Schoolcolt Days (Manehattan, Open)

[TehBbqdPizza]

Long Drive kept his eyes glued to his own map, hoping not to attract any attention. His hopes were soon dashed when he did just the opposite. There was a voice, he didn't know whose, which came from nearby. He put his map down and looked up, seeing the two ponies again, and guessed that what was going to happen probably meant trouble. Long Drive realized that the filly was yelling, and it didn't take long to find it that it was directed at him. He knew that he should speak up in order to avoid conflict, but he just couldn't find the right words. What should he say to her? That he was following her just because of his curiosity?

Meanwhile, the older colt beside her spoke up. What he said got his attention completely. The colt seemed to talk to an academic way, which seemed to fit more in an essay than a conversation. At least I could understand what he's saying, he thought. The elder colt explained how they were finding a hospital, and Long Drive looked at the pony's forehoof. [colour=#008000]"It does look a little twisted..." [/colour]he remarked. Then recalling what the pony said before, Long Drive hesitated. What he didn't want was to get other ponies involved in his personal problems. True, he had to find help eventually, but only in desperate situations. [colour=#008000]"No! I'm not at all lost!" [/colour]He quickly tried to locate the golf course on his map, or at least act like he was going somewhere. [colour=#008000]"In fact, I'm going to the golf course soon! There should be one maybe... five, ten minutes from here?"[/colour]

[Bellosh]

Busy confronting the stalking golfer, Babs Seed did not listen to a single word of Psmith’s ceaseless babble. At this point, the little filly started to question cousin Valen’s choice of friends; Babs knew that most of Val’s buddies were of the same background as his own, but she wondered how in the wide world of Equestria could her cousin stand Psmith’s wordiness. Come to think of it, she guessed that anything he’d ever write would be an absolute nightmare to read.

Thus it was only when the blabbering detective-playing Psmith mentioned his need for a hospital when Babs finally silenced him with a sharp [colour=#daa520]“Cut it out, already!”[/colour] The filly then started listening to the other colt, but his obvious ineptness wasn’t cheering up the young earth pony by very much. In fact, Miss Seed facehoofed in annoyance as it became apparent that the kid didn’t even know how to read a map.

Forgetting for the moment that she was supposed to keep Psmith’s injured hoof from receiving further pain, an irate Babs marched right up to the golfer. [colour=#daa520]“Listen up kid,”[/colour] she chastised, pounding the map at the spot to the northeast where a gold course was found; [colour=#daa520]“There ain’t no golf courses ‘round hea’ fo’ thirty minutes in any direction.”[/colour] In a final display of her big city attitude, Babs added; [colour=#daa520]“Next time yaw’re lost, ask for directions instead of followin’ ponies around like a weirdo!”[/colour]

[Blueblood]

Psmith put on a pained expression when Babs told him to shut up. He had been, at that point, only been trying to help, after all. However, he took the hint, and managed to stay quiet for a full 20 seconds. That alone was a heroic effort for the colt, as Babs' quick march up to Long Drive had jostled Psmith's sprained hoof quite alarmingly, sending jolts of pain up and down his foreleg. The unicorn only managed to maintain his facial composure by surreptitiously biting down on his lower lip, and sucking hard. This produced a sound that managed to be even more annoying than his prattling.

At the end of those 20 seconds, however, he could take no more. "[colour=#996699]Quite right, quite right! We applaud your wisdom and perspicaciousness, comrade. The cry goes 'round the city streets, 'Babs is stuffed with common sense! She gets to the center of any problem you present.' As a friend, I must agree; the best way to cease being lost is to ask for directions to the desired destination. For example, I am injured, and rather than walk about on a sprained hoof, I rely on Comrade Babs to guide me to the palace of hospice and healing, where it may be properly cared for. If you ask politely, there is little doubt you shall find a similarly reliable friend.[/colour]" The words all came out in a rush, leaving Psmith breathing deeply, and feeling little better from the recent jostling.

