private A Cultural Exchange 1x1 with DwhitetheGamer

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

The two pegasi of the order looked at each other before proceeding. "Nah, we just caught the end as we came down the mountain. It was an impressive burst of speed at the end, maybe even the fastest we've ever seen Midnight run. And that's saying something, I wouldn't be surprised if a world record is broken in tomorrow's race." 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper was surprised at the notion of a world record.  There were races before this one?  Now he REALLY needed to push himself in order to win this race.  "A world record, huh?  Interesting.  What is the current record right now?"

 

There were so many questions filling up his mind, but he was able to answer most of them, with the exception of the question he asked.

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

"As far as I know my old record of 19.3 m/s still stands, but it has been a while since I set that so it may have been overturned in the past few years. Luna would know the current record I'm sure. She was always into that sort of thing." Midnight returned to his bundle after he stretched, draping a sort of red cloak with a white border over his body. There was a shimmer of enchantments on it as he sighed, approaching the group. 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper nodded.  "19.3, huh?  Sounds tough.  I'll bet one of us can pull it off, hopefully."

 

He turned around to see Midnight approach the group with what looked like a red cloak with a white border.  He tilted his head to the side in confusion.  "So what's the cloak for, Midnight?"

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

"Oh this?" Midnight lightly brushed the cloak he was wearing. "​It's the outer portion of my armor, used to cover the chain-mail. It has a few heat regulation charms in it to help me cool off faster and stay cool when I run. It's a bit cumbersome to race in though so I save it for when I'm not moving much or actual combat. Needless to say it hasn't seem much action lately." 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

"That's nice.  Keeping yourself warm after a race like that does help."

 

Copper thought for a few seconds, then shook his head.  He wondered why he didn't have the same treatment, then he thought that he never went into Midnight's type of business.  He smiled, then started stretching himself to make sure he wasn't sore tomorrow in the race.

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight turned his attention to the sky. "Well, we still have a few hours of daylight left. Is there anything else you want to do today?" Midnight sat down so that the rest of his legs were covered by the cloak, leaving only his head and tail exposed. He had a slight smile on his face and seemed just a bit tired from the race.

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper was finishing up his stretching when Midnight asked him if there was anything left to do.  He shook his head.

 

"Nah.  I think that's about enough for me today.  Some extra hours of sleep goes a long way in making sure you're prepped for something big like this race."

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight nodded, "That is certainly true." He went over and retrieved his bundle and helmet. "I still have some things I must attend to in the villages tonight, but I will walk with you back to the castle before I attend to them, I need to pick up some scrolls anyway." The pegasi looked slightly surprised. "Oh that's right, the village meetings are tonight. We really should get ready for those. We'll se you both tomorrow." And with that they sped off towards the mountain. 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper nodded as Midnight said he had some things to attend to in the mountain, which didn't surprise him to see the two Pegasi speed off to the mountains.  He looked at Midnight.

 

"It was an honor to run with you, Midnight.  I wish nothing but the best from you tomorrow."  And with that, he started to walk to the castle.

Edited February 12, 2016 by DwhitetheGamer

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight kept pace beside Copper on the path up the mountain. The Children village was a buzz of activity with what were clearly market stalls to either side of the main road. The Children did not pay the two much attention beyond smiles and the occasional wave, they kept out of the way so the two could proceed up the mountain unhindered.

 

"It was an enjoyable experience to run with you too, I in turn wish you luck for tomorrow's race."

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper smiled at Midnight while walking up the mountain.  He knew he made a great friend in him, and a nice rival as well.  He thought for a few seconds before coming up with an invite to visit.

 

"Hey, maybe the day after the race you and I can travel to Ponyville so that I could show around, that is barring you have any work to do the next couple of days.  How does that sound?"

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight looked a bit surprised, but he shrugged. "If you want to move on to the next phase of the exchange then I'm okay with it. I'll be sure to put my work in order so I can come to visit for a few days, if you still want that after the outcome of the race." Midnight gave a sly sideways smile, he seems confident about his chances of winning the race.

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper nodded Midnight's statement.  He knew there was work to be done, but he didn't mind showing him around Ponyville.  "That's okay.  I'm in no rush.  I'd have some things to catch up on in town anyways.  Anyways, if you have any questions about Ponyville, feel free to ask, or if you want to wait until after the race, then that's fine."

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight though a moment. "Do you think you could tell me a bit about the history of Ponyville? I haven't heard of it before so it must have been founded fairly recently, like in the past few decades. It is always good to know a thing or two about a place before you arrive." 

 

(Going with the story that the Apples including Granny Smith founded Ponyville, so the town can only be as old as she is.)

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

(Alright.)

 

Copper thought for a few seconds before replying.  "The town was founded a few decades ago by a family called the Apple family, with the one still living when she first found it is Granny Smith, or as who Applejack and her big brother, Big Mac does call her.  They were the first to move there, so obviously it took a couple weeks for others to make a settlement."

