Script Dangles

"Please, if you have any information contact myself or any of the staff immediately so we can put this matter to bed. It is my job to make sure that every student is accounted for and taken care of. Now, with that being said, please to be aware of the sign ups for the Horse Hockey Team tryouts, they will be held soon." He looked around the dining hall half hoping that the young mare would be within the ranks of the students. "You may all go back to your classes, and please, any information, anything at all, let a teacher, staff, or myself know immediately. That is all." Greyhoof turned and started down the platform and through a side door. Students were chattering as they started to leave the dining hall heading back to their classes. Professor Mirror stood behind and to the left of the Headmaster. Cloaked in his shadows, it was difficult to say he was even there at all. Carefully, he listened to what he had to say. If you have any information.... He imagined the young mare that had vanished. In his mind's eye, she swam in the soothing blue and green ocean within the sphere in his desk. Then he imagined his Queen. He could almost hear her laughter echoing in his ears. The sound of it sent a shudder up his spine, like the legs of spiders, crawling up the center of his back. The Headmaster's words died from the air in the dining hall. The Professor's horn shimmered gently and he ceased to exist. ...when he stepped from the shadows once more, he was in his room again. The mirror in the corner was covered with its dust cloth. The artifact was hidden away in his desk. Neither was nearly as harmless as they seemed to be. He needed to speak to his fellow Professor again, Turner. He needed to know how much he truly understood about the danger at hand. And for his part, Smoking Mirror needed to decide if he actually intended on stopping it. * @@HackTune, @,@@Summer Breeze, 'maybe, I'm not sure yet. since we have most afternoons off, we have a lot of spare time. but I'm not a real athlete' summer said to hacktune, then she turned her face to flearia 'how about you, shall we all join the hockey team together?' then summer saw professor dangles in the hallway 'hello mister dangles, is the class going to start? what are we going to talk about today?' summer said to him. she was happy to have english now, it was her favorite subject and proffessor dangle was her favorite teacher to is that because he gives my favoirte subject or because of an other reason? summer thought by herself. The Professor entered the classroom behind all of the students, closing the door behind him as he did. He wasn't far enough behind them that he couldn't hear their conversation, though. And what he heard from the young, pretty pegasus at the front of his class made his smile. He didn't bother to hide it a bit. "A real athlete, hm?" he asked her. "I'm not so sure I've ever met one of those before. I've just met ponies who like to have fun playing sports." He gave her a little wink. "Please...don't let your inexperience or what you think might be a lack of ability hold you back from joining the team. This will be the first year the University's had a horse hockey team -- and it's much more important that we build a tradition of having fun before we worry about winning. And as for the experience and ability part...just let your coach handle that," he chuckled. He took up a position in front of the class, his eyes sweeping across all of them. "Now, before we get started today, I want to talk a little bit about Headmaster Greyhoof's message," he said, his tone growing serious. "I want each and every one of you to know that -- even above the classes I teach here at the school -- it's absolutely vital to me that every student in attendance at the University can feel secure in their safety. I realize that many of you are magically inclined," he looked briefly upon Flearia next to Summer Breeze. "Many of you are quite powerful and capable. But I also want you to know that you have my solemn promise that I will protect every single one of you, no matter what it takes. So if any of you are frightened or worried that something might happen to you...please. You can come to me at any time and I'll do what's necessary to make sure you're safe." He sighed slightly. "Okay," his smile returned. "Now that that's out of the way, let's begin our lesson..."

The professor stopped halfway in through the doorway. He'd been furious with himself for being late. All he'd wanted was a quick drink of water...and being so new to the University, he'd managed to get himself lost along the way. Now, everything was a mess. Class was starting, the Headmaster was talking over the intercom.... He hated being late. It wasn't like him at all. He expected his students to be on time; it was a terrible example to set for them. If he was only better with magic, he could have just whisked himself away, popped in right next to his desk with a sly smile. But no. He was going to be late. All the students were standing up from their chairs, getting ready to go down to the dining hall. Script just sighed. He followed them on their way.

