open Casual stroll

[Blitz Boom 4,634]

@cwhip9

The filly didn't let her teeth out of the sky she had been clinging to until she hit the ground normally, but being caught like this made her let go a little soon, so it bounced a few feet away from her. Seemed rather... Water-ballooney for a cloud, so to speak.

"Ehehe, I'm fine. They never fall fast and I'm a good flyer. But like daddy says *Appreciate any help you get*, so thank you sir."

Some of her age would go straight in for the hug at this point, but as she were raised as a guard and her dad had told her about how it was important to try and respect personal space, instead she just made a salute with a big grin on her face, whilst she slowly took in her *savior*.

Didn't look that old for an adult. Pretty dark coloring, membranous... Wings...

The spark that lit up in her eyes as she saw the wings were noticeable, and rather fixated as she slowly started tow alk forward towards Crescent.

*gasp* "Another bat pony? This is so awesome! I barely saw any back in Canterlot, and I figured it was just daddy and me when we moved here. Or that if there were any, they were only out at night, and I wouldn't be able to see any of them."

The skittering in her mane made her stop up before she got too close, and she raised a hoof up to the spider, seemingly trying to protect it.

"Don't worry about Gary sir, he's harmless."

The spider seemed to cement this fact by yawning a bit, then skitter back into her mane to continue his nap. Apparently, not enough were going on right now to make him care much about being awake. Hopefully nothing would make him do that either, as that would likely entail somepony going after him, and she didn't want her friend to be hurt by anypony.

"Right, introductions. Sorry. I'm Jelly Drop, and my daddy's the bestest Night Guard in all of Equestria! Hehe, who're you?"

If she had been a dog, she would currently be wagging her tail, and she knew it. It was hard to meet bat ponies who wandered around by day in Canterlot, and seeing one out here made her all giddy and excited. Might be she were only half bat pony, but she looked more like one of them than anything else, and she felt like one too - heck, if she wasn't meant to roam the night, why did the light hurt her eyes enough to make her need to run around with these sunglasses constantly? - so she wanted to connect to others of her kind. Also because normal ponies tended to sometimes look at her funny, and their foals were mean. Not easy to make friends like that.

========================================================================

 

@Battenberg

Pop noticed how the baker seemed to act after Benny had entered and began to introduce himself. Not an uncommon reaction, though she had hoped that a town where ponies and dragons both lived in wouldn't have that issue.

Though on the bright side, she hadn't started to sling hatred at him or tell him to leave like a few others they had met did for some reason, so perhaps this wasn't so bad.

"You don't need to be worried about Benny. He's harmless."

Said dragon seemed to take some false offense to that, overplaying a frown as he looked back at her?

"I'm a Royal Guard. I'm plenty dangerous when it's needed."

"You work in the forge."

"I run the forge, thank you very much. And you know I still have to go through the training."

"I do, but that doesn't make it any less fun to poke at you."

"Heh, you can be a devious little one at times, you know that?"

The two of them suddenly remembered that there were somepony else in the room, and that their flirtatious reason might not fall on too good ground here.

"I-I uhm... *cough* Sorry about that, we're uhm..."

"We sometimes get a little.. Distracted. I'm sorry if it got a little out of hoof."

The two were blushing up a little and tried to move past it by going forward and trying to tester. Much as she wasn't the biggest fan of blackberries herself, Pop also joined in on this, as her and Benny had a small sample cut and tasted it. Pop seemed to think about it before saying something, but Benny looked like somepony had rocketed him straight to heaven.

"Oh man, this is amazing. You're talented."

He licked around his lips and looked thoughtful as he tried to think of which one he'd prefer.

"I think I'll pick... Both."

"A little greedy, are we?"

"I'll cut down on the caramel to make it fit. It's impossible to pick a winner between two cakes like this, so I'd rather be fair on it and say theyre equally as good, and then take them both, along with the uhm... Whatever cake that is you have picked."

"It's a Battenberg cake. And that one's mine mister."

"Heh, fair's fair. So miss, what's the price for the three of them together?"

=============================================================================================

 

@Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich

"Y-You saw that too, right?!"

Ziggy looked at Serenade in confusion and fright as she slowly picked up the plank, accompanied by the distant sound of somepony laughing in a strange tone.

"Mythological creatures and broken bones I can handle, but this is too much. We need to get out of here."

Using the crude cane, Ziggy started to get up the stairs, towards the door she could see move to the right, which would hopefully lead them on to another path further up so they could escape. It wasn't the most comfortable, but it did its job. Now it was just to hope that whatever gave her this wasn't going to just snag it away or something too out of the blue. or you know, get anywhere close to them. She didn't want to have a ghost around her.

====================================================================================

 

@Foxy Socks

Zhu fell silent for a moment, pondering over things again. He weren't used to a reception like this, and though he had seen it as a possibility, he could not hear the potential futures, so the words were suprising. Made him evaluate a few things before speaking again.

"I have experienced enough to know that there is truth in what I see, and I have seen enough to know it cannot progress naturally.

Two days ago, this town were attacked by an immense creature. I foresaw this a long time ago, but it could be prevented from rising. All that could happen, were to defeat it in the narrow window where it had not yet gathered enough power. The moment it came to Ponyville."

"You mean the demon creature during the storm?"

"Most futures I saw would not have anypony here able to deal with it. Without interferance, it would have taken this town, then the country, and in the end..."

He rose his paw and used his wind magic to produce a globe resembling their world, which dissipated when the paw closed.

"Things change, because they have to. It is  thankless and unpleasant work most days, but it is a duty that must be fulfilled. A willing sacrifice of one life."

Zhu didn't make any illusions about himself. He was not a hero, just a shadow in the background of history, destined to recieve no credit for his actions and one day die as unknown as he had always been. At best, stories about the hooded stranger might fall on paper one day, but they would not be kind.

"Now ponder me this child: Why do you think neither chaos nor order can be allowed surpremacy?"

The question seemed out of the blue and rather unconnetcted to what they were speaking off, yet it might bear importance later on.

==========================

@EQ_Theta

"Not-Me and Not-Lin are weird."

Omen examined the two as they gave their answers when the subject of changing Sen went around.

Oddly for her, Lin's copy sounded more like Sen had back before her memories got hazy. Adamant about magic being bad and not something that should be messed with, whilst her own copy were more like Lin. Open to the idea, but not screaming up about it being the acceptable way for some reason.

Usually Omen could put oddities such as this up to magic, but this time seemed like it needed another phrase, as this wasn't magic as far as she knew, but Sen's head.

Dreams were chaotic? Could work she supposed, bu-

Before she had a chance to think it through, they were ripped from the dream as suddenly as they had been tossed into it to begin with.

She rose from the floor and looked around her, trying to see if they were still in the dream. But all she could see were the familiar dark castle of Mother, with the matron herself looming over her and the others.

"How did it go in there children? Have his mind been eased?"

"Dreams are chaotic."

It was all Omen could think about saying in the moment, before she got back on her hooves entirely and looked back up at Mother.

"I don't understand most of what happened. Lin is the smart one, she can explain."

Omen didn't doubt that Lin could at least. Much as the strange creatures they had run into said that she were smart, she were fumbling around blindly. Sen and Lin - especially the latter - were more directed. They were guiding lights in the darkness, and she just followed them to wherever they took her. From sheer luck, she hadn't yet bumped her head on something in that metaphor.

Edited August 17, 2017 by Blitz Boom
I add colors later.

[Foxy Socks 2,599]

@Blitz Boom

Foxy wondered a moment. Why was she against Zhu helping bring order to Equestria? It sounded like a selfless, helpful task, to protect everyone from certain disaster. The world as she know it could have ended dozens of times over without Zhu's interference, but she felt it was wrong. Perhaps more of an instinctual, "gut" feeling led her to believe that Zhu may actually be causing more problems than helping. However, every vision Zhu had seemed to be accurate to him, but Foxy just couldn't be sure.

 

"I believe the natural order is what is best. We will learn to adapt, even if it means sacrifices ourselves. I know you may be ancient and wise, but I can't accept our fates being controlled by somepony else like you. It would be a lot easier for both of us anyway. I cannot, and will not ever be for what you are doing, Zhu. I also can't stand seeing somepony as nice as you suffering for all these years."

She more than anything at that moment wanted Zhu to understand, but Foxy had a slight worry that perhaps she was the one who didn't understand at all. Zhu had many more experiences than Foxy for one. He also had the ability to see the future and change it, but there was one problem. If he could change it, why not anypony else? Was it some power he had, or did he just believe only he should be responsible for it.

 

"Zhu, you can't possibly control everything at the same time. You don't have to suffer like this. I'd imagine you'd seen the aftermath of not following the visions plenty of times, but you can't be in control of everything. It is sometimes best to let things work out naturally, even if it seems hopeless. I may not know as much compared to you, but keeping the natural order of things is what I believe in."

