Bookworm or better known as Bookie by most in the University of Canterlot was second most studious pony in the University, the third was a mare named Moondancer, the top place was filled by Twilight Sparkle. Bookie was known to be a leading expert in cultural history of most races, that included the lore surrounding the Dragon Lands. Bookworm was filling out paperwork to travel to Threstralia to study bat ponies. She sat at the present time with her two classmates Moondancer and Twilight Sparkle, and accompied by the fourth most studious pony, a Threstral named Snowflake Obsidian. "You do know Bookie, that among my kind....if you say no to anypony if they offer to help you that you'll be frowned upon as being racist and could end up being treated as an outcast. We pride ourselves on being helpful, and you should learn some of our code phrases because it could save your hide."
"Thanks Snowflake, I'll do that.....how many different species of you are there?"
"Six hundred and three score and six species including their subspecies!"
"Twily you need!" Exclaimed Snowflake Obsidian laughing, "I'd wager that iffy sandwich that looks as if Shining Armor put together to my my weak stomach that Moondancer knew that!"
"Well Snowflake, I did not know that....so enjoy the iffy sandwich!" As Snowflake ate the cucumber sandwich made with miracle whip and not mayonnaise, Snowflake looked like she was gonna puke. Bookworm giggled during the scene unfolding before her and it was killing her. The crimson red wings of the Threstral known as Snowflake Obsidian drooped and her ears pinned back; both Twily and Bookie ran off in two directions and hollowering over their shoulders.
"Thanks for cleaning up M.D!" Moondancer and Snowflake after the clean up could be seen heading to their class. Bookworm poured through her textbook and listened to her professor drone on about ancient yak civilizations, information and data that she knew already. At any rate her next professor would be teaching Threstralian history as they knew of it.
Four weeks later
Bookie was packing her three suitcases and checked her passport, she was all packed and Snowflake Obsidian sat on her bed, "Remember if a Threstral takes your drink and replaces, and mention the number 666 or or any three repeating digits that are the exact same it means your drink is laced with something. As a another mental note, some of us are attracted to certain shampoos or lotions and may shove our muzzles into ya for a better whiff. For the love of Celestia don't go clubbing alone! When a mare does that it means she's open and up for grabs. So make friends sooner than later and one last thing.....keep your door locked and sleep with the windows closed because we can somethimes decide to perch on the foot-board and watch you sleep as I've done."
"I'll be careful.....so um, if I decide to eat out what should I do if they bring me the wrong dish?"
"Just fucking eat it! In my culture if a mistake as small as even not adding enough salt could end your job career! Had a cousin who was just three grains of salt off and she got fired! We can smell stuff like that and we expect perfection from restaurant staff and hotel staff. You see, my culture can be very accepting and at the same harsh as a sandpaper."
"I think I got it, let's go meet the girls for one last drink before I begin my journey tomorrow." The duo trotted along Snowflake's wings bounced gaily, now coming toward them they saw Moondancer and Twily cantering their direction. They entered their favorite night club and listened to DJ-Pon3 perform with her cellist friend Octavia.
"I can't believe you're leaving us tomorrow!"
"I know Twily, maybe I should pack some garlic just in case."
"Remember to acquire a stick!"
"Bookworm don't pack those items, in my culture that tells us that you have a predisposition for distrust and we won't do business with you if anything, acquire some unique coins; my countrymen love coins from far off places to us that is a sign of good will because it'll show that you took time to travel to us. While your there let street musicians share with you."
Bookie nodded, she must remember to pack her travel Dulcimer. As she trudged home, she decided to that her fiddle might be the better instrument. She was scared, she didn't want to fuck her chance and study permits by starting WW3 because she angered the Threstrals.
Threstralia
Bookie had arrived in Threstralia and just stepped on the wooden boarding dock; the crisp clean air met her lungs, and as she was about to levitate her three bags she noted a young Threstral looking at her. "Where to with the baggage ma'am?"
Bookworm almost turned the mare down and remembered what Snowflake had told her. "To the hotel it's the Lé Comforté near the city hall building I believe." Following the porter, Bookie was awed by the telekenetic capabilities that Threstrals possessed. Once in her hotel she began to wish she wished she had prepped better for her trip.
The hotel desk clerk looked at her, "Sorry miss, an error has been made with your reservations so may I offer you an upgrade?" Bookie almost blew a fuse because her reservations were months ago.
"An upgrade sir?"
"Yes ma'am, a corner suite with a mountain view, it's own kitchenette, and complimentary room service and I can lock it the rates for what you paid for original suite."
"Thank you kindly, have a good day " when she made into her room, the mountain view was as such that sunrise or sunset it would be an amazing view. Looking over at her porter she pointed to the corner of room nearest the closest.
"So....porter what's your name?"
"My name ma'am is Enigma, a mystery to all and quite decent in coding and cryptology in my spare time."
"Cool name, here is composition for your services and not to seem rude....but what do you threstrals do for fun at night?"
