The Treasure You Seek [Fleur]

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The Crystal Empire. A once dark and dreary place now bustling with a new life and vigor. A place now filled with wonder for the advances of the past 1000 years. A place that still has currency made 1000 years ago. Each and every one of those delicious bits worth alot more now than they were back then. Question was, how many could she get her hooves on before they found out? But she wasn't going to really cheat them out of their bits. In her wagon was a varitable museum of Modern Day Equestrian Advancement. Well actually it was all stuff from when she was a kid and was stored in a storage shed behind her house. But hey, this was apparently what they were interested in right? She also ahd a few stallions behind her with carts filled with supplies to set up the exhibit and concessions. Rule 41. Ask not what your profits can do for you, but what you can do for your profits. She had today to set up shop and starting tomorrow she will let the Crystal ponies in to explore the special exhibit for the low low price of 1 bit, popcorn, candy, sodas, cider, and tacos all for a bit each. Granted, once she gets these millenium old bits back home, who knows what profit she will turn? The sheer thought of it made her giddy with excitement. These Elements need to help restore more lost civilizations, the older the better. Rule 61. Even in the worst of times someone turns a profit. With their spot in place, Stars pulled her cart up to the location and unhitched. She looked back to the stallions. "Ok guys, start getting things set up. Structure and privacy, then unload the exhibit. Rule 95. Mystery is half of the purchase price." As they started setting up the tents, she turned and headed for a small cafe. She made sure lunches and drinks were packed for the crew, but she was a business pony and a successful one at that. She could afford to go off and eat on her own bit. Because Rule 73. Never begin a negotiation on an empty stomach. Making her way over to a small Crystal pony cafe, she ordered a small salad lunch with some Crystal Tea and stepped out onto the patio to watch her crew work.

[Fleur de Lis]

The Crystal Empire. A once dark and dreary place now bustling with a new life and vigor. A place still under the thick, dark fog that their thousand-year banishment has brought upon them. That very fog has let them in the dark, away from the advancements the other nations have reached. Years behind culture-wise. Of course, she was not going to deny that their own culture had its own unique flavor, its own charm. How often had she had conversations with other nobles concerning those very aspects that made the Crystal Empire a place of high cultural interest? Quite often. Often enough to make an idea slowly build itself in her head. She knew the interest for their culture was reciprocated; it would only be natural of her to try and make the most of it. It was only a matter of time before Canterlot designers would invade the Crystal Empire with their creations, spurred by the demand for such products. Fleur smiled. And I am going to be one of the fashion pioneers, she thought with conviction.

She had not brought much; she never liked to carry more than a small, fashionable saddlebag. Yet, today she carried her portfolio. Usually she never needed it; everyone in Canterlot that knew a little about the fashion industry knew what she was capable of. However, this was a new land. Here, she would not expect to be recognized by many other than by the tourists. She would have to impress, to promote herself, to pull the right strings. Her smile widened a little more. More strands for my web of connections. Opportunity. .  I ought to hurry lest other ponies have the very same idea... This would indeed cut the grass right from under my hooves.

There was but one problem. Two, in fact. She was unsure as to where she should go now that she got off the train, as she never stepped a hoof in the city before; and she was famished. ''To think that they had not prepared enough food for everypony on board... how scandalous.'' She decided against complaining to the ones in charge; it would only be a waste of time. Mistakes can be made. Right now, she had more important matters to attend to.

As she walked, she spotted what appeared to be a quaint little café. Smiling at the prospect to finally satiate her hunger, she began approaching it. However, noise and movement to the side caught her attention. There seemed to be a crew of ponies working to set up an exhibit of sorts. It was too early for her to determine what it was going to be, but she already knew the intent behind it. ''Hmm, it would appear that some ponies wish to tap into the new source of opportunity as well~ Intriguing.'' she said to no one in particular. She used the opportunity to gently brush her mane with her magic as she observed them working. From the looks of it, she had nothing to fear. It definitely did not look related to the fashion industry. Satisfied with her observation, she turned around and headed for the entrance.

She barely had the time to make a step that she stopped herself. The few pegasi, unicorns, and earth ponies were sticking out like sore thumbs in the sea of crystal ponies, and the mare she was now facing made no exception. If anything, she would have most probably spotted her even if it had been a crowd of pegasi.

Smiling knowingly, Fleur approached and joined the business mare. ''My, my, my~ It does make quite some sense now. It is a pleasure to see you here, Miss Stars. I would say that I am surprised to see you here, however it would be insulting your flair for opportunities. I shall settle for a fortunate occurrence.'' She tilted her head and mentioned towards the crew. ''With you observing them like so, I assume they are part of your crew, would I be correct?''

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The crew was working hard on getting the tent set up. It was actually quite surprising how much room she was alotted in the contract to bring her Traveling Museum here. Maybe because of how cheap it would be. But from the sea of drab unspendable crystals came a glowing treasure that money couldn't buy. That rarity was easily noticable in any environment. Fleur De Lis. The Prench Lily of the Fashion world. Sipping her drink she watched and soon noticed her approaching her specifically. And she seemed to have recognized her. When she mentioned the "surprise" and her crew she ust nodded. "Yes, a little traveling Museum of Modern Equestrian Culture, or M.O.M.E.C. for short. It may sound a little cheesy, but Acronyms tend to drive up interest in something by ten percent." Her left ear twitched a bit as she smiled lightly to Miss de Lis. "Would you care to join me for lunch? I will buy." It wasn't ever day one ran into a known celebrity of this stature. Plus she already seemed to know a bit about Stars, so it would propbably best to court her favor a bit for future business potential.

