I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Edited by: Gambit Prawn
It had been a week since Masquerade’s appearance in Ponyville, and he still had yet to be heard of. He spent a good amount of his time inside the Library working on his map, and from there he had caused Twilight to worry some. He did get up and move about from time to time and would even leave the Library for an hour or two, but always after dusk or before dawn. She had wondered if he was trying to purposely avoid other ponies, as every time a visitor came he was nowhere to be seen.
Of course, when in the area he was friendly as always. Rarity had also pulled a surprise visit to see him again, apparently having a meeting with him a few days prior. Again, he was nowhere to be seen, some how pulling a disappearing act once more.
As of right now, she was reading over a spell book in near silence with the clicks of bits going onto a table. Over her head was her pet, Owlowscious, currently moving books from left piles and into their shelves. Spike was out helping Rarity on another project that required another set of hooves, or in this case claws.
The clicks soon died down and only left the wing beats of the Owl making his way to his perch for a rest. With the new silence only being broken by a small ring of magic or scribbling of a quill, nothing worth noting was going on.
“Say Twilight,” called Masquerade from his little work-spot.
Twilight looked up from the book she was reading to look at Masquerade. He looking over a sheet of paper she suspected to be a list of some sort. “How much is a house around here?” He asked, examining the list and the map before him.
She looked at him thinking he was considering a permanent stay, but had to be sure before assuming. “It depends, some are reasonable without a good size of land, and others can be plain cheap as nopony usually comes to live here.” Closing her book and setting it to the side she asked “Why the sudden interest?”
Looking over the list a few time, he let out a long sigh and set it down. “I‘ve been thinking how to go about this, and have come up with one solution.” With one final glance at the map before him he stated, “I think it will be best if I stay here. Traveling and then finding a home will be too costly.”
“You can always use the train.” She pointed out, still trying to find his reasoning behind not getting a ticket and shipping off from there.
“Costly, possible baggage loss, could miss stops, unfamiliar Ponies.” He named off absently while looking through his bags again.
She watched him for a time trying to figure out his new reasons. “Are you avoiding something?” He gave no outward reply and only gave way to silence that stretched on as he remained still. Twilight used this time to think for a few moments as to what would bother him like this?
“Is this about your family?” Again, he made no action to say no. But after a time he relented: “In a sense.”
Waiting for him to continue and gather his thoughts, she could not help but notice his overall appearance take on something more tense. “I had a thought about it, and I’m rather concerned as to what I’m doing.”
Getting up from his spot, the black Unicorn walked to the window and looked out into the streets in thought. “I left home because of a argument. Plain and simple.” Getting up from her spot and joining him at the window, she listened to what he said. “I saw things one way, and Mother another.”
“Is it really that serious that you left?” The mare asked looking to his masked features that gave away nothing. The only real complaint she had was his acting skills made for a good mask to hide behind.
“It would be difficult to understand just yet.” Was all the stallion admitted, “Maybe when I calm down a bit more, I‘ll tell you in better detail.”
Seeing as the conversation was over, he turned and lit his horn in its sickly green color and put his things away into his bags and headed for the door.
“I‘ll be out for awhile, need me to pick anything up?” He asked, levitating a few bits to himself.
“Actually yes, there is something you could get.” Twilight said, stalling Masquerade’s advance to the door.
Looking to her and nodding her to go on, she said, “If you can pick up quills from Sofas and Quills, it would be a big help.”
“Any reason you need me to, besides me already going out?” He asked as she made her way to another part of the Library while explaining: “I need to go and help my friend Applejack out. I told her I would help with something. And the store is on the other side of Town so--”
“Say no more!” He shouted up the stairs, where she was going to pick up what he suspected would be a list for her work.
Applejack pulled along another load of fresh apples from the field and parked it close to an ever growing pile of apples. Nearby, Macintosh was carrying some cider that was put to the side, while Apple Bloom was bringing in some zap apple jam.
In a chair not too far off was was Granny Smith, the current matriarch to the Apple Clan, and was waiting here with her family to fill out a rather hefty order from one of their business partners. While she waited with her family, the elderly mare decided to take a quick nap before things got underway.