"What do you think of it, Anomaly?" Foxy asked calmly.

[cwhip9 1,078]

7 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

"Right, introductions. Sorry. I'm Jelly Drop, and my daddy's the bestest Night Guard in all of Equestria! Hehe, who're you?"

Cresnt couldn't help but smile at the youngsters confidence mostly with the night guard remark if only he could turn back time again to those days, but that never ends well when tried seeing a unicorn he knew try that. Yet that's another story, the older batpony saluted back "Names cresent young one, one of the best map makers you'll ever meet. I didn't realize the night guard was taking in younger members these days" he said

Seeing the spider in the youngsters main at first surprised him, seeing how calm it acted surprised him more as he never thought of having a spider for a pet himself times must be changing a lot for the world.

"so what brings you out to the Forrest young jelly drop night guard, not many Philly's your age do so willingly unless its a dare or a field trip" he said.  

[Holiday Agnaktor 1,436]

@Windchime

Light Rain took another sip from her cherry tea, really enjoying this flavour. She should do food more often.

Avabella told her that her actual job wasn't manager or boss, but editor. Ech, all the same to her. It wasn't as if Light was going to work here or something, so what she actually did didn't really matter to her.

She nodded in response to Avabella when she offered to answer any questions that she might have. She didn't really have questions for her, only for Benny at the moment, though maaaybe she had something. But before she could think too hard about it Avabella asked her a question instead.

"What do you do?"

Oh boy. It was one of those situations again. Well, at least this time she knew that ponies were gullible and never really looked too deep into facts, trying to coax lies out of it. She could tell Avabella literally anything and she would believe it. There was zero pressure here. Yet she was still somehow taking forever. She needed to think of something before she got too suspicious. Wait, she was already too late, wasn't she? Well snap. Still no idea. Oh no, quick, first thing to come to mind!

"Uh... I do... deliveries. I deliver... Apples, yeah. Sometimes other fruit."

Real smooth, Rain. Nice. Real silver tongue you got there. Fantastic. Delivery? You? You can't even fly properly without extra load. It's not as if Avabella is going to see through this, but still. That was pathetic.

This conversation was going just peachy. Wow, she needed to talk to more ponies if she wanted to integrate into society anytime soon.

Edited August 17, 2017 by Holiday Agnaktor

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom @Seamore Sandwich Serenade looked around, then bowed her head. She wasn't taking any chances, and she slowly backed up and followed Ziggy. "I too vote we get out of here. Ghosts...are...not something I'm trained to deal with" She gulps. 

[EQ_Theta 460]

@Blitz Boom

"Smart? Me? Oh no, not really." Lin perked up and reacted to Omen's claims of her intelligence. Compared to how her old body deteriorated with improper use of magic, smart isn't really the best word to describe her. She then immediately changed her tone to a more somber one as she replied to Mother's question, somewhat disappointed she couldn't find a way to help her brother. "This is a problem only Sen has an answer to. We did find the root of his fears though; he's plagued by nightmares because of his mortality. He's afraid of death and he fears his mortality will mean we will be taken away from him, or him away from us."

"I've become close to all of you and when I've started to see just how great it is to be surrounded by your love and support, I am reminded that all of this will not last forever." Sen added, seemingly more self-assured that his encounter in the dream realm with Lin and Omen awakened in him the courage to speak of what really bothers him. "At the same time, I don't know if it is right for me to just change myself, become more like Lin, a hybrid of longma and of your kind. It comes off as selfish and I don't know if I am ready or willing to give up some of my old self to do that."

Not being able to dream and sleep sounded like a good idea for a solution to the nightmares and the fear of mortality is taken away, but Sen thought about just how much would he be able to handle those aspects when he actually becomes more of a hybrid creature. Lin seems to be taking it in stride but Lin never brought up any discomforts; Sen assumed she must be hiding it. The idea of being able to open gates for himself does seem appealing though. 

"I'd like to get your opinion, Mother," Sen added. "If it were you in my place, would you consider finding a cure by becoming something like Lin? I don't know of any other possible cures, which explains how limited our options are."

Edited August 18, 2017 by EQ_Theta

[Sekel 694]

@Blitz Boom

DAWN

"These lollipops are so sweet!" Dawn exclaimed after taking it out her mouth with her wing wrapping around the stem. She loved the taste and as it turned out, really liked oranges in candies. "I can't believe how good they are! I may have to actually start getting out into crowds more just so I can buy these from you."

@Blitz Boom & @Widdershins

AURORA

"Welp, I'm dead. Pacifists don't do well in hostile situations," Aurora proclaimed, her wings fluffing up. She didn't know how Spicy or Kaltrops will take it but them's the breaks. "While I can talk a dragon into stammering," she gestured to the carriage bound dragon, and go off on tangents like there's no tomorrow, I cannot fight to save my life. I've sworn off it and I just, nope, can't do it."

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Blitz Boom

His rage boiled through him quite visibly when the dragon caught the sword in his claws, Warlock looking to the dragon with fury, although something struck him off as he hit a wall, his chest starting to hurt. "I will kill you all soon enough!" He swung his hoof at Astral, who dodged the swinging hoof, and flying away. As he had the weapon Screecher threw hit him in the side of the head, knocking him to the side. 'How did I not see that?' He wondered to himself as he ran towards Screecher filled with rage, with a dragon likely following him. Seeing all his sides covered with some pony of some kind, he suddenly blasted upwards instead of at Screecher, flying at an incredible speed. Growling in pain as his armor seemed to burn away into ash. Quickly realising his cruelty had overcome his greed, thus causing it to no longer be his element, realizing this as the element phased out of his chest. "My element!!" He yelled out as he turned around, reaching for the element as it was sent falling to the ground. which sapped at his magic as Warlock growled, teleporting away as it fell with the magic he had left, as the element landing near Astral.

She looked at it with caution. "Well that just happened." She approached it, picking it up, seeming unaffected. "I wonder why."

=============================================================================

There was a loud echoing thud could be heard from the top of the stairs, as Warlock tumbled down without his element, cloak, or most of his mane. "Gah!" He struggled to stop his fall, eventually succeeding. "Damn it!" He growled hitting the stairs, already able to sense the element he was. Hoping if anything, Athriel could find it. He stood up, rushing down the stairs, looking around for Athriel.

=============================================================================

Iron Wing spent his time looking at them. seeming a little curious about the ones without markings. "Well I'll keep them just in case, they seem to be made out of the same stuff as the others, and I don't believe anypony else has similar blades to my feathers." He put them in the bag around his back.

"I don't believe I'll need to by checked myself." He said, while having trouble walking, seeming unfocused with his eyes appearing blind again. "But I have noticed something odd, I can see Warlock again, he doesn't have his element anymore." He said, his eyes returning to him as he looked up to Dew. "It's almost like he's switched with somepony else, who that is we should find out."

Misty struggled to walk, yelping in pain as she flopped onto her front, trying to sit as she looked to her front leg, trying not to cry from the pain. "I-I think, M-my leg is broken."

Star eyed her leg up and down it. "Don't worry, it can be fixed."

[Victoria Sponge 1,017]

@Blitz Boom

Battenberg smiled nervously "We have no fixed rates here... a-and since you two have been so nice and p-polite I would like to make you a deal. How much are you willing to pay for these?"

 

[Windchime 184]

@Blitz Boom

A headache built. A telltale sign for that something is going wrong, and how wrong depended on the intensity of the headache. They've been happening a lot ever since he's sprouted these horns, and it is as if they have a mind of their own and that's how they communicate with Detail. Either way, supernatural or not, Striking Detail learned to act almost immediately once these headaches came, as it has saved his hide more than once in the past. But usually, first he has to figure out what is going wrong. Too bad the intense ones tend to be rather distracting, though.

The dragon (Who, as dragons do, also bears horns. Detail idly wondered if all horned animals have this kind of vague premonition) resumed talking once again, answering question after question of the writers as they reach for his attention like seagulls yelling for bread to be thrown into the air. The intense writing down of ideas and quotes on paper. The free flowing of ink by the machines prompted by the hammering of buttons. The sounds got louder and louder as the headache built and built; Detail had learned to be able to vaguely gauge the severity of the situation by the intensity of the headache, and that the building hadn't stopped yet worried him greatly.

Come on, come on, Detail, think! What could possibly be wrong in this situation of the writers, the dragon and his magnificent sharing of 

Scoop! He completely forgot, the dragon was his exclusive scoop! Detail's pupils shrunk in harrowing realization and his headache receded into a way lighter, lingering pain  telling him that he figured it out: They're bleeding him dry! By the time Detail gets to his exclusive interview, there will be nothing new left for an article! In realization of his stupidity, Striking Detail attempted a facehoof, a clunk was heard as he accidentally hit his right horn, so he heaved a heavy sigh instead, resigned to his fate in politeness of letting the writers finish.