"Night clubs and party until we raise absolute hell, or somethimes grab coffee and see a movie. But to be fair ma'am I should let you know that night activities need to be done with a friend. Hell I'm off tonight join my friends and I - we've never had a unicorn before."
"Thanks that would be fun!" As Enigma flew off, the last phrase made her have an image of a unicorn being eaten alive. Laughing she decided to catch up on sleep.
Bookworm had dozed off but was awakened by Enigma and a couple of her friends. She introduced them to Bookworm, "The one on my left is named Serenade and the one on my right is named Nightcrawler. Before we leave we need to cover some bar etiquette. First off never let some random Threstral get you a drink because it could be laced with some date rape drug of some sort. The flip side of the caution is that if one introduces himself and tells you a bit about himself the he can give you a drink...also as a warning watch the reactions of those around you."
Enigma looked at Serenade who then spoke up, "Also remember, we sell Equestrian alcohol here feel free to drink that. But if you feel adventurous but get warned that some of our drinks kick really hard just for the love of Celestia's glory don't spit it out if it hurts worse than you thought.
The Bar
Bookworm was having fun with her small group after several rules of etiquette. She saw a Threstral being served something that had steam swirling off of it. "Pardon me bartender can I try what that patron was just served?" The bartender looked at the direction she had gestured to.
"Ma'am....that beverage is called "Cauldron of Fire" and it burns going in...and few of my own kind can stomach it." Feeling adventurous she asked for it. The whole bar gathered around to watch the Equestrian burn. The bartender did manage to convince to try a single shot. It burned her nostrils at she smelled the fumes, her head slammed onto the counter top from the pain. Still feeling stupid she asked for a whole mug of the stuff.
Bookie's eyes watered and her throat burned, her stomach cursed her. Enigma, Nightcrawler and Serenade were ready to assist her if she should vomit. The mug got emptied and she felt horrible but her mind felt an arrogance in that she proved she had a tough side to her...which was short lived. The bartender had prepped a drink that would counter the "Cauldron of Fire".
Bookworm also went to a nightclub and she and her friends where flirted with, and she had been offered a drink from a stranger who had introduced himself but something made her nervous about him in general. The Threstral stallion behind her managed to step in and rescued her. Luckily Enigma knew the stallion that had Bookworm's back. The stallion was named Sonar who offered the girls a round of beer. Bookworm accepted the offered and written a cool fact about Threstrals......a fact that was cool to her.
Notebook Entry
"Threstrals can sense how you feel, well some can sense it. Their echo location genetic in some can hear the variance of your heart rate; some will try to help calm the cardiovascular muscle while others get off of hearing your fear."
Sonar and the girls were intrigued on the fact that an Equestrian would want to study their culture. It was now getting late and they all left together, Sonar was flirting with Bookie a little bit and Bookworm was glad at least the Threstral know that he shouldn't be too close to her and was kind enough to keep a little distance. Bookworm slept hard when she hit the pillow her head still hurt from the "Cauldron of Fire" residue that was in her system.
Bookworm after disposing of her hangover, trotted down to breakfast; she was on the late side and hoped that the hotel staff hadn't cleaned up yet. "Morning Ms. Bookworm, your friends left a note on the desk telling of your adventure. Luckily for you this morning it is the day we keep breakfast out longer than normal."
"Thank you!" Was her reply and she sat down and after collecting her food. She found a newspaper that had been left behind and she began to read. After reading the usual business news as she was accustomed she saw a headline for a sex offender going on trial. Being unfamiliar with how lawd in Threstralia she asked a passing staff member a growing question. "What are laws for Sex Offenders here in Threstralia?
"Well ma'am, it depends on the crime; for example sexual harassment has a fine of 3500 Equestrian Bits or in our current a 35000 Threstralian Bits for just the fine alone and usually a restraining order of some sort is issued out. Rapists we castrate them and then brand them....their families get blacklisted from public gatherings unless substantial police presence is noted. Those sick bastards who hurt fillies and colts......we burn em alive! We first however use wood that won't burn quickly and yet won't smoke much....so the offender doesn't die of suffocation from the smoke."
"So basically sex offenders suffer pain before death and those charged with Sexual harassment pay out a huge fine and have limitations put on them."
"Exactly miss, even those who drug their victims have a painful death waiting for them."
"Which death method is that?"
"Drug induced paralysis followed by being dissected and then quartered out to his family as a remembrance to those thinking of being perps themselves to reconsider."
Bookie felt sick but finished her breakfast and thanked the staff. Flipping her recorder out she spoke into the small device:
"Today I learned that rapists are dealt with in a more severe manner than in Equestria. Most rapists suffer brutal deaths an those who sexually harass have their names blacklisted and their family is ostracized."
What had brought the question up was that an article for a trial for one who was charged as a filly fooler and was linked or implicated to other scenes of sexual assault. She liked how fast the judicial system in Threstralia worked. She was on her way to find Enigma and but first the library to study on Threstral Laws.
