Raven Rawne

@Goddess Sunset Shimmer

The mint mare took the opportunity to store her gathered firewood, simply by tying it up with one of the short ropes she had and putting it all deep in the wagon. Now they had some less free space in there but, she wasn't concerned.  Natural replied to the inquiry.  "Once we get clear of three forest proper, we can either go through Ponyville or aim straight for the road to Canterlot. I have enough supplied for this short trip, but if you need anything,  Ponyville will have it way cheaper.  Like those tools you mentioned, for example."

She walked outside and decided to put the bulky crossbow back on it's resting place at the front, but stopped to look at Astral's leather. "Hmm, seems sturdy. Who knew monsters could be a source of quality leather? Maybe they'll buy any scraps you'll end up with in Ponyville too. Or at least take them for a discount to fix your tools... So, I'm ready to go. Wanna get into the wagon and work inside or stash your stuff and walk with me?  Oh and I guess we should stop by your place?  To grab all that's useful or can be sold?"

@Goddess Sunset Shimmer

The mare enjoyed her smoke uninterrupted. it helped her set her mind at ease, consideing where she was. There was also the issue of going to Canterlot, so she had time to set some rudimentary plans, count her expenses, that sort of thing. As the tobacco urned entirely, Natural Order cleaned the pipe and put it back into the hat's fold. Astral haven't woken up yet, so she had to do something to pass the time, and quetly too.

After some back and forth, the mint mare decided to gather up some branches tfor thefire this evening - they will be out on the road, with no firewood nearby, and she didn't have much stocked up. Natural carefully picked up her axe and walked around the wagon to pick up whatever she could find.

She heard Astral calling out from the wagon some time later. She had a nice stack of more or less prepped branches for the fire, even if most were damp, so it was er cue to get back. "I'm here, just went to gather some firewood for the evening. Slept well?" Natural Order approached from the front of the wagon and set aside her axe and firewood, then looked up into the small patch of clear sky that was fisible in the clearing. "I guess that's as good time to go as any, yeah. Let's pack up and get this show on he road then, yes? I for once wouldn't mind leaving the Everfree, it's never a pleasant trip for me."

@Dark Horse

I thought it's Summer break everywhere already but, sure, classes are a wee bit more important than roleplays. Post when you feel like it okay?

@Goddess Sunset Shimmer

The mint mare emptied her bowl and looed inside of it to make sure of it. With a slight pout at her unfortunate discovery, she refocused her attention to Astral, and nodded. "Could be done, but we'll have to get a spot in the inn anyway for as long as we stay, so no need to stock up." She then got up and gathered the plates to clean them up with some water before putting them back where they belong. She sometimes glanced at the wotking filly, still finding it hard to believe she can actually do all those things on her own.

Natural perked her ears at the inquiry. "Sure thing, you were up all night, makes sense you feel tired. You know where's the pillow, and the other things are in the corner next to the stove. Not the softest bedding but, I grew to like it that way, to be honest." As her companiongot ready for that nap, she tossed another offer, and Natural couldn't hel but raise a curious eyebrow. "The harness is a wee too big for you I'm afraid. Besides, Canterlot isn't that far away, I'll get us there, no worries."

She left the batpony to have her rest inside the illusive safety of the wagon. now it was her time to "take watch", and Natural picked a spot by the stairs to sit down. Her crossbow within hoof reach, axe on the other side - she reasoned that the foliage was too thick around the clearing for her to see any danger in time to take the shot. Still somehow she wasn't too concerned with her wherabouts in the moment. Instead, she took off her hat and took out a small pouch of tobacco that was strapped within, and then a pipe that found it's resting place between the hat's folded sides. The mare methodically loaded the pipe and then put the hat back on, with the pouch hidden inside, but didn't have matches on her to light it. With a slight grunt, Natural went back to the wagon, making sure not to wake up Astral. A quick sweep provided her with the necessary firestarter and she sat back in her spot, indulging her vice in slow puffs.

@AJFan89

Just finished the new drawing:

Thoughts?

Personally I noticed I feel more comfortable with ink. Since I haven't done pencil for a month, it was a nice chance to compare which I like better.

