Knock knock knock
Everen got out of bed and cantered over to his door, opening it to see Karilyn waiting eagerly outside his room.
"Good morning Everen. Come on downstairs when you're ready,I'm making breakfast." she said cheerily.
"I'll be down in a minute then, just let me get ready." Everen responded. "I'll want to look presentable."
"Okay, just don't take too long or your breakfast will get cold." Karilyn said, tilting her head slightly and closing her eyes in an adorable manner.
"Alright, I won't be long." Everen promised, turning around.
He puts on his necklace, vest, and boots, and puts Tsunami on his back. He looks in a mirror, examining his messy mane. He runs a hoof through it to make it look the way he likes, although it's still a mess. He then carefully styles his tail in the three-spiked way he always has it in. He then walks out of the room and goes downstairs.
"So what are you making for breakfast?" Everen asks when he reaches the bottom of the staircase.
"Blueberry pancakes and oats." Karilyn called from the kitchen across the living room.
"Smells delicious." Everen said, smelling the air, which was thick with the sweet aromas of Karilyn's cooking.
"Thanks, it's nearly done. Have a seat at the table and I'll serve you once it's ready." she said.
Everen sat down at a small, square, wooden table and waited patiently for Karilyn. He set Tsunami on the floor next to him for the time being, keeping an eye on her. Milo came down a moment later and sat across from Everen.
"Mornin'." the earth pony greeted Everen. "How are you?"
"Just fine, thanks. And you?" Everen replied.
"Good, Kari makin' pancakes?" Milo asked smelling the blueberries.
"Yep." the unicorn said.
"Awesome! Love her food." he said. "She's a really good cook. We think she should get a job in cooking, but she insists in pursuing other jobs."
"Well what's her cutie mark. That would tell her her special talent." Everen stated.
"That's just it though, her cutie mark is a sword crossed with a chef's knife." Milo explained, looking to the kitchen. "She want's a job that involves using swords. But there aren't many careers there, so she's searching all over, trying out all sorts of jobs like she doesn't have a cutie mark yet."
A thought occurred to Everen at this moment. "Well I have a sword, maybe we could spar to satisfy her urge for sword play. Then she can pursue a cooking career."
"That'll be brilliant if you can make it work!" Milo exclaimed excitedly, feeling he'd like Everen more than he thought he would last night.
"I'll see what I can do." Everen promised.
"Cool." Milo responded.
"Here you guys go." Karilyn trotted over, carrying a plate of pancakes on each of her wings. She set a plate in front of both stallions, then went back to the kitchen and came back with another plate for herself. "Tell me what you think Everen."
"Will do." he took a bite of the pancakes, and his eyes widened a bit. He could see, or rather taste, why Karilyn's friends were trying to get her into a cooking job. The food was spectacular, Everen wasn't sure he'd ever eaten anything this good before. He ate the rest of his pancakes, savoring every bite, before moving on to the oats. He wasn't sure what it was, but something in the oats made them taste better than any oats Everen had had before.
"The food was amazing, you're a really good cook." Everen complimented the mare.
"Oh come on, I'm not that good." Karilyn retorted modestly.
"You really are." Everen insisted. "I hear you're good with a sword. Is there any truth to those words?" he continued, changing the topic.
"Try me." Karilyn said, grinning.
"On the roof then?" Everen accepted her challenge. "I'll just go and get my sword and then we can spar a bit."
"Maybe later, I've gotta go try to get another job." Karilyn said, looking forward to their match later.
"Alright, I've got to get going anyways." Everen remembered hi appointment with Kane. "I'm expected elsewhere."
"So later then?" Karilyn asked hopefully. "The other two who live here are ever so bad at sword fighting."
"Hey!" Milo began to object, but then surrendered quickly. "It's true."The three of them laughed at this.
"While we're on the topic. Where is this other tenant?" Everen asked curiously, having not seen the other lodger yet.
"He's a huge night owl, you'll be lucky if you see him anywhere outside of the jazz club." Milo elucidated.
"Well maybe I'll check out the jazz club then." Everen offered. "Where is it?"
"I'll take you there myself tomorrow." Karilyn said.
"Great, thanks." Everen picked up the dragon still on the floor, putting her on his back as he got up. "I'll just be going then."
"Is that a dragon?" Milo and Karilyn spoke in unison.
"Huh? Oh, right." Everen suddenly realized that he hadn't introduced the infant yet. "This is Tsunami, or Tsui for short. I've had her since I was a teenager."
