Featherweight Free Time Event (2)
“Ah, Shady! What’s up?”
“Just wanted to hang out.”
“Hmm, hmm. Yeah, I’d rather not be bummed out all day. Let’s talk about something else to distract ourselves!”
“You’re nuts.”
We end up spending most of our time talking about future assignments and reports we have to write.
Seriously, he’s insane. I didn’t wanna talk about that!
“Not what I wanted to talk about...” I sighed.
“But I thought you’d want more work!” Featherweight said with a particular determination. At the same time, I had a slight feeling he was just teasing too.
“Not when I’m in no particular mood for it.” I answered.
“Oh come on, when you’re bummed out or whatever, don’t you work extra hard just to keep your mind off of it? You have this scary workaholic vibe about ya!” Featherweight said.
“Really?”
“Well yeah! I’d have to get ya to vent just to make you take a break!”
...
Okay, he has a point. I’ve had moments in life where I just felt particularly angry, and that was way too stressful. All of my daily energy was being poured into thinking about the problem than working.
So yes. I do need to redirect my energy to something productive to take my mind off of it. It pays off in the end. A rewarding feeling cheers me up in an instant...
But that feeling doesn’t always come when I need it to. A sense of accomplishment, a feeling of completion...
It isn’t always there when I absolutely need it.
So I keep working, seeking that release through accomplishment.
Featherweight... he’s always been that guy to snap me out of it though.
“Shady?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I just was thinking that you’re right.”
“Come on, don’t you get all moody on me too!” Featherweight griped.
“What about you? You’ve implied all day that you’re not in the best of moods yourself!”
“Hmm... You’re right about that. I’m not.”
“Alright my friend. Vent to me.” I clapped my hooves together just once, grinning.
“Oh boy. You’re gonna give me one of your harsh truths, right?” Featherweight nervously laughed.
“I won’t if you say you don’t want me to.”
“Then not today!” Featherweight quickly put his forearms together, making an X.
“Alright. So what’s up?” I asked.
“Hmm... Well, one thing that bugs me is my title.”
“Title... you mean those weird Super-whatever titles?”
“Yeah. Being Super High-School Level Hope... I feel like I’m suddenly tasked with a super responsibility! Like, it’s my role to be everypony’s hope or something...” Featherweight trailed off, smiling bitterly. “I really wonder if I can even be that hope though. A title like that is pretty heavy, don’t you think?”
“You know I’m not answering that, right?”
What I want to say is yes, that is a heavy burden for you to carry, and you don’t need to go around being some messiah. That’s not your job.
You’ll only stress yourself out in the end, I’m sure.
Personally, I think it’s a real pain and I see no reward for acting as such.
“Hahaha... I have an idea what your answer is though.” Featherweight stifled a laugh, rubbing the back of his head. “But yeah... I don’t really know if that’s the role I should play or not.”
“Do whatever you want. I’ll tell you that much at least. Anything else I’d say would limit your choices.” I had to at least say something though.
“Now you sound like some wise old goat! Hehehe!”
“That kind of advice is as old as Princess Celestia’s real age.” I sighed.
“Hey, she’s a real beauty for somepony over a thousand years old! She’s totally hot!”
“So you’re into older mares, huh...? That’s new.” I quipped.
“Eh?! Uhh... I mean... Agh, stop smirking like that!”
Judging by how you’re blushing like crazy, I’d say I’m not too far off the mark!
“Geez, Shady! I just like them a little more mature! Nothing wrong with that, right?”
“Hmm... just be careful when saying that around Truffle...” I whistled after saying that.
“I’m not into Miss Cheerilee!” He playfully cried.
...
I’d like to think I had a pretty good time.
____________________________________________________________
Snips Free Time Event (2)
“You again, eh?” Snips smirked.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing, nothing. So you wanna hang out? Want a manecut? A trim? Wanna talk about mares?”
“.....................”
“Say no more! I’ll make you an impressive bro! A bro among bro’s!”
“Uh... right. I never agreed to a cut.”
“Hmmm... you’re right... I’d need to find a barber shop in this place... I’d also need a pair of clippers too. Give me experience so when I totally open my own barber shop!”
“You wanna open your own barber?”
“Hell yeah I do! Listen man, I’ve been wanting to come up with some wicked styles, like, real cool stuff! Popularity booster cuts!”
“Popularity Boosters...?”
“Come on, now. Back when Snail’s n’ I was in middle school, I tried cutting his mane once. Guess how that turned out?”
“Uhh...”
I have no idea... but judging by his talent, I’m inclined to think it went well.
“Time’s up! Kid, you gotta be quick on your hooves and answer my questions!”
Did he just call me kid?
My eye twitched at the thought of being seen as a kid by this guy.
“Anyway, his cut made ME popular for a week!”
“How the heck does that even work?!”
“I intentionally botched his haircut a bit! Gave him a bald-spot! I wanted to play a quick joke, but the other students found out that it was my handiwork! They called it a cool haircut, but Snails became a laughing stock when the other students saw what I did. I kept popularity when I told’em I did it on purpose!”
“Uhh...”
I’d be pissed if somepony botched my haircut...
“Haha, of course Snails was pissed off! Truth be told, it felt kinda good to make him mad, since he’d been getting along with my siblings a little too well. He’d been having it too good lately.”
“How the hell are you two still friends?!”
“Cuz he gets me, you see? Bros don’t just ditch each other over little tricks! We prank each other all the time, and of course we prank other ponies. It’s all good! Like how he hovered a giant swarm ball of cockroaches over my bed the very next day. I saw that thing when I first woke up one morning and my heart almost came out my mouth!”
“Yeah, but-”
“Shady,” Snips began in a hushed, lecturing tone, “you seem to not understand the way of the bro. Like, lemmie tell it to you straight, and you better not forget it!”
“Oh boy, here we go...” I rolled my eyes.