[TehBbqdPizza]

It didn't take long for him to find out that his weak lie has been seen through. His words has been crushed with a single reply. The filly appeared to be knowledgeable about the city, and Long Drive knew that he could not deny any longer. Secretly, he wanted to smack himself in the head; it was his actions that cause this troubles. If only he wasn't so nosy at that time. Eventually, he managed to get out the words. [colour=#008000]"Sorry," [/colour]he apologized, then added, [colour=#008000]"Didn't mean to follow you."[/colour]

The other colt soon spoke up, praising his filly friend he called "Babs", and agreeing on her statement.[colour=#008000] "Well, I don't really have a friend to aid me," [/colour]Long Drive said. [colour=#008000]"Got no pony nor friend over here, since I'm fresh." [/colour]​He hesitated with some thought (and again look at the colt's sprained forehoof) and later continued. [colour=#008000]"Anyways, I wasn't looking for the golf course at all. I'm trying to explore the city. Except now, I'm lost like always...actually, I remember you and Babs-" [/colour]Long Drive said the filly's name with uncertainity- [colour=#008000]"mentioned going to a hospital? I..uh..could go with you if you like...since I don't have much to do now. And I might want to know where the hospital is when I sprain [/colour][colour=#008000]my[/colour] [colour=#008000]leg."[/colour]

[Bellosh]

While the unknown golfing colt fumbled in his attempt to response, Babs Seed couldn’t help but get annoyed by the really annoying sound Psmith made with his sucked-in lip. Evidently, that disturbance caused by Babs heading towards the golfer caused the loudmouth quite a bit of pain. The goldenrod filly knew that she was to blame, but her guilt didn’t make Psmith’s noise any less annoying, not did it let her deal with the long-winded method her injured partner used to tell the other guy about her.

What followed was a weak apology from the kid as he tried claiming that he was actually just lost. Babs simply rolled her eyes; if he wasn’t looking for a golf course, why was he carrying around golf clubs then? If he really was new, why didn’t he have the smarts to know not to wander off aimlessly through Manehatten? Why couldn’t the colt be a straight-talker like that other new kid Reno she met a few days ago at school?

In the end however, Babs shook her head and resigned herself to letting the kid tag along least Psmith raise any objections, and the filly was in no mood to figure out what an objection from the monocle-wearing schoolcolt sounded like. [colour=#daa520]“Fiiiine,”[/colour] she sighed;[colour=#daa520] “Yaw can tag along, but don’t do anythin’ dumb; kay?”[/colour]

[Blueblood]

Having by this point cottoned on to the fact that his pain-easing prattling was beginning to annoy his guide, and therefore drawing the not-unreasonable conclusion that attempting to not aggravate her further would do more to lessen pain in the long run, Psmith resolved to tone down just a bit.

He remained quiet as he readjusted his hoof more comfortably, and the now-trio set off in the direction of the hospital. The journey was, as Babs had predicted, not all that long, but it was enough that little jolts of pain were beginning to shoot up the unicorn's foreleg again. This was getting quite unbearable, so he piped up again, in an effort to make his mind focus on something else. "[colour=#996699]Comrade Long Drive, I don't suppose you would very much mind giving us the story of your life? How is it that a sensible looking colt as you came to be lugging a golf bag far from its native land?"[/colour]

[TehBbqdPizza]

Long Drive was soon walking among the two to their journey to the hospital. His request was reluctantly accepted, and he hoped not to cause any trouble to change the two ponies' mind. The last thing he wanted to do is to complicate their problems even more. Long Drive decided to be more cautious, more discreet, with his words.

After a few minutes elapsed, the other colt inquired Long Drive regarding his life stories. The question came out of nowhere, and Long Drive already knew that the colt was simply trying to start a topic to pass the time. Long Drive himself didn't seem to care, however; his intent was the same as his. He was getting bored doing nothing but walking anyway.

[colour=#008000]"Oh, I came from Hoofington," [/colour]Long Drive said. [colour=#008000]"I got some feelings for that place, since I lived there ever since I was born. The reason why I like golf-" [/colour]he drew a 9.5 driver partly- [colour=#008000]"is not only that I've played it since I was young and grew interest for it, but because now its my talent. I should be improving my own talents if I want to make history."[/colour]

Long Drive bit his lip. [colour=#008000]"If only we could keep our own golf course. Some rich ponies established these country clubs and such nearby our neighborhood and took my parents' business right out of their hooves. We had no choice, so we had to move. We couldn't turn back; the ponies purchased our property and now I'm stuck here." [/colour]When he finished his last sentence, he noticed how long has he been talking (which made him think about the talkative colt in their trio). [colour=#008000]"I might be talking too much." [/colour]he added.

