*Knock-knock-knock*
Oh, for Pete’s sake...How many times was I gonna wake to ponies knocking at my door?
Wrenching myself out of bed and putting on my glasses, I stumped to the door and opened it up. A blast of cold air met me, as did the beaming face of Bon Bon, wearing a sweater and pants the same colors as the candies of her cutie mark. Standing behind her was Lyra, wearing her black hoodie and her own pair of track pants. The sun was just peeking up over the horizon.
“Good morning!” chirped Bon Bon, sunnily.
“Is it even morning?” I asked, sleepily. “Bon Bon, do you have any idea what time it is?”
“6:30 AM,” said Bon Bon, “the perfect time for a morning jog! Come on, Dave, put some gear on and let’s go!”
So this was what Lyra had been warning me about.
“All right, all right,” I muttered. “Just give me a few minutes, ok?”
“Sure, no problem!” said Bon Bon.
I closed the door (perhaps once I woke up some more, I’d worry about having possibly slammed it in her face) and went to get dressed. I just changed into some pants, a shirt, and my coat. I’d take a shower when I get back, since I didn’t want to keep them waiting that long. Once I was geared up, I joined my former boss and coworker outside, locking the door behind me.
“See?” asked Lyra. “What’d I tell ya?”
“Oh, hush,” said Bon Bon. “It’s best to do this sort of thing first thing in the morning, before you get distracted by the day’s events. Diet and exercise are all about initiative and self-discipline. By deviating even slightly from your plans-”
“Yeah, yeah, skip the speech and let’s get going,” interrupted Lyra. “My flank’s freezing.”
(And yet you’re wearing track pants. What have you got to complain about?)
“All right, you two, let’s get moving,” said Bon Bon. “Hup-two!”
With that, the candy-making mare started off at a brisk trot, Lyra right behind, and me taking up the rear.
***
I don’t care what Bon Bon said: 6:30 in the morning was way too early to be doing this kind of thing. I was more of an evening walk guy, especially if there was a cooling breeze. This trek around the countryside, bundled up as I was, was not my idea of fun. This was what Calvin’s dad would say ‘built character’, no matter how much everyone else was suffering. I still couldn’t believe ponies could stand to be out in this kind of weather with only their upper bodies covered, as I’d often seen around Ponyville. Technically, equines didn’t normally wear clothes, but if you’re going to dress yourself, why not go all the way? A silly image ran through my head, concerning myself running around in the dead of winter with nothing but a hat and scarf on. I shuddered, both at the cold feeling that brought, and the mental scars that would cause my neighbors.
Maybe I was thinking about this too deeply. That was all I had as I trooped behind Bon Bon and Lyra. I didn’t have my iPod, so I had no music to keep me occupied or stimulate my imagination. My only resource was the running, random commentary in my brain, brought on by my tiredness and the cold. I was so tired and drowned in my own thoughts that I didn’t even hear most of what Lyra and Bon Bon were talking about amongst themselves. All I could catch was something about the vegetarian candies Bon Bon was developing, which she was eager to proceed with, as it was not just a healthy alternative for Lyra, but an ambitious new project as well.
At last, after what felt like an hour, we came within sight of my house again. I was tired, hungry, freezing, and my legs felt like jelly with lead for feet. Lyra was a bit out of breath, but Bon Bon was all smiles. As we approached, I could see someone at the mailbox. It was Scootaloo, putting in the morning paper to keep it out of the snow. She wasn’t using her scooter, which made sense, since it probably wouldn’t have made it far in the snow, but I wondered how much more effort she had to put into carrying her satchel of papers via wing power alone.
“Morning, Scoot!” I called, as best I could with how tired I was.
Scootaloo turned and waved at us, though there was something half-hearted about the gesture, and she didn’t call back. She just closed the mailbox back up, flapped her wings, and moved on.
“What’s eating her?” Lyra asked.
