Post by Dusk on Jan 7, 2012 1:54:44 GMT -5
Nothing too serious, but a pleasant, easy-going event that has lead to the idea of the Midnight Picnic. The Invitation to which will be posted shortly! In the meantime, enjoy.
The night of Tuesday, December 27th, 2011.
Ponyville Square
#=#=#=#=#=# PONYVILLE SQUARE #=#=#=#=#=#
At the heart of Ponyville stands a proud and massive pavillion known as Town Hall. Around it lies the town square, a well-kept ring decorated with tall banners and the occasional picturesque bush. A fountain sits before the entrance to the hall with a joyous, reared-up earth pony statue as its ornament. Various municipal officials have pitched colorful, conical tents in the square from which they run their operations. The town square is lined along one side by a stream crossed by a broad stone bridge, while on its other sides it's surrounded by a combination of commercial establishments and some of the oldest houses in Ponyville. The mood here is generally cheerful but officious.
Dusk wanders into the square, having left Surgarcube Corner and visiting Pinkie until it was her bedtime too. Even she runs out of sugar power. He sees a pony, recognising Fluttershy.
Fluttershy yaaawns deeply, peering down into her latest cup of warm tea. She flicks her tail back and forth, accidentally dusting herself with snow, but as she turns back to brush it off, she sees.... "O-oh, um...hello, Dusk."
Dusk clops up faintly in the lightly falling slow. Seeing Fluttershy still up, he smiles and goes on over. "Much greetings, lovely Lady Fluttershy. And how does this night find thee?" He gives just a light nuzzle in greeting, though at least he feels quite warm, having just come from indoors.
Fluttershy smiles softly. The soft moonlight reflecting off her hair and coat tints the snow around her in soft yellow and pink, if a pony were inclined to look hard enough. "I'm feeling fine, thank you. How're you?" She smiles and squints on one side as her friend nuzzles her. "Hot tea?"
Dusk smiles back at Fluttershy, and does indeed catch the overall sight, adding to her gentle radiance. He takes a seat besides her and nods, "Indeed, that sounds nice, thank you. And I am quite glad to hear you are doing well too, as am I. Was off exploring some, but nice to come settle and take one of my usual late walks."
Fluttershy pours Dusk a little bit of tea from her thermos, passing him a fresh cup. "Did you find anything interesting out there? I don't get many chances to leave Ponyville myself..."
Dusk smiles and smells the soft but aromatic scent of the tea, vapory whisps from the heat rising counter up against the lightly falling snow.. A play of contrasts, hot and cold, gas and solid, rising and falling.. All in simple little moment. He nods to Fluttershy, "Mostly learning some of the area, and.. checking some things, that might be. Yes, I do imagine, what with all your critters to take care off, don't even get much time. Perhaps why I often find you about the same hours as myself?"
Fluttershy nods. "Well...you know, that and...sometimes I just like to come out here and relax. Usually, when I come out at night, there are only a few ponies around and things aren't so, um...overwhelming." She takes a deep drink from her own tea, making her next exhalation long and billowy in the frosty air.
Dusk takes a sip of his own, hovering the cup, though no noticable magic glow, as you speak. When he finishes the sip, he gives a very light smack of his lips with an 'ahh,' brushing them lightly with his tongue briefly. He nods, "Indeed, I know what you mean. I find the night to be peaceful, and easy to think. He smiles, glacing up at the small crescent of moon out tonight, broken clouds passing, glowing from behind. "Perhaps sometime we should take a walk together, get a peaceful chance to wander about."
Fluttershy nods, stretching as she stands to shake some loose snow off her feathers and mane. "That sounds like a good idea. Um...did you mean right now, or...?" She looks up and down the street - it's a wonderfully clear and still night, but still, it is night, so where would you go?
Dusk gets to finish up his cup of tea, and returns the cup, if yours, before getting up as well. "Yes, that sounds wonderful. I just didn't wish to rush you." He grins softly. He glances about as well, "It is a lovely night though, yes. We could simply walk about town, seeing as no one out tonight. But seeing as you don't get to get out of town much, and you know the area better than myself, if you could go somewhere, is there anywhere particular you might enjoy, Lady Fluttershy? Otherwise, as to what I do, is just pick a direction, and see where the path leads."
Fluttershy puts a hoof to her chin, smiling up at the starry sky. "Well...usually I go out to the hills, but there is this little pond, with all these cattails around it, that I like to go to to relax when I can. It's probably frozen over right now, but still..."
