Around the world through laziness and boredom

      So it happened, that the train stopped at a hamlet, that the adventurers were going to visit anyway. And it is nice, could hit two birds with one stone - could see Monacolt again, and this steel miracle from up close. And, of course, some fiery conflict near it.   The locomotive barely stopped at the town’s only platform and station, when local representatives started arguing with someone who arrived on it. Someone, who seemed familiar to Sunshine, but it was not certain from afar. Leather vest, brown colours, and a mane tied into a ponytail. Of course, that is her!   — For a wench, to be buildin’ somethin’? - some stallion in the crowd yelled.   — And you do it with your prick? - lilac-eyed pony did not hesitate either.   — Ye what?! Oi! - another troublemaker got angry - Bollocks help ye think, ‘tis scientifically proven! Ye and castrates are from the saem bunch, they are!   — Does science say anything about fools’ rowdiness and fears of the unknown? - Sunshine suddenly intervened into the conversation.   Clockwork dwelt in happiness, inspired by the audacious appearance of her old friend, which cannot be said the same about peasants in front of them. The stallions simply had nothing to answer with, to little pony’s sharp words. Only thing they did was stomp their hooves and snarl a bit.   — Nobody asked a midget!   — Shame on you, then! - winged horse got up on her hind legs, pointedly prodding her weapon with a hooflet - Seems like I am taller than you!   — O-o-oi! - the yelling stallion tried to do the same trick, but fell on his back - ..Nay fair!   — I believe it’s fair. - earth pony smiled while fixing her ruff with a gearwheel necklace - I also believe that you must hear the executor - the contract’s been signed long ago. So, where is your elder?   Determined mood of those mares and a failed stallion attempt at showing what they are made of, blew their ego away. Those horses could not do anything, other than agree and lead the newcomers to the town hall. But before going there, old friends simply have to hug.   — I’m so happy to see you! - solar pony bounced on the same spot.   — Me too. - chocolate mare stayed reasonably calm - Quite an unexpected encounter, indeed. What brings you here? Aren’t you-   — Yes, yes. Moon ordered us.. - red-eyed horse spoke with a bit of dissatisfaction - Listen, no offence, but it’s not a street talk. How about we continue later, without other ears?   — Right, true. - the horse awkwardly giggled - Wait, “us”? Where is Gambit?   Without uttering another word, little mare slightly jumped, tossing up her bags in the air. Luckily, nobody understood a thing, except Clockwork. Not only because not many looked at the friends, but because the locals were not too bright-minded. Like what that dryad was saying.         For that small amount of time that the companions spent in a foreign company, enough things happened that symbolised trouble by local customs: someone spilled salt, a black rabbit ran in front of a crowd, someone’s scandal could be heard behind the wooden house walls.. And a lot of ravens.   All those ravens were flying near the train. Or rather, flew away from the smoke caused by the locomotive, but who would bother? They see black birds flying from something - probably from some evil. Means a bad omen - probably coming off of the train. And nobody cared that they were just birds, that also needed to breathe. They are not ponies, after all.   And so locals could do anything. For example, nail down animals to wooden poles. Thankfully, the same treatment did not yet go towards dissenters. However, at this rate, a first victim might appear quite soon. For now, only crucified birds with accusations like “I pecked brabeans”, were nailed near the town hall.   — What are you doing? - little pony reproached the natives - It hurts them!   — But ‘tis are birds! They dun feel pain. - the foal puzzled, standing near such a stake - Me pa’ says so!   — ..Just, why? Why are you doing this? - the mare did not have enough strength to tackle this absurdity properly.   — Prayin’ us sins. - one of the stallions in front answered - If sum one brings evil, he needs to suffer the same horrible pains, so that the evil goes back, not consumes us.         Very sickening. Sunshine could not believe, how rapidly and harshly did the hamlet spoil; the one that she found the changeling in. Both morally and wealthily, if not counting many new houses and repairs. How, and why nobody realises, that they bring trouble with their own deeds?   Make scandals over spilled salt, that leads to said scandals. Destroy critters that help against local parasites, counting them as this said evil. Miss the moment and luck, simply because someone ran before them. Why literally every pony suddenly overwhelmed with stupidity? “Hope the elder is not like them.” - wanted the winged horse.   He was different, indeed. Very old, very calm, but the same superstitious and silly at first sight. At first, because surprisingly enough, the old horse remained that way only while those who knew him, watched him. When he was left alone with Sunshine and Clockwork, however, the tired stallion heavily sighed with a smart look.   