Otsdarva

Hm... hm, I would probably say a 7/10.  I know I have my flaws, but I'm working on them.

Not wanting to let this funny thread fall into obscurity, I'm using a Phoenix down on this thread.

85. The opposite of being ridiculously powerful at magic: being so ridiculously weak at magic that you get migraines just doing the easiest of magic.

“You don’t say? My stuff should be coming down from Canterlot on a train later today…If it wouldn’t be too much of a bother, I’d like to hire you to help—it shouldn’t be too much, I only lived in an apartment there for a few months after graduation…”

"Coming back in from Canterlot, huh? I suppose I could lend a friendly hoof. We'll debate the price when I see how much I'll be moving. Till then..." Douglas said, giving his cone a lick. "Let's enjoy our cones before they melt." With that done, Douglas focused mostly upon his cone, making sure it wasn't going to start dripping. He was simply listening to the others talk when the owner of the stand came over and joined them as well.

"Hey Lore, I have your usual here!" The pony spoke, it wasn't long though before Ms. Song saw her arrival as well and acted upon it.

“Hello there! I’m sort of new, and I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before—my name’s Heart Song.”

Letting out a chuckle, Douglas decided it would be best to show the store owner some gratitude as well. "Hello Miss, name's Douglas Trotter. Let me say, this ice cream is very good. I haven't had a good cone in a long time."

Douglas chuckled to himself quickly before taking a lick of his cone. 'Ones only been here a few months and the other is just returning home after living abroad, huh? You sure pick 'em, Trotter..' Douglas thought before he noticed the attention had shifted onto him. It was nice to be socializing again, Luna knows how long it's been since the last time he got to hold a pleasant conversation.

"Matter o' fact, I hail from Hoofington. I suppose you could say I'm a delivery pony. My trusty wagon and I haul whatever a pony wants hauled anywhere throughout Equestria. Ponyville is certainly one of the more pleasant stops I make." Douglas said, motion to his wagon off to the side of the street before giving his treat another lick. "In fact I just finished a run from Trottingham and I was looking for a nice way to unwind. It's nice speaking with y'all. Good company isn't always easy to find."

"Here you go sir, enjoy!"

Douglas reached out and took the cone. "Thank you very much, Ma'am." he said, as he stepped aside of the stand. He was going to simply return to his cart and enjoy his treat before moving on when another voice spoke to him. It was the mare who was in front of him in line!

“Good day to you, sir. I’m Heart Song, this is Lore Weaver, and you would be?”

Douglas looked over to the other pony she mentioned, the one that was behind him. 'Well shoot, you came here for a reason, Trotter. Why back off now?' he thought. Giving a toothy smile he looked back to the mare and answered. "I'm Douglas Trotter. Nice to meet ya, Ms. Song. As well as you too, Mr. Weaver." he finished, giving a quick nod to both ponies.

Douglas was just quietly waiting in line as the mare ahead of him got her treat when a third pony joined in line behind him. Before he could turn around and look at this new pony the mare working the stand spoke in his direction.

"Good afternoon, welcome to Frozen Delights, anything catching your eye?"

Douglas gave a quick glance at the menu as he thought over his choices. 'Why do I honestly bother looking at the menu? I always get the same thing anyway.' he thought, smiling at the mare before finally giving his order. "Scoop of Chocolate in a cone, please." Douglas said, laying out the correct amount of bits for the order.

Was quite a fun little event. Can't wait for what's next in the event line up.

Douglas trotted along the roads of Ponyville, his wagon in tow. He had just finished a delivery from Fillydelphia and he was more than happy at the payoff he got. It certainly gave him an extra spring in his step. 'Things are looking on the up and up lately. Hopefully I'll be able to locate another pony who needs my services. I might actually knock the bills out on time this month!' He thought, letting his gaze wander across the town.

As of lately, Douglas has found his business picking up substantially. So much in fact, that he was often unable to rest before the next order was in. He had been moving around quite a bit and now finally with Summer half way through and Fall only a few months away was he able to get some time to actually relax! Even then, he still wasn't sure if he already had his next client waiting for him back in Hoofington.

'You know what? I've earned a nice break. I think I'll just hang around Ponyville for the day!' He thought, as Douglas began looking for something that could occupy his time for the day. The sun was out, the air wasn't sweltering, it was a perfect day! What better time for a nice bite to eat. In fact, he remembered a place where two good friends once enjoyed a day with him. This time though, he'd actually get to try something on their menu.

