The Heart of an Adventurer (Phil the Time Wizard and SteelEagle) [ENDED]

[SteelEagle]

"Two daisy sandwiches it is then!"

Great! So she loved them as much as Pathfinder? It was kind of odd, but nice- ponies tended to love those delicious flower-based sandwiches less and less as they grew old. She had never understood it, however- deliciousness was deliciousness!

"Right, I am born and raised in Stalliongrad. As for my accent, well, you see, my mother is from Cloudsdale and most of my tutors were from either Manehattan or Canterlot. My father was the only one I grew up with who really had the Stalliongrad accent, and as a filly I really didn't want to talk like him,"

Her mom was from Cloudsdale? That was cool! She guessed that she shouldn't be that surprised by it, though. It seemed as though most pegasi did come from there, Pathfinder as well. But Pathfinder had sort of assumed that her entire line and life originated in Stalliongrad, due to her roots. Nice surprises rolled in. Tutors from Canterlot and Manehattan? Pathfinder had already known she was well off, but that sealed the deal. Not only did she have tutors, but tutors from Manehattan and Canterlot? That took some serious bits right there. Her dad was Stalliongrad born and bred and as she continued, Pathfinder pegged him as the start of all this.

A pause on Snowy's part.

"Well, actually... you see," Snowy said slowly and near breathlessly, a whisper if anything as if saddened or ashamed "I'm actually the head of my company. Acting CEO of Northern Storm Industries."

That sounded pretty cool. Pathfinder couldn't claim to be an expert on businesses at any level and as such the name didn't really strike a chord with her at first. The more she ruminated on it however, it rang a bell- sorta. Kinda. Maybe. Still, it was really cool that she ran her own company! That would mean she just wasn't anypony, she was an important somepony. Her personality didn't strike Pathfinder as the type to have started the business, and her upbringing gave some clues. It didn't take a genius to put the pieces together.

"That's really cool! What's a CEO?"

But then again, Pathfinder wasn't a genius.

"What does your company make? It sorta sounds familiar. Do you make magitech airships? If you do, can I buy one at a discounted rate or rent one? I've always wanted one! It's really, really cool that you have your own company, Snowy. Was it your dad's? You don't seem the type to have started a business- oh gosh, no offense intended! I just mean that most company starter-uppers tend to be all strict and formal and you just aren't all stuffy like that, you're really cute and nice and fun to be around," Pathfinder said in a stream of consciousness, eyes glittering and showing the range of emotions as she expressed them swiftly.

[RarityDash]

Snowfall watched with anticipation to see how the other pony would react. She didn't know what to expect. When the pony finally did open her mouth to reply, Snow almost had to laugh.

"That's really cool! What's a CEO?"

Pathfinder truly was incredible. So carefree, so nonjudgemental, so detached from the harsh world of business Snowfall came from. It was such a breath of fresh air.

"What does your company make? It sorta sounds familiar. Do you make magitech airships? If you do, can I buy one at a discounted rate or rent one? I've always wanted one! It's really, really cool that you have your own company, Snowy. Was it your dad's? You don't seem the type to have started a business- oh gosh, no offense intended! I just mean that most company starter-uppers tend to be all strict and formal and you just aren't all stuffy like that, you're really cute and nice and fun to be around,"

Wow. That was a lot of questions all at once. Why had Snowfall even doubted this pony for an instant? This pony wouldn't judge her differently knowing of her wealth and power. Sure she wanted a discount on an airship, but even that was different. Most ponies tried to get close to her just to sneak favors out of her. Pathfinder was up front about everything. It was just a carefree suggestion amidst a plethora of other excitable questions.

"Well, that's certainly a lot of questions," Snowfall said giggling. "Let me see if I can answer them all..."

"CEO stands for chief executive officer; it's pretty much just a formal way of saying I'm the boss of the company," Snowfall started to answer Pathfinder's questions with the first. "NSI produces machine parts and technology. We don't actually make airships themselves, but we do make parts used in them, and yeah, I could probably get you a discount on an airship from one of our contractors if you'd like."

Snowfall paused before addressing the last points. She was a little surprised to hear Pathfinder's perception of her. Remembering that "cute" had been a part of it all made her blush. She didn't come across like a CEO though? She supposed that kind of made sense in a way.

"As for the last point, I guess you could say there's a bit of a gap between who I am publicly and who I am privately. I'm more than capable of being the strong, confident leader NSI needs; I can be considerably more strict and business like when my job calls for it-- but right now, with somepony like you, I just don't think I need to be that kind of pony. I'm free to be more myself," she looked downward and gave a resolute nod. "That said, you're right. I didn't found the company, my father did. I merely inherited my current role."

[SteelEagle]

"Well, that's certainly a lot of questions. Let me see if I can answer them all..."

Pathfinder blushed. Had she perhaps been a little excitable? She imagined that was likely the case. Then again, Pathfinder deciding the difference between being normal Pathfinder and over-excitable Pathfinder was a mite unfair since to her the difference became apparent only when others pointed it out.

"CEO stands for chief executive officer; it's pretty much just a formal way of saying I'm the boss of the company. NSI produces machine parts and technology. We don't actually make airships themselves, but we do make parts used in them, and yeah, I could probably get you a discount on an airship from one of our contractors if you'd like."

Chief Executive Officer? Sounded like a rank in the Royal Equestrian Army. Pathfinder briefly wondered whether Northern Storm Industries had started off as some sort of military outfit- it would certainly be a much cooler origin story than, say, some business loan. And it was pretty cool that Snowy was, of all ponies, the absolute boss at Northern Storm. No one above, everypony below- a common feeling for a pegasus in flight but not normally anywhere else.

When she mentioned getting that discount, Pathfinder gave a big laugh. She had been mostly kidding- mostly- since she had so few bits and even getting into an airship airshow cost more or less her entire account of twelve bits. But it was still cool and somewhat flattering that she had taken the offer so sincerely. What was even cooler was that her company didn't make plates or something like that, but machine parts and technology. You didn't see a lot of either anywhere in Equestria, so whatever she helped with- Airships included- had to be awesome.

Then she stopped for a moment as if in thought, a blush appearing. She was even cuter in color.

"As for the last point, I guess you could say there's a bit of a gap between who I am publicly and who I am privately. I'm more than capable of being the strong, confident leader NSI needs; I can be considerably more strict and business like when my job calls for it-- but right now, with somepony like you, I just don't think I need to be that kind of pony. I'm free to be more myself. That said, you're right. I didn't found the company, my father did. I merely inherited my current role."

So she was like a superhero and it was a secret identity? Okay, so it wasn't a perfect fit, but Pathfinder decided to use it as the basis for future plotting. It was a little sad that her business life and personal life had to be seperate. For Pathfinder, the two were one and the same- business was pleasure was personal was business! But she guessed that it couldn't be the same for everypony else. The fact she could be strong was something Pathfinder doubted not and very much approved of for reasons ranging from practical to personal and in ways she couldn't quite place her finger on.

Then Snowy revealed her father had started the company and it was inheritance: It made so much sense now!

"Well, I bet your dad's really proud of you! You're probably the best CEO of all time, and a really nice mare to boot. No father could ask for any more. It's a little sad that you have to hide who you are because of your position, though. I guess you can kind of pretend to be a superhero, what with secret identities and all, BUUUT wouldn't it be more fun to be this way all the time? It'd certainly make business more entertaining if you did!" Pathfinder said with glee, imagining Snowy leaping out of a boardroom and flying around Stalliongrad in a daredevil fashion, her peons trying to catch up behind her while shouting monatery information. It was an excellent, excellent image.

