Blitz Boom

@Illiad Easle

I figured some sorta animals had to be there, for the foals to look at, so I looked up what sort of animals lived in the desert, and took it from there.

Some lizards tend to have a range of auditory noises they can go with, so I tok that idea, amplified it, and tried to figure out how they could fit in a town setting.

Vultures are another desert stable, but obviously too big for a normal household. Hence, selective breeding to make a more condensed, docile version, made sense to me. It was also needed to keep the lizards from entering every house they saw, in search of scraps.

As for the foxes... Well, needed a third one, and figured a scorpion wasn't something friendly to show off, so... Desert puppy, more or less. Plus a future issue because it just logically made sense, that adaptive creatures would take advantage of the ruined, abandoned cities, and use them to grow in numbers.

We'll see what else I can BS through, when more mosaics are done.

@Illiad Easle

There you go. My take on some desert animals that might be around Troy.

@Illiad Easle

(New Las Pegasus)

16 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"Dang, I know it isn't saying much, but that may well have been the most handsome stallion I've ever seen. We going to that party?"

The only reason, that Null hadn't taken this invitation, and shoved it so far down the snobs throat, that he'd feel her hoof rummage through his digestive system, were that she had been trying to decide on which of the insults she could go with first. How he were a snob, or his flaunting of wealth around others, and how she could make references to what she'd do with that silver spoon he had crammed into his yapper, if she got hold of it. Then of course, there were also what she could say about those gold chasers he had following him around, the fact that he called her a filly - which had made her visibly narrow her eyes, and send metaphorical thunder towards him - and what she could say about him going over to invite a filly to a party. The varied levels of *creep alarm* this set off, should have given her a good, ten minutes of solid mockery of this pathetic lowlife, but he were gone before she had much to say.

When Arcade started talking, she had however, picked up a rock, and looked like she really struggled to not throw it right at his skull. Which were true. Her hoof even visibly shook, as she tried to keep herself from doing something that she knew, would only please The Grey. So much easier to get hold of her, if she had some debt to pay, that'd get her proper into his system. Maybe even taken in by his goons.

"Grrrr, that depends on whatever or not, you want to see me put this invitation inside a pineapple, and forcibly show him were to shove it."

It took much of her willpower, but she finally let the rock roll out of her hoof, though she still looked as if she wanted to crush someone's head with a mallet.

"And you don't think this is suspicious? This gnat wanders up, says I'm a filly, and then want me to show up to his special party, where only select few can show up. You don't see how dodgy that is? Either he likes 'em young, or it's a trap. Never trust rich beings, Arcade. They want nothing more than to flaunt their wealth at you, and remind you why you're worthless in their eyes!"

With that said, she'd angrily throw the chip away, only to have it being caught within a half meter of it leaving her hoof, by a magical aura, that floated it right back down to her again. Where her aura obviously cancelled the magic out, and it fell down to the ground.

The one doing it? A familiar changeling, wandering past, a few meters away from them, with a big, welcome smile on her face. Though there'd be a bit of time for Arcade to come with a response to Null, before she marked her presence, however fleeting, as she were wandering on.

"You shouldn't throw these away miss. You looked like something happened there, but still, there's lots of things you could use that for."

"...Fine, whatever."

Null would pick up the chip, and put it in her bag. If nothing else, then like the changeling said, she could use it to buy something useful for. Or throw at him the next time she saw him, though when she did that, she'd have to try and turn on the vision, and see exactly how much this one deserved to be judged. First impression? A lot.

Unless Arcade waved the changeling down, or said anything to her, Bling would be on her way again, waltzing merely down the street, with others more or less ignoring her presence. A few moved away when she got too close, to allow her passage, but that would be about it.

If he did though, she'd come wandering over, to see if perhaps she could help them in some sort of way. Nothing had really changed from last they saw her, expect that she were missign one of the goo-filled balloons she had wandered around with before.

(Troy)

16 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"These look very impressive Void, I'm surprised you were able to get so much done in so little time."

"Not as impressive as that were. I didn't think you could do that, Selena.

If uhm... If you can take two of them then, I can take the last. C-Could you please help her put those on her? I don't want to risk getting too close and cause an accident."

Void would speak to both Pen and Vale as she asked for some assistance on the matter. Since she still weren't sure what close contact with Selena might cause, Void weren't risking close contact, to a point where the crystalline pony would be in range of her aura. So the other two would have to load two of them on top of Selena, whilst Void took the last one on her back, grabbed some rope, and carefully tied it around her truck, and the mosaic itself. She had to keep her neck bend for a while as they traveled like this, but it would be more secure that way, as it laid length-wise on her back and neck.

"And well... Like I said, I don't really sleep all that w-well right now, since big sis isn't here. So I had more time being productive in. Gonna be a bit longer before the next one though. I have something else I need to f-finish first, for a customer. I can't keep pushing that off."

16 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

They'd be able to get them back to the room without much incident, then they were left with the task of affixing them to the walls. Selena had the worker who was installing the kitchen come help with ensuring the mosaics would not easily be removed once they were attached. 

Once they got there, they could start unpacking the mosaic, and see what the patterns were in them.

Whereas the big one she were working on, had a more general theme going about it, the three she had brought in here, were focused on local wildlife, so that the fillies would know what they saw, if they ran into it.

The one she were running around with, pictured a Scaled Cackler. A half meter lizard that were commonly found in and around the city they were in. A pretty harmless little thing that were at times, used as pets, since a trained one could be an adorable little thing to have around, and due to their mild nature, it were not the hardest thing to do, long as you treated them right. However, they did have a reputation for exposing abusive, or neglectful pet owners, due to them being able to let out a large distress call, that were more or less impossible to keep down if they truly put their effort into it. Something which tended only to happen as a last resort, as even if they got stuck behind a shelf or something, they'd use more high pitched distress calls for help. Anyone who ever heard one who called out to be saved from its home though, knew well the sort of tone that would come out from it. A deep bass, roaring out like a ferry flute.

For those who had nice homes though, and liked those they were around, the talkative little things could let out nearly musical chirps and if in a really good mood, the signature cackle that had given them their name, which tended to be so adorable that it were hard not to get a big smile on your face. They were clingy things, that liked spending as much time with their owners as possible, so it were not a *buy and forget* sort of pet.

As for the wild ones, they tended to just wander around town, snapping up scraps that were either dropped, or were bulging out from the side of a garbage lid that wasn't properly closed.  They might have impressive auditory systems, but they were as weak as toddlers, and couldn't open a lid, or press open a window by themselves. Anything left out though, were fair game, and the untamed ones tended to shy away from breaking into houses, so they were at best a nuisance. Sort of like a desert raccoon, but less dangerous, as their teeth weren't sharp enough to do much to a pony, beyond nibbling them with the force of a kitten. They were evolved to be scavengers, feeding on desert berries and other soft or broken apart food, not hunters.

In the mosaic, it were shown laying on a rock, bathing in the sunlight out in the desert, with the name of it written beneath on a sort of jagged scroll.

Another mosaic, showed off the main reason that the cacklers did not break into houses: A Pygmy Ghost Vulture.

Despite their names, the vultures were not dead, but instead got their names from their pale, grey and white feathers, dark sclera, and ghostly white iris's. A strange abnormality that made them quite popular some hundred years ago, and resulted in eventual selective breeding, to try and cause them to be more pet sized and friendly.

It had taken a while, but the result were a roughly 2/3'th of a meter tall, very docile creature, that were rather popular as a house pet, due to their docile nature, and ease of training. To a point where you could have a window open that they'd use specifically to go out and take care of their business, before returning home again. Which meant less need to clean up after them, if you ignored the preening that they went through, just like many other types of birds.

They never strayed out of town though. Even if you managed to train one to sit on your shoulder as you walked around town, the second they did not feel surrounded by buildings, and therefor assumes they were in the desert, they would fly back home. This were a defensive mechanism, as the full grown Ghost Vultures were still a thing in the desert, and the two and a half meter birds hated their pygmy cousins. To a point where if they saw one, they would instantly attack and kill it, if they had the chance. As the pygmy variants were not idiots, they had eventually understood the safety in being in a town, and as such, after about the age of two months, they would refuse to leave one again. Only way to get them to another town, were to sedate them, as even covering them would not make them unaware that they were leaving a town. Both due to the sound of other beings, and due to the fact that they were vocally chirping and cooing out of windows, and running a sort of communication network through town this way. Meeting when on a fly or walk would also cause them to converse, and if one were noticed getting close to the border of a town, a particular resonating coo, would come out, alerting them of their closeness to said border.

Smart as they were though, this natural instinct had happened even when the varied towns in the desert kingdom were attacked, leading tro many of them ending up dead, from flying back towards the attacked towns, and getting shot down in the confusion. Most who had made it out were either eggs, hatchlings that didn't know of the systems yet, restrained, or knocked out, which had at least made it so that they had survived as a species, even if it were a slow growth of the population that took place. Barely any of them existed outide of Troy, due to them being poor to adapt to different climates, so they were an endangered species, on the up-rise.

As for why the cacklers stayed out of the buildings they were in, it were simple: The vultures were one of their natural predators. The big ones out in the desert used to hunt them frequently, which were why they had taken to inhabit the area around towns. Once the pygmy variants started gaining traction, they remained in the towns though, as they were more often fed, and the towns provided with more ways to hide from them, than were possible out in the desert, so it were seen as the lesser of two evils. If a pygmy vulture did get the chance though, it would snatch them up. Which were one reason why an important part of training them for being outdoors, were to make them distinguish between pets, and wild food.

The mosaic it were on, depicted it perched on a large tree trunk, with rounded handled at the top, that they would latch on to, and looking around at a rudimentary living room. Making a lot of furniture would have taken too much time, so it were more simplistic and barren in the presentation of the surroundings.

As for the third, it were of a Rose-Nosed Dune Fox. A small, teen-pony sized predator that rarely came to towns, unless they were seeking shelter from something bigger chasing them, or had been tamed. Which were an extremely difficult process, due to their pack behaviors, wild nature, and penance for stealing shiny objects, so that they could use them to attract females during mating season. Or vice versa, lure in suitable males, which had shinies that fitted the female's preferences. Due to this - and their loud, erratic behavior during mating season - it were generally seen as not worth it, by all but a few eccentrics.

They were one of the species that did the best from the crisis, as they were highly adaptable creatures, and thrived in the ruined cities, were they could scavenge varied shiny parts, and left over food. Combined with the new areas they could hide and make colonies in, that were easier protected from some of the creatures that hunted them, the population had been booming over the last few years. Which would have been a massive problem, were they not usually avert to getting near civilization.

When one day the towns had to be rebuild however, there were going to be large groups of these creatures that needed to be chased out, and more than likely neutered or put to sleep, to get the population down to a more rational size, before they had to see other wildlife be wrecked or over-hunted by them, or the about to be build towns, overrun by them in a desperate attempt to find food. They were an important part of the ecosystem, due to them being immune to, and eating, poisonous things, such as scorpions, but it were a balancing act, where the biggest kindness to them, might well be to cull their numbers. Both for their sake, and to prevent a situation were perhaps, they had to start dealing with invaders going into town, and snatching anything smaller than them. Such as a foal, playing in the street, or in a garden. Something they were not doing right now - in fact, they were extremely shy around ponies - but desperate times, were an adaptable creature had to decide between starvation or survival? It would end up being a problem.

It were depicted along with two pups, running around the one sitting down, with a big, doggo smile on its face. As they were currently harmless to ponies, and it were likely they'd see one sooner or later, she didn't think it were a bad thing to give them a positive look on the canine.

@Illiad Easle

(New Las Pegasus)

On 8/10/2020 at 1:22 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The mare nodded to herself, "I figured as much, it does explain... well most of the differences. Say, you think you'd put in a good word to your associates about my bakery? I could cut you a discount if I get a new set of regular customers."

"Can't see why not. The foods good, the place seems easy to secure, and neither of us have gotten poisoned, so things looks fine here. I'll vouch for it being worth a visit."

Of course, she couldn't say for sure that this wasn't a trap. But every place, thing, and creature in this town, could be part of a trap for them. And with how close she were to her *father*, she wouldn't truly trust anyone here.

That being said, practically, this place seemed fine, and as she said, it were easy enough to secure. Long as the ambassadors had some help with them, this shouldn't be an issue. If they wanted to go though, depended on them. She could give a good word for this place, but they might not care for that, or reverenter into baked goods, but would rather have like, soup. If that were the case, they needed to figure out some other, smaller scale eating place that they could go to, if it were. Yet for that, as well as getting a chance to scout out several other places, they had to get a move on sooner or later. They couldn't linger here forever, despite the smells and information being enticing arguments as to why they should.

On 8/10/2020 at 1:22 AM, Illiad Easle said:

She shrugged, "I'd say the debt system is a larger deterrent to crime than the enforcers, as effective as they are. Ponies are all concerned about minimizing their debt as it is, hardly anyone would think to rob, as they'd end up with more debt than if they had just asked to pay with debt. Further, there's a sort of bounty system in place, gather too much debt and the enforcers will pay anyone for your capture. So in a way we end up policing ourselves, the enforcers only needing to get involved for violent or belligerent criminals."

"I'll pass that along as well. Something tells me they'll be interested in knowing about that."

Null had finished her meal, whilst the mare had talked. The slight singe still sizzling on her tongue felt nice and refreshing, and subconsciously, she ended up licking a small bit of butter,and a few crumbs, from the right side of her muzzle. A subtle, glowing commendation in itself, when you didn't want even the smaller scraps to be wasted. Meant it had been something you really liked chowing down on.

Seeing as she were done, and the mare seemed to have answered quite a few, important things at this stage, Null would get ready to leave the table, though her gaze remained at first, on the baker.

"Thank you for the food, and the information."

She gave the mare a nod, then turned to Arcade, to check if he were just about ready to go on their way as well, or if he were still chowing down his own food.

"Soon as you're done, we should get going. We still need to check out the area more, before we go back."

One good spot were found, but what if they wanted soup? Clothes? Gadgets? Fruit? etc. etc. Basically they had to get a look on what the other vendors looked like. Such as the street vendor they saw earlier, though there were others here, and he didn't seem as if he were going anywhere, anytime soon.

Besides, they still had to find a secure route back too, and then call it a day for now. She wanted badly to grab the head she had come here for, but she had to try and steel herself with a bit of patience, as annoying as it were. Sooner or later though, she'd get to him. There would be no more escaping for that sniveling little worm.

(Troy)

On 8/10/2020 at 1:22 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"I suppose we may have been overstating the issue, With time and exposure the citizenry should be able to see their differences instead of the similarities and accept that they aren't the bearers themselves. The worry only came up because, well, you know how highly the bearers were respected by the Equestrians, and when they were the first to fall many of those who survived were in quite the denial that they had been defeated so quickly. We'll do what we can to minimize their similarities, perhaps the foals themselves would like to distance themselves? Then we could look into dyeing their coats and such to further distance the resemblance."

"It's going to be strange seeing them again, when they one day return. I h-hope I'm still alive to see them at least. I'd like to thank them for t-trying to be as welcoming to us as they could, back in Ponyville. Despite how tough we made it f-for them at times. Same with the princesses, in whatever way they c-come back. I know she weren't p-perfect, but Princess Celestia helped us a lot, when we came to Equestria, to t-try and find a new home, and when we heard she had died... It hurt. A lot, actually. It would be good to see them again someday.

