open The Town That Friendship Forgot

[Dynamo Pad 11,471]

@Ragland Tiger @Courageous Thunder Dash

Dynamo nodded as the bespectacled mare had taken his hoof. Blushing slightly with a smile as it felt as if their held hooves were a perfect fit. As they made their way towards the stand, Dynamo had taken notice that some ponies were already aiming at balloons with their darts. It also seemed that the stand itself was really close to the teacup ride. A giant board had graced their vision, while along the board had balloons lined up from side to side. Ranging from different colors, while one balloon had stood out among the rest. That being a smaller balloon in the middle that was a golden color. Dynamo raised an eyebrow in curiosity as to why that was, but he felt it was better to ask and find out. Looking around, he saw that someone was operating the stall. "Um...excuse me? My date and I would like to try this stand, please." He says, hoping to gain the stand user's attention, while trying to not break the concentration of those who were playing.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad @Ragland Tiger

The carnie turned around. "Oh? Hello there. You would like to try I presume. It would be 5 bits for 5 darts. Since you're on a date...you'd only have to pay 5 bits for 10 darts...since you'll be splitting them in to two sets of five." The carnie said waiting for the bits. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,471]

@Ragland Tiger @Courageous Thunder Dash

As the carnie turned around, Dynamo listened to their explanation. Smiling at the kind offer. "Okay and thank you so much. That's really kind of you and we really appreciate it, sir." Dynamo responded, before pulling out five bits from his saddlebag. After handing the bits over to the stallion carnie, a thought had crossed Dynamo's mind. "Oh, that reminds me. I forgot to ask what are the rules for the balloon dart game? I'm guessing that if you hit the balloon, then you win a prize. However, how many do we have to hit in order to get specific prizes?" He asks, handing five darts to Bluebell, before he looked around at the prizes strewn about around the stand.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad @Ragland Tiger

"You must pop at least two balloons to win a prize. Two balloons will give you a small prize, 3 for a medium, four for a large and all 5 for a jumbp. However, pop that golden balloon and you'll get a super prize...don't let looks deceive you." The carnie warned. 

[Samurai Equine 52,500]

@ExplosionMare, @Courageous Thunder Dash, @PawelS, @Starforce Glimmer

Relief washes over Samurai when he realizes the exhibit isn't real. "Oh, that's wonderful." He tries to interact with the 'art' to see if it will do anything.

However, as he get interested in it, Tree and Sparkly appear. "Hi Tree-chan! I've actually met Sparkly moments ago. She seemed interested in exploring for herself, so I let her. But I'm glad you could join us." Samurai explains. "Chelsea-chan's exhibit is great! Might be the most lively thing here. Is there more?"

@Windy Breeze, @Courageous Thunder Dash

"Ooh! A security camera! That will definitely help you look after my shop." Trilby says and really examines it after giving Thundy a set of keys.

However, he is glad that Thundy, Keen, and Shadow are getting along. As Thundy does his thing, Trilby hops in the driver seat. Fastens his safety belt. Does a mental check of all the controls. Gently revs the engine. Starts the car and turns it around in the opposite direction. He rolls up beside Keen and Shadow, and presses a button to open the doors to the car. "Going my way, ladies?" Trilby asks, trying to act cool.

[Chelsea]

@Samurai Equine

"There's a lot more to see. In fact, Thundy's gonna bring some of his art cars to the museum. He'll also deck out the room with stuff from his original home planet to add on to the exhibit itself. It's gonna be really awesome." Chelsea said. 

[Chelsea]

@Starforce Glimmer @Samurai Equine @ExplosionMare @PawelS

Chelsea's ear twitched. "Wait..original body?" Chelsea asked tilting her head. "What were you before this...?" Chelsea asked, hoping that she wasn't intruding too much on Sparkly. She was curious however. 

