FirstPonySpectre

Thanks for the welcome backs~ It's good to be back in such a kind community.

My Favourite Mane 6 Pony: Fluttershy

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How you became a fan of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic:

Well, this is actually my second time making a thread on this page. I figured since I haven't been on this forum in over a year and my account is still around I should make another post on this board! Sort of like a welcome back sorta thing. -shrugs-. 

Well. It's good to be back and I hope I can meet some new friends as well as rekindle a few of the friendships I bailed on so abruptly due to my personal life pulling me away from here.

Feel free to post when you want. lol

sorry for my inactivity, been busy as hell recently'

@@FirstPonySpectre

 

Well, usually I refer to characters by their name in my descriptions even if my character doesn't know them yet, since I sometimes describe things from the perspective of my character and sometimes from a point of a narrator. But from now on I'll adress to him, also in my descriptions, as masquerade, since that does seem more fitting

Alright, thanks . 

@@Scribblegroove, @@Evilshy,

Joel took a sniff of the air, taking in the sweet aroma of the truth serum known as booze. Though Joel himself has never drank a bottle of this miracle liquid, he often uses it as a means to get a stubborn, or defensive individual to lower their guard and relinquish all the information that Joel wants to know, and something even more. This drink also had a very beneficial side effect. It's cause it's victims to forget everything that happened while they were under it's intoxicating effects.

The smell of alcohol also brings back memories of the masked man's other journeys to taverns. After all, they're like an archive of local rumors and full of feeble minded individuals Joel could wrap around his finger in his sleep. 

"Back to the hunting grounds." Joel smirked, as he surveyed the building's exterior. 

"I'll keep on the lookout for any vulnerable prey." Julia remarked in a tone just as eager as Joel's. 

Joel took another sniff of the air, "You smell that?" Joel asked the two men who accompanied him to the tavern. "That my friends is misery's perfume. The pitiful scent of a weak man's attempt to drown his sorrows in a glass of amnesia. Though I can't blame them. The world can be quite a malicious entity, playing games with people, entangling it's victims with it's ropes of agony, dragging them down into a sea of never ending regret." Joel spoke, making motions with hands and arms as the words glided off his tongue. "It's sadistically poetic, isn't it?" Joel remarked, his tone of voice shifting to a slightly saddened whisper. He then turned to the two, with a smirk on his face and a confident look in his eye. "It's a good thing that I'd rather die than become another wasted verse in the never ending poem of misery." The masked man laughed heartily before turning back to the door. 

"Shall we go in?"

@@Scribblegroove,

Hey, in your previous post you had referred to me as "Joel" even though Joel hasn't told Ivon his real name, he's only introduced himself as Masquerade so far. Just thought I'd point that out. 

@@Scribblegroove, @@Evilshy,

"This man doesn't know what a tavern is? Where has he been living?" Julia questioned, a bit shocked.

"Well, looks like we found a sheep who strayed from the herd. Guess I'll have to play the role of shepherd now." Joel smirked as he tapped his fingers on his flintlock.

"What are you talking about? You don't know how to herd sheep." Julia asked, even more confused than before.

"What I mean is I'll be the one to teach him how this world works, and in turn, gain his trust." Joel said, his smirk vanishing in a slight embarrassment of his other half's small incompetence. 

"But he seems to know what a barracks is." She pointed out, obviously trying to divert Joel away from her misinterpretation 

 "Well, I'm not surprised. No matter where one comes from there always tends to be an military, or guard of some kind."

"Point taken, I suppose." 

Joel turned to the man, a welcoming smile on his face. "A tavern is like a bar. Where you can drown away your sorrows with a bottle intoxicating liquid." He explained with superb articulation. "And while you may be right about the barracks, aliens to this town such as ourselves will definitely have a hard time getting a chance to meet with the commander; whereas taverns don't seem to care what gender, race, build or social class one is, the one thing they care about is how much coin an individual is willing to fork over." The words flowed off of Joel's tongue as if he had rehearsed his statement many times before. He then pointed off into the distance towards the large building he had pointed out to his newly acquired friend group. "That building, the tall one over there, that's the tavern here." He informed him, as he took a stride towards the towering structure. "Come along now." Joel called out, gesturing with his hand to follow. "We haven't got all day."

@,

(FINALLY GOT OVER WRITERS BLOCK! YEAH!)

Bittersweet strapped shut her saddle bag and smiled with excitement. She didn't really even take the time to look at the titles of the books just yet she was so giddy. Clearly almost unable to wait any longer to get to reading these books she began to scout out the library for a comfortable spot to read. Though most of the spots she found gave her a rather unsettling feeling that she just couldn't understand, or she could hear other's speaking about things that she, quite frankly, didn't care about. After a few minutes of cantering around she decided that it'd probably be best if she just left to find somewhere more isolated and less freaky. With this is mind she trotted up to Red Cask. 

