Title: WIP1: The Art of Manliness Author: NIANIA Pastebin link: http://pastebin.com/W0XrPMfx First Edit: Wednesday 6th of March 2013 01:10:39 AM CDT Last Edit: Wednesday 6th of March 2013 01:10:39 AM CDT "Well little miss that'll be four, no, three bits for the candy. A bit a piece and one off for having such a cute smile." Said a beaming shopkeeper while placing the hard candies into a paper bag. The small earth filly in front him had the most gorgeous coat he had ever seen, platinum blonde coats were quite rare on non unicorns. She had already placed four bits on the counter, he quickly swiped three with a flourish of his hoof making them disappear into a small register. "Take the last one back sweetie." She started fidgeting, how adorable. "It's alright dear, no need to be shy." "But sir I...amacolt" mumbled the embarrassed "filly." "What was that dearie?" The shopkeeper was still beaming. "Thankyouverymuch sir." --- The "filly" shook his head as he pranced out of the small candy shop. Sighing as he muttered "Fifth time today." He quickly side stepped a puddle as he went through the cobbled streets of Canterlot; it wouldn't do to get dirty now would it? Eyeing his bag of candy was getting too tempting though and with a searching hoof he soon found what he wanted, sweet violet mints. Such a beautiful delight.   "Oh she's a cute one isn't she?" tittered a passing housemare to a dour servant.   Adding that to the count makes it six times today. With a sigh he turned off the main pathway and headed for one of Canterlot's many parks. "A walk would do me wonders..." With the passing click clacking of his hooves the sounds of the city became muffled as trees and brush grew thicker. Peace at last. A small clearing of overgrown shrubs and flowers was his favorite retreat, verdant with grass and small flowers of many colors. Paradise kept only by the negligence of gardeners in Canterlot, taking in its sweet scents and warm earth was a wonder of Equestria. Bliss indeed.   *snap*   Bliss if it was unoccupied. A shuffling in the overgrowth was apparent from his position on the trail, his tail flicked in annoyance. "Whoever you are, you aren't allowed in non-marked areas in this park." That ought to get rid of them.   "Make me leave then." Said a silver colt who brushed leaves and bracken off himself as he left the clearing. A unicorn at that, this could be troublesome.   "Would be a shame if some colt's friends were to hear about him frolicking in flowers..." the "filly" began only to be interrupted by the colt flicking him directly in the face with a hoof.   "I'm a mare, jerk, just so you know. And shouldn't a petite little mare like yourself not be out wandering in these woods. You could get hurt, it would be such a shame." Her eyes forcing him down into a pathetic groveling position on the ground. She clicked her tongue "You know what, I'm leaving, enjoy these flowers." A few daffodils hit him in the chest, kicked by the mare.   "But I am a colt!" he murmured far too late at her retreating backside. Seventh time today, how humiliating. There he sat for several minutes thinking and idling twirling the daffodils into a small bracelet, this was unacceptable that ponies treated him this way.   "I DESERVE to be treated like a colt." Each word was punctuated by a small kick to the ground.   "I *kick* Deserve to be treated like a colt." This had gone on long enough, Canterlot ponies constantly humiliated him but not anymore. "When I grow up, this town will know Golden Brisk as the manliest stallion around."