Blitz Boom

@Midnight_Aurora

Actually, I need them here, so that everyone can see the character, in case they need to interact with them as well. We got folks all over the place after all, so it is hard to say what might happen.

Please post them here in the OOC.

Also, we'll have to sort where to start you off, as it is likely too far back. The link doesn't work, so I can't use that. :/ Sorry.

@EQ_Theta

On 6/12/2020 at 8:01 AM, EQ_Theta said:

“Huh, well… that’s not something we see everyday.”

"Truthfully, they're actually in worse condition than you saw, but I choose to shine a positive light on the dearly departed. No need to show open axe wounds."

Spirits tended to look like they did, the day that they died. Some of them got stronger, and managed to get themselves into a more baseline form, where they instead appeared as if they were alive and well, but overall speaking, the majority were as they were when they passed, and that wouldn't change until they passed along. Considering she were showing some outsiders these spirits though, and she had the ability to cast things in a different light, she had decided to cover things up a bit more nicely. Wouldn't want these folks to think too much on what might have happened with the apparent couple from ages past.

"The gesture is appreciated."

"So are yours. Too many start acting wrong around the dead, or outright disrespect them. It's good to see some can keep a calm head, and show them a simple, yet important bit of kindness."

Tomb looked at Sen with an impressed, warm look in her tired eyes.

"Good to know that the first living longma I see, are a kind, mindful sort. It warms the heart."

So it seemed like Tomb were another of the outside creatures who had met Longma before, though not in the way which Sen and Lin would likely have preferred. It wasn't easy to catch up with, and talk to, other exiles, to hear what sort of experiences they had, when one of the few leads here, talked about only meeting them when they had been dead. Probably some of the poor sods who weren't able to adapt enough to the outside world, and got into a situation they couldn't get out of alone.

On 6/12/2020 at 8:01 AM, EQ_Theta said:

“Seems like we’ve got a few options now. Shows, the cave, maybe we could visit the arcade… But, I suppose making ourselves familiar with the place is a good suggestion. Sound good, everyone?”

"...We should go see things?"

Omen were a little confused, as a few larger words had mingled in, whilst she were still thinking on the encounter with the spirits, and thrown her off her sense a little. Which were the reason for the hesitant, tentative note that had gotten into the still largely emotionless, whispering voices.

"Yes, and I agree. It would be good to know the town, so we have some idea where to go, for the things we'd be looking for."

Omen's head cleared up some, once she had confirmation that she had understood things right, and she nodded slowly towards Lin, giving her own agreement on the matter.

As it seemed like the groupw ere ready, Tomb would wave them over towards her as she began to wander calmly down the street, and within a few minutes, would turn left, right before a large tree with a bulbous lower trunk, seemingly working as some sort of theater, or meeting hall maybe.

Within sight of that, were their target: A fairly large, open area, with downtrodden grass and what seemed like a kind of stable. No animals were seen within though, yet several large harnesses were there, and lined up outside the gated up harnesses, were several variants of carriage carts, with space for beings of all sizes. Though for the larger ones, probably a little less than the 2-16 seats that were present. The carts seemed to be polished silver, clean and ready for usage, and rather flexible too. Seemingly speaking to the fact that the one controlling them, would have to get around the place in a speedier manner than would normally be the case, if one tried to drive a regular wagon or cart through the side streets of town.

It also seemed like only around half of them had wheels on them, whilst some of the more lightweight in design, didn't. These were the ones designed for air travel likely, though it begged the question of who, or what, would be dragging those along.

Over near one of these, with the back turned to them, stood an onyx-colored pony, with a shoulder-length, green mane, and a purple, knee-high tail, both tied up in braids.

He or she had their back turned to them, so it were hard to make out more right off the bat, but Omen seemed to stagger for some reason as they got nearer.

"They smell... Wrong."

The pony seemed to perk up and rise up from the work to look around in front of them.

"Hey, where did those voices come from? Are you playing tricks again, Harrow?"

The voice were effeminate, yet not distinguishable as either directly male, nor female.

"No, just a funny new tourist."

Hearing this voice,t he pony turned around, to show that it were in fact, a unicorn. One with a grey eye, and a blue eye. And with a whole lot of old stitches running throughout their face. One long one directly down, which disappeared into their mane, two across each eye, several around the edges of the muzzle, and a few crossed ones on the forehead and ears. The onyx coat made the scars stand out a little less, but it didn't take too much of a look to realize that this one had gotten through quite a lot of facial surgeries. Maybe even some body ones too, though the festive, silvery attire that looked somewhat like a tuxedo with an ankle-high skirt, were made it impossible to be sure.

It did appear as if this were a stallion though. A somewhat smaller, effeminate one that wore light makeup (though strangely, nothing that tried to hide the scars), but a stallion regardless.

"Tomb! I didn't think you'd come around here for another five hours at least. Please say you brought something good with you?"

"You know they don't open the winery for anypony before the carnival starts, not even our family."

The stallion seemed to frown a little at this.

"They should start to make some exceptions. We do a lot of work preparing for these things, and some of us gets thirsty."

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you get something to drink soon as they open.

Anyway, everypony? This is Banshee Boo, who make sure we have tours to take, throughout Moonlit Thicket. Banshee, these are Omen, Shrimp, and... Huh, I think I forgot to ask their names actually..."

"That's what happens when you dont sleep enough. You know that grandma says it's not healthy for you."

"She also says I'm not allowed to sleep too long."

"Everything is a balance act hon. A-N-Y-Way, hows about you funny folks tells us who you are then, and how we can help."

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@Windy Breeze

(whilst the spirit were there, in front of them)

Sorrow took a step forth towards the ghost, afraid, but hellbent on trying to help, and end this nightmare for everypony involved.

"Please, tell us what's wrong, Autumn. We're here to help you. Did he do something to you? To the foals? Is that why you' can't move on?"

She'd ask, well aware that she'd likely not get an answer anytime soon. From everything she had seen so far, she honestly didn't know what to believe anymore. It might all be one big trick, or them wandering into a cloud of memories, spliced in with the *author's* hindsight comments every so often.

Legion would try to reach out too, talking loudly, and telling the spirit that they could help them, calm them down, and prepare to finally move on. In ghost talk though, so only Autumn would be able to hear it, of the ones gathered here.

(After I assume the spirit takes off again)

"Okay, I don't know exactly what we're wandering into here anymore."

She were just getting more and more confused and frankly, scared at what it were that she were seeing happening around here.

"I thought it might have been a malevolent couple, but now she starts threatening him, talking about missing foals and... I don't know if this is a misdirect, actual demonic possession, or memories we're seeing played out, spiced in with Autumns own, deep seated hate. And if we don't know what we're dealing with, I'm not sure if we can actually solve this. It's not as simple as I thought it would be anymore.

The foal napping, that seems to be part of this, right? And that was real, from what you said. What went on back then? When did it happen? And did everypony come back home? Did they say anything about what happened to them?"

Sorrow would've asked Quill about all of this, as she were local, but she had fainted after the last part from the spirit/memory of Autumn. Apparently, she wasn't able to take all of this anymore, which were understandable enough. It were a crazy, messed up situation. Especially when it involved somepony you knew, that might have been murdered, perhaps had a husband taking part in foal napping, and potentially were just a spiritual puppet to a malevolent being that didn't belong in this world. Honestly, if you could go through this without being affected one way or another, something were wrong with you.

(ignore this part if Quill is taken away)

It certainly wasn't safe to just pass out here though, so seeing as she were the largest, and likely therefor strongest of the two of them, Sorrow would prepare to go over and sling Quill up on her back. It'd make flying impossible, but that were a small price to pay for the pony not being left alone somewhere that one or more potentially malevolent spirits, would maybe do bad things to do. Perhaps due to a personal connection.

*sigh* This whole thing was just so confusing... They needed answers, and it just seemed like whenever one were answered, six more would pop up.

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@Catpone Cerberus

"..."

She wanted to say something as she heard this. Some kind of comforting word to what it were she assumed had happened to her, when she had been found almost dead in that hole, but what could she even begin to say? Leviathan were no stranger to horrid things happening, but if she were even a little correct in her current assumptions, she couldn't say that she had tried anything so demeaning and disgusting herself. Not even close, and her even trying to formulate the words *Look, I understand* in any sort of way, made her want to rip out her own larynx. Quite frankly, it wouldn't be unreasonable for Ruby to want to do the same. For a start.

Still, it felt wrong to say nothing, yet she just couldn't find any words to address that sort of situation, though her facial expression might say quite a bit to Ruby. The mixture of sadness, and pity going over her facial expression, as well as the seething rage roaring in her eyes, at thinking about what had happened to Ruby, to a point where she were letting out small sparks around her uncontrollably, would tell volumes of how she felt about this whole thing.She were enraged and horrified at the same time, and frankly hoped that whatever Ruby implied she had done to the one who had stumbled upon her, were not even close to how much she made sure he suffered. And if somehow, that creature had survived what she did, she hoped she'd be there to see the life snuffed out of him for good. Some lines you did Not cross. Not even by their kind, who generally saw rules as a checklist of things to break for their own amusement, or out of principle.

Leviathan felt her hands grab deep in the earth beneath her, as the tension going over her worked its way slowly throughout her being. And to imagine this were just by imagining what had happened to Ruby, which were someone she barely knew. If it had happened to herself... If she hadn't died that day, she would've not stopped until she engulfed the entire countryside in a never-ending storm, regardless of how it'd likely be fueled by her own life force to exert that much. Anything to make someone who did what she imagined, pay back a thousandfold, would be worth it.

"...Some things shouldn't be allowed. I hope when you become alpha, they will be made to respect some boundaries."

It were all she'd say on the topic. She wouldn't ask for details, claim she knew what were going on, or understood, but it were somewhat remarkable to hear her wish actual harm inflicted upon other dragons, considering her previous interaction with Ruby on the subject. Seemed like there were lines that could be crossed where even she couldn't forgive, nor walk away from it.

"I find it strange that there were a large collection of books for you to stumble over though. I've known dragons hoarding strange things, but few actually considers knowledge to be power.

Boulderclaw were the strangest. Collected flowers, had them all planted in a giant field, and sat atop his mound, waiting for others to come and plead for some of the rare, powerful ones. Make a good case, and he could be persuaded. Probably the most worshiped, fair dragon I've ever met."

A humongous fire dragon that one, but a kind soul, who didn't want to fight others if it were needed, and just enjoyed sitting in his field and tend to his flowers. He weren't kind to repeat offenders trying to steal anything from his garden though, but as said, he were fair. Convince him that your cause was just, or trade him with obscure fauna that he didn't have in his garden already, and he'd part with some of what he had. There was a great symbiotic relationship for that matter, between him and a nearby zebra tribe. Despite him looking like he could use a zebra as a tooth pick.

This wasn't really relevant to anything, but it helped Leviathan calm down some to talk about things, and right now, she felt like she had to, before she'd go to her other way of calming down: Electrocuting something. She were still a dragon after all and aggression were a great, therapeutic thing for a lot of them.

Ruby likely had an inkling of that too at this point. Wasn't the first time Leviathan had started yapping on, and probably wouldn't be the last either.

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@Catpone Cerberus

"Okie-dokie. Long as there's somepony there to watch out for her, that's what matters the mo-"

The clock would give off a ding, and Agni would rise up instantly, flying over and ready to face his wooden antagonist again. But there were none. It were just what happened when the clock hit half, and no matter how much he pecked at the little house, it'd stay in there.

"Awh, look at him. He wanna go in and say hello to his little bird friend. How adorable, hehe.

If you don't wanna go to the forest for a few days, what sorta thing are you planning on doing then? Preparing for your big meeting with the princesses? It sounded like that's gonna be loads of important, so you're probably gonna need to prepare. I dunno what sorta thing would be part of a big meeting like that though. Muffins, maybe? Oooh, we could bake muffins! Wanna make some treats with me, Nada?"

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@Catpone Cerberus

The knife would slip out of the pony's grip, not long after she had managed to get hold of it. Leaving her to watch desperately as she were dragged away from her salvation, and towards her doom, and no amount of clawing were saving her from that right now.

Scarecrow's intervention however, did help. Surprised at the sudden assault, it instinctively let go of its lunch, who scrambled along over to get her knife, and turned around to see who her savior were. The look on her face said less that she were relived and more than she thought she were now witnessing two fighting over whose dinner she'd become. AKA: She were mortified.

It would only enforce that idea once the creature in irritation, then shot its tongue out towards Scarecrow, thinking that one way or another, it would have a meal now. Yet it retracted it shortly after making contact, with the look on its face clearly stating that even to something like this, he tasted revolting.

With that option out of the way, it would instead try to lob goo at him, to trap him, so that he couldn't interfere further with it's lunch. Yet as it began to open wide to fire away, a tendril would snatch its leg and pull it down, making it miss the target by about a meter. Unless Scarecrow had intended to avoid the hit by jumping forward, but that seemed unlikely.

The frog-like creature would pull its leg hard and be rid of the tendril, just to find that there would be another one rising up from the dirt shortly after to grab at it again.

It would scan around, until it saw Lyriel, eyes closed and with her hooves into the ground, as if she were concentrating. It did not know what this creature were, but it seemed to be the one stopping it from eating, so the next lob of goo would be thrown directly at her. If Scarecrow got in the way, the goo would engulf him, and he'd find that it were akin to being locked on a glob of actual swamp matter. Tar-like in feel and substance alike, with no air trapped in there with him. Not something that would likely be an issue for him, what with not breathing and all that.

If he instead pushed her away, her concentration would go, and the tendrils would stop. At which point the creature would charge towards him, front arms risen and ready to smash down to crush first him, and then the other rude dinner guest.

As for its original meal, she stood fairly shocked and somewhat paralyzed to the side, unsure what to do as the madness unfolded.

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@Sekel

"Everything needs a counter balance. Life and death, good and evil, fire and water, you name it, and there is something out there to keep things balanced. For your elements, it is the Elements of Disharmony. They function similar to a magic foci, like what witches use, but amplifies it, and adds magic of its own kind. Lies makes strong illusions. Depression makes everyone lose their will to resist. Hatred can spark a civil war, and so forth. From what I heard, they did not function well together though. Something are supposedly trapped inside of them, that refuses to work with the other elements, so they grow weaker when they're together.

Far as I know, there's many groups who constantly try to hide them, including the dragon sect that kidnapped me. May they all wither upon the sand dunes."

"We have one of the elements that were confiscated from Chariot, once he were apprehended. It's currently in holding somewhere safe."

"Good. Keep it, and do so far away from me. I will not hesitate to hurt others, if they even attempt to convince me to carry that thing again."

"Duly noted, though I had no intention of doing so.

As for your question, Karmic, the only breakout I have heard off in recent days, ,beyond the one just brought before us, were by a seer calling himself Zhu. From what I hear, he had kidnapped a civilian that were in the drunk cell near him, and tried to use her as a bargaining chip during the attempt. Far as I am aware, he is still in the hospital, after General Tidal Wave  dragged him there. I am still awaiting a report on what exactly happened to him, but the name Zhu have come up enough throughout Equestria over the last several centuries, around enough important happenings, for me to have him held in the hospital, until he is ready to be questioned. I believe he have some important answers for us.

Have you heard of any else, since you ask?"

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@Sekel

Twilight would feel two hooves take hold of her, and drag her further away from the battlefield. The cold, shaking one belong to Cherish, who were still affected herself by the entire thing, and doubly so after what it were that she had seen there, as Last and her pushed through. The calm, firm and warm hoof though, were Last's, who'd more or less lead the princess away from there, and towards the entrance to the forested area. Not further though. She didn't know if they needed to go in there. She just knew that there were a tree stump that she could lead the princess to, that she may have a seat and calm herself.

"It's okay your majesty, you're through now."

"It was h-horrible..."

"You said that there weren't anything."

"T-That's the point. It were just like the graveyard. I could feel a spirits had been there. A lot of them, for a long time, but they were just gone now. Weren't even one there, and it terrifies me to think of what happened that they all just went away like that."

"Whatever it were, it's done. We have a mission to focus on here. Are you feeling okay, Princess Twilight?"

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@Sekel

"Nah, I figure we'll get it later, and if they messed it up, I'll be having word with Thorax. The sort that'd get him a right good spanking or something, for messing up my work. I'm sure it'll be fine though, and honestly? I could go with a walk right now. I can't really get proper drunk off the little I've had, but I sure as hay feel all sorts of tipsy. Come on, let's have a wander, and see if I can't sober up before we get back."

