede!"

Watching the buffalo and smiling, the twins turned at Granny Smith's sudden call. they trotted over and began inspecting the telescope. Hoss hmmed "This is a good telescope, repaired by them, but not made by them."

Shanna nodded "This was made in Baltimare several years ago. There's some marks they tried to wipe off from repairs and measuring it as a template."

Hoss bowed "We will be happy to do spot checks on the others to keep these two on the up and up with the other telescopes."

Candy Catch-em turned to Wild Gambit "Glad to have you along too. Should I call you wild or Gambit?"

She also looked at Wilow and smiled "And should I call you Will? I'm glad you think Tiny is fascinating too." She glanced up to the sky at his comment about the weather. "That's what has me worried. I only have this window of opportunity this month for access to this yacht, and am worried this means bad weather over the Everfree. Lets go see Tiny while we have time..."

Suddenly Professor Krashkop arrived in his inimitable style. The mare stifled a giggle and gave him a hug "Glad to see you Professor! You are welcome to join us! We can always use someone of your intelligence (and lucky indestructabilty...) I was about to introduce these ponies to Tiny while Dunder and Swift Squall go for supplies. He is in that hanger over there, awaiting being loaded. If you will all follow me please..."

As she trotted to the hanger Candy watched for a moment as Dunder and Swift Squall headed off to have a discussion before Squall's supply trip.

She frowned and gave a deep sigh. She didnt' know what Swift was playing at, but she could only hope his supplies and attitude would make up for lost volenteers, time, and the growing likelihood of rain...

And here is the discussion to work on the Elixir thread. Feel free to chime in since a lot of it will be driven by how the energy drink affects the customers (played by many of you)

The idea mentioned before is some odd side effects starting to occur after a while. Some of the herbal pick me ups have a bit of magic of their own it seems. (maybe juuust a touch of poison joke...)

Timing is one thing, say none at all on page one?

and what effects will pop up? My ideas so far have been pones going "pinkie pie hyper" (I really want the CMC to show up for this), going super speedy (but with trouble stopping), actual wings (temporary, like Red Bull commercials), temporary horns (for non-unicorns).

Lets see what ya got?

Shanna looks in her mailbox forlornly...