IceStorm Posted May 19, 2023 Report Share Posted May 19, 2023 ~~~Wind Dancer~~~ Wind Dancer could barely keep herself from fidgeting on the train as it was pulling into the station. While she loved living in Las Pegasus, and all the attention that came with it, there was always something alluring about the Crystal Empire, and now, she was finally able to visit it! She'd been meaning to take a vacation here for a while, but with the way things had lined up for her, with her wedding, and then having her foal, the recovery, and getting back into the swing of her shows... she just didn't have the time to get away! Now she was taking the time, but she was also answering a request that she had received to do a show in the Crystal Empire. The train lurched forward a bit as it came to a stop, and Windy instantly zipped to the door, waiting for it to open. Once it did, it took her a moment to finally stepped outside as she took in the beauty of everything around her. The warmth of the sun was quite the contrast to the snow that was surrounding the empire, but there wasn't any snow in the empire. The fields were lush and green, and there were crystals everywhere. That was to be expected in a place called the Crystal Empire after all. But it wasn't the fact that everything was crystal. It was the assortment of crystals that really added to the beauty. Add to the fact that the houses, the sidewalks, and the very roads they were walking on were all made of different types of crystal. As she looked around, a small part of her began to worry if she could do a show here. If there was one thing that she knew about crystals, is that shards of them were extremely sharp, and not very heavy. If she did any of her performances with heavy down bursts, all of the loose shards of crystal on the ground would become deadly weapons. She didn't any anypony to get hurt from one of her shows, but she supposed that as long as the performance area was clear, then it should be okay. She'd have to be careful though. After all, crystals were the namesake of the crystal ponies. So asking for them to make sure there weren't any loose on the ground for a show could be offensive, and she didn't want to seem ungrateful for anything. She was quite the opposite! She was so happy to finally get to see this place! First things first though, she was hungry. She started looking around trying to get the attention of some of the locals to find a good spot to eat. Sure she could have just gotten one of those brochure things from the train station, but she would rather interact with others and talk with them about what they like, than read it in a fancy pamphlet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted May 20, 2023 Report Share Posted May 20, 2023 Sky Sailing was, of course, accompanying his wife on this vacation trip, which was honestly a much-needed one for the both of them. Big city life was not something that the teal pegasus had ever really gotten used to, always more comfortable spending time at home either in his studio or with his family than going out on the town. But the Crystal Empire, for all its grandiose name and sparkling architecture, had something closer to a small-town vibe than one would expect. It may well have to do with its culture being considerably more rural than Los Pegasus, or other major Equestrian cities. "I hope you'll forgive me if I get a little too professional on our little getaway." He remarked to Windy as they both exited the station. "But crystals like these are kind of essential to my synth music, so I might be doing some shopping to take some high-quality ones home for upgrades." The sudden advancements in magitek that had been made possible by the Empire's return could not be understated, as magic-holding and spell-storing crystals were cultivated here at a level of quality absolutely unparalleled in the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceStorm Posted June 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2023 ~~~Wind Dancer~~~ "You wouldn't be the only one then," Wind days, giggling a small bit and elbowing her husband. "Since they want us to do a show here, I want to find a suitable spot for it while we're on vacation here. Anything on the outskirts would be ideal with the fields, but my concern is the loose crystal shards on the ground," she stated, picking one up. "Any one of my major bursts or even a small gust could turn these into deadly projectiles. Not only for the local ponies, but myself as well, if one goes astray," she added before her stomach reminded her of more pressing matters at the moment. "Perhaps the first thing we should start with is some lunch. Not entirely sure where should go. I don't know anything about this place other than it's made of crystal," she finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted June 5, 2023 Report Share Posted June 5, 2023 Given what the friction of high-velocity frozen water could do to a pony's hide if a direct hit was taken, Sky could only imagine what would happen if it was all small stone shards instead... and frankly he'd rather not imagine that. "We'll definitely have to arrange for a groundsclearing before any show... I don't think they'll mind that too much, honestly, as long as you sweep them up into a neat enough pile. They're basically as common as fallen leaves are in autumn. Hm, crystal shards like fallen leaves, rap gentle taps upon the eaves...." He trailed off, his mind wandering back inside himself with some lyrics notes, before Windy's mentioned hunger prodded him out of his own head again. "Oh, um... just look for a place with tables, I guess. Just order the daily special, whatever it is. It'll be an adventure!