open A Stone in Ripple's Heart (1x1 with Califorum)

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

OOC Here

@Califorum

It was the middle of Spring in the Emerald Isles, and the famed Archaeologist and Historian, Ripple Twist, was busy excavating some ancient ruins that recently been discovered. She had set some samples of rock and gems she had found to be dated in later days, while she continued to unearth the ruins. 

About mid afternoon on the third day, Ripple would look up from her digging spot to see a grey mare looking at the rocks and gems she had set aside. Trotting over to them, she would ask "Excuse me miss, I don't seem to recognise you as a part of my team, may I ask what you are doing here?"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple would look at the mare with an eyebrow raised "Well..okay, but I would like it if you could please not damage them, as I am going to attempt to use them to date them to the period of this ruin" she would say to her.

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

She would follow her "Well yes, I expect there to be some remains from the Paleontology Age, but I am a mere archaeologist and historian, Paleontology isn't my field" she would say, "But if you can help, I would greatly appreciate it...oh where are my manners, my name is Ripple Twist"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

"Maud Pie..as in sister to Pinkie Pie?" She would ask, and then listen to her "Fascinating, 1500 years ago you say?" she'd query, jotting down her notes "How can you tell?" she looks at the rock "And that is the...ooh I think I have my notes here somewhere"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

"Interesting" she continues putting notes down "Would you like to be credited in my findings? I like to be factual and to give credit to who ever helps me" she'd say, looking the mare over. To many she may seem plain and ordinary, but there was something about her that fascinated Ripple.

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple smiles and wrote down a note to credit Maud "This rock, is 1500 years old, predating even the Princesses, but this ruin..is much more recent than that..how are you with dating things like pottery and the such?" she would ask her, "I know clay isn't very much like rock, but it has minerals and such, correct?"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple nodded "So a couple hundred years? What era would you say?" she'd ask "and is there any way I can repay you for your help? A drink perhaps?" she'd ask her "I hear the cider they serve in town is quite good"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

She'd smile and watch Maud put the pottery down "Are you sure? Well okay, but at least keep the rock, I'm sure there's plenty more around here I can find" she'd say to her and nod a little "And yes, Cider sounds does sound good, or a colder drink, who knows" she'd say, "you don't mind me looking like this do you? I can refreshing up a bit first if you'd prefer"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple smiles and nods "Very well, then lets go" she'd say, leading Maud towards the town centre where the pub was "So, what brings you to the Emerald Isles?" she'd ask, trotting alongside her.

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

She would nod and smile a little "I suppose there's a lot here to discover" she says. She'd look around some, seemingly interested in their surroundings "So, how long will you be staying? I could certainly use some knowledgeable help in my research"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple would nod, "That's good" She'd say, sitting down at the bar and ordering two ciders for them. "I've only been here a few days, but already I'm appreciating the beautiful countryside here, it's nothing like Canterlot."

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple would nod at that "Oh you're right there, everything is so.. uniform" she'd say with a shudder "not to mention, always so loud and busy" she would smile a little, but then frown as a particularly intoxicated stallion would soon approach them,

"Hey there missy" he'd say to Maud, "What's a cutie like you doing here?", an obvious attempt at flirting and trying a old pick up line.

Ripple just looked at him deadpan "Excuse me, but if you could please leave my friend alone, that would be much appreciated"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

"Aww come on missy, what if I buy you a drink?" He'd insist, while Ripple just stood up and poured her cider all over him

"I suggest you sober up and move on, my former husband was a Canterlot Guard, and I am sure some here may remember serving with him" she'd say, looking to a few she had recognised, who had begun to rise.

"Geeze, uptight much, fine, I'll go" the stallion says as he is then 'escorted' out by the guards.

"Bartender, a whiskey please, I seemed to have wasted my cider" Ripple would say with a slight sigh.

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple thanks the bartender and sat back down, "Sorry about that Maud, I just..detest stallions who act like that, sober or drunk" she'd say, "Needless to say though, my husband, may he rest in peace, would probably be proud of how I handled it"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

She would look down, "He was a general in the guard, we were set for vacation just when the Changeling attack happened. He, of course, being the dutiful guard he was, went to fight...after the battle...one of his Captain's came to me, bearing his personal items..he..he was killed in action"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple would smile a little "Both I and Lilac, our daughter, miss him a lot, but we know he died doing what he loved, protecting others" she would say "Thank you Maud, for listening" she'd thank her, sipping on her whiskey "Ah, that hit the spot"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple would smile and nod, thankful for the company "I think you two would get along very well, Lilac loves rocks and gems. She likes to collect pebbles, especially when I take her to Sandy Shores"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple would smile a bit at that "I am sure she would, she has told me she wants to be a geologist when she grows up" she says, finishing her whiskey, and just enjoying the company of Maud.

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

She smiles "If you're offering to teach Lilac, I will gladly accept" she would say to her "In fact..it's her birthday in a month, and I asked your sister to prepare a party..you're more than welcome to come if you'd like to meet her" she says "though don't be surprised if she goes on and on about her rock collection, she has Autism, and well can tend to carry on sometimes"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum 

Ripple smiled "Excellent, here's when and where it will be" she says, writing it down on a piece of paper that the bartender gave to her "She'll be so excited, it'll be the best birthday gift ever, though I did pick up this stone, I think she will like" she says, showing a rather pretty opal to Maud.

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

"I found it yesterday while digging in the ruins, it was preserved in a little chest I dug up" she'd say "I always try to bring something home from my digs for Lilac" she smiles to her, easing up a bit more around her.

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple would smile and nod "Those sure ae some pretty rocks" she would say, sitting closer to Maud, "Do you have a place to stay yet? If not, there's a spare bed in my room" she would say to her with a soft smile, ordering a mimosa.

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple would smile "Excellent" she would say to her, sipping on her mimosa, "Certainly would be a lot safer than being in a room, all alone" she'd say, "I must warn you, I do sometimes have nightmares and night terrors"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple would smile and take the Quartz "Thank you, Maud, I shall certainly give it a try" she'd say, putting it in her pocket for later that night, "I am glad I met you Maud" she'd say to her "I was actually struggling with lonliness for some time"

[Scarlet SoftPaws 3,588]

@Califorum

Ripple would smile over at Maud, most might have some trouble with he monotone tone, but Ripple was soothed by it, and she knew she had made a good friend in her as well. She'd lean on her a little, both due to her being tired and also a bit from the alcohol.