Script Dangles

@@Script Dangles, "It's Mr Charmer, my full name is Dapper Charmer. But you can just call me Dapper. That's what my friends do." Dapper picked up one of the books and studied it, "you know I always wanted to go into to writing myself. But I could never sit still long enough to write so I moved on to painting and fell in love." Dapper read the title of the book and turned to Script, "Mazurka? Sound interesting, what's it about." Script looked down at his cutie mark for a moment. The yellow circle grinned back at him. Dapper Charmer. It was the perfect name for the gentleman llama. "It's got a little of everything," the unicorn replied, after his bit of musing. "At it's core, it's a spy story. But it's also got elements of romance and action. A bit of an epiphany, at the end," he explained with a little grin. "A Mazurka is a kind of a dance, like a waltz. All those things -- spies, romances, struggles -- they're like dances, too, you see. That's what the story turns on: The similarities of all those things, at their hearts, when you strip away all their trappings." He glanced down for a moment. Script was terrible at this, he decided. He hated talking about himself, his work. It sounded so...bad, when he said it like that. Pretentious and ridiculous. He remembered his editor urging him to get an agent, shortly before he'd published. He even knew a guy, some...Svengallop, was it? He couldn't remember. All he could think about was that maybe he'd been right. He needed somebody else to help sell his work...because he was pretty awful at it, himself. "Are you here to display some of your work?" Script asked the llama with a wan smile. "I'd love to see some, if you have it."

Lizard Squad = Annoying Script Kiddies. I'm hardly impressed.

Dapper smiled as he took all of his art gear to the area he had reserved weeks ago for the art festival. He loved the arts festival, in fact he came every year. Dapper quietly sang to himself while he set up, unable to hide his joy. When he was finished Dapper decided that, before he started painting, he would look around. As he strolled past the many stands he noticed one that caught his eye. Deciding to take a closer look he walk up to the owner. @@Dapper Charmer, He caught sight of him from at least three stalls away. It might have had something to do with his posture, so upright and proper, like some sort of Canterlot nobility. It might have had something to do with the big smile he had, something beaming and radiant, like some bright and beautiful part of his soul was irrepressible, unable to be held back by his eyes and his mouth. It might have had something to do with.... ...yeah, okay. All of that had something to do with it. But if he were being honest with himself, what had caught his eye, at first, was the bright yellow wool that covered much of his body. It was absolutely impossible to ignore. And so Script stared at him in the way that a pony stares when they're trying really hard to not look like they're staring. When he watched him slowly change direction, heading towards his stall, it was a small mercy. He met his eyes and tried to mirror his brilliant smile as best he could. He knew he was going to fail miserably at that...but at least it helped him play off the staring part. "What a pleasure it is to meet a fellow artist, although it seams," said Dapper looking at the pile of books, "that you prefer to use the quill rather than the paintbrush." Script nodded. He glanced down at the llama's cutie mark: The familiar icon of a happy smiling face. It only had the second-biggest smile at the festival. "I do," he replied with a little nod. "I always wished I could have drawn or painted...but I never had the talent. I guess I just settled for doing what I knew how to do." Instantly, he regretted saying it. Too honest, too soon. "I'm Script Dangles," he introduced himself. "Nice to meet you, Mr...?" As he waited for his reply, he realized that his name was written on his booth's banner in giant black letters, right above his head. Wonderful, he sighed to himself. Smooth. Not awkward at all. Right.