"But how do you have a dragon?" Karilyn questioned. "They're supposed to be hard to attain."
"She was a gift from my uncle." Everen explained, beginning to canter towards the door. "I really must be going though. Goodbye."
"Bye." replied Kari.
"Seeya round." came Milo, still awestruck.
Everen exited the building and made his way to the coffee shop. When he arrived at the front door, he saw the tables packed with ponies. And Kane was zooming around at super-pony speed, as though he'd drunk a few pots of coffee. He stopped in front of Everen, and he saw his eyes, they were definitely pink.
"Hey Everen, glad you came." Kane started quickly. "Can you please help me out with the morning rush. I'd only need you to make food in the kitchen. I'll pay you for it of course."
"Sure, I'd be happy to help." Everen trotted into the kitchen and strapped on an apron. Kane handed him orders and Everen got to work, keeping nice pace with the crowd that was slowly dying away. When the last pony had left the shop Kane cantered up to Everen, his eyes green again.
"Thanks alot Everen, here's your pay." he said handing the unicorn a small pouch.
"Thanks, I need the money." Everen replied, examining the contents of the bag, which held thirty five bits. "Think you'll need help tomorrow morning?"
"No, it's only monday mornings where I need help." Kane explained. "That's when it gets crowded."
"Okay, I'll come back early next monday then." Everen stated, determinedly.
"Really? Thanks!" Kane said excitedly, happy to have some willing help with monday mornings. "I could definitely use your assistance, you did great today."
"Thanks. So, why'd you want me to come here today?" Everen asked, getting to the point.
"Right, I need to run some errands today, and was wondering if you'd accompany me?" the pegasus elucidated. "It can get pretty boring without somepony to walk with."
"Sure. I have a sword match scheduled for later, but I'm free for awhile." Everen said, recalling their conversation from yesterday. "You said you were going to see Note today, right?"
"Yeah I was gonna meet up with him at Remix's studio." Kane said. "After I go to Layla's to get fitted for a suit."
"What's the suit for?" Everen inquired, looking curiously at Kane.
"There's a formal party coming up soon and I'd like to dress for the occasion." Kane made for the door, ready to move on with the day.
"Well I'd better see about getting a suit too then, shouldn't I?" Everen said, following Kane.
"That's if they'll let you into the party." Kane looked at Everen concernedly. "These parties are pretty exclusive."
"I have a feeling they'll let me in." he replied confidently.
"Alright. And how is Tsui doing today." Kane asked, turning his attention to the dragon.
"Just fine." Everen chuckled.
"Glad to hear it. Is she adjusting well?" Kane tickled her chin with a forehoof.
"Well enough, she's getting along well." Everen smiled at the pegasus, amused by his fawning.
"Good. We're almost there." Kane looked up as the two approached a spectacular building painted red, pink, and yellow. The sight reminded him of Bliss. He pushed the thought from his mind. They walked inside and Everen looked around, the interior was even more beautifully decorated.
"Hey Layla, here to get fitted for my suit." Kane said.
A golden-brown unicorn stepped up, her blonde mane practically glowing in the light of the room.
"Hello Kane, I'm ready when you are." Layla somehow carried a Trottingham accent, despite living in Coldurim. Her yellow-orange eyes sparkled with anticipation behind her bright red glasses.
"Oh hello." she said, just noticing Everen. "My name is Layla Firestorm."
"Everen Shamrock, pleased to meet you." came Everen, bowing politely.
"You're well mannered aren't you? Are you from Canterlot?" Layla asked, intrigued by this pony.
"No, but I learned how to be a proper gentlecolt from my uncle, who did live in Canterlot." he explained, again holding back his emotions.
"I see he taught you well then." Layla smiled pleasantly at him. "I like you. Please if there's anything you ever need, just ask me and I'll see how I can help."
"Thank you. And, actually, I will need a suit soon as well. I plan to go to this upcoming formal party." Everen said. "Do you have time to fit me today too?"
"We'll see how long Kane takes, and if I have some extra time I'll fit you today. Otherwise I can just fit you at a later date." Layla offered, waving Kane over to a pedestal.
Kane stepped up on the pedestal, and Layla began taking his measurements. The measuring tape was flying all over, being carried by Layla's orange magic. All the while she was taking notes on a scroll. When she had finished, she rolled up the tape, set it aside, and checked the time.
"So sorry dear, but I don't have the time to fit you today."Layla started, sounding, disappointed? "But I have an opening on Thursday if you're free then."