“School starting back up,” I said. “She and Dinky were suffering from ‘End-of-Vacation Blues’ yesterday.”
“Ah,” said Lyra, comprehending. “I know how that felt, trust me.”
“And feels,” cut in Bon Bon. “Even today, it’s all I can do to drag your rump out of bed in the morning. How you managed at boarding school is beyond me.”
Lyra just rolled her eyes at this, and we finally stopped outside my house.
“Now wasn’t that fun?” Bon Bon asked, brightly.
“Whatever you say, Bon Bon,” I muttered.
“Oh, buck up,” she said. “The first day’s always the toughest. You’ll get into the swing of it soon. How about you, Lyra? You feel ok?”
“A little winded, but not too bad,” said Lyra.
“That’s the spirit,” said Bon Bon, proudly, before turning back to me. “Well, Dave, I’ve going to be busy with brainstorming and testing all day, so we’d better get going. See you soon!”
“Have a good one, ladies,” I said.
The two mares trotted off through the snow. I grabbed the morning paper, reentered the welcoming warmth of my house, and stumbled into the kitchen to get some breakfast started. Might as well as long as I was up. After that, I’d probably go to the library and ask for Twilight’s help in my latest assignment. I just hoped she wasn’t too busy. With how long it took to perfect my last work, I wasn’t sure how long this would take me, so an early start would probably be the best option.
***
It took me a while to finally will myself to head out, as my legs still felt weak and stiff from the morning walk. It didn’t help that I also took time to apply a second coat of paint to the sign. At last, however, just like last time, I bundled up the notes I had taken and headed out, making for the library. I was just nearing it when the door burst open, and a cyan streak came pelting toward me.
“WHOO-HOO!” crowed a familiar voice.
*WHAM!*
Rainbow Dash collided right into me, knocking me off my feet and sending my papers flying. As stars danced in front of my eyes (imagine, seeing stars in broad daylight), I caught sight of them fluttering away. Rainbow, rubbing her head in pain, caught sight of them as well, and seemed to guess what had happened.
“I got ‘em!” she said, and she took off before I could move a muscle.
As I watched, she scooped up the papers in her forelegs, flew down, and handed them back to me. I didn’t even know if the apologetic look she was giving me was for ramming into me, or for the haphazard way she’d put my notes back together. I said nothing as I rearranged them into a more uniform stack.
“Sorry,” she said. “Didn’t mean to bowl you over like that.”
“It’s all right,” I said. “No harm done. So, what’s got you so excited.”
“Couple things, actually,” said Rainbow. “I just got finished reading the first book in a new Daring Do saga!”’
“A new saga?” I asked, intrigued. “About what?”
“You’ll have to see for yourself,” said Rainbow, teasingly. “The second thing is that tomorrow’s weather is gonna be crystal clear: no snowfalls in Ponyville or anything, so, since I’ve got the day off, I’m gonna head over to Cloudsdale! You should totally come and be my travel buddy!”
On the one hand, I thought it would be great to finally be able to see the pegasus city of Cloudsdale, especially since Rainbow had been itching to show it to me for a long time. On the other hand, when I thought about getting there, everything seemed to turn sideways.
“Er, Rainbow,” I began, but she interrupted me.
“Don’t worry about a thing,” she said, airily. “I already talked about it with Twi, and she’ll give ya the skinny. You’re going to see her, right?”
“Well, yeah,” I said. “For some help on an assignment for my job, but I-”
“Blech,” said Rainbow, sticking her tongue out and cutting me off again. “Egghead stuff. Well, you have ‘fun’ with that. I’ll catch ya tomorrow. Betcha can’t wait!”
“But-”
And with that, Rainbow zoomed off into the sky, nearly blowing my notes out of my arms again. I watched her slowly disappear into the clouds, the jet-plane roar of her passing fading gradually as she went out of sight. Well, now I had even more reason to see Twilight: sorting this Cloudsdale matter out. I marched straight up to the library and knocked on the door.
