At the Cafe Tobiano

[Sky Blue]

Cafe Tobiano

This simple coffee house appears to come from humble beginnings. From the outside it looks like an old grey stone house with a small covered porch and one bay window among with a few smaller ones scattered across the first and second floors. The shutters are painted a crisp, cheery lavender and the woodwork for the covered porch and Victorian-gingerbread styling is bright white. A hand-painted wooden sign set out in the short front lawn among the purple, orange, and white flowers during the blooming season reads 'Cafe Tobiano' with the image of an elegantly curved coffee mug and curls of steam.

Inside, the first floor is converted to a proper, cozy coffee shop. The old wooden-walled library, done in deep green and bright golden oak, retains the old musty odor of books that line the shelves. Several tables and chairs are set up for patrons in there as well as in the converted living and dining areas. Cushy low couches are interspersed for other ponies to lounge on. What furniture is there is piecemeal, lending to that homey eclectic feel. The kitchen is closed off to the public by a large wooden display unit and countertop adorned with a wide array of equipment. More importantly, though, is the space not taken up by machinery is adorned with a dazzling array of sweet and savory goodies from tiny cookies and pastries to fresh fruits and salads right up to larger treats like breads and sandwiches. Specials are on every day, so come back soon!

Upstairs is kept closed to the general public as well, but to the curious there is a small office, restroom, and two bedrooms that remain from the original building. They are done up in soft, welcoming country style and may even serve as a place to crash for the few staff members who need to catch a quick quiet moment throughout the day.

Between setting up her writing studio and moving to Ponyville and her latest publishing deadline, Inkwell has had little time to explore the quiet little town in the past year. Still, she's dropped in on this particular cafe more than once, taking up a table in the corner and nursing though as many cups of dark strong coffee as she can fit into two or three hours of quiet lurking and the occasional bout of note-taking. Cantering in, she eyes the place and makes for her 'usual' table.

Inkwell
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Inkwell, a unicorn mare of medium height and build, her coat a dusky glaucous blue, shading to a lighter blue-grey at the muzzle and hooves. She's a rather quiet sort, often seen with a floating quill jotting notes or simply staring off into her own thoughts, for few would suspect this demure mare of being the renowned author of several famous works of fiction-- mysteries, romance, and even high adventure-- under a series of noms de plume. The cutie mark on her flank is not an uncommon one-- simply a quill-pen and her namesake inkwell-- but this pony has had more than her share of success with them. Her mane and tail are a dark indigo blue, both rather straight-cut and of a plain, practical style, and more often than not she wears round-rimmed brass spectacles upon her nose, the eyes behind them pearly blue and generally amused. With a touch more than the usual whorl, her unicorn horn is slightly reminiscent of a spiraling seashell, aglow with a blue-grey aura when she uses her minor magics.
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Pumpkin Latte is by a table next to the fire, absently mulling over a stack of what appears to be recipe cards and scraps of paper spread out in front of her. It's a quiet day at the moment, and she's taking the opportunity to start picking through the selections for the upcoming spring specials. She glances up as the dusky blue unicorn enters and offers a wide, warm smile. "A good day to you! Hope you're finding it well?" She's grown familiar over the past while with seeing her, and she's already waving a hoof towards the pony behind the counter to see The Usual rounded up for her.

Pumpkin Latte
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This earth pony is a bit more generous than most, not to be called fat per-say, but she's no slender and supple uptown unicorn. She's a sturdy, down-to-earth... earth pony. Her body color is a light, creamy orange with a distinct appaloosa blanket over her rump in a milky hue. Her muzzle is dipped in the same hue. Her long, distinctly wavy mane is tri-colored. Warm pale blonde, a milky tea hue, and soft muted chocolate all mingle and wave and curl up at the ends in little whorls. Her eyes are bright and expressive, a welcoming blue like the clear morning sky. Upon her flank is a dark brown mug with a frothy top and the image of a pumpkin drawn in the foam and giving off tiny curls of steam.
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The usual, in this case, is coffee about thriple-octople normal strength with enough sugar to keep Pinkie awake at night. And a single squirt of pumpkin syrup, of course. Inkwell returns the greeting with a friendly wave, her own smile rather quiet. The unicorn is already heading for the booth, though moving slow, taking time for the first time to really look around the place. It gets like that when you settle into a routine - you stop seeing. The specials board. Was that always there?

The bell above the door chimes a second time as it opens again, enveloped by a light blue aura of magic as a unicorn mare steps through. Smiling and nodding to the only other customer, then at the mare behind the counter whom she has heard of via Pumpkin Patch, but never actually talked too. Then another nod of greeting is given too Latte, before Red turns and softly speaks to somepony outside, "Sky, are you doing alright dear? You don't need any help getting to a table?" Red Velvet steps to the side holding the door open for her friend with her magic.

Red Velvet
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Elegance. Class. Stunning. All these things may describe the pony before you, her coat a soft understated blue, while her professionally styled mane is a deep red. It frames her face, partially hiding her right eye, but rather then obscuring it completely it only serves to accentuate the deep green of her eyes. Those eyes look out at you with a friendly yet guarded expression in them, as if she was interested in speaking with you but was also silently taking your measure. She wore make-up, although not too much, her eyeshadow was a slightly darker blue then her coat, her lipstick a red that matched her mane. All-in-all the make-up served more to accentuate her colors rather then clash with them. Upon her flank, if one cared to look, was the image of a velvet rope stretched across a black door, on the door in white lettering was a elegantly scripted sign that read V.I.P. What might such a cutie-mark hint at?
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"Nah, ah'm okay, sugarcube," Sky Blue replies quite cheerfully, despite her strong hobble, her hindleg casts thumping against the floor of the cafe. then, she spots Inkwell. "HOWDY, INKWELL!" she bellows out at the top of her voice, before adding, "Ah'm just gonna grab one of them coffee things, then Red and ah can come chat with ya'll!" As she starts hobbling over to the counter, she adds conversationally to Red Velvet, "She's an author ah met a few days back. Real nice."