Dusk ohs and smiles, "Yes that sounds like it would be lovely. Might I escort the lady? Just tell me the way."
Fluttershy points off toward the edge of town, in a different direction from her own cottage and the forest. "It's just up there, over the hills. You'll know it when you see it."
Dusk nods, noting the directions, and sees it's a place he hasn't checked yet. That should be nice. He walks with you off through the town. The streets are so very quiet and empty it's both kind of odd, but also so picturesque and nice, at least having company to do so. The stroll and conversation being quite casusal. The place also seems so different, at night like this. It lends itself to looking around and taking it in more, rather than the bustle of the day, when just pass through, hardly thinking of the place itself. The peaceful buildings. The misc items and occational kids toys layed about, light dusting of snow covering.. Little back paths progressing into wider open areas as move ever closer to the edge of town, until there are few buildings here and there along the path towards the hills, which at least are getting much closer.
It also grows increasingly darker as move out of town, away from the burning lights placed here and about, or light from various windows, and with the moon so relatively small tonight, glinting off the falling snow.
Fluttershy leads the way, but she sticks close as the darkness begins closing in - she might be okay walking around Ponyville at night, but leaving and wandering around the countryside isn't something she'd usually do unless she had a friend with her. If she were alone, she would've turned back by now. Still, the foothills seem peaceful enough right now, and as you crest the top of the next, she smiles and points down at a little patch of what looks like reflected stars. "There it is," Fluttershy beams proudly. "My own little pond."
Dusk quite enjoys the travel with a friend as much as the destination. And while he loves how nice and close you walk together with him, and not to discourage it either, he still uses just a little magic. He leans in a bit, and glancing your way with a nod of his head and a smile, you shortly notice a speck of light.. moving.. A shooting star? Then another and another.. each drifting down slowly.. Soon you notice they are random snowflakes, falling with the others.. Each giving such a small amount of light, but combined and with your eyes adjusted to the night, they make a beautiful effect, and just enough to see the area around, especially as they come down to the ground. "A little something I like to do on a snowy night.. I hope you don't mind."
Fluttershy shakes her head. "Not at all. Look..." She points down at the pond. "It's so beautiful." And it is. Out here, far away from the village lights and the looming city of Canterlot, where there's no stay light to reflect off the clouds, the sky is clear and dark, and looking down into the pond... "It's like my own little piece of sky. I really should come here at night more often."
Dusk's eyes widen a little more too, as we come up over the last hill. Once the pond comes into view, he lets the lighting effect fade off, the last of the illuminate flakes falling to the ground and glowing for a short while before going out.. giving an even clearer view of the effect of the stars off the possibly frozen water.. "Oh, yes that is very lovely! And it's so peaceful and pleasant." He stands there watching it for a while with you besides him. "Thank you so much for offering to bring me here. I would be more than glad to come anytime. Should we go look closer?"
Fluttershy nods. "Of course! I hardly ever get to come out here this late. Usually I just stay in town or even in my own house past dark." She trots down the hill, leaving a neat little trail of regular hoofprints in the snow behind her, and stops at the edge of the pond, giving her wings another good stretch. "This is wonderful...if only I could show...well, everypony how great this is."
Dusk follows along with you, leaving his own trail, and pausing just a little to start, to take in the sight of you, soft yellow and pink figure in the dim moon, walking through the pure snow, other than maybe a tiny trail of a little night critter who has come and gone.. and the lovely reflective pond beyond you.. As if it was a living painting. He simply smiles.. He could stand and just watch for a long time. But also does not wish to keep you waiting or off alone, so snaps too and comes right along. As we reach the edge, he looks around some more, the view different from here, but still quite lovely. The pond feels as if it reaches further, still capturing the stars and moon of the sky, and just faintly the snowflakes, 'rising' to the surface, meeting their counterparts from above in the tinest of ripples. And it's quiet.. So peacefully quiet, other than our voices, and almost no animals heard at all.
Dusk smiles, "Ohhh so nice!" He stands there with you. "And yes, that would be nice to share. Maybe.. should have a midnight picnic and invite the others? Perhaps the next full moon?"
