open Casual stroll

[Wax n' Wane 103]

Wane bowed his head slightly.

 

"And I am Wax n' Wane, but please call me Wane.  I hadn't realized you've not been in town for long- myself, I came in about 2 weeks ago."

 

Wane met Stargazer's foreleg and gripped it, shaking it.

 

"I'm a odd-jobs sort of pony, but I moonlight as a researcher.  I've done mostly carpentry and light metalworking in my jobs.  I have, on occasion, applied some of my research on runes to alchemy.  Granted, I don't practice alchemy myself, but I can aid in setting the circles."

 

Wane pondered a moment.

 

"Should I go with you to the audience or should I just give you an address to give to he Highness?"

[Lonk Chase 255]

As such, when Ginger did open the door, he wouldn't just be met by the darkness, but also by the timerpup a little further in. Or well okay, not the timberpup itself, but the sound of his shocked yipp before panicked small barks and whimpering sounds were there at least.

Meeko's in trouble. And for some reason, Lonk decided to care.

He shouted, "MEEKO!" and went inside.

 

Still darkness.

He heard another worried yip from Meeko.

If only there was a ball of light right above my head, Lonk thought. That would just make things 10 times easier.

And let there be light.

 

The room was suddenly lit up clearly, but in a greenish tint. Nothing was in the little hut but a trapdoor and two timberwolves. One was Meeko, being beaten up by the other, adult, timberwolf.

It had many battle scars, the biggest one right across its back. It didn't fare nicely to the young Meeko, and seemed to want him out of its territory.

Lonk, not worrying about the sudden change of light, dived toward the timberwolf and pinned it against the wall.

"Stop it," Lonk commanded the timberwolf. "Just... Stop it."

 

The timberwolf slashed Lonk's cheek in return.

The odor of Lonk's blood filled the room again. The timberwolf, seeing and smelling the blood, acted surprised and backed off. It knew what the blood belonged to, and even though it--wait, she--hadn't seen a normal pony bleed silvery blood before, she tossed it off as magic. She doesn't want to get hurt.

The timberwolf could now see a little better. She knew why. the pony's eyes. They glimmered in a very faint greenish glow. Now she's puzzled. If a unicorn used a night-vision spell, his or her horn would glow along with her eyes. But this pony doesn't have a horn, and this green seems different than the rest of its body. A hybrid perhaps? She doesn't know. Anyways, it--she suddenly gets the feeling that this pony's male, so he--can see her clearly now, so she can't use the dark to her advantage. She lost. The timberwolf looks at the pup suspiciously and keeps her distance between both the pup and the pony.

 

Lonk pokes his head outside. Everything looks normal. Huh.

He looks at Ginger. "Can you see in here alright?" Lonk asks. "I can, but everything inside has a greenish tint to it. It's bothering me."

Edited March 20, 2016 by Lonk Chase

[Veil 260]

@@Blitz Boom

 

Veil was rather intrigued by Florence finding a map. He walked over to her to take a look at the map.

 

"Seems like a good plan, I just hope those guards are not a patrol and were just passing by."

 

Veil then walked over back over to the door and peeked out of it. As he looked out the door everything seemed to be clear still.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Denim&Venom,@@Melke, @@Blitz Boom,

 

"Nope I would say that covers it, however this I'm afraid is quite, quite personal if Priestess is dead I will kill everything here. I might have responsibilities to my state but they a second to my family and well... either you understand or you don't but I well, let's hope my partner is still alive." 

[Denim&Venöm 18,782]

@@Mentis Soliloquy,@Melke, @Blitz Boom,

"Y'know, as nice as it is for them to go and stop their assassination attempt, I am going to tag along and make sure that is precisely what happens. If the Ananasi returns, then you know other mom is still alive. Unless of course, there are any objections?"

Edited March 21, 2016 by Denim&Venom

[Moonlit 593]

@@Blitz Boom, "It does, a little" Chuckling, she returns the hug Ziggy gave her before starting to walk slowly back to her place. "Sure, and if you want I'll hunt my dinner and you can raid my fridge." She walks slowly because she is extremely tired, yawning a dozen times on their way back, and she constantly is opening and closing her wings, trying to get them to settle. 

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Denim&Venom,

 

"No go Reve bring Priestess back to us so we can go home, I think that is a good idea go on my dear." Summer allowed for her child to run off towards their third and lovely part that made their family whole she resumed to be looking at the changeling in front of her ready for anything really.

[Seamore Sandwich 471]

@@Blitz Boom

@@cwhip9

 

"You're looking to fight the beast? But you're marked, which means you were one of the ones who set it free in the first place. If you're looking to destroy it, then I don't have to kill you. To think I would have slit your throat as soon as you dropped your guard." Sylar was a little glad he would have another to fight alongside instead of another target to kill, but his choice of words he used to convey this glee could have been better. Still, he followed behind Last quickly. Quill decided to keep his mouth shut, he were in the presence of a killer again, so he didn't want to upset anyone by getting involved in a conversation he had no part in.

