[After her run in the early morning, Nephenee had immediately set to preparing for the first strawberry harvest. Gathering her 'siblings' here and sharing the first of the picked berries with them, as both something nice to do and as tradition (it was said to be a way to encourage a plentiful harvest, though she didn't know why) began the day on a good note, and once the fruit was picked, it had indeed been a good one.

So that meant her plan for STRAWBERRY CREAM CAKES was able to come to fruition. Cakes for everypony.]

~~~~~

( Action with Arcee )
~~~~~

[At some point in the early afternoon, Nephenee pops up on the scrolls from the kitchen, and she's obviously been up to cooking, judging by the light bits of flour and cream on her that the red apron that reads "Baking is science for hungry people" didn't block. She's also grinning like a twit.]

Hey everypony! Um, today was the first strawberry harvest at the Commune, an' me an' Arcee made strawberry cream cakes to celebrate it. In fact, we kinda made enough for everyone!
[She holds up a little plate with an adorable little cake on it. Is that seriously a strawberry heart? It is, because derpenee.]
So um, if you'd like one, please come on down to the Commune's barn to pick it up! Ah'll be deliverin' a few, though, so if ya can't come, lemme know, an' Ah'll bring yours too!

Also, a reminder to folks that Ah'll be outta town for a few days next week, 'cause some friends an' Ah are goin' to Epcolt. Lemme know if there's anythin' ya need me to do 'fore Ah go!

~~~~~

( Private Action to NPCelestia, NPC!Luna, Princess Luna, Woona, Princess Twilight, and Pirate Celestia )
~~~~~
( Action to Mae, Gwen, Bertie, Donna, Patchy, Utchy, Dante, Arcee, Morgan )

[OOC: When it says everypony gets a cake, it means everyone, so come get it!]

Oh my...

[Well. The lab's a mess. As Usual. What's not usual? It wasn't like that when she left...nor was there a large mismash of a creature wearing this outfit.]

Welcome back, my dear. I've been waiting for you to show up for some time. Do you know how hot this get-up can get?

It...does look very uncomfortable.

[And she spots an orange lockseed hanging out of the bag on his shoulder. And she glares.]

You have something that does not belong to you.

Do I? I wasn't aware that you simply possessing these trinkets made them yours. Guess that makes them mine now. If that's the rules, of course.

You will return them now. You have no idea of the dangers they could...

Yes...I'm sure a bunch of metal fruit will make the world explode...as if I didn't know about them already. Really my dear, you must keep up.

I do not know who you are...but you will not leave here with them.

[And up raises the GabuRevolver. Discord chuckles.]

Such violence. I wouldn't expected this from a young lady of such scientific merit. No matter.

[And suddenly a bouquet of flowers is shoved in the muzzle, effectively clogging it.]

There. Isn't that much nicer? Oh yes...and the music. I forgot the music.

[The revolver's chamber suddenly starts spinning fast, Yayoi's body suddenly racked with the urge to do the transformation dance. And she can't pull the trigger either...so on she dances.]

Bravo! Bravo! Bellisima! Now that's MUCH better. But now, sadly...I can't join you. I must take my leave. Adieu fair maiden...I bid you farewe-OWWW!!!!!

[And latched onto Discord's tail is Plezuon, biting for all he's worth. Though...it's not long, as Discord dislodges him, tying him to the wall in a large bow.]

Such a rude animal. I really can't abide your taste.

[And he's gone. Yayoi falls to the ground as the music finally stops, and she races to Plezuon as soon as her legs will let her.]

Oh good. You're not hurt. You were so brave.

[And then she spots something else around Plezuon: that same orange lockseed from the bag. The last one that will be able to be found in the lab.]

[It's not everyday that you go to bed human and wake a pony. It's even less often that one did the opposite, awaking to find themselves their normal form in a pony world! But that is what she finds when Maebhrin wakes her up..
Despite the odd setback, Nephenee is determined to try to keep her normal schedule...well, mostly normal. But she sends a message to a certain boyfriend that she still wants to do their run (despite a lot of nerves about that) in the very early morning, and goes after a bit to wait for him in her Halberdier armor, leaning against a tree with her knees against her chest, helmet firmly tugged down over her face. Nerves...]

[When she hops on the scrolls mid-morning, Nephenee is fairly confused. At least...is that a Nephenee? It looks like her and Mae's cottage, that shade of blue and the plants and maps about. But...that sure is some hair. The hat Gwen gave Neph is tugged down on her head; she's wearing some odd clothes too, with Astra on her shoulder and Daisy, much bigger now, is poking her head up over the table.

