Reaver

@@Jellal Fernandes, "Wow, that's really impressive!" Glider said honestly, flying into the air herself. She flicked her wings expertly, spinning gently midair. The breeze behind them increased, moving them forward gently. "I've always loved flying," Glider sighed, "It's so peaceful. Wings are really useful, too." They were getting closer to the town already, and Glider began eying the area for potential food. She smelled one pony cooking in the open and dived down gracefully to him. He sold her some soup made of the roots in the forest, and she turned to Guy-Man, offering a bowl to him rather precariously with one wing.

@, Twilight Sparkle? In uniform? I'm DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAD.

Caramel, who had been silent for some time (to her shame, as she was beginning to quite enjoy the company of these ponies), spoke on this Tyra's previous statement. "I think Fish-Pony over here was right, awhile back," she said to the others, "and the plant-ponies are hiding something. While I'm not necessarily in the mood to kill them, we might be able to sneak in and check it out. I'm interested. But we may have to double back a ways, so I'd get it if I'm alone of that opinion."

So, seeing your last post made me wince inside. X3 But I really love your art, so I'll have a go. Any chance you could draw Strider? He's in my sig. His CM (which isn't shown because pony generator D: ) would be a map. I'd really really really appreciate it! If you can't, I'll keep an eye out for when you open up shop again.

Strider stared at Caliber, then at Tyra, then gazed over the rest of the group. He sighed quietly. The only centaur he had ever met personally was Tirek himself, who had been terrifying. But he had heard of smaller centaurs, doing his bidding and such. He didn't want to fight them, but he was with some powerful ponies who needed entertainment. Perhaps they could stand a chance. "Alright then," Strider said agreeably, "We'll wait for them here. Perhaps we can set up an ambush." He again turned to Lunar, setting down the teapot. @@Commander Tangent, "Lunar, Radiant needs to know what's happening. We don't want him to worry if he hears fighting. Can you go alert him to what's going on?" Strider asked the griffin. @@Midnight_Aurora, "Alright, this way," Izumo said, trotting along the hallway. The pair passed many offices and several guardsponies (who looked after them suspiciously) until they at last reached office one hundred two. Izumo, who had been silent during the walking, quietly said to Amore, "Look, be careful with Mr. Love. He can be... unnerving." Izumo's normal green shade was blanching somewhat, and he looked nervous as he knocked on the door. "Come in," came a gruff voice, and Izumo opened the door. A guard had been the one to speak--there were about four in the room. One was poured over paperwork. Two were lounging around, and appeared to have been talking quietly. The last was by the door, and had clearly been the one to speak as he eyed them suspiciously. "Well, what's this?" a softer voice, contrasting deeply with the guard's, said, and a pony who had been seated in a seemingly vacant chair swiveled to face Izumo and Amore. Amber Love eyed them with an intense gaze, that was somewhat comical, putting into account his height. "What does one of Tsunami's guards want, with a stranger?" he asked icily to Izumo, who was carefully avoiding looking at the short pony. "This is Amore, a stranger from the north," Izumo said, making a weak attempt at sounding business-like and not terrified. "Everything's north from here, we're in the Badlands, nitwit," one guard snapped. Izumo wilted. "Well, she's a swordspony whose taken an interest in us, and wants to join our ranks," Izumo muttered. Amber eyed Amore now. "A swordspony, hm? Well, how would you feel about a test with that?" though he phrased it as a question, it was clearly a demand. "If you pass, I'll allow you to stay in the city. If you fail, you die." "She's not sure who she wants to join," Izumo cut in, "She's just--" "Well, you took her to me, so now I get to test her," Amber said shortly, sounding rather delighted at the prospect as he leapt off the chair and walked towards Amore, looking up at her. "Rift, go get your sword," he told one of the guards, who nodded and exited. "Now then. You go get your sword back from my secretary. Go to the arena, and we'll stick you and Rift in next. Unless you have any objections?" Amber looked intently at Amore. The guards, behind Amber's back, were shaking their heads at Amore, mouthing varieties of 'No, don't object'.

