The-Master

House Stormwing @ Star Keeper tilted his head to the side in curiosity. “The cult?” It couldn’t be true, not here. Cloudsdale had remained free of their plague, they couldn’t have gotten in. “What you’re suggesting is unlikely, nay, impossible. You’re going to need more than a hunch to support this claim.” Upon Selune’s gesture, Star left the conversation and moved to join them. “If you want to see the forensics expert then follow me. Hopefully she has some results for us.” He directed them towards a small tent pitched up just outside the market square, the entrance flanked by two guards. On Scootaloo’s word they allowed the group to pass. Inside was a cluttered arrangement of notes, tools and random items. Sitting at a desk was a young mare with a red mane and light grey coat, her cutie mark in the shape of three red crosses. When she noticed the group enter she made a sudden frantic effort to clean the place up. “Sorry, it’s not usually this disorganised.” Brushing aside some papers she gave them some room to sit down. “So, the commander her tells me that you are Rainbow’s company. It’s good to have some extra hooves available. Unfortunately… I don’t have anything for you. There’s no trace of the reactant that caused the explosion, meaning that it was probably in a liquid state. I’d need a fragment of the casing to have any chance if identifying it, but we haven’t been so lucky just yet.”

@, if you need any help then don't hesitate to ask. You don't need to deal with all the crap.

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker To be honest Long Stride was quite happy to simply listen to Poppy Seed’s story. It set his mind at ease, a rare opportunity just to forget and listen. “He sounds like a good pony.” He finally spoke up. “One of a rare breed unfortunately. Maybe in another time, but not anymore” The more time he spent in his mellow state the clearer his usual façade became. Diverting his gaze from the road ahead, Long Stride looked towards his travel companion with a look assurance. “I hope you get the chance to repay the favour. Best not to give up hope while you still have it. Some of us aren't so fortunate.” House Stormwing @, The guard in question looked to his superior for orders, to which Scootaloo returned a subtle nod. “I was on duty at the time of the explosion, me and my company. We were to patrol the perimeter before making a cross route through the market place and returning to the barracks. That’s when things took a dark turn. “There was a loud crack, deafening to the untrained ear. Everypony felt the air crushed out of their lungs and the impact that followed. The centre of the market was filled with fire, the flames reaching some twenty feet into the sky before settling. Ponies were screaming in terror at the sight.” “In the blast I had fallen to the ground, taking a bit of a bang to the head.” Taking of his helmet he revealed a line of stitches reaching from his forehead to the crown on his skull. “Bit of a knock. Once things had settled down we began to clear the area of civilians in case another bomb were go detonate. We were the last to leave the scene. “The smell? I could recall it from somewhere. Almost like the polish we use on our armour, a strong chemical smell that lingered in the air. Just breathing it felt toxic. The explosion itself caused more destruction with the fire and shrapnel it created. “We’ve begun investigation of the nearby buildings, but the owners have been hard to track down after the confusion. Some have just packed up and left. Here’s the information we’ve been issued currently.” He pulled out another set of files, similar to the ones given to North Arrow moments before. “We have a mare working on the chemical analysis right now actually. Once she identifies the components of the bomb then we should have our lead. However, we have yet to locate the bomb casing itself.” The guard placed his helmet back on his head and returned to his post with no information left to give. Star Keeper sat down on his haunches as he continued to delve back into his memory of the day. “Threats? Threats these days are empty. Few come within Cloudsdale itself these days, mainly by those in the colonies who feel ‘oppressed’ by Stormwing rule. Then there’s also the cult.” The sudden recollection of events sent a slight shiver down his spine. “About a month ago they left a corpse outside the assembly, skinned and mutilated, with their trademark smile carved into its face. Bastards. Whatever message they were trying to send the council saw it fit to ignore. If we were to take every threat seriously then we would be in a constant state of panic.” Star scratched his heads at the next few questions. “Aren’t politicians always being cursed in the streets? I’ve had a few Pegasi ask for my head on a spear in public. We don’t walk around the streets with guards, however. We are more than capable of holding our own should the need arise. Why should a pony fear walking down his own streets? If this was a direct attack against the council then they did their part. We lost a few of our own to that blast, a few more injured. All in broad daylight. Maybe we were just unlucky.”