And the foals... I dunno. They lived together for a long time, that can make it t-tough to be apart, all of a sudden. Big sis and I grew up close, even before the uhm... I-Incident, and it's hard to just go away from someone that's always been there. Maybe I can easier talk with them a-about this sort of thing, since I'd understand that part."

She had more she could say, but with the time limited as it were, they should try and get a move on. The sooner they got the mosaics, the sooner they could start getting them up, and go on to seeing if things were good enough for the little ones, before they had to go and greet them.

On 8/10/2020 at 1:22 AM, Illiad Easle said:

They were all impressed by Void's skill in repairing the toys, and excited that some of her mosaics had been completed, when she mentioned needing help moving them they all approached, "Let's get a move on then, we'll want them securely fastened before they get here."

Thankfully, it seemed that they agreed, though she did get a little blush on her cheeks, as they seemed mighty impressed with the repairs. It really wasn't that impressive in her mind, and really, it would've never happened, if it weren't because of Null. Her big sister had made sure to show her some things over the years, when it came to making stuff like the varied legs she were wearing, just in case something happened to Null, and Void would have to repair them herself. It had come in handy now. As had the fact that they often had to repair varied stuff, since they weren't made of money, and as such, they often salvaged things, and made something of it that were useful, or that they could sell. Whatever made things better, right? Nothing overly complicated though. Like, she couldn't repair a piano if it were, but she might able to remake it into a nice couch, or small table.

As they wandered, and eventually got to the workshop (provided nothing happened on the way there), Void would let them in to see her work. Or well, unfinished work, as they could see a half-finished mosaic, around the size of herself, that had a variety of small forest critters in it. Tip of a squirrels head, a pigeons wing were seen, a full hawk, with spread wings, and so on. There were still a lot of work to do here, but this one would be very pretty when it were. At least she hoped so.

As for the ones they were there for, they were all elongated, and around half the size of herself. Which considering her mass, were still some rather fair sized mosaics. Not the sort you could just throw in a saddlebag, and call a day. What they were off though, were a mystery, as they were all wrapped well in cloth that appeared to be refurbished sheets of some kind. Heavily stitched too, so likely another repair project by the sisters.

Null's presence were still a lot of places actually. Some spare tools, a notebooks, her corner, basically untouched... It were easy to see that Void had a tough time letting go. Yet if these reminders made it harder or easier for her, would be tough to say. Probably both, right? It reminded her of her sister, which made it more evident that she were now without Null. Yet at the same time, there would be some comfort in feeling like she still had her big sister with her, in some sort of way.

It was a bit of a mess, though sadly, it probably would be for a while. For the both of them.

"They're a bit heavy, so be careful, okay? They take a lot of time to r-repair, and I'd really prefer if I could work on new ones, instead of accidentally have any of these not work out. I think the f-foals will like them too."

@Illiad Easle

Well, got through today with burning my hand, which only stopped hurting about two hours ago, and the site refused to save the half post I had done yesterday... Well, time to see if I can scrounge the remnants from my mind. Gonna see if I can't get something out there.

@Pastel Heart

You're not an issue at at, mate. Just trying to keep things interesting, so that there's something for you to react to, and I felt inspired in the moment.

@Widdershins

You and @Pastel Heart seemed to be in a bit of a rut, and I had no idea how to get Slimpsy away, without using force anymore, so... Opportunistic monster attack.

Figured it'd eventually force your chars together, and cause the transformation then. At which point, you could start off by say, eating Princess (the main monster), and then we take your story from there. Seemed like an interesting way to move things along, let you show off how the varied personalities would deal with something like that, and then put forth an interesting dilemma, once they formed. You'd be a large, scary monster, who'd surely think the worst of how others would react (and some will react very poorly), but at the same time, you would have saved the town. It'd be something the varied companions you made throughout town, would leverage for your benefit eventually, were they to get through and calm you down. As I assume panic will take over, he'd still be a rampaging monster to deal with at the start anyway, as you planned.

There'd still be turmoil, a need for your hydra to be calmed down, and the destruction of property you desired. It'll just help the story along, and give some leverage for the hydra's benefit, in the aftermath.

Plus, this way, you might not eat a random citizen. They hate that.

Those are my arguments at least. But you could deal with Princess and her spawn first, use this time to learn more of each other, and showcase your characters from how they do in a crisis situation. Then gather up for a town insistent on handing them praise for the help, aaaaaan- Accidental Hydra. Right after one monster attack, the citizens would be frazzled, and would panic even easier.

Also, sorry for the wait. Hand only got numb, rather than burny, around half an hour ago. Trying to sort this with my off hand.

¨P.S. Sorry for the name confusion on Flit. Will correct it soon.

Replies will sadly not come today, on the account that I burned my hand, and writing hurts. Hoping it's better by Thursday.

@Illiad Easle

Need to get up early to open at work, so gonna have to postpone my current reply. Have a half one ready, so it shouldn't take long for me to finish it tomorrow.

Also, thank you for just making me more paranoid about what is gonna happen, once we meet up with The Grey. xD Gonna be loads of fun, I bet.

@Windy Breeze 🥧

On 8/8/2020 at 3:44 PM, Windy Breeze 🥧 said:

“You cheaters, my mom was right. Pegasi do not deserve to have wings!” 

Sorrow felt a tingle down her spine, as she heard the filly's angry words. Seemed like they weren't simply possessed, if that was the sort of thing a random filly would say. Sounded more like the victim also had some amplified rage of their own. Why else would the filly speak about something her mother said? Seemed like something not related to anything that Autumn would say.

*sigh* If only her dad were here... Sure he couldn't see spirits, but he knew how to deal with irrational, angry folks. Came from being an elder sibling, who were often roped into taking care of his younger ones, while they were growing up. According to him at least, it had hardened him to quite a lot of that sort, and given him insight into many, varied kinds of tantrums. Few things really fazed him when it came to this sort anymore, though of course, his siblings still knew a few points they could poke at him with, that'd get to him. Siblings and all that, after all.

On 8/8/2020 at 3:44 PM, Windy Breeze 🥧 said:

She decided to make the mood contemporary light “Oh, about the mare you mentioned... was it Fair Wind, I wanted to say that I am so sorry to suffer such cruel fate back at the canyons where you are trapped” she turn to Legion “Your family must have been... restless when you went missing. Did they finally found out your fate?”

"Windy... Hello, Windy? Are you okay?"

Sorrow would be shaking in Windy a bit, trying to get her back to reality, as it seemed like something were messing with her head, and it frankly made Sorrow worried. Or okay, horrified, might be the better thing to say, as the thought of being alone in this place, sans Legion, were terrifying. Of course, Legion were good companions, but they were limited in the ways they could help here, which did not help what they had to do.

"You were asking about Fair Wind, and then you suddenly started to act irrational. Are something wrong? And Fair is fine, by the way, if that's something that got into your head. She'd likely want me to help her connect with her family soon, and when that happens, she can move on."

It were probably not this that were haunting Windy, but it were the only thing she could think about to say, to try and calm her down a little here, or make things look brighter at least. Seemed like the best option she had right now, even though she wish she could do more. *sigh* She wish she could do more for everypony here... Poor souls, caught in hatred, or damned to relive it over and over... Poor Autumn, to have gone through all of this, and then be trapped in it, to a point where she drew others into her madness. And all because Razor thought so little of her, that he were willing to have her killed, for mere bits. It was sickening...

======================================================================

@EQ_Theta

"It seems we might have underestimated you some, Omen."

Down the road that Sen were being chased on, Rosa's voice came through, as he had to dodge ball after ball being shot his way, that were getting closer and closer to hitting him than he had expected. Omen might be able to sense them - which he had realized too late - but aiming at the dodges were not something he had expected. Sure, she were one who observed and tried to learn, but did that really go as far as to this? Imagine if it did. She'd basically be a natural at this. That were, if she got better at dodging herself, though as she did not hink quickly on that, she'd soon find that he hit her buzzer, which made her look down on it for a second, but keep walking, whilst trying to shoot. Five seconds were not a lot of time, but Omen weren't good at counting, nor had any real understanding of time. Hence, she just kept pressing until it would shoot again, and then start to try and copy what she saw Rosa do.

It were less successful, as she mostly just fell over in a direction, then got up again, but it did get her away from some hits send her way, as they got closer and closer to where Sen were situated.

On 8/8/2020 at 5:01 PM, EQ_Theta said:

Sen, in the meantime, would try to find himself in secluded spaces or somewhere with a height advantage. Sadly, he was in a rather narrow corridor with two other exits, likely expecting someone to enter through them. But he was in that area first and that meant Rosa and Omen were moving in on him from that approach. It was still early in the match and he wanted to see how his friends would react to an unexpected change of tactics. If waiting to spring a trap is no longer valid, what would they think if they found themselves…

On the receiving end of a laser barrage! 

Of course, Sen wasn’t going to charge back at his friends willy-nilly. He’d try to compress himself into as small a target as possible while keeping his shooter centered as he repeatedly pulled on the trigger. He might be able to carve a path through Rosa and Omen, and when he did, he’ll quickly turn around to keep the barrage going while moving backwards. 

As had been stated, no shot could be fired again until the last one hit a surface, so Sen could press along much as he liked, but it would still only be one light ball at a time. It would do well in confusing Omen though, who'd get a hit on herself from him, a mere half second before a shot from Rosa would have hit her sensor. Effectively depriving him of the point.

He would however, also find that a ball had made contact with him, not long after, though it were hard to say who had hit him. Could be any of them, as things were rather hectic right now. Yet it would allow him to escape through them, during said chaos. They'd give chase again, with Rosa shooting at him and aiming to try and hit his sensor, right after it went off cool down. If he did would be up to chance, but then again, another competitor were soon upon them now. That being Lin, who now should have a nice line of sight to all of them, as they went down the same path, focusing more on one another than her. Seemed a great time to harvest herself some points. What with the prey running right for her and all.

=======================================================================

@Catpone Cerberus

"I'm not limited to only care about one of you, and like you say, you're still injured. Like it or not, I'm still gonna worry about you, and ask in to your health. And if need be, tear out the part that's broken off myself, if it doesn't reattach, and instead just floats around, while your bone regenerate the missing piece.  We can't have you stuck like this forever, seeing how much work you put into mastering your other form.

And yes, I get your point about that. Seeing your current size, even a sliver would essentially function as a spear through your rear. Which I do not want to have happening to you.

Besides, this little one needs to meet ponies sooner or later to adapt. You could likely prove the easiest version of it, that he wouldn't feel compelled to try and eat. Even if it might make him paranoid about them afterwards, it's still better than trying to get him out of a situation, where he attempts to eat someone's foal. I am not saying that he would definitely do so, but it is but an example of a really bad scenario that might occur."

Not a good first impression, to put it mildly. Even if it were an accident, it only took one horrible accident like that, to tarnish your image for others. Something she'd try to prevent, and then deal later with him potentially go and chase down someone's pet. Not a particularly excellent thing either, but it were easier to get past, even if there'd be some grumbles.

Before answering the last part of what Ruby had said though, Leviathan would get a small, defiant grin on her face, and almost purr back at her.

"And you don't have to worry. I'm not leaving you alone, nor stopping to care about you. There's plenty of love for the whole family."

She'd pat Ruby's little brother ever so slightly, whilst her smirk went into a grin, and a small chuckle. It seemed Ruby had gotten used to the fact that Leviathan were going to stick around, and she had not done something like put up a choice situation, where she'd leave, and Leviathan then had to pick between Ruby, and her half brother. At which point she'd probably just drag said brother along, and still follow Ruby. No need to pick in her mind, though it were nice that the larger dragoness were tolerating that fact, and didn't try anything. It were far easier, than constantly having to force her to deal with the two smaller dragons.

"So, how's the fragment? Is it loose, or connecting again? If it's trying to connect, you'd do best in laying still, so it can do that in peace. It'd be over faster then."

==================================================================

@Catpone Cerberus

On 8/8/2020 at 5:23 PM, Catpone Cerberus said:

"The mimic will come back in a week or if you want to find them they live somewhere in the forest, pointed in that direction." Nada would add and point in said direction whenever she had a chance, before continuing with Ziggy, she decided to not tell her that Agni almost burned the poor creature because he thought it was her. 

"I don't really have any plans, I should keep away from the forest for some time until the overgrown Timberwolf is no longer a problem, and I don't really care to read more of pony history today, so if you have nothing I guess I could just rest until something happens."

"The matriarch are making a ruckus? Awh shoot. I like flying over the forest in the morning, but that one's huuuuuge. Oh well, maybe another day.

I dunno about the other mimic though. It sorta depends on Fah'lina."

Right as she said this, they'd hear a splash, as the mimic jumped into the pond. Guess she made her choice pretty fast then. Must be somepony important of her kind, that had come looking for her. Maybe a family member? Friend? Some sort of messenger from their tribe? She really had to find more books on these creatures, so she could find out more.

On 8/8/2020 at 5:23 PM, Catpone Cerberus said:

"Speaking of mermaids though, keep an eye on ponies you don't recognize, there was a foal around here collecting feathers who saw me, I think I got him to believe that I'm a mermaid as he didn't seem to know about sirens, but his parents may get curious if he talks about it."

"Ooof, that's not good, getting spotted. But it's just a small foal, so that should be too bad. Foals think they see all sorts. I could've sworn I saw breezies in the hospital sometimes, but the nurses kept telling me there weren't anything. I'm pretty sure it was just my imagination gone high these days, and that's how it is with all the little ones. Well, most of them. There's some who doesn't have a lot of imagination. But most does, and the parents are gonna think that too. At worst, some of the foals might start wandering in groups, trying to find the Ponyville Mermaid. It's cute, and it keeps them entertained. long as they don't go into the forest. It's real dangerous for the small foalsies."

Another splash would be heard, as Fah'lina came back from the lake, with a large fish tail sticking out of her maw. The rest were stuck in her bulging gut, and wriggled around until she crunched down. Lunch should stay still. Especially when she started to digest, which were done on the edge of the pool, laying on her stomach. She'd eventually slurp in the fish tail, though for now, she had the main part of the fish to get digested first.

"Huh, seems like she's gonna wait for later after all.

Anyway, so you're hiding from the timberwolf, and don't wanna read, a nap might be good for you. Maybe I can bake something nice for when you wake up? Like a fish pie. Serenade's been showing me how to do it in a way that's not too gross. Maybe I can get that done, if I can make our little friend here, help me catch one."

In response to things, Agni would flap on top of Nada's head again, and get himself comfortably seated. If she were gonna take a nap, he'd rest along with her. He could keep an eye on her then. Though if she went into the water to sleep, he'd just go for a shelf where he could see things well from. As as a sign of good faith, he wouldn't pick what were clearly Fah'lina's spot, despite the little pillow there.

=================================================================================

@Catpone Cerberus

Once they had retreated, and Lyriel took her own stick, there would come the next clue shortly after. This time, fro the trickster, who'd cough up an acorn, that'd start sprouting into a small, bulky bush with flowery arms. Once it were fully grown, it would start to pick the leaves from it's form, all whilst silently dancing, up until the leaves were all gone. Once they were, it's make a final spin, then implode, whilst the leaves rearranged themselves from the force, into a series of words.