He'd grin at Aurora, thinking about all the crazy stuff that were gonna happen now, when he'd return with not just a random drone anymore, but an actual queen in the making. His queen wouldn't believe her own eyes. Or okay, that were just a saying, since she would believe it when she saw it, but that was beside the point he were making. Right? He sorta lost track halfway...

Aaaaanyway, they had a long wander to get to, so, they might as well get started. They could fly too right away if it were, but Happy were likely to hit a tree once in a while if it were, since drunk flying wasn't a discipline he were any good at. Walking were a good deal easier, long as he didn't have to run. If he did, it'd be a sight to behold.

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@Sekel @Widdershins

"We are waiting for the last two of their family. A pair of brothers it sounded like.

And well... Scarcity is good at sorting things, and she can be very friendly. She's also smart enough to know I would have offered you a room anyway, so she just kinda set things in motion, and added her own stuff. You'd be surprised how good she is at improv planning, that actually works. I guess you have to be, to deal with the nobles. I hear they can be kinda testy at times."

Scarcity used more elegant, harsh words to speak about this them in their correspondence, but Stare could not blame her. They did not have a good history with them when they were younger, and while things had become better over the years, as Scarcity started to rise on the social ladder, she still held disdain for them. In her own words, blanking them off with antiques, and using a fair share of those money to give to causes and beings they would have hated, gave her a petty, yet delightful degree of joy.

Well, except for those who had been really bad to them whilst they were younger. Those uhm... They had some tough times over the years. As said, her sister were smart, but some things she could be unbelievably petty and vindictive about. Especially when it came to things happening to her younger sister. She had always been protective like that.

"I don't think they need us here for that though so uhm... We could go and I could show you your new room if it were? Again, I'd have to move a few things around, but it's not so bad."

@Randimaxis

No worries man. Real life is kinda crazy these days all over the world.

@Midnight_Aurora

Hey there. I don't see much issue with rejoining, but you're gonna have to jog my memories about who your OC's are. My memory isn't the best.

@Illiad Easle

I roughly get what the point of Mercy and Vengeance is, but Null is a paranoid character as well as an overprotective older sister. She will look at something that looks nice, and figure out if there is some way it might hurt her little sister. As she have done mercy killings before (and are scarred mentally from it, as I think it adds some layers and shows she isn't an emotionless, violent psychopath) she associates the term with this as well, and as that is one thing she have done hers to shield her sister from, it terrifies her that Void might have to do something like that eventually.

As for her own job, for the time being, she's trying to get the facts straight before judging the thestral. Might be there's some redeeming circumstances to this whole thing, and afterwards, she have to find out his punishment. Currently thinking to have him sent to Troy to work his debt off by having to help others. Depends on whatever or not vampire thestrals can handle light. The lore and stuff is all over the place when I see them taken up.

Regarding a potential romantic partner, there's a few things.

First off, he doesn't have to be hit with dwarfism himself. It would be a bonus, since he'd understand her situation more than most, but it isn't required. Most important is that he doesn't treat her like a foal, or look on her like she's some sort of weak cripple. She hates being perceived as weak, though it could work if he sees her like that at first, then they get into a tussle, and he shows that he respects her proving him wrong.

Age, height, that sorta thing isn't all that important. An equine of some sort likely, so she could see some degree of future for them if it came down to it (opens you up for anything from the three classics, to thestrals and zebras. Changelings too really, as their DNA are rather malleable). I am not saying that the odds are great with say, zebras or thestrals, but way I see it, they're close enough in species for crossbreeding to be possible. It just takes more effort and time for it to work properly.

...I may be biased as I have a few cross breed OC's, but still, I'd debate the merit in this sort of thing.

Let's see, personality... Never thought much on this, but I think Null would do best with a counter anchor. Back when she were really bad, the only thing keeping her somewhat in check were Void's kindness, functioning as the weight on the other end of the scale. With Void gone, and Nine not exactly being above pushing her towards violence (guess combined with current experience) she could potentially do well with one with a lot of heart. Doesn't mean it have to be someone who only shows kindness and tries to make the world smile, since she's gotten better in recent weeks, but you know, one with a lot of compassion in the things he does.

Also, Null respects honesty. Doesn't mean she always likes it, but someone who's willing to call her out on her idiocy at times, and tries to reel her in, is someone she'd do well with.

So I guess the short of it all would be a compassionate, honest-when-needs-to equine male, that doesn't treat her like she's worth less than others. I'd say it's fine if he jokes around with things at times though, if that's your style.

@Illiad Easle

On 6/11/2020 at 8:13 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"The way you talk about your father, and how you usually solve your problems, I had figured violence was typically your first response to this sort of thing. Glad to see otherwise."

"I hurt those who tries something, and pushes folks away, because I learned there's no one you can trust. Trying hard to change that part a little, but yeah, I'm aggressive and violent.

Doesn't mean I want to intentionally kill innocents. The time's I've done it, have only been mercy kills. Folks ending up in something they couldn't be saved from, and it doesn't hurt any less to do that, no matter how much I try telling myself it's the kind thing to so."

This were one of the reasons that Null feared Void accepting Mercy. Because she had commited enough mercy kills to know, that the word covered more than just being kind and help creatures in a tough spot. It could be you having to show the ultimate kind of mercy, and Null had done what she could to shield her sister from that sort of thing. Now she wouldn't be there to be able to shoulder that sort of burden anymore, and it terrified Null. Her sister were too kind of a mare, to have to carry around this sort of soul crushing guilt.

In regards to the youngling, Null hadn't moved closer, as she thoyght that trying might make him think she were sneaking closer to deliver the killing blow. So she stayed out of reach, and sitting down, to sorta try and appeared a little less offensively inclined towards the vampire bat.

She were sadly though, still close enough to now get a good look on his face, and see something that hit close to home: The kid was blind on one eye. Just like Void were...

The methods it had happened were clearly different, with Void having lost it due to an infection, and this poor sod having been given the sharp side of a blade to the face, but it didn't make her any less sympathetic towards the thestral. In fact, seeing the old wound, and guessing how young he must have been when someone had tried splitting open his head, made her blood boil with anger.

Nine were right. This kid had a burden himself, but he were surely owed some vengeance too for this. Oh if only she had the one who did it here, she would have started swinging, and not stop anytime soon.

On 6/11/2020 at 8:13 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Y, you would? I suppose I could tell you, I think you're the first who's come down here since Mistress left, she cared about us more than the others, came back for us when everyone else left. She said she'd take us to Æther if we were good, but I guess we weren't because she left us here instead. She said she'd come back to get us, left us in a room like the one we came from... we didn't stay there long and we found we weren't the only ones here." He pointed to his scarred eye. "I think that's when this..." he pointed to the corpse, "...started. I suppose that's how there were so many of them, it might be why no one came back for us."

"From what I've been told, there was a place in the area with a gate to the Æther, but it got overrun by monsters. Your mistress might have wanted to come back for you, but didn't have the option.

I dunno if the portal still works, but we can look. There any of those things left out there? Were they keeping you here?"

If there were any of the tar spawn down here, she were going to end up using her bat after all. Gate functional or not, they needed to pay, and then, she had to sort out what to do with this kid. She couldn't just leave him down here on his own, that much were sure.

@FanOfManyShows

"I guess this means that Hatred is still kept safely locked up in Canterlot then, after they took it from you? Good. One less mass scale problem then.

As for the first, there weren't written many facts about them, but there were rumors, myths, and other such things. I used the history of the other wearers to sift through the worst of it to find some slim line of truth to what I scrounged up. Turns out that when you grow up debilitated and bedridden, you have a lot of time to read."

This comment was a minor stab that only Sapphire would likely get, unless she had started to spread stories about her crippled sister, and her desperate journey to not meet the untimely end that had been guaranteed for her since birth. Didn't mean it still didn't feel right to say.

"I assumed that the spirits within the elements might have been them, but if they're still alive... Perhaps the hypothesis is true then. Or well, ramblings of a mad old bat I suppose."

Using a small bit of magic effortlessly, she made an old notebook that looked pretty ragged, appear floating above her hoof. It were so much more delightful to use magic in this vessel, since it weren't as limiting as most others she had. *sigh* A shame she couldn't keep him, though she would prefer to be a female again. A stallion's body weren't ideal for her personally.

Regardless, she'd flip open the book, and turn it to show them a page of hastily written text, seemingly done with charcoal sticks, going all over the place. As if written down in panic, by someone losing their mind.

"Some words in here about the elements. Most of it gibberish, but if you sift through the fluff, you can see that the writer thought that the spirits weren't there before the original wearers, but manifested within because of their efforts and power. A fraction of their own strength, manifested in these things who seeks to destroy anyone else who tries to use the elements recklessly. Egging them on even, to try and make it impossible for the first to miss that they were out there, calling for them.

It's barely an idea, but it's one of the few sources I've found to work with, so take it for what it is.

And no, I am not starting the ritual for another 54 minutes. If the mixture is not allowed to settle in, Sapphire will be given life again, and you can go enjoy your little family life- For about fifteen seconds before she starts to peel like an union. This is getting done right, or not at all. Weapon yourself with patience for once."

Main issue with this family really were their impatience... Everything just had to happen constantly, and right away. You'd thing witches - who generally had to read and study tomes - would be able to take their time with things.

Also, at the hospital, there'd be no resistance. Word hadn't spread, and though it were earlier than expected, the staff took in the unconscious mare all the same, giving hastily thanks, before going on with their duties again.

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@FanOfManyShows

Opal managed to get away, just before the shades got hold of her. What a pity... So were it that the mages seemed to be just illusions, and had little effect. Soon as she were gone, so were they, and the metal keeping hold of folks.

Shade did not respond to things, nor ease up yet though. A whispering, slithering voice came from deep within the shadows around them as he stomped his hoof into the ground. On impact, were for a brief second, a faint imprint of a white rune, though as it fainted away, a larger spectacle would be seen from the shades shifting gears and jumping right back into the ponies they had come from. And as they did, each and every one of them would let out a deep gasp and have eyes almost popping out of their heads, as if they had been on the brink, and gotten shocked back to life.

Once they had all returned, leaving only the five out of six shades that he had to begin with in his squad, the white lines would retract from Shade's body, and once again be contained only to his visible eye. An eye which landed on the general as he started to speak, and Shade stepped closer.

"A word of advice, general: Focus on that dragon, forget what else you've seen, and don't think you can use it against me. You have no evidence, and you can't hide from me. Nopony can."

With that, Shade disappeared, mere hooves from Iron, who'd find himself surrounded by some pretty confused ponies, whilst the fire fighters kept on trying to control the fire. An effort they were winning, yet it would still take time. The reinforcements should hopefully be here soon though.

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@FanOfManyShows

"Give it to him. He is worthy. Powerful. Your grasp weakens, but his only strengthens. Be his follower. Bask in his radiance."

The voice had gotten stronger, being this near to the one who meant so dearly to it. The one and only wearer of the element, who were worthy to claim its power properly, and it yearned to return to his mighty grasp. and now finally, after all the failed weaklings who had tried to harness the element, and fallen prey to its games, one of them had finally proven competent enough to be found. Of the unworthy, Opal were a tolerable host for that, if nothing else.

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@EQ_Theta

"Perhaps I'm wrong. Haven't had much sleep lately, so perhaps I just see their residue. I still see the distinct energy from five, powerful souls clinging to you though.

You won't find anypony here judging you for wandering with spirits if it is. They walk among us, especially on this festive day."

The lantern around her nexk suddenly lit up to the side, and in its pale light, they'd be able to see a few spirits floating by, taking in the sights and speaking unheard words between them at all they were seeing. It were almost as if seeing regular ponies just having a stroll, were it not for the old timey clothes and the aforementioned floating.

The two of them would turn, and rise their grey hooves up to give a wave towards the group, before wandering on again. There were more to be seen of other spirits getting near, but the lantern's light snuffed out again before it got further than that.

"See? You are not the first to arrive. Some have been here for a long time. Heh... Heh..."

"I see. How... Informative."

"Spirits does not smell."

Omen had tried to get a sense of smell from those she had seen, but there were just nothing, and her assessment managed to get another, drawn out laugh of Tomb.

"You're a funny mare... What's your name?"

"I am Omen."

"I have a distant cousin with that name. Funny how that goes.

Anyway, you two asked about where to go, yes? The biggest attractions tends to be the arcade corner, and Cave of Inferiority. It's a nicer place than it sounds, and a local treat for tourists.

The seats at the Solemn Haven Theatre is going to have a good treat a few times during the night too, which is worth getting to early. Queen Cheshire and her hive is coming around for a couple of shows, and they're good at keeping others captivated. Not a whole lot goes all the way to Las Pegasus around here, so it's good they're eager to come here every so often, during these nights.

It might be good for you to try a trip around town too, once things are set up, and you can get a better overview of things. The Banshee's Wail can get you on a nice, sight seeing trip through the whole thing, free of charge. She's paid by the tourists board to provide for the tourists during these days, to make sure folks gets to see as much as they can.

And don't worry about your pet. Animals have strong senses, and death makes a lot of them nervous, or scared. I'm just *blessed* by them thinking the worst about me it seems."

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@Windy Breeze

(before they saw the ghosts)

Man, this spirit were not messing around, that was for sure. They had barely gotten down the main street, and already they had made sure to be both heard and noticed twice already, via the door, glass, and voice whispering on the wind? That was a bit unusual, but of course not unheard of. No wonder the locals had taken off in drones though, when the poltergeist were this outspoken. No way one could ignore this, and something told her that those who had tried, weren't getting an easier time because of it. Frankly, it were probably the opposite. Nopony liked being ignored.

The house they passed were not encouraging either. It were extremely unlikely that the spirit had pyrokinesis, but there were a slim chance that this were caused by that. Or the stove had been turned on, and towels throw on top of the counter top to really get the fire started. Stuff like that were not unusual, though if a fire had been started intentionally, rather than accidentally, it spoke about the spirit of Autumn. And not in a good way. Malice and thoughtfulness were not a kind combination, for ghost or the living.

(after the ghosts had appeared)

She had known right away that these were spirits. The sort of aura that came from that kinda creature, were impossible to think belonged to a living creature. At least in her family. They learned early on to distinguish, and accept their role in the great circle of life and unlife. Also these two were really not hiding it. You'd probably have to be blind, or ignorant, to think that they weren't spirits.

In fact, it appeared to be The spirits. A griffon male and pony female? Seemingly a couple? Sounded like what they were looking for, yes?

She had started to take some steps forth towards them as Quill began talking, but Legion's voices screamed at her to halt before she got far. Why she hadn't guessed at first, but then... The spirits addressed them directly, and Sorrow's face turned pale.

"...We're so boned..."

Spirits were her specialty, but there were a few, golden rules that were wise to take into account, for one at her power level. Two of them being to run off and find somepony better if she ran into demon possessions, or malicious, codependent spirits. Why? Because she were nowhere near powerful enough to subdue them, and malicious entities like this rarely just gave in to things. They could actually do some real damage on her, and that were why she tended to stay away from areas where that might be an issue.

Yet now she were in one, and considering the fog, and what these two had just said, she had the suspicion that there were an unnerving truth that they all had to face. Beyond them being in big trouble.

"I... I don't think they're gonna let us leave.

This is so far above my pay grade. We must uhm... I dunno, they mentioned a filly? Somepony called Marshmallow Sunrise? Maybe if we find her, we can do something. I think she might be the one to actually be whispering on the wind. These two doesn't seem like they're lost like that. And uhm... That actually makes them a whole lot more dangerous."

Sorrow were sounding a whole lot more nervous and actually scared now, than she had so far. She really should have known better when it came to this town. Most haunted graveyard in all of Equestria, and now this? If she made it out of this alive, she had to tell grandmother that this town were a high risk zone, and that they needed to get their best out there to fine-comb the place every so often, to avoid these sorta things. Bit of a tall order if they didn't make it out of here alive though, which seemed like it was a possibility at this point.

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@Rising Dusk

"So, considering the diplomatic aspect of things, and this grooming you're talking about, Harrowmark should primarily focus on building a good bond with this Princess Twilight then? Yet also address Princess Celestia as the current, de facto ruler? Seems understandable enough, though your titles are strange. I suppose it's an Equestrian or alicorn thing though. I wouldn't know. I know barely anything of your lands, and alicorns does not exist in Harrowmark. Far as I know, they never have, but it's hard to tell with ancient history. It's never as complete as you'd want it to be.

To return to your royals, I am to understand that Princess Luna is to be treated respectfully, even though her sister have the final say in things then, and Princess Cadance can largely be ignored, at least for the time being?