House Earthborn @ The Element of Honesty, a truly fitting title for a mare of Applejack's calibre. Just like her to drip honey onto the tongues of her enemies, her true agenda hidden behind good intentions. They talk of diplomacy and return only with smoke and gunpowder. This did not change Rainbow's obligation to her House and her citizens. Dash eyes down the Earthborn ranks as they lowered their guard, she could already see them luring her into a false sense of security. "Accidenti a loro." She took a brief pause to compose herself, lifting her head high to enforce her superiority. "I will make this clear for you, Applejack. I do not trust you, no more than the filth that crawls out of Manehattan. Your ideals are distorted and your methods border on insanity." Taking a breath Rainbow pressed on. "If you truly mean to talk diplomacy, then it will only be under my terms. Any trickery or deceit then I will bring this to a swift conclusion. And don't get me wrong; we. are not. friends." The spite in her tone had become obvious by this point, all formality abandoned so that Dash may clearly show who is in control. She raised her hoof in command and all at once her Royal Lancers broke phalanx, but still at the ready should the need arise.

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker Long Stride found it rather difficult to hold back a small chuckle. "I never would have guessed." This was... nice, a way to take your mind off the coming battle and just relax a bit. It seems these moments come in fewer moments these days. "I had a friends like you, years ago however. She was rather stubborn, impatient, but her heart and mind were in the right place. Quite a team we turned out to be. But that was a long time ago." He looked back to Poppy with a slightly concerning gaze. "What became of Blunt Force?" House Stormwing @, @ The Hoplite let his guard fall for the mean time, allowing the chance for him to answer the commander's questions. "As far as we know, there has been no strange activity from that building. Many of those staying were tradesponies selling their goods in the market place before the winter season. The information surrendered by the owners has been filled into a report. Feel free to examine it for anything you may find helpful." The guard pulled out a collection of papers with bold letters spelling Classified on the front and bound with string. *I am fully aware that β actually means Beta. I needed a way of showing the currency of bits without looking like an idiot.

Hey, it's me again. I realise that entering only one of my OC's wasn't as helpful as I first thought, so here's a couple more to meet those ends. http://mlpforums.com/page/roleplay-characters/_/pilot-light-r4979 http://mlpforums.com/page/roleplay-characters/_/lance-vanguard-r1951 Stay awesome.

House Stormwing @, @ Scootaloo shook her head at Selune. “No, the market has been cordoned off by the Hoplite Guard as soon as we had the situation under control. A few other ponies have come in to identify bodies, but little else.” Star Keeper, however, wasn’t expecting the questions to reach him at all. He failed to see how the senate would have any role to play in this, but cooperated with Terra none the less. “Yes, I’m part of the Council of the Areopagus. Our last gathering took place a week before the bombing and the next was to be held the day after. Obviously, due to these unexpected events, we had to call off the gathering. About seven of our own court died in the blast.” Scootaloo stepped in when her name was called. “There were plenty of survivors, although many of them still bear the scars. Most of them are receiving treatment, but there should be some witnesses on sight. The guard were patrolling the market about the time the bomb was detonated, maybe they could help you.” (At this point you basically have free reign in terms of evidence you collect and information you acquire. Once you feel you have enough you can make your claim and we can move on to the next stage.) House Earthborn @@Windbreaker Her change of tone was… unexpected, but not unpleasant. Long Stride kept silent and stoic till she inquired over a certain pony. “I’ve seen many ponies come and go, the name doesn’t ring a bell. Life expectancy here isn’t exactly very good, I’m surprised I’ve even lasted this long.” Sucking up his pride, Long decided to make some amends for his earlier comments. “And I apologize for how I spoke to you before. Wasn’t my place to speak, and certainly not to a mare. You’re still some fifty miles from the nearest decent pony because it certainly ain’t me.”

House Stormwing @, ‘Applejack?!’ The commander’s eyes suddenly narrowed to pin pricks. Feelings of rage, anger and conflict began to build up within her. Here she was standing right before her. Looking back to her guard, Thunderlane motioned that if a fight was necessary then they were ready for it. ‘I have seen my share of death, both honorable and despicable, and yes, I know that war is a brutal, bloody business capable of bringing out the best and the worst in ponies. This is a harsh, dangerous world, with untold terrors lurking in the dark to devour us, but the minute we turn on our own kind and murder them; we might as well take a blade to our throats.’ Rainbow Dash thought hard on her next words, longer than she felt comfortable with. There was a dead silence following Applejack's own address, causing the tension to escalate. Finally, however, she began to speak. “Leave… now, and never think about showing your face here again.” Returning to her guards ranks, she followed up on her statement. “You shouldn't have come here Applejack, I have no reason to not have you killed on site.”

