Pretzelparty

Watching Applejack kiss Feng was not an easy thing for this cook. It was especially tough seeing how long it went.. and how very deep it seemed to get. She couldn't help but wonder when Feng became such a playcolt. As she searched her memory she couldn't help but feel more and more jealous as she remembered all those looks he would so often receive. While externally she looked calm and cheery as always. Some territorial instinct was brewing in her, stoking some fire in her belly. A fire that was both figurative and literal. A couple strands of smoke seemed to flow from her nostrils as she gave out a frustrated sigh. Something a certain prince nearby might have noticed. It took a second before Yanhua noticed. Once she had her eyes momentarily widened and she would fan the smoke away from her muzzle until it dissipated on the wind. The Chef cleared her throat for a moment and gave Feng a smile, "That was... very impressive, Feng. Have you been practicing somewhere when I wasn't looking?" She asked as she watched the stallion taking his apples up. She wasn't about to break the line to grab hers so she was going to stick around while she could.

The glowing caribou remained seated, responding to Ossia's warning with only an unimpressed stare. She then looked down to the dirt she sat upon and began to draw some pattern on the earth in front of her. It was a tic-tac-toe board and she was starting up with the xs. "Take your time. " She said with an unusual calm, "I'm in no rush. Once you are finished with the Toy soldier... we can have words." Just like that her gaze went back to the grid she made on the ground. Lightning's quickly cut off warning did managed to bring the cow's attention back up for a moment, "Hm. The toy soldier can speak... maybe someone at the academy can help you later. If you manage to live through this... I promise that any punishment you recieve will be foals play compared to her." While Lightning's core was building to a possible explosion, the core of the mysterious cow's being was burning hot with something else: purpose. Her divine sphere of influence lent itself towards revenge on behalf of the wronged. Many ponies were hurt in that freak hurricane earlier. The pale huntress couldn't quite tell the full scale of the damage, but the very need for retribution was fueling her to act in this moment... If this explosion happened and by some measure Ossia and this cow survived, things could become quite harrowing very quickly. While she laid on the ground, continuing her game. The cow's muscles were tense and ready, her glow slowly raising in intensity until she was ready to strike.

"Oh it's a very old house... built when ponies first tried settling here and then left when things got all spooky." She said leading her friend down the hall, "I really should get in the habit of dusting when I wake up. Especially with company over. Not allergic are you?" The pale pony took a turn down on of the halls lined with lamps. One could still see some small motes of dust floating in the low light. Tempest's question about old places brought a grin to Foxglove's face, "Do I poke around old places? I -always- poke around old places!" She smiled back at her guest, "The stone forts are honestly some of the best places to explore. Have you ever been to some of the old castles and ruins in Fet loch? Those are chock full of history of old ponies engaging in contests of strength and great battles." The ghostly mare seemed almost giddy as she went on, only stopping once she arrived in front of a pair of large doors with an old sign by them. "I can understand wishing to live in the past... sometimes I think if I'd lived back then I'd have been some mysterious druid or enchantress. I still seem to scare ponies sometimes, but I've grown used to it-- oh! This is the library." The pony pushed open the doors to reveal a sizeable collection of books upon many shelves. Nothing quite that cook hold a candle to the libraries in Canterlot and Trottingham, but still an impressive collection. Many of the tomes looked old, but well cared for. The shelf with the least dust on it seemed to carry many books on alchemical and potion brewing ways of ponies from the bayou and even some translations of Unyasian literature of the same topic. Other shelves had collections of poetry and historical accounts from all across Equestria, "I spend a good deal of time here when I'm around."

With the prince's approval, Yanhua got back up and smiled. "Forgive us, Prince Lian." She stretched a little in place, "Palace protocol makes bowing a very powerful habit." Yanhua perked up a moment at Lian's little jest about a date, For a moment she scooted the tiniest bit closer to Feng... only to deflate as the stallion again took the wind of her sails. With a small sigh she looked over to Feng and then back to Lian, "... Actually, I asked him to pick up some apples for the kitchen back home and I realized I hadn't told him what type." She explained in a somewhat dry an unenthused tone. Hei Lian's connection to the apple family definitely caught the chef's attention though. Maybe they could get a discount and better deal for apples if they were patient.

