The Mysterious Summer Festival (Jasmine Lantern) [Dead]

[Sunshine Swirl]

It was a beautiful summer afternoon in Canterlot.

Sunshine Swirl took a deep breath and looked out over the city from the balcony of her small tower home. The sunlight glistened off of the gold leafing of the tall white spires of the city.

Sunshine was a little bored. It was Saturday afternoon; no classes to teach today. 

"A walk," she said to herself. "It's the perfect time for an afternoon walk."

She trotted happily in from the balcony and looked at the stairs that led up to her husband's study. Perhaps he would like a break too, she thought. She climbed the curved steps and found Ink Well hard at work on his new novel.

Ink Well was a blue coated pegasus with black mane. He was also a bit of a slob when he was working. Scrolls covered his desk. Reference books were piled on the floor, and the table near his desk had plates, cups, and empty snack bags.

"Inky," she said, "I was thinking of going for a walk. Would you like to join me?"

He looked up, quill still in his mouth. "Hmm?" He placed the quill pen in its holder on his desk. "Well, I'm kind of in the middle of a scene. Maybe some other time?"

"So, which one is this? The school mystery?" Sunshine asked. 

"It's the adventure story about a search for the lost library of the griffins." Ink Well said. "I'm really making a lot of progress."

She took a few steps up behind Ink Well and planted a big kiss on his cheek. "Okay, honey. I'll leave you be."

He picked his quill pen back up and dipped it in ink. "Hab a nice walk."

She giggled. He was pretty good at talking with a pen in his mouth. Before leaving, she paused then levitated the cups and plates off of his work table. She dropped them off in the kitchen, she'd wash them later. It was time to walk now. But, to do that. She'd need a hat. A good walking hat. She walked back up the stairs to the bedroom. So many stairs in a tower shaped home... Ink Well was lucky he could flap a few times and avoid all this climbing.

"Now, which hat to wear?" She said, pulling several hats out from the top of her wardrobe. "Oh, the blue one with the peacock feather! I hadn't worn that for ages."

She levitated the hat down, it was blue with a peacock feather and contrasting fluffy pink feather. Sunshine immediately noticed that the peacock feather was broken and dangled limply. She sighed, "I remember why I haven't worn it... I broke this one in a rush to catch the train a while back. Hmm. Maybe I can get it fixed!"

She flipped the hat over, and sure enough, there was a little tag inside. It read, "by Jasmine Lantern ~ The Paper Lantern". She remembered now. It was a little shop in Canterlot. She got it last summer during a half-off-everything sale. "It was beautiful, and a bargain." She grinned.

"The Paper Lantern, that's a bit of a walk, but I did wanted to go strolling." Sunshine plopped the broken hat onto her head and looked determined. "It was Destiny that today I would get this hat repaired!"

She grabbed her small walking purse and slung it around her neck, then marched out into the sunny streets of Canterlot. She got all of a block when it occurred to her. "It's Saturday afternoon. I hope Jasmine's shop is still open..." She shook her head and repeated, "Destiny!"

Sunshine marched forward.

[~Silly CC~]

((Whoa, you even cited an old dead thread I'd done a while ago! I remember the "Everything Must Go!" thread xD Also, found the thread that named her store: "The Paper Lantern" ^-^))

Canterlot was known for its radiant summers. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that Celesta was residing in the city, or perhaps it was the gilded rooftops that illuminated the city in a sunny glow. No matter what, it was definitely a good day for a stroll.

Unless you were a certain international fashionista, then it was a design day.

Jasmine Lantern sat in her design room, which also happened to be her bedroom, a pencil in her mouth as she scribbled out new designs. An explosion of color much akin to a Sonic Rainboom she'd witnessed in a Ponyville park, a fluffy thing with a big bow that resembled a Neighpon doll, and a fluff-trimmed cloak in shades of red and green all lay out in front of her. As well as a blank paper. Summer designs were already sewn and shown; she needed things for fall and winter. As well as something for her own, but that was at the bottom of the list for now.