Sky Blue
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Just half a head taller than most fillies her age, Sky Blue is otherwise quite unremarkable for an Earth Pony, being of a fairly standard build and possessing a brilliant sky blue coat, no doubt the source of her name. Her mane, an incredibly short affair that doesn't so much resemble a proper manecut as an incredibly poor attempt at one, consists of sunset gold hair, the same colour as her eyes. Her tail, the same colour as her mane, is pretty much just left to hang as it is, just several inches in length, without any sort of attempt to neaten it up. Dirty white casts encase both of her hindlegs, while her forelegs are clear of any similar baggage. Positioned upon her flank is a simplistic Cutie Mark that appears to represent the Sun, without any further embelishments.
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The door opens again, only this time, it's not the front door- it's the back door, and in sneaks a little orange neer-do-well pony with blonde golden locks curling about his skull. He's carrying a large bag of something that jingles with his movements, dragged about by his teeth and he glances left and right suspiciously. "Pssst... PSSSSST... Latte!" whispers the youngest of the Pumpkin siblings.

Pumpkin Pie
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The youngest of the Pumpkin Brothers, Pie is a lithe, muscular little pony with a blonde mane dangling over baby blue eyes and a full orange body. Oh yes, this little foal is QUITE the cutie, and he knows it. He's adorable, and flaunts it wickedly. Over his flanks is a... well looks like this one is a blank flank- he hasn't found his true calling yet, but it's probably pumpkin related. Celestia help him if it isn't.
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Pumpkin Latte scoops up the assortment of old clippings and stuffs them into a box which she carries behind the counter to stash away. Inkwell's coffee is brought out to her as soon as it's ready, with Latte just setting it down on her table when Red Velvet and Sky Blue enter. "Welcome, welcome everypony. Please make yourselves comfortable." She returns behind the counter while her cohort, Cream Puff, heads to the back to restock the assortment of goodies they carry. "Let me know what I can ge-... t... you..." She trails off as she peeks an eye around the doorframe to the back room and door. "Pie, pray tell what's in the bag?"

Ack! It's the walking insurance risk! Inkwell goggles at Sky Blue, but sees no polite recourse but to wave, which she does, timidly. When the coffee is served, she floats it over in a haze of blue-grey and sips, ears down. Sip, sipsip. Oh, yes, she has a feeling she will need this coffee badly ere many more minutes have gone by.

Red Velvet half smiles and closes the door behind her friend once the other mare has hobbled her way inside. "Sky dearie, inside voices, please. I'm certain she is a very nice pony, but she is just across the room, not across town." Red nods politely to the other unicorn, before following Sky Blue up to the counter. She waits just behind the accident prone pony patiently, glancing around the cafe. It's only the second time she has ever been, but she is beginning to feel a fondness grow for the place.

"Howdy!" the accident-prone Filly of Mass Destruction greets Pumpkin Latte, before asking, "Can ah have one of yer fancy real nice extra strength mega ex... pression? coffees, with extra sugar, and can ah have as much coffee beans as ya'll can give me fer this." With that, she empties out all the bits out of one of her saddlebags onto the counter, then beams brightly.

Pumpkin Pie winces. "Ok. It's a LOT of bits. I made a buncha money a few days ago- yesterday, actually, and I need a place to hide it so Patch and Seed don't decide to spend it while I'm asleep or somethin! I can trust YOU though, right? You gotta safe or somethin' around here? I can't keep carryin' all this around with me, and I don't wanna leave it at home," he whines. Oh! Customer! And immediately his salespony nature takes over and he climbs up best he can behind the counter (supported by his forelegs and dangling with the rest of his body.) "Hiya! Welcome to Cafe Tobiano! I- OH SNAP! Sky Blue!" He shrieks and ducks immediately drops onto his plot, disappearing behind the counter again. He hasn't seen her since he sold her to Salsa.

"You better not have been selling occupied houses again," Pumpkin Latte warns Pumpkin Pie, not without some measure of firmness, but still somehow infinitely patient with the boy despite all his troubles. Then her little brother is fleeing from customers and the mare just sighs. "Pie, leave the bag behind the counter and go sit. Let me tend to the customers then we'll talk, okay?" Though she doesn't really give him room to protest as she nudges him encouragingly to evacuate the counter area. "Eh, sorry about that," she says then to Sky Blue, smiling to her. "With that many bits, you could about buy the store!" she says kindly, "But, tell ya what. Five bits, and I'll see you with a house specialty mixed drink and a bag of our best beans." It's clearly a discount, with some of the most fantastical of drinks being four or higher and a bag of beans along closer to five or six.

Inkwell's eyes lift as she hears another vaguely familiar voice explaining decorum to Sky Blue, which is a little like a pony explaining property rights to a tornado. Sip She knows that other pony. Eh-heh. One of her literary agents. Inkwell plasters on a feigned grin at the sight of Red Velvet. That manuscript isn't late. It's stalling for time! The unicorn's never been very good at dealing with the business side of her profession, otherwise she'd never have needed a good agent to start with, but Red Velvet has gotten one of her series in the stores... soooo... "Hello, Miss Velvet. Didn't expect to run into you here?" Clearly, introductions from Sky are superfluous at this stage.

Red Velvet purses her lips as she observes Pumpkin Pie, It's not an accusatory look, but it's studiously not an encouraging one either. It's measuring. Both Patch and Seed have made it plain to her they don't like their little brother acting like this. And Seed has implicitly asked her to stay out of the matter. Still, she sees potential in the colt... lots and lots of potential. Simply misdirected focus. It's then she is shaken out of her thoughts by the voice of Inkwell and she turns to look more closely at the other patron, realization dawning slowly. "Dear... I am more then a little taken aback. Why, last I saw you was up in Canterlot! How is it that I find you in such a tiny out of the way village? Althought, I suppose you could ask the same of me, given the situation." She smiles amiably at one of her favourite clients.

"Well, that sounds like a real fine deal," Sky Blue replies enthusiastically, reaching over and shaking Pumpkin Latte's hoof extra enthusiastically, before adding, "In that case, could ah have... five bags of yer best beans? And ah mean sack-sized bags. Ah had a great idea fer Salsa t'try makin' some coffee-flavoured sauces and condiments, and ah don't know how much she'll need."

Pumpkin Pie trots sheepishly away from the counter, keeping an eye on Sky Blue the entire time, and hoping she doesn't decide to wander over and beat him within an inch of his life for selling her to Salsa. Still, he's always keen on making Latte happy, so he climbs up onto a chair and sits quietly, waiting for his sister to finish with customers. He does catch the glance of Red Velvet and flashes her a charming smile. It looks innocent enough; shining teeth and a boyish charm with a friendly demeanor about it. He seems like he's in quite a good mood today, but after dragging in a bag filled with bits, who wouldn't be.