He stopped listening wondered what he could do instead.

 

Eventually, the writers and the dragon stopped, but it took Striking Detail about two minutes to snap back to reality and realize there was only the sound of ticking typewriters left in the air. Downhearted, Striking Detail looked up at the dragon who finally had the chance to breathe normally for the first time in forever, and simply said; "Benny, I think we're done here. I have to think of something new now, again." with tiredness audible in his voice, as he motioned with a simple head nod towards the door.

===========================

@Holiday Agnaktor

The smile on Printrose's face became more genuine the less effort she put in maintaining it. Relax, that is what she had to do, she's taking a break, after all. The smile she put up probably looked creepy, anyway. The bottom of the teacup became increasingly visible through the now-less transparent liquid as Printrose drank her tea, so she put it down for now so that she could savor it for a little while longer.

Then the pegasus finally talked. A delivery mare. A common job for pegasi, so Avabella believed it easily, and nodded in response. "Delivery is a respectable job. Most of the time, the weight loaded on to you does tend to be heavier than I could ever dream to bare"  Printrose commended. "Well, I am a unicorn after all. Any manual labor that can't be easily solved by magic or brains is out of the question for me anyway."

Avabella looked at the delicate wings on the pony in front of her. She always was surprised those wings could lift a pony, not even an easy task for levitation magic, and then some extra load. Well, that's what specialists like her are for. They probably must undergo some rough strength training in order to lift usable loads, unlike the average pegasus who probably can't lift more than a saddlebag's worth of stuff. 

An Equestrian Enquirer special with Pegasi as the center of attention, that would be a neat idea. And then one with earth ponies, and finally one with unicorns? We could work that into a series, that would definitely be an interesting read. But Printrose snapped out of her professional thoughts for now.

"I'm sorry, it seems like I was dreaming again" Apologised Printrose. "Work gets me so busy nowadays, I constantly have to think of new ideas for the paper, you see? That tends to get so ingrained in you, especially if you haven't had someone to drink tea with in a while." Avabella ended that last sentence with a sad tone and regretted that almost instantly, following up with "Oh, what am I saying. More tea, dear?" Avabella levitated the teapot with a slight nudge towards Light Rain, offering her first before thinking of herself, as she had noticed that Light Rain enjoyed the tea. Maybe that will finally make her feel at home.

[Sekel 694]

@Blitz Boom & @Lloyd

DAWN

"Oh, I just remembered. If it's not too much trouble, I think I'll go ahead and get to my business for the day. It's being an assistant to a freerunning teacher at the local school," Dawn smiled at Pop and gave her a wave with her wing. Keeping the bag of lollies tucked under her other wing, Dawn thanked Pop for the candy and coffee before taking her leave. On her way home to drop the candy off, she saw a pony quickly teleport away. Thinking it curious, she slowly walked in that direction. As she got closer to a pony kneeling over something on the ground, Dawn shivered in place, gasping at a rush of energy going through her. She stood frozen, panting as the energetic feeling left her and forced her into a more depressive state of mind. Her wide-eyed expression became dull and even almost sad with a glimmer of despair in her eyes. Dawn continued to stare at the pony, kinda feeling her expression become permanent but didn't really expect it to.

@Jedishy

WATTS MECHANO

Watts sat behind her stall, a whole range of devices of various kinds from automatic letter openers to a self-heating thermos for the ponies that weren't Unicorns. Preferably anyway. She had a cash box underneath her table, hidden away and actually stuck on the underneath of the surface. A bit different, yes, but at least no one's robbed her yet. She tapped her hoof and looked at the various ponies, smiling and when a customer did come up to her, she sold what he wanted and placed the bits in the cash register. With some help from a Unicorn friend, Watts had engineered the cashbox to make sure the cash that was put in would be teleported to a safe in her garage. Better safe than sorry.

[Jedishy 3,548]

@Dji 

Winter Bold landed softly in the middle of the Ponyville market. He was tired from a long days flight and his mane in desperate need of grooming. His tail, however, remained perfectly styled and groomed as ever. He glanced around looking for a place to sell the three books he had read dozens of times over the last months traveling. He needed to make something off of them or he would not be able to replace the reading material as his bits were running low. 

It might even be time to look for some short term work before he moved on. As it stood he was nervous being in a town again. He never did manage to fit in and always mucked things up. Especially when it came to helping with the weather. Seeing a pony that seemed to be selling a bit of everything he pulled his books of his well-worn saddle bags and approached trying to look friendly. He loved other ponies but always ended to bungle first impressions. 

[Storm Shine 1,196]

@Blitz Boom

Pinkie swung her net down to try and catch the sugary creature, but unfortunately... She forgot to account for the ceiling height, so the net hit the roof of the tunnel and bounced off course - directly onto Storm "Ow!"

 

"Sorry Stormy!" Pinkie apologized as she continued to swing the net, albeit more carefully now.

 

(Sorry for the shortness, I'm a little sick right now. Just wanted to at least post something to help keep things moving a little.   )

[Blitz Boom 4,634]

@Shineling

Whilst Pinkie missed, Anomaly managed to snag her net-form around the sugar mole's hind legs, causing it to trip as she wrapped around it. It were still wiggling a good deal though, and likely wouldn't be kept for too much longer if they didn't start to eat it to calm it down.

Weird sentence aside, Anomaly focused on the two ponies where Storm had gotten knocked down by Pinkie - she'd laugh if her face wasn't squeezed against the sugar mole - which left the later to go to town before it was too late.

"Pimki. Qwuig, eaft it!"

Hopefully, the muffled voice would go through fine enough.

=============================

 

@Dji

"Awh, are you sure tha-"

A massive amount of noise rang through the room as Pop slipped on the crate she were standing on and fell backwards whilst trying to grab hold of the things on the shelf in front of her, which caused it to fall doqn, along with a good deal of stuff behind her. It didn't help that the last push she accidentally gabe the crate manafed to push it into a small ladder she kept in here after having done a few minor repairs on her shop recently, who fell over jnto another shelf...

Basically, it was a mess of items spread around, with some likely ruined and having to be remade, though at least the shelves themselves didn't fall down, so there was that at least.

"Nooooo! Why? Why is this happening when it was looking like such a good day?"

She looked around her with a sigh, and noticed Dawn had left as she had mentioned. She likely figured that Pop was going to need time to sort this, so she might as well take off.

*sigh* Well, guess that was the truth too. Pop had to clean this up before going anywhere. She couldn't have her storage in such a mess.

============================

 

@Windchime

Benny almost stopped answering the ocean of questions when he saw Detail hitting himself in the head. An action that seemed like something was wrong, though as he didn't look like he were following it up with anything afterwards, Benny kept answering, though with a noticeable pause during the incident.

It took some time after Benny finally got a chance to breathe before the truth seemed to rear it's head forward: Details had wanted this sort of info for his article, not for everypony in the place.

Gah, stupid Benny! This was one of the things that popped up when he had gotten here, and then he just gave everything away to the others. Bonehead!

He were feeling pretty guilty about this as he looked at the somewhat depressed-looking pony in front of him, wondering if there were some way he could make it up for him. Which eventually caused a small flicker of light to go off over his head. It might not be much, but perhaps it could help?

"I'm sorry sir. I forgot about that when they all started to ask and ask away. Uhm... Perhaps I know a way to make it up to you, that could help you with another angle of this story the others don't have?"

He looked around at the writers with their typing machines going at it like it was a concert, and metaphorically bit his tongue 

"Maybe we should go to another room and talk about this before I give away too much again."

=============================

 

@Battenberg

"Whatever they're worth, we'll pay. I have a store myself and I know that it's good to have at least the cost of the base ingredients covered, plus the work load, though I don't know what it's like for bakery goods. Not something I work with often I'm afraid."

Benny reached back and took a bag of bits out of his bag. Some vacation money they had saved up individually, stored in a few places, just in case something happened on the trip. Seemed logical enough to him when Pop brought it up, so it were a bit spread, though this one should hopefully cover it, unless the cakes were like, 50 bits each, but that didn't sound right.

"I'm not gonna argue against her, so I'll just count up when a price is set."

===================================

 

@Lloyd

Warlock had been lucky he had not been at a slightly different angle and without armor, or the chakram would have cleaved his head instead of just hitting it and sending him to the side. A pity it did not go that easy, but they still had him surrounded with Benny carrying a weapon he had *acquired* from Warlock, herself preparing to swing her whip-like blades, and Astral closing in as well. The hot-headed fool only had one way to go to get away, and sadly, they didn't have the chance to stop him from that. A minor issue compared to how it still ensured he'd get away from.the civilians, which were certainly a good thing.