It sounds somewhat akin to what system we have in Harrowmark. Queen Magenta the Second is our primary ruler, with her husband, Prince Hayworth, making up somewhat of a secondary ruler.

Crown Prince Necrotic is the one primed for the throne, once our queen cannot handle it any longer, and we have some relatives of theirs ruling over small areas as much as they were allowed, which sounds akin to Princess Cadance. I would perhaps advice your princess to go into talks with the crown prince if it were. Our queen doesn't seem to be at bad health, but she might see this as a new age, which needs a younger spirit at the reigns. I have only seen her in scrys, and the few mock tours she were forced to take by Twisted, so I couldn't say for sure.

What little I do know, is that your princess should steel herself with patience. Queen Magenta is coming up in years, and judging by the amount of times she were made to parade, and the snide comments from Twisted, I can only assume that the authoritarian aura I've seen roll off her does not mean that age have dulled her edge. It honestly seems as if she have only gotten more sharp, as if preparing to take a stand before her lifetime were over, which is a degree of spine that we have not had in our royal family for a long time. I would be wary of treating her like a simple old mare, if I were her."

Not to mention that glare... Even when made to do her tour by Twisted, to try and humiliate her, she radiated an aura of just being someone naturally in charge of things. And then when someone did at times think it were wise to smirk, or do anything else than respect her authority, she stared them down. Twice had she seen it in her lifetime, and both times were the one their queen had focused on, ended up covering before her silent gaze, and whimpering. Twisted really hated that about the old queen. Ones before her had been so easy to break, yet she were a different story. Quite honestly, Lily felt rather certain that the only reason she had been allowed to live for this long, were that Twisted sincerely wanted to see how long she'd last before he found a way to crack her shell.

"If I may give an example: In recent years, Twisted had been considering killing her husband, and making him into a mindless ghoul that'd follow her around. Yet when he tried this around six years ago with her youngest son, he had ended up dismayed that she went straight over to grab the royal scepter, and beat the monstrosity until it weren't able to move anymore. And then she had set fire to it. Without a shadow of remorse or hesitation.

It were one of the times that I've seen Twisted actually look beaten. He hadn't thought she'd be able to look at what her youngest had become, and had it in her to release him.

This is the kind of pony you will be dealing with. I would be cautious of treating her with anything not resembling respect.

As for your lack of gods, it perplexes me how your country can be strong without them, but I assume your alicorn magic have something to do with how a balance is made, and it seems... Quaint out there. Dealing with gods are not perfect, but I can at least attest that personally, I don't know how I'd make it in the long run, had I not something higher to believe in. This might just be one of the things were out cultures will clash some, but I can imagine that it won't be that big of a deal in the long run. Long as there is no shrine desecration. I wouldn't like to think of what the high priestess would do to someone who made a mockery out of her temples."

She barely finished before they got to a large, grandiose door, which already reeked quite a bit of being high class. Not the worst she supposed. it beat a collapsing cage any day, though luxury felt weird even to think about.

Which she didn't have much time to do either, before Dawn with a a few, disapproving words, started to switch doors. Something which captivated Lily more than what the varied doors might actually look like, and made her question if these were all potential gateways. If so, Dawn surely must be powerful to just switch through them via such simplistic methods. Their portal mages in Harrowmark were good, but this? They'd literally throw anything in their vast library at Dawn, just for her to give them some notes on how to do this. She'd have a lot of leeway with them, if Lily were correct.

On 6/10/2020 at 1:01 PM, Rising Dusk said:

Pushing on the door opened into the interior of a cozy log cabin.  Furred rug before a firm sofa in front of a roaring fire place.  A simple caved table with a single matching chair.  A small rustic kitchen with a window looking out over the backyard of the mansion and stocked icebox.  Plenty for simple living.  Against the back wall, a room leading to a restroom.  Next to the fire place, a small room with a rustic bed.  "Will this suffice?"

Lily wandered in, surprised at what she were seeing. A nice, old school, rustic place. Not as old school as where she came from mind you, but when you didn't have proper building materials, anything looking whole were basically out of your league. This certainly looked like something that home could be one day though. Once they got to building again.

She'd spent a bit of time looking around, taking it all in, before turning to Dawn with a surprised, look and a pleased smile on her face.

"This is far more than I had expected, but it's nice and homely. Thank you for catering to an ol- I mean, to me, Dawn.

Though, what were the trick that you did before? Did every door represent a portal to another room in your house? Our portal mages would be highly interested in this sort of magic if it were."

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@Catpone Cerberus

"I just assumed you went through all that to come here, steal things and train, then go back with a proper hoard set up once you had gotten your revenge, and your slice of land back."

There seemed to be some tension going over Ruby, which stopped Leviathan from asking in more what were going on. She had her ideas, and theories of course, but none of them were good, and poking at this might just make Ruby lash out. Considering they finally seemed to be getting somewhat along, she were hesitant to risk throwing that away this easily.

"I'd ask more, but if you don't want to talk about it, I'm not gonna push it. You have the right to some privacy, and if it's still a major sore spot, I don't see any good coming from me prodding at it with a stick. But if you ever wanna share, I'll listen, and not share a thing with others. Not even your pet bird.

I'm curious about the future though. Say you come back, get your revenge, and your own place back. Then what? Are you just gonna repeat how it's always been, or are you striving for something more lofty? You have knowledge of the outside world now after all. Maybe you could use that to your advantage, and claim a higher position in the food chain there. Maybe even the top, given enough time and a little scheming."

Never hurt to have plans for the future, and as they were dragons, they could last for a long time. She personally had aspirations about being able to make ball lightning, which were a really tough sort of magic to sort out right, but she were making progress. Another... 600 years or so of casually getting more refined and stronger, would likely do wonders. Maybe shorter if she actually focused on it.

Probably wouldn't be long now before Ruby were ready to get a move on again she'd wager. A long rest more, and it might be there, considering her healing progress so far. Just good that her branch also had the increased healing abilities of their kind as a whole, and weren't slow say, the ponies. It would've taken months then.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"I don't think she thinks she's a dragon. It's kinda more like a nurture thing, I think? I've seen her jump around with Angel bunny, so she can't think she's a dragon, or she would've tried eating him. I just kinda think that maybe she's marred by a far tougher life where you had to prove yourself, so she's got the pride and violent tendencies of a dragon. And the kick of a deer. Seriously, surprisingly strong paws, hehe."

Most would probably not be this happy about being beaten up by a glorified rodent, but Ziggy were a bit weird. The glass-less frames tended to be a solid clue, but there were more warning signs if you didn't catch that one, like her general attitude, love of tackle hugs, and general glee over anything small and cute. Quite a few actually tended to look at her in disbelief once they saw her medical licence, as a good chunk thought all doctors were serious all of the time.

"It's kinda sad we cant go check up on your dryad friend. But that's okay. Now I know there's one, so I'll just wait until she's comfy coming into town and talk,and then it's huggletime! Hehe. Honestly thought they were just myths, by creatures who had see evergrown and gotten confused. Really funny that they're actually real. It's like finding a special treasure. But I have patience, no worries.

You sure you don't want me to check up on Nerzhei though? If she was in a fight, her arm might've gotten worse, and a biopsy's messy stuff. Her head might not feel right currently."

Ziggy were a weird one, but a doctor primarily, and as such, wanted to try and help others. Even irate dragons. A patient were a patient after all.

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@Catpone Cerberus

"A fair assessment I suppo-"

"Eeeeek!?"

Somewhere not too far off, a high pitched, equine screech were heard, giving off a scared and surprised yelp into the forest. It might be nothing though. Could just be they had fallen over a tree stump, or stepped into a lake and were a bit fidgety.

"Grwoark!!"

Or something quite a bit larger were running into or after said pony, causing distress. From the sound of the gurgling, resonating tone, it were something big indeed, though with a tone that Lyriel did not understand. She doubted this were a regular sort of beast already. Maybe another of the forest's legends?

If they followed the sound, they'd find a mare in full survival gear, back turned against a large rock, and looking on in horror, as a large, frog-like creature came waddling towards her, with goo spilling from it's half-open maw. A maw filled with sharp teeth it looked like, ready to chomp down on some hapless prey. Such as say, a pony who had gotten too close to the large area near the swamp this thing were starting to call its home.

The lean creature would slam it's knucked into the ground,a nd with it's face turned towards the pony, open up to glob a large ball of goo at said pony. She managed to dodge it, yet sadly not the tongue that came right afterwards, and slung around her ankle. The monster seemed well satisfied with catching her already, judging from its hideous, scaled face, and began to drag the pony slowly back to it's open maw, which should just about fit a pony in it. Said mare were not having it, and did hers to claw at the ground with one hoof, whilst fumbling for a knife in her belt with the other. She might need help if she were to get out of this alive.

They should beware though. The frog-like creature seemed to have growth covering parts of its bumpy back, and judging by the pulsating motions, something were stirring within. It might not be wise to hit those things.

@Illiad Easle

Felt inspired, so here you go, an extra post.

@Illiad Easle

"I wasn't gonna hurt you, unless there were no other way."

Null spoke with a sad, actually sympathetic tone to the freaked out little thing, now starting to think to himself, that he were some sort of irredeemable monster. She probably hadn't made it any easier, with the way she had approached him either, even if she tried to be a bit soft in it. She hadn't even drawn her weapon or anything. But her version of going easy on things were skewed, and frankly, she got how her sort of approach hadn't been the best right now. So she'd try to go at this in a way that perhaps might work a bit better: With some degree of understanding. Y'know, the way Void would've done it if she were here.

"You're outta your mind if you think I'm gonna kill this one. It's only an option if there's no other choice, and it's the kindest thing I can do for 'em. It's the only way I'm willing to take on that sorta burden."

It were a few cases that were like that in her lifetime, and it were always associated with someone getting cursed, and acting against their own will. Sometimes she Void and her had been able to get them tied up and brought to a place that could deal with it, or they were able to just negate things themselves, but some curses were too far. Melting the lil' one, or making them bleed uncontrollably. That sorta thing. One she remembered vividly even included skin removal.

In those cases, when there were no chance of survival, and all that were ahead were incredible pain - or if whatever magic had affected them had taken over completely, and couldn't get removed again - Null had taken it upon herself to do what her kinder sister would never be able to do.

Did it hurt? Not what she did, no. She did her best to make it as quick and painless as possible, but it were one of those things that shattered her spirit, and if Nine had been looking around, he would've found that every last one of those memories, had been part of the floating island space that made up her mind. Because they were always there, haunting her, regardless of how it had been the kindest thing to do. It didn't stop it from hurting, and weighing on her shoulders, and were just another aspect of her life that she just didn't know how forgive herself for.

As for this kid, he seemed to still be able to think, and his debt weren't tar black here, so there wasn't a need to go that far. So she'd sit down, and look briefly at the sadly dead one, then let out a sigh before addressing the survivor again. Wasn't anything she could do for that one anyway.

"You ain't a monster, kid. I've met real monsters in my time. Creatures who caused a lot of pain to others, and didn't think about it for a second. What you are, is scared, and understandably grieving over what happened. Monsters doesn't have it in them to regret doing these sorta things. They revel in them.

Can you tell me what happened? You said something about a mistress, and some monsters attacking you? Maybe I can help you."

@Illiad Easle

23 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

Nine nodded, "Of course," Null would feel the numbing sensation start to cover her coat, then faint trails started to appear in front of her vision, mostly white but one red. "I've turned the eye on as well, might help you navigate a bit better. It looks like a few creatures have been through here somewhat recently."

So she had a bloodhound vision going with the vengeance meter? Well then, that wasn't expected. Useful she supposed, but irritating. Nothing compared to the numbing coldness that was soaring through her though. Nothing like the equivalent of a permanent cold shower feeling, to keep you distracted. Bloody hay this was seriously gonna take ages to get used to. It was like wandering through a tundra, but without the pelts doing anything to keep the body heat in.

23 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"It looks like there's a dark entity where you hear the voices along with an innocent while the others who passed through here went down the lit path. Provided these branches don't meet up again later they should be on their respective sides still, these paths are still pretty fresh."

"Well, If I'm to take this whole shtick serious, we should go check up on the dark and innocent auras. Might be we can save someone, and if we can't... Well, we got a job to do."

The other one sounded safer, but they were supposed to be teamed up to dole out some vengeance. Wasn't easy to do that, if she openly avoided areas where there might be a need for it. Though again, who knew? Might be they'd be able to make it there in time to make a difference, and save a life instead. That'd be nice too.

23 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

Above the sound of the water though was the sound of sobbing, the tunnel entered a larger room dotted with the glowing moss. The white and read trails were jumbled together as if the ones making the trails got into a fight, then the white trail suddenly stopped, the red trail continuing onward in the direction of the sobbing, it was complimented by a thin trail of blood headed the same way.

Okay, odds of being able to save anyone seemed to lower for each second. First the voices had stopped, then the weird lines had gotten tangled up, with only the bad one moving on, and now there were a trail of blood. There might not be a corpse in sight yet, but if you assumed that the dead couldn't be innocent or guilty of anything, this were starting to paint a clear picture. Might not be it of course, but honest time: What were the odds of it not being the case? With her track record, about 6%, on a generous day.

And sadly, it would turn out that she were right...

On 6/9/2020 at 9:06 PM, Illiad Easle said:

"I'm sorry... so sorry! I I didn't mean to, shouldn't have been you."

(Null's response will depend on whatever or not the other one is still alive)

(dead)

"Ain't no way back from what you've done now, kiddo."

It was regrettable that this had happened, and she couldn't get there in time, but there had indeed not been anything she could've done. Being too late to the party had ended up causing one kid to kill another, and sadly, due to an affliction she knew enough off to feel sorry for this one too. Sure there were the monsters who reveled in being vampires, but at this age? Little thing probably didn't ask for this cursed life, and were pretty obviously distraught at what had likely just been a fight that escalated drastically.

Sadly, far as she knew, there weren't any sorta cure for this either. So she'd either have to take the kid in and then hope that she were wrong, and the others knew something, or...

"Surrender, and you might have a chance. Don't make me leave two corpses in this place."

If the vengeance meter were sky rocketing, she likely didn't have much of a choice. Same if the kid went ballistic in a bloodlust or something like it. In which case, she'd have to put this one outta its misery. It were gonna haunt her to put an end to one this young, and if she could chose, she'd rather try to capture, tie up, and drag this one outta here. Might be there were an answer beyond *kill it, before it kills you*. Not like she knew magic, right?

The look she sent this one were pretty full of pity too, even when she stood and were clearly armed to make a point. A rather final one in fact. Wouldn't make her look like much of a killer.

(alive, but barely)

"Hey! Get your flank away!"

She'd charge in, aiming to push this one aside hard, and grab hold of the lil' one on the floor. Might be this one were gonna need a serious beating, or a trip upstairs to see if there were something that could be done about it, that were beyond Null's experience (maybe both) but first priority would be to patch this one up and haul them the hay outta here, while they still had a chance to live through this. A small one maybe, but she'd try to save a life before going after one who were clearly feeling guilty over what had happened already. Probably because of that accursed vampirism. One of the few things that made her happy about her own curse. At least it wasn't That bad. Vampirism on the other hoof, were a never-ending nightmare with only one, predictable outcome, far as she knew. It were possible she were wrong though. Never ran into one who didn't only have one of two things in mind: A want to feast on her, or some poor sap begging to be put out of their misery. Only a few of either though, as at least far as she were concerned, these sorts were pretty darn rare.

"I ain't letting you take another sip outta this one."

She'd try to drag this one off, and not resort to violence unless she had to make a choice. Optimally, she'd be able to get this one out, and try and get this other kid some help, but it were probably gonna be an either or. And if she lingered too long, there wouldn't be an *or* part of that anymore. Lotta blood loss it seemed like.

@EQ_Theta

"First timers, huh? Isn't that a treat. Heh... Heh...

The carnival is perfectly safe, so there is no reason to be afraid. A few drunken fights here and there, but that's why we have our local guards. Nothing from Canterlot though. This area's helped by my family and whoever works for us. Grandmother makes sure some of us are always around to keep things safe, and I've never been much of a traveller. I like the calm, homely darkness here in the woods."

Tomb smiled and looked around at the varied workers going about their business for a moment, just to see if perhaps something were going on, but finding nothing. The locals were more often than not, welcoming and calm. The tourists were the issues, but at least this group seemed nice. Very mixed and a little weird, but she had seen worse. Were some strange folks coming through here every now and again.

