open Casual stroll

[J.R. 3,183]

@,@@Blitz Boom,

Blizzard waved and said, "See you guys later! Bye!" And he left Sugarcube Corner with Caliber.

@,  

Blizzard looked over the board list and said, "I'm surprised EWS isn't on here. He causes enough trouble to make the whole town wanna get him. I'm only famous in Ponyville bro, but I think I might have some fan in Canterlot like you." *looks over* "Aha! how about this guy? 'Masked AT-4'? Nah, too much work for me. You see anything?"

[Blitz Boom 4,621]

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"Okay, bye bye new friends."

 

Ziggy waved and smiled as the two adventurous ponies left the shop. She hoped they were gonna have a lot of fun until they next ran into each other. Well, that or until she got bored and tried to hunt them, but they'd see how things went,

 

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"Thank you kindly miss. I am certain they will be every bit as delicious as your words and their smell says."

 

The bits for the meal floated over and he gave a slight bow before grabbing the bag between his teeth and moved slowly towards the tables. It would seem that the enthusiastic gentlecolt from before and his frosty friend had left for the time being, so there would most likely be some room towards there. Beyond that, there seemed to also be Storm, and somepony else who seemed to fly slightly, and from the sound of it either had oversized wings, or was a rather tall one. Perhaps he would learn more.

 

On the way over there, the smell from the bag made it a little hard for him to focus fully. The bakery's treats had been enjoyable the last time, but with the sweetness he could smell, it was near unbearable to not dig in right away, even if the bag would be eaten alongside it. Still, he managed to keep his calm as he got planted on the table, then turned his head slightly towards Storm with a large grin on his face.

 

"Hard to find any fault with this place. The goods taste alone is dreamingly good, and the customer service is pleasant. I must say i enjoy this current one against the one here the last time I was present though. Not that the other one was not perfectly fine, but the enthusiastic mare currently there have an certain joy-filled spark. Quite remarkable."

 

Briar had no idea it was Pinkie Pie at the counter. To him, she was simply an unnamed, cheerful mare for the time being.

 

 

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A narrow, ice-blue eye starred at the two stallions looking over the bounty board from a nearby bush, concealing the one who hid within.

 

Last Stand had not at first wanted to leave the bakery, but as these two had left saying they were going for a bounty board, her curiosity had gotten the better of her and she had followed them, keeping silent and more or less made sure to hide from them when it was possible.

 

It had also helped some that she had seen the pony who did not make ice sculptured had brandished a sword. As a swordsmare, she had some interest in others that carried weapons, especially since she found it rather rare to see any after her clan had split to each do their own thing along with the other clans of the previous place they had been tasked to protect. That it was a sword was more common amongst the ones who did carry weapons, but what she could see of his looked like more than the general, crude blade others tended to use.

 

While it itched to go forth and try to test her skills with the katana strapped to the harness at her side against Caliber, she did manage to keep behind, and hidden for now. For now, she was more curious than challenging in her mood.

[Storm Shine 1,196]

@@Blitz Boom, 

 

Storm nodded enthusiastically, "Yuppers! That's Pinkie Pie for ya, amazing baker, always happy and cheerful and spreading all that happy cheer everywhere she can!" He agreed happily, biting into yet another muffin. "You can always trust her to brighten up somepony's day!"

[Blitz Boom 4,621]

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Briar's right eyebrow raised when Storm identified the pony. This was not what he had expected to be quite honest.

 

"Aah yes, the mare you told me about the last time we met, yes?"

 

The last time he had spoken with Storm, he had told of his infatuation with said mare in quite the longing voice. The sort that you could almost hear carry a blush if it went on for too long, or wander into the dreamy tone variety if it detoured faster.

 

It had been some days since Briar was last here, being mostly busy helping some at the Apple farm and otherwise doing what he could to take care of Brittle, and he wasn't unaware that time passed for everypony else as well, or that things could occur in the unknown number of days he had been gone that was of some importance for other ponies.

 

Considering that Storm sounded less like he would float away on a pink cloud or was secretly pinning for a certain ponies attention, even when in the same general area as her, something told him that amongst the more important things he had missed was some news in that regard. Considering things, he would assume it was good news, unless he was misreading things and Storm was just good at acting normally around his crush.

[P-Jay 1,987]

caliber's ear flickered, and he looked behind himself. "hmmmm...." he hummed. he looked back at the bounty board, and started taking them all. "im low on money, especially if im gonna be here for the next couple of weeks." he explained. "all that food isn't cheap, ya know! only the finest quality!"

