Ponyville A Royal Pain, err Visitor

[Corsair]

Prince Blueblood fumed inside of his private, enclosed carriage. He'd been fuming for the past few days, since he had been given this assignment. But the closer he got to his destination, the more grouchy and disagreeable he became. But, as he been told several times this week already, this was his job. He was a Prince, he wasn't supposed to have a 'job'! Besides, he had underlings that could be doing this! But when the immortal ruler of the land instructed you to personally oversee a project, you did not argue with her.

The little town of Ponyville was growing rapidly in the past year. New homes, businesses, and streets were popping up at a rapid pace. Princess Celestia had mentioned the influence of the 'Elements of Rhythm" (or something like that) were contributing to the growth of the town. (He hadn't really paid much attention to that part.) But with all the growth, the palace's maps of the town were woefully out of date.

Now, anypony that worked for Blueblood could have done simple maps of streets and such, but Ponyville bordered the Everfree Forest. The forest was governed by its own strange laws, and its borders changed seemingly at random. So Blueblood, as the Royal Cartographer, had been tasked to not only map out the growth in Ponyville, but to accurately plot the borders of the forest.

So Blueblood found himself in a carriage on the road to Ponyville, all but one of his servants left behind, and he thought he might die of discomfort before this was all over. "Honestly, you'd think that Celestia could have at LEAST let me use her chariot!" he complained to nopony in particular... for about the fifth time. “This road is so bumpy and dusty!”

“Indeed, Sire, undoubtedly a mistaken oversight on the part of Her Majesty,” replied the other unicorn in the carriage, Starched Collar, Blueblood’s butler. He rolled his eyes when he was sure the Prince was not looking at him.

“How soon before we reach this flyspeck of a village?” Blueblood complained, failing to notice that the carriage was already slowing to a stop. One of the pony chauffeurs unhitched himself from the carriage, and came back to knock on the door.

“Your ‘Highness’, we have arrived.” He called through the door, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Blueblood, oblivious to the tone in the chauffeur’s voice, nodded in acknowledgement. “Indeed. Starched Collar, you may announce me,” he told his Butler.

Starched Collar opened the door to the carriage and stepped out with a sigh borne of long suffering. He quickly unrolled a red carpet off the step of the carriage, then took at deep breath. “ANNOUNCING HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, PRINCE OF CANTERLOT, AUGUSTUS BLUEBLOOD!” he shouted across the square.

((Your Prince is here! You may bask in his radiance! Or kick dirt in his face, either way works.))

[ZephyrBurst]

It was another delivery to Ponyville for Zephyr. This would be one of his last deliveries for awhile as he was being forced into helping the lead organizer for some project out in Appleoosa. Zephyr didn't know the details behind it, he just knew it was counting toward his community service and would be taking leave from his delivery job as the project apparently required him to stay on site around the clock. That was going to be annoying. No pay for 24/7 work, but at least it would quickly burn through that community service, which upon closer look at the official papers, was more than the 100 hours initially set. Zephyr had forgotten that the Canterlot Royal Guard's sentence said 'no less than 100 hours' which was convenient for them as they could set whatever they wanted.

Due to this time that he knew he'd be away, he did go visit his 'partner in crime', Malediction, the day before this. He did say he was going to pay her a visit and Zephyr made sure to keep his word to her. It wasn't something he would ever forget, and he planned to go see her again as soon as he was able to.

Now that Zephyr thought about it, this would probably be THE last one for some time. It was a bit depressing. Not that he wanted to do this delivery job forever. He just hated being forced into whatever that project would be. Though he had to be thankful that he didn't have to spend that time in a dungeon cell.

There were two parcels he needed to deliver to two different businesses that he wasn't familiar with. He figured it would be best to start with the Ponyville town square. As he made his decent, he noticed a fancy carriage, much too fancy for Ponyville. Zephyr glanced at it pulling toward the town square, but quickly paid it no mind, it was none of his business and he had other things to worry about.

Zephyr hadn't noticed that the carriage stopped in town square and as he landed, a red carpet was rolled out, which Zephyr landed on. It wasn't anything that he had ever seen before. Kinda soft, though incredibly pointless when there's nice soft green grass all around. Zephyr glanced around for some street names, hoping to see if one of the two packages matched a close by street address. Suddenly a loud announcing voice shouted.

“ANNOUNCING HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, PRINCE OF CANTERLOT, AUGUSTUS BLUEBLOOD!”

'Augustus Blueblood?... Royal highness?... In Ponyville? Why?' He thought to himself as he looked toward the carriage, which wasn't far off. There was a pony inside, but Zephyr couldn't see him very well. The name Blueblood was unfamiliar to him. Again, Zephyr realized he had other, more important things to do. Royalty wasn't any concern of his. He still stood upon the red carpet, unknowingly tracking a bit of dirt on it with his hooves, glancing around to see if he could spot somepony that might know where one of these two businesses were.

