A Florilegium Of Fast Formulations (Speedwrites)by Emotion NexusChaptersTest Of StrengthTrue VoiceFresh StartSeeing Grey (Poem)Standing Alone (Poem)Guarded ActionsTest Of StrengthAuthor's Note Written for a Q&S Panic contest with the prompt 'Vintage Hammer'. Test Of Strength "The fabled quake hammer. Said to cause earthquakes whenever it touches a surface, it's mighty power was kept safe in the restricted section of the Canterlot Archives… UNTIL NOW!" Many ponies stared confused at the purple unicorn holding what looked to be a rusty, yet very large hammer. It was carved with runes and covered in vines. Catching on to the attention she was attracting, Twilight laughed sheepishly and bolted as fast as she could. Catching sight of Pinkie and Rainbow playing the ring toss, she quickly set course for her friends. "What!? I totally landed that! This game is rigged!" shouted Rainbow angrily as Twilight neared. Pinkie was giggling and was somehow cooking an omelette with an oven in the middle of the fair. Deciding not to question it she strolled over to Rainbow. "Hey Rainbow, what are you up to?" "Oh, nothing just getting scammed by dumb… carnival… okay what the heck is that?" Twilight grinned with glee at Rainbow's question. "It's the fabled quake hammer. Said to–" "Yeah yeah yeah, get on with it, why are you carrying that around." Pushing away her annoyance at Rainbow's ignorance for history, Twilight donned a devilish smile. "I'm carrying it because this is the year I finally beat you at the strength test!" Upon hearing this, Rainbow broke into laughter, rolling on the ground and ruffling her fur with grass. Twilight stared annoyed at Rainbow waiting for her to finish. "Ha! Ha. Oh, you sure are a practical joker Twi!" "I'm not joking!" Twilight screeched. "Wait, really? Alright then. Let's get this over with." As they walked over to the strength test, everypony else who was there backed out of the way, fully aware of the friendly rivalry between the two that had been going on for years. This is it Twilight, you're going to win! The year of reckoning for one Rainbow Dash has finally come and I shall be the champion! "Alright, your turn Twi," said Rainbow, backing away. Twilight shook her head, breaking away from her fantasies and looked at the high number Rainbow had scored. Walking up to the podium of power, Twilight mustered up as much muscle in her magic as she could and swung. Immediately upon impact, the quake hammer, said to cause earthquakes whenever it touches a surface, broke off. The power slider went up very slightly before dropping back down. Twilight stared at the broken hammer in frustration with only one thought on her mind. Stupid vintage artifacts... True VoiceAuthor's Note Written for the Ponyfest 4.0 Speedwriting contest using the custom prompt. True Voice Being in public can be challenging for some ponies, but it's certainly much easier to handle when you're with friends you trust. This was something that Rainbow Stars believed with all her heart. Chatting with her friends managed to distract her from the fear and anxiety that would normally be present when she was on an outing. The dirty stained tables covered with beverages and meals, the loud shouting and laughter from across the bar, and the silent awe whenever a new superstar stepped up to the karaoke stage. She noticed none of this, simply enjoying a heartfelt conversation with her band of weirdos. She munched on her hayburger with a patient aura, yet one that showed restraint. "Mmm, this food is great! I'm glad you girls got me to come out here" she said with joy, meaning every word she said. "Excuse me, I'm here too," said Thunderlane jokingly. Flitter giggled and shot him a deadpan look, that was rendered ineffective due to her large grin. "Oh, shut up! We know it doesn't bother you." "Yeah, I know. I'm just following the routine." The table broke into laughter at that, used to the antics of the singular stallion of the group and his marefriend. On stage, a performance was just ending, one that while not particularly impressive, was still pleasant to listen to. Sea Swirl nudged Star with her shoulder. "Come on, Starry! You've got to get up there and sing!" Star locked up slightly, but looked back at Swirl to confirm she wasn't joking. "Me?!" she said while pointing her hooves to herself. "Yeah, I've heard you and you're a pretty good singer," Swirl replied hopefully. Star looked to the others and saw them wearing encouraging grins, eager to see her sing with a live audience. Despite all the praise, she was still unsure about going on stage. "I… don't know girls, you know I can't keep my voice proper when I sing," she whispered nervously, fidgeting in her seat. The others briefly shared a concerned look with each other, before Swirl put a comforting hoof on Star's back. "Look Starry, I know how much you love to sing even when you deny it. And I know you can't keep control of your voice, but if you want my opinion that doesn't matter. And besides, they'll just take it for you having a deep voice I'm sure." Star looked to Swirl with tears in her eyes, though whether it was because she was sad or grateful, they weren't sure. "See, that's the thing! I love hitting high notes, and even when I don't try to keep control, I still do it. They're going to figure me out girls, I swear…" By now, the performance had come to an end, the mare on stage giving a bow before