private Land of Shadows

[Inactive01 5,299]

Dr. Miang was still working on the experiment that he would demonstrate to the young couple on the reception. One of the mares with him was named Chemmy Blonde. She was assisting Dr. Miang with his demonstration, a live insect dissection on the projection. Dr. Miang knew it would disgust many of the guests, but he didn't care. Sterling loved the dissections, and it WAS Sterling's wedding after all. He addressed Chemmy saying, "Hey Chemmy. Could you pass me those fine tweezers please? I'm just about to get into the insect's reproductive system. Oh Sterling would love to see this!" Chemmy, a blond-red Earth mare, was slightly turned off by Dr. Miang's dissection, especially since she hated insects. Nonetheless, it WAS for Sterling, a "decent" acquaintance in her opinion. "Sure. Here it is. Now can I go now? You can probably get the utensils yourself right?" Dr. Miang looked at Chemmy with a slight frown. Nonetheless, it was getting dark. "Sure then. You can go. I'm almost done here anyway." Chemmy then walked away with relief as soon as she heard Dr. Miang utter, "Sure".

 

Even though the students were really happy for Sterling, many of the Manehattan students were actually quite unsure of Evening. Much of the crowd had dispersed for the night after completing many of the preparations. They murmured among themselves as they walked home. "Didn't Sterling like to hang out with that blue mare a lot?" "Now that I think of it. Yeah... what exactly happened between them? Why didn't Sterling ever go out with Blue? "Oh whatever! At least Sterling found a nicer mare to marry. Sheesh. Blue was often a really grumpy mare anyway. I don't think Sterling would have fit well with her." "Yeah I guess so..." 

 

It was still common lore to speak Sterling and Blue in the same sentence when Sterling was still a medical student. They performed together, sat together, even worked together in musical compositions. Even Dr. Miang was slightly confused at Sterling choosing Evening; after all, Evening was practically a stranger to most of them. Nonetheless, Dr. Miang was happy for Sterling, especially after he heard about Sterling's "sacrifice" for Evening. 

Edited July 10, 2013 by Sterling Crimson

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

@@PinkieShyFlutterPie,

"Yeah," Red responded to Neon, "managed to win the event. Biggest win of my life so far." Red then heard @@Sterling Crimson talk to him, and he turned his head to face his friend.

"Yeah, after my victory, I kinda lost my voice," he replied to Sterling, laughing a bit. "Looks like no singing for a few days."

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

As they finished their meal, DJ looked over at Vinyl, who nodded to him. He spoke up. "Well, everypony! I've really enjoyed tonight, but I think it's time for Vinyl and I to head on back to our hotel. We'll see you tomorrow or at the wedding. Until then, goodnight!" He waved the group goodbye and the two left the restaurant. "Well, I thought that was great!" DJ said happily to Vinyl as they trotted back to the hotel.

 

Vinyl nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it was certainly a nice meal!" She moved a little closer to DJ and rested her head on him, as she smiled up at him. "I still wish we could have been alone..."

 

"Don't worry, Vi! I promise you we'll go to dinner, just the two of us the evening after the wedding. We could maybe go back to the Paramount, or we could try someplace else!"

 

"I wouldn't miss it for the world..." she replied.

[Zhooves 843]

After deciphering the menu, he finally managed to order something. Not being one for the fancy dishes, and rather having a lack of taste, he ordered something simple - some spiced up rice with some sweet chilli-sauce, and some hay fried in honey on  the side.

 

As he munched on it - not really seeming to give a thought to the other guest's reactions towards him - he listened to the others speaking. As some of them seemed to be ready to leave, he seemed to be thinking about something.

 

"I wonder where I will stay for the time being... I guess I will just go and find a tree or something." he said in between his chewing.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Steel Accord,

 

Clover looked up at Steel. "I'd like that," she replied. "I've finished my meal, and I already booked myself into the hotel."

 

She hoped that maybe they could set things right between them; maybe just one talk wouldn't fix everything but at the very least, it would be a start.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Steel Accord,

 

Clover looked up at Steel. "I'd like that," she replied. "I've finished my meal, and I already booked myself into the hotel."

 

She hoped that maybe they could set things right between them; maybe just one talk wouldn't fix everything but at the very least, it would be a start.