House Earthborn @@Windbreaker Rest assured that Long Stride wasn't in the greatest mood after that, in fact he was quite cross. Had he come across hostile at all? Not the last time he checked. This mare’s reaction was completely unjustified and overblown. Any other pony would have ended there, but Long Stride was far more stubborn. “I came to pass the time, Miss Poppy Seed. Now are you going to run your mouth through the dirt again or are we going to act civil for once?” House Stormwing @, Rainbow Dash didn’t trust Earthborn, their practices and ideals controversial to say the least. All previous attempts at diplomacy had been short lived with both parties to blame. After the recent events there was also a great deal of political uncertainty, Stormwing was in no position to go around making alliances. She tasked Master Guardian Thunderlane with gathering her Honorguard, thirty Royal Lancers armed and ready for battle. Nothing was to be left to chance. Thunderlane was given the duty of bearing the Standard of House Stormwing, a flag woven with precious metals and decorated with gems. They departed for the fields, preferring to meet their enemy a safe distance from the city rather than risk any unnecessary casualties. Signalling the company to descend, Dash came to a halt before the Earthborn ranks with only twenty yards separating them. The Lancers formed a solid phalanx of razor sharp spears, prepared to strike at any moment while the commander stepped forward. 'Now's when things get interesting.' “Scions of Earthborn!” Rainbow addressed them. “Why have you come to our doorstep? Let your leader speak!” @, @ Was this really it? Rainbow Dash had promised a company of experts to deal with this threat and this is all she send for. A scholar, an earth pony, a unicorn and a dusty old commander. Not even one griffon to be seen. Attempting to hide her obvious pout, Scootaloo pressed on with Rainbow Dash’s command. “Alright then, enough of the introductions. We’ve wasted enough time already.” She signalled them to start following her out of the courtyard and onto the city streets. “Dash called you all here because she believes there’s a threat to this Houses security and seems to think that you’re capable enough to deal with it. Hopefully she’s right.” They took a turn towards the city centre, nearing the market place. The area was under strict guard, barricades set up at all entrances to restrict entry. “We’re getting close now. This is where the bomb went off. We don’t know how or why it happened, just that too many innocents died because of it. This is where we come in.” The guard gave the company a nod and allowed them to pass into the scene. All across the blackened cobblestone bits of rubble and debris remained from the blast, evidence of the shops and stalls that used to stand on this ground. It was like stepping into another world. “The attack happened two days ago; forty dead and nearly seventy wounded. It happened too fast for anypony to even react.” Scootaloo turned back to face the group. “Rainbow Dash seems to think you can find the ones responsible for this. I hope she isn’t lying.”

House Earthborn @, @@Windbreaker Excellent, another long march. Hundreds of miles on the blistering southern sun, swarmed by carrion birds and snared at by ugly mugged sergeants. Chafing armour and sore hooves, that’s the life of a Pony at Arms. You either get used to it or you’re in for one hell of a trip. At least he had been fortunate enough to be greeted by a face he recognized. Poppyseed was it? It almost amused him at how she acted like her role was of the slightest importance. Any commander here would gladly stick you in front of a cannon to save their own necks, thinking otherwise was just delusional. With little else to entertain himself, and the expectation of an agonising journey, Long Stride decided to try his luck in starting up another conversation. If he believed in anything right now he’d be praying to it. “Poppyseed,” Long took a step forward, trotting side by side with the mare. “Nice to see a familiar face, or as familiar as it gets around here.” House Stormwing @, @ “Thank the gods.” Rainbow exhaled. “We still have a company it seems. Terra Lionmane, your involvement in the Ponyville campaign was most notable, along with your… companion?” She guessed it was better to just drop at the moment. “Anyway, assuming this is our group we can get started with th-“ “Wait!” All eyes suddenly turned towards what appeared to be a pegasus only just arriving. His robs were worn and grey, although it was apparent they were of noble origin. “Sorry commander, took a wrong turn and ended up on east side. I’m not too late am I?” Rainbow rolled her eyes at his arrival, almost jokingly. “Well, if it isn’t our good friend from the senate itself. How’s politics treating you?” “Is that what they’re calling it now?” The stallion chuckled at his attempt at a joke, promptly silencing himself and turning to face the others. “Sorry, I haven’t introduced myself. Star Keeper, chronicler by profession. Not sure what use I’ll be here.” Their conversation, however, was abruptly cut short by the sounding of horns in the breeze and thundering of hooves in the earth bellow. “Earthborn, nobles by the look of their getup.” Scootaloo landed beside Rainbow Dash after having a closer look. “Too small for a war party, must be some kind of diplomatic move?” Rainbow Dash reluctantly placed her helmet back on her head. “Uggh, alright I’ll deal with this. Scootaloo, fill them in on the task while I’m gone. Go to the bomb site and start examining the scene. You’re in charge till I return.” Scootaloo wasn’t too happy with being the camp councillor for the day, but she didn’t exactly have much of a choice as Rainbow was already flying off to meet her own guard by the time she opened her mouth to speak. “Fine.”