Seems like he hid something and understood more than others. Should he see the pony with a cutiemark in the form of two gears, when he immediately understood everything, and stopped resisting and pretending. Question is, why did he behave like moments prior?   — I know that we are acquainted, but formality is a formality. - brown pony coughed - I, Clockwork Misery, came here on behalf of “Lextalionis” company as an executor. You are obliged to-   — Do what ye want. - as if this old horse accepted his fate - Just do it and leave.   — ..What’s the matter? - orange mare concerned about the interlocutor's well-being.   — I have prepared myself already. Do your work. Nobody will interfere.       This meeting surely went not as how it was imagined by friends. For it to end so fast? Cannot be; and what the stallion was ready for? True, he could perish of old age in any second, but it could not be it, could it? Earth pony did not understand what happened just as strong as the winged one.   — I thank you for your understanding. Though, we wish to understand as well..   — What is here to understand? - he tiredly shook his head - The folk ‘ill raise, and turn ablaze. They’ll listen to me. But I’m afraid ‘tis’ll be the last time they do.   — Why this certainty?   — Look at them. They cannot see what’s beyond the fabled boundaries. - the elder moved away the old curtains - Fabled by me. For their own good.   Made-up boundaries? So all the poverty, and animal cruelty, and other misdeeds - are because of him? And how does this “necessary evil” benefit anyone, if the living standards are dropping? A bit more, and those horses will start chewing themselves, for any chance of survival.   — I can’t imagine what you had to think of, to hold off the public.. - Clockwork seemingly guessed.   — All the nonsense. Elsewise they’d tear off the rails, cut their only nearby forest. Greed knows no boundaries. Fear knows them.   — If you are the leader here, why nobody will listen to you? - Sunshine almost screamed - They somehow heard all.. all of this!   — Because they will not, listen. Will believe not what is inconvenient. But if some devilry or a deathly Laziness attacks - ‘tis a different question.   Orange pony read the fairytales in her childhood, but they stayed as fairytales. How could it be, for an invisible creature named “Laziness”, to affect someone in a bad way and fight with “Thinking”? If someone does not want to do something, then the wish will not appear. But if one wants to..   — By the way, the rails.. - the mechanic coughed - That’s why we are here. The train almost derailed last time. Pulled out sleepers tell you anything?   — ..They listen not already. They’ll do it their way. I’m sorry.   — We have to do something! - red-eyed horse stomped out of contempt - This isn’t right! All of this is not at all right!         Town’s chief stopped listening to anyone, completely succumbing to his own thoughts. And Clockwork, knowing her friend well, already guessed what she wanted to do. In best case, it will end with resentment and unrest. In worst - red rivers will drown the square. Which, of course, did not scare the little one.   Big-eared horse already ran into the hall, and the earth pony went straight after her. Winged mare’s wish was too great for the engineer to persuade her into leaving the idea. However, nothing obstructed them from discussing the idea itself, if not making a plan of their own.         Surprisingly enough, the pony agreed to it. Though, being left alone in peace and quiet, away on some glade, horses talked about not exactly pressing matters. For one to know what was going on - is a need very severe, but the train will not wait forever. As well as the crowd.   — ..Remember what I said about Moon back in New-Londo? Remember how I behaved after that?   — Of course I remember! Only, still, it is very strange..   — Because it is! See the flower? - orange mare pointed at the decoration in her mane - It didn’t let me think bad about him! Everything’s okay now, but.. U-u-ugh! I’ll kill him!   Mature pony, with the emotions of hers, almost went furious from what she heard. However, no matter how hard she wanted to be angry, her body simply could not hold all the feelings. Sunshine knew why that is happening, but she did not even think that such news would make the chocolate pony squint and react so openly.   — ..I knew it. I simply knew something was wrong!   — Why didn’t you do anything? ..No, why did you go with him?   — I didn’t want to leave you, even if it would cost me privileges back there, at home. Friends forever, remember?   Not exactly understandable, who was more happy at old Sunshine’s return - she herself, or the one pony that the little mare spent almost ten years with, sharing one ration on both of them every day. Only one thing was certain - with all desire, there will be no way back. Not now.   — What about Moon? What are you going to do?   — I want to play this game by my own rules. While he sits there and constantly prepares for something, I will act!   — He plans a lot, his plans are flawless, maybe-?   — Then why am I standing here, in a field, discussing with you how much of a bastard he is? Are you with me?   