Post by Skyheart on Aug 25, 2012 20:58:30 GMT -5
Bardigan is scurrying around Ponyville square, looking back and forth for a certain pony. He has a roll of the Ponyville Daily stuffed into his saddlebags, and looks quite anxious about something... perhaps leftover stress from the play?
Skyheart is trotting along the main pathway with Orpheus flying in tow. It seems the two have reconciled- sort of. Among his usual supplies is a magazine he swiped from the newspaper office. The bird seems... amused. "Yeah, laugh it up. It's not like the rumors weren't going around for weeks already, anyway." He says. "Just wait 'till they see you." He mentions. "I can see it now," He says as he waves a hoof across the air in front of his face as if showcasing a title, "Local pet provider sends assassin to strike down up-and-coming poet. Big name publishers suspected in conspiracy."
Solar_Solstice has nothing scheduled for today, so he's out and about enjoying another fine sunny day. There won't be many of those when fall and winter finally come around! He trots along, simply relaxing in the town that's become so familiar to him already.
Bardigan turns around the moment he hears Skyheart's voice. "Skyheart!" he declares, and marches right up to the other poet. "You and Ineed to have words! We have a problem," he says, and immediately whips out the Daily post. He begins nudging Skyheart towards a more quiet corner of the square. "Or at least it *could* be depending on your point of view..."
Of course, Solar just /happens/ to pass by that same newspaper shop as he walks along. An idle glance turns into an inquisitive gaze as he spots the headline on the Post. Hey, wait a second...
Skyheart sighs. "It's not ours, I'll tell you that. I think Inkwell leased that space out to a gossip columnist. Once she finds out it's less gossip and more... tabloids, I don't think she'll stand for it. Here. I swiped this from the office." He ducks his head into his back and pulls out a magazine. It's FULL of these articles, provided it's not too big. His mane, of course, is not decorated with a large collection of bright purple quills.
Bardigan shakes his head. "Not that! I don't care what you do with your mane in your free time. I was talking about *this.*" And he lifts the paper up and shows Skyheart a very specific page. The one that implies the two of them were having a romantic rendezvous instead of discussing the finer points of Chesterhoof's lyrical prose. "It was rather amusing until the paparazzi got their hooves on it!"
Solar_Solstice stares wide-eyed at the gossip section as the various salacious photos dance in front of his eyes. Except...he doesn't quite get the one about Bardigan and Skyheart. They were a little drunk, obviously, but...'secret relationship'. Well, that must mean they're just really good friends, right? Maybe he should ask them! "Hey, hey there!" he shouts, spotting the two of them in their secret spot. "I didn't know you two were such good friends!"
Skyheart gives Bardigan a curious look. "Try looking INSIDE the magazine. Our article is the least of them in here." He offers. Once he's being addressed, he looks over to see somepony comment... positively? Well that's new. "Hmmm. Yes, we're colleagues. Not that the gossip columns listen." He mentions. He tilts his head as Orpheus perches on his head picking the quills out of his mane. "You are?"
Bardigan sighs and shakes his head. "I saw them, trust me. This is ridiculous. I thought we'd already taken care of this Gabby Gums mess last time this happened, but clearly somepony has decided to take up the mantle themselves..." He looks over at Solar as he approaches and his eyes light up with recognition. "Ah! I've seen you before, sir. Solar, was it? Well met." He shakes the magazine in his mouth. "These spurious allegations are going to have the town in a tizzy sooner or later..."
Solar_Solstice nods to Skyheart. "I mostly know you two from your works, ah, my sister was at your play I think, Mr. Bardigan?" When Bardigan complains he's a bit confused. "What, you don't want ponies to know that you two are best friends?"
Skyheart shakes his head. "That's not what's being implied." He opens the magazine to the 'secret lover' entry. "All it takes is one bad image and they can do anything they want. Father told me about this. If they didn't think to put a disclaimer somewhere in the magazine we can have it shut down but..." Wait... here it is... Too small to read, though."
"Who, what?" Bardigan asks, raising an eyebrow at Solar. "Have you been paying attention? This could be disastrous! They're trying to imply a scandal to sell their lurid portraits of our lives to make a quick bit!"
