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THE S&H INN - COMMONS - MID MORNING
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Carolina walks downstairs, yawning a bit - said yawn almost causing her to lose balance while at it. She eep's a bit, teetering. With some focusing not out of place in a firing range, she manages to step 'correctly' and not tumble down. As she steps on the floor, she lets out a deep breath and only then looks around her.
Zephyr Gust is sitting in the common area sipping on a warm mulled cider. She looks up at the sound of hooves and smiles. "Oh, hey there kid."
Carolina blushes a bit: "Uh, hello?" She just kind of stands there, not knowing what else to say.
Zephyr Gust folds up the newspaper she was browsing and stands. "You sleep all that time or were you too scared to come down?"
Carolina pauses, then blinks, then has the wits to look insulted: "I wasn't scared! I just... didn't feel like coming down."
Zephyr Gust frowns, stepping over to stand near the stairs. "No no.. of course not... but I mean, you guys have all been through a lot, or whatever..."
Carolina shudders a bit and takes a nervous step: "It's just... this is all so..." she lifts a hoof to look at it: "...so weird."
Zephyr Gust smiles sadly. "Sure... I mean, I can't even imagine... but I sure wouldn't want to wake up not knowing how to work my wings." She trots back over to her table. "You want some breakfast? It's included with the room."
Carolina blushes as her stomach grumbles loudly: "Uh... that is a yes. I did not eat anything last night."
Zephyr Gust smiles. "Well, what are you in the mood for?"
Carolina replies without thinking, as per usual: "A hefty dose of bacon and eggs, or maybe a good ol' sausage, or maybe a ham sandwich, or..." She stops listing as she sees the expression on Zee's face: "...orsomethingelse."
Zephyr Gust looks lost. "Um, I don't know what any of that is... except for 'eggs' and 'sandwich'..."
Carolina blinks and tilts her head: "You, uh... well, what do you have?"
Zephyr Gust cocks her head. "Um... eggs, juice, fruit, salad, vegetables... sandwiches... you know... food?"
Carolina nods a bit sheepishly: "Of course. Yes, some of anything of like that would sound just good."
Zephyr Gust laughs a bit. She stands and trots over to the kitchen, chatting idly with the cook as he prepares Caro's meal.
Carolina sits down on a sofa next to the table, feeling even more lost than before. She fumbles around a bit before finding a comfortable way to even sit down, then just rather unceremoniously flops down. "I swear I will never get used to having four hooves. Ever." she mutters to herself.
Zephyr Gust comes back a few minutes later with some scrambled eggs, home fries, toast and fried tomatoes, setting it down on the table.
Carolina looks down on the setting, whispering: "All that is missing is bacon..." She then silences herself and looks around for utensils.
Zephyr Gust blinks. "Is something wrong?"
Carolina looks confused and lost for a second more, then looks up: "...what am I supposed to be eating with? Just use my hands - I mean, my hooves?"
Zephyr Gust cocks her head. "Um... not really. You just... eat... you know... head down to the plate?"
Carolina looks at Zephyr confusedly for a moment, then just shrugs: "Welp. Makes about as much sense as anything else so far..." She awkwardly leans down to eat, but quickly the awkwardness is gone as her appetite takes over.
Zephyr Gust smiles quietly and goes back to her newspaper, letting the young mare eat without somepony gawking at her all the time.
Carolina eats for a while, then finishes with little belch and proceeds to blush after it. "Uh. Sorry about that, guess I was more hungry than I thought even."
Zephyr Gust smiles. "Don't sweat it. You should see me eat. Actually, check that - You shouldn't. It's not pretty."
Carolina looks at Zephyr: "Well, if you say so..."
Zephyr Gust grins a bit. "Yeah, so anyway, what are you gonna do now?"
Carolina tilts her head: "I do not know..." She looks at her hooves: "Sure as heck aren't going to be using a checkout machine with these..."
Zephyr Gust sips at her cider. "Sure..." She looks at Carolina quietly, not quite sure what to say. "Hey, if you ever need anypony to talk to, you can come to me."
Carolina nods and smiles: "Sure... I need to figure out all this first though. Or something."
Zephyr Gust grins a bit. "Yeah, so anyway, what are you gonna do now? I mean, if you can't find your way home?"
Carolina sighs a bit and gets up: "Thank you for the food... I think I need to lie down, pack my stuff and... figure things out. Somehow."
Zephyr Gust nods. "Sure. I should get out for the afternoon deliveries anyway. You take care of yourself, all right?"
Carolina nods at Zephyr: "I try..."
Zephyr Gust stands and stretches out a bit. "See you around." She leaves a few bits on the table and trots out into the afternoon light.
Carolina walks back upstairs, her brain trying to rack up possibilities and not liking the results.
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THE S&H INN - MIDDAY
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Histon sits in the lobby, on a couch. He looks out a window, watching the ponies outside come and go.
Pastel Life comes into the lobby, having taken care of a few errands for the hotel, she relieves the mare at the front counter. Setting up, opening the guest book, and getting ready for any new customers, she prepares herself, and scanning the room, glares idly at Histon.
Histon gives a look back and sighs. "You're always giving me the same look, you know that?"
Pastel Life hmphs, looking back at her front ledger, "Hardly."
Histon: Lookie here, I may not be the smartest guy around, but I can at least tell when someone's cross with me.
Remedy: She's not cross with you!
Histon eye raises as he watches Pastel react.
Pastel Life turns to eye Remedy, "Oh? I'm not am I?"
Remedy shakes her head.
Remedy: Nope!
Remedy: That's a hatelove leer.
Pastel Life 's eye twitches slightly, "Hate...Love?"
Remedy nods.
Remedy: Either you hate the fact that you love him...
Remedy tilts her head.
Histon gags a little "W-w-what the hell you think this is!?"
Remedy: Or you love the fact that you hate him. I think.
Histon: I don't even know her!
Remedy turns to Histon. 'But it's how it always happens!'
Remedy: Except maybe the second one.
Pastel Life sputters a moment at Remedy, face turning red, "I... you don't... what? What!?"
Histon: I... I don't even know how to respond.
Remedy shrugs. 'Well it's something big anyway. Hate-somethingbig.'
Pastel Life grinds her teeth, staring at Remedy. She slowly turns towards Histon, "I... don't. Hate. Him." She looks back at Remedy, "Happy?"
Histon blinks "I...'m glad to hear it?"
Remedy nods. 'Okay. So what's with the Glares of Supreme Intent?'
Remedy: It's like you're trying to eat his soul with your eyes.
Pastel Life 's eyes dart a bit before she looks away from Remedy, "Well... he's... hardly a paying customer... err... I don't..." Her eyes fall onto a small satchel with a note attached. "Err... what's this?"
Histon gets up, walking to the desk "What’s what?"
Remedy: Eh?
Pastel Life lifts the satchel, "Bits?" She examines the note, eyes, widening slightly, "'Sorry for all the trouble... hope this helps make up for the inconvenience...'. Well..."
Remedy turns to Histon. 'I thought you guys were like, Pilgrim-Hobos or something?"
