Practice Makes Perfect! [Dead]

[Rapid Quill]

In a medium-sized, two-story home in Ponyville, a blue unicorn wearing a green fedora and green scarf was pacing impatiently in front of their restroom grumbling to himself. "I can't believe this! He's been in there for over an hour! If he's seeing somepony in there I'm going to..."

Suddenly snapping the paranoid unicorn from his thoughts was the squeaky sound of the door opening and an orange coated Earth pony with a brown mane and tail emerged. His cutie mark was that of a mathematical equation for he was a mathematician. He wore a mysterious grin on his face. "My business is complete!" he casually announced causing the blue unicorn to hoof palm. "Why, whatever is the matter Rapid?" he asked playing innocent. But the blue unicorn was no fool. He knew better than to believe every word that falls from Free Thinker's mouth.

Rapid Quill just glared indignantly at him. "Hmph! Business my hoof! What were you really doing in there all this time? Who is she? Well, come on and spit it out already, who were you seeing in there!? And don't you even try lying to me!" Rapid accused for he was quick to judge.

At the ridiculous accusation the Earth pony began to snicker some before bursting out laughing uncontrollably at Rapid's accusation which he deemed silly and uncalled for. "Oh, man Rapid you seriously need to lighten up and take a chill pill. I told you, I just had to use the restroom. Nothing else! Seriously dude, no wonder I'm your only real friend." He ended up laughing so hard he ended up wiping a tear with his hoof. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but really that was funny!"

Cocking his head to one side, Rapid Quill calms down a bit and takes a few moments to breathe in and out. "Well, normally I'd agree with you, but nopony in their right mind takes an entire hour to go to the ding dang bathroom! So obviously you were doing something else, what was it?" Rapid hissed.

Looking back at the paranoid unicorn, Free Thinker simply smirks for he is totally not embarrassed. "Okay, okay you got me. Look at you being all smart and stuff. So adorable!" He mused in a most condescending way while ruffling up the blue unicorn's spiky red and black mane.

While groaning in frustration, Rapid Quill wriggles himself free from his teasing mentor's grasp. While fixing his spiked mane back to the way it was, Rapid threw Free Thinker a warning glare. "Don't you patronize me hot shot! Now cut the flattery and get to explaining or else..." Rapid boldly threatened while scrambling into a fighting position.

Free Thinker just sneers at his hapless student and circles him. "Or what, you'll blast me to nest Tuesday with your...ahem magic? Face it kid if it wasn't for me you wouldn't even be able to..." Wanting to demonstrate his sentiment he slyly tosses some dishes Rapid's way who skillfully catches them midair with his magic. "Ah you see now? You caught them only thanks to my ingenious teaching skills. Maybe I should teach others professionally, but because I know how you can be I'll just stick with you for now. Hate to break up our little team."

Quietly fuming, Rapid Quill using his magic sets the dishes back to their proper places. "Free Thinker I swear I don't know what to do with you sometimes. You make me so...so mad!" Forcing himself to calm down he simply sighs. "Can't you for once just answer my question instead of turning everything into a big production?"

Watching his student, Free Thinker rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Okay, fine I'll tell you. If you really must know I was busy admiring myself in the mirror. Gotta look my best for... Uh what was it we were doing today?" he nosily asks while leaning towards Rapid.

"We?" Taking a step back from Free Thinker Rapid just smirks. "Well, I don't know about you hot shot, but I'm going to the park to..." He narrowly catches himself before revealing his purpose for visiting the park. Unfortunately for him his mentor was smart and easily caught on that his apprentice was hiding something.

Free Thinker raised an eyebrow. "For what purpose? Come now Rapid, don't keep secrets from your favorite teacher. You know me, whatever it is, I can help." Technically speaking the Earth pony wasn't lying. He rather enjoyed helping Rapid out, but there was always a price for such things, wasn't there. He didn't think the price unreasonable either, but he supposed any ignorant outsider might.

At having been caught in a little lie, Rapid just sighed and scratched his hoof absentmindedly at the kitchen floor. He hesitated a few moments before answering. "Hm, just to go and walk around and maybe while I'm there..." "practice making shields., he mumbled softly under his breath. He hoped his mentor didn't hear him, but naturally he had no such luck in that department.