“First off, he knows I’ve been jelly for a long time now over his new-found skills while training under that slave-driving bitch.” Snips closed his eyes, but continued. “He knows to not suggest that I train under her. I refuse to be a slave to two bitches again. I refuse to be whipped again just for not working hard enough.”
What did he mean by ‘two’?
“But Trixie was influenced by-”
“Do I look like I care!? She did what she did!” Snips chided me, and continued like he never got upset. “And yeah, I know not to do something he’d absolutely hate, such as badmouthing Trixie. We know each other’s boundaries and faults. We know how much the other can take. We grew up together, man! You think our friendship’s so easily shakable? C’mon, man!”
“Alright, alright. I get it.”
I think...
“Don’t you and Featherweight tease each other, or is it some friggin bromance going on? Talk to me. Gimmie the word!”
“It’s not like that. But we do at least tease each other. Just... not to the level you guys do it.”
“See! I friggin knew it! So my level’s acceptable! I know I’m not a bad friend! So don’t lecture me!”
“Alright, alright. I won’t lecture you about friendship anymore.”
“Good! Now that you got it, I’ll have an easier time talking to ya!” Snips grinned.
It’d be a shame if somepony around here was actually obsessed with friendship though...
Other than him blatantly chewing me out, I can’t say I had a good time. But I did learn a lot about him.
_______________________________________________________________________
Diamond Tiara Free Time Event (2)
“You again, hmm?” Tiara raised an eyebrow, snarking at my presence.
“I don’t have to be in your ‘gracious’ little presence.” I quickly spun around and started walking away.
“H-hey, wait!” I didn’t even get a few good steps away before she stopped me.
“What?”
“Alright, alright, I’ll hang out with you just this one time! Consider it a service from this Alpha Mare!”
I covered my mouth, trying to hold back my laughter.
“What’s so funny!? Oh, you’re getting full of yourself, huh!? You’re so giddy you get to hang out with a pretty mare like me, right?”
I’m not gonna tell her what I heard that as.
“You better treat me to some sweet coffee! Sugars delight!”
What even...
I decided to humor her by taking her to the coffee shop and whip something up.
Better than have her nag at me like some stern teacher.
...Miss Cheerilee did that all the time, huh?
A few minutes later...
“Geez, this coffee is lame! Can’t you put in the right amount of sugar!?”
“I don’t know what Sugars Delight even means.” I said, sitting behind the bar, supporting my head with my right hoof.
“It’s what I tell my servants! They mean to put in a specific amount of grams! It’s simple math!”
“Okay ‘princess’, what’s the grams?” I held my hooves up, quoting that word she loves to be referred to as.
“Just three!”
What.
“Don’t look at me like that! You’re the one who put in ten!” Tiara complained.
I just face-hoofed in response, unable to comprehend her unreasonable behavior.
“When you say ‘sugars delight’. I thought I’d go all in. Just if that wasn’t the case, then don’t be so vague.” I walked away from the bar and headed back to the coffee machine...
“EEEEEE!!” Tiara squealed in anger. “Alright, alright! You just want me to be reasonable, huh? Tell you every little thing! Do all the hoof-holding, right! Oh, I get it! You want a hug so your little peanut-brain can even-”
“Just shut up and drink this.” I held a cup of coffee at her face, making her back away in surprise.
“I-I wasn’t finished!”
“I decided to re-do the coffee while you were sitting there ranting.”
“Nnngh...” Tiara groaned, but took a sip anyway. “It’s... okay I guess...”
“Good. I’m not gonna guess your preferences until you learn to actually say what you really want. We’ve known each other long enough anyway.”
“You haven’t earned that much respect from me to get that! You’re a hundred years too early to make an alpha mare such as I give you what you want!”
Alpha Mare.... oh man...
“Yeah, yeah. But I’m not your butler or whatever either.” I said, putting on my best poker face. It’s hard to resist laughing at her every time she calls herself that.
“Hmph. You’re right. You’re just an annoying reporter who’d do anything for information. Unlike you, my actual servants give me what I want and do their best to make me stand above all the ponies of Equestria!”
“I’m surprised they don’t complain about it.”
“Geh...” Tiara looked hesitant for a moment... Did I hit a landmine?
“What?”
“N-nothing! It’s nothing! They don’t complain! They never ever complain! They think I’m super duper cute! Why would they complain about me?!”
...........
You’ve gotta be kidding me.
“These servants of yours... they wouldn’t happen to be ‘blank flanks’, would they?”
“I dunno! Their clothes keep me from seeing their flanks! But they’re good enough, so who cares! Daddy’s rich, so he pays them handsomely to tend to our needs!”
They care, you idiot!
I’m not gonna tell her that though... not until I feel close enough to where she won’t bite my head off.
We may have talked off and on after she got her job at Canterlot Castle, but still...
“Oh, you’re jealous, huh? It’s okay. If you serve me well enough, I’ll lend you a maid or two. You look like one of those disgusting stallions who’s into maids!”
“Just... what do you even think I am?”
“A blank-flank stallion who refuses to see his own talent.” Tiara groaned.
She can’t possibly be frustrated about that, right?
“For once you’re right.”
I don’t care about talent, and I can’t see myself changing my opinion on that anytime soon.
“F-for once!? H-hey! WAIT UP!”
I’m outta here.
Is it bad that getting on her nerves makes me a little happy? If she saw me smiling now, she’d just start complaining.
But at the very least, it’ll be a nice way to pay her back for being so unreasonable with everypony.
__________________________________________________________
Silver Spoon Free Time Event (2)
“Oh, Shady Daze... State your business.”
“Just hoping to talk to you for a little while.”
Silver Spoon fell silent for a moment, as if she were seriously considering my offer.
...She’s definitely one of those distinguished ponies.
“I suppose I can spare some time for you. If you brew a decent cup of tea, I’ll humor you a little.”
“Err... I’ll try.”
Another trip to this coffee shop... I’m already beginning to feel that this place was our common meeting spot...
