Reality Check

Noticing the chipmunk, Reality curiously picked up the brush as the chipmunk chirped before running somewhere. RC thought that it wanted him to follow them, so that's what he did. RC was soon led to a canvas with several other animals. Soon enough, RC knew what they wanted him to do, which is the draw them.

Forest Flame copied the snake as she moved her head up and down. The kirin and snake looked at each other in curiosity until Forest held out a hoof, seeing what the snake will do. Will it climb onto her? Curl around her hoof? She tilted her head at those thoughts

Eyyy, congrats @Sir Hugsalotl ^^

"Yeah, that's why we're here," RC replied as Fluttershy let the students in.

Inside were many different critters and animals, from large to small, and cute to intimidating animals. There are also some other students there that are also learning about caring for animals. "Wow!" Forest Flame reacted. "That's a lot of animals!"

"Ok, what are we supposed to do?" Tibia asked.

OMG A Pinch and a Punch for the first of the month! Send all @Aticus the Adequate to Pandora's box! XD

Welp, here goes nothing XP

A Pinch and a Punch for the first of the month! Yeet @Aticus the Adequate with a boop and a hug! XDD

"Well, what other activities are there?" RC asked, thinking they should pull up the list again.

They took out the list again and looked at the other activities set by their teachers on the list. "Applebucking, performing stunt tricks, shopping... How about caring for animals?"

7 hours ago, Star Silk said:

Silky was already standing there, defensively and ready to pounce, until Frostbite would lock gaze with hers due to the flashing green light around her neck. This allowed her some visibility to his face but she was unable to react on impulse due to the paralyzing terror that made her blood run white for a moment. @Totally LyraGust would arrive to inquire what exactly was happening but it seemed the answer was already given when Frostbite's reaction would focus on the target that caused all of this. This... target... would suddenly blink in a thoughtful manner before gently leaning in. "W-wait a second.... is that... bl-- Frostbite. Are you... blushing?!" The undignified sound of a suppressed laugh would entail that remark as she managed to realize the kirin pony was still a bit dazed from the altered state. Silky would then guffaw and giggle, it was probably the potion! And this potion truly tends to soothe ponies, so she was alright. Right? 

... Wrong. 

She remained slightly complacent for a few seconds until the false sense of security would shatter. Frostbite would suddenly charge forth with quite the spectacle of Magloria following behind uttering her suspicions and accusations of the team while an unassuming little filly @Sycofear13successfully does her job. Silky would break into a squeak and a sprint as she dashed to the wooden gateway as if that was suddenly the exit, gently pounding her hooves on it for a moment as she screamed "OPEN THE DOOR!! OPEN THE DOOR!!" But nothing would budge. Many sockets were missing their gems and so the little pegasus would panic and make the run the opposite direction. Running and running, until, suddenly, she'd skid to a halt upon seeing her mother and then hide behind her. Her hood down, her swirly purple hair streaked with golden accents flowing and whipping as she'd dash to hide behind Magloria. Like a child attempting to hide...... like a child hiding behind its mother? ....  Except she had a grin. A very mischievous grin as she'd wail out loud "MOM! Mom! Stop him!" And should Magloria try to grab Silky, she'd keep a safe distance to try to take flight, removing her cloak altogether just in case the situation should arise. She gave @Sophie H.a look as if hoping to guide the filly @Sycofear13to do their thing while she waited for @Astral Soul and Tree Song @Silly Druidto join. "Reality!" She'd call over to the young stallion @Reality Check... "DON'T FORGET TO PLACE THE GEM ON THE DOOR!" It was within earshot for @Totally LyraGust and @Stone Cold Steve Jobsto hear...