@@Stardust*, The mirror began to shimmer, almost if looking into a black pool of water. It gave off a greenish glow almost as dark as the deep black waters. There were sounds of little tiny hoof steps, as if a foal was trotting behind that darkness. The Professor stiffened. Something in the pit of his stomach weight slightly light. It was happening. He closed his eyes gently. He need see no more to know. She was coming. The image of a tiny foal peering back at Smoking Mirror. She tilted her head in one direction, and then the other, almost if studying the stallion that was standing before her. She then gave a very large smile and started dancing around as if trying to catch a beautiful butterfly. She would stop and look back at Smoking Mirror, and then get even more excited and continue dancing around. Finally she came to a stop, out of breath and inhaling as much air as she possibly could. Once she caught her breath she began to speak. "Gee, you sure are big and strong, you look just like my big bwobber." She giggled. "I sure hope you don't have a special some pony." She giggled again. "You sure have a huuuuuuge pwace. I would wove to see the whole pwace." She looked past Smoking Mirror and saw the orb resting on a small table. Her eyes grew very large, a very thin smile appeared on her muzzle. She peered at it, and her eyes went from a bright blue to a deep green. She could no longer hold her figure. A deeper voice came from the little foal, "Oh my dear, dear Smoking Mirror. You have done so well." The Professor bowed low. "My Queen..." he said, his muzzle almost upon the floor. He wondered if she could see the way that he trembled in her very presence. It was only then that her words settled in on him. He'd expected her to be furious with him, to shred him with scathing words. After a fashion, he deserved no less. This was...unexpected. The tiny white foal began to deform, looking as if it were very painful. She hunched over as her spine elongated, her head whipped back as her tiny face exploded into a full grown mares head and muzzle. One leg would shoot out and the almost disgusting looking mess of a pony was twitching on the floor of this dark mass that surrounded her. As the transformation was coming to an end, there could be a maniacal laugh coming from the now balled up black body of a full grown mare. She stood, her legs were thin, strong, her horn was curved in more than one direction and ridged. Her delicate wings flitted as if to dry them, as the newly born butterfly. She opened her eyes, and that deep green shot straight to the orb once again. She was beautiful. She was horrifying. She was breathtaking in the way that the hurricane could be lovely, in the way that the erupting volcano could be stunning. Professor Mirror watched her transformation in silent awe. He could hear his heart, like thunder in his ears, his breathing, like the only sound in existence. "Oh, Smoking Mirror, you got my gift. I am so pleased. Have you noticed the wonderful effects yet? Oh how this is going to be such an enjoyable time for you. You will be able to hunt and feast with the others. They will be arriving when the time is right." She gazed longingly into the orb. He looked behind himself. At first, he had no idea what to say at all. Then, he uttered the words that would surely see to his damnation. "I am humbled by your gift, my Queen," he said. "And I look forward to that time with great relish. To drink deep of their love with my brothers and sisters." Something in the pit of his stomach seemed to quiver. "OH! Wonderful, absolutely wonderful, it has already affected that batpony. This is even better than I could have imagined." She laughed and it filled the room. The Professor laughed along with her. He felt her dark delight even through the mirror. It seemed to race his veins as if it were his own blood. "But how, my Queen?" he asked her. "How does it achieve its marvelous effects?" "Do not be afraid my love, you will feel its effects soon, don't fight the feelings that you have. Embrace them and feed on them, they will give you strength. Find that pony, have her gaze into it, let it hold her, let it feed her. You are so close, you will accomplish my wishes, you will do this because you love me. Just as I love you. Oh you will make me proud my darling. I am so happy you called to me." She reached out as to touch Smoking Mirror, she looked longingly into his eyes... The Professor dared reach out, his hoof shaking as he reached out as well. To touch her, even for a moment.... ...and with a flash she vanished in a puff of smoke. And like that, she was gone. His hoof touched the cold, flat surface of the dark mirror once more. The Professor slumped into a heap, where he sat. The whole of the ordeal washed over him as a tidal wave of emotion. He began to shiver gently in place, the light from the sphere providing the only illumination in the room. He managed to look in its direction, long enough to come to an awful realization... ...its blue color. It was exactly the same as Queen Chrysalis' eyes. He thought he might have felt a tear slide down the plain of his cheek.

@@Stardust* It had been a spectacular day. Outside the sun was shining. As he'd walked across campus to the building in which his classroom lay, he'd watched the big, beautiful tufts of white clouds idly gliding above him. The trees and bushes that lined the walkway were a lush, deep green and he stopped for a moment to watch a swarm of butterflies flutter above a riot of flowers between them in a chaotic dance of motion and color. It put a smile on his face as he entered the building, walking into the room the would soon be full of his students. Script hummed to himself as he arranged the books in the classroom. He liked to be prepared before a lesson. If he was going to ask that his students did so, it was only fair that he did so, as well. He started to write on the chalkboard. Today was the English part of the course. He wondered how many of his students had a passion for language and how many were just attending to fulfill a requirement of their major. He also wondered if he'd have a massive scorpion in attendance, today. Maybe he should have a lesson plan for that, too. * The sphere continued to pulse and shimmer in deep cerulean and ebon radiance. It had done so all night long. Professor Mirror knew this because he'd gazed into its depths until the candles in his room at last burned themselves down to their brass sticks. All that remained of illumination, now, was that deep and pervading glow that it shed. It was soothing, after a fashion. It was an abomination. Something that should not be, he knew. Despite its external beauty, he knew better to allow it to lull him into a false sense of security. And so, he watched it so, his dark eyes reflecting its radiance. All night long. At last, he could bear no more. The Professor stood from his seat and crossed the room to the corner, where the mirror stood. With the wave of a hoof, he shed the dust cover that shrouded it, allowing the gentle trail of smoke that perpetually rolled outward from its utterly black surface. In its depths, he could see himself reflected, the sphere and its unnatural, breathtaking glow behind him. That which appears most beautiful...is very often evil in disguise, he reminded himself. If anyone knew that well, it was she. Smoking Mirror looked into the depths of the darkness...past his reflection, past the reflection of the sphere and its kaleidoscopic shimmering. It was like immersing himself into a pool of complete, all-consuming night. Ensconced in that blackness, he whispered for her. "Your Majesty," he said. "Your beautiful, inestimable majesty. Your most loyal subject calls to you...." It was like uttering the final words of a love poem. Or perhaps, the vilest curse ever spoken.