[DantonDamnark]

Lilly was hiding in a nearby bush, watching as Blueblood's carriage pulled up. Lilly's friend, Frilly, had gotten a tip on his arrival. Lilly never understood how Frilly got such accurate information like this.

Frilly and Lilly had set up a "trap" for the Prince. They had placed a cream pie atop an elegantly dressed table in the middle of the route he would take after stepping of his carriage. But several steps in front of it, they had made a pitfall just deep enough to cause somepony to trip.

Frilly was not here at the moment as she said she had "another, bigger plan for 'His Royal Majesty'".

"This better not backfire, Frilly" Lilly said to herself.

"I don't want the guards after us... Again..."

[ShadowStorm88]

Well, that was the last one!! Valoren sighed, as he said "Be sure to give the princess my regards, and tell her that I would be honored to do such a service for her anyime". Reciving a nod from the guard, Valoren waved lightly as he watched him fly up into the skies and into the distance. Looking in his hooves at the reward he had reciveded, he smiled lightly as he placed it in his pouch over his shouders. "Nother day, another bit" he smiled lightly to himself as he turned and started to trot across the square of Ponyvile, with happiness.

Val saw a notice on one of the boards, asking for one to do an expedition into some ruins near the EverFree forest; that requeried locating some lost artifacts that were Pre-celestia rule. Intriduged by hte idea, he applied and had been sent off to the ruins to locate a few of these artifacts. The exepedition didnt go accroding to plan when he first entered the ruins, but then agan; when did anything go according to plan? Cause of the unpredicable nature of them, Val had gotten lost a few times underground.

Luckily however, he had managed to find his way out of a maze that had been set up to most likely fool anypont that dared take the risk of searching. After searching for a few days, he had managed to locate a scepter that had most likely been poured once through alicorn magic. It was clearly beyond the pegasus, but he didnt really question any of it since all he had to do was have it delievered. Retrieving the artifcat however, had trigged a trap within the ruins. The whole place started to shake and rumble, as it started to come down on top of his head!!

That had gotten the adrenaline kicking!! Flying past the collapsing pillars, and jumping/ducking to avoid the spikes that shot out at him; he had managed to escape with the scepter. Delievering it via mail, he had awaited a few days and recieved payment for his services. The real reward for him though, was braicing through the ruins; having to forge his way through the unknown. Whilst the reward at the end was a nice thing to have, Val thought that the trials that he had to undertake to get to the end. He was certain that was the real reward!!

Smiling happily at the thought, he chuckled lighlty as he looked behind himlsef and stared as he saw alot of ponies were running about to prepare for something...or somepony? Whoever it was, must be really importnat. But who could it be? The only ponies that he knew was importnat was the Princesses. Not paying attnetoin to where he was trotting, he let out an oof as he accidently bumped into another pegaus. Shaking his head as he stared at the dark green, light green maned pegasu as he gave a weak smile. "Sorry, wasnt paying attenion" he chuckled as he failed to notice he ahd trottted dirt on the red carpet that he hadnt noticed in his day dream state.

[lordbrony]

Telki was having a blast! The road to Ponyville had been both fufilling and profitable; she had helped rescue a wayward pet from up a tree, lifted poor farmer's carts out of ditches and placing all the overturned produce back on neatly to nothing more than a heartfelt "Thanks" and couple of small pieces of produce to snack on. The big business ponies she had more fun with; putting her sharp tounge to good use and negociating comfy payments for help shifting cargo and just lifting up a merchandise wagon for a moment so a broken axle could be mended.

She entered Ponyville with a spring in her step and her well stocked saddlebags, when she noticed that everypony seemed to be missing from their homes and stores. Wandering around for a bit she noticed that everypony seemed to be gathered in the town square.

“ANNOUNCING HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, PRINCE OF CANTERLOT, AUGUSTUS BLUEBLOOD!”

"ooo this should be interesting" she thought, slipping her petite frame to the front of the pack

[MephistoFiesta]

"Thank you! Come again!"

Carrot Top waved her hoof to a leaving customer, a bushel of carrots in tow. She gently put the small bronze bits into her bag, smiling at the amount. She had almost finished are self-proclaimed quota of the day, and only had to sell a few more bushels of vegetables. She organized her wares once again, brushing them into alphabetical order. Carrots, Peas, Potatos, Yams, and at the end, a gigantic carrot cake. The cake was always a special treat, as she did not intend to sell it. She would keep it on her kiosk until late afternoon, when she would go out and give to one in need. A sad little filly, a sick old stallion, or anypony in between. It made baking the cake so much more satisfying, knowing it would bring a smile to someponies face.