Seeing this majestic stallion try to stand between her and Frosbite, a wave of gratitude would wash over her and she'd try to make eye contact with him to nod a thanks... but she looked desperate as if the situation was escalating too quickly and they needed to focus on the task at hand. "Frostbite, calm down... these feelings," she say between huffs as if she were trying to catch her breath, "Are.. totally.. normal... " she couldn't help but giggle and then push the ground off beneath her to take flight for safety, her cloak a bundle of cloth behind her as the clanking of potions could be heard from the belt around her waist. "Perhaps you should learn more sensitive feelings that are not so aggressive..."

The pink pegasus seemed to be deliberately taunting him away from the door... and the little filly @Sycofear13who had taken their gems.

2 hours ago, Princess Silky said:

There was certainly a lot of tension in the air, even the uncomfortable expression on Thunder Gust's face made Silky pin her ears down with embarrassment. But as soon as the graceful presence of Tree Song @Silly Druid arrived, it was as if the moment would suspend in time from her song... It was otherworldly and profound in the core of your being. Unfathomable for words and yet soothing... as if... disturbance and chaos was simply a lack of balance rather than a proper obstacle in and of itself. Silky's gem certainly may not have had a place on the door or even a single flicker of a glow.. but the fuzziness she felt in her heart and soul was enough to feel as if none of that even mattered. She'd offer a gentle smile to Tree Song in deep gratitude as she waited for @Reality Check in silence. 

The commotion was getting worse as conflict is rising, enough to make RC want to cover his ears. Thankfully they were able to calm down before it could get any worse. Seeing that he's the only one with the last gem that's not placed in the door, RC decided to just place it. "Let's just get this over with," RC said feeling annoyed from what happened prior. "I don't wanna hear any pony squabbling again -_-"

Walking up to the door, he took out the teal gem in his hat and places it in the remaining socket on the door. Hoping it'd send them somewhere so they can move on.

18 minutes ago, Sophie H. said:

 

Sophie feels like she's standing between two fronts, her friends, silky, and her silky's mother.

A feeling of anger start to fill up inside her as her hair seem to turn brown as her pupils begin to shrink "Gosh!" Sophie yells out "Are you guys even listening to your own words?! Isn't that, what the green cheese queen wants from us?! Fight each other?! Separate us even more?! Make us hate each other instead of working together?!" Sophie growls as she looks over to Silky "I know it's the real silky! I feel it!" Sophie then looks over to @Props ValRoa Magloria "Whats up with you? I know you want to be sure that she's your daughter! But by forcing her to hurt herself?! To see what color her blood has?! I'm sorry but a REAL mother should know her child! She should feel it! And not being overprotective by making her cut herself!" Sophie hisses just before she noticed the pink fumes around her but her anger makes her ignore it for a moment just before she inhales some of it.

With a quick glare over to silky, Sophie folds her ears back, her expression changes to something like 'Is that good or bad?'.

RC hears the commotion outside and goes to see what it's about. There, he sees Magloria @Props ValRoa, Frostbite @Cagey, and @Princess Silky. Along with @Sophie H. and @Silverspark184. He saw that they were arguing about proving who they say they were, but then Silky disappeared and Frostbite yelled for her.

RC initially wanted to go back inside, but then he saw the door and got curious. Though knowing Magloria and Frostbite, they'll likely ask him a few things if he approaches them. Regardless, he decides to confront them anyways, though only the fulfill his curiosity regarding the door.

Once he was close enough, he decided to ask something. "What's going on over here?"

Feeling a bit bored, RC decided to get up and observe the others. He doesn't think he'll help much, but he's doing this to find something else to do. "Welp, I'm bored... maybe I'll look around for a bit, maybe even inspect the gem I got"

On 2/23/2023 at 11:15 PM, Sophie H. said:

Of course Sophie would enjoy watching the fillies play around while her own tail sways like a puppies tail "You sure are having fun!" Sophie chuckles softly with a wiggle of her nose before her gaze would move over to @Reality Check, tilting her head slightly to the left side as she'd see how he kinda seems alone "Hey, Reality" Sophie says with a warm smile as she gets up to walk over to him, taking a sit next to him so she can gaze over his sketches as well "I'm pretty sure you're going to add another few sketches after this little adventure, huh?" Sophie asks in a cheerful voice "By the way.. do you mind if I play a little? to make that depressing silence.. less depressing? and don't worry, I'm not going to play loud" Sophie asks as she slowly pulls the guitar from her back in front of her.

