|
Post by danielalaverne on Nov 10, 2011 6:11:14 GMT -5
Morrow Rose got quite used to life in Appleloosa already, after all, she got enough time to do so and the first settlers were hospitable and kind. She just had still a tad bit of a problem with the Apple accent, and even though her old friend, AC, spoke it, sometimes words still blurred for the ear of the delivery Pegasus. Oh, and there was the weather...
The low humidity made flying a lot easier, she had to admit that, far less a chance of wings too soaked to move, compared for example with the foggy and rainy times at the Manehattan dockside. Still, the more dry it got, she felt an heavy thirst coming up and no real motivation to move much. Apparently every place had its good and bad sides.
That was when a soft breeze came up, slowly getting stronger. Morrow had just made a break and was resting in front of her shop and house, Singasong, her pet bird, resting on her head. The mahogany Pegasus looked up, along the street out of town and...
"Oh, my... what?"
Sand! A whole wall full of it! What in all things up-early-awake was that now? It definitely didn't look friendly. Somewhere in the back of her head a memory came up that she was told before there would be things as that around here, storms made out of sand... It looked quite like a blizzard hitting Manehattan in some Winters, and if a sand storm was anything like a snow storm, that was a big one.
Quickly she got up, with her surprised black bird behind her, flying up and down Saddle Lane, then Appleloose Ave. Wherever she went, ponies acted quite nervous and worried. What did they know or expect she did not? Of course Appleloosan houses were not as stable built as Manehattian ones, but still... As she landed again, she found herself outside the Sheriff's office. Might as well ask what to do here...
Just as she pushed open the entrance door, a blur that looked much like her old friend AC hushed by, and some other ponies looked at her. Tunnel, and Zyp. At least some familiar faces, "W- what is happening? That snow-", she cleared her throat and looked up sheepishly, "-that sand storm; that is one, right? I have never seen a storm that big... also, why do you all look at me as if you were expecting me?"
|
|
|
Post by zipfyre on Nov 10, 2011 15:53:20 GMT -5
Zipfyre looked up as Tunnel Nexus was leaving and Morrow Rose came in. "Well how 'bout them apples? We was just talkin' 'boutcha. We need all the pegasi we cin get ta split that there sandstorm so it don't wipe out our town. How in th' name a' Celestia we're gonna split it is a whole new keg o' cider." Zip blew a strand of her mane out of her face and set down her hoof. "Aight, if'n we're gonna do this, we're gonna have ta move fast. If'n yeh have th' stomach fer it, Morrow, you cin follow me ta th' outskirts. Nexus suggested a tornado, but I dunno if it'll split th' darn thing or jist spin it some." As she spoke, Zip started to head out of the Sheriff's office, deep in thought while still listening for any suggestions. The wind outside had picked up and there was a good deal of dirt in it. Fortunately, that was from the streets themselves. The sandstorm was still a bit away.
|
|
|
Post by tunnelnexus on Nov 10, 2011 21:23:57 GMT -5
Nexus was galloping through the streets as fast as she could, looking for Zipfire's family, when the thought occured to her; she had no idea what they looked like.
"Probably would've been a good idea to figure that out back at the sheriff's... Well, I'll just ask around," she muttered.
So Nexus trotted up to a few ponies and asked about where she might find Zipfire's family, until at last she was standing in front of their house. Tunnel knocked and waited a moment for the door to open. It did, and the spelunker explained the situation hastily, ending with a quick "Let's go!" before turning and setting off at a brisk pace to the sheriff's office.
|
|
|
Post by applecider on Nov 11, 2011 8:09:01 GMT -5
"Howdy, Morrow," Apple Cider said as she was about to leave, "We've got one mighty sandstorm comin an' we need yer help. I'm gonna be roundin' up the rest of the ponies an' gettin them ta safety in mah cider cellar and other places. Can ya help Zipfyre try an split the storm or somehow reduce it?"
|
|
|
Post by danielalaverne on Nov 13, 2011 12:33:11 GMT -5
"Hi, AC, I-", was how far Morrow Rose got, before she found herself in a little storm of her very own, having both an old and new friend talking at her. What was that now, splitting storms? She wasn't sure of she just got that right and what to think about it, so she allowed herself a moment to catch some breath.
This all sounded like a weather patrol job, and she barely ever been close to doing something like that, nor has she really ever lived in the clouds, only the Manehattan dockside, then its city and now the remote, yet picturesque Appleloosa. The picturesque part wouldn't last for long anymore though, if they would not do anything about it.
Singasong chirped somewhat nervously and brought it to Morrow's attention that it got more windy outside. "I- Stomach for it?" A memory came up in her, of times when much younger foals used to tease her of her short built. She was not a pony for challenges, too much, yet, then and now she got a feeling to show what she got. Small or not.
