open Life in Ponyville -Slice of life-

[)NightmareLulamoon( 51]

Dusk woke up.  Why am I up?  It's too early...  My foreleg feels funny...  He looked and it looked normal (for a unicorn) except there was a little hole in the middle.  He jolted a bit and made the hole disappear.  Good thing I noticed that... Must've been 'cause of the dream I had made me start to change a little...  At least Dawn's still asleep...  I'm going back to bed though...  He dozed off to sleep again.

 

"Attention! 7th frontline defense battalion prepare for duty! Good morning and welcome to another beautiful day, guardians! Breakfast is ready. See you downstairs within the next minutes!" she shouted loud enough. As soon as she heared them both reply, she got down and waited for everyone. She was sure that Blazing Storm had heared her too and would prepare for breakfast.

 

 

He got up quick and replied.  Good thing I'm trained in getting up quickly and being a light sleeper...  He kissed Dawn's cheek.  "Are you ready for our first day?"

[Pr3datorTaco 169]

Iron Wing

 

@@Colt, @@Pr3datorTaco, @@)NightmareLulamoon(,

 

 

 

Iron Wing looked a bit surprised at the first moment as Colt said he wanted to come with her. It was sweet of the dragon that he wanted to make his promise count for defending her from all harm. But then he said something in addition to the first sentence.

 

 

 

She had to laugh a bit and looked at his innocent face. "That´s not a problem at all. Just be sure not to overreact on things you might see or hear if you stay with me while i am on patrol. Beeing a guardian is a wonderful job... but also dangerous. You cannot save me from every danger that might appear. I will be in combat sooner or later and i hope you can live with knowing that. And be sure sweetheart, you are not a nuisance." she sait with a heart warming smile. She just loved him and nothing would change that.

 

 

 

"Huh? Of course you can use it. It´s big enough, just there in the bathroom. See ya downstairs!" she said and walked out of the room. She thought about a dragon using a shower and imagined Colt standing wet under the... she stopped for a short time and blushed. Aww, i should have joined him. Damn it! she thought and giggled and continued to go into the kitchen. She prepared the table for 5 poeple and made some good coffee. After that she started to make pancakes with delicious sweet sirup. For the ponies or dragons that didn´t like pancakes she prepared sandwiches and muesli. After a short while working in the kitchen, she had finished the preparations. She went upstairs to  Dusk Spawn´s and Spirit Flame´s rooms and took a deep breath. "Attention! 7th frontline defense battalion prepare for duty! Good morning and welcome to another beautiful day, guardians! Breakfast is ready. See you downstairs within the next minutes!" she shouted loud enough. As soon as she heared them both reply, she got down and waited for everyone. She was sure that Blazing Storm had heared her too and would prepare for breakfast.

Dawn bolted awake."Huh? Wha?....Oh okay! Dusk...Dusk wake up breakfast is ready....." She shakes Dusk and gets out of bed. She trots over to her armor cabinet and puts it all on.

 

Hunter trotted into the kitchen, kissed Rain on the cheek and sat at the table

"just one sugar, il mio amato (my beloved) might put some of that planning to action, have somethings booked in ready for our big day. maybe Applejack, Mayor and Rarity first so they have enough notice"

"Okay." He drops a sugar cube in and stirs it. He gives Hunter her cup and sits across from her. "That sounds like a good idea, have you thought about who all you wanna invite?" Rain takes a sip of his coffee and sighs in contempt.

 

Hank smiles "twilight.. i dont need anything else.. i have my sister. Thats good enough." He hugs her. "Twilight do you have anypony i should meet? And where will i be staying?" He looks around the living room "so much books. Did you read al of thse yet?" He smiles jokingly

"Okay if you say so Hank." Twilight hugs him back. "Actually I want you to meet my assistance Spike. SPIKE!!!! Come down here I want you to meet somepony!" Twi smiles. "Actually I have read all these books. Do you wanna borrow some of them?"

[kappa214 76]

Hank smiles "i read a lot of books on my free time when i can. I read them in the private library in the castle." He hugs her. 

Spike came running down the stairs "Who is it twilight?" 

Hank smiles "im Hank.. Twilight's brother. Its really nice to meet you spike." 
spike smiles "it is nice to meet you.. i better be going i got work to do." He ran back upstairs.

