Enforced Relaxation
Apple Bloom sighed happily as her hooves clip-clopped over marble. She made no secret of the fact that she loved indoor malls, especially when it was a family trip such as this one. While Jackie was off retrieving another Talisman from an auction somewhere - really sounded like more of an agent job than an archaeologist one, but what could they do? - Uncle had taken the four girls on a trip to a local mall, knowing how much they would enjoy it. Each of them had their own reasons for enjoying the mall.
Scootaloo loved the mall because she could fly around on or off Cumulo to get all sorts of places. The ornate halls between stores were among the few interior structures long enough to have enough contained weather patterns for her magic to kick in. Beyond that, she loved the game stores and sport outlets, though she rarely bought anything. Of course, the biggest temptation for her was Build-a-Bear, especially ever since they introduced the panda pattern. They had trouble getting her out of there sometimes, although they once lost track of her for three hours in a Toys-R-Us because she curled up on a display of stuffed animals and fell asleep. They finally found her at the cash register due to her not having a bar code.
Sweetie Belle loved malls because she loved to shop. Didn't matter what sort of outlet she found, she was in there browsing and probably finding something somebody needed, and she was never above splurging to give someone a thoughtful gift 'just because'. While this normally would have been problematic in terms of budget, the trio's contributions to Uncle's antique and magic business had greatly increased his profits, to the point all threes allowances measured in three figures on a monthly basis. They only still lived in the rented apartment above the shop because they liked the place and Uncle hadn't yet managed to talk the landlord around to selling him the building flat out.
Jade loved the mall for all the things she could find there that she simply couldn't find in similar places back in Hong Kong, as well as how much more open they were. Even in the middle of the day, she was able to wander around without worrying about being crushed by a rush of people, and hopping from display to display was more out of a sense of adventure than a necessity to maneuver. Today she was at the toy store, having been given permission from Uncle to buy the 'Turbo Troll' companion toy to her 'Gnomekop' action figure.
Uncle enjoyed this particular mall because of a cafe that was positioned in such a way to give him a great view of the girls favorite spots throughout the mall. Not only were the acoustics such that all four girls could hear him from there if he called out to them, but the cafe served his favorite tea, and their garlic scones were fluffy and flaky enough that they didn't cause issues with his teeth or digestion, and were made with real garlic!
Apple Bloom's love of the mall was harder to define to the others, as she would go from store to store, never buying anything and never staying in one spot for long, with rare exception. The sound of her hooves against the marble, tile, or carpet echoed behind her as she moved, Audrey getting sun back at the antique store. She never hurried, but only rarely tarried either, and tended not to look around all that much.
The truth was rather simple, though. The floors of the mall were all marble, tile, or carpet layered over stone and bedrock. What few planters were around were easily avoided, and the one type of shop this particular mall lacked was a gardening shop. This meant she could walk on her own four hooves anywhere she wanted without having to worry about her magic creating a mess. This was incredibly relaxing for her, and a wonderful way to spend a free day.
The other thing she loved about the malls were the fountains. Not only were they far more complex than similar water features at parks and the like, but they also tended to be bigger and stretched out over an entire hall, giving the sense of an indoor river almost with how the water cycled. Apple Bloom could while away hours just sitting on the marble side of the fountain, watching the flow of water.
Of course, this particular mall had greater enjoyment for her, as it had a jet of water that shot up at regular intervals to shower back down on the largest pool. She always brought a supply of pennies with her when she stopped at this pool, and would attempt to flip the pennies such that they would land on top of the jet, just to see where they would land when launched.
She was very careful not to think of any wishes when doing so, despite a lot of people treating mall fountains like wishing wells. It would be just her luck that she'd be magical enough to trigger any latent wish magic the fountain might have from so many wishes made, just for her wish to go horribly awry due to bad phrasing.
Still, as she tossed her last penny into the fountain, landing just on the jet as it was idle, she thought about how great it would be if Jackie could stay home for a while, instead of having to run off somewhere after another Talisman.
"Girls!" Uncle called out from his seat. "Time to go home!"
Apple Bloom turned to go meet up with the others, not noticing the penny becoming lodged in the jet until pressure built up enough to propel it into the air and embed itself in the ceiling, an emerald green shine briefly flickering over its surface in a reflection of the water.