[Bellosh]

As the trio of youngsters started crossing the bridge over to East Side, Babs Seed didn’t think too much of Long Drive’s story. Yes, it was sad that the kid’s family lost their livelihood and had to move from Trottingham. On the other hoof, the goldenrod filly suspected that perhaps there was a good reason why his family’s golf course got bought out uncontested; something she knew could never happen to a community-beloved institution like Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville. As her Aunt and Uncle Orange would say, it sounded like Long’s parents couldn’t adjust to changing trends or demographics... whatever all that business mumbo-jumbo meant anyway.

But for the sake of keeping things tension-free, Miss Seed bit her tongue on that issue. There was still the matter of what Long Drive’s folks would do now. [colour=#daa520]“So where’re yaw and yawr folks stayin’?”[/colour] She asked the golfing colt with concern; [colour=#daa520]“Do they got any plans fo’ what to do fo’ work ‘round here?”[/colour]

[Blueblood]

Psmith listened to Long Drive's story with patience. His own opinion on the matter differed considerably from Babs', and of course he was not shy about saying it out loud. "[colour=#996699]Ah, a right shame, comrade Drive. I'm too much of a duffer myself to justify paying club dues, but I do rather enjoy the game itself all the more. Such trifles as winning and losing affect not the enjoyment of an amateur; it is the game itself we love, unrequited as our affections may be. Alas, so many of my class lack the philosophic mind. They seek to win, and do not believe that they win unless they can make somepony else lose. I am sure, Comrade Babs, that your own experience with the upper class will bear this out. It is my opinion that- ah! But we have arrived. My deepest gratitude to you, Comrade Babs, I think I should be able to walk from here.[/colour]"

The hospital was a sturdy building in red brick, signaling its purpose towards the world with a Caduceus emblazoned on a red cross. Psmith approved of the heraldry, and, pausing for a moment to flick road dust off himself, entered with as much stateliness as a pony could while on only 3 legs. The nurse at the front desk, a middle-aged mare with a keen eye, assessed him at once and sent him to one of the chairs in the waiting room. The unicorn took a seat, before signaling to his two friends. "[colour=#996699]There is room enough for you, if you wish to continue our stimulating little chat.[/colour]"

[TehBbqdPizza]

[colour=#008000]"Well, my parents are most likely starting a new golf course. They've recently hired an architect and selected the site, and their deciding to submit an application for land entitlement," [/colour]Long Drive answered to Babs's question. [colour=#008000]"My dad used to work for another golf course, and now he's interested in starting one himself. Despite the expensive cost for the constructing and maintaining and all that, they're working with 'business' friends, so they're all paying equally."[/colour]

Long Drive followed the two into the hospital. The building was aesthetically pleasing to him, along with being massive. He could not recognize what the one of the symbols were- two snakes wrapped around a staff with wings- though he instantly knew the red cross was. It ensured them that they were at the right place.

Before they entered, the colt named Psmith (Long Drive simply did not address him by his name since it was difficult for him to pronounce) commented on the game of golf. [colour=#008000]"Well, golf is different from other sports,"[/colour] Long Drive answered. [colour=#008000]"Unlike most sports, you don't need to be involved in some heavy physical exercise. You don't even have to run. You only have to swing and walk to your ball. Swing and walk. Swi-"[/colour]

Long Drive accidentally tumbled a chair, creating a minor disturbance in the waiting room. Long Drive soon noticed what he did; he swung his own hoof to imitate the swinging of a golf club, and struck an empty chair that interrupted his swinging motion.

[Bellosh]

So, Long Drive’s parents are going to build another golf course, huh? Babs Seed hoped that the parents at least learned how they messed up last time so that they don’t go out of business again. [colour=#daa520]“I hope yaw’ parents have good luck then,”[/colour] Babs well-wished; [colour=#daa520]“’Cause I remembah ‘dere being at least two country clubs outside ‘da city. My Uncle Orange tawk me to one once...”[/colour] Shifting her eyes, Babs didn’t exactly have the most exciting of fun times at that country club.