Feng's earlier words on the empress left Yanhua with a bitter taste in her mouth... but the opportunity to share a snack on the way back home with Feng quickly washed it out, "That sounds wonderful, Feng. Thank you." It was these moments of thoughtfulness that so easily drew Yanhua to Feng, even the tiny ones. Now that she thought about it, the trip back home would be quite a long one. Perhaps she could try and get a bit closer to her friend Feng on the way back: They did have much catching up to do now that secrets were revealed on her side of the relationship. The sound of a very familiar voice made the chef's eye's crack open for a moment. Immediately she stiffened up and bowed her head to None other than Prince Lian. This would prove... interesting. A certain mishap in the not too distant past had left Yanhua confiding quite often with the prince, he was possibly the only other individual in the dynasty who knew about her secret (besides Wuya). Yanhua couldn't thank him enough for keeping his lips sealed about her past, his reputation of kindness being a well earned one. Yanhua would offer the stallion a friendly smile, "Good Afternoon, Prince Lian. Feng and I were just going to pick up some apples for me to bring back to the kitchen... and we end up meeting up with a newly acquired friend." Just as Sunset started trying to give her friends some space, Yanhua gestured to the unicorn. "Allow me to introduce Sunset Shimmer" She smiled to the mare and then back to the prince, "A very talented mage and friend of the land's new princess."

Hogo-sha smiled at Anu, "I'll be happy to share, friend. It's been too long since I've had someone to share fish with!" Back home Hogo-sha would often share the fist caught with his siblings. While he was glad to be able to go out on his own and make his own legend, there were times he missed his home back on the mountains with his family... even if he still had issues talking to his father. A momentary glance in Nilaavin's direction managed to get a small smile from the dog. Allergic as he was , This 'dog' couldn't deny a big cat living out their fantasies in a fish market was a curiously endearing sight. He couldn't help but notice how deep in thought Blueblood seemed to be, but soon he spoke up with a most generous offer! "You're too kind, my prince." Said the canine as he dipped his head to the stallion, "I will be sure to make the most of it within reason."

Foxglove chuckled warmly at Tempest's quick apology, "I can't hold ill will against somepony just because they haven't read my work. But if you like I've some copies in my study. if you'd like to get a glimpse... but for now I think a tour sounds lovely." With a chuckle she would looked back again to the gates, "No need to keep apologizing. Personally I love the change... it just makes it looked more ominous!" She smiled as she stepped a bit closer towards the gate and then back to her guest. HEaring her say how she spent a lot of her time outside, the image of Tempest out alone during rainy nights made the author shudder. "Well... let's get you inside then. You must be tired if you've been walking on hoof all the way here." Foxglove gestured for her friend to follow along to the front door of the manor. The earth pony pushed open one of the doors, revealing the Foyer. It was an elegant looking hall, if a tad dusty and worn. It seemed to be sturdy, but the wear from the elements and old age was easy to see. The lamps around the walls and in the doorway seemed to give off some faint blue glow that gave a serene aura.

Taira remained focused on his run on the mill, doing his darndest to produce at least some cider for the day. If there was one thing somepony would say about him it wasn't going to be "He doesn't work hard." His huffing and puffing on the mill must have been noticed as he soon heard Applejack talking to Blueblood and that one mare from the other day. He'd failed to catch her name then, but now he could overhear it being spoken: Bellissima. It was a lovely name and it was even lovelier to see her warming up to the farm. Perhaps the other day the stress had gotten to her. Even better it seemed as though Blueblood was joining them to help out with the broken mill! This day was getting even better. He gave the fetching Bluebelle a happy smile as she drew closer, taking on paw off the mill to wave once and then right back to work. Applejack's holler back to him made his ears perk up. WIth a delighted smile he would call back, "That's right! No magic at all! ... Don't try to cheat now: I'll smell your aura if you do!" He said with a wry grin as he kept up his pace on the mill, only slowing a moment as he noticed a surprising potent magical aura nearby. He stalled a moment on the mill but pushed on through, only taking a moment to look around to investigate... and noticing an alicorn was here! Not just any Alicorn either, but Celestia's sister. Goodness, this farm was drawing in all sorts of bigwigs! A multitude of questions popped up in Taira's mind. He had enjoyed his visit with celestia during the last Nightmare Night. HE had so few opportunities to speak to beings as old or older than himself. With a happy bark he would look to his now feminine friend, "Blue! Is that one of your aunts over there? I don't think I've gotten to speak to her yet? Does she like tea and cake as much as your other one?" In between panting he would look to his perspective temporary co-worker and chuckle at hesitant words on sweat, "It certainly is from what I've heard! I wish I could sweat, all I can do is huff and pant to cool off." He slowed up a little on the mile to offer the mare a smile, "I'm Taira, I don't think we got to speak yesterday. It will be a pleasure to run with you!"