Solar_Solstice blinks and still doesn't understand, but obviously this was upsetting Bardigan a lot so it must be bad. "OK, yeah, I can see why that would be bad for you guys," he says, a bit uncertain in his tone. He didn't think friendships could be so complicated! "Are you going to sue the magazine, or something? I heard that's what the ponies in Canterlot do when somepony starts spreading stories about them."
Skyheart shakes his head. "Can't. Not with that disclaimer. Not that anypony is even going NOTICE the hidden "These stories are entirely fictitious and for entertainment purposes only" phrase in the far corner of the back of the thing. But as long as it's there, we can't touch them. We can get it off the mainstream papers, though."
Bardigan rolls his eyes. Clearly Solar is a lost cause when it comes to getting to the bottom of a matter. At least he's not trying to immediately call them out for their 'illicit meetings.' "At *least* we can do that," Bardigan agrees, nodding his head. It would be remiss of us to just let these stories spread around without any attempt to protect the credibility of the ponies they're about! Including us."
Solar_Solstice is actually quite smart when it comes to investigating things, but he's only just started visiting town on his own recently, so he's quite naive about a number of issues (relationship issues being one of them). "You think there's a way to find out who's been spreading these stories? I can think of a couple of ways."
Skyheart tilts his head. "Fine. Let's hear it." He says simply. "I'd like any avenue to safely dispell these rumors. I mean... Neither of us have marefriends or anything so it's not like being seen... with a... date... would..." Skyheart stops and seems deep in thought. The gears turning in his head as the escape shows itself. "Wait. I just had an idea."
Bardigan can see where this is going. He turns to Skyheart with a rather... dubious... expression. "Oh, no. Skyheart. You are *not* thinking what I think you're thinking! Thinking that thought would be even worse than having it spread about that we are bosom buddies! Besides, who would even agree to something like that?!"
Solar_Solstice is totally confused at this point. Why would there be rumors about them anyway? His father had plenty of stallion-friends he was close to but nopony ever thought that was strange. In fact, he didn't understand this whole 'cheating' story, either. Sure, it was bad to cheat at games but he didn't think that would cause so much ruckus talking about it.
Skyheart shakes his head confidently. "Bardi, Bardi, Bardi. Have you forgotten?" He gently lifts up a hoof and produces a rose. Where it came from is anypony's guess. "Romance is my specialty. Besides, you seem to have also forgotten I already have a date lined up I've yet to collect on." He mentions. "Besides, what's the harm in looking for a nice mare to spend some time with?"
Bardigan sighs and shakes his head, staring at the rose. "If you think it'll work, I suppose I can't stop you... mister 'I need coaching to even get within five feet of a mare,'" he adds, giving his friend a little flankbump. "Besides, you're banking on the fact that Gabby Gums won't turn it into 'Skyheart! Ponyville's Next Player?'" He waves his hooves expansively.
Solar_Solstice blinks. "But what's so bad at being good at games?" he wonders aloud, thinking that Bardigan means 'player' in a very literal sense.
Skyheart cringes. "Hmm... You're right. Still I do owe her that night at the teahouse whenever I get around to it. I guess all we can do is trust our neighbors to not take the articles too seriously." he says, "If they ask, we set the records straight- end of story, right?"
Bardigan puts his hoof on Solar's shoulder. "Solar. Let's just say that some games are not meant to be played." Meaning games of the heart. He turns back to Skyheart and gives a despairing shrug. "I suppose you're right... there really isn't anything more to do. I'd hate to stop meeting under that special tree in the par..." Bardigan stops and blinks. "Well. Maybe we *could* try less private locales at least..."
Solar_Solstice nods solemnly, even though he has no idea what Bardigan is talking about. He is, however, perceptive enough to note Bardigan's little slip. Special tree in the park? Hmm.
Skyheart raises a brow. "Yes, less private locales where they can more easily hide cameras..." He counters. "We're only legally safe inside a private residence or exclusive club." He mentions.
Bardigan chuckles, trying to imagine the headlines. "Oh, yes... that'd make for some juicy gossip. Should we take the chance, Skyheart, move our relationship to the next level, and... gasp... take each other *into our homes?*" he asks with a dramatic flourish. "Or better yet, get reservations at that fancy club I heard just opened in Canterlot..."
