CAMPING!
Gosh, what a cold and overcast day. Though it had threatened rain, Whistlestop beeeegggggged this part to be left alone so the camp would be nice and dry, and so it was. By now, though, with the tents set up (that 5-pony tent will probably just about fit Whistle and Sky), and the glittering expanse of sky above their thankfully dry campground, it's campfire time.
Whistlestop has his packs out, which he's rummaging through for things to make a dinner, or at least a snack. There are logs situated just so, although he's sitting more beside the log lest it become a horrific teeter totter incident with his lovely marefriend.
As it happens, it's been quite a while since Skyflower last went camping and she was only delighted to be invited along. Her own camping goods are sparse but well-maintained, and she hums a happy little tune as she pulls a nice outdoor-suitable cooking pan from her bags with her horn, turning it this way and that. "I must say, this was a marvelous idea! I've missed the outdoors terribly! I mean," she adds, "I'm often out-of-doors for testing: you know how it is when handling explosives," she says, as though the experience were one common to all ponykind, "but there's something ever so charming about simply spending a night out under the stars with friends and loved ones. Don't you both agree?"
Well this is nice and fun, not to mention new. Rising Chaos works on unpacking and setting up her own tent on the other side of camp. She seems to have packed light for the trip, taking only her two normal saddlebags (instead of papaerwork, they have food!) and the tent itself, a small thing build for a single pony. She looks back to see how the others are doing, and sees the progress.
One of her saddlebags floats over and lands next to Whistle. "Feel free to use whatever you like, my food is yours." She makes the final adjustments on the tent before turning back around, wearing a thin smile. "I guess I'll be finding out, Skyflower."
Whistlestop pulls his head out, a boot attached to his muzzle. Why does he have a boot? Why is it shaped like it's for a human foot? The world will never know. Either way, he shakes his head and it flings off somewhere inconsequential, to be puzzled over by historians to come. "Oh yes, it is very important! Loved ones! Very good!" He nods quickly and then accepts Rising's bag as well, though he hesitates. "I do not want to go through your things … I am just looking for the food I brought. Did you bring food too, Miss Chaos? Who should cook? Skyflower has the pan! But I also want to cook a thing for ponies to be a good pony too!"
Skyflowers titters behind a hoof, nuzzling Whistlestop with fondness. "Why thank you, Rising. Who should cook? Well, I for one wouldn't mind sharing that responsibility. Why, until you brought it up I had no idea that you cooked, dear! I can't wait to sample your cuisine: I'm sure it will be simply scrumptuous. And of course I'd be happy to create a dish," she adds, looking coy. "Something simple, I'm sure."
She sets the pan aside for the moment and makes herself comfortable on a log, looking as neatly in place here as she does in the town. "What about you, Rising darling? Would you care to join in tonight's culinary efforts as well?"
Rising-Chaos shakes her head, slightly. "That bag only has food, and I brought it to share. My things are in my tent, don't worry." She only seems to be wearing her cape with the heart shaped brooch, and her earring, as she walks over to the fire and takes a place on her log. "I'm not much of a cook, really. I can make some functional dishes, but I'm sure you could do better. I'll leave it to you, unless you need my help."
Whistlestop claps his hooves. "I can cook things! I cook for my mom sometimes!" He beams at Skyflower, and then leans down to rifle through Rising's bag. And then back to his own. And then back to Rising's. "Hmmmmmm. Okay. Okay, I think I know what I will do, okay." He starts pulling things out, then pauses to gasp in the most theatric, unreal way possible. "OH MY GOSH OH NO, I forgot to bring a thing! Skyflower could you please go get— umm — ummmm —" He looks around, foundering, then points to a clearing about ten yards from camp. "BERRIES!!! From over there!!!" There are no berries over there, but DISTRACTIONS
Skyflower blinks a few times, eyelashes fluttering in what is no doubt a calculatedly fetching manner, and then she smiles, doing her best to look like she buys it. "Why of course, darling, of course! I'll just get right on that!" With that she trots merrily off towards the clearing. Who knows? Maybe she WILL find berries.
Rising-Chaos raises an eyebrow, looking over at the clearing. Then she looks back at the two, and at her bags. What. While Skyflower walks off she gives whistle the most piercing of looks.
