Ano170

@@Agent505, (OOC: And I thought my post was cheesy ) Arrow took the brunt of Enid's assault with little more than a few grunts, though the pain did make him wince. He felt he deserved it; hell, he deserved more - not just for what had happened with Myra, but for all the things he'd seen; all the things he had given up on. Holding Enid in his forelegs even as she clung to him, Arrow's eyes narrowed in determination - now wasn't the time to wallow in self-pity, and whatever Enid was feeling Arrow couldn't leave her to be captured either. "Enid," he said, gently but firmly as he pulled away slightly to look her in the eye. "We have to move, and you know it; Harmonic isn't going to let either of us walk away from this if he can help it." Then, more softly he added. "Get out alive now, and there'll be time to grieve later. Then...you won't ever have to see me again if you don't want to."

@@00Pony, @, @@Starshine, @@Agent505, The Captain chuckled at the bat pony's comment, sitting back on her haunches in front of the Thestral and Naga, tail flicking contentedly. "Yes, I think they will be." Turning to the snake pony, she flashed her most charming smile, tipping her hat and giving a slight bow that was directed at both pony-like creatures. "The Captain, at your service." She straightened again, setting the cap back on her head. "And who might I have the pleasure of embarking on this expedition with?" The Captain jumped slightly at the bartender's sudden ringing voice. With a slight, embarrassed chuckle, she watched as the majority of the bar's patrons left until only herself, the Naga and Thestral and three stallions - two at a table and the other drinking on his own - were left. "I guess that's one question answered," The Captain commented, nodding towards the two stallions seated at the table. "Shall we?" she asked before making her way over to the table without even waiting for an answer.

@@Agent505, (Wow, what a crybaby. ...I'm not sad over this at all, I swear, there's just something in my eye..). Arrow glared back at Enid, still refusing to move even after she turned her back on him. Before he could argue further with her, however, Enid simply broke down, crying harder than Arrow had ever seen her over Myra's body - Myra's corpse Arrow realised grimly. Witnessing this outpouring of emotion - and indeed, a treacherous part of Arrow still couldn't help but wonder if this was the first true emotion he had witnessed from Enid, though he tried not to dwell on that at the current moment - Arrow found himself trembling. He knew there was no time; that it would be wiser to follow Enid's advice and fly away and never look back - but instead, he found himself sitting down next to the distraught mare and wrapping her in his forehooves, softly shushing her in much the same way as he would his foal when she'd had a nightmare.

(OOC: Sorry I'm late to the party...). @, @@00Pony, There was something about sleeping outside. Others in the same position as The Captain may have found it frightening, but for whatever reason she found it wonderfully refreshing not having a roof above her head; the uncertainty it brought was exciting. She unwrapped herself from the crossbow she had fallen asleep curled up with the night before and stretched out, very much like a cat, opening her beak in a wide yawn. Blinking sleepily, it dawned on the adolescent griffon that she had slept through almost the entire day - her tail flicked in slight annoyance at the wasted hours. The Captain glanced at her crossbow with a quizzical frown. "Did I forget something important?" The crossbow didn't answer of course - crossbows can't talk, they just shoot stuff - but as The Captain pulled her cap out from a large pouch strapped to her side - essentially the griffon equivalent of a saddle bag - one talon ended up stabbing through a sheet of paper. Curious, she pulled it out; it was a flier The Captain couldn't remember picking up, and though it had a large talon-sized hole in it the griffon felt she got the gist of what it was saying. She sat up on the cloud, tail flicking much more actively now in excitement. "Sounds like fun." she said after a while, eyes lighting up somewhat maniacally as, strapping her crossbow on her back and setting her cap on her head, she launched herself off the cloud. Somewhere in the back of her mind as she flew over the Canterlot streets was the notion that this expedition would be a good way to keep moving; never staying in the same place long enough to be found by - "Boooring!" the Captain declared in a singsong voice that was perhaps louder than necessary, shoving the thought firmly out of her mind before it could be completed. Alighting in the street just outside of the Mane and Tale, the griffon strolled inside the inn confidently, positively swaggering until it occurred to her that she had no clue who she was looking for. All ponies look the same...Well, except those two over there - they look interesting; 'specially the snake one. "'Scuse me?" The Captain approached the Thestral and Naga with the same swaggering bravado, holding up the flier for them to see. "Any idea where the meeting for this little get-together is?"