Script looked at it once, straight on. He turned his head sideways to the left... ...then sideways to the right. From all angles, it looked the same. He sighed to himself, shuffling over to his stand, circling behind it, and sitting down. The wooden stand was beautiful. It was covered in a beautiful white cloth that had a colorful red and black bunting along its sides. The colorful material walked up the struts until it became a banner that hung over the top of where he sat. Script Dangles, it read. Barns & Cowbells Up and Coming Writer of the Year. It hadn't been cheap. He'd purchased it two days ago from a beautiful unicorn mare that ran a store from an incredible chiffon building near the center of town. The building had almost looked like a wedding cake with swoops of pastel colors and lattice decorating its sides like icing sugar. He didn't come close to having the courage to ask her what she was doing, later that day, even though he found himself wanting to. A mare like her was too far out of his league to be believed. She probably would have laughed in his face. He'd have might as well have asked out Princess Celestia. In any case, the booth had been worth every bit he'd paid her for it. It was beautiful: A work of art, like her house had been. Script considered that as he straightened the pile of books on the flat of his booth, arranged into a neat pyramid. He'd brought more than a few. He had no idea what the demand for it might be. On the other side, likewise, he straightened the sign that bore his name and the title of his book, "Mazurka". He produced a quill and inkpot, just in case anyone wanted their copy signed, putting them down next to the sign. There, he considered, once it was finished. All ready to go. Back and forth, in front of his booth, he watched the colorful ponies walking by. He didn't know a single one of them. He wondered if any of them might stop at all.

@@Stardust*, The Professor ensured that the door closed tightly behind Greyhoof. He listened to the echoes of his hoofbeats in the hallway receding into the distance and threw the latch, locking the door shut. He turned back towards the corner of the room and allowed himself a sigh. There would be no more interruptions. He was alone, but for the mirror. He whisked the dustcover off of it once again, discarding it into the corner of the room. And perhaps her, he considered, if she deigns it be so. In the pit of his stomach, it was as if a swarm of butterflies took flight and fluttered ajumble within its confines. He feeling was familiar. He had been here many times before. Staring into the utterly black face of the silver-bordered mirror. Watching the thin plume of grey smoke rise forth lazily into the air above it. It seemed to issue forth from the tenebrous flat oval, as if someplace lingered beyond it. It was as if it were simply the yawning threshold of a doorway. The Professor's eyes gazed into the darkness. There, he searched for answers.

@@Stardust* Greyhoof was a bit concerned after the whole incident with the scorpion attacking Mr. Dangles' classroom. He had been on his way when he ran into that rambunctious new defense teacher. He shook his head and cracked a smile, Oh the youth, he thought. He finally made it back to Professor Dangles classroom and quietly knocked before entering the room. "Professor, I am pleased to see you are still here, I had hoped to speak to you before dinner." The unicorn had just finished arranging the table full of papers and books. At the sound of the Headmaster's voice, he straightened himself and turned. He adjusted his glasses and tie slightly and greeted him with a gentle smile. He hoped he couldn't see that his syntax had worried him a bit. "Headmaster Greyhoof," he greeted him. "It's good to see you. You...wanted to speak with me?" He motioned for the professor to take his seat behind his desk, and he made his way to the front of the room. "Please don't feel too angry at old Shadow, he means well and he does get a bit lonely. You see, that creature is his pet, normally he keeps it out of sight but for some reason it got out today. The creature was just scared is all, but I did talk with Shadow to make sure that this type of thing doesn't happen again." "You've heard about it already then," the professor nodded gravely. "No, it's not that that at all, actually. I'm not angry with Mr. Shadow. I do wonder why he would keep a creature as dangerous as his pet is around young stallions and mares like the ones at the University...but I'm not angry with him. What I am is disappointed. If he's going to be allowed to keep that massive scorpion on campus, then he simply has to do a better job of making sure he's got it under absolute control. I wonder what would have happened if that scorpion'd have stung one of our students today? What would we have told their parents? Had that happened, I'd be surprised if Princess Celestia herself didn't pay the school a visit, Headmaster. I'm sure I don't have to tell that nobody here wants that." The professor sighed to himself. "Again, I have no problem with Mr. Shadow or his pet," he said. "I'm just concerned. Today, we were fortunate. I'm worried about the next time...when we're not." He bucked up a bit, "Anyway, on a different note, we haven't really had a chance to talk since you arrived, is there anything that you would like to discuss, how was your first day of class?" "Class was quite excellent," he replied, obviously more at ease now that the subject of the runaway scorpion was passed. "I'm very impressed with the students here, Headmaster. Every one of them was attentive and polite to a fault -- even the ones who obviously weren't interested in the course material and only took it to satisfy a credit requirement. Moreover, they all seem quite bright. However you're vetting them for admission is clearly working very well. I'm not sure I've ever seen a collection of students quite as...well, bursting with potential as the ones you've assembled at the University." "You asked if there was something I'd like to discuss?" he broached hesitantly. "Well...actually, yes. Yes, there is. When you hired me for the position, Headmaster, part of my role here at the school was to coach your first Horse Hockey team. So far...I haven't even seen your ice arena." He gazed at him quizzically over his glasses. "You do have an ice arena. Don't you?"