trotting off, the curtains coming down in wait for a new singer. Thunderlane took note of this and tried to comfort Star. "You know what I think? It doesn't matter what they might think even if they do recognise your voice, we're your friends, and we'll always support you, no matter what." Star wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at her friends with both hope and doubt. "Really?" "Really!" they chorused together, pulling her into a tight group hug. Her doubt washed away and was replaced by the feeling of contentment she usually felt when she was in public with them. No fear, no anxiety, just her and her best buds hanging out. Sniffling, she smiled at them. "Okay, I'll do it," she stated with a determined look in her eyes that excited the other ponies. "Just remember," Flitter said sincerely. "It doesn't matter if other ponies think you're weird words for your voice, all that matters is that you're happy with how you sound, and you alone." Star nodded to her, but didn't respond, already making her way to the stage. The glances from other ponies excited to hear someone new made her confidence shrink slightly, but she kept her head high and continued down the hard stone floor. Climbing the stairs to the stage, she briefly whispered to the live band her song of choice. They smiled, and gave her a nod, getting their instruments ready. The curtains parted for her, despite everypony already knowing it was her on stage. She looked over the bar, spotting the numerous ponies watching her in their hard-wood chairs. Again, she faltered, but still held strong, as she spotted her friends smiling at her, bringing her to do the same. As the band began to play, she took a deep breath, and sang. "They may say I’m just a kid Dreaming too big That life’s just a hole we dig Oh, but I I don’t subscribe to that Kind of life." The audience was shocked into silence by her loud and bombastic, but still relatively high voice. Many mouths dropped at the sound, for a few different reasons. Some teared up, hearing their favourite song play. But, through it all, Star didn't notice them as she became lost in the song, her eyes closed. "They may say My passions are play A joy be they may Still just a waste of a day Look alive And don’t be surprised when I Go and dig my Heels in and." Her voice took on a bit of a growl as she neared the chorus, something a few ponies took note of, but most ignored it, still stunned by her voice. "Liftoff I’ve left the ground And all my doubts Below Just wait and see How real it’ll be For me." Her voice cracked slightly, deepening subtly before returning to its original pitch. She closed her eyes harder, stressing over her mistake, but found herself becoming lost yet again as tears spilled from her eyes, not even bothering to see how ponies reacted. "They may say It’s ego and pride That soon I will find That luck isn’t on my side Here’s the thing Luck isn’t what I Plan to bring. "They may say Don’t stray too far Lower the bar What if you’re not up to par? I can see You just want what’s best for me Oh, but what if What’s best is to." As she repeated the chorus again, she imagined she was back in her apartment, belting out notes inside of her basement for just herself to hear. The crowd vanished, leaving only herself as her previous mistake was not repeated. She danced around, listening to the instrumental section and preparing for the outro. If she strained, she could hear the sound of cheering through her fantasy, but she didn't focus on it as her dancing calmed down. "Now go make Every small doubt They threw in your face A step to a brighter place." Her final words sung that night were a polar opposite to everything else, a low pitched voice that disregarded many of her vocal traits the audience had picked up on. The final piano chords played and she opened her watery eyes to see a bar filled with ponies staring right at her. Some looked furious, but most looked dumbstruck. Before she could start to panic, the cheering began and pushed away all of her fears of being ostracized. They didn't care, they didn't think she was weird. That night, at a simple bar named MeloDine in Ponyville, Rainbow Stars showed the world her voice. Her true voice. Fresh StartAuthor's Note Written for the Q&S Unicorn contest with the prompt 'High Society'. Fresh Start The grand city of Canterlot is said to be a place of beauty and refinement, where the most popular and influential of ponies flourish. Certainly, it can be hard to start from scratch, but many have proved the doubters wrong by rising to the top. I would know. I worked as hard as I could to get my Café afloat. And you know what? Even with all the adversities I faced, I still managed to become a regular part of Canterlot life. Although it didn't come without its challenges… My first steps into Canterlot were far from steady, me being a simple earth pony unfamiliar with proper high society behaviour. But if there was any place to get my start it would be here. I had bought some unused space from some fellow named Donut Joe a few months ago, and contrary to what I expected, he was just delightful. He even gave me a sale on it without asking, something I'd never heard of in a business setting. Today was the first time I was going to truly claim it as my own, a space among Canterlot's finest. Vanhoover didn't have nearly this much competition other than the Pears, so I had to be