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Post by Fancy Flights on Aug 26, 2014 6:32:33 GMT -5
Fancy Prints. A year ago, it had started quite small. Though the place had striven for variety in the subjects it displayed, no one could start with everything. Surprisingly though, people showed they really wanted to buy books. The place earned money quicker than expected and the profit went toward expanding the range of its supply. Soon, Fancy Prints was looking like a professional place. The outside was inviting with the sign tactfully eye-catching, the inside had warm colors init to make the overall interior feel quite homey, the shelves the books rested on were made with smooth mahogany wood, and there were even a few comfy places to sit one's flank upon to read what one had purchased. All in all, it was worth merely looking around at the very least and had grown into quite the fine store over the year it had been open.
The owner Fancy Flights enjoyed running the store alone. Sure, he had to make sure the place was presentable and the customers were happy on his own. But despite shouldering the work by himself, he was still happy with what he had done. He had never imagined so many ponies would want books. It was to the point that he could pretty much find anything the customer needed in his stock. Anything he didn't have, he ordered and had delivered by mail just to make sure the customers got everything they wanted. Even if they weren't quite sure what they wanted, Fancy always had a few suggestions. An avid reader himself, Fancy knew all the best stories, popular or not. Currently however, the store was having slow business. It usually picked up by lunch when everypony passed by to get something to eat. He still had over an hour til that happened. So he was sitting behind the front counter, right of the entrance. In his hooves was a book titled "Bad Days in the Badlands". Under the title was an illustration of a pony running from a rather nefarious looking group of five other ponies, all six dressed in western outfits.
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Post by Marver Mold on Aug 26, 2014 13:11:35 GMT -5
There were two things that Marver wasn't overtly fond of. Well, to be honest, there were more like two hundred, but only the capitol couple managed to spring to the forefront of his mind.
Among them were getting up early, and having to be out and about during the morning. Currently, he was dabbling in a little bit of both, and wanting to grind his internal clock to dust as he went along.
Fancy Prints. He remembered when it'd first been founded, and in the back of his groggy, sleep-deprived mind, he marveled at how far it'd come in such a short amount of time. Certainly farther than his humble little studio, and all due to the efforts of one determined pegasus. It was awfully impressive, he had to admit; somehow shuffling the load of store upkeep and customer satisfaction, never missing a beat in the interregnum. As he mused, heavy hooves plodded up to the front door, carefully moving it aside as the young stallion moved to nose his way in.
To his relief, it seemed like he'd gotten there early enough to avoid the lunch crowd.
Taking in the comforting scent of paper and new books, Marv allowed himself to have a quick glance around. He could very well take a look himself, hopefully finding something that suited his needs; or, he could consult the one pony who knew books better than anyone else in town and cut out the hassle of searching. Approaching the counter with a small amount of hesitation, the colt cleared his throat, attempting to offer a close-lipped "friendly" smile that looked more awkward on his features than anything else.
"Sorry to, uh, bother you. Can I get some help?"
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Post by Fancy Flights on Aug 26, 2014 13:28:10 GMT -5
Fancy had quickly marked his place with an old feather of his and looked up at Marver as he entered his shop. To be honest, he had never met a bat pony himself. He that the leathery wings they sported in comparison to the feathery ones pegasi had were pretty dang cool. Fancy also noted the cutie mark he was sporting. At first he didn't recognize it, not exactly an expert on glass blowing. But a couple seconds of thought connected the picture to the action. Fancy had read about glass blowing through some source. Probably through reading.
At the asking of help, Fancy smiled as he replied. "No bother at all! I am happy to help anypony who is looking for something." As Fancy came around his desk to speak more face to face with Marver, he was already thinking of what Marver could want. Perhaps a reference book to inspire the work suggested by his cutie mark? The pegasus was sure he had a book on notable glass works in the historical art section or more recent work in the modern art section. Or perhaps he was simply looking for a good book to take his mind off general life. A lot of authors had gotten into mystery novels lately. A mystery would be perfect for occupying the stallion's mind! "My name is Fancy Flights. How can I help you?"
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Junior Member
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Finally got my posts well posted!
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Post by Cherry Flip on Aug 26, 2014 14:25:22 GMT -5
Cherry could remember this place, taking to her wanderings in the morning on main street before it got to crowded for her tastes. Looking up at the newer book shop that had started up just a year ago. It was hard to believe it was the same place she first saw made with how much things improved for them. Seems ponies did like to read after all. Debating to go in or not as her decision was made as a small crowd of ponies began to develop down the street. The lunch time must've just been about to start. Using that as her decision maker to enter the warm looking book shop. Feeling herself stall as she entered the door, taking a breathe before trotting past the two stallions who stood at the register.
