Illiad Easle

@Skylight Scintillate Indigo would comment, "It can actually be quite cozy, with the right kind of hammock. Nova's father and I usually share a larger one when he's here. In your case, it helps that Lilac is still small." They both seemed intrigued by the hippogriff, Nova commenting, "I think I heard about those once, they mostly live in coastal areas right? Or, aren't they the ones that are half gryphon and half pony?" Indigo looked thoughtful before answering, "I think the term is used by both, since I've heard that they look similar. Maybe the hybrids will start adding the -pony like bat ponies do?" Nova turned his attention back to Speckle, "So your friend is one of the seapony types? That's cool! I don't know if I could do another exchange so soon though..." he looked to his mother who gently shook her head. "Maybe when Lilac is a bit older, or if you go do guard training in Canterlot like your father suggested? You'd be a bit closer then." That thought seemed to have some mixed feelings for Nova, but generally positive. The forest itself seemed to grow darker the further they went, as the trees around them grew older and taller, the underbrush thinning out as less sunlight meant fewer things could grow under the canopy. Nova commented, "We could look for tracks, but I think most animals would avoid the road." "Animals yes, but many other creatures travel this road." Indigo suggested, "Maybe you'll be able to recognize some other creatures that have walked here? Like, here." She paused to point out a hoofprint that was a bit different from the others, "This track was left by a pony wearing a shoe, unlike us" she showed that he hoof didn't have a shoe attached, and left a print next to the shod print. "That's probably from one of the Children, they often wear shoes because of the rocks on the mountain." That example given, they'd be able to watch the road for other tracks from other sentient creatures, as well as looking at the different sizes of prints to guess at ages. A bit further down the path the area seemed to brighten again, a blueish tint indicative of the shimmerwood trees which were becoming more abundant around them. The larger ones had their bark carved with innumerable small symbols, some of them runes (Which speckle might be able to recognize depending on what she might have learned from Radiant, if so, they looked like runes of protection) along with messages in a variety of languages, the ones in Equish being for the most part welcoming. Some of them appeared to be quite old, while others seemed more recently carved. Some even still had the shavings near the base of the tree. Indigo would point out a few larger symbols, like a four pointed star, a large rectangle, and a crescent moon. "Those are the symbols of some of the clans that joined in to the Fastar clan, I believe every clan that has joined has a tree somewhere along this path with their symbol, along with their uniting oath written out in some form or another. Carving them into the shimmerwood trees shows that their commitment only grows stronger over time. Similarly..." She slowed her pace, looking over the trees before stepping off of the path to a tree a short distance away. She pointed to something a bit above her own eye level, "There." They would have to fly up to read it properly, but it was words carved to form a circle: 'Nightwing Fastar & Indigo Eclipse, 992 ANM' inside the circle was carved: 'Nova Fastar, 993 ANM' and 'Lilac Fastar, 1001 ANM' Looking around they would see many similar circles with names. Indigo would explain as they returned to the path, "It's a bit of a tradition here, those who marry into the clan carve the circle to symbolize the strength of their own bond as a family, similar to the clans, growing only stronger over time."