 

Hank smiles "twilight, have you made any new friends yet?"

[Sky Warden 2,243]

Sky Warden slowly opened his eyes. He moved his gaze slowly from the ceiling to the window. He jumped from his bed and landed without making any sound. He stood still for a while before he leaned and outstretched his body and wings. After a long and delightful yawn, he went downstairs.

He strode to the kitchen for some coffee as usual. A warm and relaxing feeling ran throughout his body when he saw Saphie there. He hugged the mare with his right wing, "Morning Saphie" He said as he ruffled her mane with his muzzle affectionately.

[ParsoOfEquestria 1,490]

Dawn bolted awake."Huh? Wha?....Oh okay! Dusk...Dusk wake up breakfast is ready....." She shakes Dusk and gets out of bed. She trots over to her armor cabinet and puts it all on.

 

"Okay." He drops a sugar cube in and stirs it. He gives Hunter her cup and sits across from her. "That sounds like a good idea, have you thought about who all you wanna invite?" Rain takes a sip of his coffee and sighs in contempt.

 

"Okay if you say so Hank." Twilight hugs him back. "Actually I want you to meet my assistance Spike. SPIKE!!!! Come down here I want you to meet somepony!" Twi smiles. "Actually I have read all these books. Do you wanna borrow some of them?"

Hunter took a sip of her coffee, it was exactly how she liked it, she looked back to Rain with a smile

"might need to make a list, but Im sure to add Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow, Fluttershy and Rarity. they have been real friendly to me when i arrived here"

[Colt 555]

@@Iron Wing, 

The warm water fall over all of his body, the shower was perfect for relaxing and Colt tried to get his mind straight. He was glad that Iron let him come over to the patrol and cross his heart for not being a trouble maker during it. Also the words from the sweet cerulean pegasus made him take a some thoughts about her vocation. Some drops after his mind came up to a conclusion and he was going to tell her just before the patrol began.

 

His mind was clearer “She loves me… I think she does and feel she does, so If she feels for me something  closer to what I feel for her then I can relax a bit, stop thinking in terrible outcomes or ends…yes let’s just face the fact that she loves me for what I am…” those where his ideas as the water stop droping. Among the steam of the bath he stared at the mirror looking to himself “… loves me for what I am” he released a sigh and smiled. That was a very peculiar feeling.

 

After the shower he tidied the bathroom and went down stairs while wiping with a towel, the aroma of sweet pancakes and coffee filled the tower making Colt remember those breakfast with his parents. He looked at Iron Wing waiting for everypony to wake up, the dragon walked to her side and give he a peck in her cheek. “Good morning Celes ” he said to her after realizing he didn’t greet her before, and he was not going to start a day being rude. “All looks delicious thanks for this” he said with a smile as looking into her eyes.

 

“Celes I… there is something I need to tell you and it has to do with what you said upstairs” the dragon did not change his exprecion he was calmed and happy to speak with heart in paw to the mare. “I trust you, I really do, I know you are smart,strong,tenacious all this and much more, I know you have to face difficult situations, and that maybe you like take showers with sharp arrows. ” Colt said referencing the incident of her last mission “I believe you are able to come back and that you now have another reason to do so. I believe in you Celes, and I will not go out behind you trying to keep you safe because of that. I swear I’ll always believe in you, but please promise me something” the dragon looked into her eyes with profound sight   “Believe in me, trust that I can be the wind beneath your wings. Promise that if you ever find something too big to face alone you will believe and call for me”

 

He then smiled and took a sit on the table he will always be there for her, and Colt wished for her to know it.

[Earth Saphina 35]

Saphina was a little surprised by Sky's presence, but relaxed as the stallion hugged her and ruffled her mane softly. she pecked his cheek as an 'I love you too' reply. she looked up at him. Sky was about a head taller than her. she stared at him with a warm smile on her face, "Morning too. say...what do you want for breakfast? I think we can go out and find something. I will pay this time. I insist!" her face turned more serious when she said the last part, but she still looked at him softly, "You paid for our lunch yesterday, and that's not the deal".

[Sky Warden 2,243]

Sky blushed when Saphie kissed his cheek. He knew that it wasn't the first time anymore, but he couldn't help it. Still blushing, he stared back at the mare and giggled, "I did? Okay then. I won't pay this time. This is your turn". He patted the mare's head, "Sugarcube Corner sounds good 'eh? I guess you will like Pinkie Pie. She's kind and kinda active like you" He chuckled, "Well, good baker as well".

