2. Scene – The Stone Platform
“Late To The Party, In Someone Else’s Dream”
(The Chinook slowly descends onto an abandoned paved square just outside of Ponyville. Miriam Levin jumps out, and holding a Glock at her side, keeping in mind not to look threatening. She is soon followed by the other agents, who strategically position themselves around the Chinook, observing the area closely. As one RAAF airman holds open the hefty door, Mrs. Matuszek exits as she puts on her UN- vest, followed by Finch who quickly bestows his suitcase with important documents to save them from the helicopter’s ghastly winds. Laukkinen exits next, carrying the camera and the tripod over his shoulders, going out of his way to not to fall out of the hatch. He is then followed by Hartfield, shouting to FO Kinsman, who leans out of the hatch as the helicopter slowly but loudly hovers inches above the ground)
◦ Hartfield: Wait in the air! Ten minutes minimum! Should we have any complications , you should be able to pick us up ASAP! Okay?!
◦ Kinsman: Alright, Mr. Hartfield! Ten minutes it’ll be! *shuts hatch*
◦ Laukkinen: *quickly setting up the tripod and following the helicopter with his camera* Pahuksen… It’s like Afghanistan, not?!
◦ Finch: *gazes at the tree-rich horizon* It’s incomparable! Clearly incomparable!
(On the other side of a nearby hill, two ponies are on their way to the town centre)
◦ Applejack: …know’ what I’m sayin’? The whole apple stuck juhst, dissapeyerd!
◦ Twilight: Really? How could that have happened?
◦ Applejack: ‘ere’s the funneh part. That pour poneh mixed uhp the barns. *sniggers* He weant into the abandon’d old barn. Of cowrse he didn’t fahnd no apples dere.
◦ Twilight: *laughs* Oh dear, that must have been a shock for him.
◦ Applejack: Ya bet! Ah was feelin’ really bad for him after on.
(Octavia the Cellist suddenly appears, running past them. Her normally calm countenance is overly nervous and she really seems to be in a hurry)
◦ Octavia: *breathing heavily* Hi!
◦ Twilight: *surprised* Oh hi… *quizzical* Wasn’t that… Octavia?
◦ Applejack: The ork’stra pony? Yeah. *to Octavia* Hey, Octavia, where ya runnin’ to?
◦ Octavia: *without turning around* Can’t talk! It’s important!
◦ Twilight: *to Applejack* What would be so important today in Everfree Forest?
(Chinook suddenly rises majestically over the treetops as waves of ferocious wind blind three utterly perplexed observers. Slowly, it lifts off to it’s observation of the area, leaving the dumbfounded ponies to contemplate it. Octavia slowly goes into motion again as she tries to leave Twilight and Applejack behind)
◦ Applejack: *nearly whispering* Holeh poneh! Did ya see that? Was it a draggin?
◦ Twilight: *squeezing eyes in thought* No. That didn’t look like one. It seemed so strangely mechanical, don’t you think?
◦ Applejack: Yeah, but how did liaft off widout wings? Ah didn’t see no wings…
◦ Twilight: Was that thing maybe the reason why Octavia was acting so strange? *looks back to the spot where Octavia was standing before* Hey, where has she gone to all of a sudden?
◦ Applejack: P’raps she ran into the fowrs’t.
◦ Twilight: *galloping in front* Quick, maybe something happened. She may have had something to do with that thing. We have to see if she needs help.
◦ Applejack: Sure thing, partner! Hyah! *catches up with Twilight*
(Octavia warily creeps through the forest that separates the two sites. She seems very scared and nervous. Pushing her head forward, she slowly proceeds towards the forest edge, ready to jump the side should she see anyone (or anyone see her). She is aware of being late, and she is appropriately insecure whether to keep the slow pace or to sprint the last few metres. Meanwhile, on said forest edge, the group packs their suitcases together, ready to be received)
◦ Finch: *anxious* So… Mr. Hartfield… you said you were in the horse business?
◦ Hartfield: Uh, yes. That is, my dad still was. We had a ranch in Wisconsin. Sold her for a mere two hundred grand in ‘82…
◦ Finch: Really? Well that’s dandy, isn’t it?