@Blitz Boom (Cherish) The feeling came back with a vengeance there, when she thought about him needing her. There was a deep anger, and a bit of... jealousy? He doesn't need you. He doesn't deserve you. "No." As he continued, she got the distinct feeling of déjà vu, like she'd heard it before. "I'm a monster, monsters deserve to die. I tried to help, tried to keep them safe, but I've been a monster this whole time." Then the feeling shifted "I should have died here, instead of her. I should have... I should have died when I first got infected." Some confusion clouded the anger, a bit of concern that matched Cherish's own. Infected? "Go. It isn't safe for you to be here, you aren't safe with me." He warned me, I didn't listen. I shouldn't have followed him... The anger came back, but it wasn't as strong. He should have tried harder. I thought he loved me. It felt like there was something inside her, trying to escape, or... trying to get her to escape? It felt like every part of her was struggling to move, twitching. It felt more and more like she'd been here before, that she had followed him when she wasn't supposed to, driven by worry, by care, and there was a rising dread that it would turn out badly for her. (Ranger) She shrugged, "Might as well, we had to be on the move pretty frequently, and the monsters even came through the walls for us sometimes, but some level of protection is better than nothing." She would start to lead the way through the halls. Luckily, most of the damage did not appear too recent, and there wasn't much indication of activity other than themselves. Where the halls of the underground academy would have been right at home in an old university, the halls here were cold, sterile, minus the biohazards they were stepping over, and looked like a proper secret science facility. Most of the doorways were sealed behind electronic locks, plastered with warnings. Some had placards next to them with a picture of either a creature or an object on one side, with labels and symbols on the other, seeming to belong to some sort of categorizing system proprietary to this place. Kozue could probably ask about it, or figure it out given enough time, but the message was clear enough that the things depicted were likely dangerous, even if some of the labels said Safe. One that might catch his eye was what looked like a picture of a photograph of the shadow of a many tailed creature that might be a kitsune. It was hard to make out from the image how many tails it had, but it seemed like a lot. After passing through many hallways that seemed identical, Ranger came to a stop in what looked like a cafeteria, or it had been at one point. The place was trashed, with some evidence that ponies had been living here among the rubble. "This was the first place, where Mistress hid us away. Where, I imagine, Ayjay might have made her last stand." She sighed, "At least, from what I gathered from Arcade. He wasn't much inclined to share what happened after the rest of us escaped." She idly dug through some of the rubble before looking over at Kozue, "Can you... check if she's still around? I don't know what that might look like." Depending on his ability, it would be clear that plenty had died here, but there didn't seem to be any lingering spirits. Perhaps more concerningly, there weren't any bodies or even bones left in this room, despite the amount of death. (Null) Arcade's expression was hard, but not entirely towards Null. "You should have told me sooner. When we first met, you should have told me what happened." He let out a long sigh. "I can't fault you for sparing him, for making the same mistake I did. I shouldn't have risked him being infected. Rare is dead because I was weak, and now another is in danger too. Let's go. I have to make my mistake right, before any more are hurt because of my cowardice." He'd get moving then, not bringing anything beyond his knife, and not hardly waiting for Null if she delayed. He'd only pause to leave a note for Ranger when she didn't answer her door, believing her to still be asleep. If Null didn't stop him (They can talk a bit on the way) they'd arrive at the mesa soon after, the wind not fully erasing the evidence that someone had recently entered the facility. "Someone else is here too." He looked up to the top of the mesa, "They sealed the top entrance, right? Even so, you could hardly carry me up there." He shook his head, "I'll go in this way, and make my way up to where it happened. You can follow me, or try and get in through the top, but time is of the essence." (Void) Seeing as Void was too preoccupied for conversation, even to try and take her mind off of things, Llambda and the changeling decided to give her some space. They would remain nearby if Void wanted to talk, but wouldn't pressure her. (Grey) There were enough resources in the armory for them each to have one, and so long as they brought them back they wouldn't incur any additional debt. However, they wouldn't be able to conceal the dagger too closely to themselves while disguised without the antimagic breaking the disguise, or burning them. It seemed like most of the pegasi up there were openly armed anyway, so having a dagger on their body won't raise much suspicion. In any case, once they returned to the cloud layer something seemed to be in motion. Many were heading towards a structure towards the west end of the cloud, furthest from the city itself, gathering in a mostly intact amphitheater that had previously been used for air shows, like the Cloudsdale coliseum, but smaller. A reddish pegasus mare was near the podium, along with the pegasus who had talked to them at the bar on their first trip up. Depending on how good their skills of detecting other changelings was, they'd find that very few of the pegasi in attendance were changelings, and it might be hard to tell at this distance if the reddish pegasus at the podium was one either. If they could, then it would seem like she was. Out in the open like this, it would be hard to approach her, but not technically impossible. Most of the pegasi in attendance were talking among themselves, their attention not on the center stage yet.