Blushing a fairly bright shade of red, the now-human Neph speaks:]

S-so did this happen to everypony...?

Um...Ah reckon y'all might not recognize me..it's Nephenee. The dog's Daisy, this is how she normally looks...

What the hay happened?

[The rest of the day she is doing her normal thing of chores at the commune, going into the town for teaching the boys, and otherwise staying out of the house. While she's out, Neph can't help staring about. Everything feels weird when you're tall and suddenly can see all your friends how they normally are...also being blushy because you seem to be getting stares...]

[OOC: Neph can be wherever she's needed, so let do this thing~]

Dame Rarity and I would be happy to announce that the boutique is being expanded to the Night Market. Due to Miss Rarity's disappearance, I will be taking over the boutique there. You can still visit Dame Rarity's boutique in Ponyville, but if you're in the Night Market area, feel free to visit my shop.

[She tries to suppress her glee, though she's not able to completely do so. It had taken some convincing from Dame Rarity, but now she gets to own her own shop.]

I can do dresses, hats, suits and whatever you need made.

[She moves the scroll to the left to show her line of dresses she showed Dame Rarity before. It has several dresses with hats that's very flowery (and perfect for spring) and even flowery-lace on some of them.]

Here's an example of dresses I've designed. I can make any kind of dresses you would want. But that's not all I have to show.

[She then moves the scroll to the right and it shows a line of suits for stallions. The suits also have hats. Half of them are top hats and the other half are fedoras.]

And here's an example of suits for any stallion.

[Finally she moves the scroll to focus on her.]

Anyone that wants to be an assistant, feel free to come here or at Dame Rarity's boutique.

( I hold your promise in my hands )

[The feed flares to life, and there's a blue mare familiar to many smiling at the scroll. That was normal. What wasn't was the fact that she had bruises across her torso, bandages on the upper part of her forelimbs from where the diamond had torn into her, and a small bandage on her face. Despite all of that, though, the smile is genuine, if a bit sheepish.]

Well, that sure was somethin'. Ah'm sorry Ah haven't said nothin' after that earthquake, but the doctor said Ah need to rest, an' Mae's...kinda been makin' me keep to that.

[And in the background in their cottage, the elf!pony throws her head back in mild frustration with a grimace. Someone's been needing to mother Neph, and Neph is stubborn as a mule at times, both in a good and in a bad way.] Yes, you need to rest! You do not need to have joint aches at your age! You are far too young for such things!

[Distracted, Nephenee turns to her, looking perturbed.] But Mae, Ah was lookin' for the E-

No 'But Mae'ing me! You are the one who is my sister, and therefore more important! If I have to tie you up, I shall!

T-that ain't necessary... [And then Neph remembered OH YEAH the feed's on, and turns back, blushing from that, and cowed. She has no doubt her sister will follow through with those words.] S-sorry 'bout that. Ahem, anyway, Ah'm mostly alright...an' finally awake. [because she halved the pain meds, so she can actually function, if with a bit of pain.] So Ah can have visitors now...

On that note, Ah wanted see how everypony was doin' that was in the right branch with me, since Ah know there were more injuries 'sides myself. Miss Fluttershy, Miss Flare Star, Miss Patchouli, Bertie, Sir Andrew, Sir Pierrot, are y'all alright? [She knows about Arcee, she just saw her, after all.]

[Her face becomes a little sad as well, since she...needs to make the announcement. She does have to center and channel her battle mindset to steel herself, so her speech changes slightly.]

Also...for those of ya who don't know, Empress Sanaki Kirsch Altina of Begnion has been returned to our homeland of Tellius. My thanks to all who not only helped protect her, but also were her friend. [Back to being the lone Tellisian here.] As for her chores at the Commune, Ah will take them on as Ah recover until they can be divided.

Thank ya all.

[And the visual cuts to black.]

( To Spark )

[If you're taking a stroll, or doing business in Ponyville today, you might spot a new face. There's a red Pegasus with a spectacular coat, roaming the streets. He's even got a treasure chest on his back, being held onto by a piece of rope that looks like it's been torn off of something. Occasionally, he'll stop by a building, and take a look into the window for a few seconds, before snorting and walking off again. Depending on when you see him in the day, he'll look either determined (early on in the day), or kinda ticked off (much later). If it's the second, he's going to be muttering to himself. You might be able to pick up the following words or phrases.]

Stupid horse body.

Zemekis...are you alive somehow?

Damn...where are you? Are you even here?