Dealing with customers behind the bar, Cream Puff is in her element. She has been singing loud old rock songs quite loudly, and slinging drinks left and right to thirsty ponies. "Here I aaaaaam. Rock you like a hurricaaaaaine!" She hops from one order to the next, giving Pumpkin Pie a hip bump before giving a wild wave of her hoof to anyone new that walks in through the door.

Cream Puff
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Pumpkin Latte looks unfazed by Sky Blue's gigantic request, even as she begins whipping up the filly's concoction. "We're not due for an order that large for a few more days, but, Salsa is welcome to come talk to me if she needs a large quantity of beans. I can always do a special order. Coffee has a lot of uses in cooking!" The mug she creates is the tallest they have, the potent order of strong espresso and the sweet tang of sugar. There's the creamy underlay of vanilla, the richness of chocolate, and even... is that a bit of sweet berry? There's a hearty swirl of whipped cream on top with sprinkles in white, brown, and pink and a cherry on top. "Here ya go. Let me know what you think of the Neapolitan Knockout, something I've been thinking of to welcome spring." A bag of their House Roast beans is put alongside it.

This is true, and avoiding her various literary agents was one reason for Inkwell to move out of Canterlot and take up residence in such a purportedly quiet town, though in the last couple of days, she's starting to think she'd have had a quieter place if she moved to Earthquake Gulch. "Oh, ah, Canterlot is rather noisy and bustling, and I decided a little quiet would help keep my pen moving, you know..." Sip... wait. This coffee cup's empty. How'd that happen? Inkwell floats it back over to the counter and politely asks, "May I have a top-off, please?" She turns back to Red Velvet. "So what brings you out to quaint li'l Ponyville, then?" Please don't say you were following to get the overdue manuscript. Please please.

Red Velvet smiles at Inkwell and nods, her expression one of complete composure. With a light airy laugh, she waves a hoof through the air as if brushing away invisable concerns. "Oh darling, I completely understand. I've actually opened a branch office here in Ponyville. The stress was getting to me in Canterlot. Oh, I still commute and work half a day there, and the latter half in these offices, but I find the walk relaxing, and I have been looking at a few potential new clients as well as a possible assistant. Business is booming, darling, simply booming!" It seems that at the moment the missing manuscript is the furthest thing from Red's mind. As the young colt smiles at her she turns and smiles in return, there are a few too many teeth in that smile though, and while on the surface it looks pleasent there is still the air of a shark that has just smelt blood in the water.

Pumpkin Pie's ears wilt ever so slightly when he catches the grin from Red Velvet. Ponies that give him that grin are the ponies he's afraid will be the reason he ends up on a milk carton one day. He glances away, nervously, and looks towards Latte, wondering what she's up to, and if she's finished with her customers yet. He's nervous about something, and more than likely, it has to do with that huge bag of bits...

Pumpkin Latte smiles across the counter towards Inkwell and bobs her head. "Of course!" She fills up the floating mug for the author and sees Sky on her way before she leaves Cream Puff to the counter and walks over to tend to her brother. She places down two mugs of hot chocolate and a small plate of cookies and hunkers down at the table. "Alright, Pumpkin Pie. Now, be honest with me, okay? Where'd the bits come from?"

The trouble with juggling multiple series at a time is that it's easy to get distracted with one over another. Inkwell should have mailed off that manuscript two weeks ago, but she got distracted writing a mystery novel! The criminal -and- the protagonist was going to be a unicorn with a split personality who tries to solve his own crimes! Sigh. As the refill of coffee is decanted out, she makes a mental pledge to finish the romance novel she owes Red Velvet by the end of the month, at latest! "Well, I'm happy to hear it; must be, if you can afford two offices, I'm sure." If she's aware of the predatory grin from her agent, she... heck, she's not the least bit aware. For a pony that can write about mysteries and lost temples and pirates, she's remarkably naive, really. She only knows that Red Velvet makes her nervous in the same way Pinkie Pie makes a dietician nervous. Levitating the mug back to her table, Inkwell proceeds to vulcanize her throat on the contents.

Red Velvet chuckles softly to herself when the colt seems to get nervous, and then she turns to glance at Inkwell, seeing Sky move to join her client she herself turns back to the counter to smile at Cream Puff, a very normal, very friendly smile. "Hello, Miss Puff, I should like another of those delightful coffees you made for me the other day. What was it? A Tobiano Twister? And another creme filled Eclar with that as well if you don't mind. That was such a wonderful combination."

Extra mega super strong espresso with lots of sugar and whipped cream and jam-packed with caffiene. After the first sip, Sky Blue stares forward casually, then her eyes narrow into Salsa-style pinpricks. "OH MAH GOSH YA'LL HAVE T'TELL ME ALL ABOUT YER NOVELS AND HOW IS YER HOUSE AND THAT'S A LOVELY MANE YA'LL'VE GOT WHAT SORT OF MAGIC CAN Y'DO AH'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT HAVIN' A HORN'D BE USEFUL HEY WE SHOULD TOTALLY HAVE A SLEEPOVER AND THEN WE COULD GO TO THE SPA OH HAVE YOU BEEN TO THE ONE IN CANTERLOT IT'S REALLY FANCY BUT THEY THROUGH ME OUT AFTER I ACCIDENTALLY BURNED DOWN THE SAUNA." Caffienated Sky Blue. Poor Equestria.

"Ayup! Tobiano Twister!" Cream Puff pipes up happily as she starts to make another one of her famous drinks for Red Velvet. The triple shot espresso mixed with white hot chocolate. The whip cream and mint chips come next, topped by chocolate drizzle. Sliding it down the counter to her, she gives a bright beaming smile. "Hey, no problem Velvet. Anything for family," she pipes up as she slips an eclair onto a plate and nudges it over.

What *was* going to be a little yellow pony entering is now a sunny yellow smear on the wall. Fluttershy raises a creaky hoof and carefully peels herself free, puffing back to her usual self once her hooves are back on the floor. The ringing in her ears, however, remains. "H-hello, e-v-erypony..."