Edited January 17, 2013 by Sky Warden

[Jon the VGNerd 887]

Arisaka, still at the market area in Ponyville, is still waiting for afternoon to set in. However, it's been a slow day whilst waiting for afternoon to set in as he struggles to maintain awake, despite the lengthy wait. Unfortunately, tiredness and boredom has already set in as he eventually dozes off while waiting for the time to pass by.

[Iron Wing 237]

Iron Wing

 

@@Colt,

 

“Celes I… there is something I need to tell you and it has to do with what you said upstairs”

 

Something she said upstairs? Some thoughts rushed into Irons mind, forcing her to think about different things and meaning. But she calmed down some moments later, just listening to what Colt had to tell her.

 

“I trust you, I really do, I know you are smart,strong,tenacious all this and much more, I know you have to face difficult situations, and that maybe you like take showers with sharp arrows. ”

 

Showers with sharp arrows? Did he think she was that hardcore and tough that she would do something absurd like this? Then she remembered that she had some arrows in her armor not too long ago. That was the thing he was talking about! So he had seen it. She blushed a bit embarrassment as she did not wanted to show him that she was in dangerous situations like this.

 

“I believe you are able to come back and that you now have another reason to do so. I believe in you Celes, and I will not go out behind you trying to keep you safe because of that. I swear I’ll always believe in you, but please promise me something”

“Believe in me, trust that I can be the wind beneath your wings. Promise that if you ever find something too big to face alone you will believe and call for me”

 

She looked into the eyes of the dragon and knew what he was talking serious. He wanted not to be in her way while doing her duty as a guardian, the dangerous and proud job she was doing. It was very difficult to admit that she could ever need help. But she knew herself too good... of course she needed help from time to time. And now she had somebody she could trust... somebody she could talk to... It was a nice and honorable feeling that Colt thought about this like that. She took a deep breath.

 

"I blieve in you Colt... i really do. I know myself very good and sometimes i have problems... with admit that i need help for real. But be sure that if i have to face something i cannot handle by myself, i will remember that i am not alone anymore. I´ll remember to call for help and that i have not to lift all the problems alone." she said to the dragon.

 

Celes wanted to say something more as somepony knocked on the door. She made an apologetic face to Colt and went to the door and opened it. A mail pony was there. "As you wished i am here to get your express delivery!" the pony said. "Ah, wonderful. Here, this goes to Cloudsdale as fast as possible. To the clan home of the Grayhoove family." Celes told the pony. "Yes maám, it´s there within short time!" the mail pony said and lifted off into the air. Iron closed the door and looked at Colt.

[Colt 555]

"I blieve in you Colt... i really do. I know myself very good and sometimes i have problems... with admit that i need help for real. But be sure that if i have to face something i cannot handle by myself, i will remember that i am not alone anymore. I´ll remember to call for help and that i have not to lift all the problems alone."

 

"Thats right..." the words on Colt’s mind started to flow. “You are not alone... and neither I am” he smiled and saw her walking to the door. “Thanks…” he whispered.

 

Colt was good getting to know ponies, maybe this particular talent was not very exploited because of obvious reasons but with all the time he spent with Iron Wing he knew that all what she said was difficult so say… but truth. Just as he said the dragon trusted her and belived in her, and with her words as a reminder he knew she was being honest… after all he felt it.

 

"Where is every pony?, cant they smell this?... isnt Blaze like an eating tornado?. and those 2 this is not the military discipline like I remember" the dragon said to himself as his stomach growled. The smell and sight of the breakfast was just too good but he will not start without everyone in the table, at least Celes. @@)NightmareLulamoon(,@@Pr3datorTaco,

 

He took a fresh strawberry and gobble it to ease the hunger as he saw the celes at the door and didn’t wanted to but dragon ears are kind of sharp and he listen to the conversation… a message…to cloudsdale…top priority… her family. His reptilian eyes opened wide, he gulped a little as he arrived to the most obvious deduction possible (at least for him). He analyzed the possibilities once more, as far as he could get Celes was very close and fond to her family… she talked about this on the cafe the day before and now… it had to be that… right?. Maybe he was wrong but he had to know.

