Part 5: Lemondrops
By Firefly
The clip-clop of hooves against the hard linoleum floors was a surprisingly enjoyable sound as Lily followed her tour guide along. Normally you'd expect a regular tour guide, but in a school that was known for its pony-based-career-tracks, they tended to employ a bit of a different method. The tour guide in question was a tall woman, dressed in a cute tour guide outfit. A straight skirt, a dress shirt, a vest, and a tastefully tied scarf. All in the school colors. But that's where the similarity to a regular tour guide ended.
An intricate black leather harness was cinched around her torso, it bore a chest plate with an intricate design of the school's logo glowing in pastel blue LEDs. A matching bridle was on her head, complete with leather horse ears, and a holographic HUD stretching between two panels on either side of her eyes. This screen was a HUD connected to the school's network as well as possessing many other functions including a map that guided the tour. In this case, it had now led them to everything from the Gymnastics Club to the Swim Club. The school boasted MANY amazing extracurricular activities and so far Lily was a bit overwhelmed at the sheer range of choices.
Many of the Club leads and Team Captains had come to chat with them personally when they arrived. Explaining their activities, expectations and welcoming Lily to the school, even though she wasn't a new student. But her guide had told her to just go with it so that her 'first impression' wasn't spoiled. And so she had.
Now they were making their way along the central hallway in the school that led to the rear exit. The same one Lily had been running across at full speed the other day to make it to class. NOt only did this path lead to the dorm buildings. It also led to the training grounds as well as the extensive ponygirl facilities encompassed in a very barn-like setting at the rear of the school. These facilities took up nearly half of the land the school was situated on. After all, you didn't name your University 'HighTail' without an impressive array of pony-based facilities, courses, and assets.
Designed as it was, the school sat on a slight angle. With the school being at the bottom of a very subtle slope. Subtle enough that you couldn't even see most of the pony facilities until you got to the 'crest' of the walking path. A crest that Lily and her guide now made their way towards, "So, what do you think so far Miss McKinsey?" The tour guide asked, she was a bitless pony, needing her voice to offer proper tours.
"I told you, call me Lily. No need for formality. But so far, I get the impression there's been a lot that I've missed out on in the last six months. Living in a bubble really does make you unaware of all the amazing things a school offers doesn't it?"
The tour guide chuckled, pressing a series of buttons in the control unit she held deep within the thick leather armbinder that held her arms behind her back. This brought up several screens on her HUD, "Well, you'd be surprised how many people live in a similar situation. They come to school and simply fall into their classes. Never realizing the scope of the things that their school offers. I keep saying we need a better advertising budget for the extracurriculars, but no changes yet, unfortunately."
Lily nodded, "It would certainly help. Because I didn't even know about half of these facilities before you showed me today."
The pony slowed down slightly, turning about and tilting her head a little, "Something tells me you're one of the few who didn't get a tour before attending?"
"How could you tell?"
The pony blew a few strands of sun-kissed blonde out of her face, "Oh you know...the sense of wonder and awe on that face is a dead giveaway. Although I expect that to be eclipsed by the sights you're about to be presented with."
As the guide said this, they reached the crest of the rather subtle hill, and the sight before them was...bustling. Stretched out for what felt like miles was The HighTail University PonyGirl Farm. A state-of-the-art training facility for people who wanted to dip their toes into a pony-based career, which these days encompassed just about any career you could think of. Within reason. Obviously, you didn't see Ponies flipping burgers, but you did see them in everything from the police to delivery services. What had once been considered a 'fad' for the pursuit of a greener world, had ended up as a part of life that changed the world.
The sight before the pair of them was a literal sea of activity. Surrounding a huge multi-level barn were all sorts of training facilities. In one field, ponies in basic tack ran obstacle courses. Dipping and ducking around obstacles, leaping over low walls, and being encouraged by trainers dressed in classical English riding gear. Crisp white collared shirts, beige breeches, tall riding boots, and a stern look on their faces as they directed their charges. In another field, a dozen ponies ran on treadmills. Each one fitted with its own holo-screen showing the 'terrain' they were running through as a sense of entertainment. Near the barn was what looked like several ponies being taken through almost military-like drill commands.
Everywhere you looked there was a different form of activity going on. Lily blinked several times. She hadn't realized the sheer amount of ponies attending the school. Heck, she'd never even come to peek at this facility previous to now.
"Pretty impressive huh?" Her tour guide asked.
"It's...uh...something." Lily said simply.
The tour guide chuckled at this response, "Well, THIS is the school's Ponygirl training facility. Preparing students for a variety of career's in a variety of fields that require ponies."
"Ah, so why are we here then?"
