The Hoofball Game {open}

[Deleted]

(Note: This is a continuation of 'A trot through town'. If new comers want to join in this thread, you might wanna read the first one to get caught up. Thanks! People who are already in this are: crestchan, Performance Major, joxis)

"Ah, home sweet home."

Stepping off the train, a special grey earth pony took in the fresh, clean air of Cantorlot. She seemed to miss the preppy feeling, so she took a little time to look around. Tons of different ponies were trotting to their designated places. Some were carrying bags with fabric in them while others were wearing gigantic hats. Eternity never got the stupid fashion. The hats seriously looked like balloons that were ready to lift the pony up into the sky.

Still, the green and yellow pony turned around to see others come behind her on the train. She was only willing to wait to one pony in particular. She did meet two other ponies on the train, but she didn't like them as much. The two other ponies were stallions, but they seemed to set off E a little bit. But none the less, she was guessing they both were going to go to the hoofball game.

Before the game though, she promised a purple mare, also known as Lunar Knight, to show her around Cantorlot, more specifically her favorite places in the fancy area. She already had tons of buildings in her head, but she wanted to somehow lead them up to her actual favorite place in Cantorlot. She didn't quite know how to though.

Whatever, Eternity was still waiting for her friend to come by her side. If she didn't come fast enough, the grey mare might be attacked by her nerves, in which she was feeling when first getting off the train. The game just might be the most important she's ever played. But since she did get nervous so easily, she needed to do something for it. So she of course put a piece of gum into her mouth, put in one earbud, then put on a song. She was now slightly bopping her head to the beat, staring at the train doors, and trying to be patient. Finally she let out a sentence, trying to get her friend to come out faster. "HURRY UP KNIGHTY! WE GOT THINGS TO DO AND PLACES TO BE!"

(The song she is listening to is called 'Still Into You' by Paramore)

[Deleted]

Performance Major, a purple stallion with a blonde mane and tail and hazel colored eyes, watched as the other passengers got off the train. He was paying attention to one in particular. A gray mare with a green mane and tail and red eyes. He wanted to make sure she was off the train before he moved an inch. She intimidated him, and he was not about to do something to upset her. After he was sure she had left the train. He stood up, being careful not to cut himself on the shattered glass from the window that some strange stallion just jumped out of. He walked the train exit. He was blushing because ponies were staring and whispering. His ears flopped and he looked down as he walked.

He exited the train, hoping beyond hope that he didn't embarrass himself too much. He looked ahead of him and his eyes widened. Canterlot was more beautiful than he imagined, he felt so honored to be there. He pulled out the piece of paper with the details of his performance at the hoofball game. He had to meet up with some representatives at a place called Drippy's. That's an interesting place to meet. He shrugged his shoulders, he figured they were the experts. He followed the directions on the paper to his destination. When he got to the tavern and saw the sign he walked in. He looked at the paper and sat at the table it told him to sit at. He waited with a smile, whistling, and twiddling his hooves.

[crestchan]

A violet mare with a blue mane, took a deep breath. She could hear her friend Eternity calling her. Lunar Knight knew she had to hurry up but she was in a bit of a predicament. It was caused by another one of her friends, who had managed to sneak onto the train. Knight glanced around the train, there were not that many ponies left. Knight took a deep breath and walked off the train. As she walked off the train and out into the sun, it was obvious that Knight was blushing. She was feeling embarrassed. The reason she was feeling embarrassed was because of something her other friend was able to sneak onto the train. It was the old chest plate Knight had found a while ago. Knight didn't want anypony else to see it. Mostly because she had repainted it to have the mark of Princess Luna on it. She never wore it in public, but sadly Knight didn't have a bag big enough for the chest plate. So the only options she had was either leaving it on the train or taking it and wearing it. Knight didn't want to wind up losing it, so she had to take it with her, which meant she had to wear it.

Knight glanced around the platform. There were a lot of ponies either getting off of the train or getting on it. So there were quite a bit of ponies curious about the violet pony wearing the armor. Knight slowly walked up to Eternity and smiled a little. "Alright. Lets get going." She said still blushing. She knew there were still a lot of ponies watching her. Knight decided not to wait around and started walking away from the train. She wasn't sure where Eternity was going to take her, but she knew it would be through the exit at least. Knight just kept staring straight as she walked, hoping not to attract too much attention.

