Loud Opinion

@Illiad Easle, I didn't realize femininity was such an important aspect of her character. Shame on me for not reading the parts of the RP my character isn't in. In any case, I am curious how you saw racism in Gold Dust. We can DM if you're worried about going off topic.

I kind of feel bad for Mystic. Here's hoping he'll still have a place at the quarry.

@Randimaxis, Gold let out a sigh as the duller reality set in; looks like the easy way in was out of the question. He was about to take a sip of his tea when realization bloomed with him. With wide eyes, a raised eyebrow, and a half smile Gold made a suggestive inquiry, "A zebra you say?" "You wouldn't happen to be talking about the one busy counting how much of your product he could never hope to afford, instead of doing his job, would you?" Now was the time to turn the tables. As Gold realized that was what he was already doing, he had to fight to suppress a primal grin. "If I'm not mistaken, your emeralds are so fine that your competition is nonexistent. The amount you produce is... noteworthy." Gold let his last word trail so as to not understate, "Letting your miners see what they produce long enough for them to load them onto a cart is one thing, but this zebra must be something loyal to be surrounded by them for hours, every, single, day. If he's the one counting the ones mined, then, I must wonder, who counts the ones smuggled?" "I'm sure he really needs the money from this job though. It was bad optics for me: an upperclass trying to take a job away from a common pony. If he has this under control then I won't take any more of your time." Gold, with his smile fully beaten back for a blank intensity to take over,then gestured for the help to take his tea, fully prepared to walk out of the room and even off the property if he wasn't taken seriously.

I don't know if I have the seniority for a vote/veto, but I am in favor of @Windy Breeze 🥧's inclusion.

@Illiad Easle, Nothin' like some good ol' external conflict to get the creative juices flowin'.

@Randimaxis, His opportunity still had not made itself known. She was still whole heatedly on the offensive. The test of skill had still not come. This was the thick of the forest now. If he pushed back now he could get lucky and leave her at a loss for words, but he'd probably be at the receiving end of an overwhelming reversal. The math was clear. Wait until the end of his rope to show his force of will and critical eye. If nothing more, she may respect his patients. "I may be born a Dust, but I was raised a Gold." That response had a little more will than he intended, but with any first attempt missteps are inevitable. He wasn't even sure where that response had come from. "Sorry, I'm just surprised you would even mention my mother's side of the family. I didn't know their were Dusts in Manehattan. I was raised in Gold Ring's estate." Swift Dust wasn't very close to her family, but from what Gold knew they where the ponies to go to for work in hazardous conditions. He remembered Silver Tongue's recounting of their misdeeds. Arson, coincidental accidents for businesses that treated their work-force poorly, and of course, the most likely reason they've been brought up: their cooperation with Discord throughout his first rule of Equestria. Who could blame them? Discord's rule was equally miserable for everypony and that wasn't really a downgrade for the ever-expendable Dusts. Maybe there were more recent escapades that he wasn't aware of. "Well, I don't do hazard work if that's what you're implying," Gold deflected before finally stating his purpose, "I'm trained in accounting and I plan to render several existing employees obsolete."

@ExplosionMare, @ReverieRiver, The large, arched, wooden double door was solid with no clear locking mechanism. A simple latch kept the doors closed. One would think it would make more sense for it to be on the inside of the building than the outside. That is, unless this building had no intention of keeping anyone out. The screws keeping the latch attached were slightly rusted, implying that it was as old as the rest of the building. Octavia looked up at the obstruction with unease. Beyond this door was a world of nightmare that she dare not allow herself to relive. How far could she go with her eyes closed? With any luck those dreams were only that, but below what she could see... What she was denying-- What she had to deny... She pushed the doors open. Their would be time for questions at the end. Right now it was time to be the bravest pony she could be. At least she wasn't alone. As the door opened, the creaking hinges echoed throughout the single room that must have taken up the entire building, With no room for an attic as the ceiling disappeared into the darkness. The walls were mostly bare with a table full of candles below each window. The rest of the room was full of long rows of solid wooden benches that looked like they could fit hundreds of ponies. All the seats were facing the elevated doughnut-shaped table at the center of the room. This way, half of the attendees would see the back of whoever was speaking but the speaker could turn around to face them with the table still being between them and the attendees. The table slanted inward making it look more like an odd podium than a table. The emptiness of the room only emphasized it's size and drew the eye toward a door on the left side that probably leads to the tower. If the host was ever going to show up, it would have to be from there. "Well..." Octavia broke the silence with an echo, "The ceiling didn't look that tall from the outside."

