//------------------------------// // The Announcement // Story: A Cause to Die For // by Jonah Fun //------------------------------// “Not... by the hairs of my... uh... chinny chin chin?” Mika read, looking to Twilight to see if he was right. “Exactly! Well done!” She beamed “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever read. Why didn’t he just say “Not by the hairs of my chin.” The chinny bit makes him sound stupid.” Mika replied, disappointed that he’d actually liked this story. Twilight playfully giggled at the boy’s valid point. Mika shot her a look of confusion, before shaking his head and conceding he’d never understand her. Keckla cheerfully waited the young stallion who had just came in. He had ordered a beer. He looked tense, anxiously tapping the table with his hoof. Keckla kept her stare on the colt and asked “What do you think’s up with him?” He glanced at the stallion and turned to Keckla. “Are you going to ask me this about everyone who comes in this bar?” He complained mockingly. “Maybe.” Smiled Keckla cheekily. He sighed, hiding his smile. “Well, he’s obviously anxious about something coming up later today, probably a date with someone. If it were more important he’d be making more of an effort to calm himself. He must admire her a lot and think that she’s above him, and I’d wager that she feels the same way about him.” He summarised. “Welp, time for you to go tend his wounds.” He added sarcastically, letting Keckla levitate the beer Keckla took no notice and began to trot towards the young stallion... Synther walked from the cottage fully satisfied, Fluttershy had made quite the breakfast for the two of them. He reminisced on how he had enjoyed listening to Fluttershy about how she had found her cutie mark and how she had helped in defeating Nightmare moon, Discord and Sombra. For an anti-social pony, she lived quite an exciting life. He looked forward to their next meeting, where he would undoubtedly learn more about her. At that moment, the town bell rung. Twilight perked up immediately, looking at the door as if it was making the distant ringing sound she heard. She turned back to Mika. He looked coldly back. “It’s the mayor calling for a town meeting. Do you want to come with me?” She asked “Do I have a choice?” He replied bluntly “Why wouldn’t you?” She asked as she walked to the door, once again testing the young colt. He hesitated. “Should I?” Was what he eventually came out with. Spike hustled across the room and jumped on to Twilight’s back. Mika marvelled at the sight. “Why shouldn’t you.” Mika sighed, remaining still. He looked at the parchment that Twilight had written on for what seemed like forever. He turned slowly towards Twilight, a look of stern doubt on his youthful face, got up and walked towards her. “Well played.” He said. Everyone in the pub turned towards the exit and the window around it as the bell rung. Slowly, the few customers that were there got up and made their way to the door. Keckla turned towards Purgley, who simply nodded back as he left his place behind the bar and towards the door. She followed soon after. Synther strode towards the town centre, quietly taking in his surroundings. A huge crowd of ponies had gathered in front of a wooden stage. Synther strode to the back of the crowd, remembering to act as calmly as possible. He sensed a pony had walked up beside him, but his vision was fixed on the mayor of Ponyville as she trotted up to the front-centre of the stage. “Citizens of Ponyville! I bring you exciting news!” Synther relaxed at this. “In two months time Ponyville shall be hosting the “Autumn Rise Ball”!” The crowd of ponies began to chatter to themselves eagerly, the purple pony beside him simply gasped in amazement. He turned to look at her, and immediately noticed the baby dragon on its back. “Preparations must of course be made, the first of which is the building itself! The Ponyville Builders society will be offered...” But Synther didn’t hear anymore from the old pony, as the people’s excited chattering drowned out the sound of her voice. He turned to the pony next to him. “So, A ball? Pretty exciting, huh?” “Huh?... Oh, Yeah! Can’t wait.” She said, distracted. “Sorry, I was just focused on my... uhh... distant relative here.” She added, revealing a young colt. Mika looked at Synther. Synther looked at Mika. Mika undoubtedly won; Synther turned away almost immediately. “Hello.” He said, coolly. Twilight jumped back in the middle of them after a tense moment of silence. “Sorry about him! He’s not from round here and he’s finding it difficult to fit in!” She chirped anxiously. “Well, time to go! Come on Mika.” The young dragon whispered something in the pony’s ear, and she looked sternly back. Partners in crime. “See you around.” Was all Synther had to say as the strange trio made their escape. Keckla and Purgley were walking back to the bar. Keckla turned to Purgley and once again asked him about the ways of the world: “Mr Purgley, what’s a ball?” “Ha, you mean you don’t know what a ball is? Where did you grow up?!” He asked jokingly, the question unsettling Keckla more than it should’ve. “Heh heh, er... Manehatten.” She had heard the town name only in a few conversations with other ponies. Mr Purgley seemed to think about this for a short while, afterwards he nodded: “Yes, I suppose that makes sense. The ball is basically a formal party. It’s a big social event. Lots a famous names. Funny thing about it is, you ponies call Autumn “Fall” so you call it the “Fall rise ball!”” Keckla giggled at her boss’s joke. “I’ll admit, Autumn is a better word.” “Ha, If you think that’s good, over here we also spell “Colours” with a “U”. Hahaha! Anyway...” They had reached the door of the pub. Purgley opened the door. “In you come, love.” Keckla cheerily smiled back. “Thank you Mr Purgley.” She said as she resumed her work.