>The wagon bumped and dipped with every rock and hole in the road.
>The chickens never shut up and there were feathers everywhere.
>Fluttershy didn't mind.
>She spent the whole trip talking to them.
>As much as you would love to eat one, you don't possess the know-how to properly prepare a bird.
>Everything you bought was pre-slaughtered and cut.
>Fish just wasn't cutting it.
>Too much lean meat.
>The mule pulling the cart was gracious enough to allow the two of you to ride free in exchange for a few tales of your adventures.
>He was more interested in the lands across the sea, which you both gladly obliged.
>He also took a particular interest in your guitar.
>"I wish I was young again like you two," he said. "How great it must be to travel the world without a care."
"It's fun, but the daily life is hard."
>"No money, little food," lists Fluttershy. "It adds up."
>"I suppose," said the mule. "It still sounds like a wonderful idea."
"In theory. We weren't nearly as prepared as we should have been. But we're already out here, so what are you gonna do?"
>The mule chuckled.
>"Heh, I suppose."
>The chicken cart rolls up to a large gate.
>"We're here," announces the mule.
--
>You and Fluttershy sit up and turn around.
>An enormous city wall stands proudly before you.
>Races of all kinds; ponies, mules, and even a camel or two travel freely in and out of the city gates.
>Four minotaur guards clad in steel chest plate and helmets stand guard with steel halberds in hand.
>You and Fluttershy hop out of the cart, thank the mule, and say goodbye.
>"No problem," he said. "It's one of the great pleasures of life to listen to the stories of two bright young lovers."
>You and Fluttershy stare at him, surprised.
>"Heheh. I'm a little too old for something like that to just slip by," he smiles. "It's pretty obvious."
>You look at Fluttershy with a smile and raise your eyebrows.
>She blushes and drops her mane in front of her face.
>"Y-Yeah. It is, isn't it?"
--
>The mule unhooked himself from the cart.
>"You too have a wonderful life now, you hear?" he asked.
"You too," you told him.
>The old mule smiled.
>"I already have."
>You nod and turn towards towards the city gate with Fluttershy.
>The four hulking guards took notice of the tall slender creature proceeding towards them with a little yellow pegasus in tow.
>You walk with the flow of traffic, giving the guards a respectful nod as you pass.
>They let you pass without incident.
>The giant arch that was the gate gave way to a massive, extravagant city.
>Given you were on a main street, it was rightfully crowded with various stalls and lots of citizens.
>According to the mule, Istanbull was a central trading hub for most of the surrounding countryside.
>There was no port, else this city would undoubtedly be the largest in the world.
>You've only seen whatever was along this one street, and already you can see the vast amount of cultural diversity here.
>You must have spotted at least 9 different races coming through the gate alone.
>Various guard patrols vigilantly roam the area.
--
>A well sits in the center of a large intersection.
>Three streets come together, each hosting a high density of citizens.
>This street's a little too crowded for your tastes.
>You and Fluttershy decide to break off at the nearest side street and decide to walk alongside the main road.
>There were still quite a few people here, but it was better than the last.
>You bump shoulders with one guard of a patrol.
>He turns gives you a push.
>"Watch it, buddy!"
>You scowl and give him a hard bump in the should with your palm.
>He turns and full-force shoves you into the stall behind you.
>"Anon!" cries Fluttershy.
>The sheep behind the counter shrieks as you go tumbling over.
>You knock some of her garments to the ground, but not much else happens.
>The squad of guards laugh and continue on their route.
>"Are you okay, deary?" asked the shopkeep as she and Fluttershy help you to your feet.
"Yeah. Thank you, miss."
>You brush yourself off and watch the guards walk away.
"What the hell is that guy's problem?" you ask rhetorically.
>You help the sheep pick up her garments from the street.
"Sorry about that, ma'am."
>"Now don't you pay no mind," she said. "It wasn't any of your fault."
--
>The sheep takes a good long look at you and Fluttershy.
>She smiles.
>"Now isn't that just the most adorable thing."
>You and Fluttershy exchange glances.
>"You children travellers or traders?" she asks pointing to your packs.
>"Travelers," answers Fluttershy. "We're exploring the world."
>The sheep nods.
>"That sounds like a grand time," she says. "You two look like you've been at it for a while."
>You take this moment to inspect yourself.
>Your clothes were torn slightly and had several small holes in it.
