Illiad Easle

@Scar He rose up on trembling legs as he continued to steady himself, there was a bit of steel in his eyes as he stared Cali down, "Princess Sparkle may have been a terrible carer, but she did teach me a few things about defence. Don't sell me short in that department, you aren't the first enemy she's had." He took a few more steadying breaths, "I think it would be best if we continued on hoof, I may not be an earth pony but I'm no stranger to long distances." He looked around, "How far did we get exactly?"

@Scar Blu would get as close as he could to the ground as he could once they had landed, it would take him a bit to recover, "Get off me. I don't want to hurt you but if you don't get off me right now I'll try and pry you off."

@Scar Blu's breathing got a bit deeper but progressively more ragged once they were lower. If this kept up he'd likely pass out soon. He vigorously shook his head, "nonononononononononono" He tensed up before daring to open his eyes for a bit, before shutting them tightly again, "nononononononono"

@Scar Blu appeared to have started hyperventilating, likely caused partly by the reduced oxygen at the higher altitudes, the other half by his ongoing panic. "nonononononononononononononononononononononononononononononono"

@Scar Blu was shuddering in her grip, legs tight against his barrel and eyes shut tight. He would be fairly unresponsive for a good bit even after they reached the ground again. He kept muttering to himself that it was happening again.

@Scar Blu stopped as the metal wings appeared, "Woah woah woah! I didn't agree to this. I'm not a pegasus, I wasn't meant to fly. I've got no desire to fly. I'm not flying especially when you could just drop me. I can't say I trust you that far."

@Scar Blu snorted as he turned his course towards the direction she indicated, "I thought as much, greed plus looking for an abandoned house to lay low in. You're lucky they didn't seem to be offering any sort of reward, not that they could offer me something more valuable than you're offering." Blu scoffed, "Last I checked, neither of us had wings. Personally I don't intend to grow a pair, too much responsibility involved, so I wonder what you have in mind."

@Catpone Cerberus Ditzy smiled at the reciprocated greeting and turned back to Ætheron who had already taken off his pack, he seemed in a hurry to get moving, but a thought occured to him and he paused, "We ran into a group of ponies about half an hour into the forest, said their village to the south got attacked by someone called the Nightmare Tyrant. You hear anything about this?" Ditzy looked puzzled for a moment, then shrugged and shook her head, "Sorry, can't say I've heard anything, nothing's come up this way at least. Though I also don't know of any towns near here to the south." Ætheron nodded, "I thought as much. We're going to check it out, we should be back later. If we're not back by... lets say three days from now, tell the express we went missing." Ditzy nodded, "Will do! Stay safe." If Ædriga hadn't gotten her harness off yet Ætheron would move to assist, and once they were both unloaded he would set off back the way they came, now with a bit more speed than before as he was unburdened besides a few weapons, "Lets go help those creatures."

@Scar Blu was quite surprised by the mare's transformation, and shuddered when she set herself around his neck, "I'd... um, appreciate it if you had warned me first. I don't much like being touched, and this is weird." Nonetheless he would still proceed out the back door to travel by way of the wilderness around the city. He was headed in the general direction of the train station, "So... which way should we be headed?" He looked around to see if anyone was watching him, it would certainly look suspicious to be seen talking to himself.

@Sherem The thestral mare took new interest when Sherem mentioned the empire. "The Crystal Empire? Forgive me, but you don't look much like a crystal pony, but then again I haven't seen a crystal pony before. My clan, the Eclipse clan, is based near where the empire is, or thereabouts. Perhaps you've heard of them? They... they weren't doing too well when I left. But maybe with the Empire nearby they'll be able to get more trade and resources." As he stood to get more of the food, "I heard that alicorns were omnivores like thestrals, is that true?"

@Scar Blu was quick to finish off his food before heading to the bedroom, he came out garbed in the same outfit that he had entered the city in, a long coat that did well in the rain the area was known for, and his briefcase tucked into one side of a pair of generic saddle bags. He motioned towards the back door, "Probably best if we didn't go out where they or the neighbors might see us. They'd be right suspicious if they saw someone other than me leaving."

@Scar Blu sighed as he closed the door before quickly putting his glasses back on and setting his mane straight, "I'm surprised they didn't scan the house, would've told them real quick how many ponies were inside, but I think they need a warrant for that." He returned to his cooling pancakes, "Now, when are we headed out? I don't want to be here if they make a second pass or if Princess Sparkle does come looking for me."

@Scar Blu snorted and rolled his eyes, "I'd be hard pressed to fit another pony in this place, but no. My marefriend didn't want to make the move up with me, so I'm by myself at the moment." He thought for a moment, "You know, if I were you, I'd post a survey with a small reward for information, that does seem to get information a bit easier than going door to door. Sure you might get some false reports, but you're more likely to get something if ponies volunteer it than in these porchstep interrogations."

@Scar Blu didn't look amused, "I don't much appreciate being accused without evidence. Now, I've already told you I don't know anything, didn't see anything. If that is all, I intend to finish my breakfast before it gets cold." Blu would of course wait for the officers to leave before closing the door, he knew better than to antagonize the law. He was relieved that they didn't seem to recognize him, then again, Princess Sparkle hadn't exactly been very public about him before.

