It was a warm spring day in the town of Ppnyville, and Appejack was making some final preparations for the treasure hunt. Everything was set up, where it they were supposed to be, some out of sight and hidden well, and some in plain sight to be used as hints. She head d to the gates that enclosed the orchard, and angled her hat so them sun wouldn't get in her eyes. She looked all around at the eager ponies around the dirt path. Earth ponies, unicorns and Pegasi alike, all awaiting for the event to start.
Applejack knew fully that there would be at least one celebrity presence here at the treasure hunt, yet the one she saw seemed unusually familiar. She wouldn't nag on her, unless the other mare started first.
"Alright, everypony," She started. "the rules are simple. You'll team up in groups of four at most, and recieve the first hint from me. Any fighting will not be tolerated, and if you don't understand somethin', or need a little boost to a hint, mah sister and brother will be back here at the gates shortly after the game begins. So, are y'all ready?"
Daring Do looked up at Applejack. "Wait a minute... I know her..." Daring Do noted to herself. "It's one of Rainbow Dash's friend... How-" She sighed, "Coincidences..." Blinking as she realized she had to be in a group. Looking around hoping to find Rainbow Dash. Of course she couldn't be here. Off doing something else. Maybe reading Daring Do for the 50th time as she said in her letter she sent her a few days ago. "I'll go on this alone, I guess." She mumbled to herself. Seeing as many ponies got into their group, they were all ready to receive their first hint. "Ready." She muttered under her breath. Taking off her glasses she placed them in her front pocket in her dress shirt, preparing herself.
"Now, with all that bein' said, Ah'll pass out the first hints, and when yer' all teamed up ad ready to go, the hunt is on!" She stated, then jumping down from her stand made of hay stacks and opening the gates to the barn. Most of which were in teams of two or three, a couple of groups of four, but there was one lonesome mare... The familiar one. She grabbed the last hint to be handed out and made to her way. "'Scuse me, Miss?" She said. "It's all fine if ya wanna hunt alone, but yer' gonna need the first hint." She said, and held the note out to the formally dressed mare.
Blinking as she talked to her, she snapped out of her flow of thought. "Oh, yes ma'am. Sorry... Er, Ma'am." She said putting on a smile. "Thanks. Oh, but just one question... A little off topic I know. But did you happen to see anything flying down the valley? Anything giant in the sky? A bird possibly...?" She asked, giving an awkward smile. 'Damn it I sound crazy don't I?' Daring Do thought to herself, resisting a facehoof.
Applejack was a little surprised ad being called "ma'am", having not been called that since she left Sweet Apple Accres to join her aunt and uncle... "A bird? Giant, perhaps?" She put a good to her chin in thought. "Not so sure 'bout a 'giant' bird, but Ah'm pretty sure Ah saw a Griffon er' two headin' south. Why? If ya don't mind me askin'."
"No? Alright..." Daring Do rubbed the back of her head, sighing. "Darn. Maybe somepony else saw it..." She mumbled under her breath. Griffons? She thought to herself. Last time she was with griffons it didn't end well. "And why? Oh it's a long story... Quite boring really. You definitely wouldn't want to know about it." She gave an awkward smile.
"Yeah, sorry, Miss..." She pondered a little to herself. What would a giant bird be doing in Ponyville? And why? Seemed kind of pointless to her. "Ya sure? Ah'm good with long stories. Ah could probably help!" She said willingly. If this familiar mare were here looking for a giant bird, perhaps it may have had something to do with the treasure hunt...