"That reminds me, rules are fairly simple, so just gonna go over it easily. Don't start fights, don't try and scam the booths, and don't set fires. That's about it."

"If I may ask-"

"Don't worry, it really is that simple. We're a friendly place here, and want to keep it that way. Those who doesn't like it that way, will be escorted out of town."

"That I understand. Yet I wonder about the notion of ten individuals. We're only four. Five if you chose to include Shrimp."

"Is that the name of the little one? How fitting."

She reached a hoof forth to try and get nearer, but Shrimp hightailed backwards. Literally, slithering back to clutch Lin's tail instead, almost as if he were afraid of the mare. Something which seemed to make her a little sullen, however briefly.

"I hoped that maybe this one would act differently... Oh well, how life goes sometimes."

Omen would wander closer, and try to stand in the way of where Shrimp were, and Tomb. An action that caused the mare to let out another drawn out, brief laugh, before taking a few steps back.

"I'm not going to hurt it. Animals just doesn't like me all that much.

At least those spirits doesn't seem to mind me. Have you come to help them on before the carnival, maybe? Won't be easy I'm afraid. Strong souls means strong bonds.

But what do I know? Maybe they're just here to enjoy the festivities too. They won't be the only ones."

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

 

@Windy Breeze ☁️ ☁️ ☁️

It were currently about as bad as she had expected.

Houses abandoned, shops closed potentially indefinitely, as the poltergeist had spread her territory of effect, and started to affect both the odds of anypony actually coming around, and the risks involved in staying themselves, due to *accidents* happening around the area. It weren't the first place she had seen like this, but it were probably the largest affect area, far as she could recall at least. Autumn must be a pretty strong, and/or majorly miffed spirit, for her to already cover this much.

Sorrow had been about to ask a question in regards to whatever or not the spirit were strong enough to be heard, or potentially seen, when a low voice came wafting on the wind, speaking just one word. Yet a very important one, that made Sorrow's heart sink some. It appeared that it really were related to him, and that Razor wasn't with Autumn right now. She wouldn't have a reason to call out for him if he were, and sadly, she could see that she wasn't the only one hearing the voice.

Normally, the dead didn't speak a language that the living could hear, yet her family were blessed/cursed - depended on your perspective - with being able to communicate with the departed, and oftentimes, hear their language. The spirits could eventually too begin to talk with the regular living again, but that required a strong soul, and generally speaking, some time to gather yourself. Not all the time, but the focus/power needed to transcend the barrier like this, weren't something any spirit tended to do just right away. Just another clue that this here were gonna be problematic.

On 6/8/2020 at 1:01 AM, Windy Breeze ☁️ ☁️ ☁️ said:

At this point, Quill's mind was telling her to run “If you are talking about Razor, he was nice but very silent, often talks only to clerks. I heard he's very nice, formal, and generous. That is why how he and Autumn got better before she- AHH!” she yelled after a glass pane suddenly fell from a house and shatter right infront of her.

Sorrow jumped back with a small *meep* as the glass panel fell, and looked to where it had been, to try and get a read on whatever this had been an actual accident, or if Autumn had manipulated it. If she had, there were a chance there were some sort of energy link she could follow to try and get to where she were. Which were probably just her former home, but still.

"It sounds like she's looking for him. For what reason though, that's gonna be the part where this gets sadder or more dangerous. Biiig difference between murder victims and grieving spouses. How you approach them too. One's gonna weep constantly, and the other will try tearing you to shreds."

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@FanOfManyShows

On 6/8/2020 at 11:45 AM, FanOfManyShows said:

She nodded, looking to Chariot as she walked over to the pony, casting a quick healing spell- just in case, but it also restored their energy anyway.

Restoring the energy wouldn't do much for the pony on the floor. She might be out of her coma, but being possessed for this long, combined the aforementioned coma, had an effect on how long she'd need to realign, so to speak. An hour at worst, and now, she wouldn't feel about as worn and deflated like an old balloon.

"And just before you start accusing me of being evil again, remember that this one were in a coma, and I have kept my word on getting her out of it. She'll wake up perfectly okay again, once she's realigned, and I already told her what happened. She were more accepting of this whole situation than any of you were."

Which were a sad truth, yet the truth regardless. Sapphire might have agreed to help her gain this vessel in the first place, but she sincerely doubted her sister were okay with it, and Astral were a given. She didn't know about Misty or Iron though. She barely interacted with any of them, even if Iron were near them. Frankly she assumed he were just waiting for Sapphire to be back, before going off and not think about her leech of a sister anymore.

On 6/8/2020 at 11:45 AM, FanOfManyShows said:

"When Sapphire defeated me, they fled and disappeared, history doesn't exactly remember ghosts."

"So who are they?"

"The original bearers of the elements of disharmony,
( @Blitz Boom I will add the list of names here if any do/don't already exist)
they shouldn't interfere with this ritual, but perhaps after we finish it we go and deal with that.
Opal shouldn't bother us anymore once they get into play however"

"Wait, those Things are still alive? How typical. The worst ones always gets to stay alive and well."

She grumbled at this frankly troubling news. Personally, she had never met any of the original wearers, as most of them were just about ancient - the Element of Hatred for example, had been kept sealed away for over a half millennia at this point, making the original one quite an ancient prune - and some really messed up beings. For most of the time that she were looking for the Element of Deceit, she actually thought that they had all been imprisoned within the elements, and they were the spirits that lured within them, until she had gotten some reports that things were not as simple as that. She still didn't think that they were just actually wandering around though. This were going to be troubling.

"Urgh. If they're gonna poke their heads up again, we have to deal with them. They won't tolerate other, potential or former bearers.

What elements are in play that we know of? Lies seems to be used now, we have Deceit - or Betrayal, if you want to be pedantic about it - and I've felt Hatred stir somewhere out there. I've lost track of what happened to Depression.

Also, how good is Opal at dealing with her element? If she hasn't learned restraint and keeping the voice down, we risk her being made into a puppet by the element itself. Please tell me that any of you have read up on the times that have happened, and understand how bad that would be?"

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

If she had a feel for how the metal were grabbing hold of Shade and his squad, she'd find that they were oddly pudgy. Still firm, but not exactly what you'd expect normally regardless.

"So, the witch finally shows her colors."

"Don't... He will...You let... Hunter..."

The voice were weakly back again, but it were barely an audible whisper, clinging on to what little had been used to try and force a message through, and falling dormant again after the vague attempt. It would be some time before it would have any semblance of power to stand on to try again, and it wouldn't be helped by using what little had been established so carelessly.

Yet for some reason, it felt there were a need to talk, and somewhere between the lines, were something important that should have come across. Yet it were likely too fractured for her to understand it.

Shade did not hear it, nor would care for the voice if he could. He were currently in a position where the general were threatened, and some core principles of his would have to be tested. Primarily, how far he were willing to go for General Screecher, as it were her explicit wish that Iron would survive to tell another tale, and if possible, do so whilst in one piece. Add on top of that, that if the troops on the ground were not released, they were in danger from the fire, regardless of what those on top were doing to quench it out of reach of these things, and the predicament just got more dire.

Yet he were currently stuck in place, due to the mental assault slowing his reflexes, and so were is troops. As he stood there, he couldn't do much to prevent things, and they were likely all going to die.

"...Then so be it."

The whiteness that made up his eye would rapidly spread out as cracking lines across his darkened attire and covered up face, and suddenly, a good dozen or so of the nearby troops would start to convulse, with the white's showing in their eyes. Within seconds, they'd suddenly jerk to the side, as something dark tore away from them, leaving the troops unconscious where they stood, whilst the darkness spread, leaped behind the apparent helper casters, and coalesced into shades looking like the rest of his squad. All but the eyes, which would have the same shape and color as one of the unconscious ones.

As for what the *new members* did? What they were commanded to, of course. Hammering the casters into the ground, then go for Opal, if she hadn't retreated by then. If need be, whilst suddenly getting out of sight, and seconds thereafter, appearing near her, rising from the darkened ground, or the looming shades of the trees.

As for Shade himself, he's rise a hoof,and throw four daggers towards Opal. All nice and poisoned with a strong knockout elixir, to ensure the one getting hit were going nowhere. He'd deal witht he fallout from everything that were being presented to the general later. For now, he had a job to fulfill, and due to the current circumstances, he were forced to take drastic methods in use.

@Widdershins

I think rocking him around won't be an option. My strongest unicorn currently in town (my strongest is Vivid Loss, who's currently not in action) would be Scarcity, but most of her magic is focused on telekinesis spells of a notch stronger than average, short range teleports, protective spells, and applying wards. Lifting a massive lizard to rock it around would not be something she could do. She'd try to talk reason, and constantly keep herself moving and out of reach of harm, with a backup protective ward just in case. In her line of work, not having a plan b-through-g at the very least, means you're not making it through the first week alive, or will remain pretty low rung at best.

So gonna go with the show's message: When in doubt, blast it in the face with happy beams!

Or you know, friendship or whatever.

@Illiad Easle

On 6/7/2020 at 8:37 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Come now, I know Troy isn't perfect, it never was, but it survived. Blackwater, Himillama, Archback, the Æther... they all survived because creatures came together to defend against Discord. Hundreds died to ensure those bastions would stand, and if they did it, why couldn't this one too? Still, I agree, Branch is too optimistic about this trip. I have no doubts that Pegas is not the shining city on the sea she remembers from her foalhood."

Null sighed slightly and shook her head. It seemed like she just wasn't getting the point about this.

"You just proved my point. Hundreds died for the safe havens. Good beings who sacrificed their lives so that others could live. This is the best case scenario I'm talking about, where blood's been spilled, but considering everything, it were mostly from some who went down swinging for a cause, and that's about as good as it gets in this messed up world. Sacrificing the lives of others against their will ain't on the good spectrum of thing, y'know.

I can't say for sure if anyone I knew died during the crisis, but I've been around a lot of places out there. Seen a lot of blood spilled that didn't have to, and some from folks thinking it was their only option. I dunno, sometimes it might've been, but I'm just trying to warn you through experience here. Maybe you're lucky and New Las Pegasus's been kept going through a valiant war effort that cost lives, but got it done with a purpose. But if there's no memorials, or graves to those that've been lost, and just glorifying words about victories and how good it's going, or how that leader of theirs is the best thing since pear juice... Ain't nothing as suspicious, as a place that doesn't honor their dead properly. Not these days."

Null were a cynical, paranoid, untrustworthy ball of hatred in many aspects, but even in her worst hours, she knew that there were good folks out there, and innocents who didn't deserve what happened to them. If she hadn't, she would've never cared about all the cursed items they found, or keep getting guilt tripped by the faces of those she'd let down, or friends who had died because of them over the years.

And in areas where there had been a good deal of folks who had ended up dead for the sake of others, like any place who had kept going over the crisis years would've gone through, there were mourners, shrines, and stories about the heroes. If there weren't, then generally speaking, the area had issues. Oftentimes cult leaders, which were a weird constant that Void and her had run into at least twice a year. For some reason, every country seemed to have a bunch of weirdoes dedicated to one shrewd individual, or some kind of deity. Mostly the second. Which in some cases were pretty bad. Not as in *demanded creatures sacrificed in their names*, but actually *told others to stop sacrificing others in their names*. Nothing as messed up as seeing a cult belittled by the deity they worshiped, for doing something he/she/it apparently explicitly told them weren't okay.

On 6/7/2020 at 8:37 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Wonder why I didn't see that on my patrol, must have gotten distracted by something to miss a hole like that. You want me to follow you in or keep watch up here?" If Null asked why he didn't offer to go down with Null watching the opening: "Hey now, you were all set to investigate it yourself just a moment ago, I see no need to change that plan."

"Stay up here, and if you hear a blood curdling scream, things weren't as safe as I thought. Unless it's a different pitch. Might be bringing back a *friend* then."

Null wanted to go at this on her own anyway, as she wanted to test something with this new gig of hers, so just as she finished this, she'd start up a thought with Nine hopefully listening in.

"Hey, think you can turn on those freeze inducing powers while we're wandering down? Thinking this is as good a time as any to stay safe."

Sure it were going to be freezing, but she weren't gonna end up dead before she had her vengeance that easily. Besides, she had to get used to this stuff sooner or later, and she had admittedly been focusing mostly on other training sessions, rather than this. Probably weren't good to keep pushing it away.

Regardless of how long it'd take, she kept on going and soon enough found herself in a somewhat low tunnel. Wadda ya know? One of the few places it were a boon to be her size. The amount of times she had used a diamond dog network of lesser tunnels to travel around with in a pinch... Weren't a high number, due to Void being with her, but on occasion there had been times when she had to do it to get to her sister, or just took a shortcut, whilst Void went with the larger tunnels that could deal with her size.

The moss were a nice touch she didn't see with the dogs often though. Usually they had torches, or glowing gems, and this were more the kind of thing you ran into in caves that were eerily silent, and prone to having something living in them that were more or less ripped straight out of a nightmare. Or a bunch of bushwoolies. Quite honestly, she weren't sure what had been more off putting in her own experience. Something about those hairballs didn't seem right.

On 6/7/2020 at 8:37 AM, Illiad Easle said:

After a few more meters she'd come to a fork, to the left was more of the moss, to the right was dark, but had a faint murmuring sound almost like speech.

Aaah, here were something she were used to. A road split with the option between the seemingly silent and nice path, or the one that apparently had some sorta creature(s) at down the road. Experience told her that the nice looking road were a trap, and the voices were cultists, so... Damned either way, she supposed.

"Personally, I'd rather deal with the voices than something I dunno where is, or a potential pit fall. Your take on it, Nine?"

@Handsome Changeling

Well hello hello, blast from the past.

I guarantee you, there isn't an issue with you joining up again, at all, and you don't need to worry about the Hydra part interfering with that. The parts are still scattered, and there's nothing saying that you even have to be nearby when it all takes off. It could be anywhere in the world, that we have the setting for the RP including you.  

Have a lot of chars since last, including some changelings of my own, but let's get to the very basic: What char would you like to join in on, and what sorta setting? I can make suggestions based off of that.

Also, watch out for Widders. He can, and will, bite.

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

 

@Widdershins

So folks can be eaten, and takes a while to get digested? Alright, sounds like a fair middle ground to me then. Makes sense in a way though, considering what you said before, yes? If they make sure to get everything out of the nutrients they eat, it makes sense that their digestion wouldn't be so much based off getting through it quickly, as that'd be a burst of energy and then waste, but rather siphoning as needed. It does present a horrifying notion about the poor things that does get slowly eaten, but uhm... I suppose they would've run out of air long before it came to that. Or gotten knocked out by gasses in their system, as food rummaging around and trying to escape again is likely a pain in the necks.

As for the way to incapacitate them, hard style, I'll keep it in mind, but I had another option more likely to present itself, that had a lot less stabbing going about it. We'll see how things goes, though the lizard explosion you mention... Wild stab in the dark, but is this how they got split up into their current forms in the first place?

Regardless, what to do afterwards to ty and save the town then comes down to those who are interacting with them then? Well, I can see some be easier to discuss things with than others, but we'll see the degree of damage coming up when the initial panic settles in, as well as the ability of those gathered to try and show sympathy, reason, and a level head. Debating whatever or not I'll have Stargazer just lose it, slump down amidst the ruins of his (admittedly not great) home/office, or be able to keep going. There likely should be a breaking point with this one somewhere.

Although, the mention of the knight does give me some idea of a response to things once times comes by... Might be a good show of force on the hydra's side, if they see that a vigilante out to take it out, getting pinned to the ground for attacking them. Y'know, even if it were just for their own protection.

@Widdershins

Sorry for not responding. Last few days have been... Something.

Anyway, I stand corrected on speed vs agility, and I do like your head cannon about hydras recycling basically all energy, and not being able to be poisoned. Really just means I gotta put even more faith in Monolith. xD That, or find a way to surprise him with a whack of a broom. Perhaps if several went after him at once, from many angles... Hmm, will have to make eeeeevil plans...

The stuff at the store isn't magical. All natural, plant based sleeping aid. if they used magical stuff it would likely break a lot of health and safety violations.

As for the mug, I thought the post said he just swallowed what was inside of it, after going full on around the mug with his muzzle. Missed the length he went too. My bad on that one,and I'll keep in mind in the future that he can go quite a bit beyond what I thought possible at first.

As for the rampage... Pleeeease don't destroy too much of the town. Or at least try not to eat anyone. xD Or not too many at least. I have contingency plans, but what're the fun in them if you end up gobbling up three dozens or so? That'd be hard to defend, and we'd have to try and make a hydra on a spit roast. I imagine there's not enough deep information on hydras for folks to know that that isn't technically possible.

