Evening Banquet (ENDED)

[RarityDash]

[[i suppose I'll be the first to try and start something in Stalliongrad. Absolutely anypony is welcome. Hopefully this goes well... ]]

Snowfall wore a relaxed smirk as she studied the open, sprawling main hall of her Vysokii District estate. The room was filled with with numerous ponies and other creatures, here on invitation. Tonight was the Northern Storm Industries yearly anniversary banquet. Invitations had been sent all throughout Equestria to the elitist of the elite, NSI employees, investors, business partners, contributors, and even just trusted customers. Snow was positive that were some in the crowd who didn't have much of any connection to the company whatsoever.

Snowfall purposely hadn't made it very hard to get an invitation. The easiest way to lose the faith of a populace was to become too exclusive. Her father's company, her company, it was about the little faces who held it up and made it strong just as much as it was about Snowfall herself. Trust was the most important thing. Though her security detail complained about her being so lax in who was invited, Snowfall didn't listen. A little vulnerability was a more than fair price to pay for a sense of welcoming.

Intent to get the banquet started on the right note, Snowfall prepared herself. She was scheduled to make a short preliminary address to the guests before the food was to be served to them. Honestly, she was more excited about the banquet than the speech. She loved nothing more than a good social function, and she was looking forward to a chance to show off the stunning black dress she had ordered special from a private owned dress shop in Ponyville that had come to her with the strongest recommendation.

Still, that didn't mean she wasn't going to try her hardest with the speech. Snowfall quietly approached a small podium that had been set up for her. The musicians she had hired stopped playing as she stood there. The room fell quiet and everyone came to stare in her direction. She gave a small cough and then scanned the room, looking from face to face. Then, standing firm, she began to speak.

"Welcome all to the 34th Annual Northern Storm Industries Anniversary Banquet. Thirty four years ago today, my father spent every bit he had to purchase a run-down, griffin-owned factory in the South Kuznitza District that was set to be demolished. From those humble beginnings, the fine company you see standing before you today was slowly but surely built," Snow began her speech in a strong, proud voice.

"Starting out, everypony told my father he was a fool. There was no future in machinery in an Equestria where magic already had such a strong hold on everypony's life. But my father didn't listen to the neighsayers. He stood firm and committed to his fledgling company and through his continued efforts, NSI became a cornerstone of Stalliongrad's continued prosperity.

"Now it isn't just Stalliongrad this company proudly serves! No, NSI's presence extends throughout Greater Equestria and proudly even to our neighbors in Aquelia. For the sake of everyone, pony, griffin and all others alike, NSI works day and night to bring you all the best products your bits can buy.

"My father's disappearance seven years still hangs heavy in my heart, but I can say with confidence that the company he built from the ground with his own hooves is stronger today than it ever has been. I remain committed to his vision and legacy and intend to do my part to guide this fine company, Stalliongrad and all of Equestria into the future!" Snow showed more vulnerability as she spoke this part, though she remained firm. She gave a cough before continuing.

"With that out of the way, let's begin the festivities. My guests, I welcome you in joining me in enjoying the finest of foods my team of chefs can offer. I hope you all enjoy this evening. I thank you all for coming."

With her speech done, Snowfall left the podium. As several long tables, filled to the brim with fine foods were wheeled out before the guests and the musicians began to play again, Snow let herself disappear into the crowd, intent on mingling with her various guests.

[Pony_Sage]

It had been a long six months for Rivet. After the explosion and subsequent hospital stay she had spent the majority of her time rebuilding the boilers that powered her light house. There had been much work that needed to be done. She had to rebuild the outbuilding from scratch and then re-engineer the boilers and super heater assembly. Luckily she still had that Roan pony's who lived on the islands address and could order specifically forged parts from him. The strange Zebra in town was a big help too, shipping her goods straight to her home. Luckily she had also found another supplier for some of the more mundane pieces of equipment that she had needed, a one Northern Star Industries. She had picked up one of their magazines at the Zebra's shop during one of her trips and decided that if she could order parts in bulk, such as bolts and rivets, she would have to spend less.

Having spent the past few months ordering from these folks and rebuilding her home Rivet was feeling exhausted. One day whilst perusing her mail, she noticed a small silver envelope with her name embossed on it along with the NSI logo. Apparently she had been cordially invited to a banquet honoring the CEO Snowfall. This was to be a black tie event with formal wear only. This thought made Rivet cringe, she hated getting dressed and cleaned up.

Rivet had fully intended not to attend the affair, due to the dress code and the distance from her home. After all Stalliongrad was a long trip for the little mare, and she couldn't just leave her light house unattended. She was in the process of drafting a response to the letter politely declining the invitation when an intent knock upon her door that echoed throughout the light house proper. It was an agent of the Equestria Light-house Authority, informing her that her mandatory vacation was fast approaching. Rivet never liked these vacations, she just didn't know what to do with herself during these forays away from her light-house. She usually went home and visited her parents in Canterlot. This time, however, she decided that since she had nothing better to do she would take NSI up on its offer.

'When am I ever going to have another chance to visit Stalliongrad?' She thought to herself as she packed her bags. 'I mean, what is one little dinner compared to spending an entire week in the most technologically advanced city in all of Equestria! OHH I might even get to see some of the newer model airships!! Wouldn't that be fun? See, this won't be that bad, you will be fine.' She continued to muse to herself.