"Umm.. excuse me, mister Red Cask?" She attempted to get the stewards attention. "Is it okay if I leave and go to the inn, perhaps?" She questioned, with a shy smile on her face.

@@Scribblegroove, @@Evilshy,

"This is very strange." Joel thought to himself.

"Yeah, this Ivon guy is kind of weird." Julia replied with a jest.

"No, not that. The walls. Their clearly new. Can't you tell?" Joel informed the voice

"Now that you mention it, they do look rather out of place." 

"Why would a small town like this need such solid defenses, and more importantly, where did they get the resources? Something isn't right here."

"Perhaps there is a threat outside of the town."

"That's probably the best start we have. I'm sure the barkeeper at the tavern should have some extensive information about any rumors circulating from any traders passing through."

"Good thought."

Joel turned to Ivon, a satisfied grin on his face. "The tavern, obviously. Bartenders tend to hear a lot of rumors from any travelers or residents. After all, a drunk man's talk is a sober man's thoughts." Joel informed him as he pointed towards the large three story building 

"Aren't you going to tell this Ivon fella that he's wrong about your set of skills being useless?" Julia questioned curiously.

"I think it's better if he remains clueless, don't you think? I'll have him wrapped around my finger in no time." Joel answered, smirking a bit as he thought. 

@@Evilshy,

"Didn't expect this man to be so... friendly." Julia remarked with a subtly shock.

"Nor did I." Joel agreed, just as shocked.

Joel reached his arm out and grabbed onto Gron's for a handshake. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Gron." Joel said with a kind, yet suave tone. His eyes studying Gron's outfit, noticing he's quite bulked out with a large shield belted to his back. It was clear to Joel that this man was very strong, and physical strength, though not as important as mental prowess to Joel, was still a trait Joel found useful in others. 

The slight jest that Gron had poked Joel with caused Joel to smile because, quite frankly, Gron wasn't exactly wrong. "Of course can't. Exactly the reason I use these rather easy to conceal weapons. I prefer to lure my targets into a false sense of security just before I stab them in the back."  Joel chuckled as he gazed at his pistol, and crossbow, though not drawing any attention to the dagger hidden between his back and his trench coat. "It's not necessarily the most honorable method but it gets the job done, am I right?"

This is an accurate on how I respond to being sick. 

@@Scribblegroove, @@Windbreaker, @Evilshy,

Joel began to head off the ship, walking next to Aaren. From the moment he stepped off the ship a sudden gust of wind struck Joel causing his trench coat to flutter in the wind like a cape. Joel put a hand on his fedora to make sure it didn't fly off. The gust passed and when it did Joel heard someone call out to him, referring to him as the one with the 'white mask'. 

"Well, it looks like you're popular." Julia remarked when the rather demanding man called out to Joel.

"Let's be honest, when am I not." Joel replied, smirking whilst thinking.

"Sounds like he's figured you out already." She informed Joel with a sense of cautiousness.

"Yes, it does. But he seems to have a rather large ego. An ego I can use to my advantage." Joel said with confidence. 

"Look who's talking..." 

"Well of course I have an ego, if I didn't I wouldn't have the confidence to do half the things I do."

"Ehhhh, point taken." Julia agreed in a defeated tone. 

Turning to Aaren, Joel laughed a bit. "It'd appear I'm being summoned, and I'm not one to decline an invitation. We can become better acquainted with one another later." Joel informed the man, as he gave a polite bow before walking over to the rather tough looking men who called him. He quickly remembered that these were the two men who had been sparring earlier. 

"These guys look tough." 

"It won't be a problem if they never have the excuse to fight me, right?"

"I suppose. Just be careful, they look quick to anger."

"Advice noted."

Joel approached the two, a smirk on his face. "I heard you call me. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Masquerade, and whom may you two be?" 

alright, I'm not gonna lie. I'm having maaaaaaaajor writers block right now, so pardon the really delayed post. Haha. T_T I'll try to get it up when I can overcome the dreaded writers block. :/

@@Windbreaker,

Joel's eye made contact with the blue eyes of Aaren. Joel examined the man stealthily as he took a more informal stance, shoving his hands into the pockets of his trench coat. "It's perfectly alright, no worries." Joel reassured the man calmly.

"Here's your chance! Make a friend!" Julia demanded Joel.

"I'm not trying to make a friend. I'm trying to make a tool." Joel thought to the voice of his betrothed. 

"I'm going to pretend I understand what you're getting at here and say, go make a tool!" 

"Pardon the creepy looking mask, by the way." Joel attempted to subtract from his suspicious mask. "I was in a terrible accident and it left a terrible scar, so I use this mask to cover it up. Compared to the scars it looks much more classy, wouldn't you think?"  Joel asked, attempting to make conversation. 

