//------------------------------// // Chapter Six // Story: Detour While Delivering Binks' Sake // by LucidTech //------------------------------//         The residents of Ponyville had grown accustomed to Pinkie’s odd mannerisms. True, they didn’t completely understand her sometimes, but eventually they would just shrug it off, pass it off as a new strange thing that they filed directly into a drawer that was already near bursting with the other wacky experiences that they had had with the spastic, pink earth pony.         This was a bit too much though.         A singing skeleton horse that towered high above even big mac had just started to play a violin. And he was doing well. Albeit he was awkwardly leaned against the wall, and the beat seemed to stutter at points, but overall it was a rather pleasant experience. The citizens were dumbstruck, they didn’t quite know what to do, so they didn’t do anything. Whispers filled the air as they all witnessed this new oddity. Pinkie went around, dancing to the music, and the other elements went about enjoying themselves. Fluttershy in particular would often glance towards the skeleton and give him a big broad smile to cheer him on. The music would pick up, and a new wave of whispers would wash over the crowd.         Eventually the violin song came to an end and the hesitant echo of hooves hitting the ground in applause filled the air. Unsure about whether they were supposed to be cheering or not, a few ponies would glance at their neighbors before joining in. Brook bowed to his gracious audience, still managing to look massive despite the fact that he now stood only half as tall. Then he unfolded to his true height again and a few ponies hesitated, still shocked by the sheer size of the guest of honor.         The loudest and most consistent of this applause then, was extremely easy to pick out of the crowd. Pinkie Pie was hammering against the ground with frabjous excitement. A whistle pierced the air, Rainbow Dash having lent her own noise to the cacophony that shot off the walls. Twilight applauded slowly and hesitantly, while Rarity lent a noble air to the entire affair. Fluttershy blushed and her applause was inaudible compared to everything around her. Applejack applauded the ground like the others, though there was a certain strength to it that no one could match.         Brook bowed low and tilted his head like a true gentlecolt before walking out of the center of attention and towards the elements. Pinkie Pie passed him, patting him on the back, and took the miniature stage with a very spastic attitude. She quickly delved into what she had planned for the rest of the party, explaining all the different games to choose from and various other forms of entertainment.         Meanwhile, Brook was letting loose a very depressed laugh as he sat with the other elements. Twilight was the first to address the issue. “What’s the matter?” She said as she eyed the skeletal being. Despite how friendly he had proven himself to be, she still felt uneasy around him. She couldn’t quite place why, something about him just felt... off. “I played horribly.” Brook’s demeanor fell. “Well ah wouldn’t say that now.” A.J. said as she walked over to him. “You did right fine, and I don’t think anypony else coulda played it any better.” “I made it up as I went along myself, so you’re probably right when you say that.” He said. “I didn’t want to play any of the songs I know very well, because I can’t play my violin very well in the body, and I was worried they would sound bad, and I don’t want to risk associating them with my memories.” The mane six met this with curiosity but were interrupted as a new pony entered on the scene. They turned towards the door just as it closed once again and they all looked at the dull grey cellist who had just entered, a purple treble clef marking her flank with her musical talent. She toted a large case on her back with her instrument, and made her way steadily forward. She glanced at the stage and frowned. “Who was the pony who was playing a second ago?” Her eyes darted through the crowd before stopping on Brook, at which point they went incredibly wide. “Yohohoho! That would be me!” He stood from his chair and stepped toward her with a measured gait. “It is an honor to meet another player of a stringed instrument here, I was worried that such talent was non existent, given the use of hooves.” He tipped his head towards her in a bobbing fashion and continued. “But now I really do have to ask you an important question, you see, I’ve been trying to work out how to play it correctly, but haven’t had any luck, so my question to you is… Can I see your panties?” Octavia recoiled in horror and almost immediately the door opened again, this time to allow the entrance of a white unicorn who was flying through the air with a hoof poised straight for Brook’s face. He barely had time to let out a panicked, “Don’t hurt my afro!” before it collided and he went flying over the entire floor and behind the curtains of the stage. “Sorry skelly boy! That’s my privilege alone!” Her voice boomed over the area, drawing absolutely everyone’s attention to her and Octavia. Octavia blushed absolutely beet red and hit the DJ across the back of the head. “That was uncalled for.” She said, preparing to give the wounded unicorn a tongue lashing. It was at this point that Brook proved to have somehow survived his flight. He crawled onto the stage, very clearly still delirious from the blow he had taken only a moment before. “Yohohohoho, your kicks are getting weak Sanji, Nami could out kick you. You need to learn to kick harder, or else you’ll never be able to protect her.” At which point he collapsed into unconsciousness, leaving everyone completely and totally confused.