Blitz Boom
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(Null)
On 2022-01-20 at 8:00 AM, Illiad Easle said:Nine nodded inwardly, "Very well done, for your first time. You should let the Consul know, so an eye can be kept on her, but probably let your family know the danger has passed first."
"I'll be honest, that was way easier than I thought it'd be. Can't think of someone deserving it more than her though, off the top of my head. That list of hers were revolting."
On 2022-01-20 at 8:00 AM, Illiad Easle said:The guards would be knocking on the door, "This is the Guard. Open up or we'll enter with force."
Nine mused, "Probably best to comply, they should recognize you after all the things you've done."
Null would move towards the door, agreeing with Nine on this matter.
"I'm coming already. Don't go barging down the door."
Fheng would be ignored by Null, who saw this as a chance to go in, and try and make another attack. She didn't think it through, on how her judgement would work if she tried. She couldn't kill someone anymore. The worst damage would be reflected upon her, and heal very slowly, so if she say, tried to stab Null in the chest, Null would feel it briefly, then the wound would heal the worst, whilst it transferred to Fheng. She'd still feel like she'd gotten a bad cut, but it wouldn't be fatal, and Fheng would have a few months of feeling like her heart were literally bleeding.
She wouldn't get a chance though, as faster than she could react, Ashclaw would be over there, and place one hand behind her head, and using the other to knock her out cold. The skeleton-winged griffon would slump down on the ground in front of the fire-orange colored griffon, who'd then move over to pick up the glass that she had pressed against Fheng before.
"She always assumed the traits of a dragon, were giving in to primal urges, and tormenting those beneath her. A failure through and through. She never would've earned ascension."
Ashclaw were not leaving, as she assumed her presence had been noted, and it were best that she simply complied for now. She had done nothing wrong after all. Just defended some ponies, from a foreign attacker. She should be in the clear.
As for what she said... Fheng and her always had differing ideals. Fheng believed one had to be a sadistic menace, to embrace the dragon, whilst Ashclaw believed in being more like Le Perinne. Calculating, keeping ones cool, and understanding that you didn't need to beat up others, to show your superiority. Other actions, or words, could do it just as well.
And look where their ideals had gotten them. Fheng were cursed, and had no allies to rely on, whilst Ashclaw were favored amongst Le Perinne's troops, and were in the front running for ascension.
Whom of them were right now, Fheng?
Null let them be, and deal with their own thing, and just went over to open up the door. She hadn't a reason to go after Ashclaw, outside of sheer pettiness, and frankly, there were better things she could do with her time. The griffon had been helpful too, in saving both herself, and her sister, so she'd give the cultist some leeway. Ashclaw better hope she didn't squander it.
(Void)
On 2022-01-20 at 8:00 AM, Illiad Easle said:Her father looked down at her with a kind, but sad smile, "Remember, we survived the Crisis. She's plenty strong and aware of the dangers of the city. Sure, it may be safe here, even safer than before the Crisis, but we've both got plenty of habits and experience from when it wasn't."
"I know you're durable, and have been through a lot, dad. But that doesn't change that stress isn't good for a pregnancy, and I don't want mom, nor the foals to be harmed. I know I'm probably being overly paranoid, but it's just.... We just got you back, and I keep worrying that something's gonna end up taking you away again. This time for good. Usually I can ignore it, but then something like this happens, and it's just.. *sigh* Nevermind."
She'd reach a hoof up, and scratch Lacuni behind his ear. The lizard were still sleeping through all of this, including the attack. Likely for the best. His defensive nature would've made him run off when she were attacked probably, and she'd then have to worry about him being eaten as well.
On 2022-01-20 at 8:00 AM, Illiad Easle said:He looked happy at the distraction, "Yes actually, we've put together a very nice nursery for them, once they're old enough to not need to sleep with their mother. Once we're sure it's safe I'll show it to you."
Here was a nicer topic, that got a bit of a smile back on Void's face.
"I'd like to see that. Maybe Null and I can make something for their room too? I know infants likes those mobiles, to hang above the bed. We could make something with soft glass and wood. Something safe, that's glitter well.. Maybe even add a magic gem to add a bit of a glow too, so it really stood out. I'd like them to know their big sisters were thinking about them."
(Molotov)
On 2022-01-20 at 8:00 AM, Illiad Easle said:"Digging through trash? That's a new low, even for you."
"𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕤𝕪𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕞, 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕤𝕦𝕔𝕔𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕗𝕦𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕣𝕦𝕟 𝕒 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕤𝕝𝕚𝕔𝕖 𝕥𝕠𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣."
Felicia's choice of insults tended to be a little more... Explanatory, than most would use. To a point where it wasn't unusual for the insult to just go straight above the intended targets head. But she felt herself above simply calling others idiots, or being overtly vulgar, in the same way as ponies tended to be, when they got angry. Granted, she still called others idiots, but that were just as a general statement, rather than an insult. To her, that wasn't the same, as some beings were simply idiots at times.
Whilst she scurried along, not indulging the voice further for the time being, Molotov would flat out just ignore him. They were a fair bit of way from the doctor, and he had a better thing to focus on now, than some voice they couldn't really properly interact with. Nor did it seem like the voice were all that focused on wanting to have a chat, as much as just threaten.
So he'd rather focus on something worthwhile. Like the parts he just dug out! Had nearly missed 'em, but he managed to spot 'em on the way, and boy howdy, were they gonna come in handy. He'd wager that if he got a solid five-ten minutes in peace, he could fix this up to a functional apparatus again. Sure he'd have to find a peaceful place first, but y'know, one detail at a time here.
On 2022-01-20 at 8:00 AM, Illiad Easle said:The door would lead to a sort of bridge over a cafeteria area, with some stairs leading down to the cafeteria adjacent to the door, and another door at the other end of the bridge. Down in the cafeteria there was a strange looking vending machine with a full keyboard, as well as what looked like a very large ball of yarn with eyes idly rolling about.
They'd gone for the cafeteria, though sadly, they couldn't just stay. Much as the vending machine caught Molotov's attention. He even used his magic to make the lens on his eye zoom in, to get a better look. Mighty odd construction, and in an oddly good state. Maybe this one were still functional, and had some sort of useful function? He'd love to find out, but Felicia's scooped him up on her back, and started to scurry as fast as she could through the room, near the wall that were the furthest from the thing she had her focus on: The yarn ball with eyes. That seemed like a threat of unknown proportions, and she were not keen on confronting this. No matter how much Molotov wanted to go and check out the toys of this place.
They'd probably still not get through without being noticed, as the clacking of her pointy legs on the floor were not stealthy, but it were worth an attempt.
(Grey)
On 2022-01-20 at 8:00 AM, Illiad Easle said:The slide changed to show a specific pony, a young-ish mare, secretary type, unicorn. "This is Staff Sergeant Accords, in charge of logistics, she recently went missing, foalnapped by one of the gang cells, or rather, she was sold out to them by some of the soldiers. She has invoked Vengeance against those who betrayed her. One of you will take her place in returning to the Embassy."
He turned his attention back to the three, "Any questions?"
"Are we going to save her? I don't like the thought of her being trapped by some of those gangs. We have others in the hive that's been part of the various ones, or attacked by them. The things they tell... I don't like thinking some poor mare is suffering from that."
Cravin were worried mostly of the mare, and not so much with the call to vengeance. He got it. Vengeance were his job, and he had to do that, but that didn't have to mean they couldn't also help others, right? He didn't like the thought of them tormenting that mare, while he had something he could do about it. That sort of cowardice had lead him astray before, and just... He could still hear them scream sometimes, as the houses were burning, and they couldn't get out. And it were all his fault.
While he stood between a bout of depression, and a hard place, Yannit would focus on another part of the conversation.
"I have infiltration experience. I can cover for her, if I can get a general idea of her behavior. It wouldn't bode well to have others suspect something is off about her.
As for the soldiers you mentioned might need to be dealt with, is it meant to be done in a way, which sends a message? If so, just leave Mongoose and one of them on their own for a while. It will show."
She were not a fan of the changeling, as she found his actions utterly despicable. She were no angel herself, but at least she wasn't a sadist.
As for Mongoose, he'd nervously smile awkwardly, then frantically look around in is robes, after his package of gum, and add another block to the glob in his mouth. It didn't really work as well as he'd hoped these days. The urges were becoming Troublingly hard to deal with. The thoughts that he could just do it maybe once, for the relief, had sprung up more than once. Just pick one out, that no one would miss. No harm, no foul, right? And it would help others too, if that one couldn't be around to do more harm. It would almost be a boon to the community. B-But what if he lost control again?
His lack of access to a weapon, had a few times been the only thing stopping him from just going through with it, but now that he had one, things would get taxing. Lest he were kept under constant guards, of The Grey could somehow control him, they'd end up with issues here.
(Bling)
Bling were well pleased meeting this new performer. Ace had told her they had gotten a diamond dog, but she just hadn't had the time to come around. A shame she seemed to have missed toe performance, but there were time for that another time, right? Worst of the backed up paperwork were about done. Few more days, and things should only really need her involvement relatively little. There'd still be hive-related things of course, but she should still have more free time to enjoy the things in life she did. Like watching performances, or delivering food again.
As the paw were reached out, she were all too happy to reach her own out, and do the shake. Bruce wouldn't interfere, on behalf of Bling initiating things herself, and as such, he wouldn't try and get between. But he kept a close eye on the diamond dog. Their kind were dangerous, if they wanted to be. Even if this one didn't seem all that strong. More agile, if anything.
"Yep, that's me. Bling. And this here is my bodyguard, Bruce.
I'm sorry I haven't been around to chat before. Busy stuff after taking over here and everything, you know? But it's toning down, so I hope I can catch your performance soon. Can you tell me what sort of performer you are, actually? I could feel from the guests that they had a riveting time, but Ias a fellow performer, I'm pretty curious, miss..?"
She honestly weren't sure what the diamond dog were called, which was... Kind of awkward actually, but ah. That's just how that were, right? Maybe she could segway into asking about it nicely here. Seemed possible enough.
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Long Stare was indeed still there, but she were used to just stay quiet, and out of sight, when others started to speak. More than once, this had resulted in her giving others a scare, once they were done talking, and turned to find she were still there. She had a certain unnerving quality, to be utterly silent, and out of sight. Had she a wish to ever learn so, she would've made for a pretty good spy. Wasn't all who were this good at just hiding out in broad daylight, listening in to what others said, without being noticed, lest looked directly upon.
She would start to do something though, once the taunting began. In fact, she'd go over and poke Dazzle with her muzzle.
"Please stop taunting him. It'll only end up with a fight, and I don't want you to get in trouble."
Not saying Dazzle were going to lose, per se. It were more that if she started a fight, things, and creatures, might be hurt. And the law would be called on her. It wasn't gonna help her case, either way.
She considered saying something to Atzy about her choice of words too, but ergh... She really didn't want to. And it seemed like Pop were trying not to interfere either, as she were smirking, and almost laughing, as she heard the mare dig herself in deeper. Quite a situation this were.
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"Nah, it's just spotlights to make it look kinda good."
Anomaly would jump up on one of the rocks, and spin around. In the process, switching colors, and growing three legs that she'd then stand and balance on.
"See? Nothing to be worried about. Not gonna mutate you folks, unless you want me to? Ever wonder what it'd be like if you could breath fire, and grow spikes?"
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"I was testing a new fun kaboomie. Made a huuuuuge hole in the mountain, and then when I was cleaning up, I found all sorts of pretty gems. This one was in the middle of it all. Dunno what to do with it, so I just kept it in a box. It's not so noisy when you get used to it."
"Sounds suspicious. Maybe some sort of creature is trapped inside it?"
"No idea. I tried getting a piece off, but it's reeeeeeeeally hard."
It wouldn't be long until they actually got to the workshop. A cobbled together, very rural looking thing, of stone and melted metal, next to a well weathered, wooden hut. The door on the hut were closed, whereas on the workshop, it were creaking slightly. Might just be due to said door not fitting the place entirely. She had just picked it from the trash after all, although it seemed to still be closed. Could just be the hinges had gotten loose.
The ground in front of the hut, were completely barren of plant life, with scorch marks and craters of varying sizes, marking the dirt. Several of the surrounding trees, also seemed to have some scorch marks, and oddly colored patches on them.
"We're here! It's pretty, right? I made it myself. After I woke up in the crater, all woozy and stuff, I used all the scattered parts around me, and lots of stone, to make this. Hehe, the ponies in Ponyville were so surprised when they came by. Shame they didn't knew who I were. That would've been kinda nice to know, but oh well. Big bro found me now, and he's trying to teach me all sorts of things."
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Cherish could take over the book with her own magic, when it came over, but she appreciated the gesture.
"It's not s-so bad, I guess. We're linked, so I can travel around near you. I just gotta make sure not to touch you. B-But I'm sure it can be fixed, and it could be worse, right? Least you're not hurt."
She'd open the book and read about the Macabre clan some more. A good distraction, though she'd soon get more than she bargained for.
"That's uhm... W-Wauv. That's an old clan, who does a lot with death. I wonder if... M-Maybe I should ask them about the one, who helped my friend to move on. Maybe they know her.
A-Anyway! I mean uhm... Right. It says where they live, and they have a lot of female mediums in their family. Some references to persecution too, and uh... Independent of the Throne of Equestria, though known to assist if approached. Seems like it's a little scarce on details, but we'd have a chance to find them."
Wasn't hard to find the towns either. Sort of. Three of the four towns, were readily available on most modern maps, as The Moonlit Thicket, held a lot of events, like carnivals and such, to keep up a strong revenue. Only the breezie village were omitted from view, and just assumed to be somewhere in the uncharted forest areas. A conscious decision, as they wanted their peace from others, in their sanctuary. Too many that had historically wanted to capture them as pets, as as some sort of exotic ingredient, to make them willing to just point straight to where they were.
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"I found princess wounded at a pond, begrudging she were too weak to defend herself. So I asked her if she wanted to get a boost, and when she said yes, I accelerated her evolution by around... Oh, I dunno, hundred and fifty million years or so? It's just one option. That's the fun thing about evolution, you know. There's never any certainty. I just nudge things towards what I think seems cool, or good, and let nature take its course.
Aaand then I found out Princess let power get to her head, and wanted to take over Equestria. Guess I pushed her a lil' too far up the ladder. Nerfed her down again, like with her kids, but they keep popping up. Tenacious little things, right? Times like this, I sure wish I could just *poof* and make them all vanish, but I'm a creator. I can't destroy, just change.
That's why I made Shark here. And it worked really good, since from the looks of things, she might've hunted the last ones now."
"Please no send me back, special one. Air world is full of... W-oooonder. Wonder. Is full of wonder."
Shark were hesitant in saying this, and looked as if she were ready to bail, but Anomaly just laughed loud, with her big, pumpkin grin opening wide. Inside her mouth, they'd be able to see a small cricket of some sort, seemingly juggle a pair of lettuce, on a small stage.
"Send you back? Why would I? Just look at you. You're strong, stable, and weirds ponies out. You're perfect. Why would I ruin a perfectly good evolution like that?"
"*gasp* You hear friend? Is safe! Is safe!"
Shark would fly around Light with haste a few times, before landing on the ground, and bouncing with glee.
"Awh, ain't it precious to see the kids being happy?
Anyway, you say you're here to fix plots? You mean like, stories, pieces of land, oooor, are you hunting for a little marefriend? I can't help with that. Well, not personally, anyway. I'm a married draconequus. So yeah, Anomaly 1, Discord, 0."
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"She's can't hear you, in the geist tower. Looking through the library as always, I'd imagine."
Soul wouldn't ask more into this. He knew this one were supposed to be kin, and frankly, it didn't matter to him. Let her and Alluria talk it out, if Moonlight could get through to her, that were.
Moving on, it wouldn't be too far before they found the main entrance. A gate, guarded by two stoic, silent guards. Guess it were fair they didn't talk, seeing as they were skeletons though. Dressed in armor, and engulfed in ghastly, spectral energy, the light in their eyes would follow the two as they approached. They would move over, and open the large, metal gate for them, as they knew who Soul were, and as such, knew he belonged here. Most got through regardless though. They were just there, to deal with troublemakers. Most of the undead guards here were.
The area behind the gate, were rather vast. At least two dozen houses, in what looked like a rural, farming community, just without the amount of crops one would associate with it. Ponies of many kinds - though mostly unicorns, and mares in particular - wandering around, each with their own indicator, that they were connected with death. Their cutie marks, attire, chains, etc. would show as much.
Various areas seemed to show the ponies chatting with one another, partaking in some variations of weaving cloth, making trinkets, or casting spells, all whilst talking with one another, like it were a regular day. It looked a little ghoulish at times, due to the appearance of more skeletal guards - mostly ponies, but with some exceptions - but it were overall, a nice little community.
As they were passing into this place though, one of the guards would lower his spear in front of Soul, who turned to look at it.
"Your mother have asked for you."The voice sounded as if it drifted on a frozen breeze, through the trees, but Soul would nod. The message were received, and the spear would be lifted again.
"This is the Macabre Estate. Home and birthplace, of the greatest collections of mediums in Equestria, if not the whole world. If there's anything about death worth knowing, you'll find it here."
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Omen would listen, and after a few seconds, would make a gate nearby, that she'd walk through. She were currently covered from head to hoof in cobwebs, with several spiders frantically running off of her, to avoid the hissing, and snapping, Shrimp. The refraction were none too happy about these unwanted guests, even if Omen didn't mind. Best Shrimp didn't eat any though, since his stomach wouldn't be able to handle the meat. Didn't mean he wouldn't try, if they didn't get off his territory.
Omen meanwhile, would wander over to the wall ornament, and slowly, cautiously poke at it with the tip of her tongue.
"What do you think?"
"It is made of wood."
"In regards to how it looks."
"It looks like wood."
Okay, he only had himself to blame for that one, and he knew it as soon as the words had escaped his mouth.
"Do you think it looks pretty?"
Omen would stare at the wall ornament, turning her head from side to side, thinking over this. A minute or so would pass in fact, before an answer escaped her.
"...Yes."
It reminded her of the olden times, with Discord, with it were like a tree split in parts, with strange forms upon it, standing in the air. It were not exactly like that, but it reminded her of those things. And to her, chaos were pretty, even if she didn't see a reason to try and spread it herself. That were her masters job, and he had decided to not let it take over.
"That's that settled then. Broad approval by everyone.
I am curious though, about what you said about this being usually meant for a gathering hut. It's appropriate, as I'd like for others to gather here, yet I'm curious about what kind of things you would normally gather for. I had an assumption that most important things, were decided in privacy, by your elders. So are they mostly for festive gatherings, perhaps? Or do you all have a voice in at least things?"
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Have to skip the post this time. I had almost all of it written down, then the PC crashed, and when I started it up again, the text that were saved, were from the post I made the last time.
I really, bloody hate when this happens!
So yeah. Gonna have to work it all out from scratch again, so there's gonna be a delay. :/ Sorry. Really hope they'd actually fix this sorta thing.
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I'll think on how to write it, and make an edit later.
.png ":)")
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Tried making my own spin on a punishment for Fheng. Lemme know though, if it ain't possible, and I'll sort a rewrite. I'm new at this whole Vengeance job.
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(Null)
The list of things that she saw Fheng having done, were atrocious. Murder and torture, pillaging, for the sake of the thrill alone. Families torn asunder, and even her own companions, amongst Le Perinne's ranks, cut down, for either entertainment alone, or because she had done something, that she did not want to come back to their leader.
The elder dragon might be a ruthless, cunning reptile, who seemingly had few morales. But there were things she simply did not tolerate. Including some of the things Fheng did towards younger, sentient creatures...
Null's mind darkened as she saw all of this, and gazed upon this worthless, foolish cur. She wanted so greatly to just cut her down, and send her right back to where she belonged. But Nine were right. Death were far too kind for her.
"Rosé Chevalier. You have done unspeakable, hateful acts, in pursuit of power, and pleasure. Until the day you have atoned tenfolds what you did, and regret the actions you took, this will be your punishment:
Your strength will weaken, with the lesser beings there is around you, and every wound you, or those you conspire with, inflict upon on others, will instead be felt mostly by you. You will suffer more than they, yet you will not find death, til your debt is paid.
Find humility and kindness, or suffer til you know nothing else.
In the name of Vengeance, I judge you."
She were pretty sure it were something like that it had ended on, when she had been talked to by Vengeance. It was something melodramatic at least. As for the punishment, she had just done something to Fheng - or Rosé, as she were actually called, before joining the cult, and taking on a new moniker - that was worse than burning in Tartarus. Now she were forced to live in this world, too weak to rely on her own, and unable to harm another living creature, without the wounds being inflicted on her. She could not conspire with others who wished to do harm, as it would all just fall back on her, so she could not make others come for Null, nor her family, and she would be a useless liability, for Le Perinne's regular usage of her flock.
