Post by Solar Solstice on Nov 18, 2012 16:18:49 GMT -5
OOC Date: October 1, 2012
Characters: Celestia, Solar Eclipse, Stronghold, Nightshade, Fluttershy
Setting: The usual craziness that comprises life at the Royal Palace
Evening. The sun is finally setting beneath the distant horizon, and with it so sets the rule of the Princess of Equestria and One who raises the sun and guides it along its daily path. In its place rises the budding rule of the Princess of the Equestria and Guardian of the night - and as that night rises, the Princess of the sun slips away from the crowded council chambers. Narrowing dodging another small mob of ponies scurrying its way through the palace, Celestia breathes a slight sigh of relief. That group can be Luna's problem. No - for now, instead, the Princess retreats to a small drawing room just off from the main hallways, and takes a cup of tea with her dinner. Dining in the cold comfort of silence, the Princess's stress swiftly disappears. Ahhh...
Well, truth be told, Luna's probably that group's problem. If Eclipse knows anything, he knows his grandmother handles the crowds with a rather steely hoof at times if they get too annoying. Eclipse however has been digging about in his room for a while, doing homework and searching for... things. It's the latter that's probably going to confuse his aunt. When he appears standing at the far end of the table (Fortunatly not stepping in the mashed potatoes) he's wearing a tricorn hat and a pirate-y coat. "Arrr!" he says.
"...don't care if you have to shake them senseless. I need to have those inventories by the end of the week," Nightshade demands, speaking to several servants who work throughout the palace. "The rest of you can resume your previous duties. Dismissed." As they depart, the dark-hued unicorn emits a long sigh. Being a royal official was hard work, especially given the increasing burden of her office due to, ah, certain retirements. At least now she has a few hours of leisure before bedtime. She proceeds to the drawing room - the same one in which the Princess resides - ready to just sit back and drink tea while reading a good book.
Stronghold stands watch outside the mess hall door of the guard corp, it is his duty to make sure nopony...steals the cookware. T.T Dull, dull, dull. but at least his shift overlaps both day and night, he gets to sleep in and also to enjoy the nightlife while not missing the entire day. Private First Class, he just hopes his wild youngersister doesn't come to visit him while he is on-duty and get him demoted. Before he got this post, he guarded the /outside/ door to the mess hall kitchens.
Unfortunately, while Eclipse did manage to avoid the mashed potatoes, he did put a hoof right into the creamed corn. What a 'corny' costume! Har har har! (Or arr arr arr!) Naturally, though, Celestia only looks confused for a moment. Suddenly, though, realization blossoms over her expression. "Oh! Is it time for the historical reenactment of the Adventures of Mildly-Kermiffled-Beard the Mostly-Polite Pirate already?" The Princess asks with just a little too much excitement.
The current pose order is: {Solar_Eclipse Nightshade Stronghold Celestia}.
"What?" Eclipse asks, then corrects, "Ah, um ARRR? WHAT?" He coughs a bit and hops down, waving his back hoof to get some of the cream corn off. "Um, I'm digging pirate costumes out for Grandma Day!" he explains. "It's coming up soon." He hops around in a circle. "It'll be neat. Though I probably shouldn't have any candy." He seems a little sad by that.
Nightshade gently pries open the door and steps inside, though she quickly realizes that it's occupied. "Your Majesty," she says, looking at Celestia with great deference and bowing lightly to her and to the prince as well. "I hope I am not interrupting anything."
Stronghold's post happens to be directly across the hall from the drawing room, and his expression reflects a guard trying stiocly to be...well...stoic. But his ears are perked and he can't help but notice how animated the voices are in the other room.
At least one of the holes regularly punched in the castle walls has been patched in, and a certain water heater has been replaced. That's good; Fluttershy would've felt just *awful* if she'd actually managed to do some lasting damage. She trots around (the long way, of course, which takes her through the garden) and manages to peek back indoors, guided by familiar voices, in just the right spot to see the Princess and the Littlest Prince engaged in what she can only assume is deep conversation. Eclipse looks worked up, anyway.
<OOC> Solar_Eclipse is, to note, also wearing a pirate outfit so...there's that.
<OOC> Solar_Eclipse says, "Though maybe that's not abnormal. He should just start rotating through different costumes."
Celestia tilts her head to the side slightly. "Why are you digging pirate costumes out for Grandma Day?" she asks, creamed corn splattering across her face. A servant springs forward to wipe it up before draping a small, clear tarp over the Princess to avoid future creamed vegetable disasters. "Luna was never a pirate, to my knowledge. Unless..." Well, that explains the summer of '65. Well, 865. Although that was more 'VIKING OPERA ROARS' than 'ARRRR'. Likely. Celestia totally wasn't there on the other side bellowing about valkyries and rings and whatnot. Although 'Loki' may have been her cat at one time. "Oh! Good evening," the Princess greets Nightshade, temporarily distracted by the sudden apprearance by the civil servant. "Not at all, please come in. Would you like some tea?" she asks, preparing to pour a cup. "And yes, Solar - we all remember what happened last time you had sugar."