A few weeks passed and the date of her departure was soon upon her. The Equestria Light-house Authority had furnished a temporary keeper for her light-house, and assured her that nothing would be out of place upon her return. Rivet made it a point to show the temporary keeper around the entirety of the facility and make note of all the safety procedures that were to be followed. Of course she showed the drab and matter of fact temporary keeper all the emergency routines that were to be followed in case of an emergency. Rivet finally, reluctantly, left as the drab stallion shooed her out of the facility, constantly assuring her that everything was under control.

Rivet made her way with her suitcases to the Hoofington train station and boarded a train bound for Trottingham, where she would have to catch a second train, from a different station, that would take her to Stalliongrad. The trip was long and tiring, riding on a train for upwards of a day straight is not much fun for anypony. As Rivet moved farther north the general motif of the land and dwellings slowly began to change. The farther north she went the more squat and well insulated the dwellings became. Also the landscape became more barren and studded with dry grass, before turning slowly into snow-scape. This was the first time that Rivet had seen this much snow, and it kept getting thicker the more north she went. Luckily the train was heated and well insulated.

When the train arrived in the Stalliongrad station Rivet was greeted with an escort to help her find her way around the city.

'This place is massive! So many different ponies and griffons! And look at all these buildings!!' Rivet thought to herself as her escort showed her the different districts. Rivet was awestruck.

After checking in to her hotel and wandering around the city for a while she started getting ready for the banquet, that is why she was here after all. She took a long hot shower, a process which she did not enjoy. All the grime that pigmented her pelt soon was loosened and flowed freely into the drain. Her mane and tail were next to follow. Slowly but surely she was becoming cleaner, her protective layer of silt slowly dissolving with the help of the lavender shampoo.

Within the hour Rivet was spotless and squeaky clean, a feeling that she did not relish. Her mane had not been cut in quite some time, it hung in tousled waves down to her ankles as did her tail. She poked through her wardrobe trying to find an appropriate dress for the banquet. She did not want something too prim or dressy, but it was black tie after all.

'Why can't I just wear my saddle bags? They are comfy and hold all my belongings very well. All this pomp and circumstance is just … BLECH!' She thought to herself, sticking out her tongue at the end of her thought.

Her eyes lit up a little when they fell upon her, 'Special Dress'. She had this dress custom designed by an interesting mare in Hoofington. 'If I have to get dressed up, I might as well wear something that I like.' She thought with a little levity. She slipped into the garment using her magic to fasten some of the harder to reach places and then looked herself over in the full length mirror.

The dress was a little odd but she loved it. The dress had a thin breast collar, on which resided some brass gears, with a larger one in the middle. A small emerald accentuated her pristine pearl pelt and her lively green eyes. Attached to the breast collar was a small silver saddle with some more brass interlocking gears studding its perimeter. The girth was made of very light chain-mail, bronze again. The entire piece was brought together with a soft, flowing, almost translucent silver fabric covering her haunches and flank. The final piece was a small hair clip holding back her forelock from her eyes. This was of her own design, even if she did not use it often. Simple clockwork and springs powered a small gear on the front, causing it to slowly rotate, just like the gear on the side of her light house.

Her escort furnished transportation to the banquet which was being held in the wooded Vysokii District. Rivet felt a little more open than she would have liked, wearing the dress and not having her dirty pelt. She kept to herself during the trip to the estate. There were ponies from all over Equestria attending this banquet it seemed. Rivet took her seat at the dining hall and waited for the food to be served so that she could get the evening over with. Rivet's ears perked up as a mare took the stage and started speaking to the audience.

'This is the CEO of NSI?!' Rivet pondered to herself as the mare in the black dress spoke confidently to the crowded room. 'I didn't think any other mares actually had anything to do with heavy machinery! This is a treat! Maybe she will be fun to talk to!' Rivet thought with a meek smile on her muzzle. 'OH Maybe she will even use some of my designs!! I am so glad that I took my portfolio!' Rivet's smile crept a little larger.

The food was served, exotic treats from all over Equestria and some Stalliongrad favorites. It seemed as though no expense was spared for this banquet. Rivet daintily walked to the tables, making sure not to trip on her mane, tail, or dress. She picked up a plate and placed some appetizers on it. Rivet surveyed the room looking for the guest of honor, the CEO of NSI. Hopefully she wouldn't be that hard to spot. 'After all a white pegasus in a slimming black dress shouldn't be that hard to spot, right?' Rivet pondered to herself as she chewed some cheesy bread substance with a hint of paprika.

[RarityDash]

Snowfall exchanged pleasantries with all the ponies and griffins that demanded it. She gave her best smile and a cordial greeting to all the wealthy investors who backed her company, the branch heads she rarely saw and the big shots she was still trying to catch the attention of. Essentially, there was a checklist in her mind of all the names and faces she needed to approach and make feel extra welcome and appreciated for the sake of the company. She tried her hardest not to spend too long on any of these names though. Though determined to be the best host possible, as it were, Snow was far more interested in those in the crowd that weren't on this mental checklist.

After a brief conversation with the head of a Talonopolis-based airship manufacturer with whom NSI had a strong partnership, Snow felt, for the moment, satisfied enough to momentarily leave the checklist behind. She scanned the hall up and down eagerly. This was why she had left invites for this thing so easy to obtain. By mailing them off not just to potential and current backers, sellers, employees and partners, but to simple customers as well, she was sure to meet ponies of an interesting sort who wouldn't normally attend such a high class affair as this. It was exactly that sort of pony she was most interested in speaking with tonight.