[Deleted]

"Woah," was the only thing that escaped the grey earth pony's lips.

A certain mare finally stepped off the train, creating E's eyes to grow big. She was surprised from what her fellow 'friend' was wearing. Her chest plate with the Luna moon painted on the front was on her right then and there, and she looked pretty embarrassed to wear it. Her face was a deep red, and that's what told the love invested pony that she was quite on uncomfortable, but she looked.. astonishing in it. Eternity herself was starting to grow a little warm. Maybe it was the sun hitting her jacket she was wearing, or maybe the band aid on her nose was making her hot, either way... wow.

"You look-," Eternity took a deep breath, trying to keep her boyish voice together. ".... so hot." The devilish smirk that appeared on her face didn't even try to hide, it just appeared. She knew she would make the other mare even more embarrassed, which was her goal (of course). But no more fooling around, she needed to get ahead on schedule or else they'd be late for one of the most important hoofball games ever in her life.

Shaking her mind out of her 'ohmygoshIwannamarryyou' phase, she turned around to look at the buildings in front of her. "Alright," she started, squinting her eyes through the warm sun. "The place I wanna take you first is my fourth favorite place of all time. It's called 'Sport O Mania'. You get to shoot basketball hoops, play golf which is super boring, play soccer, and there is a track there to run on! It's so much fun dude." The grey mare turned on a song again, blocking her mind from how amazing Knight looked in her chest plate. She then started trotting away in a quick motion. "Alright, let's get to it!"

(The song she is listening to is called 'Welcome to the Show' by Adam Lambert (of course) It's his new single and it just came out today lol.)

[crestchan]

Knight heard the noise that Eternity had made. For some reason it made Knight blush a little more. "W-What?" She said looking away. "No never mind." She didn't really want to hear it. In Knight's mind she figured it would have been some kind of joke. She knew that Eternity was a nice pony and wouldn't say something to hurt her, but she still might find the situation funny and make a joke. Knight decided it was best not to hear anything like that. For some reason she wouldn't have like it, if she did. All Knight really wanted to do, was get out of there. She just wanted to start moving, that way she wouldn't have so many ponies staring at her, for too long.

Eternity had described the first location they were going. Knight smiled a little, despite her current mood. She found the place they were going was exactly what she thought Eternity would like. "Sport O Mania?" She asked with a smile. "How to say this..." She glanced at Eternity. "That sounds a lot like you." Knight giggled a little as they walked. She was starting to forget that she had her chest plate on. "I have never really played sports for fun, before." She looked up the road. Knight wasn't sure how long it would take for the two of them to get to their destination. "I mean they are good exercise, but I never really played them that often. So I don't know all the rules by heart." It was true. Knight figured if they were going to play any kind of sports, she would either be bad at it or break a rule or two.

[Deleted]

"Never played a sport for fun, hm?" she replied, a small smirk appearing over her face. "When you play with me, you'll have fun. Promise." The grey mare couldn't help but take a small peek at the other mare next to her, keeping her eyes away from her destination. Knight seemed to forget she had her chest plate on, which meant the time that she was spending with Eternity got her mind off things. The red eyes of the earth pony stared at her plate, then up to her green eyes. She kept her smile hidden by biting her bottom lip. She kept her eyes on Knight's, losing her train of thought. The music balring in her ear didn't even seem to unlock her mind from the amazing mare next to her.

After about five minutes of staring (overreacting), she finally got track of her mind and looked ahead of herself. Surprisingly she didn't fall anywhere or tripped on something, which she was happy about. The blood colored eyes finally found the building she was looking for. The building was white with a large logo on the front saying 'Sports O Mania' with a whole bunch of different sports balls flying everywhere. The roof was a light green, matching the lightest shade of green on Eternity's mane.

