private A Cultural Exchange 1x1 with DwhitetheGamer

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper's eyes widened.  It was yet another detail he overlooked.  He sighed, dropping his head.  "I'm sorry.  I had forgotten you had lived for a thousand years.  I had not known about them before they returned."

 

Then the young stallion thought for a minute.  "Actually, yeah, I was told that if I wasn't good a dark and scary stallion would take me away.  I know it's an old children's tale, but I still gotta be there for anypony in need.  It's my destiny.  Anyways, do you have any more questions about Ponyville?"

[Illiad Easle 3,156]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight nodded before he began again to make his way up the mountain. "All is forgiven, I know I don't look nearly as old as I actually am. You aren't the first to forget and you will certainly not be the last. The only question for Ponyville I have is where will I be staying? I don't mind where I would just like to know what to expect."

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

As Copper kept pace with Midnight up the mountain, he knew exactly where he wanted Midnight to stay.  "You can stay in my house.  I live on the east side of Sugarcube Corner when you're facing directly towards it, in which my house is a three-bed house.  You can take the larger bed, I'm more used to sleeping in my room that has a smaller one.  Don't worry, it's comfortable, last I slept in it, which was about a week ago.  Oh yeah, Sugarcube Corner is a bakery, which is owned by the Cake family.  The quality of the food isn't as good as here, but it's a close second."

[Illiad Easle 3,156]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

"That does make sense, Three bedrooms though, does anyone else live in the house with you?" Midnight found this SugarCube Corner to be intriguing if it really did have food nearly as good as the castle. The castle chefs had trained their whole lives to be employed there. Though it was reasonable to suppose that it was second due to a lack of comparison.

 

They had finally arrived at the castle gates.

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper shook his head.  "Not currently, no.  Although there has been a time where I did have somepony in my house.  She was a good guest, by the way."

 

Once they had made it to the castle gates, Copper smiled.  It was like walking in Twilight's castle all over again.  But this time his excitement was for the race, and not the tour.

[Illiad Easle 3,156]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

The gates opened as Midnight approached, letting the pair inside without any trouble. "Well, if you're set on resting up for tomorrow you know where your room is. I will see you in the morning. I should get going, I'll need to do a bit of work tonight if we're going to leave for Ponyville the day after tomorrow." 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper nodded, going through the gates with Midnight.  A good rest was what he needed for the big race tomorrow, and while he understood what Midnight needed to do, he hoped he could get some sleep himself.

 

"Alright, then.  Goodnight.  May Luna watch over your dreams."

 

He then made his way in the castle, to his corridor, and went to sleep.

 

(Get ready for multiple POVs the next day in roleplay time)

[Illiad Easle 3,156]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

"Goodnight Copper."

 

Midnight proceeded through the tasks he needed to with only half a mind. He was excited and slightly nervous for the race tomorrow, they had both been running pretty hard around the mountain, there was a chance that Copper would win. Did he mind? He found it hard to answer whether he could be a good loser, he wasn't used to being inferior and the last time he lost it damaged his relationship with Luna. He hoped for Copper's sake that he could be gracious, but winning was preferred. When he came to an end of his pondering he found himself in his room. A filled checklist in front of him told him what had transpired while he thought. With a weary smile he realized how monotonous and predictable life had become in all this time. He retired to bed glad that this exchange had brought a bit of variety to his life.

 

[Day 4]

 

As always the kitchen staff were ready to please.

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Archback Mountains

 

Copper woke up.  He was excited, for today was the big race.  So he did his usual thing and went back down to the Dining hall and happily proclaimed, "Today's the day, the day of the race!"  He went to the counter and said, "Like before, this time with Huckleberry jam!"

 

 

 

Ponyville

 

Twilight jolted awake at the sound of Pinkie's drumming.  The pink mare happily jumped around after seeing the Alicorn awake.  "Wake-y wake-y sleepyhead!  Today's the day that Copper races Midnight!"

 

"Alright, Pinkie.  I'm up, I'm up."  Twilight said wearily.  Then she realized that Celestia and Luna would be here to pick them up.  "Oh, no!  I need to get ready!"  She got out of bed and galloped to get ready as quick as she could.

 

Pinkie giggled madly at Twilight's expense.  Rainbow Dash walked next to her and said, "Heh.  That's one way to get Egghead up."

 

Applejack came behind them.  "I just wanna say that I hope that this'll be a good race between the two."

 

Fluttershy and Rarity walked in after Applejack's statement.  "I just hope this Midnight is a nice colt." Fluttershy said timidly.

 

"We don't know who he is, dear.  But I'm glad that we can finally get out of Ponyville for something other than a friendship problem." Rarity replied.

