The-Master

@

@@Marathon

Amber waved off the offer, putting on her best face. "Give me a minute and I'll be fin. You get used to it eventually. Wouldn't be my first time I've woken up like this." She rested her head back up against the couch, making sure not to exert herself. "I guess it just comes with the gig." It was a partially true fact. Amber had preformed in nightclubs mainly, eventually it had just become a part of her lifestyle.

"Ah, so you're a sort-of DJ? You don't strike me as much of an outgoing performer." She indicated to where he was rubbing his shoulder for emphasis. "Oh, and I've nothing against classical, it's just that the ponies who tend to associate themselves with it can be rather uptight. I'm not saying that you're a snob or anything, just putting it out there."

@

@@Marathon

"You betcha," Amber lightly hit Flash in the shoulder. "DJ's are always the ponies having the most fun out there. Doesn't get any better than doing the thing you love most and getting paid for it." In all her enthusiasm she forgot about her headache, suddenly clutching her forehead as it flared back to life. She resisted the urge to curse out loud.

"Damn. Looks like I'm not completely bulletproof." She let out a halfhearted chuckle. "Anyway, what do you do Flash? Dubstep, Rock, you know?" Amber quickly looked rather nervous. "You're not classical are you?"

@

@@Marathon 

Awesome! Somepony I can actually geek out about music with. "I know what you mean, allot of the other ponies around her can be a bit uptight. It's like they're missing the point of what they do." The more she talked the more she began to relax, she'd even forgotten her headache. "I do Electro and House, a bit of Dubstep here and there. I'm pretty easy I guess."

When Amber heard Flash apologize for ignoring her, or what seemed close to an apology anyway, she was reluctant to accept it at first. But... she couldn't wallow in self pity forever. Fine, he gets another chance. "Thanks. I don't bite by the way, just so long as you stay on my good side."

@

@@Marathon

What a stuck up little prick. Amber stuck out her lip and put on her best pouting face, turning away from the rude stallion and looking back out across the room. She knew his type. He was probably one of those guys who thought he was so much better than everyone else.

"Hmph, friggin jerks...." The stallion said a bit louder than he should of. Amber felt the urge to turn and slap him for that one. First impressions were off.

“Self-righteous prick.” She muttered under her own breath.

Then another mare cam and sat opposite them, greeting them warmly for a change. At least she wasn’t an asshole unlike some here. He even retreated back to his laptop. Amber looked her up and down, letting a small smile creep up her face. She looked nice…  presentable I mean. Whatever. “Amber, just Amber. Nice meeting you Rhythm.” She sat up a bit, making herself a bit less slouched. “I like to think of myself as a DJ, I guess we have something in common.”

When the other colt retreated to his laptop Amber merely rolled her eyes at him.

@@Marathon

Upon noticing the presence of another pony sitting next to her Amber brushed her dark blue mane from her eyes to get a better look. He wasn't too bad a looker, but his mane was a rather sorry thing to look at. Then again, she was in no position to judge having only just gotten up from a drunken night and her mane paying the price. It seemed to stand in precarious angles that she didn't even know were possible until now. I guess this was negated by the fact she really just didn't care.

She flipped herself over on the couch and spread out so that she actually took up most of the space between them. Her limbs were slow to cooperate but they managed to flail into a comfortable position. From this light she could actually get a better look at this stallion, who she could now tell was a unicorn by the blurred outline of a horn. He was an okay build, nothing special. Well, there's an hours worth of time to pass till her kit arrives, might as well fill it with something.

"So," Amber spoke in a rather playful manner, while also trying to mask her thundering hangover. "Who are you supposed to be? You don't exactly look like a musician."

Another day, another bed. Amber was used to this routine by now and didn’t seem  to give it any second thought. Prying herself from the grip of an unconscious stallion she glanced at the bedside alarm clock. The result caused her eyes to widen in shock. “Oh bugger.” She silently cursed herself. That must have been some night.

She was late, very late in fact. Amber quickly collected her things and took one last sip from a discarded gin bottle before sneaking out. Her invitation to the Beach Bash had come as a great surprise to the small town DJ. With very few shows under her belt Amber never expected that she’d actually stack up to the likes of DJ-PON3 or Octavia Whatsherface. Classical wasn't exactly Amber's forte, far too dull for her tastes.