“It’s open!” came Twilight’s voice.
Upon entering, I found myself bathed in a heavenly warmth, refreshing after the cold outside. Two armchairs were pulled up to the fireplace, one bearing Twilight, the other Spike. Twilight was wrapped up in a thick blanket, making her look like she was wearing a cloak, and had a book set across her lap. Spike, on the other hand, was wearing a velvet-red smoking jacket and a fez. I had to hand it to his taste in clothing, because fezzes were cool, but the posh effect was slightly ruined by the fact that he was reading a comic book instead of a novel.
“Hello, Dave!” said Twilight. “What brings you here?”
“One thing, originally,” I said, “but now, a few things.”
Twilight raised a quizzical eyebrow, but I waited until after I’d taken my winter gear off, hung it up, and then marched over to her, my notes under my arm.
“First of all, a little blue-and-rainbow birdie told me you’ve conspired to send me up to Cloudsdale tomorrow.”
“Conspired?” Twilight asked. “That’s a bit of a strong word, isn’t it? We thought you’d be happy to have the opportunity.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” I said, “I do want to see Cloudsdale, but there’s just one problem. ...I’m afraid of heights.”
“Right,” said Twilight, knowledgeably. “You mentioned as much before our big Q&A.”
“But knowing that, you still intend to go through with this?” I asked, unable to keep a note of indignation out of my voice.
“Just relax, Dave,” said Twilight, calmly. “It’s not like I’m going to grant you wings or make you as light as a soap bubble. You wouldn’t have proper control over it, no offense.”
“None taken,” I said, not desiring to contradict something I really had no idea about.
For some odd reason, when Twilight said ‘grant you wings’, I had a fleeting image of her with big, feathery purple wings. It was just a silly idea, though. Twilight with wings? If that ever happened, I’d have seen everything.
“We’ll send you up in the hot air balloon,” said Twilight. “I’ll pilot it, cast a cloud-walking spell on you, then let Rainbow Dash walk you around. Simple, right?”
“Er, I don’t know,” I murmured, not exactly comfortable with the idea of riding in a hot air balloon, before another thought interrupted that. “Wait, cloud-walking spell? Isn’t that one of the spells you were making into a potion?”
“That’s right,” said Twilight, proudly. “I’ve been working steadily at my Spell-born Potions in my spare time, but they’re still not quite right. I really ought to have a chat with Zecora for some tips.”
“How long does this spell last?” I asked.
“24 hours,” said Twilight, “plenty of time to walk around Cloudsdale and have you back for bowling.”
“Oh, you know about that?” I asked.
“Of course. Applejack’s told me how much Big Macintosh enjoys having you on his team.”
“Ah, well,” I said, modestly, “that was nice of him to think so. Still, are you sure about a hot air balloon?”
“Absolutely,” said Twilight, “and I’ll be there with you. You’ll be perfectly safe.”
Coupled with her kind smile, it was difficult not to trust her. As apprehensive as I was about this idea, Twilight’s reassurance did make me feel better about it. I might not like it, but I had to at least tough it out, seeing as it was my chance to see Cloudsdale.
“Besides, Rainbow Dash is a great catch!” she said, pride beaming from her smile.
I blanched. (Change the subject! Change the subject!)
“So, what else did you want to talk to me about?”
(Thank God.)
“W-Well,” I said, trying to maintain a calm tone, “the other thing was that Rainbow also mentioned the start of a new story arc in Daring Do.”
“That’s right!” said Twilight, happily. “Daring Do and the Stone of Light. It kicks off what’s currently an ongoing saga: adventures in the Tenochtitlan Basin.”
“Ooh!” I said, intrigued. “I’ll have to give it a look once this is done.”
I held up my notes.
“What’s that?” Twilight asked.
