Spring Break (Open to one and all)

[boulderdash]

Know what the benefits are of going to Manehattan College? They provide the best education that money could buy in all of Equestria, or so the college claims. But that statement isn't back up with a heavy pile of hay to prove it. Famous scholars from around the world studied here at one time or another, as well as their reputation among the boards of education about having the latest up-to-date advantages for their students. Need it even be mentioned on how much projects that are funded by this school that make revolutionary break throughs that could change life as it is known? Yes, Manehattan College is a dream school to attend for all young fillies looking for a proper education.

Know what's even better than attending this school? Having not one, but two parents who work for the place themselves. The school permits a benefit to all employees who work there for their young to get an education for free. It comes with the dental and medical benefits, too.

All in all, the school was great place to learn, but for one particular pony, it was kind of dull.

Enter Boulder Dash, only son to Professor Geode Dash and Professor Sapphire Dash who are scholars in archeology and geography. Having raised their boy with the benefit of joining them on expeditions to ruins and caves first-hoof (that is until a certain accident), sitting in a room and looking at books and pictures was dull in comparison to seeing them in real life.

Fortunately for the foal, he had been released on a spring break with only one assignment to do: An open-topic report on anything involving ancient history. While other ponies would just clutter up the library and read things based on what others have already discovered, Boulder wanted to get a little more friendly with the subject and strike it up on the field. Far more entertaining than reading some dusty old tome anyway.

"Now Boulder Dash," a concerned Sapphire Dash spoke up, overlooking her son's packing. "Are you quite sure you're ready for this? I mean... you'll be going into this all alone, without a team to back you up. Doesn't this seem kind of reckless?"

"Look, ma, I'll be just fine. I'm not that little pony that caught up in that web anymore. I've grown up." This wasn't the first time Boulder Dash has heard such a thing from one of his parents. He had barely ever got to go explore caves or ruins since he was a knee-high filly because of a spider attack. Now any time he goes to do field research outside of the city with a group or for school, his parents just become over-protective. "Now, where'd you put my hardhat and pickaxe?"

Boulder's room was full of tall shelves, once used to be a small, private family for the Dashs before their son's birth. Many of the books are still there, but much room was cleared away for their son to use for whatever. Some are lined with picture frames, most others having some old stones or small relic sitting on them. To his peers, getting his hooves on some of these rare artifacts is a rare privilege. But with the line of work the family has been in for the longest time, it is pretty common to decorate the home with what is actually the rubbish of the treasure collected: The real priceless and important stuff aren't kept as personal souvenirs.

"Oh... uhh... let me check." Sapphire spread open her wings and began to flutter around the higher portions of the shelves. She recalled last storing the pickaxe and hardhat pair somewhere up here. They didn't get to be used as much as Boulder may like, so they're stored out of the way. "Oh, here they are, darling!"

"Great! Bring them down for me, won'tcha?"

Flipping the hardhat onto her head and taking the pickaxe into her forelegs, Sapphire came back down from the higher bookshelf with the items her son requested. "Here they are, boy. You have everything you need?"

Placing the two remaining items into his bag, Boulder Dash took a pencil in his mouth and crossed off the last two items on his checklist, then putting the pencil down. "Nope. According to my list, I've got everything I need. Already double checked everything.""

Putting on the backpack, the head of pickaxe sticking out the side due to its size, Boulder began to walk to the front door of their home together with his mother.

"Now Boulder, listen," Sapphire started to go off on her worried-mother routine again. "I don't want you going to any seriously dangerous locations. You won't have a team with you and won't be an official expedition approved by Gale Rainlock. Whatever you do, you'll have serious restrictions as to what you are allowed to do and where to go..."

"Ma, ma... ma! It's okay, I know the rules. I'm not going to do anything dangerous." Boulder explained. "My plans are just to go around to a couple of those tourist destination ruins and caves where it is perfectly safe, use what little influence I do have with you, dad, and the school to get behind the scenes that general public can't normally venture, and get a few details. Whatever I do I promise won't be dangerous or against the book."

"Yes... yes, I know. Its just..."

Boulder rolled his eyes. There she goes with the whole spider accident thing again. Yes, yes, it happened because Boulder got in over his head with something when he was little and that publicity wasn't good at all. But it was Boulder himself that has suffered the most because of it. After all, what more of a reminder does one need of a bad choice than being a pegasus that cannot fly?