The scale of moving needed had changed, as they had sent a letter notifying them they would be late due to some complications on the way here. Applejack had decided that Twilight could maybe help with organize the group that were coming in.
Normally, moving apples wouldn’t need too much work, but there was more going on than that. The ponies they were working with were a unique bunch, buying with bits at some moments, while trading things of equal value at others. They always came around every other month or so to trade just about anything in their stocks for apple goods and maybe worn out materials.
It somewhat surprised Applejack how often they came without warranting attention to themselves, always using back roads and wandering off-trail. They even camped outside a lot and lived a nomadic life, going from town to town to trade their gathered goods.
She and others that knew them did wonder now and then where most of the bits gathered disappear to, but it was none of her beeswax what they buy.
“Ay-oh, Apple Clan!” Two voices sung in unison catching the attention of all family members to look down the dirt path where two low flying Pegasus, one ivory white with silver mane and the other ebony black with golden mane, glided in and stopped right before them. The two mares both held large smiles and besides their swapped colors, one would be hard pressed to tell the two apart. Even more so when they would talk in unison.
“Ivory and Ebony, it’s nice to see y’all ‘round these parts again!” Applejack called out moving her way two the duo.
“And it‘s nice to see you as well, Applejack of the Apple Clan.” They greeted back with slight bows before glancing off to the side with their chocolate brown eyes and giggling “Even more so with Macintosh of the Apple Clan.” But only loud enough for apple farmer to hear.
Ho boy, this again… Rolling her eyes at the two twins that seemed to look off into space, she gave off a cough into her hoof that got their attention again and asked, “Is the rest of yer kin close?”
They both nodded and replied: “Yes, the rest of the Gem Clan is close at hoof. We came by to set up what you would like to trade from us.” They then eyed her brother again before looking back to the orange Mare who cut them off with “He‘s not for sale.”
Suddenly spluttering and looking left and right at the same time, Applejack could only be sure they were both flustered at that as evident by their actions, and that Ivory had a slight blush. She gave a small laugh as they both tried --and failed-- to explain in a stumbling way that, that wasn’t what they were going to ask to trade.
When they calmed down, both twins glared lightly and said, “We still do not like to be teased in such a manner, Apple Clan member Jack.” This time it was Applejack who gave a slight glare.
“Now, wha‘ did I tell ya both about callin‘ me jus’ Jack?” She shot at them.
“That it makes you sound like a stud.” They grinned, causing Applejack to gape at them. This only caused them to laugh at her open mouth expression. When she did regain her ability to speak, so that she might give them a lashing, she noticed they were both gone.
“Little Bloom of Apple Clan!” Applejack turned in time to find both mares hugging her younger sister and cooing over her. Again.
Squirming in their grasp, Apple Bloom said, “Le’ go Eb, I’m happy t’ see ya too but--” She then begin to squeal shouting out with laughter “I-Iv!” she gasped out, “S-stop ticklin’ me!”
“But you're so cute!” Ivory giggled in a rare moment of non-synchronized speech with her sister, who held the filly tight and continued where her sister left off: “Even more so when your tickled!” And she began her own assault on the Filly who was pleading uncle. Despite the earlier comment, the apple farmer could only chuckle at the two torturing her sister with jabs at tickle spots.
This is the sight Twilight was greeted with when she made her way over the hill, and she could only look at it in confusion for a moment. She trotted down the hill and gave a quick call to her friend, who looked to her in a flash of happiness, giving a smile and friendly wave.
She shouted to the two pegasi who stopped in there actions and let Apple Bloom scramble away to help Big Mac with the remaining jars of assorted apple jams.
“Ivory, Ebony, this is Twilight Sparkle. I asked her to come an‘ help organize some of the trade goin‘ on.” Applejack began the introductions by standing next to the lavender mare who gave a friendly smile. “An’ Twi, these here are Ivory Gem and Ebony Gem of the Gem Clan.” She waved over to the Twins who bowed and greeted in unison, “Greetings Twilight Sparkle, friend of the Apple Clan.”