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceStorm Posted June 19, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2023 ~~~Wind Dancer~~~ Sky seemed to agree with her assessment that they would have to arrange a grounds clearing before they did any show. Wind made a note to herself so that after lunch, she would give areas of interest a gust test. A powerful burst of wind from her wings to get an idea of how the crystals would move, if at all. She'd nod as Sky mentioned that it would be unlikely that they would take offense, so as long as any crystals raked up were put into a neat pile. That they were probably as common here as falling leaves were in autumn. That got her to laugh a bit. "Out by the reservoir sure, but not many trees in a desert for leaves to fall out of. Save for a ones in the park of course. I distinctly remember falling in love and one of those," she giggled, nosing her husband. Again, her thoughts were interrupted by a now angry sounding growl from her stomach. She looked down at herself, her eyes getting smaller by the second before blushing a bit. "My goodness... I guess I am hungrier than I thought. I suppose looking for a place with tables is a good start. I wonder what kind of specials they are having today," she said, looking around before finding a shop that had a few umbrella covered tables outside. "That looks as good a place as any," Wind pointed out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted June 21, 2023 Report Share Posted June 21, 2023 Sky chuckled at the memory as he nuzzled his wife back. "I suppose that would be my advice to Princess Cadence, if I were an advisor to the Princess of Love. Plant more trees!" Fruits of love may bloom on the branches, but unless you're a changeling, a pony's stomach needed the regular kind. Pointing out the first cafe they found, Windy directed the two of them over to the umbrella-laden tables of a cafe just opening up for the lunch hour. "I wonder what specials they have..." Sky spoke half to himself, as he bent over to look at the menu posted on the window outside. There was a lot of, well, berry-based cuisine, by the looks of it. Berry scones, waffles with berry syrup, cakes of dried berries, cakes of fried berries, all washed down with berry tea. "You know, I think that crystal berries might be a really popular food here." Sky managed to say with a straight face. "That means they must be berry good." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceStorm Posted June 30, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2023 ~~~Wind Dancer~~~ Windy would chuckle both at Sky's comment to plant more trees and about everything at this restaurant being berry based. "Either that or they have a berry based cutie mark and are a culinary master when cooking with them. Either way... These crystal berry waffles with the berry glaze sounds amazing... They even have whipped cream! This is the exact kind of thing that I need right now. Then we can get to the important bits of the visit, and then we can relax," she said, something else catching her attention in the distance. Looked to be a memorial, made from pieces of the old spire that's fell during Whitescar's initial invasion. "We also have to visit that," she said, pointing to it. "Coming to the Crystal Empire as important figures and not at least paying the respects to the fallen would make it seem like we don't care, and we both know that's the absolutely opposite of the truth." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted July 4, 2023 Report Share Posted July 4, 2023 "Waffles for you? Alright, I'll take the scones myself, then we can trade bites!" They often did so at restaurants, just so they could try more than one dish at a time. On at least one occasion, they'd liked what the other ordered so much as to swap plates! Calling the waitress over to put in their order, Sky followed Windy's gaze to the memorial, and his expression sobered a little bit. "Hm, are we important figures? I mean, I know we're kind of celebrities but it still seems so weird to me..." He didn't see a celebrity in the mirror every morning, just a stallion who'd grown up and married the mare down the street, playing for the tossed coins of passers by. That he played on stage rather than the sidewalk, and the