After using the materials behind the counter, I whipped up a cup of Earl Grey tea (I think...) for her and handed her the cup.
Silver Spoon of course, gave me a fierce look after glancing at the hot dark liquid in her cup. She brings the cup to her lips, taking a quick sip, then narrows her eyes as if she were determining everything to it’s latest ingredient.
She suddenly gets out of her chair, taking the cup with her, walks behind the bar, and tilts the cup over the sink, letting the tea flow into the drain, all while staring at me with eyes of disdain.
Well then.
Note-to-self: Say no when asked to make tea.
Without any comment regarding her action, she sat back at her seat, and beckoned me to sit across from her.
“So what did you want to speak to me about?”
...
Don’t ask about the tea, Shady. You did your best...
“I’d like to know a little about the Sterling Family.”
“You’re a reporter, are you not? What you already know should be sufficient.”
“I meant on an insider basis. Things I don’t know that I don’t know.” I explained.
Did I really just say that?
Silver Spoon put a hoof to her face, sighing at my request. “Perhaps... but you tell me. As a reporter, what do you already know?”
“Why?”
“Because even we have our secrets, and we’ve used plenty of tactics to eliminate any rumors. Perhaps what you know about us now may be just a blanket of lies.”
I just put a hoof to the back of my head, then spoke up after a quick sigh. “You’re the only one in this world that’d make asking about a family more difficult than it needs to be.”
“We do it out of necessity. We are a multi-billion bit organization. Sometimes, the wrong words would turn the people against us. We influence equestria’s advancement with money, and money is power. You agree, yes?”
“I do, but at the same time... it’s just us here. Whatever I learn from you today may die with me tomorrow. Somepony may murder me and you know it.”
“Oh?” Silver Spoon widened her eyes with intrigue. “Interesting... you do make quite a good point. Do you speak like this to anypony you’re trying to acquire information from?”
“If I know them enough I guess.”
“I suppose that I can tell you that I am an only child. I do not have any siblings... except Dia.”
“I thought you two weren’t related.”
“We grew up together, meeting on the day our fathers signed a business agreement together. If I want to be technical, she’s my cousin.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Our fathers are brothers by blood. It’s just that my father was the one to take my mother’s name. She was always the dominant one in this generation of the family. All the mares are raised to inherit the business, for Stallions are seen as... tools.”
“Tools, huh? To help produce foals with good genes or something?”
“You’re only partially correct in my mother’s case.” Silver closed her eyes, as if she were wondering how to proceed. “My parents did not love one another at first. It was a mere tolerance for the sake of producing the perfect child. Father just happened to be lucky that he had good genes. Truth be told, many foals that don’t meet standards in the family are exiled without question.”
Tossed away like scrap metal...
“You’ve gotta be kidding me. The world sees you guys as this perfect family!”
“I don’t mind sharing this with you since you say you’ll die tomorrow.”
“Could you not kill me off so easily?”
“Why not? I told you a deep dark secret that a sane mare of class shouldn’t reveal. In fact, I have a reason to eliminate you right now.” Silver Spoon giggled.
............. *gulp*
“I speak in jest. No need to look my way with such fearful eyes.”
“I wasn’t scared! I was just baffled on how easily you said that!”
“Because I am a mare of perfection. Simple as that.”
“Even so, you gotta have a limit to that kind of thing!”
“I have no need for limits.”
I can see how she and Diamond Tiara are such good friends...
They’re ruthless in their own ways...
Even so, I guess we got a little closer. Just a little.
___________________________________________________________________
Truffle Shuffle Free Time Event (2)
“Wah! Shady!”
“What’s got you all worked up?”
“Just got some things on my mind. Don’t mind me.”
“Wanna talk about them? I can lend an ear.”
“Right... not like you can publish it anyway...” Truffle sighed in relief. “Sure. let’s hang out for a bit, my friend!”
Truffle took me to the Coffee Shop, rounding up a plate full of cookies to eat while we chat.
The cookies are all on his own plate though.
“So... what’s bugging you?”
“Remember how you called me a creeper last time we chatted?”
“Oh right... I was just stating popular opinions. It’s not what I think.”
“Oh! That means I’m not creepy then!?”
“It bothers you THAT much?”
“Well... no... not until recently I guess...” Truffle passed his plate over to me.
I don’t know if he didn’t have much of an appetite, but I can’t turn down a cookie.
“Recently?”
“Yeah... before, all I needed on my mind was my grades and Twist and Miss Cheerilee... I didn’t care what anypony else thought of me, so any remarks about me I just sorta... forgot. I had no reason to care about snide remarks when I have those who care about me and my grades.”
“It’s still unbelievable how you would always score higher than anypony else during state tests and whatnot.”
“Well yeah. Studying’s fun when you actually get it. You study, right? You’re used to working hard and all, right? Right?”
“That’s far from the truth. I kinda hate studying unless it’ll benefit me somehow and not get in the way of my current tasks. I just treat it as a necessity, not as something fun.”
“For me it’s both. And you know who taught me that??” Truffle grinned as he asked.
“Miss Cheerilee, I know.”
“Wait, how’d you know!? Wait, you’re not psyc-” Truffle’s eyes widened, much to my surprise.
“NO! It’s obvious considering how Miss Cheerilee always wanted us to study! Out of everypony in the class, you always took her seriously!”
“Well why not? She’s our teacher! It makes her happy when we do our best! She wants us to have a good future!”
...........
“I just wish everypony took her as seriously! Everypony always wants to do their own thing and not study. Don’t you think it’s stressing Miss Cheerilee out too much?!”
“Whoa there, big guy. I’m sure Miss Cheerilee isn’t getting stressed out by the others going off to do anything but studying. Have you ever thought that she’s savvy enough to know that much and not let the stress get to her?”
“Yeah but-”
“I’m sure we would’ve picked up on her stress a long time ago if that were the case. Just because a lot of us don’t study, doesn’t mean we don’t take our teacher seriously. Some ponies just want to have fun, others have things that need to be done.” I calmly explained to Truffle.