"...and it is just because I love you and don't want anything to happen to you, Boulder. You understand?"

"Sure. Loud and clear, ma. Can I go now?"

Sapphire let out an exasperated sigh; Oh to be young and careless again. But true Boulder has heard the speech many times before... best let him go while there is still daylight and good weather.

"Sure. Get on out of here, you pony. Just remember to send home a letter every now and again about the fun you're having. And once more for good measure, don't get into anything over your head. Understood?"

"Right ma, I will. I'll be sending home a letter in about a week from today. And be sure to tell pops when you get the chance."

FINALLY. Out the front door and into the courtyard district of Manehattan right out front. Down the street a number of blocks was Manehattan College, so the streets were full of many other ponies that just got out for their spring break, too. Countless ponies wandered the streets, on their way home from classes or heading up to the school to begin on their papers. But very few of them that walked were actually pegasi... well, whatever. Adventure awaited Boulder Dash!

[splatterpaint]

Splatterpaint trotted around the cobbled streets of Manehattan. Spring was in the air at last, and she had been able to switch out her winter boots for her bracelets. They jangled loudly as she wandered around. She hadn't heard that sound for a long time. It was the little things that meant so much to her, oddly enough. Most ponies wouldn't give a second thought about such a little detail, but, since Splatterpaint was an artist, even the little things mattered. But she was getting distracted. She couldn't focus on such a simple thing as her bracelets when she had something to do. Her mother had sent her off to meet ponies her age...or at least relatively close to her age. She had also brought a few of her paintings in the hopes of making some bits while she was out and about. So, Splatters walked around near the college, determinately searching for some pony that would stop to talk. Sure, it was a small task. But hey- if you make everything a quest, you have more fun.

Several ponies surrounded Splatterpaint as she walked through the streets searching for a new friend. She spotted a unicorn with a flowered hat on, and decided that maybe she would want to be friends. "Hi there!" she piped up once she got close to the pony. But the unicorn took one look at her and turned away, and snooty look on her face, "I don't talk to beggar ponies like you." she sneered, trotting away with her muzzle turned up in disgust. Splatterpaint stood there for a moment, crestfallen. Well, darn.

She didn't stand there long, since not much could dampen her spirit. She trotted away in the opposite direction of the meanie unicorn, searching for some other pony. But she decided she didn't want to speak to anyone in this crowd. Splatter looked around for a pony who wasn't bustling around through the hordes of students. She sighed when she found that she was unable to see anypony, with all these ponies jostling her so rudely. Splatters squirmed out of the crowd and began to walk away from the students.

Once she had freed herself from the massive crowd of pones, Splatterpaint began looking again for a friendly pony. In a matter of seconds she spotted a blue pegasus who seemed quite friendly. She trotted up to him, "Hello!" she chirped, smiling.

[mafipulater]

This district of Manehattan made Sea Swell feel uncomfortable.

Part of it was that she felt like a lot of the university students and faculty talked down to her. Even the store-owners in the area seemed to condescend, like they could tell right off the bat that she wasn’t a student from listening to her accent and speech. But just because she lacked university education didn’t mean that she wasn’t smart, and it certainly didn’t make anypony with that education better than her. As far as she was concerned, everybody was equal, and that meant nobody had the right to talk down to her.

The other part of it was jealousy.

Though she would hate to admit it out loud for fear of sounding especially pathetic, Sea Swell would have loved to gone to university to study music. But money was always tight back home in Fillydelphia. She might have tried harder in school if she thought she could afford the privilege of university.

Either way, Sea Swell didn’t hold it against anybody there. Besides, if they could afford the luxury of a post-secondary education, then they could certainly afford to buy a copy of her new mixtape, Flight of the Flying Things. She could tell from the busy streets that it was time for spring break, which means a lot of ponies were looking forward to relaxing after stressing out over midterms. And what better way to relieve stress than listening to some underground bohemian jazz rap?

Sea thought the warmer spring weather warranted a change in her style. One long-maned friend of hers inspired her to grow out her own mane; she also decided to straighten out her tail while she was at it. She hoped her new look would help her popularity. From underneath her black snapback embellished with the letter F and a pair of dark sunglasses, she observed the students she passed by, looking for potential buyers of her new mixtape. She had a couple dozen in her saddlebag; she hoped she'd be able to sell at least half of them to these students.