"I think it's really cool that your company does what it does. How many machines and high technology things do you see? Not much! I bet that everything your company works on has to be absolutely spectacular, right? As for the airship offer..." Pathfinder said, giving a hearty, if nervous, chuckle, "I was just kidding around...unless you want to give me one for free, that is. I only have...twelve bits to my name, right now. I couldn't even afford to get into Trottingham's airshow last month." She said, the waiter nearby seeing what they had ordered on the sheet and swiftly bringing the orders to the cook. Daisy sandwiches were the simplest items on the menu; only a few minutes until Pathfinder would eat the deliciousness.

[RarityDash]

Pathfinder sure was fast. Not just with flight, but with everything else too. Words came flying out of her at such an alarming rate that it was an effort to keep up with it all. This made talking to the excitable adventure a touch exhausting but also rather exciting and fun. She listened to every thing the other pony said to her.

"Well, I bet your dad's really proud of you! You're probably the best CEO of all time, and a really nice mare to boot. No father could ask for any more."

She often wondered these very things. If her father were to see the job she was doing, would he be proud of her, or would her have nothing but critiques? She could picture him sitting at a desk, frowning as he stared past her and recounted every single way he could do her job better, down to the last detail. Just thinking about what he'd say made her feel insecure.

"It's a little sad that you have to hide who you are because of your position, though. I guess you can kind of pretend to be a superhero, what with secret identities and all, BUUUT wouldn't it be more fun to be this way all the time? It'd certainly make business more entertaining if you did!"

If only such things were a possibility. Her company wouldn't survive if she was soft. So much of her job was how she projected herself. Unwavering strength was what was expected and what was needed of her.

"I think it's really cool that your company does what it does. How many machines and high technology things do you see? Not much! I bet that everything your company works on has to be absolutely spectacular, right? As for the airship offer... I was just kidding around...unless you want to give me one for free, that is. I only have...twelve bits to my name, right now. I couldn't even afford to get into Trottingham's airshow last month."

Snowfall was a little saddened, but not surprised to hear how little wealth the pony had to her name. Twelve bits? She gave regular charitable donations to ponies with more bits than that. Looking at her, Snow didn't see a poor pony in front of her though. No, it was just how Pathfinder lived her life. Money wasn't the point of it. It wasn't even a major concern. This pony lived her life for adventure. Fantastic stories, thrills, excitement, those manner of things were the true riches to this pony, and in them she seemed wealthy.

That said, a single small airship was hardly much to a pony as wealthy as Snowfall. She'd certainly keep it in mind. If things continued nicely it might make a nice, impressive gift for Pathfinder in the future.

Nodding and smiling as Pathfinder came to a natural stop, Snowfall pondered momentarily how to respond to each of the ponies new questions. She decided again to start from the beginning once more.

"I wonder what my father might think if he could see me now," Snow started, her voice becoming solemn for a moment. "Well, if it was right in this moment, I know he would scold me. There's nothing about this particular scene he would approve of. Me, away from Stalliongrad, away from my work, with a mare and one like you, 'wasting time'..." Snow gave a long sigh and the shook her head. "But just last week I cut what could be the biggest deal since I took the reigns. Maybe he'd be proud of that part? I don't really even know for sure anymore."

She didn't know, but that didn't mean she didn't dwell on it constantly. She was eager to move on and talk about something different.

"But a superhero, huh? If only it was so glamorous. I do wish I could be myself more often, but running a business isn't about having fun. Sure, there are moments where even in my public persona I can insert a little lightness, but generally it calls for me to be as firm and strong as I can be," the mare continued

"As for technology, it is a little more prevalent in Stalliongrad than in other parts of Equestria, but technology is poised to garner more of a hold in other areas, which means profits for NSI. Technology offers practical solutions and ones that aren't so exclusive as magic can be," Snowfall explained steadily. "But indeed, at NSI, we endeavor to only put for the finest products"

Snowfall sighed. It sounded like she was making a pitch to a potential investor. Talking to a pony like Pathfinder like this just seemed wrong somehow. She decided to move to the next point right away.

"Twelve bits though?" she started, smiling, trying not to look concerned or bothered by the low sum. "I suppose your last few adventures didn't offer up much in the way of treasures then?"

[SteelEagle]

"I wonder what my father might think if he could see me now," Snow started, her voice becoming solemn for a moment. "Well, if it was right in this moment, I know he would scold me. There's nothing about this particular scene he would approve of. Me, away from Stalliongrad, away from my work, with a mare and one like you, 'wasting time'..." Snowy sighed and shook her head, "But just last week I cut what could be the biggest deal since I took the reigns. Maybe he'd be proud of that part? I don't really even know for sure anymore."

Why was Snowy's voice sort of down and out, solemn, as she talked about her dad? No answer could be a good one, and as Pathfinder retraced her part in the conversation, all she could come up with were poor answers. And even at its most positive, the results weren't buoyed by her description of her father. Pathfinder completely understood and respected anypony who worked hard to support his or her family, but at what cost had her father built his empire of wealth? He seemed like a pony given to extreme opposition to anything exciting. Such a drag! And he wouldn't approve of what was happening now? His daughter was having fun with a nice pony, or at least Pathfinder thought she was a nice pony. In what mindset was this bad? Such a poor mare was this Snowy- for all of her wealth, she had been denied so much more. Pathfinder's ears drooped to a low point, streamlined against her head.

"But a superhero, huh? If only it was so glamorous. I do wish I could be myself more often, but running a business isn't about having fun. Sure, there are moments where even in my public persona I can insert a little lightness, but generally it calls for me to be as firm and strong as I can be," the mare continued

Pathfinder almost felt a desire to correct her, as superheroes could be as firm and strong as anything else. But in light of the realization that their childhoods were so different, Pathfinder decided to just be happy she at least knew of Daring Do.

"As for technology, it is a little more prevalent in Stalliongrad than in other parts of Equestria, but technology is poised to garner more of a hold in other areas, which means profits for NSI. Technology offers practical solutions and ones that aren't so exclusive as magic can be. But indeed, at NSI, we endeavor to only put for the finest products"

Part of Pathfinder felt an incessant desire to throw bits at Snowy, for reasons she couldn't grasp. The other part of her not given to concerns over her father agreed emphatically with her company's statement. The only thing stopping Equestria from becoming more and more advanced was resistance from unicorns who feared their place in the world would be replaced by technology. Pathfinder subscribed to this belief, even if others called it conspiratorial nonsense.

"Twelve bits though? I suppose your last few adventures didn't offer up much in the way of treasures then?"

Pathfinder's ears perked up a bit, though more due to a nervous twitch than any relief. It was accompanied by a nervous chuckle.

"Haha, well adventuring can be really stressful on a pony financially, ya know. Most of the time, you end up spending all your time, energy, and resources only to find out that the tiny silver jewel you found buried at the end of the cave is worth a total of five bits. Between most quests costing you and having to visit the hospital a lot- I've been hit by arrows, boulders, poison darts, been bitten by all sorts of creatures and put under a whole host of spells- you end up in alot of debt. I've hit the jackpot a few times, relatively speaking, but what I make gets spent quickly. I make payments on hospital bills, send the majority of what's left to the orphanage, and then restock my supplies. After that, I can honestly say I've never had more than twenty bits on me. I usually end up broke for weeks, a few times a few months, at a time." Pathfinder began slowly before gaining steam. By the end, there was a glint in her eye and she leaned forward.