@, @@Windbreaker,

"I thought you said you'd try it your way." Julia questioned the actions Joel had taken.

"I lied." He responded as he stood back up straight. Using his hand to readjust his fedora and mask.

"She's a weird one.  Hmm?" She stated. 

"That's an understatement if I've ever heard one." 

"You going to give up?" She asked, disappointment in her voice. 

"Of course not. I'll befriend her eventually. Besides, I think I know exactly how to do so now. I just need some cookies." Joel remarked as he shoved his hands into his pockets, staring off into the distance. 

"Well you don't have any right now, do you?" She asked even though she knew the answer. 

"You already know the answer to that is no, but I can buy some or get someone to make some when we head into town." He informed her as he turned to the man next to him who he had very rudely introduced himself to.

"I apologize for my rather uncouth introduction. That girl is quite the strange one." Joel said with sincerity before squaring his body to the man, making eye contact with his uncovered eye. "I'm Masquerade. If you wouldn't mind me asking whom are you?" 

@,

(I figured as much, but this is sort of how Joel would approach the situation, lol.)

"Brilliant plan." Joel teased the voice of Julia 

"Yeah well at least she's talking to you, correct?" She responded, trying to justify her previous order.

"Just because you're walking doesn't mean you're going somewhere useful." He informed the invisible voice. 

"Point taken." She succumbed. "You can take it from here, Mr. Pedo." She teased.

"Don't call me that." Joel ordered the voice.

"No promises!" She responded with a snicker.

A calm and still very collected smile on his face, Joel spoke out to the girl once more. "Well, I suppose I am pretty big and I guess I can be pretty dumb at times, can't I?" He admitted to the girl in defeat. "But I can assure you I'm not really into doing any of these 'dirty' things you speak of. It's really not my style." Taking a pause to take a step towards the girl, he got onto his knees so he was eye level with her. "What'll it take to make ya trust me? Hm?" He asked calmly. 

@@Windbreaker,

Hearing the voice of another man Joel looked up, seeing the man who emitted the voice holding some jerky in a manner that seemed to imply he was offering it to him. 

"No thank you, sir. I'm not entirely that hungry right now to be quite honest, thank you though." Joel paused for a spell before introducing himself. "I'm Masquerade by the way." He greeted himself, even though his interest in the man was rather slim as he was focused on befriending the strange girl he's been mingling with. 

@,

"Woah, she got feisty quickly." Julia noted to Joel. 

"Evidently so. Perhaps I should be a bit more aggressive here." He contemplated.

"That'd be stupid, Joel. Tell her you'd want to be her friend. Even if you don't want to be you're a liar anyway, so what's the difference You'll get on her good side and she'll think she has a friend, right?" The voice of Joel's lost wife requested. 

"Yeah, you make a valid point, Julia." He agreed with the voice before speaking to the young girl once more. 

"In all honesty, Ms. Mare I was just looking to make a friend. Would you perhaps be interested?" He asked the small girl in a very kind tone. A smile gracing his face. 

Hehe, I was reading up on Joel's personality and I saw that he doesn't like people who bully or discriminate others.. now that's going to be a problem. I have a feeling Joel and Alice won't get along.. ^^

Well Joel's viewpoints are quite skewed when it comes to moral ground. I'm not gonna give much away but bullying and discrimination tend to have different criteria to Joel than others. If that makes any sense.

Also as of now it seems that Alice is much more of a "teaser" than a bully.  

@,

"Haha! She thinks you're a pedophile!" Julia's voice laughed playfully.

"Hmph, yes, clearly she acts younger than she looks." He noted to himself, ignoring the voice. "Perhaps I should alter my approach a bit."

Joel chuckled gleefully before looking down at the young lass, making sure to have direct eye contact with her, and speaking in a very calm and collected voice. "Alice Mare? I must say that is quite the beautiful name if I may say, and it's an honor to meet you, Ms. Mare.." Joel complimented with a genuine sincerity in his voice. "Well, Ms. Mare, let me assure you that I am not a pedophile. In fact I find pedophiles quite nasty as well." Joel affirmed the pony-tailed girl with a welcoming tone. Joel gave a very heartwarming smile to the young girl before finishing his post-introduction statements. "Yes, Masquerade is quite a funny name, isn't it. Then again my parents were quite funny people." 

The half masked man took a pause to let his words sink in before asking the question, "If you don't mind me asking what got you into being a witch hunter?" 

Just so everyone knows, I'm using two colors for his thoughts because he hears the voice of his dead wife. The crimson color text is that voice, and the gold is his thoughts. Just so everyone knows. 

Joel, 

(The gold text is Joel's thoughts and the crimson color text is the voice of his wife that he hears. Anything italicized is his thoughts and all. Just wanted to make that 100% clear so no one is confused.)