 

When his marefriend close the dore she looket at him, he sighed and scratched his head… “So?” he asked with a funny voice and grinning “Do I need to get myself a suit?”, after all a dragon have to look good when is introduced to his veryspecial somepony family.

Edited January 18, 2013 by Colt

[)NightmareLulamoon( 51]

@@Pr3datorTaco,

 

Dusk put on his new armor again and started to head downstairs.  He turned to Dawn.  "So are you ready for our first day on patrol here?  I've never done a patrol like this, so I'm pretty excited, what about you?"  But, I do remember something about Iron mentioning she saw changeling movement...  I really hope we don't actually encounter any...  If they recognize me, then they'll definately come and sneak into the lives of the ponies here...  Or worse, reveal what I am...

[Feather Gem 967]

"Really," Angel said.  "It's our pleasure.  We can go now," she smiled.  She began to the door and pushed it open.  She turned back.  "If you want to anyway," she said.

I'll never be a leader.  Just a follower.  Oh well.  I don't want to be one.  Maybe I don't want to be any.  I'm fine being any maybe.

[Earth Saphina 35]

"Pinkie Pie? I think I've ever heard about her. she participated in the baking competition in Canterlot right? she must be a good baker" Saphie said as she stared at the stallion warmly. she held Sky's hoof gently and dragged her beloved one outside their house, "Our house". she was very close to him as they walked along the street of Ponyville. she looked up at the sky. it was very bright and sunny. she really wanted to fly again, but she knew that it would be very awkward if everypony in the town looked at them flying that way.

(OOC: Sorry I'm not so active these few days Sky. Busy studying. I think you need to study harder too Sky! It's our last semester. )

Edited January 18, 2013 by Earth Saphina

[Iron Wing 237]

Iron Wing

 

@@Colt,

 

When his marefriend close the dore she looket at him, he sighed and scratched his head… “So?” he asked with a funny voice and grinning “Do I need to get myself a suit?”, after all a dragon have to look good when is introduced to his veryspecial somepony family.

 

Of course Colt had noticed that she had send a mail to her parents so she looked at him with a little smile on her face, trying to hide that she was very excited. "Well... for my father you just need to be patient and honest... but for my mother, you need nerves of steel, much luck and the blessing of the ruling princesses to pass...." she said joking a little. But she sighed then and looked at her dragon friend. Her mother would be difficult to satisfy and she would judge with the eyes of a sphinx. "To be honest, it probably won´t get easy. But if you get approval from my parents, the complete clan will accept you as part of the family and honored member of the clan." she explained to him. She walked to the stairs and looked a bit angry. "Those two do sleep very long. Perhaps i should take them to a military drill next time..." she mumbled. "I am starving and duty is about to begin!" she shouted upstairs. Then she sat on a chair and made a sign for Colt to begin with the breakfast. "Hope you like everything!" she said with a warm smile and started eating the delicious pancakes.

 

Blazing Storm

 

Blazing Storm slept very good this night the sound of Iron Wings voice made her awake. She got up and went into the bathroom, cleaning a bit and getting ready for the day. Soon she heared that Iron was a bit angry, probaply about the new ones in the tower. She didn´t know much about the two new ponies, but she hoped that she could make some new friends. And if Iron trusted them, they seemed to be okay. She went downstairs then, seeing Colt and Iron on the table, already started eating. "G´morning!" She said and got on a free place. With almost no effort she grabbed a couple of sandwiches and a cup of coffee. She furled the sandwiches into the pancakes. It looked weird and delicious at the same time. With one big bite a quarter of the food pile was gone and she gobbled it like it was nothing. "Yummi! Pancakewich!" she laughed and looked at the two.

[Sky Warden 2,243]

(OOC : . Okay. I just remembered that we have a test on Monday. )

Sky Warden led Saphie to the Sugarcube Corner. He blushed and glanced away when some ponies looked at them with a weird smile on their face. He sure knew those ponies and they might knew him as well since he had lived there for a pretty long time. He was well known as a loner, but that day, they saw him and Saphie walked very close to each other. They finally arrived in Sugarcube Corner and he observed the room for a seat.

(OOC : Who wants to play as Pinkie Pie? )

[Colt 555]

"Well... for my father you just need to be patient and honest... but for my mother, you need nerves of steel, much luck and the blessing of the ruling princesses to pass...."