[Fleur de Lis]

Fleur raised an eyebrow at the mention of a traveling museum. She looked back to peer at the workers once more. If anything, she thought, if they are to expose some of the most intriguing artifacts and perhaps common items from Equestria, she should have considered renting a building instead of doing so in the open. She shrugged mentally; it did not really mattered to her.

''I was not aware somepony actually evaluated the interest factor of acronyms objectively. Interesting.'' What Fleur found more interesting was to see how Miss Stars seemed to have such an answer at the ready. If anything, that she would know of that very factor told her of the mare's attention to detail and pragmatism. A mare who would leave as few things to chance. A small smile spread on her lips.

She smiled even more at the invitation. Usually, she thought, it takes a few minutes before they work the nerve to invite me. She then corrected herself. Well, it is not as if it was a formal invitation for lunch; merely a small gift as one would offer a flower whilst at the florist. ''My, I am quite thankful for the invitation, Miss Stars. I most gratefully accept. Thank you for your generosity.'' She thought about how could have had turned down the invitation as she already had something else to attend to later on, but a growling stomach would not do, and she considered she could appreciate some company within the foreign city. Moreover, she admitted to herself, it is not as if I often turn down the generosity of others when offered so willingly~

She gave a casual flick at her mane so it would not get pressed between her back and the chair, and sat at the opposite side of the table, facing Stars. ''I have to say that I am somewhat surprised to associate you with Equestrian relics. A Shadowbolt, a successful business mare, and a historian? Quite the different fields they are. Perhaps you were commissioned by the Castle? A cultural exchange of sort?'' She highly doubted that it was so; there were many more ponies that would probably have been chosen over Miss Stars. Such as real historians, curators, and the like. Although if she was indeed sent by the Castle~

Fleur could not help but marvel a bit at the idea. The importance of such an exchange was not lost to her. It would be an honor. 

''Surely there is bound to be great interest for such an exposition. Had it been an auction, and depending on the objects, I am certain one would make a small fortune with all the excitement around the two nations' cultures. Perhaps I should have brought a few artifacts myself~''

Fleur had to concede that It was certainly not the subtlest of ways to probe if Stars had come with a financial intent.

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The workers had just finished setting up the tent and tables. The nice White pavillion tents promised a cool atmosphere inside due to white's ability to reflect heat while also keeping the veiw of the exhibits from prying eyes. The whole production of backing the wagon into the front pavillion tent seemed to have drawn more attentnion from the Crystal Ponies in the area. A small murmur started. A plastic sign is placed up on a weighted stand. The dark blue sign with yellow lettering stood in stark contrast agaisnt the pavillions. Museum of Modern Equestrian Culture. The words stacked with the first letters a bit bolder in shape. "The University of Applied Business Sciences did a case study on the Use of Acronyms and Pnuenomic Devices on the Equestrian Mind. Basically when something is catchy or simple to remember, ponies are more willing to spend bits for it." A smile crossed her lips as Fleur walked around and joined her on the patio. She waved to the cafe waiter with two feathers, ordering a second salad and some tea for Fleur. Then came up the question of the artifacts. "Well considering that the Crystal Ponies were alive 1000 years ago anything old would be recent events. So the exhibit show cases some of the modern conviences and advances that have arisen since they vanished. And as far as invitations. None. I am just trying to do a good deed for the Citizens of Equestria and maybe get the name of the Shadowbolts in while they are still learning about the flight teams." As she sipped a bit of her tea, the thought of an auction came up and she slowly lowered her cup. "The though had crossed my mind for an auction, But then it may ahve come across as I was wanting to just exploit them for thier bits. But MOMEC is a single bit for entry."

[Fleur de Lis]

After hearing that the entrance fee was but a bit, Fleur told herself that Stars' reputation must have been somewhat they prey of ponies eager for some gossip who would not do otherwise than adding to the picture more than can already be seen. It does not appear that Miss Stars is only driven by wealth, Fleur thought. Interesting. But then again, it would be quite arduous to find somepony that is entirely composed of greed. As in this case, the desire to extend her influence was not lost to her.

''Hmm, to be truthful, Fleur began, I have to say that given the few rumors I have heard about you, I would not have thought you would be the kind of pony to promote Equestrian culture abroad. However, I can understand how you wish to make your team's name be known. I suppose that introducing this society devoid of flying teams to your own organisation would indeed be quite the move to make, as most probably they have not yet been biased by the Wonderbolt's undeniable popularity in Equestria. You would not have to convert ponies to your team, but rather make them adopt yours as their very first one, which I believe would make it somewhat easier. Although... Pardon me for saying, but surely you must have some other ways of promoting your team other than a traveling museum~ Not that it should concern me of course. I am merely curious given your reputation as a strategic pony.''

Glancing around, and eager to soften up the conversation as to avoid appearing too inquisitive Fleur added with a small smile: ''Although I must admit that many ponies would more than gladly find a reason to come here; such an exotic city. Coming here itself is some sort of vacation, is it not~? While we both have our own schedule nonetheless, it is quite invigorating to see such a peculiar society.''

Still somewhat curious, Fleur asked her: ''Do tell me, Miss Stars, is the Crystal Empire the only stopping point to your ... MOMEC?, or are there other destinations planned ahead overseas?'' If the traveling museum did stop at other places did not preoccupied Fleur the least, but what did interest her was the thoughts and ideas behind the mare sitting before her's head.