Kickoff [Video/Massive Audio later]

[like_a_dragon]

[A green pony with a matted down brown mop-top appears on the scroll. From the furrowed brows, flared nostrils and fierce grimace, she does not appear... pleased.]

WHAT THE TARTARUS IS GOING ON HERE!?

[Taking a step away from the scroll would probably be a good idea...]

I can't even begin to count all the things that is wrong here! I mean, at first I thought this was a dream but then when somepony actually pinched me -- WITH THEIR MOUTH NO LESS -- I knew that this was actually real. Talking ponies? And the ones with wings? EVEN ONES WITH MAGIC HORNS?? I even saw one that brought in a raincloud! IT WAS RIGHT ON TOP OF ME!!

[She takes a moment and her hoof comes up to scrub off her hair and her face.]

Alright... you know what... considering everything else I have seen before a world of talking ponies is actually not that out there. And, hey, at least my fur color is one that I'd like. Just, in this case, I hope my friends aren't here to have this happen to them.

Also, I have to ask just one question...

Why couldn't I have been one of those cool ones with the wings?

EDIT:

[A little bit later there is a shout. A glorious shout. A mighty shout. It rings to the heavens and may even be heard as far as way as The Crystal Kingdom.]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN PONIES DON'T EAT MEAT?!!!!

[Thanks, Teddie.]

EDIT: x2

[And a little bit after that there is another shout, though not quite as powerful, whatever is doing it definitely has a healthy set of lungs.]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE'S NO TV?!!

[Thanks, Rise.]

Comments

[like_a_dragon]

Fencing? She fences?

[She sees no reason why not, but that also seems a little out of character, for her.]

[strawberryredgrave]

She does now. She was looking for a little extra combat practice and figured she'd like a rapier. She does pretty damn well with a fan, though. Caught the receiving end of it a few times.

[like_a_dragon]

Heh.

[She smiles a little. In a way, she's proud.]

It sounds like she's been keeping busy.

But she's a pony too, right? How is she able to hold onto anything?

[strawberryredgrave]

You saw the ponies with the horns, right? Those are unicorns. They have magic they can use to lift stuff and Yukiko's a unicorn. She's pretty good with it, too.

You probably got a few moves of your own too, right?

[like_a_dragon]

Riiight the magic.

[She groans. It's one more thing that Yukiko was better than her at.]

Well, I guess so. I'm told I'm an Earth pony, and that means I'm supposed to be strong and good with plants? But if I'm honest I don't feel the same. Just plain, old, everyday Chie.

[strawberryredgrave]

I dunno; you definitely seem strong and you sure as Hell don't look plain, old or everyday...so tell me something: what are you good at? What makes Chie so very Chie?

[like_a_dragon]

I don't know. I'm not really great at anything.

Getting into trouble, maybe?

Think you can make that into a super power?

[She's also really good at self-deprecation, too!]

[strawberryredgrave]

(Oh, he notices that. And he can't help but grin.)

You kiddin'? I make getting into trouble an art. There's a reason I have the reputation I have, you know.

[like_a_dragon]

That's can't be hard for a dragon.

[Especially one with such an ample... ego!]

[strawberryredgrave]

It's especially not hard for me.

(He can certainly talk the talk, can't he?)

Tell you what: if you've got the time, I'll show you a few moves, see if I can't find something that makes you feel better. Cool?

[like_a_dragon]

Oh, I'd love to.

But right now I'm going to meet up with my friends. They're over in the other kingdom, what with The Games and all.

[She's so heartbroken about that too... not really.]

[strawberryredgrave]

Funny how that works...so am I.

But Hell if I'm gonna tell you what to do. Those friends of yours will be happy to see you. Just take it easy, yeah? There's gotta be a reason why Yukiko looks up to you.

[like_a_dragon]

Probably because we've been friends for so long. I mean, I can't think of anything else.

[Okay that's a lie. They've been through thick-and-thin together. They're bffs and she would die several times over before she'd see her come to harm. They've even seen the worst parts of each other and became even stronger friends for it.]

[But Dante doesn't need to know about that. c;]

[strawberryredgrave]

I doubt that.

[like_a_dragon]

Yeah? Well go on doing that. Far as I can tell you're free to do whatever you want.

I mean other than be a human. Or eat meat.

[strawberryredgrave]

Actually, dragons don't have a problem eating meat. They just prefer gems, apparently.

You got me on the human part, though.

[like_a_dragon]

That's a pretty expensive diet. Good thing you had a horde of... stuff.

[Seriously, what would a dragon horde?]

Is there anything else to know about dragons?

[What since he's in a sharing mood.]

[strawberryredgrave]

That depends: what do you wanna know?

[like_a_dragon]

Well, I heard that they're pretty dangerous. Any truth to that?

[Or is Dante just weird?]

[strawberryredgrave]

Oh, they're plenty dangerous. They can be, anyway. They breathe fire and can easily hit twenty feet in height. That's enough to rampage through a village. Most of 'em aren't too nice, either; they tend to be greedy and that can cause problems.

Of course, not every dragon can be me. Being really tall has its benefits, but I like fitting through a door. Means I can still hit up the bar. It keeps fights more interesting, too.

(Translation: yes, Dante is very weird.)

[like_a_dragon]

[Yes, she's starting to get that.]

And I'm sure you're totally in control of yourself all of the time.

[Chie wasn't really known for subtitles, but in a way she was feeling out this dragon. To be honest, he could have lied at least three times so far, but he was able to give good and bad, and she could appreciate that.]

[strawberryredgrave]

(As smug as Dante can be (and he can be incredibly smug), he's also honest. An interesting combination, to say the least.)

I am totally in control of myself. It just so happens that I'm an out of control guy. Don't get me wrong: I haven't burned anything down yet, but you gimme a good party and maybe a few drinks? Let's just say that's when I stop making promises.

(Oh, and he's also a dork.)

[like_a_dragon]

[She can appreciate that too.]

[In fact, he got her to giggle, a little.]

Well, now I know when to start escorting you out of town.

[strawberryredgrave]

That mean you're gonna start escorting me out of town?

[like_a_dragon]

More like kick you out unceremoniously.

[See? Jumping pony kick.]