“Excuse me? I would like a scoop of raspberry sherbet in a cone, please.”

Just then was Douglas brought out of his thoughts as he heard a mare speak at a passing ice cream stand. That's when the idea hit him, it's been ages since he's enjoyed a nice cone! Looking back at the place, he could see there was no line there except for the mare already being serviced.

Douglas immediately looked around for a nice out of the way spot to place his wagon while he got himself a snack. Finding a safe spot just off the main street, he quickly unhitched himself and cantered back to the stand and got in line behind the Mare already there.

Alright, cool. Checking it out now.

EDIT: I was kinda expecting somepony else to start us off. I suppose we all get busy sometimes. I'll get my post up in just a few minutes!

"That's Gilda. She's going to be quite cocky after that, I'm afraid. Perhaps I better go, she's not the sort to be kind to losers."

That's when realization finally hit Douglas like a brick. 'That's where I remember her!' he thought. His eyes opened wide as it came to him. 'That' Griffon. "Yeah, ah raced against her last year. The first Griffon to ever enter the Running of the Leaves! She was an absolute beast there too." Douglas said, figuring it polite not to mention her less than honorable moments from that day. Now remembering the Griffon, there was no questioning why she dominated the charts. Although Douglas had a little smile in knowing he'd have edged her out if he didn't touch that one barrel.

That's when the mare suggested that she had better go. He quickly glanced at the board to get her name before voicing his opinion. "Ah don't think that's necessary Miss... Brick. Although if you feel comfortable with it, maybe the three of us could continue this little chatter someplace else." Douglas suggested.

"You hit a barrel too, didn't you? Without that you'd have come in just a hair faster than me. But yeah, it wasn't that bad of an event."

Douglas looked over at the Pegasus and joined him in his laugh. "Sure as shoot, lucky I didn't plow it right over!" he said, bringing a calm smile to his face. "The Name's Douglas Trotter, by the way. Nice to meet you!" Douglas introduced himself, figuring it better than leaving them to read it off the board. "Ah must say, this is my first Iron Pony competition. Shoot, last time ah was even 'in' Ponyville was durin' Nightmare Night last year. Ah certainly didn't expect to find 'this' when ah showed up today."

Douglas turned his gaze to the course as he watched the Griffon more or less charge through the event. 'I jus' know I'll remember 'er the moment I leave town...' he thought as she finished the race. He slowly turned his view toward the attendant who he realized he didn't get the name of yet. 'I can't wait to see what kind of time she had.'

Got room for one more? My character Douglas Trotter is an earth pony who runs a delivery business. Running with the moving in plot, I suppose he could be shoe-horned in as the pony hired to move Heart's possessions into her new place at Ponyville.

Douglas sat off to the side as he watched the other contestants report for their times. It seemed like they all had an error or two, unfortunately one pony was even DQ'ed. It was a shame it happened, both seemed to be far faster than he was. In the end though, it left Douglas on the top spot for the time being. 'Well, I'll be surprised if my time holds up.' Douglas thought, noticing the next three contestants step up, there was even a Griffon among them. 'I feel like I've seen her somewhere before... very faintly though...'

He finally seemed to take note that the other ponies he ran with were talking amongst themselves while the next group was preparing for their race. Making sure his wagon was safe before he did anything else, Douglas decided to go over and be friendly about it. He cleared his throat as he approached. "Good Afternoon." he said, giving them a nice smile. "That was certainly a fun little event, wasn't it?" He glanced over at the board before continuing. "Seems you both woulda had me right-licked without the errors. *Ahem* Sorry about the DQ, ma'am."Douglas finished, giving a soft nod.

Douglas looked back over the course as he regained his breath. He seemed to do pretty, well. Nothing too fancy, but it was certainly every ounce of power he could give. Perhaps if he had been aware of this competition ahead of time he could have rekindled his competitive spirit. As it stood now though, it seemed like he would incur a minor penalty. "Darn, guess ah must've tapped a barrel and didn't notice." Douglas admitted. Still, that wasn't the point of the event. He had come to have fun and try his luck at the course and that was more than enough for him!

Feeling his heart rate start to settle he turned to the stands and waved to all the ponies watching! He enjoyed the occasional bout for attention, but he hoped they also enjoyed his performance in the race! He also hoped a few of them would come down and take a spin at the course as well. Either way, his run was done. It was time to see what place he'd be. There was a part of Douglas that wished he won though, obviously everypony did. So he began his trot around the course and back to the attendant to get his results.

