[Anonshy] Travel Log 2

>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.