“It’s nice to meet the both of you as well.” Twilight greeted in return, almost put off by their unison like speech. The ring of magic filled the air as she opened one side of her saddle bags and brought out a list asking “Shall we begin?”
With open smiles, the twins nodded “Yes, let us begin with main trade now, so work can be done when caravan arrives.”
With a pleased smile of her own, Applejack waved them to follow and head to Granny Smith so they could get started.
It was only fifteen minutes later that the rest of the traveling Gem Clan met up with the Apple Clan plus one, and began their trade. Twilight could see why they needed the help. Both of the twins made good use of their wings and frighteningly similar thinking patterns to direct each cart. Then came the loading and unloading of goods, mainly of apples going on right after things such as new planks of wood and clean jars were unloaded.
Twilight spent most of her time keeping track of the number of things moving, asking a pony here or there what was being moved and where it was being placed. There was a good amount of things being traded back and forth, and both clans were immensely pleased with her help in keeping track of all traded goods.
She could actually see how a partnership like this worked so well for the Apple’ and the Gems. For the Apples, they would trade a small chunk of their produce off to them with maybe a few other things such as old tools and broken wood, for newer tools and fresh wood to use; and thus, helping keep their farm in good order when low on funds.
For the Gems, being always on the move Traders as explained by the twins, they would take what was considered broken or unusable and trade it with those that could recycle it for a new use. The produce would also be used to help feed themselves and trade it off for bits that the Apple's would gain half the profit from and gain upon their return. The Apple Clan was apparently their last stop before beginning their traveling cycle again, where they would go from settlement to settlement for continued trade.
“I didn’t think too many Ponies made this sort of living in Equestria anymore?” Twilight said while checking off a few more things off her list as another pile of planks were moved by Big Mac and another Pony of the Gem Clan.
On a low cloud she pulled down, Ebony commented “No, but our Clan lives for open trade. It‘s a very special thing to us, if not traditional and profitable.” Watching with some interest as things moved by with a greater buzz of work.
The pegasus was brought out of her watching from a question. “So, the Gem Clan doesn’t really live anywhere?” Making eye contact with Twilight ,who had looked up from her list for the first time, gave the pegasus pause.
“Not in the same sense that you would think.” She slowly said, as if trying to find right words, “We‘ve always been on the move, but never left the space we travel.” Seeing the mare's confused stare, she explained “We only travel so far, so anyplace between all our stops is our home.”
Thinking over Ebony’s words Twilight concluded, “So it‘s like a territorial thing?” And caught the winged pony by some surprise.
She blinked in thought before slowly saying, “That’s…one way of seeing it.” She nodded “Not the words nether I nor my sister would use, but in all sense, yes it is.”
Accepting that and looking back down at the list she held, Twilight counted off each of the supplies being moved from the cart filled with wood. So far, half of the oak in their stock had been removed for some apple tree logs that would be used for furnishings or smoking foods. The jam jars were also traded for jars filled with bits, returning the jars from last time they visited as well as the promised shared profit gained from trading their produce.
She even noted the occasional bag of gems being traded off for some additional apples. She knew the Apple Clan lived off apples, but how much did these ponies like apples themselves?
Overhead, Ivory flew in and landed next to her sister and gave a quick nuzzle before looking down at the lavender Mare “So, what do you do Twilight Sparkle?” The united voices of the twins asked from their perch.
“I work down at the Ponyville library,” She began, not bothering to look away from the list and not noticing the sudden interest the two had. “Most of the time though, I spend doing research and small projects to advance my studies.”
“Library, as in building with many books!” They exclaimed in excitement, swooping down next to the ground bound unicorn, startling her. She looked both left and right at the two who had taken their places to either side of her and nodded slowly.
Giving bright smiles they both said “We would be most pleased to know where to locate this Library and visit tomorrow.” The hungry looks they gave the poor mare made her a bit uncomfortable, but she shrugged it off with a question.