“The main reason I came to see you,” I said, apologetically. “Iron- er, Minister Ironmane wants me to write about the wild creatures of Equestria, about their habitats, behaviors, eating patterns, and how they’ve impacted Equestrian history. Well, I’ve made some notes of the history aspect, but I still need the other info, and maybe some supplementary information. Do you think you can help me again, since the last one you helped me on went over well?”
Twilight’s face immediately broke into an eager smile.
“I’d be more than happy to help,” she said. “Let’s go get ourselves set up.”
With the blanket still wrapped around her, Twilight got up, then used her magic to make it more snug about her (and probably to keep herself from tripping on it).
“Spike, I need you to grab a few books for me. ...Spike?”
Spike didn’t answer. His eyes were still glued to the comic book in his claws, his expression unchanging. Twilight rolled her own eyes.
“Spike!” she said, louder.
With a small yelp, Spike started, wrenching his eyes away from the comic to blink up at us.
“Oh!” he said. “Hi, Dave. When did you get here?”
“Not too long ago,” I said.
“Spike, Dave and I have some work to do,” said Twilight. “Can you grab me Fantastic Flora and Fauna and The Equestrian Zoologist’s Guide?”
“Sure thing!”
Setting his comic down, Spike scampered off to the movable ladder by the bookshelves, and Twilight sighed.
“I swear, the second he sits down with one of those comics, he’s in his own little world.”
“Heh,” I chuckled. “He’s that invested, is he?”
“Oh, he adores them,” said Twilight, “especially superhero comics. He’s gotten into this series called Power Ponies, but I think he’s the only one who could explain it and do it justice. Well, we might as well get set up.”
She trotted toward the table we had worked at last time, and I went to join her. Still, at the thought of the name ‘Power Ponies’, I couldn’t help visualizing equines in color-coded jumpsuits and helmets, and Spike dressed in a brown coat and trilby reading them avidly. My imagination was running quite wild that day, to be sure…
***
As I had anticipated, the work session was long and tedious. We did take breaks for lunch and to use the restroom, but other than that, it was research, research, and more research. As like last time, Twilight was insistent about the way I put what we found into essay form, though she was less strict this time. I tried to tell her I had all week to do it, but that was a mistake in and of itself. She made sure I was looking her straight in the eye and said, firmly,
“Words like that are the procrastinator’s refuge, Dave. ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’, ‘I have until Friday to turn it in’, and so on. It’s better to have it done early than to rush at the last minute. Isn’t that why you came to me?”
In a way, she had a point, and it was useless to argue. I’m not trying to say the work wasn’t interesting. On the contrary, I learned even more about these creatures than from what the history book had given me. Cockatrices, for example, could not only turn living creatures into stone, but could also undo their own curse. Despite their predatory nature and unsettling appearance (not to mention foul breath), timberwolves were quite fragile and could come apart if struck hard enough, but the magic in their wooden bodies allowed them to reform eventually. There were also sparse, but chilling (no pun intended) details on the windigoes I had seen at the Hearth’s Warming pageant, described as spectral entities born from and powered by hatred and ill will, turning the environment colder the more they fed on these feelings. This also applied to ‘illumi-bears’, the Ursas Major and Minor I had heard about. Somehow, it seemed fitting that information like this would be lacking. After all, with descriptions like that, who would want to or even be able to get close to beasts like those?
There were also several tidbits I had already gotten from the history book, which were expounded upon further. That was stuff like the windigoes being a major influence in the founding of Equestria, as well as more mentioning of the orthros being domesticated and imported overseas to other civilizations. There was something about this latter point that nagged at the back of my mind, but I just couldn’t figure out what it was. It could have been because I still had trouble wrapping my mind around a two-headed dog being made into a domestic, breedable pet, but somehow, I wasn’t sure.