weary of nearby store-owners. Donut Joe was standing right outside my new store. Well, it wasn't really a store yet, but I knew I could turn it into one. "Nice to see you, Miss Cinnamon," he greeted with a salute which I found odd but pushed it aside. His dusty, food-covered vest was clearly not very popular in this district considering all the ponies glancing our way. "Nice to see you too." I shook his hoof calmly, but inside I was shaking excitedly, and I didn't exactly care if he noticed or not. He led me inside the rusty building and I got a chance to look at it up close again, ideas flowing through my head on how I could improve it. Those loose bricks will need fixing and this floor is absolutely filthy! Ooooh, I could have an orange gradient right there to match with my mane a bit… or would that make me blend in too well? Joe spoke again, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Is this place to your satisfaction?" "It's a bit rough around the edges, but I can definitely work with this," I said in a businessy tone as I dragged a hoof over the counter. Is that a word? I hope it is 'cause if not that would make me look silly! Erm… right, I'm still thinking. "I'm curious though, why are you giving up this space. With a bit of TLC this place could be a work of art!" Joe looked around for a minute before answering. "Well, I already have a pretty good place myself, so I thought I'd give it to someone else. There isn't nearly enough worthwhile talent here in Canterlot." "What do you mean? There must be loads of talented ponies here! I mean, it's the capital, how can there not be swarms of talent just waiting to be unleashed!" Joe's eyes turned downcast. "You'll learn with time," which sounded slightly ominous, but I tried not to let it bother me. After all, what could go wrong? Ponies eating, chatting, just overall being nice to each other. That's what I've always imagined my Café would be like, but seeing it for myself was amazing. I know I'm not the best pastry chef in the world, but I'm fine with that. All I want is for ponies to enjoy my food and enjoy themselves while they're at it. A few ponies came and went that were dissatisfied with my service, but every apple gets a worm once in a while. I couldn't help but notice that I very rarely got any unicorn customers which did upset me, but only a little. I wanted to spread joy to as many ponies as possible, but it's still small steps to becoming big. The orange and green design had been something I struggled with, but after some welcome advice from a few early customers as well as Donut Joe, I had found something I was satisfied with. It looked like me, plain and simple, but it also didn't make me blend in too much, so customers could see me clearly. It was perfect. The ring of the entry bell alerted me to a new presence, one that surprised me. A white unicorn wearing a monocle had just come into my shop. Fancy Pants had just come into my shop. I'm no expert on politics, but from what I've been able to gather in the months I've been living here, he's a pretty big deal. I tried not to let my shock show and greeted him with a friendly smile like every other customer. "Hi, welcome to Cinnamon Sweets! How can I help you?" A pleasant smile crossed his muzzle as he looked at the menu. "Hmm, I dare say I'll have a coffee and a churro if you may?" I got to work immediately, giving as much care as one can give when making coffee and delivering pre-baked goods. When I returned there was a new face arguing with Fancy, a light blue stallion with a flowy black mane. Unlike Fancy, I didn't recognize him, however I could already tell he was an important figure. I couldn't catch much about the conversation, because they stopped as soon as I came into view. The new stallion cleared his throat. "You are the owner of this establishment, correct?" "Umm… yes," I said nervously, unsure of what his intent was. "You should be ashamed, this place is horrid! To think, a mud-pony thinking they could run a Café, please," he said the last word in a heavily mocking fashion. "I wouldn't even bother if I were you." Anger filled me at his words, but I tried to keep my calm, remembering a breathing exercise my Ma had taught me. After I believed I was sufficiently calmed down, I answered his taunting. "Now you look here, mister. I may not know who you are, but I can tell you're a big-shot, so I'm going to handle this maturely and ask that you refrain from insulting both me and my customers in such a fashion and leave." I kept my cool through my small speech, only hints of anger slipping through. The same could not be said for him as he stormed out, apparently thinking he was above responding to me. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that," I heard Fancy say. "High society has a bit of a stigma with earth ponies setting up businesses, so they try to discourage them through insults. You handled it beautifully though, and didn't let him see your anger." A prideful smile grew on my muzzle and I bowed my head slightly in thanks. "Here's your order, Mr. Pants." He laughed at that. "Oh please, just call me Fancy." I blushed, realizing how such a name would sound now that I was hearing it out loud. Fancy had a look of wonder as he bit into his churro, before quickly eating the rest while still keeping a noble attitude. "I must say, this food is wonderful! If you want my opinion, you're going places here in Canterlot." My smile could have outshone Celestia's sun. "Thank you! I'll be honest, I was kind of nervous when you showed up, so it means a lot that you enjoyed the food." "No need to thank me. Let me thank you for the wonderful meal," He cleaned his muzzle as he spoke. We chatted for a bit about what Canterlot was like, and it was refreshing to talk to someone who had an idea of what running a business was like. After he left, I thought back on his words. You'll be going places. And you know what? He was right. Seeing Grey (Poem)Author's Note Written for the Q&S 'Anon' contest, where all submissions were anonymous and half the fun was guessing who wrote what. Written with the prompt 'Lights'. Seeing Grey (Poem) The lights are switched off and I can't see myself. Yet, somehow it all seems brighter. The cards are face down, it's the way they were dealt. An eclipse of hatred from the all-nighters. A mirror of lies, stolen from experiences unseen. It builds the leaning tower higher. Colored by others, and correctness they deem. Monotone, yet it's making me blinded. Is it wrong, was I too quick to assume what I feel? Little dreams vary in their hope. Unlikely to see it through, it couldn't possibly be real. The darkness in my mind is nearing close. I haven't struggled enough to get what I deserve. I haven't felt the pain required. I'm handed my wants on the silver plates I'm served. My life is bound by this desire. Standing Alone (Poem)Author's Note Written for the Q&S Dictionary of Thoughts #2 contest, with the prompt "Experience is the extract of suffering". Standing Alone (Poem) Innocence prevails, its soft and warm touch. There's never true fear; I've missed it so much. I'll push through the pain, to protect those such. Keep up the strong walls that they've known. Without a care; that's how they see things. Their eyes are all shielded by motherbird's wings. Eventually a glimpse of what the world brings. And then they're left standing alone. Breaking the walls and connecting the clues. Fantasy shattered; it's not such a cruise. Stormy waters ahead, we're lighting the fuse. These shivers that freeze to the bone. Struggles abound, you've joined with the old. Where joy is forgotten and left in the cold. Another statistic, and until we get bold… We'll be here standing alone. You'll learn of young eyes, how precious they are. You'll want to stand strong, let their view go unmarred. You'll see all the sacrifice, why we'll go so far. To keep them on underground thrones. The bonds that we've made, they're about to break. The fault is unowned, a collective mistake. We all have to move on, with the monsters we make. I don't mind that I'm standing alone. My time's at its end, I couldn't be saved. My dying wish, that the world will stay brave. Keep pushing forward for that freedom we crave. Be at peace with the experiences we've known. For the world will be standing alone. Guarded ActionsAuthor's Note Written during a Q&S Panic contest with the prompt 'Don't Poke The Bear'. Guarded Actions "What does the princess need us for this time?" complained Rainbow as she impatiently hovered above Twilight. She was walking far too slow for Rainbow's taste. "Rainbow, show some respect. She's the princess for a reason," Twilight replied, Rainbow begrudgingly shut up. As they neared the castle, Rainbow's eyes locked onto the two guards standing at the entrance. An impish grin crossed her face as her head went wild with ideas. Twilight, oblivious to what Rainbow was planning, greeted the two guards with a bow. Wearing a cocky smile, Rainbow flew close to one of the guards and prepared to perform the most evil, tyrannical gesture known to ponykind. A gesture that, if leaked to the masses, could ruin her reputation far and wide. "Boop," stated Rainbow, barely holding a straight face as she pressed a hoof against the white muzzle of the guard. Anger passed through his face, but he remained calm. It would not do to lose his cool on duty. He was prepared to hold still; to not give this mare the satisfaction of breaking him, Element of Loyalty or not. Or at least, that's what he thought until she did it again, this time with her own muzzle. Applejack looked over her harvest for the day, impressed with herself. Forty apple baskets was a very successful number for what she was capable of. Of course, these were rookie numbers compared to her brother, but she ignored that fact and focused instead on her accomplishment. "Hoo-wee! Now that's a fine harvest if I do say so myself," she praised, wanting to relish in her grand achievement. Suddenly, a loud screaming sound hit her ears, something that confused her due to the familiarity of it. "Wait, but that's impossible. Rainbow's—" That was as far as she got before the increasingly loud sound's source crashed into her with the speed of a bullet. As the dust cleared she could see her baskets had toppled over and a majority of her apples were now laying in the dirt. "Rainbow! What in tarnation was that! And how are you in Ponyville? You're supposed to be up in Canterlot with Twilight!" Dazed, Rainbow looked up at Applejack with a sheepish grin, barely registering the ruined harvest around her. "Heh, sorry. My bad. And umm, to answer your question…" Rainbow looked away, embarrassed, "I might have poked the bear a bit too much." Sighing, Applejack stared at Rainbow with an unsatisfied look on her face. She looked as though she knew the answer to what she was about to ask. "War Hammer?" "War Hammer."