If the question from Sunset was a single arrow in her side, Feng's long answer to felt as though she'd been turned into pincushion. It took a few seconds before Yanhua actually spoke up. She was silent with her usual smile and near-shut eyed expression masking a hurricane of frustration brewing inside her mind. "... I trust you just fine, I just realized that I didn't tell you what type of apples would have been best for baking purposes." Her tone was its usual calm register, "I suppose now that I'm here I may as well remain to get a look at what I'll be working with." Her tail was twitching... she was thankful when Feng turned his attention back to Sunset so she could take another breath to steady her nerves. Yanhua liked Yu as much as she could like an employer, but this situation with Feng and her unique past with the family made thing's very tense. To make matters worse hearing how well Feng could describe the empress had made the cook somewhat concerned. Was her own form so unremarkable? She'd spent so much time thinking about and crafting it but it seemed the only compliment she ever felt she got on it came from either Prince Lian or Wuya. In the hopes of distracting herself from her worries again, Yanhua looked to the new stallion: Tiger Blood. "Yanhua, Imperial chef. It's good to make your acquaintance." A small smile came to her muzzle as Sunset greeted her, "Thank you, Sunset. It's good to see you as well. Have things with Tempest and ... other interests of yours been going well? I'm sure letters will be a fine method to communicate. No need to trouble the new ruler of the lands with such a small request when a simple paper based remedy will do."

Yep. She was one of the old kirin from the stories all right. That fiery transmutation of her body into an avatar of her own anger fit in well with the stories grandpa told her. Rin coudl even feel the air getting toasty. Thank goodness Autumn shifted back before a big scene could be caused. "That's pretty neat! I used to hear stories about kirin who looked like you from my grandfather." She looked around Autumn once again before stretching out the prosthetic wing again, "... and I meant that this is a replacement wing. The old one had real feathers and everything, but this one is pretty cool. I was thinking about painting it up to give a cooler look." The spear carrying stallion seemed pretty curious about her an autumn. Rin was more subtle about inspecting him than autumn was, anypony with the bearing of a mercenary made her nervous given her past. Now her past was behind her, she could just enjoy the day! "I know I've wanted to see the farms and saloons... I've only seen them in movies."

That whole Iron pony business proved to be quite the pain in Yanhua's neck... really it had ended up being a pain just about everywhere for her. Thankfully, in the aftermath the imperial chef found herself with some interesting friends. Friends who were now in on her secret. There were still many other confession to make in good time, but for now she would make the most of her time in this most unusual country. While she did feel somewhat safer after meeting Sunset and tempest. Yanhua still felt the urge to be wary. There were so many strong mages in this land, not all of them in town but many so close by in canterlot. Having her cover blown now would be the worst way this trip could end, so she stuck close to the scent of those she knew she could trust. Today, her nose lead her to this farm. Two familiar aromas were lingering here: The steadfast and loyal defender of the empress, and the interdimensional traveling mage. Feng and Sunset. It seemed they'd only arrived recently so Yanhua soon followed them into the line. She'd sent Feng out earlier for some apples for the kitchen... but waiting for him at the inn or around the carriage was leaving her feeling anxious. Then she came upon the sign. "Country kisses..." Internally she fumed, but quickly fought down the anger. Surely Feng would probably just get a kiss on the cheek or something. He'd never share his lips with anypony but the empress... and just like that she got herself annoyed again. It was fine, She'd sent feng out before, surely he'd be fine that she decided to come along. They may have an assortment of apples and she failed to describe a particular type that would be best for baking... The chef quietly walked up behind her fiery maned friend and smiled, "Good afternoon, Sunset. Feng." She came in just to hear the last question from sunset and immediately it felt like she'd been shot in the side with a barbed arrow. Somepony with empathy might have felt that...

