private Les taming of the Miserables

[Nightraxx 130]

@@ActFast231,

 

 

After a short time, the dough had been filled into the baking trays. Crystal had brought the apple slices and then they laid out the slices into the dough in a neatfashion. It already looked pretty delicious. "Yum, those are going to be awesome!" he said happily. "Yes, we're almost done. Only the dough on top, then we can start the baking!"

 

Dusty took a sheet of dough and carefully placed it on top of one of the trays to cover the apple slice filled dough underneath.

Soon, they both had covered most of the trays with dough.

 

While  they did that, Dusty heard wings flapping a little in the distance. The flapping sounded firm and strong "A...dragon...?" he thought, because the flapping had an eerie similarity to that he heard in the mountains.

 

He looked around, dough in hoof and saw a deep-sea blue colored stallion with what seemed to be bat-like wings approaching Apollo. "A new guest. Maybe he is late?"

[Undyne 1,483]

@@MagicalStarRain,  @@Umbreon, 

 

"Hey guys, Apollo has a fire pit over there that we're supposed to use. Follow me and I'll show you."

 

 

"A... fire pit? Instead of a kitchen? That's quite perplexing... Then again, this IS his farmstead...", Rockshire muttered to herself, as she began to walk out with Rambler and Night Song.

 

Apollo is still trying to get out of the military shell... It's kind of cute actually. Not many ponies can get out of the shell easily... I wonder how he will cope with it.

[Rainbow Dash 1,472]

@@ActFast231,

"Damn those changelings. Our intel suggested they weren't prone to....anyways I'm sorry to hear that." Apollo said with a frown.

He then looked at Nexus' cutie mark and thought a bit. 

"So you are good at healing? You know, the guards do need a field medic...if you are ever interested." he said with a warm smile. Apollo seemed to enjoy the conversation. It made him feel like he was on the base again. Though hearing of Nexus' past made him somewhat mad.

[ActFast231 432]

@,

Crystal was eating a few of the leftover apple slices as Dusty was finishing the pie prep. She decided to flip through her journal and see about writing more about that griffon. She pulled her pencil out when she heard the sound of wings flapping. They weren't normal wings, they sounded...No, couldn't be. She looked up, and saw her lover looking over at Apollo. He was talking to somepony, but who? She turned her heard to the left to get a better view. It was a midnight blue bat pony she knew all too well.

"Nexus!" She exclaimed as she got up and nearly galloped to.

 

@,

"No need to be sorry. Our clan was set in a cave that rested in the side of the Macintosh Mountains. Which are on the border of the Badlands. We had prepared for changelings attacks, but not full scale invasions." They had defenses set for strike teams and platoons, not the entire damned army coming at them. His ears perked when he heard him mention the position of field medic.

"I have considered joining the guard a few times, but it just doesn't seem like my kind of life. I am one of those cliched 'free spirits' so discipline and authority would really put a damper on that." He said with a chuckle. He was going to continue when he heard something. (Nexus shall be blue and Crystal will be red)

"Nexus!"

"Did you hear that? Was th-" Nexus was cut short by a strong hug from a red unicorn with a green mane giving him a tight hug.

"Crystal! There you are. How's it going?" He said, returning the hug as best he could to a unicorn half his size.

"It is amazing! It's only been a day and I already met a special somepony!" She said with much enthusiasm. She was beaming with happiness. This surprised Nexus immensely  He hadn't expected her to make good friends with anypony so quick, let alone a coltfriend.

"Really? That's impressive. You give Max a run for his money. Who is he?" He looked around the farm to see if he couldn't spot somepony

"He is over there by the fire pit. His name is Dusty Hoofprints and he is the most amazing colt ever!"

"Even more amazing than me?" He said with a grin.

"Well...you know. Dusty, come here!" She called out.

Edited May 19, 2013 by ActFast231

[Nightraxx 130]

@@ActFast231,

 

Dusty had started to place the first Pies onto the Fire pit, when he noticed that Crystal saw the deep-blue stallion talking with Apollo as well. She flew over, seemingly very happy about something. She seemed to know the stallion.

