[IC] National Equestrian Mage Conference

[TheFiredancer]

The Equestrian Mage Conference. It was a gathering of the greatest minds in the fields of pony magic in a single location, held every three years at varying locations. Those locations usually had a few things in common. Lots of space, plenty of accommodations, and a mass exodus of all non-employees of the venue from the area.

The conference of the current year was being held at the Level Head Centre at the Peak Resort in the Unicorn Mountain Range. The resort was beautiful, picturesque, and if you weren’t a member of the conference or on-duty employee of the resort, you were at least in the next town over, some taking vacations right across the country.

The only ways to get up to the resort were by train, airship, or pegasus, as a road had never been built and the train tracks themselves were not built in such a way that one could walk beside them, let alone with a cart.

The resort itself was the very model of a five star resort, with large rooms, several conference halls, a gym, a pool, hot tubs, balconies, and all the fixings of a place most ponies couldn’t ever even hope to afford. The Mage Conference paid for it all for any of those invited to attend the prestigious event, so there was no worries about an invite breaking the bank.

The lobby extended up two floors, with huge columns and arching ceilings, and a grand front desk was right at home among it all, with the solid wood finish and the resort’s logo on the front of it. Behind the desk was a pair of ponies in uniforms that could be described as well put together, dapper, and how-many-bits-that-must-cost, ready to help the coming guests check into their rooms.

[Carlsberg]

Ley grumbled a little. The train she was on was going especially slow, some excuse about 'debris on the tracks'. She didn't care. She wanted to be at the conference now. All of her equipment was in the luggage carriage, and Celestia save the train operators if any of it was damaged when she got off.

[TheFiredancer]

Sky Runner, a pegasus of small, almost scrawny, proportions for a stallion shot a cheerful smile over at Ley Lines. “Oh, cheer up. We’re going to the National Equestrian Mage Conference. One of the most prestigious events in the magic community, to which only the best are invited each year,” he told her teasingly. “We’ll get there eventually. Besides-“ He was cut off as the train gave a slight jolt forwards and began to pick up more speed. “Oh, I think they cleared the debris.” He shot her a grin. “So cheer up. Only a little longer!”

Sky Runner had a sandy yellow coat and brown mane, with a green streak running from the base of his neck to the tip of his bangs, just over the left eye. He was fairly fit, clearly doing something to keep himself in shape, but nothing to make him truly athletic. He rather small for a stallion, and actually only about as big as Ley Lines in height. His cutie mark was a purple book with a golden symbol for magic on the cover.

[Carlsberg]

@TheFiredancer

Ley smiled a bit at that.
"Thank you Sky. I am quite looking forward to this. I wonder if Princess Twilight will be there?" She said, a distant look in her eyes.
She shook her head a little, blinking.
"Talking of being there soon, I think I can see the station," She said, pointing with her hoof out the window.

[TheFiredancer]

@Carlsberg

“No idea,” Sky answered Ley. “While she is one of the foremost magical experts, she’s also kinda-sorta a Princess, no?” He perked up as Ley mentioned being able to see the station and went over, going so far as to open and poke his head out the window, only to immediately dart it back in just in time for a branch to pass right where his head had been. Undaunted, his head went right back out the window. A couple of seconds later, he pulled it back in again, this time at a more reasonable pace. “There’s the station, alright,” he informed Ley, some excitement creeping into his voice.

It wasn’t more than five minutes later that the conductor’s voice came over the speakers on the train. “We will be pulling up the Peak Resort shortly. Please make sure you have all your carryon luggage with you when leaving the train. Your checked bags will be brought up to your rooms, and equipment moved to your designated storage by the Peak staff before the days end. Have a wonderful stay.” Even as the canned message was running its course, Sky was already gathering any bags Ley had brought up into the passenger car with them, as well as his one carryon, a small hardcase, no bigger than a small weekend suitcase, containing a pet project of his.

“So, you want to see if this resort holds up to its swanky reputation?” he asked Ley as the train began to slow, the station visible not even three hundred metres ahead of the train.

[Carlsberg]

@TheFiredancer

"I know she's a Princess. Doesn't mean I can't fantasise about meeting her," Ley muttered under her breath.
She stood up herself, levitating her notebook with her magic, a quill held inside it. She was not surprised when Sky picked up her two bags, used to having the pegasus carrying her belongings. She would love to carry her own, and occasionally she did, but there were some days when she just didn't feel strong enough to do so.