Earth pony pleasantly surprised at such an insult. It truly meant that a lot has changed. And even though the last unicorn’s thought had failed, old friends were ready to stand up for each other, despite the obvious and somewhat omnifarious consequences.   Even if the new path will break off on the same spot that it started. Clockwork agreed to leave the situation in the little pony’s hooves - her zeal justified the sudden approach. And the threats have not stopped anyone - for such an occasion, all kinds of resources and tools existed. After all, everyone has only one life.         Friends gathered near the train, mentally prepared for the verbal fight. Steadily enough, common folk gathered near the metallic machine - some simply wanted to express their discontent, and some were genuinely curious, what makes so much noise and steam. It appeared that the crew had not wasted any time.   Not all the carriages are the passenger ones - the locomotive had many technical platforms attached, ones with raw materials and the rest of things, needed for the train’s self-sufficiency. The first rows even contained a certain aught, not like anything or any part of the train.   Mechanics circled around it for the most part, and the amount of steam there surely went off the scale. Soon, a huge brass machine got up and started walking by itself. If one thinks and gathers all the facts together, then this thing was simply going to tend to break down on the road. However, from the settlers’ perspective, it all looked way scarier and different.   Some foreigners came, polluted the air and let loose some soulless box with spider legs. And it would suffice them if someone tried to use a horn, but there were no unicorns, or anyone too prominent in terms of racial features. Those things were not controlled by anyone!         Before the peasants managed to raise their weapons and something bad could happen, Clockwork grabbed a primitive mouthpiece from an outside locker and gave it to Sunshine. Coloured horse had no trouble in getting all the attention towards herself and her sonorous voice, loud enough to be heard through the machine noises.   — Stop, please stop! - pony flew around the big crowd - Nothing bad will happen to you! We simply need to fix the rail, and we will all be on our way!   — We dun need ‘tis rails o’ yours! - some granny yelled - All yer ‘tomatons and locockmotives, we dun need it all, nay!   — So you prefer to sit in poverty without being able to improve your lives? Trains are being made for you!   — Listen to her, and listen to me! - chocolate mare grabbed a second hollow cone from another locker - Our collaboration will allow all of us to step forward! Contracts-!   Should she say the word “contract”, when the unruly masses fired up like a box of matches. Somebody even wanted to attack the automaton, and that someone immediately regretted it - one of many chaotically placed rods with rings hit the fool with a medium surge of electricity.   Strange, but the big brass robot did not attack others. As if it felt what was a threat, and what was not. Sunshine already knew why this happens - the industrial settlement practised the use of morphirium - some metal, able to empower the metal chunks with consciousness. Only, it really resembled platinum..   Nobody could repeat the success of New-Londo. Nobody else heard of this exact morphirium before. Even Clockwork does not know what it is, and Moonrise, like other unicorns, barely feel the presence of magic. Seems like the sentient buildings’ secret lies in something else. Scary to imagine what hides beneath pieces of metal, that look like brains so much.   — Do not escalate the situation! - earth pony still tried to calm down the crowds - You will get your promised fee at the end of this month, on condition that you fulfil your end of the bargain!   — We give ye all oure grub, and ye smoke around! The coin, we nay have..!   — Every month, for twenty more years, you will get twice as much the market cost for brabeans. For this amount of money, you can get clothes and eat three to four times more than you could! Where do you spend your dimes? How can they not be enough?   The public rapidly silenced, either from shame or from ignorance. Of course, new candle lanterns and homes were part of the answer, but only a part of it. And even then - the light was there thanks to the artisans from that same city - they built them as a part of the contract. The repairs of old stuff could not cost that much money, could it?   — Throw it away and bury it, we do! - another one yelled - The evils must be returned! Otherwise take away lives, it will! Life’s importanter than coin!   — And you dare to complain after that? - long-eared pony could not hold back - You dig a hole beneath yourselves and fall into it, looking for excuses why life is bad for you! You drop your problems on others, when you agree for help in the first place!   — Ye rogue, ye bitch! Celestia ‘ill punish ye fo’ those words! Don’t ye dare reject her precepts!   — Your elder made them, not Celestia! Otherwise you’d simply not agree and perish on your own!         