Test Of StrengthAuthor's Note Written for a Q&S Panic contest with the prompt 'Vintage Hammer'. Test Of Strength "The fabled quake hammer. Said to cause earthquakes whenever it touches a surface, it's mighty power was kept safe in the restricted section of the Canterlot Archives… UNTIL NOW!" Many ponies stared confused at the purple unicorn holding what looked to be a rusty, yet very large hammer. It was carved with runes and covered in vines. Catching on to the attention she was attracting, Twilight laughed sheepishly and bolted as fast as she could. Catching sight of Pinkie and Rainbow playing the ring toss, she quickly set course for her friends. "What!? I totally landed that! This game is rigged!" shouted Rainbow angrily as Twilight neared. Pinkie was giggling and was somehow cooking an omelette with an oven in the middle of the fair. Deciding not to question it she strolled over to Rainbow. "Hey Rainbow, what are you up to?" "Oh, nothing just getting scammed by dumb… carnival… okay what the heck is that?" Twilight grinned with glee at Rainbow's question. "It's the fabled quake hammer. Said to–" "Yeah yeah yeah, get on with it, why are you carrying that around." Pushing away her annoyance at Rainbow's ignorance for history, Twilight donned a devilish smile. "I'm carrying it because this is the year I finally beat you at the strength test!" Upon hearing this, Rainbow broke into laughter, rolling on the ground and ruffling her fur with grass. Twilight stared annoyed at Rainbow waiting for her to finish. "Ha! Ha. Oh, you sure are a practical joker Twi!" "I'm not joking!" Twilight screeched. "Wait, really? Alright then. Let's get this over with." As they walked over to the strength test, everypony else who was there backed out of the way, fully aware of the friendly rivalry between the two that had been going on for years. This is it Twilight, you're going to win! The year of reckoning for one Rainbow Dash has finally come and I shall be the champion! "Alright, your turn Twi," said Rainbow, backing away. Twilight shook her head, breaking away from her fantasies and looked at the high number Rainbow had scored. Walking up to the podium of power, Twilight mustered up as much muscle in her magic as she could and swung. Immediately upon impact, the quake hammer, said to cause earthquakes whenever it touches a surface, broke off. The power slider went up very slightly before dropping back down. Twilight stared at the broken hammer in frustration with only one thought on her mind. Stupid vintage artifacts...
True VoiceAuthor's Note Written for the Ponyfest 4.0 Speedwriting contest using the custom prompt. True Voice Being in public can be challenging for some ponies, but it's certainly much easier to handle when you're with friends you trust. This was something that Rainbow Stars believed with all her heart. Chatting with her friends managed to distract her from the fear and anxiety that would normally be present when she was on an outing. The dirty stained tables covered with beverages and meals, the loud shouting and laughter from across the bar, and the silent awe whenever a new superstar stepped up to the karaoke stage. She noticed none of this, simply enjoying a heartfelt conversation with her band of weirdos. She munched on her hayburger with a patient aura, yet one that showed restraint. "Mmm, this food is great! I'm glad you girls got me to come out here" she said with joy, meaning every word she said. "Excuse me, I'm here too," said Thunderlane jokingly. Flitter giggled and shot him a deadpan look, that was rendered ineffective due to her large grin. "Oh, shut up! We know it doesn't bother you." "Yeah, I know. I'm just following the routine." The table broke into laughter at that, used to the antics of the singular stallion of the group and his marefriend. On stage, a performance was just ending, one that while not particularly impressive, was still pleasant to listen to. Sea Swirl nudged Star with her shoulder. "Come on, Starry! You've got to get up there and sing!" Star locked up slightly, but looked back at Swirl to confirm she wasn't joking. "Me?!" she said while pointing her hooves to herself. "Yeah, I've heard you and you're a pretty good singer," Swirl replied hopefully. Star looked to the others and saw them wearing encouraging grins, eager to see her sing with a live audience. Despite all the praise, she was still unsure about going on stage. "I… don't know girls, you know I can't keep my voice proper when I sing," she whispered nervously, fidgeting in her seat. The others briefly shared a concerned look with each other, before Swirl put a comforting hoof on Star's back. "Look Starry, I know how much you love to sing even when you deny it. And I know you can't keep control of your voice, but if you want my opinion that doesn't matter. And besides, they'll just take it for you having a deep voice I'm sure." Star looked to Swirl with tears in her eyes, though whether it was because she was sad or grateful, they weren't sure. "See, that's the thing! I love hitting high notes, and even when I don't try to keep control, I still do it. They're going to figure me out girls, I swear…" By now, the performance had come to an end, the mare on stage giving a bow before trotting off, the curtains coming down in wait for a new singer. Thunderlane