Remember: For every action, there is a perfectly weird, and often unequal, chaotic reaction. Something like that.

Basically I'm trying my darnest to not have you kill every character in this RP! Sometimes that seems harder than others. xD

@Catpone Cerberus

"I know I have to face the answer eventually, but it's not easy to just go up to one of the zebra's and ask *Hey, can you tell me if I'm bound to be as barren as a desert?*. I've been raised to think that a strong bloodline should go on, and while I don't have the mass that those like you do, my magical skills are unquestionable. Besides, despite what you think about family life, I do want to at least for a time, have the whole thing. A mate, kids, and with some luck, I only having to eat one of them before the rest learns to behave."

A minor joke more than anything, though knowing what she did about Ruby, it were likely that a strategy for the larger dragoness, were she to hang around her offspring for a prolonged period of time, would indeed be to show what would happen if you got too much on her nerves. Eating one of them might be too extreme, even for her, yet at the same time... Eeeergh, it were hard to say where the limit were with her branch of dragons. Hopefully it were set at some point before this. At least when the kids were young. She supposed that when they were adults, it were fairer game.

"I don't normally talk about this thing either. Even around dragons, I try to keep this to myself, but it felt like we've shared enough things that I could tell you, and at worst, you'd be brutally honest in your opinion on it. There's a certain comfort in that sometimes.

The way you talk about your mother is just one part of that honesty. A dark one, but I get your motivation for it. Can't be something you talk about to just anyone either, right? You're doing what you can to hide what you are. Doesn't seem like you'd just share your end goal with anyone who got within shredding range."

Leviathan didn't pick up on all the clues as to whatever or not Ruby seemed more open about things, but she felt like she were making progress, and got a few nice words - for a dragon - sent her way at times. Even a small amount of sympathy here it seemed, so that were nice. In a way though, she sort of hoped that Ruby would keep pushing her on to get an answer to this question that had plagued her for some centuries now though. The sort of both mental and physical push that Ruby could provide, were probably what were gonna be needed for Leviathan to actually find a zebra. One who would probably have the answer before she even asked. Seriously, those equines were weird, smug little things, and she were not pleased by the fact that they had every right to be so, considering they were usually spot on with their predictions. Were she in their shoes, sure as Tartarus she'd be a smug one about it too. Probably far more than them even.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"Dragon with a wrapped up... Arm..."

A light seemed to suddenly flash over Ziggy's head, and her eyes went wide with surprise and glee.

"You're friends with Nerzhei?! Oooh, I remember her at the hospital! I were helping out, and then suddenly there 's this dragon with clothes on- Really weird, right? I've never seen a dragon wear clothes before. Anyway, she's in with a real messed up arm from high pressure and heat, so I see her get wrapped up and given some pain meds. Then she were in later to have a head test. Like, an actual sample taken from her brain, since she's been having some real bad migraine attacks. I dunno how long it'd be before she gets the answers, but I sure remember her. Spoke real nicely for a dragon, and had this cute, fluffy bunny! Hehe, she kicked me in the face with her big, fuzzy paw when I tried to hug her. It was so cute. Got me on the floor though. Real strong kick for a critter."

Nerzhei were not one that were easy to forget. Especially if you had met other dragons, as the more wise, clothed dragoness stuck out like a sore hoof between them. Did seem rather grumpy all things considered, but Ziggy had only seen her two times. Once when she were in great pain, and another when she were having a brain biopsy. Anypony would be cranky in those situations.

As for Lyriel... Well, if hearing about Nerzhei made Ziggy seem happy, then hearing about the dryad made her appear so gleeful that light were nearly emanating from her. Seriously, it were joy so pure that it'd make any changeling vomit from overfeeding, just by being near her, and the glittering stars in her eyes were more or less just the icing on top.

"Dryads are real? *gasp* They're on my mythological hugging list! Ooooooh, this is so great!"

She'd jump up and down, happy as could be. And potentially a bit crazy. Agni at least looked on her as if she were being a bit weird. Probably not something that Nada saw though, due to him being on her head.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"I suppose that is fair, though I think that you shouldn't rule anything out. The world is a strange place, and it is impossible to say what will happen.

I myself am an example of that, as I were risen and told that my kind were to stay in the valley, and would never leave there. We were content with that, and after the others heresy, I knew that it were just more certain that there would be no escape, as they would like to contain things. Then suddenly after years of loneliness, a small flock of ponies arrives, Nerzhei interferes, and suddenly I am being granted hope from the most unlikely of beings. Creatures who did manage to sway their hearts, and allow me to leave the place I thought I could never leave.

Perhaps it might never happen for you, Scarecrow, but it could also be that it is merely a matter of time, before your own horizon expands."

Lyriel had been looking at the sky for a bit as she spoke, but near the end, she were facing Scarecrow, and giving him a big, kind smile. She truly hoped that as strange as he were, that he'd find more to his life than what were. Though of course, if he were happy with this, she would not interfere. She just wished him a brighter future than what he seemed to have so far.

"Regardless, you'll have me to speak with if need be. A dryad's duty is to find a forest that needs them, and tend to it. The animals and plants are in high disarray here, and tells of many things happening in the area that upsets the balance, so I do not foresee myself leaving for a long, long time. If ever. Not that I would complain if I did not. I would be happy, knowing that I spent my life doing something that mattered, and that I would be remembered fondly. Though I doubt the Earth Mother will call me home anytime soon, so the end of my vigil is likely further ahead than I would expect.

May I ask, what do you plan to do for now then, Scarecrow? See if there are those in need, wandering through the forest? Take a glance at the desert which have risen, and caused disarray, to see if that presents dangers you need to be aware of? Perhaps allow yourself some peace to think?"

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

 

@EQ_Theta

It wouldn't take more than a few minutes before Omen would find the way, and as she did, you would at first not think there were more on the other side, than a portal directly back here again. It were all simply darkness.

However, as Omen stepped through, they'd find that in the distance, there would actually be some light. Not much, yet a vague glimmer would peer out through some of the nearby foilage.

were they to follow it, they would find that the sliver of light were but a few meters ahead, hidden behind the thick leaves of a weeping willow, and when pushed aside: The Moonlit Thicket would be before them.

Thick trees everywhere, hollowed out as much as could be without endangering the life or foundational integrity of the trees, buzzing with thestrals of all sizes and shapes, waking up and yawning as night drew near. The most inspiring being a tree that seemed impossibly thick, covered with a beautifully ornamented door showing a carving of the night sky. The top of the tree seemed to reach higher than the rest, and covered the area in a thick layer, protecting them from the worst of the sunlight that would otherwise rain down upon them.

What little there were, got reflected in varied, silvery surfaces placed strategically to act as sort of light sources, that would function somewhat as weakened projectors, though come moonrise, they would be able to show off in full, as the silvery discs were better designed for that environment than that of the sun.

Around on the streets, swirling in and out between the many trees of the area, were varied stands and contraptions about to be set up, including classics such as the punching box, weight and bell, and a few themes around shooting what were presumably water, though no real source for that were seen attached to anything present. It may come in later, or be magic based. It were hard to say for certain, and because of the vastness of even the little part of the area they could see rom here, there were many things that could be hidden from their views.

It seemed they were getting some attention to. Friendly ones at that, as those who saw them raised hooves in greetings, and passed along with big, fanged grins on their muzzles. Being tourists a little early was not seemingly a problem, and Sen and Lin might enjoy that any stares coming towards them right now were brief, and seemed to all have pleasant intentions behind the smiles. Well, that and a hope that they'd spend their time and bits here. This were a night to reel in tourists after all, but that didn't mean that the vendors didn't overall just want to be nice either.

Rosa slowly took his glasses off as he watched the expansive, dim home that his more nature-loving people had made, just as  out of a nearby bush, a couple of curious little insectoid equines would flutter out and swivel around them a few times. Sen and Lin might not know these creatures called breezies, but the feeling seemed to be mutual, though the small ones would flutter off towards the town square before they could address either of them, giggling carefree.

It honestly seemed like a nice place to be . Especially for Rosa's kind, who did not do well with sharp light, though the others may find that they had to look at things a little more direct to get all the details, due to the dimmed light. Something that'd be rectified soon enough, though for the time being, it were like a room, lit up only by candlelight.

"It's been a long time since I've been in a place like this. It feels homely."

"Butterfly ponies were strange."

"Moon Dust and Shiver Wind are just curious. You know how kids can be."

The voice would come from a pony that had wandered out of a nearby house. A regular unicorn it seemed, with heavy bags under her eyes, a long, red and blue mane and tail that were both dragging across the ground, and friendly, yet tired, silvery eyes. The base around her horn appeared to have several tattoos on it of small, indecipherable symbols that seemed to close in a perfect loop, and from the looks of things, she hadn't slept in a day or three. Made her appear rather mellow, but also rather clearly one who could do with some sleep. As she seemed in her early thirties roughly, it weren't merely age weighing her down at least.

She'd carry a silver lamp in a chain around his neck, which seemed to have some sort of glittering light within that barely lit up through the front glass currently, though for some reason, not the sides. He'd also have a boa staff somehow either balancing, or stuck to his back, as there were no harness, yet it looked like it weren't moving out of place as she walked with slow, calm steps towards the new faces.

If they would look, his cutie mark were a lit torch, in front of a wisp of some kind.

"Well met, friend. We seem to have arrived a little early?"

"A little, but you got no need to stress out. Time goes by no matter what, and there's nothing to do, but go with the flow."

She gave them a warm, relaxed smile.

"My name is Tomb Watcher. I'm helping with protection for the festival tonight, though I doubt there's gonna be any real problem. Just a few getting a little tipsy like usual. Not that I guess most of you would heh... Heh... Anyway, it's good seeing all ten of you. Welcome to the Moonlit Thicket."

Tomb seemed to laugh slowly and drawn out, however briefly the actual laughter were. A bit weird and with a strange name, but seemed like a fairly friendly one to run into as the first one to stop up and talk to them.

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

 

@Windy Breeze ☁️ ☁️ ☁️

"A married couple, and the husband is gone? Uh oh."

Sorrow suddenly looked a bit more nervous about this whole thing.

"Okay, this is definitely gonna get worse then. Either she's come back here to find him, and can't. She did and is keeping him trapped, lashing out at anypony she thinks is trying to take him away. They're both dead, and feed off eachother's sorrow. Or he killed her and her vengeful spirit's lashing out big time. We should really keep our eyes open for flying things in here."

She'd thank Warn for the name os the street and scurried along, waiting only briefly if they had questions regarding what she had said, but otherwise, more focused on wandering in and trying to see if she could find the poor soul(s) in here.

"...I really hope it's not the last. Deaths like that makes a spirit insanely difficult to talk reason with. At least if it's the third option, it's just a matter of getting them together. Other one and... Oh Celestia, Legion's gonna have a lot of work with this one I fear."

She'd scurry along, looking from side to side, trying to find not a clue, but rather the sign of something flying towards them, so that she could avoid getting on the next carrier out of here. Or worse. Might be she'd end up being with Legion far more closely than were intended, if things went really bad.

"Breeze? Did you know Razor? Did he seem like the violent sort? Y'know, more than griffons kinda tend to be."

@Illiad Easle

I apologize if this response seems bad, but there were a lot of drama I had to mediate today after work, and when it were finally all over, I frankly did not have much left to give. Hopefully it will do.

@Illiad Easle

12 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"Discord destroyed so much, was so hard to stop. It's a wonder they survived out there. Most of those who were left alone were those who sided with him. I know the reports say that this new leader of theirs liberated the town from the legionaries who had captured it, I'm just not sure it's as good as it sounds."

"Anyone telling you that there's someone out there who survived by being a beacon of good and had no ulterior motive, is feeding you propaganda. I've been around enough to know, that there's no sunshine stories where everything's good. At best there had to be lives sacrificed to get the job done. At worst, it's a dictatorship, ruled by someone who drapes themselves in a veil of kindness, whilst being splattered through with blood. Try listening in to the stories you hear to find out what sort's the most likely. The more one sided it is, the more you should watch your back.

Trust me: There are no such thing as a perfect story."

It might seem pessimistic, but it were the truth, and recent years had just proven it further to the rest of the world. And when it came to her *father*, she knew that there were something not right in it. With all the evil he had caused, there were no way he had suddenly become the great savior, and soon enough, she'd have a chance to look at him and see all that disgusting vengeance he had coming to him.

16 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"Be sure to rest up, we wouldn't want you to be tired on your watch."

"I will. Maybe I'll join in with a few stories tomorrow. Got a lot on my mind right now."

She were honestly thinking herself as being quite nice about things right now, but this one hadn't been acting badly either, so she'd try to behave back. It were just... She really did have a lot on her mind, and she were feeling both irritated and tense on top of everything, due to Void not being here anymore. It felt wrong not being near her sister, and something told her that it were going to take years to get used to this feeling. Maybe it never would end, regardless of the fact that she knew it had to, sooner or later.

She'd use her time not on duty, to try and gain a little rest, and managed to get in a little time, yet were awake for about a half hour before it were her time to be on duty. Time she'd spend doing some more wing exercises, to help on control a bit more, though she didn't fly. In case she had to hide her curse as the same thing afflicting other pegasi, she had to appear as being grounded too, unless there were little other choice.

16 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"I'll make a spear or maybe a short sword out of it. It seems just retribution to defend the future of Troy with the remnants of its past."

"I can respect that. I know my way around a forge, if you need some pointers on how to use it right."

Null had indeed asked why he picked this up, as she were not feeling connected in any way to this telescope or the things around it, as she had barely even heard of this thing to begin with, but hearing his reasoning made sense. It were something that mattered to him, and he wanted to carry a symbol with him when he fought for the future. There were a kind of beauty in that, which even she could respect.

16 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

On Null's patrol while they rested she'd encounter a doorway hidden in the clay on the far side of the oasis, most likely it had been hidden by some enchantment as none of the other guards had reported it on their patrols, and it was fairly obvious when she stumbled upon it. Would she enter alone? Call for assistance? Ignore it completely?

Ah, lovely. A secret passage down, into who knew were, likely obfuscated by magic since no one else had mentioned it. Also because it didn't react before she got close to it. So now were the option on what to do... She honestly wanted to just go down there, and see what'd happen if she also kept on the whole ensemble, and had Nine activate it. Yet at the same time, just doing this meant that the rest might get concerned, or they could get attacked when she wasn't there, and if they then didn't know where she were... Urgh, guess she had to go and tell them first that she had to check something, just to make sure.

So she'd go back, and flag down whoever else were there on guard for the time being.

"Hey, I found something a bit odd, and I'm gonna go check it out to make sure everything's on the up and up. Probably ain't something serious, so I can deal with it alone, and if it's dangerous, I know how to deal with it."

She'd grab the nil bat and give it a small swing, showing what it were that she meant before putting it effortlessly back again. It were surprising how easy it were to get used to this in a way, yet at the same time, swinging something blunt at others wasn't exactly a new thing. This one were just pointer, more than anything. And had a satisfying weight to it that made impact vibrate a little through her leg. Void had actually been a bit concerned at seeing how much smashing things and describing it, had made Null seem sort of happy now and again.

@FanOfManyShows

Put in a bit of a *chose your own path* in the post. Looking forward to seeing what you'll run with, if any of them.

@Sekel

"Sadly, even Equestria is not as safe and joyful as many of us would like. There are certain individuals who relish in a more... Dark line of thought, and those can at times, resign to making cursed items that can do any manner of unspeakable things. The worst of which I would prefer to not even think of, much less speak about.

When such items are found, they are gathered up, put in hex boxes or whatever other thing we might be able to contain them in, and store them either here, or one of a number of other sites we have for such things, until they can be properly cleansed by the O.M.I. A new branch of our law enforcement in recent years, who deals in these things. It is slowly, but surely, making a dent in the number of these things present.

You should know though, that not all curses or magical afflictions are intentional. Unicorn foals getting their first surge of magic causes all sorts of erratic effects, including curses, if they're highly unlucky. Thankfully nothing high brow that anypony have perished from, but things such as making a nearby lamp suddenly causing full body hair loss on all that it shines upon, are one of several non-lethal, yet frustrating effects that can at times rise occur.

Regarding the more dangerous ones... I can speak of only a few, as most were there before I even came to Equestria, but some includes a sealed crystal containing an aggressive wyvern, a fortune telling globe that fills your head with lies, whilst eating your own thoughts, and a zipper that will apply itself to the body and... I'd rather not to into details from there. The reports were disturbing enough as it were."