"Is your hotel all right?" Steel asked. "I don't want to intrude, especially in such a context as your sleeping arrangements." Despite Steel's words, there was a large part of him that wanted very much to be there. Still, a gentlecolt he was, and didn't hurt to ask.

 

"Well everypony, I'm sorry for this, but I'm afraid Clover and I shall retire for the evening." Steel rose from his seat an offered a hoof to Clover.

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

(OOC: If you don't mind, I'd like to have these flashbacks of Sterling and Blue together for purposes of advancing the plot and providing exposition into their relationship.) 

 

It was another terrible day at university. Sterling could once again hear ponies murmuring about him at the school hallways. It was increasingly unbearable. "Did you see Sterling trip over the lab equipment today? He nearly set the lab rooms on fire! What a klutz!" shouted one pony to her friends. "Did you see Sterling try to answer the question on the board today? Hah! Smart pony! He's stupid!" spoke Chemm. "Heh. We shouldn't even be bothered to talk about Sterling; he's just a little dot! Did you hear? He didn't even get his cutie mark until university! What a lard!" As Sterling walked out, he could hear all the ponies giggling and laughing at him. It was unbearable! 'They're right. Who do I have to look up to? I may be a musician and a future doctor, but I'm such a klutz and a nopony!' thought a sad Sterling as he walked gloomily away... 

 

(OOC: Psst. This is where you come in lincoln... talk to Sterling from the past!)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

@Budding Night

Sterling was so happy for Red. Although he wasn't a fervent subscriber to the racing world, he knew about the Neightona 500 and its perils! The fact he was friends with the winner really made him feel special. "Congrats Red! Too bad about your voice though. I'm sure you'll get it fired up again!" spoke a determined Sterling as he continued to chat as he waited for Evening to finish...

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

"Is your hotel all right?" Steel asked. "I don't want to intrude, especially in such a context as your sleeping arrangements." Despite Steel's words, there was a large part of him that wanted very much to be there. Still, a gentlecolt he was, and didn't hurt to ask.

 

"Well everypony, I'm sorry for this, but I'm afraid Clover and I shall retire for the evening." Steel rose from his seat an offered a hoof to Clover.

"My hotel will be fine," Clover replied. "We can talk in my room; I have a suite, so there's a little lounge area that we can sit and have some punch, perhaps." She took Steel's hoof, and left the restaurant with him. Outside, Clover found that she didn't want to let go, so carried on holding hooves with Steel.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

"My hotel will be fine," Clover replied. "We can talk in my room; I have a suite, so there's a little lounge area that we can sit and have some punch, perhaps." She took Steel's hoof, and left the restaurant with him. Outside, Clover found that she didn't want to let go, so carried on holding hooves with Steel.

Steel thanked the staff profusely for the meal and that level of thanks was returned. Steel and Clover walked together in comfortable silence, holding hooves.

 

Once they reached Clover's suite, Steel opened the door to let her in.

 

"Ladies first of course." He said.

[Love*Potion 575]

((OOC: Umm.... Well... I would post but really I have nothing more to do tonight; if you guys don't mind I think we can get a lot more done once we move along to the next day. Only a suggestion though! I just probably won't post much until the next day))

 

Kismet sat the letter down on her bedside table. After combing her mane and brushing her teeth, she settled into bed for the night. She turned out all the lights, with the pale glow of the moon shimmering through the window. She lay and thought about what was going to happen next. The new city, the new sights, the new people, even the wedding experience was going to be all new to her. As she snuggled up tighter in her bed, her last thought before drifting to sleep was what she was going say to her best friend whom she hadn't seen for years. She even realized that they might not recognize one anoth...zzzzzzz z zzz z

[Inactive01 5,299]

(OOC: @Love*Potion I'd love to get to the next day as well. But I need @Budding Night to post so I can have Sterling go nighty nighty! As such, I will god-mod Evening here. Sorry about this Budding.) 

 

Sterling saw Steel and Clover leaving the dinner table as they walked away humbly and silently. Sterling wanted to go home too, and as he saw Evening finish eating her meal, he walked up happily, saw Evening smiling, and the couple walked away together.

 

Back at the apartment, Sterling was ready to sleep. He instantly walked up to his bed up the stairs and instantly went to sleep, hoping that Evening would follow suit and sleep beside him... 

[PinkieShyFlutterPie 408]

Neon had been eating her meal, not really talking, just listening. She wasn't really sure what to say but she enjoyed just being there with her friends. When most of them had left she finished her meal. The only ponies left were her and Red. She smiled at Red and said goodnight then walked to the hotel she was staying at.