took note of this and tried to comfort Star. "You know what I think? It doesn't matter what they might think even if they do recognise your voice, we're your friends, and we'll always support you, no matter what." Star wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at her friends with both hope and doubt. "Really?" "Really!" they chorused together, pulling her into a tight group hug. Her doubt washed away and was replaced by the feeling of contentment she usually felt when she was in public with them. No fear, no anxiety, just her and her best buds hanging out. Sniffling, she smiled at them. "Okay, I'll do it," she stated with a determined look in her eyes that excited the other ponies. "Just remember," Flitter said sincerely. "It doesn't matter if other ponies think you're weird words for your voice, all that matters is that you're happy with how you sound, and you alone." Star nodded to her, but didn't respond, already making her way to the stage. The glances from other ponies excited to hear someone new made her confidence shrink slightly, but she kept her head high and continued down the hard stone floor. Climbing the stairs to the stage, she briefly whispered to the live band her song of choice. They smiled, and gave her a nod, getting their instruments ready. The curtains parted for her, despite everypony already knowing it was her on stage. She looked over the bar, spotting the numerous ponies watching her in their hard-wood chairs. Again, she faltered, but still held strong, as she spotted her friends smiling at her, bringing her to do the same. As the band began to play, she took a deep breath, and sang. "They may say I’m just a kid Dreaming too big That life’s just a hole we dig Oh, but I I don’t subscribe to that Kind of life." The audience was shocked into silence by her loud and bombastic, but still relatively high voice. Many mouths dropped at the sound, for a few different reasons. Some teared up, hearing their favourite song play. But, through it all, Star didn't notice them as she became lost in the song, her eyes closed. "They may say My passions are play A joy be they may Still just a waste of a day Look alive And don’t be surprised when I Go and dig my Heels in and." Her voice took on a bit of a growl as she neared the chorus, something a few ponies took note of, but most ignored it, still stunned by her voice. "Liftoff I’ve left the ground And all my doubts Below Just wait and see How real it’ll be For me." Her voice cracked slightly, deepening subtly before returning to its original pitch. She closed her eyes harder, stressing over her mistake, but found herself becoming lost yet again as tears spilled from her eyes, not even bothering to see how ponies reacted. "They may say It’s ego and pride That soon I will find That luck isn’t on my side Here’s the thing Luck isn’t what I Plan to bring. "They may say Don’t stray too far Lower the bar What if you’re not up to par? I can see You just want what’s best for me Oh, but what if What’s best is to." As she repeated the chorus again, she imagined she was back in her apartment, belting out notes inside of her basement for just herself to hear. The crowd vanished, leaving only herself as her previous mistake was not repeated. She danced around, listening to the instrumental section and preparing for the outro. If she strained, she could hear the sound of cheering through her fantasy, but she didn't focus on it as her dancing calmed down. "Now go make Every small doubt They threw in your face A step to a brighter place." Her final words sung that night were a polar opposite to everything else, a low pitched voice that disregarded many of her vocal traits the audience had picked up on. The final piano chords played and she opened her watery eyes to see a bar filled with ponies staring right at her. Some looked furious, but most looked dumbstruck. Before she could start to panic, the cheering began and pushed away all of her fears of being ostracized. They didn't care, they didn't think she was weird. That night, at a simple bar named MeloDine in Ponyville, Rainbow Stars showed the world her voice. Her true voice.
Fresh StartAuthor's Note Written for the Q&S Unicorn contest with the prompt 'High Society'. Fresh Start The grand city of Canterlot is said to be a place of beauty and refinement, where the most popular and influential of ponies flourish. Certainly, it can be hard to start from scratch, but many have proved the doubters wrong by rising to the top. I would know. I worked as hard as I could to get my Café afloat. And you know what? Even with all the adversities I faced, I still managed to become a regular part of Canterlot life. Although it didn't come without its challenges… My first steps into Canterlot were far from steady, me being a simple earth pony unfamiliar with proper high society behaviour. But if there was any place to get my start it would be here. I had bought some unused space from some fellow named Donut Joe a few months ago, and contrary to what I expected, he was just delightful. He even gave me a sale on it without asking, something I'd never heard of in a business setting. Today was the first time I was going to truly claim it as my own, a space among Canterlot's finest. Vanhoover didn't have nearly this much competition other than the Pears, so I had to be weary of nearby store-owners. Donut Joe was standing right outside my