***
The morning jog had been tiring for me, but I was in agony by the end of this. Both my back and my rear were sore from the way I had been sitting while I wrote, and my hand felt like it was going to collapse right off my wrist. I felt, as Orwell would have put it, ‘gelatinous with fatigue’ after today’s events, though the proper application of the term was much more taxing than what I had just completed. At last, however, I was able to set my pen down, and Twilight, looking tired but satisfied, whisked my notes over for a final check. Her keen amethyst-purple eyes roved over every line I had painstakingly crafted from the notes we had assembled, moving from one page to the next. Spike was in the kitchen getting dinner ready, and I could hear something frying. It couldn’t have been meat, so possibly it was a veggie stir fry.
At last, Twilight set the paper down.
“Very good, Dave,” she said, smiling at me. “Minister Ironmane should be happy with this. How do you feel?”
“Starving, dead tired, sore,” I murmured, “just to name a few.”
Twilight laughed softly and draped a foreleg across my shoulders, pulling me into a sideways hug that pressed her cheek against mine.
“You’ve worked so hard, but you haven’t complained once during it,” she said. “That’s the mark of a good student. I’m proud of you, Dave.”
“Does that make you my teacher?” I asked. “Because honestly, Minister Ironmane just gives me the assignments. You’re the one giving me the extra info I need. I’m glad to have such a brainy pony as a friend.”
“Well, now,” said Twilight, sounding slightly flattered, “there’s a difference between being someone’s teacher and being someone’s tutor.”
But whatever difference there was, Twilight didn’t get to say. At that moment, Spike came in, and Twilight released me from her lecture.
“All done in here?” he asked. “Dinner’s ready: fresh hot veggie burgers and sweet potato fries, ala Spike.”
“That sounds wonderful,” said Twilight. “Won’t you join us, Dave?”
“I’d be more than happy to,” I said. “Assuming I can get up.”
Stiffly, painfully, I managed to get myself onto my feet. My joints ached, but I managed in the end, and followed Twilight and Spike into the kitchen, the smell of cooked sweet potato making my stomach rumble.
***
For such a little guy, Spike really was an excellent cook. Even if I wasn’t normally a fan of vegetables, his veggie burgers were delicious, especially with ketchup. The same went for the sweet potato fries, which had just the lightest sprinkling of salt to really bring out their flavor. It was just the kind of meal I needed after all of that work.
“Well, Dave,” said Twilight, “now you can look forward to the rest of the week without having to do anymore work.”
“All thanks to you,” I said, taking a grateful swig of juice.
Spike cleared his throat.
“And you, Spike,” I said. “You did get the books we needed, after all.”
Spike grinned, and Twilight rolled her eyes again.
“So,” she went on, “make sure you get a good night’s rest tonight. Come to the library, say, 9 o’clock? I’ll put the Cloud-Walking Spell on you, and take you up to Cloudsdale. Like I said, Rainbow and I will be right there. You won’t be in any danger.”
I swallowed the bit of veggie burger in my mouth, then nodded to her.
“I know, Twi. I might still be nervous about it, but I’ll still do it, if you guys are there with me.”
Twilight smiled kindly, and dinner passed on in silence after that. I was aching to get home and get to bed, though I was both anticipating and dreading tomorrow: anticipating getting to see Cloudsdale, and dreading the hot air balloon; anticipating a week free from essay-writing, and dreading another frigid jog with Bon Bon.
Just as I was getting ready to leave, however, a book floated over to me, hovering at my elbow. Picking it up, I saw that it bore an illustration of Daring Do and Dowser standing at an altar, gazing, awestruck, at an egg-shaped object sitting upon it, which gave off an intense white glow. The title read, “Daring Do and the Stone of Light”. I looked over at Twilight, who was looking tired, but happy.
“Didn’t want to forget that,” she said. “I know you’ll enjoy it as much as Rainbow and I did.”
“Thanks, Twi,” I said gratefully. “Good night.”
And I took my leave of the studious unicorn, the book tucked carefully under my arm.
So Dave is learning hat its like to have to go to school each moring through 5 foot of snow, uphill both ways?
