[Trottingham] Make Like Odysseus (PM to Join)

[Huscarl]

[colour=#FF0000]HUSCARL[/colour]

"There he is! Get the dragon!"

Huscarl never wanted any of this, the sophisticated red teenage dragon was simply embarking on one of his monthly book runs. You see, Huscarl loves to read, and every once in a while, he would leave his quaint home in the mountains to gather more reading material to last him a couple of more weeks, while he sits happily in solitude up in his cave, innocent and unconnected to the pony world around him. It was this month, that it just so happened to lead him to the Trottingham Library, a new location to his book 'borrowing' adventures.

Most of the time, the dragon would get out with a couple of books in his signature burlap bag without a single hitch, leaving as fast as he had came, leaving without a trace. Now, normally when a pony would see Huscarl, they would most likely scream and run in the opposite direction, though he isn't a 'bad' dragon so to speak, in fact, he is quite the opposite. He is just a shy, recluse, socially awkward, big, hulking, intimidating dragon, but that doesn't mean he was 'evil' at all, does it? However, breaking and entering into a library while remaining unseen and taking a few ancient library books apparently is frowned upon in society... (Oh come on, Do you really expect him to get a library card?) and that is how this very situation came to fruition.

A mob of angry ponies gave hot pursuit to the red dragon in the streets, all of which understandably concerned with the security of Trottingham. A teenage dragon doing Celestia knows what in their great city? Outrageous! They must solve this problem at once! The solution? Drive it out of town!

The term 'Running for his life' seemed perfectly apt for Huscarl, who was, at this point, in a combination of shock, and exhaustion, was beginning to tire. There was no way in Equestria that he was going to outrun them, or out fly them for that matter. Hiding, was the best course of action for the dragon to take, It seems as if the dragon was in luck, a small, empty looking workshop stood in his way.... If he was fast enough, the mob would miss him completely, and continue running down the road, unannounced to his turning into the workshop.

It was worth the risk. He quickly ran into the shop as he turned the corner, quickly slamming the door behind him. As he predicted, the mob continued running down the road, shouting and cursing all the way to the end of the road, and run off into the distance... Huscarl sighed in relief, as he watched them fade away into the distance.

Huscarl looked around the workshop, It was filled with interesting, eye-drawing contraptions the likes of witch the teenage dragon had never seen before.... It sure didn't look like any old workshop to him... thousands of questions flowed though the dragon's mind.

Where was he?

[DamianMane]

Copper rubbed his eyes blearily. The commotion from outside had woken him from his morning lie-in. He often stayed in bed until the late hours of the morning, as he had never been fond of waking up early. And besides, his job didn't have fixed hours so why should he wake up early?

However, this lie-in had been interrupted by the noise coming from outside. It sounded to Copper like an angry mob stampeding down the road. He was about to see what it was when he heard the front door slam. What could that be? Burglars? Jealous rivals come to steal his work? Copper didn't actually know anypony he might consider a rival, as he was yet to meet anypony who shared his line of work. But that was besides the point! He had an intruder in the house! But come to think of it someone trying to steal something probably wouldn't slam the door. No, whoever was there probably had no ill intentions. Copper hopped out of bed and walked up to the door of the workshop. The layout of his home suited him, just three rooms all on the same floor. His bedroom, his workshop, and a sitting room for reading and entertaining guests. He opened the door to his workshop. Everything was in place; all his tools on the desk, the finished contraptions on the left side of the room, sketches on the right wall, large imposing dragon standing by the door, his current project in the centre, the- wait. Large... Large imposing dragon... at the door?

Copper felt a mixture of emotions: Fear, anxiety, worry, a bit more fear... but part of him, albeit a small part, was intrigued. Why was a dragon in his workshop? He seemed a reasonably well behaved dragon as he wasn't smashing everything to bits, or stealing anything. And Copper was so intrigued, that he simply had to say:

"Good morning, er, sir. Can I, ah, can I help you?"

[Huscarl]

[colour=#8B4513]"Good morning, er, sir. Can I, ah, can I help you?"[/colour]

The words rattled through the dragons soul, He had been compromised again.... Just as he was about to turn and run once more, he suddenly realized what the pony had actually said [colour=#8B4513]"[/colour][colour=#8B4513]can[/colour][colour=#8B4513] I help you?"[/colour]

[colour=#FF0000]"Can you help me?" [/colour]The dragon asked, inquisitively, as he slowly turned his head to face the pony, he said this with a slight amount of confusion, as Huscarl pondered for a moment, just wondering what exactly he had heard. "[colour=#FF0000]Yeah, I guess you can help me..." [/colour]​the dragon replied, in a snide, almost arrogant tone, as he dropped his burlap bag onto the floor, with a few 'borrowed' books from the library spilling out. [colour=#FF0000]"Yes, I need you to help me" [/colour]The dragon smiled at the pony, showing all of his razor sharp teeth in the process.

​Huscarl, obviously, wasn't a stupid dragon.