"So far so good, yet now it is time to bring me food. A jar of ectoplasm, from the cursed hut, then uhm... I dunno, a phoenix roasted hazelnut? Rhyming is hard!"

"...Okay then. I may know how to get a phoenix to roast some nuts for us, if we can find them. I am not sure what she means with a cursed hut though. Is it an abandoned living space, per chance? I have seen several ones in this forest. Including this castle."

====================================================================================

@Lucid_Nightlight

The pony gave a lazy smile towards them, and shrugged his shoulders.

"Nah man, it's cool. I got another one. Just gonna ta-"

Splat!

Henry's right, meaty hand would hammer down, and splatter the pony all over the place, revealing him to made entirely of mud and worms.

"Well duh, I'm not gonna make a real pony. That'd be crazy, seeing how dangerous this place is. Mutants and weirdos only. Along with wedding guests, but they were safe. Kind of. Maybe."

...Moving right along, it seemed their enemy were defeated for now, as Henry kept smashing the worms, before clawing them back into his lava pool. It'd burn them nice and efficiently.

"Okay, that was one enemy. Now it's your turn to sort it! Though you might wanna do something with the inspector. Or isn't he real either? Is he made of chocolate?"

@Illiad Easle

(New Las Pegasus)

13 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

The mare looked a bit concerned at Null's strained voice, but didn't comment on it, "For the wheat loaf and habanero butter? $5. It's a bit harder to make than your friend's, but not much."

Alright, so she had the dollars for it then. That was something going the right way at least.

Handing over the dough, no pun intended, she'd wait for the wares she had paid for, and gave a glance around, just to see if perhaps they were being watched. Probably not, but in this town, she doubted it were wise to not be paranoid.

13 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

The loaf was still warm and soft and the butter was fragrant, she could smell the spice in it even wrapped. "I hope you enjoy it, don't be afraid to ask if you need anything!"

Null could indeed smell the spice before she even got it, and mentally felt a tinge of excitement over it, actually. It would help calm her down to have a bit of spice in her life, and as she received the full order, she were pleasantly surprised to find that the loaf were still warm. Usually when she had baker's bread, it were fished out of their dumpster, or she'd go in and purchase it when they were almost close, since there tended to be deals for it then. Perhaps not optimal, but Void and her had to get as much our of every penny, bit, etc. that they could. Especially when they were smaller, and unable to pick up any sort of day labor. Which were still not easy afterwards, due to Null being essentially unwanted for most things, and Void being damaged as well, which made folks question what she were able to deal with.

But Void tended to have a way of convincing them that she could pull her share, and then some, if they gave her the chance to prove it. As for Null... Well, turns out there were groups that did have some use for her, long as she weren't all that fussed about things like morality and intent of those who'd pay her. Being small and not bitten much notice in, beyond the usual pity or curiosity stare, she tended to well enough either scouting for shady types who didn't want the cops finding them, or delivering unmarked, sealed up packages.

Of course, since it were shady types, they didn't always pay her, and when they did, it weren't always the promised amount either, but she'd take what she could get. Perhaps this time around, she could manage to have a bit of standards. Though she still didn't feel above robbing her victims. After all, if they were dead, and didn't show any signs of having a family, as well as having been horrible to her, why let valuables go to waste? If there were sign of families to feed, she tended to deposit things at their home, or leave it behind on the corpse, but that certainly didn't mean she were above stealing from the dead. Including good old fashioned grave robbing. Of long dead ones though, like tombs. She weren't wandering around a regular graveyard at night, with a pair of pliers and a shovel, hoping to scrounge up some gold teeth.

14 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

If they remained long enough she'd eventually step out from around the counter to come to their table, or to the dining area if Null wasn't sharing a table with Arcade. "So, how's everything? Good I hope?"

Arcade would nod with a pleased smile, "It's some of the best bread I've ever had." Which, admittedly wasn't saying much, but the bread was very high quality to be sure.

After getting Null's feedback she'd continue, "If you don't mind me asking, where are you two from? You with that group that came in earlier?"

Null were indeed sharing the table with Arcade. She had wandered in with him, so why separate here, right? Sides, wasn't like he was all bad. In many ways, he were probably the one she figured understood her the next best, right after Void. They hadn't known one another for long enough to make him the one who'd get it the best by a mile, but he had some of the same experiences, and a perspective that frankly, Void couldn't understand. And not just due to height.

"Its pretty good. The spice in the butter goes through well, there's a fair after burn, and the bread's nice and warm. A good deal better than what I usually get at bakeries."

It wasn't wrong really, and it wasn't like this was bad either. It actually were rather delicious, but apparently, she couldn't just up and say that, but instead had to try and be prideful about it, and hold back some. What were she, a darn dragon?

Peh, she knew what the real deal were. It were The Grey, lurking in her head now, as he had been brought up several times today now. It made her a little on edge, and when that happened, she got defensive. Not that different from prideful, when it came to doling out compliments, though she still thought it sounded like she gave praise. Especially since this mare, would not know her usual eating habits at bakeries.

"And yeah, we came in with them, from Troy. Going around and checking what parts of town is safe now, since I frankly don't trust anyplace, unless I see it up and close myself. The town's low rung, shady quarter seems fairly tame though. Figured it'd be worse, for a place this size."

Wasn't much point in hiding she had come in from Troy really. In case this one were some sort of spy for The Grey, it wasn't like that was unusual information, not possible to gain elsewhere. The ambassadors were pretty easily made out to be what they were, and as the one seemingly in control of this town, The Grey would know well what their rank and purpose here were. It'd frankly be a bigger issue if Arcade said where he were from, but surely he wouldn't just start blabbering on about that. Wouldn't make sense to do something like that.

"Taking it the law here's effective?"

(Troy)

"I uhm... T-Think you might have misunderstood me. I am not advocating for imprisoning them until they're adults. I'm saying it would be even worse if we kept them too l-locked up, and used this as a sort of argument. I guess I didn't formulate it right. Sorry."

Void felt rather embarrassed at things. Granted, pen and Vale had afterwards gone into a talk that went along the line of thought she were touching on, but it were still awkward to think that they might have believed her want, were to trap the foals. Nothing could be further from the truth. She wanted them to see the world, and for the world to see them. Just uhm... Maybe a little by little, instead of all at once. For all their sake.

"And I think you might be o-overthinking it, with how they look like the element wearers, and the princesses. There's a lot of w-ways that a pony can look like, and I could mention at least five I've seen, that looked something like Applejack, or Twilight. Without the alicorn part, o-of course. Worst case scenario, it's not too hard to give them a haircut, or style their manes differently.

It's worse if their cutie marks ends up looking similar, but I've seen p-places before that did makeup stuff to change how it looked. Not saying it is easy, but it s-should be possible to tweak how it looks to others a bit, with a little will. But that's just if it ends up being similar. I sorta doubt it, even if I have seen the same cutie mark on varied ponies before. They're not as u-unique as we'd like to think.

Honestly, I think the biggest thing should probably be to m-make them promise not to say they're clones, or talk about the facility to others. That'd probably cause the b-biggest sort of unrest.

Also, I think they might get s-scared if we try to split them up, before taking them away from the others. It might look like we're taking them off to do e-experiments or something on. They'll probably feel safer together. The ones who can walk a-anyway. I'm not sure how the toddlers would react."

Okay, that was dealing with the foals then. So far so good. Or well, her opinions on them at least, which were still important, hopefully. Now came the part about what to do before they showed up, and she for one, had at least one important thing to advocate for.

"Regarding preparing for them to show up, I got a good deal of toys repaired,. Didn't really sleep, so I got a lot of work done, though there's still some I need to work on b-back at the workshop."

She'd lay out some stuff. Mostly it was wooden toys, like a train set, some block puzzles, and a glockenspiel. Which had been surprisingly easy to fix, really. Just needed some new screws, and a replacement board underneath, and it functioned as good as new.

There were also some plushies, and a few coloring books, foal's books in general and the like, that she had brought along. She still had some for the younglings to play with at the workshop if it were, but there had been in excess. This way, the love would be spread around, and she hadn't taken the most popular, beloved things. She knew a few would be sad if they had been there with their parents again, and couldn't play with that.

"I also got some mosaic's done, but I could use some h-help to move them. The faster we get them here, the quicker we can get t-them set up."

@Illiad Easle

I think you may have misunderstood. What Void's saying is not that she wants the foals to stay hidden until they're grown. She's arguing for why it is a bad idea, since she feels like that might be where their thinking is, since they talk about it being problematic.

Also, a thought that's been going through my head recently. Not something I need an answer to in full, spoiler wise. Just a thought about The Grey.

What if he had already been judged? It might be where you are going already, which is why I'm being paranoid about it. I get the increasing feeling that they're gonna meet, and she will end up being unable to exact vengeance upon him, since the rules states that she cannot judge an already judged one. If I understood it right, anyway.

Basically, just wanna know if I understood it right, and what would happen then, if she still tried to judge him? Would Nine stop her? Would she have to chose between judging him, and all the others that might come for them out there? She'd probably resent Vengeance for not letting her know this, but it could be a tough lesson that were planned in advance.

Anyway, rambling on, no spoilers needed. Just curious about the rules about being judged, in relations to another judge then coming along.

Added some posts to folks who posted more or less immediately after I finished my last one, just because it seemed too close. Will be back to spew out more ramblings Monday.

@Rising Dusk

8 minutes ago, Rising Dusk said:

It was time to turn his attention on the invader itself.  "You aren't Princess Luna and you aren't a Dream Warden.  You speak of traveling though dreams before, but it doesn't sound like through these lands.  Are you the light tainting my wisp?  A piece of the Goddess of Harrowmark?" he asked rather upfront.

"𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖑𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖎𝖘 𝖇𝖚𝖙 𝖆 𝖌𝖎𝖋𝖙. 𝕬 𝖗𝖊𝖒𝖎𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖆 𝖘𝖑𝖎𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖔𝖋 𝖕𝖔𝖜𝖊𝖗, 𝖕𝖔𝖘𝖘𝖎𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝖜𝖎𝖊𝖑𝖉 𝖘𝖆𝖋𝖊𝖑𝖞 𝖇𝖞 𝖆𝖓 𝖚𝖓𝖙𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖉 𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖆𝖑, 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖘𝖊𝖑𝖋."

She had listened intently as Rising had answered her inquiries, especially when it came to that of the moon being. One she'd like to know more of one day, if it somehow became possible, as it were curious to her, how a simple pony, could not only survive for centuries within the moon, but also warranted such powerful binds. What darkness had that pony not possessed, for it to end as such? It were hard to say, yet it did provide some insight into the outside for her. Proof that there were great darkness in other places too, and that ones such as Twisted, were not limited to only their land.

As for her own answer, it were the truth. Rising were not tempered by living in a land where gods thrived, and as such, could end up tainted in some way, were he to gain a large amount of gifted power. A sliver like this however, were safe for him to own, and use, if need be.

"𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖑𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝖍𝖔𝖑𝖉𝖘 𝖕𝖔𝖙𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖆𝖑, 𝖎𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖋𝖎𝖓𝖉 𝖓𝖊𝖊𝖉 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖎𝖙. 𝕬𝖘 𝕴 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖉 𝖔𝖕𝖊𝖓 𝖆 𝖉𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝖙𝖔 𝖞𝖔𝖚, 𝖘𝖔 𝖓𝖔𝖜 𝖈𝖆𝖓 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖙𝖔 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖒, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖘 𝖎𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖘𝖙𝖚𝖉𝖞 𝖎𝖙 𝖜𝖊𝖑𝖑, 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖉𝖆𝖞 𝖋𝖎𝖓𝖉 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖈𝖆𝖓 𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖆𝖈𝖙 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖔𝖓𝖑𝖞 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖎𝖓𝖉𝖘 𝖔𝖋 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖑𝖎𝖛𝖎𝖓𝖌, 𝖇𝖚𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖑𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝖙𝖔𝖔. 𝕴𝖙 𝖎𝖘 𝖚𝖕 𝖙𝖔 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖜𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖓𝖘. 𝕿𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖎𝖘 𝖇𝖚𝖙 𝖆 𝖐𝖊𝖞. 𝖂𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖉𝖔 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖎𝖙, 𝖎𝖘 𝖔𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖔𝖜𝖓 𝖈𝖍𝖔𝖎𝖈𝖊."

The moth would flutter ever so slightly closer, but halt before getting within a meter of him, and simply hover in the air, lazily flapping her wings, as the big question from Rising remained lingering.

"𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖐𝖓𝖔𝖜 𝖜𝖍𝖔 𝕴 𝖆𝖒, 𝖞𝖊𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖘 𝖎𝖘 𝖇𝖚𝖙 𝖆𝖓 𝖆𝖛𝖆𝖙𝖆𝖗. 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖆𝖑 𝖒𝖎𝖓𝖉 𝖈𝖆𝖓𝖓𝖔𝖙 𝖘𝖚𝖗𝖛𝖎𝖛𝖊 𝖇𝖊𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖍𝖔𝖘𝖙 𝖔𝖋 𝖆 𝖉𝖊𝖎𝖙𝖞 𝖎𝖓 𝖋𝖚𝖑𝖑. 𝕴𝖙 𝖎𝖘 𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝖒𝖆𝖓𝖞 𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖔𝖓𝖘, 𝖜𝖍𝖞 𝖒𝖞 𝖕𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖘𝖘𝖊𝖘 𝖘𝖚𝖗𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖎𝖗 𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖆𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖞, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖆𝖘𝖈𝖊𝖓𝖉 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖎𝖗 𝖋𝖗𝖆𝖌𝖎𝖑𝖊 𝖘𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖑𝖘."

Twisted had talked briefly on this, when he accused Thistle of being a puppet. He had spoken of it in less flattering ways of course, but this were confirmation that yes, for Thistle - and all the priestesses who would come after her - you truly had to give yourself fully to the goddess. The price of worship, when as Viz'nay said, you could not survive being both a regular mortal, and be a host for the entirety of a deity's presence.

"𝕹𝖔𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝕴 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖑𝖉 𝖘𝖍𝖔𝖜 𝖎𝖓 𝖋𝖚𝖑𝖑, 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖓 𝖎𝖋 𝕴 𝖍𝖆𝖉 𝖆 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖙. 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖋𝖆𝖗 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖒𝖞 𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖓𝖔𝖜, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖇𝖆𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝖕𝖔𝖜𝖊𝖗 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖞𝖊𝖙 𝖙𝖔 𝖇𝖊 𝖈𝖔𝖗𝖗𝖊𝖈𝖙𝖊𝖉. 𝕿𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖌𝖍 𝖕𝖊𝖗𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖘 𝖜𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖉𝖆𝖞 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖚𝖗𝖓, 𝖜𝖊 𝖒𝖆𝖞 𝖆𝖑𝖑 𝖙𝖍𝖗𝖊𝖊 𝖇𝖊 𝖆𝖇𝖑𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝖘𝖊𝖊 𝖋𝖆𝖈𝖊 𝖙𝖔 𝖋𝖆𝖈𝖊. 𝕿𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖌𝖍 𝕴 𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖗𝖞 𝖎𝖙 𝖜𝖎𝖑𝖑 𝖙𝖆𝖐𝖊 𝖒𝖚𝖈𝖍 𝖙𝖎𝖒𝖊 𝖇𝖊𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖊 𝕾𝖚𝖚𝖘𝖍𝖆 𝖆𝖗𝖊 𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉𝖞 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖙.