"I dunno," Eclipse says, "I was told you dressed up on..uh, Nightmare Night. Yeah, that. Grandma night." He grins and bounces on his hooves a little. "So, uh, pirate costume. It's either this or I can get out my pegasus wings I had for that birthday party. Oh, or I could go buy a guard costume, that'd be fun too." He's got lots of ideas, but is apparently stuck on pirate currently. At his Aunt's odd history lesson, he blinks blankly, then looks over to the others, waves, smiles, then to his aunt again, "Oh, uh, I got sent to my room."
"It is a honour, Princess," says Nightshade, accepting the tea when it comes. "And you, Prince Eclipse? You are doing well this evening?" She finds a cushion to sit upon and settles into it, letting the plush stuffing obscure her unshorn fetlocks.
Stronghold watches with a completely bland expression as Fluttershy moves down the hall to join the Princess, Prince, and the civil servant in the study. He does offer her a nod, given their history it would have been rude not to.
<OOC> Celestia gave no history lesson! It was all internal monologue!
Fluttershy smiles softly back at the guard - Stronghold, that was his name, it's been a long while since she saw him - as she walks as quiet as hooves can manage on the polished palace floors. SHe tilts her head and watches curiously, but...she hasn't made any sound yet. This conversation might be important.
Ohhhh. Yes, Nightmare Night. Well, hopefully that'll go somewhat better this year. Somewhat. No living spiders terrifying the masses would be a good start. "Well, I'm sure someone from the guard could get you a /real/ guard outfit for you to wear, if you'd like," Celestia muses. "Stronghold? Do you think there's something in the Prince's size?" she calls out to the guard out front. "Maybe a pirate guard? Oooh, that would be neat..." the Princess plots. And that's one thing the Princess does well - plots.
Silly Auntie, you don't /mix/ costumes. Well, actually a pirate guard /does/ sound sweet, and he ponders how to pull it off. His ears perk and he muses, "I don't think they do, do they? Didn't Mister Scope want to see about getting me some neato armor?" Whatever happened to that? Now he pouts a little.
Nightshade blinks as the prince totally doesn't hear her. Ah, well, children are allowed to be attention deficit. "I will have to become more intimate with Nightmare Night now that I am a royal official. I am afraid the holiday does not figure much in my parents' culture." She sips some of the tea which is impressively deft as always. "I am sure that there are several boutiques I can happily requisition an order from to obtain a costume. Even pirate ones."
Stronghold snaps to attention and then begins to think on the question asked him, "Well your highness, several years back we did have a small set of armor crafted, a sample of what the blacksmith could do, it was in a size perhaps just right for the young master. One was a display of the Royal Guard set, and one was of the Night Guard. Does the young master wish to try them on?"
"Um," ventures Fluttershy, shifting back and forth in place as she shuffles her hooves. "I-I, um...I'm sorry. H-hello, Princess. Hello, Prince Eclipse, and, um...Nightshade. I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I might have some old Nightmare Night costumes, though..." Sure, they're all bunny-sized...
And Solar is definitely on the deeper end of 'deficit' in 'attention deficit disorder'. "Oh! I'm surprised he hasn't already..." Celestia muses as she ponders. Well, Scope has been awfully quiet and solitary lately. Maybe something related to that? Hmmm. She's entirely unsure at the moment. Ah, well. She'll have to look into her dear guard. "Excellent, Stronghold. Make sure to see if they fit the young Prince - and if not, get them tempered to fit him optimally." The Princess turns to Nightshade, about to suggest a delightful dressmaker in Ponyville (who will surely also do costumes) before looking over towards Fluttershy. The Princess can't help gain a warm, wide smile. "Please, come in, Fluttershy. Would you like some tea?"
Solar_Eclipse ohs. "Neat!" He hops up and down a few times, excited by that. "Hi Fluttershy!" He says, "I'm a pirate! ARR!" He runs around a bit in a circle, then says, "Oh, geeze, I need to get something out of my room!!" And he zaps out.
<OOC> Solar_Eclipse should get to bed.
## Solar_Eclipse changes his status to OOC (Out Of Character).
<OOC> You say, "Yes, he should"
<OOC> Fluttershy hugs Li'l Eclipse.
<OOC> Solar_Eclipse hugs Fluttershy!
<OOC> Celestia hugs Solar.
<OOC> Celestia says, "Thanks for the fun scene!"
<OOC> Solar_Eclipse hugs Auntie Celestia too.
Solar_Eclipse has disconnected.
Nightshade watches as the prince suddenly runs off to do...something. Colts. "Ah, miss Fluttershy, a pleasure to see you hear. I trust that you are doing well this evening?" She slides her cushion aside with magic to let Fluttershy have the place of honour beside the Princess. An Element of Harmony deserves nothing less.
The current pose order is: {Stronghold Fluttershy Celestia Nightshade}.
Stronghold snaps a smart salute to the Princess and nods, "Yes your Majesty! Right away!" He then turns and marches off towards the stairs leading down to the armory storerooms to retrieve both sets with all speed. Barely dodging the furious little blip that is the prince as the young royal makes for his bedroom.
"O-oh, um, yes, and thank you very much," says Fluttershy with a timid but genuine smile. She takes a seat on the cushion, making sure to leave room for Nightshade - it wouldn't do to just steal somepony's pillow - and watches as Solar Eclipse goes bouncing away. That's probably it for talk of costumes...