"BUT, I don't think that's a bad thing. No, if anything, I'd rather have no money on hoof in my adventures than too much. It forces me to be awesome at everything I do. If I don't take care of myself and stay sharp in a ruin, I'm in serious trouble. If I'm out of food and I'm not searching well enough, I'm in trouble. If I'm lazy and don't pull my weight doing some odd job to get by, I'm in trouble. Rationing what I've got, planning my routes and explorations, stocking and packing my provisions- I have to be razor sharp. If I'm not, I'm in trouble. And that's the essence of an adventure, because danger creates excitement and if you aren't excited, you aren't alive and the only way to know you're alive is if you're excited!

Besides, I'll only be a young mare once. Better to get all my poor adventurer days over with now. I'll be a rich adventurer when I'm older and I'll own my own business that makes survival gear. I'll bankrupt the thing outfitting an expedition of explorers and adventurers to go beyond the badlands, to the land of Equunus. Some say its just a myth, a conspiracy theory. And if it is, the adventure will be worth the expense anyway and I'll just have to be an older poor adventurer, which is fine by me. But I'll be the one to know for real- and if it is real, I'll bring back the treasures of the old Pony Tribes and everything I've ever done will be worth it. I'll have changed how we view history and I'll have done so in the fashion of Daring-Do- by adventuring!!!!" Pathfinder screeched with glee, her excitement completely overtaking her as her mind ran with it. She was hovering above the table, striking a pose with the hoof pointed off to the distance and eyes closed. After a few seconds, she opened them up and blushed, a little embarrassed by her suddenness. She took her seat just as the daisy sandwiches arrived.

She coughed in order to regain herself.

"So, how much was that deal for? And...if you don't mind me asking, why are you sounding so sad about your dad?" Pathfinder whispered.

[RarityDash]

"Haha, well adventuring can be really stressful on a pony financially, ya know. Most of the time, you end up spending all your time, energy, and resources only to find out that the tiny silver jewel you found buried at the end of the cave is worth a total of five bits. Between most quests costing you and having to visit the hospital a lot- I've been hit by arrows, boulders, poison darts, been bitten by all sorts of creatures and put under a whole host of spells- you end up in alot of debt. I've hit the jackpot a few times, relatively speaking, but what I make gets spent quickly. I make payments on hospital bills, send the majority of what's left to the orphanage, and then restock my supplies. After that, I can honestly say I've never had more than twenty bits on me. I usually end up broke for weeks, a few times a few months, at a time."

Snowfall listened, fascinated to hear about the pony's work. Even the most problematic of NSI business ventures could hardly compare to the kind of real danger Pathfinder put herself through. Snowfall's life was all about profits. Here was Pathfinder risking her life at a job where profits were very small, barely enough to sustain her. She faced frequent failure; often her pursuits ended with her leaving empty-hooved or with a treasure worth little. That made the pony all the more remarkable to Snowfall. She was so committed to and in love with her dream that she wouldn't let it go, even when it wasn't doing her any favors.

"BUT, I don't think that's a bad thing. No, if anything, I'd rather have no money on hoof in my adventures than too much. It forces me to be awesome at everything I do. If I don't take care of myself and stay sharp in a ruin, I'm in serious trouble. If I'm out of food and I'm not searching well enough, I'm in trouble. If I'm lazy and don't pull my weight doing some odd job to get by, I'm in trouble. Rationing what I've got, planning my routes and explorations, stocking and packing my provisions- I have to be razor sharp. If I'm not, I'm in trouble. And that's the essence of an adventure, because danger creates excitement and if you aren't excited, you aren't alive and the only way to know you're alive is if you're excited!"

Snowfall really kind of respected this unusual outlook. She trained herself so hard, to such a keen focus. It was nothing short of admirable. Snow didn't think she could live like that. No, not even close. She was almost envious.

"Besides, I'll only be a young mare once. Better to get all my poor adventurer days over with now. I'll be a rich adventurer when I'm older and I'll own my own business that makes survival gear. I'll bankrupt the thing outfitting an expedition of explorers and adventurers to go beyond the badlands, to the land of Equunus. Some say its just a myth, a conspiracy theory. And if it is, the adventure will be worth the expense anyway and I'll just have to be an older poor adventurer, which is fine by me. But I'll be the one to know for real- and if it is real, I'll bring back the treasures of the old Pony Tribes and everything I've ever done will be worth it. I'll have changed how we view history and I'll have done so in the fashion of Daring-Do- by adventuring!!!!"

Oh, so Pathfinder did have greater goals beyond just enjoying the thrill of adventure? She wanted to own her own business? She wanted to finance an expedition to some land that may or may not even exist? Wait, beyond the Badlands, she said? That's where her father had disappeared, venturing beyond the Badlands... Snow had never heard of Equunus. Was there something beyond the Badlands? Snow had always assumed there wasn't, not anything worth finding at least. She had often considered sending out expeditions to look for her father, but in her mind she was already convinced that all they would find were remains of his expedition buried under snowdrifts.

"So, how much was that deal for? And...if you don't mind me asking, why are you sounding so sad about your dad?"

These questions surprised Snowfall, especially the latter given where her mind had just been as she was asked it. She decided to start there since it was already on her mind.

"My father... things with him are kind of complicated," Snowfall said in a somber voice. "He was a very strict stallion, especially when it came to how I was raised. As a foal I thought him cruel. I spent most of my young life hating him. Then, just after I became an adult mare, he disappeared during an expedition to the badlands, leaving me behind to take over control of the company. I don't really know what to think of him now. I kind of see what he was so strictly preparing me for now; so much of what I learned because of him comes into play in doing this job. I never got a chance to truly see eye to eye with him, and yet as his successor I'll always be in his shadow. All of it together, it just leaves me so uncertain."

Snowfall gave a long sigh, but then nodded. Answering the other question would brighten her spirits. It was poised to be a career bright spot, after all.

"As for my deal, it wasn't really for a sum, at least not one that can be known at the moment," Snow started in a low voice. "I entered into a partnership with Maximillian Rockerfilly of the Manehattan Rockerfillys and Lola Silverbeak, of Aquelia's famous Silverbeak family on a joint project to revolutionize and expand the railroad system in Equestria. We'll be adding freight lines between major cities, adding a direct line through the Roughrider Ridge from Stalliongrad all the way down to Appleloosa, and even adding a line from Appleloosa to Rockwington that will bridge Equestria and Aquelia together. NSI parts will be used all along the way on this project which will surely bring us all closer together. Profits are uncertain, but I must say I expect great things."

[SteelEagle]

"My father... things with him are kind of complicated," Snowy's voice fell into a somber tone rather swiftly and stayed for some time. "He was a very strict stallion, especially when it came to how I was raised. As a foal I thought him cruel. I spent most of my young life hating him."

Pathfinder's face dropped at this. From everything Pathfinder had heard, Mr. Snowy didn't seem like a nice chap. Perhaps worse than having no parents were- wait, what was Pathfinder saying? Even if strict, it was clear just by the way Snowy was he had done something right. Still, being strict and seemingly unfun- that was a foalhood just as much a straight jacket was proper attire for an adventure.

"Then, just after I became an adult mare, he disappeared during an expedition to the badlands, leaving me behind to take over control of the company. I don't really know what to think of him now. I kind of see what he was so strictly preparing me for now; so much of what I learned because of him comes into play in doing this job. I never got a chance to truly see eye to eye with him, and yet as his successor I'll always be in his shadow. All of it together, it just leaves me so uncertain."