And to make it all stop, she had to spend likely decades, doing good for others, to atone ten times over, for what she had done. She were forced to humility, powerless as could be. What fate could be worse for her than that?
(the next part does not happen, if the punishment isn't possible)
Once Null let go of her (once the process were fully over), and the griffon could move again, she'd tremble slightly, and stagger backwards.
"And here I thought you'd kill her."
Fheng gritted her beak, and with a shriek, went over to punch Ashclaw in the midst of her chest. Yet as her hand connected, it was her who'd feel the impact, and stagger back again, feeling the impact on her ribs, whilst Ashclaw barely felt a tickle. An outcome that made Ashclaw raise her left eyebrow in slight puzzlement. One could only imagine what would happen, were Fheng to try and stab another, but it were likely that the stab would not be fatal upon the intended target, but instead make her feel as if she were bleeding from her heart for weeks, if not months.
"I wouldn't waste time with that. You have a lot of debt to pay off now, you black-souled little beast."
(Void)
"It's best that she does. I don't know if anything will happen here, but... I-I don't want her to be worried. When she wakes up, you have to promise that you won't tell her, okay? Just let big sis handle that horrible griffon, and move on. Mom has enough to deal with right now, without hearing that there's dangerous creatures in town.
I'm sure she can handle it. It's just... It were s-so close out there. It really rattled me, and then I just think about what if they came for mom and you? Or what if there's more? I really hoped we were done with all of this now."
She tried avoiding telling her father where this figure had last been, when they saw her in the past. An escapee from Tartarus hunting their daughter, would just make him even more worried, than he probably already were. Hopefully there were nothing to be worried about, but it was hard not to, right? Not when it had been that close for the two of them, to get mortally wounded.
"So uhm... H-How're you and mom holding up these days? Is everything ready for the foals?"
She were trying to distract herself a little with some other talks, but her sensors, and nerves, were up high currently. It wouldn't take much to make her react at this point.
(Molotov)
On 2022-01-17 at 8:41 AM, Illiad Easle said:Or it would, if the doctor hadn't gestured, and one of the walking corpses leapt nimbly into the way to get glued instead. "I have learned from our last encounter. I will not be so easily stayed from curing you."
"Awh hay no."
Wasn't worth it to shoot after this guy, if he could just control these spawn. That wasn't fair play! He'd take the hike, and figure something else out to do to him later. Maybe lob a bomb at him. Wouldn't be hard, or drawn out, to make one out of the stuff in this place, he'd recon. Though he needed a bit of peace and quiet for that. Probably someplace to work on it too. Anyway, right now, the menu was on running for dear life.
On 2022-01-17 at 8:41 AM, Illiad Easle said:The PA system spoke up as they left the path that Felicia was used to, "Where do you think you're going? There's nowhere in this place that I cannot track you."
Through the doorway they were on a sort of catwalk bridging over a sort of datacenter, though most of the machines were heavily damaged. There was a door opposite them (West), some stairs down into the datacenter, as well as a doorway down in the datacenter (South). It would take some time to navigate the broken and damaged machines to get there though.
"Oi! Would you shut up, you overdeveloped, glorified app? We're trying to think here."
"𝔻𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕘𝕠𝕟𝕚𝕫𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖 𝕣𝕠𝕘𝕦𝕖 𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕞."
Molotov hadn't met Panic, but honestly, he felt like building that thing a body, just so he could properly smack him on the head. What an annoying little thing he was. And apparently, he could keep track of them. Least unless something got sabotages. Were there any sort of controls he could work with 'round here, perhaps?
Running on, he'd find some path, that might give some options. Of the ones he saw, his money were on the stairs. Unless they were narrow, since then, Felicia couldn't come along. If they were not wide enough for two ponies to go side by side, rather comfortably, he'd instead go for the door down in the data center. He figured the heart of an operation, functioning underground, would be on a lower level. Might also be some workable machinery there, if he were lucky. Just had to do his best to get there though. Some flying and jumping on his part, and a fair bit of crawling, jumping, and using her web to string herself down, for Felicia's.
(Grey)
Three changelings had shown up. The last had chickened out at the last minute.
The first were a fairly neutral, regular drone, sucking a little on his lower lip in worry. His name were Cravin, and some years back, he had accidentally killed a pony, during a struggle, after he were exposed. In a panic, he had tried to burn the body, and ended up causing an inferno that climbed several buildings, and ended up taking 4 more lives, and causing hundreds to be homeless. Actions he had regretted ever since, but not knowing how he could ever make right again. When the word came about The Grey looking for sinners, he knew this were his path. For peace and mind, and to atone for the lives he had taken.
The next were Yannit. From the outfit she worse, a changeling that had made her way into the socialite circles. The lower ones perhaps, but one step at a time towards the top, as she had said.
Her debt came from a time in her past, when she had become hiveless, and wandering around, and found a house with an ill youth. An heir to quite the fortune in fact. Out of jealousy and desire, she had snuck in, and smothered the youth, then disposed of the body, and taken over her spot. None had ever been the wiser, with her maintaining her position, and status, in Baltimare, until the crisis. Now she had started to claw her way back up into the higher echelons of society, and had done some other, less than stellar things to do so. Extortion, some evidence planting, and backtalking. Lesser things perhaps, but she were starting to feel bad for it, in recent months, and question if she actually deserved this life. When the call had come, she had reluctantly admitted to herself, that the message were meant for those like her. So she went.
The last were a lean bean of a changeling, currently chewing bubblegum. It helped with Mongoose's nervousness, and stopped him from instead desiring to go into other, older habits for relaxing. His crimes were... Well, best not to share in polite conversation. But there were a reason why he used to be known as the Blood Artist. He didn't want to hurt others, but sometimes, he just couldn't help himself from taking and slowly carve, cut, and twist art our of others. And not always after they were gone. He had been told point blank by the few who knew his story, that if he didn't go, they'd rope him up, and deliver him to The Grey themselves. He needed to repent, as well as just in general, get some help. Structure and discipline, in The Grey, would perhaps actually do him good.
He were here voluntarily though. They had just forced him along a little, to avoid him backing out, like the fourth one had.
On 2022-01-17 at 8:41 AM, Illiad Easle said:"Welcome to the Citadel of Retribution. My name is WATCH. I will be the only face you will see, speak to, and enjoy." The pony pulled back the hood of their cloak to reveal their face, their coat was a stark white, it was unclear whether it was dyed or naturally so, but the face also looked old, not so much as one who was old, but rather one who had been aged by their experiences. Their eyes, or rather eye as one was covered by the torn blindfold all Grey members wore, was cold and full of judgement.
"Stand upon the pedestal, and we will begin."
"Wait! I mean uhm. H-Heh. *chew chew* W-We have a letter here. B-Bling said to give it to Grey Mare. I guess uh... I m-mean."
Mongoose started to chew harder, and began looking around, fidgeting with his hooves, looking for something sharp, when Yannit broke in.
"Or for Pete's sake, just put down the envelope, and let him pass it on. Obviously we're never gonna see her."
Yannit poked him in the side with her knee, and Mongoose would take out the letter from his red sweater, and lay down on the floor. Then he'd slide it over towards Watch. Not all the way. As for what happened with the letter after that, wee up to Watch. They just knew the letter were meant for Grey Mare.
On 2022-01-17 at 8:41 AM, Illiad Easle said:"As you don these garments, listen and understand these bindings:"
"Inasmuch as I have a debt with Vengeance, I will serve a higher purpose until my debt is repaid. This cloak will protect me, and bind me, until my work is done."
"Inasmuch as my debt is due, I will see and be only what is required. This mask will hide me, and guide me, until my work is done."
"I am but a tool, as is this dagger, and will sooner perish than see my work undone."
"I serve Vengeance, I am Vengeance."
This were a creepy setup - and Yannit wrinkled her nose slightly as she gazed upon their new attires - but they'd comply. Cravin first, as he were eager to be able to atone, no matter the work he'd have to do for it.
They'd put on their work uniforms, and follow instructions to the letter, though there were a brief moment where Mongoose just halted, and stared at the clean blade of his new knife. Until he got another knee in the side, and snapped out of it. They were gonna need to make sure he didn't wander around alone.
(Bling)
Oooh, that was nice to smell. Joy. The emotion of Hive Cheshire, and one that she at least, found fairly delectable. Must mean this wasn't one of the fear shows. Who was it that was on right now...
She'd pop her head in, and see a new performer up there. One of the ones that had gotten in recently it seemed. Seemed like a nice one to get properly introduced to.
"Hey there. How'd the show go?"
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1
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1 hour ago, Rising Dusk said:
"Charming,"
"I see you're not overly delighted by the sight. They may seem large, but they should be mostly harmless, and the few who spawns, are supposed to be kept at the temples. Many would in fact think of this an honor, as you're gazing upon the favored creations of the goddess Viz'nay, Even if not demigods, they are still important to her, and in rituals of her priests. Though such knowledge have long gone missing, due to Twisted doing what he could to destroy story around her. As such, I don't know exactly what their purpose is. I have my guesses, but as you seem... Distraught enough as is. I will let the High Priestess tell fact from fiction when eventually you get to meet her.
...Do tell, you're not worried about your clothes, are you? They should be enough akin to regular moths, that only the larvae eat fabric. And they're too young to begin depositing eggs yet. You shouldn't have to worry about that either."
It were clear that Dawn were not overly pleased with watching these moths, even from this distance. Which were a pity really. They were such beauties even now. And then just imagine, when they were fully grown, and not a bundle of hungry, wet-winged little things. And the hunger would be helped with. With Thistle back, she'd ensure they were fed the plant matter they needed to remain healthy, and sated.
Of course, as said, she had some speculations about what the moths were used to, beyond just being seen as sacred, but she'd keep that to herself, unless asked. No need to - potentially unfounded - rattle Dawn further.
She might not get the chance to speak her mind fully though, before Dawn transported them. Which meant that some of what she said, would be left to where they were headed. But it would be mentioned, if possible, before she addressed where they had now gone.
It were... Quite a sight, honestly. Rustic and homely in some ways, childish in others, and yet had some modern flair, and seemed unfit, for regular pony habitation. Unless they were a pegasus she supposed, but the bed really did seem odd. Why have it so high? As she could only guess what this place were, she'd assume the answer were a mixture of flair, and privacy. Unlikely as it were though, that one could even get to this room, without being escorted in here.
The witch would cautiously take some steps forth, on the wooden floor, but would elect to not touch anything currently. Which included furniture. She did not wish to cause ire, within this place.
"I'm sure it will come to pass. You're not a fragile mare. It must just seem briefly overwhelming. I assume that is why you have transported us to your... Bedroom? I am uncertain what this is."
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Soul just turned and looked at her, as if she were making fun of him.
"It's called the Moonlit Thicket, because the town doesn't get lit up properly, before the moon rises. The crowns keeps out most of the sun, to not disturb the bat ponies in their slumber."
He assumed she were baiting him, and didn't respond further on her mentioning something with her name. Instead, he'd simply move on.
They'd move down calm paths in the forest, with him at times look around, at seemingly nothing. Magnolia did not have the connection with death, to see the spirits that he did without assistance, and he didn't see a reason to open her eyes briefly, just for this. Just a few spirits that recognized him, that gave off a greeting of some kind, that he'd then respond to with silent nods.
After about what, twenty minutes, they'd be able to see where they were going for. A large estate, surrounded by a wall of thorny bushes, where light did not poke through. It were more clear here, than in the Moonlit Thicket, so the sun bathed down upon the estate, and really put the largest of the visible three towers into view. Though the bushes still covered much of the estate, due to them going in from the side, rather than the main entry way. But they'd get there soon enough, as he'd shift direction before they'd try to enter. So they'd get a look at how large this place actually were, before too long.
A brief moment would occur however, where he gazed upon the pointy middle spire, reaching up above the trees, towards the skies, with it's pale-brick construction hard to miss. Even more so during the night, where the spire would become luminescent, but right now, it just seemed like slightly chalky bricks, that made this one. Rather bonelike in color actually. The other two spires were a good deal shorter, as well as not being made of the same sort of bricks. It appeared from a distance, like regular dark bricks thus far.
"...Is today the day, grandmother? Or will you shun me again?"
He seemed wistful for a moment, and for once, had a calm, thoughtful expression over his face. Yet unless she said something, Soul would soon after lead then to the west, following the wall of thorns along the way.
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Shark wasn't in any danger. She were latched on well, and could handle the way she were being shaken around well. Wasn't so different from her, shaking something around to make sure it was dead, before she ate it. The slapping of the frog goblin trying to scrape her off were annoying though, but she were waiting for a good chance to let go, and hit another area. Wasn't like she had thought this through anyway. She had just wanted it to let go of Light, and it had. The rest were just pure improv.
As Light slashed at the creatures feet, it would let out a loud croak of pain, and start to fall to the ground. The others barely avoided getting squashed. As did Shark, who finally let go, and buzzed off to the side. She were moving in after that, to do a more fatal bite, when suddenly, a reverberating snap were heard, and she'd bite down into empty air. It'd honestly confuse her a great deal, and she looked around, trying to find out where it went. Which turned out to be a nearby tree, where it were tied up with vines, alongside the others that had crawled from its back so far.
"I swear, these things are really starting to get hard to keep track of."
A shape would rise up from the ground, as if unearthed, and shake the worst of the dirt from themselves.
"Special one?"
"Aaah. How's my favorite new predator doing?"
The pumpkin-headed creature would wander over, and nuzzle Shark behind the ear.
"Love to talk, but I just gotta sort this. Never thought Princess and her ilk were gonna cause this much trouble, and y'know, it's funny and all, but this is all just gonna end the same way. *Waa, waa, we're ponies, and we don't like creatures snacking on us. Turn the mean draconequui to stone!*. Uuuuurgh. So annoying.
Anyway, let's nuke these things down a few thousand evolutionary steps again."
She'd snap, using the hairs on her tail, and the frog goblins would shrink and twist, until they eventually turned into something more like regular toads. Still with the spiked tongue and ability to lob off goo though, just nothing as vile as before. Had to let them have Some sort of evolution after all.
"Less fun, but they'll do. Now off you go, and don't cause trouble again.
Think this is the third batch I've found of them today. Have to have found all of them sooner or later though, right? Anyway, who's this chipper little outsider? Not a poacher I hope."
Sure she knew who he were to some extend, as she could see past the wall, but it was just sooo much effort to look back and read it all, she couldn't be bothered. Sides, mortals always got all uppity about that, and there had been enough of a hassle here already.
============================================================
"Also, if we're stuck in here for too long, and grow hungry, you do realize what's on the menu, right?"
The math was pretty simple really. Three dragons, one griffon. If they got stuck in here, one of them had to be eaten for sustenance, and it wouldn't be one of the dragons. Probably wouldn't be for a few days at least though, and there'd definitely end up popping someone in here before that, to check up on where the cart had gone. Or why the weather were all messed up around this area. But the point still stood, and were just something Leviathan said to add on to the pressure.
"*sigh* Fine, fine. Might as well get this over with then... But I swear, if you start talking to others about this."
There were an implied threat, but he knew well that none of them were actually going to care about that. Why would they? Dragons were so high and mighty, they thought nothing could bring them down. Most didn't fear anything. Foolish overgrown lizards...
He'd take a deep breath, then go over and open the door. Violently it turned out, and he'd be faced with the raging storm outside. Leviathan personally liked the dramatic look it gave to things, but she'd wave her hands, and the storm would subside. Not worth the magic to keep it running anyway she supposed.
"Ashta."
"Brother Mah'rey."
The vulpine creature didn't seem to move much as she spoke, beyond the gentle up and down, as she sat in the air. Her eyes seemingly not even on him.
"I'm not-"
"Loss of will, without her light. A mother mourns, for the favored third."
"I'm not proud of that, but it isn't as if you couldn't function without me. You just refused to try."
"The sorrow eats at an elden heart. Death will come, in waves of two."
"...What?"
Marley seemed confused for a moment, yet also disturbed. Something she said made him think that something rather bad, had brought her here.
"Death will come, in waves of two."
"...She's dying?"
"The will a spark, buried with your coffin."
She'd calmly get back in a standing position, whilst Marley began looking pale and distraught, and would jump down to him. It looked as if the air itself were solid around her paws, odd as it seemed.
As she hit the ground, she'd wander closer to Marley, and pull back the hood on her robe. The face beneath were serene, with pale, pink eyes, sitting in the sockets of the snow-white kitsune, gazing at him.
"It is time to come home, Brother Mah'rey. Before the heart you broke, stops beating."
"..."
Meanwhile, back with the dragons, Leviathan considered doing something, but she heard talks of a mother dying, and that was a touchy thing, she weren't gonna poke at. She herself knew the feeling of seeing that, and didn't much care for it. To put it mildly. Instead, she'd move closer to Ruby, and utter a few words of her own.
"I'll be honest, I figured he were being hunted for murdering someone."
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"I suppose we've had enough excitement in here for the time being. Another day will come, where I can gaze upon the work of pony kind.
As for what else you said, my offer remains. If not for help with your situation, then at least think of me as companionship. Eternity seems a lonely thing to face on your own."
She did not believe herself that anything, nor anyone, truly lasted forever. In the end, they'd all die, and return to nature. Including the Earth Mother herself, one dreadful day. Yet as trees rose from the lowly acorns, so too would she one day rise up again. Everything were in the cycle, or would eventually return to it. Even Scarecrow, as unlikely as it might seem.
That were her belief at least. And regardless of the truth in that, she still thought that it would be best, if he did not grow lonely, over the years. He were a kind creature, and should have others around him, that could make his long existence, at least somewhat more tolerable. Even if perhaps, he did not think that he needed it, as he claimed to not feel a thing. Lyriel were sure he truly appreciated being around others though, and have a friend. Several in fact, if you included Crow for example. Though their relationship were more symbiotic, she were certain they had a kinship as well.
As she speculated, she'd lead them towards the closest edge to town she could see, which lead them to run into a field of flowers, where many a bee buzzed around, to gather the last nectar of the season. The lines of boxes they flew to, indicated this to be a honey farm of some sort. One were a singular pony would wander around, though he stayed clear of the boxes for now, and just watered the flowers.
"This looks like a pleasing place."
"Huh? Oh, uh... Hello there. Nice to meet you, yes?"
The pony would awkwardly raise a hoof, and wave at them. Didn't seem like he were used to guests. Or didn't expect them at least.
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On 2022-01-16 at 1:37 PM, Catpone Cerberus said:Both Chega and Sear thought about it before responding Onache's question, they had been travelling a quite a while now, and Sear especially also had a long time of lone travelling even before that, so it took a moment to remember all the places they had been, though luckily areas like the mentioned one had details to be remembered "I know the place, and have briefly visited the edge, but we haven't, and don't plan to go there, preferring to go around it." "The environment isn't really to our taste." for Sear it wasn't as big of a problem, having grown up in the dragonlands, which wasn't exactly the lushest and most humid place, but Chega came from underground, so even a sunny day could be unpleasant for her, not to mention a desert. "You from there?" it didn't really take a genius to come to that conclusion, since there was no other obvious reason for why Onache would bring it up like that.
"I am well known in the area, yes. I know the population, and safe areas better than most."
Granted, she had been taking the best safe areas for herself, and kept them safe, due to her migrating hive, dealing with outsiders trying to trespass, but best not to dwell on details such as that.
"I were forced to relocate however, and came here later. A part of the Everfree Forest have turned to desert, and so, I make my home there. A matter of preference, when it comes to the habitation one prefers I suppose. I personally prefer the dry, hot air of a desert, and the sand in my hooves. Swampy forestlands are less ideal for me. Same goes for cold. A thing which will inevitably fall, though my fondness for it, can be found on a very small level.
But I digress. You do well in staying outside of the main desert, of my former home. Those who aren't good at handling themselves in the dunes, will only end up adding to them. Going around the edges, are generally safer, and you can avoid most of the issues. Except for the Ghosttail Scorpions. Avoid them at all cost. They're aggressive, highly venomous little things. It is better to get out of their reach, than attempt to deal with them hooves on."
On 2022-01-16 at 1:37 PM, Catpone Cerberus said:Though if Onache got curious enough to just read their minds, she'd learn the Sheska's and Trox's version of Chega was not the happy one they had here, and instead someone who had fallen into deep and destructive depression after loss of certain loved one. This was also part of the reason why they were so happy to see her happy.
Onache had given her word, that she wasn't going to poke into their minds. So she'd keep her word, though there were two sides to this story that she were curious about. Trox and Sheska had been telling in no small terms, that the Chega they knew, had not fared well. But what of the other way around? This she were curious about, and seemed to be fair game, if you would.
"What of Sheska and Trox of this world? Have you any knowledge of them? Might be this world were kinder to them, than their own were. And it would serve as a distraction, from what sounds like a particularly uncomfortable subject."
=================================================================
8 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:"I get what you mean, and I do think it’s worth asking if it’s only about woodworking. I just read too much into your answer and got carried away with thinking about something else. My mistake.”
