//------------------------------// // Chapter 13: New Frontiers // Story: The Incredible Storyloom // by Gothic Dreams //------------------------------// Even though Rosy Bliss wasn’t too comfortable with the idea of leaving her father behind, the further she rode away from Birminghoof, the more she began to appreciate what Carbon Skies was trying to tell her. Out the window, there was an incredible beauty to the countryside that she had rarely seen, as she had spent almost all her life so far in the city. Immediately, Bliss knew that if she was to live somewhere new, it had to be a place where she could freely look out to the lush green fields and tranquil woodlands. However, she also knew that it was important to be near a city that could help her find the means to realise her desire to become a writer. And she already knew the very city she was looking for: Oxerford. It truly was a splendid looking place. At the very least, none of the buildings looked anywhere near as soot-ridden as plenty of those back in Birminghoof. She could have sworn the air even looked cleaner. As she got closer to the city centre, she could see what it was that the city of Oxerford was made famous for. Rosy Bliss adored the Royal Museum of Oxerford. Its exterior was covered with its carvings depicting the assorted flora and fauna of Equestria, both known and imagined. They were so vivid in their detail, while Bliss stared at it for an extended amount of time, there was a strange impression of movement, as if the masonry was alive. There were plenty of other museums around the city, though none were ever as large. However, more importantly, all of them were affiliated with the city’s university, that was regarded as the true heart and soul of Oxerford. As much as she would have been intrigued by the prospect of it, Rosy Bliss was certain that she wouldn’t ever be able considered eligible to study in such a place. She knew that because of its reputation as being one of the most esteemed of all of Equestria’s universities, they held incredibly high expectations for all their applicants. Then again, it didn’t seem entirely necessary for her either. Bliss was confident that she had a genuine talent for her writing. However, up until this point in her life, all she ever had to assure her of that was her father… ‘Maybe,’ Bliss thought to herself, ‘if I could get acquainted enough with some of the Ponies here… I’m sure it couldn’t hurt my chances.’ In any case, she was curious enough to have a look around anyway. Although there was considered to be only one university in Oxerford, it actually consisted of several different college buildings. Bliss approached one of these buildings based in the city’s broad street which housed not only one of the university’s museums – which is also known to be the first one to ever exist in Equestria – but also the city’s most well known bookshop, Greywell’s. By the entrance of the college building, Rosy Bliss could see a sign advertising for an “open lecture” on poetry that any Pony could attend. Although Bliss may not have ever considered herself to be a poet, having never even tried it before, she considered it to at least be the next best thing. It nevertheless excited her with the possibility of finally meeting other Ponies who were more like her in their interests. She was allowed into the college grounds by a couple of Ponies who were posted at the building’s entrance and given directions to the lecture theatre where the event was being held. The room was quite tall, with close to twenty rows of seats going all the way to the back of the room, each row higher than the one ahead. There were a modest number of attendees present at the time. Since Bliss entered the room, a few more Ponies followed, though none of them she was comfortable enough to approach. By the time the lecturer finally arrived, the auditorium was still just a little more than half full. The Pony who was running the lecture was a professor named Witted Twist. Although the way he dressed was perfectly conventional – his outfit almost completely resembled those of the other professors who sat to one side by the wall opposite the attendees – he had an odd presence about him that exuded with an undeniable eccentricity. This became even more so the moment he began to speak. Child of the pure unclouded brow And dreaming eyes of wonder! Though time be fleet, and I and thou Are half a life asunder… Rosy Bliss shortly found out that the poem Witted Twist had started his lecture with was of his own invention. She rather liked it, feeling it had a genuine child-like charm to it. Once the lecture was over, Bliss immediately tried to take a chance at speaking with the professor. ‘Excuse me, professor!’ Bliss called out while trying to make her through the group of Ponies still leaving the room. ‘Hello?’ His voice was in a tone that was exuberant and at the same time intrigued. Finally, the young mare managed to walk up to Witted Twist. All the other Ponies had left save for a couple of the other professors who waited patiently at the door. ‘Hello professor, my name is Rosy Bliss.’ She held out a hoof in greeting. He gratefully accepted and they shook hooves, ‘Witted Twist. It’s a pleasure to meet you. So what did you think of the talk? I take it you are a fellow poet.’ ‘Oh, not at all.’ Bliss was a little embarrassed with her confession, ‘I have never taken to poetry before. However, I do love to read and I often write my own stories.’ ‘Excellent! Today a reader, tomorrow a leader!’ Witted Twist chirped. Rosy Bliss was slightly taken aback by the flamboyance of his response. He then briefly gazed at Bliss contemplatively. ‘Though, I would have thought for someone with as much enthusiasm for literature, I would have seen you at one of these lectures before.’ ‘Oh, well I only just arrived at this city. It’s the first time I’ve ever been here.’ Rosy Bliss explained to him. ‘Ah, a visitor… Where from?’ ‘I came a long way, from Birminghoof, to be exact. The truth is, I’m looking to move into here. I’ve been hoping to find somewhere new to make my home where I could better make a name for myself as a writer.’ ‘Well, you have come to the right place!’ ‘Thank you.’ Rosy Bliss gave a bright smile. ‘Pardon me professor but how often do you give these talks?’ ‘Not that often,’ Witted Twist replied ‘I only stand as a guest lecturer.’ ‘Do you not normally teach in Oxerford?’ ‘Oh, I am a professor of this university. Just not one of literature.’ Bliss was slightly confused by this. ‘So what do you normally teach?’ ‘My specialty happens to be in mathematics.’ Bliss just stared at the stallion, with an eyebrow raised. How unusual, she thought to herself. A maths professor who writes poetry! However, she couldn’t think of anything else to say until Witted Twist spoke again. ‘Of course, we could still talk some more about poetry, or stories, or whatever you would like. Care to join me? There’s a public house not too far from here. I’ll be meeting with a few peers of mine who I think you will love to get acquainted with. In fact, I know a friend there who may even be able to help you find somewhere to stay.’ This was a great surprise to Rosy Bliss. She had just arrived, it was too good to be true! Such an offer felt impossible to refuse. ‘Thank you,’ she replied, ‘I would be glad to join you!’ Rosy Bliss knew that she was going to like living here. ‘So what did Clock Work do?’ asked one of the foals. ‘Pardon?’ said Cheerilee. ‘What did Clock Work do? After Rosy Bliss left?’ ‘As he had no intention to give up trying to win Rosy Bliss' heart, upon finding out that she had left Birminghoof, Clock Work set out himself, hoping to find her.’ ‘That seems a little weird…’ Said another foal. ‘Well children,’ Cheerilee explained, ‘it has been said for a long time that Ponies will do some of the weirdest things when they strongly believe in the feelings they have for others.’ Clock Work packed away everything he could ever take with him once he found out where Rosy Bliss had gone away. He hadn’t seen her ever since the day of the incident at Carbon Skies Mill. As the weeks turned into months, not seeing Bliss brought on to him a feeling of lovesickness that burned in his chest. He had to see her. There was one more idea he had ticking away in his mind. As he dozed off during the train journey to Oxerford, Clock Work recalled the final talk he had with Carbon Skies. ‘Permission?’ Carbon Skies rasped. His voice was incredibly coarse. Clock Work stood nervously beside the bed. ‘Yes sir, I wish to ask for your permission to take your daughter’s hoof in marriage.’ He proclaimed. His face turned more severe as he saw Carbon Skies’ increasingly perplexed reaction. However, he never expected the old stallion to break into laughter. ‘You really are a funny one, aren’t you?’ he said. His laughter grew until he was ceased by a small coughing fit. Clock Work was nothing short of confused. ‘Excuse me, sir?’ Carbon Skies pounded a hoof against his chest and sat himself upright. His expression suddenly became more serious as he looked at Clock Work, ‘I believe I am a reasonable stallion, and I like to think that I brought up my daughter as best as I could. You needn’t come to me and ask permission for anything. You mean well, you’ve trusted your own feelings and are acting through them. However, what you’re asking is a matter that can only be answered to by my daughter. If you ask her and she says no, you must be willing to accept that and move on. Do you understand?’ Clock Work has worked fairly closely with Carbon Skies, for as long as he has been working at the mill. While he may have never really been a stallion of many words, Clock Work remembered some heartfelt moments with the Carbon Skies that even made him feel like something of a father figure. However, this was the first truly serious conversation they ever had together. Clock Work stammered a bit before he finally gave a sharp nod and quickly replied, ‘Yes.’ Carbon Skies quickly changed expression again back to a kindly smile, ‘Very good,’ he said, ‘I believe you have some potential which could really make you amount to something, my boy. It would be a terrible shame if you were to let that go to waste just because things don’t necessarily go your way.’ The old stallion turned rolled over to face the window opposite to where Clock Work stood. ‘Please excuse me, but I do get tired very easily these days… Unless there is anything else on your mind that you would like to share? Clock Work stiffly shook his head, ‘N-no… That will be all, thank you.’ Carbon Skies didn’t say another word, so Clock Work decided that it was best for him to leave. ‘Next stop! Boarding at Oxerford station!’ Called out the guard, causing Clock Work to jolt himself awake. As he looked out the window, he could see that the train was already within the city limits. A determined glare was in his eyes. ‘Thank you sir,’ he muttered, ‘for everything you have done for me.’ Clock Work held closely to him a beaten leather notebook and thought to himself, ‘I have one final idea I would like to carry out… and I hope it will be enough to make both of you proud of me. You sir, and Bliss…’