 

 

@@Lonk Chase

@@GingerLightning

@@Blitz Boom

 

Inside the hut, there was a thud. If Lonk looked inside, he would see Sissilia standing in the fireplace, covered in soot. She also kicked up a small cloud of black dust around her in the darkness. Seeing the others was no problem for her though, because her eyes were as good as, if not better than those of the average cobra.

 

 

@@Melke

@@Blitz Boom

@@Mentis Soliloquy

@@Denim&Venom

 

"So much for that plan," the doctor thought aloud as everything was brought to a halt. Now, the only thing left for him and Seamore to do was to wait for diplomacy to run its course. Seamore breathed a sigh of relief, he definitely doesn't like to fight.

 

 

@@Blitz Boom

@@SugarfootWillie

@@Quinch

 

"Hold on, are you telling me that demon I blasted isn't alone?" Penny had it set in her mind that Vivid were in fact the evil thing that attacked her, but she was sorely mistaken.

 

Inside The Forgotten One

 

"Somehow, the more who know about him, the more powerful he gets. He's only able to regenerate using my energy. If you can get me free, he can be defeated, but you'll need a piece of me to help get me out. I've already sent for that. We also need enchanted blades like the spider had. I also called for help with that." Charlie had a plan, if it would work were a whole different story. Miles then sent Charlie another message. "Vivid, I must take another moment, lives currently hang in the balance." With that, Charlie broadcasted another thought.

 

 

@@Denim&Venom

 

"Queen Allure, another spider is on the way to call off their attack. Some fox bat named Reverend is following to ensure the message is delivered."

 

At the same time, Carl buried his fangs deep into the changeling, pumping him with paralyzingly venom. He then tethered the changeling the same way Miststalker had done for the other. Down below, Miststalker reconverged across from Priestess. "You've unleashed an ancient evil on this world. For this crime, the standing order of the Beast Courts is that you die."

[Blitz Boom 4,622]

@@Mentis Soliloquy,

@@Denim&Venom,

@@Melke,

@@Seamore Sandwich,

 

Ashta nodded along to the counter-agreement set to him, in case the priestess were dead.

 

"If she is dead, I will let you know how to inform the Beast Court that our deaths were sanctioned.

 

As for Ko, inform him that Ashta sent you to oversee things when you catch up with him. He will know not to go against it."

 

Brutal were the laws of the Beast Court at times, but if it prevented war that would cripple all sides - sides that might yet have a need for eachother in the ages to come - then it didn't matter. Nor did his life, as no matter how skilled he were there were always more where he came from that could take over. A thought that were ingrained into the higher amongst them that he knew, as knowing when to go through with sacrificing both the team and yourself for the greater cause were needed for a leader. At least as far as he were concerned.

 

But that wasn't important anymore. He had been able to say what had to before the other one ran off, and now the scene were set. For now, he had to stay idle and wait for what would happen. And he really meant idle, as he couldn't raise his weapons to deal with the other targets as any weapons raised now could be seen as a hostile action towards the diplomats. An annoying situation that the pests should praise their gods for. It bought them a few more hours if they were lucky, depending on how fast this would be resolved.

 

"While it's nice that the two of you have resolved your issue, I want answers. As to why you tried to hurt us to begin with, and as to what you-"

 

Briar pointed a hoof at Summer Bolt

 

"-exactly means by destroying everything here. Whilst I am thankful that you stopped this mad being, I do not feel comfortable being told that in case this being and his kind makes mistakes, we are to pay for that."

 

A skittering, mocking laughter were uttered by Ashta at the meddling little plant that had interrupted matters so far above his pay grade that he would be unable to fathom it.

 

"You don't get it, do you? Foolish little thing, meddling into matters he cannot comprehend, and then wonder why his actions have consequences."

 

Briar snarled at Ashta. Normally this was not his way to handle things, but he were quite frankly angry at this thing enough as it is. Him, and his attempt at their lives, could have killed both him and Brittle - who were basically clutching the ground and staying complete still, frozen in fear - then Seamore and Miles afterwards he assumed.

 

Then these others had shown up to, and now it sounded like they were still in danger just because the spider and his kin might have killed their high priestess. This were not something they had any part in, and it was wearing his otherwise calm demeanour down.

 

"Have you forgotten what happened the last time you annoyed me already?"

 

"Oh, I haven't forgotten."

 

He narrowed his many eyes again at the plant, thinking on ways he would have to repay him for that little inconvenience, but otherwise kept silent. He owed this one no answers, and unless he felt talky whilst tormenting him later, Briar wouldn't hear a word about what him and the others had put themselves into. As opposed to the high priestess they had gone after as well, these weren't covered under the diplomatic immunity that their treaty provided, and frankly the lower life form should be thankful that he had even talked with him to begin with.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Moonlit,

 

"Hehe, nah, I think I'll go check out that fast food place when you are safely home. Had a try of something from there last night that were really good."

 

Ziggy had considered offering Serenade a flight home, but it weren't that far all things considered and right now there were a slight chance that Ziggy would forget who she were carrying and would zig-zag around again, which... Well, her talisman might fall off, which would be bad.