Eternity stopped walking. "Alright, we are here," she announced, taking stride into the cool building. She opened the door and stepped aside, simply saying, "Ladies first." And that dumb smirk appeared on her face. From all the last times, she knew this would be a little inside joke. Well at least, she thinks it's a joke. The dumbest joke in history perhaps.

[crestchan]

"I have only really had training on my mind before, so I would assume I would have fun when not focusing on training." Knight smirked a little as she replied to Eternity. Knight glanced around as the two of them walked the streets of Canterlot. Knight had been here a couple times and it always looked so different from Ponyville. It didn't just look different, it also felt different. It looked and felt like a place for royalty. Ponyville felt like a regular town to her, even with Princess Twilight's new castle. Knight couldn't help but look around as she walked. It was obvious that she was a visitor with the way she was acting.

Knight looked at the building as they approached it. It seemed this was where they were heading. Knight smiled a little as they got up to the door. Eternity once more opened the door and did the "ladies first" thing again. Knight smiled a little. "Well I don't see any ladies coming here any time soon." She said looking at Eternity. "I guess that means I should head in. Don't want you to wait for too long." She giggled a little before heading in. Knight looked around the place as she walked in. Knight wasn't sure what she wanted to try first. Maybe something just the two of them could try. "So." She said with a smile. "Lead the way. Just what will we be trying first?" She asked looking at Eternity as she entered. "Just what sport do you want to show me?" Knight was curious what Eternity would show her first.

[Deleted]

Eternity rolled her eyes, always loving the way Knight replies to the silly thing she normally does. She let Knight walk in first, then she followed behind, violently shutting the door behind with a loud thud. She then trotted next to Knight, getting twenty bits out of her pocket. "Gotta pay," she muttered, then walked up to the pony at the desk. The room seemed to be empty, not a lot of ponies were there, so there was no line at all. She set the bits onto the desk, then looked up at the strange in front of her. "Two tickets please." The other pony nodded her head then grabbed the bits and set two tickets on the desk. Eternity nodded her head as a 'thank you' and trotted back to Knight.

"Alright, I got two tickets for us. To play a sport you need a ticket per pony, so we'll just play one game," the messy mare explained, looking around for a good sport to play. When her blood red eyes caught something that interested her, she quickly jogged over to it. She looked at the area that caught her attention, then she smiled. "Perfect. Have you ever played basketball before?" she asked, suggesting the answer would be no. She turned to the pony at the ticket booth, gave him the ticket, then walked inside the large room with a full on basketball court in it. Two hoops and all.

The mare's grey hooves made a sort of 'klunk' when they hit the sweeped up court, which she liked to hear. A basketball rolled over to her, which she picked it up instantly and started to lightly dribble it with one of her front hooves. "Basketball is so much fun. I used to play it with my best friend when I was a little filly," she said, sitting down then tossing the ball into the hoop, easily making it in. "We would have competitions on who would make the most shots. I of course won. She would get sooooo jealous, it makes me laugh just thinking about it," she chuckled as the ball rolled back over to her. She then rolled the ball over to Knight. "Now hurry up and be my Knight in Shining Armor." She was now smirking, knowing her joke would cause a little reaction.

[crestchan]

Knight followed Eternity. She wasn't too happy about Eternity paying again, but it seemed like it would make a scene if she argued about it again. Eternity explained how Sport O Mania worked. It seemed pretty straight forward. You needed tickets to play the different games and one ticket for one game. Knight nodded as she was lead towards the basketball section. Knight had to be honest. She had never played it before. "Basketball?" She said when Eternity asked. "No, I have never played it before." She replied then listened to Eternity talking about her experience in the game and a bit about a friend. Knight smiled, it seemed that Eternity was somepony who liked winning. Luckily Knight was probably bad at this game, so she would win easily. "Well, you will have to take it easy on me. I have no experience in this game." As Knight walked towards the door, to the court, Eternity made a joke to her armor. Knight blushed a little. "Y-Yeah, yeah." She then walked over to one of the baskets and took off her armor. Knight would be at a disadvantage with it on.