Douglas gave a look toward his wagon, just off to the side of the sign-in booth. Lugging that thing around had certainly given Douglas the stamina he needed for this event, but he was certainly lacking in finesse. It's too be expected from his job. If there was any payoff to being a delivery pony, it was the endurance he built up. In hindsight, the barrel weave was probably better suited to somepony a little more agile, but that didn't stop him from at least giving it a go! 'Gotta say I'm lucky my occupation plays into my fitness. Not sure I would've lasted otherwise.' Douglas thought as he finally reached the attendant back at the start of the course.

"So pal, how did ah do?! Hope my little slip up didn't hurt me too bad!" Douglas said, flashing the pony his toothy grin.

Douglas was more than ready for this, as the attendant seemed to liven up just from his antsy antics alone. Moving over to the start of the line, he was given a quick slap to the withers which sent a quick shiver down his back, ending with his tail lashing. This was it, now was the time to get ready. Douglas stretched out his legs and made sure he was as loose as could be. If last year's Running of the Leaves taught him anything, it was that the start was crucial! Especially since this event was all about getting down the course as clean and fast as possible!

"On your ready! Get Set!"

Douglas had his body low, and his hooves dug into the ground for the perfect launch! Silence settled in as he felt the eyes of ponies on him. The whistle sounded - He was off! His body kicked into high gear the instant his ears heard the whistle and he tore off the line into a grand gallop! The sounds of erupting cheering around him almost seemed to be drowned out as he focused on the first upcoming barrel! It was to his left as he came on approach. It almost seemed to whip past him before he saw the second barrel closing in. Douglas dug his front hooves into the ground as he shifted his weight to his left before regaining his mad dash! The second barrel zoomed past and the third was already bearing down on him! Throwing his weight to his right mid-gallop, Douglas pulled himself past the second barrel at just the right moment!

The third went by almost immediately before opening up some flat ground to the fourth, Douglas growled inwardly as he took himself into full speed. The open space allowed him to easily switch sides without sacrificing speed. As the fourth was almost past, he could already see the fifth and sixth barrels! Douglas jammed his hooves into the ground and danced past the fourth before squeezing through the fifth, just to scrape through the sixth! All that speed almost brought him to an early end, there was certainly more to this course than just speed! Now kicking off with those hind legs, he made for the seventh barrel. It wasn't far from the sixth, but it sure wasn't one as close as the others were. Passing into the right lane, Douglas overtook the seventh barrel and immediately hopped back into the left lane!

Again, a little open room for speed came up and Douglas poured it on with all he could muster! This time though, he was more than ready to scrub that speed for the upcoming barrels! Of course, right ahead were all three of the last barrels! 'Horseapples, this'll be tighter than the last group!' He thought, putting on the brakes to make the tight dive between the eighth and ninth barrels! With hardly anytime to even be sure he cleared both barrels, Douglas had to immediately cut back in to make the tenth! He could feel his weight pulling him wide, but his broad legs flexed their mighty muscles to keep his turn tight! "Geeyahh!" Douglas shouted as he leaped out from the tenth barrel! The finish line was just ahead! Lowering his head as much as possible, Douglas charged onward for the finish!

The finish couldn't have come sooner for Douglas! It had certainly been longer than he thought it was since he last exerted so much energy! Despite the course's length, it was deceptively tiring! Crossing the line in grand style, Douglas finally allowed himself to calm down and take a look at the bleachers. A big toothy grin on his face as he fought to reclaim his breath.

I'm actually just getting my interest back. Its been gone for quite a time after some issues some months back caused me to more or less disappear from this site. I'm hoping to get into a few RPs. Might even start one of my own up and see how it goes.

I agree with the no new season thing though. It'll pick up again, just gotta wait it out.

My... I picked a nice time to step back into the RP board. I missed the last few events, but I certainly don't intend to miss this!

The day had started nice and calm, it was in all accounts, perfect. Trotting along at a steady pace was a Stallion with a deep red coat and bold blond mane. His muscles flexed with each step of his sturdy frame. A broad smile came to his lips as he looked out over the majesty before him. It was a competition! He had completely forgot about it, only winding up in town by chance of a delivery! He quietly observed what the ponies were doing, it seemed to be a short race. A row of barrels to cross through. There was even a pony currently running it's course.