What happened with him afterwards were a surprise though. His armor suddenly began to crumble away, and out of the blue, something escaped his chest. By the accompanying yelp, that would be his element that for some reason had abandoned him from the looks of things.

He teleported away before they could try and grab hold of him again, though Screecher certainly tried to get her hooves on him. Annoying magic-users sometimes.

Whilst she flew in the sky and grumbled, Benny came over to Astral and looked wearily at the element in her hoof.

"Get away from the object this instance Officer Brickspine. We do not want a repeat of last time."

Benny grimaced as the general used his real name. A sure sign that she were serious, but it didn't mean he liked to hear it regardless of that. It didn't suit who he were now, as much as the name he had taken later on.

"I guess she means the amulet. Better I don't then... You wouldn't want blood on you either I suppose. Heh. Just be careful with that thing though, okay? It have already done enough harm, and I don't know what to expect from it now."

The feeling of somepony poking this side made him turn and look into the somewhat grumpy face of Null. A semi-permanent scowl that seemed to be her default impression.

"Hey, you uhm... Don't put too much into this."

Out of nowhere, Null jumped up and grabbed the surprised dragon around the neck whilst listening to her time and time again whisper *Thank you for saving my sister*.

The show of affection were somewhat brief though, and shortly after letting go, Null just cleared her throat and wandered back to Void, who seemed pretty shaken up. She didn't do well with thanking others, and found it rather awkward, so getting some distance to it were just what she wanted.

Benny didn't seem to know what to do with himself either, other than repeatedly checking to make sure the amulet were secured in its pouch, and hoping that Screecher would soon come down.

"This is have been a pretty weird day, huh?"

====================================

 

@Lloyd

If he were looking for Athriel in the dark depths of the temple, there were a lit road he could follow, where she had lit a few torches that had been along the walls, giving a bit of light to the path she had wandered, and some insight into her not having slacked off in the time he had been away.

Sprung traps, cut wire, destroyed statues, entire sections of walls cut through like it was butter, disrupting protective seals carved into pieces of the mortar and so on. It looked like a war zone, and she had been decimating everything that had been sent at her. Courtesy of knowing the tricks they'd use, as she were after all, once one of their kind.

If he'd follow it enough, he'd find her studying a section of wall with strange hieroglyphs of some kind, reading something whilst mumbling to herself.  There wasn't the feeling of an element in the room, so whatever she were looking over, it seemed like this temple was a bust. Had to be one of the others then.

===============================

 

@Lloyd

A field medic came over and gently lifted Misty to a bed with his magic after he heard about her leg.

"Don't be afraid, I'm going to try and help you until the hospital can get some ponies out here to transport you both away."

"That won't be too long, right?"

Chow were worried about Misty as he heard about her leg. Golden too, sure, but he had better bonds with the filly than the ambassador, so his focus were on the small one.

"Should be within 10 minutes. General Dew, is there more?"

"Likely, but most should be able to be handled here. Make sure the two here are taken good care off for now, you hear me? And you, Chow was it? I'm putting you on guard duty for them. Don't let them out of your sight."

"Look here, I ain't one o-"

Suddenly, the former general were right in Chow's face, and lifted the visor so Chow could look at his hard, intimidating glare.

"Don't let them out of your sight. Understood?"

The pet food vendor gulped and slowly nodded.

"Y-Yes sir."

More weren't said to him before Dew wandered away, headed towards the throne room and the responsibility he had to carry for the time being. Though he did stop before getting out of the room entirely, and looked at Iron Star.

"It's good news that he no longer have his element, but we'll need to remain steadfast until we have him in custody. There's no telling what will happen if he gets hold of another one that might be even more dangerous.

Inform me if something more changes. I'll make sure to let the mare know where to find you when they return."

Meanwhile, in the throne room, the lieutenant got a bit of a smile on her face as she got a positive response for her work.

"Shall I get you to the forge then sir?"

Suddenly a guard burst through the door and ran up to Iron Wing, where he'd give a quick salute.

"General, we have a potential problem. There's a large dragon seeking entrance into the city. He says he were asked to meet the generals about something? We need confirmation on this before we can risk letting him into town, considering the heightened alarm we're on."

The guard were a pretty new bundle of feathers to this, but he tried hard at least, even if he did blabber on a bit too much on things the general likely already knew. A nervous thing likely.

================================

 

@Dji @Widdershins

"Don't you worry your feathers there. If it comes to some intimidation needed, you'll just leave it to me. I have an ol' trick of my sleeve."

Usually she wouldn't waste this sort of thing just to show off, buuuuut Spicy felt in a pretty good mood right now so hey, what the hay right?

Picking one of the cards in her wings, she slid it across the side of her clothes, which gave an odd sound like a match being drawn, and all of a sudden, the card was starting to take fire. She tossed it at a rock after that and enjoyed the sight as the flames reached the center and a minor explosion happened. Nothing crazy, but enough to seriously discourage, or even harm whoever this might hit.

"Card's with a small explosion charge, a jacket with rough sides and some good old fashioned card tossing. Trick I learned off my mentor to make sure I'd always be ready for danger. Down to 18 cards in that set now though, so I'm gonna have to get to Fillydelphia one of these days for a new set."

These weren't the cards she played with of course, and the back of them were custom so she didn't confuse them with regular cards, so as long as she kept at these mostly being decorative, there wasn't an issue as far as she were concerned.

"Now come on, let's get to this bundle of logs before we start to grow moss."

=================================

 

@EQ_Theta

"In the end, everyone eventually dies Sen. It is inevitable, no matter how it is postponed, and when the time comes... I am not allowed to speak of the afterlife, but I can tell you that a good being have nothing to fear of the great beyond."

As a reaper, Mother had seen her fair share of those afraid of death, and what came after it, but she had also seen the places where souls eventually went, and unless you were a truly horrible, utterly disgustingly evil creature, the worst that could really happen were forced reincarnation, to repent for past sins.

"But you did not ask on my opinion with death, you wished to hear about life."

Mother leaned down on one knee and went close to the children, so she could look at them better with her warm, tired eyes.

"I think that if you can, you should find a way to prolong your lifespan. Mortimer would not approve of this, but his approval have been lacking from my actions for a long time, and it pales compared to imagining you facing death with fear. It could leave you a lost soul, and I do not wish that fate upon any of my children, adopted or not.

I don't think the first option should be to attempt to mix some of this world with you though. It took a good deal of time and a specific location to reform Lin into what she is now, and there is no telling if it will accept you as well. Further than that, Lin went through some... Unfortunate things before we even met, and you'd likely have to do those yourself too if you wish to be somewhat similar to what she is.

I am not saying it is impossible, but unless I have no other choice, I cannot send you to a slow and agonizing death Sen. No mother can be expected to make that choice lightly.

Perhaps though, you can find something else out in your worls which will prolong your life. I have visited several in olden times that had their share of measures. Fountains of youth, vampirism, demonic infusions, angelic blessings, blood sacrifices and so forth. Your wolrd should have something to.

Though please, heed my warning child. Immortality always haves a price. Make sure you know what that is before you take any offer."

It was a tough situation for Mother to really sat much about. She wished her child happy. And ideally, content with knowing that death were inevitable and that there was nothing to fear from it. Yet for Sen, it seemed the only way to ensure his happiness were to prevent his death for a long time, so neither he nor the one closest to him would leave the others behind. It was a nice thought, but one with so many possible flaws, not the least one being that most of the things she had mentioned had grizzly side effects, or bound him to some kind of service.

"Perhaps you could return to those who helped you, Lin, and ask if them for help or guidance? You were there for a long time in your tale. Perhaps it have given you time to know the feel of the place, and find your way?"

====================================

 

@Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich @Widdershins

"Good plan. Let's just hope nothing more bad happens in here then."

Ziggy were a bit all over the place right now as she climbed the stair case.

Her head told her that it was stupid to be afraid of the ghost, since all it had done were handing her a kind of crutch, and that was a good thing. It had to be friendly then, right?

Issue were that her heart couldn't stop being terrified at the thought of somepony dead toying with them and eventually either take them to the other side, or make sure they never got out, so it would have somepony to play with.

"You shouldn't be here."

Ziggy nearly jumped out of her own coat as she heard the voice in front of them, just at the turn where they had to go down, though she still couldn't see anypony.

"He's going to find you if you don't get out fast. You won't like what he does to those he finds..."

A cold breeze blew past them, and almost made Ziggy just curl into a ball and weep of fear. So far. Her heart were wining in how she felt about this ghost.

==================================

 

@cwhip9

Jelly giggles at the silly pony.