 

 

 

Canterlot

 

Celestia sighed.  To think that this would be the day that she would see an old friend race for the first time.  Well, he wasn't a friend from the start, but she was glad that they made amends after all that had happened.

 

Luna came out to the throne room and looked at her sister.

 

"Are you ready, sister?"

 

"I'm ready, let's go."

 

The two used their magic and teleported to Ponyville to meet the Elements of Harmony.

[Illiad Easle 3,156]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Cookie Pie gave a simple nod before heading to the back to fill Copper's order. She seemed tired.

 

Midnight walked in soon after, seeming well rested and in a good mood. His deep black coat seemed to shimmer in the light and his mane and tail seemed expertly groomed. "Good Morning Copper, you seem to be in good spirits today."

 

Wind Whisper and Fly-By-Night were hard at work down at the base of the mountain direction some of the other children in setting up the race areas. They were working as quick as they could in the hopes that they could have everything set up before the Equestrian reporters arrived. They wanted to make a good showing to Equestria after all.

Edited February 14, 2016 by Illiad Easle

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Archback mountains

 

Copper's smile was wider than before.  "Good morning, Midnight.  I sure am!  I'm really excited for this race!"

 

 

 

Ponyville

 

Twilight got out of her restroom all ready for travelling to the Mountains.  Rainbow Dash chuckled a bit.  "So, you think you're ready?"

 

Twilight gave Rainbow a shake of pity in her head.  "I'm ready.  The princesses should be here by now."

 

The group then proceeded to outside the castle, where Celestia and Luna were.  

 

Celestia smiled.  "You all ready?"

 

The Mane Six nodded and voiced their acknowledgement.  And with that, Celestia and Luna teleported all of them straight to the Archback Mountains.

[Illiad Easle 3,156]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

(Having no specific destination I cannot respond to their presence as I don't know where in or around the mountains they may have appeared. If they tried to teleport to somewhere within the walls of the castle their teleport is redirected to the castle gates.) 

 

Midnight gave a slight grin. "As am I. I do wish you the best of luck."

 

Copper returned from the back with Copper's order and gave a tired smile to Midnight, who asked for something high in protein and carbs.

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

(Sorry about that.)

 

Dining hall

 

Copper nodded.  "And I wish you the best of luck, too!"  He then took his plate and sat where he sat the last time.

 

 

 

Castle gates

 

The Mane Six and the Princesses arrived at the castle gates.  Twilight looked rather confused after the teleporting, but she went along with it.  The group walked over to the front of the gates.

[Illiad Easle 3,156]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Cookie Pie returned from the back with a plate of scrambled eggs and toast with peanut butter. Midnight thanked her before sitting across from Copper as he did the day before. He began to eat.

 

Outside the gates Attachè approached the group having come from the town. He looked tired but looked no worse for wear in his standard toga. "Good morning Princesses, back so soon? Oh the race that's right. Who might these others be? The reporters for the race?"

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper smiled as Midnight came to the table with his food.  He then proceeded to eat his food.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Celestia looked at the others before she replied.  "They are actually going to witness the race, not report it.  The reporter-"

 

"Is right here, your highness."

 

The group turned to see a light blue unicorn with a purple and blue mane and tail.  She had a closed book as a cutie mark.  She walked up to Attachè and greeted herself.  "My name is Gleaming Nebula and I took the trip here the old-fashioned way."

 

"Ah, yes.  But what about the rest of Canterlot?  And Ponyville?"

 

"They're already at the location destined for the race as we speak, eagerly waiting for the two racers to show.  It's quite a big turnabout, I should add, with spectators from the Archback mountains getting a good glimpse of the race in hoof as well."

 

"If I'm not mistaken, you're the new Equestrian delegate, right?" Twilight asked.

 

"Indeed, Princess Twilight.  I have studied for a couple of months once I had learned there was no delegates for Equestria."

 

Everypony turned to Attachè to wait for his response.

[Illiad Easle 3,156]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Attachè looked confused at Nebula's statement. "Months? Celestia first expressed interest here only two days ago. That's certainly the dedication to a position that may have never opened. I'm Attachè Case, the Trojan delegate. Hopefully you're open to a different view of history and other nations because your princess has been know to, edit, your history books." He moved over to the door, it began to open as he approached. "Come on in, Midnight and Copper are usually in the right dining hall around now. I happen to be heading there now so you can follow me if you like."

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Gleaming had a look of surprise.  She turned to Twilight, who nodded.  "We know.  And we accepted it, even though I told her it isn't possible to keep dark secrets to yourself, it'll only haunt you in the future.  She even told me about my ancestors' history."

 

Gleaming shook her head.  "And why didn't you tell us all, Princess Celestia?"