Douglas Trotter watched in silence as his nerves began to rise! The pony was absolutely flying through the barrels! It seemed like he was an expert! Douglas was on edge, cringing at the close calls and letting out a gasp as the pony tripped right at the end! That's when he realized, he was completely psyched up! This was something he could get in on! Making sure to free himself from his wagon, Douglas made his way to the sign-up booth. The hairs of his coat stood on end as he wanted to take a run at the competition. He waited in line as his legs danced in place. Slowly moving up as the other ponies got their names in. Finally it was his turn, he trotted up to the attendant working the stand and smiled brightly.

It had certainly been a long time since Douglas allowed himself to partake in any kind of fun events. So when the attendant asked only two simple questions, his name and his understanding of the rules, Douglas eagerly responded. "Douglas Trotter! And that I do, sir! Now may I ask when I'll get my crack at this course?" he stated, feeling his nerves continue to build! Giving an audible 'ahem' Douglas reined in his excitement and toned down his expression to just a toothy grin. Today, was going to be fun!

What would I do? Why isn't it obvious?

"Ooh, what a cute little pink bunny rabbit Pony! Just what I always wanted! My own little bunny rabbit Pony. I will name him George and I will hug him, and pet him, and squeeze him! And pat him and pet and rub him and caress him!"

Personally, I never understood the controversy with these particular videos at all.

The first one linked in Rosewind's post is from a local Fox affiliate, not the cable network. What is said is ignorant as can be, but it's not being said by "Fox News", it's being said by some nobodies on a broadcast station only seen in one area, not a national news source.

The second video (which isn't even all that critical) was on actual Fox News, but it's from Red Eye, which isn't so much a news program as much as a satire/humor based entertainment program presented in the middle of the night, so I really don't know what people are expecting there.

Really it just seems to me kind of like people are all too quick to lash out at Fox News, when in this case they didn't really do anything, at least directly.

Pretty much this, in all honestly I used to enjoy watching Red Eye at 3am because they used to have comedians like Jim Norton and Nick DiPaulo come on and more or less let them sound off on whatever the shoot they wanted. When a show's Monologue ends with the statement "And if you don't agree with me, then you're a bigotted, racist, baby-hater, and most likely a Polar Bear." you learn that not all they say is meant to be taken super cereal.

Douglas laughed loudly as Silk tossed aside the napkin and began stammering for a reason. He wasn't one to hang on something unintential, but part of him thought it would be better to make light of it before simply brushing it aside. So, giving his flank a visible wiggle Douglas decided to have a little fun. "Oh, but 'surely' you were. Why else would this humble Stallion receive such 'attention?'" Douglas said, his voice with an apparent coy tone. His teeth beaming through his smile. All of which came to an abrupt end, his tone becoming that of sympathy as he straightened himself up. "Calm yerself, no harm was done. Somethings just happen."

Silk's struggle to compose herself allowed Douglas time to grab a snack and nibble childishly at it as he watched her mannerisms with light humor. Even sitting back on his haunches as she downed a glass of punch. His smile still present amongst his chewing. A light yawn escaped as he covered his mouth, watching Silk adjust her dress before facing him again. "Feel better?" A simple question, but earnest in it's meaning. "Well, who do think is building the stage you'll be walking on? Or the red carpet you posed on? They sure don't come pre-built, it'd put honest ponies out of a job." He laughed, standing up again. "Honestly though, I am out of place. This certainly isn't the sort of thing I do everyday."

He listened to the mare's laugh at his statement, giving off her own reply to his. She seemed a little more real, showing that she wasn't just the high class airs she spoke with. Although her comment about age struck a mark in Douglas' mind. "I for one wouldn't even think of it in such a way, although I'd say you're hardly much younger than me. And why don't I deserve the same courtesy?" Douglas asked, smiling gently. He could only wonder if this mare would reply as he assumes she would.

Slowly putting the paper towel in his collar with a gentle tuck, Douglas felt that he was as clean as he would get without bathing. The mare, on the other hoof continued to dab senselessly as she carried on the conversation. "Hm, fuzzy huh? Well, I can see it hasn't hurt your grammar. Well I'll openly admit I've been on the good stuff an easy half-hour a'fore you 'wiggled' on in. Ah'm buzzed if not inebriated already due to tha graces of Luna givin' me a body with room to stir it." Douglas replied, the effects of his earlier escapades bringing his wild accent out of hiding. "'Sides, when you can't hold down a drink, is usually a sign to stop." Just then amongst the mare's rambling Douglas felt the napkins running along his flank. The sudden change in his face wasn't apparent to many, but at this point he was beginning to wonder if this mare was more to helping herself than him.