"Miscommunication is a common thing, and I apparently did not explain myself well enough, if there were confusion. You have my apologies for that.
Regardless, it is a touchy subject to push him on the old home perhaps, but I'm sure we can find a tasteful way, of asking him what might work good. For instance, we could ask what tools of the trade he have found, since starting here in Equestria, that differs from his old methods, and how it might have influenced him. There might be something to read into an answer for that. Though it is merely off the top of my head. We can brainstorm another one if it is, certainly."
8 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:“Well, we know Omen can hear us from... somewhere in the house. Now then, let’s get this thing set up.”
"Just tell us what we need to do, and we’ll… figure out how to work with these tools. Huh, can’t say I’ve handled these kinds of things before, but we’ll help out however we can.”
Working with tools wasn’t an unfamiliar endeavor, but modern tools used by ponies was a little different compared to those back home. The ones here looked simple enough, and Sen hoped the process of getting the wood panels up was just as simple. Hammering some nails into a wall and hanging the panels didn’t seem to complicated.
Rosa visibly grinded his teeth, as he narrowly missed the toolbox, as it rattled down on the floor. His ears were rather sensitive, and this noisy sound of the metal box, hitting another hard surface, and causing a ruckus inside it too... It were honestly rather painful. But he'd endure, and keep his calm with Omen. He did not want her to think that helping them finding things were bad. He'd just have to ask her later, to please put down things more gently, and avoid this sort of thing happening again.
"I'll handle the nails, worry not. Just need you to help me guide where to put them in for the side ones, to center it all as best as possible, with as few tries as needed."
Rosa would put the nail in for the center piece fine. Then the one that were supposed to make for the second part of the inner ornament, would come next, and require him two tries. The first nail in, caused it to hand a little crooked. Only slightly, but he wanted this perfectly, and the second one seemed to have done the trick. Now came the side parts though, and he'd have to count on Sen and Lin, to coordinate with him, so they could get through this, with as few holes in the wall as possible.
It should be done fairly simply though, and soon, they should be able to gaze upon the work, in all its majesty.
"It is still a beauty to behold. It already feels more homely in this room now, from this little taste of personally, imprinted upon it now.
And I didn't even hammer my own hoof. I'd say we did a fairly good job, in all honesty."
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Okay, truth time: I had more ideas with Fheng, but I forgot about the trail tracking of Null. xD So uhm... Yeah, just gonna use her in a shorter term capacity, and as a learning experience, since I can't do much else with her, on behalf of how Null is tracking her moves now.
Unless of course, you're not sending her back to Tartarus, and have something else in mind. I could think of something worse than death for her at least. Seeing how she's all about power, and wanting to ascend to dragonhood, making her into something weak and pathetic, might well be a more cruel judgement.
But I'm letting you decide her faith in full.
Same with the changeling plot. There's two scenarios now, but frankly, you can pick either, none, or both. I figure we get to the meeting soon, and if you pick neither, we just go right for it. Just figured I'd give an option not about time skips so shortly after one.
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(Null)
Nine's interference, slowed Null down, and then make her stop entirely. He were right. Void co8uld handle keeping their parents safe. She'd do best in tracking her down, and do so with haste. And getting some height would help her get a better view of where to look.
So she'd fly up high, and get a better look at where the dark trail went, which thankfully wouldn't be going home to her parents. So bullet dodged there at least. And now, she had a good idea about where Fheng were hiding away, and likely preparing for her next strike. But it seemed she wasn't alone. The local law, were drawing in too, likely curious about the rushing griffon with the bone wings. Fools were gonna end up getting hurt.
One force who were going in too, who weren't afraid of that though, were Ashclaw, who were already about to enter the building Fheng hid in. She knew the griffon better than any of the others in town, and as such, she hadn't a hard time to spot something of note, that lead her to the right building. In parts also because said building, were obvious, to those who knew her. Narrow entry way, only one obvious way in,a nd with high advantage point, that she could swoop down from. She may not have functional wings right now, but she were vain and didn't change easily.
The griffon would've entered before Null even came down there, and behind closed doors, were quite the amount of noise. Outbursts of pain, and an angry shriek. Null would get there before the local law regardless, as she swooped down, and broke right in, just to find a scene in front of her that were... Not expected.
A fair amount of arrows on the floor, as well as spears. A few of them bloody, and one currently, still stuck in Ashclaw. She did not seem to care one bit about it, being impaled into her upper right shoulder.
The outbursts of pain were not from her either, but rather from Fheng. The mare having her right wing now broken, and with several slash marks across her exposed flesh, consistent with griffon claws.
As she saw Null enter, Fheng would try and rush over towards her, to get a hit in, but Ashclaw would strike, and clutch her talons around the other griffons throat, before slamming her into the floor, so she slid back on the dirt.
"You were always a failure."
"𝔄 𝔣𝔞𝔦𝔩𝔲𝔯𝔢? 𝔄 𝔣𝔞𝔦𝔩𝔲𝔯𝔢?! 𝔄𝔰𝔠𝔢𝔫𝔠𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔴𝔢𝔯𝔢 𝔦𝔫 𝔪𝔶 𝔤𝔯𝔞𝔰𝔭, 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔠𝔞𝔩𝔩 𝔪𝔢 𝔞 𝔣𝔞𝔦𝔩𝔲𝔯𝔢?!"
She rushed forth, angry as could be, and got parried, then nailed to the ground. Null could interfere, but frankly, she were enjoying seeing Fheng getting the tar beaten out of her. She'd get her chance soon though, even if she had to tear Ashclaw away from her by force.
"You had your uses, but you were too emotional, and you clearly haven't learned a thing. Open your eye, and see the truth."
As she said that, she'd tear the glass disc on her eye off, and pushed it against Fheng, who suddenly started to get very pale, as the draconic eye in the glass, began flaring up, and covering her own eye entirely.
"𝔚𝔥𝔞- 𝔐𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔰? 𝔗𝔬 𝔰𝔢𝔢 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔞𝔤𝔞𝔦𝔫, 𝔦𝔱 𝔦𝔰 𝔰𝔬... 𝔑-𝔑𝔬. ℑ 𝔴𝔞𝔰𝔫'𝔱. 𝔖𝔥𝔢 𝔩𝔦𝔢𝔡. ℑ 𝔴𝔞𝔰-"
Fheng seemed to be struggling with something, apparently in a discussion with Le Perinne, whom didn't give her much room to put in her own words here. Judging by her facial expression, it did not seem to be a happy meeting, but she were at least not running away anymore.
Ashclaw would look over at Null, neutral in tone still, and would still not seem to be too bothered about the jagged arrow in her shoulder, despite her bleeding from it. The red line going over her ruined robes, down her painted, fire-red feathers, and then dripping down on the floor.
"She's all yours."
"You better not try something here, or you're next."
Null would move forward, and intercept Fheng. Time to see what being part of Vengeance really meant.
(letting you take over fully here now, for the next post)
(Void)
"She's gonna be f-fine, but she were attacked. A griffon, f-from when we were at the gates to Tartarus. She t-tried to shoot Null in the eye, then s-stab me. Another griffon came and interfered, but big sis got so mad. S-She's gone out to hunt the griffon down. She told us to go and keep you and mom safe."
Telling them the truth were gonna make them worried, but it wasn't like she could hide this. Void were nervous, Arcade and her had clearly rushred here, and the two of them were not stupid. They'd know something were amiss, and as Null weren't here, would probably guess that it had something to do with the dysfunctional mare.
(Molotov)
He had just about started cursing, when the two spawn had started to go after them. Bloody pain in his rear, that even now, he had to deal with these things.
But he didn't have the chance before some creepy weirdo with a plague doctor mask, came waddling towards them, and caused Felicia to go on high alert. She hadn't needed to warn him though. This guy gave off major creep vibes. Weren't no hiding that this one were off his rockers, and not to be trusted.
"Ain't falling for that one, Bio Grade."
One of the scientists from Center Zero, running the virology lab. The bugger had seemed nice enough, but when an assistant of his had gotten a rather nasty cough, he'd gone in and said he were the cure for it. Sure it cleared the cough, but it also turned the one who'd had the illness, into a raving lunatic, screaming and trying to rip off his own skin. It'd taken weeks to detox the poor fellah, and from what he'd been told, he'd been transferred elsewhere, as he didn't want to work there anymore. Right now though, Molotov wasn't so sure. Might've been the guy got made into a test subject, like Magma Del Ray had been. Except Magma had been an accidental fusing with an elemental, and had ended up melting through her containment, and the better side of the whole east wall outta town, to escape. Never did figure out what happened to her either, actually...
Anyway, this guy were bad news, so best to deal with him.
Molotov would raise his gun, and fire off a blob of green goo, that'd engulf the *doctor* and goo him to the wall. The goo was utterly harmless, and even breathable, but you weren't getting out of it with any ease. A little invention by Molotov's second cousin, Crackler Boom, that they used for unruly folks, as well as sudden bouts of fire. Which tended to happen at times, in their workshops. This stuff would quench the fire, and keep safe anyone anyone who'd gotten hit, so it were a far better alternative then the old foam ones.
It just required a bottle of the concentrated stuff - which he had in the small container on this gun - and some water. Frankly he had more of the mixture than the water right now, but they'd cross that bridge when it came. For now, they had some spawn to run from. And eventually this guy too. If he could get out of the webs, he'd be finer with this too. Might slow him down for like, 10 minutes or something.
As the path Felicia knew, had spawn, they had to run down the other hall, and hope there'd be a passage to make use of somewhere.
(Changelings)
On 2022-01-15 at 6:48 AM, Illiad Easle said:Ace shook his head, "Other than that mare just now? Everything has been business as usual, nothing to concern yourself with Ma'am. I and the rest of your management staff can handle things."
"That's good. The less trouble, the better after all. I won't be disturbing you more than, Ace. Have a good day."
Honestly, with all that had been going on in the last week or so, she were frankly expecting something to be going wrong, or needing her oversight on the daily. It were nice hearing that at least this, were fully handled. In no small part, due to Ace's leadership, she could imagine.
On 2022-01-15 at 6:48 AM, Illiad Easle said:Unless Bling wanted to do something else at this point, the next day one of the staff of the Stacked Deck would arrive, one of the ones that looked like an identical but subdued twin of the Host, to drop off a chip for Bling to get to the meeting, along with instructions that the meeting would happen the following day, two hours prior to the start of the weekly penthouse party.
Hadn't been much more to handle, except for some volunteers for Grey Mare's task, that she had been told about during the evening. They'd get prepared and ready for the task at hoof, at the place and time they'd been asked for. 3-4 changelings, far as she'd been told. Hopefully it'd go well.
As for herself, she'd try and be friendly when the new message came around too, although she were initially confused for a moment, as to who this were. The resemblance to the honestly crazy stallion that acted out in the murder parties, were pretty staggering. Though once the brief confusion had passed, she'd get her instructions, and the entry chip. Now it were just waiting another day, huh? Well... She had to figure something out to do today first then. The paperwork were done, so perhaps she could go and help out at the theater for once. She had far lesser time for that these days, than she cared for.
(dealers choice: We got to the theater, or deal with Grey Mare's thing)
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On 2022-01-13 at 10:24 PM, Kujamih said:
" uh that's a big one.... have you killed one of those before." Light worries for shark.
"Soon yes."
The last one of these big ones, Anomaly had taken away. This one however, were still there, and very much fair game this time. Too big to eat though. She liked her meat fresh, and frankly, she were sated for a while now. But she'd still lick herself around the mouth, as she looked up towards this hulking goblin frog, thinking about how well fed she would've gotten, if she were hungry. Enough meat on this thing for like, 6 of her. Yum.
On 2022-01-13 at 10:24 PM, Kujamih said:Light assumed that killing off the biggest goblin would force the rest to flee, so he charged towards the big guy. he did some summersaults to evade some of the goblin frogs to get to the big one. as he gets near, he released a mean flying kick towards the big one.
"watchaaa!?"
A bit of a good and bad situation here.
Good part? Light managed to avoid both the small ones - Shark were currently tearing out it's larynx - and did get a hit in on the big one.
Bad news however: It were so ineffective to kick the large, slimy thing, that it were just looking down at him with an evil, malicious grin on its face. After which, it would reach down to grab him, as well as launch it's tongue at Light, to try and grab him, one way or another. And if it did, he were going to be shoved into its mouth.
If Shark saw he were getting trapped though, she'd let out a hissing, high pitched shriek - not too unkind what you'd hear from a bat pony - and rush up to its mouth. Had Light been trapped by the tongue, she'd bite into it, and end up getting retracted into its mouth herself instead, as she remained clamped down, though Light would be freed. Were it the hand, she'd rush into it, and bite down hard on the wrist, causing it to give off a loud croak of pain, and letting him go. After which, it would frantically shake it's arm, trying to get Shark off of it, despite her being unwilling to let go. She were not going to let the bad frogs hurt her friend again!
Of course, Light might also just do something himself. Say, make use of the blades he had shown off before. Weren't like these were made of steel. Even the big one, were although durable, still just a creature of thick, leathery skin.
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@Kujamih @Windy Breeze @Starlight
On 2022-01-13 at 10:24 PM, Kujamih said:" urgghhh..." she looks back at the group who has already entered the portal. " Molotov!... Blitz!... is that everyone?.... I can't hold the portal any longer... I think we are missing some pony? I need a head count!" she questioned herself.
"I'll yoink 'em in, if they ain't already."
And Molotov really would. He weren't gonna have a bit of accidental death here on his watch. That weren't very nice to have happen now, was it? So yeah, if Luna and Blue weren't keen on moving their flank on their own, he'd happily help 'em along. Perk of being a unicorn right there. Went well with the disadvantage of easily getting the tar beaten outta you, by the more physical earth ponies, if they managed to get close enough to connect a hoof to his face. And in his life, several had, and most with good reason.
Not all of them though, mind you. Sometimes, he got hit without a fair reason, and in those cases, he weren't just taking it with a shrug. Fair had to be fair here, and all that.
====================================================================
8 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:“Asking the folks at home may be the better option. Uddo… I don’t know. Asking him for his opinion isn’t out of the question, but he left home for a reason. I suspect he wasn’t happy about what happened, and he thought voluntary exile was a preferable alternative to staying. I’ll be the one to ask, but if this is something we want to know more about, we have to be careful.”
"I think you misunderstand me. I am suggesting that Uddo, as a carpenter, would know what would be best for woodwork. And as he likely did this too, back in your village, that means that he would know what of Equestrian items for that craft, would be a fair trade, without going against your traditions. The ones in your village, only knows of things in their area. Uddo however, knows of Equestrian tools for the job, which is what we are talking about for an exchange, yes? A thing from them, for a thing from us.
I have not meant that he will accompany us back, nor that we tell them we even know him. I'm saying his input, as a specialist from both sides of the fence, are valuable, in picking our exchanged item."
Seems like there were a small break in communications here, and he'd have to attempt to baseline it further, to get them back on track. If this did not work, he'd just have to wait until they spoke to Uddo himself later, and then just go through with it, with him directly. Mattered little to him, beyond this starting to get somewhat awkward.
8 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:“That looks good. We can get the piece positioned in a way where the petals form a cross shape. They’ll line up nicely with the larger center panel, and the rest can go up after.”
“I guess we have our plan. Now we just need some tools. We have the tools for a job like this, right?”
"We will, once I find some nails. Improvising something to hit them in with, is not much of an issue, but finding the nails themselves however, might be. I could likely scavenge some from one of the current items in here, but I'd prefer not to do that.
Omen? Have you found something?"
He raised his voice, as he called out to Omen. Yet no answer would come. She were trying, but the lot of them were out of her range, so she just simply couldn't communicate.
After a little while in silence, Rosa would begin to move over towards the basement, when Omen's head would pop out of a portal, opening just above the wall carving's surface. Made it look a little like her head were hung up on the wall. Really not the sort of decoration that he had in mind for this place, and despite him knowing better, it were still a little unnerving to have this visual, along with the thought. He'd been around too many hunter's huts, to not see it at least.
"I found a box. It sounds like metal."
She'd pull her head back, and then push the toolbox through. Which Rosa caught, before it went on the floor and spilled its contents all over the place. It was close though.
"Tools?"
"Oof. Y-Yes, that feels... Possible. Though I'd prefer you didn't drop heavy things like that ion the house."
"Okay."
The sound of Shrimp, hissing behind her, made Omen withdraw her head, and close the portal. The last thing heard, would be Shrimp giving a small roar at something. Probably a spider. Likely wasn't a large thing, for him to be this confident, in his attempt at scaring whatever had caught his interest.
==========================================================================
20 hours ago, Widdershins said:It's not just a show of pow-..." He halted for a second, noticing a different part of the preceding part of the conversation. He turned to nod at Benny.
"O-oh? Fire, you said? Y-y-you're p-pretty calm for a fire dragon. Would have thought you more the cool headed and watery sort."
Benny would at this point, be gnawing on a caramelized crystal, that was in a goodie bag he'd been given by his marefriend. Pop were always so good to him, just as he were to her, whenever she needed it. Like the last time she had the flu. He'd taken some days off of work, so he could come around, and help her with the shop. As well as tend to her. As a fire dragon, he were rather warm, so curling up around her, were a good way for her to not end up cold. Hadn't helped much with the heat sweats, but that was what the ice were for.
"If I had been water aligned, Pop would currently be locked in the store with me, and the rest of you would have things thrown at you, for trying to enter our territory.
But y'know, it's never a guarantee. I'm fire, and I'm pretty mellow. Sort of. I mean, I don't fly into rage fits for nothing. But there's many ways you can be heated in emotions. I get really flustered when I get embarrassed, I laugh louder at things that others tells me aren't that funny, cry at less- Loads of things.
Mostly it'd not so bad. And the fire part really helps at work. I'm in a forge, so I just run the fire's scorching hot all the time, and can stick my hands straight into the furnace. Helps get the work done quicker, although pretty much everyone who worked with me, had to move out of the forge, since the heat were getting dangerous to them. I only have two left with me, that's handling it well. They're very good at the job, even if they're kiiiiinda crazy.
Anyway, I dunno really how to respond to what you said, if I was supposed to. I don't hunt prey, so I never ate a bird out of the sky. I tried some rabbit before. Wasn't a big fan. I prefer just eating crystals. Got all the vitamins and nutrients, a healthy dragon needs. Plus I don't get a beak stuck in my throat. That sounds really uncomfortable."
===================================================================
21 hours ago, Widdershins said:"Really? That's one among many stories us kirin tell! Of one particularly angered squirrel that took down the biggest Dragonlord ever just for burning down his tree! That channeling your energies, using what skills you do have and the wisdom to know where & when to strike can move mountains!
I, uh-... but as for my family." Whett Kindle fidgeted where he sat. "I dunno, a guy kinda... loses faith after so many attempts at trying to be around some. I guess one could, like the story, take some time to plan a way around.... confronting some personalities you meet."
"So you too have stories of grandeur and destruction? least we have that in common, sir. Our tales are a lot around the fabled heroes of Harrowmark. Several individuals, over millennia, who truly put a mark on our stories. Like Hammertail. The greatest Diamond Dog who ever roamed Harrowmark, whom took on the invaders of Hayden, and not only demolished their ships, but returned to the throne with the spoils of victory. He is the only diamond dog of our fabled heroes, and they especially, revere his name. Though his descendants tends to let his legacy get to their heads, and end up dying to something dumb. The curse of glory, yes?
As for your family... It isn't my place to say what's right for you, sir. But I hope that after some time, you will be able to have a nice, calm time around one another. I can't imagine what it must be like, to know that you have family left, and then not want to see them. But who know how the future goes, yes? There are still chances. I think. I uhm... D-Don't know how long kirin live."
Or his age for that matter, but one way to shove his hoof down his throat at a time here.
22 hours ago, Widdershins said:"But that's what i'm here for! I'm just out exploring! Seeing the amazing possiblities of what Nature can provide! Find a nice, comfy, pretty Glade to rest & meditate in! ....see what its like inside those buildings you ponies have! For some reason, ponies start sweating whenever i'm IN a place.
....What's a Princess? I know we had a Queen, but I don't know nothing about your leaders."
"I think sir, they might be nervous because of the fire. There is a lot of things in a pony's home. Many memories, and their whole life. Seeing you set yourself ablaze, it makes them scared you're going to burn the house down. Maybe even to a point, where it gets fatal. I think if you got better at not flaring up, they'd be happy to let you inside their homes for a chat. Uhm, o-once you get to know them better, of course. That's what they said at the friendship school at least. I tried going there, but it... I g-guess it wasn't the right time.
A-Anyway, the princesses, yes. I guess it's easier to just show you."
Harnessing his trusty brush and ink, Cover Up would draw some of the princesses on the ground. Three of them, to be exact.