Pathfinder's mind came to a stop at this. Her dad had gone missing in the badlands? What terrible sadness and anguish to have known a pony and then find that space in your heart replaced by a void. And the badlands? Sweet Celestia, her parents had vanished into the dustbin of history on the edge of the badlands. What cosmic coincidence was it that two ponies sharing the same cause of loss in the same location born into two different worlds who were so different and had no knowledge of one another could be set up by a third person who lived in an entirely different city, and it was done through letters?

Pathfinder's mind was doing all sorts of acrobatics, connecting dots both imagined and real. No coincidences existed of this scale. The badlands. Wealthy industrialists, the greatest flying duo in Cloudsdale history, all of their expedition and staffs. Their off-spring from such different circumstances and lifestyles fated to meet off-handedly, a giggle and a wink, a form in the mail. One was a beautiful, wealthy industrialist whose business specialized in technology. The other was a rough and tumble adventurer who spent her days flying around caves and avoiding traps. Somehow, they were fated- but for what?

Pathfinder may have been socially unaware, but she wasn't an inconsiderate jackwagon. While her heart beat with sincere excitement, no part of her felt anything other than pity for Snowy and her heart beat sorrow in line with excitement. The fact that her mind was formulating something grand shouldn't stop her from treating Snowy the way she deserved.

"As for my deal, it wasn't really for a sum, at least not one that can be known at the moment, I entered into a partnership with Maximillian Rockerfilly of the Manehattan Rockerfillys and Lola Silverbeak, of Aquelia's famous Silverbeak family on a joint project to revolutionize and expand the railroad system in Equestria. We'll be adding freight lines between major cities, adding a direct line through the Roughrider Ridge from Stalliongrad all the way down to Appleloosa, and even adding a line from Appleloosa to Rockwington that will bridge Equestria and Aquelia together. NSI parts will be used all along the way on this project which will surely bring us all closer together. Profits are uncertain, but I must say I expect great things."

Silverbeak? Oh boy, not that family again. The project sounded grand and Pathfinder was completely impressed with Snowy's business now. That would surely help Equestria more than it would Aquelia as there was more traffic on the ground in Equestria, but it would be great for everpony anyhow. And Snowy had done this? Millions of lives would be altered in some fashion, and she had done it with some words and pen strokes. It almost made Pathfinder feel small in comparison: Snowy could do more with a few movements of her wrists than she could do in decades. But...Silverbeaks? Pathfinder had a run-in with that family recently in Talonopolis, the capital of the Griffon nation. She had been hunting for the Helm of Commander Hurricane and had broken into one of their private art galleries. It had been...unfortunate, to say the least. The Silverbeaks had a file or fifty on the Pegasus, and Pathfinder would under any other circumstance have grown nervous.

But for now, at that time, all she could think about were two things. The first was the vast and complex web being woven and how they fit into it, her mind hammering away at the high wall of doubt and trying to configure clues to match her wild theories. Inside of her saddlebag was a nearly silly supply of paper, each packed with information. When she had a time, she would do what she hadn't done in a while- review everything she had with a theory in mind. A part of her worried she'd try to make the square pieces fit the round holes. That same part also realized the futility of worry since the other side was doing cartwheels in an attempt to formulate the greatest story ever told. Whatever mystery was being solved, it was worth being solved- for Equestria's sake, for Pathfinder's sake, for adventuring's sake- and for Snowy's sake.

The second thing was Snowy. That was more physical, her demeanor not having changed since she learned of Snowy's father having went missing. Pathfinder's wings fluttered a bit and eventually she launched herself towards the CEO and embraced her tightly.

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Snowy. It must have been awful to lose someone you know, especially in such a mysterious fashion. I at least had the luxury of never knowing mine- they went missing on the Badland's border with Aquelia soon after I was born," Pathfinder said evenly and somewhat remorsefully, her words at best a cold comfort to Snowy. She dropped back into her seat after a second, her eyes now set.

"That's awfully strange though, isn't it? Your father, a wealthy industrialist with an entire expedition. My parents, the best flying performing duo ever with their show. Tell me, did they find anything of your father's expedition? There was no evidence of what happened to my parents' show. Several dozen ponies worked on it, they all went missing and everything they had on them as well. No trails or nothing. What of your father?"

[RarityDash]

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Snowy. It must have been awful to lose someone you know, especially in such a mysterious fashion. I at least had the luxury of never knowing mine- they went missing on the Badland's border with Aquelia soon after I was born,"

Snowfall was shocked to hear this? Pathfinder's parents had disappeared in the same region her father had? What did that mean? That was a crazy, and kind of sad coincidence. Why did ponies keep going up there? The risk couldn't be worth it. Surely all that was up there was a bunch of gigantic dragons and a sort of cold that would chill even Stalliongrad's residence to their bones.

Moreover, she wondered on what Pathfinder was saying. Which was truly worse? She had lost her father just at the age where she might have been able to start understanding him. She had memories, but they were all full of bitterness and resentment. All the while, she was expected by many in the company to become the same father she grew up hating. However, to not have any memories of your parents at all, not even unpleasant ones. That was a terrible thing. Snowfall at least still had her mother as well, and while she could be a difficult mare at times, she was at least a warmer sort than her father had been. Pathfinder didn't have anypony. Pathfinder had grown up without any of it. From Snowfall's point of view, that had to be truly the sadder fate.

"That's awfully strange though, isn't it? Your father, a wealthy industrialist with an entire expedition. My parents, the best flying performing duo ever with their show. Tell me, did they find anything of your father's expedition? There was no evidence of what happened to my parents' show. Several dozen ponies worked on it, they all went missing and everything they had on them as well. No trails or nothing. What of your father?"

Snowfall shook her head. "No, they vanished. The entire expedition. Not a single trace was found of any of them," she said in a heavy voice. "Though with how the snow falls up there, traces can be notably hard to find... and with all the dragons in the region, there are a lot of ways ponies could disappear..."

"But who knows," Snowfall started in a low but hopeful voice. "Maybe my father, his expedition, your parents and their show.... maybe all of them, maybe they're all still alive in this Equunus of yours. Wouldn't that be something...?"

[SteelEagle]

"No, they vanished. The entire expedition. Not a single trace was found of any of them, though with how the snow falls up there, traces can be notably hard to find... and with all the dragons in the region, there are a lot of ways ponies could disappear...but who knows. Maybe my father, his expedition, your parents and their show.... maybe all of them, maybe they're all still alive in this Equunus of yours. Wouldn't that be something...?"

Hope could be a silly, foolish belief to some. To Pathfinder, however, hope sprang from every moment and notion a pony held until it became a rock-solid part of one's spirit and being. And spirit was the greatest gift any pony could ask for, as it was stronger than any armor and sharper than any sword. Who could argue that the greatest heroes in all of Equestrian history were universally those with the greatest spirit? Nopony could, for it was fact.

Hope and spirit were completely intertwined. Pathfinder liked to believe she had the spirit for such a belief in the safety of her parents. That she had the hope. The fact that she had to believe that she had the hope instead of acknowledge it as fact pointed to it being hollow. She had long ago accepted her parent's death, but indeed, believing they were safe was a truly wonderful fiction.

And if so, if what she was feeling was true and this was anything other than chance that brought them together, then fiction and reality may yet blur. And that possibility alone had Pathfinder's heart screaming.

"Yes...that WOULD be something..." Pathfinder said, eyes trailing the waiter with the daisy sandwiches as he plopped them in front of the two pegasi, bowed, and left. Pathfinder's mind entered a new gear. Indeed, she ruminated heavily on the implications of fate and what this would mean for her in the short and long-haul and the debate regarding whether she should venture there immediately, but something new occupied her mind as well. Daisy sandwiches.