So she didn't speak Neighponese? Did she speak the Long sun's tongue? It was a shame Rin didn't know any of that... but fortunately the strange kirin spoke Equestrian! She sure had a lot of questions. Nothing that Rin couldn't handle, but she must not have seen or heard anything about the eastern regions at all. Rin cleared her throat and accepting the offered cloven hoof, shaking it with her own. "Hello there. I'm Shiori Rin... and, well, I'm from Neighpon! A country all the way to the east. I'm a Ryuma, but those further east call my kind Longma. Others back in my homeland look like me, but some don't have wings and they're called.... well, the Kirin! But they look a little different then you... can you do breath magic?" Hoping to Demonstrate for this new friend, Rin took a deep breath through her nose and soon exhaled a faint glowing smoke that scooped up her canteen, making it levitate like a unicorn might with their magic. Once she set it back down she picked it back up with one of her wings (the natural one) and set it back beside her cart. "As for my appearance, well... I lost one of my wings in an accident a long while ago." She opened and closed her prosthetic wing a few times for her friend, "Back home everypony has two horns too... well unless they file one of them down. I've seen some do that! I love your mane and scales though!" Rin's ears perked as someone whistled. When she turned around she was expecting some rugged looking ranchpony. It was a bit surprising when she looked to see somepony with a spear... though he was still clearly some sort of rugged. "Um... I suppose there is, Stranger." She dipped her head towards Tiger, "Both of us Just arrived here I think... do you know much about this town?"

An ominous feeling was rising up in the hexxer's gut. Just before She was telekinetically thrown towards the lake nearby she had a feeling as if something terrible would happen. This heroine knew she really had no chance of beating back this enemy but she still felt she had to try... even as she was tossed aside like Refuse. While she waited for the contact with the water... it never came. Instead she found her tail yanks as if something bite down and then let her hang in place before setting her back down. When she looked up she beheld a white cervine... a caribou maybe? She was a strong looking creature with an intense glare.Her antlers were somehow mismatched, one looking natural and smooth almost with runic carvings along its branches and the other looking black, gnarled and sharp. Her fur giving off some bright, shifting light underneath old and slightly weathered looking armor, "You should stay back." She said as she calmly walked towards Ossia and her ...victim? To this caribou it seemed irrelevant. Oddly enough she didn't seem in any kind of hurry. She had an old looking spear at her side that she set down in front of her once she saw the alicorn with her prize. Eyes looked up to Ossia and then to her spear, in a small flash of the light the spear was gone. The owner of the weapon produced a small hollow laugh before soon laying down in front of the alicorn and the ticking time bomb in her hooves. She just sat before them, watching them intently with a tired smile on her face. Hexxer followed the strange caribou's orders, unsure where she'd seen her before. That bad feeling in her gut told her she should probably go and see if she could find any ponies who might be stuck in this park turned battlefield. [Exit Hexxer]

Back on the treadmill once again. Taira took to the task with gusto, eager to continue his work for the apples. The other day had been one of the most fun. He'd met some of a friend's friends and even met a skilled artist that not-so-casually tried to get his likeness on paper. Never one to turn down the creatively inclined Taira assumed a pose that he thought might look regal for the shiny yellow mare. He did end up having to take care of other things before the finished result could be shone however, so he hoped that he could run into her once again! The moment she emerged from her tent, Taira's nose told him he definitely would! He recognized the smell of graphite and paper from the mare and even as he dashed on the treadmill he poked his head out a moment and gave the mare a quick "Hello!" before returning to his run! IT seemed that the tudents of the friendship school had come back too, the two feathery ones would surely be a fun pair to watch as the day unfolded.

Foxglove smiled as Tempest looked back to her home. It had a worn down but sturdy look to it. It had some local history and spooky stories attached to it, but Foxglove confirmed for herself there was no horror lurking these halls. Well, unless you were scared of dust bunnies and the occasional creak in the night. "Well, since It has been so long since I've had company... and nopony really wants to come so far out here." Foxglove gestured to her home's front door, "Would you like to stay a while and look around? I've never given a tour before." " To answer your question though, I am a writer. A fairly competent one... I mostly write horror, dark and gothic fantasies." She didn't like to toot her own horn. If Her friend wanted to get a feel from her work she did have a few manuscripts laying around in her study, "...and if you're looking for 'removed' it doesn't get further removed from Pony civilization as this." Indeed it didn't. Hollow shades was an old and ominous place. While not as dangerous as Everfree, it held a dastardly reputation as Equestria's most haunted spot. Long ago some very special trees grew here. An industrious pony of the past harvested them down to next to nothing and since then, this swathe of land produced tale after tale of horror stories and ominous folktales. Perhaps it wouldn't be one day, thanks to the efforts of a certain driven unicorn named Moondancer. Since that little party saved this author's life, foxglove had taken care of the Lumi tree in a special room in her manor. "I have a very important duty to take care of here now and again, so sadly I won't be selling it anytime soon."