Her seeking eyes eventually settled on a single unfamiliar face amongst the crowd. Snowfall was intrigued at once by this pony. Her dress was rather outlandish, to say the least. It featured several gears and what looked like even some metal chain. A moving gear even rest in the mare's hair as a clip. This was clearly a pony fascinated with machinery. Machine enthusiasts weren't too rare to see at events like this; NSI did pride itself in only selling the best of products... but this particular pony was notable in a number of ways. For one, there was the simple fact she was a mare while most dedicated machinists seemed to be stallions in Snow's experience. Even more fascinating to Snowfall than that though was the fact that this was a unicorn. Unicorns just typically had no interest in machines when they could already do so much with their magic. NSI still had no presence in Canterlot, and most of the investors were earth ponies, pegasi and griffins. It was startling to see a unicorn here... and not as some wealthy socialite here for the atmosphere, but as somepony who genuinely appreciated machinery.

Snowfall was fascinated by this pony before she even approached her. She wanted to learn more about her. Curiosities running high, she approached the pony slowly from the right as she stood eating some of the provided food. She put on her smile as she decided how best to get the unicorn's attention.

"How fun! What a novel idea for a hair clip," Snow said, as she stared at the gear in the mare's mane with interest. "Where did you find such a thing?"

[Pony_Sage]

The faint ticking of the mechanized gear kept Rivet's left ear occupied. A soft click every second or so counted out the minutes as she stood around and smiled at the ponies munching on their food. Everypony seemed intent to schmooze with one another and share stories of their past. There was a guffaw some where off in the distance, muffled somewhat by the din of clinking plates, moving ponies and griffons, and the murmur of polite talking. The laugh was stifled quickly but the sound resonated for a moment over the crowd, in the vaulted ceiling, before disappearing again. Rivet's ears twitched from side to side, picking snippets of conversations out among the patrons. She never really liked crowds, just too much going on, it made it hard for her to 'hear' her own thoughts.

'Well the food is tasty! You should be happy silly you are out and about, getting free food. Oh but what if that replacement pony moves some of my equipment, it took me forever to get everything in the right place.' Rivet quietly mused as she stood silently in the crowd.

Hoof-beats, out of time with the rest of the room, not random, these had purpose, intent, a destination in mind. Rivet subconsciously swiveled her right ear to find the direction of the hooves. They stopped and a confident voice asked, "How fun! What a novel idea for a hair clip, where did you find such a thing?" The voice was confident, yet different, lighter and more nurturing, 'Female?' Rivet mentally asked herself. She turned her head towards the new voice.

'Oh my! It is the CEO!! Swallow your food, stand up straight, look more feminine, but not too much. Should I bow? No too formal. Hoofshake? Calm down Rivet, put your plate down and just say hello. You can do this.' Rivet's mind was running rather quickly. Her expression was at first shock and confusion but quickly turned to a small polite smile. The plate briskly moved to an open table as Rivet extended her hoof towards the mare.

“Thank you for the compliment. I made the hair-clip. Simple, clockwork and gear, little welding.” The small type-writer clicked out from Rivet's left side. The type-writer was attached to a small leather harness that kept it to the side, up and out of the way, resting on her shoulder. The small piece of receipt tape slowly floated over towards the evening dress clad Pegasus that was speaking with Rivet. She bowed her head a little to let the other mare get a better look at the slowly rotating clip.

“Oh! Sorry! I'm Rivet. Hello, pleased to meet you. CEO of NSI? Honor is mine.” The type-writer hurriedly tapped out and the paper soon joined the other floating in front of Snowfall. Rivet smiled nervously, trying to look her best. 'I so hope I am doing this right. I'm not that good at meeting new people.' She mentally fretted.

[RarityDash]

Snowfall blinked multiple times as she read the tape flying toward her. She certainly hadn't been expected this. Instead of simply answering her, this strange mare was using some sort of contraption tied to her side to type out her response. How positively unusual! She pondered then whether this pony was physically incapable of speaking and had made this machine to make up for her shortcomings or if she was just some kind of eccentric. Either way, Snowfall was at once fascinated. Seeing such an unusual application of machinery truly was exciting.

"It truly is a pleasure to meet you, Rivet," Snowfall said, taking the hoof offered her and shaking it firmly. "Please call me Snowfall."

The pegasus offered a friendly smile and nod to the other mare. "Are you enjoying the evening so far?"

[Pony_Sage]

Rivet smiled meekly as Snowfall shook her hoof. There seemed to be a slight accent to her words that Rivet had never heard before. It was very faint but interesting to Rivet.

'Oh maybe this is a Stalliongrad accent? She was probably born and raised here after all.' Rivet pondered for a moment.

Rivet nodded her head with a big smile at Snowfall when asked about the evening. Her type-writer sprang to life again,

“Yes, wonderful. Food good. Lots of people. – Snowfall pretty name. Live in Stalliongrad? Wonderful town, amazing sights.” The tape hovered in front of Snowfall's eyes.

Rivet was always a little sheepish when meeting new people. She never knew how they would react to her not speaking to them. Sometimes it was a negative reaction where as other times it was sheer interest on the other pony's part. The banquet room was still full of other ponies, griffons, and the occasional zebra. 'I wonder why she came over to speak with me. Out of all these ponies I can't be that special. – Stop doubting yourself, she is being nice and liked your hair-clip this is a good thing. Maybe you could talk to her about what you do. Thank her for the products and the invitation. Yes do that!' Rivet scolded herself.

“I bought some product. Good product, well made. Thank you. Invitation surprised me, thank you very much. Usually don't attend parties. Can't leave light-house. But this vacation time. Wanted to see Stalliongrad. Never been. Almost never seen snow. So pretty and white!” The second tape read.

