JAN 17 Sunday.

I move another card into place while keeping it as stable as possible to not tip over any of the other cards that make up my stupid three-layer house of cards.

It might not seem stupid, but all I'm really doing is building a literal house of cards in the most difficult way, on purpose! Just to watch it all come crumbling down and do it all over again. But it has proven to be a very good way to train my control over space magic safely and effectively.

Speaking of space magic, I've continued to experiment with what I discovered last week. I stop for a moment and smile at the memory of last week's impromptu cookout, it was really nice and I wouldn't mind doing it again in the future. But back to my point.

I've come to call this new method, Fusing, I know it's not the best, just like all of my other names, but it at least gets the point across. The first thing I looked at was the large splinter of wood I recovered from my first few experiments, I spent an hour slowly and delicately inspecting it.

The reason made itself known pretty quickly. When I bent the space and snapped it back the wood grain would intersect and no longer line up properly. This resulted in ruining the structural integrity of the wood and when you add in the destruction it was a bust, so as my next test I tried to time and line up the space folding to keep the grain more intact and consistent.

It did work, somewhat. It still violently destroyed itself from the after-effects that seemed to happen, but the splinters I recovered had slightly more intact grain and even held together a little better. That brings me nicely to the next main problem with this method.

I've come to call the effect that happens when space is snapped too hard Rebound, again not an amazing name, but it works. From what I've seen, space has some form of tension to it, and when you pull too hard at a single point it ripples and bends after the initial actions from the force used.

This effect also seemed to grow stronger the longer a change in space it held, which may have given me a bad idea. If, IF, hypothetically I hold a single point in space and severely band the space, the longer I hold it in that state the stronger the Rebound will be, unless I use more magic to try and counteract the Rebound.

That second part is what I tested next, if I want to safely fuse materials together I have to keep them structurally stable and prevent the Rebound from damaging them. My first idea was to simply keep some control over the spatial fold while it was snapping it back into place and then trying to counteract the Rebound.

It went ok, some damage was prevented but it still happened. I think this is a possible solution but I wanted to see what else I could do because it was very hard to exert that much precise control over something happening that quickly as my mind simply couldn't keep up with the process very well.

So instead I tried to freeze the space by holding it right before the Rebound happened, this proved to be simpler but much more magic-intensive than the other method. Turns out that holding space completely still while it's bent and shifting takes a lot more magic to achieve.

So I didn't have much time to work with it, I tried to remove the wood by only allowing it to move in the frozen space like I've tried to do with other objects in the past. This isn't complex but it takes a lot of concentration and I got halfway before nearly running out of magic and having to watch the space Rebound. Interestingly enough it wasn't worse even though I held it in place longer.

It seems that whatever I'm doing when I hold space still overrides the increasing Rebound effect. But this leaves me with two bad options. The first, is very delicate and control intensive but doesn't take much magic. The second takes a lot of magic but is relatively simple by comparison. Also, both take a large amount of my concentration, but that's just standard with all space magic at this point.

Both do have other uses I can think of, but training both would also take more time. I watch my house of cards fall once again right before I build a fourth layer and I decide to call it there for now. I put all my cards back into the deck and tie some string around it before putting it away.

I stand up, stretch my neck and glance over as Entropy looks down at me from her perch. "Yes?" I look up at her and she flies right down to me.

"Food?" She asks back while giving me her best cute look, which is not that effective because of how otherworldly she looks.

In return, I give her my best smile. "No. You already had breakfast. Now come on, we're heading to Ponyville." I made a snap choice on how to spend my afternoon. I haven't visited in a while and honestly I kind of want to just spend some time there and see how it's doing.

My memories of Ponyville bring back memories of Daisy. She's still doing well and is in fact mostly back to normal, but there are moments when her sadness shines through. We're always there for her though and she'll be fine, which is a relief and gives me a bittersweet feeling.

I shake those thoughts from my mind for the moment and grab my saddlebags before Entropy lands on my back. I cast an illusion spell on her before we both vanished from my apartment. A moment later I'm standing in a calm forest as the sun shines through the leaves above me.

I take my time and enjoy the view as I slowly walk to Ponyville, the snow is already starting to let up and soon it will be gone, specifically next week. Winter Wrap-Up is still such an odd thing to me, but it can be fun to watch and even help with, although I've never done the second one.