@AJFan89

Hmm, strange. Thankfully I keep the originals in a secret stash. You asked for a mare with a Pikachu Cutie Mark,  right? I have it on paper but, as already said in the post you quoted,  I think I'll do it again. If you could send me the reference pic again, I'll draw a new one.

@Photon Jet

So I just derped a sketch, and then decided to loosely ink it to ask you for your opinion before I start another one. Check the attachment and tell me if this basic setting is okay with you. Back gardens can mean all kinds of things, after all. I'll add more flower pots on the right. Also, does his mane look more like in your avatar or the drawing you linked? Cause it's a bit confusing.

I guess we jumped to conclusions way too early on that. Sorry.

@TimeyMarey007

Waaait, the anatomy is all pony,  it's not anthro in any way. Although the pose might give that impression,  I guess. Funny how it haven't crossed my mind when I stumbled on a cool pic I used for reference. 

If you'd rather have a more equine pose, I can make another one, just say so.

So, something like this maybe? Of course with less details and some necessary simplifications. Also, I take it that your character should stand in plain view rather than behind the countertop, so they can be seen better?

@Foxy Socks

Did you just... I mean, really? A carbon copy of a fictional character? Cause that's what it sounds like to me.

She's got a point, you know. There are some hazards when making a soulbind - I think we discussed them in this thread. Unless we're totally wrong and he just looks like that character, but is free to become his own person as he matures. Well I sure hope that's the case, cause he can be a real pain later on, if you piss him off that is.

@Gekoncze

No dream interaction on this end. At least nothing I could remember when I woke up. Usually I can remember them for only a couple of minutes after waking up anyway, unless some part of it strikes me as I recall it. Like when you woke up and realised you were dreaming about your work, that was rather... depressing. Yeah, that.

Oh, right, the numbers in my opening post can be misleading like that. The queue is open, no worries. I was about to toss something witty about me "being done" but I guess it would be too Wednesday Addams style (which reminds me to try and draw Crystal Clear cosplaying her). Ahem, so... what's your wish then? Pencil, ink? Both? I could really use some more info on how to put together the scene and whether you want that cloak on - it obscures the Cutie Mark, otherwise I would also need reference of that, if the character has it that is.

@TimeyMarey007

Here's your request. A bit unorthodox as far as the pose is concerned but I think it turned out okay.

@Chrylestia600

Finally, after what seemed like a small eternity, your reqest is finished! Although I learhed in the process that I am not very comfortable with larde shepes that need to be shaded and/or have their shape indicated. So the city background turned out not nearly as well as I imagined but, guess that's to be expectied from a first drawing like that.

I also need to figure out a better texturing method for hair... But, all in all, how do you think it came out? It's supposed to be night time but I didn't want to push my luck too far with making the sky black.

@Goddess Sunset Shimmer

Natural Order cocked her head at the filly. "It's your hard won leather, why wouldn't you sell it and keep the bits? Surely there's something you'd like to buy for that. Or at least keep the money for future needs."

She was rather quick with her salad, apparently used to eating fast and hitting the road in the morning. That, and she skipped supper last evening. Already halfway done, Natural took another sweep of her surroundings before adressing Astral. "So, after we pack you up and leave the forest, wanna head straight to Canterlot or do we stop by someplace along the road? Normally I take two days to reach the capital from over here, mainly because I spend the night at the foot of the mountain to rest a bit before the way up. Pulling a wagon up that slope is rather tiring to be honest."

@Dark Horse

The mare gave him a weird look and shook her head, then trotted up the stairs. The upper storey welcomed them into a large hall, empty of course. There were doors and a smaller corridor leading further in, and she was about to get closer to read the plaques when Saffron called her over. Crystal approached the windows - they were rather nice, she liked tall windows - and peered through dirty glass outside, onto the sunken part of town.

"Well Heart preserve me..." She said in a distant tone, taking in the view. And counting the 'Lurks. Saffron voiced his concerns and she bit her lip in thought, but apparently this wasn't the time to play philosopher. Crystal dragged her hooves with some resignation as she followed her companion, stroking her chest for some reason, her chances of getting out alive considerably lowered. The off remark about the mayor's name made the mare snicker humorlessly. "I bet they change their names after taking the office, there's no other explanation."

