private Sojourn Inn

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

(Yes, I know Dust and Curious have already met but Symphony doesn't.)

 

@@GaleFenrir,@, 

 

"Wind Symphony." The mare answered, staring at the slight cloud of dust that the pony seemed to train behind him. "Pleased to meet you Dust."

 

It was amazing how much he reminded her of one of her friends. Uncanny even.

 

"Have you met Curious?" Symphony asked, motioning to the the other pony across the table as she started to eat. "Maybe you would care to tell us a little about yourself?"

Edited June 24, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[Ampharos 1,009]

"Actually ah have met Curious. We were the first two ponies here ta be in fact. Anyways I was a coal miner and ah play the piano. That's the reason Ahmed here actually. I'm heading take Manehatten for an audition to be in a little quartet. What about yerself? What brings ya here?"

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@@GaleFenrir,@,

 

"Oh, you know, just out to get some rest and relaxation." Symphony said. "Piano, you say? You'll have to play for me sometime."

 

Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea: she had invited him to sit to get away from answering questions, not for him to ask more of them!

 

"So, where are you from?"

 

It was one of her favourite questions: she pulled it every so often - everypony had an answer and not one of them had ever needed to ask her in return, thanks to her coat and mane.

Edited June 24, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[GaleFenrir 281]

@, @,  

 

"Oh, I've been meaning to ask that of you, Symphony. You said you weren't born in the Crystal Empire, correct?" Curious said with a coy smile, knowing she was trying to keep the subject off of her. Thankfully, he now had another pony with him to get her to talk, "I'm sure me and Dust would very much be interested in that. Isn't that right, Dust?"

[Ampharos 1,009]

"Ahm from the coal mines of Ponyville. Not very impressive compared to the Crystal Empire..." Dust trailed off at Curious' words. "Oh... yet not from the Crystal Empire.... well yea where are ya from? Anywhere round these parts?" Diamond Dust also noticed that the crystal pony seemed to be avoiding questions, but he was curious.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@@GaleFenrir,@,

 

'You magnificent scheming...' Symphony had to give it to the journalist: he knew how to play the game.

 

"Yes, that's right. I was born in one of the outlying towns, quite far from the main city. I lived there with my parents and sister for a while before I moved."

 

Someone had once told Symphony that honesty was always the best policy: she took this to heart. It wasn't that she outright lied very often at all. If she did, she would probably have never succeeded at what she did.

 

No, it was much more effective to simply be selective about which truths she told and which she didn't.

 

"Let me guess, your just curious?" She said, returning his smile with a sickly sweet one of her own.

[GaleFenrir 281]

@,@,

 

"But of course," Curious said with a smirk, "though, if we could all stop making that pun, that would be fantastic."

 

"A sister, eh? Well... her cutie mark does have two faces, one of which seems to be her own. That accounts for the second then. Still, don't know what it means."

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@@GaleFenrir,@,

 

"My apologies." she said. "I couldn't help myself."

 

Symphony watched him intently over the table.

 

"So, Dust." She didn't look around to speak to the other pony. "I wasn't aware of any mines near Ponyville? Of course, I've only visited a few times but I do know a couple of ponies there. Have you lived there long?"

[Ampharos 1,009]

"Since ah was born. The coal mines aren't the most known part of Ponyville that's fer sure, but we're a thriving force in the community. Mah whole family's in the minin business, though ahm the only earth pony." Dust noticed that she didn't look at him when she spoke.

[GaleFenrir 281]

@,@,

 

Curious thought about asking Dust about a certain somepony who might still be in Ponyville, but he figured there would be time for that later if need be.

 

Curious didn't flinch from Symphony's gaze, but instead looked right back at her, and a stray thought entered his mind, "My, she is rather quite beautiful, I have to admit."

 

"Only earth pony there, eh? I suppose telekinesis does help in mining, but certainly a strong earth pony would be a valuable asset." Curious said, without taking his eyes off Symphony.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@@GaleFenrir,@,

 

"It's good to hear about your family: they are important after all." Symphony added to Curious' statement, finally looking around towards Dust. "A lot of ponies could stand to learn that."

 

Flicking her mane away from her face slightly she returned to eating, watching the other two out of the corner of her eye. Dust seemed like the kind of pony she knew - a lot like her friends from Ponyville. His mention of family had caused her to tense slightly: she had a deep respect for anypony who could appreciate their family.

 

'Celestia, I should have...' She thought.

Edited June 24, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[GaleFenrir 281]

@,@,

 

Curious also tensed slightly at the mention of family; he knew he wasn't exactly on good terms with his folks, mostly at his own fault. "Yeah, a lot of ponies could." Curious looked down at his plate; he hadn't eaten much yet. He hastened his pace and took a few bites in quick succession, "come to think of it, it's only a matter of time until sister catches up to me." 