“You like to read?” This was met with eager nods from the two, still speaking in unison. “It is one of the few joys we come to like and try to receive every chance given.”
“Finding books out in a field is hard after all.” Ebony nodded to herself. “So we often go into town to trade our old books for newer ones!” Ivory followed up with excitement. “And now, you have given us an opportunity to look at a building full of them!” They finished together, squishing Twilight in the process.
“I don’t mean to interrupt.” A brown and shaggy maned stallion drawled out with bored look in his eyes “But I must insist we finish up here.” looking at Twilight he also said “And it would go more faster if the two of you would not suffocate her.”
Moving away from the unicorn and up the stallion, they pouted, “Older brother is only saying such things so he can take his nap sooner.”
Turning a lazy eye two his younger siblings he confirmed “Yes, yes I am. You can bother the filly latter, we have work to do.” He then looked to Twilight, “And best you ignore my sisters and finish your work.” And he proceeded to slowly make his way to some other Ponies trying to make room in one of their carts.
“Older brother is such a bother, all work and no fun” The two pegasi shook there heads in annoyance and turned back to a bemused unicorn “We are sorry for older brother Sham and his…” Looking at the other as if silently asking for the right word, they nodded “Lazy and undeniable rudeness.”
Blinking at the sisters and doing a double take at their supposed older brother, she asked “That was your older brother?”
Smiling they replied “Yes, we sometimes wonder and even debate if he‘s adopted, or if we are the adopted.” Taking a glance around they leaned in close and whispered “We believe he‘s the adopted one.” Twilight only gave a small smile at the two that then laughed to themselves.
An hours worth of walking and searching had turned up only a few homes Masquerade felt were up to his requirements. One was near the market distract, two stories, with four rooms on the first floor and three more on seconded with balcony.
Then the second had one floor and three rooms, and was more of a shack nearing the edge of town. The third was a bit further from the market and neared the outskirts, having two floors, four on the main and one on the second.
The second choice was nice, rather inexpensive and didn’t need much upkeep. The first choice gave him room, if not too much room, and was more up there on cost. The third choice was between the two, as most of the bits would be spent not only on the house, but the fairly sizable lawn.
And, as requested by his host, he got the quills. Three packs of them.
He paused his little walk for a moment when he spotted what appeared to be a flower shop that was still open. The day was getting late and shops would soon be closing up and heading home. That is to say, if their work place wasn’t their home like Twinkles. That made him smile and decide to do something nice for her. She had to put up with him for a week, so why not get her a few flowers to say thanks?
With a new path set, he set course for the rather nice flower shop that had it’s door wide open. Before he could, an all too familiar voice called out, “Masquerade, what a delightful surprise!” And turned his head to find Rarity walking his way.
Giving a smile and a wave he nodded back “Rarity, its nice to see you again.” He Waited for the white mare to catch up. Once close enough she asked “I visited Twilights home a few days ago and didn’t see you around?” sounding a bit saddened.
“Sorry about that.” He apologized “I had some things to do in town, and more or less, snuck out while Twilight was reading.” The stallion was sure that if that mare didn’t have a sixth sense for when things get knocked out of order, one could rob her blind while she read. “By the way, where’s Spike? The last I checked, the little tyke went to your place for something.”
With a happy nod she smiled “Yes he was, the dear was helping me keep track of a few things while I worked. But I had already sent him home and came out for a stroll” Then eyeing him and the flower shop she asked “And what are you up to now?”
Deciding to start his trek again, he explained “I decided to get Twilight some flowers, seeing as she‘s been letting me sleep under her roof.”
“Well, that’s certainly sweet of you.” Rarity smiled, “Do you know what to get?” She only got a unsure shrug from him. With a sudden idea, Rarity said “If I may,” getting his attention “Twilight happens to like Daffodils.” He nodded his thanks while walking through the door, Rarity close at hoof.
With a glance up, he caught sight of a small bell, no doubt used when the door isn’t opened. With a flick of magic, the bell rang its melody and alerted the owner.