audience had seats rather than standing around, didn't seem to change the essence of it to him. "Still, you're right, we should stop by... I wonder, hm..." His eyes got that faraway look they got when his mind wandered back to mental closets of sheet music and lyric notes, possibly ranging on the subject of a memorial song. He wasn't certain how well the locals would take to a couple of outsiders trying to write their story for them, though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceStorm Posted July 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 6, 2023 ~~~Wind Dancer~~~ Wind Dancer smiled warmly and nodded as Sky suggested the scones for himself and that they could trade bites once their orders got to the table. "Sounds delicious to me!" She smiled. She also listened as he spoke about whether they were truly considered important figures. Hey smile grew even warmer and she gave him a nuzzle. "You and me both, love. And at the very least take solice in the fact that the ponies in Las Pegasus know it's well enough to know that we don't think ourselves any better than them, and they treat us the same way they would anypony else. For... Better or for worse," she giggled. "But outside of LP, the only time ponies ever get to interact with us, are some of the interviews we do, and if they ever come to LP. Otherwise, they will base what they think off of everypony else, and what they are on fliers. It's unfortunate sometimes that others see us as more than what we are. Which, I'll admit it's a little bit annoying at times like this because when we're out on vacation like this. It almost feels like ponies are afraid to even approach us. And if I'm being completely honest... I've always hated that feeling. I wish everypony could just see us for what we are. A pair of performers, having fun, putting on a shoe for others so that they can have fun as well. The last thing I want is to be thought of as a one of those stuck ups from Canterlot because other ponies don't even try to come and say hi!"she concluded. She could already see the wheels turning when Sky agreed with her though, saying they should pay it a visit. No doubt there would be some musicians here in the crystal empire that would have done what Sky was thinking, but a creator couldn't help but create. "I know what you're thinking, and if you want to get the best perspective of what actually happened here... We don't need to look any further than the casino next door. If I remember the stories from Goldie correctly, Ice Storm was in that very building when it fell. She was one of the few survivors." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted July 7, 2023 Report Share Posted July 7, 2023 Sky nodded, letting Windy vent what he knew troubled her mind on many occasions. "It is unfortunate; I've only been famous long enough to see what fame's done to other ponies... though, in all fairness to them, while having fame and fortune make most ponies shy about meeting you, there's another sort that's not shy at all about meeting you. Unfortunately, they tend not to be the sort you want to meet." Countess Coloratura's Svengallop was only the most famous example of such, there were other stories Sky heard from the artists he'd hosted in his recording studio. Part of the reason he ran it was so singers and songwriters could publish without going through an industry that, in his opinion, held too many... unharmonious ponies. "Ice Storm was at the Spire when it fell? I didn't know that." Admittedly, Sky had never pumped that veteran for any of her war stories; it wasn't the sort of subject a pacifist like him enjoyed dwelling on. Still, if he was going to write a memorial song, he supposed he should find somepony to speak on that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceStorm Posted July 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2023 ~~~Wind Dancer~~~ Wind nodded to Sky when he asked about Ice. "At least that's what Miss Goldie says. I never really talked to Ice about it herself. Having dealt with previous trauma before, I knew what it was like to relive old memories, and there is no way remembering something like that could ever wouldn't trigger some sort of painful reaction. I do know that it was part of the reason she became military though," Wind answered. She then thought a bit on what Sky has said before that. She couldn't help but roll her eyes in annoyance at the comment. The announce wasn't directed at Sky himself, but more to the fact that he was one hundred percent right. "Oh, you have no idea. There is a reason I will never in a million lifetimes ever perform for Flim Flam's resort. First off the first time I met those two, their eyes were glued to my flanks, and got a little too hoovesy for my liking. They assumed that because I'm a showmare that I followed all of the stereotypes that went with it. On top of the fact that they wanted to charge outrageous prices for ponies to come and see my show. Prices that I wouldn't even