He fell silent, sighing heavily every few seconds.
“Is this why nopony likes me then...?”
“Huh?”
“You still called me creepy. Is taking Miss Cheerilee seriously and giving it my all to please her a creepy thing?”
“When you put it that way, no...” I said.
In reality, I wanted to tell him, ‘that’s not how everypony sees it though’...
He seems quick on the uptake, so I think he knows that much.
“Yeah! I knew it! See, I’d always ask Miss Cheerilee for private lessons! She’s a super teacher! Ultimate Teacher!”
“Private lessons...” I said in a teasing tone.
“Yeah! It’s such a hands-on experience! My friend, I’d be happy to give you a recommendation when we get out of here in one piece! Private lessons between teacher and student are an experience worth having again and again!”
...
Uhh...
“Oh Shady! You’ve done well to revitalize my spirits! As a reward, I’ve given you some indecent things to think about! Now give ol’ Truffle a hug!”
“Wait a sec, I didn’t...” I backed away slowly as he came closer.
Mean it THAT much! I was just messing with him!
As a result, he’s giving me one of those bear-hugs.
My ribs are closing in on my lungs and I’m running out of breath...
Did I just get swindled...?
I believe I just got swindled...
Fantastic...
Celestia, save me now...
____________________________________________________________________
Pipsqueak Free Time Event (2)
“Yo!” Pipsqueak called out to me, startling me a little.
“Uh... heya!” I replied, shaking off any sign of my brief scare.
“So listen. I gotta talk to ya about somethin’ ya know? f you’re still busy, then it can wait. But this can’t wait!” Pipsqueak said.
I don’t know if that flip-flop was intentional or not...
“Which is it!?”
“I dunno! Can ya talk to me or not?” Pipsqueak awkwardly demanded.
I guess he really has something on his mind...
“Alright, fine, I’ll talk.”
“Good!”
“So what’s up?”
“Alright, big trouble, ya know!”
Really?
“And just what is this ‘big trouble’?”
“Hmm... this is a dream, right?” Pip put a hoof to his chin, pondering.
“Huh...?”
Okay, what the hell is he even saying?
“Ya know, I think this is a dream. It’s gotta be! Like, what if this whole game was just... one big dream, ya know?!”
“Calm down.”
“Like... one big nightmare!” Wait, why are his eyes sparkling?
...........
“Like, I’d be happy if this was all just one big nightmare. I can just jump out of the bed and bam! I’m back on my last-minute flight from Trottingham to Canterlot!”
I felt this strong urge to convince him it wasn’t a dream.
And I knew the only way how.
My forehooves grabbed his face, and started to squish his cheeks together slowly, but strongly.
“Blrg- ey! --at are --ou --ooing!?”
“Making you realize this isn’t a dream. If I can’t turn your head into a potato, then you’ll get my point. Because anything can happen in a dream, right?” I let go after twisting his cheeks around.
“Ya know, that makes sense... ow though!”
“It’s not a dream, Pipsqueak. It’s reality. It’s just that everyday reality for us has gotten worse, that’s it.”
“You really like to lay it on thick, ya know? Geez, I know life’s tough. It sucked when I had to go back to Trottingham for a few years.”
“What made you go back anyway?”
“Eh, Not sure if I wanna go into that, ya know? It was a shock worse than a jump-scare, and not the good kind either. That’s all I’m saying on that, ya know?”
Something shocking... sounds like he was forced to go back for some reason. What for though?
Guess I’ll know when or if he ever wants to talk about it.
“Fair enough.”
“But hey, I’m not one to brood over this stuff, ya know!”
“Then how do you even keep your mind off of it?”
“I dunno, I just don’t think about it.”
“Sounds like the easiest thing to do.”
“Yeah, I know! I just find something else to think about or heck, change the subject, to like... I dunno, how I fantasized Nightmare Moon as a hero!”
“What.”
He changed the subject just like that. Sure, there was a warning, but still.
Either way, I guess I’ll just roll with it. It bugs me, but whatever.
“Come on, it’ll be fun! Like, let’s look for logic in her actions! If you think of the underlying motives, it makes her a total woobie ya know?!”
Alright, guess I’ll humor him. In my own way.
“Everypony knows that she’s just the result of Princess Luna getting jealous of her sister, which didn’t end well for her when she acted on said jealousy.” I said, remembering that day when I was just a colt, witnessing the events of the Summer-Sun Celebration. “Point is, her motivations don’t excuse her actions.”
“She was still forgiven, ya know.” Pipsqueak had a sudden serious look in his eyes. He didn’t seem angry or anything, but I figure he isn’t amused either.
“....”
“Are you telling me that if somepony you were close to did something atrocious, you wouldn’t forgive them?”
“.............”
I’m... not sure how to respond.
To be honest, I’m not sure how to forgive. It’s just a few sugared words to heal wounds on both sides, right? It’s just to make the perpetrator feel better, right?
Is it really that simple though?
“Well?” Pipsqueak pressed. I guess he feels more strongly about it than I thought.
“I don’t really know.”
Pipsqueak heaved a heavy sigh, then smiled bitterly for a moment. “I’m not that surprised, ya know. Make a mistake, and you’re kinda screwed, ya know?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I quickly asked.
“Mmmm... nah, it’s nothing. Another time. It’d just get too sad, ya know? I’d rather talk horror flicks instead!”
“Hahahaha... no.” I smiled in my reply.
“C’mon, live a little! Horror is fun when you get used to that feeling of your heart almost bursting through your chest!”
That’s not something you’re supposed to be used to!
I’d say I had a good time...
If he didn’t go and start telling me stories anyway!
_____________________________________________________________
Grace Lightning Free Time Event (2)
(Takes place during Chapter 2)
“Oi, Blue Snooper!” Grace called out to me. “Whassup?”
“Just wanted to talk for a bit. Got some time?”