An elderly mare with pale cream coat, forest eyes and sapphire mane stepped around one of the selves holding a number of flowers and cast her gaze on the two. “What might I help you with?” She asked while pulling a pail along with her.
With a smile Masquerade asked “I am wondering if you might have any Daffodils in?” Looking about the shop for any of the said flowers.
Looking up from where she was watering the plants and to the two, she grinned and asked with a glint in her eye “Getting some for your sweet heart?” causing Rarity to slightly stumble in surprise and a somewhat confused look to Masquerade’s face.
Realization soon hit him, as to what the elderly mare said, and he said “No, for a friend, not for her.” And looked back at Rarity, joking “You're beautiful and all Rarity; but this is only our second meeting, it just wouldn’t be professional.”
Despite her mistake, the older mare could only cackle at Rarity’s now tinted pink cheeks at the black unicorns words. “In any case” The mare calmed, just as Rarity regained her snow color “I‘m sorry to say we‘re out of those at the moment.”
“Oh, well, when would more be in?” Masquerade questioned “I was hoping to get them soon.” Not that he couldn't come another time. It was just a little saddening he would need to wait to say thanks.
“I think more might be in tomorrow” The elder mused to herself unsure. Then an idea had seemed to strike her saying “How‘s this, in three days we should have them in. I‘ll save a small batch for you in the back so you can pick them up when we‘re open, sound good?”
Thinking it over in his head a bit, he realized he would have to wait for a time for a bunch of flowers he could probably pick in a field. They’d be free too, but not as good. He had wild Daffodils before. To say, they're a bit more woody than the ones you get at a stand or shop.
His eyes briefly wondered over to Rarity who decided to take her time looking at the varied flora in the shop. Perhaps she wanted something to add some to spruce up her place or-- sadly, that train of thought was gone and replaced with a new one.
“Yes, that does sound decent for me.” Masquerade agreed, now formulating a new idea in his mind. If he was going to thank his old friend, he might as well do so properly. “How much should I pay in advance?”
Today was certainly a productive day, Twilight had noted to herself while walking back to her home. With a flick of her head, the door swung open and shortly followed by a wave of laughter.
Rather curious, she walked in closing the door behind her and found Masquerade, Rarity and Spike all around the table passing stories around. The scent of tea filled the air, evident by the cups and pot that sat on the center of the table that still steamed.
It was the stallion that noticed her first, lifting a hoof and waving at her with a big grin. He’s in a good mood, She thought while taking a seat next to Rarity who held an amused smile to her right. On her left, Spike too, had a smile being held behind his claws while trying to hold his giggles.
Looking at both friend and assistant for a moment, she turned her gaze to a still grinning Masquerade and asked, “What did you say this time?”
For a moment, the mischievous unicorn seemed to consider telling her what he said or not. But a particular look she gave him only made his grin slid away and say shyly, “Oh, nothing life-changing…” and regained his grin “Twinkle Sprinkles”
Once again, Twilight felt her cheeks burn from embarrassment. He had told them that story!? With a glancing look, she could see Spike start giggling to himself at the further degrading name. Thankfully Rarity didn’t show much outward amusement like the young Drake, sipping her tea calmly. Twilight only turned to the black unicorn and glared accusingly at the stallion.
“We need to set some rules on what stories you can and can't tell.” It was more of a demand then it was a statement, and all it did was make Masquerade grin only grow in size.
“But Twinkles,” He said with a faux whine that made Spike’s giggles return, “If you did that, it would take all the fun of telling any good stories!” He very well knew he was pressing his luck in a sense, but he didn’t see why he shouldn’t. after all, it was still fun to tease her to no end. That, and he loved to share his foalhood with others, Twinkles just happened to be part of it.
Twilight gave a loud groan at his childishness into the matter and face planted into the table. Soft clanking brought her attention back up to the sight of a tea cup being floated to her. Watching the greenly lit aura around the warm tea, she gave a glance to Masquerade's softer demeanor as he said, “It‘s all in good fun Twilight, but if it makes you feel better, tell them one of my embarrassing moments.”