Fluttershy
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Um...Fluttershy is really, really sorry that it took so long to get this description set up. She's just really nervous. It's not like she's really, y'know, used to talking about her own body that much, like her long and flowing pink mane and tail, which she's often seen using to hide her face, or her sunny yellow coat, or anything, and she'd feel too anxious talking about her bright blue eyes to even get any words out! She does have wings, being a pegasus, you see, but she's not really a very strong flier. Oh, her cutie mark is okay, though! It's three little pink butterflies arranged on her flank.
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Pumpkin Pie rolls his eyes. "Be honest. Pfft. Why does everypony keep sayin that? ... oh, yeah. Well anyway, I'm rollin one of my pumpkins through town, right? It's one I carved out of Apple Bloom. I wanted to give it to her, cause after she aplogized I sorta... kinda didn't wanna accept it, since I was still mad at her, but I guess theres no point in holdin a grudge. So I carved out a pumpkin that looked like her. But before I cold get it to the farm, some pony stopped me in the street and said it was adorable, and asked me who made it. I said I made it. She asked if I could do one of her daughter she'd pay me three bits. And I said ok. And then another pony saw, and... so now I have customers," he whines quietly. "But what if this is it, Latte?! Patch said not to worry but... but what if this is how I get my cutie mark?!" He whimpers. Lots of colts and fillies are dying to find out what thier cutie marks are- and some are terrified of discovering - Pie falls into the later category. "What if it's something lame, like pumpkin carving? I want it to be something cool, like treasure hunting, or lion taming, you know! Somethin cool! "He spits out and pouts quietly, curling his forelegs and resting his head on them glumily.

"Pie, sugar cube... I have coffee on my butt," Pumpkin Latte says with a wink to her brother. "So, you've gotten all of those bits carving pumpkins?" she asks of the boy. "Mmmm hm," she says with That Tone that suggests she is not convinced at all by his story. "Though, that is a cute idea to carve a pumpkin for someone."

Eyes bulging slightly behind her spectacles, Inkwell regards the hyperactive Sky with horror. Somepony kill it. With fire. The unicorn is already pressed so far back in her chair her hindquarters have squeezed through the gap between chair back and cushion, and if she could squeeze the rest of herself through she'd flee, coffee or no coffee. Pesky skeleton. "I... wha... huh...?" It's obvious from her erudition that she makes a living with words, isn't it?

Red Velvet turns with a smile at Cream Puff and speaks just loudly enough that she can be heard over Sky Blue, but only by the pony right beside her. "Thank you so much, darling, we really should get together sometime and get to know one another better." Then she turns and balancing her tray unto her back trots over to join Sky and Inkwell. Placing her tray calmly on the table, her horn flickers to life and Sky's mouth is suddenly forcibly closed. Red holds up a hoof, speaking to the room at large in an authoritive voice, "Quiet, please, quiet everypony. I want to see where the loud words go when our dear Sky can't use her mouth. Will they flow out her ears? Her nose? Will they back up and cause her body to swell and pop like a balloon?! Oh, the suspence is simply killing me!" The fabulous pony then props her elbow on the table, her chin on her hoof and -stares- at Sky as if really waiting to see if her friend might explode. A half nasty grin on her face, very unlike the normally nice mare.

"... AND AH REALLY LOVE YER HOOVES AND YER HOUSE AND MAYBE YER-" That's when Sky Blue's lips get magically shut, causing her eyes to bulge slightly. She tries to talk. Then again. Then again. Each time, she only manages a loud mumble. Then, her eye starts to twitch, as the pent up energy starts to build. Then her other eye. Then her ears. Then she jumps up from the table, zooms - far faster than a gallop - across to the other side of the restaurant, flankbumps Fluttershy with enough force to knock down a house, zooms across to hoof Red Velvet, missing and clocking her in the jaw, up the wall, across the ceiling, down the other wall, and finally out of the nearest window.

"Ride me sideways," Riggers mutters in a forced grunt of surprise as he begins to step in with Chance, then pulls toward the wall when Blue shatters the window. "Brew must be strong today," he can only assume.

Barley Rigs
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Barley Rigs is a tall, strapping earth pony, with legs long and lean but with power showing in the sinewy, lithe musculature. His pelt is covered in fur a fair pale cream in hue, shaded just above his hooves and at the tips of his ears toward a toasty tan, as a marshmallow just starting to cook over a fire. His wide eyes are a sweet honey brown, tinged with hints of grey-green, and his tail and mane are a deep dark brown, contrasting starkly with the pale cream of his pelt. On his flank a golden cluster of wheat is bound in rope and crossed with the brown handle of a silver sickle.
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Fluttershy throws herself to the floor and covers her head as Sky Blue zooms right over her. Yeep! Fluttershy lifts one ear, then the other, and then opens her eyes one at a time, blinking as she realizes she hasn't been trampled into a pony pancake again. ... She'll have what she's having. "S-so, um... I-is this a bad time?"

Pumpkin Pie pouts quietly. "It's true! I did sell all those pumpkins I carved!" he snorts, crossing his arms. "I wouldn't lie to ya, Latte. You know what? Patch? Sure. Seed? I can't remember the last time I told him the truth about anything! But you? Come on..." he whimpers, seeming generally hurt that his older sister doesn't believe him.

"If you says it's true, Pumpkin Pie, then I'll believe you." Pumpkin Latte smiles to him. "Now, what should we do with you're-" She jerks her head up as Sky Blue goes erupting out a window, her eyes widening in shock and her lower jaw coming unhinged. "... wuh in'ta hay?" she murmurs, her native country twang overshadowing her normal accent less tone that she spent so long cultivating.

Inkwell stares at the open window. Just stares, and this is a pony who can write about a heroine surviving a nine-story fall using a paper drink-umbrella. Yet even -she- has no idea what she just witnessed, or if she'll have to testify in court about it. Twitching herself forward, Inkwell extricates herself from the chair with a small *pop* like a cork coming free from champagne. She does not fizz. Mind you, right now, she probably wouldn't mind fizzing a bit. With a slightly jittery air, the author-pony floats her own cup of Black-Hole-of-Cowcutta (with extra sugar) to her lips and sips at it, with far more tolerance for the caffeine than Sky, mercifully. "So, uh. Uh. Does she, er, do that often?" Inkwell is wondering how much a guard dog costs, and if it's legal to train it to eat earth ponies. There's a law against that, right? There has to be a law. She should check.