𝕴 𝖜𝖔𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖌𝖍, 𝖆𝖒 𝕴 𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖗𝖚𝖉𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖔𝖓 𝖌𝖗𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖉𝖘, 𝖇𝖊𝖑𝖔𝖓𝖌𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖆 𝖇𝖊𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖔𝖋 𝖎𝖒𝖕𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊 𝖔𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖔𝖜𝖓? 𝖄𝖔𝖚 𝖘𝖕𝖊𝖆𝖐 𝖔𝖋 𝖆 𝖕𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖘𝖘, 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝖜𝖆𝖗𝖉𝖘, 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖉𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒𝖘? 𝕳𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖎𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝖘𝖕𝖊𝖆𝖐𝖘 𝖔𝖋 𝖆 𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖆𝖑. 𝕬 𝖕𝖔𝖜𝖊𝖗𝖋𝖚𝖑 𝖔𝖓𝖊 𝖙𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖌𝖍, 𝖎𝖋 𝖘𝖍𝖊 𝖈𝖆𝖓 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖉𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒𝖘. 𝕯𝖔𝖊𝖘 𝖘𝖍𝖊 𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖘? 𝕴𝖙 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖇𝖊𝖊𝖓 𝖑𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖘𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊 𝕴 𝖍𝖆𝖛𝖊 𝖒𝖊𝖙 𝖆 𝖉𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒 𝖜𝖆𝖑𝖐𝖊𝖗."

Princess Luna were an entity which Viz'nay found interesting, by mention alone. Dream wanderers were extremely rare in Harrowmark, as she did not offer this power to many of her followers. Too easy to misuse, and corrupt, which were why she normally tended to this function herself.

Yet every so often, one were selected that otherwise could do so. However, one who were not able to do so, through the endorsing powers of a deity? She knew only of five, and all but one had been forgotten by history, for varied reasons. Mostly that it were easy to get lost in the mind, or they found themselves trapped, when the one they visited suddenly awoke, with them still in their head.

Mind Crawler were a special case though. Powerful as any she personally had endorsed, yet wandered through minds with no blessing of hers. She mostly left him to his own accord, as what he did were mostly harmless information gathering, or messing with others. Minor things, that did not matter much to a deity, yet she had found it amusing that others were surprised one day, to find that he rose as a savior of their kind, as he helped unlock the minds of many a being, affected by a grave curse, keeping them locked in endless nightmares. They had seen him as a troublemaker at worst, or a necessity, due to his impressive spy working, and did not understand his good nature, until he showed it to them. One of several times he had done so, which she tended to not interfere with, as he seemed to enjoy suddenly finding himself out of the shadows, and helping in the front of things.

As she knew it, he were now immortalized in their halls, whilst for her, he rested comfortably in her offered afterlife. A rest he had earned, after a long life of salvaging dreams. Among other things.

====================================================================

@Sekel

35 minutes ago, Sekel said:

She left them on the table and walked out the way she saw the Ambassador go. She took it upon herself to keep calm, and remind herself that she was not a fugitive having broken out with Zio, she was a 'sister' to a Gemling Princess and hopefully she can act as such if she finds a general along the way.

It'd honestly not take too long before she were interrupted by someone. A bat pony, wearing a pair of tinted glasses, as many other thestrals that joined the Night Guard had, whenever they were needed for day shifts.

"Uhm... Miss? Are you looking for something?"

She were somewhat nervous as she approached Karmic, unsure of what to think, considering the symbol on her pack. The guard knew that there were a prime city of the sphinx somewhere out there, which had servant ponies all over the place, and heard rumors that they sometimes send one of those around to deliver messages, so this might be a possibly disturbing thing. Especially since the word were buzzing that there actually were a sphinx on palace grounds now, as crazy as it may sound.

1 hour ago, Sekel said:

"So why are you looking all gargoyle like, Enzy?"

"In parts due to me waiting for you. Though otherwise, to play on these ponies worries, from seeing one of my kind here. I know what they expect of me, and what the presence of a sphinx means. They will understand in time, that it is not that simple anymore, yet for now, I will amuse myself, with seeing them. A play for vanity and performance I suppose. Just gaze at them, and see how nervous they are."

Which were a right way of putting it, as the ones who mostly gazed on him, didn't seem to know what to think, and were too nervous to get anywhere near to ask.

However, some were also curious, and especially, that counted for a group of school foals beneath them, where several of the small ones looked up, pointed, and seemed to get ecstatic. The teacher attempting to push them along did not seem to deter them from gawking honestly, and if they were afraid, it couldn't be seen. They were probably just awestruck with seeing something big an unusual like this. Doubly so when he presented himself in the way he now did, to make it something more theatrical.

===================================================================

@Sekel

"Krrrxxht. 46 meters North-West."

The manetid were the first to speak, and the one who would be able to say the most about this place too. The Shrine Maidens had never mapped out this forest, nor where its edge were. But the manetids had lived in this valley far, far longer than the Shrine Maidens had. They knew where things were, and this one, were aware of its edge too.

usually they never wandered into such places, but her squad commander had been eager, once he saw a Shrine Maiden. He threw caution to the wind, and it had taken him, along wit the others. His failure would not be the end of her, too.

So she pointed in the right direction, with one of her bladed hands, just to make sure that everything were understood right, and then stood prepared to fight the tendrils if they broke through this shield. She knew not who any of these were, but the winged pony were strong, in the field of magic, and her title were one of interest. It were in her best interest to keep the equine safe. Even if it meant working together with the irate equine guard of hers, who stood silently now, prepared to fight as well. As for the spectral one... She knew not what to make of her. The concept of ghosts were not something she grasped, so for the time being, she merely considered this one to be a strong magic user, whom one should watch out for, if she got too emotional.

If Twilight followed the directions given by the manetid, she'd find that they would lead them to the edge of the forest, as indicated. What laid beyond here, were far as any of them were concerned, unknown territory. One which so far, didn't seem to try and destroy them at least.

=====================================================================

@Sekel

"Chrysalis? Urgh, favor have smiled upon you then. What I know of her from other hiveless, says that she'd be likely to crush you, rather than raise you, once it were found out that you were a royal nymph."

"Hah, told ya."

"In any case, it is fascinating to see a newly ascended one. In my old hive, I did not bear witness to that. I assumed the process wouldn't put you in full maturity that easily, but it appears I have been assuming wrong. Fascinating really."

She'd glance at Aurora, inspecting the young queen, but not judging her all that much. She were new in the job, so to speak. What could one expect from that?

"Perhaps this is time for introductions on our behalf. I am Lulu Leila. Formerly of Hive Illumina. My companion down there are Flaxxy. We are adventurers. And apologies if we spooked you with our race before. It helps pass the time on long travels."

"Illumina? Can't say I've heard about them."

"They like to keep it like that, though I don't much care for it. Especially now that our kind are perfectly legal to wander around. But I have cut most of my ties with the hive a long time ago, so what they wish to do in Fillydephia, is of little concern to me.

And do please excuse Flaxxy. She sometimes have issues knowing what time one should interject with things."

"Eh, we wouldn't have much to say anyway. I got smashed in the noggin by something that glittered, and it came from the forest. All we know. Guess I'm dense enough that it couldn't break through though."

"I could think of a less crude way to say it, but yes. You appear to have gotten lucky."

"Not yet I haven't."

Happy would give Lulu a wink and a grin, which - judging by the look on her face - she did not find all that amusing.

"I find myself worried for you, if this sort of behavior are not just confined to when he have received a head trauma, Queen... ?"

Lulu would let it linger in the air, and motion towards Aurora, to finish it. By that meaning to introduce herself, as so far, they knew only that her carry on were called Happy.

========================================================================================

@Sekel @Widdershins

"Calm down Dazzle. Please? We have a monster invasion it sounds like. We have to try and keep our heads cool."

Stare would cringe a little, as she felt the sparks dance around, coming off from Dazzle, but she still moved a little closer, and tried to see if she couldn't help their new friend to calm down a little. It seemed like she might explode otherwise, and that would surely not be good. They already had enough trouble with the weird new life form attacking them. They didn't need more weird, potentially dangerous outbursts.

"Nopony expects you to know what these things are. We're just sharing information, asking if anypony does. It sounds like no, so this might be from long away. Or some monster that have been locked up in the woods, normally. It sometimes happen.

Normally Twilight and her friends deals with this, but the princess isn't here. I dunno where she is, but she went away with that stranger forepony, that helped around town. Applejack is probably handling the farm, and making sure others are safe there. Fluttershy is probably trying to gather some help, whilst Rainbow Dash and Rarity probably deal with those they see in town. Though seeing how much they grow, it might get too dangerous for them, or the guard. You uhm... Seem to have some sort of electric magic? Are you good at it? You might be really helpful to the town, if you are."

@Sekel

There, sorted.

@Sekel

Oh, shoot. I'll get to work on that right away. Sorry.

As for Atzy, far as I know, she were planning on instead of flying down with them, to walk into the castle, and try to get hold of one of the generals, so that she could inform them of their current legal status. Have her ask around, or cause a ruckus of some sort, and she'll get their attention sooner or later.

@Windy Breeze 🥧

"Yes please. I don't wanna risk anything. Maybe if we hurry, we can fly down the street, and try to find Autumn's house? It looked like the memories makes the possessed sorta ignore us, so if we can find another pocket like this again, it could work in keeping us safe. And I bet their house is full of memories. Bad, disturbing memories... *gulp* But we need to be faced with those too, to try and help her."

Unless seeing the most closely kept things, would instead make Autumn fly into an even higher degree of psychotic rage, before pulling the house down over their heads, but uhm... Best to try and think positive about this. There were enough potential, imminent doom here, without her needing to make up more ways it could happen.

Sorrow would follow Windy, as they'd fly and either look for the house, or some other memory pocket that they could intermingle in. Unless Windy did not fly off within the next five or so seconds, in which case she'd take the charge herself, and fly down the street at a fair height, looking for something they could latch on to here. Though in case they got chased at some point, it were just max speed, and look for the closest memory. Didn't matter what it were, long as it could provide them some degree of a breather.

====================================================================

@Lucid_Nightlight

On 8/7/2020 at 6:12 AM, Lucid_Nightlight said:

"Eh, she'll probably live. And YOU'RE  a plastic ya pixie!"

Rose flew off Anomaly, just before she were flattened by the suddenly larger Pringle, and her pumpkin splattered all over the ground. And at the comment, would turn towards Lucid, flying midair, with her tongue pulled on him.

"I'm a Faerie, not a Pixie, or disgusting plastic thing. Stupid, normal horsie."

As a draconequus offspring, raised in this weird place, calling someone a normal creature were essentially an insult. Which she cemented by waving her fingers, and making a glittery lines in the air write *Normal horsie* over and over again, whilst singing the same two words in a gleeful tone, occasionally adding in a *Na na na na naaaa na*. Clearly a fae child, as a pixie would have just flat out stabbed him with something small, and likely poisonous. They were very direct creatures.

As Lucid and his new fiancee bickered on, Anomaly would slither out from under Pringle, and her flat form would roll up, into a five meter long, snakelike body, striped in yellow and peppermint pink. The *neck* of the creation would hammer into the ground, and a second later, emerge with a new head on, formed like an ice cream cone. With extra worms, wriggling around her cold, vanilla-looking head. And yes, she were quite delicious.

"And super smart! Behold as I summon forth a monster of unfathomable evil!"

Lightning struck in front of her,  as a maniacal cackle escaped Anomaly. All the whilst, the rest would bear witness to the terror she were summoning right in front of her, to terrify and disgust them all.

A bored sandwich delivery stallion, standing with a foot-long and looking them all over with it waving above his head.

"We ran out of mustard and corn beef, so I just used margarine and some soy bacon. It's pretty much the same anyway, right?"

With a large *meep* Anomaly would curl up and roll behind the sleeping Henry, whilst Rose would let out a scream of her own, to the tone of *No mustard? Aaaaah!" before hiding next to her mother. Truly this were a great evil.

Lucid should have maybe specified a bit more, when it came to the sort of evil he wanted to fight. Draconequui standards for evil were pretty questionable.

"Questionable!? Didn't you hear him? He said soy bacon! How much worse can it get?"

"Oh right, I had some soda's for this too. Awh man, I bet they're all warm and flat by now."

The horrified screams of Anomaly and Rose, roared through the air after that. What hero could save them now?

=================================================================

@EQ_Theta

On 8/7/2020 at 9:34 AM, EQ_Theta said:

“Oh for… really?!”

"Does that mean I hit?"

Omen wandered around a corner, tongue wrapped around her shooter, which presented her second advantage in this game: She had a several meter long, prehensile tongue. Combine that with her able to tell where the others were, and she were quite literally, able to shoot you around corners.

Of course, she were not perfect. The balls weren't dangerous, so she wouldn't try and dodge them really, and she walked slowly. Things that could be used against her, though for the time being, it seemed as if she had managed to get the first shot, which meant 5 seconds for Lin to reposition herself, before her sensor and shooter came *online* again.

Time that Omen would use to follow her, as she were still the closest one of her friends, and that seemed to her, to be whom she should follow in this game.

Though that didn't last long, as Lin soon crossed into the section where the others were, and fell into the environmental trap on the floor. 

On 8/7/2020 at 9:34 AM, EQ_Theta said:

“Whaaa! This is not going well for meeee!”

Rosa would find himself distracted by Lin coming forth, and would look at her, calculating how far she might get, and shoot at her. He'd miss her sensor by about a hoofs width, but he'd get a chance later again.

And yet, he found himself in a surprise, as his sensor would give off a slight buzz, indicating that he had been hit. Seemed like Sen had picked the perfect time, and used his sister as an effective distraction, to get a shoot in on the bat pony.

Rosa would smirk towards him, but not aiming to run away. Rather, he'd give chase to Sen, and prepare to even the score between them. How long that might take, would depend on whatever or not he'd move away before he himself were hit, about two seconds after shooting at Rosa, as Omen's shot would come in, aiming for his sensor. If she hit or not, she'd then try to hit Rosa, as she thought about the rules, which included a delay between when she could hit someone again, and she wanted to try if she could get him. Which she couldn't, as he'd dodge. But there were time, as she'd calmly begin to walk after him and Sen, leaving Lin currently not chased down. Might give her an edge.

Regardless, Rosa would be ready to shoot at Sen, soon as he had the ability to shoot himself, even if Omen had hit him. It would present a good opportunity for him to see how Sen would react to being shot at, and therefor help him understand how best to function against him in the rest of the game. Of which had only passed about two and a half minute. Plenty of time still, to rake up the points.

========================================================================

@Sekel

"I dunno. Stray wyrm from up north, maybe? Ergh, but then there'd be more ground being moved 'round... I dunno for sure."

Them being up in the air now, did manage to give them a vantage point, and see that the boars made it away from there safely, and not chased. However, it still didn't shed light on what the deal were with the changeling, nor the dust cloud following her, as she ran along like Cerberus himself were right at her heels.

As the changeling reached towards a tree, not far from where Karmic and Happy had been before, she'd launch forward, just as something finally erupted out of the ground. Which would turn out to be a diamond dog, who also reached out, yet the changeling were first in hitting the tree, and turned around triumphantly.

"*hah, hah* And as you can see, I am yet again your superior."