[Budding Night 1,043]

(Sorry for not being on, guys. I've had school 'n' all. But the school term is over tomorrow!   I'll definitely be posting more then.)

@@Sterling Crimson

 

As Sterling walked up the stairs, she stopped following him and looked over her shoulder. "You go sleep Sterling.." She muttered, still looking behind her. She turned her head back to face him "I'll be up a while longer" she grinned and turned her whole body around, walking into the kitchen.

 

(Post rest later, have things to do)

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@lincolnshirepony

(OOC: If you don't mind, I'd like to have these flashbacks of Sterling and Blue together for purposes of advancing the plot and providing exposition into their relationship.) 

 

It was another terrible day at university. Sterling could once again hear ponies murmuring about him at the school hallways. It was increasingly unbearable. "Did you see Sterling trip over the lab equipment today? He nearly set the lab rooms on fire! What a klutz!" shouted one pony to her friends. "Did you see Sterling try to answer the question on the board today? Hah! Smart pony! He's stupid!" spoke Chemm. "Heh. We shouldn't even be bothered to talk about Sterling; he's just a little dot! Did you hear? He didn't even get his cutie mark until university! What a lard!" As Sterling walked out, he could hear all the ponies giggling and laughing at him. It was unbearable! 'They're right. Who do I have to look up to? I may be a musician and a future doctor, but I'm such a klutz and a nopony!' thought a sad Sterling as he walked gloomily away... 

 

 

(OOC: Great idea! This will be a great way to explore their relationship.)

 

Blue Note was having a terrible day, which may have been why she was less inclined to deal with the cruelty of others. It had started with her roommate and one of her many, many friends. This particular friend had stepped on Blue Note's new box of clarinet reeds, crushing them all. She was ticked off to say the least. Her roommate, also a pony from Canterlot, didn't understand why she was being so "uptight".

 

It had devolved into the two ponies making rude remarks about her financial situation. Blue Note just gave up and left for band rehearsal. Her playing had been off, and the conductor called her out on it. Humiliated and frustrated, she left for music theory.

 

The ponies around her were making rude comments about somepony named Sterling. She realized that he was the pony that sat next to her in music theory, and snapped. He had never done anything to them. "Shut the hay up," she said calmly as she passed them, trotting to catch up with Sterling. "Sterling, right? Don't listen to them. You'll go farther than they ever will, unless you buy into what they say. Trust me, I know."

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

DJ and Vinyl arrived at the hotel, immediately going up to their rooms. They bid each other goodnight, smiled at one another and shared a kiss, before going into their separate rooms. As DJ got into bed, he looked up at the ceiling, thinking about the wedding. It had been a long time since he had last been to a wedding, but from what he could remember, he had always enjoyed them. As he let his mind daydream about weddings, he started to drift slowly off to sleep...

 

((OOC: I think we'll do a time jump to the next morning soon, when everypony's asleep.))

Edited July 11, 2013 by DJ-BRONI3

[Zhooves 843]

After eating what looked like could have almost been his body-weight in food, he took a look around, noticing how most of the others had left already.

"Thanks for the food..." he spoke with a low voice, not really directing it towards anypony. "I will go and find me that tree now..." he said, as he gave a nod towards his friends who were still remaining there, and walked outside.

 

Even though it was late now, the city was still bustling with life - it was even quite noisy for North there he walked. Struggling his way over to the closest park, he found himself a nice, tall tree with lots of leaves for cover. Using his wings and legs, he ran up the trunk to a high-hanging branch, where he lied staring up at the sky and the lights around him for a few hours before he finally managed to fall asleep...

Edited July 11, 2013 by Zhooves

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Ooc: I just want to finish this scene between Steel and Clover, if everypony doesn't mind first...

Steel thanked the staff profusely for the meal and that level of thanks was returned. Steel and Clover walked together in comfortable silence, holding hooves.

Once they reached Clover's suite, Steel opened the door to let her in.

"Ladies first of course." He said.

 

Clover entered the suite, heading to the lounge area. There was a minifridge there and she took out a pitcher of punch and two glasses. "Please, sit down," Clover said, motioning to the couch where she set the punch on a little table, using her horn magic to pour it into the glasses.
 

