Chapter 6: Chicken, Shopping, and Shows
Twilight expected the stares, but she was still uncomfortable. They weren't the glares she got when she performed magic on the ship, but not much better. She tried telling herself that it was just because they were curious about this new race among them (which, logically, she knew it was), but she still felt like they were judging her.
“So what would you recommend I see first?” Twilight asked.
“I always find markets to be a good way to get to know the locals,” Seth said, “You would be surprised what you can learn about a culture by what the sell and how they conduct business.”
“That's an excellent idea, Seth,” Twilight agreed. “Let's go shopping! Except...” she trailed off. “I don't have any money.”
“That's OK. The Admiral authorized diplomat status for you. You've also been granted an allowance. You can purchase whatever you want... Within reason.” Curt explained.
“Well, I really don't want to take money I haven't earned, so I guess I’ll find some way to pay it back,” Said the unicorn.
“You really are too nice, pony girl,” Debby tittered.
“You might be right,” Twilight admitted, “I'll start fixing that right now by not treating you to lunch.”
“Hey now, Twilight.” Debby protested, “I didn't say it was a bad thing. I just don't want you to get taken advantage of.”
Twilight shot the pilot a smirk, “I know. You really are just like Rainbow Dash. Who's hungry?”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Seth and Curt were afraid this might happen. They knew equines on earth were herbivores, so they knew their new friend would be too. Now here she was staring at slaughtered, butchered, and cooked animals with wide eyes and hanging jaw.
“I've never seen so much meat,” She said slowly, “Do you really eat it every day?”
“Yeah,” Curt said, his uncertainty apparent in his voice, “We kind of have to.”
“And you just buy it?” She asked, “You just walk up to a vendor, and ask for some?
“Yes,” Seth said with only slightly less uncertain.
Before they knew it, Twilight was heading for a stand that was selling chicken. The two marines had seen what pissed of vegetarians had been known to do and moved to stop the destruction before it started. However, instead of the vendor's doom they were expecting, Twilight asked an unexpected question.
“May I have a leg, wing, and some of those fries?” She turned towards her escorts, “What do you guys want?” She looked at her gawking escorts, “What, do I have something on my face?”
“Uh, Twilight, aren't you vegetarian?” asked Debby.
“The pony diet is mostly vegetarian, yes.” Twilight said, “But that's mostly because there's not enough animal life to support everypony. Physically, we're omnivores, but since meat, other than fish, is hard to get, we've magically alter flowers to contain the same nutrients found in meat needed for higher brain functions. Meat is a very rare commodity that's reserved for special occasions. Even princess Celestia only has meat about four or five meals a year. Most ponies only ever get any on Hearths Warming Day.”
“Meat only once a year. I'm glad I'm not one of you.” Said the Aviva behind the counter.
“For some reason, that disturbs me,” Curt said.
“What?” Twilight queried, “You thought I was an herbivore? You can't sustain the kind of brain needed for sentient, sapient thought with an herbivore's diet.”
“I guess we just assumed you were like equines from Earth,” Seth said, “So... I guess I'll take a leg and thigh combo.”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“... And then the cart crashed into Sticky Sweets, the local candy shop, flinging me and the fillies through the window and into a tub of chocolate sauce.”
Twilight and her friends were eating their lunches while the pony told the story of the time three little fillies offered to help her gather data on a rare bird of prey that Fluttershy told her about. Applebloom had the idea to use a cart she made to get around faster.
“Bon Bon, the owner, was furious. That was the last time I let them help me with research. I mean I love the fillies, but they were a natural disaster when they went crusading.”
“So did they ever find their cutie mark thing?” Asked Aden.
“Yeah.” Twilight said, “Applebloom found hers in construction, Sweetie Bell in music. Scootaloo was the last to find hers about three years ago now. Everypony knew she was a great dancer, but nopony expected her talent to be ballet.”
“Well that's good of them,” Seth said, “These marks sound like a big deal.”
“It sounds like a pretty sweet deal.” Curt said, “Knowing exactly who you are and what your place is in the galaxy.”
“But what colts and fillies go through before they find it is terrible.” Twilight lamented, “Those three were tormented daily by bullies at school. There was one filly in my class that was even killed because she was so desperate. She tried getting a cutie mark in manticore wrestling.”
“Shit,” Debby said, “That's messed up. Was she a friend?”
“No, I didn't know her very well.” Twilight said, “I didn't really have any friends when I was a filly, except for my older brother, and foal sitter.”
“I'm done.” Debby finally finished, the others having consumed their meals minutes before, “Let's go shopping.”
