September 1 – 7:04 AM
The Cutie Mark Crusaders awoke to both good news and bad news. The bad news was that the fog was still there, and the adults in Ponyville seemed to be noticeably stressed out as a direct result (also, Apple Bloom wasn’t getting any dessert for a week as punishment for “bein’ sneaky”). However, the good news (which in their opinion far outweighed the bad) was that this meant that there was still a need for their human trap, which in turn meant that their maddeningly elusive cutie marks were at long last within their grasp.
Of course, that made unforeseen problems all the more infuriating—for instance, when they made their initial plans, the three fillies had never expected to tangle with labor disputes. Nonetheless, the hamster whom they’d surreptitiously “borrowed” from Fluttershy was being remarkably intractable, and the fact that he’d had the foresight to contact a negotiator to hammer out the details of the arrangement didn’t make things any easier.
“Ugh, look, Angel, I don’t see why this has to be so complicated,” Scootaloo said. “We’re offering food, water, and shelter. What more does Mr. Shnookums need?”
Undeterred, Fluttershy’s pet rabbit lifted a piece of white posterboard and pointed to the symbol that he’d drawn there, tapping it repeatedly to emphasize his point.
“He wants a stick with a pair of wings and two snakes wrapped around it? Isn’t that kind of dangerous? I mean, snakes eat rodents, right?” Scootaloo looked longingly out of the clubhouse window. Even though the heat was already becoming uncomfortable, even at this hour, she’d much rather have been out there with Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom building the trebuchet, but she’d been too slow on the draw when it came time to declare herself “not it.”
Angel simply rolled his eyes and looked briefly to where Mr. Shnookums was sitting inside a hollow pink plastic ball, almost as if he was asking his client for more patience, and then he turned his attention back to the pegasus filly, letting out a long stream of annoyed squeaks and grunts.
“C’mon, Angel, I don’t speak rabbit,” Scootaloo said with a rather irritated glare. “Not everypony is like Fluttershy, after all.”
Scootaloo had absolutely no idea what the odd facial expression that appeared on the bunny’s face meant, nor could she figure out why he suddenly hopped out the clubhouse door, leaving his client behind. However, when he returned to the clubhouse followed by a rather confused looking hen, whom he “introduced” with a sweeping flourish of his paws, Scootaloo let out a groan. “Please tell me that’s a stupid attempt at a joke, and that you don’t actually think I can speak chicken.”
When Angel’s response was to awkwardly shift his weight back and forth while avoiding eye contact, Scootaloo smacked a hoof into her forehead. “This is going to be a long morning....”
September 1 – 7:38 AM
Ponyville’s weather team hadn’t fully assembled for the morning’s operation when the clouds arrived at the base of the mountains. Fluttershy just stared at the approaching delivery of a dozen massive globs of greyish-white vapor, all contained in equally massive nets that were being pulled through the air by teams of pegasi.
“Um, Rainbow Dash?”
“What is it, Fluttershy?” answered her friend, who was standing next to her. Rarity had already sewn Rainbow Dash back inside her silver fog suit, and had planned to spend the morning at Douglas Fir’s cabin in case she needed to take any “breaks.”
“Uh, well, it’s not, you know, critically important, but... why haven’t I ever seen clouds being delivered like this before?”
Rainbow Dash smirked. “Because usually the deliveries happen at night so all the clouds are there in the morning. I’ve had to help out with daytime deliveries once or twice. Wasn’t too bad, but I can’t imagine working the third shift to do it every night. Still, I hear the pay is good. A lot of weather ponies start out doing it to get their hoof in the door, actually. They do it for maybe a year until they get the experience to get transferred to a job where they can actually have a social life. Anyway, enough small talk—I think somepony’s flying down here to see you.”
Indeed, no sooner had Rainbow Dash finished her statement when a light purple pegasus mare with a short, green mane landed in front of them. “Are you Fluttershy?” she asked.
“Um, yes, I am,” Fluttershy responded uncertainly, “and this is my friend, Rainbow Dash.”
The mare blinked a few times as she stared at the silver-clad pony for a few seconds. “Whoa, Dashie. Never knew you were into that sort of thing.”
“Hate to break it to you, Climate, but you’re hardly the first pony to try that one.”
Fluttershy looked rather surprised. “You know each other?”