Skyheart shakes his head. "We just can't win..." He comments. "Okay, fine... We'll just pretend it's not happening then? Let ponies who don't think to check a source to just beleive what they want?" He sighs. "...I really hope this is staying local. My /mother/ reads this stuff..."
Bardigan's eyes suddenly widen and his jaw clamps shut at the mention of the word 'mother.' "Oh goodness," he whispers. "My parents." The normally inflappable poet raises a shaky hoof to his mouth. "If... if they *ever* got wind of this..." He grabs the copy of the magazine in his bags and suddenly begins tearing out every page that even has the words 'Skyheart', 'Bardigan' or any variation thereof. "They can never know! Skyheart! You don't know my parents! Do you have any *idea* what they would do if *they* knew I had a special somepony, especially if they were a COLT?!" He lurches forward and drags Skyheart forward, pressing their faces together. "Do you?!"
"I mean, not that you *are* my special somepony!" he's quick to add for anypony in earshot. "Because you're not!"
Solar_Solstice stands perfectly still for several moments. How could a stallion have a colt as his special somepony? That didn't make any...but wait... He looks at the magazine article again, and again, and once more, just to make sure he's not seeing things. No...no, it makes perfect sense! He sits down and remains very silent, a blank and dumbfounded expression on his face.
Skyheart raises a brow. "Nice save... Anyway, what's the problem? I mean... Did they try to arrange you off or something? I mean... I remember one of my father's clients tried to set me up with his daughter once, dowry and everything, but... Sorry, I don't see how that even makes sense... I'm getting off topic, aren't I?" He asks.
"No!" Bardigan shakes Skyheart by the shoulders and wraps a hoof around his neck, squeezing their cheeks together as he glances around the square for any spies that might be in the employ of his sires. "They would be overjoyed," he hisses in a hushed, ominous tone. "And *that* would be the worst. Possible. Thing! They would come here and throw parties! And congratulate us! In *public!* They would write *songs* about it! They're consummate showponies and we'd be the main act! Forget Ponyville, it'd be all over Equestria since they never settled down! Somepony stop this crazy merry-go-round called life!" he frets, now trying to shove his way underneath his totally-not-special-somepony to hide.
Solar_Solstice is no longer pretending to understand, but he is listening very carefully. Something was telling him that he needed to tell somepony about this, for some reason, though he can't really fathom why he would think that. For now he is just looking at Bardigan incredulously.
Skyheart thinks for a moment. THe realization hits quick though as his spirit sinks. "Oh." He quickly pries himself free of Bardigan's grasp. "So what now?"
Bardigan stays underneath Skyheart, peering out from between his legs. "We need to keep this quiet," he insists. "Make sure it never gets out of Ponyville! This can't follow me back to Canterlot or they'll find out for sure... we need to find out who's making these articles and just insist that they cease and desist! I'd rather Princess *Luna* suspected us than my parents..."
Skyheart blinks as he looks down at Bardigan. He winds up having to hover a foot or two above him to allow him his pseudo shelter. "Um... But how do you tell? I mean, can't you just tell them it's not real? They understand how tabloids work, right?"
Quicksilver lands not to far away, a copy of the newpaper tucked safly away, yet visable, as if just turned to a specific artical, but perhaps not yet been read. She flairs her wings, then folds them comfortably, before diging out her paper, and looking around for a place to grab breakfast before she heads in to work.
Bardigan shakes his head, dragging his hat down over his eyes. "My parents are showponies, Skyheart. Traveling showponies! They're impulsive! They get most of their news by ear. Not to mention *both* of them are keen that I find somepony after..." He snaps his lips shut again. "Well, let's just say they're enthusiastic about the idea. I can't take the chance they'll come here, I just can't! They even get a *whiff* of it, they'll come straight *here* to see if it's true, and only *after* they've performed a play and sang a song and booked us a honeymoon out in Las Pegasus!" He's very nearly foaming at the mouth at the end of his rant, and takes a moment to compose himself. "Well... maybe not that last part. But it'll be ugly, mark my words!"
Skyheart puts a hoof to his chin and looks up at the sky. "I've never been to Las Pegasus before. OW!" He turns back to see Orpheus sitting on his back. FOCUS, Sky. "O-Oh right. Yeah, that could be a problem." He rubs the back of his head and takes a breath. "Well... rumor can't be spreading /that/ fast, right?"