 

"Been a long day huh?"

 

________________________________________________________________________________________-

 

 

@,

 

Florence gulped as she slowly wandered into the hall and began walking down it.

 

"So do I... I don't want to know what happens if I get caught again."

 

Last time had really not been pleasurable. First being chained down whilst they put the seals on her wings, then put back in her cell, in the chains once more, until all the others had been taken out and they meant she were broken enough. If they found out she still had enough in her to try this... She really didn't want to know.

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Seamore Sandwich,

@@cwhip9,

 

"Wait, You are one of the ones taking over the guard duty after us at the Shrine? Stellar job there. Y'know, keeping on the back of a spider in the middle of a forest, unguarded."

 

The threat of violence from the spider she would get to in time, but being in the presence of one of the ones taking over for her own presented her with something else she wanted to say first. Which was to sarcastically say they did a good job with having the thing that her family and others sent there had guarded for a thousand years without fail, being taken down by a random group of this and that's.

 

"You ever considered putting a warning sign on it at least? Like *Here be ancient evil* or something similar?"

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Wax n' Wane,

 

"I think it would be advisable to join me, yes. I can't guarantee you can enter at the same time, but I can make assured that you are heard and get a scheduled meeting at the very least."

 

Stargazer took his hoof back down after shaking with Wane. An interesting sort, and one who had been here a while it seemed, but without being aware of other batponies. It told him what he needed to in regards to that at least: That even in Ponyville their kind were not a norm. A shame really, as he had hoped to meet flocks instead of just a few, scattered travellers here and there. But such were life. He had hoped too when he joined he guards, and they weren't all bat ponies there either after all. Like this strange earth pony that had joined a few days before he were sent here, who seemed trained well beyond what were needed for their duty, but were one he had never seen around before. Something he considered odd as usually they had to go through some processes to show that their loaylty to the princess were unquestionable.

 

But enough about that. His friends and such in the guard were ones he could visit when he had to deliver his reports to Princess Luna now and again, and perhaps the next time he could learn more about this one and quench his curiosity. Yet for now, he should focus on this town, and this bat pony who had a need for his help.

 

"If I might ask though. You mentioned alchemy. Do you mean like what the Zebras do, or is it another kind? I have met Zebras and their brews before and I find it good to know if anypony nearby where I settle are doing that sort of thing. Both as a precaution and in case somepony seeks some help from a professional, as I have faced too many side effect-riddled practitioners who thought they could do it for themselves without guidance already."

 

The actual number were three, but that were three too many in his mind, as all of them had been disasters that took a long time to sort out and get fixed.

 

____________________________________________________________________________-

 

 

@@Seamore Sandwich,

@@Quinch,

@@SugarfootWillie,

 

"The mare of demons is fighting the true evil, doing her part in what have been set in motion since before the dark gift were bestowed upon her. One of many pieces to finish this puzzle, and now, as the other are gathering, the moment is nigh. There is nothing more to do now but make sure it remains in this town until its end is complete."

 

Zhu looked into the air where he last saw Vivid whilst he were speaking, waiting to see something, but not expecting it just yet. Soon, yes, but she should be able to last for some time if he had seen correctly. The question would remain if she survived through his or it became too taxing, but the path of the dead were shrouded and uncertain, so that were a question to which he had no answer.

 

His eyes fell briefly on the Human amongst them, curious as to what he might do before all of this were done, and were met with a wide variety of roads he could take. Most of them seemed to be problematic, but not in a way going against his plans for the time being, and there were also paths that would go towards furthering his goals. Perhaps somepony more in this town he would have to nudge down the right path when the time came, but he would have to see what would happen when all this were done. He were already too directly involved in this for his liking, and it weren't over when the ancient one would perish.

 

Meanwhile, Vivid still struggled against the Forgotten One. A battle she were starting to realise were a bit over her head, yet from what she could gather she had to try and hold on as long as she could. If others were truly coming that were going to help destroy this defiler of the dead, it seemed like she had to at least, if for nothing else then to make sure it stayed here.

 

"What am I supposed to do here? Hold on? Release you? I need to know what you want me to do here if  you want to- Aaargh!"

 

Dang it Vivid. You did Not begin to get into a tiff during a possession when there were another trying to get control as well.

 

It took a little, but soon Vivid would return in voice to Charlie, having stabilised her fighting again for a little.

 

"...I'm fine. Just... Tell me something."

[GingerLightning 258]

@@Seamore Sandwich, @@Lonk Chase, @@Blitz Boom,

"Um...I'll actually have to go inside...And why are you bleeding?"Ginger Lightning asked Lonk as she walked into the hut her eyes adjusted mostly to the dark...She used some magic with her horn to make out the rest of the hut including the large timber wolf who hurt Meeko.She  looked a Meeko then at the timber wolf...She felt really upset about this...Ginger Lighting made a changeling like hiss  at the Timber wolf...She spread her large wings and walked slowly toward the adult timber wolf she stood taller as she got closer to the timber wolf... She was trying to intimidate timber wolf she was acting like a big angered changeling...This act seemed instinctive...