She was just about to start selling when she recognized somepony out of the corner of her eye.

Sea approached Splatterpaint with a smile – Sea wasn’t expecting to see her so close to the university, considering the filly’s age. Sea removed her sunglasses and hooked them into one of the pockets on her saddlebag as she trotted closer.

”Heya, Splatter! What’s up? When’d you start studyin' at Manehattan College?” Sea joked. It was only then that Sea noticed that she was talking to someone: an unfamiliar stallion, a pegasus with a blue pelt and unkempt brown mane. Sea gave a brief flicker of her wings as she turned toward him. ”Oh, hey - sorry, I ain’t even see ya there, mane. What’s goin’ on?” she said warmly.

[boulderdash]

"Let me see... yeah, will have to stop by the store for a few things. Some rations and apples, daisies... oh, box of matches and a lighter. Can't be too cautious..."

Trotting down the street, Boulder Dash breezed through the rough crowds like it was nothing, despite him being lost in thought of a mental shopping list of things he wanted to get while on his way out. These were various things like food or something to start a fire with. He's made sure even got enough room in his saddle bags to be able to carry it all for a good explorer is always good organized.

Through the thickets of ponies, a pocket breached where the density of the others around dropped in numbers. This left Boulder with a lot more elbow room than before, but also attracted a little bit of attention he wasn't aware that he was getting straight off the bat.

A little unicorn could came up, smiling, and saying hello. Boulder took a double-take as he processed the jumble of thoughts in his head and the girl speaking to him. When glancing again, he pulled his heads out of the clouds and was about to say something, then a third party pony showed up and began to engage in conversation.

This wasn't an uncommon thing for Boulder. When you have two parents who are relatively well-known in the college and archeological community and publish a few books on their research together, there are bound to be people who'd know who Boulder. But the odd thing here was that the little unicorn was obviously way too young to be a student. The other pegasus, on the other hand, could pass off as a student. She looked to be the age, though hadn't really seen her before. But judging by the piano cutie mark, it'd probably make sense since he doesn't study in the musical department.

"Is there something I can help you two ladies with?" Boulder said, flashing a friendly and practiced smile. "I've a little time to spare if you need anything."

[splatterpaint]

Splatterpaint glanced up at the arrival of Sea Swell, "Oh, hi Sea Swell!" Splatters laughed at her coment about the university, "I'm not planning on going there anytime soon!" And it was at that recise moment when the blue pegasus spoke. Huh, a little time. So this pony had something to do.

"Oh, no, I don't need anything, I just wanted to say hello. You were all by yourself, so you seemed kinda lonely. I'm Splatterpaint, nice to meet you!" She was quite curious to see how this pony would react. Would he just walk away, or say hi and then walk away? Or would he be willing to talk for a little while? Well, if he had something to do, then he probably would be unable to talk for a bit.

What could he be off to do? Perhaps it was a project. Ooh, or maybe a secret mission! Maybe he worked for Princess Luna! ...wait. That made no sense. Splatterpaint mentally kicked herself for even thinking about something. He was probably just from the college, working on a project. Duh, She had to stop getting all carried away with her assumptions.

[mafipulater]

Sea Swell smiled at the younger filly. Though visual art was definitely not her forte, Sea loved Splatterpaint’s enthusiasm all the same.

Sea turned to the other pegasus to greet him. ”Name’s Sea Swell,” she said. The blue stallion said he had “a little time to spare”, but wasn’t it break? Break meant it’s time to chill and relax, right? Or maybe Sea was wrong, maybe he wasn’t a student at all.

She suddenly remembered why she came to this district in the first place. Then again, if he was busy… well, it couldn’t hurt to try to open up some conversation, could it? ”You in a hurry? Isn’t it, like, spring break? I mean, you’re a student right?”

[boulderdash]

From the upbringing that Boulder has had from his parents, his father always been around sophistication and his mother being brought up from poverty, he knew it was very impolite to just ignore someone when he is being spoken to. Though he was on his way out, it isn't like he had to be anywhere real quick. He's got plenty of time.