@@Guirdann, @@reader8363 "Well it's a sore subject but I didn't told you how my soul is still tied to my body without magic so I can't blame you" "if it's actually a shard and we are still sane after that you can do what you want with it and even try to find the element but don't even try to include me in this madness without a good reason." Professor Mirror listened carefully. He did not like what he was hearing a single bit. Gold re read a bit of the notes trying to remember what he knew of the shards " From what I have gathered the shards are indeed tangible but I suppose they differ in shape and power like, this power is not evil but incredibly overwhelming so it could affect the psyche of people by drawing somethings they don't want out of them. it could explain what the orb did to me. but we are not sure it's a shard. I could check with the lens but it was broken" "Allow me to set your mind at ease, Professor," the black-robed pony beside him said. "One thing that I know for certain is that the artifact is whole. What you see is complete, not a shard of some sort." Madness flinch and slanted his eyes, then he said, "Really. I guess it wasn't thought of. Then again, my name isn't common. So it affects ponies minds." His horn glowed and the orb appeared on his hoof. "It doesn't look that dangerous. I know you already said it not, but I really don't see anything special with it." Professor Mirror frowned. "I think not," he said. He turned his hoof over and then back again. From the midst of his grasp, the sphere vanished. There / Not there. He simply dismissed the spell that had invoked it into their presence in the first place. "I am unprepared to pass a judgement regarding its safety until I've committed more study to it." Where the artifact was now, who could say? He nodded. "Thank you for your insight, Professor Turner," he said. Likewise, he nodded in the direction of the pony with the utterly dark eyes. "Madness," he said, acknowledging him, as well. His horn shimmered gently, colorlessly. And then, just as the sphere had done, he winked out of existence. * When he reappeared, he did so in his chambers once more. He glanced over at the desk. There, the sphere sat, its meandering blue colors shifting and warping gently. As it was before he'd spoken to his colleague, it was ever an enigma. The thought of it bothered the professor in a deep and fundamental way. He looked at his mirror. Took a deep breath. He knew someone that would know what it represented. Did he dare ask her?

@@Guirdann, @@reader8363 Gold approached the sphere, watching carefully his steps, completely mesmerized by the sphere. " I felt it before..." He muttered "But … Where?..." Professor Mirror watched his fellow faculty member's reflection distort as he drew nearer to the artifact. His eyes were wide, lit by the unearthly blue of the sphere so it was as if he stared into flame. He had lost some of the color from his coat. Something was obviously amiss. "Where, indeed," he said quietly, hoping the tone of his voice might break him from his reverie. G.S slowly brought a hoof next to the sphere, the movement so slow that you could believe he was immobile. " It's like in... " He whispered struggling to talk as if the sphere didn't allowed him to talk. The sphere distorted itself, pulsating, wanting to close the gap between the hoof. As the artefact grew closer to the fur a low humming could be heard. Gold began to shiver, in his eyes a blood red symbol flashed for a fraction of second it was an half finished hexagon with three diagonals. Gold quickly backed away " NO! No! no...." He picked up his tank-fish and hugged it tightly like it was the only thing that kept him from fading away. "It's not the same, it's not the same, it's not the same, it's not the same... You are not in the Room." It was not going well. The presence of the sphere had obviously triggered...something within the Professor. A memory, perhaps? A phobia? It was impossible to tell and in any case, Professor Mirror had little time to ponder it. "Professor Turner!" he said, his voice raised to almost a shout. You are with me: Professor Smoking Mirror! You are in the University of Canterlot's dining hall. You are safe. You have nothing to fear!" He looked at the sphere again fear in his eyes but the object was standing still like nothing happened, just the ominous feeling remained. Gold breathed deeply a few times and said loudly "I don't know what it is, but I know it's essence." He got up on his hooves "Let's hope it's not a shard..." "A shard?" Professor Mirror lifted a brow. "Good pony, please speak plainly. What is he nature of this item's essence? And what is the shard you speak of--?" He stopped in mid-sentence when he realized that the two of them were no longer alone. At some point, beneath his notice, evidently another pony had slipped into the dining hall with them. He turned his attention in his direction as he approached them. Madness walked in and said. "I couldn't help but hear you from the hall. So I came in and wanted to know what's going on?" He walked closer as he changed his body to his original and took off his altering glasses to show his eyes. The professor slit his eyes as he watched the transformation take place. The hair on the back of his mane stood on its end. Could it be--? No. No, the muting and bending of shape was different. It was something worked by magic, not by the gift of birth, as was the case of his own kind. He took in a deep breath, then exhaled it in a whisper of a sigh. "Where are my manners. My name is Madness." "Indeed?" he replied. He glanced once at his fellow faculty member, then back at the newcomer. "I am Professor Mirror. This is Professor Turner. Are you a student here, or staff?" The way he asked the question, it was clear that Madness had intruded upon a private matter.