@@Jellal Fernandes, Glider shrugged. "Well, my dad was hoping I would be a good flier, and my mom just wanted me to be easygoing. So, they kind of combined those two ideas." She smiled. "I've just never heard a name like 'Guy-Man' before, is all. So, do you want to fly over back to town?" She hadn't seen him fly yet, she realized, and abruptly wondered if he could. Worried about this possibility, she added quickly, "We can walk, too." (OOC: Lol, we can be travel buddies. Don't worry about being too active--just enjoy your trip. )

"If we don't want to kill them, I vote we go around," Caramel said quietly to the others. "From what I've seen of you guys, I think we can overpower them, but we'll probably have to kill them. And I like plant-ponies, I think they're cute. But, if you guys want to keep attempting negotiation, fine by me," she added, shrugging. "I'm pretty sure they'll attack us, though." They didn't look particularly friendly, after all.

Yes, yes you do. Ooooooh so happy I found a PMD discussion. It's so sad, the only people who play Pokemon in my school are the band seniors and juniors, and they hate me for reasons I don't get. Also, they think it's cool to play the older games, and shun the new ones. I mean, the new ones are good too... D: (Actually, maybe that's why they don't like me in a nutshell. XD) Anyway, I lovelovelovelovelovelove the Explorers games of Mystery Dungeon (I liked Rescue Team too, but it wasn't as life-changing to me, just because I was so little when I played it the first time). I never actually played Gates to Infinity, though I plan to get it just because it's a Mystery Dungeon game. I'm really hyped for the new one! I doubt it will be as enjoyable to me as the EoD, which was the first game I ever got invested in, but that'll just be my problem I hope. Anyway, played as a Chimchar on my first play-through of EoD, and um... Infernape! 8D To this day, I'm sad when people insult Sinnoh just because Infernape's in it. XD Oh, just realized nobody's posted here in awhile. Hope it isn't dead. D:

Caramel chuckled at Tyra's falling into the water, lightheartedly helping her up. She glanced at Tyra upon hearing the noises. "Well," she said, her tone cheerful but quiet, "I'm assuming I'm not the only one who heard mysterious sounds. I'm hiding. Friend or foe and all that." She (as quietly as possible) moved through the water into a patch of thick grasses and patiently stood, waiting for the mysterious voices to show themselves and be revealed as enemy or friend.

I don't like the idea of all the crew being ponies (except Spike), because one of my favorite parts about ME is learning things about 'alien' cultures and all. Like, maybe a diversity of griffins, yaks, dragons, etc. Oh, I could totally imagine the krogan being yaks, actually. XD But, question: Why just ME1? Man, I'd love to see an entire ME trilogy based off MLP!

Oh. Huh. She was clearly edgy about how short he was. That was kind of cute, actually. The insult had been funny too, and Caramel chuckled a bit as she casually waded alongside Red, who was almost completely submerged in water. "Alright, I'll do my best," Caramel said cheerfully, and considered making another crack at Red's height. She decided not to, instead moving through the water next to Tyra. "So, uh. I never really caught where exactly we're going." Caramel said cheerfully. "Any ideas? You alright there, by the way?" she added, as Tyra was as covered by water as Red was.

Caramel grinned broadly at the prospect of heading forward, and began trotting into the swamp, overtaking Red after a few moments, and promptly collapsed up to her chest in a patch of water, concealed by moss and grass on the edge. Caramel backed out of it, shivering. "Oh! Oh, that's deep. And cold. Cold, too." Caramel said, then glanced at Red, who was closest behind her. "You might want to be careful going through here, Reddy." Caramel told her, "You'd probably sink all the way in."

@@Jellal Fernandes, Glider, who had been profusely blushing at Guy-Man's laughter, now gave a rather weak chuckle at his last words. Her wing punched his shoulder in a friendly manner. "Well, you're pretty adorable yourself, just so you know," she told him, smiling, then stood up, carefully holding the sapphire with one wing. "Now then. I don't know about you, but I haven't eaten at all today. I haven't even said hello to Blitz this morning--I haven't really talked to her these past few days, I've just been so--distracted. Want to see if we can find something they cooked up back at the town?" She smiled as she asked, and added, "We still have plenty of getting-to-know-each-other to do. Like, how did you get the name 'Guy-Man'?"