"Nice to meet you acquaintance," Boulder replied to the girls. "My name is Boulder Dash and as you've probably already summarized, I'm a student at the college. Half way through my freshman year, infact."

Boulder started to continue trotting along at a slow pace, but shook his head as to invite Splatterpaint and Sea Swell to follow along for a bit of a walk n' talk.

"It is true that students are getting out on spring break today." Boulder spoke in quite a cheerful manner. His eyes lit up a bit as he spoke of the subject fondly. "I'm on my way out of town for a combination of a trip and a project for school. I was just talking to myself earlier since I was going to swing by the store and pick up a few things, but I've still got plenty of time. It isn't like I have reservations or anything. I'm freelancing it."

Soon came another wave of crowds making their way too a fro from the college. Boulder led the two other ponies out of the way to let all the horde pass without becoming separated from them. This led them to a little bench perched underneath a shady, green tree.

"What about you two? What business brings you to the college?" Boulder took a seat on the park bench, holding his saddle bags to the side. "I already figured out that you (Splatterpaint) aren't a student here, but how about yourself, Sea Swell? If I had to guess from your cutie mark, I'd bet you're in the music department with Professor Tempo Steed."

[splatterpaint]

Splatterpaint listened to Boulder Dash's explanation with wide eyes, "Wow, so you have a project to work on? Sounds cool!" She followed him as he began to walk.It must be fun to go to a college. He said he was in his freshman year, which meant first...right? How curious, she wondered what he was studying. Perhaps it had something to do with rocks, since his name was Boulder Dash and his cutie mark suggested mining.

When Boulder asked her and Sea Swell a question, she was snapped out of her thought, "Well, I'm here because I was hoping to meet someone close-ish to my age, since I always end up making friends with ponies who are adults. My mother thinks I should make friends who are closer in age, even though I don't agree." Which was true, she honestly didn't mind having friends with older ponies, but oh well, "I'm also thinking about selling some of my paintings."

[mafipulater]

”What, ya workin’ on a project over break? Diligent, ain’t ya?” Sea figured most students would have just taken the time to kick back and relax. That’s probably what she would’ve done, anyway.

Sea followed Boulder through the crowds to a park bench. As Boulder sat down, Sea elected to lean against the nearby tree instead, leaving more room for Splatterpaint to take a seat.

When he mentioned Professor Tempo Steed, a few questions raced through her mind. Was this someone who the students respected? If Sea said that she was studying with this professor, would that make selling her music easier? She thought about lying and telling Boulder that she was totally studying under whoever this Professor Tempo Steed was.

But that all sounded like a big waste of time so she just told the truth instead.

”Nah, not a student period, actually,” Sea said nonchalantly. Boulder seemed nice enough, so she hoped that he wouldn’t judge her for that.

Sea couldn’t help but giggle when Splatterpaint mentioned finding friends closer to her age. ”Yeah, now that I think about it, Splatter, I don’t think I seen ya hang out with any fillies or colts ya age. Like… ever! I mean, maybe I just catch ya at all the wrong times, but...”

”Oh, yeah, I’m sellin’ some stuff of my own too. Not paintings, though,” Sea continued, pulling out a copy of her CD out of her saddlebag. ”I’m not sure ya parents would appreciate me givin’ a copy of this to ya, Splatter. I, uh, rap about some things in it that… may or may not be entirely one hundred percent appropriate for ya age. And I don’t think it’d be a good idea to have folks gettin’ mad at me.”

Sea turned toward Boulder. ”But, hey, I don’t gotta worry about that with you, right? What kinda project you workin’ on? Maybe some hip hop jazz will help ya concentrate on it?” Sea tossed the mixtape over onto the bench, next to Boulder. ”My own work, Flight of the Flying Things,” Sea said to him proudly. ”Only five bits!”

[boulderdash]

As Sea Swell turned to Splatterpaint in the conversation, Boulder Dash fetched into his saddle bags to retrieve a blank journal. Clipped on the side with a little string was a pen, everything looking a bit more elaborate than just your typical notebook. He made sure to keep his nose in the conversation and listened carefully, though he jotted down a few little scribbles on the side. The notes were put in a bullet list format, like a shopping list of a few items. Matches, a lighter, apples, rope, a bucket, and batteries to name a few.

