Lunastice

[no_vampires_plz]

As Twilight leads the little foal down the path, the character of the woods around them changes. The trees are bigger, the brambles thicker, and the few plants that are still growing look considerably more... exotic than what one generally sees around Milliways. The most noticeable change, though, is in the weather. The thin layer of snow and frost on the ground is replaced by thick snowdrifts that crunch under their hooves, and the leaden sky of a Scottish winter gives way to a clear dark blue. The setting sun makes the snow gleam gold and pink as the trees thin out and give way to rolling hills.

"Alright. If anyone asks, your name is Sharp Tack and you're a friend of the family visiting from Canterlot."

Comments

[no_vampires_plz]

Twilight has to think about that one for a minute. "They're accountants," she says, finally. "That should be dull enough that they don't get too nosey. Oh, and it's not 'people,' it's 'ponies.' Remember that."

[basic_powers]

"Yes'm, ponies, somepony, everypony, anypony..." Sharp Tack tries rolling out the phrases...the japanese phrase lessons had it as an exercise to help master the language...

[no_vampires_plz]

"Here we are." They come over the crest of the first hill. "Welcome to Ponyville."

[basic_powers]

...

o.o

"Wow....that's a big place."

[no_vampires_plz]

"It's tiny compared to Canterlot, actually." Twilight trots forward. "Come on, the festival starts at sundown."

[basic_powers]

..At this point Tyler's doing his best to keep up the pace near Twilight and to look around at all of the decorations. The farther they get into town the bigger the smile on his face gets at all of the lanterns being set up for the night.

[no_vampires_plz]

The lanterns vary from decorated paper bags with candles inside to kerosene lamps with elaborate etched-glass shades. There are even a few electric lights here and there, though they're clearly the exception rather than the rule. The ponies setting them up are equally diverse--earth ponies, unicorns and pegasi in every color of the rainbow.

"None of the lanters are lit until just after the sun goes down," Twilight murmurs in Tyler's ear. "It's traditional."

[basic_powers]

"They're still really pretty to look at." Tyler murmurs back, grinning and looking at just about everything. He's gawking around like a true tourist at dang near everything...though there's some pauses for certain aromas in the air.

Winter air just makes the smell of baking that much more noticeable.

[nponyc]

That smell isn't just baked goods. It's also...

"Cider! Getcher hot apple cider! Fresh squeezed this mornin' from Sweet Apple Acres!" The call's coming from a stand set up at the edge of the open space at the center of town, staffed by two earth ponies--a mare with an orange pelt and a hulking red stallion.

"Apple Jack? Big Macintosh?" Twilight sounds surprised. "What are you two doing here? I thought the Cakes were doing the catering this year."

"They are," says the orange mare. "But mah big brother here managed to talk th' Mayor into lettin' us serve our family's special cider. Ain't that right, Big Mac?"

"Eeyup." The stallion is quietly smug.

[basic_powers]

Two more ponies whose names Tyler has now picked up, though he's just peering from behind Twilight at Apple Jack and Big Mac.

"It smells really good," He adds, just as a quiet little compliment.

[nponyc]

Apple Jack hears it and cranes her neck to see who's speaking. "Now, who's this li'l feller?"

"This is Sharp Tack," says Twilight. "He's a friend of the family who wanted to see how we celebrate Lunastice in Ponyville. Sharp Tack, this is my friend Apple Jack. Her family runs the big farm at the edge of town."

[basic_powers]

"Pleasure to meet you Miss Apple Jack, Mister Macintosh." Sharp Tack says with a little bow and smile. "I'm really looking forward to the celebrations tonight, and the star gazing."

"Well ain't you a polite lil feller," Apple Jack chuckles, "You just arrive in?"

"Yes Miss, only just arrived. Twilight's showing me around, and everything looks really nice here so far."

[nponyc]

"Aw, shucks, there's no need t' be formal. Everypony just calls me 'Apple Jack,' or 'AJ.'" She takes a thermos full of cider in her mouth and pours out some steaming cider into a small paper cup. "Here y'go. First round's on me."

[basic_powers]

"Thank you!" Sharp Tack's just going to be carefully taking the paper cup and sipping it while it's still hot.

It's really weird holding something with two hooves to drink from it.

"You here by yourself, or are yer kin about here's somewheres."

"By myself, Mom and Dad are staying in Canterlot with my little brother...this trip is sort of my belated birthday present."

[nponyc]

"An' they let you come all the way to Ponyville all by yerself?" Apple Jack isn't sure whether to be impressed or appalled.

[basic_powers]

"Yeah, wasn't that hard or scary of a trip." He shrugs, drawing in just a bit shy again. "The train ride here was kinda fun."

[nponyc]

"Ah, that takes me back. Reminds me of when I was a li'l filly an' went to Manehattan all by my lonesome..."

[basic_powers]

At this, Tyler's giving Twilight a little bit of a glance, is he not allowed to talk about Uncle Ray living in Man-..MANEhattan?

"Why'd you head out there?"

[nponyc]

"I figgered I had to go out an' see the world t' get my cutie mark," says Apple Jack. "Say, that wouldn't be why you're here, is it?"

[basic_powers]

"...could be, guess I'm just going to have to find out!" Sharp Tack beams, an utter winning smile. "But I'm mostly here to go star gazing tonight, maybe along the way I'll find my own cutie mark."

[no_vampires_plz]

"Speaking of stargazing," says Twilight as she looks at the gathering crowd, "the festival's about to start. See you later, Apple Jack!" She hurries Tyler toward the town square.

[basic_powers]

"Bye Apple jack, and thanks for the cider!" Tyler calls back, squirming before running ahead of Twilight into the town square. "That went really well."

[no_vampires_plz]

"Yeah, I hate to rush you, but I want to be up front when the festival starts," says Twilight as she shoulders her way through the crowd. "Spike's going to light the first lantern this year."

[basic_powers]

"Oh! Well okay, that's cool too, and we can always stop back to visit them later."

For more cider. Or stories. Either way.

NEW PLACE TO SEE AND SNIFF.

[nponyc]

The crowd proves to be gathering in front of a podium, behind which is a tan mare with a gray mane and gold reading glasses. (Don't ask how they stay up. They just do.)

"Fillies and gentlecolts! As mayor of Ponyville, it is my honor and privilege to welcome you all to this year's Lunastice celebration."

There's some cheering , and drumming of forehooves against the ground in lieu of clapping.