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]

[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...]

[brodakota]

It's fine, I think I got the hang of this walking thing.

What's with the smile?

[skysmirror]

[Oh, drat, he noticed.]

Ah, nothing. Exploring should be fun, right?

[She starts off in the direction of town.]