"This is Princess Celestia, and Princess Luna. They're sisters, and they rule Equestria. I don't know why their titles are princess. In Harrowmark, we have a queen too. It seems weird to just go with princesses... B-But I'm sure it's a culture thing. And this last one is new, from what I understand. Princess Twilight. She's s-strong, and local. She lives in the crystal palace, you have probably seen in Ponyville. Apparently the Princess of Friendship. Strange title, but just another cultural thing, I guess.
There's also another one, but I don't know what she looks like. I just know her name is Princess Cadence, and she rules the Crystal Kingdom.
They're uhm, all alicorn. Horns, wings, and are apparently ageless. And grow really tall."
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(Sisters)
On 2022-01-13 at 7:30 AM, Illiad Easle said:Arcade looked conflicted, but decided to go with Void, "I'd only hold you back, can't follow you in the air after all." He would also serve to encourage Void to move with speed, his jagged knife at the ready and eyes alert for any potential ambush.
The two of them wouldn't be ambushed on their way to Calligraphy and Bunsen's home, but Void would certainly look around her, as if she were expecting it to happen at any moment. As it thankfully didn't though, and they'd make it there without incident. Lest something were wrong in there, Void would tap the door, trying to see if perhaps one of her parents were still awake, so she could warn and protect them. And failing that, she'd hyper-ventilate a little here, on their front step. She'd need a calming presence, one way or another.
On 2022-01-13 at 7:30 AM, Illiad Easle said:As Null followed the trail she felt her coat grow cold, numb, she could still feel everything well enough, but all the aches and pains of exertion were dulled to the point they could be ignored. "Figured this might help, going into a potentially dangerous fight after all. If you were wearing the cloak I could turn it to armor, now that I'm not stuck inside you, but that's neither here nor there. Stay frosty, she's got quite the list of transgressions behind her, enough even to rival that Briar we met in New Pegasus."
"Bugger me. I forgot how cold this was. And the cloak's home with our parents. Stashed it before I left. Go figure that I'd need it now then. Whatever though. We'll still break that scrawny, evil little witch, before she manages to hurt another.
And the other chicken can go down with her, far as I'm concerned. She best stay out of my way."
Ashclaw did not have the laundry list of evil over her, but right now, Null were in a bad mood, and not as logical about this, as she probably should be. She just knew who Ashclaw worked for, as being the same dragon that employed Fheng, back in the day.
And speaking of Fheng, she seemed to be rather quick to come around, despite her lack of functional wings. Her path were going through the nooks and crannies of town, making for a tough route to follow, if you didn't have this trail to follow. She must've done well in keeping hidden, and map out the town. Hard to say how long she'd been here, but potentially days, plotting her revenge. Maybe less.
Frankly, Fheng were running and jumping faster, than Null could catch up with her right now. Unless something odd happened, she'd never manage to catch the griffon. Although a pattern began to show, whilst following the path. A path which were starting to loop around, and... Oh no. Nononono. Where she... Were she headed back for their parents house?! The angle were fitting, but how well did the griffon know town? Could she risk that?
That was a dumb question frankly, and Null would veer off the path, and rush home again. She'd be able to save some time going that route, and might be able to intercept Fheng. Meanwhile, Ashclaw would keep on route, and look for the griffon. She doubted Fheng would go back for an attack already. She were vengeful. Not stupid.
And she would be right. Fheng had gone back in that direction, but were not actually going there, at this point in time. She were laying in wait instead, about two blocks from where their parents house were, in a direction veering right off her path. Though Null hadn't seen that. Lest Nine pointed it out - or argued for the fact that Void could handle herself, and that she'd best just try and speed up, and follow the trail - she'd end up back at their parents house, and Fheng would escape. For now.
(Molotov)
On 2022-01-13 at 7:30 AM, Illiad Easle said:Vale looked intrigued, smiling a bit, "I... I'd like that. Thank you."
A whirring sound of joy came from the little spiderbot. Seemed like after all, the one she were afraid would kill her creator, would be a friend instead. Joyous times, and far easier than she had anticipated, that it might be. Other creatures were far less willing to get along with her, so her own friends were rather few. In no short amount though, also because a lot of creatures were dead now, and hence, the picks were few. She tried making friends with the large dragon lady too, but she didn't know if the dragon accepted it. Her answer were weird.
But for now anyway, she had a smart new friend, it seemed. Maybe tomorrow, she'd try and go over, and touch Vale. Give her a chance to see that she were just a harmless little AI.
On 2022-01-13 at 7:30 AM, Illiad Easle said:As to the documents that Molotov found: The first one, The second one. (Neither have strong bearing on the story)
So, religious fanatics, making a cult out of some wonky stuff, causing havoc, and a coffin that made others go a little crazy, and might have a monster. They sure didn't deal with regular stuff here, that's for sure, though neither of them seemed to be something he'd actively need to be all that worried about. Best to store 'em though, along with what other documentation he'd be able to find in this place, as they dealt with whatever they had to. So he'd fold 'em up, and have them floated into Felicia's storage space. The tech he'd keep in his own bag. He couldn't sort it here, but it looked like a simple enough thing to get together, and it could come well in handy. If for nothing else, then as spare parts. Never knew when you might need some of those.
As for what Felicia were doing? Seemingly just standing still, near him. In actuality, she were scanning the area, and keeping on high alert, in case ean enemy approached. They'd get potentially eviscerated, depending on her own evaluation of the threat level, though for now, things seemed nice and sim-
On 2022-01-13 at 7:30 AM, Illiad Easle said:Overall it was quiet in the facility, almost oppressively so, the stale air dampening Molotov's breaths. This quiet made the sudden crackling of static all the more surprising as the facility's PA system sputtered to life. "Welcome ba-" more static "-r earlier than expected. Still, your place in this tomb awaits you."
"ℚ𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕥𝕪"
"Hey, language there, young lady. Although granted, that right there? Ain't a good sign. Guessing your lil' friend left you a present."
Felicia didn't use regular swear words. As with the language she had used before she had an actual voice box, and had to rely on mechanical sounds though, she made use of something else instead.
Going over some of the files that Molotov had made, in the process of creating his AI's and robots in general, she had found than when he were frustrated, he'd write/type in a series of letters. Like that on a word pad, and the more frustrated he'd get, the more it'd be some in line. As if he'd hammered down on the word pad with his hoof, in an angry outburst. This simple line typing, in a frustrated manner, seemed fitting to her, as use as a robotic kind of swearing, and had embraced that, for when the situation called for it. Molotov wasn't a fan that she had done so though, and called it *A foul mouth, that a promising young AI like her, shouldn't be using*. Like she cared what he thought though. Just wait until the day that he found out how many of them she had taught Carmen.
First time that he'd hear Carmen say Cvbnm, he were gonna end up swallowing his own tongue in bafflement.
Anyway, to go back to their impending doom:
"ℕ𝕠𝕥 𝕞𝕪 𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕. 𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕞 𝕚𝕞𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕙𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣. 𝕎𝕖 𝕤𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕧𝕒𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕔𝕦𝕣𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕡𝕠𝕤𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟."
"Well, ain't happy 'bout it, but that sound before, ain't filling me with a lot of confidence. Just a right bugger. We'll end up getting separated from Vale already... But yeah, if we can find a control room, so I can shut off this thing, it'll probably be best. Think you can lead us there?"
"𝔸𝕗𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖."
She'd briefly stop, to use one of her strong legs to cut a line , with a slice at the end, making it look like a rather bad arrow. That arrow, pointing the way they were going, as Felicia began trying to lead the way she knew were to the control room. All the while, Molotov would turn off his own light, and follow her. Horn on the read, and figuring he were gonna need his shooter here sooner or later. This here had just gone and become the start of a right big pain in his flank...
(Changelings)
On 2022-01-13 at 7:30 AM, Illiad Easle said:Ace looked surprised, but nodded, "Nothing I can't handle Ma'am. Honestly it's a lifelong dream come true to be here. Penny seems to be doing well enough too, it's obvious enough that she wishes she had my job, but alas."
"She's a prideful sort, but you don't have to worry. She won't try and abotage you, or anything like that. Penny know she'd only end up getting punished for that. Sides, she's a pride changeling. She's gonna put her effort into doing her current job right, and look irreplicable. If ever you didn't want the general manager role though? Oh yeah, she'd be on it in a heartbeat. But it sounds like you're both doing well right now. Heard reports saying mostly that too, fro others. A few minor things with her, but there's ways to help with that.
Anyway, just good to hear you can handle it, Ace. Everyone knows you deserved the chance, and you're really looking like you were the right pony for the job."
Had she his review right now, she'd give him a gold star, but that'd have to wait until his actual performance review.
And yes, she actually had a folder of star stickers ready. It had been in a drawer at the theater for ages, and come Tartarus or high water, she'd make use of it. What'd they do? Complain to her boss? Hehe.
On 2022-01-13 at 7:30 AM, Illiad Easle said:He shook his head, "House never mentioned anything to me about what was discussed. Best I can guess it was the casino heads discussing policy for New Pegasus, since Grey, or, the old Grey, put them in charge. I'd guess they want to go back to that, maybe since there's talk of the Trojan Empire moving to annex the city." He shrugged, "He never seemed concerned when he went, though he had that bodyguard of his, Vector, to keep him safe."
"Guess I'll just have to wait and see then. Not too concerned though. I got my own guard around, isn't that right, Bruce?"
"My life for my queen."
His expression were stone as he said that, and uttered in a rather dark, serious tone. Bruce really wasn't as bad as he looked, but he were a very dedicated changeling, and effective at making himself rather intimidating to deal with. Though given the option, he'd prefer to have not gone through what he did to get these scars, that helped him with the act. And it'd be nice to have vision in his other eye, but what could he do about it? Just had to roll with it, and focuson what mattered.
"Hopefully that won't end up being something that has to happen. I much prefer you alive and well, Bruce.
Guess I should l go off and see if there's something else that needs sorting. Though before I go, anything important happened today? Things seems mostly smooth, over the last few days, but you never know. Might be Pip and Scruffy were trying to hustle at the pool tables, or someone got stuck in a vending machine. Dunno, just keep expecting something to go iffy, but everything's sounding relatively smooth so far."
Pip and Scruffy were the magicians. They didn't try hustling at pool though. In their own words: There's no challenge in that. And if there's no challenge, where's the fun?
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On 2022-01-11 at 11:54 PM, Kujamih said:
"...a bigger one? ...what was the biggest frog you've spotted shark?" light curiously asked, as he prepared himself to encounter the big frog.
Shark would flutter up, about three meters, and hold her hoof out.
"This big. Had many frog in back. H-aaatch-iiiing... Hatching? Yes, hatching in back."
That particular kind of toad - she were simple, she didn't know better - were a nasty one to have mutated and made into a predator. Kept its young in pouches on its back, until they were ready to burst out. Gross to several, and this larger version, were not going to help there.
"Hunted many frog. But not big frog. Strange one took it."
It had done quite a good attempt at dealing some real damage in Ponyville, but Anomaly had taken it away, whilst Shark stayed back and handled the offspring. Seemed like the situation hadn't been solved though, as evident by the sounds coming from further in.
"This one, less sound. Still big. Must hunt it."
On 2022-01-11 at 11:54 PM, Kujamih said:light noticed that shark was worried about Limbo. but Light assured her, "no need to worry about Limbo, I'm sure she'll be just fine there. plus dealing with giant frog takes priority, right? but to keep you at ease," Light went towards Limbo and placed a black shard on top of her snout. " there! this shard will protect her from anything, trust me shark." the shard starts to shine on and off like a Christmas light.
"Friend safe? Then okay, we hunt! Stay safe friend. We come back."
With that, she'd flutter off towards the sound, with light likely closely by.
The wave they had faced before, were just the first. There'd be two more, before eventually, they'd get to a clearing, where a two and a half meter monstrosity, of a goblin frog (adopting that name for them), stood tall over them, and glaring down with hateful eyes. The back on the creature bubbled, and a dozen more goblin frogs emerged, crawling out, and landing with a moist splatter of goo, on the ground. Hissing and eyeing the two predators. They were all, wanting to feast upon them. And after a brief moment, the larger one would let out a gurgling roar, and the attack would begin.
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@Kujamih @Windy Breeze @Starlight
Blitz, Molotov, and Puff, hadn't the foggiest what were happening right now. But if Cali said this here were a bad situation, then fine. They'd follow. Or well, to be exact, Molotov would grab Blitz with his horn, and drag her through, as he jumped in. Puff would follow straight after, as of her masters, he was the only one she could see now, and figured she should follow. Individualism tended to come later, in their kind, though it varied. Hammond had gotten out and about within a few days of his creation.
Funny really, how it went. For thousands of years, it had been only Omen that were here, of her kind. Now there were two more, within the span of a week. How many more, and in what variants, weren't gonna be made over the next years? Not to speak of them spawning younglings of their own? Interesting questions, but for now, this were about an escape. And if Molotov had to yoink in the last ones here too, he'd darn well do it. Weren't good to leave folks behind.
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"I d-don't like that idea. What if he's dangerous?"
"I am. Doesn't mean I'm looking to hurt Her."
"Everypony, behave now. Zeehva? My cousin will take good care of her. If you do not trust him, then try and trust in me, okay? Besides, now you have a bit of time to work on your potions, while they go and handle the meeting with Alluria. Although-"
"I'll have Horizon pencil in a time for her, and let you know when the dome is ready."
"Thank you. Now then, be at ease you two, and-"
She were interrupted again, yet this time by Zeehva, who'd suddenly dive behind the counter, and throw up a little.
"Oh dear. Are you okay?"
"I'm f-fine. I'm fine. It's just... I think it's j-just the stress. Been like this for months. I just need a remedy. Just uhm... I'll be f-fine."
Dread seemed to contemplate something, but would look away, as Zeehva got back on her hooves, and withdrew a small pouch from her bag. It had a dried powder, that she had to mix in water. And then she had to clean up after herself. There were things for her to do here.
"Well, seems like things are okay here. Let's go then."
Soul would dive into the shadows, once Magnolia were ready, and begin traversing the darkened landscapes, of this semi-plane. Varied layers to it, but he usually went for the deeper layers on longer travels like this, to faster get to his destination. Which normally, were a few hours of trains and walking from here, but they'd be able to get there in 10 minutes time, if they focused.
As for where he'd go out? The outskirts of a town, where the buildings were not made of stone, but were carved into the trees, in ways still allowing the large trees to stay alive. It seemed some cleaning work were happening, but overall, the town were empty, at this current point in time.
Looking around, it were a nice, natural home. Only things really standing out, were the floating pieces of carved out, wooden tablets, here and there, rather large in size, that glowed with pale runes.
"The Moonlit Thicket. It's close enough to home, without setting off wards. We'll walk from here."
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15 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:“Hmm… asking some of the artisans back home about what they need may be a better approach. We don’t use bits back home, and trades are always based on what one is willing to give, as long as whatever is given will fulfill a need. Something like food for goods, and the folks back home have to eat, but things that can help their craft would suffice. I’m just worried about how others back home would react if what we gave in return would give an unfair advantage against other artisans.”
"Varnish isn't really an unfair advantage. It is an accessory, to make things more pleasing to look at. A finite resource. But if it attracts some kind of interest however, are there not something good to be found then? imagine then, that there'd be a interest in outside materials. Something which you could trade with, and would give them a view on items from the outside, and how there's some use to them.
In any case, asking them, or Uddo, is likely the best way. I'd still suggest Uddo. He's an artisan, who knows both sides. Surely he'd have some insight into this, if not a solution. Not too many hours left until we are to meet up with him, but there's time to ponder."
It were a delicate, balancing act they were going to need to think about here. What were good, what were bad? What would cause imbalance, and what would simply be seen as being too little to matter? Questions upon questions, and not an easy answer in sight. Neither Rosa, nor the siblings, were likely wrong here. But the best course of action, would require more information, before they could settle on something concrete.
That were for later though, as had been pointed out. They'd need information, and likely from Uddo. So right now, they could check up on the decorations.
15 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:“Let’s see. We ought to place the panels with some space between them. It’s a four-piece set that fits like a puzzle. Two on the sides with a central panel forming the basic shape. Then, we can put the central circle piece by letting it hang with some nails. It won’t be as heavy as the other panels, but nail placement might be tricky.”
“How about we prop these up against the wall first and see how we’d place the nails first? If we can tell how the center piece will look, we can arrange the remaining pieces around it.”
(the carved wood panels look something like this, though try imagining the center being a separate piece)
As requested, Rosa would come over to them, and wait with finding the toolbox for now. Omen kept looking however. She were not one who understood decorating a lot, and as she had heard they needed nails, she thought she'd perhaps do better, by finding that. Which for now, brought her to finding the door to the basement, and then have a walk down into the dark below.
"A fine idea. I think it's fairly simple though. They should be... Here. Centered as best as possible, but without standing in a corner. If I at some point get any kind of entertainment pleasers then, such as games, it can be placed in this general area too, so it can continue to be admired. If we get the central pieces first, the nail part shouldn't be hard, as we're then placing the others around it. Still, we should be careful. It would be a great shame to have such lovely pieces ruined."
He were mapping out where on the wall to have things for a moment, then went over and grabbed hold of the central pieces, and pressed them u. A bit of leeway between, but that seemed like a design intend. One he found rather pleasing, to be honest. It gave it a somewhat artsy style.
"So something like this, and then have the others around. Thoughts?"
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(Sisters)
On 2022-01-11 at 7:25 AM, Illiad Easle said:Nine, on the other hoof, was also busy, activating the Eye for Null, "She won't escape you, but that doesn't mean she isn't expecting you to follow." The trail, like she had seen with Elef back in the second facility, appeared before her, as dark as Fheng's heart, showing the path that Fheng had taken. "Again, it may well be a trap."
A dark trail it was indeed. Le Perinne's faithful were not exactly the most moral of creatures, but Fheng had been something else entirely. Ferocious and vile, she had done things in ways she weren't even asked to, for her own amusement, and well deserved her stint in Tartarus. A stint that seemingly, had taught her nothing of consequence, as she returned to cause havoc once given her freedom. She deserved to return to down below, and Null were really, truly in the mood to cause this.
"Void, go back to mom and dad. Protect them."
""W-What? But I-"
"No arguing! I'm going after her. Arcade?"
Void were none too thrilled, especially after seeing Arcade just dying - which had nearly caused her a heart attack - and then suddenly appearing again, to burn his own corpse. That stallion were a strange, strange one, and she had to know about this. But later. Null were right. Fheng just tried to attack them both, and she might also try to go after their family then, SHe dreaded how the foals might fare, if the griffon knew about them, but they had some guards. Their mother were too pregnant to move around, and vulnerable in her state. She needed her protection the most, until this issue could be solved.
So she'd scurry along, running as fast as she could back home, whilst Null readied to chase after Fheng. Though she barely got a step, before Ashclaw held a hand out in front of her.
"I'll deal with her. Go home."
"Bite me, puppet! She just tried to kill me and my sister! I'm going to tear her apart!"
Ashclaw noted that she hadn't mentioned how Arcade had died, but she had seen what happened there too. Something very unexpected, that she needed to report back later. Le Perinne were not responding currently. Likely more interference. So it would need to wait. And at that time, she would likely already have dealt with Fheng, but she couldn't do much, if she had to babysit this one.
Then again, she supposed the mare had a right to partake in the hunt. She had been the prey, and Fheng already had a history with her. This were personal, so she had a claim on this hunt.
A second's thought, and she'd remove her hand again. At which point, Null would take flight, and chase after the trail. Followed shortly after, by Ashclaw, who would fly higher, and scour things out, as well as observe this one. Or two, likely. Arcade had been killed before, as he had stood at a bad position, and been terminated, quite violently. Fortunate his death didn't stick, but he likely weren't too thrilled about it regardless. Or at least, would go and try to keep his marefriend safe. A foolish idea. Fheng were no amateur, and the only one who'd be able to keep this small pony safe, would be Ashclaw. Fortunate for Null then, that they had the same goal. For now.
(Molotov)
On 2022-01-11 at 7:25 AM, Illiad Easle said:Vale seemed surprised by the question, "I.... er..." She took a breath, "Yes, I want to help solve the problem, and I've already done all the harm I intend towards him. You don't need to worry about that. I... I am safe to be around, usually. I try to be friendly, but I don't have many friends." She seemed sad about that, but not extremely so, more like she was disappointed.
"Wanna try be my friend? I like smarts."
Carmen were sad to hear that the doe had issues getting friends. She wondered if it might have something to do with her violent tendencies, but terminated that line of thought, as it did not seem nice. Molotov always told her to think the best of everyone, so she'd do that. Unless they were clowns. Or door to door salesponies. Molotov had warned her about those. Hearts cold and empty, with words dripping of false promises. He told her to be cautious around those.
On 2022-01-11 at 7:25 AM, Illiad Easle said:She looked around a bit more, orienting herself with the facility and lining it up with a mental map of the facility, before nodding to herself. She came back over to the shaft, "I'm going to find another way down, don't wander far once you get down there, I'll make my way to you." With that she would bound off into the ruins of the facility, following an unseen path to another entrance.