[Denim&Venöm 18,782]

@@Blitz Boom,

"Hey buck you flank clown! This place was haunted from the start! Spirits were loose when we got here! Regardless, you do know this is a declaration of war against both the changelings and the Kitsune, right? Once my kin find out, and they will find out, they're going to withdraw their support from the courts and make life Tartarus for you! Perhaps going as far as revealing you to the Alicorns! Once they find out, the Princesses will be 'persistent' in establishing relations with the courts, and not a thing you say or do in this land will happen without their notice! 

 

And that's going down before the changelings solidify against you. They may be warring among themselves now, but once they learn that some shadowy organization picked off one of their own, and a Queen at that, they will mobilize for war. It took one QWueen and her force to bring down the fortified city of Canterlot in under an hour. Even if they don't find you directly, which is unlikely, the havoc they will wreak will surely hinder anything the courts have in motion!

 

Besides, I presume your ancestors never passed along the stories of what happened the last time an Ananasi crossed a Kitsune. Bet they didn't want to give you nightmares." 

 

 

Back on the surface, the rush of images passed in a second. It felt a lot longer for Allure. "Charlie...we were fortifying my dreams...and he was...taken... he's still alive." She tried to process all the images, including the one he sent. "Where is that location?" Several recon drones buzzed in with Sugarcube corner. "That piece of him? What did he mean?" 

 

 

 

"Queen Allure, another spider is on the way to call off their attack. Some fox bat named Reverend is following to ensure the message is delivered."

 

"Fox bat.... Rev? That's Priestess's daughter!" 

 

"Get that trap door open! And see to it that Reverie and her envoy arrive unimpeded!" Sever lings went outside to secure the area, while the rest started blasting the trap door. 

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Blitz Boom, 

 

"I do not see any reason I should speak to either of you anymore I have stated why I am here and both of you are far below my station I don't speak to the lower orders very much and to beast court lowers ha, that will be the day." Summer without much cause lifts up one of her fore hooves to extend one of her bladed gauntlets for a moment then retracts the blades and put's her leg down, a small sign of meaning what she said earlier. 

[MDLineArt 93]

@@Blitz Boom

 

"How am I doing?" He would have thought that was obvious.  He was now in the middle of a cult, going after an artifact he had no clue about, indoctrination, or worse, waited for them down these halls, and he was dressed like some lunatic.  "I'm... I'm scared, Terrified!  Joints won't stop shaking, and everything here looks... Wrong." 

 

Bashful continued to push the pace though, maybe for hopes that he would be out of here soon.  The halls were dark save for that unnatural light that flickered and cast long shadows down upon the floor, making mice appear to have the silhouettes of monsters, and there was a breeze that whistled and howled among the cracks making it sound like they were surrounded by ravenous nightmares.  It was all Bashful Thread could do to not hoof it out of there as quickly as his legs would carry him. 

 

It seemed Giddon was doing well though.  Maybe his years of this life hardened him, and here it was useful.  There was something about him that made Bashful feel safer around him, that some how things will be ok.  Maybe there was something in the air that was making him delusional.  Bashful wouldn't put it past these cultists.

[Moonlit 593]

@@Blitz Boom, Serenade yawns, nodding at Ziggy's statement, "I think" she whispers so only Ziggy can hear her, "tonight it will be a quick hunt, then a nap before work tonight". Several times on the way home, Serenade stops and either stretches her wings or legs. "Long day? says the diurnal Pegasi to the Nocturnal Si...Pegasi" Serenade catches herself on the last word. Serenade is hoping nopony interrupts her journey home, but again...this is Ponyville. 

[Melke 160]

@@Mentis Soliloquy,

@@Blitz Boom,  

@@Seamore Sandwich,

@@Denim&Venom,  

 

"Well, isn't everyone getting along~" Syo said as she just calmly walked out from the darkness of the bushes. She walked nonchalantly back into the group, past the spiders. If they tried to block her, she just blinked past them effortlessly. "Hello Seamore~ Sorry for disappearing on you like that!"

 

While Syo was just facing possible danger by walking straight into the fray, Melke was still hiding and is looking at everything silently and in complete stealth. He was still connected and could activate the forest's own defensive abilities to help. The trees that he used last time calmed down as Syo entered the scene.

[Wax n' Wane 103]

@Blitz Boom

 

Wane pondered a moment- his experience in drawing alchemical circles and rune had been, for the most part, by the books.  However, all he did know was just that; he had little knowledge of materials and ingredients.

 

"I would say that the alchemy I had dealt with was a rare version of Earth Pony alchemy.  So long as the circles and rune are correct, as well as the calculated components, all the practitioner  had to do was channel their inherent magic into the circles.  As far as I've dabbled, I only gone through theory and basic transmutations, such as grass to water or bread.  Even so, my own talent in alchemy is rather small, so I never have, or will, attempt to augment myself with alchemy.  I've read a few case studies which illustrate the grim consequences of organic augmentation... those alone put me off the idea a long time ago."