As she organized, she noticed a mare about to walk up to her stand. She smiled happily as she got ready to say "Welcome" But, suddenly, all the ponies began to walk towards a carriage. She tilted her head in curiosity, wondering who it could be.

“ANNOUNCING HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, PRINCE OF CANTERLOT, AUGUSTUS BLUEBLOOD!”

Carrots confused frown turned into an excited grin. Finally! A Canterlot pony who could publish her book! She jumped for her bag, taking out a gigantic scroll, on the top, in beautiful cursive: Too Close, Too Far. She gazed proudly at the novella she had been writing in her spare time. A short tale of Discord times, when love and friendship was to be punished, of two ponies who only wish to be together. But as a mere farmer, her work was undiscovered. But this! This was her chance! A noble, ROYAL stallion like this had to respect fine literature! She grabbed the scroll and pushed her way into the front row. "Prince Blueblood, your majesty! Please spare a moment of your time!"

[Corsair]

A few ponies looked up in curiosity as Blueblood stepped out onto the carpet. He put on his most charming smile. “GREETINGS CITZENS OF PONYBERG!” he yelled out, using the Royal Canterlot Voice. (In Blueblood’s opinion, the Royal Voice was the ONLY good thing that had come from Princess Luna’s return.) “YOU MAY ALL RISE!” he continued, failing to notice that nopony had bowed to begin with.

Only after his introduction did Blueblood notice the two pegusii that had landed on the carpet. They didn't appear to be a welcoming committee, and they were both getting DIRT on the red carpet! Blueblood tried to ignore this. This was a little hick town after all. From the mud, perhaps they were laborers? That must be it! In a town like this, he couldn't expect a proper valets, so they must have brought in a pair of peasants to carry his things!

With a brief flicker of magic from his horn, Blueblood deposited all of his numerous bags and suitcases at the hooves of the pegasus stallions. "Thank you... gentlecolts," he said, a bit uncertainly, not sure how to address the stallions. He floated two bits out of his purse, one for each of them. "I'm staying at the village inn... wherever that is..." He then stepped around the pegusii and continued down the carpet.

As Blue blood trotted toward the Mayor's office, his first destination, he noticed that somepony had set a table off to the side of his route. He glanced at it curiously, before noticing what was placed on the table. The big unicorn stallion shied away with an inarticulate shout. "EWWWW! What IS that?!" he cried out.

Starched Collar spared a glance at the offending baked good. "It appears to be... a pie, sire," The stallion said, dryly.

Blueblood hid behind his butler, peeking out at the table. "Take it away, Collar! You know how I feel about those... things!"

Starched Collar struggled to maintain his proper demeanor. The Prince's irrational fear of cakes and pies stemmed from an incident at a previous Galla. He seemed to think that the baked treats were out to get him. "Sire, I'm certain that the pie is harmless... perhaps we should continue to the mayor's office?" he offered to the royal stallion. "I shall ask that it be removed before we return."

Blueblood shook his head to regain his composure. "Yes... yes, of course. The Mayor will be expecting me," he offered before moving away. Starched Collar hung his head in shame before following.

The Prince quickly regained his royal poise. These county rubes would be so awed by his presence they would not even notice his slip.

"Prince Blueblood, your majesty! Please spare a moment of your time!"

Blueblood looked down as an orange earth pony dashed up to him. She appeared to be carrying a large scroll. The Prince was confused for just a moment, but then realized just what she wanted. A pony in this town stood very little chance at seeing one of the Royal Family, so an autograph would be quite a momento! Thankfully, he was prepared for this. He levitated a quill and ink from Collar's bags, before taking the scroll from the pony. He unrolled it a bit, ignoring the fact that there was already writing on the scroll. He signed the scroll in large letters before re-rolling it and passing it back to the mare with a winning smile. He passed by the earth pony, keeping the quill ready should anypony else desire his royal signature.

[ZephyrBurst]

Zephyr glanced back toward the royal pony coming down from the carriage with a bit of curiousity. Simply to see what this was all about. All the times he had been to Ponyville were rather uneventful. He'd simply deliver the mail to the appropriate address and be on his way, but nothing ever caught his eye... except once. There had been one time he delivered something to Sugarcube Corner. It was quite a large delivery, so large, it was his only delivery during that run, though not large enough that more help was needed. It wasn't so much eventful, as it was tasty. The Cakes were thrilled to have their supplies delivered in a timely fashion and were more than happy to offer Zephyr a treat before he headed out. Zephyr never turned down food, specifically free food. What he tasted wasn't just any ordinary danish, but the best he ever had. The treat was perfect in every way, the flavor, the texture, the size of it. Everything was just right. He couldn't simply walk out without some sort of payment offered to the Cakes, even if it was offered as a small token of appreciation. Since they didn't accept payment, Zephyr looked around the shop and chose something that he could buy. The Cakes boxed it up for Zephyr and he was on his way. When he ate his tasty and fruity purchase later, it was just as great. He'd remember the Cakes shop, and would have to make sure to stop by when he was in Ponyville again.