"Sounds good to me, what time do you want me to come by?" Everen inquired, wanting to make plans around his appointment.
"Say, around, noon?" Layla suggested, tilting her head a little.
"Sure, see you then." Everen confirmed, heading for the exit.
"Goodbye." Layla said, looking forward to their next encounter.
Everen and Kane moved through the alleys, making their way to a plain looking building. There were multicolored lights coming from one of the second floor windows.
"This is the studio, I take it?" Everen asked, feeling the bass though the walls.
"Yes it is." Kane answered.
The two came in through the back door and went upstairs. Kane entered the nearest recording station. Remix was sitting at the mix table recording, while Quarter Note was on the other side of the glass, singing and playing his guitar. Remix turned around and waved when he saw Kane and Everen.
"What's up Kane?" he greeted the pegasus. "Hey, you. Sorry, I'm bad with names." he scratched the back of his head nervously.
"It's okay, I don't remember your name yet either. I met quite a lot of new ponies yesterday and the day before." Everen consoled the earth pony.
"How's Note sound today?" Kane inquired, looking over Remix's shoulder.
"Great, he still needs to work on his low notes, but besides that I have no complaints." Remix said jovially.
"You two seem to know each other rather well." Everen commented, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
"As we should, I'm his record dealer and he's my best contract. And we're roommates to boot." the yellow stallion chuckled, turning back around. "Let us finish up here first, then I can let you go with Note."
"Sure thing Remix." Kane said, taking a seat on one of the chairs against the back wall.
Everen took a seat next to Kane and watched Remix and Note work. Remix was using headphones, so Everen couldn't hear the music, but he figured it sounded good. A few minutes had passed and Note stood up, and walked out of the recording station.
"I hope you weren't waiting long." he said when he saw Everen and Kane. "Hello again Everen. Good to see you."
"Good to see you to." Everen replied. "We got here not too long ago."
"Ready to go Note?" Kane asked, turning to the side.
"Yes I am." Note answered, putting away his guitar and following the dark-brown pegasus.
"Let's get moving then." Kane left the room, Everen and Note following closely.
"Is that a dragon on your back Everen?" Note questioned, seeing the blue-and-yellow infant.
"Yes, her name is Tsunami." Everen enjoyed the stunned look on Note's face. "She was a birthday gift from my uncle a long time ago. I hatched her the same day."
"So wait. It's not just your birthday on saturday, but hers as well?" Kane rose his voice. "Well then, I've got a little more behind-the-scenes party planning to do."
"You really don't have to-" Everen started to protest.
"YES I DO!" Kane exclaimed, at the top of his lungs.
"Alright, alright. Go ahead." Everen said defensively. "But if you insist on going that extra mile, just be sure to get gemstones for Tsui."
"Sure thing." Kane said, settling down again.
"So are you adjusting well to town Everen?" Note inquired, changing the subject.
"Yes I am." Everen looked back to Note, giving him a silent thank you. "I've already got a home and a part time job with Kane. Only on Mondays though, so I'll have to find work for the rest of the week."
"That's good that you have a place to stay." Note said, as the three of them rounded a corner, and they were suddenly on main street north.
"Everen, I need to have a private word with Note now, if you don't mind." Kane looked at Everen adamantly.
"Sure, but if you were going to have a private conversation with him in the first place, why even bring me along?" Everen questioned, suspiciously.
"I have my reasons." Kane stated simply.
"Okay, I'll just explore town a bit then." Everen said, cantering off towards the center of town. When Everen arrived at town hall he was confronted by three small colts.
"Hi sir, would you kindly follow us please?" asked the middle colt, a brown pegasus with a lighter brown mane. His ice blue eyes shined as he spoke. "Right this way, if you wouldn't mind."
"Um, where exactly do you plan to bring me?" Everen probed, wondering who these colts are.
"To our clubhouse of course. Where else would we take you?" came the earth pony on the right as if it should be obvious. He had a pale green coat and eyes of the same color. His mane and muzzle were white, and he seemed to carry an aura of mischief.
"Care to explain why?" Everen was starting to become annoyed with their lack of explanation.
The unicorn in the group sighed with frustration. "Sorry about, them. They're not very good at this. We're trying to record all of the cutie marks of the residents of Coldurim." he began elucidating. "We bring them back to our clubhouse so we can draw their cutie mark, hear the story of how they got it, and write it all down in our chronicle. And don't worry, all of this is confidential, we don't tell anypony about other ponies cutie marks." his mane was a yellow and light-brown mess sticking up in all sorts of ways, with his tail the same way. His eyes were grassy green, and his coat the color of sand.