The five of them got up and tossed their trash. The shopping plaza was connected to the food court, so the walk was short. Twilight looked in awe at all the wonders on sale. There were shops selling pots and pans, some selling electronic devices, and all kinds of other tech. In between shops were smaller kiosks selling all manners of trinkets and knickknacks. One caught her eye more than the others. The sign above said simply “Oddities”, and that was exactly what he sold.
“Why hello, madam unicorn,” Said the man tending the goods, “What can I interest you in.”
Twilight looked up at the strange looking man. His hair was a two tone white and black, that fell down to his shoulder. It was his eyes though that really caught her attention. They reminded her of someone, but she couldn't quite place who.
“I'm just browsing, Mr...”
“I know just the thing. You're going to love this.” The man reached under the counter, pulled out a simple white wooden box, and held it out to her, “This is for you, a gift. I'm sure you'll figure out how to open it.”
“A gift?” Twilight asked as she grabbed it with her magic, “Are you sure?”
“Of course I am,” Said the man, “I have a feeling you'll need what's inside.”
“I never got your name,” Twilight said.
The man laughed, “No you didn't. That's kinda funny.”
Twilight waited for a few moments more before deciding he wasn't going to give his name, “Well then, thank you for the gift. Goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Twilight.” Said the strange man.
Twilight and the others turned around and started heading back when Twilight realized something.
“Hey, I never told you my... name?” She looked at the kiosk only to see it empty, “Where did he go?”
“Where did who go?” asked Curt.
“Ha ha. That weird guy at the kiosk,” she said.
The others gave each other a look.
“Are you feeling OK, Twi?” asked Aden, “We haven't even stopped at any kiosks.”
“What are you talking about?” Twilight said, “Where do you think I got this from?” She held up the box.
Before they could continue, Twilight felt something small stroke her mane. She looked to her side to see a small human child reaching up to her.
“Hi horsey,” she said.
“I am so sorry,” an older human woman, the child's mother no doubt, ran up and picked her up, “I turned around for a moment to get something to eat and she was gone.”
“It's quite alright, ma'am.” Twilight replied, “I don't mind at all.”
The woman looked at Twilight for a moment before asking, “May I ask where you're from? I don't think I’ve ever seen a race like you...”
“I'm from Avol, a very isolated world.” Twilight said as she saw the crowd of children behind the woman, “Um, are all these children yours?”
The woman looked behind her and chuckled, “Kind of. I run the local youth home. Most of them are orphans, but a lot of them just got separated from their parents for one reason or another.”
“That's terrible,” Twilight said.
She looked at the downcast faces of the young ones. They looked like they hadn't smiled in months. Pinkie would have a fit..
“I have an idea,” Twilight said, “I saw a stage over there a ways. Why don't all of you go there and wait for me.”
The caretaker thought for a moment before replying, “OK, by the way, my name is, Hanna.”
“My name's Twilight Sparkle,” the unicorn introduced herself, hoof offered.
“Well Ms. Sparkle, it's a pleasure to meet you.” Hanna shook the offered hoof.
“Please, call me Twilight,” she said.
“Come along children!” Hanna called as she lead the young ones to the stage.
“Can one of you hold my box?” Twilight asked.
Seth took the parcel and stowed it in a pack he brought.
“What are we doing?” asked Curt.
“Those kids need to smile, and since Pinkie's not here, I'm going to give them something to smile about.” Twilight stated.
“How are you going to do that?” Debby asked.
“I'm going to give them a little show.” Twilight said with a huge grin.
“Wow, that's creepy,” Curt said.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Aden stepped up to the microphone and spoke, “Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages. I invite you all to witness feats so amazing, so mind boggling you won't believe your eyes. Put your hands together for the one, the only...” Dramatic pause, “The Great and Powerful Twilight!”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Five ponies gave Twilight a deadpanned stare.
“Really?” Applejack deadpanned.
“What?” Twilight asked indignantly, “I didn't know anything about showbiz, so I borrowed a few pages from Trixie's book.”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Sparklers and fireworks lit up the faces of the children and others that stopped to see what was going on. The curtain lifted to reveal an empty stage. Looks of confusion shifted into looks of shock and awe when a flash of light revealed Twilight wearing a black top hat, and old fashion magician's tuxedo. The crowd cheered at the spectacle.
“Greetings to you all.” Twilight said, her voice slightly amplified by a simple spell, “I am the Great and Powerful Twilight, and I am here to dazzle and entertain you with the finest and most amazing feats of magic you've ever seen.”