Red Velvet at first smirks. "What's that, Mrs Mumbles?" she teases, putting a hoof to her ear. "Ohhh, here let me speak in your native tongue... MURPHMUGLEHMMPHH!?" Red accomplishes the exagerrated mumbling by placing her hoof over her own mouth and mocking Sky. Then she blinks as the earth filly begins to move at speeds she had no right too, not even with four good legs, much less two broken hindlimbs. The shock on the elegant unicorn's face is evident even as, after flankbumping Fluttershy, Sky seems to jet across the room and sock her across the jaw, sending Red cartwheeling over the side of her own chair and spilling across the floor with a muted, "Ooof!" The briused and battered unicorn's eyes roll in her head and, worse still, her mane is tousled!

Chance pauses for a few moments as he hears Barley behind him. He swivels around, four legs doing the four step as he turns to look at Barley. "Hey Barley, how's it going?" he greets the other with a smile, then from his vantage point spots Fluttershy... hiding? "Hey Fluttershy, everything alright there?" he calls out.

Chance
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He's black and white, with shades of gray, with not a hint of color. That's the first odd thing about him. The top of his mane starts in a nice jet-black, and works its way to white at the bottom. His pelt is almost completely black, aside from his flanks, which are white. The white of his flank curves up from the lower section of his rear hips to his middle back in a gentle curve, giving the impression of symmetric waxing moons on each side, and the curve changes the other direction, each side meeting in a white spike mid-back, pointing at his head. Though his legs are also black, he's adorned with four matching white 'socks' on each hoof, moving up about a quarter of the way to the knee, contrasted by black on the very bottoms of his hooves. His horn is white, without a speck of black or grey, giving it an ivory-like appearance, while on his other end, his tail is black. His eyes are soft grey. He appears to be in his prime as far as age goes.

Upon his flank sit a pair of white dice, one slightly overlapping the other, but the usual numbered dots upon the dice are replaced by the pattern of atoms.

An old saddlebag is usually seen flung across his back, with the usual two bags on each side. Its design is practical, effective for carrying a number of things, as the bags are split up into a couple smaller pockets in front, and a larger pocket in back. The underside portion has what looks like a strip of blanket knitted neatly into the worn leather, serving as a saddle-blanket without the need for the actual blanket. The saddlebag looks like it's well worn with age, and the blanket portion looks newer then the bag itself. Perhaps it was a hoof-me-down from somepony else?
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Barley Rigs brightens under the force of Chance's swivel and he gives the guy a crooked grin. "Chance, bro, 'sup?" he asks. "Just stopping in for a cup. Hey, can I ask you a question or two? Like... later on? We can get dinner or something together?"

Inkwell would be the last unicorn to consider a literary agent to be her friend, but, nonetheless, she levitates a few icecubes over, and the blue-grey haze of magic wraps them in a napkin before pressing them to Red Velvet's unconscious brow. Her horn glows a few times and the downed chairs right themselves, though that looks like a bit of an effort for her - she's not much for magic, really.

Fluttershy sloooowly raises her head out from her hiding spot. "O-oh, um, yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she says to Chance. "I-I just got this invitation and decided to come over... b-but I think I might be too late. This place might not be standing too much longer." Her eyes are fixed squarely on Sky's trail of devastation. "How're you?"

Even out cold, the touch of the napkin wrapped icecubes causes Red Velvet to wince, and gradually the pain brins her back around to consciousness. "Uhhh... perhaps... not one of my better ideas." She gives a little moan and begins to try to pick herself up. Although still wobbly, she appears able to stand on her own and glances around the room. "Oh my..." she mutters, before looking at Inkwell and taking note of whose magic it is that holds the ice to her head. "Thank you so much, Miss Inkwell. I do apologize for my friend; she is... more accident prone than most. And, sadly, to a degree that seems to overflow onto other ponies. I will, of course pay for any and all damages that she may have caused." Miraculously, none of the drinks at the table seem to have been spilt, and Red looks with some satisfaction at her Tobiano Twister, "Thank Celestia for small favors..." Her own horn becomes sheathed in a light blue aura and Inkwell would feel her magic gently attempt to take the ice from her own magical grip. "Again thank you so much for your help Miss Inkwell, I am sorry that our little stop ruined your quiet evening."

Solar Solstice walks into the cafe, having been prodded to go out into town more often even when there was work left over after hours. He looks around, oblivious to the recent chaos except prehaps for the missing window. Well. "Did I come at a bad time?" he says to no one in particular.
Maroon has left.

Solar Solstice
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Solar is a young Earth Pony of very light gray with a brown mane and bright, hazel eyes that seem distant, even expectant. As is common for his race he is well-built and strong, suited to heavy work, but the bag of delicate tools that hangs by his flanks and the goggles lying around his neck seem to suggest that he has far more esoteric interests than field work. One hint of his odd talents is his cutie mark, a swirl of white that ascends to a half-sun, presumably at the zenith of its precession. Whatever the case may be, Solar seems to be a pony with big dreams, bigger than what his everyday world can likely contain.
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Chance goes to reply to Barley, but apparently the other pony had somewhere to head off to, for he did it in a hurry. He chuckles lightly, then looks over to Fluttershy, tipping his head down and sideways a bit. "It may not be standing much longer?" he asks, repeating the yellow pegasus. He glances around, trying to piece things together, then his gaze lands on Fluttershy again. "Lemme guess... Sky?" he then asks, drowing out his prior question.

The aura around the icepack shifts from steely blue-grey to Red Velvet's lighter blue as Inkwell, er, hands it over. Horns it over? "Yeah, uh, I got that impression when she sleep-ransacked my home the other day. Do... the authorities have some sort of neighborhood watch to keep an eye on her? Because I could totally write an article in the local paper and... er... perhaps not." The unicorn retreats a few steps and floats her own cuppa joe to her lips, sipping. And she moved here for quiet? On the other hoof... hmm... she's suddenly picturing a character in a novel based around this! A villain who becomes dangerous and unpredictable when she drinks some sort of... brew! Hmmm. With her own eyes glazing over in creative thought, the authoress finishes her coffee. "No, that's ok. Ought to get back to the house and do some work. Yeah." She trots for the exit... remembers she's floating a coffee cup behind her and returns it to the counter... then trots for the exit. As she heads down the street, there's already a floating quill taking notes on the levitating parchment. This is gonna be great!