[He's in a a pretty foul mood all in all, so be cautious when you approach him. ]

[When the scroll flares to life, it reveals a dour-looking griffon with black feathers, green eyes, and a blue-gray body. He is pacing, looking up occasionally at the scroll. Even from the limited view, it's clear he has a limp. It becomes apparent why a moment later when he moves farther away, sits down on his haunches and glares at the scroll viewer. From just below his elbow down, his right foreleg is missing. In its place is an iron rod with spikes at the end.]

Good afternoon.

[The way he says this sounds more like an indictment of this particular afternoon and its quality rather than a greeting.]

My name is Detective Inspector Ironclaw. As has likely been made clear already, Cloudsdale is now over Ponyville. Myself and my contingent of griffons attempted to move it over the course of the night to neutral territory. We were waylaid by a rabble rouser.

[He glances off-screen for a moment, expression going somehow more stony.]

After extensive negotiations with the Pegasi Council and the Princesses Celestia and Luna this morning, we have agreed to release him as a show of good faith. In return, we are to have the full and unconditional cooperation of all Equestrian citizens in the search for our weather gem. It is a large, blue sapphire infused with our weather magic. It was stolen approximately nine months ago from our factory in Griffaltar. We have made due with the remaining one, but it is being over-taxed and the lands beyond Equestria's boarders have been experiencing severe drought as we have struggled to supply necessary weather.

We know the thief must have been a pegasus. No unicorn or Earth pony would even be able to reach the gem given our enchantments over the area. And no griffon would steal it. We intend to search Cloudsdale.

We also require the new pony known as Efraim Gatsby, Visitor 2-4-6-0-1 to the Griffaltar Weather Factory, to step forward for questioning in connection with the theft. If he will not come forward, we will use what force may be necessary to compel him.

We have no wish to remain here longer than we must. We ask for your cooperation and have been assured that measures will be taken by the Pegasi Council to ensure it.

People of Ponyville, I would like to publicly apologize for my atrocious behavior on Hearts and Hooves Day!

[He makes a very, very deep bow of apology and does not stop, so the rest of this is basically a look at the back of Utchy's head.]

I was not myself that day! I know not what came over me--Ankh did some thing with some odd coin, and I...I...I was behaving in a most dishonorable, heinous manner!

[He kind of does not want to talk about how bad it got...]

I AM SO SORRY! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!

[He comes up from his first bow to make yet another bow of apology before freaking out and ending the feed.]

[Back home, there was no Valentine's Day (simply because there was no St. Valentine), or Hearts & Hooves Day, because the dominant species were Beorc and Laguz and not, well, ponies. But there was a festival in Melior in the spring where couples exchanged flowers, or where a potential suitor could make his intentions known to a girl. Calill had tried to set her up last year, but Nephenee had already volunteered for Queen's Guard duty for the guy who had the slot so he could spend time with his wife...It also had provided a handy, though unplanned, escape route for getting set up. Sure, the guy sounded nice, but...well, this was Nephenee, and at the time, that meant still turning into a sputtering mess when such was brought up.

Not that that much had changed in a year in that regard. She just was a mess with a suitor now.

In any case, like Earth's Valentine's Day, or Equestria's Hearts and Hooves, the Spring Flower Festival had traditions for friends too, usually involving handmade things, or flowers, yellow, the color of friendship and joy, being traditional. In Neph's case, she had decided to do both, mostly involving making chocolates like a madwoman for the several days leading up to the holiday.]

[Let it be said the farm pony doesn't go half-way in a gosh darn thing, cause everyone got something.]

[After she's done with her deliveries, the mare pops up on screen, all smiles. If you're inclined to notice, her ears now have small silver crstal studs in them.:]
H-hey, everypony! A-ah jus' wanted to say Happy Hearts & Hooves day to everypony. Hopefully y'all will be gettin' your gifts soon if ya haven't already, an' Ah hope y'all like 'em!

[Well, here's Melissa, and she looks slightly...very slightly annoyed.]

Ok, first thing's first. I'm not using the changelings to trap ponies in the hospital! Aside from the fact that I don't do that, and feeding off the feelings of sick ponies generally make us sick, the hospital smells bad. Ok? Plus I'd know if one of my changelings were trying to do something that sneaky. And none of them have.

[In other words, thanks Handy and Bertie, several NPCs have accused her of trying to poison and drain their loved ones in the hospital!

After a moment, her face falls.]

Um...that's not why I originally wanted to talk on this. Its something else.

( Melissa's little story )

[So. There's a Fluffle Puff.

Seemingly doing nothing. Nothing at all in particular.

