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StAugustine6 — Writing is Magic -- Chapter 9: Winter Follies
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Published: 2013-04-28 20:05:52 +0000 UTC; Views: 161; Favourites: 2; Downloads: 0
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“Only a few days until one of the best days of the year,” Rarity said to me as we both prepared for bed.
“What happens in a few days,” I asked, completely stumped.
“Silly, it’s Winter Wrap-Up day, the day when the ponies of Ponyville clean up winter and bring in spring.”
“Of course, why didn’t I realize that? In Fillydelphia they magically change the seasons, so I’ve never had to think about getting rid of winter. Wait a moment; everypony has to pitch in to clean-up winter. What do you think I should do?”
“Hmmm, I’m honestly not sure how you can help. But I’m sure if you go talk to Twilight tomorrow, she’ll think of something.”
…
“It’s pretty simple,” Twilight explained to me the next day, “all the ponies are split into three teams: the Weather Team, the Plant Team, and the Animal Team. The Weather Team, led by Rainbow, changes the weather and gets rid of the snow, the Plant Team, led by Applejack, begins planting the crops, and the Animal Team, led by Fluttershy, wake animals from hibernation and Rarity builds nests for the birds to live in.”
“Well that all makes sense, but how do I fit into all this? I’m only good at one thing, and that certainly isn’t anything physical. I can’t fly to change the weather, I can’t push a plow, I’m not the best with animals, and I certainly don’t have the artistic capabilities that Rarity does.”
“Well there’s a job for everypony. My first Winter Wrap-Up, I didn’t think I could help at all. But then I just played to my strengths and organized the entire effort. If you want my advice, I would talk to Fluttershy. The Animal Team is your best bet. I’m sure she can give you some pointers.”
…
“Oh, I’m so happy you want to help me,” Fluttershy said after I had explained to her my plight, “I’m sure there’s something that you can do.”
“Thanks. This really is the last place I have to turn. But I am a little worried about my experience, or lack thereof, with animals.”
“Don’t be silly. You’re doing fine with Sapphire, aren’t you? Then there shouldn’t be a problem.”
At that moment, Angel decided to jump up in my face, grabbing me by the horn. He then pulled it down as he descended to the ground, causing me a great amount of whiplash upon release.
“I guess,” I said as my eyes rolled back into place, “But cats are a different kettle of fish, so to speak, then the hibernating animals you deal with.”
“Well I can teach you all about them. It really isn’t that much to learn, I promise.”
And so I spent the next two days with Fluttershy, learning about all the various animals that would need to be awoken. By the morning of Winter Wrap-Up, I figured I had it down.
Everypony gathered in front of city hall to be given final instructions before the day of work got started. Everypony wore a specially-designed vest: Weather Team in blue, Plant team in green, and Animal Team in tan, Twilight had her own vest as All-Team Organizer, a combination of all three colors.
“Thank you everypony for being here bright and early,” Mayor Mare said, “Let’s all work hard and bring in Spring!”
Everypony cheered and began to split up into their teams. I went with Fluttershy and a few other ponies to begin the process of taking care of the hibernating animals.
“It’s really quite simple,” Fluttershy explained as we reached the first group of dens, “we string the bells up and ring them all at once. Much faster than going to each individual home. But there are a couple scattered about that still need attention. Would you mind starting on those?”
“No problem,” I answered as Fluttershy placed a silver bell into my saddlebag.
So I started the work, and at first, everything was going smoothly. My first two homes consisted of a pair of porcupines and a couple of chinchillas. I began to think that Fluttershy was right about me being worried for no reason. But then came the third den. I rang the bell, just as I had done before, and poked my head in just a tad.
“Hello in there,” I softly called, “It’s Spring, so it’s time to wake-up.”