The crowd cringed a little at the mention of magic. Twilight noticed this and quickly attempted to alleviate their discomfort.
Twilight said, “Now, I understand that when most of you think of magic, you think of the terrible things done by terrible people. Worry not my friends for this magic is the magic of the heart.”
Her horn glowed and a swarm of illusionary butterflies fluttered over the crowd. Everyone looked on in awe at the magical creatures until they faded. It was the children in front that started the applause and it carried from there.
So this is why Trixie does this? Twilight said as a warm feeling washed over her.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“Thank you so much,” Hanna thanked, “I haven't seen them that happy in years.”
Hanna was talking to Twilight off to the side of the stage. The show was a huge success, and all the children were smiling more than many of them could ever remember. It gave the mare a warm fuzzy feeling to know she brightened their lives. She could see why Pinkie did it all the time.
“I'm just happy that they're happy,” Twilight said.
“I owe you quite a lot, Ms. Twilight,” said Hanna, “But we have to get going now. I promised the kids I'd take them out for pizza.”
Twilight waved to the children as they were guided to the food court. With a flash of her horn, her costume vanished.
“That was probably one of the nicest things I've ever seen,” Curt said, “I never thought I'd see magic used to make peoples lives better.”
“I never thought I’d see magic used to make it worse.” Twilight countered.
“I take it you like kids?” Aden asked.
“That, and there's a pony I know that's an orphan,” Twilight said, “She lost her parents when she was very young. Her life had been one struggle after another, but she has her friends to help her through.”
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
“That's because they're the best five friends a little orphan filly could ever ask for.” Rainbow Dash said as, in a rare display of emotion from the tomcolt, she pulled her friends into a hug.
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so... Dashie is an orphan?
Huh, it's only a few times I've ever seen ponies displayed as omnivores but this is the first time I've ever seen a plausible reason for it. Usually writers either gloss over it completely (what I do) or have the ponies become shocked/horrified/terrified at the introduction of an omnivorous human to their society. This is an explanation that I can easily see being used by other authors (Hell, I know I want to use it) simply because it is so perfect and quite probably scientific correct (I'm not sure, I am no science-y guy)
Quite enjoying this and hoping to see more in future. I'm hoping you put in some conflict for Twilight among the good guys. Maybe a superior officer who doesn't trust her for her magic or a politician who obstructs her because of her race. The only little niggle I have with this so far is that everything has gone too well for her among the allies. Though I suppose this could be because they are a multi-species alliance and are quite used to new and unusual beings.
Keep up the great work please
and thank you.
Another great chapter! What I find cool is how you show that ponies are omnivores, which is a first for me to find in any kind of fic( Except for like pony on earth stories). Other than that keep up the good work!
1750849It will probably be some idiotic politician. Think like Councilman Udina from Mass Effect.
Was that a projection of Discord's consciousness across the galaxy? That is pretty cool. I wonder if that means he will have an appearance later on.
The Great and Powerful Trixie is going to sue Twilight Sparkle for copyright infringement of my name!
Dashie is an orphan? Aww... she has such great friends!
1750822 Seen it been done before. Like in this.
However, I will admit what shirotora did here was out of the blue and a very... I can't say nice or pleasant due to the subject matter, but enjoyable twist.
Will we be seeing more of the Great and Powerful Twilight?
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Yesh
love this stuff MOAR plz
Also, omnivore ponies? That is something I've rarely seen outside of FO stories. This story not only does it, but gives good reason for it too. One question though. Does that mean that Avol cows, sheep, and other traditionally herbivorous creatures that shown sapience in show are omnivores as well?
1750901
that would explain the lack of available meat.
1750849 feel free to use that all you want. It's true the meat has nutrients that are necessary for sentient thought that you can't get from veggies. Then I noticed something in the show. For foods that typically have meat (i.e. Bacon, lettuce, tomato sandwich) they have with flowers replacing the meat (i.e. Daisy, lettuce, tomato), then there's the fact that other than Fluttershy's critters, all other animal life is viscous killers made me think about the idea of engineering meat-flowers
1750889
Perhaps, perhaps not...
Discord... no. Who it is will be revealed latter though. The box has a very important purpose, too.
1750901 Did the sheep show sentience? I don't remember. As for cows though... well there's a funny story behind those.
I finish reading the previous chapter, refresh, then new chapter!!! You earn 3 moustaches.
I think I have a good idea who that shopkeeper was.