It was mid-afternoon, and her brain finally won out. After skipping breakfast, her stomach growled for lunch loudly. Sighing, the mare set down her pencil and ascended the small spiral staircase to her terrace dining room. The whole building to herself, she opted the ground floor—the tallest and largest—to be the store itself, while the two smaller upper levels were her personal quarters. The highest floor was an open-air terrace with a fridge, stove, grill, and small pantry on the only wall. The three open sides were fenced with bamboo, and decorated with tiny lantern lights she'd covered herself. The mare sighed as she inhaled the summer breeze, not wanting the moment to end.

But relaxation could wait a mite longer. A petite white unicorn with curly pastel locks tapped her on the shoulder, and the adult mare turned around with a start. Oh! Precious Gem, darling, you frightened me! She noticed the plate with a delicate Daisy sandwich in the younger mare's magical aura. Right, thank you, she said meekly, accepting the plate in her hooves.

Precious Gem was Jazzy's apprentice, longing to learn more about fashion and sewing, but also at times seemed to be her personal assistant. The fashionista often forgot to eat while designing, so the young unicorns was often two steps ahead with a plate waiting.

The two ponies sat at a woven grass table, shaded by a yellow-green paper umbrella. Beautiful day, isn't it? The young mare said, watching the sun slowly inch across the sky.

Jazzy nodded, biting into her delicious sandwich, and smiled at the mare. This is delicious, by the way; thanks for remembering while I was in a design frenzy.

The unicorn chuckled and waved a hoof, dismissing it. The two sat in silence for a few minutes, and soon the late lunch was over. Jazzy took her plate over to a basket, and slipped it in, heading for the staircase. Taking one last look at the gleaming sun bouncing off the nearby spires of fancier buildings, the fashion designer trotted down towards the store. Precious Gem had been watching it for her, but it had already opened late at noon, so they simply put out the "Out to Lunch" sign. She removed it, letting the OPEN sign take full light, and examined some of her counter supplies.

She always had jars and boxes of accessories and scrap fabric there for quick fixes, which always delighted the customer, but often ran out at the worst of times. Might as well take inventory, she muttered, hoofing through a few boxes of ribbon.

[Sunshine Swirl]

Sunshine Swirl was enjoying her walk. She was a little self conscious when well-dressed ponies passed her, as she was wearing a broken hat. Well, that would soon be taken care of. she thought.

Behind her was her small tower home on the outskirts of Canterlot Gardens. She passed by the Canterlot Academy of Magic, a private school for unicorns where she worked.

Now, the Paper Lantern was still a bit of a walk, but it was a lovely day and Sunshine didn't mind. The streets of Canterlot were fairly quiet on this Saturday afternoon. She passed a few small shops and street cafés. A gray earth pony mare played a violin at one of the cafés, entertaining the pony customers while they sipped their lattes and cappuccinos.

Sunshine was tempted to stop at the café and sit on one of the comfy pillows sipping coffee. "No, I mustn't." she said to herself. "Destiny calls and who knows when the Paper Lantern shop will close today."

She continued onward with renewed vigor and soon reached the small market district that she remembered buying the hat at. "Let me see, it was one of the shops around here."

Then she spotted it: "The Paper Lantern". It was a modest sized shop at the first floor of a three story structure. The window was filled with summer fashions; sun bonnets and hats, breezy capes, summer dresses of various styles and cuts, and cute mane and tail bows. She looked down at her little travel purse. "This might be bad for my budget..."

Sunshine opened the shop door; a little silver bell announced her arrival. "Hello?"

She removed the blue hat from her head. "I have a little problem I'm hoping that you might help me with."

[~Silly CC~]

The sun buzzed over the cerulean sky, casting long shadows over the streets from towers galore. Ponies in fancy outfits trotted around, parasols and large sun hats filling the streets of the summer Saturday. A few glanced at the shop, each time setting Jazzy's spine straighter and grin wider, but she always slumped back when they turned up their noses and kept walking. It was odd, ponies around here almost turned away from cheap prices at times, not believing them to be worth it.

Either that, or the fashion mare was losing her touch.

Shen shook that thought from her head, indigo hair brushing her cheeks, and continued to check through her reserve accessories, when the bell dinged, sending her into retail mode. That meant an everlasting amount of smiles, patience, and persistence; at least until she got a feel for the customer, and then she let down her act.