Of course none of this would matter if she didn't actually show up to the bloody 'meet-and-greet'. By the time she had galloped up to the penthouse her hangover seemed to have fully kicked in accompanied by a thundering migraine. Her vision was still a little hazy but it would wear off soon enough. Quickly fixing her dishevelled mane Amber unceremoniously entered the apartment.

"Hello! It's wonderful you-”

“Yeah, nice to meet you too whatever you name is.” Amber walked past her host and towards the couch, instantly collapsing into its embrace. She’d wait a bit for this feeling to wear off then start thinking about music and stuff like that. Her kit would be over in an hour, until then she could just relax.

Do what you want, 'cause a pirate is free,

You are a pirate!

Yar har, fiddle di dee,

Being a pirate is all right with me,

Do what you want 'cause a pirate is free,

You are a pirate!

Yo Ho, ahoy and avast,

Being a pirate is really badass!

Hang the black flag at the end of the mast!

You are a pirate!

You are a pirate! - Yay!

We've got us a map, (a map! )

To lead us to a hidden box,

That's all locked up with locks! (with locks! )

And buried deep away!

We'll dig up the box, (the box! )

We know it's full of precious booty!

Burst open the locks!

And then we'll say hooray!

Yar har, fiddle di dee,

Being a pirate is all right with me!

Do what you want 'cause a pirate is free,

You are a pirate!

Yo Ho, ahoy and avast,

Being a Pirate is really badass!

Hang the black flag

At the end of the mast!

You are a pirate!

Hahaha!

We're sailing away (set sail! ),

Adventure awaits on every shore!

We set sail and explore (ya-har! )

And run and jump all day (Yay! )

We float on our boat (the boat! )

Until it's time to drop the anchor,

Then hang up our coats (aye-aye! )

Until we sail again!

Yar har, fiddle di dee,

Being a pirate is all right with me!

Do what you want 'cause a pirate is free,

You are a pirate! 

You are a Pirate - Alestorm

@, What do you even mean by that!? My hands are clean!

out right bullying? don't be absurd! It came off as peer pressure to me. Everyone has pretty much said why already. I was surprised to read so many posts about how up-tight people were about bats. I liked the episode alot, it had everything I could ask for in a my little pony episode except Luna. It was rather amusing to see so many posts about how this ep bothered people, it's really no big deal. Seeing stuff like this makes me question how bronies actually are. I seen evidence, like this thread, where most react in a manner that is over the top and stress over every LITTLE thing. I am rambling a bit, I'll stop now...

Getting stressed over every little thing? Maybe, but that's just how the episode appears to someone with a more critical eye to the situation. Some people find it difficult to drive down a new road and point out every pothole they hit that shouldn't even be there in the first place. The episode had its flaws and it had plenty of them. These things can often begin to detract from the story if you start having to reason with yourself over them.

The scene where Fluttershy is being "peer pressured" by her friends actually causes someone I know to go into an anxiety attack. This isn't even a joke right now, they relate to her situation so much that the way the show portrays it is a trigger. People know what it's like to be in that situation and its even worse if the people you called friends are the ones subjecting you to it. I struggle to see how this sort reaction amuses you.

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker

Manehattan.

It was safe to say Long Stride was not the sort of pony you thought ahead. He responded to each situation in turn but did little to prepare for it. He feared what lay ahead of him and so he chose to ignore it. “There are refugee camps to the south, I believe. We may be able to barter our gear for supplies before setting off east.”

His gaze diverted off away from the mare next to him, his eyes wandering as if looking for the right words. “And you’re right, obviously. I've always known my morals, although I lacked the conviction to see them through. I think it’s time I did something about that.” Long Stride’s gaze shifted back to his companion. “You’re a stronger pony than I could ever hope to be, Poppy.”

And then another thought came to mind. It far more light hearted than he expected, he almost chuckled at it. “I’d have to get a job… what would I do? After all these years I've near forgotten everything else.” He kicked the dirt under his hooves. "Might even catch me making toys or clothes. You never know."

​Sign me up. Looks like I better create a new OC for this RP. Time to look into a new type of character.