[RarityDash]

"The company would be nothing without our customers. It's I who should be thanking you," said Snow after reading the second tape. She smiled and lowered her head slightly. "Thank you, Rivet for deciding to visit us here tonight."

Snowfall kept up her smile. This pony seemed kind of nervous and awkward. Snow was pretty certain now that she lacked the ability to speak. If she was just an eccentric, she'd be more confident in her eccentricities. No, this pony had used innovation to create for herself a voice she lacked. Some less civilized ponies might mock or pry at somepony so different. Snow found it inspiring.

"And to answer your previous question, yes. Stalliongrad is where I live," she said warmly. "It is indeed a fine city, demanding pride. I've travelled throughout Equestria, but there isn't anywhere else I've seen that I'd rather call my home."

[Tempest Rime]

Lola Silverbeak sat attentively at a table as the CEO spoke. Her ventures in Canterlot had been mildly successful, but the pony's speech filled Lola with hope. In the blink of an eye, this company had arisen to become a major player in Stalliongrad. The opportunities that would come from an alliance with their company were vast. And Lola's own company had plenty to offer them in order to secure that alliance.

After the speech she politely ate what pony food she could stomach. Nuts and fruit were all very well, but hay was not part of a griffin's dietary needs. Still, it was better to be seen eating, as many ponies seemed to get a little off-put in the presence of a hungry griffin, even if Lola personally would never dream of committing such barbarities as eating the flesh of a sentient being. Stalliongrad actually had a griffin population, and Lola had spotted a few places that advertised griffin cuisine, but even so, eating meat in front of ponies was quite the social faux pas.

When she was sure she'd eaten enough that she wasn't going to accidentally put on any predatory airs, she got up and glanced around for the CEO, preening her already immaculate feathers and smoothing the bejeweled winter cloak she had purchased in Canterlot. She was told they were the latest fashion since some pony pop-singer had worn something similar on her latest tour. Being fashionable was only a means to a good impression for Lola, but the cloak's primary purpose had been to keep her warm on the trip to this inhospitable land, and it had served that purpose well enough.

Finally she spotted the CEO, speaking to a unicorn. The griffiness swept in gracefully, brushing past another group of griffins she recognized from Talonopolis. She gave the slightest nod in passing before heading straight for the CEO, gripping her ever-present parasol daintily in her claws. "Madame Snowfall, I presume. Pardon me for interrupting, but I have been very much hoping to meet you." Lola bowed respectfully without conveying the slightest bit of submissiveness through the gesture. "I have heard very good things about your business." Lola had done her research. "I am Lola Silverbeak, and it is a very great pleasure to make your acquaintance." In a careful ploy to see just how much snowfall knew of her family's business, Lola did not elaborate on it yet.

Lola turned and graciously greeted the unicorn with the typewriter, assuming she was a journalist of some kind. "And it is a pleasure to meet you as well, though I must admit that I have no familiarity with you, miss..." She trailed off, expecting the unicorn to introduce herself.

[Pony_Sage]

Rivet was actually enjoying herself at this get together, as odd as that was for her. Usually large groups of people in small enclosed areas made her nervous for some reason. 'All the hustle and bustle,' she surmised, 'gets to my ears I guess.' The pegasus mare however seemed to have the ability to make other ponies feel comfortable when speaking with them. 'Maybe that is why she is such a successful business pony? After all being able to relate to other ponies is the key for business. Maybe I could ask her for some help getting an airship way-station set up at my light house in exchange for some of my designs. That would be great!' There were other footsteps approaching from her rear, heavier than a normal pony it seemed, with an odd click to them. 'Oh but how will I introduce the concept of my designs to her? Coming out and saying it might put her off …' A large mass of pink feathers and orange fur moved into Rivet's peripheral vision. It took her a moment to recognize the blob as a griffon, she took a step back.

"Madame Snowfall, I presume. Pardon me for interrupting, but I have been very much hoping to meet you. I am Lola Silverbeak, and it is a very great pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Rivet wasn't particularly intimidated by griffons, she was just around them even less than she was around regular ponies. She didn't know how to properly act around griffons, sine their culture was rather different from that of ponies. Rivet kept a weather eye on this pink griffon as she spoke and bowed to Snowfall. 'Oh this makes things even harder. How am I ever going to get on the topic of my designs now?' she silently wondered.

The griffon turned to Rivet and spoke, "And it is a pleasure to meet you as well, though I must admit that I have no familiarity with you, miss..."

Rivet's eyes went a little bigger than usual, 'Oh my, why is she addressing me? I'm not that important.' Rivet nervously thought to herself. The tendrils of magic deftly reached out for her typewriter and tapped out a message to the griffon. “Rivet, pleased to meet you Miss Silverbeak.” it read. Rivet put on a sheepish smile towards the griffon. She fidgeted with her hooves on the floorboards for a moment before mentally scolding herself for acting like a silly filly and proceeded to stand up straight and follow the conversation.

[RarityDash]

At first Snow frowned when her conversation with Rivet was disrupted. That was until she heard the name of the griffin who had approached her. Lola Silverbeak. The Silverbeak's were quite famous in Aquelia, and the name even carried some weight in Equestria these days. Silverbeak was a name synonymous with electricity, and moreover the harvesting of it for use as energy. NSI scientists were studying electricity extensively, but Silverbeak was unquestionably ahead. That why getting on good terms with this griffin was so important. Working together was far more profitable than becoming rivals so long as Silverbeak had the clear edge.