◦ Hartfield: What do you mean?
◦ Finch: My father was with the Blues And Royals. A Quarter Master. As good as the Queen’s Own Stable lad, really. He retired after the Falklands Kerfuffle.
◦ Hartfield: *smiles* Nice.
◦ Finch: You know what I mean? *ironic* Horse Whisperer to Horse Whisperer…
◦ Hartfield: Huh *grins*. Nice. So we both have a legacy to follow here, right?
*checks the area around him, growing impatient*
Now where is everyone? I thought the horse had understood our deal.
◦ Finch: Or maybe not? Maybe it was just a miscomprehension on the pilot’s side. It was a horse, after all.
◦ Hartfield: That’s simply impossible. You saw the picture of the drawing in the sand, didn’t you?
(Octavia halts. She sees the group of mysterious creatures. They looked just like the one she had seen earlier in that strange contraption of his. But then she listens, and understands! She can understand what they say. If that would make things any easier. She’s nervously proceeding again)
◦ Matuszek: *to Agent Levin* Oh by the way. I don’t think I had the chance to introduce myself yet.
◦ Levin: Yes , of course. Mrs. Matuszek, of the German Institute in DC, am I correct? *shakes hands* I am Special Agent Miriam Levin of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. I am in charge of your safety and wellbeing.
◦ Matuszek: Will you be able to manage? I mean, this is after all Terra Incognita.
◦ Levin: *slightly buffed* I’m sorry? *continues before Matuszek can answer* Ah well, I believe that I can. I tend to view such situations in form of a map. And according to my map *points at her pouch*, it is fairly familiar environment. *Looks around* it’s the same trees and hills as in, say, Yugoslavia (I was on a few tasks there).
◦ Matuszek: What do you think of the natives?
◦ Levin: Well, I ‘was’ assured a peaceful situation by guys who weren’t even in my department… and I just go along with it for now.
◦ Matuszek: Well *acknowledges Finch, who listens*, we’re in safe hands then.
◦ Finch: Why shouldn’t we be?
(Octavia slightly brushes a nearby branch aside, mere metres away from the group, which is definitely about to notice her. She mumbles to herself that she is ready to face them. And that they don’t seem too bad after all)
◦ Octavia: *shaky voice* Uhm… hello? *eyes them*
◦ Finch: *turns* Yes… *notices the grey, talking, purple-eyed pony mere metres away from him* Good… God!
◦ Levin: *turns around sharply, reaching for the holster* Back, Mr. Finch!
(Everyone turns and sees Octavia, reacting with catatonic amazement)
◦ Octavia: *retracts in fear* Please… no! I… you… wanted to…
◦ Hartfield: *reacts quickly, to the DS-agents* Hold it… Wait.
(An awkward moment of silence; Levin and her agents have frozen in their tracks, Finch is trying to surpress the sensation of jolt, Laukkinen absent-mindedly turns the camera and frames the extraordinary equine, and Matuszek curiously knees down a tad to be on the pony’s height)
◦ Matuszek: *wide-eyed, murmuring absent-mindedly* Was in aller Welt ist denn das? *quickly corrects herself and directly asks Octavia* You… can… speak?
◦ Finch: *has snapped out of it; follows Mrs. Matuszek’s example and knees; murmurs* I… don’t believe it.
(Octavia grows more and more nervous; she would too be fascinated by her human counterparts, weren’t they in superior number; Finch and Matuszek notice that, and slowly try to approximate…)
◦ Matuszek: *not knowing what to say; she decides to introduce herself* My… my name is Elke Matuszek, Dr. Elke Matuszek. *she is unsure, talks slowly* How… is yours?
◦ Octavia: *answers stammeringly* My name is Octavia. Octavia Strings. You wanted to…
◦ Finch: *attempting the formal approach* Don’t be scared, Octavia. Or is it Ms. Strings?
◦ Octavia: You c-can c-call me Octavia. *wants to break the ice* Who… what are you?
◦ Matuszek: We are human, Octavia. Do you know, what humans are?