Keeping herself gaurded as she took towards her favorite section -- the mystery section. Curling past the corner to stare up at the shelves lined with books. Trying to find something that could catch her eye. It wasn't her first time being in here, she could remember a few books she had gotten from here. To pass the summer days away so that Winter could come in faster. Reaching up to grab hold of a older looking book about a detective solving crimes. Reading it over the cover quietly to turning it around to find more about it.
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Feel free to send me a message if you'd like to chat it up <3
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Post by Claire Dupont on Aug 26, 2014 18:14:46 GMT -5
Claire was never one for books in particular. Reading for too long made her head hurt, especially without her reading glasses. But, Claire couldn't just walk past this homey bookstore without taking a look inside. Being on vacation meant that you had to take in everything about a city, even if you don't like it. Pushing the door open, she was greeted with the smell of fresh-print. Claire noticed that the bookstore wasn't very full. She took note of a batpony and a blue pegasus conversing near the front of the store. Seeing a batpony in a city like this was odd, but hey...Models don't really come around here, either.
The pink pony made her way to the shelves, poking and prodding throughout the sections idly. With a tad bit of effort, magic danced out of her horn and pulled out a thick book with a picture of two airbrushed ponies gazing lovingly at each other. "Romantic novels...." She murmured. "So unrealistic. Nopony in the world is that beautiful. Well, except for me." She nodded to herself and slid the book back into it's place. Continuing down the aisles, she found herself in the foal section. Claire was about to continue on, when a certain book caught her eye. "Hiffy Hoof and the Parading Parasprite..." ...Why did that sound so familiar? Claire slid the thin, large book out of its place and looked at the cover. A simple illustration of a filly with pigtails smiled back at her.
Claire frowned, fustrated that the mystery was not revealing itself to her. She was sure she's seen this book before...She sat down on the ground, in the middle of the aisle, and put the book on the ground. Opening it up to the first page, she began to read. Her head started to buzz after the first few words.
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Post by Marver Mold on Aug 26, 2014 20:14:00 GMT -5
When the pegasus moved out from behind his counter, Marver's shoulders shifted. He willed himself to stay composed -- and cursed inwardly, that he was so nervous in the presence of such a friendly pony -- looking as friendly as he could muster in the face of Fancy's polite greeting.
"Nice to meet you. Uh, formally, I mean," he spoke, willing himself to loosen up as the conversation carried on. "It's Marver. I remember seeing this place open, but I never came around to visit; which I kinda regret, seeing how many nice things you've done with it."
As they spoke, the thestral vaguely registered a couple of mares working through the entrance of the shop. The first, a pegasus with a snow-white coat and blossom-striped hair, seemed nervous; and for a split second, Marver contemplated excusing himself from Fancy's presence to go and ask her if everything was all right. Deciding that would've been both rude and nosy, however, the young stallion stayed put, listening in on the shopkeep's kind offering of help.
"I'm looking for something to -- unwind, I guess? Sorry, that...probably doesn't make much sense," he murmured, chewing the inside of his cheek as another mare strode through the front doors. This one, with a coat of pale pink and mane a swirl of cotton-candy pastel colors, carried herself with a sense of confidence and mystique. She was awfully beautiful, and for a moment, he wondered what such a proud-looking unicorn was doing in such a nook-and-cranny town.
Turning his attention back to Fancy, the stallion rolled his shoulders to untense and felt his ears fold back in something akin to timid embarrassment.
"I've got books at home. Most of them deal with, y'know, talent things, and that's fine -- but it'd be nice to have something unrelated to work to relax with, I guess. To get immersed in for a little while."
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Post by Fancy Flights on Aug 26, 2014 20:40:21 GMT -5
Fancy smiled kindly and nodded. "Well Marver, I am glad that you came. Its always nice to see new customers coming in." At the awkwardness of the bat pony's conversation, Fancy decided to try and relax him. "No need to be bashful friend. I can definitely help you find loads of books you'd like. If I had to to guess, i'd think the best type of book would be one that pulled your focus the most. Made you really pay attention so that everyday life plays second fiddle. I'd suggest the mystery section for such a thing. Focusing on the mystery inside and trying to solve it as the story goes on is a lot of fun!"
As they talked, Fancy was leading Marver to the same section that Cherry Flip was in. "I am actually a big fan of several mystery writers, especially those that come in a series. Let me see if I can introduce you to a few..." Fancy began looking about and pointing out books as he came across them with a hoof. "Lets see... I have Scrutiny and Wishbone, Noir City Nights, and... of course!" He picked a book off the shelve and showed it to Marver. "Sherlock Whooves, the most famous fictional detective ever made. I have several copies of every book in the series in stock. I really suggest this series." Fancy had spotted Cherry looking and set the book back. "How about you take a look yourself and see what you like. If you have anymore questions, I'd be happy to answer them."