@@Summer Breeze summer lisened to flearia's story without interupting her, which was really special for summer, and waved to professor script when they left 'bye professor' she said smiling, she was happy there was at least one teacher she liked at this school. The professor nodded back in the young mare's direction. She had a lovely, flowing pink mane and a cutie mark in the form of three pink flowers, tousled by an invisible breeze. There was something delicate and shy about her that made him smile. She would have, he decided, made an excellent character in a novel. "Goodbye," he bade her. "I'll see you on Wednesday." Perhaps he'd call on her to tell her story, their next class. she walked out the door and when she entered the hallway she first looked around if there was really no scorpion. When the last student left the room, Professor Dangles walked over to the table, arranging what was left of the books and syllabi atop its flat. He was pleased to see that it appeared that everyone had taken one of each before leaving. This was going to be a good year, he decided to himself with a smile. He took a quick look over his shoulder in the direction of his desk. That is, as long as no more massive scorpions decide to crash the class. He was going to have to say something about that to Headmaster Greyhooves. He wasn't about to have any of his students endangered that way.

@,@@Summer Breeze,@@SugarfootWillie,@@Bojo,@@reader8363 "Erhm... My name is Flearia... Flearia Dragondanser..." The professor nodded. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Dragondanser," he smiled affably. There was a small pause before she continued as she took another heavy breathing and readyed herself to tell her own story. "I was born in a small city to the east of Badlands. Both my parents where non unicorn and they don't have any interest in magic and didn't want me to have anything to do with magic at all... But that was really hard to control as I at young age where able to teleport and so did so during nights to slip away from home to experience with my magic. One night I meet an old unicorn who started to teach me how to control my magic. Teached me about spell basics using his own book collection of spell basics. I keept sneaking out at nights for several weeks and learned fom this unicorn. One night he wasn't there and I tryed to make Fire magic on my own. It all whent wrong and I almost burned out my own power. It was extremly dangerous but somehow I survived it and found that a Fire Spirit had helped me. This Fire Spirit. Irra as I call her, now makes her home in my horn. Soon after this incident I left my home to learn how to controll my magic. This lead me to canterlot where I meet a specific pony who took me under her wing and wanted to teach me how to controll my magic. She enter me in CSGU while still teaching me a lot herself. After I graduated CSGU I'v made some travels around Equestria to serch different magics and report to her about them." Flearia a small paus "My hobbys would be Learning and making magic. Strategic games and problems. Like chess, and I also like to travel!" Flearia ended it there while blushing hard. she hadn't ment to go on about her own story in that much detail! She where relived tough that she hadn't gone into to much detail about a specific area. The professor didn't look bothered that she rambled in the slightest. In fact, he looked very pleased by her response. "You've led such an interesting life already for a young mare!" he smiled. "And I'm definitely happy to hear that you enjoy learning. For that, you're certainly in the right place, here at the University. And while I can't teach you all that much about magic directly, I can certainly tell you a great deal about English & Literature that you might find well worth your time." "Certainly, you're aware that so much of Equestria's history is chronicled in the form of stories, yes?" he asked her. "Legends and lore from the ancient past often find their way into the passages of famous tales. Some scholars scoff at these tales, thinking that if they're not to be found in the hard and fast history books taught to every young foal and filly, they're simple fiction. But I can assure you, Miss Dragondanser, that many of these stories -- however fanciful they may seem -- have their roots in truth. Treasure maps and forgotten rituals, the keys to spells and enchantments yet undiscovered...they can all be found sprinkled through Equestria's literature, if one just knows where to look." "I hope that I can teach you how to find such things, as your studies deepen," he nodded. He looked as if he were about to turn his attention to another of the students when the sounds of bustling hooves could be heard outside in the hallway. Evidently, the threat of giant scorpions on the loose had been averted. 'Tis the chime that marks the end of time. Thank you Professor Dangles Another time we will share our story. With our books we take leave and head to medical studies More work to gather and study thereafter. Alert for beasts will we remain These halls secrets hold And of scorpions foretold What else may they know? The student's cadence sounded familiar to him. Percy Sheltie? Robert Sealbrowning? He couldn't tell. He'd need to hear him speak a bit more before he decided. "Wednesday, we'll begin the English component of our class," he told the students. "I'll also ask another of you to introduce yourself. Until then, you're all dismissed. Please have a good day," he smiled. "And watch out for massive black scorpions, hm?"