The group made it to the hospital without further incident, and Psmith succeeding in reaching a chair without requiring the assistance of Babs Seed. Needless to say, the filly didn’t share the same passion for golf that Long Drive did. In her mind, the things that made golf great for the kid were the same things that made Babs get bored out of her mind. What fun is there in just walking and swinging and repeating the same things over and over-

*BANG* In his foolishness, Long Drive accidently swung at a chair, sending it tumbling. Glaring at the colt for a couple moments, Babs Seed sighed and then gave her golfing rebuttal; [colour=#daa520]“Well, ‘dat’s great ‘dat yaw like golf, but ‘dat has to be ‘da most boring sport in Equestria. Even cricket,”[/colour] here, the filly briefly looked at Psmith; [colour=#daa520]“Is more excitin’ ‘dan golf. Even my uncle admits that ‘da only reason he plays it is to entertain his clients, errr somethin’ like ‘dat.”[/colour] Miss Seed could not possibly conceive how adults could be entertained by golf, unless they like being bored somehow.....

[Blueblood]

It is a surprisingly delicate operation to languidly lounge with an air of unconcern while one has a sprained hoof. Add in the unsuitable environment of a hospital waiting room, and the fact that the seats managed to feel cramped even when the room wasn't crowded, it was a commendable accomplishment that Psmith managed it. Not without a few uncomfortable squirmings beforehand, and sharp tugs to restore the proper creases in his jacket, it has to be said, but nevertheless, he did.

Having resumed his natural attitude, he resumed his discourse. "[colour=#996699]The aim of Golf, as so dexterously implied by comrade Drive, is not so much activity as leisure. In that, it suits my temperament to the ground. It's lack of physical demand and excitement serves the purpose of relaxation, and as a catalyst for socialization. It is awkward to ask a stranger if they will take a walk with you, but quite easy to ask, 'Do you play Golf?' A good principle of life to remember, comrade Babs, is that if something bores you, that is only because you have not understood its true purpose.[/colour]"

Pausing for a moment to let the philosophic point sink in, the unicorn began on a more practical tack. "[colour=#996699]In any case, the leisure of one implies the labor of another, and we are most pleased to hear of your parents' dedication to the cause. As a matter of principle, all good things must be made available to the entire public, and not just the province of the rich. The country clubs serve a small market, but a wider customer base is won by the believer in social equality. You know,[/colour]" he mused, having seized upon an idea, "[colour=#996699]As a socialist, its practically my solemn duty to support such efforts, and I shall do so![/colour]" He sat up, eyes animated as he looked at the golfing colt. "[colour=#996699]Psmith is at your service, sir, as soon, of course, as the medical professionals do their good work.[/colour]"

[TehBbqdPizza]

As Babs mentioned cricket, Long Drive recalled the last time he witnessed a game of cricket. It didn't exactly entertain him, since it was basically a bunch of ponies running back and forth on two "bases"- wickets, the players called them- for hours on end. It seemed much more exhausting than golf, and repetitive, too. The reason why cricket was so interesting to these players were a mystery to Long Drive.

[colour=#008000]"Well, it's relaxing," [/colour]Long Drive explained concisely, then continuing on to further prove his point. [colour=#008000]"Unlike cricket, you're able to play a different course every time. And if you're tired of playing the same courses, you can switch to another golf club. Don't you feel...restricted playing on the same kind of court every time you start a game? In golf, you're supposed to play on the in the fairway or rough grass, but still, you have so much space to yourself. And you get to be closer to nature, even if you live in the city."[/colour] He pulled out his putter partially. [colour=#008000]"Plus, the clubs look cool."[/colour]

Psmith talked afterwards, advocating his interest for golf. [colour=#008000]"Yeah...what he said."[/colour] Long Drive added. He was quite pleased to know that some pony was supporting his idea.