“Do I?!” Grace’s eyes lit up suddenly, as if someone just offered her a slice of pizza.
She seems excited for some reason... I’ll just assume she’s just looking for an excuse to not investigate.
“Alright, another race around the track! Let’s roll!” Grace suddenly got on her wheels and rolled off after a quick start.
When I wanted to talk, chasing her around isn’t what I had in mind... yet I quickly got caught up in her pace anyway.
“That’s... not what... talking means...!” I said while catching my breath, laid out on the dirt road.
“Good grief! With the way you sneak around, how do you even move fast enough to get away, huh?”
“I only use... energy when necessary!” I answered, still catching my breath, but slowly feeling less exhausted.
Running a few laps without a warmup is not fair when you’re up against somepony who skates around all the time.
“Well damn! You need to exercise more!”
“Says the one who can’t run.”
“Ohhhh, so you’re one of those ponies, eh? Thinkin’ rollerblading means I got it easy, huh?”
“Huh?”
“Well you’re wrong, dammit! Ya think rollerbladin’s easy, huh?! I had hell trying to stand up straight when I first started! My legs would split and it hurt like hell down there when I wasn’t used to it!”
...down there?
Do I even wanna know what she means?
“So how long have you been doing it?”
“Been rollerblading for years! Hottie n’ Checks both got me into it and made me realize my talent!”
Hottie and Checks... I’m sure she means her teammates Hot Wheels and Checkered Flag.
“Talent?”
“Yeah! I realized just how freakin’ fast I am on these wheels! When I got used to it, it was smooth sailing from there! Got me ready for my first Roller derby gig and everything!” Grace grinned, as she skated a quick circle around me.
“So you got your cutie mark when you learned how to skate?”
“Yeah. Awesome stuff! But wanna know something funny?”
“What’s that?” I asked curiously.
“I ain’t realize my cutie mark until a month after I got it! I hang out with my teammates one day and Checks is all like, ‘Graces, what’s with that lightning bolt on your flank’, and I’m all like, ‘A lightning bolt?!’ and Hottie’s all like, ‘That’s your cutie mark, stupid!’ I tell ya, that was so weird!”
“Wait... so in reality, you don’t know when you got your cutie mark...”
“Hell nah. I figure I got it when I learned to skate and won my first roller derby medal! I sure as hell didn’t have it before then!”
....................
Unbelievable. How the heck... nah.
Actually, despite how crazy that sounded, I suddenly have a new respect for Grace.
Guess she doesn’t care about talent and prefers to do what she loves. That’s quite admirable, and I can respect that a lot.
“Yo, what’s with the look? You’re actin’ like some old stallion thinkin’ about what to write on his will!”
“I don’t have any plans to write a will anyway.”
“Heh, cuz ya ain’t gonna let yourself die so easily, huh?”
“That’s right. I can’t let my life end. Not until I find the truth.”
“You’re on your own with that bit though! I ain’t no damn detective! That’s why I wanted to hang out! Gettin’ sick of this whole detective gig already! My brain ain’t ready for this crap!”
“You’ll get used to it.” I smiled slightly, trying to hold back my amusement.
“Oh, ya think i’m a dummy, huh?” Grace’s eyes gave off a blood-thirsty glare.
“Depends. And on that note, I’ll just make my exit and...”
I simply turned around and galloped with all my might. I couldn’t resist that moment to tease, but she seriously chased me, seriously caught me, and seriously roughed me up after that.
I had a good time though.
___________________________________________________________
Ginger Snap Free Time Event (2)
“Hello, Shady.” Ginger greeted with a smile. “What brings you here?”
“Just wanted to chat a little bit.”
“I suppose a bit of my time spent with you wouldn’t hurt.”
Well, when you put it like that...
Anyway, we decided to go to the Generosity District coffee shop, where she grabbed a quick cup of tea, and sat at a table with me.
“So, what is it you wish to speak to me about?”
“Remember the last time we talked about the Girl Scout group you’re with?”
“Yes, I do recall. Perhaps, you’re asking to join Canis Canem Edit? You are a stallion though... but I’m sure we can pass you if we applied a little make-up...”
“NO.” I immediately refused.
I’ve no need to ever cross dress, especially to not join the girl scouts.
“Well this is troubling... and I thought you’d look a little cute that way.”
“No thanks. Seriously.”
“Fair enough. A shady stallion like you would truly live up to your name for dressing as such for such reasons. Fufufu~” Ginger pretended to make a light giggle, but I could tell how hard she wanted to just laugh out loud.
“So... about Canis Canem Edit... for one, I never covered any stories about them.” I said, starting things off.
“Of course. We don’t want to stand out too much. A girl scout group ran by a griffon would easily garner us unwanted attention.”
“A griffin?”
“Oh my, I’ve said too much! Perhaps I should-”
“Nah, if you could not commit any death threats-”
“Keep going? I’ve nothing to lose, though I may be overpowered by my future assailant someday.”
“.... Well that... okay then.” I was thrown off guard, but then sighed in relief.
Okay. So she didn’t threaten to kill me, and she seemed genuinely surprised at my remarks.
One surprise after another I guess.
“Shady, just what kind of mare do you think I am? I may have been trained to kill any wild creature that threatens my life and survive in the harshest of conditions, but I wouldn’t kill needlessly.”
“But I’m still a reporter.”
“That may be true, I suppose. But I’d like to believe you have your priorities in order in regards to what knowledge is important to bring to light.”
Hmm... I can’t argue with that. If anything, as a reporter, I’d have to focus more on finding the truth behind this game.
But I’m not searching for the truth because it’s right. I’m doing it because...
“Shady?”
“Oh, right. I agree with what you said. I do have my priorities in order.” I reassured her.
“Good. So, any questions regarding the scouts?” Ginger smiled.
“Yes, you say you’re trained by a griffin, right? Isn’t that a bit... I dunno, off?”
“Not really. Equestrians and Griffins actually have a decent relationship from what I know. There’s no need for discrimination.”