[J.R. 3,183]

@, 

Blizzard had heard what Caliber said, "Right 'Mr I can afford everything' but seriously that's gonna be a lot of jobs for you to tackle." He also noticed Caliber looking around, "What's up, did you notice something bro? Anything weird or crazy? That's normal around here for ya."

[Storm Shine 1,196]

@@Blitz Boom, 

 

 

"Yuppers!" Storm chirped, happily bouncing in place as he talked with Briar "That's her! Pinkamena Diane Pie, a wonderful mare who always knows just how to brighten somepony's day!" 

 

"Flatterer!" Pinkie called from her spot at the counter, where she was restocking the display case from a medium sized tray of miscellaneous baked goods.

 

"Just telling the truth!" Storm called back, causing her to giggle slightly before bouncing into the kitchen with the now empty tray balanced on her head.

[P-Jay 1,987]

"hm? oh, I got it." caliber said as he pocketed the papers in his bag. "iv took on more than this." again, his ear twitched. he could've sworn there was somepony there...

 

 

"ah, its nothing, ice blizzard. why don't you go back to sugercube? ill meet ya there..." after ice blizzard left, (sorry for the god-modding) caliber turned to the woods. "who are you?" he asked boldly, and firmly.

Edited May 13, 2015 by PeytonJay

[J.R. 3,183]

@,

As Blizzard trotted back to sugarcube corner, he couldn't help but think there was something wrong, "That was weird i wonder if....nah Caliber's the 4th best swordspony in Equestria. He'll be fine. I wonder who else I'll see today, this is really cool meeting all these nice ponies."

 

(No problem PeyJ ) 

[Blitz Boom 4,621]

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After Pinkie had left into what he would assume was a back room or kitchen, Briar spoke softly towards Storm, wanting to make sure he had understood things right.

 

"I do apologise if this comes off as me prying, but have you perhaps had some positive results on the romantic side of things regarding miss Pie? The last time you spoke of a certain... Feeling, regarding said mare, and while I cannot be sure, it sounds like things have changed for the better?"

 

A swoosh was heard above him as Ziggy floated over his head and looked down on him, joining in on the low voice this one had going.

 

"You should've seen them earlier. All silly and playing with the adorable little fillies."

 

The comment made Briar go speechless, although his mouth opened slightly to say something. No words found their way to the surface, and he closed it again, but the look over his face was that of clear, utter confusion. Had he really lost track of time That much?

 

 

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A few seconds passed after Caliber asked the question before a mare stepped out of the bushes, her unblinking gaze focused on him.

 

"Not bad. I figured it would take longer before you took notice."

 

The katana dangled against her from it's scabbard on her side as she moved a few steps closer then stopped when she was sure he could see her fully.

 

"The name's Last Stand, who're you?"

[P-Jay 1,987]

caliber grinned. "Caliber, the Wanderer. 4th strongest swordspony, well met." he ventured closer. "I don't suppose your an assassin, you'd have attacked by now...and if you were a thieve, you would wait until I was asleep. you surely wouldn't have come outta the woods...that leaves two options. your either a bounty hunter after my head, or you were merely following me cause you were curious." he grinned wider. "so, which are you?"

[Blitz Boom 4,621]

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"Curious. Not many ponies I've seen carry a blade 'round these parts, and since this place is barely active as is, I figured I might as well."

 

An assassin was a pretty far shot from what she was, that was true. Where Last was from, you didn't get many that specialised in stealth considering they were protecting and not generally attacking, and with the best metal used for long blades like her katana, the tools of the trade for assassins wasn't easily accessible. She had known a few that strayed from the norm though, and one that had even gotten some good metal since he decided to melt over the blade he had gotten when he first started training rather than turn it in, but those were the few amongst the many. Sides, she found it cowardly.

 

As for thief and bounty hunting... Not her area of expertise either, though the later sounded like something she might end up considering if the targets where right and she got bored further. She was born for battle, not idle wandering around.

 

"Still, if the price on you are any good..."

 

A slight grin went over her face, and a glimmer in her eye showed not only a challenging sight, but also one of the rare moments she had of joking. Not sure if this pony would get it, but as a general rule, if she wanted to hurt something, the blade would get out, not words.

[Storm Shine 1,196]

@@Blitz Boom, 

 

Storm once again nodded enthusiastically, even though Briar couldn't see it. Though maybe he could tell from some sort of sensy-thingy? Oh well... "Yuppers! Pinkie and I are special someponies now!" He replied cheerfully, eating yet another muffin. "Mmm... banana nut muffin!"