My mind then gets bored and drifts to yesterday as I find the road and start to follow it. I spent most of yesterday working with Cadance again, it was not as interesting as our first talk because she was more pressed for time and we had to focus on our project. The bad news is she still found time to get me flustered, good news is we made some decent progress.

We've gone through a lot of the reading material, but there's still more to go, but we're closer to actually starting now. I turn at a bend as the road ahead of me turns into another road and I spot the outskirts of Ponyville. I've never been here during the winter and the snow gives it a nice homely look.

Entropy stays on my back as we enter the town and I immediately spot something on a fence post. It's a brightly colored flier with some equally colorful text.

YOU! Yes, you. Are invited to the pre Winter Wrap Up party this Sunday!

Hosted at Sugar Cube Corner on the seventeenth at twelve sharp! See you there everypony!

I smile at the basic flier. It seems Pinkie is already in full swing with her parties, but now the real question is if I should go. It will be twelve in an hour and I'm pretty tempted to go, after all, it's not every day you attend a Pinkie Pie party. I think it over for a moment and decide to at least check it out, but I'll probably just say hello and leave.

With that in mind, I decided to just look around for a while, specifically I want to find the markets and check them out because I haven't the last two times I was here. Unlike trying to find a specific shop, finding the market proves to be much easier and it only takes me a few minutes or aimless wandering to find it.

It's nothing like the markets in Canterlot, this is much more calm and casual as many ponies stop and spend some time simply talking with vendors as they go about their day. I'm not really looking for anything and just wander for a while before finding a small cart selling ice cream.

A bit odd to sell ice cream in the winter but I'm not one to judge and I wouldn't mind something sweet right now. I notice that I'm drawing a little attention from being an obvious visitor, something that's much less common during winter, and because Entropy keeps looking around curiously at everything.

I walk up and stare at the unicorn mare in the cart. "Two vanilla's please." I don't even bother asking or looking for a price, honestly, my opinion of money has kind of gone wonky after a while.

She stares at Entropy for a moment but nods and quickly makes two vanilla cones before holding them out to me with her hooves. "Eight bits please, and have a great day sir." I realize that holding both of the cones would tie up my hooves and just decide to say fuck it as the want for sugar overrides my logic a little.

I take both cones with my field and pass her the bits. "Thanks, and the same to you." I turn and walk away as the mare stares at me with a slightly bewildered look, I don't notice that her eyes linger on my flank for a bit. I sit on a bench not far away and start to enjoy my ice cream while holding out the other one for Entropy to utterly devour.

I chuckle as she smears a decent amount over her beak and I just smile as she doesn't even care. "I'm glad you like it." It doesn't take long for us to finish and I continue my trip through the market stalls. After a while I hear something and turn to see a stall with ponies I recognize.

A mare tries to console a very young filly as she makes her displeasure known to her dam. Pear Butter and an upset Apple Bloom are right next to a stall that is selling apples. I also noticed a filly that looks to be around my age, Applejack. I stand there for a moment and smile again.

I have no idea if my gift has saved them, but they are still alive so that's something. I have the thought to go over and buy some apples or something just to interact with them. :AHH, fuck it, why not?: I walk over and stand in front of the stall as the mare continues to console her filly.

I don't interrupt and simply wait patiently for her to finish, but somepony else has a different idea. Applejack, seeing her dam busy walks behind the stall and looks at me expectantly. "What can I get ya fella." It's still a little odd to hear that good old southern drawl, I keep my smile and look at the slightly shorter filly.

I take a moment to look over the stall, only green and red apples. "A dozen of each please." I keep a level and calm tone while Entropy looks over my head and at Applejack. Applejack raises a brow but doesn't ask about Entropy, and I'm just fine with that.

"OH, sorry for not noticing you si-" While I was waiting Pear Butter had calmed down her filly and looked over to see me, but stopped after seeing my face from the front. She's silent for a moment before smiling at me, "I remember you, good to see you again." Her accent is not as strong as Applejack's but still stands out to me.

I see Apple Bloom give me a nervous stare before hiding behind her dam. It's nice to meet this lot again, and I can scratch another main cast member off my list. I give her a nod, "Same, I hope you're doing well." I try to make small talk but I'm really shit at that sort of thing.

She keeps her smile. "Well, only if you don't count the little one." I'm surprised at the small joke and chuckle politely as I'm passed two bags of apples. "Thanks." I smile at Applejack and take them before fitting the two dozen apples inside my saddlebags, I guess I'm going to have apples for a while.