The diamond dog pounced a meaty fist into the ground, before letting out a loud, bellowing laughter. Sounded like somepony tickling a hyena.

"Someday, Flaxxy is winner. Getting veeery close now."

The booming, somewhat feminine voice, would be joyfully spouted by the rather large, limber looking diamond dog. One with quite the amount of close-packed muscles rippling under her short brown grey fur. Her body were rather top heavy, with some semblance to a gorilla, if you wanted to draw similarities, but with longer backlegs than that. It were clear that she could punch much greater than kick though.

She appeared to have a few golden teeth in her upper and lower maw, a short blue hair and tail style, and around her neck, a rather expensive looking collar of gold with precious stones in the metal. She also seemed to be wearing a vest and pants made of leather, along with a large satchel bag of the same material slung around her back.

Opposite on the diamond dog, the changeling stood and caught her breath after the race they had, whilst attempting to even out her attire. Whereas the diamond dog were more gruff looking, elegance seemed to be the word to go with when it came to this one, as everything from her adventurers outfit with several pockets, a tool belt, and the leather saddle bag down her left side, appeared to be if not perfectly clean, then at least as much as it could be for one on the road, and well sewn together here and there if you looked really close. It were also less focused on being bulky, but rather a mixture of finer clothing, and functionality. A sort of fashionably practical adventurers garb, if you would.

This lean changeling were as dark as her normal changeling counterparts, with a slick back horn, small fangs, and the only color in her likely on her stomach like with many other changelings of the olden kinds. Though some color were possible to see in the dozen of so small, dark pink crystals, hanging from the steel chain around her neck.

Said changeling would take a deep breath, then wrinkle her nose, and sniff the air, before looking directly up at Aurora and Happy. A surprised glance went over her topaz-colored eyes, and she spread her wings to fly up towards them, though stopping a few meters away. it seemed she were cautious about the two of them, which really, should that be a surprise? Lone queens carrying a reformed changeling like this, weren't normal.

"Heeeey! Things okay? Flaxxy cannot reach you."

The changelings would wave a hoof dismissively toward towards the diamond dog, who seemed to calm down some, but kept her eyes on them, and small ears perked.

"Hello there. I don't mean to intrude too much, but you seem to be carrying a changeling from an unknown hive of reformed ones. Considering the general distaste from the regular queens towards the reformed ones, you may understand my worry at the situation, as well as the fact that a queen wanders in the open like this, without protection. It seems unusual. Potentially a sort of... Rite of passage, if you will, which I don't think would be a wise idea."

"Nah, don't sweat it girlie. Aurora here's a new queen on the block. And she ain't tacking me off to sacrifice me or nothing. She's just being helpful, after I got a big ol' shiny smashed into my head before, which have messed up my balance a bit. Seems like someone's having a dozy, throwing stuff from the Everfree Forest. Safety hazard I tell ya."

"There are shinies? Where?"

Flaxxy suddenly got a lot more interested after hearing that part. She loved shinies. Especially valuable ones, which she could then trade in for other stuff, like food, clothes, a roof over her head, or even other shines she liked more. Much good could come from shinies.

@Illiad Easle

(New Las Pegasus)

On 8/6/2020 at 8:10 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Spicy you say? One of the few things that grow well here is peppers, so I do have a few spicy spreads to choose from, though I'd recommend a wheat loaf, toasted, as the spice tends to clash with the sourdough, but that's just a suggestion. If you want a little spice I've got sriracha butter, if you want more spice you could try some habanero butter."

"Wheat loaf and habanero butter then, please. It's been a long day, and I could use a heat spike to make it better."

Yeah yeah, she knew, for most, mellowing out didn't include getting a tingling, burning feeling in your muzzle and throat, but after you got used enough to eating these sorts of things, it influenced you. Void weren't much for highly spicy tastes, so peppers, chilies, that sort of thing- All for Null to freely take. There were times where it were her only source of food. And yes, her indegestion had been tested many a time because of that, but well... This was her comfort food. It reminded her of some of the good days, when both Void and her would eat.

...Actually, thinking about it like that, really put into perspective how low the bar for a good memory were, in her case.

On 8/6/2020 at 8:10 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"I figured you two were from outside. Cash is pretty simple, we don't have a lot of any old currency, so we turned to using the casino chips as money, exchange rates fluctuate over time, but they hold a bit more stable than the other currencies as there's a set amount of cash, while the others come and go. Bits, Dollars, Talons, Gems, they're all valid currency in the city, but you'll have to shop around to get the best value for them. Debt however..."

Thankfully, a little lesson in local economics were a fine distraction, from a rather depressive thought. And what the baker said made a good deal of sense. When you were low on the old currency, and in the middle of a place that could turn into a war zone at a moments notice, and couldn't waste too many resources of things like crafting a new currency, why not just take the most abundantly available thing, and work with that until further notice? She had never been in the old Las Pegasus, but she heard they liked their gambling, so made sense they had those casino chips lying around. Those things were sturdy too, if they were anything like those she had handled in Murrocco. Another place for from here, that had an inkling for gambling, as well as a disturbing degree of sphinx worship.

They had not really made much of a wave in the town, except for a few who saw what they could do, and were thinking they were perhaps a strange pair of performers, so it would seem ideal enough to settle down there. Though the first time they saw the statue in the center of town, and bit note in the designated prayer time, as well as learned that at least once a month, an elder sphinx from high up their society, would arrive in town to be celebrated, dictate rules, etc. they got out of there.

They were willing to try a fair few kinds of creatures, and see how it'd work to be around them, but there were no way that they were risking it with the large felines. Especially not if they actually got visits from what sounded like either a representative, or actual member of the sphinx's high council. Any chance - however minute - that the two of them would be seen as a novelty by one of those, and brought back to their city, as either some sort of fun little peculiarity, or slaves, were not worth it. What little were known of the hidden sphinx kingdom, did not speak well of anyone having a chance of escaping, among other things.

Frankly, she'd be surprised if that place still didn't stand. Elder sphinx were powerful creatures, and their high council were made of the ilk legends were often written about. Dark, disturbing ones more often than not, yet still, legends. Though at the same time, she felt fairly certain that the place had just ended up isolating themselves, and let the world burn around them. They had nothing to gain from partaking in a world wide conflict like this, whereas simply remaining with their hordes of servants, in their obscured home, waiting for it to end, so that they could swoop in and make their mark here and there... Well, it fit their scheming, future scrying ways.

Not that she were thinking much on that. Null made it to around remembering them wandering around Murrocco, when the baker started talking again, and mentioned The Grey. An action which derailed Null's thoughts, and made her right eye twitch, at the first mention of that insolent monster's name. Subsequently, she had to bite down her own teeth rather hard, as she heard about his *ingenious way* of endeturned service for payment. Typical that he of all ponies, were perfectly fine with essentially legalized slavery.

Her view on this were not unbiased, and might gloss over a few things, to make it seem worse than it were though, so her opinion on it should be taken with a grain of salt.

On 8/6/2020 at 8:10 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"It's not the most self-explanatory system, which is why I mostly stick to cash, but Credit is good to have when you need scarce ingredients. It cost me quite a bit to get my sourdough starter."

"...I'll just be sticking with regular payment. How much in these dollar things, for the bread and butter?"

Her voice were strained a little, at the beginning, as she stuffed her anger down her metaphorical throat. If she started to go on one of her rants about The Grey now, she'd blow this entire thing, and she wouldn't let that happen. Not when she were finally so close to ending his cursed existence.

(Troy)

On 8/6/2020 at 8:10 AM, Illiad Easle said:

Pen and Vale would meet her at the building, now almost fully furnished, along with Selena who was talking with them with a bit of a concerned expression, though it brightened a bit when Void approached. The kitchen area had some holes in the wall where new connections to the pipes had been installed, the sink and a countertop had been installed, there was a taped off section where a worker was installing the stove and a cooler crate. There were parts leaning against the wall for more counter space and cabinets to be installed.

Void would give a tired wave and smile towards the three as she neared, but stayed at a fair distance, due to Selena's presence. She didn't want to risk potentially stumbling, and hitting the crystal mare, after all the good things she had done for Null. It were not something the avatar of mercy deserved, and quite frankly, not Selena as a being either. She seemed like a very nice creature. Or should she say pony? Probably. Best to do that, and just change if she were told otherwise later.

Going inside, it were good to see how far they had gotten with the place. Seemed like she weren't the only one who had spent a lot of the night working, and it could really be seen here. Very impressive amount of progress they had done, in so little time.

"The forepony and his w-workers have gotten a long way. I'm very impressed."

She'd extend her praise to said forepony, if she saw him later, though for the time being, it seemed as if the other three wanted her to go over and join them somewhat close by? Perhaps something secret? Nono, it were probably nothing. Just her being paranoid. They were likely going to ask her what she had brought along, or were the mosaics were. That sort of thing.

On 8/6/2020 at 8:10 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"So, our forward scouts met up with the foals, they're all doing well, no worries there, though they're reportedly unused to a normal day cycle, likely due to their time in the facility. So we're getting some good curtains for the windows until they adjust to the light cycle above ground. But that's not what's most important." She turned to include Void in the conversation, "The guards and ambassadors in the party were Trojan, never really knew Equestria, as such they didn't think twice about their appearance, but one of the scouts was Equestrian, and noticed immediately that these foals bear strong resemblance to some of the Elements of Harmony. The youngest two are quite similar in appearance to Princesses Luna and Celestia. They aren't alicorns, which makes this complicated situation a bit simpler, but understandably they may attract some undesirable attention."

She sighed, "Having the locals swarm them will hardly help, and neither will keeping them stuck in this room. We'll be bringing them in secretly, have as little of the populous know about them as possible. Already the workers have been bound to secrecy. Once they get acclimated here we can see about introducing them to the public, but it will still cause problems..."

...To say that she had been wrong, were an understatement. Not only were they clones, but they were clones of the princesses and... *gulp*

"This is c-complicated, yes. I uhm... B-Back in Ponyville, big sis and I met most the wearers. Rarity did not go w-well, but Applejack seemed nice, and Twilight were... Kinda terrifying in her own way, though I don't t-think she knew that. Kinda like Pinkie Pie. She was v-very intense.

A-Anyway, just saying that it will be kinda awkward, but i'll t-try my best. It helps with the warning so uhm, t-thank you for that.

I think you're r-right, with it causing problems in the l-long run, regardless of how secretly we t-try to introduce others to them, but uhm... If I can g-give a counter argument? What if they're n-never introduced, and then e-eventually grows up, and the first anypo- I-I mean, anyone, sees of them, are them as grown up a-adults? The others know the real ones are c-coming back, and if they s-see them like that, it m-might make things even more confused. D-Doubly so if they got out around the t-time the real ones came back.

B-Besides, if we just keep them h-here, would we really be all that d-different from where they came f-from? I know there's gonna be issues, but the b-best way would be to deal with it as it comes along. Keep them a-away from the loyalists that'd get a little too c-clingy otherwise. And the ones who'd w-want to hurt them... W-Well, I've kept my hammer in good condition. If n-need be, I could help. Something tells me they w-won't just trust a heavily armed p-pony or griffon out of nowhere.

Of course, that's for you and the Consul to t-think about in the end, right Selena?"

Void were pretty shaken as she talked about this, but she tried her best to give her two bits on the matter.

@FanOfManyShows

Skall would find that the only face which would cause Shade pause, were that of an elderly mare. Though one whom age had been kind to.

Her mane were pale-blue, with a single, wide streak of white going from her forehead, to around the center of her back, a little right of the center of her mane, where it ended up tied into a skull that laid on her back. Seemingly a large, avian one, that glowed with a slight, pale flame.

The end of her mane were tied up with skulls of other creatures too, that hung from the side of her head, yet these streaks only went to around her neck in length, and were of smaller sizes than the larger one on her back. They were seemingly of critters of varying kinds, from rat, to eagle, and so forth. And on her forehead, placed in a way that kept other hair from wandering in and blocking her view, were a wide one. From the looks of it, a drake skull, to be exact, with a hole in it for the mare's horn to pass unhindered through. An unusual decoration to say the least, but the mare were in general, unusual.

From head to hooves, she were wearing a darkened black and purple robe, with a large hood hanging down her back. It were not loose though, like you'd see on a cultist, but rather form firm and clearly not just bought from any regular shop. This were custom tailored. And if the form didn't show that enough, the fact that on the right side, it carried a saddlebag that were adorned with a symbol that looked like a scythe with a half-burned, lit candle balancing on top of the blade, should tell you. This were not something regular ponies wandered with. And neither were the scythe that laid folded down her left side.

She looked as if she meant business. From the way she dressed, to the steely gaze in her clear, silvery eyes, this were a mare you did not trifle with, and it were one that made Shade pause for the second it would take to deflect his strike.

As for the blade itself, Skall could grab it, though he might find that the grip would start to go painful. What with the sharpness of the blade and all. Though as Shade began pouring necrotic energy in it, that would also likely not help things. Pain curses were such annoying things to let into your system, so it would likely be wise to let go of this soon. And by extend, Shade, who did not seem to fear Skall in the slightest, as he began his illusions. In fact, his eye simply narrowed.

"Your illusions won't save you from me, Drake. I don't fear your tricks, but I will make sure that you will mine."

Whilst he said his demeaning insult to Skall - as calling a dragons a drake, tended to be something they saw as a great insult normally, due to an unflattering comparison - The metal would perhaps impact him, or the wall he were halfway through, but they would find no hold in anything but the rocks, and a substance akin to thick swamp muck. There were no flesh or blood to strike here. Maybe due to the magic that had him halfway in this shadowy form?

His eye would glow bright, with cracks forming, as the three guards who had been protecting what were clearly not an innocent bystander, twitched, and fell to the ground unconscious, before three shadowy representations rose from their form, seemingly wearing the same attire all of his squad had on. They'd attempt to strike at Skall from the other angle, whilst the spirit hissed in her weak, mostly powerless voice.

"Hsssss. What is a necromancer doing here?"

As for searching for fears, or somepony who had hurt them... The squad would be unaffected by this, whilst Shade himself, would do his best to keep the mongrel out of his head, with his own, mental resolve, yet if Skall were strong enough, he'd find that three faces kept showing up. The elderly mare, as well as two ponies that looked like they might be twins. A mare, and an effeminate stallion, whom would make Shade's eye flare with anger to be faced with.

================================================================

@FanOfManyShows

"She might not be an issue, but the spirit would be. And if she's too eager to use the gem, it will likely overtake her."

After saying her piece, and letting Chariot go to find Sapphire, she would wander over and take a piece of cloth away from another cauldron. This one, a fair bit larger, and filled with cleaned, purified bones. Those of Sapphire, that had been dug up, and purified not too long ago, in preparation for this day. As were the bags of blood, resting in a cooler box next to it. A thing she still had a hard time grasping, but if it worked, who were she to complain? It beat the alternative way of gaining the twenty liters of fresh blood.

She'd be done inspecting some runes on the floor, once Chariot showed up, and would nod before facing him.

"Everything is in order. Let the element float above the runic circle. In mere minutes, it will be time to begin the process, general or not. We do not have the time for further delays, it would seem, so we may as well begin the first process, and tear her soul into a more fitting object. It lessens the risk that the spirit in the element, will instead be reborn in her being."