On 2/23/2023 at 11:37 PM, Sophie H. said:

As Sophie was sitting right next to @Reality Check she would look over her shoulder to see what the fillies were doing "Hey.. Reality.. wait a minute" she whispers as she places the guitar next to him before she gets up, walking over to the fillies. "Hey.. um.. @Silverspark184 and @Sycofear13 " She'd ask as the fillies seemed to be a little too close at that maze "I know you love playing! and I love watching you playing! but could you guys do me a BIG favor?" Sophie asks as she puts on the most sweetest smile she could make "Could you play in the cottage instead of the maze? I really don't want to loose you guys.. It's so fun to watch you playing around! also I love to hear your laughing!" Sophie says cheerful, in hope bothj of the filiies would agree on Sophie's idea by playing in the cottage.

RC was always quiet for his age, sketching drawings of new creatures he discovers. So it's not unusual to see him drawing when he has free time, or to help him relax. "Sure will." He answered @Sophie H. "I don't mind. If you wanna brighten up the place, then go ahead. Don't let me stop you." RC smiles at her as she went to take care of the fillies.

26 minutes ago, Princess Silky said:

Silky would stop and look back at Reality Check, thoughtfully. "Oh! Can you show me where the tree released them?" She'd smile.

RC tilted his head slightly. “Which? The flower or the gems? Because the gem was given to Tree Song, @Sophie H. and I. And I’m not sure where the flower’s from”

1 minute ago, Star Silk said:

As @Astral Soulwas gathering some tea cups and wares from @Sycofear13Calicarpa's stolen goods (aka her satchel) Silky would look around until she'd found @Silverspark184 hiding with all of these impressive traps and defensive tactics.

"There you are! You adorable little filly! Come to my arms. There are no more changlings out there." She'd offer a soft, warm smile before she'd look around. "Come! Let's meet the gentleman who is making you tea and his darling friend @Silly Druidwho sings to the trees and knows how to communicate with them.." Her eyes would widen with the expressive exaggeration of a child, "isn't that cool?!" 

There was soft giggle as she retreated from the little filly, "Here, I'll go make you some tea."

Silky would look around, the hem of her dress giving a slight twirl from her pivot. "Wait a second... " she'd look to Astral - the tea master. "We need something fresh. Right now, there's too much chaos and destruction... and our fighters could use some good nourishment and energy. "Fresh is good.."

After @Reality Checkwould conceal his sketchbook from that amazing move, Silky's eyes would light up as she'd look at him. "Wait a second! That flower on your mane -- over there." She'd beam. "It's so lively and health-looking, that's perfect for my alchemy! We'll need more potions to stay safe. May I have it? Where did you get it?

“Huh?” RC turned to @Princess Silky “Oh this? I think it came down from the tree that swung me around. I found it beside me before I got one of the gems from Tree Song”

7 hours ago, Tree Song said:

@Princess Silky

After listening to the tree's response, Tree Song searched the area around its trunk. As the tree said, there were three gems hidden there. She picked them up, and caught up with the rest of the group, examining the cottage.

"The tree has given us these lucky gems as a thank you gift for helping it. This one is for you, @Sophie H.." Tree Song gave her the yellow gem. "And this is for you, @Reality Check" Reality got a teal gem. "And I've got the purple one." She showed her gem for everypony to see. "The tree said you should keep them close."

RC looks at the teal gem he got for a brief second before putting it in his hat. "Well now, that that's settled., let's look inside."