The royal pony was uninteresting though. Zephyr decided he'd rather not ask the royal pony for directions, as he probably couldn't help anyway. It would be better to stop by Sugercube Corner first and get a tasty snake, the Cakes were sure to know where these two addresses were, he was pretty sure they did deliveries themselves all over Ponyville. Zephyr was about to leave when another pegasus bumped into him. It caught him by surprise and Zephyr turned and glared at the quickly apologizing pony. "Watch it!" Zephyr snarled at the other pegasus. He was still upset over hearing about how he was being forced into helping with some unknown project out in Appleoosa, with some unknown employer. And they even had the nerve to extend his punishment. Zephyr said nothing more to the daydreaming pegasus and passed him one more glare before getting ready to move on.

He suddenly heard, “YOU MAY ALL RISE!”. Zephyr turned to look at Blueblood. 'Rise... who?' Zephyr was confused on what this pony was going on about. Without any further notice, the royal unicorn magick'd some bags and suitcases in front of both him and the other pegasus and thanked them, following up with offering them both a single bit. Zephyr was unaccustomed to this. He wasn't sure why he was being thanked and offered a bit, nor why he was being told where this unicorn was staying. Zephyr simply didn't care, he had his own things to take care of. He watched as the unicorn walked around them and off toward his destination, wherever that was. It was of no concern to Zephyr, he took the bit, still confused on why it was given to him, and began walking away, toward where he was sure Sugarcube Corner was. He knew the location based from the town square's location. He ignored the bags and suitcases, and left them on the carpet, as they were not his and of no concern to him. Getting this delivery done was top priority so he could get back to Cloudsdale and pack for the long train ride to Appleoosa. Though that wouldn't take long, he didn't have much, and wouldn't take much with him. Zephyr lived very minimally as far as material possessions were concerned. He had no desire for most things.

[ShadowStorm88]

Feeling the hostile glare of the other pegasus, Val couldnt help but let out a snort of annoyance. He supposed that their was a lesson to be learned here,he just didnt know what it was exactly. Probably something along the lines of "Expect rudness even after apology". Shaking his head, he gasped as he saw the Royal prince pass by him; as he bowed his head lightly in respect as he obersrved his rudness. Rolling his eyes as he passed, Val thought "I dont beleive this!! What a pompus, rude, arrogant...". He paused as he thought on how he had encountered many of ponies like that in his life so far. He had made the assumption that the prince would actually be someone worhty of meeting, kind and wise. All he saw was a rich, spoiled foal!! Figuring he wasnt needed here, he paused as he watched an earth pony dash up for..his autograph? Why would she ask for his autograph?! "No, no. Im not going to judge or base assumptions on everypony" he told himself. Deciding to head to Sugarcube Corner for something to eat, he smiled as trotted and noticed the large building as the scent of cinamon rolls entered his nostrils, as he eagerly licked his lips in anticipation at the deliciousness that awaited him. Opening the door, he glanced around as he took in the wonderous enviorment. This certinatly was a place to be worthy of working for any pony with a sweet tooth. Going up to the owners, he smiled as he ordered a bag of cinammon rolls.

[lordbrony]

Telki was still struggling to get a good view of whatever was going on when she heard somepony yelling a loud greeting followed by asking everypony to rise.

"Must be some nobility" Telki stole quick glances around her, noticing that nopony seemed to pay heed.

She finally managed to squirm her way to the front of the pack, driven more by curiosity than anything; that pony had to be important enough to draw such attention but yet it probably wasn't at Celestia's or Luna's level, so who or what could he be? Popping her head out all she could catch was a tall white stallion walking away and thinner, smaller unicorn following him.

Looking in the direction they had came from, she noticed a pile of luggage at the door of the carriage and apparently nopony had been assigned to carry those bags.

Telki saw her chance, she did a fast trot back, catching up with the 2 ponies she saw earlier; made easier by the crowd deciding the show was over and dissapaiting

"Psst! Psssssstt!" she hissed at the pony at the back (the one in front had seemingly stopped and was looking left and right for some reason). When he turned to look at her she jerked her head in the direction of the pile of luggage, made her horn glow a little and winked at him followed by holding up her hoof.