Edited March 22, 2016 by Wax n' Wane

[Seamore Sandwich 471]

@@Denim&Venom

 

"You defeated our guardian and destroyed the crystal prison, which is no easy feat. I must ask: why? Why would you free such a foul beast? Do you wish to see Equestria fall? To see the world in ruin? If we do not act quickly, your actions may destroy us all. Did you think your plans would not be discovered? Did the Traveler summon you for this task? Answer me!" Miststalker lunged toward Priestess with both swords drawn as Carl made his way toward the wall of the pit.

 

"Would..." When Vivid started talking to Charlie, he responded, but by mistake he ended up brodcasting the first word of his response. Maybe this would act as a convenient reminder of the stick that had been teleported into Priestess the night before.

 

 

@@Blitz Boom

@@cwhip9

 

"You built a mere shrine while we built a whole labyrinth. Layer upon layer of powerful magic should have made teleportation impossible, and yet, the Traveler managed to free the Guardian somehow. It is unknown how he got past our many guards at the entrance, though some have rumored that the Traveler can move through time. Our agents watched your shrine closely and we could have easily taken the Crystal Prison any time we wanted. One of our own even made it into the shrine in crawlerling form undetected. You speak of our security measures, but your own were no better."

 

Quill just flew a distance behind the two, knowing not to get involved.

 

 

@@Melke

@@Blitz Boom

@@Mentis Soliloquy

@@Denim&Venom

 

"Don't worry about it Syo." Seamore was about to ask if she found her friend, but he realized it might be a better tactical decision not to mention others that might be able to help if things go south.

 

 

@@Blitz Boom

@@SugarfootWillie

@@Quinch

 

"...you be able to hold on until they arrive? We still need a piece of me to get me out of here." Charlie asked Vivid. Just then, Penny saw the lifeless mare lying on the ground in a pool of blood. "Oh, no..." She teleported herself over to the body, checked for a pulse, and started to cry. But with these tears came anger, rage even... Her eyes and horn began to glow, and a strong smell of chocolate filled the air. She was prepared to fight, even though she couldn't see her enemy.

Edited March 25, 2016 by Seamore Sandwich

[Lonk Chase 255]

 

 

everything

 

Lonk giggled to himself of the Meekoness of Ginger; she's trying to look intimidating, but she isn't really. He looks at the timberwolf and it looks like she's seeing the BS too.

But then he looked closer and saw that she wasn't doing a Meeko; instead it seemed like the changeling part of her wanted to show the timberwolf that it means business. But still, it isn't working.

The timberwolf looked like she wanted to attack, not because she's threatened, but maybe because she wants to taunt Ginger for some reason. But Lonk glared at the wolf and she decided that thing's a no-touchie too. She whimpered a little--there needs to be some action in here, she felt--and backed off.

 

Lonk heard a thump behind him. He turned around to see Sissilia in the fireplace, covered in ashes.

"What are you doing?" He joked.

He secretly wonders how much she explored the place. Maybe there's more to this than he knows.

[Denim&Venöm 18,782]

@@Seamore Sandwich,

Priestess bit down on Mist and turned his momentum down. She let go of the wire she was on but grabbed it with her legs. Using circular motion, she sent him down, while used the momentum to loop herself back up top. Even if he caught the wall or annotator thread, he still had higher ground.  

 

"If you're talking about that chaos spider, that thing was wreaking havoc on the forest. It had to go. The entire ecosystem would have been upset and the surrounding region set off balance.  And I don't knwo what crystal prison your talkign abbot! Like I said,t his place was haunted when we came here!" 

 

The last changeling buzzing drew it's blades and flew opposite Karl.

 

 

Up top, the other ligngs were making headway in gouging out the floor. Dust would be seen and felt raining down as the hive excavated.  

[Blitz Boom 4,622]

@@Mentis Soliloquy,

@@Melke,

@@Seamore Sandwich,

 

"...I try to meet those new to me with respect and politeness, regardless of who they are, but If you want to indulge only in rudeness, feeling superior to others and threatening destruction on everypony in a childish tantrum, then I have little want to waste my breath on you either."

 

If his face could have shown it properly, Ashta would perhaps have gotten a slight look of gleeful joy over him at seeing and hearing the presumably blind plant thing sneer at the *ambassador*. Though he couldn't currently attack because it could be seen as an act of war, Summer Bolt wasn't restricted in the same way as he were just one and could likely easily evade whatever had gone on, as well as it being clear that he wanted the death of these maggots anyway. There would be no issues for him if she began to indulge in some violence. Which is what made the sight of the one he wanted gone the most right now poking to her with his words and behaviour such a delight.

 

If he would go far enough to actually get himself into a battle with this one - a fight that he doubted the plant could win - it would be perfectly fine by him, though it were to be seen how easy it were to play with the emotions of this one. Something that was well worth observing at the very least, as getting to the nerve of his targets were a thing he relished in at times, and he could still dream to one day have the chance to fight this one 1-on-1 and harvest her hide. It was doubtful, but you never knew.