[Pencil Pouch]

@Samurai Equine @Courageous Thunder Dash @Starforce Glimmer @PawelS

Pencil noticed Tree Song and the new mare coming her way. She stopped what she was doing to greet them. Working against her shy nature, she waved and said,

“H-hi, Tree Song! How are you doing? Oh, and who is this?” She gestured a hoof to the green mare. “I’m Pencil Pouch, by the way. Nice to meet you.” She gave the mare a friendly smile to show that she was somepony who could be trusted.

Edited May 13, 2021 by ExplosionMare

[Tree Song]

@Starforce Glimmer @ExplosionMare @Samurai Equine @Courageous Thunder Dash

I look at the exhibit that shows the ocean life in a very realistic way. "It looks pretty amazing, I didn't know you could do such things with your water magic."

The discussion about Sparkly's origins is getting interesting. "Earth? I think you're from the same planet as Thundy!"

[Chelsea]

@Starforce Glimmer @ExplosionMare @PawelS

Chelsea gasped. "That's just like Thundy! He was a human too on Earth! Wow! I think you two would really get along since you're from the same planet." Chelsea stated. She then turned to Tree Song. "I've discovered so many amazing things that I could do with my water magic...like making little water versions of my friends." Chelsea stated. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,471]

@Ragland Tiger @Courageous Thunder Dash

As the carnie pony had explained the rules, Dynamo had placed a hoof to his chin. "Two balloons that will give us a prize, huh? That sounds fair when you think about it. Considering that it could be simple to just hit one balloon and walk away with a prize. So, it's more of a challenge factor, or something along those lines. I think that's pretty interesting and a challenge is always fun and welcoming." He smiled with a nod, while being told of each prize level. Even the mention of a super prize was enticing as he noticed the golden balloon from before. "Thank you for the help, sir. There's just one more thing that I was wondering. Are we allowed to use our magic, or do we have to throw the darts by hoof?" He asks, looking around to see if there were rules that were put up on around the stand. As he was asking, a sudden thought had crossed Dynamo's mind, before turning his attention over towards the bespectacled mare. "Did you want to make this into another betting kind of game, or did you want to team up together, Bluebell?" To him, he wasn't much of a betting pony. So, he would lean more towards the latter option. He didn't mind either way, but he wanted to see how his date had felt.

Edited May 13, 2021 by Dynamo Pad

[Samurai Equine]

@ExplosionMare, @Courageous Thunder Dash, @PawelS, @Starforce Glimmer

"Thundy's exhibit sounds like it will be interesting." Samurai comments.

However, he becomes quiet when he sees the conversation unfolding between Sparkly and Chelsea. Instead, he turns to Pencil. "If you don't mind, I think I'll keep exploring the gallery." Samurai says before walking off, wanting to see all the art work this place has to offer.

[Pencil Pouch]

@Samurai Equine @Starforce Glimmer

Pencil blushed at Sparkly’s compliment. She was going to thank her but she had immediately gotten into a conversation with Chelsea. She listened idly just in case she was to get involved somehow. Sparkly had mentioned that she “woke up” as another being, which both concerned and surprised Pencil. She hoped Sparkly’s origins weren’t terribly tragic.

She looked to Samurai who said he was going to continue exploring the gallery. She turned to him and said,

“Ok, have fun Samurai!”

With everyone going in their own direction, Pencil returned to her office. She figured she might as well stay there for a while since she kept going back-and-forth to it. Once she arrived inside, she compiled a list of papers together and began to make lists of the few paintings that remained.

[Ragland Tiger 3,427]

@Dynamo Pad @Courageous Thunder Dash

On 2021-05-12 at 8:23 PM, Courageous Thunder Dash said:

"You must pop at least two balloons to win a prize. Two balloons will give you a small prize, 3 for a medium, four for a large and all 5 for a jumbp. However, pop that golden balloon and you'll get a super prize...don't let looks deceive you." The carnie warned

Bluebell pulled Dynamo over and whispered in his ear.  "L-l-look at the way-way th-th-th-the baloo-baloons are spaced.  It w-w-will help your aim," she said.