Edited May 14, 2015 by Storm Shine

[P-Jay 1,987]

@@Blitz Boom,

 

caliber grinned even wider. "fifty thousand bits, in case your wondering." he said simply. he liked this new pony, she seemed like she knew how to fight. not to mention honest. "well, last stand, in case you were wondering, im up for a spar." he said. he was always up for a spar. and he had seen that glint in her eye. "just tell me if ya wanna cross swords..." he started walking back to the village, turning his back to her. "your welcome to come with!" he called out.

[Blitz Boom 4,621]

@,

 

At the news, Briar made a deep bow towards the strongly nodding Storm. Or well, he thought it was strong nodding anyway, considering the sound of his mane fwooshing around.

 

"My congratulations to you then Storm. May the earth bless your paths."

 

It was good to hear that his future had brightened. The poor pony had sounded rather longing the last time, and to hear that he had not only lifted his heart, but that it had also been mutual from Pinkie Pie, was a joyous occasion.

 

"Now, the thing with fillies... I know my frame of time can be skewed, but... Have it been that long already?"

 

 

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Last looked at Caliber, tempted to draw her blade and have a spar with him. She could use an actual challenge instead of the whimpering little timberwolves that had tried to jump her a few times currently, and she was not one to run away from any challenge. Yet... She held herself back for now. There would be time for this later, and it was not running from a challenge. It was more like knowing that in time, there would be one.

 

"Keep that up, and I might still give it a shot for those pocket change Caliber."

 

She followed him, ending on his left side quickly enough. Considering her closed left eye, she preferred this site no doubt.

[J.R. 3,183]

@, @@Blitz Boom,  

Blizzard was standing outside looking for Caliber, "Come on man, where are you? Don't tell me you got distracted by somepony...or worse... he may have been in a fight!" Blizzard then skated off to Caliber saying, "Don't worry bro, I'm coming back for ya! I'm not leaving you behind again!"

[Storm Shine 1,196]

@@Blitz Boom, 

 

"Thanks!" Storm chirped, before pausing as a confused expression pushed it's way onto his face. "But what do you mean 'that long already'? It's been at least a whole day since I last saw you, I think it was more... Dunno, time passes weird in my perspectiveness. Anyways, I know it's been plenty of time passed to have been able to have foalsitted and stuffs!" 

[P-Jay 1,987]

caliber kept walking. it seemed he'd found a friend. "so, last stand, if you don't mind me asking, where ya from?" he asked casually, "im from Fillydelphia myself." his eyes had drifted to her sword, which looked rather impressive. "and where'd ya get such a good-looking sword?"

[Blitz Boom 4,621]

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Briar hadn't the chance to answer as the giggling of Ziggy distracted him slightly, and she wandered over next to Storm, lowering her head to be next to his and half-whispered whilst trying to keep back most of her laughter about how obvious and cute this situation was getting.

 

"Storm, he thinks Pumpkin and Pound Cake are yours and Pinkies."

 

Briar heard the words quite clearly, even if they were lowered some, and at the words his face changed from confusion to one of his normal, smiling self.

 

"Aah, Now I see. I was thinking that perhaps... But it seems like I was mistaken. My apologies for making assumptions without facts."

 

 

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"We called it *Breaker Canyon*, but I guess there's another name for it by others. It's far off here, surrounded by griffins, dragons and things I don't know what's called in a canyon filled with spikes and spotty vegetation. There, we were born to fight, so just like generations before me, I got my blade when I could walk. Been reforged twice because it broke, but not a bad score for two decades."

 

Last didn't see why not to just answer. Her duty was over, the place she was from void of anything keeping them there and her people scattered across Equestria. Besides, princess Luna had not informed them to keep the place a secret. Only order she had given them prior to her releasing themfrom their duty with gratitude, was not look at what she had stored inside the room a millennia before this. They hadn't, and they didn't when she took it out either, so there wasn't a way she could disobey, even if she told everything she knew.

 

"And you? Your sword looks quite different from what I grew up with, like it's special. Made it yourself?"

[P-Jay 1,987]

@@Blitz Boom, 

 

caliber shook his head. "i wish i knew how to make swords this good." he said, as he unsheathed it. it made a bell-like sound. "i had it looked at by sword experts, and they said its mystic steel. its steel from the land of the breezies, in case you didnt know. mystic steel is many times more durable then normal steel, and its been tempered with dragon fire. you know, the dragon just blew flames on it. and im pretty sure its enchanted." caliber shrugged, and sheathed it again. "i got it from a dragon, go figure. alls i know is that not a lot can bend it, let alone break it."

[Storm Shine 1,196]

@@Blitz Boom, 

 

Storm's eyes widened, "Oooh~.... That explains things a bit..." He commented, realizing what Briar had meant now, "No, umm.... I mean, I have a colt named Grey Sky that I adopted a little while back after saving him from some timber wolves, but uh.. yeah, no foals from me and Pinkie." Storm said, blushing slightly at the idea. "Yet..."