"The blessing of the princesses..." that hit a soft spot on Colt, but after the lesson he got from the misunderstanding with Blazing storm he didn’t even react “keep your issues out of your mind dragon” Most important than that it seemed that her mother was a force to be reckon with he gulped a little “Am I good enough for her?… “ the dragon insecurities started to sprout on his head as Iron started to enjoy the feast before them. “We had a deal dragon, to follow your heart, she will be there with you, we can go through this”

 

“Good Morning Blazing”

 

Sudenly the tempest hunger named Blazing Storm arrived and the crimson mare started the eating galore… “You better get some fast, or stay without breakfast”. Colt got some pancakes in his plate bathe them with syrup and got a bowl of Müsli {occ: German granola ^.^}, Colt liked the honey flavored cereals and the pancakes had a particular cinnamon taste that was just great. He got seconds of both, starting to challenge Blazing’s eating levels.

 

“Celes this is delicious. I won’t mind to have something like this every day”, once again his mouth spoke his mind, Colt realized what he said, and its implications as a spoon with Müsli entered his snout his eyes opened wide with surplice and started to traveling between Iron and Blazing expecting some reactions… “Save this you jerk do something” … his brain commanded.

 

“Well it’s the first day for the new guardians you can be a little soft on them.” He said “Nice and smooth idiot, sudden topic change was the best thing you could do.” His mind once again attacked but the dragon was on this train and couldn’t way back now, “And todays patrol is on your mission itinerary isn’t it… lets just enjoy the breakfast until they come down, I can listen the armors moving  up stairs” @@Pr3datorTaco, @@)NightmareLulamoon(,

 

Lets say that was as smooth as a Train wreckage “A..A.. any way do you know where can I get that suit I was talking about” he said with a FML face.

Edited January 19, 2013 by Colt

[~/XC- BRONY\~ 310]

"Really," Angel said.  "It's our pleasure.  We can go now," she smiled.  She began to the door and pushed it open.  She turned back.  "If you want to anyway," she said.

I'll never be a leader.  Just a follower.  Oh well.  I don't want to be one.  Maybe I don't want to be any.  I'm fine being any maybe.

 

Rocket followed the couple out of the store. he began to think of how his luck had finally changed. he finally found some nice ponies in this world and felt very happy about it. he wondered wht his job would be and what the food would be like. he laughed at that last thought, he was really hungry.

[Feather Gem 967]

Angel walked ahead, deciding that she could lead this time.  Hopefully, when she turned back around, they'd still be there.  Angel soon reached the house.  She pulled out her keys and unlocked the door.  She swung it open and stepped inside, flipping the light switch.

[)NightmareLulamoon( 51]

Angel walked ahead, deciding that she could lead this time.  Hopefully, when she turned back around, they'd still be there.  Angel soon reached the house.  She pulled out her keys and unlocked the door.  She swung it open and stepped inside, flipping the light switch.

Indigo turned to Rocket.  "Make yourself at home if you like."  I wonder what kind of food Angel has here...  I haven't really looked myself yet.  "The kitchen is over this way."  He went into the kitchen hoping the others were following.  I wonder if he's going to sleep here or back at the shop tonight?

[Feather Gem 967]

Angel followed Indigo into the kitchen.  She glanced around.  I haven't got much.  She picked up a loaf of bread and a knife.  She swiftly cut a couple slices off.  She opened the fridge and saw the few other things they had.  Blueberries, grapes, celery, lettuce, apples, carrots, daffodils, lilies, daisies and a half full bottle of apple cider.

"Er...take your pick?" she said, glancing at Rocket.

[~/XC- BRONY\~ 310]

Indigo turned to Rocket.  "Make yourself at home if you like."  I wonder what kind of food Angel has here...  I haven't really looked myself yet.  "The kitchen is over this way."  He went into the kitchen hoping the others were following.  I wonder if he's going to sleep here or back at the shop tonight?

"ok thanks" rocket said, he smiled and sat in the corner, he didn't want to be a rude guest. many questions were on his mind. mainly about the shop, but he decided to stay quiet about that. he looked at the nice pictures on the wall, and the little nick-nacks on the shelves. it was quiet for a while. so rocket dicided to let out the first words

"so do you folks like living in ponyville?"