"I LOVE daisy sandwiches!" Pathfinder squeaked fillyishly as she grabbed hers and took a huge and very unmare like bite.

"I remember this one time when I was in Canterlot for the fourth annual Daring Do Convention, I made daisy sandwiches for everypony to have while I read my own Daring Do novella that I had written while out in the desert. Why, everypony was so excited by my story and so happy with my sandwiches, that each and every one had to leave early to go tell their friends! They were awfully shy about it, too, always avoiding me and eventually saying they needed to leave the convention to go and take of problems. It was really odd how dozens and dozens of ponies suddenly had sick brothers and sisters that needed to be tended to, but I guess they got better because when an emergency meeting of the fan club presidents was held, they all showed up!" Pathfinder said, devouring her sandwich and retelling the story gaily, having forgotten what she had started talking about. That happened when her mind was occupied with solving a mystery.

[RarityDash]

"Yes...that WOULD be something..."

Pathfinder showed enthusiasm as she said this. Snowfall admitted it was an exciting narrative. Her father, alive and well in some ancient land beyond the badlands with the parents of this wonderful pony she had just met. Snow knew it was simple fantasy. The badlands were too dangerous, too unforgiving. Whether swallowed whole by dragons or snowdrifts, Snow was pretty confident that there was nothing left of her father's expedition to find. The fantasy was enticing though. Snowfall had in fact often considered sending expeditions north to find traces of what happened, but it always seemed like such a fool's errand to her that she stopped herself, despite having the money and resources for it.

"I LOVE daisy sandwiches!"

These simple words brought Snowfall's attention back to the now. She focused again on the charming mare with whom she was sharing the afternoon.

"I remember this one time when I was in Canterlot for the fourth annual Daring Do Convention, I made daisy sandwiches for everypony to have while I read my own Daring Do novella that I had written while out in the desert. Why, everypony was so excited by my story and so happy with my sandwiches, that each and every one had to leave early to go tell their friends! They were awfully shy about it, too, always avoiding me and eventually saying they needed to leave the convention to go and take of problems. It was really odd how dozens and dozens of ponies suddenly had sick brothers and sisters that needed to be tended to, but I guess they got better because when an emergency meeting of the fan club presidents was held, they all showed up!"

Snowfall had to giggle at this story. Pathfinder was certainly naïve. Snowfall found it infectious in a way. It made her seem so earnest and pure. She smiled at the mare and nodded.

"I'm sure they were sorely disappointed to miss you, both on your no doubt fantastic novella and delicious sandwiches," Snowfall said with a knowing smirk.

"Speaking of which, I'm eager to try this thing," Snowfall said as she lifted her own daisy sandwich. It was quite the simple looking thing, but sometimes simpler things were better.

Snow took a bite of the sandwich. It had a very pristine taste, a nice sweetness and a more interesting texture than expected. Was it better than the sort of things her personal chef prepared? Probably not, but it was something she hadn't had before, which made it all the more appealing. These sandwiches had ponies running at the Daring Do convention Pathfinder had mentioned? She couldn't really see why.

"That's really not that bad," Snowfall said with a nod. "I can see why you like it."

[SteelEagle]

"I'm sure they were sorely disappointed to miss you, both on your no doubt fantastic novella and delicious sandwiches," Snowy said with a smirk that could only be described as searing. Or something; Maybe Pathfinder had her mind in the wrong position to be making less crude judgments.

She was happy to be re-assured. Being the best Daring Do fan in the history of the character had its drawbacks, and she sometimes felt that her overwhelming awesomeness and devotion to the character could be too much for others. In her darkest of moments, she wondered if maybe they didn't like her and all of the reasons they had to get away from her were polite excuses to hide behind instead of just admitting they disliked her. However, Snowy was really smart and she reinforced the majority held opinion in the democracy of Pathfinder's mind that she just happened to have the misfortune of being around lots of unlucky ponies. One poor stallion had to attend the funeral of his great grandma more than ten times! Poor stallion's family seemed to be plagued by lots and lots of time-consuming mishaps.

"Speaking of which, I'm eager to try this thing," Snowy said as Pathfinder continued her demolition of the sandwich, within a few more moments having eviscerated what was left.

The fact that the daisy sandwich was such an unknown to Snowy never failed to shock and bemuse Pathfinder. As far as she was concerned, it was a foalhood staple across Equestria. The fact that Snowy hadn't even heard of it spoke perhaps more clearly than anything else the great gulf between them in terms of class and status. Pathfinder found it pretty cool she was willing to step outside of her world to try out something that her types might have considered uncouth or below their station.

"That's really not that bad," Snowfall nodded as she spoke. "I can see why you like it," She finished just as, oddly enough, Pathfinder finished. Pathfinder cheered internally as one small victory was scored for the tastes and practices of Cloudsdale orphanage.

"I know, right?! It's just the greatest mix of daisy and bread this side of Roam! I remember as a filly when I'd have one, I was always told to make sure I didn't eat it too fast so I could make it last. I didn't really listen now or then, always have and will eat these things the way I please. Daisies are tasty, but you should never take a daisy away from a Everfree Flower Beatle. They look at those things like home and lay eggs in there, it becomes an...interesting experience," Pathfinder blurted out excitedly, only realizing after she spoke that it was anything other than good table manners. She could never be accused of having good manners but she'd like to believe that when her hand was forced she could play the game.

She took part in an awkward silence. Welp, time enough for her to recover.

"So, have you ever dated somepony before?"

[RarityDash]

"I know, right?! It's just the greatest mix of daisy and bread this side of Roam! I remember as a filly when I'd have one, I was always told to make sure I didn't eat it too fast so I could make it last. I didn't really listen now or then, always have and will eat these things the way I please. Daisies are tasty, but you should never take a daisy away from a Everfree Flower Beatle. They look at those things like home and lay eggs in there, it becomes an...interesting experience,"

Pathfinder really was cute when she got enthusiastic about something. The sandwich was a simple taste without anything particularly elegant about it, but much like Pathfinder herself, that was all part of the charm. Pathfinder's enthusiasm as she ate hers made Snowfall only enjoy her own more. While she wasn't going to cut loose and engulf it quite as quickly as the other pegasus did, it nevertheless did swiftly start to disappear as Snow listened to the other pony speak.

"So, have you ever dated somepony before?"

This question came somewhat out of left field for Snowfall. She hadn't expected Pathfinder to ask something like that. It almost seemed to normal a thing to ask. Snow supposed it was a question that would always come up on dates. Who on a date didn't want to know about the other pony's past? Snowfall just smiled as she considered what to say.

"Of course I have," Snowfall said. "I've been on a lot of dates with an assortment of mares and stallions back in Stalliongrad," Snow said in a somewhat heavy voice, staring at what was left of her sandwich. "Never has it done me very much good. Relationships fall apart before they even form. My name, my wealth, the weight of its too great. Most ponies are either afraid of getting close to a pony in my position or seek to do so only for material gain. It's all lies and masks with those sorts of ponies and so often it can be painful."

"That's why I decided to try our friend Matchie. I wanted a different sort of date, somepony removed from that whole entire social scene, somepony I'd never even meet if left to my own devices," Snowfall smiled and gave a nod as she spoke. "And so far I must say I'm satisfied with the outcome.You've certainly shown me the most interesting date I've had in quite a long while, Pathfinder."