<OOC> Stronghold points a hoof at Noble and gasps! "He's naked your majesty!"
Solar Eclipse - paragon of attention, focus, and persistence. If he were a time series process, he'd be the paradigm of nonstationarity. 'Infinite variance' describes the young prince well. But! "Of course, Fluttershy," the Princess responds with a kind smile. A servant immediately pours the pale yellow pegasus a cup of tea. "May I ask what brings you back here to Canterlot, Fluttershy?" Celestia asks before taking a delicate sip of her own tea. "And how go the affairs of court today, Nightshade?"
<OOC> Stronghold says, "MI'LADY CELESTIA THE UNDIMMED?!"
<OOC> Celestia says, "!"
<OOC> Celestia says, "Yes, yes, what what?"
<OOC> Stronghold says, "Oh sorry, I just took Nightshade's questioning tone to mean I had addressed you wrong...I was trying ALL the titles."
"I have imposed the usual sense of mortification in the servants," Nightshade says. "My attempts to restructure the civil service have been rather stymied, I must confess, by the persistence of sinecure appointments held by powerful interests. I am having more luck in my endeavours to account for the production and distribution of, ah, defences for the security of the Realm." All this she says in an educated, matter-of-fact tone that she is so very good at maintaining.
Stronghold is skipping his turn.
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Sunchild Empress."
<OOC> Stronghold says, "(down in the storage room...gettin armor.)"
<OOC> Stronghold says, "Daymare Sun."
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Say my name, Twilight!"
<OOC> Stronghold says, "This one last grain of sand...is all that is left of Equestria."
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Derpy just ate it."
<OOC> Stronghold T.T
<OOC> Celestia mourns.
<OOC> Stronghold says, "I wonder if we can still make wishes on Derpy's belly..."
Fluttershy tilts her head as Nightshade gives the run-down. "Um...w-wow," she mumbles, mostly to herself. "I had no idea you worked for the Princess, Nightshade. Um..." Then Fluttershy turns her head upward again, blinking at Celestia. "I, um...w-well, it's...I kind of...last time I was here, um, t-there was kindofthisexplosion...a-and a water heater went flying. A-and I wanted to make sure it was all fixed..." She lowers her ears and head guiltily. Honesty she ain't, but Flutters could never bring herself to lie to Celestia. "Well, um, t-that and...the gardens here are very nice."
"I am sure you are trying yuour best, Nightshade. Just let me know if there is any assistance I can grant to you," the Princess offers with a warm smile. Upon Fluttershy's sudden confession, however, the Princess simply gains a slightly furrowed brow. She brings up a wing and pats Fluttershy's back gently, twice. "Dear Fluttershy, I assure you, everything is all well and fixed. You need not worry in the slightest. And yes, the gardens are really love this time of year."
Nightshade's ears flickers as Fluttershy explains herself. So /that's/ how that happened. "I have only been in this appointment about a half-year, Ms. Fluttershy, so your lack of knowledge is perfectly excusable." She bows to Celestia as the Princess speaks. "Of course, your Majesty." She finds another cushion and takes a seat in it, not really wanting to discuss work any more. "What exactly brings you to Canterlot, Fluttershy? I had taken you to be a mare who prefers the solace of quieter habitats."
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "THe explosion was one of my best entrances, I think, inspired by a Mythbusters episode I happened to be watching at the time. My reasoning was that some of the pressure valves hadn't been properly inspected after the latest round of Wall Sumo. n.n"
From somewhere on the floor below there is a crash and several loud metallic sounding impacts, then Stronghold roars a barely audible "You clinking, clanking, clattering, collection of caliginous junk!" Then a few more snarls that sound so muffled one cannot imagine what he is saying. It appears the guard is being bested by the items in the storage room. There comes a second crash followed by an inarticulate bellow, then a shouted, "I'm alright! I'm alright! I'm alright! I'm Al-RIGHT! Nothing at all to worry about!"
<OOC> Celestia says, "Heeehehehehe. That's awesome, Fluttershy!"
<OOC> Celestia also giggles. "Most excellent pose, Stronghold."
<OOC> Stronghold says, "Thank you majesty. ^.^ I do try to go for comedy at every turn."
Fluttershy bounces up and takes momentary liftoff from the cushion at the second crash. She whips her head around and blinks. "O=oh dear. Maybe somepony should go check on him..." A beat goes by, though, and she doesn't rush off just yet. "I am really glad everything is all right, Princess. I-I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I'd caused lasting damage to the castle..." She sips her tea, and...maybe leans half an inch closer to the Sun Princess. It's warmer there, in a way she can't feel on her skin.
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Oop. Didn't answer Nightshade. Hang on."
"W-well," she says to the mare beside her, "I, um, I like to come here sometimes when I have a free moment, because I-I never really got to have the, um, 'Canterlot experience-'" she may actually make air quotes here- "-the first time I came here...it's a lot more relaxing when you come and there's no Gala happening."