@@reader8363,@@Bojo,@@SugarfootWillie,@,@@Summer Breeze summer stood in the classroom, during all of this she was frozen. the thing... it was terrifying and intriguing at the same time. suddenly the scorpion ran away and somepony entered the classroom "Did any pony see a black scorpion, the size of a filly?" he asked. and summer awoke and ran to the hallway 'he went that way' she said and pointed to the left. the scorpion was quick, but not as quick as she was, with her wings she could go faster as anypony else in here. 'do you need help catching it?' she asked, hoping she could make herself useful. but suddenly she realised that it was almost the end of the lesson, if the bell rang everypony would go out and see it, and it would cause panic. Shadow said, as a portal opened up beneath him. "Sure, just be careful. he's more dangerous, since he's scared." Shadow sank into the portal, until his shadow was all that was seen, then his shadow took off the way the scorpion went, and leaving a cage in it's place. With the departure of the creature and its perhaps-master, Professor Dangles -- still interposed between where the scorpion had been and his students -- turned back in their direction. "Nobody's leaving the classroom until I'm sure that the building's safe," he said flatly, his tone leaving no doubt that the matter was non-negotiable. "I'll start writing notes for each one of you so that the Professor in your next class understands that you have a valid excuse for tardiness." The teacher sidled up to his desk, producing a small notepad. With a glimmer from his horn, a pen began to work across the papers within, creating the promised excuses. "Since no one's leaving for at least a few minutes," he said, glancing out at the class, "we'd might as well get to know one another. I planned on doing introductions tomorrow, but I suppose now's as good a time as any to get those out of the way. You've all heard my story," he smiled. "Now, I'd like to hear yours." The Professor looked at the unicorn off in the midst of the class. "I can already see I've got some very talented students this year," he nodded in her direction. "That was very quick thinking with that ice spell, miss. Why don't you tell the class your name and something you'd like us to know about yourself. Where you're from, what kinds of hobbies you like...anything you feel comfortable with." He met her eyes, eager to hear her story unfold.

@@Summer Breeze, @@SugarfootWillie, @, @@Bojo, summer raised her hoof 'i have a question, professor dangles' she said 'are we also going to learn how to write storys?' summer had always loved that part of literature, but she wasn't sure if they would be learning that on the university, all the lessons where so different as she was used to. but professor dangles seemed like a cool teacher, he would teach us some cool stuff summer thought. The teacher offered Summer a broad smile. Something in his eye seemed to twinkle at the mere mention of the word story. "Stories?" he repeated her. "Do you like stories?" He nodded gently. "Yes," he finally assured her. His tone was warm and gentle, reassuring and kind. "You're gong to learn all about how to write stories. Whatever kind you like: Great or small, simple or epic," he said. "What kind of stories do you like, miss...?" suddenly she saw something behind professor dangles desk, the thing she saw before. it was as big as a filly and was made out of metal, but it stood in the shadows and summer couldn't see it clearly. but it looked terrifying 'what's that?' she said quietly, like the creature could hear her, and she pointed at it. The teacher turned about, following the young filly's eyes behind his desk. He didn't hesitate for a moment; he simply reacted. He got himself in between his students and the creature at which she pointed. His horn began to shimmer with the hint of magic. He had absolutely no idea what it was...but he'd be damned if he'd let it harm any of his students. Script was no Starswirl, by any means, but he'd do whatever it took to defend them. He suddenly wished he had one of his hockey sticks in the classroom.