Histon blinks "W-wait, what? Someone had cash?"
Histon: But... that... that doesn't make any se-
Pastel Life pours out the contents and counts out the bits, "Apparently one of you does. Not a lot..." She smiles, "But it does help. My apologies for the sour mood... I get that way when I worry about the inn sometimes..."
Histon bites his tongue, looking away "Well... I'm glad someone managed to get some money to you.
Pastel Life nods, "Unnecessary, really. I said I was taking you and your friends in, and I meant it. But... appreciated. I shall have to find out who it is and thank them."
Remedy gently pokes Pastel. 'So... the Gee-Oh-Ess-Eyes?'
Pastel Life looks at Remedy, raising an eyebrow curiously, "The... Gee... oh? What now?"
Remedy: The... Glares of Supreme Intent?
Pastel Life finishes stacking the bits, then cringes a little, "Err... nothing I'm sure. He... well, admit it, he seems a bit out of sorts here." She looks to Histon, "Where were you from again?"
Histon coughs, looking away "A city a long way from here. Me and my friends... had to leave unexpectedly. We ended up here.
Pastel Life: Hmm... nothing illegal, I presume?
Histon shakes his head "No... honestly, it was just like one way we where there... then the next day we weren't.
Remedy: What's the name of your city?
Histon: ...New York
Pastel Life tilts her head, "Don't believe I've heard of that city..."
Remedy nods. 'Must be far.'
Histon: Yeah...
Histon looks aside for a moment "I'm a long way from home."
Remedy: Doesn't sound like you wanted to leave.
Histon: Lets just say I'm trying to get myself home... somehow
Remedy tilts her head. 'So if you didn't want to leave, and you want to go back, why did you leave? And why come here?'
Histon: Like I said, lets just say I'm not 100% sure. And the rest... its a long story.
Pastel Life looks around the otherwise empty lobby, "We have time. I doubt Remedy has any classes today... do you?"
Remedy laughs and lets out a derisive little 'pfft'. 'Who, me? Classes? Naw.'
Pastel Life rolls her eyes, "I thought as much."
Remedy gives a grin. 'Then why ask?'
Histon starts to sweat a bit "W-well... its not that interesting..."
Remedy shrugs. 'Gotta be more interesting than something else I could be doing.'
Pastel Life nods, "All I have is the ledger, and it can wait."
Remedy examines a crumpled piece of paper. 'Hmmmmm. Chemistry of the liver. Fascinating.'
Remedy puts the piece of paper away and rests her chin on her hooves, watching Histon intently. 'Story time.'
Pastel Life closes her ledger and looks at Histon, "Yes, I do believe a good story would clear up a lot of this."
Histon swallows hard
Histon: Well... How about... I start with before all this happened? A day in the life of Histon Diggs?
Pastel Life continues to stare at Histon, and nods for him to continue.
Remedy nods also.
Histon: I'm in school. Or at least was before all this. I'm working on a master degree in history, I should be done with it in a year.
Remedy lets out a groan. 'Uuuuggh, History? That's even worse.'
Histon: Day to day was pretty boring. Wake up, maybe to go a class, work on my papers-
Histon stops mid phrase turning to Remedy "What."
Remedy: At least in medicine you get to cut something up every now and then.
Histon pokes Remedy in the chest "Listen here. If people don't know where we've been, we'll just be fated to keep making the same mistakes."
Histon: History. Is. Important.
Remedy blinks. 'Well yeah. Might be important, but it doesn't make it any less boring.'
Remedy: Well, being taught it, maybe.
Histon grrs a little "I'm training to be a teacher"
Remedy: Oooh.
Remedy: Neat. Can you make it interesting?
Pastel Life sighs, looking back and forth between the two. "Anyway... you were saying...?"
Histon: History IS intrestin-Oh, yeah... middle of a story wasn't I?
Pastel Life nods.
Histon: Well... Like I said, I was working on my major. Most days where pretty boring.
Remedy giggles.
Histon sighs "Didn't really keep too much company, other then my family. They're still in the city. We're city 'folk, ya know?"
Histon: This point they are retired though. Sold their inn years back once it was clear I wasn't going to take it over. Now they're just enjoying life.
Histon looks away, thinking
Pastel Life blinks, "They... owned an inn?"
Remedy: Ooh, spooky.
Histon blinks "Oh... uh, yeah. Small world huh?"
Pastel Life narrows her eyes again, "Something like that..."
Histon: Lived in... the inn when I was a kid.
Pastel Life looks down, silent for a moment, before speaking back up, "It still doesn't explain why you had to leave?"
Histon stays quiet for a moment, then turns away "I just had to. Like I said... it wasn't my choice. It was just something I had to do."
Pastel Life sighs, looking at Remedy. "That's why he gets the Glares of... what did you call it? Supreme intent?"
Remedy nods. 'Sounds about right. Mysterious Dashing Historian doesn't wanna stop being mysterious.'
Histon sighs, turning back to the lobby "Anyone else up and about yet?"
Pastel Life 's eyes don't leave Histon, "I believe Zephyr took out one of your friends to breakfast."
Remedy gently pokes Histon's shoulder. 'C'moooon. It's fine if you actually turn out to be crazy. Or on the run from the doggie mafia. I won't tell anyone.'
Histon: T-the what mafia?
Histon gives Remedy a confused, worried look.
Pastel Life sighs, rolling her eyes, "Really, Remedy. Doggie mafia?"
Remedy tilts her head. 'So it's not called New York cuz it's full of those little yorkie dogs?'
Remedy: Or, y'know... a type of Dog that heavily resembles them.
Pastel Life pauses, then sighs again, "I just... no. I don't believe so."
Remedy nods. 'Okay. So... crazy or... normal mafia?'
Histon: ...Look, I don't want to talk about it.
Histon flops on a couch
Remedy: Aww...
Remedy makes a sad face. 'Why not?'
Histon groans, shooting Remedy a look "Because I don't! And that's answer enough."
Remedy huffs. 'Well maybe I should change your title to 'Mysterious Grumpy Historian' then.'
Pastel Life sighs, "I like this all less and less the more I think about it."
Histon: Why's that?
Histon rolls onto his back, rolling his eyes "I can't see what part of this doesn't seem good to you."
Pastel Life glares, "What if you bring something terrible to the inn? I don't know why you had to leave, and what might be following you here." She sighs, "I've given you my word that you can stay... I just hope I haven't taken in more than I bargained for."
Remedy gives Histon a look. 'Would probably put her mind at ease to know why she's having to give you free rooms, Histy.'
Histon: Pastel, trust me on this point. Nothing followed me. And if anything did then I'd be personally asking it how it got here and now to get back.
Histon: That put your mind at ease at all?
Pastel Life stares a moment, then simply nods, "I... I suppose so. I guess I just have to trust you."
Angel Feather trots into the lobby from the washroom, followed by a cloud of steam. She is sparkling clean, but it looks like she didn't know what to do with her feathers. She was in there for at least an hour.
Angel Feather: Ahh, there's nothing like a nice bubble bath...
