Erudite Glimmer

By SirSeagull

• December 16, 2013

Age: 20-ish

Gender: Female

Species: Earth Pony

Appearance: In terms of build, Erudite Glimmer (or just Rue) really isn't that different from your average mare. She's not all that athletic, but she's quite a ways from being out of shape. Her color scheme isn't all that complex, either. Her mane and tail are not unlike a pale hay-like color, approaching sort of a blonde-ish yellow in color. Her coat, on the other hoof, contrasts quite nicely as almost a blueberry shade of blue.<br /><br />And speaking of mane, she prides herself on keeping it in an elegantly simple style. It combs around her ears, covering most of her head before sweeping to the left of her neck and draping down to a single, tapering point. Her tail shares a similar pattern, though its a bit more swoopy. Under most circumstances, if her mane is altered in any way, she becomes quickly irked until the issue is fixed.<br />

Cutie Mark: Her cutie mark is a small, almost golden four pointed spark, not unlike the classic depiction of a star. In terms of representing her personality, it shows a few things about her. The most prominent trait, however, is the glimmer of knowledge she possesses. Not an overwhelming knowledge, nor the brains to rival any genius by any means at all, but sort of a persistent, observant intellect. See, Erudite's talent is an interesting take on learning and logic; given enough time, things just kind of 'spark' for her, and like light, this gift shows how her observations can shed understanding on things.<br /> <br />Erudite can almost always shed some light on a conversation.<br />

Personality: Rue can almost be best described as quicker to small emotions than to large emotions. She’s sparingly overjoyed, but often content. Fleetingly angry, but often quick to irritation. Not too difficult to make cautious, but awfully hard to truly frighten. What does show, however, is how quick she is to cycle between the various slight emotions. Talking to her may start off pleasant, but through in an imagined slight and you might get a snide remark. She might walk into a situation headstrong, and then realize halfway through it wasn’t that great of an idea to start with. <br /><br />This constant shift tends to reflect her talents of observation almost a little too well, to the point where she almost imagines seeing things, and changes her mood to reflect flattery that was never there, or an insult that wasn’t an insult at all. She’s not overly prideful in seeing such things, just over analytical. In fact, she doesn’t really stop paying attention. That’s the main reason she’s so rarely dramatic or overly-emotional: given her mindset, if she was more wrapped up in moods, she wouldn’t be nearly as observant.<br /><br />Not to say she never feels strongly about anything – quite the contrary, really. Just because it’s rare doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Indeed, some of most defining moments are when she goes over the top. When she does, she tends to wear her emotions on her hoof. That is too say, you’ll know exactly what she’s feeling, and it doesn’t take long to figure this out. Last time she was really mad, she almost brought a pony to tears; last time she was happy, she gave random ponies on the streets hugs for about an hour.<br />

Backstory: Erudite was a suburban girl born into a urban city. Specifically, the urban city. More specifically, Manehatten. Her parents were decently successful, and the apartment she lived in was decently extravagant. This was certainly for the best, because as a foal she was never comfortable with the over stimulating hustle and bustle just outside her door. It was always too much too take in, and she could never really focus on anything. As such, she spent a decent amount of her early life experiencing the wonders of indoors, as she romped about imaginary forests and oceans with a host of stuffed animal companions. Even as a child, and even decently isolated, Erudite was always fond of making the best of things. For example, if she couldn’t go outside, she catch up on the latest book by her favorite author. <br /><br />This went on for quite some time, until one day on a forced excursion she discovered Manehatten’s central park. Having never really seen that much plant life, she was instantly enthralled. Later that day, with more free time, the young foal revisited the area. Compared to the rest of the city, it was entirely foreign to her. So much life, and color that wasn’t grey, and the best part: it wasn’t overwhelming on the senses! Not even underwhelming, either. She was in a state of perfect whelmment. And so, when she wasn’t in the apartment, she was out playing around the trees, or watching older stallions play chess, or watching the skies between the weather, or listening to the distant (but not too distant) car noises, or enjoying the contrast at the borders of the park. Eventually, she knew the area like the back of her hoof. She picked up the nuances of chess, she memorized the flora and fauna, hay, she even gleaned some history of the place just by listening to the aforementioned older ponies reminisce. Eventually, she realized how happy just being attentive to the world made her, and she got her cutie mark.<br /><br />Once she grew old enough, having not much else to do in the city, she decided to go traveling. Not because she was bored, but because there was so much else to observe and witness. And so, she left Manehatten for greener pastures. Whenever she needs bits, she really just picks up a new trade and starts doing odd jobs. Perhaps not the glamorous of occupations, but it gives great experience, and it supports the traveling lifestyle well enough.<br />