“Of course,” Rainbow Dash said. “Fluttershy, this is Climate Change, the lead weatherpony for Canterlot and its suburbs.”
“A pleasure to meet you,” Climate Change said, extending a hoof.
“Um, likewise,” Fluttershy replied as she extended her own hoof and timidly bumped Climate’s. “I, uh, guess that these clouds are for us?”
“You got it,” Climate Change replied. “We got the order to transfer them to Ponyville by telegram about a half-hour ago. Lucky for you guys Canterlot was scheduled for a massive thunderstorm this afternoon, otherwise you’d have to wait until they could be shipped from the Weather Factory. These should be enough to hold you over until the first shipment from Cloudsdale gets here.”
Fluttershy nodded absently. “Thank you. Um, I’m sorry about the inconvenience.”
Climate Change laughed out loud. “Oh, you wonderful, idealistic specialists. I hope you guys never change. Listen, we’ve had thunderstorms held up for much longer periods of time, for far stupider reasons. Trust me, we can handle this pretty well.”
It was around this time that the first of the draft teams drove a rather large stake into the ground, to which they then tied their cloud-net. “So,” Climate said genially, “want to inspect the shipment?”
Fluttershy would have very much liked to do so, but she wasn’t entirely sure what to look for. “Um, Rainbow Dash? Do you think these clouds will work?”
“Hey, you tell me,” Rainbow Dash replied with an awkward smile. “You know fog better than I do.”
Of course, the fact that Rainbow Dash had made this comment nonchalantly didn’t change the fact that it was actually a very good point, and as such Fluttershy needed to keep her friend from dwelling on it if she was to stay out of the clutches of the Equestrian Revenue Service. “I suppose that’s true,” Fluttershy answered in what she hoped was an equally easygoing tone, “but it’s not often that anypony attempts to deal with fog this way, and you have more experience with rainmaking.”
Fortunately, desperate wishing seemed to be effective this time. “Eh, I guess you have a point there.” Rainbow Dash flew up to one of the nets and removed a small chunk of cloud, batting it back and forth with her tail as she evaluated its properties. “A bit more static electricity than I’d like, but I guess that’s to be expected with thunderheads. Yeah, it’s good.”
“Well,” Climate Change said, “then all I need is a signature, and I’ll be on my way—unless you need me for something else, since you’re apparently the absolute ruler of the DOW until further notice.”
“Oh, um, of course,” Fluttershy said awkwardly as she searched for a pen. As the pony flew back towards Canterlot, Fluttershy turned to Rainbow Dash. “I guess the weather team should get started, then.”
“You got it, boss!”
September 1 – 8:11 AM
Pencil Pusher was still riding high from his success at the Department of Weather as he entered Jasmine Breeze’s office in Caligo’s headquarters for the second time and placed a stack of forms on the androgynously-named stallion’s desk. “There you go. Fluttershy’s set up to become a consultant. All that’s needed is Caligo’s approval.”
The executive didn’t answer directly; instead, he started rifling through the paperwork, nodding in approval as he looked over the completed forms. “Yes... everything seems to be in order.” He looked up and made eye contact with his guest. “I can’t thank you enough, Mr. Pusher. Your idea has made an extremely awkward situation much easier for us to manage.”
As Pencil Pusher was not accustomed to receiving credit for his own ideas (at least not the good ones), he was a bit taken aback by this praise. “Oh... uh... you’re welcome, I guess.”
“You have no idea how much of a relief it will be to walk into the next meeting with the board of trustees with something positive to report.”
“I can imagine,” Pencil Pusher replied. “I bet the guys at the insurance company won’t be pleased when they hear about this.”
“Oh, they already know,” Jasmine Breeze said with a dismissive wave of his hoof.
“Really?” Pencil asked. “How’d they take it?”
“Pretty well, considering the circumstances. I think they were too impressed with the creativity behind the idea to get angry.”
“But doesn’t their company risk losing millions of bits if they have to pay off your policy?”
“Of course they do. That’s why they took out a reinsurance policy against having to pay it.”
“Oh, that makes sense,” Pencil Pusher said. Two seconds later, he changed his mind. “Hang on! If they’re insured against paying off your policy, why did they raise such a fuss in the first place?”
“More than likely it’s because the reinsurance policy doesn’t cover everything they’d owe us if we made a claim. Also, their premiums would rise.”