House Stormwing @ Rainbow raised a hoof in silence. “I understand. At this stage we don’t know who is directly responsible for the attack or by what means they were able to create an explosive. What we do know is that innocent ponies died and many more have been scarred for life. Her gaze wandered off in the other direction, watching over the city she had come to call home. “My position doesn’t let me interfere with matters outside the military. However, if you were to prove that this was a direct attack from one of our enemies, then we can take action against those responsible.” Dash looked back towards North Arrow, the seriousness in her tone ever present. “Your job is simple, find out who is responsible and why by any means necessary. If your successful, the senate will no longer be able to deny that threat to our city and be forced to act, handing over all political powers to me. When the others arrive you’ll be able to begin the search.” House Earthborn @, @Windbreaker “Speak of the Devil then.” Long Stride sneered in scribe’s direction as he parted. He was no stranger to this routine, he had grown not to question it. Besides, the word of a Pony at Arms might as well not be spoken. It held no worth in the eyes of the corrupt. He found his own gaze wandering to the pony standing next to him. The mare was by no means very intimidating, but she was motivated. She spoke with utter surety. “Poppy Seed, isn’t it?” Long Strode finally spoke up, finding a new way to occupy his time.

House Stormwing @ Rainbow nodded in agreement, diverting her attention briefly to make sure they were indeed alone. “Yes, you weren’t the only one I contacted. I sent out eight letters, although I doubt many of them will arrive. The situation is getting worse but they can’t see it.” “Or too scared.” Scootaloo interrupted. Rainbow silenced her with a quick glance. “Yeah, there’s that as well. After the attack on the market square things haven’t been the same, the danger has never been this close to home before. That’s why you’re here obviously; to stop this threat before it strikes again.” House Earthborn @, @@Windbreaker In war you often meet the most interesting of ponies. Some are mad, some are scarred, some are grim. Long Stride was definitely a very interesting pony by these standards. You could almost tell it just by looking at him. His mane and coat were weathered and beaten. His armour was long out of commission, even for a Pony at Arms. “That’d be me.” His tone was gruff, almost like he had inhaled sawdust. “What Celestia forsaken patch of dirt we off to next?”

House Stormwing @ Rainbow Dash let out a sigh of relief, somepony had listened. Commander North Arrow no less, a veteran of the house for as long she cared to remember. Surely there is nothing more valuable than loyalty to the cause. Scootaloo, however, was not impressed. When Rainbow Dash had told her about assembling a company she had envisioned a band of headstrong pegasi or the marauding griffons. But what stood before her was neither. What was his name again? East Bolt? It didn't matter. Scootaloo pouted at the thought of having to work with a group of ragtag warriors. “I thought you said you were calling in experts.” She whispered to Dash. “I never said anything like that.” She retaliated. “Besides, North Arrow has been a valuable ally and undoubtedly loyal and honourable. He may prove more useful than you know.” Scootaloo still wasn't happy with this explanation but let it side for now. Dash took off her helmet, allowing her rainbow mane to fall at her sides and revealing her scar. “Just try to make a good impression, kiddo. Who knows, you may come to like him.” “Doubt it.” She assured. Together they approached the commander and Rainbow greeted him as best she could. “North Arrow, I’m glad to see you got my letter. Exspectata.” Rainbow nudged Scootaloo in the side, prompting her to speak. The young mare was not impressed. “H-honor est ad-” “In words we can all understand.” Scootaloo cleared her throat and corrected herself. “It is an honour to make your acquaintance, Commander North Arrow.”

I see him being more like the Timelord Victorious in "The Waters of Mars". That was one scary ass portrayal of the Doctor, still gives me shivers.