new store. Well, it wasn't really a store yet, but I knew I could turn it into one. "Nice to see you, Miss Cinnamon," he greeted with a salute which I found odd but pushed it aside. His dusty, food-covered vest was clearly not very popular in this district considering all the ponies glancing our way. "Nice to see you too." I shook his hoof calmly, but inside I was shaking excitedly, and I didn't exactly care if he noticed or not. He led me inside the rusty building and I got a chance to look at it up close again, ideas flowing through my head on how I could improve it. Those loose bricks will need fixing and this floor is absolutely filthy! Ooooh, I could have an orange gradient right there to match with my mane a bit… or would that make me blend in too well? Joe spoke again, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Is this place to your satisfaction?" "It's a bit rough around the edges, but I can definitely work with this," I said in a businessy tone as I dragged a hoof over the counter. Is that a word? I hope it is 'cause if not that would make me look silly! Erm… right, I'm still thinking. "I'm curious though, why are you giving up this space. With a bit of TLC this place could be a work of art!" Joe looked around for a minute before answering. "Well, I already have a pretty good place myself, so I thought I'd give it to someone else. There isn't nearly enough worthwhile talent here in Canterlot." "What do you mean? There must be loads of talented ponies here! I mean, it's the capital, how can there not be swarms of talent just waiting to be unleashed!" Joe's eyes turned downcast. "You'll learn with time," which sounded slightly ominous, but I tried not to let it bother me. After all, what could go wrong? Ponies eating, chatting, just overall being nice to each other. That's what I've always imagined my Café would be like, but seeing it for myself was amazing. I know I'm not the best pastry chef in the world, but I'm fine with that. All I want is for ponies to enjoy my food and enjoy themselves while they're at it. A few ponies came and went that were dissatisfied with my service, but every apple gets a worm once in a while. I couldn't help but notice that I very rarely got any unicorn customers which did upset me, but only a little. I wanted to spread joy to as many ponies as possible, but it's still small steps to becoming big. The orange and green design had been something I struggled with, but after some welcome advice from a few early customers as well as Donut Joe, I had found something I was satisfied with. It looked like me, plain and simple, but it also didn't make me blend in too much, so customers could see me clearly. It was perfect. The ring of the entry bell alerted me to a new presence, one that surprised me. A white unicorn wearing a monocle had just come into my shop. Fancy Pants had just come into my shop. I'm no expert on politics, but from what I've been able to gather in the months I've been living here, he's a pretty big deal. I tried not to let my shock show and greeted him with a friendly smile like every other customer. "Hi, welcome to Cinnamon Sweets! How can I help you?" A pleasant smile crossed his muzzle as he looked at the menu. "Hmm, I dare say I'll have a coffee and a churro if you may?" I got to work immediately, giving as much care as one can give when making coffee and delivering pre-baked goods. When I returned there was a new face arguing with Fancy, a light blue stallion with a flowy black mane. Unlike Fancy, I didn't recognize him, however I could already tell he was an important figure. I couldn't catch much about the conversation, because they stopped as soon as I came into view. The new stallion cleared his throat. "You are the owner of this establishment, correct?" "Umm… yes," I said nervously, unsure of what his intent was. "You should be ashamed, this place is horrid! To think, a mud-pony thinking they could run a Café, please," he said the last word in a heavily mocking fashion. "I wouldn't even bother if I were you." Anger filled me at his words, but I tried to keep my calm, remembering a breathing exercise my Ma had taught me. After I believed I was sufficiently calmed down, I answered his taunting. "Now you look here, mister. I may not know who you are, but I can tell you're a big-shot, so I'm going to handle this maturely and ask that you refrain from insulting both me and my customers in such a fashion and leave." I kept my cool through my small speech, only hints of anger slipping through. The same could not be said for him as he stormed out, apparently thinking he was above responding to me. "I'm sorry you had to deal with that," I heard Fancy say. "High society has a bit of a stigma with earth ponies setting up businesses, so they try to discourage them through insults. You handled it beautifully though, and didn't let him see your anger." A prideful smile grew on my muzzle and I bowed my head slightly in thanks. "Here's your order, Mr. Pants." He laughed at that. "Oh please, just call me Fancy." I blushed, realizing how such a name would sound now that I was hearing it out loud. Fancy had a look of wonder as he bit into his churro, before quickly eating the rest while still keeping a noble attitude. "I must say, this food is wonderful! If you want my opinion, you're going places here in Canterlot." My smile could have outshone Celestia's sun. "Thank you! I'll be honest, I was kind of nervous when you showed up, so it means a lot that you enjoyed the food." "No need to thank me. Let me thank you for the wonderful meal," He cleaned his muzzle as he spoke. We chatted for a bit about what Canterlot was like, and it was refreshing to talk to someone who had an idea of what running a business was like. After he left, I thought back on his words. You'll be going places. And you know what? He was right.