@Scar Blu shook his head, "You think I could afford a second floor? No, Princess Sparkle wouldn't send the local guard after me, I'll answer." He stowed his gloves away, took off his glasses, and stood where they wouldn't be able to see his mark, he made sure the door chain was affixed before opening the door to peer out at the guards, "Can't say I saw anything officers, I was here moving in all last night. I haven't even seen the town center myself yet."

@Scar Blu on the other hoof was less calm about the commotion outside, "Shoot, she must have gotten the ticket salespony to talk. I know Spike wouldn't rat me out or they'd be here already." He set his plate down and held his gloves as a pair of circles, with a flash of magic the circles started to glow, he held one up to his eye and held the other up to a gap in the blinds. The magic he cast would let him see through the circle he held up to the window, he was looking to see if the guards were near and how they were looking around while not showing his face. "If they come looking for me, you saw me leaving town by boat."

@Scar About fifteen minutes later Blu would come over to where Cali was waiting, a pair of plates with a short stack of pancakes on each held in the grip of his gloves. He held out one of the plates to Cali as he motioned to the kitchen, "If you want something on them other than maple syrup, you're free to whatever you can find in there." If Cali went looking she wouldn't find much other than butter and peanut butter. Blu would start eating, operating a fork with his glove, without waiting for Cali.

@Blitz Boom (NP) The sprite looked back at Null for a moment, "My name is egryhesro, I'm stuck here until the work is done. The machine was made by... by my sister. She was a very good maker. And now she's gone." The conversation ended, the mare turned away and went back to staring at one of the many drawings on the wall. But more notably, the progress in the corner now said 2/5. Null would not be able to interact with the mare again, attempts would only give her the prompt that 'she doesn't know any more'. (Troy) Ardee had a tired smile, "I'll make sure they get their hooves washed. I don't think we've had yogurt before, one of the scientists might have mentioned it at some point but if you've brought it for us I'm sure it'll be good." She left to follow Teal and Toupé to the bathroom, she somewhat roughly encouraged Elef to vacate the bed before she gently nuzzled Piecey awake and scooped her out of the crib to join Peal on her back. About fifteen minutes later they'd all be back, gathered around Void, Ardee in the middle with the foals on either side with Teal and Toupé, Elef taking up one side of the semicircle. They were looking between Void and the food she had prepared for them.

@Scar Blu looked over at Cali when she came it, he was cooking what looked like pancakes, they smelled decent enough quality. Cali might notice that rather than grabbing the pan and spatula directly with his magic Blu was holding a pair of gloves with which he operated the pan and spatula. He turned his attention back to the food he was cooking, "Good morning, you want some?"

@Scar His sleep wasn't the best, first night in a new house and all that, plus the house had a bit of a draft and didn't hold warmth well. In all, it was still better than Princess Sparkle's crystal palace. Crystal beds leached heat like nothing else, especially in the winter. Still, nothing a copious quantity of caffeine wouldn't cure, which was something he was looking forward to trying now that the Princess wasn't dictating his diet. He set about making breakfast from the food Spike had sent ahead for him, he honestly didn't know how to use most of it, but he was able to cobble together something resembling breakfast by the time Cali would wake up.

@Scar Blu chuckled at that, "If you manage to find one, let me know. I'm pretty sure the floor's better than that squeaky mattress this place came with, but if you want it it's all yours." He'd preceed her in entering the bedroom, quickly grabbing his briefcase before allowing her to enter, "Sleep well then, we'll talk more in the morning." He would take the couch that Cali had vacated unless she changed her mind about the bed, in either case he would sleep with his head on his briefcase.

@Scar An ancient hall of records... I'll finally be able to study the old magics that my constructs are based on. I'll finally unlock their true potential. Or I would... if she were here to join me. His crush would not likely be too fond of him trying to overthrow Princess Sparkle, but that would be a problem for another day. He'd have to see what this archive contained first. Blu nodded at the culmination of their agreement, "I wouldn't have it any other way. Should we set off immediately? Or is a good night's rest in order?"

@Scar Blu raised an eyebrow in intrigue, "Tell you what, you bring me to this golden door, no tricks, and not only will I tell you what I know I'll personally assist you in getting close enough to do some real damage." He floated a glove over, it was the sort of glove that a griffon or Minotaur might wear, made of a dark colored cloth that might be leather. He extended it like a griffon would for a hoofshake, "What do you think? Do we have a deal?"

@Scar What I wouldn't give to be able to lord that over Princess Sparkle... Blu looked intrigued, "Something special about finding it then? Some sort of spell, incantation, or planetary alignment in order to find the door? Perhaps we could have some sort of arrangement later." He snorted, "She's no less legitimate than the rest, but yes. I was, until recently, her ward. She'll tell you she adopted me out of the goodness of her heart, but she took me away from a family that would have loved me, and then couldn't be bothered to even get to know me. Which is why I left, I wouldn't be surprised if she hasn't even noticed my absence yet."

@Scar Now that's something interesting. "Stratusburg? I think Princess Sparkle may have mentioned it at some point, but I can't say I'be seen it myself. Given the name I assume it's a cloud city? This door you found would have to either be beneath the city, or you have impressive magical endurance. I wonder though if it is not just some cursed artifact you've found, have you ever had it inspected? Checked for curses or dark magics?"