“You’re right about that. I just thought they were known for being kinda... brute-ish? Kinda like this one Griffin Gilda. I think she had a problem with Rainbow Dash, but that’s all I remember, and that was a long time ago.”
“Oh, you know Gilda too?!” Ginger’s eyes sparkled.
“Wait, YOU know her?”
“Yes! I met her once before! Her strength is something I can always admire! She’s someone worthy of my greatest respect!”
“Respect, huh?”
“Yes! And she understands the feeling of being an outcast! It’s not the same, but it’s the feeling that counts, right?”
“I suppose. But what’s that about being an outcast though?”
“You remember? She and Rainbow Dash were friends until a fallout involving a pranking party. Her return to patch things up didn’t go as well as she’d hoped though.”
“You know a lot more about this story than I thought.” I said, but the facts are a bit... lopsided.
In fact, wasn’t Gilda entirely at fault? I never spoke to her myself, so I can’t say for certain though, but...
“I’ve said too much already though. I can speak of more stories of the mighty Gilda any time though. Please, if there’s anyone you admire, do tell.”
“I don’t admire anypony, really.”
“Doesn’t have to be a pony.” Ginger added.
“Correction: I don’t really admire anyone.”
“You’re truly what they call a stick in the mud, aren’t you...” Ginger seemed appalled at my response, but I didn’t really care.
I don’t admire anyone.
I’d feel like a jerk if I admired myself too, so I can’t admire anyone. I can have respect, but admiration? That’s... that’s not my thing. Why admire someone?
Just so you can aspire to be like them someday? What’s wrong with staying the way you are?
“Maybe someday. But as of now, no. I have no reason to admire anything or anyone.”
“As I thought... an awkward little stick in the mud...” Ginger smiled.
“Could you stop calling me that?”
“As soon as I stop having this urge to pick you up and use you for a bit.” Ginger shifted her eyes away from me as she said that.
“I’m not sure I want to know what you meant by that...”
“It’ll mean what you want it to mean. Of course, I just find a bit of entertainment in testing a serious pony like yourself.”
“I’m not serious all the time! I just get cautious!”
“You have a long way to go before convincing me otherwise.” Ginger giggled.
I’ll prove that I’m not some stick in the mud...
Okay, taking that seriously? I really need help. Maybe I’m just stressed out, huh? Is that what’s she saying?
Well, I know how to have fun when I feel like it. I’ll prove it next time.
Yep. I don’t care, I’m proving something. I had a good time for now, but I at least have a plan now.
______________________________________________________________
Twist Free Time Event (2)
“Oh... hi, Shady.” Twist meekly looked at me as I approached her.
She’s once again at the Coffee shop by herself...
“Just thought I’d have a chat. No need to be afraid like last time.”
“I-I’m... I’m not afraid of you! You don’t-”
“Okay, that’s enough of the cliched lines. Can’t you talk to me normally? I know we hardly spoke when we were little, but can we talk? Just this once?”
“............” Twist fell silent for what felt like several minutes. She frowned, as if struggling to make a decision.
It’s just a simple request though...
“I’ll talk... but I... I can’t trust you yet. Not with anything personal... You’re... you work for the Ponyville newspaper thingy... I can’t let you spread anything.”
“Fine. We’ll just talk like normal ponies then. Let’s ignore job descriptions and whatnot.”
“I’ll comply...” Twist turned her head away from me, unable to look me in the eye.
Then again, her glasses tend to glare a lot... I’m beginning to wonder if she does that on purpose.
“So....” Twist broke the ice.
“Ah, right. I wanted to ask you a bit about your middle school life. Nothing personal, I just want to know. You transferred to an All-Mare school, right?” I asked.
It’s true though. After elementary, she went to an All-Mare Middle School. It’s just something I heard, so it’s worth the confirmation.
“Yes... my parents wanted me to have a successful education.”
“So I guess they’re rich?”
“Far from it.” Twist sighed. “I wish they had just sent me to a public school, but they had connections to net some good financial aid.”
“I guess there was some trouble with the initial payment?”
“We don’t have the bits to pay for any school... so financial aid’s always been what we turn to.”
“Sounds like your parents were willing to jump through plenty of hoops just to get you an education.”
“I wish they’d just home school me instead.”
Home school? You used to be pretty cheerful back when we were in Miss Cheerilee’s class.
I don’t think it’s a good idea to remind her though.
“Why would you want to be home schooled?”
“So I could stay away from everypony...”
“I... see.”
“I thought you were gonna remind me that I wasn’t like this before.” Twist bitterly said.
Somehow I feel like she just read my mind. Then again, everypony’s been able to guess what I’m thinking pretty easily, and that’s getting annoying.
“...No, I wasn’t. But what you said is true though. So why the change?”
“.....................................” Twist fell silent.
Of course, that means that she’s not gonna answer. I’ll just have to drop the subject for now.
She’s way too moody though.
“Okay, let’s ask a more positive question.”
“Hm?” Twist looked up, cautious with a hint of curiosity.
“Well, let’s see...”
“If you have to think about something positive to ask, then don’t ask. Somepony like you won’t mean it.”
“Well excuse me for not being the happiest guy around!”
“........................pfft.” Did Twist actually... giggled just now?
I’m not sure if I should be offended.
“You could just ask me how’s the weather.”
“Okay, how’s the weather?”
“Rainbows, sunshine, and gumdrops.”
....................................
I regret asking.
“Positive questions require positive answers, or so he told me...”
“And who’s ‘he’?”
“Truffle...”
“Oh of course.”
“He’s always just... positive. That’s why his priorities aren’t straight either... and... and...!”
“Okay, calm down. I didn’t ask you about him, but if you’re willing to open up to me about him...”
“It’s fine. I was speaking out of line, I’m sorry I won’t go back to thinking about that. Must not talk about it... must not think about it...”
She’s... difficult. This negativity... she definitely wasn’t like this before.