@ExplosionMare, As Gold Dust exited the hotel --first stopping and fuming, then reflecting and sighing-- he noticed the world getting duller. The color was muted, neon red became rusty red and so on, but Gold couldn't bring himself to care. In truth, it was his own color that was fading as the curse tightened its grip on Gold Dust's destiny. Whatever had emboldened him before had left, and the ring was intent on making up for lost time. The party was over. There was no real reason to still be in Canterlot. Perhaps he would accept Mr. Crag's job offer, shady as it was. With a flap of his wings Gold was off again in the expansive blue sky. Meanwhile, Silver Tongue hurried his old bones out the door. Somepony was going to have to check the train times. and he wasn't convinced it would be Gold. @Jedishy, "Right, well at least let me leave a map for you." A pamphlet appeared in a flash of blue hue and bright white sparkles to hover over to Thanos. "However," Luna said only to be interrupted by her own yawn, "I am afraid I can not accompany you as a matter most urgent has come up." Luna gestured with her hoof, drawing the eye to the ponies going about their day behind her. All except for one elderly looking unicorn stallion of a gray mane and a green coat. Where Luna's eyes were half-closed form the bustle of yesterday, this stallion was wide as a looking glass. Their was no mistaking the silent terror on Silver Tongue's face as he was in the presence of his sure-to-be reaper.

This story has been a treat so far. I'm one of the few people left on earth that doesn't like slice of life. So for me to consistently find myself looking forward to posting is a testament to the quality of what you've built up here.

@Randimaxis, Gold waited patiently, devoid of expression. That was the intent, but Gold didn't have full confidence in his ability to do so. However, beyond a subtle heightening of the breath and the undetectable rising of the heart, Gold had surprised himself with his self-control. 'This is who I am,' he thought to himself unknowingly rewarding himself. With himself understood, the situation was next and it was clear to Gold this was a more than an interview, this was Miss. Blackwater's playtime. She was elated at having others at her beck and call, at least, she was at the moment. Gold knew he would have to play the part if he didn't want to be a spoilsport. A peace of him felt disgusted at the thought of ruining someone else's fun, but if he played to far into it then their would be no room to demonstrate himself. It had been a second or two after she had finished speaking. He looked to his surroundings in hope of finding something when it came to him. "Sorry," Gold finally said as he snapped back the now, "I was distracted by your decor. It has a way of... catching one." He would let her tier herself out on her self indulgence, and when it seems fair to bring the subject to himself, only then; when she grows weary of herself, will he make himself well and truly known.

Hey all, I'm back from the worst week of the year and my subsequent recovery from that worst week. I still feel like I've got swiss cheese for a body but I'm excited to getting back to what I want to do. @ReverieRiver You want me to give you a chance to respond to ExplosionMare or would you rather I get the main story moving again.

Will be gone for a week. So I won't be able to update until after that just as a heads up. Here's hoping the people I'm waiting on get to post when I get back. Also @ExplosionMare, it appears to be your turn again. Also Also, @Derpy Pon-3, are you planing on sleeping through the first big event?

Will be gone for a week. So I won't be able to post until after that just as a heads up.