"Don't you worry, I have stomach enough for a pony twice my size. Besides, if I wouldn't help now, later said stomach would be full of that sand there, wouldn't it? Juuust...", she added, curiously, following ZipFyre outside, where a good breeze was blowing already. "What do we do exactly? A tornado sounds good, but does it work against a storm that size?"
She gulped heavily as she look up to the storm heading their way, and much bigger the closer Zip and she got. "If sand storms are like snow storms, that one is a giant... could have fooled me to believe it's a dream or magic or something", she chuckled dry. Unfortunate that storm was just a normal, yet very dangerous, natural disaster... She never spent much thoughts on the princesses, the one or the other, but now she sure hoped one would look at this town right now.
|
|
|
Post by zipfyre on Nov 14, 2011 18:37:00 GMT -5
ZipFyre paused at Morrow Rose's mention of magic. She eyed the storm suspiciously. Indeed, it did have that "unnatural" feel to it... Well, still, first things first. "I s'pose a tornado would be a good first try. Nexus should be here any minute now with mah folks and some light." Zip's stomach sunk to its pit as they approached the storm, but, her mind fixed on a picture of her town and little brother, she untied her bow and retied it around her face as a makeshift bandanna. "Aight. Let's go."
|
|
|
Post by tunnelnexus on Nov 14, 2011 18:54:50 GMT -5
Nexus, with Zipfire's family in tow, rushed the final few yards to the others. Breathing slightly more heavily, Nexus waited a moment to speak.
"Okay, they're here, Zip. Are you all ready to try this? I am," said the unicorn quickly, cantering towards the storm. A small knot was beginning to form in her stomach, doubts about her abilities bubbling up. With a mental shove Nexus quashed the treasonous thoughts, only to have them lurk around the periphery of her consciousness.
Setting her expression into a hard poker face, Tunnel kept walking.
|
|
|
Post by applecider on Nov 14, 2011 20:51:13 GMT -5
It was sad to leave the safety of the sherriff's office, but Apple Cider knew she had a job to do. There was a little thought in the back of her mind of these three other ponies being the last ones she would talk to id she died, but she quickly shook the thought out of her mind. Now was not a time to think about dying, it was about helping to save the town she lived in and the ponies that also called it home. "Well y'all I wish ya good luck. I'm gonna start roundin' up the ponies. I'll be first gettin them to mah cider cellar an' then I'll be getting the rest to the other cellars. Once I'm finished, I'll be makin my way back here if I can. Then if y'all need my help fer somethin, you'll know where ta find me."
With that Apple Cider began walking down main street, planning to start at the farthest buliding and working her way back to the sherriff's office.
|
|
|
Post by danielalaverne on Nov 15, 2011 12:04:08 GMT -5
There it was, one giant storm, setting things into motion, that could change lives, even an entire town full of ponies' lives, drastically and at all. Looking at the storm was bad enough, but what was even worse was knowing that there was no doorway out of this, whatever a pony would do, things were in motion now.
Morrow rearranged her paper pony hat, in her own opinion only cheaply imitating the heroic shine she felt coming from ZipFyre. Now, that mare really got into the spirit! Suddenly she felt like adding something, nonetheless, "Let's show that storm what ponies can do!" Hopefully that came over good.
And there was another familiar pony face, wonderful! "Tunnel! Awesome! Let's show that storm!" Wait, she just said that already. Think-think-think- "I will do my delivery route tomorrow and I want a town to deliver to still 'round here!" She allowed herself a bright smile. Yep, that was that spirit now.
Apple Cider was just leaving as another thought hit her, actually more of a concern, "AC, can you get Singasong with you to one of the cellars? I don't think a sand storm is a safe place for a lil' bird-" At first the black bird chirped irritated, but gave in as Morrow patted her carefully and smiled at her encouraging, "Don't you worry, dear, I'll be back soon, mommy just has a storm to deal with-" The Pegasus gulped nervously; was she really that confident? She had to be.
|
|
|
Post by zipfyre on Nov 15, 2011 22:42:33 GMT -5
ZipFyre wandered about for a moment, the sand in the wind ripping at her face and fur. Finding a place that was as good as any for starting a tornado, she stopped and turned to face everypony else, shouting to make sure they could hear her. "We cin use some light whenever you be ready, Nexus. Ma, Pop, and Morrow git ready to start the tornado. Th' good news is, we don't have ta build up any wind. Bad news, it's gonna take a heckalot ta redirect th' wind we will use. Key is ta keep spinning. If it don't split th' storm in fi'teen minutes, we try jist blowin' it off course a li'l. Think of switchin' a train track, 'cept in two diff'rent places. Y'all ready?" Gosh, it was hard to see everyone! Zip had to blink several times to clear the grit from her eyes, just to have it blown back two seconds later.
|
|
|
Post by tunnelnexus on Nov 16, 2011 16:18:47 GMT -5
A huge cloud of butterflies stormed Nexus' stomach as she heard Zipfire's signal. The spotlight was on her. Ponies were counting on her. Pressure.