 

[Iron Wing 237]

Iron Wing

 

@@Colt,

 

“Celes this is delicious. I won’t mind to have something like this every day”

 

Celes laughed a bit as she heard Colt saying that and Blaze just heavy nodding because her mouth was too full to say anything. Sometimes she was wondering how Blaze could even breath like that. "Well if you think it´s good, than i will do something like that every day possible." she said smiling at the dragon. She had already noticed Colts implication and it was just sweet how he changed the subject.

 

“Well it’s the first day for the new guardians you can be a little soft on them.”

 

She sighed. "Perhaps you are right. But a guardian has to represent respect and law. I would welcome promptness. But perhaps... perhaps both are a good team and i should send them always together for tasks...." she said and thought a bit of it. "It would be a good combination to put a newcomer and a medic into a team. Since they both are bond to the ground it would make much sense to complete tasks together, and it would promote the team spirit. And i have a nice task for both of them in mind i think..." she continued and put out a notepad to write some things down. She would do the scouting patrols while the new guards could go into town, patroling several places and getting known by the residents.

 

“A..A.. any way do you know where can I get that suit I was talking about”

 

Celes looked a bit surprised at her dragonfriend and laughed outloud. He was just the big sweetheart! "I don´t think you should wear a suit if you meet my parents. You are doing fine the way you are. It´s always better to get to know someone the natural way instead of hiding behind some clothes that do not represent you. My mother is a nice woman, but she is very intelligent. She would see through every disguise you try to keep. So just be honest and speak with your heart and everything should be fine. Never think about how to make a good impression and listen to your feelings." she said to her special somedragon. The funny fact on this sentence was that it was her mother that told her this.

 

Blazing Storm

 

He got seconds of both, starting to challenge Blazing’s eating levels.

 

Blaze looked at the dragon who started to challenge her indirecty. She made eyes contact and smiled with a such big smile the dragon probably had never seen until now. She stuffed some sandwiches into her mouth and filled the rest of space with pancakes. Of course Iron Wing had made enough food to feed a whole regiment so the other guardians would have enough to eat. But now Blazes face just looked funny and she knew that she would regret this in the later day. But for now it was important to change the dragons expression into a astonished one, and she gobbled the hole thing down. She sighed loud as the food went down into her belly. "Huh... i bet a large amount like this is... *burp* ... too much for you, eh?" she cleaned her snout off the sirup that was left.

[Colt 555]

"Well if you think it´s good, than i will do something like that every day possible."

Colt blushed a little and saw her back with tender eyes, he smiled at her and kept listening to her. He noticed Blaze stuffing his mouth with an unthinkable amount of food widening his eyes and triggering some words in his mind "Celestia be blessed I bet she can gobble me with ease" 

 

Never think about how to make a good impression and listen to your feelings.

 

The dragon's mind took focus again on Iron's words, she was right he knew following his feelings and speaking the truth was the right approach but how.

 

“I know Is just that… Six days ago I didn’t even thought of leaving a good impression, hay!,  my purpose was to didn’t leave an impression at all. And that was good, but now… ” Colt looked at Iron wing “…but now I must do a good one, great one or else…” the dragon closed his eyes for a second, for some reason just thinking in that “else” was not allowed witch in a way helped to snap out of it.

 

“Forget it, Im just being a drama queen right now… lets hope for the best after all I will show them that I really care for you. I don’t think I can miss on that”.

 

Blazing galore of breakfasting made Colt laugh and washed away some of his worries. “Well I sure I can’t Blaze Im pretty attached to my jaw”

 

“So when are they coming to see you?... or are we going fly for Cloudsdale?” the dragon asked to his special somepony

Edited January 21, 2013 by Colt

[~/XC- BRONY\~ 310]

Angel followed Indigo into the kitchen.  She glanced around.  I haven't got much.  She picked up a loaf of bread and a knife.  She swiftly cut a couple slices off.  She opened the fridge and saw the few other things they had.  Blueberries, grapes, celery, lettuce, apples, carrots, daffodils, lilies, daisies and a half full bottle of apple cider.

"Er...take your pick?" she said, glancing at Rocket.

"alright thanks" he said, he picked up some of the blueberries and started eating. he was happy that he was finally getting some food, he ran out of money a while ago. he decided to ask some questions. "well now that were here, can I get to know you two more?" he asked nicely.