Fluttershy's ears perk up. "That...that actually sounds like a great idea. We could invite everypony out here, to just experience this spot and sort of...commune with nature." A bizarrely enthusiastic grin spreads across her face as she speaks those like few words. "I think we should do it. This is a lovely little spot, and it deserves to be recognized so that everypony can experience the joy and help preserve it, right?"
Dusk smiles back to you quite warmly as you take to his idea. "Most certainly! I love the night. It is a beautiful thing. I think you see why Luna wished to share this with all the ponies, and felt bad they did not. I'm glad we can share it, and that you wish to share it with others! Let us plan to make it so!" And with that settled, he spends quite a while with you, enjoying just the lovely sight, and walking a ways around the lake. And even if its quite a new experience for you, and not something you'd usually do on your own, you at least feel safe with him (well maybe the ocasional spooky noise to jump at!). And after spending all that time, exploring as he loves to do, and you can see his joy in it, he does offer to walk back home or to town with you, seeing you starting to get sleepy.
Fluttershy yawns, filling the air with frosty breath from behind her hoof once more. She smiles softly, if blearily, and nods. "Thank you, Dusk. I think this walk is just what I needed." She turns and starts back up the hill, stopping halfway to look back at her perfect little pond, smiling down at the little piece of night sky and up at the moon above. Then she spreads her wings and flutters up to the hilltop - never too far ahead of you, just enough to give her tired legs a rest - and grins over her shoulder. "And...I think we definitely should. Only, maybe not *quite* so late at night." She smiles sheepishly. "Let's go home. I think we could both use some rest now." And with another yawn, she trots off toward town, and home, and warmth.
Dusk smiles back up at you with agreement, and walks the flying pony back through the town, passing another early waking pony, as the two of them are off to sleep.. and off the rest of the way back to Fluttershy's place..
Dusk gives her a hug good night, and is the one to tuck her in as well.. "Good night, Lady Fluttershy. Until the next time, pleasant dreams of the stars."
<OOC> You say, "Thanks so much for the wonderful walk!"
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "It's no problem. n.n"
<OOC> You say, "Sorry he can't sing a lulaby like Fluttershy can. :-)"
<OOC> Dusk smiles, "Good night!" And lets you get off to sleep. :-)
<OOC> Fluttershy flutterhugs! (yay)
<OOC> Dusk hugs and yays as well! *smiles*
<OOC> Fluttershy gets to bed! Take care, everypony. n.n
Fluttershy has disconnected.
The night of Tuesday, December 27th, 2011.
Ponyville Square
#=#=#=#=#=# PONYVILLE SQUARE #=#=#=#=#=#
At the heart of Ponyville stands a proud and massive pavillion known as Town Hall. Around it lies the town square, a well-kept ring decorated with tall banners and the occasional picturesque bush. A fountain sits before the entrance to the hall with a joyous, reared-up earth pony statue as its ornament. Various municipal officials have pitched colorful, conical tents in the square from which they run their operations. The town square is lined along one side by a stream crossed by a broad stone bridge, while on its other sides it's surrounded by a combination of commercial establishments and some of the oldest houses in Ponyville. The mood here is generally cheerful but officious.
Dusk wanders into the square, having left Surgarcube Corner and visiting Pinkie until it was her bedtime too. Even she runs out of sugar power. He sees a pony, recognising Fluttershy.
Fluttershy yaaawns deeply, peering down into her latest cup of warm tea. She flicks her tail back and forth, accidentally dusting herself with snow, but as she turns back to brush it off, she sees.... "O-oh, um...hello, Dusk."
Dusk clops up faintly in the lightly falling slow. Seeing Fluttershy still up, he smiles and goes on over. "Much greetings, lovely Lady Fluttershy. And how does this night find thee?" He gives just a light nuzzle in greeting, though at least he feels quite warm, having just come from indoors.
Fluttershy smiles softly. The soft moonlight reflecting off her hair and coat tints the snow around her in soft yellow and pink, if a pony were inclined to look hard enough. "I'm feeling fine, thank you. How're you?" She smiles and squints on one side as her friend nuzzles her. "Hot tea?"
Dusk smiles back at Fluttershy, and does indeed catch the overall sight, adding to her gentle radiance. He takes a seat besides her and nods, "Indeed, that sounds nice, thank you. And I am quite glad to hear you are doing well too, as am I. Was off exploring some, but nice to come settle and take one of my usual late walks."
Fluttershy pours Dusk a little bit of tea from her thermos, passing him a fresh cup. "Did you find anything interesting out there? I don't get many chances to leave Ponyville myself..."
