Once more I had woken up early, much earlier than I need to be at work in time. The next crazy idea had apparently knocked me clear of sleep, this time, leaving me wide awake. What it came from, only Princess Luna may ever know?
I knew I had a moment to prepare the little I could, here in Ponyville. Ignoring the stray reflections from yellow and blue balloons crowding most of the space just under the ceiling of my room at the top floor of the Cakes' house. as I slip the quilt off of my body and slip my legs out over the edge of the bed, soon slipping down, jumping down onto the floor with a muffled thud, barely missing the pink balloon that had strayed out from under my bed as I move to the door, only hopping over a few more stray balloons lazily covering the floor, finally opening it before I could leave the room.
Affording the photos lining my walls a glimpse, reminding me of countless precious moments in my past, all the way back to my very first party, the one awarding me the three balloons on my flanks. Happily ignoring the bed stand, momentarily smiling at the wardrobe, holding all my famous party décor and other festive and amusing toys or comedy gimmicks I had gathered under the many years as the one party Pony of Ponyville.
From the hoof of the stairs, I negotiated my way through to the room behind the kitchen. Casting glances towards the pastries, pies and cakes as I passed them on my way to the shelf on the far side of the small room, stuffed with the ingredients for baking. Only to find the small stash of expiring and unsaleable pastries, including the intended breakfast of my choice.
With a wide grin on my face, I bounced down the stairs and picked up a stash of Cup-Cakes from the other day, an ordinary breakfast on my case. Just a glass of Orange Juice and I would be set.
Peeling the Pastries, then munching happily, with just a gulp of juice to wash it down. I wouldn't call it record-time, but I had been fast, yet managed to enjoy them all.
Now I bounced back up the stairs, closing the door behind me. What I had in mind is for no Pony to see. Besides, I don't need to worry or wake any of them up. I knew none on the other side would see me as I came through.
Wearing only a top and a skirt Rarity had made for me, and carrying a back pack of gems I had gotten from her I set off. Knowing gems still would carry a good value where I was going, which is very convenient.
I had apparently found myself inside an abandoned bus is a large city. This isn't the Vanhoofer I knew of, but the name seems close enough. Not that I had been to Vanhoover that many times, but I have seen a few of the sites.
What confused me the most would be the key lying on the drivers seat of the bus I claimed. Every light is off, which is good, or they would have been dead as dust by now if they haven't been. Looking around, it's still very dark outside. I had managed to turn the internal lights on in the bus, giving me a chance to see anything.
For a moment I was considering, should I drive or just walk by foot? I chose to walk, for now. Luckily I found a store open, trading in gems. The man was curious as to how I could have all these expensive gems on hand.
The one lone, delicate man eagerly looked up at me the moment I came through the door as if alerted by invisible door chimes. Light green eyes looking at me from the slightly aged face, though his hair still had not lost its brown hue just yet. The man moving with an eager vigour, as if denying time.
I had entered the small, but brightly lit room, walking over the hard and smooth stone plates as I saw the wooden panels covering the walls. Stainless steel framing the counters of jewellery, lying on soft cloth.
”This is the best time, since I like to deal early!” I explained.
Then he eagerly looked at the stash I placed on the desk. Using various tricks of his trade, identifying and evaluating the treasure before him, taking notes on a pad. After several minutes, he offered me a large pile of bank notes. These are all in the local currency for all I could see.
”Thanks, nice to do business with you!” I said as I walked out.
”Feel free to be back, whenever you have the need to trade gems with me!” he responded with a wide grin on his face.
With a fresh supply of local currency on hand, I walked to the next place on my list. This was apparently where they did hold cons for people on all kinds of themes, which is exactly what I had in mind.
Once I entered the hall I found the desk, there is a sleepy male behind it. He looks as if he didn't like to be up this early. I walked up to him. Apparently important males wear the same kind of suits, where ever you go?
”I would like to set up a Con if it's possible. When could you have it up, for people to enjoy it? I know it takes time to advertise it, would a moon from now be working?”I enquired.
”A month is serviceable. We have three different facilities open at about this time, how long did you like your Con to be up?” he responded.
”I'd have the biggest available, would a week work?” I returned.
”You're going for broke, aren't you? That's a great opportunity, but the price will be pretty steep, just so you know!” he responded.
”I want this to be a blast. Just tell me how far I can go with what I have available!” I suggested, pulling my newly acquired supply of cash on his desk.
He slowly looked at me as I pulled up a large pile on the desk. Then he counted the notes, and calculated what I had presented him with, before he cleared his throat.
”This should be enough for what you're proposing. I'll just have to notify the staff to announce your Con. Staff, food and over nights for the week should be covered for everything, advertising too!” he then pointed out.
”Here is all information on the Con, photos, description, the works!” I informed him.
He slowly went over the material, looking at the photos, reading the text as he typed on his terminal, booking the suit, making reservations.
”If you like, you're free to follow up on progress and make sure it is all to your likings. Here is key and passes for your benefit!” he stated as he slipped me an envelope.
”I'll be sure to be back a few times to oversee the development!” I responded.
”I hope this will be to your pleasure!” he responded.
”Me too!” I stated.
”Hope to see you booking Cons again!” he stated proudly as I walked out with the envelope he slipped me.
Booking the Con had cost me all the cash I had acquired when I sold the gems. I could live without a few gems, they're just fancy stones to me. What I value is the smile on your face. The Con certainly will bring a smile to numerous faces for the week I had given them.
From my understanding of what Twilight had told me, Equestria can live without the gems, they're not truly lost in the first place. Though it's the smiles that's my treasure here. What would be a problem, is if I take their cash with me back.
Feeling secure in my investment, I trotted back to the bus where I had entered the City. It's my chosen point of entry. Going there still wasn't too much of a challenge, traffic was still thin.
I had even managed to make it back without any real problems. Once I had entered the bus, I closed the door before I went back to my home and sealed the entrance.
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