Whistlestop watches Skyflower go. … And then maybe a few moments longer. D'aw, Skyflower is so pretty… Wait — no, that's not the point of this! He'll run out of time if he thinks too hard about that! He turns back to Rising and hisses, "I need advice!!! I want to — I want to — I w-w-want to a-ask— S-s..ssss…/Skyflower/ to m…m…mmm…" Oop, so hard to get that word out.
Skyflower can be seen off in the distance, frolicking in the field as she makes a show of looking for berries.
Rising-Chaos patiently watches Whistlestop as he stammers and splutters over his words. Some things are hard to say. Unfortunately, it seems like the stutters to a standstill. "Hmm?" Of course, she keeps her voice low, for Whistle's sake more than anything. "Take your time."
Whistlestop glances over his shoulder toward Skyflower, then looks back at Rising, managing, finally: "M…M…MARRY me." It's a little louder but still kinda quiet! Sorta! He fidgets terribly. "How do I ask? How do I ask her?? What if she says no??? Who would marry a pony like me oh no oh no!!!" Big hooves clap on his face and he shakes his head!
"Darling lamb?" Skyflower calls out from the edge of the clearing. "Are you quite sure the berries are here? I simply can't find anything!" She giggles a little to herself. "You aren't playing a trick on poor little me are you? You naughty boy!"
Rising-Chaos was waiting for it, and uses her magic to make a noise to 'cover' for it just in time. That doesn't mean her eyes don't widen in surprise, that is a bit more serious than expected. Outwardly she remains calm and neutral, confident to a fault, but inside a hint of panic sets in. How is she suppsed to know that? Time to fall back on her approximate knowledge. "Do you have a ring, some kind of engagement gift?" Meanwhile, she shifts herself to be closer to Stop while staying on her log.
The big colt snaps up straight as if struck by lightning when Skyflower calls, and he yells back — blurts back — "YES. NO WAIT, NO. NO!! IT IS NOT A TRICK UM MAYBE FIND UM SOME ROOTS OR DIRT!?!" He cooks with dirt? Oh dear. Back to Rising, he frets. "U-um! Yes— no, well— maybe! I don't know unicorn engagements! I'm a pegasus! I was thinking my mom's engagement boutinier but I do not know if she would even like that!"
"Of course, silly lamb! I shan't be but a moment!" She returns to her traipsing, humming happily.
Oh yes well done that's going to fool her, yes. Rising Chaos sighs, it would be nice to keep up a pretense of subtlety. "I belive that rings are traditional for unicorns, however I am sure she would be more than happy to accept the boutinier. I believe it is the thought, rather than the exact item, that counts. " She tries to keep up her best shot at a reassuring smile.
Whistlestop lets out a breath of relief, and then reaches into his bag to fish out what is an obviously an ancient, but well-preserved little gathering of lillies and daisies. It's been protected from age — although being in the backpack, it got smooshed around a lot. It could use some sprucing. Still, he holds it out with a hopeful, very nervous smile. "It will work? You think? If she likes me! I do not know! I um! I want to ask her — when should I ask her?! Is tonight a bad night?! Another night??? Oh no, I don't have a plan!"
Skyflower, smiling to herself, seems to have decided that this is enough time to have let Whistlestop have his fun with whatever it is he's doing, and so can be seen cantering towards the campsite with a bundle of roots held in her horn. "Darling," she sing-songs, "I'm coming back to the camp now!"
Rising-Chaos can handle that, at least. Her magic reaches out to fix the little damage that has been done to the boutinier. "Yes, I think it will, however…" Hey look Skyflower is coming back. "Tonight is as good a night as any Whistlestop. You shouldn't need a plan. I'll hold on to this until you're ready, if you like, I can hide it better."
Whistlestop flails a little, his wings buzzing, before he shoves it at Rising. "Hide it hide it hide it!!!!" And then he clamps his hooves down on the ground below him, looking like the GUILTIEST, most NERVOUS pony. Ever. In the history of ever. Like a foal who's eaten the last cookie, and knows he's been caught on tape, and is just WAITING for Dad to get home and tell him what's what.
"U-um— H-hi Skyflower! How are you?" he squeaks.
The things just disappears in to thin air, apparently, and Rising keeps the illusion up while she hides it right beside her.
Skyflower looks from Whistlestop to Rising, from Rising to Whistlestop, then has a seat next to Whistlestop and leans up to give him a kiss on the cheek. "I have your roots, darling. Did you miss me while I was gone? Have you been naughty?" She giggles a little, looking to Rising, "He wasn't naughty, was he?"