[Dynamo Pad 11,471]

@Ragland Tiger @Courageous Thunder Dash

Dynamo blinked in surprise as he was suddenly pulled over by Bluebell. His eyes glanced over towards her, before his ears perked from her thought process. His gaze slowly looking over at the balloons, he did indeed see what she was mentioning. The balloons were all spaced a bit evenly apart, but some looked closer than others. "That definitely helps out a lot. That, and the whole aim with the wind factor involved." He whispered back, while a gentle breeze had blown through his mane. "Though, what do you think, Bluebell? Want to team up together on this?" He asks, blushing slightly at how close the two of them were.

[Ragland Tiger 3,427]

 

@Dynamo Pad @Courageous Thunder Dash

 

9 minutes ago, Dynamo Pad said:

Dynamo blinked in surprise as he was suddenly pulled over by Bluebell. His eyes glanced over towards her, before his ears perked from her thought process. His gaze slowly looking over at the balloons, he did indeed see what she was mentioning. The balloons were all spaced a bit evenly apart, but some looked closer than others. "That definitely helps out a lot. That, and the whole aim with the wind factor involved." He whispered back, while a gentle breeze had blown through his mane. "Though, what do you think, Bluebell? Want to team up together on this?" He asks, blushing slightly at how close the two of them were.

"Y-you bet," said Blubell.

[Dynamo Pad 11,471]

@Ragland Tiger @Courageous Thunder Dash

"Awesome! In that case, you can have the first dart throw, Bluebell." He says, offering her the five of ten darts that were given to him by the carnie pony. He would have thrown a dart, but he remembered to be a gentlestallion and allow his date to take the first throw. "Oh, that reminds me. Excuse me, sir?" He turned towards the carnie pony with a curious expression on his face. "Are we allowed to use magic, or do we have to throw the darts by hoof?" He asks, wanting to make sure so they weren't accused of cheating or anything along those lines.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Dynamo Pad @Ragland Tiger

"No magic whatsoever. Relatively new rule. The ponies who run this whole carnival had to crack down on magic users and basically, we have these things here that sense if someone is using magic." The carnie said, showing a little device that he had attached to his carnie uniform. It detected magic. "Some ponies know how to suppress their auras, so we use these to catch those sneaky players." The carnie explained. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,471]

@Ragland Tiger @Courageous Thunder Dash

Dynamo looked to the device that was attached to the carnie's uniform, while being told the rules of magic and this game. Along with any game and magic in general. "Huh. I guess some things involving magic is okay like the spinning cup ride, but some games with magic are prohibited. Plus, the use of magic would make the throw way too easy to hit the intended target. Instead of throwing the dart normally and either getting lucky or planning the trajectory and aim of the throw and dart. That's fair and I guess it's a new rule for this carnival? The last time I went to a carnival, I was told the same thing that magic was prohibited. Granted, I was still a still a really young colt at the time, but still." Dynamo explained, before giving the carnie pony a thankful look. "Thank you for telling us, sir. I didn't want to do anything that would be considered playing unfairly with the use of magic. So, I guess it's the old fashioned way!" He smirked softly as he was ready to have some fun. However, he still waited patiently for when Bluebell would take the first throw.

[Ragland Tiger 3,427]

@Dynamo Pad  @Courageous Thunder Dash

1 hour ago, Dynamo Pad said:

"Thank you for telling us, sir. I didn't want to do anything that would be considered playing unfairly with the use of magic. So, I guess it's the old fashioned way!" He smirked softly as he was ready to have some fun. However, he still waited patiently for when Bluebell would take the first throw.

Bluebell picked up the first dart, and aimed carefully.  She gently lobbed it at a yellow balloon. It missed by a fraction of an inch.  "Aw, sh-sh-shucks!", she said

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

@Ragland Tiger @Dynamo Pad

"Ooooh...so close. Don't ya just hate when that happens..." The carnie said looking at Bluebelle. "You got the strategy there. Lobbing works because the dart will essentially rip through the balloon because of the downward motion." The carnie explained. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,471]