 

Celestia merely sighed.  "I wanted to forget the history as well as I could, but as Twilight said, it came back to haunt me.  Anyway, yes we would like to follow you, Attachè to the dining hall to meet with the racers."

[Illiad Easle 3,156]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Attachè kept his further comments to himself, he had to prep for Nebula's initiation after all. He led them quickly to the dining hall.

 

Midnight looked over, intrigued by Attachè's entrance, he usually came in from the other side of the room. Though he could see why when the princesses entered after him. "Hello again Princesses, You're here fairly early." (It would be clear to the newcomers that Midnight was an equivalent size to Luna.)

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Celestia nodded to everypony else, and they all followed Attachè to the dining hall.  At the dining hall, Copper was still eating when he turned to find the Princesses and the Mane Six arriving in the room.  He smiled and waved at them, to which they waved back.

 

Celestia smiled at Midnight.  "Of course, why wouldn't we be early for such a grand event?"

 

Twilight was rather surprised at the height of Midnight and said: "So you must be Midnight, the one who helped free the zebras over a thousand years ago.  I'm surprised that you're as tall as Luna is.  And did I hear right that you have an extended life span thanks to Luna?"

[Illiad Easle 3,156]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight looked at the purple one with an odd expression. "Forgive me, but you seem to have me at a disadvantage. You know my name but I don't believe we have ever met." He turned to look at Celestia, "Are you doing that whole 'Entourage of Hoof-maidens' again?" Turning back to the purple one, "I am indeed one of the dark liberators, The Midnight Star. And I have been around for quite some time."

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Twilight blushed with embarrassment.  "Sorry.  No, we haven't met yet.  I'm Twilight Sparkle, and Celestia has told me about you and what you did over a thousand years ago.  I think you freeing those poor zebras was the right thing to do, despite it being against the will of my ancestors."  She then pointed to her friends.  "These are my friends, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack."

 

Each of them waved a hoof to Midnight at the sound of their name.  Applejack then walked over to Midnight and said: "I dunno why my ancestors would want to have slaves to do all the work outside.  It just doesn't sound right.  It makes my ancestors sound... lazy."  She cringed when she said 'lazy'.  

 

Celestia shook her head when Applejack said that.  "It is because we viewed zebras as inferior to the pony race back then and... well, you know the rest."

[Illiad Easle 3,156]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

"Well," Attachè said, "I best be off, there's a bed that needs sleeping in and I don't want to keep it waiting." Without waiting for a response he left through the other side of the room.

 

"It seems my fears were unfounded, I'm glad Equestria has made at least some social progress in the time I've been gone." Midnight turned towards Applejack, "Do you feel lazy when others help you with your orchard? Could you work it with just your family if it were much bigger? Anyway," He turned back to the larger group. "There are nine of you but I only have eight names, who's that light blue unicorn in the back?" 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Applejack shook her head.  "Nope, as long as I'm out there working with them, then that's fine by me.  Besides, my family is already big enough."

 

All heads then turned to Gleaming in the back, who smiled, approached Midnight and nodded to him.  "My name is Gleaming Nebula, the recently appointed Equestrian delegate and reporter of the race.  It's an honor to meet you, Midnight Star, as well as you, Copper Strikes."

 

Copper nodded in his turn.  "A pleasure to meet you too, Gleaming."

 

Nebula chuckled.  "Please, call me Nebula."

[Illiad Easle 3,156]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight had a look of surprise to him. "Ah, I wasn't expecting such a quick response. Well, you'll need to meet with Sir after the race to be sworn in to your duties. I assume Celestia's already sworn you in as a delegate of Equestria?"

 

The gathering had not gone unnoticed, Sir was simply wondering how long he could go without actually interacting with them. But he decided that he may as well not prolong the inevitable. He entered the room with a somewhat positive attitude, but when he saw exactly who had come it faltered. "Greetings Celestia, Luna, you didn't say anything about bringing the elements along." He was just as intimidating as he had always been.

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Nebula nodded.  "Yes.  She had sworn me in as the delegate just yesterday."

 

Then the group turned to see Black Knight approached them.  The Mane Six grouped together in fear, with Fluttershy cowering behind them, while the other four just stood or sat where they were.  Celestia nodded.  "Hello, Black Knight.  Don't worry, they are not here to do anything rash.  They are here just to witness the race."

 

Nebula walked up to Black Knight, unfazed by the sword, and greeted Black Knight, offering a hoof-shake.  "Greetings.  I assume you are Black Knight, no?  I am Gleaming Nebula, but you may call me Nebula.  I am Equestria's recently appointed delegate and reporter of today's race.  It is an honor to meet you, sir."