@@Agent505, Arrow frowned at the sight of Enid sat on the floor, his muzzle crinkling and his eyes narrowing. For once, he felt certain of what she was trying to say - and he didn't like it. "I'm not leaving you," he stated with blunt firmness. "Or your sister - put Myra back on my back and we'll leave on hoof; the guards won't know yet to stop us." Before, Arrow knew there was a chance he may have left Enid there and then, but since finding himself propelled into the future he had found a part of his younger self reawakening; he was done trying to play hero, but he was no selfish coward either.

@@Agent505, Arrow swore internally at the sight of a dead-end ahead of them, but before he could voice his concern he felt Enid burrow her face in the coat of the mare deposited on his back. He flinched slightly to feel her silent sobs. We don't have time for this... A voice hissed in Arrow's mind, but he ignored it - he could think of nothing to say; in fact he didn't think it would be right to say anything. And, in a twisted sense, Arrow felt almost relieved to see Enid having such a strong emotional response - as much as he hated to admit it, Harmonic's warning still rang in his ears, and Arrow was glad to see her reacting appropriately to the situation even as he felt pity and compassion well up in his chest. Harmonic was lying - she isn't empty. Eventually, however, Arrow had to clear his throat - he knew they couldn't risk getting caught; Harmonic, Arrow instinctively knew, would seize this whole...situation as an opportunity to take care of him, and perhaps Enid and Myra too if he really wanted. "Enid," he spoke softly, barely louder than a whisper, trying to be gentle. "We have to keep moving - we can't stay here..." Here. Glancing about the dead-end alleyway, Arrow realised he himself wasn't sure if by "here" he had meant the alleyway, the street or the Empire itself...

@@Agent505, "Thanks," Arrow panted. He paused a second to get his strength back, slightly embarrassed - especially after seeing how well Enid managed carrying Myra's armour on top of her own - and then trotted to catch up to the mare again, matching her pace now with relative ease. Shifting Myra's weight slightly on his back, Arrow tried to distract himself from the panic that was beginning to stir in the pit of his stomach, now that the shock of what was happening had worn off. He forced himself to try and plan - Myra was going to need medical attention; they all needed to avoid the Empire's guards and somehow they would have to avoid punishment for blowing up half a building. As Arrow considered this, and his conversation with Harmonic earlier, the same thought kept occurring to him, however much he tried to avoid it. We need to hide - or run. "Enid," Arrow finally said, giving the mare a sidelong glance but not meeting her eyes. "What are you planning to do? Where are you planning to go? There's nowhere safe in the Empire anymore..."

@@Agent505, "Oof!" Arrow grunted in pain at the sudden weight of the armoured Myra being dumped on his back. For a second his legs buckled, but he managed to stay upright and eventually to move, albeit slowly. He struggled towards Enid, wondering just where the mare was planning on going - no doubt the entire guard would have been attracted by that explosion... "Enid," Arrow panted as he caught up to the mare. "Would you mind...taking off... Myra's helmet... or something? We're not... going to get... very far at this rate."

@@Agent505, Finally understanding as he saw Enid trying to pull Myra away in the opposite direction from the palace, Arrow rushed over to help. He was relieved that Enid didn't seem to be planning on taking Myra to the palace - really, he supposed he should have given Enid more credit - but Myra would need medical attention of some sort, assuming she was still alive... Taking another of Myra's hooves, Arrow began heaving along with Enid, straining against the weight of Myra's armour. An idea occurred to him, and he stopped, placing Myra's hoof back down carefully and turning to Enid. "Why don't use your telekinesis to put her on my back, and then to lessen her weight? Part of Arrow questioned the reasoning behind helping the pony who had just tried to kill him, but he knew he owed it to Enid.

@@Agent505, Arrow remained frozen as Enid walked over to him, flinching internally when she pressed her horn against his forehead. He jumped when Enid turned and blew up an unlucky wall, suddenly shaken back into movement. "You saved me." Arrow murmured. He supposed at first that he should thank Enid, but then, looking at Myra's body on the ground, it occurred to him that this event may not be something Enid would like him to be thankful for. Instead he watched the mare in silence, not really sure what he should do - there were going to be repercussions for this, he knew, but Arrow also knew now that he couldn't abandon Enid to face them alone; he had done enough of that to other ponies in the past. Watching Enid nudge Myra, Arrow felt his gut twist and his own ears droop. His eyes furrowed in confusion, however, at Enid's charade - was she concerned that those in palace would have heard the sounds of the explosion? Or did she want to take Myra there? Still lost for words, Arrow shook his head in an attempt to convey his misunderstanding.