Rising-Chaos looks perfectly innocent, a far better actor than Whistlestop. It helps that she is, in fact, perfectly innocent. "Thank you, Skyflower, I'm sure they are appreciated. No, Whistlestop was as polite and good as ever."
"I AM A GOOD PONY," Whistlestop blurts at the kiss. But as he regathers his reins, so to speak, he swallows and starts to fidget. "Roots? Oh! Roots— yes. Roots! Thank you! I am glad you got my roots!" Pause. Fidget. "…H…Hey, Skyflower, I… I w…I wa…I was wondering…" Mental flail.
Skyflower looks up at him utterly innocently. "Yes, darling? Do go on, don't be shy." Again with the eyelash fluttering.
Rising-Chaos settles back, ready to watch without interrupting.
"Would you… w-would you— w-w-w-w…w…would you—" Whistlestop looks like he might die on the spot. And then, finally, at long last…
"WOULD YOU GO FIND SOME WATER?" AAAAAAAAAAAA
Skyflower blinks a few times, the slightest hint of a pout on her lips, then nods and gives another dazzling smile. "Why yes, of course. Soup, then? I do so love soup this time of year, don't you?" Ah well. She trots of again with a pot.
Rising-Chaos turns to watch Skyflower walks off, and then her gaze bores it's way in to Whistlestop. She just /knows/ there's going to be more questions. "Yes?"
"SOUP IS THE BEST I LOVE SOUPRising what do I say!?" Whistlestop flails his arms in a panic! "I am not good at words! I say dumb things! What if I say it wrong!?"
La la-la la-laaaaaa, Skyflower is off getting water from a stream and not beginning to feel the teensiest hint of exasperation with her darling cuddly fluffy-wuffy huggy lamb! She really isn't, though: she knows he says things in his own time and she's perfectly willing to let him compose himself.
Rising-Chaos stops herself from rolling her eyes. "You have yet to say anything especially dumb around me, Whistlestop. I think your honesty is effective." She sighs, hardly believing herself. "Why don't you start slow, try telling her how you feel. Then try and bring the subject of marriage up through that." He seems so nervous, asking her outright would be next to impossible. "I'll be here for support, or to help where I can, I will also provide the boutinier when you are ready."
"Okay! I c…I can tell… I can tell her how I feel," he agrees nervously. "I will — I will ask her and it will be good! Unless it's bad. I hope it's not bad!" Whistlestop rubs his hooves … and then swallows, and waits for Skyflower to come back, rehearsing things in his head. Skyflower, you are pretty. Skyflower, you are cute. Skyflower, I love you a whole lot and I want to have all of my babies with you??? Maybe that is too forward! But maybe not? Oh, this is hard.
Rising-Chaos nods calmly. "I know it will be good, just be honest."
Clippety clop, clippety clop go Skyflower's hooves. If she's going to go off on all of these silly errands to let Whistlestop have his time to think, she doesn't mind having fun doing so. "Here we are!" she says, setting down the pot of water near the campfire. "Now was there anything else, love?"
Whistlestop is a ball of nerves by the time she's back, fidgeting and squirming and oh! Look! "Skyflower!" he squeaks. "Um! Uh! Ummmmm! I…I w…I was… just th…thinking about how— how— you're pink!" Pause. "Wait— no! I mean, yes, you are! You are pink and— yellow gold and it is v…v…vvvv…very pretty and did you no that…that… purple goes very well with pink? And yellow?" Oh god, Whistle, you're rambling!
Sigh. Oh great, he's far to nervous for this Rising Chaos clears her throat. "Whistlestop, could you do a favour for me?" Time for plan B. "I think I may have dropped one of my bags on the way over to the campsite. Could you go look for it? I'll get dinner started."
Skyflower looks suddenly flustered, but is smiling as she traces a hoof in the dirt. "Wh-why thank you, darling, you're always so sweet. And I agree! I've always felt that… those colors go well together. I'm happy to hear you say it, though."
Whistlestop smiles like a Big Dumb when Skyflower reacts like that. But then, his face falls as Rising asks him to do a THING. Now??? Really???? He pouts, and then leans in to peck a teeny tiny gentle kiss with his GIANT FACE on Skyflower's delicate one, and then gets up again, knees all shaky. "Yes, Miss Chaos! I will be right back and find your bag I promise!" And off he goes gallumphing.