And then suddenly, a hoof erupts from the depths of her fur as Gentarou emerges from the depths with a loud gasp.]

Wow! That was crazy! What an adventure! I didn't think I would make more friends in there!

[Carefully he climbed out of Fluffle Puff with a wide grin, reaching back in and fishing out the Fourze driver and his scroll.]

Ah there they are. Great. See you later, I'll bring tacos next time!

[Care to explain to the Rider Pony just what he missed?]

[Perhaps it's the night, but something about it is crystal clear as a sweet melody wafts over Ponyville, amplified by the scrolls. Someone is playing a piano and singing along softly. To a couple of people, it might actually sound incredibly familiar. It seems Ako has begun to sing once more, and her voice was wafting over the wind.]

Try though I might to stem the flow of fate, still its sands slip away from me
But there you were to help me bear their weight, and in my heart you shall always be
May the circle of life become the ties that bond, let my prayer reach through them now to you
Warriors of the great dinosaurs of old, keep the fangs of your heart ever strong
Listen to the fire that burns within your soul, and welcome the coming new dawn with your song

Just a touch let me see within your heart, hear the music that lay inside
And I knew that though we may one day part, the song within would never have died
From their lips to mine now these words shall become song, passed across the ages now born anew
With the power of your courage burning bright, reach for your dreams and it won’t be long
‘Til the promise that we made will come to light, we’ll welcome the coming new dawn with our song

May the circle of life become the ties that bond, let my prayer reach through them now to you
From their lips to mine now these words shall become song, passed across the ages now born anew

Warriors of the great dinosaurs of old, keep the fangs of your heart ever strong
Listen to the fire that burns within your soul and welcome the coming new dawn
With the power of your courage burning bright, reach for your dreams and it won’t be long
‘Til the promise that we made will come to light, we’ll welcome the coming new dawn with our song

[She continues to play, heedless of being recorded as she continues to sing this melody, the resonance glowing from the etched keyboard in front of her as she continues to play on the magical instrument.]

I miss my family...

 [Hey, didn't this pony pop up yesterday? Yes, yes she did, but now she's much happier, and it's her turn to do the What I Learned talk.]

Um, since everypony's talkin' about what they earned, Ah guess Ah should too.

[She looks embarrassed, and hangs her head.]

Before last week...Ah still had trouble relyin' on others. Ah...didn't want to put others at risk by askin' them to stand by me. Still wanted to believe Ah could do everythin' myself. 

When Ah was little, my Pa passed, and all a sudden Ah was the one in charge of everythin', because Ma had to take care of my brothers and sisters. So...Ah learned to count on myself. The harvest, whether we had food to eat...that was all on me. And then when the wars came a couple of years later, Ah had to protect them. And so that's how Ah fought: As one by herself, never givin' myself a moment's rest...like Ah couldn't rely on others. And...truth be told, Ah was afraid to. Ah didn't want to bother others with that...

And at the same time, Ah thought Ah was too weak to be of any use to anyone, that Ah wasn't worth it.

[She raises her head now, a strange new fire in her eyes.]

But this week...Ah saw the truth. Princess Luna once told me Ah wasn't an island, that Ah didn't need to do stuff on my own...and it took almost gettin' my friends killed by...my Shadow...to see that. That Ah can be strong, and that, at the same time, Ah can rely on my friends. And even if they ain't here with me, they're part of my Strength. And that if they believed in me, then Ah should too.

Ah wish it hadn't taken this past week to learn that, but now that two dear friends are alive and well again...Ah think Ah can learn to believe better now. If my Shadow did anythin' to anypony, Ah apologize, and Ah'll do what Ah can to make it better, and if anypony wants to talk, Ah've got two willin' ears.