Oh look, its Dash crashing into someone yet again. Oh dear. Oh, apparently theres an article somewhere about the guy who did all teh rocket sled deceleration tests in the 1950s. Something about Mach 0.9 to a stop in 1.4 seconds, pulling roughly 45g. He suffered boken wrists and ribs, so the program was cancled before they could fire him supersonically. Makes the magically reinforced Dash more realistic.
As for Dave in Cloudsdale, very likely he is going to get aquainted with its underside. As he passes through it.
You should call this chapter "Foreshadowing" Cause it is really obvious where you are going. Still doesn't mean it bad chapter! I love these little chapters that do very little but set up future chapters.
This chapter makes me question what episode Dave was on prior to his arrival.
Dave, soon to be a Skywalker (pun very much intended), I have only three words. Just stay calm. I ain't gonna say to not look down, because whenever that particular bit of 'advice' is uttered, the recipient of said advice always, without fail, looks down. I hope he enjoys Cloudsdale. I know I would.
5076421 Season 2 ended before Dave showed up.
So, Dave's going to Cloudsdale next chapter. I wonder if he'll meet any of the Wonderbolts.
Another amazing chapter thusfar.^^ Oh, and vote for anyone? Oh god to how it'd be like if you did a POV from Screwball. XD
5076468 And can you, Mr.Not The Author, cite any source for your claim of 'Dave has only seen through the end of season two'?
Because his letter to nobody at the beginning of chapter one didn't mention it and he forgot all about the show immediately after that so he certainly hasn't shown any knowledge of it since. Since he has been moved to another reality outside of the space-time of his own there is absolutely no reason he couldn't have come from a point in our future after the beginning of season five.
5076604 Look in the Q&A chapter. It shows that the Canterlot Wedding had happened. And in the Round Table chapter, it shows that the Crystal Empire had not happened yet.
5076611 Wow... that has absolutely nothing to do with anything I said! So I'll take that as a 'No Vates, I can't cite anything to prove Dave's point of origin within the space-time of the human world is right after the end of season two. Only that his point of arrival within Equestria's space-time is between seasons two and three, which of course has nothing to do with your comment!' then.
Another great chapter joins countless others in the compilation of this well-written, episodic slice of life story.
As much as I love this story, though, and believe me, I do, Don't you think there should be a conclusion at some point? Sure, you could probably keep this going a while, but eventually, I think Dave and the story might end up getting stale or 'samey.' Whatever happened to the initial point of MLP being a show Dave watched, and how would everypony react to such a revelation? Is there ever going to be a point you can stop a story like this, though?
I think it's getting fairly close to the time this story should wrap up. If you want to continue at some point afterward, you could always make a sequel! I love this story dearly, and I don't want to get sick of it... But even 1000 chapters of the best writer in the world in the same story can get boring.
Congratulations on keeping me interested this long, though. Usually I have the attention span of a... Hey! What's that?
5077010 I disagree. Honestly not much time has passed. It took like 15 chapters to just get through hearth warming. We are finally starting to pick up some speed again. Their is so much to see in this setting!
Well, this will either or really well, or Dave will have no more problems anymore. One thing though; if I remember correctly from Season 1, the cloud walking spell is designed to last for three days not just one. Unless there's some issue with humans I've forgotten about that causes this limitation.
Was... was that an Atop the Fourth Wall joke?
Heh, nicely done.
maybeh a chapter for Twilight/RD? combined for teh Clousdale chapter?
also, this can only end in lols.
5077286
I know, and I agree there's a lot that could be done. I guess I just thought there'd be a cohesive narrative with a beginning, middle, and end at some point.
Still love the story, though.
5076488 Absolutely!
Screwball could do with some more love here. I'd give a +1 on that, for sure.
Nice chapter good sir!!
5078278
Thank you!
Now for something funny:
i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/8185480704/h63111627/
5078476
As a species yes, though I will still give individual children the benefit of the doubt. Together they act too stupid for me.