"Oh, I'm sure it will. I've heard stellar reviews. Although I'm wondering if there any good looking waitresses at the bar," She noted, heading to the door of the train and stepping out onto the platform. She smiled as she looked around, even the train station far fancier than her usual surroundings.

[TheFiredancer]

@Carlsberg

“Just meeting her?” Sky asked teasingly, barely catching Ley’s muttering.

Sky sighed as Ley led the way off the train, shaking his head. When he’d seen that she was his boss on being hired, he felt rather happy with his positon. She was damn cute. Unfortunately, it hadn’t taken him long to learn she was into mares, thus meaning his appreciation would never go beyond his eyes. He rolled his eyes at Ley’s wondering. “This is a really swanky resort. Of course there are going to be good looking waitresses. And waiters,” he added with a chuckle. “The question you should be asking is how receptive of your flirting they’re going to be. And before we hit the bar, we should probably at least find our room,” he finished with a laugh.

He didn’t mind carrying the bags, and he wasn’t in danger of collapse beneath them even if they were a good weight, but he’d still like to put them in the room as soon as possible.

[Carlsberg]

@TheFiredancer

Ley blushed at Sky's first comment.
"Sh-Shut up. She's hot okay!" She said, looking away for a second.

She then let out a huff.
"All I want in my life is a good book, recognition, and a pretty mare to help pass the night away. Is that too much to ask?" She said, before sticking her tongue out at him, "Hot waiters, huh? Planning on making a move?"

She made her way over ot the receptionist.
"Hello, I was wondering what rooms we're in. My name is Ley Lines, and this is my assistant Sky Runner," she said politely.

[TheFiredancer]

@Carlsberg

“No, it’s really not too much,” Sky Runner agreed easily, though there was still a teasing tone beneath it. “Well, the book and recognition at least.”

One of the desk mares nodded to Ley. “Just let me check,” she said, pulling out a large ledger. After going through it, she nodded. “Here you are. Room seven-twenty-three, seventh floor. The elevators are just over there,” she said, indicating with her head off to the side where a short hall lay with six metal doors, three per side.

Sky turned and began to lead the way over. “Well, of course,” he answered Ley. “Mare, stallion, if they’re hot and don’t shoot me down at ‘hello’ it’s work a shot no?” He shot a grin over at her as he laughed.

[Carlsberg]

@TheFiredancer

Ley shoved him a little when he commented on the book and recognition.
"You're just jealous because I was the one went home with that cute lab assistant at last years party, not you," she said, laughing a little.

Ley winked at the desk mare.
"Thank you darling," she said smoothly, before following Sky.

Ley rolled her eyes at what he said.
"And whats your success rate so far again?" She asked.

[TheFiredancer]

@Carlsberg

Sky Runner narrowed his eyes at Ley’s teasing accusation of him being jealous, though there was a rather challenging smile on his face. He said nothing about it however.

The desk mare nodded. “Whatever we can do to make your stay better,” the receptionist said as Ley left, her tone perfectly professional as she gave no reaction to Ley’s flirting tone.

Sky gave Ley Lines a smug look. “Thirty-five point seven two percent,” he answered her smugly as he hit the elevator call button. “So, it’s actually better than the average nerd.” Though he was fairly certain Ley had a better average than him, but he was determined to be proud of his average.

[Carlsberg]

@TheFiredancer

"Not bad, not bad. You're catching up on me there," Ley said as she reached the door of their shared room, "I'm at... fifty seven point five nine."
She turned the handle on the door, opening up the room.
"Holy alicorn on a bicycle," She muttered, staring in at the royally decorated room.

[TheFiredancer]

@Carlsberg

Sky Runner snorted. “You have an advantage, though,” he said to Ley teasingly. “You’re a mare.” He then turned to regard the room and raised an eyebrow. “You know, I never thought I’d be staying at one of these places again,” he stated casually, walking in and looking over the room.

There were two prince sized beds, with nightstand between them, and oil lamp on the nightstand. On the wall across from the bed was a large chest of drawers. Over top the chest of drawers on the wall was a beautiful painting of a snowscape.

Just within the door to the left was a large bathroom containing a Jacuzzi, and all the fixings of a ‘luxury’ bathroom, with several samples of mane and coat shampoos and conditioners that probably cost about the same as a week of food for a full sized bottle of it.