The news shocked everyone around. Someone wanted to listen, someone did not believe at all, but all of them wanted to understand, what the little orange pony tried to show them. Finally getting the right moment and somewhat of a silence, the horse continued:   — Two months and a few - more than hundred and eighty days ago, everything was completely different! You had a good life and nobody knew what trouble was. Every pony earned money by themselves, spent their own energy and strength - I remember buying a marvellous pillow here! Where are those pillows now? Where is all your craft? - receiving silence as an answer, the pony continued to rant - You became lazy! You hid yourself from reality and brush off everything but easy coin! And even them - you throw it away due to superstitions!   — What ye sayin’, ye roanful?!   — That you should return to what you started from! You lived freely without faith in the supernatural, what keeps you from living like so now? What keeps you from doing what you love the most? Some tales about suffering, if you won’t spit towards it in return? You contradict yourselves!   The folk seriously thought about the guest’s words - if nobody will torture them, then they can hit others even harder! And nobody cared, that not a pony did anything bloodlusting in their lives - everyone around seemingly got drunk. Not a moment had passed, as the crowd pushed forward the old stallion everyone knew.   Especially angered horses were going to beat him up for lying, but it all resolved even quicker - someone kicked the post with burning candles, igniting the town chief with them. Sadly, he boiled earlier than anyone could do something. Alas, but the vigilante justice has not stopped there - it all only started.         Nobody wanted to listen to the two mares. Nobody wanted to see tens of workers from New-Londo. Nobody was going to tolerate them anymore! Further attempts at dealing peacefully could not reason with maddened stallions and mares. But the aggression worked perfectly.   Cautious horses equipped themselves with miracles of science, before the first victim appeared. They grabbed their arbalests, but not the usual kind with common bolts - these had no strings, and they worked using almost the same principle, as what tool bracelets with locks used - magnets. A miracle, indeed!   Silent, but very powerful shot scared away the unsure villagers with its destructive power - a small dart crushed few crucifixions and stakes into splinters at once. Especially gifted peasants needed more than a warning shot, for them to fall back and calm down.   And even then, someone had not left the idea to foul with the defenders! While the stones and rocks could not do much to anyone, some unicorns truly wanted to mess up with the foreigners using various spells. Mostly, using burning bright magical rays.   The spells could not do much to Clockwork - surprisingly enough, she endured the magical projectiles with ease. But Sunshine was not so lucky - the sparkling shot hit her into the same leg that suffered earlier. The agony knocked off the flight path of the little one - and here, she is flying into the waggon!         ..A booming darkness. But not at all quiet. Very loud knocking, as if someone insane constantly beat a ringing surface with something metallic on purpose. At least, it helped the little mare get her senses back. She was going to stand up, when a familiar horse caught her and put down again.   — Slow down, slow. You got hit quite roughly. You should lay down and rest.   — How can I rest, when it’s chug-chug, chug-chug?   Indeed, a big problem. To counter it, someone invented a special thing - earflaps, but nobody could hear anything in them, plus the vibrations persisted. And they were quite difficult to make, because of materials and individuality of hooved beings’ heads; there were simply no earplugs near. Not to mention, both friends had a lot of questions towards each other.   — How do you feel?   — Like if I was thrown into a wardrobe, and it was thrown into the fire.. - solar pony shivered and rubbed the bruise on her forehead - Where are my things? Where-   — They are near. Panache is examining them.   — ..Who?         The chocolate pony’s acquaintance appeared the moment he was spoken of. At first sight, he looked like a typical teen, but if one looks closely, then the stallion appeared flabby and experienced enough. His looks are very deceiving - lemon body and a green, unnatural hair colour. Short mane and tail, as well as their styling, confused the orange mare.   — Ardent-Vibrant Panache, a gelding. - stallion put all pony’s belongings near her - And you are, I presume, Sunshine? Clockwork told a lot about you.   — Yes, that’s me! - pony slightly puzzled, after realising another part of information - Was the second thing, after the name.. Necessary to add?   — Undoubtedly! - coloured stallion suddenly got inspired - There is nothing shameful in that - not in the deed, not in the tales. It’s all redundant, it tarnishes the beauty, doesn’t blend with my image! Speaking of beauty - those bags suit you well. Never seen anything like it; my compliments to the master.   