A few things would float closer, including a small cage with a squirrel inside. A sacrifice needed for the process, due to the place that Sapphire had stuck herself into, but a needed one. As were the large, clear gem, that would host her sister, and leave her vulnerable. The point were it would show if Emerald would keep her word, or betray her, at the one point where she might be able to kill her sister off for good, or use her as a power source for something more important.

================================================================

@Windy Breeze 🥧

Sorrow wasn't sure who she were talking about, and they were interrupted before the big reveal, by the possessed filly. It appeared they had gotten her attention. And from the way she looked and talked, not in a way Sorrow felt good about. Not a single bit.

"Nope! Nope nope, nuh-uh. Nope!"

Sorrow wouldn't tick around for more than that, before spreading her wings and flying up and away, aiming to get out of the striking range of the filly, which seemed to have a want to fight them. Which she most certainly, did not share. For starters, it would draw attention, but beyond that, this were an innocent filly, being used as a puppet. She couldn't feel right about hitting a foal like this. It wasn't her fault what were going on after all, and just... It was a foal, okay? She wasn't gonna hit a youngling like that, regardless of race, if there were any other option. And right now, running away/flying out of her reach, seemed as good a way of avoiding that as any.

==================================================================

@Lucid_Nightlight

"Heey, what's he doing on My head? Weren't we like, arch rivals or something?

...Eh, whatever. It was getting boring anyway. Here you go Pringle, I made this just for you!"

With that, she'd snap her tail, and a cricket the size of a princess popped into existence, right in front of them, and looked down on Pringle with narrowed eyes. The chittering seemed to indicate it were not fond of him already, but what did the opinion of lunch matter? Pringle could do the whole size change thing now, after the deal that had been made that caused Anomaly to change him up a bit, so it should be fine. Or wait, did that go through? ergh... Maybe? Whatever, even if not, snacky time, for either of them.

Rose on the other hand,. would be halfway through her pickle, when she saw the plastic ring, and started to growl at it from a distance.

"Plastic is evil, fake stuff! Give her a real ring, made og bone and stuff. Prey parts totally means love."

====================================================================

@Sekel @Widdershins

On 8/6/2020 at 1:28 PM, Widdershins said:

 "Oh, Kluge Town is a bustling port past the wide hot desert. It's, ah...... west of Canterlot, I think? A day or so walk away but I can't say so myself. It can be hard to determine how long a journey takes when you cut away so suddenly from the drama that do so tends to happen in big cities. But irregardless, its a town built on cutting deals. D-depending on how cutting you want your deals to be of course. It does have a reputation for being able to get you whatever you might require and that's somewhat of what I mean.

The Cephalli family isn't so worried about our own perseverance. Moreover the safety of what ecosystem we happen to be in. I, uh, find its best to keep one's footprint to a minimum. I do feel we can defend ourselves if it is needed"

Scarcity had a small, delighted laughter as the location of Kluge town were mentioned, but awaited Blither to be done talking, before saying anything. One should show some degree of politeness after all, yes?

"I know of the place, though those whom I know who traverses the area, refer to it as Scumville. A seedy underbelly of a place, devoid of concepts such as standards or ethics, which I have never found much reason, nor want, to go and examine myself. I know mostly of it through some friends of mine, who passes through every now and again. As you can hear, their impressions of the place, are not flattering."

Well, friends were perhaps saying so much. More like well paid assets, who helped her gather promising leads on items not easily found, even on the black market, or in regards to creatures attempting to hide. Scumville - as she had been told it were named, by a disgruntled griffon - were a place one could at times find what she sought, or at least somepony who might know something, or somepony else Long as you had coin, proper protection, and didn't show weakness, it were seemingly a resourceful enough place at times. Though not one she had wanted to stain her hooves with. Perhaps now though, with this peculiar family having been there... Perhaps it were time to change that. Though of course, not before she prepared proper protection. So she'd need about an hour of preparation time, and a visit to a few associates, just in case. She trusted her life to Brick fully, but it could not hurt showing up with a few more in line, just to make herself seem scared and paranoid of the locals. Ah, mind games was such fun at times.

"Regardless, it is good to hear that you made it safely away from that place. It is hardly a place for intellectuals such as yourself. Unless of course you had somethi-"

And that was about when the toad things entered, and began their unseemly actions, which interrupted her. How annoying.

On 7/27/2020 at 1:50 PM, Sekel said:

"These aren't normal," Dazzle said cautiously as she eyed the frog-like creature still standing. She flicked her gaze between the frog and Shortstack and inwardly groaned at the possibility of actually saving him. The kind of frogs she  was used to dealing with staying in Boggy Bottom Swamp and like to stay within the murky depths. Maybe some yelling would work? "Oi Froggy, I'm talking to you! That pony you're eyeing up tastes like spoiled meat and rotten wood! Come and get me instead!"

The frog creature not grabbing on to Chop, would have its eyes dart towards the one yelling at it, and would narrow it's iris at Dazzle. She would be the next one to be eaten, though before it had the chance to do anything about it, the magical freeze float would happen, trapping both it and its sibling, before they could make their way towards their intended targets.

On 8/6/2020 at 1:28 PM, Widdershins said:

"We're ah bit Inseparable."

Sunny had kind of checked out, deep in her own thought. It was her stance that you had to make best of what you found yourself in, whether or not you understood your surroundings. Friendship & Smiling was all you needed. Dealing with your deep seated emotions dredged up more, it was best to be happy in the face of troubles. She had been the one sibling to really latch onto pony culture. Declaratively, she spoke out loud, mostly to herself.

"You know what this place needs?~ Streamers! I love batting my head into them!"

Shortstack, and likely Chop let this comment slide, as Stackie had clearly sat on a nerve. "Trust me, I've tried. We ain't allowed to have our ow-"

The stance on them being annoying, went on to Chop as well, though due to Blither's intervention, his injuries would not be as he had thought they might, with the beating he had prepared for the one that were latched on to him. However, it standing still did not mean that he did not intent to do something about it. Just had to wait for the right time to act...

On 8/6/2020 at 1:28 PM, Widdershins said:

"Shortstack! You're not supposed to break limbs off citizens! Though I suppose that was rather rude of them to barge in like that. Are these two locals of around here? Is this usual behavior of Ponyville or is some modicum of reprimand required?"

"While I am not local, I do know enough of the local wildlife to say that these are not local. Nor are they natural based, as you can see by their extreme mutations, and the fact that it appears this creature is growing by the second. I am not one for suggesting cleansing a race of creatures from an area, but might I suggest that we simply capture and study them?"

She made a fair point, and would wish to not have to deal with the direct destruction of these yet, as she wanted to study them somewhat. However, seeing how the tongue had gotten stuck, and that Shortstack proved that the beings were frozen, though still growing slightly, that wish would be null. The reason being that Chop would rip his hoof away from the tongue, shattering the end piece, then take a couple of steps ahead, and hammer his right front hoof, into the toadling that had gotten stuck on him. Either it would send the creature into a wall, or shatter it.

Regardless of what happened, Chop would shake the rest of the pieces off his hoof, and half growl at the other other one.

"They're not local, they're hunting ponies, and they're growing far too quickly. It's not worth the risk."

"*sigh* I suppose you have a point, yet it still seems like a waste."

Another would enter the room, trying to see why the others of its kind had stopped making sound, and this one, Scarcity would take. Quickly as could be, she'd have it wrapped up in a string of magical threads, before it got thrown into a cloth bag she summoned, which then vanished. It frankly looked as if it were imploding as it did so, though with no remnant, it would seem unlikely that it had caused a destructive force like this, and more that it were a teleport spell with a flare. She even played it off theatrically, by swirling her hoof as things happened, regardless of it being needed or not, as it were her horn alone that did the real actions.

"Just in case something goes amiss, we have one which can be examined at a later stage."

"Uhm... Where did you send it?"

"A friend whom are quite able to taming animals. The dear have been itching for a challenge for so long, so this should entertain him. Worst case, he will do the same as our dear Chop here have done, and we are merely at the same place as before, with pieces to examine. Though that does remind me- Mr. Stack, would you do the honor and dispose of this unseemly thing?"

Chop would move closer to Dazzle and Stare, feeling as if it were better if he were closer to keep them safe, if more of these things came about. It did make Stare feel safer indeed, yet at the same time, she did want to acknowledge that he wasn't the only one, whom had tried to keep her safe.

"Thank you for trying to hep, Dazzle. Whatever these things are, they don't seem friendly, and I'm not a good fighter."

"They're invasive and aggressive. I'm not letting them get anywhere near you. Thinking Shortstack's the same with it getting near Sunny. Right?"

He'd be looking at Shortstack as he said this, regardless of what he were doing at the time.

==============================================================================================

@Widdershins

On 8/6/2020 at 1:28 PM, Widdershins said:

"Tea? ...I like Tea."

"I know just the right sort for you. It's my own blend, so you know it's gonna be good."

Alright, she didn't expect this one to be a tea drinker, but it did kinda make it easier. Tea drinkers liked calm, warm drinks, and not all the fuzz and fancy of the coffee variants. Less entertaining in her opinion, but hey, to each their own, right? And it did allow her to go ahead with a fun mix of her own. Nothing major really, but it did contain a mixture of five berries, that blended into a nice, mellow taste of the forest. She hadn't had a complaint yet, so it were statistically good, even if tea wasn't a big seller here.

She'd just about turn around and prepare pour up some water, whilst Alonsus had to bear witness to one of Flit's less admirable sides, in the eyes of Berry at least.

On 8/6/2020 at 1:28 PM, Widdershins said:

"Oh, I'll accept your entire package!"

Flit Cephalli shot a grin at Alonsus the likes of which metaphorically spoke of being familiar with eating a certain something inclined to evaluate the sense of humor Flit obviously had.

Alonsus would give a couple of confused blinks, then suddenly go into a large grin, and going over to patting Flit on the back with a strong hoof, if he could, whilst the grin turned into a deep laugh.

"You are a strange one, Flit, but Alonsus enjoys your sense of humor. Crude, yet biting, and with a great sense of timing. Whilst my heart only yearns for a mare, perhaps I could make room in my life, for a peculiar friend."

He had not heard this sort of humor since he had been in the gang, and whilst Flit were a... Detestable pony in some ways, he could not add a bad sense of humor on that list. More like an acquired taste, if anything.

On 8/6/2020 at 1:28 PM, Widdershins said:

Flit smiled again, which most would agree would be a good way to get frog slime in your mouth. But this hydra had lived in deep forest and swamps before and frogs were kind of a major snack for a swamp-dwelling predator like a hydra. You didn't get very far if you didn't know how to compete with other wild animals. 
Flit reared back, his scarlet mane flicking back like the hood of a snake rearing to strike.... and likely flicking slime onto Straw Hat. Using the tight grip of the beast's tongue, he yanked it hard on his rather noodly neck and Yo-Yo'd the little frogling towards his expanding muzzle where it balled up, stuck between Flit's small, but sharp teeth wedging it firmly there. Dinner shouldn't escape that easily, after all.

 "Brother, doth not be tormenting thy your prey. If needed, then end it." Monolith stated from where he was, not bothering to turn around and notice what had changed. It seems he had all the information he needed from hearing it happen.

Flit stood in the center of the room now, dripping with zhe goo and a struggling swamp creature firmly trapped in his unhinged jaw, giggling hysterically at this turn of events.

The universe seemed to have a sick sense of humor, it appeared, to have sent this creature in at that particular time. Doubly so when they saw the way that Flit dealt with the creature, which managed to give out a surprised half-croak, before getting showed into the muzzle of what it thought were it's prey, rather than the other way around.

Or rather, most of them saw it as it unfolded. Hard not to look really, unless you were Straw, who were busy trying to clean the goo off of his head. It were annoying, gross stuff, but it at least didn't seem as if it were melting him. That were a plus.

"..I appear to stand corrected. That is clearly not the action of a pony, nor changeling, so I cannot say for sure what exactly you are, to find this creature edible. Nor how your jaw can unhinge that way. It confuses Alonsus, but I suppose, a good thing that it did not bring harm to you instead?".

He might want to eat the wriggling thing soon though, as it would keep growing until it died, and rather quickly too. Flit's current form might not be able to deal with this for much longer. Though if he could, he could wait a little and try to get a bigger lunch, regardless of the fact that the creature were spewing more goo down his gullet, and slamming its tongue around as best it could, to get free. The goo would run out soon though. It weren't limitless in its storage of this.

"*gasp* The Conspiracy's here, and they let out one of their experiments to destroy Ponyville! They've finally come to finish the job!"

Berry would throw herself under the counter, and try her best to hide herself, from what were surely a full scale attack from The Conspiracy. They must know she were getting close after all, and instead of just taking her out, they'd sack Ponyville, in *a random monster attack*. Just when the princess weren't in town. There were no way this were a coincidence! Ponyville were about to be eradicated.

"Or it is just a new monster, lurking out of the forest. We've had a number of oddities show in recent days, so this may well just be another of them. And really, there is only this one of them, I don't think we need to worry."

The far larger croak outside though, along with seeing three more of these things roam down the street, chasing ponies, made him cringe however.

"...Perhaps it is more severe than I first thought. We may have to take some action, if you three are up for it, Flit, Alonsus and Monolith? I fear this is't a problem one can just ignore, though I'm afraid your tea might have to wait until afterwards, Monolith. You have my word that we will see to it, soon as we can though. Perhaps once Berry have stopped panicking, she will handle it, and come to present you with a cup, though for the time being, it seems as if we have to go."

"Protect home, and rescue the citizens from dangerous monsters? Alonsus shall be there!"

This were just the sort of heroics he kept reading about, and now he had the chance to make the books a reality. With himself as one of the heroes. How could he let such a chance pass by, when it were practically gift-wrapped for them?

=================================================================================

@Widdershins @Pastel Heart

On 8/6/2020 at 1:28 PM, Widdershins said:

"Uh. If you two want to grab ahold. I'll take you. I'd be fine what with you touching me this time.

 This is kind of why I say surviving in this world is hard. Random encounters like this."

Jelly were none too happy about leaving her dad behind here, but he had given her an order, and she had to listen to that, when he used that particular tone. She knew it meant that this were something really serious. As if the large monster didn't already prove that. So she'd hang on to the offered wing, and looked back at her dad with worry in her eyes.

"Please come home soon, daddy..."

Usually she weren't worried about him, since he were a big, strong guard. But this was a reeeeally big monster, that spawned smaller monsters, and she wasn't blind to the fact that her father wasn't at the top of his game these days. He were overworked, stressed out, and tired. How much exactly, she couldn't tell, but she knew for a fact that he wasn't sleeping enough at least. That didn't make for a good guard, and especially not when attacks like this went on.

...Hopefully he'd come home soon.

Things would not be better though, what with them being chases, once they eventually got on the run. And they would do, even if she had to grab Pastel and force her to stay in one wing with her, though hopefully it would be enough that she had been told to take off, and the others seemed more than willing to get away, and fast.

It were unlikely that the things could catch Slimpsy, as well as any of the ones who'd launch towards him from the sides down the streets would, but man, it were just chaos everywhere right now. Carts overturned, random ponies being dragged off by some of the creatures, scraping against the ground to stay there, whilst others did theirs to try and get them lose, and protect themselves... Last Stand had been right. This place needed proper emergency cellars, and hidden pathways out of town. Right now, even hiding in their houses wouldn't be enough in the long run, for the citizens of Ponyville.