Name: Amber

Stage Name: CLARITY

RP Page Link: Link

Species: Unicorn

Position in Band: DJ

Other Band Members: None

Description of other band members: None

Musical Style: Dubstep; Electro; House

Anything else we should know: I’ll be brining my own equipment.

Go back and re-watch the ending, please, because that's way off target.

Ending was lacklustre, didn't tie off the story very well. The bats for we know don't give a damn about apples any more, so that idea is now redundant. Applejack does admit that she should have actually listened to Fluttershy's idea before shutting her down, but the issue of her intimidation and forceful nature about it was never brought up again (except for when Fluttershy mentioned she shouldn't let ponies pressure her to do something, but really, who's fault was that?)

I think it's kinda funny how there's still a bit of a grudge being held here, even though the pony you're both trying to defend forgave a remorseful AJ in the end, but, you know.

Applejack learned very little from this experience. By the time the show had concluded Twilight had already stripped the bats of their food source and they were no longer and issue (while possibly killing of the entire colony unless they find some other food source aside from apples). Applejack was remorseful about the spells defect on Fluttershy and little else. And to quote AJ,

"I didn't learn anything."

Tell me how you would've made a good episode with them listening to Fluttershy in the first place

First off, give each of the mane six their own independent views that actually coincide with their characters.Rainbow Dash, a pegasi who grew up defending Fluttershy from bullies, would not suddenly turn around and start bullying her for the sake of cider. Twilight and Pinkie had no view on the matter and seemed to basically go with whatever everypony else was saying. As a result they are as much to blame for this situation as Applejack herself. Give Fluttershy some support, show her that even when she feels alone and vulnerable there is always support to fall back on. That would be a far greater moral than this twisted act of intimation that only shows that in these situations you're on your own.

But what about Flutterbat? That was a major part of this episode, and what makes it stand out. How would you have kept that in there if there was any of them on Fluttershy's side?

I wouldn't. It was unnecessary and added nothing to the original point they intended to address.

bully¹

Was Fluttershy being bullied by her friends? Yes.

Was it very out of character? Yes.

House Stormwing @

This new information didn’t seem to increase any chances of Dash becoming friends with this Fly-to-Glory character. His name had become venom, seeping further into her mind. ‘Fallen? No, he was never one of us. Let him roll around in the muck with the rest of them, let him serve as an example to anypony who believes there is any honour to be found among the rabble.’

But the traitor was of little importance in the end, just another name carved in stone. “As a matter of fact, I do.” It seemed only fitting to find out as much about Earthborn’s military plans while she had the Commander in her presence. Indeed, there had been one question nagging at her mind for a while. “With these recent threats we’ve had to take a few precautionary measures. One of those being increased surveillance of the southern lands.”

“What we found was something lost surprising. A large force, some few thousand, marching along the northern road. So, Applejack, what business does Earthborn have in the north? What are you up to now?”

House Stormwing @, @

What Pilot saw next was intriguing to say the least. The documents in Terra’s possession were a record of one of the surrounding structures, and more importantly, the one under investigation for suspicious activity. If they could find some kind of link between the two then they were in with a chance. “Fire Cracker’s followers are known to have taken many aliases, but what if one of them slipped up, maybe used the same name twice, got too cocky?”

She began to pour over the new information, quickly realizing that she may have been out of place with her actions. “Sorry, got carried away a bit there. You guys are the investigators after all, not me,” She did hand over one of the document pages to Terra however. “But I think I found something.”

Pilot also flicked back to the report of Fire Cracker’s arrest, pointing to a couple of paragraphs in particular. “I think we have everything we need right here. Somepony’s slipped up.”

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker

“And then what?” Long Stride cut in, almost abruptly. “Will we wander the wilds of the north till we’re caught or killed, or will we starve long before then? We’re not as fortunate as other ponies, Poppy. Once we’ve left this all behind, once we’ve taken that first step…   I’m not sure where our hooves will land.”

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker

‘The flood…’

It rattled around in his mind like a hornet disturbed from its slumber. Sights and sounds he had buried long ago began to resurface. He could still see it, all of it. The gathering of the clouds, three great cities in the sky. “I was there, all those years ago…  I was there when it happened. I was so afraid, I couldn’t stay with them.”