[Bellosh]

[colour=#daa520]“Meh,”[/colour] shrugged Babs Seed as Long Drive started to explain why he liked golf; [colour=#daa520]“I just don’t see da’ big deal about havin’ da’ same cawurt or field. Yaw’ might have a point with da’ clubs... but dat’s it”.[/colour] The filly would never admit it, but the other reason she stunk at golf so much was because the one time her uncle took her golfing, she stunk really bad at it. Frustration and boredom didn’t mix well one bit for the young earth pony.

The debate would have ended there, but Babs Seed didn’t appreciate the implication Psmith made with his latest egghead-imitating suggestion; that she found golf boring because she didn’t understand the reason it was played. [colour=#DAA520]“Hey!”[/colour] the agitated filly loudly interrupted, glaring at the injured colt; [colour=#daa520]“Yaw ‘dink I’m dumb? Of course I know why ponies like golf; because dey’re too lazy or whatevah to play a real sport... like hoofball!”[/colour] Sticking her head up high, Babs resolved not to get outwitted by this professor-wannabe... especially not when this other kid’s around! She can’t afford to lose face now!

[Blueblood]

It seemed that Long Drive was more interested in Pmsith's musings on Golf itself, rather than any particular social policy that the he might hold relevant to it. But the older colt was not offended, and looked upon the younger with an indulgent eye. Long Drive was partial to his talent, and was simply saying why he enjoyed his favorite game.

Bab's remarks, however, elicited a more direct reply. The lavender unicorn turned with a most solemn expression to face her. "[colour=#996699]Miss Seed,[/colour]" He began, pronouncing the name and title in such a way as to denote a fall from 'Comrade Babs,' "[colour=#996699]It is not intelligence that I say you lack, but politeness, and respect for other ponies.[/colour]" There was something a little more serious at the back of every pony, however foppish, foolish, or frivolous; for Psmith, it was sociability and social graces. He took manners of word and appearance not as an artificial set of arbitrary rules of behavior, but as a ceremonial symbolism of the respect due to all ponies. And Babs' last remark had struck at that sensitive point in him, giving his words a sincerity that was not so apparent in his earlier piffle.

"[colour=#996699]In order to not appear deficient yourself, is it truly necessary that you denigrate the interests of many, and the special talent of the pony right beside you? Such one might expect of the schoolyard bully, but you..." [/colour][colour=#000000]And here he gave a sigh and sad look.[/colour][colour=#996699] "I had thought you were better than that, Comrade."[/colour]

Obviously, Psmith would have had no way of knowing of the recent events in Babs' life that would have increased her sensitivity to his remarks. In truth, he had little time to observe her reaction, since at that point his name was called, and he departed to have his hoof wrapped, leaving the younger colt and filly waiting outside the doctor's office.

[TehBbqdPizza]

Psmith's typical attitude abruptly changed into a sorrowful one after Babs's comments. Long Drive himself trying not to be bothered by these words. He enjoyed, however, how Psmith was defending him once more.

[colour=#008000]"Hoofball? That spor-" [/colour]Long Drive was about to speak up to counter her remark, only pausing in mid-sentence to realize he could have made a mistake on replying back. He didn't want to get into the middle of the conversation, otherwise Babs might have had a second chance on speaking up again. As much as he didn't like hoofball himself, Long Drive kept his mouth closed.

As Psmith continued, he muttered to himself. [colour=#008000]"Yeah, you don't have a special talent." [/colour]His thoughts were interrupted by the calling of Psmith's name, and Long Drive looked up, seeing Psmith walk away in disappointment. The door closed slowly, dividing the younger colt and filly from Psmith, and Long Drive secretly smirked in triumph. I win this one.

[Bellosh]

Babs Seed didn’t buy Psmith’s clarification at that she was actually deficient in politeness; if anything, he was the impolite one by implying that the filly had an invalid reason to not like golf. Miss Seed knew full well the purpose of that activity... and it bored her to tears anyway. Maybe if the kid simply kept his mouth shut like a good kid, Babs would be polite in turn. Psmith really did have nerve in labeling her behavior as bully-like; the filly would be willing to bet her entire allowance that the pampered colt had never been bullied in his entire life.