Jackie sighed with relief as he stepped back into the Section 13 apartment. The Rat Talisman was safely retrieved, and was being researched. He had clean clothes here, so he could change out of those that had become filthy from running down a collapsing building, amongst other things. The girls were all here in a relatively clean place, as the girls had taken to storing their extra toys and the like in large boxes - one for each of them - to meet their responsibilities. He couldn't be more proud of them about that. He smiled widely as he turned towards his desk, ready to finally relax.
"Jackie, watch out!" Scootaloo called out.
"What?" Jackie began, half turning towards her.
And then his foot came down on a plastic panda bear which let out a loud squeak as it partially compressed before shooting out from under his foot, making him lose his balance, sending him tumbling into a pile of boxes, the twist of his body making him land badly on his leg.
Four concerned sets of eyes locked on him as he clutched his leg. "...bad day..." he whimpered softly, not wanting to distress the girls further with how much pain he was actually in.
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Hmm, a bit short, but still good.
..::EDIT::.. Also, apparently first without trying. I was literally half done loading my favourites when this was uploaded.
Welp Apple Bloom got her wish. Hopefully this doesn't screw something up?
You had ONE JOB! AND YOU WERE DOING IT SO WELL!!
Scootaloo must've been watching the Simpsons at some point.
buy
while ('wile' is often used in this context, but 'while' is technically right, according to google.)
So... what's Jade's allowance like?
Turbo Troll... Rat was motion to the motionless, right? I vaguely remember that episode, but I'm not sure if Jackie had a broken leg in it.
Also: I can just imagine the little girl crying when she couldn't keep the actual pegasus... and Scootaloo freaking out about it and compensating her with a ride or something. That was the funniest bit in this chapter.
If I remember correctly, in the show, Jackie stepped on Jade's Turbotroll and quite badly twisted his ankle.
In this timeline, with all the girls toys, more ways for the Rat Talisman to go. This will be a fun read for us and a very tiring day for the Chans.
7587380 Too bad there isn't a Rainbow Dash-like doll for Scootaloo to hide the talisman in.
I'm going to need to start saving my pennies... this sounds like fun.
Well, there is only one thing to do in this situation after Jackie gets his leg in a cast: MOVIE AND TV SHOW MARATHONS!!!!! Back to back to back watching of trilogies, binge watch the favorite TV shows, and break it up with tasty meals.
7587419 If there was, we would have to make it fight a Starscream action figure.
7587292 ...
Fuck it.
Now don't screw up the next job.
WHICH IS TO LET UNCLE DO THE CARETAKING!
Not you.
UNCLE!
Really enjoying the story. It's fun :) The chapters may be short, but the fast rate at which they update keeps me invested in the story.
Couple of textual corrections, hope you don't mind:
--> lost track
-->patterns (?)
--> trio's
--> "about that", or better "because of that"
I really wish you could give a like to individual chapters
Out of curiosity, did you consider my Build Burning Gundam idea?
Poor Jackie. He can't catch a break.
7587791 Instead a break caught him
I'd say Apple Bloom's wish is pandaring for Jackie to take a break but her magic unfortunately got the leg up on her this time. Magic can be so wishy washy at times huh?
It took me a while, but I just realized a bit of a plot hole here: Why not have a set of enchanted shoes Apple Bloom can slip on and not have to worry about her unconscious ability to grow plants? I mean the materials and the like are already there, so what's keeping them aside from typical character tunnel-vision?
7587934 I have a theory, but it has a hole in the fact that the Talismans exist.
Anyways, my theory is that magic stored within biologic material, such as extremely potent magical beings like Ponies, is more powerful than magic stored in non-biological things, such as the metal needed to make the horseshoes. Any magic suppressing horseshoes she tried to wear would be overridden by her own potent magical nature. Likely with rather hilarious results.
Like I said, it has a flaw in that the stone Talismans exist, but there you have it.
Edit: Unless....... The Talismans have an organic core?
You really really gotta be careful what ya wish for Applebloom. rarely does a wish turn out good
I see you are a fellow follower of RealityCheck.
7587980 I think the talismans themselves are pieces of Shendu himself
7588247 Wow. I completely forgot about that. Sweet! My theory stands! *Does a little dance.*
7588333 HOWEVER...
What if they're full hoof-coverings, not enchanted, but made of inorganic materials, to prevent direct contact with the ground but nothing more? :D
7588403 Standard magical theory says that after spending time in close contact with AB, the shoes would start having the same effect as her bare hooves (at least while she's wearing them) - her magic would kinda build-up in the shoes until it reached saturation point...
