The Great and Powerful Trixie (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
elementofpeanutbutter) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
themainframe2013-12-22 03:10 am
elementofpeanutbutter) wrote in themainframe2013-12-22 03:10 am
The Fire of Friendship Trick
[It's Trixie again, and thankfully clothed this time. She's still got her fancy cape and pointed hat but today she's wearing a ruffled collar on a dark blue tunic and striped pants]
Greetings and Salutations Terminal Tokyo, and gather round for Trixie has a holiday story to share with you all. It is a tale that stretches back to the founding of Equestria! Home of Princess Twilight sparkle, The Seamstress Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy the tenacious and of course...The Great and Powerful Trixie!!!
And though this story is old it's message rings true to this day, even in this world. Come along with Trixie and see if you don't agree!
[And with a swish of her cape smoke drifts over the screen allowing her to vanish. A moment later the smoke is gone and the camera is pointed at a stage. Trixie's voice can be heard narrating but on the stage, little paper and cardboard pony puppets on sticks and strings appear. the set itself is also made of colored paper and cardboard. Not bad for someone still getting used to having fingers.]
It was a strange and dark time. A time when ponies were torn apart by hatred!
Three tribes of ponies lived in a fragile alliance against hunger. The Earth ponies who were strong and industrious would grow the food that all three tribes enjoyed. In exchange for some of that food, the Pegasus tribe would control the weather allowing the Earth Ponies to grow the food. The Unicorns in turn controlled the rising and setting of the sun and moon, so they too took a share of the precious food. It was in this way the ponies lived for a long time, cold an impersonal to one another. And likely things would have remained if not for a terrible blizzard that made food scarce.
[At this a gentle snow falls on her stage and the little puppets look scared, confused and eventually angry, yelling at each other. Trixie's voice has a surprising amount of range as she plays the parts of the various ponies.]
And so, the three tribe leaders met together to discuss the crisis.
[The scene changes to a room full of ponies of all colors and shapes. But in the middle three marionettes which were obviously made with more time and care walk to the table. Those who are familiar with Terminal Tokyo's ponies will recognize one of the marionettes as Rainbow Dash in what looks to be armor. Another is just like Rarity but in a flowing cape and crown. The third is a pink pony with a puff of hair who appears to be wearing a cup of pudding on her head]
Commander Hurricane represented the Pegasus, and instantly set to blame the Earth Ponies for not doing their jobs. She was aggressive and bold, but unwilling to listen to reason. She was not alone in this, for Princess Platinum of the Unicorns was no better. She drew herself up in a haughty and proud manner, declaring that clearly it was the Pegasus failing to control the weather that brought down this storm. Finally we have Chancellor Puddinghead of the Earth Ponies who was never known for being a particularly abrasive pony. But she was of strong basic values and would not stand for the proud prancing of the unicorns or the accusations of the Pegasus. So she too blamed both parties and the shouting and arguing that filled the room was deafening!
[Here, it's a particularly clever trick that Trixie plays all three roles at once, shouting at herself, talking over herself and making the marionettes argue with one another while the snow begins again, but this time indoors. As the leaders argue what appear to be blue stallions made of smoke racing circles around the ceiling. The leaders fail to notice these ghostly figures however and in frustration end their argument by storming out on one another and getting nothing accomplished.]
As each leader returned home to their trusted advisers with stories of the other tribes being unreasonable, a plan was hatched. Each tribe began to plot and prepare and set out to find a new land, far away from the other tribes where they could live and thrive by themselves!
[More marionettes, the second in command for Commander Hurricane is none other then a Fluttershy puppet looking as shy and adorable as ever in her armor. Meanwhile a Twilight puppet is dressed in a simple cloak and hood as she fails to appeal to Princess Platinum's sensibilities. A third puppet is an orange pony with simple farmers garb. She's referred to as "Smart cookie" and works...begrudgingly under the "Guidance" of the hyper active Chancellor Puddinghead.]