He did not mention the jar, as that had been there long before his time, and he frankly didn't even know about it. It were registered somewhere on the papers of course, but it were old and the earlier reports weren't even entirely correct all the times. A few times, they had tried to send the olden things off to the O.M.I. just to hear back that it were empty, or contained an old sandwich, or something similar.

"As for the elements-"

"The Elements of Disharmony. The counter balance to your precious, beloved Elements of Harmony. Greed, Depression, Betrayal, Lies, Dark Magic, and Hatred."

Enzo visibly growled with an angry look in his eyes as he more or less spat out the last element's name.

"I were kidnapped and forced to guard the Element of Hatred. Left to rot in a lone temple with it. I know far too much of them for my taste."

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

 

@Sekel

"I won't like it, but I think it's better if I got with her. There might be something out there, and I can uhm... I think I can give off a signal, once we're through."

Cherish didn't like it one bit, but the queasy teleport feeling weren't nice either, and she felt like she had to see for herself if the battlefield were like the graveyard before. Something had been very off there, and she had sort of a suspicion that it were not the only place.

"Good. Remember your majesty, it is not weakness to know your own limitation. It's wisdom."

She'd point down a path to the right, leading away from the inner shrine.

"Follow that path, go up the stairs, and wait in the tower. There is enough barricades up there so that you don't have to look out if you don't want to, but you can still keep an eye on the sky. If nothing goes wrong, you should see a signal from us in half an hour. A full one if something does, that we can still get out of."

It were hanging in the air that more time than that, and they likely had run into trouble they couldn't make it out of, but Last would not say more, and instead just wait to be given the piece that Cherish possessed, as well as the beacon, and when she did, go down to the left. There were a faster way out that way that she could use.

As for the wait, it would be 40 minutes, before far off, a flash of light were seen rise, then rapidly descending from the skies. If she followed that and reacted to the beacon, Twilight would find that she were about fifty meters from the battlefield, on the edge of a small clearing, in front of a forest of gnarled trees that rose about five-seven meters into the sky, and seemed to block out any light from entering from above. The only visible, dirt-stomped road going in there, seemed to also lose the visibility after about two meters in.

Last would be looking at that, mumbling to herself whilst holding the old castle piece in her hoof.

"Now it's just to wait and see if she noticed."

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

 

@Sekel

Thorax gave a small, strained smile back at Aurora, whilst she gave off an excuse for what had just transpired.

"It wasn't the tone as much as me trying to find an argument against your words, but thank you anyway. Regardless of my apprehension to this whole thing, I truly do hope that you'll do well, and I hope that if you have more questions, you know that you can always come around and ask. I might not know as much about it as Onache, but I have some great friends who does. They might be helpful in the long run."

He'd give her a reassuring smile, and would then say goodbye in the way that regents were supposed to. Standing regal, and give a bow. It were still something he were getting used to, so it were a little clumsy, but it should do the trick. Although, something seemed to suddenly distract him, as he looked to the side with ears perked up.

"I should go back to my hive. I think I have another visitor? The hivemind is very faint, but I get the feeling that I'm needed for something. You two take care, okay?"

"I'll come r'round for my cart later. And it better be intact when I get there! I need it for work."

Thorax would nod, and take off right after that.

"They best be keeping an eye out for it. Gonna need the income for the hive, now more than ever.

Anyway, I think we got this dealt with pretty nicely. Saw some freaky stuff, made some diplomatic progress, yada yada. You ready for us to get on the road again?"

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

 

@Sekel @Widdershins

"Ponyville have many strange sights and creatures coming here. Perhaps you were curious?

And uhm, don't worry about what I were going to say. It were mostly just asking something that Scarcity already answered. My sister is good at predicting things like that, and think up solutions. She's a real problem solver."

She'd smile as she said this, and looked at her amused sister, who sent back a restrained, yet kind smile back at her too, with that little glimmer in her eyes that told Stare that she still found it funny to be referred to as such.

Mainly because nopony really knew how much calling her a *problem solver* actually fitted. They thought she might have some friends here and there that knew things, or she could help with a few things personally, but her position in the grand scheme truly were that of a problem solver on a level that would scare the mane off most beings, if they were able to grasp it. Stare only knew some of it, as Scarcity did not lie to her, unless it were for her own good, and she were both impressed and scared of her sister for that reason. Scarcity just always seemed to have an answer. Some kind of solution to any problem, that were so seamless that it were frightening to think of.

When Stare had wanted to move away from where they grew up, and towards this area? It were less than a day before she had a house waiting for her here, along with a well set up fund to ensure she were taken care off and didn't need to work. And when she lofted the idea of trying to find work, to help with her social skills? Less than two hours after she had talked about that out in the open with a friend, and she were in the office at Sloppy Joe's being welcomed with open hooves. Later she found out that she also had a pension plan set up, along with a half dozen insurance plans, worker benefits, etc.

Her friend swore that he had never even contacted Scarcity, and had no idea who she were, and that were something that Stare had come to believe in over time. Yet whenever there were a problem that she had spoken off, it just eventually got fixed. Issues in her home. Official papers, the time a customer had thrown a cup at her, bruising her, and later came in with a shaking jaw and profoundly apologized- She could mention many things, and that is just what happened to her. What went on to those not on Scarcity's good side, like their closest family...

Scarcity had always been resourceful and thoughtful when they grew up, but none of them had foreseen how vast her plans were, before she had suddenly set things in motion. Stare still didn't know all of it even. Whenever she asked what happened in more details back then, she just got a big smile from Scarcity that made the small hairs on the back of her neck stand tall, and the question *Do you really want to know?*. So far, she had not had the nerve to answer that with a yes, and something told her that she never would.

She did not hate her sister though. Much as Scarcity could be scary and unnerving to her, due to her seemingly limitless potential to solve whatever conundrum got in her way, she still highly adored her elder sister, and knew that she would never hurt her. She were just an overly protective elder sister, with good reasons for being like that. Perhaps now that they were able to speak more openly in public though, and Stare had some more confidence, they could have a talk about a few limitations though, later on. For the time being, she'd just be happy that her sister deemed the situation with Dazzle, as something that were worth solving.

As for Scarcity, she'd just smile as these thoughts went through her sisters head, though mostly to Dazzle. She considered holding her tongue for now to be wiser, as things were brewing int he room, and she already awaited answer for a few things, regarding the peculiar, non-pony family.

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

"The last thing I needed were the twenty liters of blood, and I have gotten that in a few hours ago. It's strange to see it stored like it is, but practical. The less mess from trying to gain it fresh otherwise would end up causing more trouble than it were worth.

As for your mind, perhaps you were resisting, but that strongly? You could push me out whenever you wanted to, and I can't repossess this one again. It were part of the deal, and I do not enjoy possessing rats or staying floating in the air. It is highly uncomfortable to not have a body, and rats have annoying instincts."

Up until she had been able to take over this pony, she had to deal with a rat as a temp carrier. Sounded like it wouldn't be much of an issue, but there were several. Among them, strong instincts to chew on things, run away and hide, as well as a strong urge to find a mate to make little rat kids. She'd prefer not having to deal with these rodent thoughts more than needed, to avoid less of the situation of being on a leash like she had been. For her own good maybe, but it were still demeaning.

"Everything about this is just risky. I'd really like to help Astral get her mom back, but this is asking a lot."

"You should be thrilled. A simple yes, and I could even unlock that potential you got hidden away."

"Yes i-"

He didn't get to finish the sentence before the red mist that contained Emerald's essence surged out of her current body's muzzle, and rammed into his, entering through mainly the eyes and muzzle. Whole process wouldn't take more than five seconds, and trying to interrupt it would likely make it drag out, unless you got him out of her reach and forced to go back. Not that it were wise to do so. It might end up really messing up Chow's head, and cause him to fall into a coma on the floor or something. A risk that had been explained to Astral before, though she might have forgotten it since. It were a brief mention by Emerald at an earlier point in time, when it were brought up that she needed this one. She might not care though, yet Sapphire could potentially intervene herself. Her life were at stake here after all, regardless of the methods.

(this next part only happens if she is not stopped)

They'd known that he were taken over once his front hooves and leg, almost up to his knee, went red. As happened to all her hosts.

"Right back to my first vessel again. How quaint."

She'd lift a hoof and look at it, a glimmer in her borrowed eyes as she looked at Astral with a chuckle hiding just beneath her breath. Chop really did come off as a lot less blunt and jovial when taken over like this. Emerald's challenging personality really managed to shine through well on both his face and in his posture, as well as the voice, which carried a kind of duality between their respective tones.

"He said yes, that's consent. Besides, if you could hear what he were thinking about you all... Hmhmhm, he would've said yes the second you'd have asked him, Astral. That is merely a fact.

In any case, the preparations are all complete now. Less than an hour, and the concoction is ready. Then we can bring Sapphire back, as I promised. If you want to do something useful in the meantime, return this other vessel to the Canterlot hospital. I made a deal with her family that I intend to keep."

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

Shade would feel the effects attacking his senses, and his eye would narrow even further. What were this insolent whelp thinking she were doing? Rewriting his memories? Pff, laughable! He had dealt with changelings and witches before. This were not the first time his mind had been assaulted, and though this were a different kind than he were used to, he did not falter as easily as she would likely have liked.

The tactic were the same as with them. Focus his thoughts on a few, simple things that he knew as truth, and use those as anchors while he weathered the storm through a few means. It wouldn't completely negate things, but it helped him to stay aware that something were happening, and long as he were aware of the issue, he could focus on it, and not get overwritten.

Opal however, would be able to tell that there were also a little magic in play to work against her assault further. A sickly, dark weave that seemed to engulf his being a little, and nearly ooze out of his unseen pores. A strange feeling which seemed to resonate on the silent team keeping watch on her currently. As if they were connected in some way.

Whilst the mental assault were weathered, it would provide her with a chance to retaliate if it were, as his reflexes wouldn't be the best when this went on, so she could distract, or push back against him or the squad. Maybe get the upper hoof for a little while even, though it wouldn't be wise long term. As a former/current guard who must've heard stories of Shade, she might know that.

In case she did not take her chance however, he would 

"Your tricks won't work on me, witch."

Two of his troops would retreat from Opal, and go to the general, to be joined up by a third to give him some protection, whilst the two that remained would dash forward, aiming to engulf Opal. Due to her recent attack, she had a fair chance at avoiding that, though she best think quickly, as apparently Shade had evaluated that she were too much of a risk to his primary goal to tolerate her presence further. Silence would've been a good way to deal with things then actually, but being vocal helped hi against the continued attempt at the words to seep into his head, and make him think that he were just being paranoid.

Still, if she wanted to sow some unrest, she could also just throw back in his face that she might not be the only witch here. Iron might not like hearing that little tidbit, and considering her element, she might be able to easier convert him to her line of thinking, which would present Shade with quite the irritating dilemma, as his orders were to protect the general. Not beat him up for his own good, unless there were no alternative.

Also, she could put more pressure on her ability, and essentially cause him to need to use so much focus to withstand it, that he'd be rendered mute and immobile for a while. If she did though, a certain *friend* of hers would start to rear its ugly head up again. They'd see what she picked.

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

 

@EQ_Theta

Hammond would slowly wave back again, and afterwards do a few gestures that were seemingly sign language for *goodbye*. Or potentially *pie*. Rosa were again, not that high up on sign language, but it seemed more likely to mean goodbye, regardless of how much their kind seemed like they would just randomly talk about baked goods.

Marble surely looked as the gate opened and they wandered through, since he did not see any of them that were an apparent magic user, but he'd still raise a muscular hand in a farewell greeting, and soon enough, they'd all be left alone to squabble over the finer details of how everything were to progress, whilst Lin's group had gone back to where they had been before they had suddenly been yanked away by mysterious forces.

On 6/4/2020 at 2:40 PM, EQ_Theta said:

“I suppose we can now head off to the Moonlit Thicket.”

“This is gonna be fun! You know you could also join in on the games, Lin. You too, Omen!”

“Of course. Can’t wait to see Rosa beat you in some friendly competition! He’s more skilled, after all.” 

“You wound me,” Sen replied in jest, then looked to the thestral with the same jovial expression on him. “Hear that, Rosa? Looks like Lin is already taking your side.”

"In fairness, I am not going to go easy on you either. Got to make sure that you have something to remember me by, and a crushing defeat seems like it would leave a lasting impression."

Rosa smirked at Sen, as he half-joked a response to the challenge set before him by Lin. He probably wouldn't wipe the floor with Sen, so to speak, but he did intend to win over him fair and square, and put his all into doing so. A night of victory might end up lasting hi well through the first, rough time in prison, though even defeat would be fine. It mattered mostly that they had fun after all. Not his fault that winning were one way that he liked having said fun.

"I think Sen will win."

Omen however, took Sen's side. Were it because she knew him longer, and wanted him to win? Yes, but there were no reason to fret over the details, as much as the fact that she were rooting for him. Rosa might seem like he knew lots more, and could fight, but Sen could fight too, and Omen thought he were a smart longma. He would win in these games, or at least give off a good fight and make it close, surely.

That left two votes out on who they thought would win, and Shrimp had no doubts, as he rose up as high as his little body could reach, and proclaimed who he put his bets on.

"Ohme!"

There were a fair chance that he just called a name out, as he happily chirped, and swayed in the slight wind, but a vote of confidence were a vote of confidence, yes?

"Am I playing too?"

"All of us are, Omen. And I'm sure that we will find games that we can all win over the others in. Be it Sen, you, me, or Lin, whom I proclaim to be the one I think will overall surprise us with some victories out of the blue. Something tells me there's hidden talents we just haven't seen fully realized yet."

So that was a vote of confidence for each on who would be the victor, except for Shrimp, but he weren't gonna be allowed to play either. He were too small, and might try to eat some part of the games that were set up. Which would probably constitute as cheating.

"Seems like we're ready for a good old fashioned competition then. May the best Thestral win."

The grin on Rosa's face as he said this were one of the more spirited he had felt in a while. The usual competitions he had with others had been quite a bit more serious, and with things at stake, but this? Just a good, old fashioned friendly bash without more than bragging rights? He frankly didn't think he ever did so, without it being somewhat tarnished by being work related.

"I will find the way there."

With that, Omen would enter the darkened realm of her kin, and begin looking around, seeing if she could pinpoint the path to the Moonlit Thicket. Or at least where she remembered it were, last time she heard the name being used for the area she were in.

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

 

@Rising Dusk

"I can't say that I fully trust your motives, but you are doing me a great service by keeping me away from your brothers pet projects, so I will remain cautiously silent on the matter back home, and see for myself what is to come."

Paranoia were nearly as essential as blood for the citizens of Harrowmark, so she wouldn't up and lie about her not thinking there were more to things than were said, but she would give Dawn some degree of benefit of the doubt. She seemed smart regardless, so it would go against that rather strongly if she tried to dethrone a god, just to get caught in the chains of one, all to fill the vacancy she had left. The throne were not as secure, but again, some degree of trust would be offered, and lest she suddenly saw something that made it seem otherwise, she wouldn't tell a soul back home of this. Including Queen Magenta.

On 6/4/2020 at 1:40 PM, Rising Dusk said:

"But please, darling, having to suffer my brother's company must be draining.  How about I show you to your room?" the hostess offered, but stood up from her pillow.  "I take it you'd prefer... walking?"

"I don't mind teleports, but yes, I would like to walk. It would be nice to stretch my legs a little."

The room could be a broom closet, and she'd still be thankful for it, though something told her that this grandiose of a place could not do with such simplistic accommodations. Guess they'd see soon enough though, as she rose up from this pillow, and got her hooves back on solid ground. Hopefully this without more surprise teleports, or whatever it were that Dawn had done before. Forcefully moved matter below them? Why not? This family seemed to ooze of magical potential, of a sort that were bound to carry over from at least one of them, once they started to have foals of their own. Doing things like this seemed as plausible as anything from a pair of siblings were one had literally defied a god and managed to live to tell the tale. Heck, not just living, but making it out victorious. That were no small feat. Neither were what Dawn were likely planning, and had already done in her life. Fixers should never be underestimated, and in due time, she had the feeling that she were going to see to extend, how capable Dawn truly were. An enticing, yet also troubling thought, in case she one day ended up being one of the problems to fix herself.