As it were, Lola Silverbeak had probably been the name highest on Snow's mental checklist. She hadn't heard the griffin was in attendance, so she hadn't thought to seek her out before. Now, a discussion was clearly in order. Befriending this griffin was important to the company. However, there was something of a problem.

Snowfall was still very interested in learning more about Rivet. She detested the idea of pushing their conversation aside in favor of the griffin, just because she was more consequential to the company. Especially since she really might not see Rivet again if she let her go now. Still, the griffin really did come first. Snow needed to make a good impression with her. She truly hoped Rivet had patience with her.

"Ah, Miss Silverbeak. I'm delighted to finally meet you," Snow said cordially, offering the griffin a hoof. "I wasn't sure you'd be able to make it today. Ever since NSI started doing business in Aquelia, I've been paying close attention to your family's endeavors. I was hoping for a chance to talk to you someday, and now, finally it seems that day has come."

[Tempest Rime]

Lola let only the slightest bit on confusion show in her eyes when the unicorn began typing out her reply, but she was far from slow on the uptake. Upon reading the note, she immediately realized the unicorn must have some medical condition, and her confusion vanished. She did, however, note Rivet's nervousness, and assumed it was because she was a griffin. She'd gotten a lot of that since her trip into Equestria. She flashed her most disarming smile at the unicorn and addressed her. "There's no need to be nervous, Miss Rivet. I assure you, while there may be some griffins out there who lack common civility, I am part of a noble and forward-thinking clan."

She turned back to Snowfall. "Excellent, that greatly simplifies matters. Ah, but there's no need to rush into talk of business now. This is a party, after all, and it would be rude of me to monopolize your time right now. Suffice to say, we are interested in opening a laboratory here, and possibly importing some of your machinery. Specifics can wait." She turned her piercing gaze back to the unicorn.

"And how about you, Miss Rivet, what do you do?" Lola was unaware how easy Snowfall had made getting in to the banquet, and assumed that Rivet was someone of local importance that she hadn't heard of. She was eager to remedy her ignorance, as she knew very well that in business, knowledge is power.

[Pony_Sage]

Rivet quietly stood next to the Pegasus mare and the big pink griffon. She actually didn't mind listening to other people's conversations. After all she had been mute for her entire life, she had gotten used to sitting and listening rather than participating in the ongoing conversation. She always had herself to talk to after all.

'Hrm, there is a shipping route between Stalliongrad and Aquellia? Huh, maybe that is where NSI gets some of their raw materials. So if this griffon here knows about shipping and so does Snowfall, maybe I could convince them that on a trip to the Gallopocus the ships could stop at the docking station I am building! Oh that would be fun!! I could work on the ships, implement some of my inventions! Make the engines more efficient. Plus all the different classes of vessel have different engines! It would be like working on a completely new item every day!' Rivet pondered to herself as a silly grin slunk onto her muzzle.

Lola addressed Rivet as though the little unicorn were somepony important. She let out a silent chuckle, which must likely looked a little odd. 'What are you laughing at, this is your IN you silly filly!! Use this to talk about your work, make it sound important, get those ships to visit the station! Don't miss this chance!' She quickly stifled the chuckle.

“I own, operate Whirring Gear Light. Light-house near Hoofington. Make inventions, Steam power, can fix airships. Improve engines. Make more efficient. Good at steam. Mechengineer when I was a filly. Built light-house systems from scratch, NSI parts helped. Very good quality.” The type-writer clicked out in a hurried manner. Rivet smiled a genuine happy smile as she levitated the slip between the griffon and the pegasus so they both could read it.

'Don't push it too hard Rivet. Let them ask for the schematics and drawings. That way they think it was their idea. It always works better that way.' She thought biding her time.

[RarityDash]

Snowfall was quite impressed to learn more about Rivet, and also impressed with Lola for her reaction to the unicorn. She hadn't made an issue of Rivet's disability and she had actually pushed the conversation away from herself and toward the unicorn. It wasn't what the pegasus had been expecting, to say the least. From enough experience with either, Snow knew that griffins and the incredibly wealthy both could be quite disagreeable at times. Lola was both at once and yet she she hardly left a bad first impression. Snow wondered if this griffin could be someone she actually enjoyed working with and not just someone she put up with.

"You sound quite talented, Rivet" said Snowfall nodding. "I own this company, but my understanding of how the things we sell work is somewhat rudimentary. I really admire those like you who possess the knowledge and spirit of innovation to put our products to good use."

She gave one more nod and smiled warmly, then continued, "i've never been to Hoofington; our presence in the southern region is limited to our brand new office in Fillydelphia. But should I ever visit, it would be a delight to see this lighthouse of yours and the rest of your inventions."

[Tempest Rime]

"Hmm, Hoofinton," said Lola thoughtfully. "I made a stop there on my last trip to Canterlot. Rather a quaint little town, but rather well-situated for trade out in the east. I'd love set up a shipyard there. Sea ships that is, though I would tend to favor steam power over the wind-powered vessels ponies tend to favor, as we griffins don't have easy access to weather manipulation. Airships, while they are not limited by terrain, are sadly quite costly to build and maintain. Still, should one of our airships happen to be in your area, I'll let them know there's a qualified mechanic down. It's quite rare to find one in that area. That is, if you don't mind the occasional interruption, of course."

Lola had no intention of sharing that information with the other noble clans, of course. Being able to service their airship at a location that the others were ignorant of would give her a slight edge in the trade, and when it came to her rivals, Lola took every advantage she could get. She also refrained from inquiring about this ponies inventions, as Snowfall's remark made it clear that getting to technical might be detrimental to the conversation.