 

Meanwhile, Briar had turned his face from the bat pony and refocused himself to the newly arrived Syo and Seamore who - likely for the best - had not confronted the attackers yet, trying to get the annoyance out of his voice before speaking with them and Miles.

 

"Perhaps instead of using our time listening to this, we should get on with what we came here for in the first place? Our opinions doesn't seem to matter here anyway."

 

@@Denim&Venom,

 

Several yards away from them, moving with great speed away, Ko were making his way towards the castle as fast as were possible when he took notice of something following him out of the corner of one of his eyes.

 

"State your intentions."

 

He withdrew a blade dripping with venom and kept on his way, prepared to strike if the follower got too close and didn't answer, or gave one that wasn't good enough. He had serious work to get done here and little want to stop up to have some random drone or whatever delay him by thinking he had to be stopped.

 

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@GingerLightning,

@@Seamore Sandwich,

@@Lonk Chase,

 

Meeko - now limping slightly, bleeding sap from a few wounds and whimpering - managed to get away from the other timberwolf when all the commotion happened and went over to cover behind Ginger with his tails between his legs.

 

Other timberwolves did not like when others went in on their territory, and often could get violent to make sure they learned to stay away if needed, but like always Meeko had gotten a more than usual beating. If it were because he were a runt and others found him a waste of resources and/or just annoying to look upon he didn't know, but it didn't get better even if he had a reason, or understood one for that matter.

 

It were likely one of the factors as to why he were so far not rejecting following Ginger and the others. They didn't hurt him after all, they seemed nice, and though it would be normal for one of them to not trust anyone outside of the flock, Meeko had noone to trust in said flock. He were pretty much trailing behind, destined to be chased off at some point when the others got bored with him being around, while these didn't try to make him take off yet. Even though Lonk had tried, according to what Meeko knew from his upbringing, he were basically just playing around as that were not that hostile compared to what the timberpup had experienced before.

 

And now, he huddled behind them and trying to shelter himself much like he tried at home, yet this time they didn't seem to punt him around instead. A plus more for this strange, fleshy flock.

 

Sure, not all could be pluses, as a minus had been when Sisilia had dumped down and almost made him jump into the air.  But then again, it had helped him get away, so a plus in it's own right if you thought about it.

 

________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Moonlit,

 

"Hehe, Somepony really do sound like they need a nap."

 

Ziggy was teasing Serenade a little, sure, but it was meant in a good manner. She wasn't usually one to poke at others a little like this, but the Siren had some good replies to make to it, and one thing she knew were that if you tried to stay awake, talking were a big help. It might seem like nothing, but she had always found that it kept you up just that little bit more you might need, depending on how long that had to be of course. There were a limit to everything after all.

 

Wandering a bit more, she thought she heard something and told Serenade that she'd be back in a little bit. Soon after she had zoomed out of sight, but not out of earshot as the siren in disguise would be able to hear the distinct voice of Ziggy going "Hehe, double hugs!" and some frantic other pony barely managing to enter half of what were likely *Oh no, not her again.*

 

After a bit more Ziggy returned, looking a bit ruffled from whoever had struggled to get out of her grip, but not by much.

 

"Hehe, sorry. Strange little one I saw yesterday and hunted for a hug. He got away, so then I owed him two."

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Wax n' Wane,

 

"Good to hear. I have seen what those who tries to improve themselves with those kind of things can end up as, and I would prefer to stop something like that before it happens. The paperwork on that alone is a nightmare, and the cleanup..."

 

Stargazer let out a sigh and shook his head. Even if paperwork were something he could live with, there were a limit, and when things like alchemy messing things up happened, there were a ton. Arrest orders, search warrants, health and safety warnings, public records, hazmat crews and so forth. It could be drowning you both figuratively and literally if the stack fell down on you, and whoever were stuck with it - normally him for the majority of his years on the force - it could be days on end before it were gone nd that monkey was tossed off your back.

 

"I apologise for having to ask that of you, but I need to be sure about what and who to watch in this area. It took a long time before I got used to it in Canterlot, and this town, albeit smaller, is not much different. Especially not with the rumours around this town and what strange episodes and creatures happen upon it at times."

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Seamore Sandwich,

@@cwhip9,

 

"First off, if anything got anywhere near the core of our shrine, it would be destroyed on sight by the myriad of guards and generations of magical wards we had guarding the airtight room. Heck, nopony amongst us even knew what were in said room, except for perhaps the general, but we didn't let anything breathing get near it in any case.

 

And second off, we didn't built the shrine. It were there when the first generation came, and we just put out fortifications in so we could keep ourguard up from the constant attacks."

 

Last were defensive of her home and didn't take kindly to others calling it an easy place to infiltrate. Sure, they had the occassional changeling that had managed to get in, or strange creatures breaching a few layers, but the only part of it that even mattered were the core, and that one were well protected, and just getting better with every generation. Though, the spider creature didn't say When they had managed to sneak in, so who knew? Might have been a time when the wards were less extensive and you could get a bit closer, whilst the guards were called out fighting.