The fuzzy mare bowed her head and smile as she sauntered in, "Thank you very much." her expression of gratitude sounded almost reflexive. As Toboe looked around the small place she realized it might have been for the best to hold her business proposals for now. With so many ponies (and birds) present it wouldn't do very good to put this Ice storm on the spot. For now, toboe waved over to Ice storm. "I don't suppose you have peanut butter flavored Ice cream, do you?" She could kill for some of that right now, "I've never tried it as ice cream before!" The patch wearing mare would curiously look over the patrons. The cloaked alicorn was definitely curious about this bird at first, but it seemed whatever he did to get her attention took her by surprise. That magic she did was unquestionably impressive. Unicorn magic was always impressive to see in action. Still, Toboe prefered the familiar magitech back home. Being around it so long made it so much easier to mess with or hide from. All the more personal and old fashioned magic that seemed to thrive in this city seemed almost alien to her, and she was already alien in her own hometown. Perhaps she could find a way to worm into the conversation in the near future, she'd need to keep her ears up.

This land is so hot! Rin knew from the stories she read about how hard the sun could beat down on a pony, but now she could feel it first-hoof. In all the comics about outlaws and marshalls, Rin imagined of one day trotting down these paths. Having finally made it to the west she had to admit she needed time to get used to this. She could feel sweat in so many places. Her persistence in her long walk did eventually pay off. The gray ryuma wiped the sweat from her brow and turned around to retrieve a canteen from her wagon. "Maybe I can get a hat while I'm here... That'd be so useful." She took a heavy gulp of water, "So much to see... I actually made it to the west." Just being able to hear herself say those words filled Rin's body with renewed vigor as her excitement grew. No need to worry about all that mess back home. She could make a new living for herself out here! All she really had to do was make sure she got the parts for her wing's maintenance now and then. She could meet real settler ponies, Live off the land, get all tough and have singalongs at the saloon. Maybe she could make some ramen for some of the ponies here. Maybe if she brought along her water bottle she'd be good on energy for the rest of the day. She'd only just made it to Appleloosa: Seeing the sights was an absolute must. One sight in the immediate area caught her attention. Was that a kirin? One of group of the past who migrated to the west to isolate themselves? That needed some investigation. Experimentally, Rin called out the kirin bolting down the path. She called out in Neighponese to try and get her attention, "[Hello! Are you visiting too?]"

It was about time Toboe got some time to walk. Her time in Equestria was interesting so far, but still she found herself slightly homesick. It left this entrepreneur with a desperate need to unwind. What better way than to get some fresh air. Equestria previously had a princess of the night not long ago, maybe that was why the evening sky looked so beautiful. It wasn't at all like the skyline of Polohama. Toboe's home city was a sparkling gem of magitech development and culture, but it did have quite a problem with Light pollution. The only time she'd truly ever beheld the beauty of the night sky was on camping trips with her adoptive family. In Canterlot there wasn't as much light to drown it out so staying out a bit later to enjoy it once the sun set seemed like a good way to relax on this vacation. Since the end of the Iron Pony event she'd stopped showing up as her alias "Tokkuri", figuring it was best to just lay low now. It was a good disguise to keep any possible investigators off her tail. As she wandered the streets with only the sound of her hooves meeting cobblestone and her own subdued humming as company, eventually she noticed some trace of ponies in the air... well ponies, an extraordinarily large source of magic, and ... was that a bird? One investigatory sniff later she confirmed the last question: Definitely the smell of feathers. If there was one thing this 'pony' was known back home it was her nosiness. If something unusual was going on she had to know about it. Following her nose, Toboe rounded a corner to hear the sounds of conversation coming from a cozy looking residence. A crystal unicorn was at the door, inquiring about ice cream. Ice cream did sound like a nice treat, even on a slightly chilly night. Just as she approached her shop, Toboe's ears perked up as somepony mentioned being the owner of a franchise. Sensing a possible business opportunity, she picked up her pace and poked her head up through the door frame where Kay had just entered. "Excuse, me." She said as she stepped out in front of the door, "Um... Who said that they owned this plaaaaa---?" Once she got a proper look inside, her jaw dropped. Was... that an alicorn? In this shop? Talking to the source of the scent of feathers? Now that she was so close now she could tell there was a subtle aroma of sea-salt coming off the bipedal bird. Just what was going on in this building? Did she wander into some secret society meeting? It might be best to play it cool, "Um. Apologies, I didn't expect to see such a high profile pony here. I'm a ... tourist." The mare bowed her head in Twilight's direction. She looked over to the bright blue unicorn who smelled the most like this building, assuming her to be the owner. "Could I come in, Ma'am?"