Knight walked over to the ball and picked it up. "I think I know the basics." She said trying to dribble the ball. It was pretty clear that she wouldn't be the best at this game. "I think I will start with the ball." She said with a smile. Knight had been correct about who would win. Knight had tried her best to get points, but she was not used to throwing the ball. Many times she missed but she was able to get a few in. She didn't have as many points as Eternity but she did have fun, and that was the most important part. The two of them were there to have fun, not try and settle anything.

((I figure it would be best to do this. That way we aren't trying to make a play by play and anyone who wants to join isn't scared off.))

[Deleted]

The game they played was actually quite amusing. Eternity would jump into the air like a kangaroo every time she got the large orange ball in the hoop (which was every time). She would also start cracking up laughing whenever Knight missed hoop, especially when it was by a large margin. Sometimes Knight would get it in, and E would celebrate with that to, by jumping on top of Knight and screaming her face like 'OH MY GOSH YOU JUST MADE IT IN!!' or 'HOLY FIREBALLS THAT WAS LEGIT KNIGHTY!'

As much as excitement going on, she started to forget about the hoofball game and more towards spending time with Knight, which wasn't so bad.. to her at least. She started to see how much fun Knight was having, which made Eternity's heart happier then normal. Her thoughts were also in control, and she knew what she was doing. But by the end of the game, and the HUGE win over her friend, her thoughts and heart were erratic again.

Now taking a deep breath to calm herself down (and from all the yelling and jumping around), she looked up at the clock to se what time it was. "Woah," she said under her breath. "We gotta get to the next destination if you know what I mean," she smirked then trotted out of the basketball court. She then waited for Knight and walked back over to the front door. She tried to act cool by saluting to the ticket pony as a 'thanks for not kicking us out' then opened the door for Knight. She wanted to say something different this time, so she said, "Alrighty madam, you may walkith forith now!" (you may walk forth now) She then smiled at Knight, noticing how much taller she was compared to Knight, and Knight wasn't short at all. Maybe it was because E was supposed to be built as a stallion, be came out as a mare. (that's what E believes at least) Either way, Eternity was tall.

While staring at Knight's height, she then thought of a new nickname. "Alright short stuff, let's hurry it up now."

(Haha, that's alright. Needed to get the plot goin' anyway)

[crestchan]

Knight didn't like the fact that she was so bad at the game, especially when Eternity laughed the first time. Of course Knight's feelings changed after the first point she got, mostly because of how Eternity reacted. Knight felt herself laugh as Eternity made a big deal out of the whole thing. Every time she did get a point, Knight would feel better, but it was Eternity's reactions each time that made her grin and laugh. The game was over pretty quickly and Knight wound up losing. She didn't mind losing, once it was over.

When they had finished the game Knight sighed. It was fun to run around and play with Eternity. Eternity mentioned that they needed to hurry to the next destination. Knight walked over to the basket and grabbed her armor, putting it on once more. She then followed Eternity to the door. Knight started to laugh as Eternity started to talk in bad fantasy style. Knight walked through the door first and was going to say something but that was when Eternity called her "Short stuff." Knight glanced at Eternity. "I'm not short. Your just too tall." She said then cleared her throat and added. "Nowith, fair companionith. Leadith us to the nextith destinationith." Knight hoped that they wouldn't get back onto the height thing. She did want to have a bit of fun with the conversation. "For sooth, we haveith many a paths to traverse...ith." Knight Pointed down the street. She was Grinning as she continued speaking in such a way. Clearly having fun with the whole thing.

[Deleted]

Eternity watched as Knight put back on her armor, already wanting to make a joke about it. Her new favorite thing to do was find a way to make Knight blush, which was quite easy. She always seemed to be the flirty one. But still, she tried to hide a joke that was starting to come together in her brain, but of course she had to blurt it out just to get a blush. She loved seeing it. "Ya' know," she started, already out the door. "You might be the best Knight in Shining Armor I've ever seen. I mean, more gallant then any Princess could ever be. Playing with me.. takes some guts."

E then noticed Knight was playing along with her weird fantasy talk. The grey mare smirked, already walking to the next place, which was only across the street. "Well shortith stuffith, I, the tallith most fantastith pony in the universith-" she paused, overreacting to herself on purpose to get a laugh. "-will show youith one of the most amazingith places in this area." She then start running across the street, not caring if she cut a pony off track or ran into anything. Once she was to the purple and red-ish building, she looked inside to see bright lights dancing place to place. Even the sign on the top was shining, saying 'Dancin' Dreamers'.