Celestia sips from her sea slowly as she listens to Nightshade. Well, and the battle going on downstairs. She gestures for a few reinforcements to join him... better safe than sorry, after all. *CRASH* ... Yes, likely better safe than sorry. "Dear Fluttershy... you need not worry about lasting damage to the palace. It has seen far, far worse from my sister and I, after all." The Princess leans in to plant a soft kiss on the pony's forehead. She then stands up from her cushion and stretches out her wings. "I'm afraid it is time for me to retire to my chambers. A pleasure to see you again, Fluttershy and Nightshade. ... Do make sure dear Stronghold is alright."
<OOC> Celestia says, "Good night, ponies!"
<OOC> Stronghold says, "I at first read that as "Fluttershy neckchops Celestia" which made me look a second time."
<OOC> Celestia wingwraphugs Fluttershy.
<OOC> Fluttershy smiles.
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Sleep well, Princess."
<OOC> Celestia is neckchopped! Flutter martial arts!
<OOC> Fluttershy sings Dreams, Dreams (Fluttershy Version).
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Oh dear. I lose more potentially adoptive Princesses that way. ._."
<OOC> Stronghold says, "Tsk."
<OOC> Stronghold says, "Thank you for the scene highness."
<OOC> Celestia says, "Thank you, Stronghold."
<OOC> You say, "It was a fine scene, Majesty"
<OOC> Celestia says, "ANd thank you both as well, Fluttershy and Nightshade! I had fun."
<OOC> Celestia departs!
<OOC> Celestia flapflapflap.
Celestia has left.
Nightshade sighs as the conflict downstairs becomes apparent. An Overseer's work is never done, it seems. "You are fortunate to have the time to truly enjoy this city," she tells Fluttershy. "It appears that I already have more work, ah, lined up in front of me." Her tail flicks about anxiously as she magics a notepad to appear from...somewhere, wisps of shadow accompanying its arrival. Her face seems stern, yet sad, as she makes note of the ruckus downstairs and all the attendent worries that came with it.
The loud crashing is followed by a almost eerie silence from downstairs, a beat passes, then another. Afterwhich the sound of running hooves on stairs, and all the help the princess sent Stronghold does running past the door the opposite direction as some /thing/ begins to clatter up the stairs in a ponderously slow manner, step, thump, step, thump, step, THUMP, STEP, THUMP!
Fluttershy is practically glowing with her own inner sunlight. To receive such favor from Celestia...i-it's a dream come true! She's afraid to pinch herself. Still, she doesn't miss that expression; once the Princess is gone, Fluttershy frowns sympathetically at Nightshade, tilting her head to examine her out of the corner of her eyes. "Um...I-I could go help, too, if you want. I-I don't mind, really." She gradually raises her voice as the shambling mound of metal grows closer.
Nightshade's ears flicker as the noise grows louder. "I...that's perfectly fine, Fluttershy, thank you," she says, projecting a tone of mastery over the situation. "Any help you can provide would be most appreciated but not strictly necessary." She closes her notepad and stands up, ready to receive the loud, clanking visitor.
Stronghold steps into the doorway, seemingly the battle downstairs had sounded worse then it actually was. Stronghold stands with a large burlap bag held in his teeth, it's fully half his size. two of his guardboots, one on his forehoof and one on his hind hoof, both on the left seem to have gotten stuck in a pair of old kettles. He is covered in dust and has several splinters of wood jutting from his coat. He very softly places the bag on the floor, from inside comes the gentle clinking of shifting metal. He pants softly, "I found the...armor. I also set the storage room to rights again. I apologize for the disturbance ladies."
"Oh! Um..." Fluttershy blinks again. "That's...wonderful, Stronghold. I-I, uh...do you need some help? ...what happened to the other guards?" She gives Nightshade another sympathetic glance. Herding guards is no easier than herding foals...
Nightshade emits a noticeable equine huff as Stronghold explains himself. "So, it was all about...never mind, I'll worry about this later. And you seem to have been able to handle it, Stronghold." She purses her lips and tries to be polite, but she's obviously frustrated that she got worked up over nothing.
Stronghold bows his head and then looks back over his shoulder, "Well the last I saw the other guards they were running down the hall away from me. While in the storage room a spare wardrobe that had been left in there too long fell on me, it's legs had rotted through. So I pulled it out and rearranged the things still in there, then retrieved the armor and balanced the wardrobe on my back and neck, intending to take it outside to be disposed off. I think in the shadowed passageway they thought I was some shambling horror out of a nightmare. Or perhaps they simply didn't wish to help me when I called to them." He sits down and positioning the kettle on his forefoof under his armpit begins to try and tug his leg free, "And these...blasted things. Don't want to turn me loose."
The yellow mare leans forward, brow creasing at all of the...whatever this all is that's latched itself onto Stronghold like a tin and burlap lamprey. "Oh dear. Um...h-here...if you don't mind." FLutters takes hold of the kettle and starts tugging and gently twisting. SHe;'s been through this with animals.
Nightshade doesn't even want to try and comprehend what Stronghold's been through. "I am certain you can take care of this yourself," she states, effectively offloading responsibility to him. "I must retired for now; good night." She slips out the door and frowns, still hoping for that elusive free time she's been wanting to get.