Things had a funny way of working themselves out, sometimes. Script hadn't gone straight home. No, he had a lot that he needed to have done before seven, and the sun was already setting over the straight-line horizon, dusk encroaching into what was left of daytime. So once he'd turned away, he'd headed back into town. The next hour or so, he'd spent spinning about the immense gazebo-like structure that served as its center. He'd looked in storefront windows, at first, but when that searching frustrated him, he started to stop ponies that looked like they might be helpful. Excuse me, miss...can you tell me where I can find a florist? Pardon me, sir...I'm new here. Can you recommend a nice place to take a mare to dinner? Preferably one where maybe they play soft music by your table? Oh, and is there a river nearby? Something with maybe a bridge over the top of it? It was a lot of questions asked to a lot of strangers and Script felt terribly self-conscious about asking them. But what he had discovered, after he had finished and turned his back on Ponyville for his house, was that he'd learned a lot about his adopted home. He had learned about all the shoppes in town, learned their keeper's names, and studied their wares. He'd also discovered that the ponies here were kind and friendly and always seemed to have a moment for you – even when you asked them questions that he knew probably seemed strange and annoying. The birds were out and singing and the sun had set fire to the sky before disappearing. It wasn't Chicoltgo...but maybe it was even better, in its own charming way. There was only one way it was going to get better, he considered. And she was going to be at his house at seven. If she shows up at all, he reminded himself, opening the door to his house once he'd arrived and shutting it after himself. It wasn't like you exactly gave her a choice. He tried not to dwell on it too much. He had his flowers and he had his reservations for their dinner at a quaint little outdoor cafe. He'd planned out the route on which he'd take her afterwards, if all went well, for a nice walk under the stars. That was ever Script: The plan, written out carefully, like the plots to one of his novels. He got into his shower and cleaned himself. When he finished, combing his mane and brushing his teeth, night had claimed the day. It was almost time. He waited in his living room listening for the door. He couldn't help himself; he imagined how he'd feel if her knock never came.

@@Guirdann He watched all the students begin to file out of the dining hall. "Now that your ability to speak in a cogent fashion has returned, Professor," the cloak-clad stallion said, "I would have a word with you." "Thank you for the gem but why do I feel like I'm going to be lectured" He walked toward the back of the hall, waiting to ensure that they were alone and out of earshot of anyone else. "Privately." Suddenly very interested Gold Star picked up his aquarium and followed his colleague. "or involved in something illegal..." He shrugged " let's just roll with it" The Professor seemed to ignore his comment. Instead, he held up an empty hoof. He turned it over, his horn shimmering with an ominous wavering. He turned it back upwards...and to his mild amazement, his fellow faculty member saw that something suddenly rest slightly above it. The spell was called Not There / There: A means of teleporting an object to a pony's self from some secure location, a great distance away. It was not a common spell, by any means. More interesting than the unusual prestidigitation was the object now floating weightlessly above his dark hoof. It appeared to be a sphere of some sort. It was a beautiful lapis lazuli color, though the light in the dining hall seemed to reflect upon a sheen on its surface like the inside of an abalone shell. Strangely, it seemed not to be solid, but inconsistent in substance. In its depths, something shadowy seemed to lurk, lurching restlessly within its blue tides. To look upon it made something in the pit of the stomach churn. It was undoubtedly enchanted, but there was something...sinister about the sphere, something awful. It was as if nature itself seemed to recoil it its presence. As if reality itself wanted to expel it from its presence. It was difficult to look at for more than a solid moment. Even a glance at it seemed to send something cold and terrible climbing slowly up the ladderwork of a pony's spine. "It is my understanding," Professor Mirror said, looking into the eyes of his fellow teacher, "that you are the school's Reliquarian, hm? You have something of a specialty in magical artifacts." He held up the sphere so that it was directly between the two of them. Roiling darkly within. "What do you know of this, Professor?"

I've just started teaching at the University of Canterlot! It's an amazing place with many unique and talented students. I'm not only in charge of the English and Creative Writing departments, but I'll also be coaching the school's Horse Hockey team, come the winter. It's so exciting to be around so many young stallions and mares with so much untapped potential!!! SD

@ Gold looked surprised for a moment. He put the tank fish he had on his back on the floor and began to talk to the new pony. "Well, not for me since I ear you speaking Spanieghsh but you should at least understand me." "You must have changed the default setting of the gem, Impressive. You see this is not a normal translation spell: it transform the sound wave to every being into their native or most used language by using their magical link as an anchor. And since I can't be recognised by the gem I had somepony set a default setting to passively transform the soundwave in Prench." "I see," Professor Mirror nodded. "I sensed the language-warping aspect of the stone. I'm pleased to see it's functional once more." Now if you could just tune down the magical resistance of the gem to reset the compatibility to your magic, that would be awesome." The Professor regarded it anew. Once more, his horn began to shimmer gently. One of the gemstone's facets seemed to gleam, as if struck by a ray of sunshine just so. "It is done. Your stone's compatibility has been shifted." Dinner concluded after a short while and all of the dishes and left overs disappeared from the tables. The students began to get up and make their ways to their houses. The staff began to make their way to their rooms and that ended the first day of classes. He watched all the students begin to file out of the dining hall. "Now that your ability to speak in a cogent fashion has returned, Professor," the cloak-clad stallion said, "I would have a word with you." He walked toward the back of the hall, waiting to ensure that they were alone and out of earshot of anyone else. "Privately."