I would love a chapter from Ironmane's point of view. I AM IRONMANE, DA DA DA DA - DA DA DA DA.
Here, let me vote again... I forget what My last vote was...
Ironmane...
MUahahaha!
Fezzes are cool? I see someone's a fan of a certain doctor.
epic chapter as always. As for the POV it should be Ironmane
5079053 Thank you for getting those lyrics stuck in my head now... I'm almost forced to write out the full set of parody lyrics now.
And yes, Ironmane. Or Screwball.
5078135 in all honesty? She reminds me of one of my childhood friends and of the CMC she is the least know about and id like them to go further into her story (if she has one).
5077286 It's a matter of opinion I suppose. Personally, I still have this story in my favorites, but I'm beginning to grow bored because of a lack of central conflict. ALL stories need some type of conflict even if it's like this one and it is purposely meant to be slice of life. That's why that old format of "Exposition-Rising Action-Climax-Falling Action-Resolution" exists. It has to be there otherwise the story just seems to drone on ... and on ... and on. Length isn't a huge issue if those guidelines are followed. Other than that though, I'm fine with this story; it is beginning to become a bit of a bore though. Once again, that's just my personal opinion
5082596 I could say the same about you...
Screwball should have the POV. it's fun to see how she is in the story. what would be cool would be if it's going on during the bowling game. You get her point of view on dave, and the bowling game and how she manages to do what she does in said game.
5080910
I've seen shadow smile.
Hmm...it looks like Dave's mind is starting to clear away a few cobwebs....
I know I've said it once before (at least I think I did), but I'll say it again! This story is incredible! I absolutely love it! One of the best Equestrian Human fimfics online, nearing over 100 chapters! The first-person POV style is creative and the way Dave's character is portrayed really makes you smile. Honestly, this guy is just likable. I wouldn't be surprised if he made friends with a changling. But really, Dave is one of the best humans I've read in fimfiction. He is kind, honest, helpful, responsible, and always eager to joke around a bit. In many ways, he's a great role-model, especially for bronies. Every time a pony nuzzles his cheek, I can't help but grin (and, I admit, feel a tad jealous ). Lastly, I wonder how Dave (a human from our world) compares to the humans from Equestria. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
As for your 100th chapter, it will really be a milestone! As for which characters we should read the chapter through, here are my opinions.
Screwball: She's cute, funny, and, being mostly silently, it would be great to experience the world through her spirally eyes. You can only imagine what fun and delightful insanity await.
Celestia: It's been a while since we last heard from her and it would be interesting to hear what's on her mind, especially if it has anything to do with our friend, Dave. Is the question he asked Celestia about Equestrian humans still ringing in her mind? Is Celestia keeping as close a watch on him as Ironmane is? Are there any funny pranks she's planning to pull thanks to Dave's holiday present?
Speaking of Ironmane, maybe he and a chat with his wife would be something to read.... Or maybe Trixie and how she's doing. Or maybe Pinkie Pie, busy at Sugar Cube corner, baking cake and bronies...I mean brownies. Yeah...brownies....
Princess Celestia, Apollo, Sureshot, and Screwball.
ALL the references!!!!
His mind: NOPENOPENOPE!!!
img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130405221911/mlp/images/e/e1/FANMADE_Luna_I_see_what_you_did_there.jpg
I guess 6:30 really is too early for Dave to be in his normal head. Usually, I'd expect him to at least offer to let them in out of the cold for the few minutes he expected to take to get ready. They could always decline (though I'd expect Lyra to visibly want to accept), but at least he'd have thrown it out there.
look at season 4.
Can I get a clarification on this? Do you mean their own as in the specie's curse, or as in the specific cockatrice's curse? I'm wondering if it might be possible to train a cockatrice specifically to counter other cockatrice attacks.
Til 'Magical Mystery Cure'
Til 'Power Ponies'