[Pony_Sage]

Rivet was very pleased with herself, she was getting her name out there to big industrialists and hopefully one day soon would have some business from repairing airships! Ever since she was a filly she had always wanted to make a business out of fixing airships, or for that matter, anything that ran on steam power and this might get her hoof in the door. A big goofy grin slowly appeared upon her face as she though of airships docked at the observation deck of the Light-House tower. 'All those re-enforcements and structural tweaks won't go to waste it seems! Oh I can't wait to have the first airship dock and then fix it! OH, I'll need more room! Maybe another outbuilding? After all these sailors are going to want to take a nap, so an outbuilding with some hammocks would be perfect for them to snooze in. I guess I'll have to talk to that odd zebra again, what was his name? Monty! That's it, I know he can get lumber and nails and the like, but maybe he can get some helping hooves to put up the outbuilding. Even though I could do it myself, it would take so much less time if others helped with the process.' As Rivet pondered these things she couldn't help but beam, her dream was coming true!

Rivet's ear's pricked up as Snowfall spoke about visiting her and Lola asked about the interruptions. 'Oh no interruptions, having an airship stop by isn't an interruption it is a pleasure!!' Her mind was going a mile a minute as the keys on the type-writer animated and a the tape quickly spat out of the machine.

"Please visit, not many do, lonely at times. Airships can dock at observation deck, above light-house tower. Re-enforced and structurally sound. No interruption at all, pleased to help out, gives me something to do! Working on ships is so much fun, love every minute of it!" As piece of paper floated between the two captains of industry Rivet put on her best smile, her lively green eyes jumping between her two new friends. 'This is so perfect! My parents were right, taking this trip was the best idea EVER! See what happens when you leave the house? You make new friends and drum up some business! You should get out more, it won't kill'ya to take a day off here and there. Maybe visit some towns, meet new and interesting ponies, and griffons! Pick up some new ideas, get some neat parts from the griffon lands. Well Monty would have to ship those in for me.' Rivet was just so happy with the turn of events, this was not at all what she had planned the evening to be.

"This is wonderful, thank you both so much!" Rivet couldn't help but type out to the pair. Hopefully the rest of the night would be as wonderful as the past few hours had been!

[RarityDash]

Though there was no voice to accompany the words on the tape, the joyful expression on Rivet's face as she typed out her thanks was more than enough to make Snow smile. She could just tell that the unicorn was excited to be recognized at an event like that, and she herself was excited for her. She had potentially inadvertently gotten this lighthouse dealer from a moderately sized town like Hoofington an airship repair contract with the likes of Lola Silverbeak. That would surely be hugely significant in her life. Snowfall still had her own curiosities though. Perhaps there was something she could offer the unicorn herself?

"You're quite welcome, Rivet," she said, still smiling. "But I have to say my curiosities are now piqued. I may not know much in the way of specifics when it comes to technology, but there is nothing I value more than a good idea. I have to ask, just what sorts of things have you invented?"

[Tempest Rime]

Lola raised an eyebrow at Snowfall's request. She, of course, was always interested in new ideas, but it was unusual for most individuals on the business end of things to think about the technical side at all. Perhaps things were a little different in Equestria, or perhaps the CEO was only being polite. Either way, Lola had no more reason to remain silent on the matter.

"I must profess my own curiosity about the kind of inventions you've come up with. It's no secret that our peoples often approach things radically differently, mostly because of the existence of unicorn magic. As it happens, I am a bit of an inventor myself, though of course, as the head of my family's R&D firm I do tend to end up sticking to the design side of the work over the actual implementation." She grinned slyly. "Mostly."

It had been a long time since Lola had found conversing with a pony to be so interesting. She wondered if perhaps this strange unicorn might be a sort of kindred spirit. Even a great visionary would have gone overlooked in Aquellia had they no means of speaking, but in Equestria Rivet seemed to have done well enough. At least, well enough to get invited to a corporate party on the other side of the country.

[Pony_Sage]

'YAY!!! They want to know more about my designs!!! Oh frabjous day!!' Rivet let out a silent squeak as she pranced in place. 'Stop that! This is a professional gathering, act your age!' She scolded herself as she snapped back to reality and nervously looked about hoping no one saw her joy dance. Just for this occasion she had, when she was dressing, neatly folded a blueprint of one of her contraptions into a neat tiny square and stashed it in her saddle. 'This is the perfect design to have brought!' She thought as the type-writer sprang to life.

“Have blueprint, can show, so interesting, more efficient, more powerful, faster, better.” The short note read as it was passed between Lola and Snowfall.

Rivet reached back with a green tendril of magic and plucked the blueprint out of her saddle. The nearby table would be a perfect place to spread it out, once the condiments had been cleared off, which Rivet did with an eager hoof. The blueprint had been folded so tightly to fit in her saddle that she had an awful time of unfolding it. Slowly but surely the blueprint grew in size as the folds relinquished their hold on the thin paper. Astonishingly the paper took up most of the table, the white pen on the blue paper traced unique and intriguing lines that joined to make magnificent patterns. The designs seemed to be of a steam engine, but something was drastically different from the classic in-line piston set up of most steam engines. The pistons were clustered in a circle around an eccentric crankshaft that seemed to terminate rather quickly.