So, to all who call me friend, and to all those Ah will, in the future, call friend...
Thank ya, for bein' there, and for bein' my friends.

~~~~

( Private messages to Bertie and Gwen )

Action:

( No more drinks for this mare )

Visual:

[If one were to tune in to their magic scrolls about now, they might see...the night sky? Yep, definitely the sky. The scroll seems to be in an alley perhaps, judging by the walls nearby, and there's a sound not unlike a small filly sobbing...]

[Utsusemimaru is sitting on top of a cloud and waving cheerfully at everyone.]

Good afternoon! I hope I am not bothering anypony, but I was wondering if perhaps anypony knew of somewhere I might go in order to explore the clouds more? I know of Cloudsdale, but I am not certain I am ready to visit an entire city in the clo--

[Suddenly, a large green pegasus lands next to him, cutting Utsusemimaru off and almost startling the gold pony into flat-out falling off his cloud.]

You're Goldwing, right? The new guy! The intern!

Beg pardon, sir, but I believe you are mistaken. My name is Uts--

Enough dawdling and get to work! Lafillyette needs their rain for today, and this weather team flew all the way out from Cloudsdale to do it! Now get out there and MAKE IT RAIN!

[The other pony is waving around a map and looking cheesed off. He is also holding the map upside-down. That might explain a few things.]

But this is Ponyville! And I do not know how to make it rain!

[The other pegasus does not seem to be willing to listen.]

GET TO WORK!

[Looks like Utsusemimaru is miserably losing this argument, the poor guy. The other pony's yelling at him and dragging him away despite his very polite protests. And if you'd rather an action option, today there will be a lot of random, small but very contained thunderstorms around Ponyville today. He's very sorry, but he has no idea what he's doing.]

[
( The trials of a country mouse are never easy. )

Ah apologize for being quiet the last few days, but Ah’ve been thinking after that Nightmare Moon thing…

Ah…Ah got caught in one of those nightmares. And if it weren’t for mah friends, Ah don’t know if I’d be here right now. And Ah want to get better at fightin’ so that Ah can help others too, and make it so they don’t have to rescue me, puttin’ themselves in danger.

Ah know we have fighters here, both physical and magical, so Ah have a request:

Ah would like to train with those who would have me as a student. Ah don’t think Ah can use magic a’tall, but at the very least, Ah want ta learn to dodge stuff, and Ah want to get ta be a better fighter overall, so that Ah can do better next time.

As you might can see, Ah’m a lance and shield user. Couple of my lances are suited for throwin’, but for the most part, Ah get up close and pummel the snot outta things, or at least try to. S-so, if you can help in any way, Ah’d be much obliged, and Ah’d pay ya any way Ah can.

[Okay she’s starting to get nervous…]

Um, also, Ah’ve been, uh, having bad dreams lately…anypony got a way ta get rid of those?

~~~~~

( Private action to Rainbow Dash )~~~~~

( Private visual to May!Twi )

The scroll showed a hooded figure over a cauldron of some simmering green goo as the pony in question pushed up her hood and started to chant as she began adding things.

Hubble bubble, toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron... not yet bubble
To this end I speak, give us the brew
A dash of cane sugar, and a liquid hoodoo

Come and meet our fair thee wells
A bit of vinegar, and a citrusy meld
Wrap it all up in cola and paste
and squeeze it out through a tube of cornpaste!

Hubble bubble toil and trouble
Fire burn and ooh it's wonderful
A dash of rainbow, a horsefeather too
into it all goes my tasty brew

With the fire burning, the cauldron aflame!
Pour some gasoline, wait, that's just sunrays!
A dash of cream, a jar of green goo
All to this, come my tasty brew!

Hubble bubble, a taste beyond compare
Give us the liquid taste we dare
Cutie mark Cutie mark don't fail me now
a dash of magic, and thus we create it now!

And as such, there was a huge explosion that rocked the back yard of Sugarcube Corner where Pinkie Pie was making her liquid, followed by a riotous explosion of thick green goo everywhere, covering the building.

In the middle of it, a pony shaped lump oozed out and cackled maniacally seconds before licking it all off with a super long tongue. "Hmm, needs more salt. Who'd have thought trying to make Mountain Dew from scratch could be so difficult!"

 [It's been awhile since Nephenee's posted, but she's been busy. She had gone exploring for awhile since the heat was too much to even think of planting, but after coming back in time for the race, she's beenhard at work tilling and weeding and planting the short growing vegetables before winter sets in. She's done for the day, so she flops down on her bed in her room, and, realizing she hasn't said anything much to people lately, she opens the magical scroll. Have a slightly dirty looking (okay more than slightly dirty, she's got a leaf or two in her hair, which is singed in places), but happy seeming teal haired pony.]

Wow, sure been awhile since ah used this here scroll thingamajig. Ah've been real busy though. Went explorin' for a bit, then ah got ta work on the farm. If it goes as planned we should have some good crops coming in soon...

From what ah can tell, we've got some new folks, too. So ah guess ah should introduce mahself. Mah name's Nephenee, and ah live down here at the commune. 

[Uhhhhh what else should she say...trying to be more personable is hard...

Yeah, she's kind of got nothing. Well uh...the weather's a safe topic right?]

So uh, the leaves sure are all over the place. Gettin' cool too. Ain't too much different than home, ah suppose.

[EDIT: I forgot her hair is a complete mess from the flames still. If you would like to have your dudes comment go right on ahead!]