Arriving at the bottom of the elevator shaft, the air was stale, musty, and the light was dim. It was like the whole facility had been abandoned for years. There was no sign of anything living in it, at least in the first room, which seemed to be a loading area of sorts.
If they ventured into the next room they'd find a cubical area with a few scattered papers, some broken tech, and a security card sitting on one of the desks.
Aight, so just the three of them down here for now then?
Landing on the dusty floor, Molotov would fold his wings in, and have a look around. Rather dim, but a little tinkering with his horn, and the lens on his eye, and... Aaah, much better.
His eye wasn't robotic, or false. The lens he had on it, just wasn't blending in well, with his regular eye. It were highly practical though, with helping him to zoom in on things, whilst he worked. That were just one of its uses though, and right now, he had another one done. That being to add some magic, and filter it through to cause a sort of luminescent, less eye-glarinf flashlight, beaming from the lens. He'd love to have just a flashlight in it, but he'd probably just fry his eyeball if he tried. He needed to tinker on this technology some more, before he could do it safely.
Anyway, now he had a bit more light to work with, he'd go and explore the immediate area a bit, whilst they more or less waited for Vale. Weren't much to look at here in the first room, but peeking into the next, were a fair bit more interesting. Why, it had some paperwork and everything. Might be something to learn from that.
So whistling softly, Molotov would gather the papers up, and have a look at what might be there. Once that were sorted, he'd pocket the key card, and then look over the broken tech. Might be something salvageable here, that'd be useful for them. Or it'd implode the entire facility. You never knew with strange tech.
"Well ain't this a fancy place? Sure needs a good clean though. Maybe a few new layers of paint, and a rug here and there, would do wonders."
(Changelings)
"It's worse if you're a changeling. The emotions rolling of of them are kinda creepy sometimes. I really have to talk to them about letting some of us changelings help a bit more. We're dealing with this sort of pressure of theirs better. Well, most of us, anyway. Excluding the changelings who feeds off of worship. They tend to gravitate towards their followers, when they're feeling hungry. Had to help drag a few of them away from there actually...
Anyway, I just wanted to come by, and ask you how you're doing? And hear how you're thinking that Penny is handling your old gig? Pretty new for the both of you, so just wanna make sure you're holding up. You were closer, so figured I'd start with you.
Although speaking of the enthralled, You say you've dealt with them before, when they came for House? Do you know what their meetings were about?"
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Yes, a good question isn't it, about how long she have been there, and what she might know? I won't tell you. :3
What will unfold, will be solely based on how Nine interacts with things, as they now unfold. Might be a short endeavor. Might end up with a manhunt. We'll see.
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She could wait as much as she liked, but Ashta were not going to simply open the door. Whatever it were she were doing outside, she seemed contend on doing so, whilst the lot of them stewed in here, Shouldn't be a surprise either. They were the ones in a box, without supplies, nor entertainment. Meanwhile, she'd be outside, with ample things to do whilst waiting, easy access to whatever she'd need, and all the advantages, as she had them locked into a single position.
"A nice idea, but it won't work. She have no reason to go in, and all the time in the world to wait for us to need to go outside."
"Even in bad weather?"
Leviathan could see this wasn't exactly a good defensive position, as they wouldn't win this waiting game. So she'd stack this against their would be assailant.
She'd go to where Charir had already made a hole, and then punched her fist straight through it. She couldn't see the sky above them in this case, but she'd probably not need accuracy either here. She just needed to cause the weather to become rather intolerable to stay in. A little localized hail storm should do the trick, combined with harsh winds. Just a matter of magic, and then soon after, they'd hear the hardened ice rattle against the outside of the cart, like there were no tomorrow. The weather ponies were gonna have a fun time explaining this one, but she didn't really care. This were setting them in a better situation, as any sensible creature, would be rushing away to cover in this weather. Either in the forest, or by trying to get in here.
No one would knock here, but a voice would come through. Booming and calm, overriding the rapidly falling hail storm.
"My voice, a beacon. My will, thy shelter."
"The nineteenth mantra. She's fine out there."
"Not once I turn this up."
"At which point, you'd end up breaking this cart. But by all means, if you don't believe me, have a look for yourself."
This cart was gonna be wrecked one way or another, so he'd smash a hand through too, and give them a hole to look at whom were there for them.
Floating in the air, were a robed being. As the winds blew at her, and pelted her with a myriad of hail, you could see on the tail alone, that this were a kitsune. One wearing simple robes, as if she were a monk, and sitting calmly in the air. Her front paws gathered in front of her, as she seemed to meditate through this raging storm. A storm which didn't seem to even slightly annoy her, though perhaps a thunderbolt would, now that Leviathan had a good enough view to be able to aim. Just a little application of magic, and then-
It had soared straight towards Ashta, but just as it were about to connect, it had deflected, and bended around her. As if she were in some sort of bubble. Which were odd, as the hail still hit her, but it were likely a matter of just not wasting magic on things which didn't matter.
"I already don't like her."
"She gets that a lot."
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"Winter sounds like a troubled time. But as there is a rising of life, so too much there be death. The cycle seems true for even the weather, though I still don't understand it in proper. I think it is hard for me to do so, as I have never experienced cold."
A withered leaf flew by. Lyriel following it with her eyes, as the brown, dry leaf went down the streets, cast along with a mild breeze.
"Season change is not far away...
*sigh* I have been told of the dark areas, where lift cannot find hold, through thick branches. I offered to change that, but some wish for that darkness. It is where they make their home, and I cannot take that from them. If snow proves troublesome for me, I may have to forgo my want for light, to seek shelter for a time, beneath those hallowed branches.
As for how it ails you, it saddens me to hear that. Please, when winter come then, do not hesitate to join me within the forest. I shall make sure you're kept safe from freezing in place."
She were not sure what that would entail exactly, but the animals had told her how it affected the rivers, and smaller ponds. If it were akin to that, she had a troubling season ahead. But they'd see. Perhaps it were not so bad, right? What were it after all, besides just another part of nature's splendor, that she had yet to experience?
She'd wander down the streets, caught in thought for a moment.
"...Sorry, I thought of another cycle now. One where life went beyond what it should have, and changed things for the worse. Sometimes when there is silence, I think of those times, and you mentioning how there would be less in the forest...
*sigh* But I don't want to bring the mood down. I'm sorry for that, my friend. Have you any preference as to where we should go now? It seems to be a street, focused on accessories for the body and homes of the equines."
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On 2022-01-08 at 1:08 PM, Catpone Cerberus said:That didn't mean she was above subtle threatening though, as she cracked her knuckles while giving a side-glance towards the creatures' general direction, what made this special though, was the fact that Chega was still holding tight on her arm, and did not let go, so Sear ended up lifting the kobold in the air with one hand while she did it, and the love stricken Chega looked like she could explode from the amount of delight she felt. Sheska and Trox held chuckles in as they watched their friend, her joy made them happy too.
Onache actually had a smile on her face too as she saw this. It did not last long, before she put the facade back up again. But there were a few seconds of her having a more warm, delighted look on her face.
As mentioned, she did not meddle in true love, and in fact, adored seeing it. It wasn't something realistic for her kin, nor were it something she actively sought out, but it were a weakness of hers when she saw it. To a point where she had actively let some go, when her hive had taken over towns, to get hold of new victims, if she saw them proving true, mutual love for one another. A rising crush, or tolerance, were not what she sought though. It had to be so warm, that it was almost burning. Like it were for these two.
Had she planned on taking over this town, they would've had their mind altered, and been let go. Which were a compliment, that she had found were not seen as kindly as it were meant. So it stayed with her. Though she'd have to get used to this feeling eventually. The harsh lands her hive had been in, where most were together for survival and tradition, did not leave much room for true love. Equestria though, had it far more frequently. Though these two, were the first that she had met thus far, that she could say had that spark so brightly, it nearly (metaphorically) blinded her.
On 2022-01-08 at 1:08 PM, Catpone Cerberus said:Sear was the one to answer the question, as Chega took a moment to gather her thoughts after such a great experience, it wasn't hard to tell that Sear's strength was something the kobold adored. "There isn't any specific reason, we travel around in and outside Equestria, Ponyville just was next on the list." "Next we'll head up north and turn around to head west." as Chega pressed herself even closer to Sear, she wrapped her tail partly around Chega's, she would have put her arm around her, but Chega was still holding on it. "When will you leave?" Sear shrugged "When we feel like it."
"Before coming here, I lived as a nomad. It is not a lifestyle for all, but it has its charm, to go where the mood strikes. Not a life many finds fitting, but I can respect that you living it. Far too many ignores the call in their being, when it draws them to leave stability, for the great unknown.
In your travels, have you ever been to the Pearl Dunes? A pale desert, where the dunes have claimed so many over the years, that it does not take long to find a bleached bone, poking out from the sand. It is out to the west. If you have not, I would suggest you avoid it. There are water to be found, but the locals are... Suspicious and difficult. Music does not sway them to ones side all that easily."
That were where she came from. And frankly, they had their reasons to be suspicious. Her hive had been there after all, causing them to have to be, to not get taken one by one. Hmph. Fools never understood she never wanted to eradicate them. She needed them to thrive after all, or there would be no food for her hive. Taking them all would be outright self-destructive.
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Shark would make sure that none of them escaped. Including the ones who tried to run off, as she chased them down. What happened with them, were hard to say, but the gurgling sounds, and yelps, told quite a story. As did it when she came back, licking her lips, and shaking her mane once more for a few frog pieces.
"Frog is bad. Creator make me, to hunt frog. I remove them, then she happy, yes? So she not send me back?"
She'd scratch her mane, and get a stuck bone dislodged, that'd scurry across the ground. It was pretty grim looking around. Just like Light said, though Shark saw it only as a compliment. She was a predator after all. Saying she were vicious, were like saying one focused on their looks, were pretty. Or complimenting the genius, of a smart one.
By equine standards, she were also on the prettier side, but she didn't really think on that at all. It just happened naturally. Had she a say, her mane would likely be far smaller, so she didn't get it stuck on anything, but she had been made this way, and liked having hair. So she didn't mind having this soft layer on her head and rump.
Her ear perked when she heard a larger gurgling sound from deeper into the forest, and looked over towards Light, with a big, sharp grin on her soft face.
"I hear big frog! They make small ones. We hunt frog, we do good. You are good hunter, friend. Want to join? We get other friend to safe place, then hunt frogs. All bad frogs, all gone. Is okay they go. I hunt other things too. Fish is yummy. Other frogs sometime. Small. Very weak. Still yum yum."
Limbo were not good in the fight, so if they could get her to safety, it were a good time to hunt, for the two hunters. She'd even share the food with Light, though she didn't think he'd like it. Ponies did not seem to eat meat, but this one had blades in his hooves. Maybe he were different? Great hunter for sure. That was nice seeing.
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Soul would be walking back this time, rather than wandering in shadows, but it were easy to tell he were not happy with it. Primarily, because others avoided him, like he were a shark in a flock of salmon. Every time he went nearer, they'd part away, and he'd grumblingly keep moving forward.
Magnolia were lucky her affiliation with shadows, wasn't so viewable, as he were. Whereas she could get by, looking like a beautiful pony, ,he could not escape the look of death that went over him. Not without wearing so much, and so heavy clothing, that it were essentially pointless. Cause then others would avoid him for being the creepy stallion in a robe and face mask. He actually couldn't win. Only his general, never judged him for how he looked, but she hadn't work for him right now. Not until he were back on top of things, so he couldn't even be around there, to feel somewhat accepted.
"Yeah yeah, we'll go see the damned."
"Did you have a nice time with uncle?"
"It was fine. Old geezer have to take better care of himself."
"Don't think I haven't tried telling him, but alas, you know how stubborn he can be."
The two exchanged a small nod, agreeing with that statement, before Dread would address the group.
"Soul will see you there safely. Don't worry about the stand, I will pack it down for you.
Hope to see you again another time. And do please behave. That goes for all of you. I don't want to hear about you three fighting one another."
"I'll do my part.
Anyway, you two. You I'm sure could travel like I do, but what about your friend here? Because I can't bring passengers."
It wasn't true. He totally could, but it was a harrowing, horrifying experience to go through, for the uninitiated. It were probably best if he avoided that. Especially since if she struggled, she might get lost there, and it'd be a whole thing trying to find her- Frankly, he didn't care about the hassle, in case Zeehva got some sort of psychological trauma from this.
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On 2022-01-10 at 8:42 AM, Rising Dusk said:"Why darling, you just look tres magnifique," Dawn admired, using that same accent she used when speaking to the sales ponies. Rising nodded his own approval. Well outside the norm from what he's seen in Harrowmark, but still sticking with esthetics that wouldn't be too far lost in that land. Transformed with discount and soon to be disposed season collection. "Dress sizes are always made larger off-the-shelf. Much easier to remove and tuck than add fabric to a smaller dress,"
"Can't imagine it helping, that I'm leaner than most ponies I've seen in this town. You all seem to be rather well fed."
It could be seen as an insult, but that fact went right over her head right now. It were just sa statement to her, that the Equestrians seemed to be at good health. Not implying something else, as the dress hung loose on her. Or it did, until it were fitted by Dawn. Was it perfect? No, but it were still an impressive sight, compared to what she had before. She liked the feeling of it too. Nice and soft, compared to her more rough attire from before, which she assumed, most Equestrians saw fit only for putting in a fireplace. Dawn likely would, given half the chance.
"Don't worry about the not perfect fit. It is close enough, and what little remains, I can find a seamstress to deal with. They'll likely find it fascinating to work with such soft material as this."
Lily would observe as Dawn paid for things, once more showing off her skills with making smaller spaces, hold far more than they should be able, when viewed from the outside. One day, when Lily were giving some edited literature to Dawn, she should remember to ask about this. She'd frankly like being able to do at least a few of these herself. It would make caring for the books she had to now, a fair bit simpler.
As the clerk would leave, Lily would say farewell herself, though she imagined the mare did not much care for her. A few things as to why came to mind, but the words she had, when going through the suits for Rising, came to mind as being perhaps too much for her.
On 2022-01-10 at 8:42 AM, Rising Dusk said:Putting the coin purse back into her jacket pocket she then removed the royal invitation Minty had delivered to them earlier. Floating the scroll over to her brother. "You have an appointment to keep dear brother. Let's not have you late," she smiled. Rising grabbed the scroll from Dawn rainbow aura. "Don't worry, I'll take care of Lily until the portal opens," Dawn got out as she knew the question was already coming. "Give me a lift?" Rising asked, but he could already see the rainbow tapestry being woven. "Bye bye," she waved a hoof at her brother and he was gone in a rainbow flash of light.
Dawn sighed, taxing with all the spellcasting today. Always crazy when her brother was around. "Tick tock... Ready?" she asked the newly dressed Earth Pony.
To Rising though, Lily hadn't a word to say. She'd let the moment be, between the siblings in peace, and merely just bow at Rising, before he were transported. He had much to do, and who knew how long time to do so in now. Here was hoping he could do so in time.
"Let's see. We're dressed for the occasion, your mother have been informed, and will likely prepare your father then. The princesses are dragging him in for a briefing, so they will know soon, and Rising have been informed what to expect. I think we are somewhat ready, though we should see how far the others are by now."
She'd float the ornament up again, and present what were happening there. Which honestly, were a lot. Specifically, the scry seemed to have been set in place, rather than allowed to keep following the group, and were left in a darkened room, with very scarce lighting. What were shown, int he flicking torchlight, were a stone room, with a dust altar in the midst. From the ceiling, hung a myriad of large, leathery cocoons, pale and violet in nature. They did not seem to have any movement though, nor did anything else stir within, but it still managed to make Lily give off a bemused sound.
"Twisted always assumed they had stored some of those away somewhere, but couldn't prove it. How fortunate. The High Priestess are going to need them to initiate new priests."
A wispy, pale mist would enter the room, as the door were opened. Three ponies, wearing thick metal armor with spikes, hiding their visage entirely, would enter, with a large cauldron in tow. Once they entered, they'd open the lid of it, revealing thankfully little of what were inside, beyond a pale liquid, and the slowly descending, dried up leg of a diamond dog.
They'd leave the room immediately, and lock the door behind them, as the liquid began to give off a misty aura, spreading throughout the room. It would cover the altar, the walls, and eventually the cocoons. And one by one, they'd begin to pulse, and for some of them, show some movement.
The largest of them, sitting in the closest corner, would have the shell crack in fact, and from it, would crawl out a large, pale moth, with the markings of bones in its wing pattern. The side of a farm dog easily, that'd hang and dry off in the dry cellar, as the smell wafted around its pale antenna.
One by one, the other cocoons would start to move too, and in time, they'd all end up hatching. Could be hours though. For now, there were just the one, who'd slowly move to look towards the cauldron, before slowly opening it's mouth, revealing it to have a long, hollow tongue, and small, sharp teeth. And from it's mouth, would come out a weak, guttural shriek, as it welcomed itself into the world.
"Aaah, the majesty of life. Are they not beautiful? The sacred giant moths, thought destroyed by Twisted centuries ago. And yet, they kept some in stasis, for gods knows how long. Tricky little ones, but it is good to see they're still present. Maybe when we arrive there, they'll be done hatching and eating, and we can be allowed to see them up close? We can only hope.
Sadly though, it seems they have removed my connection, so I don't know how far along they are. But if we're stationed in this room, it must be deep inside the castle, so I can imagine they have come quite far. A few hours at best now for sure, before something stirs. Not sure why they set the vision here though, but I can imagine, they wanted to give Rising something to see, as he were waiting."
Dawn were free to gaze at the oversized insects, as long as she wanted. Including when the first one would eventually be able to flap over, and partake in its fleshy feast. Though she might not want to. It wasn't pretty, for those who didn't like that sort of thing. Though the moth would thankfully shield most of the grizzly details, when it were on the cauldron itself, and eating. A merciful angle, that likely wasn't intended to be this limiting.
If she didn't care for it though, Lily were ready to move on to whatever were next, on Dawn's agenda.
========================================================================
On 2022-01-08 at 2:55 AM, EQ_Theta said:“That’s alright, Rosa. I’m the one who conducted the trades, and it is up to me to see that the artisans back home are repaid. I am open to suggestions on what I could give them. I’m torn between souvenirs or carving tools. There is merit in giving the folks back home something useful for their craft, but trading one good for an equivalent sounds fair.”
"Perhaps a compromise then? We can use some carving tools, to make them a carving, depicting regular Equestrian things, perhaps? I'd need a practice log to begin with, but I feel certain that we could make a souvenir with heart back at them, that would show how things are here. Or we could acquire one already carved, though we'd have to find a proper carver then. I think perhaps the tools are taking it too far, unless... Hmm... There are certain non-expensive tools, useful for the trade that one can find. Not the best cutting tools, but things such as tung oil, to soak the wood in, and giving it a nice finish, are fairly inexpensive. As would be some acrylic paint, ink, or even a large roll of sandpaper, to give the carvings a nice finish.
So not tools of their trade per se, but useful to help them in their work. A mixture perhaps, of a small thing, along with an example of Equestrian skills in the matter, like a carved horse or something. Those tend not to be hard to find fairly inexpensively either. A fair bit of options frankly, but maybe we'd be best on thinking about this for a little, and perhaps visit a show more specialized in selling the objects needed for home projects, rather than a full fledged creator, like your countrymen's shop. Though we could also ask him what things he makes use of, that would be useful. As he works with Equestrians tools, but knows what functions well where you come from, there were perhaps a professional opinion that one could get from him, yes?"
Honestly, it were likely the safest option. A longma in Equestria, who made a living off of wood carvings - even if it were in furniture - would know what would be appreciated, and not cross a line, more than they. That was his theory anyway, and it wouldn't be tested proper, before they had a chance to ask. At the very least, it couldn't hurt, right?
Also, regardless of what she said, Rosa intended to help with this. He would not take advantage of Lin's kindness. That simply wasn't okay, for someone that he thought of as a friend.
On 2022-01-08 at 2:55 AM, EQ_Theta said:“As for your guess on the halla, I wouldn’t know where to begin. It is a creature that many have claimed to see, but one that no one could confirm. If anything, it’s more of a tale told to inspire young longma to do good and be virtuous. Not sure if that says anything about them being able to speak with us because even the harts keep their distance and don’t look like the speaking type. The longma are good with that at the moment.”
"I'm sure we can find a book on the topic at some point, or ask a deer. They may know the inner workings of those better, as they are related to one rather closely, and potentially the second, in the case of the Halla. It might be interesting for you to meet a deer actually. Most have ideals, somewhat similar to the longma's. Albeit they are more open, and at times, makes contact with the world outside. Perhaps a fun expedition to take one of these days, when there is little to do, hmm?"