Gracefully collapsing down onto a cushioned seat, Joel kicked back in a relaxed position, arms folded behind his head and sitting up right, his back against a wall. A bit too at ease to bother taking note of everyone in the room, for he knew he'd have the chance to analyze them later. Though as he gazed around the small room he saw two men preparing to spar one another.

"Why waste your energy fighting now?" He thought to himself curiously.

"Can you fault them for wanting to practice?" The voice of Joel's departed beloved questioned back. 

"I suppose not. After all this is our job. I still don't see that justifying their disregard for their own stamina, however." He stubbornly thought.

"Just let them have their fun, okay, Joel?" The woman's voice requested of Joel. 

"Yeah, I had planned on not getting involved anyway. However I should probably introduce myself to these other hunters." Joel inquired as he sat even more upright, taking a spell to take in his surroundings. 

"Yeah! You go make some friends!" Julia's voice said with a glee. 

"I'm not here to make friends, Julia." Informed Joel in a rather direct, and grim tone. 

"Hey! Look at that girl with the brown ponytail. I think she was looking at you. She's pretty cute. Should go say hi." The excited girl's voice spoke, clearly not paying attention to what Joel had thought.

"I suppose it's as good a place to start as any." The man gave in with a smirk. 

@,

With that Joel got up and approached the young woman, one hand placed on his fedora and his poise stanced in a smooth and suave position. He shot a glare at the girl with his uncovered eye before speaking. "Excuse me, miss." he spoke in a deep, rather seductive tone. "Pardon my rather abrupt intrusion on your conversation but I just had to introduce myself. I'm Masquerade, and whom might you be?" He greeted her with a smirk. 

Many thanks my friend!

 

Also, can I just add that I've recently played 'The Evil Within' through to the end (including a ten-hour session while ill at one point, but lets not talk about that) and It was awesome. More to the point, it gave me a ton of horror tropes to think about and consider here.

 

If anyone else even remotely likes horror or action games, I highly recommend it. 

FINALLY! SOMEONE ELSE WHO LIKES EVIL WITHIN! Oh my god. So many people hated that game and I thought it was awesome! I don't understand the hate! T_T it was awesome! 

Bittersweet,

Bitter's expression turned from that of a rather forced smile to that of a very subtle remorse; it wasn't enough to bring her down, however, as she made a simple nodding gesture to the green pony as if to say "Alright" before turning around and trotting towards the alchemy section. 

"The ponies here are quite nice." The pink mare thought to herself as her eyes bolted across the shelves. "It's a relief to know that I, at the very least, don't have any enemies. At least not yet." She calmly informed herself, though her thoughts were short lived as she turned a corner which revealed, at the far end of a long corridor of shelves, a rather moderately sized bookshelf which according to Red Cask, pertained the textbooks Bitter had been yearning for. Quickly, her trots sped up into a slight canter. Her hooves tip-tapping on the ground creating an echoing staccato like rhythm. "That's a lot of books..." She groaned with excitement in her thoughts as she continued her giddy gallop. 

She stopped when she was but a few steps away from the bookshelf. Her jaw-dropped expression combined with her pupils which surveyed the shelf. "What do I read first?!" She questioned herself as she trotted excitedly in place. Though, she took just began to haphazardly grab books from the wall and shove them into her saddle pouches. "I'll just take as many as I can and come back tomorrow for more! Perfect plan, Bitter!" She praised herself gleefully as she placed book after book into the packs on her back. 

Absolutely nothing. Yep

I have their album Colors

CORAL! 

(really hoping your profile pic is of Carl from TWD, if not, I'm gonna sound so stupid.)

@@FortyTwo42,

Bitter looked at the pony with a somewhat odd look. She was confused at how interested someone could be in what, to her, was just a normal line of work. However, she didn't mind the attention; after all, she did love this normal line of work. The eager Aero Wind had asked Bitter if she could make elixirs that calm nerves. Bitter quickly spoke up in response. "Of course. Their not the easiest to concoct but they're not too difficult either." She started off, though her thoughts trailing off slightly as she was eager to check out some of the literature that resided in this cabal of knowledge. "And yes, I do believe that herbs with pink tints tend to calm nerves." 

It was after she finished speaking when Red Cask spoke up and directed her towards the section where her interests lied. "Thank you." She said with gratitude as she began to slowly tip toe towards the section with the alchemy section, though before hand she turned to the bright green Aero Wind and smiled a bit timidly. "I'm gonna go read now, I'll talk to you later, maybe." She said as she turned around and began to walk away, though, an urge pierced the back of her mind, taking over her actions like some kind of parasite. She turned her head around back towards the stallion and informed in a quiet, and sheepish tone. "You... can come with if you want. I'm sure there are books on alchemy you could read there too."