@@Guirdann, " Enfin quel qu'un qui pourra m'aider " he exclaimed. " He l'amis, enchanté. On feras les présentations après. pourrais tu recharger cette gemme s'il te plais? " he said to the new grey pony while waving the gem in front of his head. The Professor cocked his head slightly. He wasn't familiar at all with the language the young stallion before him was using -- so it all just kind of blew by him in a sudden burst of gibberish, like a brisk wind. Whatever he wanted, it seemed very important, though. He held up a hoof to pause him. "Please," he said, turning the gesture into a beckoning motion, "come with me." He started to lead him up to where the rest of the faculty was seated. Script was going to turn him over to the Headmaster, until he saw the darksome stallion seated beside him. He thought he remembered the professor -- was his name Mirror or something? -- had something to do with magic at the University. He was about to say something...but the Professor spoke instead, stopping him in mid-thought. "A translator gem," he said, more to the young stallion next to him than to Script. He did his best to slip away, unnoticed. Mirror seemed to know quite well what the matter was...and the English professor really didn't want to have anything to do with magic. "Clever," the black-cloaked pony said. His horn shimmered gently. It had the look to it like heat rising off of a highway. The same effect ensconced the gem for a moment before it gave off a sudden flash, like the birth of a star. It seemed to glow with an inner light. Professor Mirror smiled at the young stallion before him. It was a thin, mirthless smile. "Better?" he asked, simply.

@@Stardust*, As the headmaster left the room he magically popped a scroll onto Professor Dangles desk. The Professor's eyes widened for a moment. As the sight of the sheaf of parchment suddenly coming into existence, he felt that old, familiar stress rise up from the pit of his stomach, bowling ball thick. He realized he was standing stiff, all the tiny hairs beneath his mane standing on their ends. Nevertheless, he did his best to act, calm, casual. Even with the Headmaster gone, he didn't want to betray his nerves. It was the way he always felt around... ...magic. Professor Dangles wasn't much like an ordinary unicorn. He'd known that since he was a young colt. His entire life hadn't really consisted of much outside of going back and forth to a hockey rink or school. And that had shaped him indelibly, made him...different. Most young unicorns spend so much of their time at play with their friends, honing their magical skills without really even knowing it. But it was different for a horse hockey player. In the game, the use of magic was explicitly forbidden. It was a way that allowed Earth Ponies to compete in the sport. In the same way, pegasi weren't allowed to fly. For Script, that had been a way of life growing up. Practicing for hours at a time, every day. And all that time, never using magic. By the time he'd gone to high school, it had become apparent. The other unicorns levitated stacks of books to and fro with ease. Some were even capable of teleporting. But not Script. He was barely capable of moving a pencil with his horn, turning the pages of one of his beloved tomes, without breaking into a sweat. Somehow, it was something he'd managed to hide, from the teachers, the counselors. They really didn't care, either, as long as he kept scoring goals and winning essay contests. But he knew. And it was the source of a terrible embarrassment for him. So it was that whenever he saw an unusual feat of magic, close up, he started to get nervous. He felt that lump in his stomach. It was the physical manifestation of somebody finding out his secret, of everyone laughing at him for being so clumsy and inept. At last, he took a deep breath. The feeling subsided. He was alone. It was okay. Nobody could see him. He took a look over at the scroll the Headmaster had left him. It was the directions to where the ice arena would be. Included was an advertisement for the horse hockey team. It read... Attention all Students!! On this date _________ there will be tryouts for our brand new HORSE HOCKEY TEAM!!!! All students are encouraged to try out and show everypony else what this school is made of!! Please sign up in Professor Dangles classroom and take a map to help you get to the arena. Stallions AND Mares are encouraged to come out for the team! -Headmaster Greyhoof A small note appeared with a message for the professor. Feel free to make copies so that there are enough maps for the students and enough bulletins to place around the campus. I do hope this works, just be sure to add the date that you are wanting to hold the tryouts. -Greyhoof He put the paper down. Its content brought a smile to his face. This was really going to happen! He was going to coach his own team! And not just any team, either...but the University of Canterlot's inaugural horse hockey team! It was like a dream come true for him. He slipped the paper into his desk and left the classroom, making sure to lock the door behind himself up tight. Attention all students! There was an announcement that came over the campus. I do apologize, the bell must have malfunctioned, but the time has come to end all classes and make your way to the dining hall. We will be enjoying a marvelous dinner prepared by our wonderful cooks. Please make your way there now. Thank you, that is all. The speakers went silent and then there was the wonderful noise of brilliant students making their ways through the corridors and into the dining hall. The Professor decided that he'd head down to the dining hall, as well. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to sit with the other students or not -- no one had said if the faculty had separate eating arrangements -- but he would do so anyway. It might give him a chance to get to know some of them better, after all. The thought put a smile on his face that lingered all the way down the stairs and across campus to the eating hall. ____________________________________________________________________________ As the students were beginning to file into the dining hall the food started to appear on the tables. This night they were going to enjoy hot apple cider, fried oats, a dandelion salad, and a vegetable and noodle soup. For dessert there will be carrot cake and sugar peanuts. The headmaster stood and cleared his throat, clanking his goblet as he did so. "This brings an end to our first day of classes here together. I do hope that you were able to find your class rooms and maybe even met a few new ponies along the way. Now onto a little business. The schedules have been a bit changed do to some last minute problems that had to be solved." He unrolled a scroll that was on the podium. "All of the first years, your classes for tomorrow will be as follows: Ancient Artifacts with Professor Turner Defense Class with Professor Bolt Lunch Magic with Professor Mirror I will make an announcement tomorrow during dinner as to which classes you will be having that following day. This will give you all a little bit of time to relax, and not have as much to worry about every night as far as homework. That is all, please enjoy your dinner and when we are done retire to your houses for the night. Lights out will be at 10pm, make sure that you are all in your houses, the head pony will have roll call right at 10, make sure you are there." Professor Dangles walked into the dining hall, just as Headmaster Greyhoof was finished speaking. He'd been late, but had fortunately managed to hear his announcement for the way the quiet hall's echoing magnified his voice. He quickly made for the food line, grabbing himself his fill on a tray. He looked around and saw that most of the faculty was sitting at a main table, on either side of the Headmaster. He smiled to himself. That wasn't what he had in mind, at all. Instead, he sat down at an open spot -- right amongst the rest of the students. If you want respect, he thought, you show respect. ____________________________________________________________________________ @@Stardust*, Alone once more, Professor Mirror pulled the dust cover off of the oval again. He felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment when his own reflection gazed back at him in the utterly black surface of the mirror. The wispy trail of smoke was his only company. He watched himself for a moment that was in still contemplation. Then, as if given a life of its own, the artifact he'd been given moments ago rose upward into the air, floating gently towards him. Eventually, it interposed itself between the Professor and the enchanted obsidian looking glass. He gazed at its reflection. It looked identical to the way it appeared outside the mirror's boundaries. It is whole, he considered carefully. It is exactly as it is meant to be. Fascinating. In the hallway, the bell chimed. The Headmaster was announcing a meal, in the dining hall. Professor Mirror paid it no mind, for the nonce. Instead, he simply guided the artifact into the large drawer of his desk. He locked it conventionally, then whispered an incantation to secure the latch mystically. There, he thought. It should be safe enough. He imagined the students walking down to the dining hall, hurrying so as not to miss the meal. The Professor hardly concerned himself with such things. Instead, he strode towards the door and allowed his horn to shimmer once again. The drop cloth covered the mirror behind him once again. Space directly in his path suddenly bent and folded like a piece of paper suddenly curled in upon itself. Two places, once distant on that blank sheet of reality, now touched. He walked from that first space, his chambers.... ...and into the other, in the dining hall. Just like that, he stood next to the Headmaster. It seemed as if he had appeared from out of nowhere. Perhaps that was as good a description as any as to what he'd actually done.