"I'm not a Night Guard yet, but one day I'm going to be. Just like mommy and daddy are."

The thought of adorning her own set of armor one day were an inspiring thought for her, though her parents were clear about her having to wait until she were older before she could go and aplly. Didn't stop her daddy from teaching her the ropes now and again however, much to her mother's dismay.

"And we're just out here because I were looking for a good cloud I could make into jelly. Wanna see it?"

Jelly fluttered past Crescent and over to the cloud, where she'd take out a k ife from her belt and use it to cut a small hole in the top. Big enough for either of them to stick a hoof in, which were exactly what she did.

Withdrawing it with a gelatinous mass on it, she took the hoof in her muzzle and thought over things whilst she sucked the jelly from her hoof.

"I think it's a mix of... Raspberries and blackberries? Strange taste. Wanna try? I swear, it's totally safe."

She looked up at him, expectantly. Both to see if he'd have a taste, and to see that if not, she could ask him stuff too. She wanted to know what he did out here and stuff like that. Anything that could make her learn more of this fun bat pony.

==============================

 

@Foxy Socks

Anomaly rose her head and looked at Foxy as she were mentioned, with the orb she had been given sliding into her mouth.

"I thimp... Holf ohn."

The mumbling started to annoyed her as she tried to speak, so she did the opposite of what any rational being would do, and swallowed the orb, getting it out of the way for a bit. Who knew? Perhaps it'd work if she stewed it in her stomach acid for a while.

"I don't see the problem. Everypony gets lead on by somepony higher up. Zhu's just lower down the hierarchy instead. Same thing as following a royal in my book, but i might be biased since he taught me pretty much everything.

I was supposed to come back with all memories of the big bad meanie I once were and really cause issues as the 14th big kahuna on his list. He made sure I didn't remember stuff, and taught me to do things and be nice to lower lifeforms like ponies. I would've liked my head though, instead of the pumpkin, but I guess I can't have everything."

Anomaly suddenly swelled up like a balloon for a moment before going back to a more *normal* sight again, tough she did burp out a strange-looking smoke.

"Hehe. That tickled."

She leeeeeeeaned ever so much closer to Foxy and after a small burp more to the side, would whisper her into her ear, to try and be all sneaky like.

"It's pointless being sorry for him you know. He's totally set on doing stuff his way until he just stops being useful. I tried to talk him out of it too once, but he was a total buzzkill about it. I even tried with a ring and everything."

Anomaly opened her mouth in front of Foxy's muzzle, after circling her neck with the elongating one she had - draconquui perk: Body manipulation - and showed her a copy of the ring that she had tried to entice Zhu with a few centuries back. It looked exquisite, but apparently, he hadn't been interested.

"Besides, you don't know enough about the dark stuff he haves to do sometimes yet. Try to ask him about the attack in town a few days ago, and put a bit of pressure on the strange hurricane dome that covered some of the town and kept everypony inside."

Mainly it would entertain Anomaly, but it was really just herself she thought about too when it came to this, so eh. It'd be a fun show for her.

================================

 

@Sun Ray

"Why am I doing this again?

The blue pony corrected his glasses and once more.made sure his clothes sat right as he approached the theater. A noisy mess sometimes, and not something he meant he had the time for with all the building projects he still had to go through.

"Your stress levels have increased to dangerous levels, so I made you go here to alleviate some of it."

The mare next to him finished polishing her monocle and returned it to her eye, whilst ensuring that Clayton kept moving. Like it or not, he were going to enjoy the midday show, and stress off for a time before he would cause himself some kind of.breakdown.

"It is supposed to be a good performance. The kind I know you have a fondness for."

"I could just say no here. You can't force me."

"It is this, or I will return to another solution to make you relax which you have previously exclaimed were not to your liking."

Clayton grimaced and remember the sleeping agent she had given him to calm him down. A harmless thing, but the time it had taken away from him were a concern.

A less forgiving boss would have fired her for that, but he often forgave her for things like that, because he knew she did it for him. To make sure he didn't injure himself or end as a tragic story about overwork in the tabloids, amongst other things.

So he begrudgingly showed the tickets Belladonna had gotten them, then entered the area and found a place to seat and wait for the show. Hopefully this would help make him forget about the paperwork for a time.

Edited August 21, 2017 by Blitz Boom
Added colors.

[Victoria Sponge 1,017]

@Blitz Boom

She smiled awkwardly, as if her modesty was preventing her from giving an accurate price.

"It really wasn't too much work, I-I think I'll charge you 5 bits per cake. Though as I said I want to give you a good deal so it'll be 10 bits, 5 for each of the Blackberry cakes and I'll throw in the Battenberg for free."

She hoped this was an acceptable price as she awaited their response. However their response was to be delayed by an unexpected arrival.

The door slammed open behind the two customers, knocking the little bell above it almost off it's hook as it rang wildly. The door seemed to stick on a slightly raised portion of the floor keeping it wide open. A mare stood outside, facing away from the door she looked back at her handiwork before turning round and strutting in nose raised and eyes closed. She looked a lot like the shy pony behind the counter but had a rich brown coat and white and red coloured mane, very well brushed and groomed. 

"Battenberg... I thought I told you to clean that filthy door."

Battenberg looked shocked and scared at the same time.

"Vicky... You d-didn't have to kick it down."

Victoria opened her deep purple eyes and stared at her sister.

"I told you not to call me that. I am a very regal pony and I have a very regal name, shortening it is degrading, demeaning and disrespectful. And as for the door, how else am I supposed to open it without touching it for more than a fraction of a second?"

Battenberg had now managed to bring out a frown and gave her sister a deadly look.

"Victoria, it's not even that dirty and I should be the one complaining, you were meant to be here helping me hours ago. And on top of all of that, I have customers, you can't just come in like that... like you're the only one that matters."

Victoria turned and looked at the pair of shoppers who stood in shock nearby. She looked them up and down with a frown on her face and a look of disgust.

"Yes, just like you to associate with their kind, filthy both of them, covered in some kind of sticky substance that I'm not even going to try to identify. You two stay away from me you hear? I just spent the morning brushing my mane, I'd rather not have it gummed up by peasants like you."

Battenberg was furious, her fur was practically turning red and a whole new personality emerged. She lept over the counter and trotted right up to Victoria pushing her face right into that of her sister.

"How dare you speak to them like that, I think you're forgetting who is the older sister here! Peasants indeed! Get behind that counter and start making some cakes this instant."

Victoria seemed a little shocked, she'd never seen her sister this angry before despite acting this way on a daily basis.

"B-but. Hmmph. Fine... But I need a hairnet a hair band and some goggles. And we better not be working on any extravagant cakes, you know baking is the only thing I'll let my hooves get dirty for but if the mess goes more than 2cm up them I'm not doing it."

Battenberg seemed ready to hit her sister but she sighed and stepped out of her way.

"Just go... do something useful."

She didn't stop frowning at Victoria until she was out of sight. She then walked sheepishly over to her customers, quickly turning back to her previous more gentle nature.

"S-sorry about that, I only let her work here because she's my little sister and nobody else will employ her. She's such a good baker too, just wish she wasn't so prissy. I-I can give you a discount for the insults, i-if you'd like that." 

[Foxy Socks 2,599]

@Blitz Boom

Foxy wasn't sure what to think. Did she really think she could convince someone like him out of it? He seemed set on his ways and believed it was the right thing to do, which normally she would be okay with. However, manipulating the fate of others seemed like too much to her. He was trying to help, though she didn't feel like he was doing it the right way.

 

He wasn't even made to do it either it seemed. He said he had done it to atone for somepony, but it seemed too much for her to understand. There wasn't much she could do, however. Perhaps she was the one who didn't understand the situation.

 

"..."

"I don't hate you, but I do wish you would change your ways. Either way, is there a reason you are here? Did you want to see Anomaly?" Foxy asked Zhu.

[Storm Shine 1,196]

@Blitz Boom

Pinkie saw her opening and immediately pouned (Gently) onto the sugarmole and began to happily lick at the sugary sweet layers of fur, Storm following shortly after rubbing his head where the net had hit him. "Yum! It's absolutively adoralicious!"

[cwhip9 1,078]

7 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

"I think it's a mix of... Raspberries and blackberries? Strange taste. Wanna try? I swear, it's totally safe."

Cresent being the curious driven bat he was shrugged if the youngster can eat the cloud jelly and not fall through it, it should not harm him, this brought up another question tho he didn't know many bat pony's let alone youngster bats. Flying up and taking some jelly from the cloud then closed his eyes tasting it as the mix was similar to the how the youngster said it was.

"ive had cloud cake before maybe this is a new type of cloud perhaps" he said once swallowing the jelly

As he herd about what she said about her parents he smiled after feeling a very distend unpleasant feeling hit his gut, must have been the jelly.