"Well, I don't know." Everen hesitated, not sure he wanted to do this.
"Your story's safe with us mister." assured the brown colt.
"Yeah, we won't tell anypony." added the light green pony.
"Oh, fine. But before that, allow me to introduce myself. I am Everen Shamrock." Everen said, bowing as usual and waiting for their names.
"I'm Ice Mocha." came the pegasus.
"My name is Spearmint." the pale green colt piped in.
"And I'm Sandy Castle." the messy maned unicorn said.
"Right then, let's get going. I have somewhere to be after this." Everen requested, still a little nervous, but not letting it show.
"Sure thing. We'll be quick." Ice complied, trotting off down main street east, the others following behind.
They went into the older portion of town, which consisted mostly of wooden buildings. They moved to a boulder at the back wall of the town, and the three colts walked around it. Everen followed slowly, unsure. When he made it to the other side, he was surprised to see how spacious the interior was. It was a domed room, with a bookshelf chalk full of large books across the room from Everen. There was a desk on the right side, with an open book on top of it and two chairs in front of it. Sandy sat down in the chair on the right, and Ice in the left.
"Let me get a good look at your cutie mark Everen." Ice said, looking over at the stallion.
Everen cantered over and turned, giving him a clear view of the green three-pointed shield. The brown colt began to draw in the top left corner of the book. When he'd finished, he set down his quill and got out of his chair, deciding to move around.
"Now if you would recount the story of how you acquired your cutie mark." Sandy said, picking up a quill with his magic.
Everen told them how he got his cutie mark when he had finished, the three stared at him in shock.
"You REALLY saved an alicorns life?" asked Spear, stunned.
"I was very young at the time, I had no idea this place even existed." Everen started, worried they'd run off at any moment and tell somepony about it. "But now I live here. The princess I had saved wasn't always completely honest with me. I came here to find out things that I can't discover back at home."
"Oh, well I guess that makes sense." Sandy sounded a little uncertain, but he seemed to trust Everen enough.
"We promised we would always keep these things secret guys, and we meant it." Ice scolded the other two, before looking over at Everen. "I might not trust you fully just yet, but your secret is still safe with us."
"Thanks, I wouldn't want anypony else to find out about this just yet, because I'm afraid that they'd run me out of town before I can find the information I'm looking for." Everen sighed in relief. "I realize that I'll have to earn your trust, and I plan to do just that."
"Alright, good." Ice smiled at Everen. "Now, didn't you have somewhere to be?"
"Right, I'll be on my way then. Goodbye you three." Everen trotted out of the cave, and then he galloped for home. He got there right as Karilyn landed on the doorstep.
"Nice timing!" Karilyn exclaimed, laughing a little.
"Thanks." Everen replied sarcastically.
The two went inside and up to their rooms to get ready for their sparring match. Everen went up to the roof with his scimitar strapped on, and a pair of arm bands made of laced steel that were stained green. Karilyn cantered up a moment later wearing a battle harness, shin guards, and a longsword. Everen held back a blush when he saw her outfit, finding it both intimidating and attractive. They drew their swords together, Everen holding his closely using his magic. While Kari held her sword with her right wing.
"Ready Everen?" the pegasus asked, pointing her sword at him.
"Whenever you are Kari." Everen stated firmly, pulling his sword closer.
Karilyn lunged at Everen thrusting her sword forward. Everen parried the strike and countered, but she maneuvered her sword around and blocked his sword. She swung her sword around and made a downward slash at her opponent, Everen raised a forehoof and blocked with his arm band. He then jabbed at her chest and she defended with one of her shin guards. It went as such for a couple of minutes, both launching attacks only to have them countered. They stopped at the same time and sat down, both of them winded.
"You're pretty good." Karilyn said between breaths.
"You're not bad yourself." Everen complimented, panting.
They collapsed into each other and lied on the roof together for awhile, too exhausted to go downstairs.
"That was great, we should do this again sometime." Karilyn suggested, happy to finally have a friend who can use a sword.
"Sure, I'd love to spar with you again." Everen agreed wholeheartedly. "I have to use my sword more often anyways."
"Awesome." the mare sighed.
A few more minutes passed and the two dozed off together, they slept the rest of the night on the roof.