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Post by kuruka on Oct 3, 2012 12:20:17 GMT -5
Kuruka had paced the front of the Town Square for so long there was a distinct trail in the dirt. Her ears flitted between the hum of everyday business and listening for any sign of danger. Her mind, however, was on another subject entirely. With all of the attacks as of late along with the destruction of Ponyville, she felt certain the quest to extract her family from the Zebra Lands had dropped several places in Gale Rainlock's list of priorities. She knew her mother, who had been raised by the tribe, could handle herself. But she couldn't see her peace-loving father taking on, say, a full-grown manticore, or some-such baddie. He'd probably start preaching to it before he tried to beat it into submission.
Whether it was from her high-strung nerves or her over-stressed emotions, somehow the image of her father lecturing a manticore on brotherly love made her halt her monotonous trail and bust up laughing.
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Post by Red Charge on Oct 5, 2012 8:54:54 GMT -5
"Laughter is the best medicine." Squeaked a puddle of water, forming itself into a tiny unicorn. "That's why in the Red Mages, whenever someone gets hurt, we all laugh at them." The tiny water pony giggled. It was rather odd that there was a puddle there in the first place, as it had yet to rain.
Another water pony formed, bigger this time, "Now the question is, what was the joke? I really like the one with the Zebra hiding in the closet."
"Why was the Zebra hiding in the closet?" Asked a bigger, life size water pony.
"Because stripes are so out of fashion!" The second replied, all three laughed, before opening up like wooden doll-in-dolls and swallowing each other, with the final water unicorn materializing into Watermark. Soaking wet and grinning widely as always.
"Boy do I love Waterporting, always so refreshing." He commented, shaking the water out of his damp fur. "So I was thinking of this song, and I need a female pony and or zebra to sing with me. But that's besides the point, how are you?"
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Post by kuruka on Oct 17, 2012 12:00:50 GMT -5
Kuruka smirked as Watermark materialized. "As for the first part of the question, I've never sung before and don't currently know anypony who does yet. For the second part, I'm well enough. A little on the high-strung side, but well enough. How are you?"
Kuruka stood subconsciously at attention, although she kept her smile, grateful for the distraction Watermark provided.
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Post by Red Charge on Oct 17, 2012 12:37:24 GMT -5
"Ah you know, Diamond Dogs here, Terragons there. All in all, can't complain. At least we're protected. Though I gotta say this ice bubble is tough to hold up." Watermark said, indicating at the transparent ice bubble surrounding hoofington. "I've got a feeling that my ice powers will be very much sought after soon." He said with a knowing wink, although what he knew was definitely not clear.
"Glad to see you're still around. Sorry about the Rainlock thing not working, she was working on bringing your family around and then this whole mess started. I'd tell you to cheer up, but you can't sing, so yeah, hmm..." The unicorn leaned his chin on his hoof, closing his eyes in contemplation, "Oh I know, can you dance?"
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Post by kuruka on Oct 18, 2012 10:46:41 GMT -5
Kuruka tried not to shiver as she looked up at the ice bubble Watermark had created. It was a great work of magic, but she was still trying to get over years of prejudice. Had it not been for the sake of such a close friend, she might not have even bothered.
She looked back at Watermark and grinned. "It seems as though your skills have always been in demand, Watermark. It would not surprise me if they became even more so in days to come."
Kuruka's smile melted slightly at the mention of her family. "I will not lie, I worry about them. Especially now. But I suppose troubled times will always mean troubled hearts." Kuruka snorted at the mention of dancing. To be honest, she knew she was rather good at it. Grace during the hunt seeped through other, safer activities as well, but she did not know if she would be able to lose herself in any rhythm in her current state, so she merely shrugged and grinned, daring Watermark to insist.
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Post by Red Charge on Oct 19, 2012 7:56:48 GMT -5
"Great! Just not you know... rain dances and stuff. I'm talking fast high paced dances. So show me what you've got, or as the youth in Manehatten says 'shake that flank'!" Watermark conjured up several water clones, "The panel of judges will decide on your performence, if you're good enough you can just get in on this amazing thing I'm planning!"
Watermark, followed by his clones, pulled out a top hat and a monocle, muttering, "I say, jolly good..." In a gentlemanly fashion as they waited for Kuruka to perform. The Ice on the bubble seemed to focus into a lens, creating a sort of spotlight above Kuruka, visible even in the daylight. "Do go on!" Said the zebra unicorn hybrid in a gentlemanly accent.
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Post by kuruka on Oct 19, 2012 12:28:29 GMT -5
Kuruka stood for a moment, slightly taken aback. "Now?"
She looked around. Granted, the other ponies weren't paying much attention, but once the music started, Kuruka was sure... "Wait a moment, we don't have music." She sat and pricked up her ears, taking on a little of her "older sister" tone. "There are a lot of fast-paced dances, Watermark. How am I supposed to know which one you mean?"