Angel Feather picks up a bagel and an apple and hovers to the side of Histon and the others. "Getting to know each other?"
Histon: In a manor of speaking.
Pastel Life nods, "And you, Ms... Angel, yes? I don't believe we weren't properly introduced last night."
Angel Feather nods as she munches her bagel. "Ainfel feffa"
Angel Feather: Beautiful and talented daughter of the illustrious Mr. and Mrs. Feather of Feather & Feather.
Pastel Life raises an eyebrow, "Feather... and Feather?"
Angel Feather: Yeah! They're like super rich. Millionaires, really!
Pastel Life: I'm... not sure I recall the name.
Angel Feather: Really? It's a Fortune 500 company...
Histon gags a little "Y-you're related to those feathers!?"
Angel Feather narrows her eyes at Histon. "Why, yes I am!"
Histon sputters "B-b-but your folks are some of the most powerful business owners in the whole City."
Pastel Life: Fortune... 500?
Remedy: Huh.
Angel Feather smiles. "That's right!"
Remedy: I guess 'Fortune 500' might mean more if we knew what it meant at all!
Remedy: Is it a New York thing?
Angel Feather: It's, like, the top 500 richest companies in the world!
Remedy: Uhuh...
Remedy looks to Pastel. 'You'd have thought at least ONE of those would be in Equestria.'
Pastel Life nods, "Although honestly, I'm starting to just suspect they're all as loopy as you."
Angel Feather: Well, how many companies are...here?
Remedy: Uh... I dunno.
Pastel Life: Only... a half dozen or so really big companies. The Orange family has a pretty big business.
Angel Feather: The...Orange family?
Angel Feather: I wonder who they could be.
Histon: Let me guess, they sell Oranges?
Angel Feather: Why would they be named after their product? My daddy doesn't sell feathers.
Pastel Life: It... they've just always done so. Fairly certain they get their Apples from their relatives, the Apple family.
Angel Feather: Well, that's convenient. And kinda dumb.
Pastel Life: Well... what exactly do the Feathers sell?
Angel Feather: Insurance!
Histon: Yeah, the run one of the biggest insurance companies in the- well, were we come from. They're slowly working their way into the global market too...
Pastel Life tilts her head, "I... really don't know where you two are coming from."
Remedy: Huh.
Histon tilts his head "What do you mean? You're saying you don't have insurance around here?"
Remedy: Well... kinda.
Remedy: Not exactly a global market.
Histon: W-what!? But, what if you get sick!
Pastel Life eyes Histon, "You go into the clinic."
Histon: But, who pays for that?
Histon: I mean, even with insurance, those bills can ruin folks if the operation's serious enough.
Remedy: Ehhh, most big places have unicorns for the bigger stuff.
Remedy: What I do's like, some mystic lost art or somethin'.
Pastel Life nods, "It's not something we have to worry about. Not since Celestia standardized the system."
Remedy: Ponies get fixed and ponies get paid.
Histon: Celestia... is that the leader of all of you?
Remedy blinks.
Remedy: Yyyyes...
Remedy: Y'know... Celestia.
Remedy wiggles her hoof.
Histon blinks
Pastel Life tilts her head, "Does... anypony not know Celestia?"
Remedy: I... guess so?
Remedy looks back to Histon. 'Y'know, tall, white coat, funky mane, magichorn wing pony?'
Histon: Celestia... Celestial? So... She's related to the sky somehow? What, she fly around in a chariot pulling the sun around?
Angel Feather: Is she one of those big government types?
Pastel Life gapes a little, "Err... yeah... she raises the sun everyday."
Histon: ...
Remedy: Yyyep.
Remedy: Aaaand the moon. Until her sister came back.
Histon looks to Angel, then back to Pastel "...what."
Angel Feather: Haha...wow...
Pastel Life: ...you... really must be from far off...
Angel Feather slowly takes a bite of her apple as she thinks about that.
Remedy: Yeah, like... from another planet or something.
Angel Feather: So...do you get your apples from the Apple family too?
Remedy: Didn't think it weird when the sun just... didn't rise for a day or two?
Angel Feather: Oh, I um...must have stayed in sick that time...
Histon: ...I, that's...
Histon mumbles, quieting down and looking at the ground.
Pastel Life sighs, "You really are from really, really far away..."
Histon: Seems like its getting farther and farther every moment.
Histon starts to breath heavily "I... this... this is insane..."
Remedy: How insane is insane?
Remedy puts a hoof on Histon's shoulder. 'Also, hyperventilating won't help anything, FYI.'
Histon breaths harder, just muttering "A-away from everything I've ever known..."
Pastel Life is silent, watching Histon.
Remedy: Histy...
Histon starts to shake, looking at his hooves as he mutters lightly "L-looking... like this... I... I... how..."
Remedy frowns, then leans forward and wraps Histon in a hug.
Pastel Life frowns, "I... Histon..." she looks away, slowly making her way around the counter.
Histon just leans into the hug "I... my mom... dad..." in a soft voice "...Patty"
Remedy squeezes. 'Don't worry, it'll be okay. You'll get home, I promise.'
Pastel Life freezes, pulling back. She nods, "Yeah... we... we'll figure something out."
Histon keeps shivering "I don't know what to do. I don't know if there's anything to do."
Remedy: There's always something to do.
Remedy: If there is a problem, it can be cured.
Histon keeps shaking
Remedy: Histy.
Remedy: Look at me.
Histon does his best to look at Remedy
Remedy smiles and looks Histon in the eyes. 'It'll be fine, okay? We'll get you home.'
Histon just shakes his head a little "Y-you can't even understand..."
Remedy: I don't need to.
Remedy: We're gonna get you home. Understood?
Histon doesn't even speak, just nodding and pulling Remedy close to him, burying his snout into her.
Remedy smiles and gives another squeeze.
Pastel Life nods quietly, stepping back around the counter.
Histon shakes more, now slightly sobbing into Remedy
Remedy pats Histon on the back, waiting patiently for him to finish.
Histon eventually just lays limp against Remedy, just taking deep breaths.
Remedy gives another gentle squeeze. 'Feel a little better?'
Histon nods, pulling away "....sorry."
Remedy: Naw, s'fine. Any time you need a shoulder, I got two of 'em.
Histon looks away "Need to be stronger then this I... I've been though worse."
Remedy pats Histon on the shoulder. 'Well, I'll be right here if you need anything. Whether you wanna tell me what the deal is or not, okay?'
Remedy: 'We're curious, but we don't need to know. Right Pastel?' Remedy calls over.
Histon nods lightly, but looks away.
Pastel Life nods, "R-right. We won't push any further. You... take all the time you need."
Histon: ...Why are you all so nice around here?
Histon looks back at Pastel and Remedy "Taking us in... being a shoulder to literally cry on..."
Remedy: Well, you don't wanna be a doc unless you either like people or're a jerkass.
Remedy: And as for Pastel...
Remedy rubs her chin.
Pastel Life looks down, "I... don't like seeing anypony go without."