@Skylight Scintillate "Hmm? Oh, um, She's a foal, not much more to it then that. She mostly just hangs around mom, or dad when he's visiting. I'm surprised she climbed into your hammock, she's usually a lot more... aloof? Like the others here." Indigo simply shook her head, "I'm wondering that myself, but I think we'll know a bit more by the time we get back. And if we don't? Well, you all will have gotten a nice trip out of it regardless." She turned back to offer Speckle a weak smile, "I know it might be difficult, but it really would be best if you just let me worry about it. You two focus on having a good time, maybe you'll make some new friends once we're there? I know at least that the central colony has a lot more young thestrals there than we do." Nova did seem a bit excited at the prospect of making some friends, given he didn't seem to have any at home, but there was the worry in his visage that it would just be the same there as here. Indigo helped a bit, "She's really warmed up to you, or maybe she's just curious since you're different from the others in our colony. Usually she sleeps in my hammock with me when it gets colder, but I had to get up earlier today to pack for the trip, I guess she joined you in your hammock?" Nova nodded, "Yeah, I had to help her get out so that Speckle could get up." Indigo spoke over to Speckle, "I don't remember if you mentioned in your letters, do you have any siblings at home?" "Or other friends?" Nova added, "I mean, you didn't introduce me to any, and it's not like I expected you to, I appreciate that you were focused on showing me a good time, I'm just, um, curious..."

@Blitz Boom (Cherish) Visually she could see some dried blood on him, some scratches around one side of his neck and whither where Nova's fangs had cut, but it didn't seem too deep. He paused, but didn't turn to face her. "Th- this... " he motioned towards the hole, "This is home. It's where I came from, It's where I belong." As she approached, she found herself feeling... angry? Like Elef had hurt her, betrayed her, but the feeling passed before she could give it much thought. Elef resumed digging, and if Cherish didn't stop him would break through to the larger tunnel on the other side in just a minute of effort. "Don't follow me, you'll only get hurt." again. He'd quickly enter the tunnel, and disappear into the darkness. If she decided to follow, her efforts to crawl through the hastily widened tunnel would cause it to collapse a bit behind her. It wouldn't be hard to push through, so she wasn't trapped, but it plunged her into darkness. After her eyes adjusted, she could see the glowing moss ahead, and could follow it down the tunnel. Reaching a junction in the tunnel there was noise to the right, leading to a large dim room where he killed me. She could faintly see Elef there, sitting in the middle of the room, softly crying, like he did before. There it was again, the anger, the feeling of betrayal, where...? Where did that come from? And the strange thoughts... Something strange was ahoof here. (Void) Gemini and Teal didn't argue, hurrying back home with Void, and helping her relay what had occurred to Vale. Vale was more than willing to continue watching the young ponies until Void returned. As such, Llambda would agree to continue on with Void, accompanying her on the airship along with the ivory accented changeling they had passed when first leaving the Mercy room. Though now was hardly the time for introductions, and Void was hardly in a state to remember if they had been introduced or not. Selena relayed the directions to Crow so that she could fly ahead. And would be allowed to follow the airship after getting lost. The airship was traveling slower than its max speed, allowing some of the guards aboard to sweep the desert below as they passed, in case the pair had deviated from their predicted path. Something that Crow could help with as she followed. Llambda would stay close to Void, her kind smile having faded just a bit since they first met, but still doing her best to lift her spirits, "Oh, I'm sure they'll be alright. They seem the sort deserving of a bit of kindness. I don't think Karma would let them get hurt now, and if so, well, then they'll deserve an even bigger kindness, and we'll be the ones to give it to them by bringing them home." Maybe it wasn't quite the best thing to say at a time like this, but it seemed that Llambda had an ever positive outlook on life. Selena was standing at the front of the airship, the ivory accented changeling had been speaking with her before coming over to where Void and Llambda were. "A few hours yet, says the gem-born one, until we arrive." The changeling's voice sounded old, but peaceful, tranquil. "Slowly, we are traveling, to watch, if strayed, the young ponies have." (Void and Co will be the last group to arrive at the mesa) (Null) Arcade was easy to rouse, being a particularly light sleeper, "What's going on? Did something happen?" His response would depend on what Null told him about what was going on. He'd be following her regardless, but Null hadn't yet told him what she had seen when she first found Elef. Arcade didn't know that Elef had killed Rare, he only knew what Null had told him, that Null had saved Elef and not been able to save Rare. He had assumed that some other monster had gotten Rare. (Unless you want to say that she did talk about this with him before, like the previous night. If so, we'll step