Excusing himself, Fancy went over to see what Cherry was looking at. He read the title from the spine of the book. "Medieval Madness, hmm?" Fancy gave the mare a smile. "That is actually a good book. A strange sickness affecting the unicorns of the kingdom and no one knows the cause! Its actually one of the earlier books of the author. You will really enjoy reading it." The blue pegasus offered his hoof to Cherry. "My name is Fancy Flights. I own this store. May I ask your name?"
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Finally got my posts well posted!
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Post by Cherry Flip on Aug 26, 2014 21:06:36 GMT -5
She could hear movement in the shelf behind her the sound of a book thudding to the ground and pages being turned.Trying to ignore it the best she could as she moved another book off the shelf and next to the one she had before as she read it briefly to see what it was about. It was newer than the one she had before, but the story was lacking compared to the older book by what she could see. Lost in thought as she didn't take notice at first the two stallions enter the sectoin she was in. Placing the new book back as she shifted again through the shelf to freeze up and notice the two in there talking about the books she was looking at. Getting up from her sitting to move over so they had more room to look as her wings sheltered around her shoulders. Sliding the older book closer to her as she resumed her looking.
Not helping herself as she found herself listening to the conversation head turned slightly to the two as the discussed and looked over the novels. She had to agree on the choices they were all good mystery novels. Wanting to suggest a few herself but biting her tounge as she gazed back to her task at hand pulling out another book. Dropping it when one of the stallions came over to her and examined what she was holding. " A..Ah yeah...It looked interesting....from the cover. " Keeping it gaurded with her as if the owner would take his own books away from her. She must've looked silly as she looked down at the offered hoof and merely looked back up to him still gaurded. " I'm Cherry Flip...Its er..nice to met you, t-though Ive seen you before when I came in t-to pick up the Noir City Nights..."
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Post by Fancy Flights on Aug 26, 2014 21:23:57 GMT -5
Fancy let his hoof down once he saw she was not going to take it, not really offended at all. It was obvious from her manner and stammering that she was a bit shy. At the mention of being here before, Fancy thought. "Hmm... I think I remember you. If I recall, it was near closing time. Wasn't that book the one that told of the prohibition and how a guard was murdered when he found the smuggling ring?" He smiled a bit. "You gotta love the P.I. and his witty one liners. I've been using Noir City Nights as reference for my own story..."
Fancy had been writing a mystery novel himself and he was deep in it. It was set during the same time frame of Noir City Nights, yet it wasn't related to the books past that. It told of a circle of politically powerful ponies who ran a fictional city named Big Apple. The group had their hooves in everything from cider to shipping. But one of the circle was murdered under mysterious circumstances. Not knowing who to trust, the story is told from the view of the three surviving members of the circle. One of them has to be the killer due to the circumstances of the death, but the reader would have to read closely and puzzle out the clues to figure it out while the two innocent ponies did the same in the story. It was still being worked on though.
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Junior Member
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Finally got my posts well posted!
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Post by Cherry Flip on Aug 26, 2014 21:58:51 GMT -5
Cherry hoped she didn't offent, taking to really not wanting to touch anyone. Who knew what they could really be like? This stallion no exception as she gave a faint nod to asking about her late night book shopping. The last time she scrambled into the store needing a distraction in the form of anything and the book store being the closest she could find. " Ah yes...it...was a really good book. One of my favorites.." Giving a look to the side towards the shelf as she set back the other book besides the one she was holding. She didn't need two this time at least. Her curiousity piked when he mentioned a story inspired by Noir City as she gave him a more calm look.
" Your own story? I...guess I shouldn't be suprised a book store owner would write to huh...? " Keeping her tone hushed as if it was a secret she was even talking. She couldn't write a word to save her life nor could she really think of such ideas to even use. All she knew was three things, how to skate, knick knacks, and to always lock your door when you leave.
Picking up the book off the floor she decided on as she kept a good hold of it. " I take it then that its a mystery novel too? "
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Post by Fancy Flights on Aug 27, 2014 0:50:23 GMT -5
"Well not to toot my own horn, but making stories is my talent." Fancy gestured back to the mark on his rump. "I have not gotten any professional publishing done... but I hope to have that change with this book. It has political struggle, murder causing power shifts, the views from each of the three suspects, and a chance for you to read up and find out who the real culprit is. I always loved the mystery novels that gave you all the tools to solve the mystery yourself if you were clever enough!"
The pegasus smiled a bit. "Its always been my dream to become a published author. That is why I am working so hard. I'm not just pulling inspiration from other mystery novels, but I'm using them as a guide on how to make mine right. You know, studying the method they used to keep the reader in suspense. Yet not too much as to frustrate them." Fancy seemed quite pleased to speak on this matter with Cherry. He loved talking stories with others and he was proud so far on what he had written. "Ah, but I'm keeping the conversation centered on myself. What do you do as a job?"