pay to see me. The general admission they wanted to charge was three times the maximum price I allow, and less than a quarter of it was going to go to the staff actually working the event! And before I met you, anypony that ever tried to get close to me, with a very except few all wanted to use my name to push themselves onto others. Like... That's not what I'm about at all! But, you know this already, and that's why I love you," she said as their food arrived. The waffles smelled absolutely delicious. "Oh dear... If these are as good as they smell... Buttermilk might be in danger of losing her 'best waffle' title," she giggled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrystalRain Posted January 2 Report Share Posted January 2 Crystal walked up to the restaurant and sat at a table by herself. When the waitress came to take her order Crystal said "I'll take the waffles please." The waitress nodded and Crystal sat thinking about what she could do today. "No people to help find love today I guess." Crystal sighed "Then I shall just go shopping!" She'd say smiling When Crystal had received her waffles she thanked the waitress with a smile and began eating. "No matter how many times I eat here the waffles are still amazing!" Crystal remarked with a big smile on her face. She happened to look over and her eyes got wide "Is that.. Wind Dancer??? I think it is she is one of my favorite show mares ever!!!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceStorm Posted January 9 Author Report Share Posted January 9 ~~~Wind Dancer~~~ Wind Dancer was just about to start digging into the waffles that had been brought to her and Sky before she heard a voice from a couple tables away. Trust, just as soon as they started talking about being famous and attracting attention, they would run into a pony that would recognize them. Or rather, herself at the very least. She seemed to be a rather tannish colored pony, pegasi specifically with bright blue eyes. In a way, she reminded Windy of Goldie. She wondered if she would have Goldie's heart as well. She gave a gentle smile to the mare and waved before glancing back at Sky. "I think we might have just stumbled into our first fan here," she smiled before taking a bite of her waffles. Her eyes went wide immediately. "Okay... yeah... Miss Buttermilk has nothing on these..." she said covering her mouth with a wing, looking back at Sky again. "Don't tell her I said that!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted January 10 Report Share Posted January 10 (It lives!) Sky's first bite of waffle made him smile so much his cheeks hurt. Windy would only have seen that expression a few times before, and every time she had been the direct cause of it. "Wow... I guess with the Crystal heart here... they can literally cook with love..." He took a few more bites, each a little faster than the last, chewing stickily as he tried to unglue his mouth with another swig of tea. Following Windy's gaze, he caught sight of Crystal, and waved a wing. "Ulp, ahh... I don't mind if she joins us, if you want? We did come to meet the locals." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrystalRain Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 Crystal would see Wind Dancer and her husband looking at her and she would quickly look away. "I hope they didn't see me staring that would be very embarrassing!" she whispered to herself hiding her face with her wing. She would quickly finish her waffles and thank the waitress again as she began to walk off she heard a pony trying to catch up to her she turned her head and seen Wind Dancer and her husband coming towards her. "Oh no I shouldn't have stared." she'd say with a shake of her head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceStorm Posted January 24 Author Report Share Posted January 24 ~~~Wind Dancer~~~ Still enjoying their breakfast, and with the words from Sky. Wind Dancer be waved to the pony that had been looking over to them and beckoned for the mare to join them. She made sure to swallow the bite of her waffle before speaking up. "Hey there! Cafe to join us for dinner breakfast? I promise that we don't bite," she smiled before bringing a feather over to her face to look like she was in thought. "Unless you're partially made of waffles... Then I can't promise anything," she laughed a bit. Right now everything was sky high for her and she was excited to be here with Sky. She hoped that they could come to agreement to do a show here. It would be an amazing sight for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrystalRain Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 Crystal would look around and seeing that no other pony was there and Wind Dancer was looking at her and asking her to join them "I'd love to, and I agree if I was made of waffles I'd want to eat myself." she giggled putting a feather up to her mouth while laughing. Crystal would go and have a seat in front of Wind Dancer and her husband "Thank you, for allowing me to join you and your husband, my name is Crystal Rain, and I'm so glad to meet you up close! I've been a fan since you started being a show mare!