Pencil Pusher let out a long sigh. Insurance companies were a completely different breed of bureaucracy than what he was used to, and without firsthoof knowledge, even his special talent could only go so far in piercing their murky depths. “Anyway,” he said, getting the conversation back on track, “do you have the information, or does your legal department need to go over these forms?”
“No, I’m authorized to expedite the process,” the executive replied as he began signing several of the forms. Minutes later, he’d pulled open one of his desk drawers and placed a thick, sealed envelope in front of Pencil Pusher. “Everything that Ms. Fluttershy needs to know should be in there. I assume you’ll be delivering it yourself?”
Pencil nodded. “I figure the fewer times it changes hooves, the better.”
“You’re absolutely right on that count. And for the love of Celestia, don’t let that seal break before it gets to her.”
“Right,” Pencil said with a nod as he placed the envelope in his saddlebag. “Still, with any luck, this data won’t be necessary. The Ponyville weather is going to start on a new attempt to disperse the fog this morning.”
“Oh?” Jasmine Breeze said as he began drinking from a plain, white porcelain mug of coffee. “It’s good to hear that the specialist isn’t sitting on her haunches,” he remarked between sips. “No offense, but our past experience with government employees has been... mixed at best.”
Pencil didn’t seem to mind this sentiment. “None taken.” After all, his boss was a pretty good example of exactly the kind of pony Mr. Breeze was talking about.
“Mind if I ask what the plan is?” continued the executive.
“It’s fairly ingenious, actually. They’re going to add clouds to the fog to try and make—” Pencil Pusher halted in mid-sentence as he scrambled away from the spray of coffee that erupted from Jasmine Breeze’s mouth.
“What did you say?!”
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That chicken joke is STILL funny.
A spit take?
Oh dear. This promises nothing good...
Let me guess, they're combustible with rain water.
Whatever it is, I'm gguessing Pencil Pusher will have to fly very fast, like Sonic Rainboom fast to save the day.
Why on earth do the CMC have a... Nevermind, better not to ask.
Also... Adding more is a bad idea, I guess?
~Skeeter The Lurker
Uh oh, something tells me that the moment they start putting clouds to that fog bank, it's only going to make it bigger and colder, so 'ol PP better take the Caligo's Formula notes and Get them to flutters LAST WEEK!
And this is why they needed the fog cloud's specifications yesterday.
Ouch, something tells me that this special breed of cloud isn't going to take well with Fluttershy's idea, judging from the reaction of this Jasmine Breeze. Surely Pencil will have to again make his wings sore to get to Ponyville before the plan is commnced... or he'll be too late and there will be some grim consequences.
Uh - oh. Why do I get the distinct impression that fog is going to set like concrete when mixed with water...or some other equally unexpected result. I bet that's Caligo's secret - it's building material is designed to react under certain conditions to make it stronger.
2950690 Even more so when Angel is being so innocuous about it. He seriously thinks it'll work.
Good
2951365
That makes sense.
The fog is for desert areas and therefore won't see much vapour.
Also it is foundation construction material & therefore won't be directly showered upon, like a concrete slab.
.....bugger.
Better fly fast Pencil Pusher!
2951365
Yeah, that's what I was going to guess, adding more water will turn the fog solid to everyone and everything, not just pegasi, so it'll be like trying to dig someone out of an avalanche.
Heh, even the animals recognize Scootaloo as a chicken.
The moment Pencil Pusher brought up that Ponyville had a new plan to disperse the fog, I knew a problem was going to be found with the plan.
I hope that you do have a plan for this Rube Goldberg trap thing the CMC are building and not making it up as you go along. It would be a letdown to not see it in action with all this buildup
2950891 To run around a rodent wheel in order to provide mechanical power, most likely.
Eh, I'm not sure if Climate Change really exists. Maybe she was just a shared hallucination.
As for the cliffhanger, in the worst-case scenario, I really, really hope this is the sort of thing where a lawsuit is an appropriate response. That's what you get for dragging your feet, boys and girls. Catastrophe, ignominy, and subpeony. Er, subpoenas.
Man, I knew it.
It's just a structure thing--the way you built the timing of the story. Meta-foreshadowing.
See, this is why you disclose the necessary information promptly. As in, so that the specialist has a chance to find out about strange properties before their otherwise well-thought-out ideas make things worse.
Bloody idiots
Rut roh, raggy.