The three tribes set out into the world, determined that they, the superior pony species would live the life they always desired free from the other tribes that had only made things difficult. But as we soon learn, the world itself has trials and tribulations of it's own.
[The curtain closes for a good five minutes with an intermission sign hanging in place. Now is clearly the time for a bathroom break or to get a snack...though clearly Trixie did not account for the fact that anyone could pause this recording if they needed to. When she returns the set has changed to show the new world, bright and sunny and full of wonder]
One by one the pony tribes traveled through the harsh wilderness. The Pegasus ponies taking to the clouds as to be expected. Meanwhile the Unicorns traversed the gem encrusted mountains and the Earth Ponies weaving through a deep forest. Only the unquestioning confidence of their leaders kept them going as they forged through uncharted wilderness and unforeseen danger.
[Said "Dangers" appear to be mostly created by the leaders. Puddinghead is reading the map poorly because she cut holes in it so she could see through it while they walk. She ends up toppling comically down the side of a cliff. Meanwhile Commander Hurricane is getting into fights with clouds while her poor beleaguered second in command "Private Pansy" acts as anyone would expect Fluttershy to. She hangs back and lets the Commander tire herself out. Meanwhile Princess Platinum can be seen riding on the back of "Clover the Clever" making the Twilight Puppet look decidedly put upon. Still all these trials aside the ponies reach their new land and gush about all it has to offer.]
Such perfect clear skies! Such fertile soil! and the gems of the mountain held Princess Platinum enraptured! As they planted their flags all three ponies declared this land their own and named it.
"For the Pegasus I name this land, Pegasopolis!"
"For the Unicorns I name this land Unicornia!"
"For the Earth Ponies I name this land...DIRTVILLE!"
[Even Trixie chuckles at that]
Of course...Puddinghead was talked into a more suitable name by Secretary Smart Cookie.
"Alright, Earth! This land is called Earth!"
[But as the camera slides back we can clearly see all three tribes have claimed the same land, and as they notice each other they set to arguing once more. It's curious how Trixie manages to voice all the parts at the same time.
As the leaders of the tribes argue and the second in commands fall back, the ghostly stallions in the sky appear again and it begins to blizzard and snow. The girls give pause to their verbal battle and take shelter in a nearby cave...but the entrance has soon frozen over.]
Trapped in such a tight space, tempers ran hot and before anyone could stop them the three leaders of the three tribes were at it again. Bickering and blaming one another for everything that had happened. The Pegasus are brutes! They declared. The Earth Ponies are fools! They cried. The Unicorns are snobs! Then proclaimed!
[Snow and winds swirl around inside the cave and ice begins to form over the leaders till they are completely frozen mid argument...much to the horror of their respective side kicks.]
It was Clover the Clever who realized what was happening. windigos! Spectral ponies from a frozen existence. They feast upon the coldness in the hearts of others and had been feeding so well on the tribes that it seemed there was no stopping them!!!
[Ice creeps towards the sidekicks who back into one another scared and apologize for how their leaders behaved.]
"If only we could have gotten along and not hated one another!" Cried Clover the Clever as ice began to consume her hooves!
But...it was sweet, shy Private Pansy who spoke up, barely heard above the howling winds.
"Well...I don't hate you." She pointed out. "I don't hate any of you. No where near as much as I hate Commander Hurricane."
And the other ponies found themselves in agreement...while their leaders had bickered and fought themselves in circles these three had done all they could to bring the tribes together. They shared much common ground and as the ice continued creeping over their bodies, they pressed together in a loving and apologetic embrace.
[The three side kick marionettes hug just as the ice freezes over them like the leaders. The ghostly windigos roar in triumph! All seems lost for this sad cautionary tale...but then! A glow of light. Beautiful purple light that shatters the ice around the side kicks and blasts into the ceiling of the cave. A flaming purple and pink heart appears floating over the girls and the windigos scream and vanish in a puff of frost.]
