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 Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 9:04 pm
"The faster we finish, the quicker we can get into a hot bath," Lance sighed, smiling at the thought. Perhaps some warming salts, something for the muscles... oh and Damsel might have something scented with jasmine! That was a lovely thought. His mind did not linger on any possible innuendos (for really, he hadn't considered any in his desire for a soak), and once more hauled the shovel up with his magic. He regarded the mud built up around them, and began to shovel a nearby patch back into the ravine.
"Perhaps... might we push the mud back in with magic? Not to get out of a job!" Just Lance laughed, waving a hoof in protest, "But merely to spare you breaking your back, I suppose."
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 9:10 pm
"Now that's a thought..." The stallion mused, stepping back from his shovel to consider the possibilities. It's not like they had to worry about this patch of dirt and grass getting dirtier- it was dirt and grass, and already hopelessly muddy. Just like them. Umbra has mud in places he has never had mud before. It's caked all over him. Mud is in his soul now.
"No harm in trying," He flashed a smile up at the younger unicorn, magically tossing his shovel to the side to eye up one of the mud piles. Besides, it was far easier to shove than it was to lift with magic.
Umbra set himself behind the pile, posture lowering along with his head. True, he didn't need to take up a power stance to do something with magic, but he often had the feeling that mimicking the motion while attempting it with magic helped it along, lending it more power. With a huff his horn began to glow, one hoof setting down slowly in front of the other as he inched the pile closer to their ditch.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2016 9:35 pm
Relief spread across Lance's features at his suggestion being accepted. How nice to know that, truly, he could help the everypony out in day to day living. Setting the shovel aside (delicately, as was the way with one's weapon), Lance hopped up to go and take a position alongside Umbra, that their casting might be more effective. Unlike his blue companion, however, Lance did not assume any particular stance. He'd grown used to using his magic on largely forceful objects, and this mud would prove no different than a hefty opponent.
With a great shove, their combined efforts seemed to be effective on shoving the mud back to its rightful place in the ground. It took a few great shoves, but low and behold, the task seemed to take a considerable less amount of time when compared to the initial digging. When it was done, with Umbra' approval, Lance fell back to his haunches and smiled.
"Well! There's a day's work I hadn't expected to partake in, but I must say, I'm rather glad to have done it."
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 12:37 pm
A big hoof patted the top of the filled ditch before Umbra carefully walked over it, packing down the mud they had just shoved back into it. That went better than expected- even if the other stallion was still a little wet behind the ears with the whole being adult thing, he was plenty powerful. His haze flicked back up at Lance with a smile, taking in the mud-caked, sweat-rumpled stallion in all of his filthy glory.
"I'm glad you did, too. Thank you for your help." Umbra has never had a problem thanking someone plainly after growing up. Besides, he figured Lance was exactly the kind of goody-goody to do something nice because they genuinely wanted to, and not the sort to do something nice because they want the praise. Both types were fascinating to Umbra, but he really preferred the company of the genuine sort.
"I suppose you have a report to make, now?" He asked, clearly fishing at whatever plans he could drag out of Lance. Umbra knew what he was doing next- gathering up the tools to return to the park shed. One painful last step before he could go jump in a lake to get most of the mud off. Or be hosed down by his mother in the back yard of his childhood home.
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 1:55 pm
"Any time! If you find yourself in need of a friendly hoof, I'm generally not hard to find." And that much was very true of Lance. Even when he wasn't on patrol, the stallion was generally being roped into helping someone carry their groceries or on some kind of favor-driven errand. It was no wonder, then, that the mare had sent him this way that morning. Poor dear was probably worried out of her skull by now, Lance realized. He made a mental note to get back to her place post-haste, and to most definitely apologize for the delay in his return. Surely, she'd understand his desire to drain the park of its excess waters...
"Here's hoping she hasn't called in a search party to find me, as long as it's taken!" Lance laughed, shaking his head. "After that... I suppose I'll head by to check on my siblings, then off for a good bath. What of you?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 3:33 pm
The shovels were secured to his sides, magic tightening the band around his middle to keep his tools in place. He really should have just grabbed a cart in the beginning- but proper planning had never been his strong suit. He was a much more of a 'just go for it' kind of chap. It only usually got him into some sort of trouble.
The question made him pause- blue eyes flicking up.
"... Just as soon as I put the tools away," He replied evenly, smiles all the way, "Gonna jump in the lake." It was the most practical way he could think of to be rid of his new coat of mud, but with the added benefit of making him look like a complete weirdo while he was at it- and any action that could do that was the best one in his books.
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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 3:51 pm
...Perhaps a bit off the beaten path, but Lance understood. Several times in his foalhood he'd been shoo'd to the backyard and thoroughly hosed down before being allowed to enter the house once more. The lake was just one step less- and a great deal colder, he thought with some disdain. Truly, he didn't mean to come off the pampered princess (Damsel did well enough on that, and he loved her for it), but truly he enjoyed a hot soak.
"Well, you're saving water, that's for certain!" He offered in place of complaining about the temperature, smiling brightly. Nonetheless, he didn't have all the time in the world to stick around- that concerned mother would likely be putting her foals to bed at some point, and with no idea what time it was, Lance was hoping to stop by at a time as to not interrupt dinner or any important chores.
"If you'll excuse me, and I truly mean no rudeness in leaving, I really ought to check in on that mare. Have a good evening, will you? And make sure to look me up sometime! I'd be more than happy to lend a hoof again!"
With that, he offered a hoof out for a gentlecolt's hoofshake, beaming brightly.
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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 4:23 pm
... Ah, damn.
Umbra never thought he'd be the kind that would go for the upright-citizen type, but there Just Lance was, covered in mud and charming smiles and earnestness, and Umbra realized without a doubt he was starting to harbor affections towards the bold do-gooder. The dark unicorn reached out for a very muddy hoofshake without delay, very content with his own self-assessment and budding sentiment.
"Will do. Take care, and don't be afraid to be forthright when approaching someone suspicious." The kid would go very far in law enforcement. He has an honest face. Honest-looking phonies were easy to trust.
"'N don't be hard on the mare, either. I probably glowered at her earlier." It wasn't that he ever meant to glower at anyone, he just had the unfortunate facial structure of his neutral face looking angry.
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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 4:58 pm
"I'll certainly keep that advice in mind! Now here's hoping the honesty doesn't let any of them pull a mad dash on me like in the movies, hm?" As much as he'd thought about how riveting a speed chase would be before valiantly taking down a criminal, he didn't much feel like actually partaking in one. That, and there was the possibility of losing them...
But that was neither here nor there! Just Lance had a report to make, a bath to take, and a soft bed waiting for him. Perhaps he'd spend an hour in the tub, if not more. When Umbra asked him to go easy on the mother, he laughed earnestly.
"Oh goodness no! I'd never be mean to a worried mother. I'll be sure to let her know you meant well!"
And with that, he was off. Other business to attend, other phonies to help!
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