((The rest of the RP, of course, is not logged on my end. Feel free to fill in the details in replies))
Characters: Celestia, Solar Eclipse, Stronghold, Nightshade, Fluttershy
Setting: The usual craziness that comprises life at the Royal Palace
Evening. The sun is finally setting beneath the distant horizon, and with it so sets the rule of the Princess of Equestria and One who raises the sun and guides it along its daily path. In its place rises the budding rule of the Princess of the Equestria and Guardian of the night - and as that night rises, the Princess of the sun slips away from the crowded council chambers. Narrowing dodging another small mob of ponies scurrying its way through the palace, Celestia breathes a slight sigh of relief. That group can be Luna's problem. No - for now, instead, the Princess retreats to a small drawing room just off from the main hallways, and takes a cup of tea with her dinner. Dining in the cold comfort of silence, the Princess's stress swiftly disappears. Ahhh...
Well, truth be told, Luna's probably that group's problem. If Eclipse knows anything, he knows his grandmother handles the crowds with a rather steely hoof at times if they get too annoying. Eclipse however has been digging about in his room for a while, doing homework and searching for... things. It's the latter that's probably going to confuse his aunt. When he appears standing at the far end of the table (Fortunatly not stepping in the mashed potatoes) he's wearing a tricorn hat and a pirate-y coat. "Arrr!" he says.
"...don't care if you have to shake them senseless. I need to have those inventories by the end of the week," Nightshade demands, speaking to several servants who work throughout the palace. "The rest of you can resume your previous duties. Dismissed." As they depart, the dark-hued unicorn emits a long sigh. Being a royal official was hard work, especially given the increasing burden of her office due to, ah, certain retirements. At least now she has a few hours of leisure before bedtime. She proceeds to the drawing room - the same one in which the Princess resides - ready to just sit back and drink tea while reading a good book.
Stronghold stands watch outside the mess hall door of the guard corp, it is his duty to make sure nopony...steals the cookware. T.T Dull, dull, dull. but at least his shift overlaps both day and night, he gets to sleep in and also to enjoy the nightlife while not missing the entire day. Private First Class, he just hopes his wild youngersister doesn't come to visit him while he is on-duty and get him demoted. Before he got this post, he guarded the /outside/ door to the mess hall kitchens.
Unfortunately, while Eclipse did manage to avoid the mashed potatoes, he did put a hoof right into the creamed corn. What a 'corny' costume! Har har har! (Or arr arr arr!) Naturally, though, Celestia only looks confused for a moment. Suddenly, though, realization blossoms over her expression. "Oh! Is it time for the historical reenactment of the Adventures of Mildly-Kermiffled-Beard the Mostly-Polite Pirate already?" The Princess asks with just a little too much excitement.
The current pose order is: {Solar_Eclipse Nightshade Stronghold Celestia}.
"What?" Eclipse asks, then corrects, "Ah, um ARRR? WHAT?" He coughs a bit and hops down, waving his back hoof to get some of the cream corn off. "Um, I'm digging pirate costumes out for Grandma Day!" he explains. "It's coming up soon." He hops around in a circle. "It'll be neat. Though I probably shouldn't have any candy." He seems a little sad by that.
Nightshade gently pries open the door and steps inside, though she quickly realizes that it's occupied. "Your Majesty," she says, looking at Celestia with great deference and bowing lightly to her and to the prince as well. "I hope I am not interrupting anything."
Stronghold's post happens to be directly across the hall from the drawing room, and his expression reflects a guard trying stiocly to be...well...stoic. But his ears are perked and he can't help but notice how animated the voices are in the other room.
At least one of the holes regularly punched in the castle walls has been patched in, and a certain water heater has been replaced. That's good; Fluttershy would've felt just *awful* if she'd actually managed to do some lasting damage. She trots around (the long way, of course, which takes her through the garden) and manages to peek back indoors, guided by familiar voices, in just the right spot to see the Princess and the Littlest Prince engaged in what she can only assume is deep conversation. Eclipse looks worked up, anyway.
<OOC> Solar_Eclipse is, to note, also wearing a pirate outfit so...there's that.
<OOC> Solar_Eclipse says, "Though maybe that's not abnormal. He should just start rotating through different costumes."
Celestia tilts her head to the side slightly. "Why are you digging pirate costumes out for Grandma Day?" she asks, creamed corn splattering across her face. A servant springs forward to wipe it up before draping a small, clear tarp over the Princess to avoid future creamed vegetable disasters. "Luna was never a pirate, to my knowledge. Unless..." Well, that explains the summer of '65. Well, 865. Although that was more 'VIKING OPERA ROARS' than 'ARRRR'. Likely. Celestia totally wasn't there on the other side bellowing about valkyries and rings and whatnot. Although 'Loki' may have been her cat at one time. "Oh! Good evening," the Princess greets Nightshade, temporarily distracted by the sudden apprearance by the civil servant. "Not at all, please come in. Would you like some tea?" she asks, preparing to pour a cup. "And yes, Solar - we all remember what happened last time you had sugar."