Feeling this go on a little longer than it should have, Douglas cleared his throat as he looked over the mare. "Silky-dear, I know you're not fully aware, but should you go further this could be a whole different party. I'm fairly sure my flank was dry." Douglas spoke up, hoping to get her attention before this awkward rubbing could go on longer.

Douglas stood still waiting for the mare to respond as she slowly looked up at him. Her delicate face seemed to call out with an allure that ringed strong with a presence he could swear was familiar. Her sense of class and sophistication seemed elegant, yet out of place in such a place, surely there must be some wild reason she had wound up here. A mysterious charm seemed to permeate from her as she looked over Douglas. All of which came to an abrupt end when she suddenly began spitting her whole drink on Douglas' face. Inside his head the little pony on the wheel came to a stop, inside the little pony's head the clock threw an important spring, inside the clock's head gears came grinding to a halt!

She...spat her drink all over him. Douglas was at a loss for words, his body didn't move, his mind didn't think. This...unseemly incident brought upon him a near clear sobriety as he began to make the gears turn again. Douglas quickly rubbed away at his mouth so he could let out a sigh. His eyes, while having never left the mare had stopped focusing on her during his mental shutdown. Focusing back in on her, Douglas could not believe his ears...was she really just talking like she didn't just spit on him?! Even wiggling her cutie mark in his face? "Really?...Really?...That just happened?" Douglas stated, his dry tone matched only by the look on his face. Letting his eyes shut and a held breath escape, he reached along the table for paper towel.

He slowly began to wipe his face with the towel when suddenly he felt somepony else dab a napkin on him. Letting the towel away from his face he could see it was the mare who spat on him, now apologizing while trying to dry him off. "Well...Miss...Scarf, was it? I will say this is the most outlandish circumstance I've ever met a pony under. The name's Douglas Trotter. I will also say I've had mares throw their drinks at me, and I've caused mares to spit their drinks out...never have I done both at once without even a word of coarse language." Continuing to wipe away at the remaining punch, Douglas brightened up a little bit. "I suppose if you're going to get drunk, it's not worth doing unless somepony winds up a mess."

Douglas stood around one of the tables in the staff party, having rejoined now that more of the staff had began showing up. With a groan he brought down a shot glass, giving his muzzle a shake as the surrounding ponies cooed from the sidelines. The pony across from him was also having a hard time keeping his drink down as well. "Come on! That all ya got?!" Douglas erupted, fighting off the intense kick of the latest shot. With a pucker in his lips, the other pony stepped down, leaving Douglas to bask in glory. It was quite short-lived though, as he soon found himself sauntering over to a chair to rest. While he was still in control of his actions, Douglas thought it best to rest before his head rocked with his latest shot.

Bringing his hooves to his face, Douglas let out a moan as he fought the incoming vertigo. His eyes shut tightly as he rubbed his face and tried to calm himself down. He was fast approaching his limit and once the drinks he just ingested hit his stomach there would surely be a sudden lack of balance in his future. Lowering one hoof to undo his bow tie, Douglas quickly undid his top button on that nice collared garment he worn earlier. His relief at it's release was only temporary as more symptoms of being a drunken fool hit him. He must have sat in that chair for a little longer before wanting to look around at the party.

"A....model? Here?" Douglas spoke to himself, having opened his eyes in time to get a flankful of a purple mare in a fashionable gallopicous dress. His hazy mind took a few minutes of staring at her certain 'wiggle' as she pushed her way to the snack table and began to try a few of the treats. Raising from his chair, there was no doubt about it, it was the mare he saw at the entrance earlier in the day! His buzzed condition gave him a genuine smile of happiness as he trotted through the same ponies she had moseyed on through. "*Ahem* Ma'am, enjoying the 'real' party?" Douglas asked as he came up along side her, he could feel his mind swaying back and forth, but did his best not to show it, allowing himself to lean lightly on the table for support.

While I am not going to that con, I have recently got back from Megacon in Orlando, Fl. Which is an american comic/scifi convention that turned into a general media convention (basically, anything and everything). While I was there, there was a MLP:FiM meetup and while I didn't hang around to get too many pictures I did ask for one group shot with all the bronies that showed up!

Oh, someone also did RD and FS in their Gala outfits, but my camera took a dump on me at that time and the picture didn't come out cleanly. T_T

Now for the whole what to do while cosplaying that the OP was asking about, just be yourself! People may show up and call out to you in-character and you can choose whether or not to reply in character as well, but that's about the gist of it, usually after the little greeting you go back to just being yourself. Also, be prepared to be stopped doing more or less anything by someone looking for a picture.