//------------------------------// // Chapter 108- Flowering Attempt // Story: Reformed Unicorn Group Podcast // by Quoterific //------------------------------// “Hello every listener!” Sunset welcomed every creature back, “We are back in our main studio after the fun and excitement of the Equestria Games. After all that sporting action, we thought it was best to do something relaxing, as we have invited some of Ponyville’s residents to teach us something new and different.” “Joining us today are Ponyville’s resident flower experts Roseluck, Lily Valley and Daisy to teach us the art of flower arranging,” Starlight said as she turned to the flower pony trio, “Welcome to our show and thank you for agreeing to join us today.” “It’s nothing,” Roseluck waved a hoof in dismissal, “There is always Ponyville Day Spa, but flower arranging can be just as relaxing as a massage.” “So then,” Tempest started off, “What is the secret to the best flower arrangement.” “A keen eye for detail,” Lily started, “You want your final design to be uniform, perfect to the eye. I think the best way is to do it first-hoof. We have brought over a cart full of flowers that we have grown and are perfect for arrangements. Why don’t you go over their and choose your favourites, along with a vase.” The R.U.G. trotted over to the cart and picked their preferred flowers, from roses, zinnias, bluebells and lavenders. Starlight chose a tinted green vase that matched the green streaks in her mane. Trixie went for one with stars like her cape and hat. Tempest went for a dark vase that reflected her style best whilst Sunset chose a bright vase with red zig-zags. The flower ponies looked at their vases with intrigue, wondering what flowers would be best for their vase choices. Next came the flower selection. Sunset, reflecting her art project back at CHS, chose bright sunflowers that caught her eye immediately. “There are something about sunflowers that I love,” Sunset smiled as she took them from the cart, “They are just so bright and pleasing to the eye. No matter how big they get, you just can’t stop smiling when seeing one open.” Trixie went for an array of cornflowers of blue, white and pink. None of the other flowers reflected how great and powerful she was, thinking that they were rather dull, much to the flower trio’s horror. That was until she spotted a patch of cornflowers and was immediately hooked to them. “They look like a crown of flowers on one play,” Trixie smiled as she took some in her magic, “Like crowns somepony with great showmanship would definitely want to wear.” Tempest was looking at the cart with focus until she caught sight of a bunch of dark crimson roses. “These will do nicely,” Tempest announced simply, “Something that holds beauty yet to be careful with, like the thorns that you can simply trim off.” “Well,” Starlight looked over at the remaining flowers, “I think I will go for the lavenders. I just love the smell they bring and would be lovely welcoming smell for any student who will need my counselling.” “Looks like Phyllis will have a new friend in the office,” Trixie smirked knowingly, earning a few confused looks from the flower ponies. “And Phyllis isn’t very happy that you dumped him in in the trash bin,” Starlight shot back. “Anyway,” Daisy decided to move things along before it got too heated for them and the flowers, “The best trick for any flower arrangement is to use your eyes. Cut off any leaves that you think are out of place, but symmetry for each individual flower and the whole design is the most pleasing thing to the eye.” The best way to look at your arrangement is to take a good distance back and look at it from afar,” Lily hinted, “You want some pony to walk into the room and instantly have their eyes drawn to it.” Roseluck gave the group a pair of flower cutting scissors and they started to trim with their hooves or magic. Tempest took Lily’s advice and occasionally stepped back to get a better view of where to improve. Trixie on the other hoof was more frantic with her cutting, much to the flower trio’s horror. “Please,” Roseluck trembled, “Be careful with them! They are a work of art that was grown with our love and care!” It was when Trixie accidentally broke a stem off one of the cornflowers that the trio fainted on the studio floor. “The horror!” Lily wailed, “The horror!” “And I thought Rarity was bad enough,” Trixie muttered as she threw the broken flower off. Luckily for the three ponies, Sunset and Starlight were more reserved with their cutting skills. Sunset cut each sunflower with attention, taking their advice on symmetry and arranging them in a circle to that when somepony would walk around the vase, they would get a clear view of each individual flower in all its beauty. Starlight was also treating each lavender with tender TLC, trimming a loose leaf carefully since lavenders have thin delicate stems. “Okay everypony,” Daisy announced, “Let’s see what you have made from your flowers.” They stepped back to admire each other’s work, smiling at a good job well done. Starlight promised that they arrangements will be used at the School of Friendship, hoping that it would reflect friendship in the flowers and Rarity will love something to go with her decorative centrepieces after the last one was shot our by Rockhoof. “Thank you so very much for taking the time to teach us the art of flower arranging,” Starlight thanked the trio, “And we hope you learned something new too. We will see you all again soon, but from us, Roseluck, Daisy and Lily Valley, it’s goodbye from the studio!”