A little preview of Dust 3 · 3:50am Mar 6th, 2015
I apologize for the long wait. I'm not a very speedy writer, and I'm currently juggling between Dust and Harmony and Table for Two. Also, last week, my only current full-length editor disappeared on me, and Dino, if you are reading this, I actually hope you're okay because you're making me slightly worried.
At the same time, I also came down with a 104 degree fever last week also, of which I'm not dead from yet, so I apologize to all the voodoo witches who tried - better luck next time.
This post is just to let people know that I'm writing again. I just released a new chapter of Table, and I'm currently in the churn to get Dust chapter 3 out. I'd also like to let everyone know that a backup editor has kindly agreed to step up at the 11th hour to help me out, for which I am extremely grateful, for agreeing at such short notice, so please everyone kindly welcome the one and only demon-eyed baby Meridian Prime to the KitsuneRisu Vomit Zaibatsu.
To apologize for the wait (and for some gratuitous promotion; go read it, assholes), here's what you can look forward to in Dust chapter 3, with a little guest appearance from Dust Applejack. And like everything in the Dust Universe, there's always a little twist.
The two partners came to a stop in front of a large building, one of the biggest in the whole town. It was a castle amongst huts, a glorious two-storied construct that sold everything you could ask for, from supplies and housekeeping items to fresh produce and tinned perishables.
It was emblazoned with a huge sign proclaiming the proprietor and name of the shop: one ‘Big Mac’ and his Emporium.
Spike couldn’t get a clear look at the entire facade through the trickle of ponies going in and out.
“Whoa.” Spike turned to Twilight. “Why ain’t we come here before? I could spend hours in this place.”
“Because you could spend hours in this place.” Twilight scrunched her mouth, walking in.
Inside, the store was even more lavish. Great big electric bulbs lit up barrels stuffed full of fruit, assorted nails and peripherals filled wooden bins all stacked up neatly against the wall, signs pointed the way clearly to other departments. Adequate space was given to walk, and there was even a fresh juice bar tucked away near a rest area.
“Wow, Twi.” Spike looked around.
Twilight found herself looking around as well, but not so much at the emporium’s grand offerings, but rather for something in particular. Her gaze latched onto a small house-within-a-house on the second floor, and she proceeded to the stairs with all haste.
“Manager’s office,” she explained, stringing Spike away from all the colours.
With difficulty from distraction, they made it up the stairs, and they stood in front of the large door that separated themselves from the proprietor.
The door opened before Twilight could knock.
Standing behind the door was a stallion of immense proportion. A coal black mane covered a red coat, giving him an air of sobriety, and his little vest with all the pockets thrust him into the realm of officiation.
He looked upon his guests with a steely gaze and a single monotone look. It was the expression of a lack of all other expressions, in the same way that white was a colour while simultaneously being absent of all other shades.
When he spoke, he took a deep breath, and enunciated slowly with a low voice that had the texture of pudding being strained through a chinois.
“Can I help you?” he asked over his giant mustache.
He was recognizable from his poster in looks only; whoever drew it had politely given him some sort of character.
“Mister Elijah C.B. MacIntyre?” Twilight asked.
The stallion stared at her for a moment.
“Yes. Yes I am,” he said, slowly, with just the right amount of effort required to speak. “You may call me Big Mac. Do not call me anything else. What do you want, Sheriff?”
“You already know who I am?” Twilight asked.
“That is a badge, is it not?” Big Mac said, looking down at Twilight’s chest for a mere second.
“My name is Constance S. Twilight,” she introduced herself. “May we speak in your office?”
“I suppose.”
The hulking figure retreated, pulling back behind his desk where he stood there, statuesque, waiting for Twilight to continue.
It wasn’t very difficult to notice the things on his desk, of which there were only three – a single piece of paper with numbers on it and two picture frames. The rest of the office was quite homely and well decorated. Spike found himself on the couch in no time at all.
“Please, have a seat,” Mac said to the seated dragon.
“Uh... “ Twilight muttered, pulling out a piece of parchment. “I don’t want to waste your time, Big Mac. I’m here on official business from Mayor Celeste.”
“Alright. I won’t waste your time either,” Mac said, glancing at the paper. “I know what that is. I don’t have the piece any more.”
“You don’t?” Twilight raised an eyebrow.
“No. But we are presented with an opportunity. Let me explain.”
Twilight nodded.
“About three months ago,” Big Mac continued, “my shop was raided by a gang. They stole a great many things, including the piece that you require. I would very much like to kill them. If you help me, you will get your piece back, and I will have my revenge.”
Twilight raised her other eyebrow.
“Just being honest, Sheriff,” Mac said.
Please enjoy the rest of Dust and Harmony over here.
I can't say it's the best AU retelling of the story, but I can definitely say that it is the dustiest.
Also it has angry Twilight.
<3 you,
KR
Oh, shoot, man, you should have let me know you needed help! I'm still up for editing. I work it in around my school schedule for my friends, and if you'll still have me as one after so long apart, I'd gladly consider you one of mine.
2853230
Hey man, long time. Thanks for the offer, but it would have been kinda awkward for me to just jump in out of nowhere after so long. I'm glad you're still alive, though. It's all good. Things worked out, luckily. I got my editor and super ideas man right now, so I'm set. =)
You flatter me Kitsune, you really do.
Glad to be onboard. :)
2853558
Well, if you're all set, that's good. My offer still stands. If you find yourself needing help, go ahead and ask me.
Hope you're feeling better.
(I ended up scrapping the whole second half of the chapter I was writing for you and I'm gonna try it again tonight. I'm either going to have something for you by tomorrow morning, or I'm going to get caught up in the Writeoffs. I'll drop you a PM either way.)
...Big Mac sure is talkative.
2855683
I hope the former! ^_^
Is it rude to hire a voodoo witch to murder the voodoo witches who are trying to murder you? I've never been very good at voodoo etiquette.
And now this is the part where I cry because I
sold all my free time to the Manno, I've done that one before . . . because I fed my free time to the most ravenous of horrorterrors, and as much as I would like to be able to read things regularly again, I dare not attempt to retrieve my time.I know I already apologized for this, but regardless, sorry for vanishing with no word. As bad as that was, the fact that it ended up coinciding with you being sick makes me feel that much worse about it, and so I'm glad that nothing ultimately seemed to come of it on your part.
And as far as that goes, I'm also happy you didn't wait around on me to get Dust 3 out, and thanks to 2853611 for filling in for me.