1st Bottle | Visual

[200proofsugarcube]

[On the scroll appears the face of a young colt with small golden glasses and truly obnoxiously large ears. He's new -- at least, you probably haven't seen him before -- but unlike most newponies he doesn't look confused or annoyed. If anything, he looks pleased.]

I didn't know the Doom Bell did that! Existential despair I was prepared for, but an entire transdimensional shift including severe changes to my own physical makeup was quite beyond what I was expecting. I shouldn't be surprised, though, I told myself when all this started, Theopholous DuMedd, you're in a Heterodyne story, chances are your brain will wind up in a squirrel before it's over. I think I like this far better than a squirrel, though.

[He flicks and swivels his ears, seemingly delighted by the fact that they move.]

And think what a story this will make when I get back.

Presumably that's a possibility.

[His expression lapses into a small frown for a moment, and then he hitches a smile back on.]

I think I may need a drink, though. You know, to settle my newly equine nerves. Is there a bar or inn and if so would one of you be so kind as to direct me to it?

Comments

[Video]

[firstofthefallen]

We're all in a story, it's just up to us to define who the main characters are. It's rare that I've heard someone say they take a backseat in the story to someone else. You must look up to this Heterodyne greatly.

There is a bar in the back end of the town you've arrived in. It's a fine little place I suppose though they don't have much in the way of variety.

[Video]

[200proofsugarcube]

Oh, well, yes! She's my cousin, of course I like her.

[He'd never really thought of it as taking a backseat -- the concept is totally foreign to him. Besides, the supporting cast is always the color that makes or breaks a story. He's perfectly pleased to take that role.]

I'll find it. I'm sure I can whip their selection into shape, if they let me. I'm something of an inventor of drinks.

[Video]

[firstofthefallen]

A relation, hmm? I've never had much luck with my own, though there seem to be many who get along quite well with theirs. I suppose I've just never seen anything that necessitates getting along with one's relatives.

It's not too hard to find, though it might take a little bit to recognize it as a bar, depending on what you're used to. At the moment from what I could tell they only sell hard cider, which is fine enough I suppose though I'd prefer something a bit...heavier. Anything you could help them add would be a blessing.

[Video]

[200proofsugarcube]

She's the only one I have who isn't dead or a head in a jar.

[He says this like it's perfectly normal and not a terribly big deal.]

Does it have a name? It may be easier to find if I've got a sign to be looking for. And if they're game, I'll see about setting up a brewery. All I need is a goodly amount of chemicals and a sink or bathtub, if no vats are available.

[un_grounded]

Theo!

[Oh, man. This is a very nice surprise. And of course Theo, of all people, would be thrilled at the opportunity to be a neon-looking pony for a while.]

[200proofsugarcube]

[He knows that voice. He knows that awful, awful hair, even if it's the wrong color. His ears flick forward with delight.]

Gil? Gil!

You look... well, you're a sight for sore eyes. I thought you were off shooting down invaders.

[un_grounded]

Well, I was for a while. What's the last thing you remember? One of us is probably from the future. You've got the transdimensional shift thing down right, though.

[200proofsugarcube]

The Doom Bell rung. I had this... awful sense of utter and complete despair and then, suddenly, here I am, with hooves! My shoulder's even fixed itself.

[He wiggles the leg in question and finds it still a bit stiff.]

Well enough, anyway.

[spockpony]

[A blue pegasus mare with a pink mane peers back at him.]

If there is such a establishment located in this hamlet, I have no knowlege of it. Of course, I only arrived today.

[200proofsugarcube]

Oh! We can be new together, then. If you'd like to go looking for it with me, we could make an adventure out of it?

[spockpony]

Most assuredly. Although--do you know where I might look for you? There is such an assortment of unfamiliar ponies here--not to mention the multiplicity of buildings--and I must admit to feeling quite lost.

My own location seems to be in front of a domicile built into a tree.

[200proofsugarcube]

Uhhhm.

[He looks around, and his expression perks up.]

I might be on the other side of the tree from you, then, because I think I see it.

[oldhippony]

A squirrel? No fooling?

[There's a brown earth pony with a scraggly beard looking back at him with a wry expression.]

[200proofsugarcube]

Oh, well, it's not always squirrels. Rats are another favorite, and there was a time in City of Copper when Barry spent a few chapters as a snail.

[oldhippony]

Sounds like a gas. Here everyone's just ponies or occasionally dragons.

[200proofsugarcube]

I'd say ponies and dragons are a lot better than snails or rats! Less chance of being stepped on, or eaten.

I don't think I got your name?

[Video]

[tinkertytonk]

What ho, DuMedd! I must say you're taking this all better than most. That's the sort of joie de vivre any young chappie likes to see! I'm Bertie Wooster. How do you do?

There is a bar in town, though the selection of drinks is a bit limited. I do hope you enjoy hard cider. The ponies here are positively apples over it! Brilliant stuff, of course, but I do miss the taste of a solid whiskey and soda, what?

[200proofsugarcube]

A pleasure to meet you, Herr Wooster. I figure there's no point moping about this when it could be treated like an adventure, you know? Much more enjoyable.

I'll just have to widen their selection, if all they have is hard cider. Though I do like the stuff myself, I'll admit. If it's all there is I suppose I can't complain.

[tinkertytonk]

Hair...? Oh! Oh, I say! You're not German, are you? Well, unless you've got something to say about the old mop. Hahaha! I'll grant you, I haven't been able to keep it up to the usual standard, but once I work out fiddling with my wings like Ms. Fluttershy, I'll be back to the proper brush and comb.

But what's this about widening the selection? My dear DuMedd, are you of a distilled disposish? Can we expect more than just the metaphorical spirits to be raising?

[Visual]

[emperor_cowboy]

[He stares for a moment, before narrowing his eyes.]

I suppose it should be a good thing that some of us are happy upon appearing in this place.

[Visual]

[200proofsugarcube]

Is that not the usual reaction?

[Visual]

[emperor_cowboy]

[He thought for a moment...]

S...sure.

[bluesuit_hoofy]

'In a Heterodyne story'? How do you mean?

[200proofsugarcube]

Well, my cousin is a Heterodyne, and I wound up caught up in the events surrounding her as it were, so in that sense I'm in her story. It's no Clockwork Sundial or Race to the West Pole but it's only her very first one, after all, and those were later books.

[bluesuit_hoofy]

Now I'm trying to imagine how a clockwork sundial works.

[He shakes his head to clear it.] Sorry -- assume I'm very slow. What's a Heterodyne, exactly? And you're aware you're, ah, 'in her story'?