"Night guard, well its a tuff but good life from what I remembered from awhile ago and its a good goal to have don't let anypony say other wise" he said "thought of going active night guard or more close to home?" he asked the youngster knowing she like him would be hit with that question a lot growing up might as well prep her for it.

[EQ_Theta 460]

@Blitz Boom

Lin remembers the wellspring, a memory still fresh no matter how much time has passed. It was brought to her attention in desperation but what she had to go through was something even she wouldn't wish for her brother. The tests she and Omen endured were too much for her to imagine again but she knows she barely made it. Omen probably fared better if she had to come in and help her through her own trial. These already gave her a firm answer in her head. 

"The wellspring isn't an option, Mother. Whatever effects the waters of that place has on Sen, the golem guarding that place made itself clear that no one is allowed to enter it more than once. I almost didn't make it since the wellspring tests those who wish to bathe in its waters and even if Sen succeeds, he might not be able to leave the place. I gave Omen my lustrous scale because I was scared, I didn't know if I was coming back. That is not a place where we should gamble with Sen's life." 

"No."

Sen stepped forward and while looking dejected, understanding that maybe there isn't a solution. Not one that involves magic. He placed one claw on Lin's shoulder and the other at Mother's leg and simply smiled at them. He wasn't going to let this one problem become bigger than it needs to be. Although he suspects there are possible cures written in the codex, it wouldn't be worth it if everyone was concerned about it and forgot about living. Each cure Mother suggested sounded good, bad, or somewhere in between but they likely had catches he wouldn't accept. It's not a decision to be made lightly and it might be smarter to not decide on anything and eventually nudge himself into his choice but what it ultimately boils down to is what he believes is the right decision for him. It still doesn't feel any better for Sen knowing the trip to the dream realm was for nothing. 

"There's no need to do this. No extending life spans and no more cures for nightmares. I...I'll live with it and just let each day matter like it is my last. It wouldn't be right for us to obsess over this and forget there's still a world and life out there to experience. Maybe that's what matters."

Edited August 22, 2017 by EQ_Theta

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom @Seamore Sandwich @Widdershins Serenade looks over at Ziggy, "Ok, let's take the advice of the voice. I don't know who HE is, but I'd rather not anger him...plus I'm not sure how this potion would react if I let loose." Serenade offers Ziggy a wing. 

[Pieburner 1,680]

@Blitz Boom @Seamore Sandwich @Widdershins

 

"I wouldn't release that potion." A mysterious pony says to Serenade and Ziggy. "It's left me with a scar that has ruined me." This pony then walks over to them and shows them her scar. "Do not release that potion." 

[Sekel 694]

@Blitz Boom & @Widdershins

AURORA

"Well, at least I'm not a dragon stuck on top of a cart," Aurora said, looking up at Kaltrops then flinched at the explosion. "What da heck are you using exploding cards for!? You could hurt something with that kinda power!"

@Jedishy

WATTS

"Oh, hi, welcome," Watts smiled, waving at the approaching pony with her wing. "Are you here to buy something or to trade?"

@Blitz Boom & @Lloyd

DAWN

Whatever that energy was, it wasn't enough to keep her from flinching and glaring at the dragon. "Dragon..." Dawn growled and took a few steps forward, but then stopped and looked at the other ponies nearby before grumbling to herself. "If any of you can answer? I felt something go through me when I came into proximity with that," she pointed at the amulet the pony in front of her was holding. "I'd like to know what that was."

[Widdershins 9,960]

@Dji & @Blitz Boom

   "Hmph. You have a fully-grown dragon with you & you need your own source of firepower?" Kaltrop grumpily speaks while peering over the front edge of the wagon's eaves. 

       "What am I, huh, some sort of a salamander?  Besides, I can't see how anything stupid enough to live in a stupid forest would be stupid enough to pick fights with anypony."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Thrown @ The General Vicinity of Blitzer Von Booms:

           Nah-Nah~ Widdershins's voice wafts in from a corner of the room, half buried by the remaining wolverines and self-debris. You can just sweep my bits back together into a pile & I can likely reassemble myself from there! I do try not to explode into a fine mist too often & leave some larger chunks to stack together! The benefits of being a self-made man!

  Hoh! Does he ever! Says its a bad precedent or something what with the way I keep killing myself, but it gives emphasis, you know! Guess I could say I'm pretty lucky that he's fart too much of a major prick to ever, And I Quote!: "Interrupt the Narrative Flow." But clearly, he ain't all that bad to you, eh? He did just shower us in spiky fruits! Just imagine the pain we would be in if either of us had a working, continuous nervous system! Hah! 

  But that's the funny state of being mortal, ya know? They balk at too much change, despite the whole purpose of living to be in constant, unpredictable change! It's a beautiful irony ain't it, that sentience is a natural state of hypocrisy? 

 The Draconequus continues to babble on, his lilting baritone occasionally bouncing off the walls to sound as if its changing origin.

   I do try not to eat the living, or what once was anyway. For one, they tend to not like that & do a fair bit of damage if you don't swallow them whole and Two: that's a slippery slope into becoming a zombie! Well... "eat" being a comparative term here, of course. Favorite flavor being Concrete, under "Pancake" & Attention, of course. That's the fun part about eating Concrete or Asphalt after you get used to figuring out how to bite through it, is that actually does taste funninly enough like most British cooking! Quite filling! 

  Which reminds me, you'll probably find my tongues connected to my neck-section which likely rolled off with my body rings! 

  From his corner, V.I.A.B's drone defeatedly drifts in to add to the conversation.

             "Do do what you can to clean up this resulting mess. This does happen quite often here, but if we must, we can try contracting the walls a bit to push everything together to better facilitate disposal.            ...and aid the Master in reassembling himself."

                 We've been over this, Boxy. I'm not your "Master!"

                                        

***************************************************************************************************************

  To Boom It May Concern:

                     Looking across at Happy Hour and occasionally taking the odd swipe at his cheeks with with the front of one of his legs, likely both in an attempt to keep himself awake but also as an attempt to bashfully avoid eye contact, Ambie thanks the other stallion for his aid.

   "Oh, yeah... that would be nice if we can find something with some sort of wheels on it. As its getting kind of late, maybe we'll just leave it by his place with a note or something on it. Don't want to wake him up or keep you much longer.

  Thanks for... well, being there for me. Guess I'll, uh... I'll see what I can do to write a letter for my folks when I get back to the room tonight the Apples have set up for me. Maybe I'll tell them you want to meet them so you can meet them for m-... set up something so we can figure this all out then?"

#################################################################

@Moonlit, @Seamore Sandwich & Blitz Boom

     *Tok, Ticki-ticka-tick-tick*

 *Tok, Ticki-ticka-tick-tick*

   A repeating, rhythmic sound slowly advances towards the spot where Ziggy, Serenade & their invisible guest stand. Coming in slowly from around the corner and out of sight from the hallway perpendicular towards the one they stand in now a small, wooden form hops into view. Judging by its movement, the first loud clunk of each series of light ticking noises seems to emanate from the small object hopping another "step" forward along the hard, cold, stone floors. With one final thunk in front of them, the small device seems to turn to them and ask in a small, unintelligible voice:

     *Tick, Ticka-tick-tick?*

  *Tick, Tick.*

Without pausing any longer, and seemingly now determined with a destination in mind, the small, animated metronome hops on ahead of the two ponies further along the stone corridor and a turn towards the right towards a much larger indoor amphitheater.

    *Tok, Ticki-ticka-tick-tick*  ...*Tok, Ticki-ticka-tick-tick*   ...*Tok, Ticki-ticka-tick-tick*

Edited August 22, 2017 by Widdershins
Needed more, and screwy Mentions again...

[Jedishy 3,548]

@Dji

"Yes. Im looking to trade in these three books. I also need to patch my saddle bags, and maybe replace my blanket. I have about 45 bits and the trade in just so we know what I am able to work with. I dont want to be a pain but If you could also point out a location that I might be able to camp for the evening and pick up some food to cook for tonight? Winter Bolt was hoping that he would not be looked down upon for being a drifter here. Often towns looked at a wandering pony with distrust. But he felt the ponies here were different. There was a kindness that seemed to fill the air here. It almost seemed visible. 

[Blitz Boom 4,634]

@Moonlit @Widdershins @Seamore Sandwich

Ziggy got a few extra notches of nervousness when the ticking little thing showed up, and for some reason, she didn't feel too good about it just leaving them, even if that should be a good thing, right?

"That wasn't a good sign, was it?"

"He knows you're here now."

The voice were just behind them this time, and when Ziggy turned her head, she felt it like she had gotten a kick in the stomach. She had expected there to just be a voice and some wind again, but this time, the voice had a body to go with it.