Seriously, why did anypony live here?

=============================================================================

@EQ_Theta

On 8/5/2020 at 4:03 PM, EQ_Theta said:

That was, until Lin started moving out of her spot and noticed the sounds of someone walking near her. A dark streak moved past the corner of her vision, and she soon found herself stalking her first target. She was no good with a moving shot, but she kept her distance and her silence, one digit on the trigger and ready to let it loose. 

I see you… Lin thought to herself. All I need is an opening…

Out of nowhere, a ball of light would fly in her direction, aimed towards roughly her chest area, whilst the sound of calm steps moving in her direction.

Omen were a player with an advantage in this game that made it hard to sneak up on her, which so far seemingly hadn't been considered by any of them: She were a natural, super-charged bloodhound, and she had all of their smells. If she could find them between worlds, and at distances stretching hundreds, if not thousands of kilometers without issue, this small maze were nothing. In a sense, Omen embodied an old saying when it came to this sort of game.

*You can run, but you can't hide.*

No matter where they hid, she would know they were there. Sneaking up on her wouldn't work, hiding wouldn't keep them from her, which meant that the only way to get out of her reach, were to ensure that you ran away, as she were still walking around calmly. Or be good at dodging, that would work too in these sorts of games, and that is one thing that Omen would be bad at. At least at first, whilst she were observing how others dealt with things, whilst she just walked and shot at her friends. One of whom were very close to her, and two others that were closing in on one another.

On 8/5/2020 at 4:03 PM, EQ_Theta said:

As for Sen, he was in a more uneventful spot, waiting for almost two minutes with no sign of activity. The temptation to move out was growing stronger but he hesitated. What he had before him was an opportunity, and he would rather have someone else make the first mistake before he’d strike. 

Rosa were wandering up in the corner, about to cross a section of the playing field, until he noticed something going on on the ground below, which brought him down. A section of the area, revealing a slippery under layer, proving that someone had wandered through here, and almost slipped. It seemed he almost had his first target in sight then.

That, or he'd be the one that were first on the chopping block here, in case Sen were looking over this place, as his trap area. A sneaky move that Rosa could respect, and tone that would force him to fly upwards to try and avoid, since travelling on the slippery floor area were not wise.

Of course, he could use it to glide to the side and avoid a hit that way too, but this were not a desperate situation yet, and he did not know what were on the floor exactly. It might be sticky, and prevent him from using his wings for the rest of the game.

If not, then Rosa would follow the trail, using his heightened position, and would wander on until he spotted Sen. At which point, he'd shoot, then jump down and prepare to launch again, soon as he could shoot. Sen were going to make a fun target either way, that much he were sure of.

@EQ_Theta

Yeah... Funny how this thread started after I sat around in the welcome area of the site for a month, and just figured *Well... Let's try a small scale, no goals RP. Maybe a few folks will like that?*. Turns out that were true, though a few years back, it did almost fall apart. For weeks, there were only me, and one other guy here. That being @Storm Shine. He haven't been in the thread for a long time now, but it is alive in great parts thanks to him being there, and keeping the fun going. I still reference his characters in this, and in another thread too. Also, due to his Stormy char's relation with Pinkie being a thing for this RP for the longest time, it is still something I consider cannon for the thread. Feels like as much an established part of this thread as any.

So yeah, I owe him a lot for the milestone, but so do I for you, and all the others who are here, and keep the stories going. Maybe one day, we'll find an overarching plot, but eh... That'd require effort. That's not really out trademark, heh.

As for the Moontag, I do have some sort of plan for that. A minor... Shall we say *advantage* I may or may not have failed to mention, for one of the competitors. You'll see soon enough. :3

===============================================================

@Sekel

Good to know that my natural affinity for sarcasm, have gotten a chuckle out of someone.

==============================================================

@Widdershins

"Opening a doorknob with a tentacle is real easy. You just need to give it barbs. Oooh, or acid holes! Why worry about a door, if you can just melt it away! Aha, draconequui inventiveness solves All problems!"

...Just gonna try and pray for less melted faces around here Melting faces can be fun, if you do it right and just... Get on to the next section.

That being, that I think you misunderstand, dear Widders. I am not interested in curbing his jokes. I am interested in seeing how he deals with them, and still stays within rating for the site. :3 What fun is there in limits, if not sliding riiiiight up to them, and poke at the edges? 'Sides, you're doing well with it. No moderator actions or anything yet, and it's not too explicit, so we're fine.

@Widdershins

So basically, Widdershins the character, had to go through essentially a lobotomy, to stay in a state of regular draconequus crazy, rather than full blown madness mode, that would also affect a lot of things around him? Huh... Interesting twist I hadn't considered. Guess there is something good to be said about there being some lack of awareness, so to speak, when it comes to draconequui.

44 minutes ago, Widdershins said:

Kinda been seriously burnt on stress lately, heh~ Weren't we in some police station? Y'know, indoors? 

And yes, the police station is one of several locations you have characters in, and that is indeed indoors. As is the coffee shop, but both those places have this fancy new invention in front of them, called *Doors*. They're really practical. They allow things to go both in And out of the buildings! It's brilliant, really.

The little things are nimble, fast, and not all that weak, even as *new born*. If we were talking about a proper locked door, maybe it would take them a half hours worth of growth to get through, but the police station - as we have established another time - is not in the best condition it ever have been. The door is rather easy to open, as it doesn't sit right, and the other place is a coffee shop. It pretty much have saloon doors for aesthetics, as well as easy acces and departure for costumers.

@Illiad Easle

(New Las Pegasus)

On 8/4/2020 at 5:22 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Sorry, I'm used to being the strong one, the leader, waiting for the others to eat and then seeing if there's enough left for me. I get the feeling you know what that's like. But yes, I'd like to see what sort of food they have here."

Null's lip stiffened a little as she heard this, whilst memories of her own times, forgoing food for the sake of Void came into mind. It were not all the time it happened, but it had been a thing for enough times, that Void actively refused to eat as well in the long run, if Null did not eat something. Anything, even if it were less than what she had given her sister, as she could easily argue that her smaller size, meant she needed less. However, she could not do well on nothing, and Void refused to see her sister starve, just so that she herself, could have a full meal.

That being said, Null still tended to go after the less good things, smaller amounts, less healthy food, etc. If Void hadn't been an inventive cook at times, Null would probably have had more bouts of vitamin deficiency than she did.

"Yeah, I know what it's like to see there's not always enough for everyone, and then thinking the other needs it more. Sometimes it's just better that just the one who can handle it starves, instead of the ones who can't. It just ain't easy to make them understand that, is it?"

For Null, it also had to do with her wanting Void to get the best she possibly could, combined with her own, low self worth. Even then though, fact remained that if there weren't enough, you had to be smart about it, and it generally did better if the one who didn't get a meal, were one who could fight through it, rather than another who couldn't. Especially in tough situations, where you might need everyone on as top of their game as were possible.

One of the few, minor benefits of this size really. You didn't need a lot, and if worst came to worst, it wasn't hard to drag you around, in case you got too weak to move for a time.

Interesting that Arcade had to go through the same, but she supposed, when those at the facility categorized others as things, they wouldn't focus too much on treating them like living beings. The sort who needed a good deal of food to function properly. Good riddance that the place were in ruins, and a lot of the ones who used to work there, were dead. The world didn't need folks like that.

*sigh* At least the other clones had Arcade to make sure the food they did have, got spread around in a responsible way, even if that meant he didn't always get a slice. From personal experience, she could say that it were a tough thing to go through. Though she found a good deal more respect for Arcade, for being able to deal with it. Not a lot who had the resolve to do so, and especially not when leading. A good chunk of leaders tended to see the food chain going the other way around, where they ate first, and the others ate after. If there were anything left.

On 8/4/2020 at 5:22 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The mare took some of the money and pushed the remainder back to Arcade before moving to one of the shelves to pull down a small wrapped package, then she opened a cooler type box where she pulled out a small package of what was presumably the butter. She gave the pair to Arcade and pointed over to the seating area, "Feel free to take a seat to eat," She looked over at Null, then back at Arcade, "Anything for your little friend there? Or will you two be sharing?"

"I'm perfectly able to pay for my own food. I ain't his tag along.

Small loaf of sourdough bread, with some... I dunno, you got twine butter? Maybe some other spicy sort of thing to spread on it? If not, then just some regular butter. Long as it ain't too sweet."

While she had taken sixty bits with her - since she figured, worst case, gold were still gold - she did have a few of those things that Arcade had used. She just didn't know it was currency, and had wrapped them up to use as sort of emergency napkins. Rummaging through her bag, she'd find that she had four of these *dollars* combined, along with a realisation that maybe, she should have been asking more around what sort of cash still worked out in the big world. Along with a bit more understanding of why Void had looked at her funny, when she had thrown these into her back, and said they seemed about right to wipe with.

They'd see if this were enough to get anything here though. If not, then eh. She could wait, or just go for the bread alone. Wasn't too long ago she ate, relatively speaking.

She also had a new target on their list. That being the bank, as she wanted to... Awh heck, why bother? She might as well ask here.

"Mind me asking, what's cash and debt, when it comes to currency? Spend a lot of time out of towns before the crisis, and barely any around these parts, but can't recall hearing about those before. I figured a lot of places still ran on gold, like in lumps, or with bits. That sorta thing. This place running on another tender?"

She'd have the ones she had scrounged from her bag up, and unfolded from the band she had used to keep them together, just in case. Though they did look rather crumbled, and she probably looked like an idiot. The day was finding an interesting way to start annoying her again.

(Troy)

On 8/4/2020 at 5:22 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"TrUST might have studied them at one point, I think I remember reading something about them. It seems like they were nice enough to the two of you compared to what the reports said."

"Knowing them, they probably tried studying the kits, or even k-kidnap some of them. At the very least, I bet they'd be thinking about it, and the kitsune doesn't like that sort of thing. They're tricksters and like their fun, but t-there's a limit to what they'll accept. You'd have some limits too, if it were your kids potentially on the line, right?

That, or maybe they were just rude, or looked on them. Few we've met, didn't like that either. I think it's something with their history with the ponies of Neighpon, but we weren't there enough to l-learn a lot. I just remember it coming up that it wasn't always all that friendly."

On 8/4/2020 at 5:22 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Well, we had originally planned to have them use the central kitchen, or better said their cook would use the building kitchen, but I think having a small kitchen installed wouldn't be too hard. In fact, I think the hookups run through that wall there, so it'd just be a matter of connecting to them to put in a stove and sink..." he nodded and turned back to Void, "I think we can arrange that, it likely won't be finished by the time they arrive, but it shouldn't take longer than a day to get it all working and safe. Plus, if they're independent enough it'd save some effort on the cook's part for them to have their own kitchen."

"Thank you, sir. I'll uhm... Try to figure out something until it's up. I could probably think of a few meals they could help with, that wouldn't require s tove or anything like that."

If she had some of the fire gems they sometimes sold around the more industrial, or inventive, places of the world, she could have water boiled like that, but that wasn't the case. Plus, she'd have to deal with it with a prong, as to not deplete it more or less instantly, by getting too close.

It would probably just be best if she brought along some pieces for a nice salat. Simple, easy, and if she didn't prepare any of it in advance, they should be able to see that she hadn't filled it with anything. Bringing a bucket of water along to wash the greens in, it should also show she hadn't rubbed it in something, since if she had, then why clean them?

Something to think about, but she had a pretty good idea of what to do for now, for a first meal. She'd see if she managed to get it all ready, before the little ones showed up.

As the forepony wandered off to get his workers to start prepping for the kitchen area, and Pen and Vale were away for a spell, she had a little time for herself to look over things, and trying to sort out what would be best for her to finish first, back at the workshop. Not a lot though, before the two latter ones showed up again, and she had to redirect her focus on to them.

On 8/4/2020 at 5:22 AM, Illiad Easle said:

Vale and Pen returned from setting down and organizing what they had brought, there was now a sort of dedicated corner of things with a decent degree of compartmentalization, They nodded to Void, "We're going to head home now, we'll see you tomorrow, we should have a bit of time before they arrive for any final arrangements. Good luck on your mosaic!"

"Thank you. I'll g-get to work once I get home, and see what I can finish. Maybe see if I can't fix some of the b-broken toys too. Moist seemed easy enough to fix."

Before leaving herself, she'd unload those things who were already well though, and spread them around in a safe corner, that seemed done for the time being. No need to have to sort through them again several times, right?

Her night would go with work, and only about two hours of sleep. Not just because she were restless, but because she had a set of ideas of what she wanted to finish before the foals showed up, and wanted to get on with it, soon as possible. It would mean her forge were on most of the night, but oh well. Just how it had to be.

In the morning, she'd show up with a saddlebag filled with repaired toy, as well as bringing about most of the teddy bears, etc. from the workshop, but not mosaic on her. Unless Vale and Pen would meet her at said workshop, in which case she'd open the door with soot on her forehead, and some baggy eyes, surprised that they were coming here.

@EQ_Theta

Gratz on being the one to hit reply number 10.000.

Felt like a landmark worth celebrating, so here's the fireworks, everyone. Been a fun ride so far, and can't wait to see what the next 10.000 replies might hold. Who knows? Perhaps we even get a post were @Widdershins is sane, as a special surprise.  Hehe.

And just to keep this somewhat on track in regards to the thread things itself, be advised @EQ_Theta, that the maze you're having your moontag game in, have a bunch of twists, turns, and a few places to try and hold up. Basically, you have the option to be creative in there. If you can argue for its inclusion, go for it.

@FanOfManyShows

On 8/3/2020 at 7:26 AM, FanOfManyShows said:

"Skall...."

Within him rage burned instantly, the element and him knew this voice too well.

"ROSE!-"

"No! You can't have him! He's mine!"

The spirit did not, in any sort of way, like Rose. She were a mockery of life, and on top of that, not even a good one. She were a weakling, dependent on her own element to be useful in most cases, making her the lowest rung of their depraved kind, far as she were concerned.

She also considered her a competitor for Skall's affection, and she would not tolerate anyone else, potentially catching his eye. Not former, nor current, faces. As she said, he were hers, not anyone else's.

And thankfully, Skall agreed, as he immediately began to attack her, regardless of what honeyed words spilled from Rose's lying tongue. She even felt herself get a little stronger, as Skall flaunted his rightful power, and used it to sow chaos in the library, as well as hammer Rose through one, or several walls. The bare minimum of what their kind deserved, and her in particular, for thinking that she could come and light something between herself and Skall. Skall needed no one else. He already had the only one with him, that he'd ever need. All the rest of them, were but pawns, distractions, and competition that were not welcome at his side. The underlings should stay under his claws, and beings like Rose, should return to the rock she had slithered out from, and pray that she wasn't rightfully stomped upon.

As for all the others in the library, they obviously ran away, or hid, not wanting to be part of this unusual display of violence. Library folks didn't know how to deal with something of this scale, and by that were not just meant Skall's increased size.

On 8/3/2020 at 7:26 AM, FanOfManyShows said:

"Thankfully I already found out what I need, so now I can have more fun with you!"
He formed many spears around himself,  sending each one flying out, as Rose smirked. 

"Stop doing this villian!" She cried out looking to the guards around her, and appearing helpless, while Skall continued to ruthlessly strike her.