 

Still, it were not without flaws or they would never have had to deal with the occasional interloper or traitor in their ranks, so she would not put them on a pedestal and say that nothing could be better. A labyrinth frankly sounded more safe for example - depending on if there were smart enough air ducts to not make them an obvious target to gas attacks - than the shrine, but still... She had some pride to defend here.

 

"Bickering aside, who's this Traveller, and what's his beef with creation if he lets a thing like this out?"

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Seamore Sandwich,

@@Quinch,

@@SugarfootWillie,

 

*...I can try, but they better make headway. This thing is... Fighting back.*

 

That was a bit of an understatement, as it frankly felt more like she were a virus, and the body it were infecting were trying to catch her so it could vomit her out of its system. Not an imagery she had ever wanted to be a part of, but that was just her luck, and like usual she were just there to have to deal with it.

 

*sigh* What would be next? That somepony had swiped her body whilst she were being busy here?

 

Meanwhile, at said body, Zhu wandered a few steps closer after jumping down from the roof and watched Penny's anger episode.

 

"Calm yourself child. That which have fallen will return, broken but mended, if all goes as it were seen. But in your anger I see paths that unravels from the beasts hungry maws, and it tears at the picture yet to be painted. Control your breath, and silence your anger, and you will yet see that life can spring even in the cradle of death."

 

He turned his head towards Quinch after that, letting the wind carrying his words if the human were too long away from him to hear the somewhat growling words.

 

"What of you, son of man? Are you calm, or does fear and anger guide your heart?"

 

 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@MDLineArt,

 

"Sorry to say that it might just get worse.

 

If they really have others ready for being overtaken, we can't just sneak in and prepare as I had hoped. We'll have to get there, then force the guards out and lock the doors before I can even get to work. Since you're on edge as it is, think you can handle getting the other prisoners huddled away while I handle the guards? "

 

It wasn't optimal, but how often were things really that? He didn't want to get any civilians caught in a battle if he could help it to get what he were after, yet the options here included no real option to avoid that right now as he couldn't just let others getting taken over by the artefact either.

 

It was a choice between two evils, but if it came to that, he would chose the one that seemed more direct and wouldn't get more against them. From there on though, he had to think on what sort of force tot use, as too little didn't get him anywhere, and too much could have... Serious costs, so to speak.

 

And then there were Bashful too, who he had to consider in this too and give him something to do so he wouldn't panic and try to run off or something like that. Taking care of the civilians that were not taken over seemed like the obvious answer as it were meaningful, were something he could focus on and would give Giddon the time he needed, but they'd have to see what the changeling tailor said aboutt hat first. Otherwise, he'd have to think things over again.

Edited March 23, 2016 by Blitz Boom

[Denim&Venöm 18,782]

@@Blitz Boom,

'Chill out." Reverie replied as she was flying behind him. "I'm making sure you follow through on your word. Your kin were indeed trying to kill my mom. I'm tagging along to guarantee that does not happen, regardless of whether you follow through on your actions or not."

[EQ_Theta 458]

@@Blitz Boom

There was something else that Senlin hadn't thought about earlier with the dark forest and him turning around all of a sudden. The thought of longma practicing certain forms of magic might have had something to do with his encounter that day, though there was reason to suspect that it was considered an arcane form of magic even to his own kind. 

 

"Omen," Senlin began as he was finishing the last few bites of his donut. "Do you think magic could have altered that region of the forest in any way? I have suspicions that is was tampered with a mysterious form of magic very few know about. I don't know what it was exactly called but those who know of this form of magic could tamper the physical features of a location by using smoke or shadows. In those scenarios, ponies who believe they are moving forward are turned around or moved sideways, misdirecting them and in some severe cases, trapping them in there walking in circles. Have you encountered magic like that?"

[GingerLightning 258]

@@Lonk Chase, @@Blitz Boom, @@Seamore Sandwich,
Ginger Lightning's horn lit up and green flames of magic formed around her she was attempting to transform to seem more intimidating
since she wasn't a full changeling or even an adult her transformation wasn't quite complete...but it was very unsettling...what ever she was trying to imitate was definitely not quite a pony or a changeling...her pelt had turned black in color with blood red spots that were faded making it seem as tough her pelt was stained with blood...her eyes glowed with the green color of her magic yet you could see her normal pony eyes...her horn seemed to have grown longer and sharper...she had gotten this grin full of fangs and sharp teeth... there were a few patches where her yellow pelt was still there and her hooves still had the orange patterns but faded.her wings were still large and the seemed to have a blood red skeletal pattern against the black. there were also a few yellow feathers left on her wings they stood out among the black...her hooves came to sharp points and her mane and tail looked a bit like quills but they kept most of their color an texture...She got closer to the the timber wolf and emitted an evil sounding hiss...

Edited March 23, 2016 by GingerLightning

[Moonlit 593]

@@Blitz Boom, Serenade giggles "Right. I truly fear for the pony who has managed to avoid getting a hug from you for a week or longer." Serenade suddenly stops, eyes glazed, before turning to Ziggy. "Does size factor into that? species? distance?...so many factors to consider." After a not inconsiderable amount of time, Serenade shakes her head and continues home, muttering about Hug factors.  