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling continued to walk away slowly. His eyes drooped downward, his usual smile became a large frown, and his tail sagged along the road as he walked. He could hear a pony speaking to him, but he largely shut it off because he thought it was just another jeer. When he turned his face around however, he jumped at the mare walking alongside him. Who exactly was she? It wasn't really a familiar face to him, but he had this feeling that he saw her before... but where?

 

He stopped his trot. He then spoke gloomily as his face turned towards her, "Umm... yes it's Sterling." Sterling then asked with a suspicious look, "Who... who are you? And... why would you stand up for somepony like me? You heard them. I'm clumsy. I'm not sociable, and I'm way too eccentric."  

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Ooc: I just want to finish this scene between Steel and Clover, if everypony doesn't mind first...

 

Clover entered the suite, heading to the lounge area. There was a minifridge there and she took out a pitcher of punch and two glasses. "Please, sit down," Clover said, motioning to the couch where she set the punch on a little table, using her horn magic to pour it into the glasses.

 

Steel sat in the couch, twiddling his hooves anxiously.

 

"So . . . why don't we take this opportunity to clear the air." He said as Clover poured the punch. "I know we all met under stressful circumstances and when people go through something like that together, they bond."

 

Clover placed the glasses on the table. Steel took a sip before continuing. "All I'm trying to say is, I don't want you to feel obligated to be interested in me just because of what we went through."

[lincolnshirepony 527]

@Sterling Crimson

 

Blue Note couldn't blame Sterling for being wary of her. So, for the first the time that day, she smiled. "Call me Blue Note. And while we're bringing up things other ponies have said about us that may or may not be true, I'm a rude, grumpy pony from the wrong part of Canterlot. I also have a worthless, unnecessary talent that I'm also worthless at." Her smile started to falter as she recalled the cruel things others had said to her. 

 

"But if I had listened to them, I'd still be miserable in Canterlot." Her smile returned. "I'm not going to let anypony tell me who I am, and neither should you." Blue Note wanted to cheer Sterling up. She knew how hard it was to be constantly discouraged; she had lived with it for years.

[Budding Night 1,043]

(I must do something first. I must!)

 

While she had let Sterling walk up the stairs and into the bedroom, she had trotted off to check the mail box and was now prancing cheerily (but quietly) through the door of the apartment. She'd gotten three letters, one pink, one purple and one.. white. Each one had her name on the top of it. She shuffled through them as she walked into the lounge and sat down on the sofa. She went for the pink one first, since it was fairly obvious who it was from.

 

She turned it over and pulled the flap out of its hold. She slowly pulled out silvery paper and unfolded it, holding it up to her face to read it;

 

"Dear Evening

 

I'm here! In Manehattan! In the Fairfield Hotel, only a few blocks from your apartment!!

Sorry, just a little excited about this. My little sisters wedding, 'n' all.

We need to catch up tomorrow, Evening. You said you hadn't got your wedding dress yet? WELL YOU NEED ONE! We can go shopping in Manehatten together for your wedding dress and have lunch at a local cafe, maybe? You said you don't have much of the wedding planned either. I can help you, if you'd like! Aww, it'd be so CUTE if I got to do that!

Anyways, I'm getting a little over excited. Come visit my hotel tomorrow! Room 13, don't forget it.

 

Love,

           Autumn Glow.

 

P.S: If you're under a lot of stress from your wedding, heres a photo of mom dancing when she was younger that I found, just for laughs!

 

 

 

 

((Little under time pressure, will have to post the rest later))

 

((Also, Quite frankly, I have no idea how apartment buildings work. So do excuse me if I get confused about anything))

[Inactive01 5,299]

@lincolnshirepony

 

Sterling looked up with surprise at how this mare named Blue Note was treating him. No mare had ever treated him like that. Still, he was still filled with suspicion against mares in general. He could still remember the day he got rejected terribly by a mare. She played around with him, leading him to believe that he was loved. But he was shunned. There were other stallions she went out with. He was just a pawn in her game. From that moment, he felt that all mares sought to make fools of stallions and that he would never have a real shot at a true friendship with a mare.

 

Still... there was something... nice about this mare. He smiled slightly as she spoke. Her words did comfort him. He replied with a sigh, "Thanks... I can't help but think I've seen you somewhere Blue Note... Wait a minute... Are you the mare beside me in music classes?" 

