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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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 Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 5:15 pm
 Tough trotted softly through the streets of Phonyland. It was starting to get chilly, and that meant the places he wanted to go were narrowing down. There were whispers on the wind of a storm coming, an early winter sampling. Da was most likely going to continue working as a tutor during the cold, and Ma would most likely need all the siblings hands in the bakery to fend off the cold Phonys. Tough didn't mind the bakery, but he preferred to follow the Sire and learn new, interesting facts about the world. Except... Wandering in the snow didn't sound so fun, and he didn't work in the bakery until Ma needed him (to either entertain one of the other siblings or bus tables or who knows what).
Left to his own devices, Tough found himself more and more at the library. The long rows of books, filled with adventures, fantasy, romance, knowledge... How was this place not packed twenty four seven? It was like the others didn't understand the treasure trove right below their hooves. Well, Tough thought as he pushed through the double doors, their loss, my gain. Especially since Tough had a new obsession boiling.
It was a popular series for foals and fillies, called "Dragon Justice". The series had seven parts, each describing a fantasy land with, well, dragons that were more phony than dragon, who gave out justice and were just, ahem, bad a**. Smirking, Tough trotted around the front desk and into the hallway that led to the Foal and Filly section. Word had it that there was a new book, where Lady Elena gives her hand to the Scandalous Duke of Blueberry! Tough didn't care for that characterization, but Elena and Blueberry never interested him. He was more curious about Vermithrod, the grumpy angry dragon wizard who taught lessons at a cost.
Not only was there a new book out, the library had called to let him know it was IN stock. This was the best! A new book to spend reading while winter cranked into gear. This was going to be SO great.
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Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 7:10 pm
The newest Dragon Justice book had drawn Just Lance away from his magic and into the depths of the library that day. No practicing magic, no fighting with his sisters- today was wholly and entirely devoted to reading. A canter in his step, Lance made his way to the library. It was time! The new one had FINALLY come out! The wondrous Lady Elena was sacrificing true love for her people, to the clutching claws of the Duke of Blueberry. A nasty dragon, that one! And oh, the resolution to who was trying to kill the King! Justice would be served!
With his magic, Just Lance cradled the holy tome of literature in his grasp. He had waited so very long for this! Smiling to himself, Lance turned and almost collided with another foal his age- what a nasty mess that would've been! Laughing nervously, Lance raised a hoof.
"Terribly sorry there, fellow library-goer! What a terrible mistake that may have been!"
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 4:46 pm
Tough was too focused on getting that book to notice the pale phony he nearly collided with. Whinnying in surprise, he took a step or two back, eyes wide in surprise. "A-ah... Oh.." Clearing his throat, Tough regained his composure, a darker magenta blotting his cheeks, "The problem was mine. I should have been - Dragon Justice?"
The phony had been searching for something to look at, anything other than the phony he had nearly mowed down in excitement. On that hunt, he spotted the book held by the fellow unicorn's magic. It was the very book that Tough had come in to check out. Oh...
"You like them too? I was here to check out the latest one of the series." he commented, returning his gaze to the other phony, "Are you a fan of the series?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 5:16 pm
"Yes! A rather engaging series, if I do say so myself!" It was an inspiring show of gallantry, and Just Lance found the whole thing rather noble. More than that, Lance found it awe-inspiring that the swordplay and magic were both so true to life. They weren't the overplayed sword clashes in so many of the films he saw... no! They were moving, poignant, passionate battles. The knights respected their swords, their armor, their battles. It was not a besting each other, but a duel to see who respected the art more. At least... that was how Lance saw it, anyway.
"Have you heard? Lady Elena's chivalry and love of her people is beyond compare!" The little unicorn sighed dreamily. "I would take up sword for a lady such as that any day."
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 5:23 pm
A Lady Elena lover... Eurgh. Tough didn't want to be that Phony, but he couldn't help but sigh at the name, "I definitely wouldn't. While yes, her chivalry is without compare, her life will be miserable if she never considers her own wants!