 

Crystal hugged the stallion, which was very imposing in terms physical appearance. He was almost double the height of Crystal. "Another Royal Guard?" Dusty thought and chuckled inside, since he kind of reminded him of Sir Apollo. Little did he know, that he wasn't that far off with his guess.

 

After a short talk with him, Crystal then turned around, both now looking in Dusty's direction. She called out for him.

 

"Yes, my dear, I'm on my way." Dusty layed the pie in his hoof aside and galloped over to them. After he reached them, he now had the chance to take a closer look at the stallion. He seemed faily muscular and was wearing what looked like some kind of armor.

 

He reached out his hoof to the new acquaintance. "Name's Dusty Hoofprint, it's nice to meet you."

[ActFast231 432]

@, 

Nexus reached out and shook his hoof firmly.

"Nexus. Pleasure to meet you." He said kindly. Nexus decided to get a good look at this pony. He was an earth pony, well built, grey color scale. Seemed pleasant so far. No negative emotions can be seen. He would have to get to know him better, but he seemed nice enough, and Crystal liked him a lot. Nexus would never admit it, but he thought of Crystal almost like a daughter. He certainly acted it. So naturally he is going to be protective of her. 

"So Dusty, tell me about yourself." He asked plainly. He wanted to get a better feel for the colt dating Crystal, like if he lived a high risk life, or if he could support the both of them. Crystal, meanwhile, just sat on her haunches and watch the two converse. She had an idea of what Nexus was getting at-based on the look he was giving-but couldn't be sure.

[Nightraxx 130]

@@ActFast231,

 

The blue stallion had taken his hoof and shook it. The grip was firm and confident. He gave of a very parental feeling. Dusty thought that he might be Crystal's father, but then he realized, that Nexus wasn't that old himself.

 

"Nexus. a great name" he thought.

 

When Nexus asked him to speak about himself. Dusty smiled and happily obliged.

 

"Well, I was born in Baltimare, but i never was a big fan of city life and staying in one place for too long. The chance of seeing new places and meeting new ponies always excited me. My Dad always wanted me to be an engineer and overtake his workshop, and while I don't think the work is bad, I just wasn't comfortable with being stuck in a workshop for years and years."

 

Dusty took a breath and took a look around the landscape, then he continued.

 

"So nowadays I like to travel around a lot. I do work for a short time in most of the places i travel to, since traveling can become pretty straining on your budget. You can say i am pretty good at building houses and gadgets. I also do repairs" he said and chuckled.

Edited May 20, 2013 by coolwar13@yahoo.de

[ActFast231 432]

@,

Nexus nodded as he spoke, giving a thoughtful gaze as he spoke. He was establishing what he knew of him. City born, wanderer, freelance work, good with tools, well traveled. He seemed to be somewhat of an engineer, like his father. Nexus didn't like his method of work, as he believed that if was strained to support himself at times, how would he accommodation a marefriend? He at least seemed to know what he was doing when it came to his passion, so he had to respect that. He seemed nice enough and was complying without suspicion or complaint. As of what he knew now, on a personal level, he seemed like a nice match for Crystal. Polite, kind, honest and hardworking. It did bother him that he lived a gypsy life style, as that rarely brought in a lot of income. He remembered the years he spent wandering after the incident, and how he just scraped by.

"If you don't mind me asking, how would you accommodation two ponies, financially speaking, with the life you lead?" He said, his thoughtful look still present. He talked in a manner similar to a job interview. Not hostile, but there was pressure there.

Edited May 20, 2013 by ActFast231

[Nightraxx 130]

@@ActFast231,

 

Dusty was caught a bit by surprise by his question, but the question was very well justified. He really did seem to be some kind or parental figure to Crystal, which Dusty liked. But the answer was already made up in Dusty's mind, he didn't even have to think about it. Dusty went on traveling to find his true happiness and a place to stay, in which he would feel comfortable.

 

He looked over to Crystal with a dreamy, loving gaze. Living with her would make any place beautiful. Then he decided to answer.