“Have been looking into steam turbines. Interesting applications, amazing speed, great for aircraft. But too big, require too much steam. Would need to much water, too big of a boiler, only work for massive ships and for short periods of time. Still years away from practical use. I made this instead. 'Halo Drive'.” The note read as it was placed on the table. Rivet's mouth mimicked the motion of saying 'Halo Drive.' Lost in thought she continued to type.

“In-line pistons, good, but not enough energy transferred to props. Loss in length of crankshaft, bulky.

'Halo Drive' Removes problem. Puts pistons and cams right outside eccentric crankshaft. Direct energy transfer. Less loss, shorter length. Pistons right behind props. Can achieve greater speeds. Since air has less resistance than water, better for airships. Greater speed equals faster ships equals more cargo runs equals more money. Would need to retrofit entire ship, take out old engine, assemble new ones, put on, reroute steam pipes. Lots of work, but really worth it. Trims around 1-2 tonnes from ship's displacement. Lighter means faster. Have most parts, can order ones I don't have to be fabricated. Whole job on medium class cargo vessel, takes about a month.” This note was one of the longest that she had written in a long time.

Rivet's hoof traced the lines on the paper to exemplify some points that the note made. This was, to be sure, a major advance in steam engine propulsion for the airship industry, Rivet was hoping against all odds that her designs would impress these two magnates and she might get her name out there, or better yet, her engine.

[RarityDash]

Snowfall read with interest as Rivet's latest tape flew past her. She was honestly far more interested in what the unicorn was typing then the blueprint laid before her. She could follow the drawing to some extent, but it was the ideas behind it that truly had her smiling. Airship parts were a major part of NSI's business, and no parts were more important than engines. An improvement like this Halo Drive, if it could do all that Rivet claimed, sounded like it could lead to a considerable profit. She hated changing a largely social conversation to business, but she felt the need to jump on this.

"I'm impressed," said Snowfall nodding. "This Halo Drive of yours really does sound like it could be the next big thing in steam technology." The pegasus smiled softly. "I hope not to appear crass in asking so readily, but with your permission I'd love to have my engineers look into the prospect of actually building these on a large scale. If doing so is practical, you would be paid fairly and handsomely, of course, and will be credited in full for the invention."

"I understand if you're hesitant to accept such an offer, or if you need time to think it over," Snowfall added quietly, fearful the unicorn might react badly.

[Tempest Rime]

Lola examined the blueprints with fascination. "Intriguing. And it works entirely without the use of magic?" She considered the implications of this technology. If she were to acquire local manufacturing rights as well, she would be competing with NIS, which would be awfully rude, and might cause problems down the line. Plus, if griffins were manufacturing the drives, she'd have no excuse not to sell them to the Razorclaws. However, if she let NIS develop them, the fact that a pony company was making them would probably be enough to keep the traditionalist Razorclaws from outfitting their own fleets, while Lola could take advantage of the new technology. Plus engines weren't exactly her family's primary area of expertise.

She nodded. "If you start manufacturing these, and they perform in practice as well as they should in theory, I would be highly interested in retrofitting my family's fleet with them. On one condition. I want to be sure it's known who is responsible for this advance." She pointed at Rivet and smiled disarmingly.

"I don't know if you're aware, but the prevailing opinion on non-griffin technologies in Aquelia has not been one of high regard. It's an old-fashioned, outdated mode of thought that I've been trying to break through for some time now, and I think making it known that a pony can not only build, but improve upon our own technologies would be an important step forward." And it would be certain to keep those infernal Razorclaws from taking advantage of the technology, she added mentally.

[Pony_Sage]

Rivet froze like a Peryton in the Train Lights, she had not expected this at all when she set out for the Great White City of Stalliongrad. “...I'd love to have my engineers look into the prospect of actually building these on a large scale...” These words echoed in Rivet's head for a moment, they were soon joined in bouncing about with “...I would be highly interested in retrofitting my family's fleet with them...” The gears in Rivet's head ground to a halt for a moment, thoughts stopped mid stream, she almost stopped breathing. As her senses slowly came back to her she took a deep breath, as though she had been underwater for quite a while.

'Oh no no no no no, This isn't good at all!! What am I going to do?!? These two are so nice, listening to me prattle on about myself, Snowfall is the CEO of NSI for Celestia's sake, and Lola is apparently a griffon of some renown. How am I going to tell them this?' Rivet thought as she ground her teeth, a bad habit from her foalhood. 'I...I just don't want other ponies working on my equipment, changing things. Stuff could do wrong, ponies could get hurt. Plus most of how to make and install these is in my noggin, I can't move up to Stalliongrad just to help ponies make the Halo Drive. Plus maybe I wouldn't be credited with the invention, I don't know these ponies after all. Ooooooooh, I don't want to come off as rude and self centered. What am I going to do. STOP grinding your teeth, bad Rivet, that isn't polite.'

Rivet smiled bashfully as she stopped bruxing her teeth, her eyes darting from Snowfall to Lola and back again. She carried a worried look upon her face as her typewriter quietly started its task.

“So sorry, can't do that. Happy to make and install on any ship that visits Light-House, no imposition at all. Each unit, hoof tuned, fabricated, installed, and tweaked for unique airship. May take longer, better results. Not good for mass producing. Sorry again, not mean to be mean. Will install on any ship that visits again. But no mass producing please. Sorry again.”

Rivet cringed as the tape levitated in front of Snowfall and then Lola. 'I really hope they understand. This has been such a wonderful evening, I don't want to ruin it for anypony.' She worriedly thought.