"What's the point of a protagonist if they never seem selfish or, or, Phonylike!" Tough shook his head, "I want to like Elena, but she seems so fake and bound to get hurt." It was like watching a trainwreck, but worse. At least in this instance, someone had intended for the train to crash and burn. Talk about dramatic.
"I'm more fond of Vermithrod. He gives equal punishment and help, and even the punishment is typically to enhance what help he offers."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 5:34 pm
Just Lance scoffed in disgust at the other Phony's lack of love for Lady Elena. How dare he! It was not truly an affront, in the real sense, but...
"That's because she's better than phonykind- I think they're going to ascend her to alicornhood," he added, nodding excitedly as he elaborated. "But she's a metaphor. A symbol of prosperity and goodness in otherwise dark and trying times. She's the figure you're meant to want to be like, not the figure you are! That's more of Battle Axe, if you're looking for a female character with reliability. But Lady Elena..." Lance sighed dreamily, clutching the book to his chest.
"Can you imagine acting as her knight? She may not be relatable, but the motive she must inspire! The loyalty of her men! Gladly, I would die for her in battle!" The last was spoken a bit too loudly and enthusiastically for proper library etiquette. The librarian shot Just Lance a look, and he flushed and looked away sheepishly.
"I've never been fond of Vermithrod. There's too much trickery in his words. If you're going to help them, yes it's good to guide them to strength on their own, but actually be helpful about it! Steady Hooves wouldn't have died in book two if not for his misconstrued words!"
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:33 pm
Tough scrunched up his face in disgust. Lady Elena becoming an Alicorn? Ew, that was just... So very cliche. The beautiful and lovely phony above all corruption becoming a literal princess? Gross! (Maybe a little bit of him did like the idea, but he'd never say that out loud).
"If she becomes an Alicorn, then she would be further removed from her men and their cause. How can she inspire them then?" Tough shot back. Dying for some Lady with high ideals that never experienced the world was just not his idea of a good time. "I love what she stands for, that's true, and she is a source of good in dark times, but... Elena seems unapproachable. I couldn't imagine dying for her, or anyone like her for that matter."
It was his time to scoff, "Yes, but Steady Hooves wasn't thinking before he acted! Charging off into the woods like that without considering what Vermithrod meant is foolish. Though yes, perhaps the wizard could be a little more.... Forthright in certain situations." Tough shook his head, "I still find him more enjoyable than Elena,"
"He helped Elena, did he not? And when he helped her, she got stronger! That's important too, even if it did make her hurt." Perhaps if he used Elena, the other would understand just how terrific the old wizard was.
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Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:04 pm
It was hard for a phony not of the chivalrous path to understand just what a wondrous being Lady Elena was. The biggest problem Just Lance had with her was, truly, how much he was in love with her. If only she were real! He would have a lady worth serving, a cause worth raising his lance for. The whole thing was a lovely dream. Too oft he had dreamed of swearing his fealty to her, and even someday... his hoof in marriage.
"She's above corruption! What man would not want to protect that?" Lance sighed dreamily. "With no offense to you, my friend, you're not sworn to the ways of the knight! 'Tis a cause most noble to find someone worthy of your allegiance and ideals worth protecting!"
"If your advice may get phonies killed, I don't consider it very good advice," he countered, looking down to the book. Strange as it was... this heated discussion was more fun than the book itself. Perhaps... using his magic, Lance levitated the book over to the other unicorn.
"Perhaps you can read it first, and tell me if I'll continue to resent Vermithrod, and you can report back how you've seen the light to Lady Elena?"
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:13 pm
Oh? In all their arguing, Tough had yet to realize that Lance was intending to check the book out. Blinking in surprise, he stared at the floating book. His mouth opened and closed a few times. How did someone respond to that. Yes, he wanted the book, and wanted to read it, but....
But this was more fun than reading alone.
Using his own magic to hold the book steadily between them, he scoffed playfully, "Ha, you think I can just let you walk away without changing your mind?" A faint twinkle came to the phony's eye, "We should have a proper duel to see who gets to read this first!"