I can, if anyone would like to ask. That said, I was in college between 1993-1998. That was a long time ago and I'm sure much has changed. I'll certainly do what I can to help, though! One thing I am very experienced with is going on about 40 (no lie) different visits to campuses across America. I can advise the kinds of things to look for and the red flags to steer clear of. SD

I went to school on an ice hockey scholarship. That said, I had the opportunity to go to Colgate University...though in that case, I would have had to have paid a significant amount of my tuition. Since I couldn't do that, I went a different direction. I'm super-happy with the college I chose. But I often wonder how it might have turned out, had I gone to Colgate. SD

I love it that somebody named "Rarity is Best Pony" loves Kreator. Somehow, that just makes me smile. Also...today's listening is:

@@Stardust*, Headmaster Greyhoof simply gave a smile, "Do you think I would want you to teach here without an ice arena?" He chuckled a little bit. Script smirked. "I would hope not," he replied. "But you never know, hm? You could've hired me expecting me to build the thing, too." "You just let me worry about that, when would you like to start practices? I would assume that you would want to have a sign up and then tryouts. Please let me know when you are ready and the ice arena will be ready for you." He nodded. "It's not much of a team without players," he said. "I'd prefer the students get a chance to get settled in before we hold practices. Let them get comfortable and into their studies before we offer anything extracurricular. Say...maybe next week? After that, I'm ready whenever you are, Headmaster." "I'm going to want to see the facility before then, though. Maybe you could give me directions? I'll head over there and take a look for myself," he said. The professor paused for a moment, then added: "Oh, and when it comes time for tryouts, please let the students know that the University of Canterlot team will be accepting both young stallions and mares. I know some other schools don't have co-ed programs, but that's nonsense, to me. I want to be as inclusive as possible. The game is meant to be fun for everyone, regardless of immaterial concerns like gender." Greyhoof turned to go on his way, "Please, if you need anything do not hesitate to ask. You are a fine addition to this school Mr. Dangles." He left the room and headed down the corridor. Professor Dangles waited until the Headmaster was out of earshot to offer a sigh. A fine addition. He certainly hoped to live up to Greyhoof's assessment.