Yanhua swayed subtly on her chair, "Well... the short answer is I'm what Long Guo might call a ... Yao-Guai" It was the qilin language's word for Yokai. Perhaps a bit older than it , but still it should be enough to give a broad idea as to what she was. Taking note of the incense burner that the empress so casually brought forward, Hanabi thought that maybe the empress had come with some of that magic incense rich ponies in Neihgpon had to try and ward off yokai. A short olfactory investigation later, she could tell it wasn't. There was definitely something special about the smoke in the air though. It still seemed as though Yu wasn't getting anxious (not like the practiced ruler would ever show such signs), perhaps this may go better than she thought. "Specifically... I'm a fox." The chef's fluffy and swirled up tail seemed to lengthen and then give off a few motes of green flame, "I've... been in Long Guo for nearly a millenia learning how this country cooks and serves food." That was a true statement, no need to bring the confession of once having spirited away your boss's great grandmother to the forefront on such a pleasant evening...

"I'm all caught up, Don't worry about it... still, though nice to meet ya!" The wolf winced and her ears perked as if someone got off a very cutting remark, "To answer your other questions though, I'm myself and what the dog you knew could have been. Hogo-sha's a bit annoyed at the moment and he can actually hear you as I hear you!" Kanshi-in shook the princess's hoof, the okami was definitely a strong one. Seemed a tad excited too. "So... accordin' to the stone I'm supposed to stick to this fella and help him grow past his flaws whatever they may be." Kanshi-in looked around the room and marveled at the architecture, "This place is so fancy! I grew up on the mountains like this guy did, or at least I have memories of it. I wonder if the rest of the family knows... " She thought aloud as she began wandering around the room, sniffing curiously at the air. "This place smells incredible... So much magic in the air." She looked back to twilight, "I've got answers if you've got questions! Well, most answers at least."

Taira listened curiously as Blueblood explained the situation with the feline scent clinging to him. It was such an old scent, the type that you'd think to find in some musty old tomb. The old dog brightened up as he heard some details. Nilaavin must be a sphinx: How incredible! Taira may be almost as old as the last sun princess, but there were many things he'd never gotten to see. A Sphinx was one of those very things. When he was a pup his traveling uncle used to share stories of all the creatures that lived across the seas: Such stories were what inspired him to want to travel in his old age now! The revelation of Blueblood's new position as archancellor of the school brightened the yokai even further. "It's a shame I don't have a mug in my paw or I'd raise a drink to you. Maybe once I get some time off we can celebrate! ... And as for your students and friends." The wolf smiled over to Dunnie and Zelda. In the case of the former creature he noticed the stare. "Wonderful to meet more of a friend's Friends! " The wolf rubbed at his muzzle once in case some bit of suds might be clinging to the end of his nose, "As For your students I can tell they must be fun to work with! The pink one isn't lacking in energy and the Blue looks like the sort who thinks often ... and may work himself up with such thoughts." He snickered as he caught the bluebirdcat sneaking another look at the fluff of Zelda's chest. While a certain prim and proper pony not far off was looking rather stressed, Taira offered his hoof to the griffin and pegasus. "Again, wonderful to make your acquaintances. I'm Taira of the Northern Neighponese Misty mountains. I hope that the both of you are enjoying this cider season!"

"I think they all show a hint of promise... a bit bunch of diamonds in the rough perhaps. But isn't that what we all are at the start?" Asked the foreign canine as he enjoyed the show down in the pits. That one with the spear was doing quite well. The stallion's words made Hogo-sha perk up a little, "Not today, I do have something I plan to join soon. I like to see how competition looks before I jump right in. Are you the same, Stranger?" The foreigner extended his paw to the pony, "Oh! Where are my manners. I'm Hogo-sha. It's a pleasure."

Yanhua couldn't help but notice the difference in height between her and her cook's chairs. It was an interesting psychological use of furniture that Yanhua had the barest bit of insight in from her past. Back when she had her own temple there was a layout not dissimilar to this. Her thoughts didn't distract her long and soon she took a seat. The Chef took a deep ,steady breath before speaking. "Well ... that would be something to talk about afterwards if you're still willing to have me cook for you." Yanhua looked to the floor a moment and then back up to the empress, "You see my empress, I have some things to confess to you. The most important one I'll start with now." Yanhua gulped once and then let the words out, "You see, I'm not a Qilin. In fact I'm not any kind of equine at all." That was a good start, Now Yanhua could try and ease into the other parts of her confession. Her past kidnapping of the empress of Long guo, her escape from the forest, and perhaps her feelings towards a certain member of the watch.