Yet the goldenrod earth pony didn’t get her chance to fully express her distaste, as Psmith was summoned to the doctor. [colour=#DAA520]“Meh; whatevah pal,”[/colour] Babs simply snorted, rolling her eyes as the older unicorn colt left the waiting room. Now that things were on a sour note, the filly perceived little reason to stick around. Turning towards Long Drive, a disgruntled Babs told him; [colour=#daa520]“Well kid, unless you really need me around, I’m gonna’ blow ‘dis popsicle stand. I’m sure ‘dat guy can take care of himself once ‘dey patch him up. Heh, if I see Psmith again, I’ll show him real boredom.....”[/colour] While it looked like Miss Seed wouldn’t be making friends with these two colts after all, she tried her best not to feel regret over the situation; it wasn’t like she’d see any of them again anyway, right?

*Exit Babs Seed*

[Blueblood]

(Do you all want to conclude this here? I had a sort of idea that Psmith would volunteer his "services" to Long Drive's parents, but that could easily go into another thread.)

[TehBbqdPizza]

(Do you all want to conclude this here? I had a sort of idea that Psmith would volunteer his "services" to Long Drive's parents, but that could easily go into another thread.)

OOC:

((No, keep going. Even so, we'll need to finish this off.))

[colour=#008000]"Well...bye then."[/colour] Long Drive said to the departing filly, waving his hoof slowly. Seemingly Long Drive won't be his "comrade" with Babs any time soon, since both of them had differentiating interests of such. There was also some tensions, he observed, going between Psmith and Babs too, and by the way things were going, Psmith would probably be in the same situation as his own.

As Long Drive continued sitting alone between the two chairs, he had the urge to find Psmith again. At least Psmith and Babs were the ones who brought him here, along with beginning some new relationships, positive or negative, in this vast city he had arrived in. If it wasn't for them, he would've remained oblivious and lost in these streets.

He now stood at the door, awaiting Psmith to come out the door. Long Drive didn't come here to waste his time; at least he still had somepony to acquaint with. And for Babs, he might see her again at another time, another place.

[Blueblood]

The patchwork was not complicated job, and it was but a few minutes before Psmith came hobbling out of the office, forehoof in a splint. It was a testament to his native gentility that he managed to retain an element of solemn gracefulness in his limping, but the upshot of that was of his injury invoking humor rather than pity in the bystander. He was too dignified to be anything but funny; so much so that a pony might almost suspect that he was doing it on purpose.

A big hint to that effect was his face upon seeing that Babs was no longer there; it bore the look of an actor who has come out to an empty theater. "[colour=#996699]Why, we are bereaved, comrade Long Drive! Has the young beauty of Manehattan, the pick of the apples, deserted us in our time of need? Have our slight friction frayed the thread of friendship to its breaking point? Alas, it seems to be so. Well, we must bear up under these troubles, surel they must have some purpose. Perhaps to make us more grateful of those who remain."[/colour]

With a sigh, he turned to his remaining 'comrade.' "[colour=#996699]I do hope our [/colour][colour=#996699]acquaintance[/colour][colour=#996699] has not proven to be excessively abrasive. This city is stimulating, but more delicate constitutions find it wearing. Fortunately, I enjoy these collisions of wit and temperament, though I sometimes forget that others do not.[/colour]"

[TehBbqdPizza]

Long Drive waited and waited, the analog clock's second hand on the wall opposite of him slowly ticking, the minute hand sluggishly moving as he stared at the door in boredom. It might have only elapsed a few minutes, but for Long Drive, it could have been hours. Finally he awoken from his inactivity as the door opened, revealed Psmith leaving out of the office; Long Drive took a quick glance inside to see all the device and such. He has, after all, never actually been injured before, and so he had never entered into the hospital office.

His attention soon switched to Psmith, his forehoof seemed to be treated. It sparked Long Drive's curiosity on how Psmith has gotten this injury. [colour=#006400]"You could be a bit briefer in your words..."[/colour] he commented. [colour=#006400]"You don't need to say so much for something that can be explained within a few words. Anyways, how did you get...this?"[/colour] Long Drive pointed to his forehoof, now covered by a splint.