When the horde of changelings came charging in, RC quickly took out hit sketchbook and was able to spawn out a timberwolf. Unfortunately he was only able to spawn one, but it was at least enough to hold them off from attacking him and a few others. This lasted until Magloria and Frostbite were able to fend them off.

Seeing no reason to keep it around, there are foals, and the fact it was already pretty cramped, he sent the timberwolf back into his sketchbook. "... close shave?"

28 minutes ago, Sophie H. said:

Sophie's playing stops as she could hear the voice from @Reality Checknext to hear, with a tired smile as she looks over at him "Glad to see you're still well" she chuckles softly at the part of his head feeling it for a while "Oh, don't worry, me too" she says as she slowly pulls the guitar back onto her back before looking down at her hooves "now I remember why I prefer pianos" she jokes with a soft laugh.
She gazes back at RC with a slow nod "You're very welcome and Thank you for being brave" and with that she leans her head close to place a peck onto his cheek.

The moment @Sophie H. pecked RC’s cheek, his face turned slightly red. “Y-yeah… you’re welcome” RC said with a smile

The song worked and RC was let down, albeit disorientated from the constant shaking. A flower floated down beside him as he began to recover. Slightly confused, he picked it up and placed it beside his mane before walking back to the others. He also reignited his horn so there’s light again. “Well… that was something. My head’s gonna be feeling it for a while…” RC said. “That aside, thanks for the backup @Sophie H. ^^”

7 minutes ago, Tangled Roots said:

The tree would be momentarily soothed as it felt the presence of strings being played on a guitar. Combined with Tree Song's music, Sophie was brilliantly playing her guitar. It seemed to work for a moment, allowing Reality Check to see more of the symbols. But then the tree would begin roaring and violating shaking again as if not even these songs combined would work -- only momentarily soothe it.

As RC was swung around, he can hear that @Sophie H. and several others trying to calm the tree, but because none of them can see the notes, they aren’t playing the right song to calm the tree. That’s when RC had an idea. “Hey Sophie! I’m gonna send the notes down with my magic! Get ready to play them!”

Focusing his magic, he aimed at each of the music notes, creating a line of notes that look like a music sheet. RC then sent them down, hoping that she’ll notice them and calm the tree for good

25 minutes ago, Tangled Roots said:

Because Reality Check was the one illuminating the tree, it would begin shaking violently. It's leaves blackened and angry as the limbs begin slightly flailing and eventually lower to grab @Reality Check 

Unaware of the shaking tree, RC observed the cottage while looking back. “Hey @Sophie H.? Are you seeing this-“ Just then, he felt something wrap around his barrel before being lifted in the air in one fell swoop. “GYAAAAAAAHHHH!!!” RC shouted, just as the sudden motion caused him to stop his illumination spell.

7 minutes ago, Tangled Roots said:

The tree was momentarily soothed by Tree Songs beautiful melody -- it froze. As it froze, @Reality Checkwould have a pause in all of the panic before suddenly the tree would continue its flailing in rage! 

RC raised high up in the air, flailing his legs around until he saw the top of the tree. “Hey! Let me go! What are you-?!” RC yelled at the tree just before he was swung and shook by the tree. RC was feeling disoriented from being swung around like a rag doll when something caught his eye. It was a glowing symbol.

“HEY!!! I think I see something!” RC shouted at the top of his lungs, hoping to get their attention. He then saw another one, then another. Trying to focus on them, he began to see them clearly. “Looks like music notes! I think it for a guitar!”

5 minutes ago, Tangled Roots said:

As Reality Check would light up the area, the team would notice an ominous tree. Large and imposing but silent. It was near a cottage where faint and tiny little hoof tracks may or may not have been distinguishable. 