Long Stride lost all expression from his face. “So I fled. I could have stayed, I could have helped, but I left them. Some survived, but not many. We took the western road towards the Everfree, hoping for shelter from the night. I couldn’t enter that cursed woodland, but they were desperate. Ponies do strange things when they’re desperate.”

“So here I am.” He gestured a hoof to the soldiers around them. “I abandoned the refugees, took the road south and wound up in Appaloosa with a recruitment slip waved in my face. I had nothing to lose.” The silence that followed only served to increase the growing tension. “That’s who I am. I lie, cheat and abandon all so I can wallow another day in self-pity.”

Now for me to go and rectify every cruelty bestowed upon this film.

House Stormwing @, @Dez

While their theories were good, they wouldn’t hold up in the eyes of the court. At this stage there was nothing to pin Fire Cracker to the scene, or any of her followers for that matter. Sure, they had similar techniques, but that wasn’t evidence enough. There had to be some kind of link. “The names on the document aren’t their real names as far as we know, just their more common identities. That just makes our jobs more difficult.”

Pilot looked back at Terra, gesturing a hoof in question. “The bomb would have been made here in Cloudsdale, probably in some kind of hotel or temporary home till their mission was complete. We could go through the names, but thanks to their slippery identities that could take some time. Do you have any information of the local apartments? They’re not too far away from the market square so it would be useful to check. The guards had some documentation on them I think, do you have it?”

“As for Clarity Firewing no pony has heard from her since. She just disappeared. You could send a letter to the Trottingham Prison by fast mail, but that may take a while still. Fire Cracker is a tough shell to crack, I doubt you’ll get any information out of her.”

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker,

Long Stride looked off into the distance, just to avoid looking towards Poppy for a second. “I used to always ask my mother what it was like being a Pegasus, to soar above the world and just forget it exists. She said it was a bit chilly.” He couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the memory. “She was a Pegasus after all, the kindest one you’ll meet in this part of the world. I guess it doesn't matter anymore.”

He glanced back towards his travel companion, her cycles of deep thought apparent on her face. “What was your family like? If your early life was anything like mine you’ll have plenty of stories.”

I am clutching my tickets with barley contained excitement. So far this is shaping up to be the best Hobbit film so far, and I didn't think that was even possible. I hope the rest of the audience doesn't mind my cheering and/or crying during the film.

House Stormwing @, @

(OOC: I know that and you know that, but the reference was too great for me to ignore.)

Pilot could see how they came to that conclusion, but there was still one major point that seemed to conflict with their theory. “She was a freelancer, taking work with rebel groups throughout the northern territories, sometimes even the cult. However, I doubt she’s involved with these bombings. She’s been locked up in a Trottingham jail for two years now, not much she can do from there. Although…  you did mention that she might be getting others to carry out her dirty work. You’d need to find some way to prove that she’s been slipping information to her followers, then find her employer.”

Pilot went back to her assortment of papers and began to sift through for the one in question. It didn’t take too long before Pilot handed over the dusty leather bound file to Selune. “Her name was Fire Cracker, but she was more commonly referred to as the Nightingale. These documents should have everything you need; background information, convictions and associates.”

House Stormwing @, @

The mare tilted her head slightly out of confusion. She was never one for politics or national affairs, she was just a scientist. All this of this was above her. Although…  this did bring up something curious. Another situation of similar circumstances so to speak.

“Sorry, mind if I just say something?” She was tempted to shy away but managed to hold her ground. “We need stop looking inward for a second, this isn’t the first time something of this nature has happened. Oh, if I could just remember.”

She hit her head as if trying to bang the memory into place. “Oh yes, Trottingham about a year ago. The local government sent me similar shell fragments to analyse. The results were just as strange, an assortment of random chemicals but enough fuel to create a massive fireball. I still have the report somewhere around here.”

She shuffled through a mess of papers and files till she finally located the documents in question. “I kept them here for reference. Assuming this guy has attacked more than once, why hasn’t he improved his bombs in any way? They’re just a random cocktail of volatile substances.