(OOC: Well that escalated quickly ). "W-what are you doing?" Arrow flinched as Enid took his sword. He was stunned by the sudden blast, and Enid's act of violence towards her sister, and even without the mare tugging on his tail he likely would still have dropped to the ground in shock. He sat heavily, eyes wide and mouth slightly open, staring at Enid from a few feet away.

@@Agent505, Arrow leaped back with a yelp, narrowly avoiding being knocked down by Myra - she glanced against him, sending Arrow spinning for a moment before he regained his balance, wings extending with a flourish as he crouched in a fighting stance, instinct taking over. He let out a slight growl of his own, and almost drew his sword before stopping abruptly. No sense in escalating the situation any further. He told himself, instead taking to the air in what he hoped was beyond Myra's range, though he could not be certain. "What are you doing?" he demanded of the mare, even as his eyes cast a worried glance at Enid.

@@Agent505, Seeing Enid's reaction, Arrow took a deep breath before continuing. "I am aware of course that this is through no fault of your own, but, well, I want to...to make things clear between us." What am I doing? Arrow wondered to himself - he was still trying to convince himself that this was unnecessary; that there had been no misinterpretation between Enid and himself. Besides, if Harmonic found out I had a family... Arrow shook his head to clear it. There's no way he could hurt them - they're in the past. A more chilling thought occurred to Arrow. If he found out about the time travel crystals, though... Enid and Myra were mute, but Arrow had seen how well Harmonic seemed able to understand them. I can't tell them everything, Arrow realised. "I want to tell you the truth." Arrow stated, even as he felt his gut twist at the slight false implication he had already made. "I didn't want the Commander or Cadence to know, but, I..." Arrow swallowed. "I'm married. I have a foal back home - where I'm from, far away. They're waiting for me..."

@@Agent505, (OOC: Arrow should've known better XD). Arrow frowned, tensing slightly as Myra moved to walk next to him. She was making strange noises under her breath, and her horn was shooting sparks. The hairs stood up on the back of Arrow's neck as they entered the deserted alleyway, and Arrow was suddenly grateful for the sword hanging by his side. Still, glancing back at Enid following behind them, Arrow tried to assuage his growing concern - he wanted to be able to trust her. Don't listen to Harmonic, Arrow told himself. Stopping halfway down the alley, and glancing first left then right, Arrow turned to face Enid, uncomfortably aware of her sister next to him. "Enid..." Arrow trailed off, uncertain how to begin. He reverted back to the comfort of his own time and culture, drawing himself up straight. "Miss - Enid, to be frank, there seems to be a prevalent misinterpretation among the ranks as to the nature of our...relationship."

@@Agent505, "Um, alright." Feather blinked, trying to hide her relief, though Frostbite's sudden absentmindedness did make Feather worry if there was something wrong with the mare. She's probably just taken aback by the train - blinded by all the shiny... Feather shook her head at the mean voice as she watched Frostbite walk away. The mare's invitation to her room made her blink - there was a long pause before she could think of something to say. "Oh...uh, sure." Feather nodded slightly. Was she...flirting? Feather couldn't help but wonder. More likely she's just one of those overly friendly mares who giggles too much... "Yeah," Feather muttered quietly to herself in agreement. "Most likely." Getting her room key from a nearby attendant, Feather headed off to her own room. It was as fancy as the rest of the train, and Feather was pleased to see her bag was already there. As she flopped down on the ridiculously comfy bed she decided that, in fact, she could get used to this.

Arrow sighed, rolling his eyes slightly as he consigned himself to the fact that if he told one sister, he would have to tell both of them. "Alright," Arrow groaned "fine." He glanced around, eyes darting nervously at the various ponies passing by in the street. "But not here," he said. Arrow thought of a private place - he was unsure if, in this period of time, it would still be uncouth to invite the two mares to his apartment, so instead Arrow took off in the direction of a rarely frequented back alley, not dissimilar to the one in which he and Enid had first hidden from Harmonic. "This way," he told the two sisters.

@@Agent505, Feather grinned. "In that case it'd be just as well we never made it to the food cart - wouldn't want to waste money." She went pick up her suitcase, only to discover an attendant had already loaded it onto the train. Feather shook her head, smiling then followed Frostbite to the car. "Thanks," she murmured to the other mare, who was standing to one side, then entered the car. Inside, the train was just as plush as Feather had imagined. Really, Feather wanted to find her room before she did any exploring, but she felt it would be more polite to ask what Frostbite was planning on doing - after all, she might still be planning on getting something to eat. "So," Feather turned back to the mare. "Do you still want to look for that food cart?"