Seeing Grey (Poem)Author's Note Written for the Q&S 'Anon' contest, where all submissions were anonymous and half the fun was guessing who wrote what. Written with the prompt 'Lights'. Seeing Grey (Poem) The lights are switched off and I can't see myself. Yet, somehow it all seems brighter. The cards are face down, it's the way they were dealt. An eclipse of hatred from the all-nighters. A mirror of lies, stolen from experiences unseen. It builds the leaning tower higher. Colored by others, and correctness they deem. Monotone, yet it's making me blinded. Is it wrong, was I too quick to assume what I feel? Little dreams vary in their hope. Unlikely to see it through, it couldn't possibly be real. The darkness in my mind is nearing close. I haven't struggled enough to get what I deserve. I haven't felt the pain required. I'm handed my wants on the silver plates I'm served. My life is bound by this desire.
Standing Alone (Poem)Author's Note Written for the Q&S Dictionary of Thoughts #2 contest, with the prompt "Experience is the extract of suffering". Standing Alone (Poem) Innocence prevails, its soft and warm touch. There's never true fear; I've missed it so much. I'll push through the pain, to protect those such. Keep up the strong walls that they've known. Without a care; that's how they see things. Their eyes are all shielded by motherbird's wings. Eventually a glimpse of what the world brings. And then they're left standing alone. Breaking the walls and connecting the clues. Fantasy shattered; it's not such a cruise. Stormy waters ahead, we're lighting the fuse. These shivers that freeze to the bone. Struggles abound, you've joined with the old. Where joy is forgotten and left in the cold. Another statistic, and until we get bold… We'll be here standing alone. You'll learn of young eyes, how precious they are. You'll want to stand strong, let their view go unmarred. You'll see all the sacrifice, why we'll go so far. To keep them on underground thrones. The bonds that we've made, they're about to break. The fault is unowned, a collective mistake. We all have to move on, with the monsters we make. I don't mind that I'm standing alone. My time's at its end, I couldn't be saved. My dying wish, that the world will stay brave. Keep pushing forward for that freedom we crave. Be at peace with the experiences we've known. For the world will be standing alone.
Guarded ActionsAuthor's Note Written during a Q&S Panic contest with the prompt 'Don't Poke The Bear'. Guarded Actions "What does the princess need us for this time?" complained Rainbow as she impatiently hovered above Twilight. She was walking far too slow for Rainbow's taste. "Rainbow, show some respect. She's the princess for a reason," Twilight replied, Rainbow begrudgingly shut up. As they neared the castle, Rainbow's eyes locked onto the two guards standing at the entrance. An impish grin crossed her face as her head went wild with ideas. Twilight, oblivious to what Rainbow was planning, greeted the two guards with a bow. Wearing a cocky smile, Rainbow flew close to one of the guards and prepared to perform the most evil, tyrannical gesture known to ponykind. A gesture that, if leaked to the masses, could ruin her reputation far and wide. "Boop," stated Rainbow, barely holding a straight face as she pressed a hoof against the white muzzle of the guard. Anger passed through his face, but he remained calm. It would not do to lose his cool on duty. He was prepared to hold still; to not give this mare the satisfaction of breaking him, Element of Loyalty or not. Or at least, that's what he thought until she did it again, this time with her own muzzle. Applejack looked over her harvest for the day, impressed with herself. Forty apple baskets was a very successful number for what she was capable of. Of course, these were rookie numbers compared to her brother, but she ignored that fact and focused instead on her accomplishment. "Hoo-wee! Now that's a fine harvest if I do say so myself," she praised, wanting to relish in her grand achievement. Suddenly, a loud screaming sound hit her ears, something that confused her due to the familiarity of it. "Wait, but that's impossible. Rainbow's—" That was as far as she got before the increasingly loud sound's source crashed into her with the speed of a bullet. As the dust cleared she could see her baskets had toppled over and a majority of her apples were now laying in the dirt. "Rainbow! What in tarnation was that! And how are you in Ponyville? You're supposed to be up in Canterlot with Twilight!" Dazed, Rainbow looked up at Applejack with a sheepish grin, barely registering the ruined harvest around her. "Heh, sorry. My bad. And umm, to answer your question…" Rainbow looked away, embarrassed, "I might have poked the bear a bit too much." Sighing, Applejack stared at Rainbow with an unsatisfied look on her face. She looked as though she knew the answer to what she was about to ask. "War Hammer?" "War Hammer."