7588403 Then wouldn't the magic just pass right through them and into the ground? The reason Apple Bloom likes the mall is because the stonework for the floor and the foundations keeps her far enough away from nature to prevent it shooting trees straight at her.
That's not to say that the idea isn't valid, just not practically viable. Cold Iron actively neutralizes magic, but can you imagine Apple Bloom being happy with wearing what is essentially the boots and leggings of iron armor all day every day just to walk around?
7588558 That could be better that doing nothing and let Audrey III move her around. She seem to like the mall because that, because she can move around without making a cousin for Audrey or something like that.
Chapter Forty Eight
"Aiyah!"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 29
"One More Thing!"
Chapter Count: 0
Total Count: 56
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7588247
This line would lend to the probability that she more radiates magic, than that her magic is absorbed into the ground directly through her hooves. maybe not very far without a direct connection, but enough to potentially cause problems.
As to the Talismans: They're a piece of him, but at the same time, I think they might be tied to his form. Currently Shendu is basically a spirit bound/sealed to a statue, meaning that his form is inorganic. The talismans' individual powers are also tied to the Chinese Zodiac, and Shendu actually Stole the powers from the animals they originally manifested in before imbuing them into the talismans. Now that isn't to say there can't be organic components, as many of Uncle's Chi Spells use various animal parts, but the way I interpret how Chi Magic works is that those animal pieces are all effectively "Dead" (and therefore have no inherent Chi of their own), but still contain patterns that Uncle (who is, of course, alive) can then use to channel and/or amplify his own Chi into a coherent form to cast spells. Also, if we take a look back to the Ox Talisman chapters in this story and the disparity between the talisman's effects on El Toro and Tohru, it would seem that the Talismans work similarly, possibly having some power of their own, but more taking from the user's Chi to direct and amplify it.
Now, granted, this is mostly theory and conjecture and we honestly may never know unless Tats decides to say one way or another.
7588247
7587980
7588741
Personal headcanon.
Chi Magic is equal parts body, mind, and spirit. Chi wizards us their minds, their spirits, and the body of dead aspects of nature to channel spells. Pony magic uses their own potent body, mind, and spirit. Shendu's Talismans still contain the stolen spirit energy of the Avatars of the Zodiac, which makes them insanely potent focus points for chi spells, allowing anyone - whether they have a spiritual connection to magic or not - to use their mind and body (body equating to how much chi they actually have) to cast the potent spells stored in the artifacts themselves.
7588519 Depends. Some versions of "standard magical theory" hold artificially manufactuared long chain polymers as being so non-magical they are effectively invisible to magic. Make the shoes thick enough, and it's like her hooves are 1-2 inches away from the ground, instead of in direct contact.
7589148 Traditionally, silk insulates, and cold iron disrupts. Tradition doesn't offer an opinion on nylon.
With a few exceptions for special materials, and things which are already magical in their own right, something that is intimately associated with a person over long periods becomes part of that person, mystically speaking. So hair and nails (and hooves!), despite being technically dead, still count as part of your living body, and that effect extends to your favourite jumper, or your wrist-watch or mobile phone you always have with you...
7588925
7588741
The Almighty Author has spoken! *Genuflects.*
But seriously, the first time I read that it flew straight over my head. I tried again, and it made a little more sense. I'm currently exhausted after today, so my mind may just be having trouble parsing at the moment. I'll go over this tomorrow.
Peace! *Face-plants keyboard and starts snoring.*
7589572 Yes. It's warded.
Lemme be careful NOT to make a wish that could turn out bad.
Now I have GOT to leave, making sure to do the thing I set out NOT to do, and accidentally indirectly cause Jackie to get a broken leg/sprained ankle! @.@
Capital job avoiding wishes there, Apple Bloom.
...that reminds me. What the Hell, Santa Clause?! Applebloom did not want her powers to cause trouble for everyone and yet plants sprout where she trots and fountains become monkey paws! Why couldn't he just make her magic a plot device where lack of magic use builds pressure until something unexpected happens involving nature!
Maybe a really big green mother from outer space?
Confused as to why Apple Bloom doesn't just have horse shoes or some kind of boots?
7920678
It probably doesn't work in the way that she needs to touch the ground, but she needs to be close to plants which can sprout.
If that's the case she would still be to close to the ground, maybe with stilts she could avoid it.....
I think you're missing a couple words here, like 'she thought about'
7998610 Have to be either metallic or plastic otherwise she'd just wind up standing on trees.