“It actually reminds me of a murder that happened here a few years ago. The killer was an ex-mercenary, a very dangerous mare. She stabbed her victim fifty times even though he was dead by the second. She disguised her precision with a bunch of random stabs to make it appear sloppy and unrefined, and thus drawing any suspicion away from her.

“Maybe that’s what’s happening here? Maybe the killer is more dangerous than we give him credit for? At least…  that’s my understanding of it.” She smiled awkwardly before backing up a bit more. “My names Pilot by the way, Pilot Light.”

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker

It was only now that Long Stride began to acknowledge how flawed his previous mind-set was. Every long march was just the build up to the next slaughter, everything else was pointless. He relished it, the opportunity to take his suffering out on those less deserving. It was…   comforting. Earthborn had nothing left for him now, it only ailed him further.

“You may have to hold on a bit longer then.” Long Stride finally addressed Poopy directly. “Once we reach our destination we can use the chaos of battle to mask our escape. When you see the opportunity don’t hesitate to take it. You may not receive another.” This did require more marching, however, an act which had now begun to wear on his mind.

His tone took a drastic turn when he spoke again. “If anypony gets in your way, be they Moon and Star or Earthborn, then you know what has to be done.”

House Stormwing @

She expected her trust. Applejack’s words seemed genuine, but here was little way of telling these days. Rainbow Dash would have to go off her gut, just like always. In the ends she found little sense in sending her away or killing her; she would allow it.

“Bene, you have my trust for now. Do not waste it.” Dash drew forth her Xiphos, tossing it aside and leaving herself unarmed. “You’re assistance will not be necessary, I’ve already assembled an able team to deal with the issue. They will find those responsible and kill them if I feel inclined. No pony is escaping punishment, not in my city.”

She turned back to face Applejack directly, her sharp gaze looking back and forth between her and her…  assistant? “Who is this strumento you have brought with you? He doesn’t look much like a guard, more so a gardener.”

House Stormwing @, @

“That’s just the thing you see,” The mare replied, turning back to face Terra and Selune. “Napalm is most likely what they intended to create, but there’s actually a variety of chemical traces on the bomb, anything from polish to cleaning agent. It’s strange, whoever did this obviously had no idea how to make a proper bomb.”

She rested her head in her hooves when they began to discuss security. “Hmm, last I heard the guards were cracking down on the city watch. No pony’s going to be leaving the city undetected, not after the recent step up in security.”

“We won’t be moving Cloudsdale anywhere soon,” Star Keeper spoke up. “Orders for the relocation of a Cloud City must come direct from either the Council or Rainbow Dash herself. Since no such order was given we stay put. In the mean time we need to review our findings and actually come to some sort of conclusion. I expect Dash to return soon and we best have some kind of result to give her.”

Star Keeper headed towards the exit, turning back one last time before departing. “When you have something to present come see me and Scootaloo by the guard post.”

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker

Looking at his reflection; that’s what it felt like. Long Stride could see himself in her and it terrified him. He tried to look away, distract himself maybe, but to no avail. He couldn’t just leave it there. “You know what this means though. If we’re caught you could be killed or worse; that’s more blood on my hooves I don’t need.”

Long Stride composed himself, taking his time to speak his next words. “Is this what you want? To leave everything behind and run off with a madpony?

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker

Long Stride never questioned where he was going, he never wondered what the future may hold. He hung his head low and refused to look ahead. There was a world out there, a million paths to take and a million sights to see. Yet here he was looking at the dirt under his hooves.

Had he truly given up his soul, or was it simply lost? Was there any retribution or redemption? He didn't have the answers and doubted he ever would. All they could do was stumble blindly through the dark. It wasn't a pleasant thought, but that was life he supposed. If was pitiful.

When he saw the faint glimmer of a tear on Poppy Seed’s cheek, Long Stride could only hang his head lower. A monster? He had never looked at it like that before, but the more he did the more he realized it was true.

“Poppy,” He began to speak, but his tone was far more hushed. “This doesn't have to be our future, you know that. All we need to do is take the first step.” His eyes darted around the ranks of soldiers surrounding them, all on their way to whatever slaughter lay ahead. “Earthborn has nothing left for us, not anymore.”

@@Windbreaker, Poppy's revelation concerning her purpose in life has amounted to very little.