Now I’m curious. I won’t press her now, but I’ll slowly get closer to learn what really happened to make her like this.
There’s plenty of clues laid out before me, but I think I have a plan on how to proceed...
I’ll leave it at that for now.
_____________________________________________________________
Apple Bloom Free Time Event (2)
“Hiya Shady! Didja get yer Cutie Mark this time?”
“No.” I answered irritably.
“Then whaddya want?”
“I wanted to just talk normally, but if you’re gonna...”
“Whaaaaa!” Apple Bloom suddenly ran in front of me, holding her hooves out. “Stop right there, Shady!”
“W-what?”
“Ah’... um, Ah’ didn’t mean it like that! We can chat!”
“Oh. Alright.” I agreed instantly.
I didn’t feel like questioning why she’d suddenly stop me, but I guess even she knows how to be a bit sensible.
“So what ya wanna talk about?” Apple Bloom asked, sighing in relief.
“I wanted to ask about why you want a cutie mark so much.”
“Ah’d like to talk about somethin’ else... like mah adventures!”
..............
“Okay, sure...” So much for getting an answer about the cutie mark obsession...
“Let’s see... Ah’d like to talk about that time where we suck into Canterlot castle one time!”
“Go on...”
Great, now I’m interested.
“We thought we’d try learnin’ about our magic, so we suck into the Princess’s Library! The guards were everywhere!”
“Back up, that’s exclusive to Unicorns though, right?”
“Nah, I meant that uh... magic that acts on it’s own for everypony’s type!”
“Involuntary?”
“Ya, that! Earth Ponies n’ Pegasi got their own magic!”
That would explain things like pegasi can walking on the clouds, but still.
“Why didn’t you just ask somepony who knows about that stuff instead of going through that trouble? Better yet, why didn’t you just go to the public library?”
“It’d be borin’! Besides, We wanted to test our sneakin’ skills! Thought we had a talent in that!”
“You could’ve been sent to the dungeon if you guys got caught!”
“But we didn’t get caught! And we still didn’t get our cutie marks!”
...
“Okay, so what did you REALLY do in the castle?”
“Whaddya mean?”
“Going to the royal library just to look up some facts that the public library would have documentation on? Really?”
“Caught me in a lie, huh?”
You’re not talented in it, that’s for sure...
“We went there to pull a prank on Diamond Tiara. For fun!”
“Uhh... can I ask exactly what this prank entails?”
“Oooooh, replacing a key component in one of the crowns Diamond Tiara made for Princess Twilight! We looked up her blueprint and just snagged it! Ah’ think Scootaloo was looking forward to Diamond’s reaction the most though.”
.........
If I were in Diamond’s shoes, I’d be pretty mad.
“Turns out we didn’t have talent in that prank either. She never used the gem we’d thought she use!”
“A gem? What did you do with it?”
“We gave it to Spike as a birthday gift!”
“I’m sure he enjoyed it...”
“We still couldn’t get a reaction out of Diamond though! Guess we were just a little unlucky!”
“Well, better luck next time, right? I’m sure you guys will get those marks eventually.” I hesitantly said, knowing that she’d just accept my half-hearted encouragement.
“Yeah! Just gotta keep on truckin’! You should join us next time!”
“Nope.”
Apple Bloom... you’re insane, you know that?
__________________________________________________________________________
Sweetie Belle Free Time Event (2)
“Hey, Shady!” Sweetie Belle called out.
“Not crusading for any cutie marks?” I asked, noticing her friends weren’t around.
“I’m not really in the mood right now. I just don’t want to run into any trouble. Or break a rule...”
“I know what you mean by that. Wanna hang out for a bit?”
“Sure. I don’t know if I’ll be entertaining enough though.” Sweetie Belle bitterly smiled.
“I’m not looking for entertainment. Just wanted to talk for a bit. If you need a drink, then we can head for the coffee shop.”
“Sure thing!” Sweetie Belle agreed.
We headed for the coffee shop, with Sweetie Belle taking getting us both a cup of coffee. The fact I got anything was a little surprising, but I didn’t show any reaction.
I sat across from her, took a sip from my cup, and started with my first question.
“Remember when we talked about cutie marks?” I asked.
“I do, yes.”
“What was it like before you founded the Cutie Mark Crusaders?”
“Before I met Apple Bloom? Hmm...” Sweetie Belle closed her eyes, furrowing her brows as if she were trying to figure out how to explain it.
After a few minutes of thinking...
“I can’t think of anything exciting. Things were just ordinary...”
“Ordinary?”
“Sure, I was bullied by Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, but at the time, I had other things to think about.”
“That’s not what ordinary means... or at least, I don’t think it’d involve bullying.”
“It doesn’t?”
....................
Just how long did this bullying last for her to think of it as something normal?
“Anyway, carry on.”
“Ah, right! After school, I’d always come home to help my sister with her work every now and again... Whenever she actually needed my help. Sure, some time after the Nightmare Moon thing, she and I have gotten along so much better!”
“So your sister was mean too before then?”
“N-no! I didn’t mean that! I just mean that sometimes whenever she’s working on some brilliant dress, she doesn’t want me in the way. To be honest, I resented her a little bit.” Sweetie Belle bit her lip as she said that. “Was she just rubbing her talent in my face? Did she not want my help all the time because it’s not my talent? Did she not want my lack of talent to get in the way?”
“So that’s when you started wanting your Cutie Mark...”
“That’s right! I definitely wanted to feel important and show that I can be useful too, but...” Sweetie Belle trailed off.
“But?”
“Well, ever since Rarity showed that I don’t need a talent and that she does love me all the same... ever since my family proved that they love me, then I began to wonder if getting a cutie mark is worth it...”
“Well, well...” I muttered.
“Why are you smirking? I know your views on the cutie mark, but...”
“I’m smirking? Uhh, ahem...” I cleared my throat, forcing my interview face back on. “Carry on.”
