mylittlejamjar | Announcement: The Running of the Leaves [visual]

[When the scrolls flare to life, they flash the below message first, accompanied by Official Canterlot Trumpets that sound suspiciously like a baby dragon playing a toy trumpet. Pay no mind to this!]

[Next, a baby dragon holding a toy trumpet that he quickly chucks off screen does appear. He waves with a smile.]

Hi, everypony! My name's Spike, and I'm the official assistant to Princess Twilight Sparkle and Twilight Sparkle. [He puffs himself up for a moment.]

I'll be the announcer for the annual Running of the Leaves, and I wanted to invite all of you to participate! [He holds up a claw and closes his eyes as he recites.] The Running of the Leaves is one of the most important races in all of Equestria. Every year, ponies across the land gallop through the forests, shaking loose the autumn leaves. Without this, they'd stay up there and then how would we get pumpkin pie in the fall?! E-hem! I mean, it's vital to changing the seasons in Equestria outside the Everfree Forest.

The lovely officiator will be our very own Princess Twilight Sparkle and the first, second, and third place winners will receive awesome prizes! Everypony's important, though. We need all of Equestria, newpony and native to help out. As a thanks, all participants will receive one of these really cool certificates, signed by Princess Twilight Sparkle, herself!

[He holds up a certificate with official thanks and a line for a pony's name along with a signature line for Twilight. Curiously, there also appears to be a drawing of a buff purple and green dragon in one corner, shaking a tree whilst a white and purple unicorn with blue diamonds on her flank watches on in awe. He notices this after a moment and quickly crumbles up the certificate, cheeks going pink.]

Uh! I-I mean, I'll find the certificates later. Um! If you've got any questions, I can totally answer them!

[OOC: The race post itself may be found HERE.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Do I get a drawing like that if I win? 'Cause I don't feel like you could really capture my essence.

I mean, I'm in anyway, but still.

I could capture anypony's essence! N-not that that was anypony. [The dragon is kicking at the ground with one foot in embarrassment.]

The prizes are going to be a lot cooler than that. Ten times cooler, at least!

Izzat so? You mind givin' a sneak peek, little dude?

Well... [Spike nibbles on one claw looking to the side nervously.] They're supposed to be a secret. Can you keep a secret?

Totally. My lips're sealed tighter than a mason jar. Won't tell a soul.

Okay... [He leans in.] Third place is getting three four-day passes to Epcolt Theme Park in Phillydelphia! I've never been, but I've heard they have a fireworks show every night.

[A grin and a conspiratorial nod.] Niiice. What else you got waitin' in the wings over there?

Spike, do NOT answer that question! It's supposed to be a surprise!

Princess, I gave him my word, my word, that this was gonna stay a secret. Not a word's gonna sneak out from between us, I guarantee.

[She places a hoof over her heart, trying to look as stern and serious as possible and failing miserably.]

No means no. If you want to know what they are, you'll have to wait like everyone else.

[Spike turns to plead with the Twilights.]

Aw, c'mon, Twi! Somepony should know! They're so cool! How can you keep quiet?

Because if everypony knows how great the prize is, they'll all be too busy rushing to try to win it that the leaves won't fall in one pass. You remember what happened two years ago, don't you?

Edited 2013-09-22 23:38 (UTC)

Yeah! The people deserve to know, man. What's such a big deal about these things that you gotta keep 'em under wraps, anyway?

[And mock outrage is a go.]

Because that's what a surprise is: everyone will know when the time comes. Until then, you'll just have to wait.

And you can't tell anyone about it. Okay, Spike?

[The baby dragon hangs his head for a moment before turning sad eyes on the DJ.]

Sorry, Vinyl. I promise they'll be the best prizes we've ever had for the Running of the Leaves, though!

S'alright, bro. I can wait a little while longer, I guess. Like, five minutes, at least.

[She leans in closer the the scroll, addressing Spike in a hard half-whisper.]

Just come talk t'me when Princess Killjoy isn't breathin' down your neck, alright?

Edited 2013-09-22 23:54 (UTC)

[Vinyl's one of the coolest ponies in Ponyville. Both of her are. She should totally know! Spike raises a hand to cover his mouth from view.]

Meet me by the balloon at the starting line. I'm not sure I'll be able to get out before then.

SPIKE!

[The little dragon cringes, turning toward Twilight. He shows off his crossed fingers to the scroll for Vinyl's viewing pleasure.]

I'm just joking, Twilight. My lips are sealed!

Gotcha. You just keep playin' cool 'til then.

[And a wink. Well, it might be a wink, it's kinda hard to tell.]

Welp, guess I better get movin'. All this chit-chat's usin' up my valuable racing energy. Catch you folks on the flip-side.

[With that, she grins, gives a small mock-salute, and closes her scroll.]

Announcement: The Running of the Leaves [visual]

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[From Offscreen, but she can be clearly heard]

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[As offscreen as Princess Twilight]

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