Kuruka blinked purposefully as she awaited Watermark's answer. In truth, she was simply buying herself time. Dancing did not simply come at anypony's beck and call, you know. It was an act of great emotion and feeling, not to be trifled with unless you wanted to utterly humiliate yourself.
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Post by Red Charge on Oct 19, 2012 13:26:22 GMT -5
Watermark sighed and summoned several more clones, who started drumming at a fast rhythm, others making wind flutes out of ice and playing them. "There's your music, have at it!" He said, grinning so hard she could see the monocole shrink as it pushed into his brow. "Chop, chop now, the audience is waiting." Watermark said, pointing at several ponies now gawking at them.
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Post by kuruka on Oct 22, 2012 14:08:52 GMT -5
Kuruka glanced at the small crowd before shutting them out entirely to listen to the music before she became too embarrassed. It had a catchy rhythm and she let it seep into her system, taking control of her movement. Aware of each point in her body, Kuruka rolled, spun, leaped, and twisted into life. Her limbs became beams of energy, her spine was rubber. Her tail swished to the beat as the music swept her away.
With a final flick and unfurling of her wings, she became still just as the music died. Breathing heavily, she noticed the crowd once again and blushed, her ears swerving backwards.
Trying not to panic, she looked at Watermark. "So... Did I pass?"
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Post by Red Charge on Oct 23, 2012 12:20:00 GMT -5
"Hmm, I'll have to see how you dance with a partner first." The unicorn said, conjuring a rose of ice, putting it in his mouth and taking Kuruka's hoof as the music started again, leading her through an incredibly energetic waltz, spotlight still on them and crowd gaping. Watermark, as one would guess, was actually a pretty good dance, his movements were flowing like water and he was not clumsy at all. Like getting caught by a very graceful whirlpool, Kuruka was turned around at a great pace. Watermark's eyes in her own the entire time. And then the dance ended once more, leaving him leaning over her with a grin.
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Post by kuruka on Oct 23, 2012 13:40:35 GMT -5
Kuruka felt quite warm. She hesitated before pushing away, tucking a stray strand of mane behind her ear, only to have it spring right back out of place.
Unable to look Watermark in the eye, she cleared her throat. "Um... So... H-how was that?"
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Post by Red Charge on Oct 23, 2012 13:45:29 GMT -5
"Hmm..." The judge panel seemed to think, and deliberate carefully among themselves, then clearing their throat, "Nahh." And disappeared all at once, melting into puddles.
"Aww, tough break Kuruka!" The real Watermark said sympathetically, "Better luck next time! I thought you were great at least!" He said, "How was I?"
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Post by kuruka on Oct 23, 2012 14:08:35 GMT -5
Kuruka frowned, feeling like she'd just missed a rather large opportunity, and not just with becoming Watermark's dancer. She smiled as Watermark tried to cheer her up. "Thanks. You were amazing! I haven't danced with a partner who wasn't my brother, to be honest." She smirked. "Your fluidity could use some work, though."
Her smirk turned into a grin. She didn't know how well Watermark would receive her teasing, but it was nice to feel comfortable again.
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Post by Red Charge on Oct 24, 2012 2:55:47 GMT -5
"Ah well," Watermark said with a grin, "Always room to get better I say. Maybe we should practice more often..." He said with a sly wink to Kuruka, "I know I'd be happy to." As the crowd started giggling behind him, several water golems started running about (water golems, unlike the clones are hominid shaped), spreading around to several corners of Hoofington, helping around in the citizens' daily chores as well as building temporary buildings for Watermark's mages.
Watermark seemed very capable in running his golems while dealing with other matters, he had managed to dance with her at the same time and still send his golems all over the place and guide them through complex tasks. Truly a solid feat of spellwork and attention division. Watermark of course was mysterious as ever regarding his uncanny ability to divide his attention between so many things at once. Still locking eyes with her, Watermark grinned, waiting for her reply.
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Post by kuruka on Oct 26, 2012 15:08:35 GMT -5
It was the wink that did it. He was flirting, outright flirting with her! She twitched her tail, taking a moment to decide. Well, there wouldn't be any harm, would there? It was the first time anypony she'd met showed this kind of interest, not to mention anypony this interesting.
Kuruka grinned. "Yes, I think I'd like that. Except next time I think I'd like everypony else to at least be dancing with us. I don't mind displaying my skills every once in a while, but if I do it too often, others might get the idea I was a show-off."
She watched a water golem out of the corner of her eye. Honestly, she'd heard that magic took a lot of concentration. The fact that Watermark could control so much while carrying on a casual conversation impressed her. Of course, his skill was nothing compared to how well he treated her, but Kuruka didn't want to seem too easy. She began walking, hoping he would follow.
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