//------------------------------// // Yearling and Seeker // Story: Random Ramblings // by PioneeringAuthor //------------------------------// Canterlot, around ten years ago… “I Still don’t know, Do you really think this is a good idea? ” Asked the brown Earth Pony with a still noticeable Trotomian accent. The blue Unicorn stallion chuckled at that, “Well, Shining’s on the entrance exams today and you can imagine that... ” “Fine, I’ll go with you two, but you owe me a lunch, and not one of those fancy ones, an actual lunch,” Replied Story Seeker with a teasing smirk. Soon enough he put a hat on and walked off with them. Story Seeker had arrived a few months ago to Canterlot to be an auxiliary teacher in the Royal Academy of History, and in the process had managed to meet this family. “So… what kind of book are we going to see unveiled today, Night?” He asked, not being really big on this author they were going to see. Night Light just chuckled as they walked to his home. Oh you’ll love it Seeker, one of those goofy historian-adventurer things that my wife likes so much. ” As they were greeted by Twilight Velvet on the porch of the house and then moved towards the convention hall where the event would take place, Seeker had noticed a large crowd, many with those “explorer” hats… “Oh, genial…” He whispered to himself before sighing, “She actually made the sequel didn’t she?” “Oh come on Seeker, those books are a really good read, ” replied Twilight Velvet with a charming smile, “Not everything has to be a history textbook. ” “That’s not the problem… It’s just that the adventures are way too cheesy, I mean, really? a perfectly stereotypical Maritano villain? ” Seeker chuckled at that. “So what if they are a bit cheesy? The adventures are so well written that it feels real!” Twilight Velvet responded with wide eyes. Seeker just shrugged at that, “It still is not my cup of tea… ” “All right, but I’m sure you will enjoy the ceremony anyway,” Twilight Velvet shrugged. “I guess I might, ” The young Earth Pony conceded as they entered the building. Following the signs, they met many other ponies dressed up as the characters, all ready to see the next book. Soon they were all seated and waiting. With great ceremony and much cheering from the fans, the next book was unveiled, and soon Velvet, her husband and Seeker were going to get autographs from A.K. Yearling herself… well, mainly Twilight Velvet. Of course, Story Seeker was just there with them, in a slightly awkward situation. “I must say, I adore your style of writing,” Velvet was gushing to Ms. Yearling, “It feels like it really happened!” Yearling smiled and thanked her with, “Why thank you, Ma’am, I do try to write a vivid picture of what happened.” “Well you certainly did!” Velvet continued as Yearling signed the book Velvet was carrying, “Anyway, I’m Twilight Velvet, this is my husband, Night Light, and this is our historian friend, Story Seeker! He works at a university in Canterlot.” Yearling looked up as she passed the book back to Velvet, “A historian, you say?” She looked at Story Seeker as she continued, “Just how much do you know about history?” Seeker just gave a chuckle, “Well, unlike what some other historians will say, I wouldn’t say I know all about it,” he shrugged, “I do specialize in Early Gryphon, Konlyan and Asturconian History. ” Yearling’s eyes lit up at that, and she straightened her glasses as she asked, “Really? Well… sometimes I need to study some history before… outlining my stories. Have any good textbooks for sale?” Seeker smiled at that politely. “Well, many textbooks can be good, but the translation of the Early Gryphon Sagas made by Professor Sigurdr Halstarn is what I’d recommend… it’s the closest anypony can get to the original without learning Ancient Gryphon.” Yearling seemed deeply interested in that sentiment, for she leaned towards Seeker and demanded, “Are you serious? Where can I find his translation?” “Well, the Royal Academy of History of Canterlot recently published the latest edition of his translation… ” Seeker replied. Sitting back down again and signing some more books, Yearling continued with, “You know, I could use a historian to teach me things occasionally--when are you usually at the university?” “I’m kind of working there as an auxiliary teacher, covering Professor Inkhoof’s class when he’s not here… but most days you can find me in this small Asturconian cafe right next to the university, ” he told her with a shrug, “La Plata de Nada is the name.” Yearling grinned at him, “I’ll have to meet up with you there sometime,” Handing him a free copy of her second book, she added, “By the way, my books are more… more historical than they seem.” After signing the book for Story Seeker, she turned to talk to other fans, and soon Seeker, Velvet and Night were all outside again. “Well, that was something… ” Seeker