Still, better be handicapped, than a rowdy idiot. The gelding clearly differed from other stallions - not only because of pleasant accent and a package of weirdness. Comments about winged horse’s accessories made her seriously think about old horse’s career.   — How’d you get to know each other? Are you interested in machinery as well?   — He is interested in everything! - chocolate mare heartily told the story of her acquaintance - Ardent-Vibrant came here from the Crystal Empire, and back home he did everything he could to give a unique style to his surroundings - from clothing to furniture! It came to music, and he invented such a trickery..!         The story made the horse both happy and sad - time flies so fast, and an old friend spent more time on different projects, with different ponies. Red-eyed mare has not even noticed how her friend pulled out a whole bundle of blueprints, to show the true reason for their meeting.   — ..He-ey, is everything alright? - the mare distracted from her tale.   — Oh? Yes-yes, I’m just..   — Sun, if something is bothering you, you can always tell me about it.   — ..It’s just, we did so many things together back then, we planned so much, and now.. I’m jealous!   Immediately after expressing the emotions out loud, the little pony felt a lot better, even without hearing an answer. The couple knew each other well, for them to worry about the future words of each other. Those two, like in all the past times, quickly found a compromise:   — I know that I was very energetic long ago, and after what happened, well.. It was very silly of me to drop it all. But I realise my mistake! - long-eared pony pressed her hooves against her head - It’ll sound very strangely, but we are being watched! I can’t return home because of this, right at this second. I want to spend time with you, and with-   — So that’s who it was! Interesting.. - Panache quietly laughed - And here I thought, he doesn’t blend with the rest, acts very suspiciously.. All lemon coloured, clothing’s grey, and hair is blue for some reason! Bold, but if he tries to be inconspicuous, then-   — Listen. - Clockwork interrupted stallion’s outloud thinking - I am always ready to help you. And when it ends, we’ll continue from where we stopped. Alright?   — An actual miniature railroad?!   The mechanic agreeingly nodded, pointing with her hoof at the big bag with differently aged blueprints. Sunshine immediately recognized one old parchment, lying between them. However, a return to the previous topic was just as important as the newest project.   And it was, a strange musical instrument - a piano with.. pipes. Half the cylinders were made out of brass, and another part composed of crystals that the Crystal Empire is so famous for. Other than visual properties, they also had unique sound keys.   — I called this invention a “pipeano”. Pipe and piano. - the gelding explained - Air goes into pipes, and each of them creates a completely unique tune. Everything that the piano does, except the melodies are extended and different.   And here is the answer, why the rich fashioner was so interested in the work of neighbouring country’s artisans. His ideas were going to be executed by one of the most experienced inventors, though she does not think of herself that way. Yet, strangely enough, the city that she lived in, probably did not think of it as well. But they still give her the work.   Knowing their love for profit, it simply could not go the other way. Furniture maker probably put a lot of money into his plans - it is an offer one cannot refuse. It all makes sense. Except, one thing - why do the engineers have so much passion towards Monacolt?   — ..What sort of contract is this, that the folk won’t agree to? - Sunshine still could not understand Clockwork’s explanations.   — A trade agreement for twenty years, at the end of which.. - mechanic sharply quietened, realising she almost spilled the details - I cannot say.   — I knew it. What were you thinking?!   — I have no choice! I am a member of the company since my birth, and I simply must obey. They could find me at the world’s end. - she covered her eyes with her hooves - All within the law boundaries. The most horrible crimes were done within the law boundaries. But I can safely say one thing - their fate is very gentle - joi- - suddenly, the horse hit herself in the forehead - There! I said it. Not a word more about it!         This knowledge probably interferes with sleep. Yet the engineer had it lightly - she does not feel much. There is the realisation, but the dulled emotions and less than none magical potential do not obstruct the work at all - almost an ideal craftspony. Unusual stability would certainly be praised.   — But why Monacolt? Why those, how are they called.. brabeans?   — I thought you know. Moon taught you alchemy basics, did he not?   — Yes, but I don’t know anything about food! I was interested only in marshmallows, and..   — Then you’re in luck - there’s a lot of them where we are riding. - the horse coughed - Anyway. Brabeans need a special kind of soil. The plants help you think - almost impossible to break away from work. Don’t think you need an explanation why such food is needed for such a delicate profession.   — Yes, I understand. - Sunshine nodded - By the way, where are we riding? — Galloppolis.