"Ma pleasure fella, and make sure to come back if ya need more." She says back with a smile in a well-practiced manner, a true sales pony in the making.

I chuckle at her enthusiasm. "I just might, it was nice seeing you again, have a good day Miss Pear." I don't see a reason to drag this out and I shouldn't get too close to the cast, this was enough for me and I have a party to attend.

Pear Butter smiles back and nods. "Yes it was, have a good day sir. OH! I don't mean to hold you up, but I never got your name." She asks with the same friendly tone.

"It's Shade." I decided to play the mysterious card and leave my last name out of this, it could be fun later. I see Pear Butter smiling at Applejack and hugging her as I walk away while Applejack has a massive smile of her own. I don't know if I saved that mare, but I sure hope so because both those fillies deserve to have a dam.

I didn't interact with them much, but it was nice and it's good to see them... Well, alive. I take my mind off of death and focus on the party, it's time and I don't want to be late. I take an apple out of my saddlebag and bite into the vibrant red fruit.

After a few bites, I have to admit this might be the best apple I've had in this world, maybe I can bring a pie of them to the next game night? I give Entropy some apple pieces as we near Sugar Cube Corner, and even from down the street, I see the party gathering.

It's not massive but it still seems like a big party for a town like this, I can see ponies walking inside and I can even hear somepony playing music, a banjo I think. I'm normally not one for parties, but I'm too curious to not attend a Pinkie party and I have to live a little at some point.

Entropy doesn't seem to like it as much though. "You can just stay in my shadow if you want?" I offer her and a moment later she hopes under me to be somewhat hidden before doing just that. With that out of the way, I walk over and head inside the building to the sound of ponies and music.

It's not as busy or chaotic as I thought it would be, mostly just a large cake and some colorful decorations with ponies enjoying the mood. I have no idea what to do at a party so I just find a booth and relax a little, but that doesn't last very long as a pink mare speeds right over to the booth I'm in.

Pinkie just about makes me jump out of my skin when she appears at my table with a massive smile. "OHHHH! I remember you! Here! Have some cake, and enjoy the party! I'll talk to you later!" In the span of two seconds, a plate with a piece of cake is on my table and the hyperactive pink blur is gone.

I just stare at the cake and blink before shrugging and taking a bite, it's best to not question Pinkie Pie. At least the cake is good. I watch with curiosity as Pinkie dashes around like a maniac and delivers a piece of cake to everypony in a few minutes, she's a lot faster than I'd expected.

I finish my cake at that time and a slightly out of breath Pinkie sits down opposite of me after a moment. "Sorry, it was cake time." She's a little tired out and is a little more mellow, but she still has an excited smile as she recovers from her admittedly impressive feat. "Thank you for coming! It's good to see you, did you like the cake? I made it myself!" It doesn't take long for her to bounce right back.

I can't help but smile at her excitement. "Well, I was passing through again and saw the flyers, so I decided to come. And it was great Pinkie, although strawberry isn't my favorite." I am honest and blunt with her, no need to beat around the bush with Pinkie Pie.

Her smile widens more, somehow, and she looks offended? in some way. "YOU! Nopony disrespects strawberries!" I'm a little taken aback by her outburst, but her smile shows just how serious she actually is. "Take it back!" She demands while moving her face a few inches away from mine.

I'm not used to mares getting this close and have to force down a few thoughts. I'm not entirely sure if she's joking or not, but even if she's not I don't think she'll mind me joking back, and I am a prankster so it's time to have a little fun. I smile back and with my field, I move a red apple from my saddlebags and move it in between our faces.

I nearly laugh as her eyes cross and stare at the apple, right before I gently shove it into her slightly open muzzle. "Nope, here have a proper fruit." I joke back as her eyes narrow, but I just laugh as she swiftly moves back into her seat and takes a bite of the apple before standing up.

"Fine! But I will change your mind! You'll see! HAAHAHA." She laughs like a madmare before dramatically running off back into the party to drive somepony else insane.

I sit there for a few moments before laughing and deciding that this is enough for me, it's time to head home and preserve what little sanity I have left. I smile at Pinkie's antics as I leave right before a loud pop is heard and some confetti is showered over the party.

"Yup, time to leave." I keep my smile as I walk out of Ponyville.

Author's Note

Thanks for reading this story that I can't stop writing. :D
Current year is 994

I'm taking tomorrow off, because as a wise man once said. Sleepy time.