Fluttershy waves to the departing authorcorn. "Um... g-goodbye," she whispers, although it's probably too quiet for Inkwell to hear; she is still shy, after all. Flutters turns and nods at chance. "Um, yes. I-I just got here myself, so, um, I didn't see, but I think this is a coffee shop... um, I guess that's obvious. But I guess poor Sky Blue doesn't handle coffee well."

Red Velvet nods and smiles as the other unicorn makes ready to depart. "I see Sky's reputation precedes her, she certainly is... different. And no, nothing is being done about her. She never means any harm, but the more well meaning she seems the less good seems to come from it. Good night, Miss Inkwell, Oh! Do get back to me about that manuscript! I haven't forgotten!" She calls out as her client departs. Then she turns and slowly makes her way over to Fluttershy and the stallion she doesn't know, still holding the ice to her own head with a wane smile. "Well, Fluttershy, dear, I really must apologize; half of this was my fault I'm afraid. If I hadn't tried to stop Sky from using the Royal Canterlot Voice, I think we all might have been a little better off. If only a little."

Solar Solstice blinks, taking in some of the talk. Sky Blue, who's that? Anyway, he decides to make the best of the situation, walking over to the counter, but then he sees... "Oh, hey there, Chance," he greets the unicorn. "Fancy meeting you here again."

Chance gives a light chuckle at Fluttershy's answer. "Yes, I have to agree, this is a coffee shop. But of Sky... not handling coffee well..." He gives another look around the room. "I'll have to remember that. It's a pleasure to see you here, at any rate." He finishes off his short conversation with Fluttershy. He then glances after Inkwell as she takes her leave. "Take care, miss!" he calls after her, considering politeness to be the best way to deal with the unknown pony. And after that... pony, it's getting a bit busy around here... he tilts his head and eyes in Solar's direction. "Ah, nice to see you as well. Here for your morning coffee?" he asks, then gives a quick friendly smile and nod to Red Velvet, trying his best to catch everyone he can.

Fluttershy shuffles toward Red Velvet. "O-oh, no, it's not really your fault. There's no way you could've known she would do... um, that." Her eyes trace over Sky's wake of destruction once again. "A-are you feeling okay? Can I do anything to help you out?"

Red Velvet nods and smiles to both Chance and Solar then turns back to Fluttershy as the other mare asks if there is anything she can do. "Oh, I wouldn't want to impose, Fluttershy, darling." She then sighs, gesturing to her bruised left cheek, swollen jaw, and slightly less bruised right cheek. "I've just had a hard day today. I thought it would be nice if Sky and I spent the day together. You know, just two mares out on the town? Unfortunately, I must have just picked a bad day. Sky has been even more Sky-like then usual. She nearly died once, accedently kicked me in the left cheek with her cast, smacked me in the right cheek with her...ahem...flank. And just now completed the set with a swollen jaw. I think it may be awhile before I try to take her out again. Friend or not, I have to have some time to heal between girl's nights out."

Solar Solstice grins to Chance, having waved back at the others. "Oh, me? Nah, the family wants me to get out more, apparently." He can't say that its been very boring, however. "You're having your morning coffee, I'm guessing."

Chance takes some bits from his bag in his teeth and tosses it on the table, ordering, then waiting for a cup of coffee. "I'll take coffee anytime. But morning seems like a good time to do so. Everypony else seems to think as well, at any rate." he answers Solar. "I think you missed Sky on coffee. In fact, come to think of it, I barely missed it myself."

Fluttershy's look of shock grows and grows with each passing injury Red Velvet ticks off. "I, um," she begins, and then she hesitates for a long time. "... I'm sorry. Um, do you need a bandage or anything?" Fluttershy reaches back and pulls that familiar roll of gauze out of her saddlebag, placing it on the nearest undisturbed table. "I didn't realize you and Sky Blue were such good friends, though. It's so nice of you to try and cheer up such a troubled pony." All the while, Fluttershy is glancing back at Chance and the stallion he's speaking to - does she know that pony?

Red Velvet gently touches her cheeks and smiles at Fluttershy wanely. "Oh, well, if you don't mind, Fluttershy; that's very nice of you. I do try and help poor Sky whenever I can. I don't think the poor dear has many friends. I know I can seem a little aloof at time, so I was trying to tease and joke with her today; it just didn't go well, I suppose. I knew something was badly wrong when she ordered such an awful drink as she did, and then when her eyes went strange after the first drink... I should have said something when she was ordering, but I was making small talk with a client that I had bumped into here. Sky is just so difficult to manage, you take your eyes off her for a second and... well something like this happens." Red gestures to the coffee shop as a whole. "At least my coffee wasn't spilt, and it's so odd that the snack I ordered survived as well. The eclairs here are to die for, darling."

Dusk is coming through town and notices some ponies over at the cafe. Looks like a number of his friends too. He smiles and goes on over, nudging open the door with a soft ring of he bell on the door. He comes in and looks around, checking out the state of the place. He hears some of Red's conversion and ahs. "Greetings, my friends. How is everypony? Something happen here today?"

Solar Solstice gazes at the broken window again, putting things together in his mind. Oh joy, another crazy pony! Swell. "Maybe it was for the best," he quips. "It's hard enough to keep track of things in town when I'm working at our farm so often. Speaking of... what exactly do you do around town, again?"

Dusk
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Your eyes fall over the fairly big and strong form of the unicorn stallion before you, Dusk's coat a deep black, but with a luminescent sheen to it, catching even the softest light, highliting the various shapes and contours of his body. Depending on the lighting, at first you might almost mistake his mane and tail to be black as well, but you quickly notice they are a deep shade of violet. Both are fairly basic in style, free flowing, and full. The loose "bangs" of his mane somewhat obscure his face, but you can easily make out the reflective, much brighter violet eyes beneeth, as well as the protruding black spiral horn. Glancing further back, upon his flank is a horizontal line, above it is the last remnants of a setting sun, with several specks of stars above that.
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Chance glances over to the soft dinging of the bell, and spots Dusk following the sound into the caffe. He offers the pony a grin. "Hi there, Dusk." However, his current conversation is with Solar, and so he quickly turns attention to said pony. "At least it looks like it's going to be a nice start of the season for farm work," he mentions, then gives a crooked smile. "I work for Applejack at the apple farm," he reminds Solar.