2951365 2950845
Blue Wolf, your idea is probably the right one...
... but I like Someguy's more.
2953453 considering that they're used in the desert, maybe.
2952108 - Oh, I most definitely have a plan. I worked out all the elements as soon as I knew it would be a Rube Goldberg device.
Dun dun dun!
I was expecting the consequences of the 'rain it out' plan to be a severe flood. Now I'm expecting something worse.
Well the caduceus was made by Apollo, the greek god of medicine, so i'd say we're justified as making it a medical symbol (also goes nicely with many cultures associating snakes with healing)
2953725
Ooops. And everything was going pretty well!
The caduceus isn't associated with medicine? I thought it was and this is coming from New Zealand so that's a different reference point, I've even seen the local GP have a caduceus on their adverts and business cards.
>> Kwakerjak
2956190
From the Kwaker's Wikipedia link:
Ever have to deal with government healthcare rules, regulations, and forms? The Caduceus is remarkably apropos.
Is it just me or does anyone else find the idea of weather formations requiring MSDSes delightfully barmy?
2957110 Thanks for the info but now you've just confused me even more.
2950714 Well, considering that Fluttershy hasn't been provided with the proper info, it's hardly her fault now is it? :D
2958287
It was just a silly joke about the byzantine healthcare bureaucracy.
if it hardens, I wonder if they can break it down.
O what's that I hear? The shits about to hit the fan
Just as planed
2950690
Someone downvoted this comment...
It must have been Scootaloo!
2962894
Nah. Me and Scootaloo are best buds in a different AU. I blame the hamster.
Hmmm...... clouds designed to be used in an excessively arid environment..... Why do I have the feeling that the problem is (literally) about to become much larger?
Mmm, and what did Angel requested for the hamster now? Medical care? Drugs? Health care? Health insurance coverage?
Like the story, but need to respond. I have to say that the pony liability systems need serious reforms. Normally a company's insurance would be paying for the disaster response, not loss of 'trade secret'. Remember, this is actually an industrial accident, not a natural disaster. Ergo the insurance company would be pressing for release of any info that could mitigate the damages, not helping with cover up.
Also, being experimental is some excuse, but they need some equivalent to MSDS-they list various dangers and first aid/response to any leaks/spills.
2970555 - I freely admit to taking artistic license on matters like this. This whole bit about insurance and liability is mostly a means to avoid resorting to the Corrupt Corporate Executive trope, which I find to be overused and tedious in fiction (though admittedly it doesn't pop up as often in MLP fanfiction).
I like this. Everyone seems very balanced. Beaurocracy isn't outright malicious or corrupt, just... lazy and trying to cover their own flanks.
My mind is awash with the innumerable ways that the cloud idea could go wrong. The obvious one seems that it would simply absorb them and grow out of control, but the one that makes more sense is that the water would act as a quick set reaction to make it permanent.
but yeah, most likely whoever designed this stuff went: "Water? Why do we need to worry about water? They're going to be used in the desert."
Um, hi. A question about 7:38. If Rainbow is back in her fog suit, how is she "batting [a piece of cloud] back and forth between her hooves"?
2998379 - Oh, that's easy: the author forgets that she's in her fog suit for the duration of the sentence (which has been revised accordingly, by the way).
Things are about to go tits up aren't they?
I died on the part where Scootaloo talked with Angel, very good part, Gods damn, where have I been for these chapters? I'm dying over here
Is this an actual real life thing? If so, daaaaang, the insurance business is more messed up than I thought.
As for that ending. Oh dear.
3804049 - Indeed it is. Of course, in the real world, it's generally used to protect regional insurance companies in the event of a widespread natural disaster resulting in a surge in claims which may total more than the insurance company's readily available assets. Reinsurance companies ensure that the original insurers will always be able to pay claims promptly (and in worst case scenarios, they may even protect the regional company from bankruptcy, which would result in no claims being paid). Basically, it's all about spreading the risk around.
Took me three tries to figure out what this meant.
I laughed so hard when I read this. Especially when you picture this as well:
mlpforums.com/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-24743-0-95582500-1392781056.png
or this:
i.chzbgr.com/maxW500/6572880896/h1A72C506/
_______________________________
In some chapters I have to wonder if you're trying to kill you audience with comedy or not. This is one of those chapters, nice touch with ending it on a cliff hanger btw.