[DamianMane]

Copper looked at the dragon, slightly taken aback by his teeth, glinting in the light. [colour=#282828] [/colour][colour=#ff0000]"Yes, I need you to help me"[/colour] Copper wasn't quite sure what to make of that. Nevertheless, Copper remained (as best he could) calm and collected.

[colour=#8b4513]"Well, what ,ah, what is it you need help with?" [/colour]He said, hoping the dragon's smile was earnest, rather than malicious.

[Huscarl]

[colour=#ff0000]"Well, I can clearly see you quite the equine thinker, are you not?" [/colour]The dragon responded, while observing the workshop, and all of it's strange, though rather marvelous contraptions. One in particular caught his silver dragon eyes.

Huscarl was trying to create an imposing figure by acting his utmost hardest, deep down inside, he was extremely scared at how the outcome of this confrontation would be like. All the pony in the workshop would need to do is to call the guard, and that was it, bye bye Huscarl, no more venturing to Trottingham for you! Ever! Either way, the dragon who prefers solitude in his own home, has never ever had a single friend, neither dragon, nor pony. Huscarl relies heavily on what he has read in numerous books to engage in conversation, and he was hoping it was working.... for his own sake.

[colour=#ff0000]"If you wouldn't mind explaining?" [/colour]The dragon turned to face the pony once more, in an inquisitive nature this time.

[DamianMane]

A wave of relief rushed over Copper. The dragon seemed to be acting politely, at least for the time being.

[colour=#8B4513]"What, this?" [/colour]Copper replied, indicating at the contraption sitting in the middle of the room. It appeared to be a large frame attached to the top of a stove, with some water, a small bag, and a teapot suspended from it. [colour=#8b4513]"Why, this is the prototype for my latest invention: The Pull-the-handles-to-make-the-bits-move-to-make-your-tea-in-a-room-that-isn't-the-room-you-would-usually-make-your-tea-in device: Modular Edition. I say modular because the last version I made was one piece, which worked perfectly in my house, but wasn't much use to anyone who didn't live in a house shaped exactly like mine. So this new version has this, the base module, which attaches to the top of your stove, and then the strings now run through wall mounted brackets. it works like this you see; You start by pulling on this thicker, dark, rope which turns on the stove, then you feed some slack into this orange rope to lower the teapot, this blue rope to pour water into it and this green rope to drop the tea leaves in[/colour][colour=#8B4513]" [/colour]Copper finished, feeling rather pleased with himself, as he always did when he explained his inventions to others. [colour=#8b4513]"Any questions, mister, uum, uuh... Come to think of it I don't think I got your name. I'm Copper, by the way. Copper Mechgear, professional inventor and tinkerer. And you are...?[/colour][colour=#8B4513]"[/colour]

[Huscarl]

Huscarl took a step back, Impressed with the overall intelligence that it would require would create a contraption like this. Through this, he retained his criticisms to himself, holding back the urge to question the need to even build a contraption to make tea outside of the kitchen.... I mean, what on Equestria should stop a pony from getting up and making the tea by yourself! seriously!

[colour=#ff0000]"Copper Mechgear?"[/colour] The dragon replied, [colour=#ff0000]"An interesting name, has a nice ring to it" [/colour]Huscarl exclaimed while turning towards him. [colour=#ff0000]"My name is Huscarl, and If you couldn't tell, I am a dragon. Please excuse the dry sense of humor, I am not the most experienced when it comes to dealing with ponies.... In fact, I'm surprised you didn't take one look at me and run to the hills". [/colour]The dragon continued, trying his best to retain the conversation.

[DamianMane]

[colour=#FF0000]"In fact, I'm surprised you didn't take one look at me and run to the hills"[/colour]

[colour=#8B4513]"Well if you don't mind me saying I'm surprised you're not up one" [/colour]Copper replied, chuckling. [colour=#8B4513]"What exactly brings a dragon such as yourself to Trottingham? And, more specifically, to my workshop?"[/colour]

[Huscarl]

Huscarl recoiled slightly upon hearing Copper's inquiry. [colour=#ff0000]"I dare say you heard quite a racket outside.... That was the welcome party I receive each time I venture forth into Pony civilization... and I guess I borrowed a few books from the local library..." [/colour]As Huscarl picked up the Burlap bag containing his 'Borrowed' books and opened it up to Copper for him to peak in [colour=#ff0000]"Of course, I wouldn't usually come to your cities... but how else will I get my books?" [/colour]As his tone turned to a more negative vibe.