Fluttershy takes to tending poor Velvet's face, carefully cleaning and then banding the swelling. "Sky Blue hit you really hard. I-I'm sure she didn't mean to, but... you should probably be really careful with this until the swelling goes down. It, um, i-it'll be a little sensitive is all...S-so is Sky still, um, injured? I heard her parents came to town and tried to take her away..." Fluttershy's voice becomes more tremulous than usual one the last few words. "Hello, Dusk. U-um, just a second, I'm helping heal somepony...sorry."

Red Velvet earperks at Fluttershy's question and a curious expression enters her eyes. "Oh, the hoof to the chin was nothing compared to the cast kick I got to the cheek earlier. I'm sure she didn't mean to hurt me, but what about you? I saw when she bumped flanks with you, it seemed more like a body check then a friendly hello. Sky is such a dear filly. I think I've only ever seen her angry enough to fight with somepony once, and it happened to be me she was angry at during that period." Red Velvet's eyebrows shoot up. "Why...no dear. I didn't even know about that. Sky seemed fine to me today, she seemed joyful even. I wonder why she wouldn't tell me about something that traumatic?" She turns to look at Dusk out of the corner of her eye, trying to stay still for Fluttershy. "Hello Dusk. It's been some time since I've seen you. How have you been?"

Dusk does seem to be picking up quite a bit from the conversations, even if ponies are all pretty busy at the moment, "Quite all right. I take it Miss Sky Blue had a hoof what has happened here. I don't believe I have seen her yet, since the incident with her presumed parents. I hope it wasn't another fight that had broken out. She had been, though, enough as it was." He smiles to Red and nods to her. "I am rather well myself, thank you, though sorry to see you have been roughed up in whatever has occured. And indeed, it's been too long. A pleasure to see you agian, Lady Velvet. Other than this, how might you be as well?"

Solar Solstice nods. "Ah, right, I remember now. How's that going for you? I hear the Apples are pretty hard workers, even by earth pony standards." Really, he's curious to hear about the Apples from someone who's actually met them personally. "I've been meaning to talk to one of them, actually. Pa has this crazy idea involving one of his, uh, inventions." He eyerolls.

Chance nods lightly to Solar. "That they are, though Apple Bloom is having a little... issue at the moment. They're darn good workers though. Couldn't ask for a better somepony to work for. Applejack is a tough hoof to follow, I'll give you that." His ears perk upward and swivel foward as the word 'invention' reaches them. He gives a light chuckle at the idea. "An invention? Of what sort, if I may ask?"

"O-oh, that was nothing. I shrug off worse than that from Angel Bunny almost every day." Fluttershy smiles, but she also sneaks a glance back as she stretches out the muscles in her hip. Oof. "I'm not sure why she wouldn't tell you, though. I didn't see her for a few days after it happened. She must've been really upset." Fluttershy's eyes drop toward the floor and fix there for a moment. Her hoof scuffs back and forth. "Um. A-anyway. No, there was no fight. Sky Blue just got her first taste of coffee, I think." Fluttershy just glances at Dusk. She expects that'll answer everything.

Red Velvet rises to her hooves and very delicately nuzzles Fluttershy, then Dusk. "Thank you so much, Fluttershy, for the treatment. I can see why wild creatures are attracted to you. And, actually, Dusk, Sky ordered something I've neaver heard of before. But I think it was something approaching triple or quadruple strength coffee. It had her acting like a mad thing. Have you seen Salsa Verde's eyes? It was powerful enough to do that to Sky's eyes." She sighs softly. "Well, my lovelies, I think I am just about wrung out after today. I really must get back to my apartment; do feel free, both of you, to drop by and pay me a visit anytime. I adore talking with you both now and again." She turns and downs the rest of her positively sinfully sweet beverage and picks up her eclair with her magic and heads for the door calling back to all in the room. "I highly recommend the Tobiano Twister! It's just too delish! and their chocolate iced creme filled Eclars are divine! Good night, my little ponies."

Dusk hmms and nods to Fluttershy. "All this from just some coffee? I must say, even I am surprised." He smiles as the soft nuzzle, and nods back to Red. "Ah, indeed, I have seen Miss Verde. If something was that potent, then that does make more sense. I suppose we'll have to be careful what to offer her in the future. And, yes, that would be wonderful. I have yet to get a chance to see your new place, since I was not available for your housewarming. Have yourself a wonderful night, Lady Velvet!" He meant to ask her about how things had went with Mint Julep, but will inquire another time as well.

Solar Solstice's ears flicker as Chance mentions Apple Bloom. "Why, what's up with Bloom?" The invention generates a more energetic response. He smiles and his tails flicks as he readies himself for yet another bragging session. "Pa heard about the Apple's trouble with the Flim-Flam brothers, and he wants to, ah, help them with that in case of future such incidents." He seems to be deliberately vague about this.

Chance says, "Well, let's just say.." he begins, with the answer to Solar's question, "That one shouldn't mention bees within earshot of her for a short while." He, too, keeps things a little vague. He tilts his head a bit. "What was the trouble with the brothers? Of whom I'm not familiar with..." he adds, then quickly looks back over to Red Velvet. "It was a pleasure meeting you, ma'am, though the meeting be short. I hope to get to know you better sometime."

Fluttershy smiles. "Goodnight, Red! I'll definitely try that." Fluttershy waves a set of pinions at her departing friend, then falls back into conversation with the other three (but not before placing an order for the Tobiano Twister, um, w-whatever that is). "She's such a nice pony. Um... I-I hope Apple Bloom is okay... oops." Fluttershy clamps a hoof over her muzzle. Why would you even let on that you know anything? Fluttershy, you're such a loudmouth.

Dusk finally makes his way around any mess and finds a seat with his friends, ordering a little hot cocoa to drink, himself. He nods to Fluttershy, "That she is. But so busy, seems I hardly get to see her." He chuckles softly, and nods to her other comment as well, listening to the general conversion too, before she puts the hoof to muzzle.

