Entrance the First, most carefully versed

[bwbw_aabb]

The front door is pushed open wide,
and a pony-sized zebra steps inside,
with saddlebags full of many kinds of herb.
The sight of the bar does not quite disturb,
but does surprise. The door swings shut.
This is most certainly not her hut.

"Mkubwa jua! My goodness me!
I suppose that this must be
the Milliways of which Twilight spoke.
It seems it truly was no joke."

She looks around with intrigued gaze.
Welcome, Zecora, to Milliways.

Comments

[iambetadraconis]

Mmmmmm what?

He looks up from his knitting.

It's not just a talking animal standing there.

It's a talking animal who rhymes her words.

For the wizard, that's weird, even for Milliways.

[bwbw_aabb]

The primates Twilight Sparkle mentioned!
This one, at least, looks well-intentioned.

"I beg your pardon to have stared.
In my lifetime I have fared
far and wide in many a nation,
but never have I seen such a population.
Please forgive me for being direct,
but your species is called 'human', correct?"

[iambetadraconis]

Getting over this particular verbal quirk will take a bit of time.

"Yes." Blink. "I am."

[bwbw_aabb]

"You seem similarly taken aback.
Where you come from, do equine folk lack?
A friend said this was often the case.
It is hard for me to imagine such a place."

[iambetadraconis]

Lack? Lack? Oh.

"No. There are horses. Even here. Colourful, some of them. They're just..." Uh. "Not at all like you."

[bwbw_aabb]

"Ah, you have met my pony friends.
They tell me this is where the universe ends.
Truly, though, I must confess,
such a place would not have been my guess."

[iambetadraconis]

"Oh, no. I don't know them. But I have seen them. They're hard to miss when they're here."

Pause.

"You're right. I don't think this is where I'd put the end of the universe. But we're here. Regardless."

The light show outside confirms it.

[sunbaked_baker]

There's a red-haired human at the bar, receiving a napkin note with her lunch of mixed greens salad with strawberries, candied pecans, goat cheese and raspberry vinaigrette. The Bar, knowing Sunshine likes to offer food specials as well as drinks, is always kind in giving her a heads-up the day before she is going to be bartending.

In the casual, unthinking movement of a long-time Milliways patron, Rae glances over at the door as it opens.

And blinks.

Talking zebra.

Well. Milliways certainly does many things, but it doesn't do dull.

"Good afternoon," she greets the zebra, with a tentative but friendly smile. "I suppose this is your first time here?"

[bwbw_aabb]

A friendly greeting should never be spurned.
The human's smile is returned.

"It is! However, if I am where I think—
the end of the universe, where one may drink—
of its nature I have received some forewarning.
My name is Zecora. Hello and good morning."

[sunbaked_baker]

"Pleased to meet you, Zecora," Sunshine replies, smiling. "I'm Rae, though most people call me Sunshine. Welcome to Milliways."

Ah, forewarning.

"You have heard of Milliways before from others from your world? You wouldn't happen to be from the same world as Princess Luna, and pony named Pinkie Pie, would you?"

Call it a wild guess. ^_^

[bwbw_aabb]

"A pleasure, Sunshine. Indeed I am!
Several precede me, I understand."

[sunbaked_baker]

"Well, I hope you'll enjoy your visits here, too," Rae grins. "I don't know how much others might have told you about the place, but there are a few things that are good to know when you first arrive. Like that the bar can serve food and drinks by itself, without needing a bartender, and that a newcomer's first drink is free."

[bwbw_aabb]

"Twilight spoke of the bar, but I do not think
that she mentioned a free drink.
A most welcoming policy.
Might I have some rose and cinnamon tea?"

On the bar, the cup materializes.
Although requested, it still surprises.

[chocolate_reign]

.
.
.

Well!

Her entrance earns a raised brow from the incarnation of chaos currently reclining on a nearby hammock. A hammock securely anchored to empty air. For the briefest of moments, something that might look suspiciously like surprise flashes behind the gaudy sunglasses. It's gone in an instant.

"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure of that. You haven't gotten a chance to chat with the locals yet!" They've proven to be hilarious so far!

He gives a languid stretch as the hammock flashes into nothingness before drifting in her direction. What do we have here?

[bwbw_aabb]

Her eyes go wide; she is less than elated.
This one's presence she had not anticipated.
(Not, indeed, that she expected as such
anyone at all, but this is too much.)
Though they've not met, she does recognize
his unique and famous guise.

"Already by this place I am floored,
and now I meet the spirit of Discord!
One thing I can certainly say,
this is a most unusual day."

[chocolate_reign]

"Sorry, no autographs today," Discord preens, coiling loosely around her.

He's never given much thought to the zebras before now. They have a reputation of being so chronically... patient. Tragic, really.


"Well... Oh, alright. But you didn't get this here!" The last is hissed is a conspiratorial whisper as a head of cabbage and a trout appear in his paws. The former is signed with the latter with a flourish.

"Did I hear you mention," the trout scribbling continues, "a 'Twilight' just now? That couldn't be Princess Twilight by any chance, could it?"

[bwbw_aabb]

As he brushes past, she tries to keep her skin from crawling;
if he saw her stripes ripple, it would be appalling.

"Indeed it could. We spoke once or twice
of this place, when she sought my advice."

[chocolate_reign]

"So she does come here!" And seeks out this one's council. How interesting.

"I confess, my calendar was a bit full on her little coronation day," he sighs, spinning the cabbage on the tip of a claw. "It'll be so nice to catch up..."

[bwbw_aabb]

Her eyes grow narrow, and narrower yet.
That had best not be a threat.

"Fluttershy said you were reformed.
I hope I was not misinformed."

[havetubawilltravel]

It sure isn't!

Pinkie spies her from all the way across the room.

Don't ask how she produced a cake out of thin air, Zecora, she's charging full speed toward you because THINGS MUST BE CELEBRATED AND CAKE HAS TO BE EATEN.

[bwbw_aabb]

Yikes! To one side does Zecora dance,
lest she be hit and spill her plants.

"It is good a friendly face to spy.
I am glad to see you, Pinkie Pie."

[havetubawilltravel]

"Zecora!!" Pinkie pants, screeching to a halt - and managing quite the nifty somersault in the process. "Have-to-sing-you-song!" But WHAT song?

[bwbw_aabb]

In her way, Pinkie is solid as a rock:
she can distract from anything, even shock.

"To deny such a need would be wrong.
By all means, sing me your song."

[havetubawilltravel]

Have ALL of the singing, Zecora!

[bwbw_aabb]

As Pinkie's song to its end draws,
Zecora clops her applause.

"Thanks for the song, which was very nice,
and also for the useful advice."