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight stumbled a bit in surprise. "Apples you say? THE Apple family? By the stars of course you mean THE Apple family. Well, I guess our blow wasn't nearly as crippling as we had supposed, and times have changed maybe they've forgotten what they did and what happened in the past. No, they were always big on oral tradition, they likely remember something of what happened hundreds of years ago." He turned his attention back to Copper. "Are there any zebras in Ponyville? If so, how is the Apples' relation with them?" 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper nodded.  "Yeah, it's the same Apple family that's been in the history books for quite some time.  Anyways, while she doesn't live in Ponyville, she lives in the Everfree Forest, there is a zebra by the name of Zecora who frequents the village.  It wasn't the Apple family themselves, rather the entire town feared her because of some voodoo curse what-not, though I've never believed the stories.  Eventually the town came through to respect her and her potion-making skills.  Oh, and she talks in rhyme all the time, like I just did."

Edited February 13, 2016 by DwhitetheGamer

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight was not surprised, yet still disappointed by the answer. "I guess they did pass down the stories then, they will no doubt remember me as the dark horse from their stories, summoned by the magics of their zebra slaves to rain vengeance upon them. The Apples were among the most prolific of slave owners, having dozens per orchard across Equestria. I take pride in having personally assisted in the liberation of most of them before the remainder gave up their slaves willingly when they heard of what had happened to the others. I fear my welcome to Ponyville may not be as warm as you expect."

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper bit his lip.  He got where Midnight was saying, however, he doesn't remember anything about that sort of history being told in the school he went to.  But then he chuckled, remembering one pony who'll make sure he was welcomed.

 

"Oh, it'll be a warm welcome, I can guarantee you that.  I know one specific pony who'll make sure of it.  Her name is Pinkie Pie, and she is the best at welcoming everypony to Ponyville.  Besides, they haven't actually taught that part of the history in the school there."

Edited February 13, 2016 by DwhitetheGamer

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight let out a long and weary sigh. "A Pie lives there too? how oddly coincident, next I suppose you'll tell me a Sparkle lives there too. The Pies wasn't as prolific as the Apples, but they had their slaves farm rocks of all things. Oh well, Maybe she hasn't heard of me and everything will be fine. Was she initially welcoming of this Zecora?" 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

Copper gave a short laugh.  "Not only is there a 'Sparkle' in Ponyville, but she became the Princess of Friendship a couple months ago.  Her name is Twilight Sparkle, and she's an egghead, as far as what the fastest Pegasus in Equestria, Rainbow Dash, calls her.  As far as I know, she reads a ton of books.  Anyways, no, Pinkie was like the rest of town initially of Zecora.

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight shook his head in disbelief. "This should certainly be interesting then. Given the Pie's reaction I would suppose she has heard of me as well. The Sparkles made it their mission back in the day to gain favor in the eyes of the princesses by rounding up the liberated zebras and bringing Sir and I to their justice. Seeing as this Sparkle is a princess herself the Sparkles were more successful than I anticipated. Perhaps she will try to recoup her family's lost honor by capturing me herself. Who knows. It may be best for me to be on my guard when I visit you." 

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Illiad Easle, 

 

 

Copper stopped dead in his tracks.  It was obvious Midnight assumed too much, and he had to end that right now.  He shook his head, getting a bit angry.

 

"Midnight, you wound me.  You got it all wrong.  Twilight is too nice; she'd never want to capture you.  Pinkie has never heard of you, either.  Why are you assuming too much?  It was a long time ago; the old times are long gone and I think it won't happen again.

Edited February 14, 2016 by DwhitetheGamer

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@DwhitetheGamer,

 

Midnight stopped as well, looking over at Copper with a slightly skeptical expression. "I've lived too long to not see the threads that bind society. I've watched as events become stories and heroes become simply myths. Did you know of Discord, or Nightmare Moon before they returned? Did your parents ever tell you that if you weren't good a dark and scary stallion would come and take you away? Their parents told then a similar story, and so on back to a group of children talking about how a huge scary stallion came and stole their parents away for their transgressions. Ponies may have forgotten me as a part of history, but I doubt they've forgotten me as their childhood stories, more so those families that I hurt more directly. I may be assuming too much, but it is my nature to be cautious. I hope they know nothing of me, that they've let go of their archaic family traditions, but I expect that they've clung to their traditions and the stories of me have been passed down. Reality is likely somewhere between those two points. If I hope for the best and prepare for the worst I will be ready for anything."

 

(So you understand why I single out the Pies and the Apples, of the six in that scene those two were the most scared of Zecora, in a complete turn of face from their ordinary natures as Pinky is usually very accepting and Applejack brave. They feared Zecora for a reason much more than a simple fear of strangers.)