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 Sky Sailing would get up to scoot out a chair for Crystal Rain, like a gentlecolt, smiling a bit at his wife's joke. "We know perfectly well that, even then, you wouldn't take a bite without syrup!" Once all were seated again, he'd chime in to the introductions, "And my name's Sky Sailing. I'm a musician and recording artist; Windy and I work together a lot, as you might guess." It was a natural complimenting of talents, one of the many reasons they worked so well together. "We're taking a short vacation up to the Crystal Empire, first to take a break, and then maybe to scout out for a new show here. Mostly its just to relax and meet new ponies, though! So what do you do?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrystalRain Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 (edited) Crystal smiled "Well, I'm the cupid around here helping ponies find their soul mate, and that's what I do occasionally I'll travel to help ponies, but I mostly stay here since this is the only home I've ever really known." She'd smile even brighter before adding "Of course I guess I only help other ponies find their soulmate, as I haven't found mine yet, but I'm perfectly okay that way! I love knowing that others are happy and doing great with their soulmates!" "I've also noticed that it seems as if you two have never been to the Crystal Empire, if you would like I could show you two around and some of the best places to shop and eat, if you want" Crystal would smile and raise a hoof to wave to someone that she had helped find love just a few days ago (Sorry, I should've edited this a while ago just been super busy! ) Edited February 10 by CrystalRain Needed to add something Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IceStorm Posted March 12 Author Report Share Posted March 12 (sorry for the delay on things, life got busy with a move) ~~~Wind Dancer~~~ Wind couldn't help but smile a bit more when she heard the crystal pony, who was ironically named Crystal, said that she was a big fan of hers, and giggles a bit as she acknowledged her waffle joke. She also listened as Sky introduce himself, saying that they naturally worked together. Considering they were husband and wife, that was kind of a given. He also explained that they were taking a brief vacation while looking for a location for a possible show, and then asked what the pony did. From what she explained, she seemed to be a match maker pony. "Oh, you help ponies find their soulmates. That sounds, both fun and unnerving at the same time. I imagine you can tell by looking say a couple of they are meant to be. Something like that could pretty frustrating," she started "As far as a tour of the city, I was hoping a local would stop by and offer to do just that. Other than the giant spire castle in the center of the city... We... Kinda don't know where anything is at. We kinda followed our noses to get here " Wind laughed. "In return, next time you're in Las Pegasus, I can get your an all access pass to one of our shows," she smiled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted March 15 Report Share Posted March 15 "A cupid in pony form?" Sky's eyes brightened, as the introverted and somewhat day-dreamy stallion came to a rare state of full and sharp attention. "I'm sure you must have seen quite a few sweet stories in your time. Be happy to swap sappy love stories, if you're interested; it's one of the subjects I love writing songs about!" Not to mention, he always loved to tell the story about how he and Windy met, though he couldn't remember if it was his turn or her turn to buttonhole perfect strangers with their love story. "A local tour would be great, too." He nodded in agreement with Windy, beginning to clean off his plate and drain his cup of tea. "I actually know a thing or two about crystals, at least the kind they use for sound synthesis and resonance. It's gotten a lot easier for me to build my instruments since the crystal trade opened up between the Empire and Equestria. It's everything else about your hometown that you'll have to point out." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrystalRain Posted March 17 Report Share Posted March 17 Crystal smiled at Windy "I'd love to show you too around here, it'd be my pleasure!" "I have seen quite a few love stories, I can tell usually if two ponies are meant to be, like you two are definitely meant to be!" Crystal then looked to Sky "I'd love to swap sappy stories with you, I enjoy writing poetry in my spare time, but I barely get that anymore, so my notebooks just laying in my floor" she smiled and then continued "Poetry is music for me, as I cannot sing at all, that's why I write!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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