Welcome to the Paper Lantern! How may I be of service? She said perkily, though still with the upper class touch of Canterlot class.

Her eyes went wide, mouth forming a little 'o' in surprise, as she noticed the mare's hat. The blue hat was very familiar to her; she'd designed it after a quick trip to Neigh Deli, integrating the peacock and fancy designs of the royal elite, using a silk band around it and a soft layer inside to line the hat.

She took it in her hooves, pouting just a little as the peacock feather refused to stay up. *tsk* Oh dear, this isn't good. You'd like it fixed, yes? Her voice was less perky, but more genuine now. A bit of Orientail slipped its way in as well, but that was just normal for her.

Hat in one hoof, she trotted on three hooves to her counter, where all her feathers usually resided. Finding the peacock feather jar, she sighed in exasperation. Looking for a matching pink feather just wouldn't do, it would completely change the overall feel of the hat, and also make it a rather spring-looking hat, instead of a summer one. Oh, this certainly is no good at all. I've seemed to run out of feathers. She laid the hat down, trotting back over to the cream-colored mare.

I'm terribly sorry, miss, but I simply cannot find a good feather match; I couldn't simply compromise the look with a different feather, so I may have to go later to the feather shop. Do forgive me for the wait, I usually prefer to have these simple fixes done easily in five to ten minutes at the most. She gave a sheepish grin to the mare, gesturing at certain points of her speech.

Jazzy was interrupted by the hooves of her assistant, Precious Gem, who held a pitcher of lemonade in her magic. Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Lantern, I thought you were alone, and I brought down some refreshment for you, I didn't—

The purple mare waved a hoof dismissively, smiling sweetly. You're fine, Precious Gem, and remember, call me Jazzy. She turned to the customer with a smile, Would you like some lemonade, then? Wouldn't want to waste any. Precious Gem began pouring a glass, ready to pour a second if need be.

[Sunshine Swirl]

Sunshine Swirl was really happy to discover that the Paper Lantern was in deed open. This was absolutely the shop she remembered. The fashions were really unique.

As the light purple shopkeeper mare inspected the hat, Sunshine's hopes rose. She wasn't certain, but she was pretty sure this was the same mare that she had purchased the hat from a year ago.

When the mare said, "You'd like it fixed, yes?" Sunshine was positive it was her. She remembered that slight far away accent from when she bought the hat.

Sunshine said, "Yes, please." She watched excitedly as the shopkeeper took the hat to the counter. Then the bad news. No peacock feathers.

"Oh, I agree with you, the peacock feather is what gave this hat its unique character. It wouldn't do to swap it with another type." Sunshine sighed, a little disappointed. "It's alright. May I leave the hat with you then until its repaired?"

Before the shopkeeper could answer, another mare joined them, a young white-coated unicorn floating a pitcher of lemonade. The shopkeeper referred to her as Precious Gem. During their brief exchange Sunshine learned that the shopkeeper was actually the designer, Jasmine Lantern herself. Jasmine offered her some lemonade.

"Why, that's very kind of you, Jasmine. Yes, I would love a glass of lemonade," said Sunshine. It was a long walk to the shop, and she was thirsty.

She smiled at Precious Gem and introduced herself, "Precious Gem, my name is Sunshine Swirl. I brought a hat over to be repaired."

She turned back to face Jasmine adding, "And you must be Jasmine Lantern then. I had no idea I was speaking directly with the designer herself. Your fashions are really unique. I fell in love with that hat the moment I saw it."

Sunshine looked to see if there was a convenient place to sit while they enjoyed the lemonade. "I hope I'm not being an imposition. I live over near Canterlot Gardens and since it was such a nice day, I decided to walk rather than take a carriage. A little break with lemonade would be really nice."

Having settled comfortably, Sunshine's curiosity got the better of her. "I'm a little curious about your inspiration. Your fashions have an exotic flare; a little bit Canterlot, a little bit somewhere else. From the touch of accent you have, you're not from Canterlot originally I take it?"

[Ashti Sandburst]

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Canterlot : The City Streets