 

"For Crystal, i would give up on traveling. For her i would settle down anywhere in Equestria. She is my happiness. She makes any place worthwhile to live in." he said honestly and confidently. "I was looking for true happiness on my travels in the first place. And with her, i definately found it." he blushed.

Edited May 20, 2013 by coolwar13@yahoo.de

[ActFast231 432]

@

Crystal blushed heavily at the words of her lover. He would give up wandering and settle for her. It made her love him even more.

Nexus was caught off guard by his response, the the affection he displayed when looking over. Crystal seemed to share the look, and was blushing a lot. It amazed him how ponies could fall in love so fast. It was truly remarkable. And he felt better about Dusty settling down instead of wandering around with Crystal, who was clearly not the traveling type. He found his mind wandering to his parents, and how they shared the same affection for each other. And how that affection probably was feeding...the...

"And how well, Dusty, could you defend yourself and Crystal if anything ever happened? Like oh I don't know...maybe...changelings attacking? Just throwing that out there." He asked suddenly. To this day, Nexus always slept with a pair of claws designed for the night guard and a med kit close by. He remembered when the changelings invaded Canterlot, and how many he killed in defense of others...and in vengeance.

Crystal knew the meaning behind that question, and the look on Nexus' face. She gave him a concerned look, remembering the story she was told, and the changelings he nearly ripped apart during the Royal Wedding.

Edited May 20, 2013 by ActFast231

[Nightraxx 130]

@@ActFast231

 

This question seemed strange at first, but Dusty saw in his eyes, that this question seemed to be linked to Nexus somehow. Dusty had seen changelings before, a squad of royal guards patrolling outside of canterlot had fought of a group of changelings back into the forest, they seemed to have emerged from.

 

Dusty was pretty strong himself, having been involved in physical work a lot in his life. He also could handle various tools as weapons, if desired.

 

"I would guard her with my life. I'd rather cease while defending her life than ever having to see her getting hurt in any way. I haven't been a royal guard, but i can wield my tools pretty efficiently. I think handling a sword wouldn't be too impossible for me either." he said confidently and genuinely.

[Descant 1,898]

@@Glaceon,

@,

 

Fire smiled at Eve before she also flew up to the tree.

Fire and her brother began pulling the apple's from the tree, discarding the ones that were obviously rotten.

A few moments later they flew back to Eve with a large pile of apples in their hooves. Fire went up to get more as Flame looked at Apollo. "It's your tree so...it's up to you whether you can help or not. And how many apple's do you want picked?" He asked, as Fire brought another pile of apples to the ground.

Eve smiled right back.

 

@,

Apollo was slightly disappointed in the response that he got.

"I didn't mean it like that...but whatever. Its really up to you. Ideally theres supposed to be one pie for every two ponies. Assuming you know basic math AND assuming you know how to make a pie, it should be pretty easy to figure out." He said as he heard the voice of another pony.

Eve nodded and shrugged.

 

@,

Apollo nodded.

"If thats all you need i shall excuse myself." He said as he saluted Dusty.

Damnit...need to stop doing that...its getting annoying. He thought. He then made his way back to the three ponies he was previously talking to. He didn't feel all that welcomed when he first approached them. He thought of being more like he was in the guards but quickly scrapped the thought.@,@Glaceon,

"Welcome back," Eve looked up at Apollo as she examined the pony. He didn't stay long, though, and Eve turned back to the pile of apples Flame and Fire had dumped in front of her. Most of the apples were good. "Good job, guys." She levitated most of the pile into the air and began to pull it towards the house.

[MagicalStarRain 599]

"A... fire pit? Instead of a kitchen? That's quite perplexing... Then again, this IS his farmstead...", Rockshire muttered to herself, as she began to walk out with Rambler and Night Song.

 

Apollo is still trying to get out of the military shell... It's kind of cute actually. Not many ponies can get out of the shell easily... I wonder how he will cope with it.