@ExplosionMare, Silver nodded in understanding. "Let us be swift! Gold, you are the most mobile of us, can you see when the next train to Hollow Shades leaves?" Gold raised an eyebrow, he had already gotten up during Granite's explanation and was stunned by Silver's request "Uh, why Hollow Shades? Didn't he just say Thorn was in Fillydelphia?" "Yes," Silver responded harshly before taking a calmer tone, "but the Hollow Shades are where my travels were leading me before this royal distraction brought me here. It's nearby so we should both be able to get what we want." Gold simply sighed and rolled his eyes, "Of course you would find a way to make this all about you." "Gold," Silver consoled, "This is about you. The Hollow Shades is said to be the epicenter of curse magic in Equestria. If there's a way to remove that ring, it'll be there." "Sorry Granite," Limbo leaned in to whisper, "they've been at each other's throats seance they met. I really appreciate you going out of your way to help us. Silver's a great pony when you get to know him, but he's old so it's hard for him to understand younger ponies." Eventually Gold left the room with a slam of the door, a sigh from Silver, and a wince from Limbo. @Jedishy, "Of course," Luna said with a subtle unease. How could she guide someone through dreams that aren't there? It wouldn't be long before the next night comes. She'd have to reopen the dream realm to avoid suspicion. Though she was more worried for Thanos than Arete. "She's in good hooves." When Thanos asked about where he could get supplies, Luna felt a bit silly, "Right, you are new to traveling aren't you. You'll have to forgive me, I deal with well traveled delegates most of the time. Sometimes I forget what is or isn't intuitive." Luna motioned to her left, "Down the west street is the market district. Feel free to take your time browsing and taking whatever you need and write down what you buy from where on this scroll so we can compensate the shop owners latter." With that Luna conjured up a scroll and enchanted quill and levitated them toward Thanos "Take heart Thanos. The equestrian ponies are a forgetful lot, as all mortals are."

@Randimaxis, Gold was stalling. It was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. A subtle rupture in Gold's ego. Unnatural and, by extent, unpredictable. The ring, once again, made itself known. This wasn't the first time though, so he knew what to do. It might be tempting to change coarse in an attempt to stumble into a behavior that didn't doubt itself, but Gold knows the nature and origin of this onset. Double down and don't look back. Even if it only lasts long enough to get a good first impression. 'Well done Gold, by waiting you've tempered your new ideas with an air of prudence. Going in early would set the wrong expectation. Waiting to be called for is exactly the correct move,' Gold tried to rationalize. It was reverse engineering, but if he allowed himself to recognize that then their would be no recovery. He dared not imagine the humiliation of standing in front of the Blackwater and finding himself at a loss for words. She would jump down his throat at the hesitation and who knows what would happen then. No, that thing that he certainly didn't just imagine would be a disaster. He caught his heightened breathing and settled. That was usually when the ring would settle down, its toll having been payed. Gold would have laughed if he didn't know it was going to happen many more times in the future. Again, he would have also cursed the stallion responsible if there wasn't a pony waiting for him to respond. He settled for a simple nod as if he had been expecting the other pony to say something else. Better to make him feel awkward than to let it land on himself at such a critical time. He let the stallion lead the way and introduce him to the Blackwater.

@Denim&Venöm, I didn't really ask what my character could do. I was asking to what extent. However, it is more clear now how your character operates. Sorry for overestimating.

This in tandem with the following makes me wonder what the standard is for magic power. @Duality, She may be working to her weakness but if she wasn't aware that she was a kinetomancer in the military then how did she operate like an electrical bomb? My character is supposed to have a natural talent for pyromancy, but if this is the standard for a failing student then how strong should my character be in the subject?

@Randimaxis, "It's been fun kid," Gold said with a salute, "here's hoping we'll meet again." He then paused as he remembered something, "Say, I don't think we ever exchanged names. I'm Gold Dust, proud black sheep of the Gold family," Gold said theatrically, finishing off with a mock bow. 'What a delightful child,' Gold thought, 'So long as you have the confidence to get on his good side he's nothing but helpful'. Of course, he couldn't imagine a lot of ponies sticking through with him, but that just made it all the more special. Gold liked the idea of having friends that fit his personality like a glove. That being said, Gold swiftly dug himself out of the trap of self indulgence. He'd never have time to focus on his pitch if he kept his mind on himself all day. For the good of himself, he would have to forget about himself, and he quite liked helping himself... This psychological Orborous could have gone on all day if not for the throb in Gold Dust's ring hoof breaking his train of thought. In any case, it was quite fortuitous for Gold that they would stop at the sunroom where his condition could easily be explained through a long time spent waiting in the sun. Now all he had to worry about was the execution of his pitch and not catching whichever Blackwater he was speaking with at a bad time. Maybe if he was still trapped in his own self assessment it would have set in how high the stakes were, but as it was, his pitch was all that ran though his mind.