[Ampharos 1,009]

@@GaleFenrir,@,

 

Dust noticed the two pegasi act uneasy at the mention of family. "Ah... Ah know it ain't mah place ta ask, but are you two havin family problems? I-If you don' wanna talk about it hat's fine. I's just that I've had some trouble with mah family in the past and ah thought I might be able ta give ya some advice... or somethin 'long the lines o' that." He gave the two ponies a smile.

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

@, 

 

Milly finished playing the piano. She looked over to the drawing Dust drew and smiled. She looked at Cerulean smiling "So, Cerulean...How about you play the flute and i sing...if we can find a song that we both know!" Milly said then thought about what songs she knew

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@@GaleFenrir,@,

 

(Long post, too much maybe? Heh)

 

"Excuse me, gentlecolts."

 

Symphony, having finished eating, stood deftly and inclined her head towards the unusual pair.

 

"A pleasure to meet you Dust. Lunch was lovely Curious - we should do this again sometime. I never got a chance to ask you about... well, we'll talk later no doubt."

 

She had meant to ask him more about this place, try and find out if anything else unusual had been happening. Instead she had somehow got into a conversation about herself and given away for too much information about her history.

 

Still, even though she hated him for his persistence she still wanted to talk more.

 

'Grow up girl, he's sensed something amiss and is just trying to get a story out of you.'

 

On her way out of the room she had an idea, something that might give the stallion pause for thought.

 

"Oh, and you were asking about Crystal Ponies and light earlier, were you not? Do me a favour..."

 

Grinning as she looked behind her she crouched slightly, flaring her wings and angling her body - the light caught her and twisted through her feathers, throwing prismatic colours across the room. It was a trick she learned from her sister as a filly. It was an impressive distraction, but little more.

 

"Stop being 'right' so much, it makes the rest if us look bad." she said as she stood, nodded and left the room.

Edited June 24, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[GaleFenrir 281]

@,@,

 

Curious was going to decline Dust's offer when Symphony suddenly got up. He had to admit it was a disappointment to see her go, but he did enjoy the spectacle of watching her leave, "Rather impressive light show. Perhaps that is her specialty. No, maybe correlated to, but it doesn't explain the two faces."

 

That last comment gave him pause, though, "Oh, if only I was 'right' all the time. Things would go so much smoother. And, I wouldn't have made such a foalish mistake back in Canterlot."

 

Curious turned back to Dust, still not wanting to divulge anything about his family, "So, that Milly mare seemed rather impressed with you."

[Ampharos 1,009]

@@GaleFenrir,

 

Dust's good ear perked up. Why was he talking about Milly? "Uh, yea I suppose she was. Um, Curious can ya keep a secret?" Dust didn't know why he asked. Curious seemed like a trustworthy pony. And he also wanted to get off the topic of Milly. "I think... Ah think there's somethin wrong with me. That drawing, I drew that. But I don't remember doing so. It's like... It's like ah blacked out. And it isn't the first time either. Sometimes I wake up without rememberin fallin asleep, and there's some type o' invention or paintin in front of me, and it's fantastic! Then ah try to draw, and it looks drawn by a filly! Ah... Ah don' know what's goin on..." Dust had always wanted to talk to someone about his problem, but he never quite knew who to talk to. Curious was a... curious pony, so there was a chance that he would naturally want to help.

[GaleFenrir 281]

@,

 

"Ah, well, I suppose that explains somethings, but raises further questions!" Curious chirped happily, "it doesn't even seem like a problem to me. Well, except for that blacking out part, of course."

 

Curious stood up from the table and looked over the stallion. "Hmm..." Of course, Curious knew simply looking him over wouldn't accomplish much, but it helped sell the illusion that he knew what he was doing; and it was an illusion, he finds everything more fun when done improvisationally.

 

"Well, we can do some tests..."

[River 59]

@, 

 

Milly finished playing the piano. She looked over to the drawing Dust drew and smiled. She looked at Cerulean smiling "So, Cerulean...How about you play the flute and i sing...if we can find a song that we both know!" Milly said then thought about what songs she knew

She smiled. "Sure," She loved to sing and play the flute, so there was some songs she knows. "Uhm, what do you know?" She thought for a few seconds, and looked at Milly for a reply. "I know pretty much any song." She said, showing happiness. She loved to play music, especially with another pony.

[Ampharos 1,009]

@@GaleFenrir,

 

Dust wanted to find out what was happening to him, but he wasn't that desperate. After all, who would complain about being insaely good at something? "Um, no that's fine. Ahm not rally too concerned anyways. Um, I should get goin. Coal's probably bored out o' his mind." Dust certainly was. Maybe I'll take Dust to that art and music room again. He hasn't really drawn anythin in a while. Dust began walking out of the room, convinced that that was what he was going to do.