"I dunno," Eclipse says, "I was told you dressed up on..uh, Nightmare Night. Yeah, that. Grandma night." He grins and bounces on his hooves a little. "So, uh, pirate costume. It's either this or I can get out my pegasus wings I had for that birthday party. Oh, or I could go buy a guard costume, that'd be fun too." He's got lots of ideas, but is apparently stuck on pirate currently. At his Aunt's odd history lesson, he blinks blankly, then looks over to the others, waves, smiles, then to his aunt again, "Oh, uh, I got sent to my room."
"It is a honour, Princess," says Nightshade, accepting the tea when it comes. "And you, Prince Eclipse? You are doing well this evening?" She finds a cushion to sit upon and settles into it, letting the plush stuffing obscure her unshorn fetlocks.
Stronghold watches with a completely bland expression as Fluttershy moves down the hall to join the Princess, Prince, and the civil servant in the study. He does offer her a nod, given their history it would have been rude not to.
<OOC> Celestia gave no history lesson! It was all internal monologue!
Fluttershy smiles softly back at the guard - Stronghold, that was his name, it's been a long while since she saw him - as she walks as quiet as hooves can manage on the polished palace floors. SHe tilts her head and watches curiously, but...she hasn't made any sound yet. This conversation might be important.
Ohhhh. Yes, Nightmare Night. Well, hopefully that'll go somewhat better this year. Somewhat. No living spiders terrifying the masses would be a good start. "Well, I'm sure someone from the guard could get you a /real/ guard outfit for you to wear, if you'd like," Celestia muses. "Stronghold? Do you think there's something in the Prince's size?" she calls out to the guard out front. "Maybe a pirate guard? Oooh, that would be neat..." the Princess plots. And that's one thing the Princess does well - plots.
Silly Auntie, you don't /mix/ costumes. Well, actually a pirate guard /does/ sound sweet, and he ponders how to pull it off. His ears perk and he muses, "I don't think they do, do they? Didn't Mister Scope want to see about getting me some neato armor?" Whatever happened to that? Now he pouts a little.
Nightshade blinks as the prince totally doesn't hear her. Ah, well, children are allowed to be attention deficit. "I will have to become more intimate with Nightmare Night now that I am a royal official. I am afraid the holiday does not figure much in my parents' culture." She sips some of the tea which is impressively deft as always. "I am sure that there are several boutiques I can happily requisition an order from to obtain a costume. Even pirate ones."
Stronghold snaps to attention and then begins to think on the question asked him, "Well your highness, several years back we did have a small set of armor crafted, a sample of what the blacksmith could do, it was in a size perhaps just right for the young master. One was a display of the Royal Guard set, and one was of the Night Guard. Does the young master wish to try them on?"
"Um," ventures Fluttershy, shifting back and forth in place as she shuffles her hooves. "I-I, um...I'm sorry. H-hello, Princess. Hello, Prince Eclipse, and, um...Nightshade. I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I might have some old Nightmare Night costumes, though..." Sure, they're all bunny-sized...
And Solar is definitely on the deeper end of 'deficit' in 'attention deficit disorder'. "Oh! I'm surprised he hasn't already..." Celestia muses as she ponders. Well, Scope has been awfully quiet and solitary lately. Maybe something related to that? Hmmm. She's entirely unsure at the moment. Ah, well. She'll have to look into her dear guard. "Excellent, Stronghold. Make sure to see if they fit the young Prince - and if not, get them tempered to fit him optimally." The Princess turns to Nightshade, about to suggest a delightful dressmaker in Ponyville (who will surely also do costumes) before looking over towards Fluttershy. The Princess can't help gain a warm, wide smile. "Please, come in, Fluttershy. Would you like some tea?"
Solar_Eclipse ohs. "Neat!" He hops up and down a few times, excited by that. "Hi Fluttershy!" He says, "I'm a pirate! ARR!" He runs around a bit in a circle, then says, "Oh, geeze, I need to get something out of my room!!" And he zaps out.
<OOC> Solar_Eclipse should get to bed.
## Solar_Eclipse changes his status to OOC (Out Of Character).
<OOC> You say, "Yes, he should"
<OOC> Fluttershy hugs Li'l Eclipse.
<OOC> Solar_Eclipse hugs Fluttershy!
<OOC> Celestia hugs Solar.
<OOC> Celestia says, "Thanks for the fun scene!"
<OOC> Solar_Eclipse hugs Auntie Celestia too.
Solar_Eclipse has disconnected.
Nightshade watches as the prince suddenly runs off to do...something. Colts. "Ah, miss Fluttershy, a pleasure to see you hear. I trust that you are doing well this evening?" She slides her cushion aside with magic to let Fluttershy have the place of honour beside the Princess. An Element of Harmony deserves nothing less.
The current pose order is: {Stronghold Fluttershy Celestia Nightshade}.
Stronghold snaps a smart salute to the Princess and nods, "Yes your Majesty! Right away!" He then turns and marches off towards the stairs leading down to the armory storerooms to retrieve both sets with all speed. Barely dodging the furious little blip that is the prince as the young royal makes for his bedroom.
"O-oh, um, yes, and thank you very much," says Fluttershy with a timid but genuine smile. She takes a seat on the cushion, making sure to leave room for Nightshade - it wouldn't do to just steal somepony's pillow - and watches as Solar Eclipse goes bouncing away. That's probably it for talk of costumes...