Time to artificially pump up the average age. I'm 45. I'll be 46 in early January. I suddenly feel absolutely ancient.

@@Octavia's Bow, “Cheerilee,” she says, offering a smile. “As you guessed, I’m their teacher. So, Mr. Dangles, are you looking to enroll a foal or filly? We are towards the end of the year, but I’m sure we can fit them in for next.” Script smiled. "Actually, neither," he replied, nodding back in the direction of the laughing and dashing ponies. "I saw their game and I just wanted to stop for a second and watch. Nostalgia. I used to play when I was younger, myself, and it just kind of made me smile, watching them." The unicorn's horn briefly went aglow as he explained himself. He was a writer; he always carried at least a scrap of paper and a writing utensil on his person. He was rarely happier for that than he was today. "Like I said, I'm new in town," he said. In a long, elegant cursive, he wrote down the address of his modest home. He punctuated that with a simple time: 7:00pm. "I really haven't met many ponies yet. And I really have no idea where the best places in town somebody might take a beautiful young mare out for a friendly bite to eat are. So I'd really like you to have this." "I figure I can figure the last part out by seven tonight," he mused with a smile. And Script floated the note to Cheerilee before turning and starting away back for home. Just loud enough for her to hear, as he did: "Because you make me smile, too."

Starburst, May I request that you draw either (or both!) of my OCs? Pictures are in my signature. Feel free to draw whichever one appeals to you most and put them in whatever kind of pose you think would look best. Oh, and...SNICKERDOODLE!!! SD

@ I totally agree about Macklemore. "Jimmy Iovine", in particular, is absolute genius. That said, I'm waiting until I hear his next album before I pass judgement on him. For now, his body of work isn't large enough for me to definitively say how I feel about him.

I'm going to date myself here...but I still feel that Rakim is the greatest rapper alive. He's old-school and not active anymore...but you young folks might find that you enjoy his art, if you educated yourself on his contributions. Give him a listen and you'll undoubtedly see how influential he was to everyone in the game from Nas to Common, Tupac to Eminem. That said...Pinkie Pie can spit fyah!!!

I love Irra! You've given her such personality with a simple drawing. Well done!!!

@@Summer Breeze,@@SugarfootWillie, @@Bojo, @ Professor Dangles wasn't unaware that some of the students in his class were passing notes between one another. It didn't bother him overmuch, however. After all, he knew that some students were very adept at multitasking. They'd be able to pay attention to him and discuss whatever they would at the same time with no impact to their studies at all. The ones that weren't and still passed their notes? They'd struggle with the class. But the collected students before him weren't foals anymore, in any case. They had to make their own decisions for good and bad. In the end, he'd help them all, no matter what. Wasn't that what the best teachers did, after all? He certainly thought so. He thought he heard that odd skittering again for a moment. He was now sure it wasn't just his imagination, but he continued to pay it little mind. He had a class he needed to teach and students that required his full attention. "As you leave class today," he said, gesturing to a table that ran almost the entire length of the wall, beneath the room's windows, "I want each of you to pick up a copy of the course syllabus and the two books I've stacked up on the stand, there. The syllabus contains the reading list for the material we'll be discussing for the remainder of the year. The two books are the Carriage House Five by Colt Vannergut and Halter of Darkness by Jennet Cold-Blood. I'll expect that you've read the first chapter of each by our Monday class next week and are prepared to discuss them. During our two remaining classes this week," he explained, "we'll be starting the English components of the course. That will be the pattern, for those of you who're interested: English on Wednesdays and Fridays, Literature on Mondays." Professor Dangles smiled upon the class. "Does anyone have any questions?"