A knowing smile crossed Free Thinker's lips for he obviously knew what Rapid said and still he asks him to repeat it louder, "Huh? What was that? Mind speaking up, couldn't hear you here in the back."

Realizing Free Thinker only wants him to repeat himself to further aggravate him, Rapid Quill just rolls his eyes. "You know very well what I said! I'm going to the park to practice making shields while you stay here doing...whatever," Rapid declared in a huffy, matter-of-a-fact tone.

Free Thinker just laughs. "No way am I letting you practice alone! You might need my...help. You're not the best at math, you know," he pointlessly reminded him.

Rapid's ears just flicker in annoyance and he stares at the floor grumbling to himself. He didn't even know why he mentioned the park. He should have just kept quiet on the matter and lied about where he was going. He could have literally said anything else like Sugarcube Corner or Sweet Apple Acres and Free Thinker might have believed it. But no he just had to open his big mouth to arguably one of the biggest jerks in all of Equestria. A jerk that for reasons even he himself cannot explain have developed feelings for. Giving up he just grumbles some more. "Fine, you can come! Just please for once, don't make a nuisance of yourself!" Suddenly a voice in his head scolds him, *way to go Rapid! Why'd you go ahead and give him the okay to come along? You just know he's going to say or do something to embarrass you.* *I...I don't know! I'm sorry! I just panicked!* *Well,* the voice mused thoughtfully, *it's too late to do anything about it now. Although, you could try ditching him later on in such a way that it doesn't really look like you are,* the voice cleverly suggested causing a brief smile to enter Rapid's lips. *Why, what a wonderfully delicious idea! Thank you voice in my head,* thought Rapid while rubbing his hooves together.

"But of course anything for my prized pupil!" Free Thinker reassured Rapid in a condescending tone. He then walks ahead of the blue unicorn and out the front door.

Watching the impudent Earth pony walk out, Rapid just sighs to himself. He looks around anxiously before speaking to himself, "Why, do I have a bad feeling about letting him tag along? And more importantly why am I even letting him?" Shaking his head, he reluctantly follows his sickly sweet mentor while scolding himself for letting the malevolent Earth pony come with.


At the Park...

It was a nice, sunny day. Not too hot nor too cold; the perfect temperature to test any spell out. After taking a good, long look around he noticed there weren't many ponies about and none seemed to be paying him too much mind. *Good,* thought Rapid. He had no desire to humiliate himself in front of all of Ponyville. He wasn't here to entertain, but to learn. Taking a deep breath he looks around for a good spot to practice while Free Thinker verbally watches on.

After only a few minutes, Free Thinker starts to lose his patience. "You can start anytime you know! Preferably sometime in the present would be nice."

Rapid rolls his eyes at his impatient mentor. "Hold your horses Free Thinker! If you must know I am trying to find the best spot," he called out at him.

With a loud sigh, Free Thinker just drums his hooves boredly against the ground. "Any minute now apprentice..."

Ignoring his mentor's complaints Rapid finds a nice spot to the left of a tall tree. Looking rather pleased with himself he just smiled. "Perfect! Now to show mister impatient and bossy over there what I really can do! I'm almost glad he invited himself because now he can see for himself how improved my magic is!" He then turns back to Free Thinker and calls out, "Found the spot I was looking for! Now prepare yourself for the best magic you have ever seen and be amazed!" Rapid confidently declared. Even as he said those ill fated words he knew that it was a gross exaggeration at best. Still, he couldn't help himself. He didn't want to look weak in front of his picky mentor.

Free Thinker just waved at Rapid giving him the go ahead. "Yeah, I'm ready! Go for it kid!"

At Free Thinker's wave, Rapid stands himself up straight and tall and takes a deep breath. "Well you asked for it teach!" Seeing a small pebble laying on the ground in front of him, Rapid concentrates real hard on it. His horn glows red and thru gritted teeth he attempts to form a red shield around the small pebble. He succeeds in doing so, but only for a small moment before disappearing entirely. More determined than ever to impress his mentor he tries again only for the same result. In his frustration he ponders what it was he was doing wrong.