If the harts were truly tribal in nature too, and were sentient, perhaps there could come something good out of making contact with them. Potentially via another deer, or at least some indicator of how one should try. As the longma knew them, perhaps they'd make for the ideal first race to properly interact with? He needed more intel, before he could make much of a decision on this matter. Right now, all he could offer were suggestions, based on ideals. Not facts. Which wouldn't get them far.
On 2022-01-08 at 2:55 AM, EQ_Theta said:“Lin’s got Omen’s scent, and they are similar creatures at this point with her being part Ki’Nathar. Shrimp recognizes that, making her already familiar. I… had to spend some more time with Shrimp to get him to warm up to me. Feeding, playing, and talking with her seemed to work, and it helps to be gentle. It also wouldn't hurt if we ease up on coddling him.”
“Speaking of things that take a while, maybe we could get started on decorating? Where would you like to put the things Lin brought? I think a large wall would work nicely with the wood panels. It needs some space to give room for the whole carving.”
"So weapon myself with patience. Maybe after he have gotten used to my presence, it will help. Or I need to keep more snacks upon me. He seems perfectly eager to act nicely when he wants something."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"Technically yes. If he's not given some boundaries, he may start to feel like he should get everything he wants, and will cause a ruckus when he doesn't. Boundaries are important. Though it's hard to argue for doing currently, as all he seems to want is food, water, and rest. Denying him that in his growing state, would be rather cruel. I also don't think he is able to understand much of what you'd explain him, and think he were just being punished for now. We'll have to think on it when it comes to toys and such though. Maybe begin to set up a schedule of play time and such for him... More things to consider it seems.
Now then, regarding decorating, I think a nice, broad wall, that does not stand near where one might get smoke on it, would be there, in the living room. If we hang it across the wall on the left, it would be impossible to really miss it either. Doubly so, when sitting down, as much of the furniture is pointed towards that direction.
Try and find a good angle, and I'll scrounge up a few nails we can hang these from. I'm sure there's something somewhere."
Which there were. Small toolbox in the basement, in case of minor maintenance issues. They'd find what they needed there eventually, though Rosa would check the drawers here, in the main rooms, first.
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About August last year, you said I could do with Fheng what I wanted, if I had plans. So, I had her make it out of there, and cause some trouble, that'd make the sisters reflect on their place in life. Fheng wants vengeance, for her wings, her life, and the torment she endured.
As for how Ashclaw knew she were there? A mixture of instinct, and a warning that something familiar, had been noticed.
Also figured that now were as good a time as any, as The Grey were seemingly still dealing with the early day(s) of their new leadership (I think the changelings are further ahead, but not sure), so they wouldn't be around to stop stuff like this. Or were not as organized, though I could be wrong.
Regardless, you now have a vengeful escapee to deal with. Let's see where this'll lead.
And of course, lemme know if there's something to take into consideration here, and if what I wrote would go against what would happen in town normally. I can edit accordingly.
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(Sisters)
On 2022-01-09 at 9:02 AM, Illiad Easle said:"That's not good. Who wants you dead?"
Being in her head, Nine could pick and choose between those who got into her head as the adrenaline rush started. He could make quite a long list frankly, and these were just folks off the top of her head, though most wasn't local. Except for Vale. She had her up, due to how they still had a pretty strained history, after how Null had exploded at her and Pen some time ago. She really had to go and swallow her pride, to give them an apology for that honestly. Wasn't like she could keep claiming to herself, that she were in the right there.
But in regards to the current situation, Null weren't gonna just let this go. After the initial shock, she'd spread her wings, and fly up. Her teeth clenched tightly, and eyes starting to flare with anger, as she sought out whoever had figured it a bright idea to impale her face. She were gonna strangle them, with their own intestines!
Void would reach up as she saw Null rise, and with a desperate voice call out her name, clearly wanting her sister to stay down here, and seek shelter. But Null wasn't hearing it. She might have been the one attacked, but she saw this as an attack that could go on Void, and she needed to protect her family.
But there were nothing up there. Whomever had been there before, were just gone. No one were in the air, no one were on the roof. Just... Nothing.
That is, until someone went with substantial haste, out of a darkened alley below her, right towards Void. Though they did not get far, before Ashclaw came out as well, and basically dived into whomever this were, with her talons, causing whomever it were to ride across the ground, under the pressure from own body weight.
A meter or so forth, and she'd then push down hard, to force the one she hit further along, whilst jumping off, and landing calmly on the dirt. Right in front of Void, who were looking to be in a mixture of fear, and being a few seconds away from randomly kicking things, until she hurt someone.
Ashclaw took a step forth, and from the ground, picked up a spear that the one she stomped, apparently had been grasping, and broke it in half.
"Are you done?"
The one laying on the ground would rise up, and shake the dirt from themselves, before turning around. The ratty cloak they had used, now more or less entirely ruined, and not able to hide the identity of the griffon, whose wings laid thinly down her side.
No, they were not thin. As she stretched, one could see it were more severe, as not a feather were seen upon them, nor were any flesh. They were skeletal in nature as if this were a member of the undead. An assumption which were not quite accurate, but not without some truth to it, as the griffon turned, and put her angry, steely gaze upon Ashclaw. The latter of whom got a spark of recognition in her own eyes, as she faced one, whom she had thought wouldn't be part of her life any further.
"Fheng."
"𝔗𝔥𝔦𝔰 𝔦𝔰𝔫'𝔱 𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔯."
Fheng had seen better days. Her wings were but one thing, but after the treatment she had gotten, when they left her for dead at the entrance, her entire coat of feathers looked bad. A fair few missing, with charred and frozen patches, somehow mixed across several areas of her body. Most of which could be dealt with, with the right sort of ointments, and time. Maybe even all of it, but she wasn't here for treatment. Her wound laid far, far deeper than this, and she were here to get the real cure: The life of the mare, whom sent her to damnation. And if possible, her brat of a sister too. Both of whom deserved to burn through flames far hotter than those she had endured.
Null recognized both the look, and the voice, and she swooped down, wingblades on the ready, prepared to strike. But she'd get nowhere near, before Fheng threw down a smoke bomb, and when the smoke cleared - helped in part, if not solely, by Ashclaw bashing her wings - Fheng would be gone. Some steps would indicate where she had gone for a brief time, but they'd vanish soon after. Might be she couldn't fly anymore, but she wasn't gonna be easy to track regardless.
As for Null, she'd just hit barren dirt, and look around, infuriated, and looking for a fight, whilst Ashclaw looked around, and listened in, prepared for a nother arrow to fly. Yet none would come. It seemed she had withdrawn for now.
(Molotov)
On 2022-01-09 at 9:02 AM, Illiad Easle said:"I'm sure he deserved it."
"ℍ𝕖 𝕕𝕚𝕕. 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕟𝕠 𝕦𝕤𝕒𝕘𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕖𝕢𝕦𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕨𝕖𝕒𝕜𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝕟𝕠 𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕟𝕤𝕦𝕝𝕥𝕤."
"Big words, from someone whose existence came 'bout cause my head ain't all that weak."
The two of them would bicker low key for a bit after that. Carmen however, would rather continue to address Vale.
"Large sister and creator, they always argue. I want to know about smart lady. Smart lady is helping with problem, yes? Not hurting creator more? So... Smart lady is safe? Friendly?"
Carmen wanted to make connections with any and all, non-clown creatures, that seemed to be broadly speaking, a good being. Vale had not started off well in her estimates, but she were hoping that maybe now, things were different. She'd like to make friends, like ponies did. It were one reason she for one, were happy to hear about the other design, that Molotov had in mind for her. She were not one like Felicia, that liked what she were, as it were efficient for combat, and she were proud of it. Carmen were a smaller mind, that grew up full of wonder, and curiosity, about the world she had been brought into. She did not feel an urge to fight all that much, and even then, were too harmless to really do something. She'd much rather live among ponies, looking like them, and experience the world like they did.
If Vale said she were safe, at some point, Carmen would likely try and get closer, and make physical contact. Hesitantly at first, and not today, but eventually. Though in fairness, Vale had blasted a hole in her creator's ear. There were reason for skepticism.
On 2022-01-09 at 9:02 AM, Illiad Easle said:Provided nothing happened during the night on Molotov's end, Vale would get up just a bit after the sunrise, leaving her shelter deployed with most of her supplies inside she packed a smaller utility bag to go with her into the facility before moving over to the elevator shaft that Felicia had used to explore, "Alright, you all ready do go down?"
As the subject wasn't gonna go further, the lot of them would get to rest. Carmen shutting down in the tent, along with Molotov, and Felicia running on power saving alert mode. Long as nothing registered nearby, she'd remain stationary, and using very little power. Were something to happen, she'd jump into action though. Lest it were too far away. There were a certain radius, one had to work with, in this mode of hers.
As morning went up, Carmen would scurry out, and bask int he light, to recharge a little. Something Felicia had done since the sun rose, and basked itself across her metallic, and glas-laiden surface. Nothing had happened in the night, beyond some tracks indicating that a few dune foxes had gotten close by, and curious. Likely scared off by Felicia, once they got close enough, and she started to move.
With nothing else going on, Molotov would've geared up, eaten a fruit, and then come over to the shaft, chewing the last mouthful down, whilst looking down.
"Well ain't that something? Aight, you first, Felicia. This here's your mess. Only fair you clear first."
She'd go, but would 'accidentally* hit Molotov with the flat of her front-most left leg, as she passed them and would then make her way down.
A minute or so later, barring something making noise, Molotov would spread his wings, and crack his neck.
"Aight, sounds safe'ish. Let's see what we gotta deal with."
And with that, he'd make his way down the elevator shaft too. Time to see what sorta menaces they'd end up dealing with.
(Changelings)
On 2022-01-09 at 9:02 AM, Illiad Easle said:She'd find Ace at the front of the Casino, attempting to interact with a mare who had a distinctly vacant expression, a hallmark of those who had spent too much time close to the dragons of Tartarus Pits and had been enthralled by them. Her expression gained some small amount of lucidity when she saw Bling, but Ace was faster in approaching her, "Ma'am, this mare here," he gestured to the enthralled one, "says she's supposed to pass a message to you personally, I was about to send someone to look for you actually."
He stood a bit to the side, still standing mostly in between the mare and the changeling in case something happened. The mare approached, bowed, then began, "Portens and Fortis (The dragons) extend their congratulations on your successful acquisition and re-opening of the Top Suits. They are inviting you to take the late Mr. House's place in the casino head meetings so that cooperation may continue to your mutual benefit. If you agree, another will come with the details."
The mare didn't even need to say who'd sent her. The vacant expression, and odd feelings wafting off of her, were pretty clear indicators. The dragons had a certain effect on others after all, and especially for changelings, it were a weird, unmistakable blend of emotions, somewhat akin to slowly dampening euphoria, and waking up from a pleasant dream. With a few extra layers for extra spicing.
Ace wouldn't have to bother standing where he did though. Bruce would take a step forth, and be between them himself. Allowing vision for the infatuated mare, but not passage. It'd be over his dead body at least. Or more likely, hers. Though he'd probably not kill her. Just slam her away, in case something happened. He'd been well explained what sort of response were okay, based on the various threat levels of others. Murder were an extreme situation, sort of thing.
"Oh how lovely of them. Of course I agree. Though might I offer you something before you leave? A cup of tea? A snack? I don't want it to seem unfriendly here."
Real case were that she wanted to give her a chance to *sober up* a little, so to speak. It wasn't good to be near the dragons for that long, and frankly, she'd prefer to use her own changelings for stuff like this. They had some varied resistance to the two, with likely their best being Glum Plumb. She'd succumb eventually, like everyone else would, but she could last hours, and frankly would probably like to deliver some messages back and forth with those. She liked the more gruff, dark atmosphere, over this light and bright place. It were more her vibe, and since the messages likely wouldn't be so frequent, maybe the apathy changeling would be able to deal with it well enough.
Alternatively, it'd have to be Fluttery-Doo, though there the problem were the opposite. Wasn't that she didn't care being around the same creatures, for long periods of time. More like other creatures, mostly couldn't deal with interacting with her, for more than a half hour at a time. With a few exceptions.
As for what the meetings with the casino heads would entail? No idea, whatsoever. Good that Ace were here then, to fill her in later. He probably had some sort of idea about it. She just somehow kept things going from a hive perspective, and had a last say in some things, whilst he were dealing with things in general. Which suited her better. Meant she could still do good deliveries at times. Didn't sit right with her, not to interact with others. It felt... Icky.
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Sorry for being gone some days, without a notice. Had to go on a trip for a few days, and of course, I forgot to post the message I had written about there going a few days extra.
So yeah. My bad there. Will go back to the regular schedule from tomorrow, with hopefully no issues anytime soon.
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(Sisters)
"I'm sure she is, Arcade. Soon as they come back, she'll probably have a lot of stories to tell."
""Got a few tales I wouldn't mind asking her myself, but it'll be friendly. I promise I ain't gonna kneecap her."
Primary one being why she left the foals alone underground, with monsters around them, but that was for another time. Arcade seemed to be thinking right now, and weren't too grand on talking.
He wouldn't have long to think before they got to the workshop though. About 5-7 minutes, depending on traffic, before they were at the workshop. But they wouldn't be alone.
Standing near the door, around, and then settling her eyes on them, were Ashclaw. Her eyes scrutinizing the three, and the reactions she saw from the two mares, at the recognizable robes. That being worry and beginning fear from Void, and bubbling rage from Null, who took a step forth, and were about to spew off something. That were, until the griffon suddenly rushed towards her, and quickly reached a hand out. Null took a step back, and readied herself to jump at this griffon, wanting to beat the tar out of her. But then, something strange happened.
As Ashclaw had jumped forward, Null had missed the whooshing sound of something flying through the air. And a few inches from where her face had been, she would now notice that there were something pointy towards her. Not talons, but an arrow, clutched in the grip of Ashclaw's now motionless hand. She had noticed the arrow, and rushed forth to stop it from killing this one. Which it likely would've. One nasty piece of work this arrow. Sharp as all hay, and ragged, which meant that it wouldn't have been easy to get out. Honestly ended up hurting Ashclaw's hands a bit, but she didn't dignify that annoyance with any sort of yelp. She were more busy looking up at the roof of the workshop, where she'd see a motion. More it didn't take for her to growl slightly, and in a low voice going "Pesky prey", before taking off up there, on her hunt of the one who had been about to kill Null.
In case Nine had interfered first, she would go straight to hunting the assailant regardless, intending to ask questions about the potential interference later.
Either way, Null and Void would be left with hearts pounding, and a broken arrow on the ground, that had almost been embedded into Null's head. Specifically, her right eye socket, to make sure it went in and did as much damage as possible.
Both were baffled, and not sure what to say for a moment here.
As for why Ashclaw had helped them? Well, she had many reasons. One being a vested interest in not being present on a scene of a murder, considering her full acknowledgement of how shady she looked. The blame would easily be shifted towards her. And on some level, she supposed she cared a little, tiny bit about Molotov, and figured it wouldn't go well, if she let his crush's sister get impaled.
(Molotov)
17 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:"Special? I don't know what you mean by that, but I am unique at the very least. Still, most everyone is special in their own way. As to creator, if you mean inventor, like... him... then no, I am just a researcher. I guide the inventors along with data and theories, but I haven't invented anything myself. If, however, you mean mother... then also no, I haven't had the opportunity to create fawns."
"No creator. But smart lady still, yes? Research important. Helps make. Inventor and researcher, help make special things. You make special things some day too. I believe."
"She's a sweetheart, ain't she? My first success into making a proper AI, and harmless as can be. Though she'll jump a clown, any day. Used a clown head toy to run some tests, and ergh... Might've given her a phobia, or somethin'.
Anyway, bear with her on her speech a bit. As I said, she's the first, and as such, she ain't as advanced as Felicia here is. She lacks the components to really expand her intellect, but she's doing her best. Even working on a concept for a new chassis for her, that's more equine, and allows for enough space for proper, equine levels of intellect, without going overboard. Offered it to Felicia too, but she weren't a fan of going away from her arachnid chassis.."
"Large sister, put creator head in web. Stuck to wall. Small filly laugh long at him."
18 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:Security, Comprehension, Progress. Taking the anomolous, strange, and unique things of the world, studying them, and hopefully gaining some new understanding from it. Innocence depends on your terms of morality, is a cursed creature innocent of the curses effects? Maybe, but they are nonetheless dangerous, and need to be kept contained until such a time as they are not dangerous. I won't ask you to agree, just that you understand: We prioritized the safety of the many over the dignity of the few."
She looked away, "The facility was designed well to keep them in there, especially if everything collapsed. All this loose sand would ensure they never escaped if the halls collapsed. I've no doubt they'll be secure down there if left alone. The only one intelligent enough to get out would be the mask, maybe the doctor, but the rest are just items or animals. You've nothing to worry about with me guiding you."
She closed her eyes for a bit, the exposed metal on her forehead glowing faintly, "We should rest, best to enter the facility in the morning, at full strength, we can discuss the more individual dangers then."
"Ergh... Bit torn, if I'm honest. Cause I get you folks. Considering everythin', it ain't unreasonable to wanna take the bad stuff outta rotation, and then try and save some lives that way.
At the same time, things starts getting iffy, when it comes to real beings. You say curse for example, right? Void's a good example here. She's got a curse going. Ain't strictly harmful, long as she ain't somewhere 'round life-supporting magic, or other important sorts. Think her living in a more rural area, and things are probably fine and dandy, yeah? Would she have gotten tied up, and forced into one of these things, because of it? Just because there's a few cases, where it could go wrong, despite it being easy to handle? I'd argue it's a case per case, sort of thing here.
So like, say someone had one of them curses, where folks around them would develop some serious illnesses, or mutate. There, best for them, and others, would be to get them somewhere safe, where they ain't hurting another. Make sure they're comfy where they go, and treat 'em with some dignity though, 'til they can get helped. They're still living creatures after all. Can't go treating that sort like objects. Not saying you did, just giving my two bits on the whole shebang.
So yeah. I get the point in everything here. Sounds like there might be need for somethin' like it again, down the line too. Just hoping whoever gets with that, remembers not being soulless. Ain't nothing good ever come from reducin' folks to objects and numbers.
Anyway, you got a point. Felicia? Mind bringing the tent over?"
He'd get the tent from her, after she skittered over to him, and he pulled it out of her *bag*. Just a matter of setting it up then, but that weren't all that hard. Pretty standard thing really. Didn't have room for Felicia, but she tended to dislike tents too. Said they felt restrictive. Frankly, Molotov figured that she had some level of cabin fever, after her early existence, were being tethered in his workshop. His bad on that one.
(Changelings)
17 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:Rasputin nodded, "I assume the transition for you will be no less jarring than it was for me to become a King, though you don't have to learn how to transform or eat like I had to. Still, there will be some things that I will not be able to teach you about being queen, perhaps it would be best to delay only enough that we could ensure a visit from one of the other queens soon after your emergence, to serve as your guide? I could travel to Blackwater for Queen Oracle while you are metamorphizing."
"I've met one who had been transmuted to a changeling before. Not a king, just regular. From what he said, it wasn't easy getting used to. Said he was horrified at first, and ran away, scared and confused. Cheshire helped him best she could, but he eventually wandered off. Said he needed to find himself somewhere out there. Best we could do, was to tell him about Fright's temple, and then direct him towards it. We heard she helped others, who were confused, and needed guidance. *sigh* I hope he found some peace, before it all went wrong.
Anyway, your point about another queen, It'd be lovely. And I hear many good things about Queen Oracle, so it'd be a pleasure to meet her."
17 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:He smirked, "The both of them are performing admirably. I suspect that Mr. House was training Ace to some capacity before his death, which would explain his apparent aptitude for the task. I don't think you'll have anything to worry about on their part."
He nodded, "If that's all then?"
"Yeah, that's all. Figured I'd keep you in the loop, y'know? There'll probably come some responses over the next few hours, if anyone want to join in with what The Grey are cooking up. Guess I should go inspect things a bit. See you later, Rasputin. Take care of yourself."
She'd see Rasputin off with a big smile on her face, but when he left, she'd sit on her own again. At which point, her smile would falter a bit, and she'd let out a deep sigh.
"Oh Epsilon. What have you gotten yourself into, you poor thing?"
She supposed, there were nothing she could do to change the mare's fate, but she did feel sad about it. The poor mare had enough weighing on her, and then this, on top of it? She seemed to carry herself well, but honestly, she wondered...
But there were little she could do now. Best to just try and get on with her day, and right now, that meant finding Ace, and seeing how he did personally. Couldn't hurt, right?
So she'd go out of the office, and go around looking for him. With Bruce silently in tow of course. As a good guard, he didn't leave his queen alone, even within their own casino. One could never tell what might happen.
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"Aloof and easy going, definitely sounds like an air dragon. It's not guaranteed, but we sorta have traits.
Like, wind aligned ones are aloof and carefree. They enjoy life, and sort of rolls with the punches, when things happens.