I stood by the entrance waiting for the residents to exit when I heard an unfamiliar sort of sliding sound coming from inside. Soon, three snakes came out into the sunlight. I took a step back to give them some space, but then they all yawned in unison. The sight of the fangs must have set off the fight or flight response went off in my head and, instead of running, I defended myself. I reared back a bit on my hind legs, my horn glowing dull gray. Without realizing it, I had frozen the snakes in place.
“Art, no,” I could hear Fluttershy shout. Of course, since it was Fluttershy shouting, I could barely hear it, and I didn’t react to it, not until she galloped over and put herself between me and the snakes. Seeing her and realizing what I had done, I released the snakes from my magical grasp.
“I’m sorry Fluttershy,” I apologized, my heart still racing, “I guess I just reacted without thinking.”
“It’s OK, I understand,” she said after making sure the snakes were OK, “I should have remembered that there were snakes in this den and warned you. Take a minute to breathe if you need to.”
“I’m sorry Fluttershy,” I repeated, hanging my head, “I don’t want to quit on you, but I wouldn’t be able to handle something else like that.”
I walked all the way back to city hall before I even considered raising my head, shame and guilt were the only things on my mind.
“Hey Art,” Spike called to me, “what are you doing back here? I thought you were helping Fluttershy.”
I looked up to see the little dragon, along with Twilight.
“Snakes, magic, failure,” I muttered, “that’s all you need to know.”
“Ah, don’t sweat it,” Spike consoled, “that was only one of Twilight’s many mess-ups our first Winter here.”
“You’re just trying to make me feel better. All I wanted to do was be helpful, be of some use to my new home…”
“We all want to do our part,” Twilight said, “Sometimes it just takes a little longer to figure out what part we play.”
I continued to be down, sitting on the first step of city hall, trying to think of something, anything, that I could do. But it seemed like my mind didn’t want to process anything, not a thought, not even a complete sentence. It was a long while before I got shaken up again.
“Hey Twilight,” Applejack called, coming up to city hall, “just wanting to double-check our numbers. You know, how many cups of seed we have and whatnot.”
“Sure,” Twilight responded, checking her worksheet.
“There are 250 cups of vegetable seeds,” I recited, not lifting my head, “fifty each of carrots, tomatoes, lettuce, radishes, and potatoes. There are also 100 cups of flower seeds, ten each of tulips, daffodils, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, daisies, violets, lilies, narcissus, amethyst, and forget-me-nots.”
“He’s right,” Twilight said, looking up, “how did you remember all that?”
“Guess I just have a good memory,” I shrugged.
“Oh Twilight,” Rarity sauntered up, “just making sure I know how many nests I need to design this year.”
Twilight looked at her sheet, then to me.
“The Pegasus ponies are bringing back 854 birds. Since they are all nesting pairs, you’re going to need to make 427 nests.”
“Merci ma chère,” Rarity pranced back to her work.
“Art, I think I know what you should do,” Twilight announced.
…
“Pinkie, don’t be silly,” I said, “You know quite well that you have to line them up with a pony space in between.”
“Right, I’m on it.”
“And Rainbow, I know you’re impatient, but you must let Fluttershy finish. You and the other Pegasi can generate over 800 units of wingpower, you’ll have no problem clearing the rest of the snow.”
“I know, but that’s my favorite part.”
“Big Mac, did they start planting yet? You know they have to get all the rows seeded by sundown.”
“Eeyup, AJ’s on it.”
“Brilliant, we’re all set then.”
“How are things going,” Mayor Mare asked Twilight.
“Great,” the Alicorn answered, “its uncanny how much technical knowledge Art can have of everyone’s jobs. I may be the organizer, but he is the one who understands how it all works.”
“Well Art, if you don’t mind, I’d like to ask you a favor.”
“Of course, Mayor.”
“I would like to appoint you Ponyville’s official record-keeper. If something of importance happens here, I want you to make note of it.”
“If that’s what you want, I’m more than happy to do it. But it must be noted that I can sometimes get a little long-winded.”
“You wouldn’t be an author if you weren’t.”
