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12/27/10(Mon)22:14 No.22206933>>22206910
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The quiet murmur of falling water pricked Mane's ears as she trotted quickly to keep up with Raile's long-striding, sedate pace. Beside them, pillars rose and became arches, statues of majestic dragons and mysterious draconic figures posed; mid-flame, smithing metal, blowing glass, mining. The murmur rose to a mutter, and then to a roar as Raile and Mane stepped out onto a balcony.
Water and lava alike fell in cascades, turning wheels and flowing into forges. Bridges and ziplines crossed here and there, and on cliffs and ledges across the great hollow, dragons and those same strange creatures worked in time, creating a thousand tools, goods, and artworks, all lit by the bright sun falling from the mountain's open top. In shock, Mane padded up to the rail and gazed down-falling water, roaring lava, and the distant clangor of metalwork forming into a discordant but not entirely unlikeable symphony.
"Welcome, Mane, to Draconum, the finest craftscity in all the world."
Mane was still taking in the sight when the heavy steps of another dragon approached, and she only pulled back when the affable voice greeted Raile.
"Raile?"
"Gyre!"
Turning, Mane saw Raile and another, blue dragon, rubbing necks. The blue was the first to stop, turning to look at the little pony.
"Well, who are you, little one?"
Mane took a deep breath.
"I'm Mane, of Equestria, deputized by Princess Celestia to represent Ponydom."
The words, memorized carefully over the week before her departure, came out of her in a half-rush, nervousness compounded several times over-and with that, and the surprises of the past day, the little filly fainted. |