Arrow's eyes furrowed at Myra's glare. He shrank back slightly when the mare squared up to him, despite the fact that he was taller - there was something deeply intimidating about her beyond the fact that she was a soldier. Yet it was Enid's behaviour that concerned Arrow more, however. Feeling her nuzzling his neck, Arrow began to wonder... This is silly - there's clearly nothing going on. Arrow could feel the warmth of Enid against him. But then, perhaps I should make things clear... Arrow took a breath. "Ah, Enid? I was...hoping to speak with you." Swallowing, he gave Myra a nervous glance. "Alone perhaps."

@@Agent505, Completely unaware of Frost Bite's gaze, Feather had continued trotting while she waited for an answer, until she heard the sound of the train pulling into the station behind her. She turned, and her muzzle dropped at the sight of the grand, ornate locomotive. Bit of an eyesore really... murmured a voice in her head, but Feather quashed it; no need to be negative. Feather turned, heading towards the train, when Frost Bite's words registered in her mind. She turned to the mare with a grin. "Oh, you're going on the Entropy too?" At least I know somepony a little now.

@@Agent505, Seeing that his soldiers were ready and all too eager for the coming march, Arrow turned to another distraction: armour. His chainmail vest had been enough protection within the Empire itself, but Arrow sensed that he would need something more substantial in the upcoming battle - nothing that would subtract too much from his natural advantages of speed and flight as a pegasus, but at least a helmet and breast plate. Leaving the barracks in search of the blacksmiths, Arrow was so absorbed in his thoughts now that he had finally expelled them of Harmonic and Enid that he almost didn't notice the latter and her sister coming down the street in the opposite direction before crashed into them. "Enid!" Arrow froze, his wings snapping out in preparation to take off and leave the two mares in the dust, but he couldn't bring himself to do so. Instead he straightened, folding his wings back in and giving both Enid and her sister a courteous, albeit cold, nod. "Ahem...Afternoon."

@@Agent505, Feather chuckled a little at the mare's mistake as she took the lead, trotting towards the general direction of the shop in the certainty that she would remember exactly where it was once they reached the main foyer. "Nice to meet you, Frostbite." Feather commented, giving the mare another nod and a smile. "Actually, I won a free train ride around Equestria. Yourself?"

@@Agent505, (OOC: I think this'll have to be my last post for tonight, sadly ). Feather was surprised at the invitation, though she tried not to show it. "Ah..alright." she said after a moment, then remembering her manners, "That is, yes please." I'm trying to make friends after all, aren't I? Thinking back over what the mare had said, Feather realised she had probably been asking for a name. "Feather, by the way." She gave the unicorn a slight nod. "Feather Quill."

@@Agent505, "I was just going." Arrow responded with false coolness. He turned from the commander and took off, flying away from the balcony and out over the streets of the Empire. He flew over Enid and Myra, and briefly considered stopping to speak to them, but instead he kept going. Harmonic's a monster, Arrow thought to himself as he alighted outside the barracks and stalked inside. But...perhaps I am getting too close to Enid. With a sigh, he set to checking up on the soldiers in his squad, trying to force the commander and that one certain member of the Onyx Guard out of his mind.

@@Agent505, Feather had stayed sat on the bench, watching as two new stallions entered the terminal and appeared to strike up a conversation. You should go talk to them Quill - meet new ponies! Besides, you're gonna be sharing a train with them for the next two weeks... Feather shook her head slightly, reluctant to get up and carry her suitcase over just to interrupt two strangers' conversation. Well you need to make friends somehow, otherwise this is going to be a long trip... As Feather debated the matter with herself, she looked up to see another pony had entered the terminal - a mare this time; she was pretty, but as she got closer Feather felt a slight chill run down her spine, though she couldn't think why. The mare muttered to herself, and, spotting a chance to make conversation without butting into somepony else's conversation, Feather forced herself to speak up. "Um, hi." Feather stood up, giving the mare a nervous smile. "Ah, I think there's a store..." Feather glanced about, trying to remember the layout of the station. "Sorry..."she muttered with a slight nervous chuckle as she racked her suddenly blank brain. "Ah...it's that way." she said at last, gesturing confidently with a hoof down past the end of the platform through the door Feather herself had come by. Why did I do that? Feather groaned internally to herself, even as she continued smiling awkwardly to the stranger. She was obviously talking to herself... You were being helpful Quill. That's not a crime, so calm down. It's still weird, Feather grumbled back at the voice.