Remedy: I'm preeeeetty sure she's like, a teddy bear wrapped in cement.
Pastel Life blushes a bit.
Histon giggles a little "Oh, so the softer side of Pastel is shown huh? I thought she was just icy stares." He wipes his eyes, sighing deeply as he leans against Remedy slightly for support.
Remedy: Oh, there's icy stares, to be sure.
Remedy: But instead of being all balanced, heatwise, she's all cold on the outside and toasty warm in the middle.
Remedy grins at Pastel. 'Thermodynamics hates you, by the way.'
Pastel Life looks away, and mumbles something under her breath.
Remedy: Didn’t quite catch that, Pastie~
Pastel Life mumbles a bit louder, "I said... thank you Remedy."
Remedy smiles. 'Noooo worries, Pastel. It's what you keep me around for.'
Pastel Life nods ever so slightly.
Pastel Life: I... I should get back to work...
Histon stands up "I... think I'll get a lay for the city
Pastel Life nods, "Histon... be..." She sighs, "Be careful out there."
Remedy smiles and waves. 'Don't get lost like I do!'
Histon nods, smiling "I wouldn't dream of doing anything else."
Angel Feather is absently gnawing on a bagel as she watches Histon leave. She doesn't really pay him much mind though.
Pastel Life watches Histon go, then turns back to the counter. She eyes Angel slightly as she starts going through her finances. "So what about you?"
Angel Feather: Huh? What /about/ me?
Angel Feather: Millionaire's daughter, remember?
Pastel Life nods, "Ah yes. Right. So were you the one to leave the bits here?"
Angel Feather: Well...er...
Angel Feather: Daddy still hasn't sent me my allowance...
Angel Feather freezes for a second. "Oh my god..."
Angel Feather: No allowance...
Angel Feather stares at the bagel.
Pastel Life: Your... allowance, eh? So your not in the same kind of trouble as Histon then?
Angel Feather laughs nervously. "I barely know the guy!"
Pastel Life: But I thought you were all together?
Angel Feather: True. But it's not cause we want to be.
Pastel Life glances up, staring at Angel. She waits a moment, then shakes her had, "I swear this had better not be a scam."
Angel Feather rolls her eyes. "Yes, we're a roving band of con-artists scamming innkeepers all across the nation for free rooms. Get real."
Pastel Life chuckles just a little, "Okay okay... fair enough. And I guess one of you tried to pay. It's still a little weird." She looks over to the door, "More than a little."
Angel Feather: Something going on between the two of you? You keep giving each other a look.
Angel Feather: Got a crush on Histy?
Pastel Life blinks, "No! No... it's... I don't even know. It's complicated."
Angel Feather: And de Nile is a river in Egypt~
Pastel Life stutters a bit before recovering slightly, "The... the what?"
Angel Feather: Denial! It's a river!
Angel Feather: You've gotta be kidding me!
Angel Feather: Like...Egypt! Where the camels are!
Pastel Life goes back to her stone-faced facade. "I am not in denial. And I don't even know what E-gypped is. We don't see many camels in Equestria."
Angel Feather: Ah...right, right...
Angel Feather: So I guess you don't know much about the rest of the world here?
Pastel Life: Right. There is nothing between Histon and I. There never will be.
Pastel Life: ...the rest of the world? Well, I've never heard of this New Yorkie city you're from, but I'm not some country rube.
Pastel Life: Outside Equestria, you've got the Crystal Empire of course, and the Gryphonlands out west, Anubia, Zebrica, the Buffalo Badlands... I do hope these are familiar.
Angel Feather: Um. Yes. Yes they are.
Pastel Life nods, "Hard to believe you're from even further away... and yet speak perfect Equestrian."
Angel Feather: Well, it's a...trade language?
Pastel Life stops, then nods, "Ah right."
Angel Feather: Yep!
Pastel Life: Enough travelers through Manehattan, it's not that unusual I suppose. Even if the circumstances are a bit... odder than usual.
Pastel Life glances at a customer approaching the counter and raises a hoof, "Ah, excuse me a moment." She steps away to help the incoming pony.
Angel Feather finds herself considering something, then immediately regrets it.
Angel Feather mumbles. "Yeah...I guess they are pretty cute..."
Carolina walks down the stairs, muttering a bit under her breath. As she turns to see Angel mid-step, she lets out a less-silent 'cabra' and has to almost immediately regret it as she missteps on the second-last step and finds herself face first on the floor.
Angel Feather blinks at the new arrival. "Heh. Nice landing, Carolina-something-something-something."
Carolina frowns at Angel from her vantage point, muttering back: "It's Carolina Carlayanna Comodora Chiquitita Chel Cervina Cimeyena Cucumbura Connyshiva... but I guess that's at least eight words too complicated for you."
Angel Feather sticks her tongue out. "Normal people have three names!"
Carolina gets up and frowns: "Maybe in the sheltered mansion you probably lived your life."
Angel Feather has a nasty comeback on her tongue, but decides to hold it back. "Hmph!"
Carolina raises an eyebrow at Angel, then just walks near: "...nevermind."
Angel Feather waits until Carolina gets closer. "You snore."
Carolina tilts her head at Angel: "Yeah? A lot of people do when under stress. Not that you would know."
Angel Feather puffs out her cheeks. "Quit treating me like I don't know anything!"
Angel Feather: I used to have a private tutor, you know!
Carolina raises an eyebrow: "Okay, fair enough. I shall not assume further unless you actually give me a reason to do so."
Angel Feather smiles. "That's more like it! Bow to your queen~!"
Carolina lets out a small snicker, then without even thinking raises a hoof to her mouth in an attempt to keep her from laughing out loud. This attempt lasts for around three seconds before she just lets out a series of giggles and has to fight to even stay upright from it.
Angel Feather tilts her head. "You okay?"
Carolina smirks at Angel: "But of course, my Queen." She even mock-bows to her, giggling all the way.
Angel Feather covers her mouth with her wingtip as she chuckles. "Yes, yesssss~"
Zephyr Gust trots into the lobby, her body streaked with grime and dirt. She lifts up her goggles and wipes off her face. "Frickin' tourists, don't know how to fly straight or stay out my way..." She grumbles to herself as she walks past the common area.
Carolina rolls her yes at Angel, then turns to look at Zephyr: "Hey... you okay there?"
Zephyr Gust looks over to Caro and Angel. "Oh, yeah.. I'll be fine... how are you two doing?"
Angel Feather: We're getting along.
Angel Feather giggles.
Carolina motions her head towards Angel: "Princess here thinks she really is something else than a pain in the butt, that is."
Zephyr Gust nods. "Be right back," she says before turning and trotting to the washroom to get herself cleaned up.
Zephyr Gust trots back out a few minutes later, her face and coat a bit damp. "There we go..."
Angel Feather: Hey, um...
Angel Feather: What's your favorite place in the city?
Zephyr Gust: Me? Depends what you're looking to do. Personally, I like perching on top of the tall towers and just looking over the whole island.
Angel Feather looks back at her wings. "Hmmm..."
Carolina looks between Zephyr and Angel: "...wings. Wings?"