said as they walked out. “Oh, I cannot believe she was so interested in you!” Velvet said, half astonished and half jealous. “Yeah, that was pretty memorable! You can now officially say that a Celebrity likes you,” Night Light teased with a grin of admiration. With a laugh, Seeker looked at them “Oh por favor, no es que le guste!” He said, slipping into his native Asturconish before looking at them. “Oh don’t worry, from what I hear she’s a really busy pony--I’m sure she won’t visit you much, if at all,” Velvet reassured him, although it was clear she wished that Yearling would visit him, so that she would have a chance of meeting Yearling again. Eventually they arrived home, and Night Light opened the door, announcing loudly, “I’m home!” “DADDY!” A tiny voice called as Twilight Sparkle, his young daughter galloped over to him happily. Night Light scooped her up in his magic, giving her a kiss on the cheek as Velvet and Seeker entered the house. “Did you get the next book?” Sparkle asked happily as Night Light returned her to the carpet. “Yes we did, and Mommy had it signed,” Night Light said, drawing the book from his saddle bag grandly. “YOU GOT IT SIGNED TOO?” Sparkle gasped as she leaped into the air, her long mane and tail flying up and down as she jumped. “Yes! A.K. Yearling was there and we got to speak to her personally,” Velvet explained cheerily as she nodded her head. Seeker smiled at the scene before sighting a pair of teenagers cuddling in the sofa. Noticing who they were, He chuckled softly. “Vaya!” he finally said, “That’s Buena Suerte jovencito.” Of course, this startled the pink Alicorn and the white Unicorn, who scooched to other sides of the couch quickly before Cadenza got up and trotted over to the adults while Sparkle giggled and smiled at her foalsitter. “Twilight was very good while you were gone,” Cadenza declared with a smile, nervously shifting her wings as she spoke. Seeker just put a hoof on Shining’s shoulder and nodded. “Well, look at you, already getting a Princess’ attention, ” he teased, “You get a tip of the hat for that,” He finished with a smile. “Oh, Shining, when did you arrive home?” Velvet questioned, glad that her son was home safely. “Just a short while ago,” Shining answered, straightening up as he spoke, “I think I did well on the exams.” “I’m telling you, we have a future Comandante here. ” Seeker quickly said. At that, Shining Grinned and straightened up. A few days later, Seeker was enjoying a lunch break at La Plata de Nada, when he was kindly interrupted. “Story Seeker?” A familiar voice questioned. Slightly surprised, Seeker turned around to see the same mare from the book ceremony. With a polite smile he nodded “Ms. Yearling.” “You aren’t meeting anypony here today, are you?” She asked cautiously. “Not really; just came here for lunch, ” He shrugged. “You weren’t followed, were you?” Yearling whispered suspiciously. Confused by that question, Seeker looked at her, “No… any reason for that question?” Sitting down quickly, Yearling replied with, “Let’s just say that sometimes somepony comes to… steal my ideas.” Raising an eyebrow at that, and deciding to ignore a rather ridiculous thought, Seeker nodded at that. “Well… I know most ponies in this place, and they’re too busy planning classes or studying to try and venture into Literature… ” Yearling nodded casually, studying the menu quietly for a moment before continuing, “Do you know anything about ancient Hippogriff Runes?” Seeker nodded at that, looking at her with, “Yes… Very similar to ancient Gryphon Runes, but Old Hippogriff is as different from Old Gryphon, as Germane is from Equestrian… I can read some, but I’m not yet fully acquainted with the language… I do know a Professor in Arheimar who could be of help. ” “Good, I could use some help with Hippogriff runes,” Yearling admitted with a slightly relaxed smile, “I suppose I shall have to get myself a boat ticket soon. Do you have his address?” Seeker nodded at that, pulling a paper and a pencil out before writing the professor’s address, “Look for Professor Thidareik af Oium, tell him that you’re a friend of me and he’ll gladly help you.” Yearling quickly took the paper, folded it, and placed it in her saddle bags. With another smile, she thanked him, saying, “Thank you--this really is a huge help. Enjoy your lunch.” Abruptly she hopped out of her hair and departed. With a shrug, Story Seeker ate from his lunch, “Esa yegua es bien rara…” he muttered to himself as he ate. For a moment, he watched Ms. Yearling leave. As he watched, Yearling’s coat caught on a chair for a moment, and as she tugged on it and got it loose, her cutie mark was revealed for a brief second: it was a compass rose. Swiftly, she exited the restaurant. Again he shrugged, paying for his lunch and heading back into the ancient building of the University, not knowing anything.