Feeling bored from watching his apprentice fail, Free Thinker yawns. "Well as predicted your little shield spell short circuited, didn't it? But then what else is new? I mean really ever since you 'learned' the spell you've been coming here to the park practicing it almost once a week. It's so predictable like clockwork," he rather bluntly pointed out.

Rapid's /face reddens as he looks at the pebble in frustration before kicking it away. "Yes, but why won't my spell work? Why can't I do it? I mean I studied that spell for a long time and been practicing it like you said, so even with all that why can't I do it? And worst of all those princesses make it look so easy. Makes me think there is something wrong with me since they can do it with no problem and I can't!"

Free Thinker simply shrugs. "I don't know kid," he admitted with a yawn.

Rapid thought a moment. "Oh, let's face it Free Thinker for me to get any better at this I probably need a unicorn or an alicorn who knows how to forge shields to teach me. After all, I think you'd agree I am more of an,,,kinesthetic learner anyway," Rapid mused.

Not wanting his apprentice to find another teacher and a unicorn at that who could no doubt teach Rapid magic better than he, frowned. "Oh come now Rapid! Surely we can... You don't have to..." Free Thinker sat there trying to come up with a way to distract Rapid from the idea.



ooc: I figure ponies and such can pop in after possibly witnessing Rapid struggling with his magic or after overhearing his conversation with his not so nice mentor who is an npc of mine. No worries Rapid will come up with a way to ditch him.

[crestchan]

Lunar Knight was smiling as she walked through the park. She just finished a job and had made quite a bit of bits. She just didn't want to lose her savings, with all the bills that she paid. There was still plenty of day left, so maybe she could go get another job done and get a bit more into her savings. The day was starting to look good. The weather was nice and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, but that could easily change if the weatherponies needed to.

Knight noticed that the park was pretty empty. There wasn't that many ponies out today, which she found odd. It was such a nice day. Knight looked around as she took a stroll through the park. It was a very lovely place. She could see why so many ponies would like this place. Knight imagined all the things that ponies could do at the park. There was so many games that young fillies could play. Knight couldn't help but wonder why there weren't any playing them now. As she was glancing around she noticed a pony off in the distance trying to cast magic. She continued on her way to her destination, but had to pass the pony. As she got closer she noticed another pony was there watching. Knight started to wonder what spell the unicorn was trying to cast.

Knight got closer and could hear the two talking. From the sounds of it, the unicorn was having trouble casting a spell. She also heard him saying he might need another teacher, this seemed to upset the other pony. Knight noticed the other pony was an earth pony like herself. Knight stopped a little confused. She had no idea how an earth pony could teach a unicorn to use magic.  Knight moved closer. "If I might add." She said smiling a little. She was kind of butting into the conversation. "I don't think getting an alicorn to teach you would work out. Since there is only four and they are pretty busy." She smiled again. "But I do think you should get a unicorn as a teacher. I'm sure they have many ways to help teach magic."

[joxis]

Baldoire, wearing what he called 'casual clothing' - read an ample white shirt with buttons and unecessary pony-sized brown trousers - was having a walk down the park. An unusual behaviour for him to exhibit, however it was not on his own free will. Or, at least, the jaunting wasn't scheduled on one of his own initiatives. He was strolling beside an acquaintance who had to take charge of all the small talk because of how bad he was at talking this and that. The icing on the cake was that he ditched said acquaintance without even realising it when he saw three lone ponies discussing in the distance, and that as he walked rapidly towards them, he couldn't hear his previous interlocutor anymore due to his slight hearing loss. As a result of that, the pony who had taken the time to try to make him open his heart a bit sighed deeply and began returning home.


As he approached the trio, Baldoire progressively got more and more interested in the group, and one member of it in particular. That being the oddly coloured red and black maned unicorn whose coat made it look like he was perpetually wearing a Bolterwond suit or whatever they were called. However, it was not his appearance that struck him despite the many reasons for that to occur, but rather his scent, the unmistakable - to him, at least - odor of somepony born and raised in Manehattan who left the town a long time ago, a smell Baldoire only knew because he shared it. This is why, without warning, he came up to him and yelled in a carrying voice "Greetings, fellow renegade of the wretched city of technology ! It is an honour to make your acquaintance ! Baldoire Pertuisane, at your service ! No, I speak the truth ! At your service ! For as long as you desire ! Truly it is exceptionnal to meet a fellow mane !"