[SteelEagle]

"Of course I have, I've been on a lot of dates with an assortment of mares and stallions back in Stalliongrad. Never has it done me very much good. Relationships fall apart before they even form. My name, my wealth, the weight of its too great. Most ponies are either afraid of getting close to a pony in my position or seek to do so only for material gain. It's all lies and masks with those sorts of ponies and so often it can be painful."

The more Snowy talked about her difficulties, the more that the veneer of wealth insulating against heartache faded. Indeed, it seemed to be a curse all its own, trapping her in a shell from which there was little escape at times. Even other ponies that seemingly sought her companionship either cowered in mental fear or sought t take advantage of her wealth and power. It made Pathfinder happy that she was so destitute; any interest anypony else had in her was forced to be genuine, because aside from herself there was little else.

"That's why I decided to try our friend Matchie. I wanted a different sort of date, somepony removed from that whole entire social scene, somepony I'd never even meet if left to my own devices," Snowfall smiled and gave a nod as she spoke. "And so far I must say I'm satisfied with the outcome.You've certainly shown me the most interesting date I've had in quite a long while, Pathfinder."

Pathfinder blushed rather vividly and wildly, though for the first time a small pit of fear embedded itself in Pathfinder's stomach and throat. Pathfinder couldn't quite place the feeling, as though despite her wide range of experiences some personal emotions and feelinsg remained perhaps her greatest adventures.

"Well, I'm happy that I'm makin' the date interesting for you, and I'm doubly happy that you said that after you told me that all of the others didn't treat you the way you deserved to be treated because they're a bunch of cowards who saw the position and not the pony who held it. Reminds me of this stallion about two years back, dear Celestia was THAT a mistake! I'm happy Matchie set us up. I was worried she wouldn't find a decent date for me since I'm always on the move and I live a dangerous lifestyle, so I don't think I can tell you how happy I am too!" Pathfinder said rapidly, pushing through whatever was in her throat as she played with her hooves nervously. After a few more seconds she looked behind herself. Taking a deep, deep breath, she looked at the next obstacle.

"Looks like the next series of obstacles are no-wings only."

[RarityDash]

"Well, I'm happy that I'm makin' the date interesting for you, and I'm doubly happy that you said that after you told me that all of the others didn't treat you the way you deserved to be treated because they're a bunch of cowards who saw the position and not the pony who held it. Reminds me of this stallion about two years back, dear Celestia was THAT a mistake! I'm happy Matchie set us up. I was worried she wouldn't find a decent date for me since I'm always on the move and I live a dangerous lifestyle, so I don't think I can tell you how happy I am too!"

Snowfall had to smile at the pony's response. She was grateful for the kind words from her date. Pathfinder's mention of a stallion years back piqued Snow's interest. She realized she hadn't had much of an opportunity to ask questions; mostly it had been Pathfinder asking her things about herself. This was kind of unusual in itself. On most days, in most moods, with most ponies Snow could be something of a control freak. Maybe she had gone a little shy for whatever reason, but at that moment, she was more than content to just go along with things. That didn't mean she wasn't at all curious about the other pony, of course. She'd try and learn more about her as the day continued.

She could clearly understand how Pathfinder might haver her own very different dating troubles in the past. Some ponies wouldn't be able to respect the sort of pony she was, the way she lived, her careless abandon, her untamable free spirit. From most perspectives, it could perhaps be said that both of them were the type who was pretty much undatable. Snowfall wondered if that meant they were perfect for each other or doomed for inevitable failure of the worst sort. Either way, she was surprisingly eager to find out.

"Looks like the next series of obstacles are no-wings only."

Snowfall giggled. "I'm sure we'll manage. Like Daring Do in Sapphire Stone, we pegasi can't be counted out entirely on hoof, after all," she said with a warm nod.

"Speaking of which, you ready to start again?" Snow asked, looking toward the course.

[SteelEagle]

"I'm sure we'll manage. Like Daring Do in Sapphire Stone, we pegasi can't be counted out entirely on hoof, after all,"

Pathfinder couldn't have agreed any more with what Snowy had said. Many consider Pegasi to be one-trick ponies, able to fly around and beyond that generally incompetent otherwise. Such foolhardy notions! Pegasi may not have had the coiled and all-around powerful muscle structure common in Earth ponies, but they were hardier and tougher than their Unicorn friends. Pathfinder wanted to add that Daring-Do had also broken her wings twice- once in Daring Do and the Mystery of the Manehattan Minute, in the most gruesome passage in the series' history, and in the background information of Young Daring-Do and Bravado's Locket. Sure, maybe some wanted to forget about the latter work, but who didn't like to go back in time and see the seeds of a future romance laid down in an adventure?

"Speaking of which, you ready to start again?"

Pathfinder was starting to fall in love with Snowy. She wasn't content with just layin' about like some weak foals, she wanted to get up and moving! Her kind of mare, right there.

Pathfinder shot up out of her chair, her wings beating powerfully. She was about to take off excitedly when she remembered that it was a course designed for no wings. She landed and gave a very hearty, embarrassed chuckle.

"Yes! Yes I am, Snowy," Pathfinder said simply, motioning for the waiter to come over.

[RarityDash]

"Yes! Yes I am, Snowy,"

Snowfall nodded and then took the last few bites of her sandwich as the waiter came over. She handed the waitress the required bits with a smile and, left a fine tip for her. She then stood and smiled.

"Then, let's go," Snow said with a giggle, walking toward where the next part of the course was supposed to started.

Despite her expressed confidence, Snowfall was actually a little less sure of this part. She still regularly enjoyed an occasional night flight around Stalliongrad when her mind was clouded. She couldn't however recall the last time she'd really ran on hoof. Her legs were probably even less worked than her wings. She was fearful that this part was going to be much harder for her. She hoped Pathfinder was able to put up with her.

She stared ahead at the course. It seemed to be through a tight chasm, and looked to even go into a dimly lit cave. Not being aerial, there were surely more opportunities for the course designer to set up artificial obstacles in the walls and floors as well. No matter flying skill, this was undoubtedly the harder part, or so it seemed to Snowfall. Glancing at Pathfinder, she her noticeably worried expression faded a little. Next to the stuff the other mare went through, this obstacle course was still probably foal's play.

[SteelEagle]

Snow had taken the lead initially, Pathfinder allowing the business mare to inch ahead. Her words were confident and her mannerisms the same, and Pathfinder saw no reason for Snowy to not be so. This was, after all, a tourist trap. It wouldn't be a good business if there was any danger after all, and if worst came to worst somepony would just have a bump on their noggin. No big whoop and therefore no sincere need to be afraid- in other words, Snowy's reaction was right on the money as far as Pathfinder was concerned. Besides, she was pretty awesome so far- surely she could hoof it out?

But as they entered the dimly lit cave, the walls close and the air stagnant, the mood changed. Not in a dark way, Pathfinder excused herself the pun, necessarily. More exciting or dangerous perhaps, though Pathfinder could hardly consider it such. There wouldn't be any threat of serious injury or worse her- anything they saw would be smokes and mirrors or, failing that, just smoke. Pathfinder grinned and her pace quickened as she trotted deeper into the cave-obstacle-thing. It was nithing like the real caves she had seen and been in, they were often much noisier than one would think. The dripping of water, the sounds of scurrying rats and other creatures, echoing gusts of wind were but a few noises in a cave.

Here, whoever had designed it opted for total silence and complete stillness as soon as possible. No light penetrated this far in, no sounds, the only feeling was a small brush of air from just down below-

"Stop!" Pathfinder rasped silently, sticking her hoof out in front of her date. After a second, she nodded and started gently trailing her hoof in front of her until it was no longer above solid ground.

