//------------------------------// // Rainbow Pony series: Everyone knows it's Windy! // Story: My little Short Stories 2- Paradise Edition // by Paradise Oasis //------------------------------// Everyone knows it's Windy! Hello, good traveler, it is so nice to have you visit my shrine here at Misty Mountain. While my acolytes and I seem to be busy around here, we most certainly always have the time to speak with a traveler who is in need of our aid. My name is Windy, and like the wind I am always blowing about Misty Mountain, my hooves and mind ever busy on some endeavor or another. (That's why my cutie mark resembles a bunch of swirly lines representing a blowing wind, after all.) Now, what brings you here to my humble cathedral, and how may I be of service to you? Wait, what's that? You're making a pilgrimage to all of the Horsemaster shrines, and you've already visited Flutterbye's chapel in Flutter Valley? Well then, this little lavender unicorn will be happy to show you around! Misty Mountain has a long and proud tradition of the Hosremasterist faith, you know, and I'd be most happy to share both the story of this proud and ancient tradition, and of myself. Oh wow, there's so much for me to tell you... and you seem so eager for me to tell you all about it! Well now... let's see, where to start? Well, the temple you see around us, is called the Bergerkriche. It's large columns and spacious interior is done in a style the humans call Gothic, and is highlighted by those lovely golden chandeliers with all those candles in them to illuminate the cathedral. This is where I carry out wedding, funerals, and other ceremonies for the Misty Mountain faithful. Even before this city was built, it is said the prophet Zorypontha once gave a sermon on this mountain's slopes- the cathedral is said to have been built on the very spot in which his sermon was given. (Which, by the way, is a personal pet peeve of mine- our faith is called hosremasterism, not Zoroponthiism. The great and holy Zoropontha was merely the wonderful prophet who turned Horsemasterism from a minority faith of ye olden Equestria, to the main religion of modern Ponyland. So everyone please stop using that term!) The ponies of Misty Mountain have always been loyal followers of the horsemaster, but that sadly cannot be said of our ruler. Princess Cadence, given our city to rule after the ponies of the Crystal Empire threw her out, was given our community to rule by Princess Luna. Since then, there has been tension here between ruler and ruled, as Cadence and the crystal courtiers she brought from the empire practiced alicornism. But for centuries the Horsemasterist Misty Mountaineers respectfully tolerated their monarch's choice without complaint, and in return cadence and her court left the majority to their beliefs, in return. I will say the recent passing of Cadence, and the ascension of her horsemasterist daughter to the throne, isn't something my congregation celebrated... for they still loved their alicorn princess dearly. As to myself, I am the daughter of two humble ponies from Misty Mountain- my father was the city Burhgermiester, my mother a hard working hausfrau. They encouraged my brother and I to study hard, and read read read. We were only ten, however, a troll attack on the outskirts of town took our parents from us. My brother and I were then taken in by our Aunt Gypsy, who raised the both of us with a strong sense of faith... and a heavy dose of mysticism. My brother went on to train and become a historian, he and I... had a falling out, and we really don't speak anymore- in all honesty, I don't even think he acknowledges to other ponies he even has a sister. As to me, I entered the religious life- becoming an acolyte at age seventeen, and achieving my flowing mane of enlightenment by twenty. Being this city's clergy is a very rewarding experience, though; there is always someone who needs the help of myself or my acolytes. Our Mondays here are full of blessings and visits to the sick and elderly, our Tuesdays full of marriage counseling appointments and teaching religious classes. The cathedral is always full for my sermons, and the lay ponies are always around to help out at holy functions during the holidays Yes, I am quite happy with my congregation here in Misty Mountain, they are always so passionate and devout in everything they do! I must say, you certainly chose quite a quiet time to come through here- we don't have any Horsemasterist saints feast days coming up, and our Ocktoberfest celebration is already behind us. Oh, I know! Let me take you around town tomorrow, and I'll show you where to get the best gifts, meals, and pastries. Why, my fiance just happens to own a cheese shop over in the west side of the city, maybe you could stop there on the way back to the hostel you're staying at in town. If you had come just about a month later, you could've been here for our Weihnachten holiday celebration. The lighting of the holiday candles- one each week leading up to the holiday itself- the visit from the Christmas giant, who brings all the little children of Misty Mountian all kinds of wonderful toys and presents. Huh? Wait, one of my Acolytes wants to tell me something. Oh, I am truly sorry, but it seems a most pressing matter is calling me. It appears Fraulein Tootsie's candy shoppe is possessed by a poltergeist, and they need me to go and perform an exorcism. Please, dear pilgrim, go ahead and light the fire to make your offering and prayer. The acolytes will clean up after you're done. Good luck on the rest of your pilgrimage journey, and may great B'zekre watch over you, in all that you say and do! Guten nacht!