Skyheart is trotting along the main pathway with Orpheus flying in tow. It seems the two have reconciled- sort of. Among his usual supplies is a magazine he swiped from the newspaper office. The bird seems... amused. "Yeah, laugh it up. It's not like the rumors weren't going around for weeks already, anyway." He says. "Just wait 'till they see you." He mentions. "I can see it now," He says as he waves a hoof across the air in front of his face as if showcasing a title, "Local pet provider sends assassin to strike down up-and-coming poet. Big name publishers suspected in conspiracy."
Solar_Solstice has nothing scheduled for today, so he's out and about enjoying another fine sunny day. There won't be many of those when fall and winter finally come around! He trots along, simply relaxing in the town that's become so familiar to him already.
Bardigan turns around the moment he hears Skyheart's voice. "Skyheart!" he declares, and marches right up to the other poet. "You and Ineed to have words! We have a problem," he says, and immediately whips out the Daily post. He begins nudging Skyheart towards a more quiet corner of the square. "Or at least it *could* be depending on your point of view..."
Of course, Solar just /happens/ to pass by that same newspaper shop as he walks along. An idle glance turns into an inquisitive gaze as he spots the headline on the Post. Hey, wait a second...
Skyheart sighs. "It's not ours, I'll tell you that. I think Inkwell leased that space out to a gossip columnist. Once she finds out it's less gossip and more... tabloids, I don't think she'll stand for it. Here. I swiped this from the office." He ducks his head into his back and pulls out a magazine. It's FULL of these articles, provided it's not too big. His mane, of course, is not decorated with a large collection of bright purple quills.
Bardigan shakes his head. "Not that! I don't care what you do with your mane in your free time. I was talking about *this.*" And he lifts the paper up and shows Skyheart a very specific page. The one that implies the two of them were having a romantic rendezvous instead of discussing the finer points of Chesterhoof's lyrical prose. "It was rather amusing until the paparazzi got their hooves on it!"
Solar_Solstice stares wide-eyed at the gossip section as the various salacious photos dance in front of his eyes. Except...he doesn't quite get the one about Bardigan and Skyheart. They were a little drunk, obviously, but...'secret relationship'. Well, that must mean they're just really good friends, right? Maybe he should ask them! "Hey, hey there!" he shouts, spotting the two of them in their secret spot. "I didn't know you two were such good friends!"
Skyheart gives Bardigan a curious look. "Try looking INSIDE the magazine. Our article is the least of them in here." He offers. Once he's being addressed, he looks over to see somepony comment... positively? Well that's new. "Hmmm. Yes, we're colleagues. Not that the gossip columns listen." He mentions. He tilts his head as Orpheus perches on his head picking the quills out of his mane. "You are?"
Bardigan sighs and shakes his head. "I saw them, trust me. This is ridiculous. I thought we'd already taken care of this Gabby Gums mess last time this happened, but clearly somepony has decided to take up the mantle themselves..." He looks over at Solar as he approaches and his eyes light up with recognition. "Ah! I've seen you before, sir. Solar, was it? Well met." He shakes the magazine in his mouth. "These spurious allegations are going to have the town in a tizzy sooner or later..."
Solar_Solstice nods to Skyheart. "I mostly know you two from your works, ah, my sister was at your play I think, Mr. Bardigan?" When Bardigan complains he's a bit confused. "What, you don't want ponies to know that you two are best friends?"
Skyheart shakes his head. "That's not what's being implied." He opens the magazine to the 'secret lover' entry. "All it takes is one bad image and they can do anything they want. Father told me about this. If they didn't think to put a disclaimer somewhere in the magazine we can have it shut down but..." Wait... here it is... Too small to read, though."
"Who, what?" Bardigan asks, raising an eyebrow at Solar. "Have you been paying attention? This could be disastrous! They're trying to imply a scandal to sell their lurid portraits of our lives to make a quick bit!"
Solar_Solstice blinks and still doesn't understand, but obviously this was upsetting Bardigan a lot so it must be bad. "OK, yeah, I can see why that would be bad for you guys," he says, a bit uncertain in his tone. He didn't think friendships could be so complicated! "Are you going to sue the magazine, or something? I heard that's what the ponies in Canterlot do when somepony starts spreading stories about them."