There was an exceptionally large sliding glass door overlooking the valley behind the resort, letting out onto a balcony. Their view extended for miles, and Sky could tell that even the ground floor was hundreds of feet above the floor of the valley, the Resort built on a sheer cliff.

Sky put Ley’s bags down at the foot of one of the beds and put the hard case that had his own project at the foot of the other, before making his way straight out onto the balcony, looking out over the valley with a grin. “So, you think you’re going to enjoy the next two weeks?” he said back to her, his voice mirthful.

[Carlsberg]

@TheFiredancer

Ley looked around the room, her mouth slightly open.
"My pay couldn't cover this room for three seconds!" She exclaimed.
She popped her into the bathroom, let out an ooh when she saw the fancy jacuzzi. Eventually, she walked outside.
"I think this will be a fantastic two weeks," She said, a smile on her face, "But we're gonna have to come up with some room rules."

[TheFiredancer]

@Carlsberg

Sky raised an eyebrow, before suggesting in a joking tone, “If one of us gets lucky, share?” He was fully aware she’d never go for it, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t tease. After a second, he laughed, before going on in a more serious tone, “Yeah, you’re right, though I can’t think of all that many besides keep the bathroom clean, and be up on time.” He really wouldn’t mind all that much if Ley brought a mare back to the room. He was a functioning stallion in his early twenties, he had an excuse! “What kind of rules were you thinking?” he asked her curiously, looking over.

[Carlsberg]

@TheFiredancer

"Haha," Ley said with a deadpan tone when he mentioned sharing, "The day you bring back Twilight Sparkle to this room is the day I'll consider sharing."
She tapped her chin with her hoof.
"Dont hog the bathroom. And if either of us do bring someone back, the other should try and stay out of the way. Ive heard the bar is open twenty four hours."

[TheFiredancer]

@Carlsberg

Sky Runner gave Ley Lines a confident grin. “So make a pass at Twilight Sparkle, got it,” he said as if noting down a task. He then nodded. “Sure, but I’m setting up a hammock on the deck, then, or finding a cloud nearby, because all-nighters were done when I graduated,” he said to Ley cheerfully. He did kind of wish that Ley hadn’t thought of that rule though. Not only was the bed in a nice, sheltered room with air conditioning, he also really wouldn’t mind if Ley brought somepony back… he’d stay quiet! “So, now that room rules are settled, what are you up to now? Enjoy the room? Check out the bar or pool? I’m gonna see about getting my potato cannon firing without mashing the ammunition,” he told her with a rather cheerful grin. The type that normally told ponies that it wasn’t just science, but [i][b]SCIENCE![/i][/b] that was about to happen. Something that many a pony might not want to be around for.

[Carlsberg]

@TheFiredancer

"Though the offer of alcohol and mares getting wet is a good one, I think I'll have to pass this time. I'm probably going to get some stuff out and meditate. So feel free to be as loud as you want. You know me, once I've started, I won't notice a thing," She said, before heading back inside and unpacking a small bag.

[TheFiredancer]

@Carlsberg

Sky nodded. “Got it no alcohol and wet mares tonight,” he said, his voice full of implications. “And I’m aware… if you can meditate through a crate of potatoes exploding, you can meditate though anything,” he added with a laugh. He knew the exact magical resonance of potatoes after the incident, and that extremely magically charged potatoes had a chain reaction effect if the charge was on that resonance. Though the look on Ley Lines face when she came too coated in mashed potato while he was working on cleaning up the lab had been priceless.

He walked over to the hardcase and began to unpack the currently disassembled components. He’d learned his lesson about transporting it fully assembled in another previous incident… His potato cannon might have caused him a lot of trouble while he built it, but it was going to be worth it in the end!

The checked luggage wasn’t up from the platform yet, though Sky felt it wouldn’t be more than maybe another hour while the staff sorted through everything and where it was meant to go.

[Carlsberg]

@TheFiredancer

Ley quickly got out a small mortar and pestle set, placing a small amount of white powder in it, before taking it through to the bath room and putting a small volume of water in as well. She mixed it thoroughly whilst she walked back through to the main room, until it formed a white paste. She retrieved a small brush from the bag, and, using her magic, painted the white paste onto her face in a series of patterns and swirls. She put everything down, before going and standing in the center of the room.
"Anything else before I start?" She asked.