>Given the nature of her stall, you can already guess her next question.
>"You wouldn't happen to need some new clothes or need something stitched, would you?" she asked.
>Called it.
>You don't want to waste money on unecessary things like fixing your clothes.
"No thank you, ma'am. I think we're good for now."
>"Well alright then. If you ever need something sewn, I'm the ewe for you."
>You nod and continue on your way.
--
>You pass beneath an aquaduct and into another intersection.
>A nearby crier announced free fights at the local colliseum.
"That sounds fun. And it's free. You wanna go?" you ask Fluttershy.
>"I, um... A fight?"
>She slides her hoof across the ground nervously.
>You frown.
>You were really hoping to see gladiator fight.
"Wanna go look at the building anyways?"
>"That... That would be nice."
>The colliseum is easy enough to find.
>The giant, tall, circular building with a million windows in it.
>The act of actually finding the place, however, proves difficult otherwise.
>With how tight the buildings were to the street, it was impossible to keep a clear sight on it at all times.
>Not to mention the constant distractions of Fluttershy by various shop owners calling to the two of you.
>She found it rude to just ignore them so she obliged by browsing their wares.
"What are we even going to do with a broadsword?" you ask as you peruse a blacksmith's steel wares.
>"Let the lady make that decision on her own, pal," cocked the blacksmith.
"Screw you, buddy."
>You flip him the bird to which the insult flies over his head.
"It means go fuck yourself," you tell him.
>The minotaur slams his fist on the counter.
>"You wanna go, pal?" he challenges.
>You shake your head at him and roll your eyes.
"Let's go Fluttershy."
--
"They got some anger issues, don't they?" you ask Fluttershy when you were a short distance from the blacksmith's shop.
>She responds with just a nod.
>You give her a glace when she doesn't answer.
>You take a look around.
"You hungry?"
>Angel's ears perk up at the mere thought of food.
>He sits atop Fluttershy's head and stares at you expectantly.
"You'll get nothing and like it," you tell him.
>You manage to block a rock thrown by Angel with your pack.
>Your little exchange with Angel brought a smile to Fluttershy's face, kept hidden by her mane.
>A donkey rolls up pulling a covered cart.
>You only need to smell it to know he's got food.
"Hey buddy," you say to stop him. "You selling anything?"
>"Why yes I am," he said.
>He unhitched himself and pulled off the cover.
>You peer into the cart.
>He's actually got more variety than some shops in Ponyville.
"Ooh! Tortilla chips and cheese!" you exclaim.
>The vendor drops you some chips into a paper bowl and pours hot melty cheese all over it.
>It's mouth-watering.
>'The only thing it's missing is ground beef,' you think to yourself.
>You drop 4 bits for 2 bowls and thank the donkey.
>The two of you find an empty bench to enjoy your meal.
--
"There it is!" you point.
>After a few more minutes of walking, you had finally found the colliseum.
>Pegasi and griffons flew overhead and sat on clouds to watch the show below.
>Anyone who couldn't fly filed into the many entrances and filled up the stands.
>You debate going in or not.
>One, because Fluttershy didn't want to see it.
>Two, because you still had your packs.
"Excuse me," you say to a passing goat. "You wouldn't happen to know where an inn is, do you?"
>The goat pointed over yonder.
>A sign with a bed and a moon backdrop hung outside a building.
"Oh. Than-"
>You turn around to find the goat had already walked away.
"Huh... Alright then," you mutter to yourself.
>You rent a room for the night and drop your packs on the floor.
>The bed was a simple wooden frame, a stuffed matress, feather pillow, and basic linen for comfort.
>Anything was better than sleeping on the ground.
>You fall forward onto the bed and bury your face in the pillow.
>An audible groan of satisfaction escapes you and is slightly muffled by the pillow.
>Fluttershy drops a pillow onto the back of your head and mimics you, except falling onto your back.
>Angel sleeps in one of Fluttershy's saddlebags.
"Why are you lying on me," you muffle into the pillow.
>"Hush now," Fluttershy muffles into her pillow.
"Get offa me."
>"No- oh!"
>You roll over so Fluttershy slides onto the bed.
>A playful wrestling match ensues.
>The neighbors kick their walls from the noise you make.
>The two of you decide to explore the city.
>Fluttershy leaves Angel in charge of the room.
--
>You sift through your sack of bits as you walk.