back to then and move through the scene. Arcade has a bit to say and feel about this event.) (Due to time differences, Ranger is ahead of Null. Null and Arcade will arrive after Ranger) (Ranger) Ranger had hardly had the luxury to grow up a picky eater, so she had no issues with a limited selection. She'd even take meat if that were all that were offered, it wouldn't be nutritious, but calories were calories. Still, normal food was available, so she'd load up a plate and join Kozue, "After last night? I'd rather get this over with sooner rather than later. Maybe we'll even get back before the other two wake up, then I won't have to answer as many questions about where I was." She'd get eating quickly, pulling out a mostly blank paper from what she had grabbed for Speck, before realizing that she had nothing to write with and putting it back. "It'll be dangerous where we're going, like, actual monsters dangerous." If he wasn't dissuaded, she'd be ready to leave after a few minutes of eating, demonstrating quite the ability to put food away. If Kozue wasn't ready to leave yet, she'd tell him to meet her at the base of the red mesa outside of town. Otherwise, they would travel together. The sun would just be hitting the top of it when they arrived. In either case, (Whether approaching together or Ranger coming over to Kozue when he caught up) Ranger would lead the way over to a partially concealed doorway, revealing a number pad that seemed to actually be powered. "Maybe the code will work here?" The first one she tried didn't, but the second one did get the old door moving, revealing a very thick door. The back of the door had innumerable scratches on the back, and no small amount of dried blood. The corridor it opened to wasn't a much better sight, a number of decaying bodies on the floor, which Ranger flew over to a clear space a bit away from the door. She looked back out at Kozue, "Still coming?" (Grey) While the toxin was not to be found here in New Pegas, the Crisis and the Summer War had brought new dangerous things for Changelings. Antimagic especially was dangerous for changelings, as it broke the field that surrounded them, causing them to burn alive. A small amount could be quickly washed off without permanent damage, but if some were ingested, or inhaled, well, very few changelings had survived that, and those who did bore painful scars. A knife coated with antimagic would be a potent weapon against a changeling, or a unicorn for that matter. When it came to instructions, his blindfold had some: Incapacitate Red Recover the boon Report back He would be allowed to seek equipment from the Grey armory, but they wouldn't have anything a blacksmith wouldn't. He would have to source anything special elsewhere, but he could obtain funds to do so with little pushback, it seemed that this was a top priority mission.

@Skylight Scintillate The next day, or rather, the night of the same day, the two young thestrals were woken in their hammocks by the sounds of Indigo moving about in the house below them, seemingly packing in advance of their trip. There was a hint of disgruntled muttering attached, as though something had frustrated her. Speckle might also be surprised to find that she was not alone in her hammock, as a little thestral filly lay curled up against her not unlike a large cat. Nova noticed, and came over to retrieve her, "Lilac, you're not supposed to be in there!" His tone was gentle, yet scolding, as he scooped up his younger sister out of Speckle's hammock. He was about to put her back in what was presumably her own hammock, given the smaller size, when Indigo called out from below, "Ah, Good Evening you two! Did you sleep well? Nova, could you bring Lilac down with you? I wasn't able to get someone to watch her this early, so she'll have to come with us." Nova simply nodded, setting Lilac down on his back between his wings, "Let's get going then Speckle, are you excited?" Once on the lower floor of the treehouse, Nova passed Lilac over to Indigo, and moved to sit when Indigo stopped him, "It's quite a trek to the central colony, so we're going to get going as soon as possible. We'll eat breakfast on the path, okay?" You two can go wash up real quick while I finish packing. Speckle would have some time alone with Nova while they went to wash up before returning to the tree house, where Indigo had everything ready to go. Once they returned, Indigo would give each of them a small pack to carry, "I've packed your breakfasts in there, as well as a few snacks and some water, and I've got some extra with me in case you run out." In the bag was as Indigo described, though it was a pretty loose definition of breakfast. More accurately it was a large collection of a variety of snacks, including a few varieties of fruits, some dried meats, a bit of bread, and a soft pouch which probably held the water that Indigo had mentioned. Given how some of the dried meat faintly glowed, it may have been some of the leftover ursa meat from the previous night. They were stopped by one of the guards before they left the clearing, "Indigo? Where are you all going so early?" Indigo's mood appeared to fall a bit, "To the Central colony." The guard looked conflicted, "Why? I mean, maybe we could save you the trip. There's a shipment of wood scheduled for tomorrow, maybe they could-" "Could show our guest what the central colony is like? No, I thank you for your concern, but I think it would be more impactful for her to see it for herself, rather than hear about it second hoof." The guard waffled a bit, "But... The Elder-" Indigo fixed him with a stare, "Are you going to stop me?" There was a tense few moments while the guard struggled to decide what to do, before he shook his head, "No, you all have a safe journey." Indigo nodded, then started walking into the woods without another word. Once they were in the forest proper, following the path to the north, Indigo seemed to relax a bit. Lilac seemed to pick up on that, turning around from her perch on her mother's back to wave at Speckle, "Hewo! You warm."