The little mare that looked at them didn't seem like a ghost. She wasn't see-through, hovering or carrying chains around like Ziggy would have expected, but the haunting voice were pretty unmistakable. As were the fact that there hadn't been anypony with them before, and there was no way she could sneak after them without being noticed at some point.

The zegasus gasped, and dropped the torch, though she didn't notice that it kept floating in the air rather than fall to the floor and roll down the stairs. The likely work of the little one who were lookig on them with concern in her eyes.

"You have to be fast and get away before it tells him. Or you're never going to leave again."

The little mare looked at the horrified Zegasus, the - in her eyes - regular pegasus next to her, and the hissing mimic on top of the first one's head, before suddenly flicking out like the signal had been torn away from an old TV. Something which made the color seem to drain from Ziggy's face.

"Yes... Yes! Please Serenade, let's get out. We can't s-stay here with all of these things going on."

Ziggy would take whatever help she could now. A wing to support her with, a kick in the flank, anything really, as long as it didn't involve ghosts.

Which were sadly easier said than done, since the floating torch seemed to be solidly in spectral control, and moving slowly forward down the path. It seemed they had to chose between being guided by an invisible hoof, or stay here, and eventually be left in the dark. Barely seemed like it were a choice, did it?

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@Widdershins

"Sounds like a plan. Let's get this junk dragged over and then you can settle in. I'll start looking around for some wheels somewhere tomorrow. Gotta be a place with a few spare parts 'round here."

Question though, would be what he'd have to do get hold of them. After all, getting some wood were easy, as there were a forest nearby and he could get to work there on some rough planks they could smooth out a bit, and for the few metal parts and nails, he knew he had seen a blacksmith and a carpenter, and raiding the trash there would likely get him a few bits and pieces he could use, long as he got the things sorted out properly afterwards. A good deal of work, but hey, long as it was free, right?

Wheels were going to be the issue there, since any he would be able to scavenge would likely be beyond repair for somepony like him, and all others were either in use or put ready for replacement parts, and in a farming community, those things could likely get up to a good chunk of bits.

Hmm.... Stealing a few seemed like a bad idea since he wasn't bailing town with them, but then again, he didn't want to waste his bits on curiosity, when the hive might well need them... Bleargh, nevermind. Who cared right now anyway? Might as well get some sleep, and then look at it when the sun rose. Who knew? Perhaps he'd get lucky and find a wheel somewhere.

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@Widdershins

"I still got all my nerves, even in my usual pumpkin head. It's just that right now I'm kinda metallic, so the teeth didn't really do that much. Tickled a bit though, hehe."

A snap of her tail, and a large broom and dustbin popped out of nowhere and started to brush the scattered pieces of Widdershins up. Grizzly business sort of, but eh, it wasn't like he was dead or anything, so she didn't really see a problem. Honestly it was rather cool. She split up too at times, but not like this,and it seemed like her brethren didn't mind int he slightest. Perhaps something to do with him apparently not feeling anything, but logic had nothing to do in this conversation, or in this room in general really, which were why she didn't feel the slightest bit off when she found his mouth to hold it in front of her own and mimic Widdershins voice.

"I am the almighty explodaquus! Tremble before my face-bits."

She laughed loudly before tossing it in the pile and gathering up the last bits. It wouldn't be far until all of him should be gathered up again.

"It's kind- *clears throat* Kinda fun to hear your human is whiny in it too. It's like they don't have any appreciation of chaos at all, and just want to stop us from having fun. I mean, just look at the breezie. It was supposed to be a nice gift, and then he gets all prissy about it and lets it escape. What's next, he'll steal my sandwich?

You say you eat... Pancakes? What're those? Is it like a rock of some kind, since you mentioned concrete? Not my kind of food really. I prefer to change rocks into something new for fun, not eat them. That's what fruits, sweets and breezies are for. Yummy, crunchy and delicious.

Not sure why he doesn't like the small ones being lunch. Like you say, they don't like all of this fun change, and this is a part of their boring, rigid food chain. It should be fine.

You ever try to mess with the food chain by the way? It's pretty funny. Imagine a rabbit suddenly starting to hunt and eat wolves, or a fish jumping up to drag down the hawk coming for it. It's pretty funny, though not as good as making the plants suddenly go for the animals. That really confuses them, though of course, nopony appreciates evolution. I don't even make most of them able to eat ponies. I mean, sheesh, what's the big deal? It's just a little chaos tossed into the old machine."

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@Widdershins @Dji

Spicy grinned at Aurora and spread her right wing a little, showing several more cards ready to be flung if needed.

"I know, that's the point.

It's cute if you want to think that the world is all safe and sound, but the truth is, sooner or later, you're gonna have to fight to survive. And me? I ain't gonna be taken into that situation without being prepared sugar. Be it wild beasts or overly violent looters, nothing is going to get the jump on me if I can help it."

Truth be told, she used these cards mostly for intimidation, and scaring off annoyances like wolves who got a bit too frisky for her taste. The point of hurling these at others with the intent to hurt them were still present, obviously, but so far she rarely had to get to that. Her bodyguard usually handled issues for her if things seemed to be going south, so that wasn't much of an issue.

*sigh* She missed the dumbflank right now frankly. Might've lightened up things a little.

"And speaking of that, you don't need to be worried about the ponies and such that live in the forest Mr. Salamander. It's the wildlife that might get testy. Also, think a bit before you speak up about not needing firepower. I just ran into you after all. Usually I don't have what is best described as a mouthy lighter with thorns, but hey, if you wanna prove you're more than enough firepower, torch a timberwolf. I'm guessing it won't be long before at least a few of those tries to circle us."

With that mouthful, they took the last steps towards the edge of the forest, and would soon be insidethe wilderness. It'd be interesting to see if something bad was gonna happen in here considering she had a grumpy dragon and a pacifist griffon with her, though why take the sorrows in advance? Better just run with it and see if the local life were perhaps smart enough to stay clear of them with Kaltrops around. Small minds like those usually got the point in fire being bad.

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@Dji @Lloyd

Hearing the hostile response to his presence, Benny turned around and looked at the pony who sure enough looked like she'd wish he were somewhere else, far away. Inside a volcano perhaps, which - now that he thought about it - wouldn't be too bad. It'd be nice with a scorching bath like that one of these days.

Nevermind that though. Considering how he were greeted, he should try and do a little damage control instead for now and attempt to smooth things out. Not fantasize about where she might wish he were instead of here. Something which would be easier if he didn't have his *helmet* on, so that went off.

Technically it was more of a faceplate really, but those were semantics that really didn't mean that much right now.

"Ma'am, I can assure you that I'm not an enemy. I'm with the Royal Guards, see?"

He pointed at the marks of the Solar and Night Guards on his upper leg plates and smiles innocently at the mare. Without his faceplate on and with this smile on his face, she might actually be able to recognize him easily now, as the very same dragon had been shown in pictures in Circle Pop's house, often with this smile on his face. Her very special somedragon, Benny.

Meanwhile, Screecher looked down at everything and scowled. She had hoped for an arrest, and instead there had been panic. She had to deal with this before it spread further and... What was that?

her eyes focused on something happening just beyond the burning house. Not the fire fighters no, those she expected, but the sight of a Night Guard without the armor having his back to her and addressing a mass of ponies weren't.

Her sensitive ears could hear his somewhat gravelly voice speaking reassuringly to them to calm them down, which seemed to help, especially after the fire fighters passed and showed that the fire was about to be taken care of.

It seemed she wasn't the only one taking notice however, as the guard suddenly took flight and flew over towards her, after a final talk about *everything was under control*.

When he got close enough, he'd stop and land on the ground where Screecher pointed him towards, and saluted her as she made her own landing.

"General Screecher. Officer-"

"I remember you. Olden Moon's golden colt."

The words were not said mockingly, but Stargazer did get a slightly red tint on his face when he heard the nickname that a few had called him now and again. Something which Screecher found were a fitting nickname to use currently, as it both showed that she knew who he were, and the story behind the previous criminal.

Quite honestly, she found him an interesting character, and definitely a good example that her predecessor knew what she were doing when she spoke of redemption, rather than incarceration. She also knew that Olden Moon had considered him for promotion several times as she found his service unquestionable, but for some reason had never gone through with it. Rumors had it that whilst she believed in redemption, letting former criminals rise high wasn't something she wished for, but Screecher found it far more likely that though he did make somewhat of a mark for himself, she had to look at overall presentation, and there were usually some that were more remarkable than him. Left him with a good deal of medals, but no rank to speak of.

"Yes ma'am."

"is the civilians calmed sufficiently?"

"Yes general. The presence of yourself, along with the attackers disappearance made it easy for them to trust in the Royal Guards ability to have successfully handled the situation."