Dusk smiles and smells the soft but aromatic scent of the tea, vapory whisps from the heat rising counter up against the lightly falling snow.. A play of contrasts, hot and cold, gas and solid, rising and falling.. All in simple little moment. He nods to Fluttershy, "Mostly learning some of the area, and.. checking some things, that might be. Yes, I do imagine, what with all your critters to take care off, don't even get much time. Perhaps why I often find you about the same hours as myself?"
Fluttershy nods. "Well...you know, that and...sometimes I just like to come out here and relax. Usually, when I come out at night, there are only a few ponies around and things aren't so, um...overwhelming." She takes a deep drink from her own tea, making her next exhalation long and billowy in the frosty air.
Dusk takes a sip of his own, hovering the cup, though no noticable magic glow, as you speak. When he finishes the sip, he gives a very light smack of his lips with an 'ahh,' brushing them lightly with his tongue briefly. He nods, "Indeed, I know what you mean. I find the night to be peaceful, and easy to think. He smiles, glacing up at the small crescent of moon out tonight, broken clouds passing, glowing from behind. "Perhaps sometime we should take a walk together, get a peaceful chance to wander about."
Fluttershy nods, stretching as she stands to shake some loose snow off her feathers and mane. "That sounds like a good idea. Um...did you mean right now, or...?" She looks up and down the street - it's a wonderfully clear and still night, but still, it is night, so where would you go?
Dusk gets to finish up his cup of tea, and returns the cup, if yours, before getting up as well. "Yes, that sounds wonderful. I just didn't wish to rush you." He grins softly. He glances about as well, "It is a lovely night though, yes. We could simply walk about town, seeing as no one out tonight. But seeing as you don't get to get out of town much, and you know the area better than myself, if you could go somewhere, is there anywhere particular you might enjoy, Lady Fluttershy? Otherwise, as to what I do, is just pick a direction, and see where the path leads."
Fluttershy puts a hoof to her chin, smiling up at the starry sky. "Well...usually I go out to the hills, but there is this little pond, with all these cattails around it, that I like to go to to relax when I can. It's probably frozen over right now, but still..."
Dusk ohs and smiles, "Yes that sounds like it would be lovely. Might I escort the lady? Just tell me the way."
Fluttershy points off toward the edge of town, in a different direction from her own cottage and the forest. "It's just up there, over the hills. You'll know it when you see it."
Dusk nods, noting the directions, and sees it's a place he hasn't checked yet. That should be nice. He walks with you off through the town. The streets are so very quiet and empty it's both kind of odd, but also so picturesque and nice, at least having company to do so. The stroll and conversation being quite casusal. The place also seems so different, at night like this. It lends itself to looking around and taking it in more, rather than the bustle of the day, when just pass through, hardly thinking of the place itself. The peaceful buildings. The misc items and occational kids toys layed about, light dusting of snow covering.. Little back paths progressing into wider open areas as move ever closer to the edge of town, until there are few buildings here and there along the path towards the hills, which at least are getting much closer.
It also grows increasingly darker as move out of town, away from the burning lights placed here and about, or light from various windows, and with the moon so relatively small tonight, glinting off the falling snow.
Fluttershy leads the way, but she sticks close as the darkness begins closing in - she might be okay walking around Ponyville at night, but leaving and wandering around the countryside isn't something she'd usually do unless she had a friend with her. If she were alone, she would've turned back by now. Still, the foothills seem peaceful enough right now, and as you crest the top of the next, she smiles and points down at a little patch of what looks like reflected stars. "There it is," Fluttershy beams proudly. "My own little pond."
Dusk quite enjoys the travel with a friend as much as the destination. And while he loves how nice and close you walk together with him, and not to discourage it either, he still uses just a little magic. He leans in a bit, and glancing your way with a nod of his head and a smile, you shortly notice a speck of light.. moving.. A shooting star? Then another and another.. each drifting down slowly.. Soon you notice they are random snowflakes, falling with the others.. Each giving such a small amount of light, but combined and with your eyes adjusted to the night, they make a beautiful effect, and just enough to see the area around, especially as they come down to the ground. "A little something I like to do on a snowy night.. I hope you don't mind."
Fluttershy shakes her head. "Not at all. Look..." She points down at the pond. "It's so beautiful." And it is. Out here, far away from the village lights and the looming city of Canterlot, where there's no stay light to reflect off the clouds, the sky is clear and dark, and looking down into the pond... "It's like my own little piece of sky. I really should come here at night more often."