Zephyr Gust: Yeah, what about wings?
Carolina looks at her own shoulders, frowning: "...I don't have any."
Angel Feather: What about your horn?
Angel Feather: Maybe you can do magic.
Carolina looks up: "...magic?"
Angel Feather: I saw some other ponies doing, like, telekinesis!
Carolina blinks and looks at Angel dubiously: "...you're kidding. You're kidding, right?"
Angel Feather: You're a magical unicorn!
Zephyr Gust shakes her head. "Nope. Unicorns do magic." She trots into the common area and sits down near Caro.
Angel Feather: Don't fight it, Caro. There's a whole world of magic waiting for you~!
Angel Feather giggles
Pastel Life finishes dealing with the customer, delivering him a room key. With a huff, she walks back towards Angel, eying Carolina as well, "Really, this is place of relaxation. Indoor voices please."
Carolina stares at a wall, muttering: "I am going crazy, that's what this is. Too many nine-hour shifts in a row, they told me it would send me to the looney bin, that I should really pass on one or two..."
Zephyr Gust blinks at Caro. "You okay, kid?"
Angel Feather: You probably shouldn't have a nervous breakdown in the lobby either...
Pastel Life sighs, "Histon already had one today... where did Remedy disappear to when I need her?"
Zephyr Gust: Forget her. She's not even a real doctor.
Pastel Life nods, "But she's a good pony to throw at ponies who need a hug, especially when I..." she trails off mumbling.
Chance trots in through the main entrance, turning his course as he sees the other ponies gathered. "Ah, good afternoon, everypony!"
Pastel Life nods, "Oh, and there's another of them. Good morning ma'am."
Angel Feather: You! Pinky! Hug this pony!
Carolina blinks and looks up. "...buh?"
Chance blinks. "I... what? And I'm not a mare!"
Zephyr Gust blinks too. "Huh?"
Pastel Life: Your friend here is having some issues, it seems. Perhaps you can help her...?
Angel Feather: I had to share a room with her, so I ain't touchin' her.
Chance looks around. "I... er..."
Pastel Life: And I do not do hugs.
Carolina turns to hiss at Angel briefly, then looks around her: "I am fine, I am fine, I just..." She looks down: "...I am not fine."
Zephyr Gust drapes a wing over Caro. "It's going to be okay, kid..."
Chance sighs and steps closer to Carolina, gently wrapping her in a hug.
Carolina looks at the ponies surrounding her, feeling suddenly a bit surreal: "...this is weird."
Pastel Life sighs, "I have already given my word to help you all with whatever trouble you're in. I'm not backing down from that vow."
Angel Feather flutters her wings. "It's a lot to get used to, but we'll figure it out."
Zephyr Gust nods. "Me too..." She sighs a little. "I just don't quite get what exactly is going on with you all though."
Chance releases Carolina and takes a step back. "Terribly sorry."
Carolina looks around her, frowning: "It's just..." She sighs: "...where to even start."
Pastel Life nods along with Zephyr, "I still don't know what's going on either." She looks on at the party, "This seems like more than just a group of out-of-towners."
Chance looks at Pastel nervously.
Pastel Life glares a moment, then relents, "I already promised Histon I wouldn't pry... just..." she stops then shakes her head. "Nevermind. I won't pry."
Zephyr Gust stays close to Caro. "We want to help, but if you won't tell us what's going on..."
Chance coughs. "Suffice it to say that we are, in fact, from out of town. Frankly, I doubt you'd believe us if we told you the rest of the details, and it could be dangerous for you to know."
Chance blinks and clamps his mouth shut.
Pastel Life narrows her eyes, "Is that a threat?"
Pastel Life 's eyes shift to the door, "I didn't think this was anything illegal... but if I have to get the Guard..."
Chance: Wha— No! No, not a threat! We just don't know how serious it is ourselves.
Angel Feather: It's probably just some magic thing.
Chance: Not illegal! Definitely not illegal!
Zephyr Gust finds her wing draped over Caro again. "So what is it then?"
Angel Feather: I didn't say illegal...
Chance: As for what it is... that's what we aim to find out.
Pastel Life turns back from the door, "And yet everyone of you ponies just gets more and more evasive about this whole thing..." she sighs, "Well... one of you paid enough to house you all for a few weeks... so you have plenty of time. And thank you, whoever it was."
Carolina looks up thankfully at Zephyr, then around the talk: "I am not sure. So used to my life being on certain course, and now..." she waves a hoof in the air.
Chance blinks. "Well, ah... that's very kind of whoever that was."
Chance frowns, muttering. "But... how...?"
Angel Feather: Wait, who paid...?
Angel Feather: If it wasn't one of us...
Pastel Life: It was anonymous.
Angel Feather: Like, "envelope on the counter" anonymous or "dark hooded cloak" anonymous?
Zephyr Gust: It sure wasn't me...
Pastel Life trots over to the counter, lifting the now empty bag, and note, "This satchel of bits, and a simple note saying 'Thank you.'"
Angel Feather shivers. "Eerie..."
Carolina blinks at Pastel: "Huh. That's... odd."
Chance: Quite odd.
Zephyr Gust shrugs. "Not the first time someone's done something nice for strangers around here, though."
Pastel Life: The whole thing is odd. But you... you all seem decent ponies. I'm just happy to help. And now, no strain on the inn, I have no excuse not to. So you're all welcome to stay.
Chance: Thank you very much for all your help.
Pastel Life simply nods, "I... couldn't leave you out in the city."
Carolina nods a bit at Pastel: "Thank you for that." She frowns and looks down: "But what do I do now?"
Zephyr Gust leans against Caro a bit. "Whatever you want to do."
Zephyr Gust: Learning to use your magic might be a start.
Angel Feather: That sounds hard...
Chance: It can't be that bad. Besides, if your talent lies someplace useful, it might help us find out just what's going on.
Pastel Life frowns, but remains silent on that issue, "Yes... I suppose learning how to use it is a good idea." Her eyes begin to track to each ponies cutie marks.
Chance shivers a bit as Pastel's eyes glance past his geode.
Carolina blinks and her head turns to her flank: "My... cutie... mark?"
Angel Feather: Why are you looking at my butt?
Chance: Your, um, cutie mark. The mark on your flank.
Zephyr Gust: Wait.. you don't know what a cutie mark is?
Angel Feather: Haha...of course I do!
Pastel Life hmms... "Geode... Top Hat... well, nothing too..." she trails off as she hears their responses.
Chance winces. Mostly internally.
Carolina looks around her: "Is this something I should know?"
Angel Feather looks down at her flank. "A halo, huh? Well, of course..."
Pastel Life raises a hoof to point, "Your cutie marks. Your special talents."
Zephyr Gust: Where ARE you guys from exactly?
Angel Feather: Should we tell?
Pastel Life raises an eyebrow at Angel, then to Carolina and Chance.
Carolina frowns and looks at her hooves.
Chance: They wouldn't believe us if we did.
Angel Feather sighs. "We're from another world. A world where there's no magic."
