New pony in town

I don’t clearly remember many details on my first trip to the heart of Cloudsdale link in my Equestria dreamscapes. I was entirely focused on not losing track of Rainbow Dash amongst the traffic of pegasi traveling into the city’s center.

    At times it felt like I was in a pony version of the video game Descent as Dash banked and dove down through giant tunnels that penetrate towering walls of structural clouds. The cloud tunnels glowed with a slow pulsating bluish light like hidden slow-motion lightning. Finally we burst out into the bright afternoon sun. We had reached the heart of Cloudsdale.

    Later I found out that we could’ve taken a much more straightforward route if we had entered from the west or east, but Dash had ‘supposedly’ decided to give me the ‘scenic’ southern route instead.  Thanks Dash.

    Cloudsdale is truly a city that exists in three dimensions. Its creators had built this artifact with the concept of flight as being first and foremost as the primary mood of transportation. Very little thought had been given toward to providing means of navigating the city on hoof. This was as much a cathedral to flight, as it was city.

    Piercing the towering columns of cumulus clouds were thousands of arched entryways. The effect reminded of colonies of swallows that excavated tunnels in the sides of riverbanks to serve as nests. In this case though the riverbanks were in some cases were two thousand feet high. Some were public passageways that led into the bowels of the city, but most were the front doors/windows to the homes of those who called this city of clouds home. Even though it was still late afternoon one could see the glow lights as pegasi arrived home and settled down for the evening.

    Dash had a destination in my mind and was making a beeline for it. Our first stop would be the central headquarters of the Royal Equestria Weather Service to check in and get assigned housing for our stay.  When she informed me of this I asked why she was getting housing for herself while in Cloudsdale.

    “Why don’t you just stay at your parent’s place while we’re here?” Dash shook her head.

    “No can do Brick! When I moved to Ponyville my parents sold our old home and moved into a much smaller place. I have no plans of sleeping on a sofa while I’m here! Besides the Weather Service provides free housing for all weather ponies coming to Cloudsdale on official business, and this ‘technically’ official business so I plan to take advantage of the offer.”

    The light cerulean blue mare paused for a moment before looking back at me.

    “Besides I’m young mare now so I can take care of myself now. I don’t need my parents to coddle me now. I can fly with my own wings now!”

    RD made a slow course change before continuing to speak.

     “And if I know my parents they’re not even town right now. Ever since they started offering airship service between Cloudsdale and Las Pegasus my parents have practically made the “Bolt out of the Blue” casino their second home. Good thing they both of them are good at playing Lucky Strike or they would’ve lost their new home by now!”

    Finally we reached the central headquarters for the Royal Equestria Weather Service. Even though it was late in the afternoon the facility was a buzz with activity. Weather does not stop when Celestia lowered her fiery orb, weather does not take vacations, or close business for weekends or holidays. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year the Royal Equestria Weather Service is on call to manage, direct and create the weather of the realm.

    We landed in the main reception area and went to check-in with the receptionist. Rainbow Dash didn’t even get a chance to speak when the receptionist noticed RD and suddenly launched herself into the air and flew over to meet her. The leaf green and gold mare with her mane in a bun had a slightly horrified look on her face. She landed in front of Dash and bowed quickly to the prismatic mane mare.  

    “Oh Celestia! Miss Dash, why didn’t you inform us you were coming to Central? Said the mare in a frantic tone as she readjusted the horn rim glasses that rested on her muzzle. “We would’ve had some patrollers link up with you and escort here!”

    Dash blushed a little. “Oh now, that is not necessary Miss….um what is your name?”

     The mare looked at her lanyard and quickly flipped around again so her name badge was facing forward.   

    “Green Dawn is my name!” Exclaimed the receptionist. “And let me just say I am so honored to meet you! The Bearer of Element of Loyalty and the winner of last years Young Fliers Competition! Rescuer of Princess Luna and one of the defeaters of Discord! I have so looked forward to the chance shake your front hoof!”

     Green Dawn grabbed RD front right hoof and pumped it up and down energetically. Dash just grinned awkwardly through the whole exchange.

    “Thanks, um, you’re welcome!”

    Green Dawn suddenly dropped Dash’s hoof flew back to her desk and banged the bell on desk several time in quick succession.

    “Ah, that explains why that arrived here! Fog! Fog! Where are you?”

    A young grey pegasus stallion just barely out of colthood came diving into the reception area and pulled up into a hover front of the receptionist.

    “Yes Miss Dawn?” Asked the stallion as he ran a front hoof through is mane to straighten it up. “What can I do for you?”

    “Go back to the employee will-call and retrieve the parcel that arrived from Hoofington for Miss Rainbow Dash bring it here promptly! She’s here to take possession of it.”

    Fog noticed Rainbow Dash and I for the first time and his face lit up.

    “Right away Miss Dawn!” Then he shot off like cannonball on his errand.  

    Green Dawn turned around and for the first time noticed me behind RD.

    “Oh! Forgive my manners sir! And who would you be?”

    Before I could make my introduction, Dash spoke up

    “Oh, This is Sky Brush from Ponyville he’s one of my up and coming weather ponies and a friend of mine. I brought him up to give him a tour of the facilities and get some necessary paperwork completed for him. Also he’s never been to Cloudsdale so I’m playing tour guide for him.”

    Green Dawn must have had gossip radar because her eyes narrowed and she grinned at both of us.

     “Really? How long have you two known each other?”

     Uh oh!  I thought.

    “Oh about a year now.” Said Dash in a casual fashion. Apparently RD was oblivious to Green Dawn’s stare. “Brick here is going to be taking his exam for full-time weather status in a couple months and I’m hoping to fast-track him into being one of my assistant coordinator for Ponyville in a couple years.”

    The last part of her declaration caught me off guard since she’d made no such statement to me in the past. Fortunately I was able to keep a fairly deadpan face through it all, although my wings flared involuntarily when she said it.

    Green Dawn smile grew even bigger. “Fascinating.” Purred the receptionist. “Well let me have a clerk come down and we’ll get the process started Mr. Brush. Oh Ms. Dash where do you want the parcel sent? To your parents place?”

    “No.” Said RD. “Brick and I will be staying at the Weather Service hostel while we’re here can you make the arrangements Ms. Dawn for it to be delivered there while we’re taking care of Brick’s paperwork?”

    Green Dawn was staring at us now with an almost Petina-like leer. “Oh, I think we can arrange that for you.” She cocked an eyebrow at me. “Well, Brick. Let’s get you taken care of so you and your ‘Tour Guide’ can start seeing the sights!”   

     The pegasus mare leaned over and rang the bell on the desk a couple more time.

    “Welcome to Cloudsdale Mr. Sky Brush.” Said Green Dawn.

To be continued.