Amazing! What new magic was this? Clover the Clever had never seen nor heard of such a thing...but it seemed that the power of she and the other caring humble ponies had summoned forth a great warmth made of love and friendship!
As the sidekicks...now our heroes continue to spend the evening telling stories and singing songs, their bonds grow stronger, and the warmth of their friendship melts not only the ice imprisoning their leaders...but the ice around their hearts.
Having learned their lessons, the three tribes stepped out into the brave new world that they had found together.
[The puppets leave the cave back to the beautiful, almost heavenly land of grass and blue skies and crystals that they had found before]
And together they gave it a name to stand for ponies of all tribes, beliefs and abilities. Equestria!
[A banner rises behind the marrionettes who come together with as many other puppets can fill the stage]
And so each winter as the coldest, longest nights find us tucked away safe and warm in our homes, we honor those friendships as well as our own. We think of the things that we love and share them with others in hopes of bringing us all together. And we sing.
[Again it sounds as though there are many voices singing together as the Puppets mouths move. Confettie rains down from above and beautiful bells ring]
[There is some canned applause, the puppets bow and the curtain closes.]
Greetings and Salutations Terminal Tokyo, and gather round for Trixie has a holiday story to share with you all. It is a tale that stretches back to the founding of Equestria! Home of Princess Twilight sparkle, The Seamstress Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy the tenacious and of course...The Great and Powerful Trixie!!!
And though this story is old it's message rings true to this day, even in this world. Come along with Trixie and see if you don't agree!
[And with a swish of her cape smoke drifts over the screen allowing her to vanish. A moment later the smoke is gone and the camera is pointed at a stage. Trixie's voice can be heard narrating but on the stage, little paper and cardboard pony puppets on sticks and strings appear. the set itself is also made of colored paper and cardboard. Not bad for someone still getting used to having fingers.]
It was a strange and dark time. A time when ponies were torn apart by hatred!
Three tribes of ponies lived in a fragile alliance against hunger. The Earth ponies who were strong and industrious would grow the food that all three tribes enjoyed. In exchange for some of that food, the Pegasus tribe would control the weather allowing the Earth Ponies to grow the food. The Unicorns in turn controlled the rising and setting of the sun and moon, so they too took a share of the precious food. It was in this way the ponies lived for a long time, cold an impersonal to one another. And likely things would have remained if not for a terrible blizzard that made food scarce.
[At this a gentle snow falls on her stage and the little puppets look scared, confused and eventually angry, yelling at each other. Trixie's voice has a surprising amount of range as she plays the parts of the various ponies.]
And so, the three tribe leaders met together to discuss the crisis.
[The scene changes to a room full of ponies of all colors and shapes. But in the middle three marionettes which were obviously made with more time and care walk to the table. Those who are familiar with Terminal Tokyo's ponies will recognize one of the marionettes as Rainbow Dash in what looks to be armor. Another is just like Rarity but in a flowing cape and crown. The third is a pink pony with a puff of hair who appears to be wearing a cup of pudding on her head]
Commander Hurricane represented the Pegasus, and instantly set to blame the Earth Ponies for not doing their jobs. She was aggressive and bold, but unwilling to listen to reason. She was not alone in this, for Princess Platinum of the Unicorns was no better. She drew herself up in a haughty and proud manner, declaring that clearly it was the Pegasus failing to control the weather that brought down this storm. Finally we have Chancellor Puddinghead of the Earth Ponies who was never known for being a particularly abrasive pony. But she was of strong basic values and would not stand for the proud prancing of the unicorns or the accusations of the Pegasus. So she too blamed both parties and the shouting and arguing that filled the room was deafening!
[Here, it's a particularly clever trick that Trixie plays all three roles at once, shouting at herself, talking over herself and making the marionettes argue with one another while the snow begins again, but this time indoors. As the leaders argue what appear to be blue stallions made of smoke racing circles around the ceiling. The leaders fail to notice these ghostly figures however and in frustration end their argument by storming out on one another and getting nothing accomplished.]