"Oh, cool. A hole!"

[RarityDash]

Snowfall was making excellent speed running through the course. She smiled, it feeling great to work her legs in a way she hadn't in quite some time. As she worked her way into the dim cave, she slowed only slightly. That was until the voice of her date reached her ears and a hoof stretched out in front of her.

"Stop!"

Snow did as commanded. Her hooves firmly planted themselves on the ground as she killed her forward momentum. She wasn't sure why. As far as she could tell, the course ahead was clear.

"Oh, cool. A hole!"

The businessmare was surprised by these words. She peered ahead, confused, until she saw the very feint outline of a hole just in front of her. How very tricky. She wouldn't have spotted that.

"My... er... Thanks! I didn't see that at all. Your eyes sure are sharp, Pathfinder. Though I suppose I'd expect nothing less from a seasoned adventurer!" Snowfall laughed and smiled at her date. "You spared me what could have been a painful or at the very least embarrassing fall."

[SteelEagle]

"My... er... Thanks! I didn't see that at all. Your eyes sure are sharp, Pathfinder. Though I suppose I'd expect nothing less from a seasoned adventurer! You spared me what could have been a painful or at the very least embarrassing fall."

Pathfinder couldn't help but feel a small surge of pride. She wasn't often given any sort of compliment regarding her abilities, mostly just insults and remarks unkind. Few gave her lifestyle the respect it deserved and even fewer shared in the desire to see the same thrills as she. To have somepony close by that had a spine for thrills and a heart for compliments for Pathfinder was a big deal, and her swell of pride felt like it was well-earned. Maybe. Pathfinder gave a concise smile and giggled.

"Nah, I didn't see it. I felt it! They have water here at the bottom of the hole, see, and that makes the air around it a bit colder, like maybe a few degrees. They probably haven't changed the water for a while, it started to get a bit nippy. I'm sure you can feel it. Snowy. The longer the water has stayed out, the more the cold spreads. Only question now is how to cross the hole without flying," Pathfinder said, taking her hat off to scratch her head rather basely before crouching down. Her hoof travelled on the ground before it ran across one of the few rocks that weren't entirely artificial and bolted into the surroundings. She kicked it across the ground until it shot into the small chasm. A second passed before she heard it klack against the opposite side of the artifical hole and a few seconds later, a light plunge into the water.

"...Okay, that was deeper than I thought. It doesn't sound like its too wide though, maybe six feet...thirty feet down, probably," Pathfinder guessed, mentally giving herself leeway of six feet wide and thirty feet down.

[RarityDash]

"Nah, I didn't see it. I felt it! They have water here at the bottom of the hole, see, and that makes the air around it a bit colder, like maybe a few degrees. They probably haven't changed the water for a while, it started to get a bit nippy. I'm sure you can feel it. Snowy. The longer the water has stayed out, the more the cold spreads. Only question now is how to cross the hole without flying."

Snowfall was impressed. She liked to think she was sharp and intelligent; she had graduated high in her class at Stalliongrad University and NSI had seen considerable growth under her care. She however could not see herself having ever even thought about paying attention to the air temperature in the cave. Even with her extensive education, she would have kept running without a care. And on a real adventure, in a real cave an oversight like that could be downright deadly. Snowfall suddenly felt a new level of appreciation for what Pathfinder did.

"...Okay, that was deeper than I thought. It doesn't sound like its too wide though, maybe six feet...thirty feet down, probably,"

Thirty feet? That was quite a pit. Good thing it was water at the bottom. She supposed it would have to be to keep such an obstacle safe. She glanced at Pathfinder. Most of the thirty foot pits this pony dealt with probably didn't have a comfortable pool of cool water at the bottom. Snowfall could imagine all manner of spikes and deadly snakes right out of a Daring Do novel. Though she supposed just a simple craggy rock surface could be as dangerous after that kind of drop. On second thought, most places Pathfinder went probably didn't have rules against flying like this place did, so falling traps were probably the least of her worries.

"Well..." Snowfall started. "Six feet is kind of... Do you..." Snowfall wasn't sure if this was a silly thing to ask or not. She honestly had no clue how far she could jump without using her wings."Do you think we could cross that just by jumping? You know, like a running leap?"

[SteelEagle]

"Well..." Snowfall started as her voice lost all manner of authority. "Six feet is kind of... Do you...do you think we could cross that just by jumping? You know, like a running leap?"

Pahfinder gave two things thought. First, it was sort of cute seeing her date get flustered. She so well wore the mask of a consistently confident and charge-taking mare that to see her knocked back, if only for a moment and with nothing but good cause and reason, was absolutely charming. It was nice to know that everypony no matter the stature had moments of profound mental stutter. It was a heartwarming fact tha made Snowy all the more pony.

Secondly, Pathfinder gave her question due process in the workings of her mind. Six feet wasn't much at all for strong ponies, nor was much of a risk for a new adventurer. However, the lack of vision beyond it is what gave Pathfinder pause- and why set up such a simple hole with nothing to provide much of a challenge as the third leg of the course? Pathfinder's adventure sense was tingling. That or her lack of bathing recently was allowing bugs to crawl on her coat.

"Yeah, a running start should be fine. Here, I'll go first. You can follow. Next obstacle, we switch. Sound fun?" Pathfinder said with a wink as she trotted gaily back a few feet, turned, and galloped to the edge of the hole. Once there, she gave a mighty push off with her back hooves and found herself tossed into the air and over the somewhat incompetent hole.

She was about to land confidently on the other side, having over shot the hole by several feet, when reality set in. It did so as her hooves slammed against the artificial cave floor and she heard a metallic clack. A trap door. An excellent design! Th obvious trap was the bait, luring ponies into falling into the hidden trap door. Well done!

Pathfinder had less than a second in between the sound and the door opening up. She brought her back hooves down not in a landing, but in a kick as her front legs mustered what little energy had been gathered, the trap door opening up just after she kicked off- her motion perhaps to the untrained eye having caused it. In all, the launch off was weak, but as good as she could get considering she was nearly halfway across trap door. She flew in the air for a second before landing and tumbling on the other side, her hat falling off in the process. Pathfinder picked it up and dusts it off before placing it on her head, turning back towards Snowy. It was maybe only a 14-foot gap all told, but she could hardly see Snowy. Well designed!

"Okay Snowy, not sure if you saw, but there's a super cool trap door directly on the other side of the hole. You're gonna land on it no matter what and when you do, you're going to have no time at all to land. So you gotta act like you're trying to jump another hole immediately, keep that running motion and jump immediately. Do itand you should get even further than me! GOOOOOOOOOO SNOWY!" Pathfinder said with enthusiasm, stomping her hooves in applause

[RarityDash]

"Yeah, a running start should be fine. Here, I'll go first. You can follow. Next obstacle, we switch. Sound fun?"

Pathfinder replied immediately, readying herself for the jump. Snowfall just nodded to her, even if she wasn't sure how well Pathfinder could see it in the dark. She could only just barely make Pathfinder out as she fell back and started her charge, making the jump over the hole.

Not to doubt the other ponies talents, but Snowfall was half expecting to hear a resounding splash, just because she herself was worried about the jump. She couldn't recall a single time in her life where she had made such a big jump without using her wings to help propel her. It made her more than a little anxious as she prepared herself for it. She heard some noised, which sounded like the pony landing on the other side, though Snow couldn't really see much.