"Alrighty, we are hereith," she said with a smile, then opened the door getting a rush of cool air from it. Loud, obnoxious music poured out the door, making Eternity already bop her head.

She then trotted in, already getting waves from the workers. She came here a lot in her free time, so she was well known. She turned around to face Knight. "Welcome to Dancin' Dreamers. As you can see there is a dance floor for dancing. Though I don't dance, or don't like to dance, I like to listen to the music here. But we can dance, I know how to at least," she said, hopping onto the bright dancefloor. She didn't even have to pay since she was a loyal customer. "If you don't know how to dance, I can teach you," Eternity smirked, taking off her jacket. She was getting a little warm, so she took off her black pants as well, but kept on her football arm warmers. Her girly cutie mark was brighter then ever for some reason, but she ignored it and held out a hoof for Knight to grab and join in. "Come on Knighty, don't be shy," she then said, giving a little wink.

[crestchan]

Knight couldn't help but laugh when Eternity started to talk. "I told you I am not a lady." She said with a smile. "And it's not small task, aiming to be a Royal Guard. You need a lot of guts." Knight was always one to have guts. Some would say her dream was something not likely to happen, so it would take a lot of guts to make it come true. Knight laughed when she heard Eternity continue the fantasy talk. "Well I, the mostith Gutsith Knight, will beith the judgeith, if thisith most amazingith place." Knight said loving this little moment she was having with Eternity. Knight didn't realize just how much she would have liked talking like this. Luckily the fantasy talk was keeping Knight's mind off of her armor, so she was more relaxed.

Knight was surprised by the location that Eternity had taken her. Knight was not sure how she would feel about this place. She never listened to music this loud and had never really tried to dance, like this at least. Knight was more used to formal dance steps. "I'll have you know, I can dance just fine." She said to Eternity. "I just don't know how to dance like that." She said pointing at one of the other dancers. Knight sighed and took Eternity's hoof. She got onto the dance floor, feeling a little silly. She glanced around at all the other dancing ponies. She tried to copy their moves, but Knight just wound up looking very stiff. That is when she noticed Eternity's cutie mark. It seemed to be glowing, even in the dance club. Knight wasn't sure what it meant.

[joxis]

Eleven strikes. One strike away from the witching hour, the crenel for crimes. Yet the great city of Canterlot slept not, for it was a party. Them alone who were born and raised in the upper town could find their way around the fever of night events. Them alone who were born and raised in the most ill reputed districts of the royal capital could find their way around the mad rush of a dark alley ready to gobble the weak and the oppressed up in one fell swoop. Canterlot at night was a world of folly like no other. Sin and rejoicing were one and the same.

And then there was Drippy's.

Drippy's was a sober Gentlemane's Club almost only constituted of Earth ponies. Despite how selective it was, the only true requirement to gain access to it was moral purity, meaning following the religions of old which swore only by virtue and posh guidelines to not looking like a boor. For some reason, Baldoire was appreciated in this specific club, and was always welcome to any gentlecolt's table for rational discussing and sensible theorising.

"Baldoire." Repeated a yellow pelted Earth pony mare. "I have been calling you by your name for several tens of seconds now. I must say I have known you more responsive. Are you unwell ?"

"Hark !" Said the concerned party in surprise. "Nay, 'tis only you, Drippy Dachsterhöficius, and no cruel puppetmaster, that rises me from my spiritual slumber. What is your will ?" Drippy pointed quite elegantly at a billboard on which the set menu was written in most refined penmanship. "I shall beget a plain glass of mineral water, if you please." Baldoire declared.

"So, dearest fellow." Began Drippy as soon as she gave him his command. "I am to believe your arrival is not impromptu. You visit us so little. Do tell : Whatever brings you to Canterlot ?"