A worry for another time though. For the time being, they were to get moving, even if the show that were being presented as Dawn lifted herself and started travelling were a spectacle to behold. It reminded Lily somewhat of seeing a Thorncaster, beginning to control his or her wicker creatures. The immense amount of complete focus and disregard for what else had happened before were somewhat like that, just with less wooden creatures, and more towards... Hmm... Perhaps a religious gathering of sorts? This sort of attention and ability to hush those who had come to our *party* or *sermon* made her think that a better comparison might be when Thistle began one of her speeches. If that were the case, then that would be somewhat alarming.

Sorrows taken in advance though, she were sure. Might also just be that Dawn knew how to enthrall the audience on another level, and were working her showmanship properly. The constant rainbow steps for example, did reek of that kind of thing, which were more room reading, and less *incite the peasantry to worship you*.

So she'd follow, honestly curious how the rainbow effect seemed to persevere, even as they wandered down the darkened halls, but didn't get much time to think of it before a question were directed towards her.

On 6/4/2020 at 1:40 PM, Rising Dusk said:

"I've learned about Harrowmark... Would you know of Equestria?"

"There are many things I think I will have to ask about Equestria. Your society seems so advanced compared to ours, as you weren't held back, which speaks well of your regents. Yet I wonder about those. I were told you have princesses only, no queen? And all of said princesses are of the fabled alicorn variety? Are you given the title when you become an alicorn then? And why are the one who came first, not your queen, ruling the lands? Even if vast, surely they cannot rule in harmony, when there is not a single crown to gather beneath?

I have issue enough understanding how this country functions without gods in it, yet your ruling system on top seems confusing. At least what little I know of it."

Society at large had many things she could ask about too of course, but when in doubt, start at the top and it might explain how the rest worked. At least in this situation, though it might simply end up making her further confused.

On 6/4/2020 at 1:40 PM, Rising Dusk said:

"I'm sure the Featherfolds appreciate that,"

"H-Hopefully. I don't l-like being a burden."

Void were a kind soul, regardless of how often life had tested her ability to not have her compassion for others broken by the bitter, cruel examples of beings at their worst. As such, she liked to be helpful, and in this case, felt as if she owed at the very least this. Hopefully the owners hadn't just taken pity on her when it came to her asking if she could help, and actually appreciated it, but she didn't know the Featherfolds well, so it were hard to say. She tried having a bit of hope though. Equestria had overall been kind to them, so there should be room for thinking better of folks than she were used to. Right?

Inside the room, Void would let out a sigh of relief in seeing what Null were doing, and went over to take the hip flask away. Not far, but enough to get it out of her aura, so that it could work again unaffected.

Rising would find that this thing were not cursed. Or well, it were, but not in a way like the other things he had seen. It were a self-refilling flask of pear flavored soda. A simple design that used some varied nature seal and such to more or less gather water from the surrounding area, and then add the flavor and bubbles through the magical filter. A well meaning thing really, though it also included a minor thing that would push it towards being a cursed item: The juice within, would cause you to vomit profoundly. A good cleanser in a way, and were what it were originally intended as, but for the two of them, it were mainly just used for the occasional fizzy drink, since the latent effect of the stuff inside didn't affect them. And long as they sometimes kept it a bit out of their reach, they could refill it fairly regularly. Depended on how much moisture were in their immediate area of course.

"Seems like she w-weren't messing with the d-dangerous stuff. That's good. It c-could've been a little w-weird otherwise.

I d-dunno if we should w-wake her up t-though. Big sis d-doesn't sleep much, and w-with what that uhm... M-Molotov person were o-on about, I t-think she might n-need the energy.

Can I u-uhm... Ask you s-something, detective? Can we t-trust Molotov? He s-seems smart, but smart b-beings can be really d-dangerous, and w-with the way he a-acts when I'm there, I d-don't know what to t-think about everything. I d-don't want to put b-big sis in danger. She's b-been through enough of that for s-several lifetimes."

Void were somewhat squirming as she said this, and looked at Rising with worry in her eyes. She trusted his opinion on others, as he seemed like a trustworthy, noble stallion, who wouldn't lie unless it were for the one asking's own best. She'd appreciate his input on this matter, and on Moltov in general, since it seemed like they wouldn't be done dealing with him for a long time.

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

 

@Windy Breeze ☁️ ☁️ ☁️

"You don't need to show me the exact street. I can feel out where I need to go, no worries."

Well, worries Were there, seeing as there were doctor ponies around, and stories of falling hammers. But what she meant that they shouldn't worry that she couldn't find the spirit(s) Already, she felt something further in, and had a vague idea about what direction to go. It might lead her into a trap, but that was a risk that you always took when you did these sorts of things. It usually still worked out.

"If I'm allowed to go in, I gotta go fast. I'll be back later, okay? And she'll be laid to rest. Or join Legion. Whatever works the best to help her."

Unless stopped, Sorrow would start to make her way past the stallion guarding the path, regardless of whatever or not Quill were into to it or not. her opinion on this had been made clear, as had Sorrow's, so... Difference of opinion, didn't matter. The living could moan later.

A shiver went over her as she went a bit closer, and suddenly halted.

"Even here, it's... This here is powerful energy. Did anypony else die here recently?"

She'd direct the question towards Warn, with worry in her eyes. Along with a little fear. The more spirits, the worse this could be, and she might need to start weeding out the weaker spirits first, so to speak, to kinda weaken the main soul here. Sorta like taking off the anchor points. Had to be real bad for that to happen though. Hopefully it wasn't like that here.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

Leviathan would indeed put the pelt on top of the moss, to give a better surface area for her injured companion. Thankfully it wouldn't be pushed aside this time, as she had otherwise sorta expected it would, since Ruby were quite openly against help and friendliness. Some signs though, that it were starting to change a little, just with the natural application of draconic pride stopping it from showing fully. One step at a time, they got closer to common, pleasant ground it seemed.

At the question about whatever or not she had offspring herself, Leviathan let out a short, joyless laughter.

"Back when she were alive, my adoptive mother told me that it wasn't worth getting offspring, unless it was near your last season, or you found someone strong enough to add some good genes to the mix. She ended up getting a few litters here and there, but I've yet to find what I'm looking for. And I ain't speaking about unconditional, endless love. I know that stuff tends to be fleeting. I want one who can offer something worthwhile to my eggs. One who's strong, but knows how to sling a spell, and give me a fight worth remembering.

About a millennia, and I've yet to find one of those. Few who looked interesting were whimps, or didn't know a spell from a pebble, so there was nothing to offer. Makes mating season feeling mighty lonely sometimes, but I don't want to have eggs with any random brute. It needs to be with someone memorable, that I can think of proudly when I look down on the little hatchlings.

And that's if I can even have eggs..."

She'd clutch her stomach, and look away, with an expression as if someone had physically kicked her senseless.

"There's other reasons you don't see that many mixed breeds out there. One in five chance that I'm infertile, and I'm honestly too frightened about the answer to pay a zebra to just tell me. With uncertainty, there's still some hope. But a straight up rejection... It might seem weak to you, but I get a pit in my stomach when I think about it."

It were a point where Leviathan were the one who actually needed the help, as she didn't have the nerve to push herself forth and get an answer on this. It were a common, primal fear that most beings had, that their line would die with them, but in her case, the chance were higher than for most. One in five might seem low, yet compared to say, Ruby's likely minuscule chance of the same affliction, it were substantial.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"Turned into a... Bush?"

Ziggy looked up on Nada as if she were perhaps a little bit crazy.

"I've heard about lots of creatures, but none of them just suddenly turned into plants. Are you totally sure you just didn't saw it wrong? Like, I've seen an evergrown, and they kinda look like plant ponies. Or it could've been a changeling that tried hiding, maybe? It just sounds all sorts of weird.

Your friend with the arm injury I think might need some help though. Those can get real nasty if they're not treated. Did you see how it looked+ Like, were it a deep cut? Had it some discoloration? If so, what sorta color? Y'know, if you could see it for their fur."

Nada might remember that Nerzhei's arm were wrapped up in gauze, and in a sling, which did speak about some degree of medical attempts at fixing her up, regardless of how Lyriel were providing her with some extra relief, via that plant that she grew for the injured dragoness.

It might also be worth telling that it were a dragon that had been dealt with. ponies and dragons had different anatomies, so it were important to know that she wasn't talking about a pony. You might think the mention of arms would discount that, but some ponies called their front legs for arms for some reason - likely from mingling with other races who had arms, which kinda got into the language as a sort of slang - so it wasn't guaranteed to not be an equine.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"The skies have been strange since I came to this land. Where I am from, the weather behaves as it wishes, only sometimes intensified, or interrupted, by the whims of rare wind dragons.

Yet in these lands, there are winged ponies controlling it in many places, in ways I cannot fathom, and somehow ensures the correct weather to be in the sections that needs it. Not in this forest though. For some reason, I have found that the weather often does as it pleases here, and the ponies knows not why either. At least there are some solace in knowing that it is not only I who does not understand these things fully."

It were a constant issue really, being unaware of how things worked in this world, as she had been so secluded most of her life, in an entirely different society. Two of them, in fact. That of her people, and the dragons. Both of which were far from what the equines had, and certain concepts were very hard to grasp because of it. Furthermore, this manipulation of the skies felt unnatural to her. It were perhaps having some degree of double standards, but it just seemed wrong to interfere with the weather, as tough as it could sometimes be.

*sigh* But this were their world, and not hers. She had to adapt to their life, and not try to make them conform to hers.

"Do you ever wonder, as I do, what lies out there, Scarecrow? This vast world filled with immeasurable knowledge, and sights to behold that would make ones jaw drop, just waiting to be explored? I know it is not my placement in life, and you seem content too with the path you have chosen, yet I wonder if you everthink about simply seeing what lies out there too? As I have heard some equines say The sky is the limit, though I would never travel upwards. If I cannot feel the ground, there lies only pain in my future. This I have learned the bitter way."

@Catpone Cerberus

Eh sure, go for it.  

@Widdershins

Sorry to read you're sick mate.  Hope you get better soon.

Just adding while I remember it: Pushing varied groups towards Sloppy Joe's to deal with Slit (think I got the name right this time) since he's too fast for any of my current chars to catch him. One more reason why I'm trying to hose him down with a big dosage of essentially powdered tranquilizers. If it works or not though, is up to you. He's a wonky sort after all, so no way for me to know. I just have what the chars would usually do to work with, and then try to work with the consequences.

Except for Chippy.  He's gonna be sulking in his cabinet for a while.

And regarding Lovecraftian horrors: I like it, but it's real weird to write in. I could imagine something eldritch looking might surface at some point though, if things goes weird. If for no other reason, because Anomaly made one. or changed another into it. I did actually have her work with one that liked being changed into something else by her so... Hmmm... I need to think over this actually.

Anyway, C'thuluhulahoop, or whatever will come from your side, Widders, better not eat the world. I keep all my stuff there!

@Illiad Easle

Null would be present as the varied guards started to form and chatter, and would listen in, but she would still retain her distance and not partake in it. As this cover story were new, she were still trying to iron out some things, and just in general, it seemed like the less she tried to mingle here, the better. Less details she'd mess up, and the stories she had would likely cause issue at some point, as there'd be sort of a trail to follow, if she wasn't careful.

Turns out that she didn't have the option to play *stoic, silent mare, keeping watch at a distance* for too long however, as the ambassadors... Assistant, or whatever she were, came over and started to chat her up. Guess she must've felt like she were lonely or something. Whatever the case, it were time for her to see if what she had thought up so far would carry.

"Never technically been a guard before today. Had a hellish time where I grew up, getting sick and tired of being mocked for my size. So I went off, and spent most of my life as a drifter, wandering the world, trying to find my place in it. Then the war came, and it all just went downhill.

I had enough experience keeping myself alive to have a shot, and enough dumb luck to find someplace to hide until I could escape to Troy. Consul Easle helped me to settle in a lot once I got myself dragged into town, so I owe him some favors. So when he were looking for some help on this trip, I volunteered to lend a hoof. Don't think I'm not worth much just cause I'm small. I've dealt out more beatings than you'd believe over the years. 

Anyway, once I'm sure you got through safely, and won't need me for a time, I'm gonna go look someone up. Been told an old friend of mine's been seen around town, who might know a few things of worth to Troy. Probably the special part Consul Easle were on about."

Old saying she heard once, were that a lie were best hidden in the middle of the truth. So she had essentially told the truth on this, but just changed a few details around. Technically, she Had been spending most of her life as a drifter, after growing up somewhere sucky, and had indeed been fighting quite a lot. Seemed easier to remember this whole thing when it got close to the truth, but weren't specifically telling it.

Regarding her *father* though, it were mostly a lie that he knew things. Or rather, that she were gonna let him tell them anything, as she didn't much care for whatever vomited out of his gullet. She'd interrogate him for what little she wanted to know - mainly why he had done this to them - and then separate his thick skull from his neck. After that, it were just finding a way back home, and a pike. she had a promise to keep.

@EQ_Theta

The clay would come effortlessly off Omen's face, attesting to its usually rather liquid state, though it would take a bit before all of it that had gotten up her nose would have run through, compared to what were on her face. It made her appear to have quite a strange sort of the flu, but other than that, she were fine. Mostly just curious still, on how the figurines had been made when the clay were not hard at all. Her current conclusion were that it were magic, and that were what happened when Marble had been chanting before. Reminded her some of spellcasters, or witches as some had called them, far as she knew. Magic users without horns, using big books, strange symbols and such. Been a long time since she remembered seeing something like that though.

On 6/2/2020 at 3:53 PM, EQ_Theta said:

“You’re curious about the clay, aren’t you, Omen?” 

"It is a strange magic."

She'd pull out her prehensile tongue, which would go up and dislodge some clay that were stuck in her ears. An action which made Marble once again raise an eyebrow in seeming curiosity. What strange creature had made a pony in form, yet with little of their functions? He could guess, but those he knew who would be willing, tended to be sort who did these kind of things for cruel, evil purposes. Yet this one didn't seem like she were any sort of danger. More like a curious calf, venturing out and exploring the world around her. Plus, neither Sen, nor Lin, appeared to be ones who were preparing to use this creation for what would have been unquestionably evil and vile, were Omen made to order by most of whom he were thinking about. Questions only mounted up further and further...

On 6/2/2020 at 3:53 PM, EQ_Theta said:

“There’s a lot more to see here and I wouldn’t want to pass up this opportunity learn more about golemcrafting.”

“Yet we still have a schedule to keep. We’re coming back here soon and if we can spare it, we’ll stick around for a little longer. For now, there’s still more to do.”

Lin groveled but relented, knowing there’s only so much time left in the world to be in Rosa’s company before the trial. She sighed and nodded. “Alright, seems like we have to attend to other matters. Thank you, Ms. Scarcity and Marble Wonder, for doing this. I think our friends in the orb will be very grateful for your help.”

"You have the Stone Matron's blessing, so you will be welcomed in our midst, if ever you want to see and learn more. Long as you do not try any hostility on anyone here. We practice a faith of peace and solidarity, and would like for any visitor to respect that."

The guards were mostly there in place in case peaceful solutions wasn't an option, and a good deal of them did know how to fight, if the need arose, but they were a gathering of beings who believed in solving issues without having to resort to violence, if possible. Long as whoever came here accepted that, and respected there were to be no acts of violence on their grounds, things would remain harmonious.

In case they had not taken the orb back yet, he would reach it towards them, proclaiming that they were free to go as well, as they weren't forced to be here, before the ritual itself were about to begin. Though if they had taken them already, he would just stay silent, as Scarcity gave them what she'd assume were her final remark, before they'd depart.

"It is as always, a pleasure to deal with you, darlings. Do be careful out there, and try to enjoy yourself, rather than stress about these banalities anymore. I can assure you that I will take care of everything."

"We can try, but we'll see if it goes well. Regardless, goodbye, and may you both fare well."

He'd give a slight bow towards Marble, Scarcity and Hammond. Usually he'd say something akin to *until next we meet*, but that didn't seem likely to happen anytime soon, so a kind goodbye seemed like a better option.

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

On 6/2/2020 at 5:06 AM, FanOfManyShows said:

"Well It slipped by me with everything that is happening, and this Opal stuff better not be part of a grand plan of yours."

Emerald narrowed her eyes at the impudent little whelpling standing in front of her, accusing her of being responsible for Opal of all creatures, to be part of this.

"Niece or not, I will wash your muzzle in swamp water if you accuse me of that again. Even if I had a master plan, I wouldn't be working it with some low rung pretender, who probably wouldn't even know how to balance the power usage of the elements."

She'd wander over as the lot of them kept talking, which lead to the point where Sapphire would just spurt out the big plan, causing Chow to look as if somepony had simultaneously poured cold water down his back, and slapped him with a chair. Though before he could say something, Emerald would clear her throat to get their attention, preparing to say something important. She wouldn't get the chance.