Solar Solstice stifles a laugh, figuring what Apple Bloom's problem might be. "Ah, right, the Flim-Flam brothers! Well, they were these unicorns who thought they could one up the Apples with their fancy cider-making machine, but apparently it wasn't so good. The cider, I mean. Pa's worried that some pony with a better idea is gonna try the same thing again, and then the Apples would be in real trouble." He draws closer to Chance, looking a bit conspiratorial. "Canterlot's already hooked up on a whole lotta unicorn machines. Pa... well, me too, actually; we're worried that the Apples mgiht get, uh, left behind, and then what? Everypony knows that they make the best apple stuff around, maybe even in all of Equestria. Some pony might beat them at their own thing, but they might not have the... the heart, you know?"

Chance looks over to Fluttershy with a light smile. "She's doing just fine," he assures his shy friend. "But, she is a bit skittish about them at the moment. I'm sure Applejack is trying to kick that out of her. Figurtively, of course," he tells Fluttershy, then glances at Solar again. "Cider-making machine, huh? Can't say I've ever tasted machined cider as good as hoof-and-sweat made. And, I gotta agree with you on the Apples' cider." He considers a moment. "I don't seeing a machine outmaking Apples' cider. Heart is part of the formula, after all. But if they do..." He trails off, then suddenly asks, "You still haven't told me about this invention of yours." he grins.

Solar Solstice is about to answer, when, for perhaps the fiftieth time that week, a weird ringing sound is emitted from his saddlebags. "Oh, looks like Pa wants me for someth-" And then, with a big flash and a notable *POIT* sound, Solar disappears in a magical flash!

Fluttershy shakes her head. "Oh no. I hope they don't. Applejack was so broken up when she thought she'd lost her farm. It means the world to her, and- and to the rest of Ponyville, too." The thought of her friend losing her whole purpose in life is almost too much to bear. She also hopes Applejack isn't kicking anypony. "Oh! Um...g-goodnight, Mr. Solstice." That ringing makes her ears tingle...

Dusk nods. "I've sampled many an apple item," which Fluttershy knows, as he gave her for Hearth's Warming the box of special apples from all over the world, "And I do say the Apples of Ponyville are right up there. I would hate to see them replaced, even if the machine was better. There's just a certain something special to something you can't just always have instantly." He looks up sharply at the ringing, and turns to say good night, but Solar is gone before he can.

"Oh, well, good..." The monochrome pony stops, as the other is no longer there. He then glances over to Fluttershy and Dusk. "Seeing how the Apples put their soul into their work, I'd hate to see them go under as well. Nothing lasts forever..." he says, almost with a hidden mutter. "But... I wish them the best in sticking around as long as they do!" he adds, now again with a smile

Fluttershy just sort of blinks. Um. Nopony else is reacting to Solar suddenly disappearing... s-should she maybe just not bring it up? Maybe she shouldn't bring it up. It... might be too traumatic. "I don't think Sweet Apple Acres is going anywhere," she says. "I think everypony in town would line up to help them out now." Somewhere, the Element of Kindness beams with pride.

Dusk certainly did a double take as Solar poofed out, because it was rather unexpected. But, he has, of course, seen ponies teleport. "I do think you are quite right, Lady Fluttershy. And I'm sure I'd be right there too." He smiles, sipping his cocoa that has arrived. "So has anything else happened here abouts besides Miss Sky?"

Chance snags his coffee cup in his teeth and tilts his head back to take a good drink of good hot coffee. It's rather fresh, and he loves it fresh and warm. And if it's hot, all the better. That 'burn your tongue' feeling will always be elusive to him, but he can still enjoy the extra warmth of the drink, even if his talent tones it down for safety's sake. After a moment, he places the cup back down and glances to the others, perking his ears foward as he listens to any other happenings.

Fluttershy doesn't usually drink coffee, but... she has to admit that the... whatever-it-is that Red Velvet recommended is good. She doesn't like burning her tongue, so she's waited for it to cool a little first. "This is definitely something Rarity would like," she muses. "W-well, not much today. Um...I was just coming into town for, um...reasons."

Dusk grins. "Well, I suppose this incident is plenty of excitement for one day, perhaps." He glances over at just whatever the drink that Fluttershy got is, getting a bit of wiff of it. He raises a curious brow momentarly at the 'reasons', but doesn't press it if Fluttershy seems reluctant.

"Yes, I suppose Sky's little adventure with coffee proved interesting enough for today's quota of 'things that happened'," he states with a gentle smile, then glances toward the window through which the pony 'flew'. "You mentioned she didn't have many friends..." he says softly, toward Fluttershy's direction.

Fluttershy dips her head, ears drooping. "Um...I-I guess that's true, although, um, technically it was Red Velvet who said that, not me. J-just so you know." Fluttershy clears her throat. "A-anyway, I guess she doesn't. She kind of...comes and goes, and I guess she breaks a lot of things by mistake, but she really is a nice pony, honest." Fluttershy chews her lip, wondering if she should relate her reasons.

Dusk nods. "Admittedly, I only know Miss Blue somewhat passingly. I don't believe I get to see her around too much is all. But yes, seems many ponies do care about her. When she was being dragged off the other day, ponies were quick to come help her."

Chance apologetically says to Fluttershy, "Oh, I'm sorry. My fault." He then glances to Dusk. "You mean... by those claiming to be her parents?" he guesses, from the conversation he heard earlier concerning such. "I'm glad the ponies around here are so quick to help. I came here, wondering how long I'd be stay, wondering where I'd go next... but I think I know the answer to that now. This is my home. After all, it has my friends living in it," he says, giving a smile to Fluttershy and Dusk.

Fluttershy beams softly, but...maybe proudly? She *does* love Ponyville. "I know how you feel, Chance. I feel exactly the same way, and I wouldn't trade it for all the wonders in the world." This *is* a wonderful town, with wonderful ponies (and dragons) in it. "I'm really glad you're staying, Chance. I, um...I-I know I may be shy, but I do enjoy having new friends around."

Dusk nods. "Yes, they did claim as such, and Miss Blue Sky seemed to refer to them as such too. But I still have trouble accepting that in my mind." He muses a moment. "Perhaps the thought of it being true is too uneasy to accept." But he shakes it off. "But, yes, this is indeed a wondrful town, and wonderful friends." He meets Chance's smile, and glances warmly over to Fluttershy himself. "I think we are all in agreement on that point. I do recall that first night I saw you in town. It was certainly a memorable one." He chuckles softly and smiles again.