When the buck was passed back to Boulder, he was happy to enlighten the two of his work details. "Well, I'm happy you asked! During my break, I'll be taking a tour of Equestria to visit a number of ancient pony ruins that are tourist friendly. I plan to use my influences I have from the college, take a gander at what goes on behind the scenes of these places, help with the excavations, and write everything down in a personal journal and a field report. The two will be presented to my professor for grading." Boulder's grin widened at the thought. "To me, it ain't so much homework as it is an adventure. I've got so many places I'd like to visit, from the deep reaches of the Alamar Knot Forest to the city under the city of Canterlot! My work is my play!"

At the mention of the CD offer for a mere five bits, Boulder Dash took a moment of pause. He looked down at his shopping list that he'd been writing so not to forget anything important, and noted the batteries comment. He had that down so he'd have extra packs for his belongings, like the light on his hard hat or to keep the tunes juicing from his own CD Player. He thought it wouldn't be such a bad idea to have something for the listen down and this girl seems cute enough. Never know, right?

"I think I might take a CD to give it a listen. Can't beat five bits." Reaching once more into his saddle bag, tucking the journal in gently and with perfect organization, he pulled out a small satchel that no doubt had plenty of coin in it. "I don't usually listen to music when I do my work, but will need tunes for when I trot across the countryside!"

Opening the money purse, Boulder laid out exactly five bits onto the bench and pushed it over for Sea Swell to take. He picked up the CD that had been set next to him and took a loot. It was a pretty bland, burned CD from home. Of course it wasn't anything corporate, but had to admire the attitude. Though the title was a little weird to him.

"But I have to ask..." he said, looking at the CD cover. "Why is it 'Flight of the Flying Things'? That sounds a little... well, not to sound horse, but filly. Just throwing a name off my mane here, but why not something light 'Flight of Fancies' or something?"

In the back of his mind, he just thought about Splatterpaint. The cute little filly had been here the whole time, even said she sold paintings, but now he had a little guilty feeling in his head. It didn't seem like she had any paintings with her... but even if she did, that wasn't something you just haul around when you plan to tour the countryside on foot. Plus the age difference was a little awkward. She was cute, but a bit difficult to relate. But to make it seem like he was speaking with everybody, and not trying to hit it off a little with the pegasus...

"And you mentioned paintings, right? Are they your own? And what kind of style?"

[splatterpaint]

"Nope, I'm never with other ponies my age. I guess it's 'cause I'm home-schooled. You don't exactly meet other ponies that are my age when you don't go to school." The comment about Sea Swell's music made her laugh, "You're forgetting that I'm 13, almost 14. I just look little, remember?"

She listened with interest as Boulder Dash explained about his project. "Wow, so you're going to explore things all over Equestria? That sounds so cool! There's a city under Canterlot? I didn't know that! Wow, this pony sure got to do a bunch of interesting things!

Her mind started drifting as the next conversation took place, so she didn't hear most of it. Instead, she started to look around at the scenery. The colors were so bright here, the grass so green and the flowers so colorful. The streets of Manehattan, or atleast where she lived, were pretty dull and colorless, although the ponies that walked around were quite a site. Here, it was much more enjoyable to look at.

The mention of her paintings snapped her out of her daydreaming. "Oh yeah, my paintings!" she pulled out the two tiny paintings she had brought from her house out of her saddle-bag and layed them out in front of her so the Boulder Dash could see, "Yes, they're my own. I call it expressional art, but most ponies call it abstract. Splatterpainting, see? Fits my name, huh?"

[mafipulater]

”You’re home-schooled? Guess that makes sense – why you never seem to be with any younger ponies I mean.” In response to Splatter’s correction on her age, Sea light-heartedly said, ”Hah, that’s so crazy, though!”

As Boulder talked about his project, his face seemed to light up with excitement. Sea knew very little about these places he described, but he sure made them sound exciting. The bit about using his influences to go behind the scenes especially piqued her interest. Influences from the college? He must be connected to some important people, Sea thought. She took a mental note of it for future reference. ”That sounds cool,” Sea said earnestly. ”I didn’t think they let freshmen do that kinda stuff. You must know some important folks.”

”Thank ya! I knew you were a pony with good taste,” Sea Swell said as she gladly took the money Boulder paid for the CD and placed the bits inside one of the pouches in her saddlebag.

