Hmm, artificial dyne water using blended Apple-family recipe alcohol? Maybe run it through a fountain that sprays water on Discord? Na, I think running the Diamond Dogs is much more likely. Oooh, maybe Agatha can recruit Fluttershy in breeding a species of ferret that can detect Changelings (ala the wasp weasels that detect the presence of mind controlling wasps)? Fluttershy might enjoy making such a big impact.
Why would she feel the need? Its not like she has to worry about her mother here. At least, not yet...
*tock-tock-tock* Agatha hid her unease of nails being pounded into her hooves. Applejack was a competent farrier. Well, it would make sense for a pony to know best how to shoe themselves! Still, the comparison with sharp metal objects smacked into a body part was disturbing. Agatha was not religious--at best, a vague Deist--but she had attended enough church services to make the experience disturbing. At least it was a chance to see a pony at work with tools. She watched the orange, freckled mare wield hammer and rasp in her mouth. Several nails were held between her teeth and tongued into place when needed. Every so often, Applejack would wipe her face with a rag. She balanced it on her hoof in a deft manner. Fine motions like this would take a lot of practice; simply turning a book's page was an exercise in mild frustration. Applejack's skill was a promise that Agatha really wouldn't have to resort to ye olde saw. That would be awkward. She would have to ask Rarity for help with the stitches. The final nail was tapped home. Agatha tested out the second-hand horseshoes Applejack could spare. It wasn't any more noticeable than wearing boots. She took a turn around the barnyard to check for any problems. All around her was the abundance of Applejack's farm. The mare had invited her to Sweet Apple Acres after apologizing to Fluttershy over her song choice from last night. The great orchards spread out over the fields and hills that dominated Applejack's property. Smaller only by comparison, gardens were planted with other crops doubtless intended for the table of the large barn-like farmhouse. Chickens pecked and pigs rooted in a sty. Hmmm. Either ponies could stomach bacon, or else the swine were garbage disposal. "Apple tart?" Applejack offered a treat balanced on a hoof. "Right out of Granny Smith's oven." "Danke!" "Donkey?" Applejack tipped back her slouch hat. "Where? Ah swear, if them mules are rustlin' from our trees--" "Never mind." Agatha's taste buds danced in delight. "This as good as my mom's papanasi." "That's home-cookin' for you," Applejack said. "Nothin' better'n hoof-made, Ah say. Nothing better'n hoof-made with Sweet Apple Acres apples." "Ponyvillians seem to be so generous," Agatha said, licking her lips. "I'll pay you back any way I can." "Shucks, weren't nothing," Applejack said. "Couple of mah old shoes, is all. What the hay, I count bits more'n anyone Ah know. That don't mean you have to be stingy. Kindness paid is kindness returned. We could use another mechanic 'round here." "I suppose this is as good a place to stay," Agatha said, looking around the landscape. "I'm used to small towns. I spent most of my life in Beetleburg." "Big cities mean big problems," Applejack replied, with the certainty of one who's found her place in the world. "Now, Ah ain't speaking against city-folk. Takes all sorts. All Ah know is that places like Manehatten are lonely for a single pony trying to make her way in the world." "I'm less lonely with each hour I spend here," Agatha said. "Mmmmhmmmm." Applejack munched an apple. "Hear you're staying with Gilda. Don't like folk who cause problems." "I insisted that she be on her best behavior." Agatha's tail drooped. "She showed me hospitality, Applejack. She took me flying. I owe her." "Mebbe you're her second chance." Applejack flicked her tail at a cloud lurking behind a nearby hill. "Mebbe there's someponies who want her to have one. Time'll tell. Tell you what--mah lil' sister Apple Bloom's coming home on the train. She's fixing to be a right good carpenter, if she ever listens to herself. You spend some time with her--" "I will do my best," Agatha said. Applejack nudged over a bright red toolbox. Inside was second-hand yet cared-for tools. Most of them were for carpentry. She tugged out an adjustable spanner with her mouth. The taste of metal wasn't too bad. Placing a nut and bolt on the ground, she carefully set the span of the head with her tongue on the screw adjuster. Ach, this would take weeks to get used to! She be as much Apple Bloom's apprentice as teacher. Once she learned how to use tools--more specifically, the fine ones used in clockwork--she could make her little helpers again. In the meantime, she could earn bits through performing plays or playing the piano. Time with Master Payne's Circus had taught her that small rural towns were starved for entertainment. I had a castle. Agatha dropped the wrench. I had a town and a title and