As each leader returned home to their trusted advisers with stories of the other tribes being unreasonable, a plan was hatched. Each tribe began to plot and prepare and set out to find a new land, far away from the other tribes where they could live and thrive by themselves!
[More marionettes, the second in command for Commander Hurricane is none other then a Fluttershy puppet looking as shy and adorable as ever in her armor. Meanwhile a Twilight puppet is dressed in a simple cloak and hood as she fails to appeal to Princess Platinum's sensibilities. A third puppet is an orange pony with simple farmers garb. She's referred to as "Smart cookie" and works...begrudgingly under the "Guidance" of the hyper active Chancellor Puddinghead.]
The three tribes set out into the world, determined that they, the superior pony species would live the life they always desired free from the other tribes that had only made things difficult. But as we soon learn, the world itself has trials and tribulations of it's own.
[The curtain closes for a good five minutes with an intermission sign hanging in place. Now is clearly the time for a bathroom break or to get a snack...though clearly Trixie did not account for the fact that anyone could pause this recording if they needed to. When she returns the set has changed to show the new world, bright and sunny and full of wonder]
One by one the pony tribes traveled through the harsh wilderness. The Pegasus ponies taking to the clouds as to be expected. Meanwhile the Unicorns traversed the gem encrusted mountains and the Earth Ponies weaving through a deep forest. Only the unquestioning confidence of their leaders kept them going as they forged through uncharted wilderness and unforeseen danger.
[Said "Dangers" appear to be mostly created by the leaders. Puddinghead is reading the map poorly because she cut holes in it so she could see through it while they walk. She ends up toppling comically down the side of a cliff. Meanwhile Commander Hurricane is getting into fights with clouds while her poor beleaguered second in command "Private Pansy" acts as anyone would expect Fluttershy to. She hangs back and lets the Commander tire herself out. Meanwhile Princess Platinum can be seen riding on the back of "Clover the Clever" making the Twilight Puppet look decidedly put upon. Still all these trials aside the ponies reach their new land and gush about all it has to offer.]
Such perfect clear skies! Such fertile soil! and the gems of the mountain held Princess Platinum enraptured! As they planted their flags all three ponies declared this land their own and named it.
"For the Pegasus I name this land, Pegasopolis!"
"For the Unicorns I name this land Unicornia!"
"For the Earth Ponies I name this land...DIRTVILLE!"
[Even Trixie chuckles at that]
Of course...Puddinghead was talked into a more suitable name by Secretary Smart Cookie.
"Alright, Earth! This land is called Earth!"
[But as the camera slides back we can clearly see all three tribes have claimed the same land, and as they notice each other they set to arguing once more. It's curious how Trixie manages to voice all the parts at the same time.
As the leaders of the tribes argue and the second in commands fall back, the ghostly stallions in the sky appear again and it begins to blizzard and snow. The girls give pause to their verbal battle and take shelter in a nearby cave...but the entrance has soon frozen over.]
Trapped in such a tight space, tempers ran hot and before anyone could stop them the three leaders of the three tribes were at it again. Bickering and blaming one another for everything that had happened. The Pegasus are brutes! They declared. The Earth Ponies are fools! They cried. The Unicorns are snobs! Then proclaimed!
[Snow and winds swirl around inside the cave and ice begins to form over the leaders till they are completely frozen mid argument...much to the horror of their respective side kicks.]
It was Clover the Clever who realized what was happening. windigos! Spectral ponies from a frozen existence. They feast upon the coldness in the hearts of others and had been feeding so well on the tribes that it seemed there was no stopping them!!!
[Ice creeps towards the sidekicks who back into one another scared and apologize for how their leaders behaved.]
"If only we could have gotten along and not hated one another!" Cried Clover the Clever as ice began to consume her hooves!
But...it was sweet, shy Private Pansy who spoke up, barely heard above the howling winds.
"Well...I don't hate you." She pointed out. "I don't hate any of you. No where near as much as I hate Commander Hurricane."