◦ Octavia: *in sudden realization* I do. *shows doubt* But only from Bedtime stories. I didn’t know you would actually exist. Let alone even come to Equestria…
◦ Hartfield: *beat* Equestria?
◦ Matuszek: *to Octavia* Equestria? *Quickly deduces it’s connection to ‘Equinae’* Is… this where we are right now?
◦ Octavia: *nods worryingly* Aha…
◦ Finch: *cautiously* I am sorry, but may I ask whom I am addressing? What is your profession or rank?
◦ Matuszek: Mr. Finch, please don’t be impolite.
◦ Octavia: No, not at all, please… I earned my cutie mark in music. It is my family’s trade. I play the Cello.
◦ Matuszek: Cutie Mark? Is that an honouring?
◦ Finch: I am sorry, Octavia. Are you here by yourself?
◦ Levin: *still clutching her holster, but has difficulties differentiating between believing her eyes and forming a rational thought* I don’t think she is. *looks around briefly*
◦ Laukkinen: *still clutching his tripoded camera* Hullu Hevosia… *takes a few pictures*
◦ Octavia: *faintly remorseful* No. I am here alone. *looks for justification* I know, you may have wanted to speak to a princess. But I could not simply tell her that… *mumbles timidly* ponytale creatures…
◦ Hardfield: Did you say ‘princesses’?
◦ Octavia: *confused* Yes. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I thought you wished to speak them.
◦ Finch: We are!... *clears his throat, slows down* We are. *observing Octavia’s confusion* I may have to explain myself, with all respects. Would that be appropriate with you, Octavia?
◦ Octavia: I… *gulps* I would appreciate it…
◦ Finch: My name is Donathan Finch. My colleague here *designates Hartfield*, Lucas Hartfield, Dr. Elke Matuszek and I, have come here, to *scratches his forehead* learn more of your country, your world, your culture. *empathetically* Do you follow?
◦ Octavia: *warming up* Yes, I do. *attempts a positive facial expression*. W-welcome in Equestria.
◦ Matuszek: Thank you. *with a faint smile*
◦ Finch: However, Octavia, I have to add that we are here in Equestria on a professional task. We are envoys, of our very own countries, having come here to speak with your leaders.
◦ Octavia: I see…
◦ Finch: You may be aware that humans and Equines…
◦ Octavia: *well-meaning* Do you mean ‘ponies’?
(Dr. Matuszek and Mr. Finch don’t quite understand)
◦ Hartfield: Well, you may be a pony.
◦ Octavia: But we’re all ponies, here in Equestria… So we prefer being called… ponies. *smiles shyly*
◦ Finch: Octavia. You may have noticed that humans have not been to Equestria as long as seven centuries. Ponies, such as you,… they have been viewed as mythological characters of our world as much as humans have been here. It was us who managed to rediscover Equestria… *quickly corrects himself* for ourselves, that is... But we are afraid that seven hundred years of estrangement will indeed negatively affect any possible future relations. It is the task of myself and my colleagues to nip it in the bud. It is this reason why we need to meet with the King or the Queen - the Monarchs – of Equestria.
◦ Octavia: I unfortunately only am an Orchestra Pony. I am sorry, but I don’t think that I have the right to present you to Princess Celestia.
◦ Hartfield: But would you at least lead us to the princess? Couldn’t you possibly bring us close? It is of great importance and of great interest.
◦ Octavia: *hopeless* No. I am not the right one to be dragged into things. I was just the wrong pony at the wrong place at the wrong time.
(Speaking of the devil, Twilight and Applejack; who have been wandering through the short strap of forest in search of Octavia the whole time, emerge from the forest just behind Octavia, bearing surprised faces. Hartfield and Levin and her agents take notice of them soon enough, but instead curiously watch what they would do next. Laukkinen, who observe everything through the lens of his camera, objectively tilts to the two others. He is the only one to immediately notice that Twilight actually is a unicorn)
◦ Twilight: *smelling danger* Octavia! What gives?
◦ Applejack: *trying to lure her back to safety* Octavia, gebbeck here, quickly!
◦ Octavia: *surprised, spins around* Twilight? Applejack?