“You’d be pretty terrible at interviews if you smirk so much! Hehehe!” Sweetie Belle giggled.
“Th-this isn’t an interview! I never quite held a serious one before either, but I’ve done my share of less-important ones and mock interviews...”
“Well, let’s get you that interview experience!”
I don’t like how she worded that...
But I’ll let it slide.
“Right... okay then, well, since you started wondering if the cutie mark is worth it, then why do you still crusade?”
“Because in the end, it’s fun. I’m with my best friends the whole way, so it’s fun! Going on a new crusade every day with friends is fun, isn’t it?”
“I suppose...” I doubtfully said, giving Sweetie Belle the impression that I don’t like to have fun.
I do like to have fun, I just... don’t have a lot of time for it.
But with all the rules in place for this so-called kingdom, it’s no wonder you can’t crusade.
Will their friendship last in this confined prison though?
If something happened, it’d be pretty sad.
I had a good time... and I think I learned just a little something too.
______________________________________________________________________
Scootaloo Free Time Event (2)
“You again, huh? What’s up?”
“Somepony’s in a bad mood.”
“I-I’m not in a bad mood, okay! I’m just... irritated.”
Close enough. But I won’t say that.
“Wanna talk it out?”
“Why should I talk it out with you? It’s not like you’re my friend.”
Ouch.
“Because sometimes taking it out with an unbiased party is the best solution. I’d like to believe so. I’ll probably be dead by tomorrow or something, so I’ll at least take your secret to the grave.”
“Okay...” Scootaloo scratched her head, giving off a regretful expression. “You don’t gotta go that far, alright? I’m just irritated. I’ve been this way since that stupid bear thing showed up.”
“We’ve all had negative feelings directed at Monobear though.”
“Yeah, but what about our futures, huh?! Just, who’d be horrible enough to do this to us?! Telling us to kill each other for some stupid promotion thing?! Following some stupid rules just so we don’t get sliced by overpowered robots?! What did we do to deserve this?!”
“I don’t know. All we can do is investigate and find the truth behind it all.”
“Ngh... you’re right... I gotta find a trail. I just want to kill the mastermind.”
“Kill the mastermind...”
“Sometimes you gotta do what needs to be done! Some people don’t deserve to live! The mastermind’s gonna pay for trapping me and my friends in here... if one of them dies, I don’t know how I’d react...”
“You just said you’d want revenge.”
“I did say that, but I’m scared... I thought our crusading days would go on forever, but that’s in danger now. Somepony may snap... so I don’t know who I can trust... Can I even trust you? How do I know you won’t stab me in the back?”
“I’m not gonna stab you in the back.”
“You come off as the vengeful type to me though...”
“And how’s that?”
“Just your disposition in general... you just come off as bitter with only a little left to lose or something.”
“I still don’t get how you figure that about me.”
“If Featherweight were to die, how would you feel?”
“I’d find out whoever killed him and-”
“Thanks for proving my point, Shady.” Scootaloo smiled deviously.
“Wha... ngh... fine, Scootaloo. You got me. But still, isn’t it normal to get upset at the loss of a friend?”
“I think it is normal. I also think it’s normal to take action. But I know it’s wrong to deliver an eye for an eye. It’s wrong, but...” Scootaloo paused, then sighed, “Nevermind. You wouldn’t understand.”
“Okay...”
“It’s fine, I’ll talk to you later. I expect you to try cheering me up this time if you’re still alive.”
“I’m not gonna do anything to get killed.”
“Heh... I sure hope so. See ya later, Shady.” Scootaloo walked away, leaving me to ponder some of the words she said.
It was kinda cryptic, as if she was hinting at something that I failed to catch on.
I’ll question her about it some other time though.
________________________________________________________________________
Rumble Free Time Event (2)
(Takes place during Ch.2)
“Ah, Shady... how nice of you to see me.”
“Cut the crap, Rumble.”
“Well you’re quite the cruel one. I have yet to even speak despite you coming to see me.”
“I’m just here to ask questions, Rumble...”
“Questions? Hmmm... so an interview?” Rumble asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah. After that trial, when you decided to slay friendships all of a sudden...”
“Let me stop you there, Shady. I’m insulted.” Rumble scowled for the first time.
“What?!”
“When you say ‘all of a sudden’, you say that as if Monobear’s game made me this way recently...”
“You’ve been like this from the beginning?!” I asked.
“It’s as I told you before, Shady. Princess Twilight Sparkle... is an inspiration to me. A goddess of friendship... one who taught me what I know.”
“You didn’t speak to her personally, did you?”
“No, I didn’t. I merely watched the TV, that is all.”
As I thought...
“I would’ve loved to meet her though! I have plenty of questions for a mare of experience such as she. Alas, that plan fell flat, for this tour met an untimely end and now we’re stuck trying to stab each other in the back.” Rumble sighed, furrowing his eyebrows.
“Then what’s the deal then? You think you’re some judge of friendship, but who gave you the right?”
Rumble simply smirked, pointing a forehoof at himself.
Guess he made his own mind up a while ago.
“You just fail to understand the beauty of friendship, that is all.”
“And can’t you see what you’re doing is wrong?”
“Wrong? It’s not wrong. It’s harmony. It brings harmony to slay poisoned friendships, don’t you think? Isn’t that what harmony is all about?”
“Ngh...”
There’s just something wrong with that statement, but how do I argue against it? Friendship brings harmony! Isn’t it simple like that?
Is there something about friendship... the magic of friendship that I don’t know...?
Rumble calmly closed his eyes, “I won’t give up Shady. Not until you understand. I want you to understand someday. You’re the only one who can, really.”
“What the hell does that supposed to mean?!”
“You’ll understand that too if you ponder it enough. Next time we have a casual chat like this though, I’d prefer if it were something positive.” Rumble smiled coolly, then flied off.
Damn it...
What he’s doing isn’t normal, but... I need to find a way to argue against his claims.I wish I had a better nickname. >_>