>Sleeping outside and scavenging your food really sucked, but it was light on your pockets.
>The occasional night at an inn or supply purchases were really all you spent your money on.
>You spy some minotaurs dressed in regal clothing enter the colliseum.
>Apparently even nobility aren't above watching the mindless violence of others.
>You follow the crowd through a seperate entrance.
>The cheers of the crowd grow louder as you pass through the tunnel.
>Finally exiting into the arena, the crowd explodes into a deafening cheer.
>You spot two minotaur below slam into each other.
>They grapple, their muscles bulging from the tension of trying to force one another back.
>It looks equal until one manages to get behind the other and suplex him.
>The second struggles before tapping the ground.
>The match is finished.
>The two exchange a hand shake and the victor flexes for the crowd, much to their satisfaction.
>These minotaur are very proud of their strength.
>That could explain why they seemed to have such short fuses.
>All calls of life file into the colliseum to watch these bouts of strength.
>You watch more wrestling matches, lifting competitions, even one or two rounds of vintage fisticuffs.
>You can't help but feel a little amusement in something as intimidating as a bull minotaur sparring like a gentleman.
>A few of the females also competed.
>They were a little shorter than the males and a lot less muscular, but they still pulled off some incredible feats of strength by your standards.
--
>You and Fluttershy exit the colliseum.
>That was enough of that for one day.
>As you leave, a little tune catches your ear.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=APNI2CC0k6A
>You look around and spot a minotaur calf casually strumming on a stringed instrument, not unlike a lute.
>He lies down on a park bench, a small tin can sitting out in front of him.
>Curiosity gets the better of you and you walk over and take a seat nearby, watching him.
>Fluttershy follows and takes a seat beside you.
>He stares straight up at the sky, not acknowledging anyone passing by.
>You smile at his bearing when passersby drop a few coins into his hat.
>An idea pops into your head.
"I'll be right back," you tell Fluttershy.
>You hurry off back to the inn and find your room.
"Hi Angel."
>You grab your guitar case off the bed and leave.
"Bye Angel."
>It's only after you shut the door does he wearily lift his head before falling right back to sleep.
>You find Fluttershy sitting right where you left her.
>The calf was still playing his songs.
>You walk closer and set your case on the ground.
>The calf glances over when you click open the snaps to the case and pull your guitar out.
>He ceases playing and just watches you.
--
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Uzae_SqbmDE
>You nod at him and play a few notes.
>After a second, he mimics you.
>You play them again.
>Again he copies you.
>Once more.
>He responds faster.
>You add a few more notes.
>He mimics you flawlessly.
>You repeat several more times.
>Fluttershy cocks her head at the show.
>You increase speed and play a new chord.
>He's still lying down on the bench.
>He stares at you with a straight face as he plays.
>You acquire one or two onlookers, but everyone mostly goes about their business; offering the two of you nothing more than a glance.
>Fluttershy begins to tap a hoof on the ground as the speed increases and the chords get more complicated.
>You smile wide and take a few more steps toward the calf.
"Come on!" you encourage as you begin tapping your own foot against the ground.
>A few more spectators gather.
>Some begin to dance.
>Others are content to watch.
>Someone starts to whistle.
--
>The speed is so fast your having trouble keeping up with this kid.
>Fluttershy laughs quietly to herself at the spectacle.
>A few spectators drop some more bits into the calf's can.
>The speed increases more.
>You take turns stopping for a second or two to give the other a quick solo.
>The song finally ends when you simultaneously play several hard notes and remove your hands from the instruments.
>The calf sits up and you smile widely at each other.
>You're even sweating a little bit.
>You reach into your pocket and pull out two bits.
>Walking over to his can, you drop them in.
"That was fun. We should do that again sometime."
>He looks down at his can then back to you.
>"Thank you, mister," he says.
>You nod and turn back to Fluttershy who was lightly clopping her hooves among the others.
>"You're good with children," she comments.
>You shrug.
"Kids are fun to be around. I can't wait to get back to Ponyville and see the Crusaders."
>Fluttershy stands and you start walking back to the inn.
"Maybe you should learn to play," you tell her. "Then we can have littles contests as we travel."
>Fluttershy giggles.
>"Oh, no. I'm fine with just listening," she said.
>You groan.
"But hey. Maybe our child can learn to play and you will be the judge."
>"That would be wonderful," agreed Fluttershy.