Zephyr Gust: No magic? Next thing you'll be telling me you're not really ponies.
Angel Feather: And we're not really ponies.
Pastel Life inhales slightly, "Another..." she shakes her head, "Your right... very hard to believe."
Carolina keeps looking down and mutters under her breath: "I would not believe I was a damn horse either as of yesterday..."
Angel Feather: Ponies! We're ponies!
Chance closes his eyes and lets out a long, low breath.
Pastel Life turns away and heads back behind the counter.
Zephyr Gust blinks. "Uh huh... sure... what are you then?"
Pastel Life closes her eyes, resting it against the wall.
Angel Feather: We're um...
Angel Feather: Do you have a pencil?
Pastel Life sighs, lowering her head. She turns back to the counter, collecting a pencil and piece of scrap paper. She trots back to the group, "Here."
Carolina looks back up at Zephyr, her corners of eyes glistening: "I was a human, damnit! Hands instead of hooves, no stinking fur or tail, the whole effin' package! And I want it back!"
Zephyr Gust: What's a human?
Chance sinks down onto a couch and covers his eyes.
Angel Feather: Hoo boy...
Pastel Life sits and watches Angel. She listens to Carolina impassively, her expression grim.
Zephyr Gust looks down at her own hooves. "What a day..."
Angel Feather takes the pencil between her hooves after having some difficulty picking it up with one.
Angel Feather draws a wobbly stick figure on the paper. "Humans look like this...sort of..."
Pastel Life watches.
Carolina takes a few steps away from the group, then lays down on the floor, closing her eyes and sobbing slightly.
Angel Feather draws an approximation of a hand next to the stick figure. "And we hold things with these."
Pastel Life takes the paper, glancing at it a moment before crumpling it up, her voice has a sudden commanding tone, "Alright, listen up. All of you."
Angel Feather: Huh?
Chance grudgingly pries open his eyes to look at Pastel.
Pastel Life: I don't know if this is a joke. A hoax. A scam. Or the honest to Celestia truth. And I've decided I don't care.
Pastel Life: You all came into my inn as guests.
Pastel Life: And you'll stay here. As guests.
Pastel Life pokes a hoof at Angel, "I don't care what you were. What matters to me is who you are."
Pastel Life: So. Do what you have to do. And this will be your home in the meantime. Understood?
Pastel Life: I have never let a pony sit outside without a roof over their head, or food in their belly. The same goes for any gryphon, diamond dog, dragon... or human to come under my care.
Angel Feather blinks.
Pastel Life let's out a deep breath.
Angel Feather: Phew...I thought you were gonna kick us out...
Zephyr Gust sighs a bit. "Ok, I may read a lot of sci-fi, but this is a bit out there..."
Chance nods. "As long as you're not having us carted away for liars or lunatics, that's more than we can ask for, and we are quite thankful."
Pastel Life shakes her head, "Kick out ponies who are lost, confused, and afraid? Never. I don't know if you're liars or lunatics... but... I won't turn you away."
Chance stands up and walks over to Carolina, bending his head down to nudge her shoulder. "Come on, keep you chin up. We'll figure out a way to sort all this out."
Angel Feather: Maybe now that we're not hiding anything, you can really help us.
Zephyr Gust: Well... how did you end up here?
Carolina sighs and looks down at her hooves: "...but that still does not answer what do I do now. Do ponies even have fast food places? I mean, I guess eating a meat burger is sort of odd..."
Pastel Life lowers her ears, "We've all had times in our lives we've been lost. I... I'll help as best I can."
Zephyr Gust looks to Caro a bit curiously. "Meat? No... we're not like... gryphons..."
Angel Feather: No meat?! Aw, come on!
Chance: Well, it's, uh... It's not exactly like home, but why don't you go out and look around a bit? It's not all that strange, after a while.
Carolina looks at Chance with a weak smile: "I guess it is worth a try."
Zephyr Gust looks at Caro. "This is all true?"
Pastel Life glances at Chance, "Another world... well... I don't know if I believe it or not but... I'm willing to listen."
Chance offers a hoof to help Carolina up with a reassuring smile. "Come on. I saw a few places we can look at while I was out today. Even managed to scrounge up a few bits."
Carolina takes the offered hoof with a smile: "I guess we will see. Thank you."
Angel Feather: How the heck did you get money?
Chance turns toward Pastel. "It's a hard thing for any of us to believe, really. But, well... now that the cat's out of the bag, we'll do our best to answer questions. For all of us."
Carolina turns to look at Zephyr, realizing she asked something: "Yes... true."
Zephyr Gust nods a little. "I see, well if you need somepony to show you around..."
Chance looks at Angel. "Oh, you know. Odd jobs, helping ponies out... it's not much, but it should get us a meal."
Angel Feather sighs. "As in, a burger and fries. I don't suppose I could have a nice lobster or filet mignon..."
Chance: Uh... lobster? No, I... don't think so.
Carolina gives Zephyr a smile: "I think could take you on that offer, later."
Pastel Life tilts her head, "And I've never heard of filet minion. More... meat?" She frowns.
Angel Feather catches Pastel's tone. "I mean...a salad?"
Angel Feather: And...noodles.
Angel Feather: Yes.
Pastel Life nods, "You may get much further trying to find that kind of food, yes."
Chance: Salad and noodles should be fairly easy to acquire.
Zephyr Gust sighs a bit. "This is all so weird... I think I need a nap."
Pastel Life nods slowly at Zephyr, "It's... a lot to take in."
Angel Feather: Sorry to pile this all on at once...
Chance: I can hardly fault you for needing to take some time to digest things a bit.
Carolina sighs and takes a few steps towards the door: "I think I need to air my thoughts some."
Zephyr Gust follows Caro. "I'll go with you. I can fly up after."
Chance looks at Carolina and Angel. "Do we want to go as a group? Less chance of getting lost with the three of us."
Angel Feather: I'll hit the town with you, Chance. Pretty hectic morning.
Angel Feather: It'll be like a date!
Carolina smiles at Chance: "I... I think that would be a good idea."
Chance looks nervously at Angel. "Ah..." He coughs. Turning to Zephyr and Carolina, he chuckles anxiously. "A-anyway, Zephyr, you are welcome to come along. Let's see what we can find."
Pastel Life almost smiles, "You all have fun out there. Be careful."
Zephyr Gust nods. "I'll bring them back safe."
Pastel Life finally relents and smiles, "Thank you Zephyr."
Chance nods at Zephyr. "I think I could find our way back here again, but the extra help will be appreciated." He gives Pastel a thankful nod. "We'll try our best. Now, let us go!"
Chance turns toward the door, beckoning the rest of the group after him.
Pastel Life watches the group cautiously head out. After a moment, her smile fades back to a frown, "Another world... c-could he possibly..." she quickly shakes her head. "Impossible." She looks down at the paperwork at her counter, but her eyes keep straying back to the door.
----------------------------------------------
THE S&H INN - EVENING
----------------------------------------------
Histon walks into the inn later in the day. He sighs, flopping onto one of the couches in the lobby.