Rising-Chaos watches the big stallion go, then turns back to Skyflower. "Skyflower, you obviously know Whistlestop far better than I do. I was wondering if I could get some advice." Her smile grows by the smallest of margins.
Skyflower tilts her head just so, mane bobbing slightly. "Oh? Why, certainly. I do feel sometimes as though I don't know him quite as well as I should like to. But," she adds with a smile, "that just means he has so many ways to surprise me, which is a delight."
Rising-Chaos raises an eyebrow. "Indeed, he is a stallion with many surprises. I was wondering if you knew a way to ease his nerves. I've asked him to organize a rather large event for the orphanage and he seems rather anxious about it, I'd like to know if there's any way to help him, open up, as it were."
Skyflower pouts a little, "Oh, if only I knew. He's so wonderfully charming but he can be so skittish at times! Why, I do my best to put him at ease but he seems so worried all the time that I just don't know what to do. And I'd do anything to help him, I really would: he's just so unthinkingly kind all the time my heart melts whenever I think about him." She sighs happily.
Whistlestop shoves his head into some weeds, snuffling about. Nope, no bag here. What about … behind that rock! Thud thud thud.
Rising-Chaos frowns, ever so slighlty. Understandable, because that's not entirely helpful to what she asked. It's VERY helpful for something else, though. "Hmm, well, thank you for your input anyway. I will be sure to let you know if I find a way to calm him down. He really is very kind, though, I agree." Hopefully he'll be back soon. "You know, have you told him what you've just told me recently? About wanting to do anything to help him? I'm sure he would feel better for hearing it."
Whistlestop snuffle, ruffle, thud. "RISIIIIIING," he calls, "I DO NOT SEE YOUR BAAAAAAG!"
Skyflower blushes a little. "Well, I do try to make sure that he knows about it. But when he's around it's like a lovely warm bubble bath and Hearth's Warming Eve and the smell of fresh apple cider and…" she shakes her head a little, snapping out of whatever reverie she just drifted off to. "It gets hard to be sure I'm coming across correctly." She winces at the 'thud.' "Are you all right, dearest?" she calls out.
Whistlestop pokes his head up from the scrub and nods. "YES! I am good, lamb!" he calls back. Cheerfully.
Rising-Chaos perks an ear. "Well, I think he understand all that, I really do. It's not hard to see how happy you are together." She looks over to where Whistlestop is returning. "That's fine, Whistlestop, I will find it in the morning. Why don't you join us again."
Whistlestop gallumphs his way back and then flops down adoringly near Skyflower, like a puppy who came back with a ball. Only, you know, he didn't actually come back with it. But whatever! Apparently though, he's been so thoroughly distracted from his nervousness that he has forgotten about proposing altogether.
Skyflower leans over and nuzzles Whistlestop, leaning up against the grape-colored goliath as though there weren't anywhere else in the world she'd rather be. Which, really, is the case. "Did you have a good walk, sweetheart?"
Rising-Chaos settles back to watch the two ponies. While doing so, she makes an attempt to catch Whistlestop's eye. "Thank you for going to have a look, Whistlestop, it was very kind of you."
Whistlestop is hard to catch — he grins like an idiot at the nuzzle and nuzzles right back. "It was a very good walk! And I am very happy to look for things! I like to be a good pony."
…
Silence yawns, but for the crackling of fire.
Skyflower noses Whistlestop after a moment. "Now, what was it you were planning on cooking, darling? That was why you sent me off, right?"
Rising-Chaos has been watching Whistle the whole time, slowly becoming more exasperated. "Yes, Whistlestop, it would be a shame if all of her time spent away form camp wasn't put to good use." Her's means somehting ENTIRELY different but sounds the same, funny that,
Whistlestop blinks and looks between them. Huh? What? And then … oh yeah! He swallows and looks at Skyflower. "So! Um! Skyflower! We will make a dinner in a minute but I— um, I wanted to talk about a thing! With you… if that is okay."
Skyflower nods once, smiling encouragingly. "Why of course! Whatever you should like to talk about is fine with me, love."
Whistlestop falters a little, glances at Chaos, and then steels himself. "Skyflower," he says very seriously. "I think…we should talk… about our relationship." Yes. Yes! This is the right way to go!