[Blitz Boom 4,621]

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A low chuckle was heard from Briar for a few seconds as he patted his right ear with his hoof, in his way of silently saying *I heard that*. Nothing he was going to use against Storm, he just wanted to make sure that he was aware that the low word at the end didn't go unnoticed.

 

"Life finds a way, but all in due time. As for your adopted colt, I find it good to hear that you have taken such a poor soul under your wing. A rather lucky turn of events from the sound of it as well."

 

Briar sneaked out the vine on the right side from under his cape and put the bag with the treats for Brittle and himself on one of the spikes near the front, slightly tired of carrying the bag with his teeth and conversing at the same time. It was possible, nothing there, but considering how close it brought the sugary sweet treat to his nose it had a certain... Effect, on his awareness.

 

The vine reached a table a little to the side where it seemed like nopony was from the sound of it, the bag was shaken off on the table and then the vine returned to under his cape. So far, the town hadn't tried to shun him for his odd ways, so he felt little wrong in simply this and not try to hide it overly.

 

 

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"So it is hardly possible to break? Good. Your sword breaking in mid combat never ends up in your own favour."

 

Last looked towards Caliber and raised a hoof to pat on her closed, left eye with the old scar going down over it.

 

"Believe me."

[Storm Shine 1,196]

@@Blitz Boom, 

 

Storm frowned slightly, "Yeah..." He agreed, a bit sadly. "I'm really glad I was nearby at the time... Grey's a good colt, very energetic and happy despite what happened..." Storm then leaned in towards Briar slightly, with a normal sized frown. "Though between you and me... I think his parents had neglected him more than a bit before the 'Incident'..."

[Blitz Boom 4,621]

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Briar frowned at the words Storm had just said. To think that a parent of any kind was neglectful of their offspring was not something he could pretend was not a thing, but it didn't make it better to hear no matter how many times. Nopony should be the victim of such a thing as far as he was concerned.

 

"To do such a thing shows a dead heart. Blessed be the earth mother that the colt have laid such frozen souls behind him and instead been introduced into a warm home."

 

While Briar had never known any loving parents either, it wasn't as bad for him, as he had not known any whatsoever, whereas Grey Sky had known exactly who he was from and therefore had somepony to look at and know that they didn't care enough. It was a more hurtful experience as far as he could gather, because at least with no parents, you didn't have a source of neglect looming over you in your early years.

 

"I hope he have left the past behind him after you adopted him?"

[Storm Shine 1,196]

@@Blitz Boom, 

 

"Yeah that's kind of why I think he was neglected in the first place actually... he left it behind very quickly, almost too quickly, like he was eager to move on... He was already calling me 'Dad', albeit a bit hesitantly at first which is completely understandable to be nervous in a new environment, not even two days after I'd adopted him." Storm replied, a small smrown (Smile and a frown fighting for dominance) on his face. "It's nice that he's adjusting at least... I haven't asked him about it though, if it was neglect I don't want to bring up anything that could make him sad, so this is mostly speculation."

 

"Dad!" A grey-and-blue blur shouted, slamming into Storm and knocking him off his hooves and onto the floor. "Oof!"

 

"Hey Dad, how are you? Oh! Guess what, Guess what!?" A small grey pegasus colt with a grey-and-blue mane asked excitedly, jumping up and down on Storm's chest.

 

"I'm doing great Grey! Now, what's got you so excited? Finally ask Scootaloo out?" Storm said playfully, pulling the colt into a hug and tussling his mane.

 

"Dad~..." Grey complained, fixing his mane.

 

"Sorry, sorry." the older bluer pegasus chuckled, "I know you don't like your mane tussled."

 

"Well yeah, but don't say that other thing! What if Scootaloo heard?" the small colt admonished him.

 

"Right, right... So what's the big news you're all excited about than?" Storm asked curiously, a large smile on his face.

 

"I'm an official Cutie Mark Crusader now!" Grey cheered, waving a small cape in his dad's face before stowing it back into his saddlebags.

 

"That's great Grey! Congratulations!" Storm cried out happily, pulling the colt into a big hug. "Oh, and since you're here, meet Briar! He's really awesomely nice, and some kind of awesome plant-pony!" He added, pointing at the pony he had been talking to before getting tackled.

 

Grey looked over at Briar, "Wow~, that's so cool! You're really tall Mr. Briar!" He exclaimed, walking over to stand in front of the plant-pony. "I'm Grey Sky, but Everypony just calls me Grey! Nice to meet you!" He introduced, holding out a hoof.

Edited May 18, 2015 by Storm Shine