Is it even possible to bake a pie over an open fire? I guess it is if this guy can do it. Night Song thought as she followed Rambler and Rockshire. She took somemore apples with her and flew above and next to the pair. He's doing his best, that's what counts.

[ActFast231 432]

@,

Nexus thought about that for a moment. A cliched response, but a noble one, non the less. And he could think of several tools that could make good weapons (Plasma Cutter FTW) but he needed to be clear on something.

"I should tell you that I have faced changelings before. They are stronger than they appear, and will feed off your love like a tick feeds off blood. They can use mind control and will not hesitate to turn those you love against you, forcing you abandon everything you know for your own survival." Nexus may have been transferring a little. He never truly got over what happened. He does his best to cover it up, but he has been living with regret for the past 20 years, and it has taken its toll.

"They are sick, evil, demented parasites that are to be killed on sight. And if they take the mind of those you love, kill them too. Better they die then and there than be a buffet for changelings for the rest of their lives." His mind raced with flashbacks, and his face portrayed pain and misery, with a little anger. It looking at Crystal, with a very concerned-and slightly frightened-look on her face that snapped him out of it. He punched his jaw, and began to speak again.

"Sorry. Anyway, glad to hear you got things covered. I am sure you will keep her safe." He said in a calm tone. That was three times he lost himself like that now. The first being when he was told by some hotshot pegasus mare in Ponyville that she could handle anything-including changelings-and the second was during the attack on Canterlot. 

[Nightraxx 130]

@@ActFast231

 

Dusty had listened to Nexus talking about the changelings. His words were filled with so much hate, anger and regret. Dusty could tell, that something really bad must have happened to him in the past, that made him loathe changelings this much.

 

He has heard, that changelings are pretty dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Every now and then, Dusty heard about attacks on cities by changelings.

 

But when he talked about changelings taking over the minds of someone's beloved ones and turning them against them, shocked him. He didn't even want to think about the possibility of this ever happening to Crystal. He looked at Crystal, with a worried at first, but then confident expression. Then he looked back at Nexus firmly and said "I'd rather die, than to lose my love and light to a changeling."

 

"You don't have to apologize. I can clearly tell, that the topic of changelings upsets you. I'll never let a changeling lay one hoof on her."

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Umbreon, @@MagicalStarRain, 

 

Rambler shrugged. "Maybe he just doesn't want us in his kitchen. I'm not really sure how you bake over an open fire, though. I guess we have to try at any rate." As he finished speaking, they reached the fire pit. "So... how exactly do we go about this? I can cook for myself well enough, but I've never learned how to bake."

[Undyne 1,483]

@@Umbreon, @@MagicalStarRain, 

 

Rambler shrugged. "Maybe he just doesn't want us in his kitchen. I'm not really sure how you bake over an open fire, though. I guess we have to try at any rate." As he finished speaking, they reached the fire pit. "So... how exactly do we go about this? I can cook for myself well enough, but I've never learned how to bake."

 

Rockshire looked extremely confused at the fire pit, then back to the apples, and back to the fire pit. "I'm not exactly sure... For one, do we even have a pie dish? Because I strictly remember that we need a pie dish... Not only that, but some flour, dough... And wouldn't this need a few good hours to cook?"

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Rockshire looked extremely confused at the fire pit, then back to the apples, and back to the fire pit. "I'm not exactly sure... For one, do we even have a pie dish? Because I strictly remember that we need a pie dish... Not only that, but some flour, dough... And wouldn't this need a few good hours to cook?"

 

Rambler shrugged. "See, these are the kinds of things I was talking about when I said you would expect a general to do a better job giving orders, especially in regards to detail. Indeed, this is a situation where being in an appropriately stocked kitchen rather than a fire pit in the middle of an orchard would be helpful."

Edited May 20, 2013 by Alex Kennedy

[ActFast231 432]

@,

Nexus nodded at that.

"Good. Make sure of it." He deadpanned. He decided that he should go set up in his room. He said his goodbyes and departed for the barracks. When he got their, selecting the third room to the right, he set his med-kit on a shelf and the headed back out. He decided to go introduce himself to some of the other groups.

