11. [Video/Action]

[brodakota]

[On the screen is a relatively new face. North has decided to check out Ponyville and this is the result. A purple unicorn with a green mane. He looks a little bewildered at the change, less because he's a unicorn and more because his AI is suddenly a baby dragon and that's really weird. Maybe a cause for concern. But he has bigger worries at the moment.]

Anyone want to explain what the trick to walking on all fours is? I don't think I've got the hang of it yet.

[OOC: This post has a variety of options. There's the video option, and several action options: You can mean North and Theta together and teach him to walk (A), Meet North on his own after he's mostly figured it out and had a chance to practice (B), or meet Theta on his own as North decided to rest a bit and ended up falling asleep and Theta wanted to play. (C). Just let me know in the subject line.]

Comments

[skysmirror]

[The color scheme is fairly familiar, but it's always good to check. Xion does recognize Tank, though, so that narrows the possibilities.

She's sorry for the obvious start she gives him, but the hiding and his voice at least confirm who she's talking to. She smiles, hoping that will put him at ease.]

Hi, Theta. It's me, Xion.

[brodakota]

[It takes Theta a little bit more scrutiny before he can figure it out. But then with the conformation, he steps out from behind Tank, relieved.]

Sorry, I didn't really recognize you. It's kinda hard to tell.

[skysmirror]

[Xion waits for him to calm down and step out. Being friends with North, she knows rushing things with Theta won't work.]

That's okay, it looks like this is one of those worlds where you have to change appearance to visit.

[brodakota]

Looks like. It's really weird. I mean, I'm not an AI anymore.

[Having a lot of trouble with that since he's on his own. He misses having North there for instant comfort.]

[skysmirror]

[Xion's not fully aware of all that the connection between and AI and their partner involves. She does know that new things can be a little scary even if they're interesting.]

Yeah, it is. Is North still with you, at least?

[brodakota]

Yeah, he is. He's over there. He just needed to rest a bit.

[Theta points across the meadow. It turns out that learning to walk again is more exhausting than it looks.]

[skysmirror]

[Xion looks in the direction he's pointing and yep, the pony sleeping over there seems very North-like.]

I think we all do. You want to wait for him to wake up before looking around a little more?

[brodakota]

[Theta nods. He doesn't really like being on his own like this and so clinging to North is probably the best move.]

Yeah. We can go over to him though.

[skysmirror]

[Whatever works for him. Xion wants her "little bro" to be comfortable.]

Okay. I could rest while we wait, too. Or did you want to keep looking at the flowers?

[brodakota]

We can head back. Just a sec!


[He runs over to the flower he was looking at, and picks it before climbing on top of Tank.]

Okay, let's go.

[skysmirror]

[Xion nods and walks back to North with Theta and Tank. Once there, she settles down nearby.]

What kind of flower did you find?

[She tries not to speak softly enough that it won't bother North.]

[brodakota]

[Theta looks at it curiously, not entirely sure.]

I dunno. It was purple, so I picked it. It'll match!

[North's ears twitch but for the most part he remains sleeping.]

[skysmirror]

[Well, Xion can't criticize that logic. It's not like she's a flower expert herself.]

Yeah, it'll match. I bet North will like it a lot.

[Oh good, they hadn't bothered him.]

[brodakota]

[Theta nods, sneaking over to position the flower in North's mane. North stirs a bit, before opening one eye.]

What are you up to, Theta?

Nothing.

[skysmirror]

[Darn, they woke North up. Xion had not meant for that to happen. Now that he's awake, though, might as well let him know that she's here.]

Hi North.

[She'll play along with Theta for now. The flower does look nice in North's mane.]

[brodakota]

[North looks up, staring for just a moment as he tries to place voice and pony.]

Xion? Is that you?

[skysmirror]

[Got it in one, North.]

Yeah, it's me. Sorry to bother you.

[brodakota]

It's fine. I was just dozing anyway.

How's being a pony going?

[skysmirror]

Okay, but getting used to walking differently took a little while.

At least I already knew some worlds might need us to have different forms.

[brodakota]

You're lucky there. I had no idea this was coming.

Have you looked around?

[skysmirror]

I guess. It was still kind of a surprise--I didn't know about this world before.

Not a lot. Mostly I've been getting my balance again.

[brodakota]

Seems like lots of people didn't.

I think I've got a handle on it, so do you need help? You can lean on me if you want.

[skysmirror]

Except for the others who are always ponies, yeah.

I'm doing okay; Lighting let me lean on her a little. Did you want to go exploring?

[brodakota]

Sure! That sounds fun. I haven't seen too much of the place yet. Had to get used to walking first.

[He waits until Theta's climbed on before standing up, a lot more confident than when he started. The flower hasn't moved.]

[skysmirror]

Everyone probably will, unless they were ponies to start with.

[No convenient tutorial for it, either.]

We can take our time if we need to go slowly.

[Xion smiles at Theta once he's ready, and can't help the fact that her smile widens a bit when she notices the flower there. Hopefully North won't notice yet...]