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Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:25 pm
"A duel of honor!" Lance agreed, a grin taking his features. Yes! How lovely this would be! Letting go of his magic, Lance repurposed his focus to summon up the magical lance he had been working on. Stepping back, he tossed his hair, and gave the lance a flourish of a twirl. Just Lance posed, cocking his head.
"Have at thee, foul representative of Vermithrod! I defend this book in the name of her ladyship, the Rose of the High Court of Perinth, Lady Elena!"
As if a soldier of Vermithrod could best him! Lance had devoted his entire (admittedly short) life to the art of swordplay, and this villain would not best him! He was a defender of justice! An upholder of the truth! In the name of Lady Elena, he would succeed!
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:33 pm
"Woah!" Magic lances? Tough felt intrigued and excited, just like he felt when he was learning something new, "That's quite the cool skill you have, but --"
Doing his best evil cackle (which admittedly was pretty decent from all the times playing the villain for his siblings), Tough grinned back at the phony, "Fool! You doom yourself for the untouchable Lady Elena. In honor of the name of my master, Wizard Vermithrod, I will teach you the folly of your ways!"
Placing down the book, he used his magic to make two others hover in the air, "On guard! See if you can break through my shield!"
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Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2015 7:54 pm
Riveting! Just riveting! Truly, a villain to demonstrate his skill against! Oh, if only his sister were here- together they could uphold righteousness against this dastardly fiend! Twirling the lance once more, Just Lance hurled it towards the book, using the edge rather than the point to attempt to bash one out of his way.
"Only a follower of Vermithrod would use books in such a foul way! Thou does not respect the temple of knowledge we reside in!" To punctuate his point, Lance tried to knock the other book loose as well.
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 10:23 pm
One book was knocked away, but the other butted against the spear valiantly. There was no way that he would let the other phony win so quickly. Laughing, he dropped his magic and cantered to a table, where in one swift motion, he jumped and landed upon. Putting a hoof to his chest, he spoke, "What would someone like you know about the use of knowledge? This is a puddle compared to what Master Verimthrod knows. All these books are but waste paper to what he understands."
There was a canister of pens near. Kicking it over with a hoof, he floated two of three and chunked them at Lance.
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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 1:33 pm
With a most undignified shriek, Lance ducked the incoming pens, feeling them whiz past his head. They clattered against the shelves somewhere behind him, and with the distraction of the pens, Just Lance hurdled his weapon and-
RRRRRIIIIIP
...Well. That... had not been his intent. Just as Lance's face fell and he realized that he had, in fact, punctured a book with his magic (and wasn't that just about the worst thing you could do?), the librarian rounded the corner, face drawn up into a scowl. The sight of the ruined book, thrown pens, and general raucous set her into a screaming fit.
Whoops.
---
Sitting outside of the library with the other pony, Lance's head was hung in shame. Rubbing at the back of his head in embarrassment, he glanced to Tough Talker.
"Well... That got a bit out of hand," he admitted in embarrassment, a small smile on his features. A moment later, the tepid smile turned to a full grin, and he lifted a hidden object with his magic.
"...But I did grab the book, if you'd like it. I think you've earned it for all the fun we've had."
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Eco-friendly Shapeshifter
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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 1:41 pm
Tough had been yelled at before, as all young phony's surely had, but wow was that librarian very, very, very angry. Hopefully when Da learned about what happened he wouldn't be too disappointed. At the very least, he had learned something new - magic lances really could do damage.
"Huh?" Looking at his companion, the foals eyes went wide as the book materialized. A broad grin split his face, "You got it! Good job." Oh? It was odd, finding someone so generous and so fun at such a young age.
A bubble of laughter welled from the inside and broke, sending Tough Talker into a doubled over gigging fit, "I... I... I can't believe we did that!"
Once he calmed down and wiped his eyes with a hoof, Tough shook his head, "I've got an even better idea... How about we read it together and act out some of the scenes?" It sounded like fun, and while Tough would never admit it, at least not yet, he really did like Lance. It was nice to have a new friend.
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