Morning let out a sigh of relief as she levitated her luggage while they walked. Night orchids. This was something she could most definitely handle. And better yet- She'd be in Ponyville celebrating Hearts and Hooves Day. She had heard of it before, considered attending a few times, but never actually got around to it. This was her opportune moment. As she walked alongside the Mayor, she remembered the stubborn Night Orchids in the Royal Garden. Of all of the nocturnally-active plants in Equestria, they were easily the most temperamental. Sometimes it seemed as if each flower had a personality of its own. Many times, they could be accommodating and easily convinced to bloom as nature intended them to. Others -- like the ones she'd left behind in Canterlot to Green Thumb's care -- would fight you tooth and hoof, content to sleep the entire day away like a lazy pegasus, drifting along on a cloud. She could easily imagine why it was that the Mayor was having trouble with the flowers. "You don't have to worry anymore, Miss. Mare. Your Night Orchids are in good hooves now, I'll be sure to have them beautiful and blooming like you've never seen them before." She said with the utmost confidence. She now knew why Princess Celestia had chosen her. This was her specialty- among all of the garden ponies, only she specialized in these types of flowers. She felt useful for once. "Oh, that's wonderful to hear, my dear!" the Mayor replied. She could almost hear the concern melt away from her voice as she said it. "This event is so important to our community...and I have to admit, I'm been worrying my hooves to the quick. It just wouldn't be a proper Hearts and Hooves Day without flowers everywhere!" Morning had a smile on her face as Ponyville came into view. The two mares passed the corner of the building, and it was almost as if Morning could feel her eyes widen at the sight in front of her. Rising from the ground was a great circular structure, something like a gazebo, or a carousel. It had three tiers to it, walkways circling each one, supported by timber beams. It came to a slender peak, upon which a flag rippled in a gentle breeze. It was old and elegant, beautiful in the way that historical buildings could be. It seemed to tell the town's story just by its being, history laden in its smooth wood and dappled mortar. The whole of the town seemed to be constructed all around the edifice in great vague circles. Buildings rounded it like campers about a fire, each one different in its own individual way. They had gorgeous thatched roofs with moss and patina growing upon them, their facades a uniformed off-white. She saw a horseshoe shop next to what looked like a music store. Next to that, she saw a candy shoppe with somebody selling apples out of a cart in front of it. Everything was built with the exposed framework of timbers, giving the place a sense of an old world sensibility. Across each of the streets lined by the buildings, pennants hung, dancing gently in the breeze. Tapestries hung from tall poles at different points, each one portraying one of Equestria's princesses in a lovely, hand-drawn painting. She thought she smelled caramel apples in the air. The two of them were approaching a stone fountain, water jetting up from near its center, where the sculpture of a lovely armored mare reared back on her hind legs. The proud pony frozen in granite, the water splashed down merrily all about her. "Morning Glory," the Mayor said, nodding in the direction of the town, "this is Ponyville." Morning Glory was not unaccustomed to opulence. After all, she was born in Canterlot, of all places. Yet the town seemed to have a particular, specific charm all unto itself. She heard the laughter of foals and fillies at play, somewhere in the town square. It was one of the most beautiful places she'd ever seen in her life.

She waited to see how Morning Glory might respond to the comment. She couldn't know that she had absolutely no idea what she was talking about. So this was it, she'd finally, hopefully, find out what her purpose was here. "Well yes.. I'm hoping to be of service to you, however.." she paused. Mayor Mare seemed to get a bit of panic in her blue eyes at just that much. "Yes?" "Celestia hasn't informed me with what I'm suppose to be doing exactly.. I'm hoping maybe you could explain?" She watched her blink. Once. Twice. Yes. She was panicking. To her credit, the Mayor was doing a pretty good job of not betraying it. "I see," she said, starting off of the platform, leading Glory with her. In the distance, in the direction they were heading, she could see the vague outline of structures, the motions of ponies wandering backwards and forwards. Ponyville proper awaited. "As you know, we're very rapidly coming up on Hearts and Hooves Day. Traditionally, we hold a large festival in town square where all the town's couples -- together and prospective -- get together to celebrate the magic of love. We decorate the square with flowers and ribbons and the children pass out bouquets to all the mares. It truly is a wonderful celebration -- one of the things we take great pride in, here." "This year," she explained, "some of the members of our community's planning committee decided to change things up, slightly. We're going to hold the festival at night, you see. They felt it would be a nice touch, adding a bit of romance to the occasion. We've even invited Princess Luna to attend. But you see," she made a little face, "we're having a terrible time with our evening flowers. Our beds of night orchids just will not cooperate, it seems. They won't bloom when the moon rises. They just sort of...sit there." The Mayor sighed. "Fortunately," she said, "Princess Twilight lives in Ponyville. She agreed to ask Princess Celestia if she'd send one of her best gardeners to help us with our little dilemma. You're who she sent," she smiled. "So I have every bit of faith that you'll be able to help us make this the best Hearts and Hooves Day Ponyville has ever seen!" The Mayor was grinning ear to ear as she said it. Glory might have too...except she could only hear two words out of her sentence, as if echoing on and on and on.... Night orchids.