The lavender Mare gave one last venomous glare towards him before smirking and saying, “Do you remember the time in Chem‘s lab and that banana?”
The stallions wide grin dropped right off at those words thinking, She wouldn’t dare bring something like that up. But that was dashed as Spike asked, “Chem‘s lab… You mean Chemical Mix‘s lab Twilight?”
Nodding with a large smile she told him, “You see Spike, his mane wasn’t always a yellow-green mix.” Sitting up more then the now slumping Masquerade, she told, “You see, this stallion here, seemingly had this great idea we could do one day.” Casting a look at said pony she continued, “He told me of this family project he did with his Mother to make this goop that acted like a bouncy ball.”
“So, when I asked him how it was done, he told me, 'Here, lets go to Chem‘s lab, I can show you!' And then followed him there.” By now, Rarity was showing interest at the revealing of the stallion's past. He so far showed to be more and more interesting pony at each story told.
“So we get there and find the door locked. Turns out in not a problem because somepony knows how to pick locks.” Both white unicorn and purple dragon tune their attention to Masquerade who seemed to be calmly sipping his tea innocently.
When it came down, he said, “You have no significant proof that I was capable of doing such an act on school grounds, even more so as I wasn’t known for my magical knowledge.”
Despite this, Twilight continued on, “After Masquerade unlocked the door, and the cabinets that had the ingredients needed, we began our work.”
Once again the only male unicorn seemed to be sipping his tea, keeping in mind that he couldn’t get back at Twilight. After all, he did tell a few stories that embarrassed her, only fair he gives her a free shot. For now.
“We put them together and mix them for a while before cooking it in a test tube with a magically used fire that he somehow knows” She once again gave a pointed look to Masquerade who said defensively, “I told you, it‘s a family thing, I can't teach it!”
She only nodded somewhat unbelieving saying, “Uh-huh, I‘m sure. But mark my words Mask, I will find out how you make that green fire!”
He only waved her off and continued to sip his tea saying, “I‘m telling you, its not learnable.”
Humping at him she said, “Anyways, I watched as he poured it out into two sections with oils in one, and the goop in the other. I asked what they were and he told me the green goop was the rubbery stuff we would use, and the oil was something else he didn’t know what it did.”
“So, being the curious mind I was, I proposed to test it a little. He agreed and helped get out more protective gear that was in the lab.” Getting a smirk on her face she said, “After trying a few ideas, he decided to see what happened if he put a partially eaten banana in it. I melted into a goop after a while and made this smell. When he took few whiffs of it and turning to me, he started to talk in this squeaky voice because its fumes were something like helium.”
Masquerade was happy he had a black coat, it hid the slight increase of blood flow to his cheeks as he held an outside mask of calm. “While I was laughing at his silly voice, he took up the tray we were testing it in and tried to get me to smell it to see if the same results would happen. I turn and ran, and he followed close behind. But after a while the noise we‘ve been making drew Chem back into his lab.”
Discreetly looking through a window, Masquerade took note of things going on, trying to act like he wasn’t hearing a thing while Twilight continue to tell the story. “When he opened the door and asked what was going on, it surprised Mask and he dropped the tray. It then bounced off the green goop he made earlier and got on his head and blinding him. From there, he said in his squeaky voice to run.”
“We didn’t get caught, but the next day, Chemical Mix‘s blue mane suddenly had green and yellow colors. He explained it was a prank some students pulled and looked at Mask like he knew it was him, but had no proof.”
Pointing up with a hoof he said, “I would like to point out, that guy had it out for me back then for no apparent reason.” Masquerade was sure that guy was always eyeing him like some sort of little package of trouble. So in his mind, it wasn’t all to bad for Chemical Mix to get a new mane style.
“Please hold on for a moment.” Rarity asked the two unicorns that were talking, “Are you telling me that you turned a ponies mane into a banana?” Looking at Masquerade who darted his eyes left and right.
“You only have one account as to how it happened, and ergo have no solid proof it ever happened that way.” He dismissed quickly. Twilight once again rolled her eyes and Spike was again, holding back his laughter.