(Also, I plan on reworking OHoaT instead of scrapping it, I'm just gonna make it shorter than I originally planned, still about 1 million words though)
1750924In one of the episodes(Sister Hooves Social i think), the Apple sisters are herding some sheep into a pen, and then one of the sheep said, "You could have just asked."
Tis not Discord. Makes me wonder then. Did you ever describe Xander's physical appearance?
Perhaps, perhaps not. So it may be an idiot politician trying to ruin her day or it could be some military guy with his head shoved too far up his rear to notice she isn't hostile.
1750911Not to mention the known carnivores/predator species like gryphons, dragons and diamond dogs.
This chapter is filled with d'awwwww
1750924Yeah, I'm pretty sure sheep are sentient.
1750930 I'm sure you do
1750947 I remember now.
1750965 Thanks for the catches and dawwwww look at da cute wittle puppy. How can I say no to that?
1751014I was sure I had a good idea who it was, but you said no. That could have been some mis-direction from you, it may not have been. I'l just have to continue reading to find out who he is.
1751030 I won't out right lie... maybe
The meat part was a small kick to the pants, but the smiling children is the best part of this chapter
1751041Maybe? Hmm..... I can can work with maybe.
1751046 I sense a pattern forming here... maybe
1750924
Out of curiosity (whilst eating some pie actually) I tried to think of what would be a good antagonist for Twilight who didn't go into the realms of a caricature and retained some sympathy from the audience. The best I came up with was a fellow soldier with an intense distrust of magic and some serious post-trauma issues. After all, they are at war with magic-users. It wouldn't be entirely beyond plausibility for some of the soldiers to foster an intense hatred of magic after they've seen the devastation it can cause on their own men. If you had seen your entire squad, all your friends, wiped out by magic then you would probably be a bit wary, if not downright hostile, to those that throw it around on a day to day basis.
Just an idea though
1750924 A viscous killer? So they're all a thick, slimy semi-solid liquid?
I think you mean vicious.
viscous: Having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid; having a high viscosity.
1751059Not trying to start any patterns. Just saying that I can build theories off of maybe
It's fairly accepted that the reason we [homo sapien] got a big head is due to the chimps adding meat to their diet of vegetation. Think of vegetation as poor quality 87-octane gas, then think of meat as JP-8 jet fuel. It's silly to think ponies could get large brains on just a diet of daisy sandwiches and hay fries.
1751062It could be someone with some serious issues. Seems likely in a genocidal war against Life itself.
1751062 There might be something similar to that in the future.
1751063 The probably have killer slime
1751065
Too bad, you started one anyway maybe
1751078 My point exactly
1751087Ok. I just met you.This might sound crazy. Here's my number. Call me, maybe?
1751103 That's also only the prelude. You can't tell if the cakes good by just tasting the frosting.
1751097Oh god. You've officially taken it too far maybe
Congratulations. I originally planed to be only a silent viewer of the stories on this side. But yours got me actually to register and leave a comment on your great work. I really enjoy your story so far. And find joy in the little remarks of other series. May I asume that the strange guy with black and white hair was actually Zecora? I think I know what you did there. A character from Star Trek comes to mind here. And I think Zecora is indeed somewhat based on her. Of course I talk about Guinan. After I read the first chapter I somewhat thought this would be a crossover with the Warhammer 40k universe. But I was entirely wrong. All I have to say is, keep up your good work. It is really appreciated.
1751120No, you're the one who took it too far. Look at that poor little word so far away from his family and friends. He might be able to return maybe
1751123 Your assessment is logical, but I won't confirm or deny
1751129 He just needed some time to himself maybe
1751123I think it might be Discord because because of the black and white hair(his beard is white and his mane is black) and Twilight made mention of his eyes that remind her of somebody. Though it could be some sort of projection by Zecora.
1751145
This sums my response to this story pretty well maybe
1751196 maybe
I love that someone actually addressed the fact you can't get hyper intelligent sentient life form from a herbivore diet.
as soon as Twilight said something about a stage to the children i knew she was going to do a Trixie parody i love it btw, i have a real soft spot for kids
>>>“What?” Twilight queried, “You thought I was an herbivore? You can't sustain the kind of brain needed for sentient, sapient thought with an herbivore's diet.”>>>
I would first point out that elephants are absolute herbivores, and in fact survive on a very low-protein diet... and yet have extraordinarily large and advanced brains.
Secondly, the sole nutrient difficult to acquire through plant sources is cobalamine (B12), which is produced mainly by bacteria and archae. Human gut bacteria cannot produce enough of the precursor to satisfy dietary needs, thus the nutritional requirement.
