Hazard Time

I'll try and get out a response later tonight. To hold everyone over until then, have my latest Carnelian commission ovo Also, I have no problem with Corner

@Randimaxis Did you want me to add Carnelian's response or wait for Vylia's?

@Blitz Boom The two mares ceased their bickering for a moment to regard the zegasus. "We are fine." "If nauseated and perturbed." "Though you are free to perform your tests on us." "We do not remember experiencing any trauma past that of the mental variety." When the foreman spoke up, however, both mares turned their heads towards him, cocking their heads in perfect synchronicity. "Your accent befuddles us." "We apologize, it is very foreign to us." "I offer a secondary method of translation." "She will not be invasive." @Randimaxis The smaller mare lifted a bestockinged hoof, laying it against the forepony's chest. She stood there for a few seconds before speaking up. "I feel your concern." "She also senses befuddlement, inquiry." "We come from the Crystal Empire to ply our trade." "Sisters, twins, psychics." "I can sense emotions, feel energy fields." "I can speak to spirits and communicate their wisdom through tarot." "Our services are affordable." "If you are interested." ----------------------------------------------------------- Low couldn't help but giggle at Dax's behavior. It was so exaggerated and goofy, and that only added to the surrealness of the situation. His first backroom deal, and it involved smuggling compromising photos into the hooves of a powerful pony to demoralize another...would Carnelian be proud of him then? This thought was interrupted by the album being pushed onto him. Dax sure found that one fast. Low flipped through the pages, glancing at a few of the pictures. None of them really stood out, though then again, he wasn't exactly a foal-pony. Still, he had his directions, and he headed off to the dining room. He found it easily enough, but before he set hoof in, he hesitated at a thought. How would he introduce this to his Lady? Would he just place it near her and run out? Would he tell her all that was going on? He had to say something, but he couldn't say everything. He'd have to improvise, and that was something else that he could impress Carnelian in. "Good morning, Miss Carnelian," Low announced as he entered. "I was going through the study and found something that you and Miss Vylia would love to see." Low placed the book beside the noblemare and wandered off to the buffet line, barely stifling a nervous giggle. His ears twitched as he waited for the results.

Me and @Blitz Boom are still here!

Roleplay might not have been the best word to use, and I was a little distracted while writing that, so my apologies. It was a bit disingenuous to suggest that practitioners of Wicca and other forms of witchcraft don't believe that their rituals hold any sort of power. For clarification, when I mentioned atheistic witches, I was insinuating that they held a New Age belief system. This system, which I've heard most commonly from ideologues such as Spirit Science, does believe in supernatural phenomena, such as telekinesis, crystal power, sacred geometry, etc but doesn't assert the existence of permanent divine beings. Although some do assert the existence of divine beings, they aren't quite the same as what we would recognize as a god, but rather that they're transdimensional hyper-intelligences, the remnant of a mortal being who ascended to a higher plane of existence. To elaborate further on my opinion, although I don't believe in supernatural phenomena, the occult is still a fascinating subject that I've dabbled in. I have two OCs with psychic powers, one who practices yoga and believes in crystal healing, and I've had thoughts about integrating some occult ideas into the tabletop roleplaying games I run.

Got into this discussion late, but I have mixed feelings on witchcraft. As a skeptical atheist, if you can't demonstrate scientific evidence of supernatural phenomena, then witchcraft is about as harmful as live action roleplaying. The only time I would see witchcraft as harmful is when people assert that magic spells, crystal healing, yoga, or other forms of alternative medicine trump actual modern medicine and convince other people to stop chemotherapy in favor of woo. Although there have been incidents where various satanic cults got a little too immersed in their roleplaying and actually started sacrificing animals, from what I've seen, they tend to be outliers, and the majority of witches are atheistic in nature.