Walnut is stretched out on a couch, quietly staring at the ceiling.
Histon looks up at Walnut
Histon: Been in here all day?
Walnut nods. "Yeah. I don't really know what else to do."
Walnut sighs. "I feel so directionless without my... friends."
Histon looks "Friends?"
Walnut looks down for a moment. "Close enough, anyway."
Pastel Life trots into the lobby with a sigh. She flops down on one of the seats, resting her head down. "Ahh. That should be all for today." She nods to Walnut, "I keep forgetting that the five of you don't really know each other." She eyes Histon for a moment.
Histon doesn't look at Pastel
Histon: So... what is it you do...? Where'd you get these friends of yours
Walnut: Folks I've met on the street, got in good with. I'm what you might call a corner man, most times.
Histon: A... what?
Pastel Life raises an eyebrow, "Corner... what now?"
Walnut shrugs slightly. "I guess I can tell you. It's not like it matters now. I'm a lookout for some of the local gangs around.. um.. not here. They pull a robbery or a protection run, I watch for the cops. Doubt I'll be doing any of that here, though."
Histon eyes go wide "H-hold on here... how old are you!?"
Pastel Life blinks, eyes going hard as she watches Walnut.
Walnut tilts his head. "Why does my age matter? Twenty, if you must know."
Pastel Life hmphs, "I'd say old enough to know better..."
Walnut: Well, what do you expect? I ain't exactly a smart guy. This is all I'm good for.
Pastel Life frowns, "You're still young. Surely you..." she glances at his flank. "Hmm..."
Walnut tilts his head at Pastel Life. "Something up? I'm not sure I like the way you're lookin' at me."
Pastel Life glances at Histon's flank, then back to Walnut, "Of the five of you... you're the only one without a cutie mark."
Histon: ...damn man... You're a kid!.
Histon: I mean... not much of a kid, but still someone who has a lot of promise!
Histon looks down
Histon cutie mark is a book with two shovels making an X behind it
Walnut looks at the other two ponies, thinking. "Cutie.. mark? That's a.. thing we have, I guess?"
Remedy 's head pops into view from up the stairs. 'Ooh, are we doing Cutie Mark stories?'
Walnut scratches his head a bit. "I'm not.. quite sure what that means."
Pastel Life tilts a bit, pointing out the symbol of a painter's palette and brush. "Your cutie mark. Your special talent."
Remedy trots down the stairs and flops her front half over the back of Histon's couch. 'And how you got it!'
Walnut shakes his head. "I ain't anything special."
Remedy reaches a hoof towards Walnut and wiggles her hoof slightly for a moment before giving up. 'Bah! Lies and slander.'
Pastel Life 's voice lowers, "Everypony's got something special about them. It's just a matter of finding it."
Walnut shrugs a little. "Well, if there's something special about me, I haven't figured it out."
Remedy smiles. 'Well, if you didn't think there was anything special, you wouldn't be looking out for it. Now you know, so it's only a matter of time.'
Histon is looking out a window this whole time, not speaking
Remedy looks down and pokes Histon's Cutie Mark. 'So what's yours about, Histy-pop?'
Histon: His-what?
Histon raises an eyebrow
Walnut chuckles a little at the nickname.
Remedy pokes Histon's flank again. 'Pop.'
Histon: Uh.... why?
Histon slaps Remedy's hoof away, shivering
Histon: And personal space mean anything?
Pastel Life raises an eyebrow, but simply shakes her head.
Remedy tilts her head. 'So what's the story then?'
Histon looks away
Histon: ...I like books. I like history. I got it while reading.
Remedy sighs. 'Aw, fine.'
Histon smirks "I'm not an exciting per-" he bites his tongue, speaking again "...pony."
Remedy shakes her head. 'Nah, you just don't think you're exciting.'
Remedy: I bet you'd be all Daring Do-ey if you had the chance.
Pastel Life glances at Histon's slip, wondering.
Histon looks down
Histon: Daring... what?
Pastel Life 's expression remains passive, "And here I thought you liked books? Not into fiction?"
Walnut: Doing daring things, I'd guess?
Histon: I read local stuff... from home
Remedy: Roguish Archaeology at its finest.
Pastel Life rolls her eyes a bit, "It's a book series. She's a professor who goes off to uncover long lost artifacts. They're very popular."
Remedy nods. 'Also; A really nice hat.'
Histon blinks
Histon: Huh...
Histon looks away
Pastel Life watches Histon a moment longer, then sighs, "I should go to bed. It's been a long day."
Remedy: I'd ask what Celestia's up to if it was a short one.
Pastel Life sighs. "You know what I mean."
Remedy sticks her tongue out at Pastel.
Pastel Life just shakes her head as she rises up from her seat. "You have a good night Remedy." She pauses, staring a moment before her voice lets out a faint, "You too... Histon."
Walnut: Do I get a good night as well, Pastel?
Pastel Life frowns, "Only if you promise to behave. None of that... past behavior."
Walnut: Good enough for me.
Pastel Life: Alright then. Good night, Walnut. And good luck.
Remedy: No criminal activity or y'won't get y'puddin'.
Walnut blinks a bit, thrown off a bit by the concern, but manages a small smile. "Thanks." He gets up and heads back to his room to think.
Pastel Life watches Walnut head out, "He seems such a good pony... or..." She shakes her head, "I hope he finds the right path." She glances back across the room, then heads off to her own room.
Remedy exhales loudly and addresses Histon. 'So now what?'
Histon looks down
Histon: Honestly, I can hardly think at the moment
Histon: Sorry I've been so quiet
Histon looks at Remedy, trying to force a smile
Remedy gives Histon a smile. 'Sounds like you've got a lot on your mind.'
Histon nods, laying on the couch
Remedy: I'm here to listen, if you wanna talk.
Histon: Honestly... That would be nice
Histon sighs, looking at her
Histon: Remedy, right?
Remedy nods. 'That's me.'
Histon nods
Histon: I... look, none of this should be happening
Remedy moves around and sits on the couch next to Histon. 'Why not?'
Histon sighs
Histon: ...this Daring Due, or whatever her name is
Histon: She's fiction?
Remedy nods. 'Yeah. Although a lot of people think it's based on true stories.'
Histon: But... ok. Just imagine if one day you where living it...
Histon: You'd say that be impossible, ya?
Remedy puts a hoof to her chin. 'Well... maybe 'really unlikely'.'
Histon: Just... something on that level happened.
Remedy tilts her head. 'How do you mean?'
Histon looks away
Histon: There's a reason we're not close to home. I'm not sure how but...
Histon sighs and groans
Histon: but I should shut my yap
Remedy shakes her head. 'Nope. If it's bugging you, talk about it.'
Remedy: Where are you from, Histon?
Histon stays quiet. slouching.
Histon: Some things are better left uncovered.
Remedy puts a hoof on Histon's shoulder. 'Maybe. But I don't think this is one of them.'
Remedy: I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to.
Histon looks at Remedy. He has tears in his eyes
Histon: I... You wont believe me.
