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twilightponyAfter a very full day in Yakyakistan yesterday, we caught the overnight train back to Ponyville and we were woken up by the conductor just in time to collect our things and to stumble sleepily out onto the Ponyville platform. We decided to go to castle to have breakfast before everypony went home. When we stepped in the door we surprised Big MacIntosh, Discord and Spike in the mane entrance hall, engaged in a full immersion version of a combat role-playing game. They must have been at it all night. I was going to propose we go to the kitchen instead, or Cafe Hay, and leave Spike and his friends to their "secret" endeavor, but Dash and Pinkie thought it looked like so much fun that they jumped right in and joined them. Applejack and Fluttershy wanted to watch, so Rarity and I went to the kitchen and brought down breakfast for nine. The players reached an ending point in their game, about the time Big MacIntosh got impaled by an arrow in his knee, and we all had breakfast right there in the hall.
So yesterday we met Princess Celestia in her official pegasus guard-drawn chariot outside of the Crystal Empire, and we proceeded to hike up the road to Yakyakistan. The road looks a lot more traveled now than it did when we were here last summer. There are lots of wagon ruts in the muddy parts from yaks hauling Ponyville hay and other Equestrian specialty items up the steep grade. There were sections that are beginning to get paved with rough-hewn stones, especially in the marshy sections. We passed several yaks on their way to Equestria, and a few passed us too, on their way home. The yaks are no strangers to walking up steep trails, they move quicker than we do. Pinkie brought yeti food that she set out for the yeti on Frost Field Glacier, but we didn't see one. By early afternoon we reached the Yakyakistan gates where Prince Blueblood and several high ranking yak nobles were waiting to greet us.
While we discretely caught our breaths, we were serenaded by a choir of yak calves who chanted something atonal that resonated with the distant snow laden escarpments. From there Princess Celestia and her Royal Guard proceeded with Prince Blueblood and his retinue in matched chariots. We followed behind as Prince Blueblood directed us through the streets of Yakyakistan and the surrounding countryside. It was a lot of walking with several planned stops.
At six of those stops and we met a notable or a few notable yaks and one of us would be called forward to present the preplanned gift we each carried. All the gifts were lovely which the yaks delicately opened without tearing the wrapping paper. Prince Blueblood had personally selected each gift and he took care of presenting them. He put a positive spin on any shortcomings our hosts might find with the gifts. Apart from being gift bearers, it was our duty to drink a lot of fermented milk. It's yak tradition to offer fermented milk to important guests and alas, we were important.
Fortunately there was solid food as well, although by the fourth stop were were all getting a bit full. The yaks still remember the lost explorers we rescued from Winter's clutches. At each stop, after unwrapping their gift, our hosts placed something of equal value (by their standards) into the box and carefully rewrapped it. Our plan, back at the castle, was to unwrap our boxes over breakfast and see what they had given us in return.
By the time the sun was flirting with the horizon we were very full of goodwill and back at the curving gates of Yakyakistan. A very large crowd of yaks had gathered to see us go and to bid us farewell. Princess Celestia set the sun and she and Prince Blueblood launched their chariots into the twilight and flew home to Canterlot. We took the road down to the Crystal Empire and the train station. It got really cold after dark and it even started to snow! In autumn! Fortunately we had our winter clothes on and the brisk walk downhill kept us warm.
We didn't stop in the Crystal Empire this time and we didn't see either Trixie or Starlight Glimmer. They are probably already in the Crystal Empire now, visiting Sunburst (and getting a parade too, no doubt.) The Crystal Empire ribbons of light were carrying quite a bit of joy earlier. It's toned down to general contentment now, probably as the crystal ponies settle down to sleep.
So yesterday we met Princess Celestia in her official pegasus guard-drawn chariot outside of the Crystal Empire, and we proceeded to hike up the road to Yakyakistan. The road looks a lot more traveled now than it did when we were here last summer. There are lots of wagon ruts in the muddy parts from yaks hauling Ponyville hay and other Equestrian specialty items up the steep grade. There were sections that are beginning to get paved with rough-hewn stones, especially in the marshy sections. We passed several yaks on their way to Equestria, and a few passed us too, on their way home. The yaks are no strangers to walking up steep trails, they move quicker than we do. Pinkie brought yeti food that she set out for the yeti on Frost Field Glacier, but we didn't see one. By early afternoon we reached the Yakyakistan gates where Prince Blueblood and several high ranking yak nobles were waiting to greet us.
While we discretely caught our breaths, we were serenaded by a choir of yak calves who chanted something atonal that resonated with the distant snow laden escarpments. From there Princess Celestia and her Royal Guard proceeded with Prince Blueblood and his retinue in matched chariots. We followed behind as Prince Blueblood directed us through the streets of Yakyakistan and the surrounding countryside. It was a lot of walking with several planned stops.
At six of those stops and we met a notable or a few notable yaks and one of us would be called forward to present the preplanned gift we each carried. All the gifts were lovely which the yaks delicately opened without tearing the wrapping paper. Prince Blueblood had personally selected each gift and he took care of presenting them. He put a positive spin on any shortcomings our hosts might find with the gifts. Apart from being gift bearers, it was our duty to drink a lot of fermented milk. It's yak tradition to offer fermented milk to important guests and alas, we were important.
Fortunately there was solid food as well, although by the fourth stop were were all getting a bit full. The yaks still remember the lost explorers we rescued from Winter's clutches. At each stop, after unwrapping their gift, our hosts placed something of equal value (by their standards) into the box and carefully rewrapped it. Our plan, back at the castle, was to unwrap our boxes over breakfast and see what they had given us in return.
By the time the sun was flirting with the horizon we were very full of goodwill and back at the curving gates of Yakyakistan. A very large crowd of yaks had gathered to see us go and to bid us farewell. Princess Celestia set the sun and she and Prince Blueblood launched their chariots into the twilight and flew home to Canterlot. We took the road down to the Crystal Empire and the train station. It got really cold after dark and it even started to snow! In autumn! Fortunately we had our winter clothes on and the brisk walk downhill kept us warm.
We didn't stop in the Crystal Empire this time and we didn't see either Trixie or Starlight Glimmer. They are probably already in the Crystal Empire now, visiting Sunburst (and getting a parade too, no doubt.) The Crystal Empire ribbons of light were carrying quite a bit of joy earlier. It's toned down to general contentment now, probably as the crystal ponies settle down to sleep.
no subject
Date: 2016-12-13 10:15 am (UTC)