"Protect the citizens!"

Three guards jumped forth, and shielded the draconequus. They didn't know who she were, but it seemed evident that Skall were trying to harm her, and as such, they had a duty to perform. The guard group were made up of one burly earth pony, and two unicorns, all wearing Solar Guard uniforms. And as the earth pony were in front, his breastplate would be engulfed in armor, and causing a large barrier to burst out in front, and to the sides, of him, as he stood and with gritted teeth, took the assault of spears. He'd handle the physical pressure of this assault as best he could, whilst the unicorns would attempt to keep the shield up and functional. But they wouldn't be able to do this forever. They'd need backup, and soon.

=======================================================================

@FanOfManyShows

On 8/3/2020 at 7:26 AM, FanOfManyShows said:

He was about to answer, but he overheard Rose crying out, but seeming to ignore it. Shade would hear it too, as Iron sighed. 

He wondered if Shade would prevent him from heading to help, but this was an important thing to deal with too, so it was a partial conflict.
"Yes you may bring in the other witnesses, I need to learn what's really going on here."

Shade's eye narrowed as he heard this cry. Of all the times for the town to erupt into chaos, it would be now. Frankly he'd have just ignored it, if it weren't because he suspected that Iron would interfere if he didn't, and that were out of the question, according to his orders.

"I'll deal with it. Stay here."

Quickly, he'd sink into his own shadow, and vanish from the room, leaving Iron and Hogweed alone. The later of whom would gulp a little, rather nervously.

"S-Should I uhm... Wait for him? I'm not sure right now... General What is your orders?"

=========================================================================

@FanOfManyShows

On 8/3/2020 at 7:26 AM, FanOfManyShows said:

"Why am I sensing a strange amount of elements in Canterlot?"
Chariot mumbled to himself, watching Emerald and helping when she asks.
"Do they seriously think it's a good idea to contain so many there?" 

He wasn't the only one feeling something were off. She were not as good as it as Chariot were, but still, Emerald felt that a spike were going off somewhere, in the direction of Canterlot. A rather, semi-familiar one at that.

"I suspect Opal might be causing trouble in Canterlot. For their sake, I hope they can deal with it, because it is not a good time to leave for us. We have a ritual to finish.

Still... Something feels off. I cannot place it, but it only strengthens the fact that we have to finish up here. Can you go upstairs, and retrieve Sapphire? We may as well waste as little time as we can, and prepare where she is to be, when this all begins."

====================================================================

@FanOfManyShows

In Canterlot, the guards would soon enough find that they did indeed get reinforcements, though not one they had ever expected, as Shade would rise out of the wall nearest Skall, and attempt to strike at his head with a shadowy knife. It were a stealthy move, but the magic used would alarm the spirit, who would call out to Skall to watch his right. Something were approaching.

======================================================================

@Lucid_Nightlight

"Sure I do. I have two, perfectly good, freaks of nature right here. And they're precious as can be, hehe.

Or do you mean like how ponies get foals? Don't have any of those. Lumen's been real busy, ever since I showed him the ducklicans. Turns out they were planning on turning the entirety of Canterlot, into fish and chips. He's doing real well in showing them who's boss though. Especially after I gave him a deep fryer. Throw them in there on reverse, and you get the bestest tasting pasta dough ever. Yum yum.

Now come on, do what she says, and give her a wedding ring. I'll even make it all romantic and stuff."

She'd snap her tail, and somewhere above them, a piano fell down next to her, and let out a single note, before more or less crumbling to pieces. Which then reanimated and tore itself apart, until the various pieces spelled out, in big letters *Damaged goods. Fun to poke at.*

And who said that romance were dead?

=======================================================================

@Windy Breeze 🥧

On 8/3/2020 at 2:12 AM, Windy Breeze 🥧 said:

After yelling out the word “HATRED!!” Windy is blinded by a white flash. She swore she heard the sound of flamed but when she opened her eyes, she and Sorrow now stood in a completely charred building. Everything was dark and gloomy once again. The vision has ended. She spotted one of possessed ponies, a filly writing a huge 'Unforgiven' on the already vandalized street. 

And just like that, reality came barging through. and in it, this restaurant were nothing like the glory days it had presented. It were a charred husk, likely burned down by the possessed ones, as an easy target for Autumn's rage.

"I think... I think she were trying to reach out to us."

This however, were the real thing that were baffling Sorrow, and made her feel a sliver of hope for this all going well, flutter around in her chest.

They finally had some potential sign, that Autumn might be somewhat sentient beneath all the hatred. She were obviously struggling with it though, and still should be approached with extreme caution, but there might be hope yet that they could still resolve this by getting through to her in some fashion. Maybe it were them seeing parts of what were going on that helped her? Potentially, she were even showing this to them on some level, because she wanted them to understand and get to her? A lot to unpack here, and still much work to do, she were sure of it, but it were finally starting to look like there might be some good news in all of this. As good news as it could be, considering the area they were in.

Her eyes would glaze over with worry again though, as she looked at the possessed filly, and what she were writing on the wall. It seemed like nopony had been able to get out of Autumn's grasp, no matter the age. Ancestors be willing, they'd soon be free.

"We got to move on, and find their house. I think it's vital at this poi- Huh?"

On 8/3/2020 at 2:12 AM, Windy Breeze 🥧 said:

A was laying beside Sorrow. If read, it says the names and shows pictures of ten ponies and one griffon. Autumn was among them and has a large X drawn on her picture along with the others.

Sorrow had been about to move, when she both felt and heard paper, and looked down to found that she had stumbled upon a... Oh dear, merciful Celestia, what sick minds had run this place?

She'd pick up the list, looking physically ill, and turned it so that Windy could see it properly.

"...This is a hit list, isn't it? And everypony on it, is... They're probably dead too, yes?"

========================================================================

@EQ_Theta

On 8/3/2020 at 12:09 PM, EQ_Theta said:

“I think you’ll give me and Sen something to look out for,” Lin smiled as she approached Omen to give her a pat on the back. “That kind of skill out in the field? You’ll be keeping us on our toes and our senses sharp! Don't go easy on us, alright?”

"Okay."

Omen were not an aggressive pony, but this seemed to be harmless fun. Like when they played tag back in her home realm, which tended to be a much loved game for the gloppy, unformed ones especially. You'd think it were hard, but due to them being able to smell the life energy properly, they actually could distinguish between one another, and do a proper game of this. One that didn't involve limbs, which were useful, seeing at the most solid thing of them, were their eyes. And even that were somewhat malleable.

On 8/3/2020 at 12:09 PM, EQ_Theta said:

“Thank you for your kind words. We’ll be off to get ready!”

Lin then turned to Rosa and Omen, offering an outstretched claw. Sen would soon join in, placing his claw on top of his sister’s.

“May fortune favor your skill, and may the best of us win!”

Rosa would follow troop, and pick another direction that he'd then quickly run down, whereas Omen's tactic were about what could be expected. That being that she would just keep wandering calmly forward, and as the first junction, would tur to the right.

After the thirty seconds had started, they'd know that their equipment were turned on, by a bell sound going through the maze, and Night's voice following a second after it had gone silent.

"Your fifteen minutes starts now. Good luck, competitors!"

Also, there'd be a small, extra buzz coming from it for a moment for all of them, as the point system reset. Now, they'd have fifteen minutes to fight for points. May the best creature win.

Rosa would not wait around for the others to find him, as he assumed that they were setting up camp somewhere, or at least that Lin were. As such he'd crawl up to the ceiling of the maze, and move across the side of the hedge, just below it. It would provide him a height advantage that might come in handy, and the ability to more safely ambush others. Such as Omen, whom he considered to be easy prey to start with, and were one that he'd have his fun with, when eventually he reached her. For the time being though, he'd keep crawling further in, crawling along with surprising agility, coming from years of crawling other things. Mainly vents, and scaling cliffs, where flying would get him spotted too easily.

Turns out he had found at least one avenue, where his spy training would come in handy, in a purely entertainment value, sort of way.

He'd go right at the first twist, and look around the corner to see if he could spot someone. A pity for them, that beyond his training, he also had good night vision. A boon of the thestral race, or in some cases, a curse. Depended on the situation, though certainly helpful here.

As for omen, she'd just wander methodically, and slowly forward, making her way towards where Sen currently were, though if another got closer, she'd change direction to go for them instead. Yet she weren't running anywhere, so there were still time to avoid her, or try to get the jump on her.

As for Sen and Lin, they'd find that at random intervals, there were holes in the maze walls, minor areas that seemed to be best described as makeshift forts, that one could hide in, or try to shoot from. As well as the occasional blanket of leaves covering a path, and making it seem like an inaccessible wall, just to add to the confusion of the place. Also, to add some places for a few ambush chasers to hide near, until they heard steps in the dirt.

There'd also be sort of spring traps. It wouldn't trap you in a hole to fall into it, but hidden underneath the dirt, you could occasionally be unlucky and stumble over a layer of slippery, glass-like substance. A bit of fun in her opinion, that added some minor variety, though she didn't use it a lot. In the purple section, there were only one such place, covering an area about the length of three Sen's, laid out from tail to snout. Something which could be taken advantage off, if you were for example, a skilled trapper. Just as a fort might do well for those who might do better in waiting for an ambush, rather than chasing others.

@Illiad Easle

(New Las Pegasus)

On 8/2/2020 at 6:07 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"I suppose a vendor would know best of anyone what sort the area is, you want to talk to him? Although, if my nose isn't smelling wrong, I think I smell some food up the street a bit. Mayhaps we should try some, see if its safe for the ambassadors to eat?"

The somewhat audible rumble from Arcade dismissed most of the notion that the offer was fully altruistic.

The rumbling stomach of Arcade, actually got a smirk, and a small, snorting laugh out of Null. It were just so perfectly timed, that even she couldn't let it get past her, however briefly.

Up until that part, she had followed him as he pointed out the various things that caught his eyes.

In regards to the foals, she agreed that it were a good sign that they could wander freely and play, without parental supervision. As such, she'd nod to this observation, and file it down in her mind for now, as something worth telling the ambassadors about when they got back.

Then came the changelings. She did indeed recognize the female one of the singing duet before, though she weren't sure what were going on. Not entirely anyway, though considering the way that one seemed to be caring for the other one, whose shaking subsided once he were given one of the bags she were carrying around with... Best bet would be that she were feeding him, or that he were some sort of addict. Considering they were changelings, and the way the bags looked, she were putting her coins on the former. it made more sense, and like the musical siblings had said, they were helping others of their kind around town.

This were likely something worth mentioning too, for two reasons. 1. It would inform the ambassadors that these two seemed as genuine as they had presented themselves thus far. And 2, it might be of some use to them, if they had more changelings all around town. What if they had some in the slum, who knew how that worked, and who to watch out for? A few in this district, who knew the safe routes? Maybe even some in the upper layer, who had made it big? There might be an untapped intelligence network to plug into here, if they went at it the right way.

And then there were the vendor, who seemed to need a little something to get going, and had indeed been her first choice to go through honestly, had Arcade not let out the bells of hunger.

"Yknow, you can just say that you're hungry, and want to try actual food, instead of whatever swill you've been given. But yeah, let's go there and see what's on offer. Might as well bring some culinary tips back with us anyway."

On 8/2/2020 at 6:07 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Lemme know if you need something." She motioned with her head to the counter, where there was a listing of their products and a bell, before returning to her work kneading out a lump of dough.

"We will, thank you."

Hard working mare, who talked to them like any regular pony, and gave them the info they needed right away? Null saw no issues with her, and had no problem talking politely back at her. A minor pro of having done so much work in the shop back in Troy, were that she had gotten some minor customer service training. She weren't all smiles and giggles, but she could be polite to some, if they were respectful towards her as well. Though at the start, she did almost throw a vase at someone. In her defense though, they were asking Void why she let her foal play with knives at her age. Those were fighting words.

Looking at the list of baked goods, Null would look for something with a sour or bitter taste. Like lemon cake, pine bread, that sort of thing. Completely sugary things were mostly fed to Void when they grew up, so Null had gotten a preference for the bitter, sour things that she had forcefed herself for a long time, whilst lying to her sister and say that she preferred that. She'd have liked some of the good stuff too, but there were usually not a lot to go around with, and she had wanted Void to get a chance at growing up as best as she were able to. So she gave her the best food - sometimes, the only food, if times were really tough - and tolerated what were left. Eventually, she supposed she just got used to it enough that sugary things actually tasted a little bland and annoying to her these days, and you'd find her chomping down on a raw citrus, if she had the choice over an apple, any day. It were just usually harder to find.

"So. seeing anything you like yet?"

She had about sixty-seventy bits on her. Not a lot, but she had felt like she knew how to survive on her own well enough to not need a ton out in the world, and figured that Void needed the most of it for the shop, and their little new sibling. So she had just taken an amount that felt like it'd do in a pinch, and been on her way. A bite here shouldn't be the thing to ruin her, unless things had inflated wildly in this town, to the point where Bits were essentially worthless.

(Troy)

On 8/2/2020 at 6:07 AM, Illiad Easle said:

Both Pen and Vale looked interested in that, Pen spoke up, "A Seer? Oooh! What kind? Was it a zebra shaman type? Or was it a deer sage? Some spiritual medium?"

"Not a zebra, no. They tend to r-rhyme a lot more when they give advise.

We thought it was a unicorn, though I think she might have been a kitsune. She kept staying at a distance, and looking at us in a strange way, that regular ponies doesn't normally do. Might be I just overthought it though. Not a l-lot of them outside Neighpon. or at least not solitary ones. Just something that struck me as odd with her, that rang a bell when we later ran into some kitsune who wanted to have their f-fun with us. At least they were kind about it, even if we ended up feeling like pets in a zoo, after they tricked us into that e-enclosure. Or I guess, a reservation of sorts? I mean, we were fed at least, they kept their distance, and when b-big sis found a way out of the labyrinth they had set around the area, they let us leave fair and square. They're a weird species."

The large fox creatures were masterful tricksters and illusionist, which made them formidable opponents by most creatures who encountered them, but they were still a somewhat kind species. Provided you were not some poacher attempting to get some of their kits. Even considering harming their kits, could be picked up on, by some of their guards - since mind reading weren't an uncommon spell to teach the more advanced of them, to help distinguish who to trust and not - and the retaliation would be swift and brutal. Allegedly, anyway. Far as she knew, those she heard off that would dare to do such a thing, tended to disappear, and never be seen or heard from again.

On 8/2/2020 at 6:07 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Looks like we're about done with what Selena asked us to set up. She said to ask you if there was something structural we should add before we move out all our equipment. Any large furniture we should bring in?"

A small jolt went through Void as the worker suddenly started talking to her, as she had been focused on looking at what Vale and Pen were up to, and hadn't even noticed him approaching.

"O-Oh, I uhm... That means... S-Sorry, got a bit frazzled there for a moment. I think structurally, the place is safe? You probably checked to make sure the walls, floor and ceiling were all nice and safe solid, so uhm... Furniture... They have places to sleep, so that's good. They got a place to sit too, right? And a place where they can see f-food being prepared for them? Like a small kitchen area? I'm sorry if it seems to be a l-little much to ask sir, just... Trying to make them feel as welcome as they can be, and show them that t-they don't have to worry about us serving them something bad."