Protein: Eat combinations of plant materials to include all essential amino acids. Note: Essential animo acids are not the same for all species. Herbivorous species tend to possess the synthetic enzyme pathways to produce many of the amino acids humans require in their diets.
Zinc: Nuts, peas, seeds, and whole soy contain sufficient zinc.
Iron: Humans cannot absorb non-heme iron found in plants as efficiently as other animals, namely, herbivorous animals.
Vitamin D: Even humans can synthesize more than enough of this vitamin, so long as they allow the skin to be exposed to 15-30 mins of direct sunlight daily (no sunscreen which blocks the UV rays utilized. From Wikipedia: "10,000 and 20,000 IU of vitamin D produced in 30 minutes of whole-body exposure,[94] in the skin of most vertebrate animals, including humans.[95] 7-dehydrocholesterol reacts with ultraviolet light of UVB type at wavelengths between 270 and 300 nm, with peak synthesis occurring between 295 and 297 nm." Cats and dogs are among the only animals completely incapable of synthesizing Vitamin D.
Iodine: Using sea salt provides more than enough iodine for nutritional requirements.
In addition, using milk and eggs in the diet solves most of these nutritional concerns. Egg yolks and cheese (via the bacteria, especially Lactobacillus sp. used in the creation of cheese) contain enough B12. And egg protein is quite complete in amino acids as well as easily digestible. Cooking eggs releases more B12 from the binding proteins that inhibit absorption when a raw egg is eaten.
AND NOW YOU KNOW!!
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I have a feeling that, while it wasn't Discord, it Was someone... close to him.
>>>There was one filly in my class that was even killed because she was so desperate. She tried getting a cutie mark in manticore wrestling.”>>>
And this, my fellow bronies, is what we call 'natural selection at work'. I nominate this filly for a Darwin Award.
1750849 To add credence to this, ponies eating eggs is cannon. You can't make cake without eggs and remember that time Spike asked Pinkie for a quill, she offered him a quiche. Eggs are the primary ingredient of a quiche. This means that ponies being omnivores is cannon. It's just that with the love and friendship theme of the show, most people assume that ponies would be horrified at the sight of meat. Not to mention that most of the meat animals on earth can talk in the show or are pets.
So, I take that this incident with Xander takes place after season because Twilight mentions how the CMC finally got their cutie marks, but onw question, about how long after season two?
Also, nice touch with the Great and Powerful Twilight
I like how she even spoke in third person
(Top hat..? Hmmm...quite....)
However, when I was reading this I found it a bit hard to understand the transitions. I had to read them both (the first two) about ten times each to understand what was going on. Just thought I would mention that.
This story is really interesting, I am looking forward to see where this goes ^-^
-sonic rain
1751249 I believe that they also eat marshmallows in one episode. Marshmallows are made from gelatine which is formed from the by products of animals, including equines. It is entirely possible the ponies are adorable cannibals...
>>>“No, I didn't know her very well.” Twilight said, “I didn't really have any friends when I was a filly, except for my older brother, and foal sitter.”>>>
Twilight continued, "And my butterfly collection. They would speak to me when I was feeling lonely..." Twilight brought out, from some mysteriousand unexplained spatial pocket where ponies keep things they carry, a box with a number of dead butterflies pinned inside it. She pointed with her hoof toward a Painted Lady. "His name's Mortimer. He gives me lots of good advice!" She suddenly leaned down, "What's that, Mortimer? Kill them all? But I don't... yes... yes, of course. You're right, Mortimer. I should never question your divine judgement..."
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Debby pulled out the tranquilizer gun...
1751266 that one I'm fairly sure they use artificial gelatine for. Although gelatine is made from the hooves specifically so it could be their trimmings, unlikely but possible.
1751228 That's pretty cool. I knew a lot of that, but I could have sworn there was something else that prevented human level logic and creativity (our REAL strength). You learn something new every day.
1751264 I mentioned earlier it's eight years after she moved to Ponyville. If you only read the old 'preview version' you wouldn't have read that part.
1751286 If by tranquilizer gun you mean baseball bat.
1751300 Would you eat someone else's toe nail clippings?
1750924 Yes, one spoke and said the line, "You could have just asked." after they were rounded back in a corrale.
The cows worship their Pony overlords as gods and feel that being consumed by them will give them an elevated place in the Eternal Pastures.
(I can come up with all sorts of crazy, yet plausible-sounding BS for this kinda stuff. Religious fanaticism is easy to exploit to explain both alien and human societal oddities.) 