<OOC> Stronghold points a hoof at Noble and gasps! "He's naked your majesty!"
Solar Eclipse - paragon of attention, focus, and persistence. If he were a time series process, he'd be the paradigm of nonstationarity. 'Infinite variance' describes the young prince well. But! "Of course, Fluttershy," the Princess responds with a kind smile. A servant immediately pours the pale yellow pegasus a cup of tea. "May I ask what brings you back here to Canterlot, Fluttershy?" Celestia asks before taking a delicate sip of her own tea. "And how go the affairs of court today, Nightshade?"
<OOC> Stronghold says, "MI'LADY CELESTIA THE UNDIMMED?!"
<OOC> Celestia says, "!"
<OOC> Celestia says, "Yes, yes, what what?"
<OOC> Stronghold says, "Oh sorry, I just took Nightshade's questioning tone to mean I had addressed you wrong...I was trying ALL the titles."
"I have imposed the usual sense of mortification in the servants," Nightshade says. "My attempts to restructure the civil service have been rather stymied, I must confess, by the persistence of sinecure appointments held by powerful interests. I am having more luck in my endeavours to account for the production and distribution of, ah, defences for the security of the Realm." All this she says in an educated, matter-of-fact tone that she is so very good at maintaining.
Stronghold is skipping his turn.
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Sunchild Empress."
<OOC> Stronghold says, "(down in the storage room...gettin armor.)"
<OOC> Stronghold says, "Daymare Sun."
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Say my name, Twilight!"
<OOC> Stronghold says, "This one last grain of sand...is all that is left of Equestria."
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Derpy just ate it."
<OOC> Stronghold T.T
<OOC> Celestia mourns.
<OOC> Stronghold says, "I wonder if we can still make wishes on Derpy's belly..."
Fluttershy tilts her head as Nightshade gives the run-down. "Um...w-wow," she mumbles, mostly to herself. "I had no idea you worked for the Princess, Nightshade. Um..." Then Fluttershy turns her head upward again, blinking at Celestia. "I, um...w-well, it's...I kind of...last time I was here, um, t-there was kindofthisexplosion...a-and a water heater went flying. A-and I wanted to make sure it was all fixed..." She lowers her ears and head guiltily. Honesty she ain't, but Flutters could never bring herself to lie to Celestia. "Well, um, t-that and...the gardens here are very nice."
"I am sure you are trying yuour best, Nightshade. Just let me know if there is any assistance I can grant to you," the Princess offers with a warm smile. Upon Fluttershy's sudden confession, however, the Princess simply gains a slightly furrowed brow. She brings up a wing and pats Fluttershy's back gently, twice. "Dear Fluttershy, I assure you, everything is all well and fixed. You need not worry in the slightest. And yes, the gardens are really love this time of year."
Nightshade's ears flickers as Fluttershy explains herself. So /that's/ how that happened. "I have only been in this appointment about a half-year, Ms. Fluttershy, so your lack of knowledge is perfectly excusable." She bows to Celestia as the Princess speaks. "Of course, your Majesty." She finds another cushion and takes a seat in it, not really wanting to discuss work any more. "What exactly brings you to Canterlot, Fluttershy? I had taken you to be a mare who prefers the solace of quieter habitats."
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "THe explosion was one of my best entrances, I think, inspired by a Mythbusters episode I happened to be watching at the time. My reasoning was that some of the pressure valves hadn't been properly inspected after the latest round of Wall Sumo. n.n"
From somewhere on the floor below there is a crash and several loud metallic sounding impacts, then Stronghold roars a barely audible "You clinking, clanking, clattering, collection of caliginous junk!" Then a few more snarls that sound so muffled one cannot imagine what he is saying. It appears the guard is being bested by the items in the storage room. There comes a second crash followed by an inarticulate bellow, then a shouted, "I'm alright! I'm alright! I'm alright! I'm Al-RIGHT! Nothing at all to worry about!"
<OOC> Celestia says, "Heeehehehehe. That's awesome, Fluttershy!"
<OOC> Celestia also giggles. "Most excellent pose, Stronghold."
<OOC> Stronghold says, "Thank you majesty. ^.^ I do try to go for comedy at every turn."
Fluttershy bounces up and takes momentary liftoff from the cushion at the second crash. She whips her head around and blinks. "O=oh dear. Maybe somepony should go check on him..." A beat goes by, though, and she doesn't rush off just yet. "I am really glad everything is all right, Princess. I-I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I'd caused lasting damage to the castle..." She sips her tea, and...maybe leans half an inch closer to the Sun Princess. It's warmer there, in a way she can't feel on her skin.
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Oop. Didn't answer Nightshade. Hang on."
"W-well," she says to the mare beside her, "I, um, I like to come here sometimes when I have a free moment, because I-I never really got to have the, um, 'Canterlot experience-'" she may actually make air quotes here- "-the first time I came here...it's a lot more relaxing when you come and there's no Gala happening."