Histon curls up a little "This is all so... impossible..."
Remedy leans forward and gives Histon a squeeze. 'Nothing's impossible. Try.'
Histon looks up, and she stares into Remedy's eyes. He studies her face closely.
Remedy looks right back at Histon, not blinking.
Histon: I... you... I don't know why, but I trust you.
Histon gives a shuddering sigh
Histon: Remedy, how long have you lived in the city?
Remedy puts a hoof to her chin. 'I moved here about three years ago, I think.'
Histon: What if... there was another city. Just like this one.
Remedy nods. 'Okay.'
Histon: Just... filled with different creatures.
Histon tries to stand up on his hind hooves
Remedy tilts her head. 'That's not so odd, I don't think. Like, a Griffin Manehattan?'
Histon: ...We're called Humans. And if my trip to the Manehatten library was as good as I'd hope then... you don't have anything like us here.
Remedy looks at Histon and smiles. 'Well that's nothing to worry about, is it?'
Histon: W-what!?
Histon looks at Remedy, slightly aghast.
Remedy giggles. 'Well, we just gotta find out how you got here, and we'll find out how you go back.'
Histon: Y-your... just running with this?
Histon blinks
Remedy nods. 'Well sure! I mean, if someone says they're sick, you don't just ignore them cuz it's not obvious.'
Histon blinks "Remedy you're insa-" He pauses, thinking before smiling wide, hugging Remedy tight "You're the one person who may be able to get me outa this!"
Remedy grins and hugs back. 'Jazzy!'
Histon hugs long, blushing a little bit as he pulls away "Sorry about that"
Remedy fans her hoof slightly. 'Awh, no worries!'
Histon giggles, looking away "You ponies are... way too open, you know that?"
Remedy shrugs. 'If our arms weren't open, how would we hug?'
Histon: You... just... wouldn't hug?
Remedy gives Histon a comedically-exaggerated frown. 'Never.'
Histon blinks "Um... you're just all like this?"
Histon frowns "Pastel seems a little more... grounded though."
Remedy nods. 'I think we're both a little more extreme than most ponies.'
Remedy: Or a lot.
Remedy shrugs.
Histon smiles "Well... you seem like the good extreme."
Remedy smiles back. 'I like to think so.'
Histon looks away, coughing lightly
Histon: Well..
Remedy nods.
Histon stutters a bit as he speaks "M-maybe... we should head off to bed like the others." He pauses, looking out the window. "...city's pretty lit up at night. Least that's always the same..."
Remedy looks out the window and nods. 'Yeahah. Someponies like to say that when Celestia lowers the sun, she leaves it in Manehattan.'
Histon: She's... like a goddess right? Leader of everyone?
Histon leans back, just watching the world go by.
Remedy: Well...
Remedy: Some say she is.
Remedy: In any case, she's well over a thousand years old.
Remedy: She rules Equestria, but that's it.
Histon sputters "A-A thousand!?"
Histon: Do people see her? I mean... is she... not just a symbol?
Remedy nods. 'Yeah. Can't run a country without interacting with it.'
Remedy: I mean, if you just live in Canterlot, seeing her ain't too uncommon.
Histon shakes his head
Histon: I... this is all so incredible.
Remedy giggles. 'Just a little.'
Histon looks at Remedy "I gotta study this place and its history before I go home..."
Remedy nods. 'Sounds like fun.'
Histon tilts his head
Histon: I thought you didn't like history
Histon raises an eyebrow
Remedy shrugs. 'I didn't like history in school.'
Histon chuckles "Be careful. I am in school to be a school teacher~"
Remedy: Ooh, nifty.
Histon puts his hooves behind his head
Histon: I always liked history... it... kept me going.
Remedy studies Histon. 'How so?'
Histon frowns, looking aside "...I wanna be there for kids who need something to keep them going"
Histon: Because sometimes you just... need to look back to get perspective.
Histon: That you're not the only one who has things happen to you.
Histon: That others have survived worse...
Histon shakes his head, sighing "S-sorry." He hides his face for a moment, wiping his eyes with his hoof.
Remedy pokes Histon and smiles. 'I think you'll make a good teacher then.'
Histon looks back at Remedy, eyes a little red "T-thanks."
Histon: I'm a year from getting to study with kids in the field. After a year there... I can take my tests and get my license. More to go but, I'm getting there.
Remedy laughs. 'Well, we'll have to get you home soon then. Wouldn't want you to miss out on that.'
Histon smiles
Histon: Yeah... I don't know if my history's gonna fly here in Equestria!
Remedy: You could write books. Y'know, fiction.
Histon giggles, sticking his tongue out at Remedy "Oh, you mean like Daring Do?"
Remedy nods. 'Yep! Heck, you could do that whatever happens. Go home, write stories about here, stay here, write stories about there! You can't lose!'
Histon smiles softly "You think I'll grow attached eh?"
Remedy shrugs. 'Maybe! It's pretty awesome here, but I dunno what your home's like.'
Histon: ...Its a lot like here so far, to be honest.
Histon: Big city, lots of folks. Not as colorful. But, hey, home is home~
Remedy: No place like it.
Histon leans back on the couch, his head laying a little on Remedy "...how late is it at this point? I think everyone else is asleep."
Remedy looks at the clock and nods. 'Mm, a bit late.'
Histon eyes shut "Maybe we both could use some sleep"
Remedy nods again and stifles a yawn.
Histon gives a tight hug to Remedy
Histon: ...Well, we should probably talk tomorrow.
Histon: Maybe... figure out whats going on.
Remedy blinks, then smiles and hugs back. 'Yeah. Gotta figure out what happened 'fore you can fix it.'
Histon: I can't argue with that.
Histon: And Remedy? A favor?
Remedy nods. 'Sure, what's up?'
Histon: Don't tell Pastel.
Histon: Something about her just... feels off. And its not just how little she trusts me.
Remedy pantomimes zipping the lip. 'I said I wouldn't tell if you didn't want me to, and I won't. Secret's safe.'
Histon smiles "Well... thanks Remedy. I'm sorry I'm asking so much..." he thinks "Is there anything I could do for you? Something to make this not so one sided?"
Remedy puts a hoof to her chin. 'Hmmmm... You busy tomorrow night?'
Histon gives Remedy a look "I'm a man in a distant land. Of course not."
Remedy nods. 'Cool. We'll do dinner then.'
Histon blinks "Dinner...? Uh.... I'll see if I can get some money tomorrow somehow."
Remedy shakes her head. 'Nuh-uh. My Treat. I eat out most of the time anyway, but it'll be good to have company.'
Histon blinks again, shrugging "Hey... that sounds like a plan to me." He smiles, his tail waving slightly "Well... I guess we'll talk tomorrow!"
Remedy nods and gets to her hooves, walking towards the stairs. 'Mhm. See you tomorrow, Histy-Pop.'
Histon: Later Rem!
Histon gives her a little wink
Remedy smiles and vanishes up the stairs.
Histon smiles back, walking to his room. In front of the door, the gears in his mind finally click in place "Wait. Did a horse just ask me out?"