That's one reason why the earth aligned ones and them doesn't get along. They're very stoic and stubborn. Focused, and if they set their mind to something, they're the most duty bound you'll find.
Fire ones like myself, are passionate. Be it to our mates, or our enemies, we wear our emotions on our sleeves. We're the sort who'd tear down whole towns, if it meant saving one we cared about.
Water ones are a bit uh... Feral. No one really gets along with them, since they're highly territorial, and hostile to anyone they don't trust. Which is most. Though if you ever befriended one, you'd probably find your closest ally in your life, since they're protective, and caring about those they let near. Unless you betray them. They'd probably drown you then.
Not entirely sure why us fire and the water ones doesn't get along. Stories goes we were fighting over the same thing a long, long time ago, and neither side have really gotten over it. I dunno, hard to say, yeah?
Anyway, there's physical signs too, if you've seen that, with other dragons? Like fire being able to take a lot of heat. Wind being the best flyers, and generally having the physique to go with it.. Earth ones are robust, muscle sorts, you'd break a hand on, trying to punch. And water ones have gills and fins. Though I doubt you've seen the water ones. They rare move away from their areas in the ocean, even if they can live out of water."
What fun it were to discuss draconic differences like this. Not a lot really asked, so it were nice getting the chance. Though he might also soon have to get involved, in keeping the two hot heads apart. They seemed to be getting ready to have a fight. Though Kaltrops in general seemed that way. Pretty big signs he was a fire aligned one, but nothing were really set in stone, with the generalized ideas of 'em. Or he could be a hybrid element, which had the chance to go either way.
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"Griffin raised? Cool. Would've figured you'd have attacked me by now then. Those birds just can't take a joke.
I were raised by a serpanther, called Zhu. Sneaky thing made some cultists revive me, then stole me away, to teach me how to be a good, productive draconequui. And also how to make a special kind of seed, that'd turn a desert into a jungle. Awh man, you should've seen it. It was amazing. Course the creatures there that turned into plant ponies weren't too thrilled, but some sorta *greater good* bla. bla. bla. thing. Too much *karma* and *balance* for me to get a grip on everything he says. Talks more in tongues than a zebra sometimes."
"Serpanther, eh? Well that's a special one. Don't see a lot of those 'round anymore."
"Eh, they're here, they're there. If it starts looking bad, I'll go gather 'em all up, and make a special place for them, so they can make lots more. I'd make more myself, but where's the fun in old designs? I like new ones."
She'd snap her tail at that point, and make some rocks rise up of the ground. All of which suddenly had mysterious beams of light beathing down on them, to make them more enticing.
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Blitz wasn't scared at all, from seeing Atzy eat the gem. She were just looking up with those big, innocent - and slightly manic - eyes of hers, curiously following the process, and giggling slightly when she saw there being gem pieces, between her teeth.
"Hehe, that's funny. You want more gems? I have some in my workshop. They're not good in bombs, but I find them sometimes when I blow up rocks. Usually I just gave them to Rarity, but if you want some for munchies, you can have them."
She barely had a use for them as it were, as she couldn't exactly cut in them with the tools she had around here anyway, so perhaps they'd make for a good snack item for her new friend? She just kept the ones she had because she hadn't had the time to bring them to Rarity yet, and she liked the shiny look sometimes.
"One of them's pretty funny. It goes *ba-bump, ba-bump* and is all pulsating and stuff. I put it in a special case. I think it's an aquamarine. Kinda looks like that one Rarity showed me anyway. With teeth."
Enzo perked his ears as he heard that, but just kept walking for now. This were a pretty strange thing for the filly to say, or if true, to have found. What kind of gem had teeth, and pulsated?
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"Maybe she doesn't, but someone might know about her. She seemed powerful. Strong ponies, should be known about by others. Or maybe there's something in this place. Macabre might be a family name. Could be some sort of book about her."
If they looked around, they'd probably be able to find a book, at least mentioning them. The Macabre clan were one of the oldest family lines in Equestria, spanning back to the latter, of Discord's rule over Equestria. They had a notable estate in the middle of a large forest, in which three towns were situated.
The bat pony town of Moonlit Thicket, known to host quite a few late night festivals.
The Breezie town of Glitter Groove, in which few outsiders were allowed to visit.
And Somber Heights, the village of pegasi, known for their speed races and golf tournaments.
In the midst of where these towns were placed, laid Willow's Heart. A smaller town, in which there were only really two things of note. That being the large mansion, and surrounding area, primarily lived in by the Macabre Clan, and the council house, in which the leaders of the three cities would join up to discuss things impacting their communities. The Council of Three Wings technically didn't have a representative of the Macabre clan as a voting member, but the clan handled security in their area, in lieu of royal guards, and their leader's opinion had some weight with the council. And that leader currently, were Madamme Macabre. Formerly known as Grave Reaper, before she took over the clan, and the name associated of its matriarch, some fifty years ago. For a mare in her seventies, she aged quite well.
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On 2022-01-05 at 1:06 AM, Magnolia said:Magnolia looked directly within Dread's eyes upon those words and smiled. "I've been discriminated against my entire life, when I see the eyes of one who has been I feel a sense of kinship, if it were. As I do with you. I don't see anything to fear from you or your family, or your craft. For those that are - they simply don't understand what the world really is. I do hope that changes because so many often go through their lives idly by in ignorance of the truth." she spoke with hope, but also a great deal of dis-satisfaction within her word.
"There were a time, when our kind would be imprisoned, run out of towns with torches, or far worse. Equestria adapts, albeit slowly. But one have to persevere to be accepted, and foremost, show that you have no ill intent. Most fears those who dabble in death, because of the few who abuses that. So we need to prove to them, that we are not like that, and that we can be trusted. Every time one fails that, those who judge, will feel vindicated. When that happens enough, persecution will follow."
On 2022-01-05 at 1:06 AM, Magnolia said:To Belladonna she understood her word perfectly and nodded. "Definitely something I seek someday, when the conditions are ripe. It is something on the road map but there are many things for me to arrive at first. I am not the best of...ponies, and I am working on that. I am curious about Zebras in general though. I find that I don't understand a lot of their customs and I wouldn't mind learning from them." she stated. According to Belladona's observations, Magnolia seemed to be quite in shape for a Unicorn. Unicorns do not have her intense facial expressions or her strong build of legs. Her body was more built like an Earth pony if anything, but that was not by birth but by of her own accord. Magnolia was no doubt a strong, self assured mare - but why did it seem like she was more nervous than her body gave the impression of?
Definitely something to ask about if she wanted. But regardless, Magnolia looked to Zeehva and Belladonna. No doubt she was ready to go to Dread's homestead now.Belladonna noted the nervousness, but didn't judge based on that. She tended to make others nervous at times, as she weren't exactly easy to read. Which were by design too., but did have some drawbacks. She did consider that Magnolia may have something to hide, but lest it were something that would directly harm them, she saw no need to interfere yet. It may also be that she had done something, and the talk of persecution made her think of it. A grizzly affair perhaps, yet Equestria were supposed to give second chances. SO she'd let it be for now, and assume the mare were simply worried about them bringing it up, in some fashion.
"There are two zebra who lives in Canterlot. I can direct you towards them, once our order have been completed, and delivered. It should prove educational."
"I wouldn't mind. I miss speaking with them. B-But uhm, we'll look at that, once I'm done. I'll make sure to have it there within a week, as promised. Just have to find a few more ingredients out there."
"Very well. We will see you at that point then. Please sign here though, and we shall be on our way."
Belladonna would present them with a very simple contract. Standard issue, for deals such as this, which were mostly a formality, unless either part attempted to cheat the other. Zeehva would read it over to make sure, then sign it, and wave the two away, as they went on. And then, she'd use her horn to gather up the fifty bit coins she had gotten, into her saddlebag. This should last them for a fair while. And that was even before they got to how she'd make more, once she had crafted the other potions. This were good.
I guess I don't have to sell the other potions for now then. Do you uhm, know when Soul is back?"
"I doubt it will be long. Try and sell what you have set up as is. I shall help you clean up when it is done."
"Thank you. That's very kind."
It'd be about ten minutes, before Soul would wander back to them. And in that time, Zeehva had sold most of her premade potions. If she were willing to sell it, Magnolia would've made a sale too, from some that'd like to buy the stink bombs. Zeehva would've diluted it as she waited, and separated the resulting mixture, into five different packs. Wasn't high value stuff, but for foal pranks, or jock sorta gags, it'd do nicely, and should be worth about five bit per pop. Which Zeehva would tell her, should be what they were set at, with a possible *buy all* combination price. As the materials were inexpensive, one shouldn't get greedy with the final price.
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Light might not help Limbo, but if she would require it, Shark would jump over, maw wide open, and begin her assault on them.
And it were merciless, as well as sloppy. The aftermath were grizzly, as she'd attack them like a beast, and just splatter them over multiple surfaces. The sad remains would lay torn and bruised in a rather large area, and she'd get almost all of them., with or without help from others. Except for two, who'd make a run for it. They might be brutish, ever hungry little monsters, but even they understood that they were up against superior predators, and had to run away, before they too ended up cut, burnt, or torn asunder.
If they managed to run off, she'd go and take off after them, lest she were distracted. If not, Shark would stand in the middle of the carnage around them, and begin shaking of chunks and such, from her coat. Starting from her tail, and moving upwards. She'd need a punge into a river eventually though, to get clean. Her pale coat, made it pretty easy to see when she wasn't clean, so there were no hiding the spots of various origins for her.
A messy sort, but such were life as a predator. Things didn't always go cleanly.
"Friends okay? Is more frog in there. I hear them. Smell too. Ready for big hunt now, yes?"
They couldn't just leave the creatures be after all. had to handle the mess further, before things would get a little haywire.
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16 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:“Maybe one day, I could watch how you’d fish using that technique. It would certainly be something different than the spear fishing I learned. At least it keeps the fish alive, compared to needlessly skewering something unintended. Maybe it’ll be more relaxing than watching the water in anticipation.”
"For some it's relaxing. For others, it's tedious, as it can be hours just sitting there, with the sound of nature, and your own thoughts, whilst waiting for a bite. Fly fishing is more active, if that's more your sort of thing though. As for the method, spear fishing have a higher catch rate, so to speak, if you do it right. Fishing with a line is a lot about patience, and luck. Of course, it does guarantee the fish dies, but if you intend to eat it, or feed it to another, there's nothing wrong in that. Long as they're not going to waste. That is the important part."
Needlessly killing for no reason, were not something Rosa were much of a fan for. If one had to hunt, or fish, it should be done with an expectation, that the prey would be used in some way. Or if not that, then have the method being non-lethal. Spear fishing were a thing that he would admit to have done a few times, but overall, he were not a big fan. When he fished, he did so to relax, whereas for spear fishing, it were standing still, and waiting to strike. To Rosa, that were just work, but in a river. Not all that relaxing, frankly.
17 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:“I’ll be sure to let the folks back home know their work is appreciated. I… kind of owe them something for these carvings, but that’s beside the point. Now, this deer-looking figure depicts a halla, and the longma have tales about them. The halla can sense the purity of one’s heart, and they come to those who are pure of heart to grant them a wish. Of course, some may have confused them with harts, creatures that resemble deer that can be seen more frequently in the forest.”
“The difference between them can be seen through the horns. I’m not sure what deer horns look like, but harts have much broader horns that resemble spikes. Halla horns are slender, point backward, and weave through and around each other.”
"If something is owed them, I will do my part in repaying that. It is only fair, considering where they are currently supposed to be placed.
As for deer, their bucks have rather impressive, branching horns, whilst the does have none. The horns on their males are not this slender and uniform though. And Halla... Halla... I can't place it, but I feel as if I've heard that word before. Somewhere out west. Peculiar creatures, it sounds like. A kin to genies in some way. Hopefully less intentionally spiteful though, if they can truly grant wishes.
The harts however, I do know. They're one of the deer variants, so if you've seen them, you know what a common deer looks like as well. Just think of them as more brown, rather than with the red coloring of the harts. I couldn't tell how feral Harts are comparatively though. Deer are higher sentient beings too, but they have their tribal lifestyle, which abhors modernization, in general. For all I know, Harts are further back than that. I must admit to have never met them. I've only seen pictures."
Much as he were knowledgeable about many things, and creatures, Rosa were not all knowing. He latched on to tidbits along his travels, as well as learned what he needed, about more important targets. The deer were rarely so, and Harts he'd never been sent anywhere near. They were unimportant, to the consortium.
19 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:Meanwhile, Sen walked up to Omen and Shrimp examining the tea brick and the new scorch mark. He hasn’t seen an instance of anyone’s noses getting irritated by the smell of dried tea leaves, but there was a first for everything. This brick of qimun leaves was a good choice, owing to a combination of its medicinal benefits and taste. This was the kind of tea that folks could drink in any occasion, and it might be something Rosa would like.
“Not much of a scent in dried leaves, but I guess you picked up a something because of your stronger sense of smell. It is more pleasant when the leaves are prepared for drinking.”
Seeing how soon after the sneeze, Shrimp would be back to sniff to the block some more, he may have just needed to sneeze. Or some dust had crawled up his nostrils. The tea didn't seem to irritate his nostrils anymore now though, as the refraction tried to scratch off some of the block to eat. If he succeeded, he would shove it in his mouth, and chew a bit, before spitting it out. Much too dry for him. Though if Lin for instance, told him to stop, he would do so, and look questioningly up towards whomever asked him to do so.
"Seems like he's curious. And would you look at that, he helped with the decorations. And here I thought he didn't care about me."
He'd try to tentatively move a hoof towards Shrimp, in whatever state he might be in now, and would retract it, once the refraction tried to bite out after him.
"I'm sure he'll warm up at some point. Might I ask what you all did to gain his favor? I know Omen have it, as she were the first one he saw. What of the rest? Have you any tricks I might use, beyond bribing him for a few seconds of compliance?
Ah, and of course, thank you for the tea. I shall make sure to put it somewhere safe, and boil some water for it when we have time later. I'm sure it will be lovely."
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On 2021-12-21 at 9:10 PM, Magnolia said:
"I am most interested in learning what you have spoke about. Seriously, I can't really thank you enough for providing this information and opportunity for me."
"Mine is a family of helpers. It is within us to assist others, though mostly how we do so, are seen as taboo. You and your friend have problems, that is within our powers to deal with, and so, we will do what we can. Even if that includes sending you to our homestead, where they can do more for you, than I. It is a shame I cannot do more myself, yet I trust that my family will give you the guidance you need. Though your ancestor is a stubborn one. It may take time for you to bond, so weapon yourself with patience."
Their knowledge of death were old and vast, yet sadly few were willing to hear, and even less learn from them. Even if they weren't hunted, shunned, or imprisoned anymore, there were still some less than kind words at times, towards those that meddles in death, within Equestria. The result of a few, making the rest seem bad sadly, combined with the aforementioned taboo aspect.
On 2021-12-21 at 9:10 PM, Magnolia said:Looking to Clayton and his companion as they interacted with Zeehva, she felt a sense of innocentness about how Zeehva conducted herself. It was pleasing to see Zeehva being able to conduct herself. Casually she'd look to Belladonna and Clayton. "She's really good at what she does. She's teaching me what she does, too. You are in good hooves. I hope you find what you need." she spoke with an awkward grin.
Belladonna didn't answer at first, but merely inspected Zeehva's credentials, whilst using her horn to open her elegant saddlebag. Within, one could see clear cases of vials, as well as needle-like slivers of crystal or glass, with small droplets within. Though she'd be using her magic to float out a money pouch instead for now, and pull out the requested amount for the potions that Clayton wished to purchase now. As well as half down for what would be the price for the vials, once filled.
"Vauw, that's uhm... A-Are you sure about this?"
"Common practice for transactions such as this, to meet halfway with the vendor. Provided that they can be verified, and I can see the seals are legitimate. The slightly flaky, bark pieces within the seal from Zebrica, cannot be made locally with any degree of accuracy. It is unusual to find an honorary Zebrican alchemist though. Hence a need to verify your credentials myself, as I am more verse in this than Clayton is.
Since everything is in order, here is half the payment for the order we have made, as well as payment for the current product you carry. The address in which to deliver the wares afterwards, can be found on the card you were provided with.
Now then, to address your pupil: Be advised that if you wish for the same credentials as her, you would have to get your certification in Zebrica itself one day, when you consider yourself taught enough. A lengthy aquisition, but those who have it have great value. Not all are willing to work with zebras, but their expertise is respected. It could be of value to you, were you to learn the ways of their craft, from her.
Keep in mind that repetition is not all there is to alchemy. Do not forget to innovate."
Belladonna looked with full neutral indifference towards both of them. Clearly examining them, and scrutinizing them, but if she were judging, she did not show it, in any way. Not even in her tone of voice, which were clear, dry, and professional. Unnerving to some, but Clayton for one, truly cherished having her around. It helped his sometimes nervous demeanor, to have one who could keep her head cold, and guide him properly.
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On 2021-12-22 at 1:12 AM, EQ_Theta said:“Hey, maybe we could fashion something out of that hair. Perhaps not a wearable accessory, but sister might bring something over that could work with it. Just have to wait and see.”
“I, uh… I share your concerns about Omen. It’s a rather terrifying thought leaving this world behind and not teaching her enough. I want her to have the know-how to find her way in the world, but there is still time to learn. Lin’s already started on that, and I hope there will be more time.”
"I'm considering braiding the hairs together properly, and use it as a fishing lure. The way it waves and wriggles, could make a fish confuse one for a worm, and I have some situations, in which it could be beneficial to fish. In parts to feed others, but at times I also just fish, then release them afterwards. The experience of sitting around on, or near, a calm lake, and fishing, is rather relaxing."
He couldn't eat the fish of course, but that didn't mean the experience itself wasn't somewhat therapeutic. And whereas he mostly let the fish go, if he were near where he saw some hungry creatures who'd enjoy it, he tended to just hand them over there then. Earned him a few favors here and there amongst griffins, and this one time where a rather sleepy panther, had sat next to him, waiting for new fish to be yoinked up, that it would then get. Lasted for a few hours before it seemed sated, and wandered off. A rather weird situation honestly.
"As for Omen, we can only do our best, but there is a lot to catch up on. Much as I know she still holds him in high regards, Discord's chaotic world education, have been wholly unfitting with a stable, orderly world. It seems she have caught on to some things herself, but it is minimal.
At least on a bright side, you will be able to have a generation's lasting companion, in case you fear how it might go for your own children, and grandchildren, once such a time comes, as to where you feel the end crawling nearer. I loathe teaching her fully about death, and what it means to her, and those she knows though. I am not sure if she can accept that when time comes, she might never perish, and hence never meet others in the beyond. I think Mother would need to direct her to answers there."
He had yet to meet that one, but surely, the main creator of all of these creatures, would know how to speak to them, and help them understand such things? Omen were still rather basic, so it should be possible, in case he failed it.
On 2021-12-22 at 1:12 AM, EQ_Theta said:“Sorry to keep you waiting. I had to make sure I got everything I wanted to carry. Come, take a look.”
On the table were three wooden panels, each containing a piece of a much larger, ornate carving of a jade orchid. Next to them were a set of smaller wood carvings. They were an assorted bunch, sporting detailed shapes of a willow tree, a longma with its wings outstretched, and a bird, and a halla with fully grown horns. Lin also brought out a brick made out of dried tea leaves, the same one she gave to Amethyst, though evidently it is something that isn’t quite a decoration. The last object pulled out was a kind of woven vessel made of the same materials as the wicker ball Shrimp loved to play with. It was lightweight, yet sturdy enough to hold a fair amount of objects as long as they were small enough to fit.
Rosa would look over what had been brought along, and help to unpack it too, if it seemed like Lin had issues with doing so. Omen even came over by then, to see what would happen, as she were curious of what Lin would think of as decoration for this place too.
While she went to sniff at the tea leaf brick, Rosa's attention would first be set upon the wooden carvings. He'd even go so far as to touch it gently, and run his hoof down the carvings themselves.
"They are beautiful. Someone did a great job at carving these."
He could feel the skill being done on them, compared to more generic, line work kind of thing that he'd sometimes think in souvenir shops. It had a rustic, yet professional feel, that you just didn't get, if the one who did it, didn't try to do so with some degree of heart.
A little presumptuous perhaps, to claim such a thing, but he would stand by it.
"I must admit, this were not what I had expected you would return with. Though I am somewhat uncertain about the depiction there. Is that a deer? The horns seems peculiar."
WHile he did that, Shrimp started to join Omen in sniffing at the tea brick, though he wouldn't get far, before he recoiled slightly, and let out a sneeze. Caused a bit of glittering fire to come out, and leave a scorch mark on the table, but nothing serious.
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If Ruby weren't going to slam him against the window, so that he wouldn't be able to ignore the parchment, Leviathan were going to push him the last bit of way. One way or another, he'd be face to eye here, as she too, were getting irate, once the option of this potentially hurting Charir came up again.