"You What?!"

"I told her I needed to borrow you for the ritual. Now listen, th-"

Why me? And why this all of a sudden? Were you... Is this just some trap to force me into becoming her meat puppet again?? You have any idea what she made me do the last time?!"

Chow were panicking, as memories of the last time this mare had been in his head came up, and he would've likely gone further if Emerald hadn't hammered a calming spell right into his noggin.

"Yes yes, I did bad, I'm trying to change things. Starting with getting my sister back to life, and for that, I need a body with potential. She's dead, I'm not allowed to take over her rude little runt, and I've tried clinging to Chariot before. It's like trying to hold on to a slippery glass wall, so he doesn't work. So yes, it's you, or Sapphire stays dead until we scrounge up another. Now listen, the b-"

"You can't just expect m-"

"Oh for the love of Tartarus! The body is fake. It's not Opal."

Emerald just about had it with these idiots, and went over to dispell the little illusion around their quarry. As for how she knew? She had tried to see if perhaps this one were useful as a host, and illusion or not, she could tell when something wasn't a real being this close, since she couldn't possess them. She weren't a ghost after all, able to just cling on to anything. She needed a live host, and this one most certainly were not. Although the illusion were good, she'd give them that. She had to get rather close for this flaw to reveal itself. Troubling, effective little spell.

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

Shade's eye narrows, and out of the blue, four of his team would come seemingly out of nowhere, and surround Opal in a half meter radius, looking at her with their varied eyes. All different, and all having both eyes exposed, yet nothing else, much like with Shade. They didn't have much of an expression going on in their eyes though, beyond waiting for further orders from their leader.

"If you had seen him when he left, then why did you come here, instead of following him, or reporting the sighting instantly? And this calmly? Seems awfully suspicious."

Were there a guarantee that this were Opal, or any other potential enemy, such as Chariot? No, but evidence were there for something fishy and magical going on, including the shaky form, which he most certainly did not miss, and did not represent how most changelings looked when they had that issue. Still, he wasn't planning on just taking her down and finding out later, nor out her just yet if it were. He had some tests to run, as well as some other plans if it did turn out that he were right.

If Opal were to try and find a hole in this defense, she'd perhaps find that it were not as easy, as she'd have to deal with Shade to get rid of his goons, though she could try and push them away, or perhaps do worse. It depended on how strong she felt she currently were, and if it were wiser to try to keep up the charade or not.

As a sign of cooperation though, Shade would briefly nod his head towards the left, and another of his goons were seen briefly jumping through the tree crowns, headed in the direction that were reported to them. Might as well examine every clue, and see where it lead, as well as indulge the general so far. Though he were not letting this one near Iron again. It would go against his orders, and give the *guard* a sleeping dart, jammed right into the back of her neck.

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

 

@Windy Breeze ☁️ ☁️ ☁️

On 6/2/2020 at 2:26 AM, Windy Breeze ☁️ ☁️ ☁️ said:

“So sorry to hear my friend's sister said something that might be... offensive to some of you, no offense” she said.

"They're more angry on your behalf. It's an unfair thing to throw at another, and Legion have known that sort of life before, and the pain that comes from having it thrown in your face like some kind of insult. Some of them are angry, others are trying to help me calm them down."

And then there were the thing that were distracting them. A certain chill in the air, giving off vibes that they were getting nearer to where they were headed already, thankfully. That it could be felt already though... This might be troubling news, depending on how far from the center they were. A spirits influence shouldn't be going this far, and feel so inhospitable to other. It were alarming.

She kept looking from side to side, attempting to spot somepony out there, when suddenly a voice interrupted them, and she turned to see that they had met up with somepony else. A guard obviously, so perhaps he were here to keep the area safe from passerby's? Or an investigator of sorts? It were hard to tell with the Solar Guards sometimes. Night Guards too honestly. They did a lot of things in the Royal Guard branches related to the law and figuring out things, so it could be either, though she'd guess just a regular guard so far, as she couldn't see any sorta specialized gear.

"Hello there Warn. We're here to try and help the poor spirit stuck here to move on. Well, I am anyway, and same with Legion. Breeze is helping because she's a kind and brave mare, who isn't afraid of a ghost.

I promise, I'm not a con artist or anything. I'm from the Macabre Clan, and I wanna make sure the poor thing moves on before she ends up more hurt, or hurts others for that matter. Can we please come through?"

The Macabre Clan were named so after the first one of her ancestors who decided to not just be a renegade, nomadic family of spirit talkers, but actually settle down and make a home for her growing family: Malady Macabre. Not the kindest of mares, but a tough one, who surely knew how to make a mark. Kinda why the name were stuck to them after her, regardless of a few uhm... *mishaps* on her side. All in the past though, right?

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

 

@Sekel

"Chariot... An unfortunate history with a sad ending, which we are trying to rectify in his rehabilitation. In a manner somewhat related to the process Discord goes through."

"There's a difference between a clown and one of the element wearers."

Golden sighed and nodded slightly.

"Quite so, yet Lieutenant Hogweed remains adamant that he can be saved, though this will test her trust in him. It is hard to tell if this were with his consent, or against his will, before we can question him. For everypony's sake, I do hope that it is the pleasant outcome. I would prefer for this one to return to some semblance of glory, rather than have his name tarnished in history.

As for the armory, it is one we use to hold cursed items stocked up in, After a recent unfortunate event, and with a sudden influx of new items, there is a need down there to reshuffle some things, as well as clean up. You needn't worry though. I can assure you that nothing from that place, will escape and cause trouble."

He were completely unaware of who he were talking to here, though even if he knew, it were likely that it wouldn't be an issue, right? Atzy had to evaluate if she wanted to risk it, as seemingly, she had managed to get away from that place without anypony knowing that she hadn't just been destroyed. An advantage perhaps, as dishonest as it may be to hold this away from them. It might be wise of her to think of her self preservation here though.

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

 

@Sekel

"Her majesty sealed this room, before the fateful night happened. Perhaps she tried to seal away the darkness within her?

Whatever the case, she have taken it away again, and the room remains safe. We didn't fail her."

A small smile went on Last's face, as she were faced with the fact that whilst her home and way of living might be gone, their purpose had indeed been fulfilled without fail. She had been sure of it when the princess said it, but being here, seeing it for herself... It were something special.

If Twilight wanted to, she'd find that the door weren't too hard to open. Just had to activate a certain magical seal to open up and revealing the grand total of one, completely empty room. Only thing there were a pedestal of stone, and more intense runes and seals carved in on every square inch. Whatever had been in here, weren't meant to just get out on its own. Nor being gotten to, as it seemed to be a two way street. Perhaps Luna had not been as hopeful about her maidens being able to maintain their vigil after all? Or perhaps she feared traitors? Whatever the case, it were apparent that things had gone as they were supposed to. At least up until Princess Luna returned here. What happened after that, were anypony's guess.

"Hmph. And to think they called us delusional fanatics...

Anyway, unless you want to study this more, we should be going, your majesty. Though something tells me we'll need to blindfold you, or you have to put a beacon on me and teleport over later, because the only way to find that tower, if it's here, is to go through the battlefield. With all due respect, I don't think you can handle it, if just looking at it from a distance made you shaky."

She'd look the princess right in the face as she said this, wanting to both see and hear her reaction on this, as part of what she'd do. If Twilight looked as if she couldn't handle it, Last would do what were for her best, and tell her no. Sometimes, being a good guard meant protecting the princess from themselves, and Twilight would be the fortunate one that would have this perk too. At least to some extend. Depended on the topic.

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

 

@Sekel

Thorax looked reluctant to answer at first, trying to find some hole in her logic, though as were seen by his eventually slumping shoulders, he couldn't find any. By Celestia, he wish he could, but his inexperience were a strong argument here that were working heavily against him. Combined with the low, but domineering voice that had suddenly come from Aurora, made him feel rather squirmish. Like he were a drone again, getting lectured by his queen on what to do, as if he were a newly hatched nymph.

"...Just try to remember who you are talking to, please. I have yet to see if she have actually changed, but the Onache that I knew, were an infamous changeling for her way of ruling, even among our own kind. Take what you hear with a grain of salt."

"Stories gets blown up, y'know? She weren't as bad as you're all claiming. Ain't saying she were perfect either, but that stuff's in the past. This here's the future, and now she's gonna help the future queen of the griffons too."

Happy would grin and push Aurora slightly on the shoulder in a playful manner. He considered briefly giving her a friendly bash, but y'know, royalty and all that, so foal steps here.

"Be that as it may, I still think my advisor would be better at helping you, when he eventually comes back again. He knows how to deal with politics between races and neither Onache, nor myself, can claim to be experts in that field."

A point that Happy had to concede. They really weren't all that great at that, but y'know, no way to tell what the future held yet, right?

"SO that sounds like we're sorted then. Seen some freaky stuff, have a set course for Aurora, and I'm just about tipsy enough to think this is all starting to sound like a really great idea. Come on Aurora, let's get on our way, eh? We got a message to pass along, and some plans to get sorted. Though you got the authority voice down at least, so that's gonna be helpful. You just a natural, or have you been hiding this gift to pounce on us when we least expected it? Either way, I'm loving it. Feels right."

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

 

@Sekel @Widdershins

4 hours ago, Sekel said:

"You're calming. I like that. It's a far cry from what I've been getting up,"

"That's usually the last thing others says about me."

Stare smiled at the unusual compliment from Dazzle. With her quiet ways, most tended to find Stare unnerving, creepy, or downright scary, even though she could probably lose a fight to a melon. Getting told she were calming were... Uplifting in a sense, and she would hope that sentiment would last. It would be nice to have friends who didn't get creeped out around her.

"And I think you're right, This place is uhm... Well, it's not big enough for everypony here right now. We might really have to move out to that tent area, maybe. A big open space like that sounds like there would be enough space when the last two shows up, and everypony is together again."

There were a topic that she wanted to discuss though, which required a bit of thought before she opened her muzzle towards Dazzle again. Partially because she had to think for a moment on how to say it, and partially because the statement from Chop made her look towards him in surprise. He wanted to get the whole package here? Shortstack must have really gotten under his skin if he wanted to prove a point that badly. Or maybe it were also because Alonsus talked back to him? It were hard to say right now, though it were likely some kind of combination thereof.

This pause, Scarcity took as her cue to add a minor something, before her sister had the chance to spoil her fun in this whole affair.

"Bone Dry Desert you say? Why, what a marvelous coincidence. A fellow shop owner I know in Canterlot have a side business as an adventurer, and have talked about wanting to go there. Why, I will make sure to let him know as soon as I can darling, and you just remain here with my dear sister, so that neither part ends up lost looking for the other. It happens more often than many might think."

She were not telling the entire truth here. She did indeed know an adventurer who ran a store in Canterlot, who had talked about going out in the world again, to stave off the boredom a bit, but he had never mentioned this particular place. However, the right amount of purchases in his wares were going to make him receptive to at least the idea of running a side errand whilst doing his normal trip, and truth be told, Scarcity could find usage of a large amount of camping gear. Donating a substantial amount of that to the orphanage so that they could enjoy some vacation trips were a nice gesture, as well as a tax writeoff, so in the grand scheme of everything, everypony would win here. Weren't is just delightful when the stars aligned as such?

Of course, she were still doing a sizable donation in raw bits to said orphanage regardless. Despite her... Questionable morals, Scarcity were a mare who made sure to give back to society, even when there were not an incentive to do so. The orphanage were one such institutions, as she did not think it right that even during the summer months, they had to sit inside and feel sorry. Foals should be able to go out and enjoy life, and she had been thinking of a few, varied ways to do so in recent months. This were a coincidental way of making her decision on the matter that much easier, at least for the time being. she might still funnel some untraceable donation to provide for something else that would keep the spirit up among the little ones. Her precious little angel back home, would like to know that her friends were having as much fun as they could, and she were sure it could be arranged that she could join them on said trip, with a few alluring words, and some spending bits for the trip.

Ah, but all in due time. It were always enjoyable to plan these things, yet there were things to keep focus on here that seemed rather important, hmm?

@Illiad Easle

The visit to their parents had been a rather emotional one, with Null crying and apologizing a good deal of the first half hour, whilst they all collectively gathered around and showed her their love and support, rather than the scorn she thought she deserved for her blind idiocy.

Once that were over, Void would go and make them all something to eat, whilst Null talked things through with their parents about how life were with them, and the details about how Void were going to stick around at least for a while more, to both protect them in the transition period, and make sure they got help with the new foal. She still didn't feel right leaving them behind, but she knew that this were her path to keeping them safe, and the mere thought that the Grey were going to just be allowed to get away with all he had done, made her blood boil. He had to pay, and she were going to be the one to make it happen.

The rest of the evening went on with mostly stories. Their parents asked of some things that happened to them out in the world that were good, to focus on that rather than all the bad, and in turn, the siblings would also ask them for stories of what had happened in recent years, plans for the future, etc. When eventually they went off to rest, Null gave them both a long, drawn out farewell hug, and promised that she would do what she could to stay in contact, even if only through letters, so they knew that she were okay.

It were a tearful moment for the once split apart family, and neither Null, nor Void, could sleep that night because of all the thoughts rummaging around their heads. So instead, they worked, with Null doing hers to finish some projects she had set aside, so that she could leave here with a clean slate, as well as making sure to tell Void to make sure to give her notebook on the varied designs and such she used for false legs to someone who were gonna do it right, and not try something like a monopoly. If possible, she even encouraged Void to try and publicly release these somehow, so that it'd be accessible for anyone, but she would have to figure out the bigger details by herself when the time came.

The two of them didn't touch much upon the major issue though: That the two of them were going to be splitting apart, and this time not just because one had gotten lost or kidnapped. But basically for good, as they each had to pursue their own lives from this point forth.

It would be touched upon as they finally got rest, around a half hour before the sun rose, and were more or less a bunch of reassurances from both sides that they were going to be okay, and warnings from Null about Void having to think long and hard before accepting Mercy, as she hoped that her little sister would finally be able to have some semblance of a life.

Void did not tell her, as she didn't want her to worry, but so far, her opinion were leaning towards accepting. Not now of course. The little one were on the way, there were a transition period now after the gate were closed, and maybe someone would come around to try and get to their family, before Null got to them, so she would likely end up staying here for a long while. But eventually, the thought of going out there and this time not running away, but actually helping others on a level she couldn't even dream about before, were tempting.

The day would go with some more work and preparation, so when the guard eventually came for her, Null stood ready in her garments,with a homemade harness straddled to her, so that she could have the nail bat she stole from the gate sitting comfortably between her wings, and two small, leather saddlebags down her sides. Not a whole lot to put in now, beyond some food, water, and her carving knife set, but something told her that it would end up being important in the long run. Either to get some stuff with her, or perhaps because she'd find some more cursed items, and had to start lumbering those around again to keep them out of the appendages of others. These two bags were smaller than those she had before though, as to not interfered with her wings, but she would figure something out if abundance started to become an issue. Might be there were still somewhere she could take them to get the stuff properly decursed, or at least temporarily stored out of reach, somewhere generally inhospitable.

The sisters would say their (maybe final) goodbyes, and would finally depart then, with Null's last words to her sister being that she'd be back soon, with their *father's* head on a pike, just as promised. It were probably gonna giveher some looks when the time came, but she didn't care. Far as she were concerned, wandering out of Troy after planting a pike with the Grey's head on, right in front of the consulate, were still going to be immensely satisfying.

On 5/31/2020 at 10:02 PM, Illiad Easle said:

The group included Ambassador Branch, an assistant ambassador Dove, a pair of clerical workers, and a guard for each of them, Null being the ninth in the group. The guards didn't seem too excited, more cautious, but the ambassador was delighted, talking to anyone who would listen about how she had lived in Las Pegasus as a young filly before her family moved to Omarega before the war and how much she wanted to see how it had changed since then.

Null would greet them all with a nod, and a suspicious glancing around, before easing up a bit. These seemed okay so far, but she had to remember to keep up her persona here. Firstly, by using that cover name she had gotten, when introducing herself. Likely when the talkative one would come around and speak of her time in Las Pegasus, but regardless of who it'd be, her response would be the same.

"Event Horizon. We're about ready to go?"

She had no idea who the ambassador she were supposed to watch were here, but... Branch seemed like the fancier and less paranoid, guard'ish one, so she'd wait for confirmation on things, and keep in mind that she were likely the one to protect from an axe to the face before the rest, then see where things went from here.