Skyheart shakes his head. "Can't. Not with that disclaimer. Not that anypony is even going NOTICE the hidden "These stories are entirely fictitious and for entertainment purposes only" phrase in the far corner of the back of the thing. But as long as it's there, we can't touch them. We can get it off the mainstream papers, though."
Bardigan rolls his eyes. Clearly Solar is a lost cause when it comes to getting to the bottom of a matter. At least he's not trying to immediately call them out for their 'illicit meetings.' "At *least* we can do that," Bardigan agrees, nodding his head. It would be remiss of us to just let these stories spread around without any attempt to protect the credibility of the ponies they're about! Including us."
Solar_Solstice is actually quite smart when it comes to investigating things, but he's only just started visiting town on his own recently, so he's quite naive about a number of issues (relationship issues being one of them). "You think there's a way to find out who's been spreading these stories? I can think of a couple of ways."
Skyheart tilts his head. "Fine. Let's hear it." He says simply. "I'd like any avenue to safely dispell these rumors. I mean... Neither of us have marefriends or anything so it's not like being seen... with a... date... would..." Skyheart stops and seems deep in thought. The gears turning in his head as the escape shows itself. "Wait. I just had an idea."
Bardigan can see where this is going. He turns to Skyheart with a rather... dubious... expression. "Oh, no. Skyheart. You are *not* thinking what I think you're thinking! Thinking that thought would be even worse than having it spread about that we are bosom buddies! Besides, who would even agree to something like that?!"
Solar_Solstice is totally confused at this point. Why would there be rumors about them anyway? His father had plenty of stallion-friends he was close to but nopony ever thought that was strange. In fact, he didn't understand this whole 'cheating' story, either. Sure, it was bad to cheat at games but he didn't think that would cause so much ruckus talking about it.
Skyheart shakes his head confidently. "Bardi, Bardi, Bardi. Have you forgotten?" He gently lifts up a hoof and produces a rose. Where it came from is anypony's guess. "Romance is my specialty. Besides, you seem to have also forgotten I already have a date lined up I've yet to collect on." He mentions. "Besides, what's the harm in looking for a nice mare to spend some time with?"
Bardigan sighs and shakes his head, staring at the rose. "If you think it'll work, I suppose I can't stop you... mister 'I need coaching to even get within five feet of a mare,'" he adds, giving his friend a little flankbump. "Besides, you're banking on the fact that Gabby Gums won't turn it into 'Skyheart! Ponyville's Next Player?'" He waves his hooves expansively.
Solar_Solstice blinks. "But what's so bad at being good at games?" he wonders aloud, thinking that Bardigan means 'player' in a very literal sense.
Skyheart cringes. "Hmm... You're right. Still I do owe her that night at the teahouse whenever I get around to it. I guess all we can do is trust our neighbors to not take the articles too seriously." he says, "If they ask, we set the records straight- end of story, right?"
Bardigan puts his hoof on Solar's shoulder. "Solar. Let's just say that some games are not meant to be played." Meaning games of the heart. He turns back to Skyheart and gives a despairing shrug. "I suppose you're right... there really isn't anything more to do. I'd hate to stop meeting under that special tree in the par..." Bardigan stops and blinks. "Well. Maybe we *could* try less private locales at least..."
Solar_Solstice nods solemnly, even though he has no idea what Bardigan is talking about. He is, however, perceptive enough to note Bardigan's little slip. Special tree in the park? Hmm.
Skyheart raises a brow. "Yes, less private locales where they can more easily hide cameras..." He counters. "We're only legally safe inside a private residence or exclusive club." He mentions.
Bardigan chuckles, trying to imagine the headlines. "Oh, yes... that'd make for some juicy gossip. Should we take the chance, Skyheart, move our relationship to the next level, and... gasp... take each other *into our homes?*" he asks with a dramatic flourish. "Or better yet, get reservations at that fancy club I heard just opened in Canterlot..."
Skyheart shakes his head. "We just can't win..." He comments. "Okay, fine... We'll just pretend it's not happening then? Let ponies who don't think to check a source to just beleive what they want?" He sighs. "...I really hope this is staying local. My /mother/ reads this stuff..."