"Okay Snowy, not sure if you saw, but there's a super cool trap door directly on the other side of the hole. You're gonna land on it no matter what and when you do, you're going to have no time at all to land. So you gotta act like you're trying to jump another hole immediately, keep that running motion and jump immediately. Do itand you should get even further than me! GOOOOOOOOOO SNOWY!"

Well, that sounded kind of complicated and precise. Snow doubted her ability to pull it off. Pathfinder's enthusiasm and applause however ignited some level of confidence where it had started to fade. Suddenly Snowfall was sure she could do it. She was Snowfall, successful CEO of NSI, one of the most important ponies in all of Equestria, one of the architects of the railroad project that was going to bring everypony closer together. She couldn't be nervous about something like this. This was nothing!

"Alright, here I go!" Snowfall said, fully restore and unafraid. Giving a nod to herself, she backed off a fair distance and then started to run. At the edge of the hole, she made her triumphant jump, and the instant she landed on the other side, before she could fall through the trap, she leapt again, safely seeing herself to the other side.Though her wings opened in the second jump, she resisted the great urge to flap them, making it on the jump alone.

"That wasn't so bad," she said, grinning as she rejoined her date.

[SteelEagle]

"Alright, here I go!" Snowy said, her voice echoing loudly enough for Pathfinder to know she was just dandy. She was confident too, a fact that in any adventure was worth an enormous weight of gold as far as she was concerned. her experience bore that out as fact, though her simple-minded friends would tell her that it was the best way to get seriously hurt.

Pathfinder continued to stomp and whoot, cheering her date on as much as she could. Normally Pathfinder was trying to be as quiet as possible in a cave like this, but she figured that Snowy could use the encouragement. Who wouldn't want a small cheering section? Boring ponies! And it seemed like she was fully capable of being an excellent adventurer as she committed herself to the leap. Commitment and confidence were very alluring traits.

She bounded over the first hole easy, but it was the second hole that could prove difficult. Luckily, she hit and kicked off immediately, her wings opening up in reflex. Luckily, Pathfinder saw that Snowy's control extended beyond business and she landed of her own, non-wing aided power past where Pathfinder was.

"That wasn't so bad," Snowy said, wonderfully underplaying her success. Pathfinder didn't waste a second, grabbing and hugging Snowy with the greatest excitement. She was impressed, happy, overjoyed at the success of her date, especially coming off of the heels of her seeming indecision and discomfort with the idea of such a large leap. When prodded, she had tremendous courage and Pathfinder was beyond happy to see she could help Snowy see it.

"Awesome! You did great, Snowy! I knew you could do it, and now that we got that out of the way, we're gonna kick this course's flank!" Pathfinder said, moving behind her date as she let Snowy go and twirled her tail in excitement.

"Okay, super explorer Snowy, it's your turn to take the lead to the next obstacle!" Pathfinder said, her enthusiasm powering her voice broadly.

[RarityDash]

"Awesome! You did great, Snowy! I knew you could do it, and now that we got that out of the way, we're gonna kick this course's flank!"

Snowfall's date offered these hugely encouraging words as she hugged Snowfall tightly once more. She wasn't really used to these sudden hugs. Her parents had never been very physical with her, and she didn't have a lot of other family or close friends who would do something like that. Most the ponies she socialized with, weren't like this either. There was no spontaneity, no intimacy. It was unusual, and in truth, it made her heart flutter a little.

"Okay, super explorer Snowy, it's your turn to take the lead to the next obstacle!"

Pathfinder said after letting go. Snowfall didn't respond instantly. She was kind of dazed from both the hug and the encouraging words, a blush and grin on her face that she hoped were obscured by darkness. A number of full seconds passed before she realized she was supposed to be running again. A few seconds more passed before she actually started to do just that. She nodded, regained her focus and began to charge ahead.

"Alright! Let's go then. I can handle whatever this course throws at us!" Snowfall said as she ran ahead.

She was able to reach a very strong gallop by the time the cave opened back up and full light was restored. It was good that light came back when it did, too, because the course saw that they needed it. Before them now was a section of jumps, one after the other. There were a number of holes and gaps in the course, as well as hurdles that had to be jumped, all of varying heights and sizes. Snowfall was able to get past most jumps without much trouble, though once or twice she cut it close and hit her hooves against a wall or hurdle. It was a struggle to keep moving at the speed some of the jumps required to pass, but she was handling it okay, she thought.

That was until, a jump over a high hurdle onto a very narrow ledge caused her to entirely lose her footing and crash into a shallow hole. In pain, she struggled up and shook her head to focus before climbing up and out, back up onto the next ledge. Before staring back up, she turned to see if Pathfinder was nearby. She hoped she hadn't disappointed the pegasus with her failings.

[SteelEagle]

Snowy could sure move! Pathfinder was impressed that a lifetime of board meetings didn't slow her down all that much. If it had been any other way, Pathfinder would have been worried that she would have to take charge the entire time. And while that had some appeal as it was her natural state, she was truthfully looking forward to following someone else for a change. The fact it was a cute someone was a wonderful addition to the equation, and the fact she was fast too aided matters tremendously. The lifelong adventurer almost has trouble keeping up. Almost. Pathfinder was well-weathered in pursuit.

The gallop she had going was strong and fierce as the light allows her to see the upcoming obstacles. A series of jumps of varying distances and elevation would have provided an interesting diversion alone, but some jumps had hurdles at the zenith while almost every one had a hole, a pit, a gap to increase the consequences and severity of failure. Pathfinder's ears perked up- finally, a challenge worthy of them!

She galloped and leapt without breaking her stride, timing her leaps with as much precision as she could muster. There wasn't anything truly challenging here for someone with her experience, as no town would risk such great expense if it could be financially risky. The pits were short and the landing soft, the jumps challenging but lacking anything that could test an experienced pony. It was, in short, perfect entertainment for a thrill seeker who was seeking something less carnal and something that allowed her to explore her mind without worry playing loose her expression. In Pathfinder's mind, many thoughts were bubbling around as a crazy mix of wild emotions confused one another as mixed signals shot around gaily. They would be interrupted by a more reasonable affair.

Snowy fell a few jumps ahead of Pathfinder into the abyss, the distance greater than Pathfinder had intended, her desire to give Snowy some space to manage her jumps coming back to bite her. As Snowy fell, Pathfinder's pace quickened and she made quick work of the following jumps in her bid to catch up with Snowy. She launched herself over the hurdle and onto the narrow ledge that Snowy was just then pulling herself back up from. When Snowy;s safety was assured, her form fighting back up, Pathfinder's mind drew a blank. What was this she was feeling? Why was it so sudden? She knew that Snowy was safe, and she was accustomed to seeing danger such as this. Plus, she knew this place represented no real threat. She knew Snowy was safe, so why the nervous landing, hoof tapping against the ledge, the initial eye dart to see if she was safe, the lump in her throat?

Then it struck her. She was personally a little ashamed and confused. Confused because she knew of nopony who would ever say it this quickly, ashamed because she knew it made her seem so immature to believe in it this suddenly.

Pathfinder's voice was even, the excited inflection almost pathetic as it was so obviously forced to give her words strength.

"H-hey, Snowy! Two things! First off, I think I love you. Secondly, are you okay? Because I think we're about halfway through this course and if you need anyone to hold- carry, carry you, just say so and if not, it's MY turn to lead!" Pathfinder said, her words gaining strength as she escaped the gravitational pull of the first point in her sentence, ending with her striking a pose, hoof in air towards the exit dramatically.