[RarityDash]

Snowfall was having trouble reading Rivet's face after she gave her request. After Lola added to it, it became more clear the pony was under some sort of duress. Snowfall immediately regretted her brusqueness. To try and place an NSI production stamp on the mare's innovation seconds after seeing the blueprint, it was really inexcusable. Snow cursed herself mentally. Her father wouldn't have made a mistake like that. Even now, so many years after his disappearance, she still had so much to learn about how to best run the company.

Snow's concerns were only confirmed when the tape flew past her. She read it and nodded quietly.

"I do apologize," Snow said, closing her eyes. "I hope not to have offended you, enthusiasm merely blinded me for a moment. This design is your intellectual property. To try and take it out of your hooves and into our labs was rude of me."

Snowfall gave a low nod and then added in a calm voice, "I am still interested in your Halo Drive. However, if you're not interested in a mass production agreement, perhaps we could work out another arrangement? A partnership, perhaps? NSI could provide you with some funding to build these and then set you up with some of our bigger customers interested in buying them for a premium price. All we would ask is a portion of the profits."

"If even that is too much to ask, I understand and I will back away," Snow said quietly. "I truly mean not to upset you. I am just in the business of bringing new innovations to my customers."

[Tempest Rime]

Lola pondered for a moment. No mass production would hinder testing, and would mean her family couldn't retrofit her fleet. Still, there was always an angle that could be exploited. Perhaps she simply needed to think a bit more ling-term. "Well, if you insist. I can't actually retrofit any of my family's ships without extensive safety testing, and you'd have to be willing to give up at least enough information on the drive for the engineers to perform emergency maintenance should problems arise. Airships are quite an investment, and without testing, I really can't risk them. Even if your drive does work perfectly in the lab, field-use is an entirely different animal."

"Here," she reached into her purse and pulled out a business card. "Take my card and do let me know when you are ready to begin implementation. At the very least I would love to have our top-line ships outfitted with your engine. Every little bit of efficiency the airships can get is that much less coal burned to power them."

[Pony_Sage]

'HORSEAPPLES! Why did you go and write that to them.' Rivet chided herself. 'Snowfall thinks that she offended you. Why would you go and do something like that.' Rivet looked angry with herself until Snowfall's counter-offer hit her ears. She perked up with a smile, 'Yes! That would be wonderful! A joint partnership, halo drives made with NSI parts, ships docking at my Light-House. THIS is perfect.' Rivet, still smiling, pointed her hoof at Snowfall's words and nodded her head joyously.

“Perfect, yes please, sounds wonderful. Not in it for the money, really, just want to work on airships. Get name known, have Halo Drive make airships better.” The type-writer ecstatically sang out.

She turned her attention to Lola's words next. 'Oh yes of course, emergency maintenance is a must. After all I would be using the engineers on board the ships to help me with the retrofit. Oh safety tests? Well I understand that, but that would require either engineers to reverse engineer the drive. Or griffons looking over my shoulder as I worked.' Rivet shivered a small amount at the thought of so many griffons wandering about her house, moving things. As it stood she was at the limit of her crowd tolerance, she was never much for big gatherings, they made her feel small and insignificant.

“Yes, ship engineers will help me with installing, it isn't top secret, just very special part. What safety tests needed? All calculations checked and rechecked. Have working model in test room basement, 240 working hours, no fault. But want to know what I can do to help testing.” Rivet floated the strip over to Lola with a big smile on her muzzle.

Rivet levitated Lola's business card to herself and read it briefly before tucking it away in a little compartment in her saddle. 'Give her one of yours, that is the polite thing to do.' Rivet reminded herself. With a brief pause she levitated a pair of home made, self printed, not so fancy business cards over to both Lola and Snowfall. Upon them was nothing more than her address and name, simple but still useful.

“Would you both like to further look at the blue-prints?” Rivet levitated the short note between her two new friends with an inquisitive look upon her face. She actually had another copy of the blue-prints stashed in her saddle. Even though she was dubious to handing out her blue-prints wily-nilly, she was confident in both the quality of both Lola's and Snowfall's character, and the simple fact that she had left out some small but very important parts, that could be very easily looked over, in these blue-prints. If the engine was assembled according to these blue-prints, it simply would not function, at all, and it would not be cost effective to figure out why. When it came to her work, Rivet was a tad paranoid.

[RarityDash]

Snowfall held her breath anxiously in her chest as she waited for the first new tape to fly from Rivet's type-writer. As she read it she relaxed and smiled.

"Excellent. I'll need your full contact details... and also details on the sort of parts and resources you're going to need from us. In the meant time, I'll be compiling a list of valued customers with the money and need for such a tope of the line airship engine to send your way," Snow eagerly started. "I do look forward to doing business with you in the future."

As the message in reply to Lola's concerns flew by, Snow nodded. She was then pleased to be given a business card. This covered contact details she supposed. She smiled and fumbled for her own card.

"Thanks. Here's mine in return," Snow said with a nod as she handed it to the unicorn. It was her more personal card that she more rarely gave out, having not just her business mailbox, but her personal one as well.

A final tape flew past Snow and Lola, which Snow read eagerly. The unicorn questioned if they wanted to examine the blueprints further. Snow smirked as she considered this.

"I doubt I'd be able to make sense of them completely," she said shaking her head. "However Miss Silverbeak's concerns are valid. I won't ask for the full details of the design, but it would be some relief to the potential customers if NSI's engineers at least had some guide to go by to perform routine maintenance on the things. I wouldn't think to ask for full blueprints now, but if you can prepare something simplified for us to use as a guide, I would certainly have a use for that.