And the other ponies found themselves in agreement...while their leaders had bickered and fought themselves in circles these three had done all they could to bring the tribes together. They shared much common ground and as the ice continued creeping over their bodies, they pressed together in a loving and apologetic embrace.
[The three side kick marionettes hug just as the ice freezes over them like the leaders. The ghostly windigos roar in triumph! All seems lost for this sad cautionary tale...but then! A glow of light. Beautiful purple light that shatters the ice around the side kicks and blasts into the ceiling of the cave. A flaming purple and pink heart appears floating over the girls and the windigos scream and vanish in a puff of frost.]
Amazing! What new magic was this? Clover the Clever had never seen nor heard of such a thing...but it seemed that the power of she and the other caring humble ponies had summoned forth a great warmth made of love and friendship!
As the sidekicks...now our heroes continue to spend the evening telling stories and singing songs, their bonds grow stronger, and the warmth of their friendship melts not only the ice imprisoning their leaders...but the ice around their hearts.
Having learned their lessons, the three tribes stepped out into the brave new world that they had found together.
[The puppets leave the cave back to the beautiful, almost heavenly land of grass and blue skies and crystals that they had found before]
And together they gave it a name to stand for ponies of all tribes, beliefs and abilities. Equestria!
[A banner rises behind the marrionettes who come together with as many other puppets can fill the stage]
And so each winter as the coldest, longest nights find us tucked away safe and warm in our homes, we honor those friendships as well as our own. We think of the things that we love and share them with others in hopes of bringing us all together. And we sing.
[Again it sounds as though there are many voices singing together as the Puppets mouths move. Confettie rains down from above and beautiful bells ring]
[There is some canned applause, the puppets bow and the curtain closes.]
Re: [Action]
They frame your face very well and allow for you to be more expressive. Also useful tools. You may have in fact been born for entertainment.
[The unicorn has to admit, praising others isn't as hard as she thought it would be.]
[Action]
Well, I dunno about that... But thanks. I usually keep them tied back, though; easier to keep them clean that way.
[Because cleaning and maintaining ear-fur tends to be a bit of a pain in the butt if it's allowed to remain fluffed out, and Kit doesn't have any desire to mess with it. Kit reties her ears before getting down to business.]
OK, so... aside from the story of how the different animal tribes came to Third Earth, I'm thinking about telling three other stories: "The Cleric and the Candlemaker", "The Great Sky Cat, or, The Cat Who Only Lived Once", and "The Rammastide Guest". Is there any of them you wanna hear about first?
Re: [Action]
[She leans back for a moment stroking her chin and making an exaggerated look of thinking about it]
Are any of them a tad on the sad side? A bit of a downer?
Re: [Action]
See, back home, us cats believe that every soul has to live at least nine lives. In between lives, a soul rests in the Palace of the Gods, cause dying is tiring, but it can't stay there forever. Not til it's been reborn at least eight more times.
Then, at the end of those nine lives, if a soul's learned everything it needs, it can stay into Palace of the Gods forever. If it still has more to learn, though, it has to keep on living lives til it learns everything it needs. Some souls choose to keep being reborn even after they've learned everything they need, but they don't have to.
Not the Great Sky Cat, though. He only ever got to live one life.
He was a young lion prince, the oldest child of the first Lord of the Thundercats. Back then, even Thundara was still a really wild place. There were fierce beasts everywhere, and everyone was in danger all the time. But the prince, who was Thundara's strongest warrior too, always protected his people from the beasts and monsters. He kept them safe, and he always won.
But then, one day, came a 'specially fierce monster, a huge scorpion with deadly poison in its tail. He fought the monster and eventually managed to beat it, but when he let his guard down, cause he thought it was dead, the scorpion twitched one last time and stick him with its stinger tail, poisoning him.