**For Tangled Roots Team**
@Cagey @Props ValRoa @Astral Soul @Silly Druid @Sophie H. @Reality Check@Silverspark184@Sycofear13@Stone Cold Steve Jobs@Totally Lyra 

Seeing the cottage, the tree, and the hoof tracks, RC’s curiosity sparked as he slowly moved towards the cottage. He had no idea what to expect, so he kept his guard up slightly

2 minutes ago, Vibrant Grove said:

Vibrant, being dangerously close to the area, where the wall will rise found himself being knocked back. He would fall right onto @TheRockARoosterRoswell and the two of them would find themselves on the ground.

"Ough... sorry about that, my friend" Vibrant says, helping Roswell to get back up. 

He looked around and it is then that he realized the true magnitude of problem he got himself into. The place looked horrible. The smell of rot was overbearing to his nostrils, the very weak, greenish light was not enough for him to be able to fully comprehend where he's at. He heard and in some cases, saw, however several other ponies being with him. He looked around for @Princess Silky, but she was nowhere to be found. 

"Silky?" He called multiple times. But his calls were not answered. They were trapped. He tried flying up, but some strange magic prevented him from reaching beyond the walls. Pounding against the wall was useless, the moss prevented even the strongest blow to actually reach the stone. He felt some sadness inside of him from how they got separated.

He sighed and then, trying to keep his more confident presence turned around to the rest of ponies that got trapped with him.

"Okay, everypony, I will speak with honesty. I don't know what happened or where are we. But there must be a way out from this. For that - we have to work together. Stay close, don't let go of each other. Is any unicorn here able to give us some more light? I can't see a thing in here.

Hearing that, RC decided to volunteer. “I can do that. One sec” He then lit up his horn for everyone until the inside is bright enough.

“Is this bright enough-“ RC then spotted something. “Wait…”

As RC was chatting with @Sophie H. about singing and music, a giant wall made of roots appeared from the ground, separating them from half the group. The roots also covered the top as well, leaving barely any light for them to see.

RC tried using his magic to break through the roots, but the roots immediately regenerate, fixing the damage. “Great, we can’t break through. And it doesn’t look like we can fly out either.” RC said as he looked up

29 minutes ago, Sophie H. said:

Sophie'd stop for a moment, wiggling her nose "hey! Do you love music? I DO love music! since it's the language of our soul" sophie says proudly "Do you play any instruments? or.." she breaks her speaking for a moment just to gasp for a moment "DO YOU SING?!"

Shocked by her sudden outburst, RC processed what @Sophie H. said. Although he previously mentioned he gets a headache from loud noise, he decided he might as well bare with it for now. "Uh not so much sing... I like listening to music and I've played one or two instruments before, but I never really sing, let along thought about it. ^^;"

5 hours ago, Sophie H. said:

"The exact same thing said my last friend I went inside a maze with" she fires back with a smirk.

RC rolls his eyes in amusement as the make their way to their destination

44 minutes ago, Sophie H. said:

"How about we get ourselves a bell? just in case?" Sophie chuckles as she jokes, following him to the maze.

"Heh, I'm sure we'll be fine." RC winks playfully.

9 minutes ago, Sophie H. said:

Sophie would just sit there with her head tilted as she waits for RC's answer "Maze?" she repeats as she turns her head straight again, getting slowly up with a nod "Sure! sounds fun! but I'm terrible in mazes! so don't expect much help from me" she laughs softly.

"We should stick together then. That way we don't lose each other." RC suggested before head to the maze of friendship.

5 hours ago, Sophie H. said:

Sophie then turns her focus back on @Reality Check, chuckling softly while she'd rub the backside of her head "I'm sorry! and of course! your drawings are better than mine! so that makes your drawing skills awesome!" she replies with a bright smile while her left ear would make a flapping motion as Sophie hears the familar voice from @Princess Cadance "Oh" She just mumbles more to herself, her gaze returning to RC "I'm not really good at picking.. Soooo why don't you pick for us?" she asks with a tilt of her head to the right side.

RC thought over which he'd want to go on. "I'm down for the maze." RC answered. "Loud concerts and crowds aren't really my thing and it just gives me a headache. ^^;"