@Ragland Tiger @Courageous Thunder Dash

As she picked up the first dart, Dynamo watched as she aimed carefully, before lobbing the dart at the balloon. He frowned as the dart had missed the balloon by just a little bit. He could hear the slight frustration in her voice as he placed a comforting hoof upon her shoulder. "It's okay and don't worry, Bluebell. There's still plenty of chances for us to hit the balloons." He smiled softly to reassure the bespectacled mare. He heard the carnie's remark as he nodded in agreement. "That's happened to me a couple of times in certain games. The idea is sound, but then luck or other things can mess up the idea." He had recalled in games where a chance had either won him the game or had him lose, but he couldn't blame chance. However, he did take the carnie's advice into account as the gaming unicorn looked at the board. Scanning his eyes across the balloons for just a moment, he took his dart and took aim. Pulling his arm back, he extended that same arm forward as he threw the dart. It was a fairly straight throw with the dart staring upwards at an angle, before it straightened out and popped one of the balloons. "There we go!" He smiled and nodded as the couple scored a point.

[Samurai Equine]

@ExplosionMare, @Courageous Thunder Dash

Samurai browses the art galleries as much as he can. Some displays, he enjoys. Others, well... They're just not his style, so he respectfully moves on.
After minutes of exploring, Samurai find Pencil again.

"You've been doing a great job here, Pencil-chan. I hope I saw everything. I was expecting a guided tour. Is there anything the museum needs? Any money donations, perhaps?" Samurai asks.

He also is wondering how Chelsea is doing. Should he ask, or is she too busy with other things? She said Thundy might show up, but so far nothing's happened...

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@Samurai Equine @Courageous Thunder Dash

Keen's eyes sparkled with fascination and wonder as she reached out a hoof at the sword which formed in thin air in front of her own eyes, her smile grew wide when she felt the smooth texture of the blade, “Unicorns can only do this but...” she looks at Thundy, “With that amazing magic of yours, y....you....”

“Are you okay, Keen?” Shadow was worried when Keen begin to shake, quickly intensifying before jumping.

“You have made a breakthrough in evolution!” she declared loudly. Shadow sighed, relieved to see Keen is okay.

On 2021-05-13 at 12:06 PM, Samurai Equine said:

However, he is glad that Thundy, Keen, and Shadow are getting along. As Thundy does his thing, Trilby hops in the driver seat. Fastens his safety belt. Does a mental check of all the controls. Gently revs the engine. Starts the car and turns it around in the opposite direction. He rolls up beside Keen and Shadow, and presses a button to open the doors to the car. "Going my way, ladies?" Trilby asks, trying to act cool.

“Oh, I will never say no to this offer!” Keen jumped into the vehicle faster than a hare, an amused Shadow following close. It was good to see Keen's optimism.

[Pencil Pouch]

@Samurai Equine

“O-oh, sorry, ponies kept coming into the office!” Pencil apologized. “I’d still be happy to give you a tour, though.”

She led Samurai to the areas she didn’t think he’d been. Some exhibits were being put up by various staff members as the other exhibits were going on since so many artists had offered their donations. This exhibit focused on wildlife pieces, whether they were realistic or stylized.

“This exhibit just got put up. We’ve had quite a few paintings and other things come in so we’ve had to create exhibits during the museum’s opening. The theme of this one is wildlife, so there’s a lot of foxes, rabbits, birds, animals of that sort. I think there’s even a few exotic creatures in the mix that you would probably like.” she explained, pointing out each painting as she listed it off.

Indeed, there were a couple of exotic creature pieces in the mix. One was a painting of a cockatrice that was painted in many unusual hues. The cockatrice was twisted at an odd angle, setting a fearful mood. The painting was titled “Entrancement of the Snake Chicken”, which was accurate since looking at the painting almost made Pencil feel like she was staring at a real cockatrice. The other artwork was a marble statue of a manticore. It stood proudly, although its tail seemed to drag behind it. Pencil assumed it had been in a battle of sorts and had fought with its tail.

She waited for Samurai to look around and ask any questions he wanted before he proceeded. She wanted to make sure he could absorb as much of the exhibit as he wanted to without feeling like he needed to rush to the next one.