◦ Finch: *stands up quickly, trying to drag Mrs Matuszek up with him* What is it? *confused; to Octavia* Do you know them?
◦ Octavia: No… I mean Yes! But they don’t know-
◦ Applejack: Who are dey, Octavia? Wat’s goin’ on?
◦ Octavia: No, please! It’s not what it looks like.
◦ Hartfield: We, uh, are heralding- I mean heralds…
◦ Applejack: *squints eyes of realisation* Ay, wait joost a sec. *suspensefully to Twilight* Dey look like… *questioningly* ‘umans?
◦ Matuszek: Wir sind… we … we are human! Please, don’t be scared. We come on friendly terms!
◦ Twilight: *both to Applejack and to the others* But humans… are only ponytale myths.
◦ Octavia: *warranting* But so was Nightmare Moon!
◦ Finch: *to Hartfield* Who?
◦ Twilight: *in doubt* I see. But are they friendly? *addresses group directly* What would you want here?
◦ Octavia: They want to speak to the Princesses!
◦ Finch: Yes, we are emissaries of…
◦ Applejack: *warily* Whae do you want to speek to de Princesses?
◦ Hartfield: *running awkwardly short of temper* It’s official business. We were sent here by the United Nations, the union of the humans’ countries, to speak to the leaders of Equestria!
◦ Applejack: Wait… dere more of you?
◦ Finch: Yes. Yes, there are. This is why we are so interested in bringing our countries closer together!
◦ Twilight: *fascinated* Really? This is incredible…
◦ Applejack: *very suspicious* I don’t know, Twilight…
◦ Matuszek: I swear, you can trust us. We have no fiendish intentions towards you. Your surprise and novelty is mutual.
◦ Twilight: Well, they do seem to be well-spoken and well-taught… *makes a move forward*
◦ Applejack: *mumbling; fortified in her preoccupation* I’m a’stayin’ raght here until it’s definite. I’ve never heard any good tales a’bout ‘em! Just get Octavia outta dere and run fer it!
◦ Twilight: *in a ridiculed tone* Applejack, please! Stories are stories. Trust me... *bravely approaches Matuszek, Hartfield and Finch* My name is Twilight Sparkle. I am pleased to meet you.
◦ Matuszek: I assure you it is a pleasure for us as well. *notices the horn* Oh…
◦ Twilight: Is everything alright?
◦ Matuszek: Yes, of course. The thing is, I have never personally encountered a unicorn before.
(Finch, Hartman and Levin notice the horn too. They are clearly impressed)
◦ Forgive me my ignorance. I have only heard of creatures like you in old historical documents, and even then I didn’t believe creatures like you exist. *acknowledges the horn with her fingers* It is magnificent.
◦ Twilight: And I have only heard of humans in old scriptures *acknowledges Dr Matuszek’s face with her hoof*. It’s… interesting.
You always were distant bogeybeasts for us, just like Nightmare Moon or so. But as a librarian, I have to say that I do know all of the old folk tales.
◦ Matuszek: *apologetically* I unfortunately do not know all your folk tales yet, but did you say you were a librarian?
◦ Twilight: Yes, I am a personal scholar of Princess Celestia, which is a great honor for me.
◦ Finch: I am sorry, *tires to remember name* Ma’am, but do you know a Princess personally?
◦ Twilight: *smiles* Yes, I do. I could present you to her if you wish to. It would be a great honor.
◦ Hartfield: *excited* This is just great. *also fails to remember name* Ma’am, a thousand thanks for you cooperation.
◦ Twilight: *smiles blushingly* Oh it’s nothing, really. I feel this will be an important event for us all. *to Octavia, who is still standing there* You will also be rewarded for your bravery. And that you kept your word to some mysterious visitors.
◦ Octavia: *surprised but slightly worried* What? Me?
◦ Twilight: Of course. After all it was you who received them.
◦ Octavia: But I was too scared to tell Princess Celestia myself.
◦ Matuszek: Well, no harm done. Anyone can accompany us if they want.
◦ Levin: *to herself* Bad idea. But God, what are they going to do anyway?