I figured I'd share this here so those interested could be notified, but they've started! https://mlpforums.com/topic/205724-roleplay-reading-ponyville-weather-team-chapter-one/ And it's really good! Well worth a listen!

(OOC Thread: https://mlpforums.com/topic/198041-another-cultural-exchange/page/3/) @Skylight Scintillate It was cold, dark, and quiet in the Shimmerwood forest, which suited the thestrals that called it home just fine. Most of them, that was. Nova had always thought that the forest was a little too cold, too dark, and too quiet, and had made it his mission in life to correct at least one of those things, as was in his power. At the present, he was sat at the edge of the clearing where the road through the forest entered the area where the clan had built their houses in the trees above. This was the road where the mail was delivered by the carrier, to then be distributed to those in the clan who had business receiving mail, and today Nova hoped to be one of those ponies, as he had hoped every day since he first sent in his application to the cultural exchange. This was something everyone in the clan was well aware of, given Nova's propensity to tell anyone who came close enough for him to engage in conversation, leading many to simply avoid the colt, lest they risk being chosen as his new conversation partner. At the moment, he was simply talking to himself, thinking of all the possible creatures he could be paired with, and all the possible places they could be from, compiling an exhaustive list of them and ranking them as he went in an effort to figure out which possibility he was MOST excited for. Unfortunately, he wasn't very methodical about it, so often had the same combination come up for evaluation, and would frequently lose track of where he was, thus needing to start over. When he stopped, those who had grown used to the chatter turned to see who, or what, they ought to thank for their relief from the noise. They found their relief momentary as Nova cheered: "He's here! The mail is here!" The mailpony was well used to Nova's antics, and was happy to see Nova this time, "Well look who it is, how are you doing Nova?" "Do you have a letter for me?" The mailpony raised an eyebrow, "That doesn't answer my question." Nova shook his head, "Of course it does, if you have a letter for me then I'm doing great! Otherwise... I'm okay I guess." The mailpony chuckled, "Well, today you're in luck, because I do have a letter for you!" Nova bounced in place as he waited for the mailpony to retrieve his letter, snatching it from his hoof as soon as it was clear of the bag, his smile somehow growing wider as he saw who it was from, "YES! IT CAME! Thank you mister mailpony!" He then took off back towards his home without waiting for the mailpony to respond, who simply chuckled to themselves as they went about putting the rest of the clan's mail into the proper recepticles. Nova wasted no time showing the letter to his mother, indicating that he had been accepted to the cultural exchange program and paired with a bat pony in Canterlot, a combination he had not considered in his earlier list. He had heard of bat ponies living in Canterlot from his father who worked there, but he never thought they would be interested in something like this given how disinterested everyone here had been. Still, with his mother's help, he set out to write his introductory letter: Dear Scotia, Hiya! I'm Nova Fastar, I live in the Fastar clan's primary settlement in the heart of the Shimmerwood forest west of Las Pegasus, north of Archback, and south of Griffonstone. I'm a thestral pony, which is like a bat pony, but more bat-like I guess? I don't have my mark yet, but most of the other thestrals my age don't either, so I'm not worried. I hope it will be for something cool, like adventuring, even if my teachers say I should focus on more useful skills like woodworking. Anyway, I'm excited to get to know you and learn what it's like living in Canterlot! I've heard so much about it from my dad, he's the head of the Canterlot City Night Guard, maybe you've met him already? Excitedly, Nova Given his speed and excitement, he was able to get the written letter back to the mailpony before they left the clearing, ensuring that he would get a response at the earliest possible opportunity. Much to the chagrin of the other members of the clan, he seemed intent to wait by the mailbox again for said response to arrive. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Scotia would receive a notification from the Cultural Exchange program stating her acceptance and informing her that she had been paired with Nova Fastar, a young thestral colt from the Fastar Clan. It would instruct her to watch for a letter from him and to respond in kind when it arrives. She would receive receive Nova's letter the very next day.