----------------------------------------------------------------

(OOC: At First, I thought the above post was enough, but you know what? I'm in the mood for something interesting... Hehehe...)

 

@Budding Night

Sterling walked up to his bedroom hearing that Evening wanted to stay up for a little bit. To that, Sterling replied with fatigue, "Oh ok Evie... I'll... I'll let you do that then. Night Evie." Sterling then gave an air kiss before he left for bed.

 

Sterling jumped down onto his bed hoping for a good night's rest. He sat down wearily with groggy eyes. Deep in thought about the wedding, Sterling began to sleep...

----------------------------------------------------------

His eyes opened. A sea of black enveloped him. A state of suspension, a state of stasis, a state of nothing. Just then, a voice. It was a mare's voice. Familiar, yet unfamiliar. "Sterling..." she called. He looked around. Nothing around him. Where could it be from? He closed his eyes. He hoped not to hear the voice again. However, it got louder. And louder.

 

He then opened his eyes. It was no longer black! The bright lights of the Paramount were gleaming into the night sky! He could hear horses trotting and ponies chattering by the glamorous restaurant's entrance! He could hear Frank Sineightra blaring in the distance as a street performer began to sing to the music. The noises got ever louder and louder. What used to be music became noise. What used to be happiness became chaos. What used to be glamour became vanity. The background continued to envelop him. He just wanted everything to stop! As he closed his ears with his hooves, he heard the voice again! "Sterling..." it called, this time much quieter. He tried to concentrate on the source of the voice, closing his eyes in the process. It was to no avail. 

 

He opened his eyes once more. Another building. Instead of hearing the bustling streets, he heard jeers and laughs. It was happening all over again... All the stallions and mares were poking fun at him again! It was unbearable! Oppressive! Sterling ran away as fast he could, but the laughter continued to grow in magnitude. Wherever he ran, they followed. He continued to run until he collided... with a pony... The noise suddenly stopped. Sterling looked up... His eyes opened wide... She then uttered, "Sterling..."

-----------------------------------------

At that moment, Sterling gasped for air. What was it all about? The dream... could it be... No! Sterling ignored these thoughts, dismissing his dream quickly as he tried his hardest to successfully rest up for the day ahead...

Edited July 11, 2013 by Sterling Crimson

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Steel sat in the couch, twiddling his hooves anxiously.

 

"So . . . why don't we take this opportunity to clear the air." He said as Clover poured the punch. "I know we all met under stressful circumstances and when people go through something like that together, they bond."

 

Clover placed the glasses on the table. Steel took a sip before continuing. "All I'm trying to say is, I don't want you to feel obligated to be interested in me just because of what we went through."

 

Clover took a sip of punch before replying. "I don't feel obligated at all," she replied. "I'm probably doing this all wrong... but I really do like you. I would like us to have a proper relationship, it's just that I'm no good at knowing what to say and what to do. You'd be my first coltfriend ever, if that's what you wanted, but I don't know..."

 

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Clover took a sip of punch before replying. "I don't feel obligated at all," she replied. "I'm probably doing this all wrong... but I really do like you. I would like us to have a proper relationship, it's just that I'm no good at knowing what to say and what to do. You'd be my first coltfriend ever, if that's what you wanted, but I don't know..."

 

Steel shook his head with a smile, put down his drink, and scooted right next to Clover.

 

He smoothly put a wing around her withers and placed a hoof on her leg; giving both a slow, gentle rub.

 

"You'd only be my second" He whispered. "I don't pretend to be an expert, I just do what my heart tells me." He took his other hoof, placed it under her chin and brought her face close to his; all the while keeping his dual back/leg rub. "We'll figure this out together my lady. Allow me to show you the first step." Steel closed his lips until they were mere inches from her's, his breath could be felt upon her lips.

[Commander Bubbles 1,343]

Neon had been eating her meal, not really talking, just listening. She wasn't really sure what to say but she enjoyed just being there with her friends. When most of them had left she finished her meal. The only ponies left were her and Red. She smiled at Red and said goodnight then walked to the hotel she was staying at.

(OOC: Sorry for the late post. Due to my job and my constant iRacing, I just haven't been posting as much in here.)

As Red Talon walked back to the hotel, following behind Neon, he just couldn't get over how close he was to blowing the relationship. When they returned, Red tapped her on the shoulder.

"Neon..." he said in a tired voice, "Can... we talk about something?"