"I wouldn't mind carrying my own, it isn't a problem." She said politely. She didn't want to impose any more than she felt she already had. After all, she had yet to find out the purpose of this trip, she might be intruding. "Oh," he said, perhaps a little surprise. It didn't take him too long to shoot her a smile. "Okay, Ms. Glory. Whatever you like!" Morning nodded shyly at the mare's question as she shook her hoof. "The trip was lovely, very scenic. I was able to see parts of Equestria I'd never seen before. The ponies that I shared the cart with were quiet, so the ride was peaceful as well." "That's good to hear," the mare replied. "But where are my manners? I'm Mayor Mare," she explained. "This is Brisk Porter. Brisk, if she doesn't need any help with her luggage, you can go now." The stallion nodded. "It was nice to meet you Ms. Glory." He had a lopsided way of only smiling with half of his mouth that seemed kind of charming in an unkempt way. "Welcome to Ponyville!" he said before pushing his wheeled flat along. "I hope I didn't keep you two waiting very long." She shyly brushed her hoof against the ground. She smiled broadly. "Hardly!" she said. "No, you're only a few minutes behind. It's not a problem at all! Especially seeing as how you're going to be the one to solve our, ah..." she paused, trying to find the right words. "...big problem." She sounded a bit nervous, the way she'd said it. She waited to see how Morning Glory might respond to the comment. She couldn't know that she had absolutely no idea what she was talking about.

"Hello, my name is Morning Glory, I see you're here for me." she said, gesturing to the sign. "I apologize for my lateness, there was a bit of a crowd on the train.." She thought it best to apologize, since it couldn't be the most exciting time standing on a platform, waiting for somepony to arrive you had never met before. She did her best to put on a brave face, but she was in fact very shy, she was never one to take the initiative in conversations, but in this case, she didn't have a choice. The older pony returned her smile. "Morning Glory," she repeated her. "It's so nice to finally meet you." She extended her hoof. The pony next to her, she saw, had some kind of a piece of furniture on wheels for a cutie mark. He produced a rolling flat of wood, which he pushed in her direction. "And not a moment too soon, either," he chuckled. "Because--" The mare shot him a withering glance that silenced him immediately. "Can I take your bags, Ms. Glory?" he finally managed. She looked back at Glory, her smile undimmed. "I trust you have had a good trip?"

It's always sunny in Ponyville! That, of course, is the tagline they write on all the literature that they give you at the travel agency: About two dozen little glossy fold-ups that advertise places like Sugarcube Corner and Sweet Apple Acres. All these touristy places that maybe Princess Celestia gave a sidelong look on her way through town at some point or time, where they give you hour-long tours that always end in kitchy gift shops where you can buy spring water at six bits a bottle. About two dozen fold-ups, when all you want is a map and a list of a few good restaurants and hotels. She caught herself wondering if maybe they even had that many to choose from. After all...it wasn't exactly Canterlot she was traveling to. The truth of the matter was...Morning Glory wasn't even exactly sure why she was going to Ponyville. It had all come about in the strangest way that a pony could imagine. It had been an evening just like any other. She'd been tending the Royal Garden, working with an especially obstinate dusk orchid that seemed to delight in refusing to bloom along with its brothers and sisters, preferring to stay shut tight like a newborn foal wrapped in a swaddle of its blankets. She'd been humming a song to herself, misting it carefully with a fine spray bottle. After all, while orchids -- even dusk orchids -- don't like having wet feet, they love nurturing moisture every bit as much as any other flower. "Glory," the voice had come from over her shoulder. She remembered almost jumping. She turned around and saw Green Thumb, the mare in charge of all the gardens, standing there with a big smile on her face. As ever, the verdant-coated pony had on her floppy hat and her saddlebags embroidered with the icon of a pattern of seedlings that matched her cutie mark exactly. She was perhaps twice her age. In her hoof was a small rectangle of papers. "Glory, I have good news for you, she'd said. She was, she supposed, her boss, even though she never treated her like that. She treated her more like she was her grandmother, as kind and gentle with her as she was the hedges and flower beds. "You're going to Ponyville." She must've seen the expression on her face. "You should get your things together," she said, cocking her head in such a way that Glory could tell she understood what she had to've been feeling. "You're leaving tomorrow morning. The Princess' orders." And that had been that. She'd helped her pack her bags in silence. That had been eight and a half hours ago. And now, Morning Glory felt the train beginning to come to a slow, the syncopated sound of the wheels on their tracks losing their staccato tempo, the world outside becoming less and less a blur of motion and increasingly resolving itself into recognizable shapes. Through her window, sunshine streamed into the traincar. Through its transparency, she could she beautiful and lush trees lining the foothills that eventually rose up into snow-capped mountains. Green grass carpeted the world, wildflowers like riots of color where they sprung up next to berry bushes or in wide and low copses of nature. The day's new light seemed to kiss it all with a warm glow that made the dew-touched everything twinkle and shimmer like a fresh and new fairyland. It's always sunny in Ponyville! Morning Glory couldn't help but smile. Maybe there was something to that literature, after all. Outside the window, she could see a train platform come into view. Standing upon it were two figures. One was a matronly-looking mare, proper and refined. She wore bifocals jauntily at rest at the tip of her muzzle, a shock of a white mane blowing in the breeze. Next to her was a powerful looking roan stallion. She couldn't yet see either of their cutie marks from her distance. She could, however, see the sign the stallion held: Ms. Morning Glory, in big black letters. A smiley face drawn beneath it, in the scrawl of a child. It was charming, after a fashion, and in spite of herself, she felt a smile rising to her face. She didn't know why she was there yet. But -- just maybe -- it might not be so bad, after all.

Not a blessed thing. After working ten days straight-- That's a blessing, friend.

Hope I'm not too late To join this conversation. Sounds like so much fun!