 

After Nexus left, Crystal turned to Dusty.

"Nexus means well, but...his home was invaded when he was young, and I don't think he ever really got over it." She began to walk over to the fire pit, noticing that another group had started to use it. She frowned, realizing something.

"How do we cook pies on a pit?"

 

Nexus began wandering around the farm, not sure what to do. He remembered a song he learned, and decided, since he was alone, to

. Why not? He had nothing better to do.

[Undyne 1,483]

Rambler shrugged. "See, these are the kinds of things I was talking about when I said you would expect a general to do a better job giving orders, especially in regards to detail. Indeed, this is a situation where being in an appropriately stocked kitchen rather than a fire pit in the middle of an orchard would be helpful."

"Yeah... Apollo really needs to sort things out. I mean, being a general can give you minescule slack, yes... But, I've grown up around these other military stallions, and they've known to keep detail in order as well... I guess that Apollo is still overcoming the fact that we are just regular mares and stallions that cannot comprehend some of his tactics."

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

"Yeah... Apollo really needs to sort things out. I mean, being a general can give you minescule slack, yes... But, I've grown up around these other military stallions, and they've known to keep detail in order as well... I guess that Apollo is still overcoming the fact that we are just regular mares and stallions that cannot comprehend some of his tactics."

 

"Yeah... I'm not really sure what to do about this." Rambler thought for a minute before a mischievous grin spread across his face. "You know what? Maybe we should just ditch this whole pie baking thing and go do something else. I mean, what's stopping us, really?"

[Undyne 1,483]

"Yeah... I'm not really sure what to do about this." Rambler thought for a minute before a mischievous grin spread across his face. "You know what? Maybe we should just ditch this whole pie baking thing and go do something else. I mean, what's stopping us, really?"

Rockshire thought about it for a moment, before grinning as well. "Yes... Besides, Apollo doesn't scare me... All the yelling he could do, I've seen others do 10 times worse. And besides, what's the worst that could happen? We get kicked out of the establishment?"

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

 

Rockshire thought about it for a moment, before grinning as well. "Yes... Besides, Apollo doesn't scare me... All the yelling he could do, I've seen others do 10 times worse. And besides, what's the worst that could happen? We get kicked out of the establishment?"

 

"Yeah, honestly I don't think he'd really do anything about it anyway. He might get mad, but I think his superiors are putting him up to this whole thing, and he could get in trouble for freaking out over something so silly."

 

@@MagicalStarRain, 

 

He turned to Night Song. "What about you? What do you think, Night?

[Rainbow Dash 1,472]

@@ActFast231,

Apollo smiled as the two ponies caught up with each other. He would have responded to Nexus' statement but he didn't want to butt in on the ponies reunion. 

 

@@Umbreon,@@Alex Kennedy,  (gave me an idea to introduce the missing stallion)

Instead he walked around the apple orchard and overheard a group of ponies talking. He heard his name mentioned in their conversation;It was not in a favorable way. Hearing the words reminded him of when the recruits back at base. As he thought of the past he started to act more and more like his guard self. He then approached the ponies with a stern face.

"Fall in line! Tell me I'm not hearing plans to leave your post!"

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Umbreon,@@Alex Kennedy,  (gave me an idea to introduce the missing stallion)

Instead he walked around the apple orchard and overheard a group of ponies talking. He heard his name mentioned in their conversation;It was not in a favorable way. Hearing the words reminded him of when the recruits back at base. As he thought of the past he started to act more and more like his guard self. He then approached the ponies with a stern face.

"Fall in line! Tell me I'm not hearing plans to leave your post!"

 

Rambler nodded, not even caring. "As a matter of fact, that's right. Maybe we wouldn't be if you had thought this through more, but buck if I know how to bake a pie on an open fire, not to mention that we have none of the necessary tools, or any ingredients besides the apples themselves. Not to mention the fact that you have yet to provide us with any reason baking these pies is necessary. And the next time you talk to me, take care to remember I'm not one of your soldiers."