@Randimaxis The eagerness was infectious, and Low was smiling just the same as Dax. "That sounds absolutely devilish! I have never done something like this before, and it feels so...exhilarating! I do not know of any better ways to deliver this album aside from giving it directly to Miss Carnelian. I will let you handle the part about the sailor uniform, though in short order..." The unicorn leaned in close, his smile showing a hint of conspiratorial anticipation. "I am in." ---------------------------------- Carnelian's brow visibly arched as Vylia gushed about her son. How much of it was motherly pride, and how much of it was truth? She hadn't expected that sort of intellect from a foal, which only made her curiosity towards the youngest Blackwater grow. However, in the back of her mind was the troubling thought that a small, flying foal with the intelligence of a colt twice his age had free range of the quarry. Pegasi were always a wildcard to Carnelian. If she were back in the empire, she could leave a top window open and not have to worry about peeping toms. Pegasi, on the other hoof, violated that sanctity, and forced her to consider security options that she wished she didn't have to. In short, while Luther had set himself up as an open nemesis, Oglevy sat in the middle, at once a great threat and a great asset. She didn't hold any thoughts yet that he would work against his own family, but it would be better than they remain on good terms. "There is no shame in having pride in the achievements of your offspring, especially when they have accomplished as much as your son has. Counter to what most would think, there is no better feeling than when you see your foal excelling and exceeding your own accomplishments." --------------------------- The carriage's course was set, and there was nothing the occupants could do to stop it. Nothing short of divine intervention could stop this carriage. Funnily enough, a large rock was rather close that. As the wheel made contact, the straining axle could take no more and snapped, the car falling front first as it kicked up a large dust cloud. When it cleared, the wagon was still visible, nestled just between the shack and the vault, a meter to spare. For a minute, there was a silence in the cabin. Then, the door slowly opened, a set of steps flipping out. Two quartets of hooves stepped out simultaneously, their owners looking around at their surroundings in dismay. Both wore clothing which covered their bodies, though the short purple one was more clothed than the other. Stockings covered her legs, a thick blindfold obscuring her vision as she stared straight ahead. The brown one towered above her, her heavy red coat unbuttoned. As they argued, their voices remained monotone. "Unfortunate." "Waylaid." "Spirits." "Deaf." "Unforeseen consequences." "Warning." "Tricked." "You." "Blameless." "No." "Yes." "No." "Blind." "Useless." "Oaf." "Lanky."

@Blitz Boom @Randimaxis It's probably my turn. My RP rut hasn't really improved, but if other people are waiting on me, then I can brute force one out later today.

Depends on what you mean by "make him look nicer." Do you mean finding a better color palette? Designing a good wardrobe? Once you've cleared that up, there are two ways to improve. The first is simply to consult with someone who's more knowledgeable or experienced. For example, I have many artist friends that I can go to and ask about color palettes. The second option is to do the research yourself. Color palettes are readily available on the internet as well as simple wardrobe ensembles. When doing the latter, though, you should take care to try and be original unless it's something simple, like a dress you found on the Macy's website.

Sorry that took so much time to get out, this weekend's been busy :c Hope you don't mind me simply saying that your character just jumped off and ran away from the carriage?

@Widdershins Hope I'm not too late, but I just posted!

@Widdershins The abomination(s?) was gone, but the shock still wore heavy on the occupants of the carriage. The panic passed between them like a hot potato, dissipating slowly. Too slowly, in fact. By the time they had gotten a hold of themselves, their screams once more pierced the thin walls of the carriage as it fell over the edge, picking up speed as it rode down the slope, heading straight for the quarry at an ever faster speed. All that could be done was to brace for the coming impact. @Randimaxis Low wasn't quite sure how to react, but nodded emphatically. His anger was starting to dissipate, but when would the next prank target him? Would it be a predictable tomato juice booby trap again, or something different, something he wasn't prepared for? He wasn't willing to take the chance, and Dax seemed to know better. Everything would work out, he just hoped that it wouldn't end up with Oglevy being even more spiteful towards him. "I would not really know what it is like to have a brother, I grew up an only child," he admitted. "Though I will be deferring to your judgement. You know him better than I, after all." Low fixed a warm smile on his face. "So...what do we do first, or should we wait?" --------------------------- "How I raised my daughter and how I instructed Mister Low are two separate beasts, entirely. I was much more hooves-on with Ametrine, though my ward is old enough that I don't have to spoon-feed most of my lessons to him. I've noticed he has a high-capacity for abstraction, so I've taken to sprinkling some symbolism into his studies. If he read ponies as well as he can read into subtle motifs and themes, then his social skills would be quite impressive. For the moment, though, we still have plenty to work on." The subconscious twitch did not pass by the viscountess. Her ears twitched as she analyzed it briefly. Guilt, perhaps? Why would one be guilty over instilling respect and discipline in your foals? That was one of Carnelian's greatest successes, even if it was technically a failure. She'd come around. "Normally, my dear Miss Vylia, I would say that you would be the one who best knows what interests your family, though I am willing to brainstorm some ideas I've had. For example, I believe that it would be important that each individual's concerns be addressed and assuaged through companionship. When a pony knows that others share his trepidations, he becomes more accepting of his situation as he will not be suffering alone. I have a few associates in mind that would make for possible matches for your husband, though I would need more time to think on it before I volunteer their names. As an example, I emphasize our own friendship as well as that of Mister Low Key and Daxter. Oglevy, however...I admit I do not know much about him, though he piqued my interest at supper last night. Could you tell me more about the youngest Blackwater?"

@Widdershins I'll see about getting a reply out very soon so that we resolve that before you leave.