Post by waxworks on Apr 18, 2013 5:02:06 GMT
The echoes of battle coursed around the dojo, battles long passed. Mannequin Grace drank it all in, feeling the drama of it all flow around her hooves. This was the best idea she'd had in a long time if she did say so herself. Waxy had been doing a fair trade at the House of Wax, Powderkeg had sold off most of her fireworks, Rivet was of course getting business every day at the hospital, and even Gray was cleaning up at the marketplace with his mushrooms.Yet the theater hadn't been as busy as she'd thought it would've been, and she didn't quite understand it. The shows were spectacular, the writing superb, and she was getting better and better with her puppets every day. A range of stories from classic pony history played out dramatically, to childish fantasies and door-slamming comedies... and typically the audience was about three ponies, one of whom was quite elderly and kept asking who they were at war with.
But she'd hit upon an idea out of all of that. Waxworks was working the same angle really, she was selling a scary story. But it wasn't just the story, it was becoming part of the story. That's what sold a show, that's what drew in the crowds.
"Are y'sure about this, Manny?"
Grace glanced up at her brother, as he wrapped padding on various marionettes. She nodded with a powerful self assurance, and a number of vaguely pony-shaped puppets each stomped a hoof in time. A series of grand taps and scuffs from Mannequin Grace proclaimed a previously rehearsed speech to her brother that this was going to be the biggest event in Ponyville since the sun rose. Ponies could come from miles around to take part in historic battles, dramatic stand-offs, desperate struggles, even doomed last stands, all in the safety and comfort of the local dojo.
"I dunno," said Stump, eying one of the padded marionettes, "you sure these things are safe?"
His response came in the form of the marionette throwing a hoof past his wooden head so close that the wind from it fluttered his cloth ears. "Alright! Alright! I get it..." He pointed up to a large, draconequus shaped marionette hanging from the ceiling, "but don't you think that is overkill?"
"Ay sis, this really is... well... day one, don't get disappointed, eh?"
Grace grinned and trotted over to a sign at the front of the dojo, double-checking the prices and options.
The Battle of Canterlot
Help save Canterlot from a Changeling horde! Take on ten times your number at once! (10 bits per pony)
The Last Days of Discord
Take on the chaotic powers of Discord one on one! Can you overcome his fierce spells? (20 bits per pony)
Stand Before Celestia
Sure you can fight, but can you defend? Protect the Princess for as long as you can against increasing numbers! (25 bits per pony)
Everything was in its final stage of readiness. Gray had finished padding the last marionette, and Stump had gotten all the backdrops rigged. Mannequin Grace rubbed her hooves together in a way that she hoped didn't look maniacal, but she was getting so excited that she felt her top hat might float off. She didn't have the vocal capacity necessary for a grand introduction, but she did have a gift from her friend Powderkeg, and with a quick fizzing sound the sky above the dojo was alight with the color and sound sure to grab the attention of any passing pony.
But she'd hit upon an idea out of all of that. Waxworks was working the same angle really, she was selling a scary story. But it wasn't just the story, it was becoming part of the story. That's what sold a show, that's what drew in the crowds.
"Are y'sure about this, Manny?"
Grace glanced up at her brother, as he wrapped padding on various marionettes. She nodded with a powerful self assurance, and a number of vaguely pony-shaped puppets each stomped a hoof in time. A series of grand taps and scuffs from Mannequin Grace proclaimed a previously rehearsed speech to her brother that this was going to be the biggest event in Ponyville since the sun rose. Ponies could come from miles around to take part in historic battles, dramatic stand-offs, desperate struggles, even doomed last stands, all in the safety and comfort of the local dojo.
"I dunno," said Stump, eying one of the padded marionettes, "you sure these things are safe?"
His response came in the form of the marionette throwing a hoof past his wooden head so close that the wind from it fluttered his cloth ears. "Alright! Alright! I get it..." He pointed up to a large, draconequus shaped marionette hanging from the ceiling, "but don't you think that is overkill?"
"Ay sis, this really is... well... day one, don't get disappointed, eh?"
Grace grinned and trotted over to a sign at the front of the dojo, double-checking the prices and options.
The Battle of Canterlot
Help save Canterlot from a Changeling horde! Take on ten times your number at once! (10 bits per pony)
The Last Days of Discord
Take on the chaotic powers of Discord one on one! Can you overcome his fierce spells? (20 bits per pony)
Stand Before Celestia
Sure you can fight, but can you defend? Protect the Princess for as long as you can against increasing numbers! (25 bits per pony)
Everything was in its final stage of readiness. Gray had finished padding the last marionette, and Stump had gotten all the backdrops rigged. Mannequin Grace rubbed her hooves together in a way that she hoped didn't look maniacal, but she was getting so excited that she felt her top hat might float off. She didn't have the vocal capacity necessary for a grand introduction, but she did have a gift from her friend Powderkeg, and with a quick fizzing sound the sky above the dojo was alight with the color and sound sure to grab the attention of any passing pony.