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

[nponyc]

Other snowballs are quickly made and shot back at Rainbow Dash. Some hit their target; some don't. Within thirty seconds, a free-for-all snowball fight has broken out in the crowd, with ponies laughing and whooping as they lob snow at each other with hooves or wings or magic.

[basic_powers]

As soon as the free-for-all starts, Tyler's catching about as many snowballs with his body and face as he throws into the crowd before ducking out laughing and shaking the powder from his mane.

"Heheh...hehhehehehahahaha!"

[nponyc]

Surprisingly, it's now much less crowded outside of the little knot of snow berserkers. Possibly because of the line forming at the long buffet table at the far end of the town square.

Decisions, decisions: look at the booths while waiting for the supper rush to die down, or go get food now before all the good stuff is gone?

[basic_powers]

It takes a moment of thought before Tyler wanders over towards the booths to look at them curiously. The food can wait, after all, the buffet line is that more likely to have people asking questions he can't really readily answer..and some overly concerned adults looking for the colt all on his own.

He's grinning though, looking over the lantern designs for one booth. Digging into the little pouch hanging from his neck along side of the medallion, tyler pulls out a small opal.

"How much for that one lantern with the filigree moon and stars?"

[nponyc]

Before the pegasus stallion manning (ponying?) the booth can answer, a familiar voice speaks up. "Darling, I must know--wherever did you get such a flawless white opal?"

It's the unicorn pony in the blue coat. (Come on, Rarity has a built-in gem detector, what did you think was going to happen?)

[basic_powers]

0-0

Opal still in hoof, Tyler's turning to look at the unicorn from earlier in surprise. "Uncle Ray gave me some...he's got a bunch of em."

[nponyc]

"Really." The unicorn's eyes twinkle. "I might have to make the acquaintance of this uncle of yours... ah, but where are my manners? My name is Rarity. And you are...?"

[basic_powers]

"Sharp Tack, Miss Rarity. You wouldn't happen to be related to Sweetie Bell would you?" He's handing over the opal for the lantern and getting some change in return, trusting the pegasus stallion to at least be honest in giving him the correct change.

[nponyc]

"Why, yes. She's my baby sister. I take it you've met her?"

[basic_powers]

"Yeah, kinda just before the snowball fight..she mentioned you're selling scarves tonight?"

[nponyc]

"And hats, and tail-cozies, and other cold-weather accessories, yes." Rarity points to another booth, quite stylishly decorated with electric lights. "Were you looking for something for yourself, or is it a Hearth's Warming present?"

[basic_powers]

"For my mom back in Canterlot and one of my friends." Tyler replies, looking towards the booth after grabbing up the lantern and his change. "Something for Jewel'd be really nice. She's a filly about my age and we've been friends for years."

[nponyc]

"Hmm." Rarity trots back into the booth and starts magically holding up one article of clothing after another. "What colors are their coats and manes, dear? And you wouldn't happen to know their crest sizes?"

[basic_powers]

"Uhm..." Tyler's stalling for a bit thinking about it, putting a hoof to his chin. "Jewel's about my size, but she's got a pale lavender coat and a sort of cream-yellow mane? I'm not sure on Mom's crest size...But she and I have the same mane color, and her coat's a sort of cooler brown color."

[nponyc]

"Hmm. That rules out white or silver," Rarity remarks, putting a silver-trimmed green toque back on its display stand. "How about something in a nice slate blue? I have a shoulder shrug here that is just to die for..."

[basic_powers]

"For mom or for Jewel?" There's a puzzled head tilt as he's thinking it over.

[nponyc]

"Well, it's sized for an adult mare," says Rarity, pulling it out for Tyler to see. "But if you're willing to wait, say, half an hour? I can alter it to fit your little friend."

[basic_powers]

"I can wait half an hour, it looks like the line for the buffet has gone down a bit now.." Something a little more managable for a colt. "Is it okay if I trust your judgement on something for mom and leave my lantern here?"

[nponyc]

"Certainly," says Rarity. "I knew there was a reason I brought the portable sewing table tonight, I could just feel it..."

[basic_powers]

"Thank you!" And for good measure, Tyler's going to leave one of the opals on the table to pay for things before trotting over to the buffet line and grabbing a plate.

Ofcourse it's all vegetarian fare but...heck he could find something good right?"

[nponyc]

Not only is it vegetarian fare, but it's roughly 90% desserts.

"Step right up!" calls a bright pink mare with a curly mane. "We've got moon cakes, moon pies, moon custard, gingerbread stars, maple sugar comets, and cinnamon swirl galaxies! All courtesy of Sugar Cube Corner!"

[basic_powers]

....dang this is enough sweets to make even his sweet tooth get tired out just looking at it all. He's looking down the line at what he'd like before deciding on some savory slices of fried eggplant for dinner and a cup of moon custard with lots of gingerbread stars. The Moon cakes look kinda picked over at this point, but he's going to grab a slightly bedraggled looking one anyways.

"How much?"

[nponyc]

"That'll be five bits, please," says the pink pony. "Are you sure you don't want any more moon cakes? Mrs. Cake'll be bringing out a fresh batch any minute now!"

[basic_powers]

"Well....I'll take the ones that're left if there's going to be a new batch coming out soon." Tyler admits. If nothing else he can just end up eating the gingerbread stars and custard later tonight as a snack. He's going to rummage out one of the bigger coins from the lantern shop and set it onto the counter.

[nponyc]

The pink pony cants her head as she catches a glimpse of the stones glittering inside the bag. "Ooh, are those opals?? You should show those to Rarity, she'd love them. Ooh, or Spike!"

"Eh, no thanks," remarks the dragon as he passes by, balancing platter piled so high with baked goods that he's barely visible. "Opals give me heartburn."