[GaleFenrir 281]

@, 

 

"Oh, well, always time for that later." Curious thought as he saw Dust leave. His meal was still only half done, but he didn't much feel like eating. He leaned back and saw a clock on the wall. An hour had passed for lunch. "Well, actually, time is limited; 'three days only, sir', but three days should be all I need."

 

Curious considered his options, "I could check out the view outside again, but I think by now I have firmly ruled out that this is just a simple mirage. I could check up on Repsol, but... nah, electronic music isn't really my thing. I could check up on Cerulean and Milly... come to think of it, Cerulean seemed... I dunno, smitten with me? She seems nice... but romance isn't really my thing, as I proved to myself in Canterlot..." Curious's thoughts trailed off at that, and he shook his head, "definitely can't leave another mare heartbroken. I made her cry without even trying, it hurts to think what state such a sweet mare like her would be in if I led her on."

 

Curious let out a sigh. "I suppose I'll go back to my room and work on putting together what I have learned."

 

Curious picked up his tray and discarded the remains of his lunch. He walked out of the diner and into the hallways. In he had wondered the halls for quite a while, aimlessly. His mind wasn't really focused at the moment. As much as he learned about the inn and the other ponies staying there, he found a feeling in himself he didn't much enjoy: regret.

 

His talk with Symphony had brought up his family. Curious never liked thinking about home. The concept of home had become foreign to him at this point; a place to go back to. "Why bother going back, when their is always a new horizon to see?" he convinced himself. It's the mindset he had ever since he was still a colt, the mindset that drove him away from his folks. "They just didn't understand... of course, I didn't know what I was doing! That was the point!"

 

More recently, his failures at Canterlot seemed to have left still fresh scars. He hadn't noticed before getting here, "is there an emotional equivalent of adrenaline?" he thought bitterly. "How I sketched out her face... dammit, I would have never wanted to get her involved anyway!" 

 

Lost in his own thoughts, Curious had not realized where he was at the moment. That was, until he felt a soft breeze upon his face, and a fragrant aroma entered his nose. A familiar aroma, even. "It can't possibly be..."

 

Curious looked around; he was in a large, outdoor garden. "But, how?! I never even opened a door... and... this... this can't possibly be..." He looked around more, noticing every little patch of flora, every passing fauna. "This can't be the Royal Gardens!"

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Wandering back through the inn, Symphony noticed that even though she had taken the exact same route back as before, this time she had much linger to think about her situation. It was a strange feeling: as if the halls themselves were working around her needs.

 

"Novel idea." she found herself speaking aloud. "Magical corridors. Really? That's what your thinking about?"

 

Dust had unknowingly brought up a difficult point for Symphony to discuss - while she would rather avoid talking about most of her past it was something completely different to have to think about her sister.

 

Despite taking the same route as last time, she never came to her room. It didn't matter - she had nothing to do there. Maybe she could find something else to help her relax instead. Anything other than talking to those two, at least for now.

 

Hearing voices from outside one room, she stopped outside the door and listened.

Edited June 24, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[Ampharos 1,009]

@@PinkieShyFlutterPie,@,

 

Dust trotted through the halls looking for his room. When he found it, he went inside and over to Coal. "Hey bud, you wanna go ta that art an' music room? You ain't drawn in a while right?" Coal replied with en enthusiastic thump of his foot and Dust chuckled. They walked out of the room together and down the hall. To their surprise, the room was just around the corner. They two companions looked at eachother quizzically and then shrugged. He walked into the room and saw Cerulean and Milly in there as well. "Oh, um, hey there guys. Or well... girls. Whatcha two up to?" Dust felt butterflies in his stomach at the sight of Milly. He was questioning whether or not he should just ask her out. Or maybe ask if she wanted to leave with him, since they were both going to Manehatten. He decided that he would definitely ask her later, but when they were alone. He didn't want Cerulean to feel like a third wheel. She was insecure enough as it was.

Edited June 24, 2013 by Fancy Ram

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Standing out of sught behind a corner, Symphony heard the sound of another pony enter the room followed by a voice: it was Dust.

 

'Friends of his then, I assume.' She thought. Oh? Did his voice crack a little then?

 

She respected the stallion, enough at least to step away and leave his conversations private - despite how much she wanted to listen in and gather information.

 

Trotting away, she decided to try for somewhere quieter.

Edited June 24, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

@, @,

 

"Well..." Milly said trying to think of song "I-" Milly was saying when she saw Dust walk in. "Oh...Uhh, hi, Dust!" She smiled then looked down at Coal "And hi Coal" She looked back up at Dust "Oh, we were about to try to find out a-" Milly was saying then she tripped and fell