"Good. Now inform me, where are your armor Stargazer?"

"On the line for being reforged general. Standard issue armor got too small."

"Acceptable excuse. I will make sure our blacksmith will have it ready when you arrive at Canterlot for a debriefing tomorrow evening. 9 PM sharp."

Stargazer had to work hard not to grimace at this. He hated having so little time to prepare for a meeting, but alas, the general set a meeting, he had to show. She were likely curious about what had happened in this town since he were stationed there, and wanted to be informed. Potentially in case she felt it was prudent to send more troops.

"Understood general."

She gazed at him as she picked up the chakram that had gotten lodged in the ground a little from them, and placed it back with the others. She'd have to clean and sharpen it again later.

"Good. Now return to your post. We have things under control here."

He didn't say anymore, but just nodded, and turned around to fly back to town. Might be there were still somepony panicking that he had to talk with, and if not that, then some builders he had to direct to this house. A clean-up crew seemed like it was going to be needed.

Screecher then wandered overt towards Astral, with her sight on the seemingly innocent thing in her hoof, and half a mind to try and cleave it in half and see if that would make this angle of their problems go away, even if she knew that she couldn't, as it were likely to either do nothing, or cause more issues than it would solve.

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@EQ_Theta

"...Mother, can you open a gate to their village. I want to do something."

Mother looked at Omen with curiosity, mixed with her worry over what Sen had just said. Not a good decision in her mind, as trying to live with nightmares would not end well, and would just cause more pain. His decision to make, but not one she overly approved off. Despite how she wished that he would just accept his mortality, the way was not to simply just think that they would live with it, and the sentiment seemed a little hollow to her in general too.

She had been debating whatever or not to voice her concerns for Sen, and perhaps explain that she didn't mean to sound like nothing good would come from it before, when Omen had interrupted the line of thought with a request she hadn't expected.

"Of course. Here you go dear."

A poke in the air, and a swirling gate opened to near the longma village. It gave a good view of it, as Mother were thinking that likely, Omen were going to make a point that would include their old home. Perhaps something about accepting change and realizing that nothing could ever be as simple as it once were? It seemed rather intelligent for Omen to make a point like that, but Sen and Lin had been a good influence on her thus far. Perhaps to a point where she had picked up some thoughts about life along the way? It would be delightful if that were the case.

"Now then, Sen, before she starts, I would like to say that I support whatever decision that you make, but it would perhaps be smart to think of this further one day. I know it is not an easy choice, but trying to ignore problems could end up causing ser-"

"I'll find something."

Second time in a row, Mother turned her gaze to Omen as she saw the child had jumped through, and opened a gate back to another part of their realm. It seemed that perhaps her intentions hadn't been so much to show something as just getting out of the throne room so she could use her gates again.

"Omen?"

Omen didn't say anything, but just looked at Sen a last time before wandering through the other gate and closing it behind her.

Somewhere else in the realm, Mother felt Omen passing through and shortly after, open a new one. Faster than Mother would be able to stop her from doing so. At least in her current mind, when she didn't know if she even should try to stop her, as she were just trying to help her brother after all.

However, she could do something, and with a flickering light in her eyes, she went through with it, before returning her gaze to the others with further concern over her face.

"It would seem she seeks to help you regardless of what you're thinking right now Sen. I cannot in a good mind stop her, as I am not certain if she does not have a point in doing so, but I have forced the gate she opened to remain so, so you can follow her. I think that what happens after this is between you three, first and foremost."

She waved her right arm, and a section of the wall opened, revealing the darkness behind it, and in the distance, what might be a gate. Though it were some way from them, so it was hard to be completely certain for anyone else than Mother.

Another thing that remained a certainty, were that this gate would be needed, in case they wanted to follow Omen. Since Lin did not have the ability to simply track others down like her full-*blooded* children did, it were unlikely that they could find her without this.

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@Shineling

At first, the mole squeaked and tried to get away, but after a few licks where it became obvious to it that the ponies only wanted to take some layers off it, the creature calmed down a good deal. It even started to giggle a little, whilst Anomaly rolled of it into a fine paste and molded herself together from it again. Being a net was fun and all, but the lack of limbs got irritating fast.

"See? I said they loved it. They're just really shy and scared of creatures actually munching them down. Guess I scared them with the trees or something."

An elongated tongue stretched from her mouth and took a good lick of the mole, reducing it by a few inches before the sugar-coated limb returned. Yummy as always, and totally harmless.

"Creating life can be delicious sometimes."

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@Foxy Socks

"I only came here to get something from Anomaly. This sharing session were not a planned event."

As if on que, another explosion seemed to happen in Anomaly, rapidly followed by a third that sent the metal plate on her head flying into the sky whilst it scattered into ash, and the bark on her skin cracked.

Having enough of it, she coughed up the thing she had swallowed before, and looked at it with curious wonder as the bauble had gone from nearly dimmed out, to bursting with energy in rapidly changing colors. It didn't seem like something stable to carry around, but as Zhu took it from the ground and put it back in his robes, it seemed to be his responsibility now, and there weren't any explosions right now so... It was likely okay.

Taking his paw out again, he withdrew a small green figurine and held it towards Anomaly, who connected to it with her tongue,a nd seemingly pumped something into it like it was a gasoline pump. More than likely, raw chaos, though what anypony sane would use hat for were anyponys guess.

"My business here is done. Farewell."

"Wait!"

Brittle rose her voice and moved closer to Zhu, who turned his head and looked at her.

"You said you would tell me something."

"A city falls, a city rises, with the sound of falling trees in the woods. Find the truth surrounded by lies, and search among the remnants of sated lives for the bed of thorns. This is where the shattered mirror rests."

Brittle opened her muzzle to ask what it was that he meant, but it was too late. With a strong gust of wind, Zhu jumped to a nearby roof,a nd with agile movements would jump from building to building until he'd hit the forest. It seemed he had said everything he wanted to for the time being.

"Hehe, he's fun. So, anypony wanna eat? I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."

Anomaly eyes Foxy and licked herself around her mouth. Hopefully she didn't mean she could eat a horse literally...

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@Battenberg

Benny gave a nervous grin towards Battenberg and shook his head, whilst scratching the back of said head as well. A nervous compulsion he had when things got a little awkward, and the rude mare sure had laid a thick blanket of that all over the room with her performance.

"Nono, i-it's okay. Stuff like that can happen you know? I'm sure it's fine. Right Po- Oh no..."

Whilst Benny had been taught to not go after ponies just because they insulted him - a surprisingly big part of the Royal Guard training it turned out - Circle Pop had not been vetted like this, and had more normal responses to it.

If it were just her being insulted that wasn't an issue that much. She'd get sad, walk away and feel down for a while until she found something or somepony that could make her smile again. The issue came when the insults struck her friends or loved ones. Benny in particular, as she were sick and tired of hearing comments now and again about the two of them being *delinquent freaks*, among the more nice comments. It wasn't so bad anymore, but it were a soft spot for his marefriend, which she responded with in the way you'd expect.

"Get back out here and say that to my face you second-rate cookie cutter!"

Pop had moved forward and looked past Battenberg whilst her angry voice rose in her attempt to get the attention of the insufferable gnat that had had a go at them before. At her own sister too, and for what? because she felt she were special? She acted like a noble, and no real noble would work in a bakery. They'd sit on their fancy flanks and sip champagne or some other frivolous nonsense, whilst belittling working ponies.

Yes yes, she knew, that was not how all of them were, but right now she were angry and irrational, so excuse her for focusing on the dark side of things right now to make a point to herself that would feed the fire.

Meanwhile, Benny got closer and took a grip in Pop before she tried to do something stupid, like jump the counter and run after her for example. Which would be pretty bad as he were a guard, and that meant he'd have to take her to the local station and try to clear things from what would hopefully just be an emotional response, rather than an assault charge. Quite honestly he didn't know if she were capable of beating somepony like that, but... Why take the chance, right? Everypony could get irrational when they got angry, and whilst he didn't think she'd intentionally hurt anypony, everypony had their limits, and it was best not to test those.

"I'm so sorry about this. She's a sweet mare normally, really, she just doesn't like insults. I'll uhm, get the bits ready in a sec, once she have calmed down."

Hopefully the brat who had gone to the kitchen wouldn't come out and face Pop from her own, not so subtle insult about Victoria not only being nothing more than somepony who'd use somepony else's premade dough and just shove it in the oven, but also being so bad at her job that all she could do were cookies. Something which were likely not true, but to be fair, the two of them weren't filth either, so he'd just call this even and hope it would stop there. That was a nice hope, right? Surely there'd be no reason to just like, stomp all over that hope now, was there?

...Why did nice thoughts like this never seem to hold up in reality?