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

[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.

[basic_powers]

Tyler is grinning through all of this though he's having to push to the front to get a good view of anything. Darn short legs.

He's there just enough to see the little purple and green dragon walk up to the podium beside the mayor carrying a paper lantern.

[nponyc]

"And now," says the mayor, "our good friend Spike will perform the ceremonial lighting of the first moon lantern."

The little dragon stands ramrod-straight and makes a show of clearing his throat. He takes a dep breath and, with a flourish, blows a thin stream of green flame into the hole in the paper lantern, setting the candle alight without touching the sides.

[basic_powers]

Now that is some impressive self-generated pyrokinetic control! He's cheering with the rest of the herd present as the lantern gets hung up and the rest of the lights as quickly lit into full light for the festival.

[no_vampires_plz]

"Way to go, Spike!" says Twilight as the little dragon walks over to join them. "The practice really paid off."

"Thanks, Twilight," says Spike, then: "Hey, who's this? I thought I knew everypony in Ponyville already."

[basic_powers]

"I'm just visiting from Canterlot for Lunastice." Tyler replies, before Twilight has a chance to pause and try to make something up. "My name's Sharptack, nice to meet you!"

[no_vampires_plz]

"My name's Spike. Nice to meet you." Spike gives Tyler's hoof a shake. "Canterlot, huh? You must be a student at St. Hippolytus Elementary, right? Does the third-grade teacher still smell like--"

"Uh, Spike?" Twilight interrupts. "Didn't you say you wanted to be first in line for the buffet?"

"Oh, right! Pinkie Pie promised she was going to make me some special moon cakes..." Spike licks his chops in anticipation. "See you around, Sharptack!"

[basic_powers]

"Later Spike!" Tyler calls out before looking at Twilight slightly apologetically.

[no_vampires_plz]

She's looking a little embarrassed herself. "Iiiii never actually mentioned Spike, did I."

[basic_powers]

"Nnnnope, but lemme guess, he's grown up in Canterlot and knows YOU really well?"