a destiny. Now? What do I have? Yes, these ponies are friendly. But they don't need me. The ones who do are across an unimaginable gulf. By the time I managed to learn enough magic or science to return--if I even do--then either Lucrezia will have won or the Baron will have destroyed the town. They're dead. They're dead because I failed and I've lost and what is there for me here? A life eking out a career of fixing farm machinery. Or worse: I succeed as only a Spark can do. This is a peaceful land. Othar said all of Europa's troubles came from Sparks. Europa was used to centuries of warfare. If I go bad or lose control of an experiment, these ponies will have no idea of what horrors I can unleash upon them. It's all gone wrong. Mein Gott! She had forgotten about Lucrezia. The pressure of her mother within her was gone. If there was the slightest chance Mother was in there and escaped-- A great form embraced Agatha with one leg pressing her close. Agatha leaned in against him, as she had against Adam that last day they had been together. Warmth and strength and silent love. Blinking away the tears, she stared up at the shaggy red stallion who stood beside her. He was far taller than any other pony she had ever seen. He wore the heavy yoke around his neck as if it were a cravat. His embrace wasn't intimate. It was comforting--the comfort of someone offering succour to a stranger. On any other day, Agatha would have flushed and stammered at such improper conduct with a naked-- --shut up, you wittering idiot, he's a horse just like you are now-- Agatha relaxed. She wasn't alone. +++ "Y'alright, big brother?" Applejack asked. Big Macintosh puzzled the straw between his teeth. "Eeeeyup." "New mare headed off?" "Eeeeeyup." "Ah wish she wasn't palling around with that griffon. Well, long as that troublemaker don't bother Apple Bloom or the town, Ah'll live with it." "Eeeeeyup." "You really al'right, Big Mac?" Applejack squinted at him. The red stallion stared down the road at the dust raised by a newly-shod pony. "Purty."
I think Big Mac has the edge over Shining Armor in terms of "comforting big brother figure" here. Nice snippet, although it could maybe use another few sentences to transition from the library to the farm. Looks great apart from that.
Hope that's just foreshadowing and not the next major plotine, we need mad science and adventure first up! , not a head first dive into romance straight out the gates.
I am saddened to say that starting a new story has not improved your ability to actually finish a plot point. We going to actually learn the consequences of her story telling at some point? Horseshoes? Why? Even if you are ignoring the sticky/bendy hoofs theories there is nothing to suggest the ponies wear horseshoes. Heck they even wear actual shoes on occasion! So she realises the threat. Was wondering if that would come up. I look forward to her seeing just what monsters and forces the ponies have managed to hammer into submission to create their peaceful world. Big Mac, a stallion of few words but much comfort. Being built like a fortress probably helps.
I think you're missing something between 'would' and 'her', Samarkand. Other than that, I liked the snippet.
Although I think Agatha has a lot more Heterodyne stories since I vaguely remember mention of whole shelf full of the books these are the only titles I can find. The Heterodyne Colts and the Clockwork Sundial The Heterodyne Colts and the Dragon from Mars The Heterodyne Colts and the Fog Merchant The Heterodyne Colts and the Mystery of the Cast Iron Glacier The Heterodyne Colts and the Pneumatic Oyster By Mr. Philbert Oleo[1] The Heterodyne Colts and the Race to the West Pole The Heterodyne Colts and the Racing Snails of Dr. Zegreb The Heterodyne Colts and the Socket Wench of Prague The Heterodyne Colts and the Turbines of Atlantis
Note the Sprocket Wrench of Prague is considered very adult, to the point of possibly getting the circus run out of town the very night it was performed (it was considered a good thing in that situation, too bad it was specifically requested).
"PS: Tart it up a bit." I love Girl Genius. Nice snippet Samarkland. I'll enjoy this story, I can tell.
Hmm.. what happens if Agatha gives Fluttershy voice lessons? Fluttershy can get others to do her bidding, and has plenty of Animal Minions! I just had a picture of mini clanks that look like watches or mini ponies.
Dash and the storytelling aren't a plot point. It's an opening for a rapprochement. Dash is still acting "too cool for school" when it comes to Agatha. She's a stubborn sort. And I reiterate: this story is written in "just wing it" mode. I may do clean up when I post it on FiM. But I'm not worrying about technicalities. There's lots of visual evidence that MLP ponies wear horseshoes. The cider stand sign during "Super Squeezy" was flanked by painted horeshoe symbols. Horseshoe prints appear on the large Hearts and Hooves Day card the CMC create for Cherilee.