Celestia sips from her sea slowly as she listens to Nightshade. Well, and the battle going on downstairs. She gestures for a few reinforcements to join him... better safe than sorry, after all. *CRASH* ... Yes, likely better safe than sorry. "Dear Fluttershy... you need not worry about lasting damage to the palace. It has seen far, far worse from my sister and I, after all." The Princess leans in to plant a soft kiss on the pony's forehead. She then stands up from her cushion and stretches out her wings. "I'm afraid it is time for me to retire to my chambers. A pleasure to see you again, Fluttershy and Nightshade. ... Do make sure dear Stronghold is alright."
<OOC> Celestia says, "Good night, ponies!"
<OOC> Stronghold says, "I at first read that as "Fluttershy neckchops Celestia" which made me look a second time."
<OOC> Celestia wingwraphugs Fluttershy.
<OOC> Fluttershy smiles.
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Sleep well, Princess."
<OOC> Celestia is neckchopped! Flutter martial arts!
<OOC> Fluttershy sings Dreams, Dreams (Fluttershy Version).
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "Oh dear. I lose more potentially adoptive Princesses that way. ._."
<OOC> Stronghold says, "Tsk."
<OOC> Stronghold says, "Thank you for the scene highness."
<OOC> Celestia says, "Thank you, Stronghold."
<OOC> You say, "It was a fine scene, Majesty"
<OOC> Celestia says, "ANd thank you both as well, Fluttershy and Nightshade! I had fun."
<OOC> Celestia departs!
<OOC> Celestia flapflapflap.
Celestia has left.
Nightshade sighs as the conflict downstairs becomes apparent. An Overseer's work is never done, it seems. "You are fortunate to have the time to truly enjoy this city," she tells Fluttershy. "It appears that I already have more work, ah, lined up in front of me." Her tail flicks about anxiously as she magics a notepad to appear from...somewhere, wisps of shadow accompanying its arrival. Her face seems stern, yet sad, as she makes note of the ruckus downstairs and all the attendent worries that came with it.
The loud crashing is followed by a almost eerie silence from downstairs, a beat passes, then another. Afterwhich the sound of running hooves on stairs, and all the help the princess sent Stronghold does running past the door the opposite direction as some /thing/ begins to clatter up the stairs in a ponderously slow manner, step, thump, step, thump, step, THUMP, STEP, THUMP!
Fluttershy is practically glowing with her own inner sunlight. To receive such favor from Celestia...i-it's a dream come true! She's afraid to pinch herself. Still, she doesn't miss that expression; once the Princess is gone, Fluttershy frowns sympathetically at Nightshade, tilting her head to examine her out of the corner of her eyes. "Um...I-I could go help, too, if you want. I-I don't mind, really." She gradually raises her voice as the shambling mound of metal grows closer.
Nightshade's ears flicker as the noise grows louder. "I...that's perfectly fine, Fluttershy, thank you," she says, projecting a tone of mastery over the situation. "Any help you can provide would be most appreciated but not strictly necessary." She closes her notepad and stands up, ready to receive the loud, clanking visitor.
Stronghold steps into the doorway, seemingly the battle downstairs had sounded worse then it actually was. Stronghold stands with a large burlap bag held in his teeth, it's fully half his size. two of his guardboots, one on his forehoof and one on his hind hoof, both on the left seem to have gotten stuck in a pair of old kettles. He is covered in dust and has several splinters of wood jutting from his coat. He very softly places the bag on the floor, from inside comes the gentle clinking of shifting metal. He pants softly, "I found the...armor. I also set the storage room to rights again. I apologize for the disturbance ladies."
"Oh! Um..." Fluttershy blinks again. "That's...wonderful, Stronghold. I-I, uh...do you need some help? ...what happened to the other guards?" She gives Nightshade another sympathetic glance. Herding guards is no easier than herding foals...
Nightshade emits a noticeable equine huff as Stronghold explains himself. "So, it was all about...never mind, I'll worry about this later. And you seem to have been able to handle it, Stronghold." She purses her lips and tries to be polite, but she's obviously frustrated that she got worked up over nothing.
Stronghold bows his head and then looks back over his shoulder, "Well the last I saw the other guards they were running down the hall away from me. While in the storage room a spare wardrobe that had been left in there too long fell on me, it's legs had rotted through. So I pulled it out and rearranged the things still in there, then retrieved the armor and balanced the wardrobe on my back and neck, intending to take it outside to be disposed off. I think in the shadowed passageway they thought I was some shambling horror out of a nightmare. Or perhaps they simply didn't wish to help me when I called to them." He sits down and positioning the kettle on his forefoof under his armpit begins to try and tug his leg free, "And these...blasted things. Don't want to turn me loose."
The yellow mare leans forward, brow creasing at all of the...whatever this all is that's latched itself onto Stronghold like a tin and burlap lamprey. "Oh dear. Um...h-here...if you don't mind." FLutters takes hold of the kettle and starts tugging and gently twisting. SHe;'s been through this with animals.
Nightshade doesn't even want to try and comprehend what Stronghold's been through. "I am certain you can take care of this yourself," she states, effectively offloading responsibility to him. "I must retired for now; good night." She slips out the door and frowns, still hoping for that elusive free time she's been wanting to get.
((The rest of the RP, of course, is not logged on my end. Feel free to fill in the details in replies))