Tunnel started to break into a sweat; hoping to avoid showcasing her anxiousness, she planted her legs firmly on the ground in a ready position.
In a spur-of-the-moment attempt to ease her own nervousness, she shouted over the wind "Alright! Shield your eyes!" And then there was nothing left between her and what she had to do.
I've never tried to light up anything this brightly before. How am I supposed to do it? Why did I agree to this? What-
Nexus grit her teeth, holding back hot tears of frustration and fright.
It's just a bigger light spell, Nexus. Just call up some light, and put everything into it.
Clenching her jaws even tighter, she summoned her magic, every last scrap she could muster, pouring it out of her horn in a blinding flare of neon yellow light.
The spelunker had to keep her focus on the light spell, only able to spare a tiny bit of attention for her surroundings. With that tiny bit, she had to appreciate once more her ever-present sunglasses, covering up her moment of insecurity.
Also, it was helpful for protecting her eyes from the wind and grit blowing around fiercely.
|
|
|
Post by applecider on Nov 16, 2011 18:44:25 GMT -5
Apple Cider was about to leave when she heard Morrow ask her to take her Singasong. She was a bit nervous and Apple was definitely a pet sitter and she would feel bad if she somehow lost Morrow's friend. "Alright Morrow. I'll be sure to keep Singasong safe." The bird, as if realizing what was about to happen, flew to Apple Cider and rested on her hat. "Alright Singasong," she said to the bird, "here goes nothin'."
She ventured out to the main street as the wind began to pick up. She kept her head down slightly to avoid the sand in her eyes. She began banging on the doors of every building and shouting as loud as she can. "Alright everypony. There's a big sandstorm a comin' and y'all have ta get somewhere safe. If y'all stick with me I'll get ya'll ta safety. Now follow me!" In a matter of a few minutes she had a sizeable group of ponies behind her. "Alright now. I'm going ta get you to mah cider cellar in the mill so ylall can be safe. Then I'll be comin' back ta get the rest of the town ta safety. Now onward to ta cider mill."
|
|
|
Post by danielalaverne on Nov 17, 2011 13:05:43 GMT -5
This was definitely worse than any storm Morrow had even witnessed in Manehattan, whether it were rain or snow or hail. Not only it was much bigger in size, apparently blocking her entire view in one direction by now, but also there was barely anything to break the wind, just like the great amount of stone houses in the Big Apple would have.
Even worse, Appleloosa was the only flat lands around and that would lead the storm even more directly to it, like a funnel within the somewhat mountainous dessert.
Sand got into the Pegasus' fur and eyes, scratching at her wings. What was that voice? Oh, right, Zip was instructing them! She wasn't too sure of that plan was the one to save the day, but it sure was one - and thus so worth it! "I'm all ready, when you are!", she shouted even louder, since she was afraid her voice would rather be lost in the ongoing howling of the storm.
Morrow wasn't a weather Pegasus for sure, but there were some things every winged pony knew, from parents, school or just like that - and she was sure it had to be one huge tornado to make it work, so she made sure to stay near ZipFyre to be able to synchronize.
She barely heard the next shouted message, was it from Tunnel and just got her front hooves in front of her eyes in time. Still even through legs and closed eyes there was still something like a faint visual echo of the sudden bright light.
It took her a some moments before she dared to risk open her eyes again, there was if anything even more sand flying around now, but definitely a better illumination. "Ready?"
Singasong meanwhile looked up from that other pony's hat every now and then to see if she could spot her Pegasus or that endless something of sand that apparently scared the four-legged ones. At least she was with a pony friend of her Pegasus and that one was doing lots of things, enthusiastically, just as her Pegasus would do. Still, she couldn't wait for Morrow to return.
|
|
|
Post by 11qwe123 on Nov 18, 2011 16:12:02 GMT -5
Lime Lightning stood in the kitchen of her parents shop carefully putting the finishing touches on a cake. As she added the last speck of frosting she finally noticed that there was a strong wind blowing. As she walked over to the shops large window she saw worried ponies rushing about. Wanting a better view of what was going on she exited the shop and saw a huge sandy mass in the distance. " A sandstorm! " Lime shouted as she rushed back into the shop. She needed to clean up the kitchen and put the pastries in a safer place, just in case. After quickly tiding up the kitchen and making sure everything surely wouldn't get damaged Lime went back outside to see if anypony needed help.
|
|
|
Post by zipfyre on Nov 19, 2011 22:07:34 GMT -5
ZipFyre crouched low to the ground, wiggling in anticipation as she assessed her flight pattern. She was no Rainbow Dash, but she knew how to shift some clouds. Practically pouncing on her target, Zip began to spin upward, soon followed by her parents. She wished she'd brought goggles or something. It was so hard to see the space in front of her with all the dust blowing everywhere, but she knew that as long as she kept her wings tilted just right, she wouldn't stray from her path more than a foot or so. A small funnel started to form just beneath her and Zip grinned, careful to keep her mouth shut. So far, so good.[/i]
|
|