He knew he was dying, but he was worried about what would happen to his people without him there to protect them. So he pleaded with the gods to let him stay in the world of the living and keep protecting his people. They agreed, but at a price. His soul wouldn't leave the world, ever, and he would never rest, or join them and his friends and family in their Palace. If he chose to stay, it was his choice forever.
He agreed, and when the poison finished working, he didn't die. Instead his soul became a group of stars in his image; at least some of those stars are always visible in the sky over Thundara. He became the Great Sky Cat, and has been watching over Thundara ever since.
Re: [Action]
Trixie believes that it would be best to fit that story in the middle so that the stories on either side of it are uplifting.
Re: [Action]
Yeah, the other two are happier, so you don't wanna put that one first of last. The first one, "The Cleric and the Candle Maker", is about how everybody needs help sometimes, even if they're really smart of powerful. And how you shouldn't look down on people who do simple jobs, especially if they enjoy doing them, because those simple jobs are important too.
And "The Rammastide Guest" is the story telling about why sharing fruit bread is good luck, especially this time of year. I figure that can be the end one, cause then I could give everybody a little bit of fruit bread before they go, so we can all be lucky.
Re: [Action]
"A very clever set up. If there's one thing that gets an audience's affection it's having snacks and drinks. Better more so when they are quiet snacks that won't distract from your performance. And in this case as you give it on their way out they will have even more favorable memories of your performance."
Not that Trixie had ever given anything for free to her audience.
Re: [Action]
"Besides," she added, "it's just a nice thing to do. And it fits with the story, cause it shows that even if you don't have much, you can still create something good. And if you share good things with others, they'll share good things with you."
Re: [Action]
Trixie is beginning to suspect there's little she can actually teach you. You have a firm handle on things thus far.
Re: [Action]
Re: [Action]
You have no idea how long Trixie had to practice to perfect that appearing bread trick.
[Sheepish smile]
Magic is so much harder without...well magic.
Re: [Action]
It helped us a lot, but it wouldn't be too good to use on stage. Putting people in the audience to sleep is usually a bad thing.
Re: [Action]
This is true, though Trixie is positive that some of her family might appreciate such skill. But they were more about making money then entertaining.
[A shrug]
If you could somehow focus the sound to just one subject, that might prove an interesting task. Like throwing your voice.
Re: [Action]
[Kit looks a little guilty at the talk about using her flupe's magic to make money.]
And... I think I know what you're talking about. Using my flupe's magic to make money, I mean. My brother and I kinda had to do that for a awhile after we left home...
Re: [Action]
Yes well, times were hard. They made due how they could. Trixie is blessed that she has not had to resort to such tactics much.
[Which isn't to say she's above it of course.]
Re: [Action]
Yeah. Ya gotta eat, after all. It's just nice not to have to.
[Kit knows how it is, and is cool with it as long as it's done because there's no other choice, rather than a desire to hurt people, like Tookit did.]
Re: [Action]
The adoration of your fans should be a reward in itself...but you can't buy lunch on adoration alone.
Trixie suspects you have some first hand experience with such less then honorable practices?
Re: [Action]
Yeah. When my brother and I left home, well... we really tried to do things honestly at first, but we didn't know anybody in the slums then, and we didn't know our way around. And after a few days of nothing to eat well... we decided that we'd do what we had to to survive.
Things got a little better eventually. I learned to put people into a trance with my flupe so my brother could steal from them. That's how we didn't get caught; nobody remembers anything that happened while they were under the spell, see, so by the time they realized their money or their food was gone we were long gone too.
Course, we'd still try to do things honestly when we could, like helping this nice old dog couple who ran an inn near the outskirts of the city. Sometimes we'd go see them and do some chores for them, and then they'd feed us and sometimes let us get a bath. They made the best bone stew, and liked to talk about all the cool places they'd been before they settled down and opened the inn.
Re: [Action]
You are a noble creature Kit. Even if you have had to take part in activities you did not particularly approve of. We do what we must to take care of what we care about...and in your case who we care about.
Trixie should hope to meet the rest of your family some day as they have raised someone Trixie admires.