Dusk's eyes widen a little more too, as we come up over the last hill. Once the pond comes into view, he lets the lighting effect fade off, the last of the illuminate flakes falling to the ground and glowing for a short while before going out.. giving an even clearer view of the effect of the stars off the possibly frozen water.. "Oh, yes that is very lovely! And it's so peaceful and pleasant." He stands there watching it for a while with you besides him. "Thank you so much for offering to bring me here. I would be more than glad to come anytime. Should we go look closer?"
Fluttershy nods. "Of course! I hardly ever get to come out here this late. Usually I just stay in town or even in my own house past dark." She trots down the hill, leaving a neat little trail of regular hoofprints in the snow behind her, and stops at the edge of the pond, giving her wings another good stretch. "This is wonderful...if only I could show...well, everypony how great this is."
Dusk follows along with you, leaving his own trail, and pausing just a little to start, to take in the sight of you, soft yellow and pink figure in the dim moon, walking through the pure snow, other than maybe a tiny trail of a little night critter who has come and gone.. and the lovely reflective pond beyond you.. As if it was a living painting. He simply smiles.. He could stand and just watch for a long time. But also does not wish to keep you waiting or off alone, so snaps too and comes right along. As we reach the edge, he looks around some more, the view different from here, but still quite lovely. The pond feels as if it reaches further, still capturing the stars and moon of the sky, and just faintly the snowflakes, 'rising' to the surface, meeting their counterparts from above in the tinest of ripples. And it's quiet.. So peacefully quiet, other than our voices, and almost no animals heard at all.
Dusk smiles, "Ohhh so nice!" He stands there with you. "And yes, that would be nice to share. Maybe.. should have a midnight picnic and invite the others? Perhaps the next full moon?"
Fluttershy's ears perk up. "That...that actually sounds like a great idea. We could invite everypony out here, to just experience this spot and sort of...commune with nature." A bizarrely enthusiastic grin spreads across her face as she speaks those like few words. "I think we should do it. This is a lovely little spot, and it deserves to be recognized so that everypony can experience the joy and help preserve it, right?"
Dusk smiles back to you quite warmly as you take to his idea. "Most certainly! I love the night. It is a beautiful thing. I think you see why Luna wished to share this with all the ponies, and felt bad they did not. I'm glad we can share it, and that you wish to share it with others! Let us plan to make it so!" And with that settled, he spends quite a while with you, enjoying just the lovely sight, and walking a ways around the lake. And even if its quite a new experience for you, and not something you'd usually do on your own, you at least feel safe with him (well maybe the ocasional spooky noise to jump at!). And after spending all that time, exploring as he loves to do, and you can see his joy in it, he does offer to walk back home or to town with you, seeing you starting to get sleepy.
Fluttershy yawns, filling the air with frosty breath from behind her hoof once more. She smiles softly, if blearily, and nods. "Thank you, Dusk. I think this walk is just what I needed." She turns and starts back up the hill, stopping halfway to look back at her perfect little pond, smiling down at the little piece of night sky and up at the moon above. Then she spreads her wings and flutters up to the hilltop - never too far ahead of you, just enough to give her tired legs a rest - and grins over her shoulder. "And...I think we definitely should. Only, maybe not *quite* so late at night." She smiles sheepishly. "Let's go home. I think we could both use some rest now." And with another yawn, she trots off toward town, and home, and warmth.
Dusk smiles back up at you with agreement, and walks the flying pony back through the town, passing another early waking pony, as the two of them are off to sleep.. and off the rest of the way back to Fluttershy's place..
Dusk gives her a hug good night, and is the one to tuck her in as well.. "Good night, Lady Fluttershy. Until the next time, pleasant dreams of the stars."
<OOC> You say, "Thanks so much for the wonderful walk!"
<OOC> Fluttershy says, "It's no problem. n.n"
<OOC> You say, "Sorry he can't sing a lulaby like Fluttershy can. :-)"
<OOC> Dusk smiles, "Good night!" And lets you get off to sleep. :-)
<OOC> Fluttershy flutterhugs! (yay)
<OOC> Dusk hugs and yays as well! *smiles*
<OOC> Fluttershy gets to bed! Take care, everypony. n.n
Fluttershy has disconnected.