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Finally got my posts well posted!
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Post by Cherry Flip on Aug 27, 2014 1:48:50 GMT -5
She felt a bit flustered looking towards his rump to see his cutie mark. Noticing the writing mark as her cheeks turned a tint of pink. Listening quietly as he rambled on and on about his book idea and dream to be a author. It was fascinating at least, taken in by the story of the idea as she took to thinking it over. She loved stories where she got to solve the crime, after all she had been learning how to for years now. Ever since the incident. And what started her look into mystery in the first place.
Taking notice of his smile as she pulled herself back into the conversation, the look of troubled contemplation leaving back to the protected look she held usually. Her wings still gaurding her and the older mystery book held firmly in her arms. " Ah I see...it sounds like a good read if you um...publish it, I would buy a copy. " Speaking only a little louder than before, murmuring more like as she was taken a bit aback by him asking her questions. Blinking for a slight moment in thought before looking down at her own mark lifting her left wing slightly. Showing a pair of double skates, " I teach ice skating in the winter...though mostly run a knick knack shop throughout the year....Its not much really. " Compared to his book store her shop was dingy and small. A clutter of knick knacks and trinkets on the first floor of her home.
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Post by Fancy Flights on Aug 27, 2014 2:07:49 GMT -5
Fancy smiled at Cherry at her kind offer. "Well then, I'll save a copy just for you. I'm more than happy to share. At the mention of what she did, Fancy seemed genuinely interested. "Ice skating, hmm? That is pretty interesting! Seems like a pretty cool talent to have I have never learned to do that myself. I kinda... shut myself in with a blanket and a good book on the colder days when I was a kid. I'm not that physically talented really." He flapped his wings. "Only activity outside that I am good at is flying. Not bad for someone who never went to flight school, ey?"
When Cherry said her shop wasn't much, Fancy shook his head. "Hey now, I only got lucky. I set up where demand started higher than my supply. I also had help from my parents getting started so I had a few advantages." Fancy patted Cherry on the back reassuringly. "Besides, I bet that you are an excellent teacher come the winter. I might sign up for lessons." He rolled his eyes. "Fair warning though, I'll be falling on my butt about fifty times in a row right when I start. At least, that is what happened when I tried roller skating. I'd imagine that its most like being on ice with a few differences."
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Finally got my posts well posted!
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Post by Cherry Flip on Aug 27, 2014 4:33:39 GMT -5
Cherry couldn't help but flash a very short but quick smile at the notion. It was odd having ponies so openly friendly to her, and it seemed already she made a deal to buy a book not even made. The idea though still interesting there as he seem interested in her skating class. " It well...came natural to me I suppose...it helps being this small I suppose for it. " Giving a small shake of her head as she couldn't help but be humored that she was the opposite. " I suppose thats the norm huh...? I tend to do that during the summer..reading books to pass it away faster. " Admitting more than she thought she would as she took a glance to his wings giving a small flap. A bit suprised a pegasus didn't go to flight school though she was sure he had reasons of his own.
Though she couldn't take his words to close to heart, giving him a nod no as he shook his head about her shop. He wouldn't have known she'd never seen him there. After all with few customers she got regulary she would remember someone as talkative as this. " I worked for mine....though it took a while with taking care of...Pivot....he eats a lot. " The look of sadness hitting her as she gave a small push of her hair out of her face carefuly tucking it behind her. "...Well if you do I'll do the best I can...I start a basics class though most older ponies are a bit embarrassed to join it. " Unsuprising to her really,most older ponies tend to think they knew more than they needed and avoided the basics. Skipping right to the flips and tricks only to fall flat on their face and get huffy at her.
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Post by Fancy Flights on Aug 27, 2014 15:30:01 GMT -5
Fancy chuckled a bit. "Well to be honest, I do a lot of reading year round. I'm surprised I don't need strong glasses, though I sometimes wear goggles with special lenses if I am flying further than normal. Its the far off stuff that looks blurry to me." He chuckled a little. That was basically what happened when you read too much. Your eyes get used to seeing things up close and refocus them as such. As Cherry continued, Fancy saw the sadness when she mentioned Pivot. Not wanting to upset her, he decided to not comment on it and focus on what she said after. "Well I'll be more embarrassed about falling a lot and forget about anything else."
Fancy had noticed Claire earlier and also wanted to help her. He liked to talk to as many customers as possible. "Anyway, I probably took up too much of your time as it is. I'll let you keep looking, okay? If you are ready to buy, just call me over!" With a nod of farewell, Fancy went around to look for Claire. He found her in the foal's section and smiled as he trotted around and looked at her selection. "Hiffy Hoof and the Parading Parasprite? It is a very popular book for those learning to read. Who is the little foal you are getting a book for?"
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