Weird thought: Shouldn't the title be "Filly Genius"? Because "Mare" is more like "Woman" than "Girl"
Twilight Sparkle allowed herself a glow of pride as a pegasus guard escorted her into Her Radiant Majesty's private chambers. Princess Celestia must have had so much to do in the wake of the changeling attack. Yet she had taken time to invite her most faithful student for afternoon tea. Twilight had cherished that privilege in the time she had lived in Canterlot Castle. To think that Celestia would give her such attention when she obviously had much more important matters to attend with. Twilight had vowed with each visit that she never, ever fail her sovereign. Celestia's inner sanctum was more subdued than one might expect of the Sun-Mare. Twilight had wondered about that while under her tutelage. After the defeat of Night Mare Moon, Twilight had an inkling of why the princess' apartments were in subdued violets and blues. A thousand years was a long time to wait for a beloved, angry sibling to return. The only bright colour was the golden bolster at the head of pillow-couch where Celestia sat. A plum pillow was at its foot. The tea service was set. Twilight sat down with her beloved ruler and teacher. By one of Celestia's hooves was one of the parchment scrolls which bore Spike's messages. --don't be foalish, this wasn't a sign that she had done anything wrong-- "My most faithful student," the Princess said, her ethereal mane waving as if in a breeze, "you have grown so much since I sent you to Ponyville." "I've learned a lot," Twilight said, horn lighting up to pour a cup for the Princess. "I don't know if I'll ever finish my studies of the magic of friendship." "It takes a lifetime," Celestia said. "Even I have never finished my own studies." "Don't be silly, you must know everything." Twilight choked on a mouthful of tea. "Aheh. Not that I'm contradicting you. I'd never do that." "At heart, Twilight, I am a pony like any other." Celestia coughed delicately into one wing. "And as a pony, I understand when fillies become mares. They might become involved in advanced studies of friendship." Twilight had to be wrong. It looked at if Celestia glanced at the scroll with disquiet. Oh, no! Spike has sent a secret report and somehow, some way, Twilight had been a bad pony! "Very advanced." Was Celestia-- She was blushing. "Experiments." "Experiments?" Twilight gasped. "Oh! Sorry, your highness. You're talking about sex. I know all about that." "You do." Celestia smiled faintly. A tiny, aristocratic drop of sweat appeared below her tiara. "Sure. Health class was a mandated subject in school." Twilight frowned. "Although the teacher assigned talked about blossoming flowers and bees. I had to do extensive research on my own to find out anything useful." "Was it practical in nature?" Celestia asked. "Well, practical meant dating, which was such a waste of time," Twilight continued. "I was thinking of using the Want It Need It spell to skip right over that part. But it felt like cheating, so I stayed with the theoretical." "Like this?" Celestia edged the scroll over to Twilight. "Perhaps young Spike found your research notes by accident." Twilight opened the scroll. Um. She narrowed her eyes. That wasn't right at all. By instinct, Twilight's magic reached for parchment and quill. The nib scribbled equations and anatomical diagrams. Half-hidden under the bolster was a small book with a plain brown cover. Ah! Twilight had read that one: Harlequin's Helpful Hints on Horseplay and Harlotry. Getting access to that section of the Canterlot Castle library hadn't been easy; it had taken a teensy fudge of the facts to explain that Celestia wanted her personal student to study biology to budge the librarians. For some reason this copy had a small red bow stuck to the spine. Twilight tossed it aside as she flipped to Exercise 37, Plates 6A-7C (In Colour). How silly! Celestia wouldn't lower herself to talking about mating with Twilight. This was clearly a cover for a far more disturbing situation. Quills blurred while Twilight furiously worked out her proof in detail. Complete with diagrams, of course. A task set before her by Celestia couldn't be done without meticulous, perfect work. Proudly, Twilight laid out her analysis out before Princess Celestia. "You must have spotted it yourself, your highness," Twilight said. "We may have a spy." "A spy?" "Sure. Look at this." Twilight summoned a wooden pointer. "See? What Spike described is impossible for an equiniform." "A relief to us all," Celestia said. "Yeah, a pony would need a full tea set, five spoons, a strainer ball, and an oven mitt along with the tea cozy." "And you provided detailed illustrations," Celestia said, gaze flicking over same. "To pull of this," Twilight said, tapping at Spike's message, "you'd have to be--um, I think the closest would be a minotaur. Spike didn't mention anyone exotic, so that means whoever described it looked like a pony." "I see." A stern expression drifted over Celestia's features. "Twilight, I charge you with investigating this situation." "I won't fail you!" Twilight said. "Should I take along some of the Royal Guard?" "It would not do to be hasty." Celestia inclined her head to her subject. "Twilight, have I ever told you that among all I have known for my long life, you are among the most unique minds I have ever encountered?" "I don't know what to say." Twilight blushed. "Oh yes. So very...singular...indeed." ++++ Nigh-immortal alicorn rulers have unusual entries in their appointment books. Such as "Expected Apocalypses." A quill hovered over "Twilight Sparkle Discovers Mating" and scratched it out. Phew.
I literaly spun in my chair laughing. (would have rolled on the floor but it reallllly needs to be vacumed
Well, that had a lot of connection to anything else in the story. Would you believe I honestly thought I was reading an update for A Troubled New Home until I scrolled up after finishing?