"The impending threat of capitalism." He replied quick as a flash. "Manehattan's best of the best comes to 'sponsor' hoofball players as part of a tournament of the sport in this very town. Not taken in by their deception, I foresee their invasion of the everyday life. I have remarked them, hear me. The ponies have changed. The very air we smell - this pure, fresh air, the glorious odour of centuries of History - it is about to be brought down. The 'bourgeoisie' has brought its way of life. It lurks in their luggage, in their breath, it courses through their very veins. Soon all will be slave to capitalism and its infernal machine. The statu quo will emerge and prevail until the revolution. And when the revolution comes, all will end in atrocious battles between equal members of the proletariat blinding each other from their sameness."

"Wow." Stated Drippy, unsure whether to encourage the unpredictable storyteller or tell him to see a doctor. In a place of such high standards, she chose the pragmatic former. "A noble fight it is you fight once again, Baldoire. Do tell, how do you plan on defeating the horrors of Manehattan's craym deu lah craym ?" Even she couldn't pronounce the stuck up phrases her interlocutor was so fluent speaking.

"There is not a simpler explanation to be given. I have urged individuals of outmost importance to join me here, at ... Drippy's ..."

And then he had a flashback. Just like that. Had he accidentally told his companions to find him at Drippy's ... Bar ?

Drippy's Bar was a place of boredom. Its boss, Drippy Drippy, as he called himself, initially wanted to parody Drippy's Gentlemane's Club's strictness. It was funny the first three days. Then it was almost like they forgot they were supposed to be making a satire of the place and everyone Inside became actually dull and boring like a rock. It only takes an hour or so for anyone staying at Drippy Drippy's to clinically die of sheer, pure, unadulterated boredom.

"Alas, Dachsterhöficius, destiny calls, for the gods have been unkind and sealed my fate in my place ! I must fly. Peace be on your soul."

And on that note he kissed Drippy's hoof as he had instructed everyone inside to do whenever they were met with a lady of highest standards and promptly left the place. 'My hopes are that I did not instruct them to some other places.' He thought. 'Oh how I hope they are not in a one star hotel at this very moment, or- or worse, roaming the streets ! Or- or worse than all ... Led them to Dancin' Dreamers. The one place of outmost debauchery and incontinence of the town. The one none at Drippy's dared mention. The den of lost souls and ponies of absurdly low standards.'

His decision was made. He would make a mad dash through town. THE hoofball match was soon. There was no time to be lost. He would save anypony from the hooves of Drippy Drippy's and check every alley for his lost friend and protégé of the day. But before anything, he would go to Dancin' Dreamers.

Introduce himself.

And probably wreck the place even if none of his fellows are to be found there.

((Still tired, so to inquire about anything any of you find difficult to understand. Also I'm considering giving Drippy Dachsterhöficius her very own application. Would be interesting to have a character covering Canterlot on top of Ponyville.))

[Deleted]

Performance tapped his hoof in impatience. Where were these so called representatives?! Did he not come to the right place. He looked at the clock that hung on the wall. It was eleven o' clock! He had literally been waiting there all day! He started to sweat and panic. Was this some kind of scam! Had he been fooled into thinking that he's actually been chosen to sing the equestrian anthem. He frowned and sighed closing his eyes, when he heard a familiar voice. That strange gray pony with the blue mane and tail! The one who had jumped out the window on the train! What was he doing there!

Performance decided to move closer to a table near the strange pony. He perked his ear and listened as the gray stallion talked to a yellow mare. The yellow mare asked what he was doing in Canterlot, a question Performance had been wondering himself. Performance listened closely, easily confused by the gray pony's phrasing. Still Performance listened trying his best to decipher what he was saying. He didn't trust this pony, he seemed a bit crazy. It might just be Performance's opinion, but still... He jumped out of a train window! A moving train window, at that! He remembered back, this pony also ran away from a pair of royal guards. What is this strange pony up to? Performance thought to himself. Suddenly, the strange pony kissed the yellow mare's hoof and exited Drippy's. He's up to something, I better go follow him. Besides it wasn't like those "representatives" weren't going to show up anytime soon. Performance exited Drippy's and pursued the strange gray stallion.

((Sorry for my absense, but I am back! Also red font is thinking in my head))