[Blitz Boom 4,622]

@@Denim&Venom,

 

Ko sheathed his blade again and kept moving along with his unwanted companion.

 

"Either I follow my orders, or another war will break out. Everything is secondary to keeping that at bay, as both sides does not need a repeat of the Rose Knight Wars. It takes power and land, numbers needed for greater things, and strenuous allies will turn their back when times of actual need arrives. Something neither of the kingdoms need, or we wouldn't have made a treaty in the first place."

 

Ko wasn't enjoying the need for outsiders, but unlike Ashta, he could see reason over keeping some relatively good vibes with the members of Reverend's people and do his to work more neutrally. Sure, he might have tossed some poisonous daggers at them, but he had been in the middle of an assassination and had reacted on instinct. Nothing that mattered to him all things considered.

 

Besides, though both sides generally did not enjoy having anything to do with the other, the fact of the matter were still that they had a usage for eachother. Perhaps not so much these days, but what if a war were waged on them, or the Beast Court? For those times, which would inevitably come, having allies instead of burned bridges were vital, even if both sides saw themselves as being the superior force. Which really shouldn't be a surprise, as they all had a good deal of pride to boot and had held an iron grip in their own territories for untold years, so outside help would inevitably be seen upon as welcome, but still sub-par and only needed because they were lacking numbers.

 

Who the actual greater side were though... That were amongst things he didn't even theorise about. Though he did his to have a grasp on the political system as he wanted to rise in the ranks, there were still many things going on behind closed doors that were not readily available for him to learn, and as such were things he could only guess on. One of those things were numbers and strength of both sides, though he wouldn't be surprised if it were either somewhat even. Otherwise, how could the old war of the rose knights have gotten to a point were none of them were even close to being eradicated? Weakened, sure, but not on the brink.

 

"The old walls are getting nearer ambassador. Soon we will see if the gods smile today or if the red moon will shine."

 

The two of them were fast. The flyer might be more so, as she did not have the limits of the earth to deal with, but he were no sloth himself, and as the walls of the old castle started to get into sight, his thoughts narrowed further to the task in front of him. To stop what they had been sent to do before a political nightmare began to stir the old war drums, and hope that it could be done without having to kill a lot of beings.

 

Not a hope he relied on, but you never knew. Sometimes the gods indeed smiled upon their subjects after all, even if he were getting more prepared mentally to having to feed the red moon.

 

___________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@EQ_Theta,

 

"...Yes."

 

Omen had to think about it for a bit, but she did seem to recall something like it. Somepony that she had once tried to find, but kept her at bay with darkness and and paths leading far from where she tried to go.

 

"Long ago, master wanted me to find did somepony to deliver a message to. I found the the area he should be in, but the path kept disappearing. It took three days before I stopped trying and told master, but I don't know what happened after that. Master told me not to worry about it and went away, then never spoke of it again."

 

It wasn't something she had thought much on since, but at the time, she got the vague notion that she had been puzzled over being called away from that. Likely because master did not usually do such a thing, yet who really knew? She had never dug into it or seen it again since, so it mattered little to her. And as for masters behaviour... It tended to be strange, and she were loyal without doubt at that point. If he said things were okay, she took it at face value.

 

"You think strange magic like that were used before?"

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Moonlit,

 

"Well, age and size goes into it a lot. Tackling the elderly can be bad for their bones, and the foals and other cutsie, adorable children, as well as the smaller, frailer races, shouldn't be handled with as much momentum either, as they get strained muscles, bent bones and such easier too.

 

Then of course it depends on picking the right target. Somepony who looks Really mad you have to do a quick surprise hug and take off, or they go from surprised to yelling, whilst those who already looks happy can take a full zoom-hug and likely not get too annoyed. Unless it's creatures like Dragons or Gryphons, as they are more prideful and can hurt you by instinct, so showing yourself to them before you go in for the hug is a good idea.

 

Wild beasts tend to get confused and might either take off thinking tit to be weird, be stunned for a bit as they try to figure out what to do, or just runs off. Especially Timberwolves are fun to hug, as they really don't know what to do about it when they start snarling at you and you then show them lots and lots of affection. Unless it's a pack, then it's better to just take off."

 

Ziggy went on like this for some time longer as they walked, explaining a surprising number of factors in how she determined who to hug, why and how, mixed in with some personal experiences. A good chunk were because of clinical reasons like injuries, but there were also going for the ones who looked down as they sometimes could just really use somepony to show them affection - yet knowing when it was too much and just leave them be - and a few snippets of what happened when you didn't hit the mark right with whoever you went for. There were also the mention at times that sometimes, she just chose somepony anyway that would get frazzled about it because she found it funny, and didn't see it being a hurtful way to have some fun with others.

 

"-And that's why my sister got me to hug a cactus. Oh, and you're right in what you said earlier by the way. After a week or so of no hugs I get a little... Well, strange in it. It's a bit hard to explain, but It's kinda like blowing too much air into a balloon so it pops, just with love instead. Really not fun when the balloon bursts though. Ends up feeling all down for weeks."