Saffron found himself restricted from entering the office by a lock in the door, however, and stepped away to let her do her trick again. Crystal shrugged and approached the doors, and set to work. "Never broke down the door? Or maybe you're afraid of traps, huh? Anyway, first you put your weight on the locked doors to see if they budge." She did as she said. "Then, if they stay closed, give them a good measured kick just under the lock - the middle one if they have several - and repeat until they let go. Like so." Crystal took a step away and spun around, adding momentum to her buck. These doors were made of sturdier stuff, and needed a repeat, but even then they opened only halfway, stopped by something on the other side. "Practical exam on the next ones?" She said with a raised eyebrow and directed her attention to her handiwork. "No traps for once... but something's - uhhh..." - She poked head in and sighed deeply, her shoulders dropping with her breath. "Come on in, and better open a window too... I'll never get used to it..."

The doors were barred by a file cabinet that was laying sideways, it's drawers opened and the documents in disrray. There were more of these, and clearly somepony looked for something very urgently through them. So much that they made a huge paper mess. But perhaps more importantly - and more distressingly - they were no longer alone. In a way. A stallion was seated behind the Mayor's desk, leaned back and illuminated by one of those tall windows directly behind him. An elderly fellow, earth pony on first glance, but there were two troubling things about him. For once, he was dead, and for a while now - he already started to smell and look all around bad. Crystal couldn't see any wounds or blood, but he had a nasty grimace, like he was electrocuted to death or something. Which led to the other disturbing discovery - resting atop his temples was a crown like object, made of unpainted metal, with some cables and a clearly visible magic energy containement gem, now shattered and coated with black ooze.

"What the hay is that...? I've never seen anything like it. A-any thoughts on that, Saffron? Looks freaky to me, just as if it... killed him. Painfully so." She lowered her head and sighed. "I wish we could bury him at least, but we'll be dead the moment we set hoof outside. So, what did you want from here? Ah, the records, right... Should be around here, somewhere. I-I'll start looking through these papers, see if here's anything useful."

The mare dived into the stacks of loose papers strewn all over the floor, but couldn't help but eye the Maor's remains from time to time, and that wicked crown of his.

@Dark Horse

Seeing that Cadence survived and became the Stable Overmare, I bet her ponies heard stories of the original Empire, and by extension, Sombra's Curse. Crystal Ponies have +100 determination when faced with slavery in general and she would be no exception. Mind control would toss an additional 25 to the pool.

Also,  as you mentioned the Mirelurks could be also wired to the same tech and came end masse to the place with residual magic energy from the array.  Although I think it would be too valuable to just leave a big clunky device in the basement for our ponies to find. Still maybe it can be used to grant them a safe way out. Somehow. 

@Dark Horse

Maybe they find the mayor'smayor's body in his office? Wearing said mind control unit, it malfunctioned and fried his brain. The slaver closed the door shut as a way to quickly dispose of the body. The device was broken anyway so he left it there.

Even though I myself hate mind control with the passion of a burning sun, it is a good way to seamlessly progress the story. 

Alright but, fair warning - his Cutie Mark is too detailed for me to draw on an a4 page, unless you want a close-up partial body. But I can put some marks to indicate it's there. One of the many limitations of traditional drawing is pen nib size, can't go any smaller than 1/2 mm line.

Sure Violet,  I'll try and draw something nice. Any ideas you can toss my way?

Dawn, you think you could find the shape of that gem online? Alternatively I can make it so the mark is hidden from view by something.

@Goddess Sunset Shimmer

Natural nodded and went back inside. She put two bowls on a crate and reached for a few jars and containers with separate ingredients, and put some of their contents in each bowl. Once satisfied with the mix, she tucked away the foodstuffs and looked around for wooden spoons. "Where did I... right, one broke last week. So they're probably... yup." The mare reached on one of the topmost shelves and brought down a few tied up wooden utensils. Finally more or less finished in the "kitchen", she took one bowl in her teeth and the other balanced on fop of her foreleg like a waitress. Coming out was tricky with a salad bowl in her eyes but truth be told,  she knew where the steps were anyway.  Natural approached Astral and gave her one bowl,  then sat next to her and put the other on her lap.