Caramel had been silent up until this point. She had been quite impressed with the group's method in cheering Ice up, and liked this Ice more than the Mummy version. He just seemed more authentic. However, she couldn't truly take part in the fun at that point, as she still felt like a stranger to the group of friendly ponies. "So," Caramel said, looking out at the swamp, "What's the plan? Are we going out? I'm definitely ready for a good fight," she added cheerfully.

@@Little Red, Caramel was silent for a moment. She had no clue how to react to that. At last, she said, "Riiiiiiiight." Her tone was not sarcastic, but questioning. "I'll just... okay... right, we're going! Go. To, uh, fight evil Scarlet alicorn is this a good idea?" she added in a stage whisper to Red, loud enough for the full group to hear her as she trotted near Ice, ready to head south.

Holy cow! That's awesome! I can't believe you managed to do that on your phone. It's a great look for Rainbow. <3

@@Jellal Fernandes, Glider stared at him. She was flattered, happy, satisfied, a little suspicious (though that emotion was cast out and shunned very quickly), but most of all, she was surprised by his comment. She had thought about it too. She was not one for love at first sight--her father and mother had ruined any good impression she had of that sort of thing--but knew that he was a stallion she really could grow to love. This was fast, though--it put pressure on her. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. "I... I don't know about love, Guy-Man," she replied honestly, looking him in the eyes. "But I think you might have something there, and there can be... something... between us..." She was blushing now. She had always thought how romantic it must be, how nice everything would be if something like this ever really happened to her--but this was beyond all her hopes. She smiled. "So, let's... uh... try a relationship, then," she said, knowing she sounded awkward, but unable to think too much about it as a great bubble of happiness was bursting through her.

"And me!" Caramel broke in, raising her hoof. "I mean, I can be your friend, too. I'm just, not yet. But I think I'd prefer a jokester to mummy number two. Maybe that's not helpful," she added after a moment. "I think... yeah, I think I'll just be quiet, walk up to this pony over here, and ask her--" Caramel leaned in close to Red--"Hey, who the hay is this Scarlet fellow?"

@@Midnight_Aurora, Izumo's face did not change as he glanced at his fellow guard, though inwardly he was cursing rapidly with obscenities that shouldn't in any case ever be used around foals. And she just goes on... and on... I'm so dead... "I mean, come on, nopony's even worth seeing compared to you," Izumo said in a small voice. Tsunami, however, looked on at Amore, not even sparing Izumo a glance. For now. She would probably beat him up later in that deeply sexy manner that he adored, but it would still hurt a ton. "Mmph. Very well then, Amore. I'm sure after you see the sorry state of the others, you'll come around." She turned with a flick of her tail. "Izumo," she said sharply, "Take her to see Mister Love. Show her the other leaders." she said the word with a sneer on her face as she glanced back at her guards. "Yes, ma'am! Of course, Miss Tsunami, ma'am. Please don't kill me," Izumo said weakly. Tsunami didn't seem to hear the last part as she glanced at her other guard. "Featherbrain, go with the other moron," Tsunami told the other guard. "If this Amore gets hostile, teach her why we're the kings of the Badlands. Also, after you do that, come back and let me actually do it." Featherbrain weakly said, "Yes ma'am," his gaze averted as though Tsunami's body was covered in a brilliant light that hurt his eyes. "Also, I'm assuming you questioned her backstory, purposes, why I've never seen her before, why I've never heard of her before, tested her with that sword and made sure she's not an incompetent fool, and tortured her to make sure that she has both a strong mettle and that she's not in here just to spy on us." Tsunami said shortly, eying the two guards. Featherbrain looked at Izumo. "...Yes! Yes! I did!" Izumo said, quickly. "Personally! She's, uh, definitely in. Uh, good swordsmare. Yeah, she's great! She's--" "Then enough," Tsunami said, shortly. "Take her to the little one." "Yes ma'am," Izumo said, and quickly beckoned Amore with his tail. He and Featherbrain quickly trotted out. "Well, then," Izumo said to Amore once they were out of earshot from the door which slammed shut when they left, "We're taking you to the shorty first." "No, you're taking her to Love," Featherbrain snapped, "You and I both know you didn't test her, and now it's too late because they'll kill us if we try to catch up." The two glanced at her. "It might be worth it--if they don't catch us while we're in the process, we can report it to Mediant, and he wouldn't care," Izumo said in an undertone. They eyed her again. "But, she seems authentic." "You do whatever the buck you want," Featherbrain sighed, turning. "Get Kotetsu to help you if you do end up torturing her. I'm not." He trotted off. Izumo looked at her uncertainly. "Er, say something to convince me not to stick you into the torture chamber and interrogate you," Izumo said, his tone rather hesitant. "I mean, I would've already done it, except, y'know, you're a pretty mare with a scary sword."