[DamianMane]

[colour=#8B4513]"Well, have you ever considered actually trying to talk to these 'welcoming parties' rather than run away? And perhaps actually borrowing books from the library rather than 'borrowing' them?"[/colour]Copper suggested.[colour=#8B4513]"I'm sure if you went out there and just explained your situation to everypony I'm sure they would understand. Well, some of them at least."[/colour]

[Huscarl]

[colour=#ff0000]"I take offence good sir!" [/colour]Huscarl replied in a negative and sour tone [colour=#ff0000]"Not all ponies are as well versed and happy to see a teenage dragon as you are!" [/colour]Huscarl folded his arms, [colour=#ff0000]"Every single city... It was the same terrible ordeal.... I went in, I got chased away... I'm not exactly a cute baby dragon you know?" [/colour]

[colour=#ff0000]​"I mean, It's not like I haven't tried or anything.... Because I have! It's just every time I tried I just get chased away! Maybe some of them would like to talk... But heck! I always get chased away!" [/colour]He started pacing back and forth in the workshop, making a faint thud on the floor with each step he took, as he delved into his memories of his previous attempts of contact with ponies. [colour=#ff0000]​"It didn't start off like this you know!"[/colour]

[Derpyy]

(So just jump in? Haha sorry for no text colour. I'm on my phone)

Light was in his house in Trottingham. He was having a good day. He had done everything he needed to do and he was finally taking some time to relax. He walked over and looked at his cello. He remembered when he traveled to Ponyville a while back and played on a small stage in the middle of the town. The crowd wasn't that big but Light didn't care. He stopped looking at his cello and looked out his window. He overheard commotion going on in the streets. He heard ponies screaming the word, "Dragon!". Light instantly got the vision of a large uneducated beast with large teeth and claws. He imagined the dragon eating him up in one bite. He got scared a bit but then he looked out his window and noticed there was no dragon in the skies. He walked outside his house slowly and started walking down the street. He wanted to know what was the cause of the commotion. Because he saw no dragon.

[DamianMane]

Copper had to admit, Huscarl had a point. Not many ponies would be very accepting of a dragon wandering around in their town. But he couldn't help but wonder why a large imposing dragon had to run away from a crowd of ponies. And the last thing Huscarl said intrigued him.

[colour=#8B4513]"Not always like this? Do elaborate, please." [/colour]He said, and then after a short pause ever-so-slightly smugly adding [colour=#8B4513]"I'll put on some tea while you tell me," [/colour]As he pulled on the various ropes which ran into a pipe running along the wall.

[TemplarFrost]

There was an abrupt banging on the door, effectively breaking the two's conversation. A vigorous voice bellowed into the workshop, shocking the two into silence.

[colour=#daa520]"Trottingham Royal Guard! Open this bloody door, or we'll kick it dahn for yer! Right!"[/colour]

It was who else... but Specialist Percival. His Garrison Officer informed his Company that a red teenage dragon was supposedly running amok on Trottingham. Not having seen any real excitement for months; Percy's squad Sargent quickly accepted the mission of catching the creature, for later questioning by authority. After a grueling chase throughout the town square, Percival finally managed to track the scarlet serpent into an old workshop, by his shed scales. Percy's sure he has it now!

Percival stood in front of the door, with his usual stalwart vigor, and his uneasy Fireteam postioned around him. The aura of the guards amplified like an impending bank of anxiety, waiting to flood into the small workshop.

[colour=#008000]"Casper, [/colour](A nickname for Percy)[colour=#008000] why don't ya' jus' use yor' fancy X-ray magic on th' door?" [/colour]Suggested a Private from his team.

[colour=#daa520]"Blimey! Good idea mate." [/colour]Percival wonders why he didn't think of that before.

With a soft emission of golden light, Percy touched his X-ray spell onto the wooded door lying in front of him. Focusing intently, the spell sprang into effect. Unfortunately, the spell was meant for skin, and he was unable to peer into the environment inside. Percy felt slightly flustered in believing that the spell would actually work.

[colour=#DAA520]"No dice, chap! Back t' brut' force!"[/colour] Percy inhaled and yelled with an even greater voice.

[colour=#daa520]"Attention, right, if this door does not swin' open in the next five seconds, ffen I would personally tear it dahn wiv me bare 'ooves! Right!" [/colour]

Percy could barely contain chuckling, he loves acting tough.

[Huscarl]

[colour=#ff0000]"Oh for the love of...." [/colour]Huscarl muttered as he heard the Garrison commander's demands. [colour=#ff0000]"Umm, Copper! Do you have any place that could hide a teenage dragon?!" [/colour]Huscarl whispered hoping the Trottingham Royal Guard wouldn't hear him. Huscarl started to worry, and started to bite his claws in dread and fear of being caught.

It was the end of the line now, no where else to run. He didn't have the slightest clue to what the guard would do to him, but he sure didn't want to find out! As he turned to Copper, placing the rest of his hope in this ponies hooves...

[DamianMane]

For a brief moment, Copper remained absolutely still. Then, he cried out [colour=#8B4513]"The guard, thank Celestia! Let me get the door!" [/colour]However, as he said this, he frantically motioned at the door on the right side of the room, mouthing the words "Go in there" to Huscarl. He then opened the front door, desperately saying to the guards [colour=#8b4513]"Help me! There's a dragon in here! It's in there!"[/colour] He said, manically gesturing at the door on the left side of the room.

[Huscarl]

Huscarl slivered along the floor like a snake to the door on the right side of the room. Trying to remain undetected from the guards as much as possible, quickly closing the door in front of him to remove all suspicion from himself.