When questioned about the name, she thought carefully about how to avoid answering too honestly without outright lying. She answered in a friendly but nonchalant manner, ”Oh, that’s mostly just, like, an ironic joke. It’s, uh, nuthin’ though, really.” Sea didn’t want to get into the details, especially with someone she just met. He didn’t have to know it was a kind of self-deprecating joke about her weak wings. They didn’t heal very well since the incident in the park during the winter, leaving her an even weaker flyer than she was before. It was hardly a big deal since she hardly ever flew anyway, but she didn’t feel like getting into it. Besides, she wasn’t looking for any favors out of pity.

”Oh, yeah. I seen Splatter’s work before. I mean, I don’t know much about painting and stuff, but I like it a lot – there’s a lot of energy to it, I think.” Sea looked at the paintings Splatterpaint pulled out from her bag. There was a kind of raw feel to the abstract expressionist style that Sea could really appreciate. ”Huh, come to think of it, I don’t think I ever bought a painting of yours neither…”

[boulderdash]

Giving a slight chuckle at Sea's comment about "not letting freshman do that kind of stuff", he replied "Well, Manehattan is a reputable school, producing some of the finest pony minds in the world. Besides, this is a college, not high school. Not everypony here is young and inexperienced, some students old enough to be our parents." Then looking off to the side, putting a hoof up by his mouth and whisping in a rather coy style "That's not even mentioning my folks working for the college and having a bit of influence in the field. Ha!"

Taking the CD he had just purchased, Boulder gently put it into a side pocket of his saddle bags where a CD Player and a couple of other CDs could be found. Not just throwing it right in, he filtered through them first before putting it into a deliberated spot like as-if he kept them organized. Then afterwards, he hefted the luggage back onto his back and got off the bench, then directing attention to Splatterpaint.

"And those are some different paintings, Splatterpaint. I'm not art art student or much of an admirer, but it is good you've found something you're really into." His eyes turned towards her flank and her cutie mark for a moment, then making eye contact again. "Cutie marks rarely lie and so you must really have some passion for it, so that makes me glad."

The bag on Boulder's back seemed a little uneasy as he shifted his weight a little bit, trying to get the items into a comfortable position. Once the sweet spot was hit, he began to wrap up the conversation.

"So what's next for you two? You already know where I might be going, depending on how I feel. But you two? Are you going to continue hanging out here in Manehattan?"

[splatterpaint]

Splatterpaint shrugged with a laugh, "Yeah, truth is stranger than fiction sometimes! You can't imagine how very annoying it is to have other ponies assume you'r really young!"

"I try to put my feelings in my art, yeah! I was actually pretty energetic when I painted these." she thought for a moment, trying to dig through her memories of who had bought her paintings. Nope, she hadn't ever bought one. But it seemed wrong to make a friend pay..."No, you haven't gotten one. Here, choose one of these. Friends get paintings free, ya know."

She listened to the conversation taking place. The college sounded pretty important; she had never really given the college a second thought. It would be nice to be able to go to art school here, when she was older. Perhaps it would make her a better artist...

Splatterpaint nodded when Boulder turned to her, "Yeah, my cutie mark was pretty spot on. My name, too, hehe. I love painting a lot, so I'm glad my parents encourage it."

As Boulder Dash kept talking, Splat could feel the conversation drawing to a close. "Well, I live in Manehattan. So yeah, I'm gonna stay here for a bit longer." Splatters joked, "Yeah, I'm staying here a bit longer, seeing as I have nothing else to do."

[mafipulater]

So he doesn’t just know important folks. He’s the son of some important folks, Sea thought.

Sea smiled at Splatterpaint’s offer. ”Thanks, Splatter! But ya know I was actually thinking we’d do a trade.” The pegasus removed three copies of her CD from her bag and gave them to the young unicorn. ”The other two are for friends you make your age,” Sea said with a wink, and then accepted one of Splatter’s paintings. This would look great in the living room, just above my piano… Sea thought.

”Same here,” Sea said in response to Boulder’s question. ”I plan on makin’ a name for myself, startin’ here in Manehattan, so I'll be around for a minute. I guess with you bein’ a student here, I’ll get to see ya around when you’re not goin’ around excavatin' ancient ruins with a bullwhip and fedora?” Sea asked with a smirk.