Bardigan's eyes suddenly widen and his jaw clamps shut at the mention of the word 'mother.' "Oh goodness," he whispers. "My parents." The normally inflappable poet raises a shaky hoof to his mouth. "If... if they *ever* got wind of this..." He grabs the copy of the magazine in his bags and suddenly begins tearing out every page that even has the words 'Skyheart', 'Bardigan' or any variation thereof. "They can never know! Skyheart! You don't know my parents! Do you have any *idea* what they would do if *they* knew I had a special somepony, especially if they were a COLT?!" He lurches forward and drags Skyheart forward, pressing their faces together. "Do you?!"
"I mean, not that you *are* my special somepony!" he's quick to add for anypony in earshot. "Because you're not!"
Solar_Solstice stands perfectly still for several moments. How could a stallion have a colt as his special somepony? That didn't make any...but wait... He looks at the magazine article again, and again, and once more, just to make sure he's not seeing things. No...no, it makes perfect sense! He sits down and remains very silent, a blank and dumbfounded expression on his face.
Skyheart raises a brow. "Nice save... Anyway, what's the problem? I mean... Did they try to arrange you off or something? I mean... I remember one of my father's clients tried to set me up with his daughter once, dowry and everything, but... Sorry, I don't see how that even makes sense... I'm getting off topic, aren't I?" He asks.
"No!" Bardigan shakes Skyheart by the shoulders and wraps a hoof around his neck, squeezing their cheeks together as he glances around the square for any spies that might be in the employ of his sires. "They would be overjoyed," he hisses in a hushed, ominous tone. "And *that* would be the worst. Possible. Thing! They would come here and throw parties! And congratulate us! In *public!* They would write *songs* about it! They're consummate showponies and we'd be the main act! Forget Ponyville, it'd be all over Equestria since they never settled down! Somepony stop this crazy merry-go-round called life!" he frets, now trying to shove his way underneath his totally-not-special-somepony to hide.
Solar_Solstice is no longer pretending to understand, but he is listening very carefully. Something was telling him that he needed to tell somepony about this, for some reason, though he can't really fathom why he would think that. For now he is just looking at Bardigan incredulously.
Skyheart thinks for a moment. THe realization hits quick though as his spirit sinks. "Oh." He quickly pries himself free of Bardigan's grasp. "So what now?"
Bardigan stays underneath Skyheart, peering out from between his legs. "We need to keep this quiet," he insists. "Make sure it never gets out of Ponyville! This can't follow me back to Canterlot or they'll find out for sure... we need to find out who's making these articles and just insist that they cease and desist! I'd rather Princess *Luna* suspected us than my parents..."
Skyheart blinks as he looks down at Bardigan. He winds up having to hover a foot or two above him to allow him his pseudo shelter. "Um... But how do you tell? I mean, can't you just tell them it's not real? They understand how tabloids work, right?"
Quicksilver lands not to far away, a copy of the newpaper tucked safly away, yet visable, as if just turned to a specific artical, but perhaps not yet been read. She flairs her wings, then folds them comfortably, before diging out her paper, and looking around for a place to grab breakfast before she heads in to work.
Bardigan shakes his head, dragging his hat down over his eyes. "My parents are showponies, Skyheart. Traveling showponies! They're impulsive! They get most of their news by ear. Not to mention *both* of them are keen that I find somepony after..." He snaps his lips shut again. "Well, let's just say they're enthusiastic about the idea. I can't take the chance they'll come here, I just can't! They even get a *whiff* of it, they'll come straight *here* to see if it's true, and only *after* they've performed a play and sang a song and booked us a honeymoon out in Las Pegasus!" He's very nearly foaming at the mouth at the end of his rant, and takes a moment to compose himself. "Well... maybe not that last part. But it'll be ugly, mark my words!"
Skyheart puts a hoof to his chin and looks up at the sky. "I've never been to Las Pegasus before. OW!" He turns back to see Orpheus sitting on his back. FOCUS, Sky. "O-Oh right. Yeah, that could be a problem." He rubs the back of his head and takes a breath. "Well... rumor can't be spreading /that/ fast, right?"