"There's also water in the barrel if you're interested.  Enough for a few days anyway. Where did you learn to work with leather anyway? When I was your age my best skill was picking flowers and herbs for aunt. And only a few types that I knew."

@Dawn Auroua - does your OC have a cutie mark? Can't see any in the pics you linked.

Otherwise, sure, I'll give both a try. Although you know,  it would be that much easier if you gave me some info about your characters.  A link to the database is fine, I just want to know more about them so I can decide on the scene and the like.

Edit - by both I meant Dawn and Glacies ofc.

@Goddess Sunset Shimmer

Natural nodded and thought for a moment, but was interrupted by Astral's comment. She shook her head, smiling. "Everypony says it's ridiculous looking, but I like it. And besides, most of the time I'm the only pony around so they can stick their opinions... Ahem, I'll uhh, get to work." She headed back inside the wagon and soon enough, there werenoises of putting things aside and general fishing for stashed things.

She heard the filly ask from outside and paused for a moment, then replied back: "Not sure about the foraging, and I'll skip the fire part of breakfast too, so that we won't have any more guests coming, if you catch my meaning." She was about to reach for another jar with salad ingredients when Astral spoke up again. Natural stood for a moment, notsure how to reply, then turned around and walked out to pojke her head out of the wagon and look at her companion. She gave her a concerned look. "i don't know what you were thinking but, i'm not running away from anything, I like my lifestyle. The wagon is a bit crammed but thewhole Equestria is my home! I can't sit straight for a week in a tavern, not to mention for a whole life in one house? No siree, I need my space." She brghtened up talking about her life however, and cheerfully pointed a foreleg at the filly. "Set the table, I'll get the dishes. Be right back." When the mare was about to turn back inside the wagon, she stopped. "That was a joke, table takes too much space. I'll get things ready in a sec, although I am kinda out of fresh fruit. Just salad stuff, hay and some herbs I picked lately. Anything sounds okay?"

@Dark Horse

The mare drooped her ears as the stallion advised her not to make the matters worse with her temper, and his words about a whole bunch of these things napping within rifle range didn't do good to her courage at all. She took another glance at the furious creature, and backed away slightly as it delivered another slam into the wall with it's heavy shell.

"I, uhh..." - she looked around to finally take in her surroundings. The hall was stripped of furniture, so they were effectively in a bathtub of marble, concrete, and fading patriotic War-Era posters. Not the best she could hope for, although at the end of the hallway, there was a reception, flanked by two elevators. The latter were obviously useless but the recepcion was fitted woth a solid wooden counter table, most assuredly hard fixed to the floor. Any file cabinets hidden behind it were too heavy to move anyway... but one object caught her eye.

"Mmmmaybe give it a lesson on Equestrian patriotism, eheh?" - She pointed on a flagpole with a faded flag of Equestria on it. Atop the hardwood pole was a spear tip, although she expected it to be just decoration. "You do the honors though, it's not my flag." She pointed out for some reason.

Another loud thud spooked her, now that she was standing with her back to the Mirelurk and didn't see it coming. "Okay okay, kidding! Geez... come on, there are arrow signs by the reception, no doubt one will point to the stairs." The mare trotted towards the appointed target, all too eager to put more distance between her and the beast, and tapped her holster as if checking if it was still holding her unimpressive armament. Crystal Clear squinted her eyes and tried to read the fancy print, pockmarked by decay as it was...

"Uhhh, restrooms! Nah, not now... office for this, office for that, oh, town council! Second floor worth checking out. And the Mayor;s office on third too." She looked for something more tangible though. "Stairs, that's right, to the left then. Come on, let's give our new buddy some private space."

While there were corridors leading brom both sides of the hallway, Crystal guessed that the building wasn't actually symmetrical. they passed some doors, most were closed but some were open or even missing While she wasn't really looing for goodies right now, she galnced inside a few times and was met with drab offices with nothing interesting striking her at first sight. Soon enough, they reached the staircase, accompanied by those loud, echoing slams. Although they were getting less frantic, so that was something. Maybe the creature was loosing steam?

"Okay, up we go, and then let's find a window to look out if any more of them are struftting about all of a sudden."

Okay, no promises in the garden, or more precisely whether it will turn out pretty,  but otherwise I can do it.