@@Jellal Fernandes, Glider had felt a moment of intense apprehension at Guy-Man's teasing, but relaxed as he'd broken into a chuckle, her brief embarrassment vanishing, and she liked him more for his new-found humor. She was surprised at his story, and still felt flattered even as he gave her the sapphire. Her blush deepened profusely again at this point as she took it, her hooves shuffling on the ground at his complement. "You're too sweet," she said. It came out more as a mumble through her blush, but it still had the clarity of her gratitude at his interest in her. She marveled at how happy she was with this pony, and looked at him, this emotion sparking in her eyes. "Thank you," she said, hugging him again, not really knowing how to form words. She was usually alright with words--not as charismatic as Blitz by any stretch, but she could speak her mind--but the emotions welling up inside her were very strong, and she was just... happy, to have him back after the separation. "You--you're the real gift, not just this sapphire," she said after a moment, managing to speak again.

@@Jellal Fernandes, Glider gaped at the gemstone, and her teal fur turned the same shade as his. "Oh, my, is that--" wait no, it might not be for me, don't get your hopes up--no, wait, he wouldn't have pulled it out if it was for somepony else--maybe he's just showing me--"It's so pretty!" Glider said, staring at it. Her hoof touched it--it looked like it had been polished and crafted by a fine jeweler. "Where did you--did you buy this, or find it?" she asked, rather awed by it. Only in her early life had Glider ever held a real gemstone like this, when her family had been the high in Canterlot; it had been many years since she had even seen such a perfect jewel, especially having been stuck on the boat so long. This factor only increased her interest in the sapphire. "It's beautiful," Glider repeated, and glanced up at him, smiling, and couldn't help but ask hesitantly, "Is it for me?"

@, "I'm ready to go, mummy," Caramel said drily to Ice. No, really, it was actually a suitable nickname for him--he cooked as well as her own true mother, and he was as nagging, and he was as intimidating. I mean, really, the expression on his face, she thought, watching his determined features as he forced the pictures, albums, magazines--boy, that's a lot of stuff dedicated to one mare--to disappear. She decided not to ask him what had happened to them. She didn't want her mane frozen off. "So, let us go learn about plant ponies! Let's see, I know I studied photosynthesis at some point. Er, they eat the sun, right?" she asked.

@@Jellal Fernandes, Glider had been impressed by Guy-Man's description of his survival. At his final question, Glider said, "I love running water," watching the waterfall. "It's so calming, so peaceful. I like the color blue, for the same reasons--not just because I'm blue," she added quickly. "So, I guess I do like sapphires the most. I think all gemstones are pretty. I don't really think about them much, though." She glanced at him, and asked curiously, "What brought sapphires to your mind? ...Has anyone ever told you that you have fur the shade of a perfect sapphire?" she added, the topic bringing this to her mind. "It's nice."

Strider, who had been listening intently to Caliber's tale and looking on (rather horrified) at Caliber's trophy, blinked at Ironeye's abrupt statement. He glanced at her, and she looked... frazzled. Wary. Her gaze focused on him, but with a somewhat far-away, panicked look that Strider immediately found himself feeling worry about. "Alright, guys," Strider said aloud, turning to the group. "We're switching campsites, until Ironeye says it's safe. Ironeye, tell us what's happening on the road--Lunar," he said, addressing the griffin, "You can probably travel fastest. Go find Radiant, tell him something's happening and we're switching hiding spots. Please." Strider grabbed his saddlebags, heaving them onto his sore back. Well, so much for a break, he thought drily. Strider gently picked up Lunar's teapot. "Looks like we'll have to move the tea to another time," he added, his voice muffled around the teapot. "Let's go, everypony."