Hardly. He could care less about the names, he just knows a subtle display from an over-the-top one. He sees the trading of antiques, among other things, as a big scam that everyone else is in on. Give him a clay pot from the neolithic and he'll throw it in the trash.

@ReverieRiver, @ExplosionMare, Octavia's eye's were fixed on the temple. How she knew it was a temple or how to find it were questions that she probably already answered for herself at some point. More specifically, she gazed at the tower. That light made her feel a little nauseous for whatever reason, like she was falling and spinning into a familiar place; familiar for all the wrong reasons.Still she felt obligated to enter. There was urgent business to be done there. 'That must be why I'm here', she thought, 'To get to the bottom of whatever I'm forgetting about this place'. At the sound of another pony she snapped back to the present. Tagging along. Yes, a crowd is safer than going alone, though she hoped it wasn't necessary. Better to make a good first impression in that case She bowed, partially out of respect, and partially to help her find her stomach again. "Yes, I am Octavia. A pleasure." When she looked up though, she found what she could only describe as a free spirit. Curious. Energetic. Friendly. Perhaps this place had not effected her in the same way. When she looked to her companion she saw a similar smile. It was probably best if she kept her feelings to herself in this case. Even if she could find the words for it, She doubted the others would believe her. "I suppose all that's left is to head inside then," Octavia said uneasily. @Derpy Pon-3, With new light sources in abundance the moths scattered as if to invite Trixie out of her alcove. Several annoyed animals made their complainants heard and with them egging each-other on, it would doubtlessly be some time before things got quiet or dark enough for some proper rest. A quire could be hear behind her. Probably last minuet rehearsals. Though the chanting sounded strangely like instructions. Motion, vigor, an unseen beat is welling, like a silent drum.

@ExplosionMare, Octavia continued to march on as the path before her thin. Her goal was in sight: The old temple on the hill. She couldn't for the life of her remember why she was heading there. 'Oh', she thought 'it was to show my new friend to her... something...'. Again her memory failed her. She was certain that her friend had already told her, but still, the details stopped short. It was probably during her speech somewhere. Maybe she would talk about it again when she got there. There's no reason to look foolish when you don't have to after all. @ReverieRiver, And there it was as ominous as ever at this time of night. The full moon was now fully visible as it was now over the structure and so cast its shadow over its own entrance. "This place gave me quite a scare the first time I saw it," Octavia broke the silence as they passed the stone border to the temple's hill and approached a jumpy looking mare, "It's still hard to imagine why anyone would willingly go about their day there.". @Derpy Pon-3, @All, A low pitched bell rang from the top of the tower and carried for miles across the grassy hills signifying the start of something. A promise? A threat? A warring? Probably the latter, as it was exactly on time for the invitations description. Alongside the bell, a bright pink light could be seen blazing out the top tower window implying that the bell was rang using magic. The light flicked as the ringing died down, revealing the heavy strain the spell was under. The windows began to glow gently as if the bell had brought the whole building to life.

@ExplosionMare, Hmmm... I thought that you would make a reaction post seeing as I was last, but I can see if you didn't have much to comment on. If you let me know in the future then I can get my posts out faster. That being said, I think I'll just have a maximum wait time of two days (unless the people I'm waiting on let me know they can't post for a while). @ExplosionMare, Also thanks for pointing out the title. I thought I was missing something.

How's everyone going? Just checking in because I really like where this RP is going and I wanna see if we can retain some momentum.

@ExplosionMare, The mare was charmed at first. A mare that was willing to lend a helping hoof never ceased to relieve her even in this quaint town full of helpful ponies. She was lucky to have been on the same train as this mare though regrettably unable to notice her. "Charmed. You may call me Octavia." However that charm did not seem to be meant to last. What could only be described as a premeditated speech painted her new companion in a whole new light. Her special talent a burden? Moving to a new village? It was all so... So exhausting to think about. Octavia brought a hoof to the side of her temple and huffed before regaining her composure. Just in time by the looks of it as Starlight regained her seances at about the same time. Then she asked her a question, one that was difficult for her to answer. So, she decided to go to the brightest light she knew of: The old temple by the Everfree. "Yes, you are right," Octavia said as she turned to their mutual destination, "Please, follow me..."