[Blueblood]

Long Drive's rebuke of Psmith's verbosity rolled off his St. Mareson's jacket like water off wingfeathers, prompting nothing but a smile of slight amusement, and a sigh. "[colour=#996699]I dislike,[/colour]" The unicorn spoke languidly as he limped out of the waiting room with Long Drive in tow, "[colour=#996699]This modern superstition of hurry, bustle, and efficiency. It spoils the temperament and digestion; observe the rudeness and inhospitality in this, the city which never sleeps. And not only does it sour sociability, it spoils sport. To speak purely to communicate, and not to enjoy talking for its own sake, would be like picking up the golf ball and dropping it into the hole. No doubt it saves time, but you would hardly do anything like that comrade."[/colour]

The parallel was, in fact, very apt, given Psmith's cutie mark and corresponding talent. He'd always babbled at length, ever since he was born. The ensuing years had only enforced a grammatical regularity to the words and a refined solemnity to the tone. "[colour=#996699]As for the injury, I sustained it while providing moral support to the school's cricket team. Such are the risks we brave for our loyalties! Ah, but it was a magnificent sight, the bowler careening down the pitch like a windmill in a hurry, the skittering ball duly punished by the blow of the willow bat as the batter sent it sailing towards the boundary... and my wrist, which was honored to be an integral part of such a spectacle." [/colour]He flexed his injured hoof, and winced. "[colour=#996699]I believe, however, that I shall complete my observances from the pavilion.[/colour]"

"[colour=#996699]But now,[/colour]" Psmith turned, feeling that he should allow his acquaintance some chance to speak, "[colour=#996699]Tell me more of your parent's proposed entrepreneurship. I am always game to give what assistance I can to a sportspony.[/colour]"

[TehBbqdPizza]

Long Drive muttered as Psmith went on with his talking, [colour=#006400]"Yeah, to prevent yourself from getting smacked by another cricket ball again..."[/colour] At least his injury has taught Psmith a lesson on being more cautious while spectating a game. He continued on from Psmith's reply. [colour=#006400]"And golf and talking are two different things. I play golf for entertainment, and talking is a different matter. Just be...short and to the point."[/colour]

He was unsure, however, of revealing personal information about his parents. Long Drive decided on not saying too much to Psmith, in order not to expose too much secrets of his parent's establishment of their new golf course. [colour=#006400]"Well, I don't know much,"[/colour] Long Drive answered.[colour=#006400] "Maybe they'll select a site to work on and get land entitlements to build the golf course. Then, they might have to construct the course. My parents doesn't completely tell me about their plans, so that's as much as I know."[/colour]

[Blueblood]

Psmith magicked open the pavilion door, indicating by a grand and sweeping gesture that Long Drive was to precede him. "[colour=#996699]If you wish to restore your tissues, there are bottles of ginger-beer and biscuits available for public consumption.[/colour]" The leisurely way in which the colt moved, the particularity with which he dusted his seat, and the overall easy and languid posture he affected may well have made anypony despair of making him be 'short and to the point.'

As nothing much was currently happening on the field, Psmith renewed his commentary. "[colour=#996699]You do not plan to play professionally? It is a rarified career, to be sure, but fit for a rare talent. My talents, as you may observe,[/colour]" He nodded back towards the empty speech balloon that was his cutie mark, "[colour=#996699]Lie in talking, and I plan to make a career out of it as a barrister. Hence, I must devote my youth to endurance training of the lungs. Practice, my lad! The champion's foundation, and the sluggard's anathema. One sees so little dedication these days, it would be a pity to spoil any youthful reserve of it.[/colour]"

[TehBbqdPizza]

Long Drive glanced at Psmith. [colour=#006400]"Playing professionally?" [/colour]he said, reiterating Psmith's words. In response, he lowered his visor hat downward.[colour=#006400] "Of course I will be playing professionally! I'm already trying to improve my skills, and when I get older, I can assure you that someday I will be on the professional golf course shooting from the tee!"[/colour] He hesitated for some time, calming himself down. [colour=#006400]"Plus, that's my talent anyways, so why waste it?" [/colour]

Psmith then explained his goal for being a barrister; if Long Drive knew what that meant. He wasn't sure how to reply to that, and he hoped that the occupation he wants will certainly fit his needs. [colour=#006400]"Then, uhh... good luck on that job of yours. Maybe they would find you a perfect fit."[/colour]