Looks like some ponies here are interested in this coming back! For those of you who don't know what A Cultural Exchange is, I'd invite you to take a look at the original thread: Or at the story that was created as a result of the most successful rendition of it: https://www.fimfiction.net/story/325624/a-cultural-exchange In short, I invite you to explore the world I've made, and I extend the same courtesy to you. Do you have a character you'd like to explore? A situation? A nation? A world? Let me know, and I'll help you out. Active threads: With Skylight Scintillate With Courageous Thunder Dash

@@Blitz Boom (OOC Thread) It had been a rather normal day for Null and Void, for once they were beginning to feel, something, in this town of theirs. Acceptance, maybe a sense of belonging? Whatever it was, they finally felt like they didn't need to be so on the run anymore. The two of them sat on a hill that overlooked the town at sunset, it was a truly tranquil moment. Void was peacefully asleep in the grass while Null was up, keeping watch, she thought to herself, an old habit from a time now further behind them. Null found herself doing something she had not done in a very long time, smiling. It wasn't a big one to be certain, in fact anyone who didn't know her would never even know she was smiling, but she knew it in her heart. It was at that very moment, the minuscule moment when she let her guard down, when it all went wrong. Though honestly one can't exactly prepare for a large portal opening in front of them. Less for what they saw on the other side. Through the portal was a room, so white it almost gleamed, though that was secondary to the all too familiar looking grey robed figures that dashed through it, and the pair of darts that struck the two of them. Void, having only barely been woken up by the portal quickly fell back asleep as the dart, a purely chemical rather than magical reaction, did it's job. Null did not fare much better as the Grey enforcers subdued her drugged form using her own weak points against her. Whoever had sent them clearly knew them well. She was only vaguely aware that some sort of harness was strapped around her midsection, a powerful humming, then darkness. ... A. Clave Bunsen scratched his small beard thoughtfully as he watched the enforcers drag his newest test subjects to the portal. He had heard of their rare abilities to nullify even the most powerful of magics, and knew the benefit it would bring to all of Equis if it could be replicated. The only problem was getting them to his lab. Which is where the portal came in, but bringing non magical creatures through a magical portal? That was what he was testing. The harnesses were designed as a counter, a shield specifically against anti-magic called the Re-Generator. And here was it's first test. Whether said field could contain the reversed field long enough to get them through? As the enforcers dragged the limp bodies, now much heavier due to the harnesses, the portal seemed to shimmer as the field came near, in the center it started to waver rather drastically, but it held long enough before finally snapping closed. Bunsen smiled as he looked down at the smoking harnesses around the two mares now in his lab. Sure it had bisected two of the enforcers and left another pair very deep in Equestrian territory, but he had his prize. Some time later... Null and Void wake up in another stark white room strapped down barrel up to exam tables with their legs, and wing in the case of Null spread out.

@@Blitz Boom Here's the OOC thread, you already know the premise. Null and Void have been abducted by a secret science organization, now they look to escape. Here's the RP Thread!