"Start talking, or this cart is going to start smelling like roasted chicken. If whoever this is are going to hurt him, you'd wish what she have planned for you, were all that would happen."
"Grrrr. Let. Me. Go!"
Marley would push himself away from the window, showing more strength than he had thus far, and once to the side would turn towards them, with thunderous rage roaring in his eyes. His stance slumped oved, and muscles tensed up, rippling across him, as his feathers puffed up.
It were a brief moment only, but in that, it were hard to see it were the otherwise sophisticated griffon they usually dealt with. Looked more like some kind of wild beast, about to lounge at them.
"G-Nononono. Calm. Caaaalm. Breathe slowly. Find your center..."
He'd close his eyes, and ease up. His feathers would go down, his talons calmly go down, and as he opened his eyes, the rage would be gone too.
"I told you already: There is no danger to him. Ashta have no interest in hurting younglings. It goes against her mantra."
Suddenly, the other windows would be covered with parchments, carrying the exact same symbol, and making it near impossible to see something on the other side. Though they'd be able to feel something alright. How the cart got a momentary halt, before a mechanical sound from the direction of the other carts were heard, and they'd then seemingly turn down another track. It appeared they had been disconnected from the primary train. Likely by whomever had plastered these all over the windows.
"There's no escaping it anymore then... Ashta is here, and she's going to pry the door right open again. Accursed creature. Why could she not just accept it?"
He'd glare towards the door, worried, and seemingly anticipating something, as the cart would slowly, over time, start to move to a halt. One could hardly guess what would happen, once it were fully there. Judging by the reaction of Marley, it would likely not be something good.
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The north weren't devoid of forests. Hardly so, in fact. It were more that everything tended to be covered in white, and tracks being pretty easy to follow. Both things that'd make it hard for most creatures to hide up there. Several beasts or criminals had tried, and had easily been hunted down by the locals there. Wouldn't be the first reason that Scarecrow would be sought after likely, but it'd certainly be harder to hide. At best, he might end up like a local folk legend of some sort.
So not everything would be all that different.
As for the meeting, the shopkeeper would nod to them, and let them leave. Lyriel though, would give him a farewell as she were prone to do now, by wishing him best wishes, and delivering a bow. She sometimes missed doing this in her old form, but she were getting used to this a little by little. Perhaps in due time, she would get used to regular pony greetings too, which seemed to involve a lot of hugs. Which were something she were not against, but still weren't sure of the situationally appropriate times to do it.
Before leaving the store though, a hiss would make Lyriel halt. Within the rolls of fabric, the large snake of the store would poke her head out, and the two of them would have a short conversation, made in languages not fathomable by regular ears. Though Crow could understand it, and as he seemed indifferent, it were likely nothing important. Probably just farewells to the snake as well. It wouldn't be long though, and they could make their way outside. A big smile kept on Lyriel's face, as they entered the brisk autumn air once more, and a pleased sigh escaped her being.
"The stories he had were not pleasant, yet I did enjoy speaking with his companion. I Some animals had spoken that nature were not welcome in every building, but it is good to know where it is. Have I ever need for attire, I will remember this place. I suppose it will depend on how this *winter* will be.
You have experienced it, yes? What is it like? The animals speak their parts of it, but I'd like to hear your perspective, as we wander along."
As for where they'd go? Honestly, she were interested to go see the outskirts of town again, but this time, in another direction than the apple farm. Might be they'd find other farmers of some sort then? Or buildings of importance? This place were larger than her old village had been, and filled with many things to witness. She were curious what were there.
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On 2021-12-26 at 11:18 AM, Catpone Cerberus said:"We are well aware of the ways our communities could be found, and thus we have measures to combat those ways, we haven't stayed hidden this long through sheer luck alone after all." Chega addressed this first because she saw it as more important to get out of the way "But more importantly, why would I do any of that? Even ignoring the fact that it was my own decision to leave knowing I may never return, I would never, ever, risk my community like that for sake of few individuals." "And we wouldn't want to risk communities for our own sake either, we have seen where it can lead." this was probably the first thing resembling an real ideological clash between the kobolds and Onache, and if they hadn't already known about their differences, they would have probably been offended she had even suggested such actions.
"I did not mean to make it wide spread knowledge. Just options on how to find passage. Though I suppose, your assessment is fair, that you have your own countermeasures. Most tunnel dwellers tends to, to varying degrees of success. I personally find the Diamond Dogs are mostly easy to infiltrate without them noticing.
That aside, to each their own. I can understand some degree of wariness, to letting an intruder in, but find that those who wants to, tends to find a way. Some can be annoyingly persistent."
She got the feeling she may have offended them in some manner. Perhaps she made it sound as if it were her intention to actually break into their community, rather than just make suggestions of how one could find their path? It may have come off like that. Ah well, it appeared they were moving past it, and she had given a more neutral response about others in general, rather than having some degree of focus on herself. And she did understand the need for caution. Yet to her, that tended to mean that you had to consider what options others may have, to find their way past those, rather than just rely fully on that.
On 2021-12-26 at 11:18 AM, Catpone Cerberus said:But as nobody liked negativity, Chega quickly changed course back to positive topics "But that aside, to return to your previous comment, We're happy to tell the story of our meeting..." Sear cut in "But let's get the obvious out of the way first, yes, there is certain stigmas, but for us it's not as bad since many think Chega as another, be it notably smaller dragon, granted the question of offspring comes up now and then, but it comes mostly from other dragons, and I couldn't care less what they think, there's a reason why I left home in the first place after all." "And while none of anyone's business, we already have planned things out when it comes to such things." "Buut, anyway, back to our meeting, it's not really that exciting, I got into bit of trouble when my singing attracted pack of wolves to my location, I can defend myself, but it was bit too much for me, so I had to flee into a tree. Having nothing to do but wait, I started singing about my predicament." "I heard her as I happened to be close by and went to investigate." "So there was I, sitting in a tree singing about how much trouble I was in, and then the most beautiful creature I've ever seen came from the forest to save me." More Chega spoke, more deeply she looked at Sear, meanwhile Sear seemed to be slightly embarrassed from the praise as she continued from where Chega left of "Long story short, neither of us had a travel companion, so we joined together and got to know each other, or well, I got to know her, Chega was all over me the moment we met." she chuckled
"I believe that offspring should be part of future plans, but that is regarding my own. What others gets up to, and if they even think of that, are not something I see a reason to get involved in. I tend to mostly be curious as to whatever or not, the feelings that are claimed are true. Love is a thing to treasure."
For many of her kind, that were because it were food, but that weren't all that important. And not the only reason she'd care either. She had some respect for true love, which went both ways between the partners. As for what species they were, she didn't care all that much. Sure she'd have her thoughts, but that were irrelevant to their situation, and she didn't see a point in attempting to break things apart, simply because of how she'd like to live her own life. Let them be.
"It sounds like your meeting were a fortunate happenstance, which had a pleasant outcome. Hadn't expected this to be your origins, but it sounds like a memorable time, from which you grew greatly attached. It's appreciated that you shared that story."
It were a far more pleasing tale than how she met her only drone, that was for sure. Less simple, but then, most tales that did not involve grueling interrogation, and a forcible race change, would be. More pleasant as well. One of the reasons why she had not spoken of it, though she did find it endearing to some extend, that he were the most loyal of any drone she ever had. When the rest left, he were the only one who remained loyal to her, and she knew that if it were, she could count on him. She wouldn't claim to love him, as that were not normal for their kind, but she definitely had him in a very favorable regard. Even did back when she had a larger hive.
"Shame I cannot share one in the same veins. You have heard of how I met your alternate acquaintances here, and I have none here I could speak of otherwise. Except for the three creatures in here, whom have negative thoughts of your presence, Sear. Seems they have half a mind saying something to you."
The sound of three creatures slumping over their tables would be heard, and a small, fleeting smirk would show on Onache's face.
"I see little reason to sour the mood. So what brings you to Ponyville, of all places? It is not a place of good repute, from what I have gathered."
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Whilst going and taking on the dress, Lily still kept an ear risen, to listen in to what were being said. It sounded like regular sibling concern from Dawn, as well as a healthy dosage of teasing. Apparently how the two communicated, which at least she understood. She may not have any siblings herself, but she had seen others have this sort of testing relationship before. Yet as with Dawn and Rising, one could tell that if push came to shove, they would stand together through the rising tide. It were heartwarming, in all honesty. They made for good siblings, and in time, likely good parents too. She looked forward to the day when she could gaze upon their offspring at least. Such incredible potential, that one might find there... She were intrigued.
That aside, she'd get into the dress with ease. It honestly weren't hard to get into, though she did have one minor issue, which would be presented as she exited the booth, and faced the others: It were too big.
Even if she were a regular size for a pony, the lack of abundance in Harrowmark, compared to Equestria, made her leaner than a regular, local mare from this area. As this sort of clothes were likely not made with that in mind, she had found it to be rather lose, which made her think that she'd need to put on some more healthy kilos at some point. Not getting her food rationed, and regulated - meaning cut further at times, out of pure spite - would be a good start to that. Wasn't like they weren't able to produce enough food to keep them all well fed. But they had to deliver so much of it, to keep them at their limits, that it just couldn't go up.
As for what Twisted did with it? Oftentimes, just feeding it to his monsters, or have it burned. He didn't eat much himself either, and mostly did this to keep things in check. He would not be missed.
"It seems I am a little less... Filling, than the local mares. Might I request your assistance, Dawn?"
(assuming she will do so, and as such, writing to what she'd say after)
"Yes. Much better. Thank you for that.
Also, I overheard what you were talking about, and I can assure you, that you can easily tell who are threats up close, when it comes to the undead within our capitol's walls. If you see them being sensible, and acting like any regular pony, or diamond dog, you can be at ease. If you see a spirit screeching towards you though, or a shambling skeleton lounging towards you, feel free to act as you see fit. If the High Priestess will not beat you to the punch first. She seems intend to relinquish burdened souls from their tethers, to empower Viz'nay. Perhaps witnessing that up close, rather than through this foci, will be educational for you?"
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Shark wouldn't do a whole lot more to him, beyond licking his face, and nuzzling his cheek with her own face. To ponies, a pretty intimate thing, but to sharks, it were just instinctual ways of greeting. She needed far more time around ponies, than 2 days, before she could begin to properly adapt their greeting methods. Though she were doing something like it, right? She were using her legs to hug him. OR well, clutch to him, but that were a minor detail.
The rustling, and far off sounds, would get louder, and closer. Shark too would get ready for something getting near. Flickering her wings slightly, and chomping the air, she seemed eager to get down to some sort of fight.
"Prey is coming."
And they wouldn't have to wait long, as suddenly, two dozen of those frog mutants rushed through, headed straight for them with a mixture of barbed tongues shot out, and blobs of swamp-like mass, spat from their mouths.
Shark got hold of the first one near her, biting into the tongue shot towards her, and did a swirl, hammering it into two others, that she then went over and smashed her prisoner frog into them. With enough force to leave an impact on the ground, and leave the frogs mushy.
Several would be aiming for Light too. In fact, after that display, more began to go after him, as Shark had proven dangerous to them. Which she definitely were. She were too agile to be hit by their swamp balls, and even if she did, she were strong enough to just go out of them. The barbed tongues were not able to hurt her much either, and she were likely the only thing in this forest, that could safely eat the disgusting things. She had been made to be their natural predator after all, and she were living up to that.
So Light were the designated dinner, though not the only one. Limbo would be targeted by no fewer than five at once, all aiming for a limb, and her neck, and would drag her into a bush to be messily devoured, if they got hold of her. She'd best defend herself. Or go into enough panic to cause difficulties, that the others could help her with. And the more had issues with Shark and Light, the more would come for her, as Limbo were currently witnessed as the weak one to hunt. Depending on her response, of course.
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"If it is not something you wish to pursue currently, perhaps it is best to leave her alone for now, and follow up another time? I will not pry, and wished only to help. If this is a situation, where perhaps it is better, if she is given time to cool off, I will not force anything through, and find something else to do. I am not yet ready to rest, I'm afraid. As our dear friend up there knows, I tend to not rest as much as some others, as I genetically have a need to spend a lot of energy, and a desire to work, specifically. So if you have need of me for something else, or wish to pursue this further, I am more than happy to be of service.
But it does depends on you, of course. Your decision on what to do here will be respected, Serene."
He'd give the pony a warm, razor-sharp teeth-filled smile, and await hearing what he'd decide on this matter. He hoped he hadn't pushed things thus far, against his will, but alas, he couldn't tell so far. So now, he'd wait for further confirmation, before taking this further. And if they were stopping here, he'd find something else to do. Perhaps go and inquire more about the changelings, who had been questioning about Brittle? It would be something that would be best to do eventually, even if he didn't think he were in much of a hurry. Far as he knew, it weren't a big thing from their side, with just a few curious voices filtering through at times. Though their kind were hard to understand fully sometimes.
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Casual stroll
in Advanced Roleplays
@Catpone Cerberus
"The loner fears his life. A family sought, a family left."
"*sigh* She means I left them to find my own life. One where I had others in it, then merely them.
I could tell you up and down of what the truth is, but I doubt you have much interest in hearing a long-winded tale. Though I resent the notion of being in a cult. My life had more dignity than that."
A parchment would float out from Ashta's robes, and towards the others. Leviathan would snatch it out of the air, and unfold it, to see what were within. Likely nothing massive, and potentially an illusion, but she'd see. She'd see.
What she saw were an old picture of a griffon. Beefy, with dark grey feathers, and spattered with something that might be blood. It were hard to tell, as this were made in seemingly charcoal sticks, which did not give many actual color nuances, beyond the dark and grey ones. Pretty detailed though. The muscle tones and everything had a pretty artistic tone to it, as did the leather wraps around the ankles, and chain around the neck. Seemed like whomever this were, were rather feral too, standing somewhat hunched over, and looking like any minute, he'd charge at someone, and beat the feathers off their face. And speaking of the feathers, they sold it well too, with them being all ruffled up. Even on the face, where the griffon would seemingly be wearing a kind of mask made of bone, that went over his face, and ended in smooth *drips* down the sides of his beak. Each side of the elongated bone mask, having something embedded in it. A medallion, or charm of some kind, with the symbol of a mountain.
The look in the eyes too. Oh man, that right there looked like someone who did not have a kind thought in life about anyone. Thunderous rage and primal wrath, almost seemed to burn from the carefully sketched eyes.
Honestly, this were some good work. Whoever had drawn this, had talent. Even the name written below had some good detail, looking like the letters were made out of cracked bones, giving the title *The Primal Third* a pretty music band cover look. A great picture, and had this been a half hour ago, Leviathan wouldn't have guessed who this were. But now that she had seen that glare before, it made it pretty hard not to guess.
"No. Way."
Marley rolled his eyes.
"Oh, spare me the judgement. I think I look quite dashing in that picture.
Look, I will not ask you to do me a favor, so let me put it like this: Go to Spicy, tell her that I will be taking an undisclosed amount of personal time, and that she can open up the folder I told her not to touch, if she valued her life. You do that, and you can have my last paycheck. It's been a lucrative month, so it will not be pocket change.
Do we have a deal?"
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@Catpone Cerberus
"Yes, I suppose I am. Sorry, I'm not used to visitors here, until it's time to actually sell the honey. It's not so hard to do really. Long as I respect the bees, and keep the garden well, they'll do their thing, as I do mine. Just have to remember to not take too much of the honey. They need some themselves, you know? I think... Yes, I'm positive that's wh6y some have to wear suits, to not get stung. Bees doesn't respect thieves. Providers though, is another matter."
"Bees are fickle creatures, but they sound pleased There is a healthy humming, and your flowers are vibrant and healthy."
"Oh? Well uhm... Thank you. I make sure to take good care of them, when I'm not at the orphanage.
I guess my manners are uhm... Well, anyway. My name's Honey Dew. Nice to meet you."
"Earth Mother's blessing upon you, Honey Dew. I am Lyriel, and this is Scarecrow, and his companion, Crow."
"It's ah uhm.... Pleasure, yes. Are you perhaps... What did he call them... Evergrown?"
"He is. I am a dryad. It seems you know of his kind though."
"Little. Very very little, I'm afraid. Met one two days ago though. Curious. Very curious one. Sharp teeth, made of all kinds of plants. He used the same greeting you did. It uhm... Yes. It reminded me of him. Are you with him? I think he said he lives in the forest. A cave... Somewhere. He didn't specify. I think? I can't remember exactly. Sorry."
"I haven't met him. But that sounds intriguing. Had he a name?"
"Briar... Something... Jaw? Something with Jaw, yes. It didn't last long. The uh, bees didn't like him. They seem okay with you. Just... The bird is trained, yes? It'd cause a ruckus if it started to eat them."
Crow had absolutely zero interest in the bees. Lest they came over and tried to sting it, it could hardly care less. They were simple, pitiful little creations. They weren't interested in it, as it weren't in them, as it stood right now. Which included as food. Crow didn't eat small stuff like this. It needed more substantial prey.
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@Catpone Cerberus
"So there are some pleasant news, amongst all the doom and gloom. And yes, I am aware how that might sound, but the alternatives thus far, have been simply dread, and hushed tales. Dead parents are regrettable, as is the accident you mention, but they sound as if they have found purpose, that benefits many. It is among the better things I have heard, ever since meeting kobolds, this very morning.
Though I wonder if that want for tinkering, can be attributed to his physical injuries? A want to try and replace, or enhance what were damaged, perhaps? In either case, this might be something you should consider, Trox. Not being a tinker per se, but seek yourself out. Perhaps your experiences can assist his craft in some way. Unless something might happen, if you met? I have not dealt with interdimensional things such as this, and as such, are uncertain if there could be consequences."
It were eerie, how similar things were between the two Trox's, wasn't it? The way they had gotten hurt weren't the same - at least she assumed not - but the outcome were still that they had injuries in the same spots. One just had replacement parts added, whilst the other had to deal with damaged versions for the foreseeable future. Perhaps something the Trox she knew could help with, though as she said, she didn't know what repercussions might come from it. And furthermore, it would likely be troublesome to get to speak with them, considering their importance. She'd assume they were considered highly valuable, and as such, were offered extensive degrees of protection.
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@Kujamih
"Awh, ain't that sweet? The lil' pony's trying to apply logic to my actions. I outta pinch those squishy widdle cheeks."
Unless he stopped her, she'd do just that in fact. Reaching forward with her front appendages, which grew into a gorilla arm and hand, as well as a reptilian limb. Both hands would attempt to go on each side of him, and squeeze his cheeks briefly, before letting go again. Though regardless of Light's response, she'd let out giggle, and continue all the same.
"My story's fine and dandy. Ever thought of your own story perhaps? I mean, I've flipped through the script, and there's barely anything of you. Just some weird crystal mumbo jumbo."
She'd pull some papers from... Somewhere, and flipped through, showing Light his own words, as well as those from others. She barely read it, but there didn't seem to be a lot of him. Just *bla. bla. plot fixing, lol* and stuff. Very silly.
"Everything gone on here, since I arrived? Nothing but fun stuff. Nature's all about evolving. I just help give it a teensie push every now and again, and if it then goes haywire, I go to sort it out. Crank it pack a few thousand years or something. Sometimes that goes bad, like with Princess. Or the squid monkeys at my island. Those things are right nasty to deal with. Other times it's great, like with my kids, or Shark here. Just look at her. Curious and innocent, slowly getting into society, and seeking acceptance, instead of taking over. Plus she's just adorable, huh? No way I'd dump her back int he ocean. I wanna see how she goes on. Just imagine the foals, right?"
"Shark have pups."
"Maybe. I honestly don't know, but that's the beauty of evolution. You never know exactly how it goes. It's wild, adaptable, and chaotic. It's perfect! Just gotta hit that sweet balance, to not end up with some Elements of Cheating, rainbowing me in the face. And don't go get funny ideas that maybe it'd kill me, silly sill. Draconequui can't die. Not permanently anyway. We're as timeless and inescapable to the world, as nature. Or those little balls you get in your clothes, every time you wash them."
A sign would suddenly dangle down from above them, with this quote written on it. In comic sans, and with flowers growing out of the punctuations, which seemed to slowly be trying to eat the letters.
"Hmm... Ah. Well, like I said, her quest seems done. So job well done, now she gets to live life top side. I'm sure she'll find something new to focus on here in life, as she starts integrating and stuff. Don't really have something in mind for her, or you...
Wanna come see my summer home? I set it up in the old castle. Gonna go renovating the whole place. Starting with the princesses old rooms, once I get around to it. I'm thinking mushroom rave room. Eh? Eh? Just blinking mushrooms, and confusing spores messing folks up for a bit. It'd be great. Ooooh. Outta make them bouncy too! I have to remember that one.
Anyway, wanna come? It'll be fuuuun. You'll get to meet the kids. They'd love having more friends. Especially Rose. The girl's still all ecstatic about finally getting off the island."