Rising-Chaos is being the perfect image of innocent, yet supportive friend.
Skyflower looks ready to swoon for a moment, then steadies herself and swallows. "Y-yes, darling? You know I'm always ready to talk. What did you want to say?"
Whistlestop licks his lip a little. And then continues. "I want to say… that… you are a good pony. And I like you very much. I /love/ you very much. And um— and um, I want you to know that— that— I mean, would you…" Oh there goes that resolve. "I don't know but do you— want… do you want to maybe… marry me? IT IS OKAY IF YOU DO NOT!"
That's her cue! The boutinier magically appears right beside Whstlestop. It might be a bit hard to see for Skyflower, btu the big stallion gets a little poke to remind him that he has a thing to give to the mare.
Huh? Oh!!! Whistlestop scrambles for it and grabs it, holding it up to the mare! Hopefully! He's gonna keel over.
Skyflower is trying very hard not to faint: she can see the strain showing on Whistlestop's face, the sheer willpower it must be taking for him to ask her this, and she's not going to add to that by having her own little moment. Instead she simply leaps forward and puts her forelegs around the massive barrel chest of this wonderful stallion. "Yes! Yes of course I will you dear, sweet, WONDERFUL lamb!"
(OOC) Rising-Chaos: mission achieved B)
Whistlestop gets a BIG DUMB SMILE and hugs her tight — and then panics! Of course. "WAIT— don't say yet yes — I mean! yes yet! I — I have to— I crashed a train! On accident and you should know that is why I had to move out of Appleloosa! And— and I want to have foals and if you do not want to have foals you should also know that!"
Skyflower blinks. "A train? I'm SURE there was a good reason it happened, darling. And f-foals?" Her eyes go wide and she just smiles, wiping a tear away. "Ohh, you're going to be the best father Equestria has ever known!"
Whistlestop blushes and then grins brightly. "No but I will try!" GREAT BIG HUGS. Rising can probably hear Skyflower's back crack from there.
Instead of watching, Rising Chaos has been busy getting the beginnings of a dinner ready. She's being very careful to draw no attention, and make no noise. They can have their little moment, and if they look her way they'll get a reassuring smile in return. Go Whistle!
Skyflower is freshly-squozen and rides out the hug as she always does: he's zealous, yes, but so sincere she can't hold it against him even for a moment. "Nonsense. I'm /sure/ you will be simply marvelous." She blushes. "You DO realize that you'll have to tell uncle about this, yes? It's only good manners."
Back at home, dozing in his favorite armchair in front of the fire, Pill Bottle sits bolt upright and gives a cantankerous "Grunt!" and doesn't know why.
Whistlestop blinks … and then wiiiiiilts. But at least he has the good grace to actually slip that lovely boutenier on her hoof. "Well… I will do that," he says with a nod, regathering his wits. "Yes… and — and then you will meet my mom, and, and this is hers, from my dad."
Skyflower looks down at it. Her eyes widen, she lets out an ear-piercing "EEEEEEEEK!" of sheer joy and then finally faints.
Whistlestop blinks and catches her — and then looks at Rising with wide eyes. "…She does this," he clarifies. And then grins brightly. SO EXCITED.
Skyflower does do that.
Rising-Chaos smiles back at Whistlestop indulgently. "Let me be the first to congratulate you, then, Whistlestop. I'll say the same to Skyflower when she's more, awake." She has a basic stew in the pot and cooking. "Why don't you put her to bed and come out for dinner afterwards."
Whistlestop nodnodnodnod! Rattlerattlerattlerattle. "Okay! I will make sure she is okay." He picks her up, extremely gently, and takes her into the tent to make sure she's well ventilated, relaxed, comfy — everything. His— fiancee? His mom will be so thrilled! Oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh…
When he comes back out though, Rising finds herself in a GREAT BIG HUG too. "THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP! YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND!!!"
Thankfully, Rising Chaos knows Whistlestop enough to be half expecting the hug, and she manages to kind of return it. "It was my pleasure, Whistlestop. Glad I could be of service." Hey, hey loook, that smile is even real.
Whistlestop SQUEEEEEEZE. "YES!" And then he lets Rising down with surprising gentleness, considering his excitement — and he turns to shout at that sky:
"I AM GOING TO GET MARRIIIIIIEEEEEEDDDDD!!!!!"