He would've have held a hoof out, but hesitated, and finally took a couple step backs. Not because he realised he interrupted a certain violet pelted Earth pony, but because he was also intrigued by said pony. Walking right up to her face, his nuzzle was almost poking her scarf as he wondered aloud for ponies with quests always enunciate their thoughts aloud, he spoke "I see you must be a guard on permission ! Only a most venerable of warriors alone would keep his insignia even in times of peace ! It is an honour to encounter your person too ! My name is ..."

And this time he aborted his introduction even sooner than the first one, for the simple reason that no matter how carefree and unconcerned a pony is, there is always this little alarm bell in his head than will ring "Let ponies talk. This isn't your time. Stop. Now. Silence. Back off."

What Baldoire heard was something more akin to "'tis time these proud stallions and mares of good expose their quest so that you may aid them in their endeavours". Anyway, he ceased all and every invasion of privacy and moved back.

"So, what is your quest, stallions and mares of good ?" He asked the three ponies assembly as if nothing concerning about his own sanity had just happened.

[Rapid Quill]

But Rapid simply ignored all of his mentor's pleas thinking his mentor was acting immaturely at the moment. In fact, Rapid just returned to practicing his shield making while Free Thinker trying almost desperately to persuade him that he doesn't need a unicorn mentor and that they have a "good" thing going on and that adding a third would just mess up their friendship. But before Rapid could have a chance to retort the duo was interrupted by a female Earthling and a rather pretty looking one at that. As she approached them Rapid felt his face go red hot. He really had hoped that he could practice his...less than spectacular magic by himself without any pony noticing. At least until he got really good, but alas as usual the world seemed to hate him. Then the female Earthling spoke suggesting that Rapid Quill would most certainly be better off seeking a fellow unicorn's help to improve his shield making among other spells. While the blue unicorn appreciated her input on the matter, Rapid did not like her acting as if she knew better than him especially since she obviously lacked a full grasp on what is going on between him and Free Thinker.

Naturally before Rapid could even have the chance to both thank her for the idea and tell her off, Free Thinker who had been glaring at the female Earth pony since her arrival spoke first. "How dare you come over here and interrupt us with your ridiculous ideas!? You know nothing about us nor the situation we are in! Besides, my apprentice here does not need another mentor. We have a good thing going on and to add a third variable to that equation would simply ruin our friendship and that I cannot allow. So thanks for all your 'help,' but no thanks," Free Thinker sneered.

Rapid Quill just blushed even more. More than a little annoyed by Free Thinker embarrassing him, Rapid shot him a warning glare before returning his attention on the pretty mare before him. "Actually a unicorn mentor sounds nice. Do you happen to know of any seeking prospects?" he asked her causing his mentor to seethe with anger. "What!? Rapid you can't be serious! Our whole...dynamic thing would be completely ruined by a third! We don't need anypony else," he angrily snapped. Looking at him Rapid sighed. "Calm down Free Thinker. We would still be friends. Really now, you mustn't be so possessive," Rapid quickly pointed out. Free Thinker merely snorted at Rapid's accusation. "Me? You're even more possessive than I am," Free Thinker argued. Rapid blushed even more. "No, I'm not!" he coughed. "Well need I remind you of this morning when you accused me of being in the bathroom for too long?" Free Thinker reminded his apprentice with a smirk clearly loving every minute of embarrassing him. "Only because you were in there over an hour admiring yourself in the mirror like the vain egotist you are! I mean who does that?" Rapid quickly retorted back. The two looked ready to fight.

Luckily their little spat was interrupted by yet another Earth pony passerby. Unlike the mare this particular pony wore a lot of clothes and after he spoke, Rapid recognized his Manehattan accent. The other stallion was certainly friendly and Free Thinker certainly did not like that especially since he felt the other stallion was moving in on his apprentice. Free Thinker wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Pah, Manehattan's a dump," he rudely snorted.

Rapid Quill, however, smiled at the friendly stallion and was even prepared to shake his hoof. "A pleasure," he simply stated. "The name's Rapid Quill and my...ahem impudent friend here is Free Thinker. Kindly forgive him. He means not what he says," Rapid introduced causing Free Thinker to grumble.

