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// [35] 16th Malachite, 222 
// Story: My Little Fortress: Shadytrails 
// by PersonalGamer 
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16th Malachite, 222

There was much discussion taking place in the new house belonging to the local miner. Tunda and Silver Rush had met up there after work so that they could make some plans for their next show. The stallion paced back and forth across the wooden floor as the two tossed ideas back and forth, “So about the design of our uniforms...I was thinking that we should have them made in some shade of blue. I think that color would be a good complement to your own blue eyes and a good contrast to my copper eyes. Plus, our coats are brown and gray, which are fairly neutral and could therefore go with blue just as easily as any color. Do you have any thoughts on that?”

"None except that I agree, and a great many colors would look attractive on you or me," Tunda complimented them both.

The miner gave a nod and smile in response, “So we’re in agreement! I’m thinking about a tunic for myself. Perhaps a robe or gown for you?” He let out a sigh and glanced at one of the windows, “Too bad we don’t know when Ms. Frame will have a chance to actually create them. Who knows when we’ll actually get some cloth to work with around here?”

Tunda nodded sympathetically. "It may be some time, before we even see so much as twine. Maybe the next set of traders will bring some cloth? Hopefully Lattice Frame won't be too busy to pull them off." The zebra needed to see her some time before she starts, and ensure she gets something that will show off her figure.

“I hope so. You never can tell what they’ll bring, though. Maybe it would be more realistic to think about getting some instruments before suits. Surely something simple like a drum could be created with material currently available to us?”

"I would think so, but how to make instruments isn't something I know," Tunda says with a shrug. Maybe somepony in town has those sort of skills.

Rosewood had been thinking since she’d seen Silver and Tunda perform, and now thought she had enough to work with. She’d paused hearing voices from inside the residence before raising a hoof and knocking. “Silver? It’s me.”

A fuzz-tipped ear twitched at the voice, “Excuse me for a moment, Tunda.” Silver trotted over and opened the door, revealing the fuschia unicorn standing on the other side, “Rose! How are you today? Please, do come in.”

Rose grinned and stepped in, noticing Tunda. “Oh, sorry if I was disturbin’ anythin’. I can wait until you two’ve finished your conversation first, it’s not urgent.” She nodded politely at the zebra however. “How are you today, Tunda?”

Tunda smiled broadly in response. "I'm just fine miss Rosewood. I hope you'll tell me the same if you could."

“I’m also fine, thank you.”

“We weren’t too busy,” Silver assured Rosewood before walking over and wrapping a hoof around her neck in a friendly gesture, “Just talking about things related to our show. Speaking of which, we should probably set a date for the next one. If this proves popular enough, I’d like to be able to do it every month.”

Rose’s ears perked with interest. “That’s what I came to ask about, actually. I wondered if I could join in performin’ something. I have my poetry I think some others might like. I might have enough t’turn into short stories if that would be favored too.”

This was an unexpected surprise! "I had no idea you had skill with verse! I would love to hear it rehearsed,” the zebra mare spoke excitedly.

“It’s nothin’ spectacular, but I think I would prefer it if somepony with experience heard it before t’rest of t’town.”

“Another addition to the show…”, the bat-pony contemplated aloud while he tapped his chin with a hoof, “I hadn’t considered turning this into more than just a singing, but I do like that idea. Yeah! There could be multiple acts. Maybe anypony with some kind of talent that they could display could be a part if they want to. This could be big!”

The chocolate zebra nodded. "I'm sure everypony would appreciate some variety. I have another pony to suggest, if that wouldn't be impropriety."

Silver’s interest is further piqued, “Another? Who did you have in mind?”

"I've spent time speaking with Shooting Star. I haven't asked her to perform, but she has a dancing talent to impress wide and far."

That was certainly some information that the bat-pony hadn’t learned of before, “Dancing? That’s great! Something like that could definitely be integrated into our own act. We really should find out if there’s any way to work that out.”

Rosewood’s presence reminded Silver about a question he wanted to ask. Now that she might actually be a part of their little ensemble, it would be even more appropriate to bring it up, “Hey, Rose! We could really use your expertise in building a good quality stage for the performances. I think it should be pretty roomy, just in case some future act requires some extra space. Maybe we could also put wheels on it so that it could be moved around more easily. What are you thoughts about that?”

“Sounds good! I’ll draw some designs t’night and see what you guys think about it t’morrow? Where do you think we’d keep it when it’s not in use?”

“Great!” the fanged pony grinned at the obvious enthusiasm the unicorn had, “We should be able to store it somewhere that it will be protected from the weather. The communal shelter might have worked if any of the doors were large enough for it to get through. Then again, a stage that can be disassembled and reassembled might be able to make it through the doors. Plus, we’d also need to make sure that Ms. Hookbill is okay with us putting it in there.”

“Sounds great, I’m sure that can be arranged. I’ll think about it before I turn in t’night. Who’s askin’ Ms Hookbill?”

"Silver and I can go ask if you don't mind. I think she'll agree with the idea, we'll find." Miss Isolde has always been a reasonable griffoness.

“That sounds like a plan to me,” the chiropteran stallion concurred, “While we’re at it, maybe I can convince her to allow us to post some flyers up around town. We’d be more likely to get new acts if others know that we’re recruiting. I’d also like to add in a part inviting any residents who know how to construct or play instruments to see us as well.”

“Maybe now’s a time for me to learn instrument makin’, if that’d help?”

“I wouldn’t want to put too much on you, but I’m sure there are quite a few things that could be constructed from wood. After seeing what you made for my birthday, I know you certainly have the talent needed for it,” Silver’s lenticular eyes glanced over to the carved figure sitting beside his bed. “I wouldn’t object to you giving it a shot if you wanted to, though.”

Rose simply grinned.

After some further discussion, all of the issues were ironed out and Rosewood was officially added in as a third performer. In addition to this, a date was finally decided for the second show: 1st Galena. Unless this turned out to be a disaster, the plan was to have it become a monthly feature of the Shadytrails experience. Now only time would tell.