The two then watched as the friendly stallion introduced himself to the mare. When it sounded as if he was about to introduce himself a second time only to cut himself off, Rapid Quill and Free Thinker exchanged looks boiling on suspicion. The two found it most odd. Free Thinker shot Rapid a look as though asking him to crudely interview the stallion. Rapid thought that perhaps he would later. After all, it had indeed been quite some time since he last got his hooves on anything remotely juicy and this could be his chance.

The Stallion then had the gall to question them after failing to provide them with any juicy Intel in return. How rude! Rapid decided to play it cool. He just sort of shrugged his shoulders and said, "eh, I'm just trying to get better at magic. How about you? You up to anything...interesting?" Rapid may not be always the best at subtlety, but his mentor is even worse.

Free Thinker just glared at the new stranger. "And just what is it you want...sir?" the orange Earth pony sneered.

[crestchan]

Knight was supreme when they pony named Free Thinker got upset at what she said. "Rediculous?" She said in a bit of shock but smiled when the unicorn said it was a good idea. "Good to hear it." She replied and nodded. "I mean, I'm sure a unicorn could help you with that shield of yours." She smiled again. "As for who could teach you, I can think of a few but they would only be able to help when they have free time. Your best bet might be going to Canterlot and see if you can find a teach error at the magic school."  Knight wax surprised by Free Thinker's overreaction. Knight wanted to say something but the two started to bicker and she started to feel embarrassed for Rapid. If the two started to fight Knight would have done something to stop them.

Luckily another pony seemed to distract the two. He seemed a little off. She wasn't sure what to make of this other pony but got a little weirded out when he came up super close to her. Knight took a step back. "Yeah, I heard you the first time." She said when he went to introduce himself again. "For the record I am not part of the guard...yet." She blushed a little. She was both happy with what he said and embarrass that she wasn't part of the guard. "And I am not on any kind of quest." She answered his question. She would he asked him the same, but Rapid and Free Thinker beat her to it. She looked at Rapid. "What do you mean by interesting?"

[joxis]

Baldoire was jubilant and eager to make his new story move forward. "Aye !" He told Free Thinker. "Manehattan very deserves its status of garbage dump, for that my agreement shows through ! You are a cunning and impartial one ! 'Tis good !" In fact he had left the city very early on in his life. Granted, he had wasted his entire paternal pension on antiques and didn't go to the prestigious universities right in his reach. But deep down he knew he probably did the right thing, for that is how Baldoire substituted antidepressants. Acknowledging the sneer for once but deeming it a sign of eagerness to begin whichever they quest Free Thinker had in mind, he saved it for later. "And you !" He declared, having turned to Lunar Knight. "You, warlady, if no journey awaits you, perhaps you can join ours in place !"

He then addressed all three of them. "Speaking of which, my noble friends, I couldn't help but notice the lack of a quest in the here and now. Mark this park, so deserted. Then mark yourselves, idly conversing at extremely slow speed, partly because of you !" He was pointing dramtically at Free Thinker, whose subjectively perceived excitement scared quests away or Something. "But fear not ! I, the great Pertuisane, shall trigger the most epic journey your souls have ever encountered. If my calculations are correct, and they are ..." He paused, looking far, far into the distances, before picking up a rock and throwing it in the general direction of the Ponyville residential area. For the longest time nopony heard anything. In fact they probably were about to resume their conversation and ignore the overdressed elephant in the park. However, such a disappointing turn of events was cut short by the echoing sound of a thousand swearwords involving a head concussion, a pebble, and revenge soon to be had at the park. "Lady and gentlecolts, I give you ... A unicorn !" He announced self-assuredly.

But nopony came. Until when, no one could tell. "A delayed quest ! No matter, it will come eventually ! I ..." He then noticed at last Rapid Quill's slightly decreasing blush. "Ahem. Would that be illness showing through you ? You look ... Red." He concluded for he knew of no other words to describe the thing when ponies do that thing and their face turns tomato red and usually they quite aggressively dismiss Baldoire as a baffled mare or stallion walks away from the two of them.

[Ashti Sandburst]

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Former place : Ponyville >> The Park