open Casual stroll

[EQ_Theta 427]

@Blitz Boom @Shineling

As if seeing Omen nearly encased in gems was already hard to look at, Clayton pulling at her tail and yanking her off the side of the wall was icing on the cake. She hoped Omen wouldn't lose any body parts still stuck to the walls but a sigh of relief came once she is pulled free, relatively speaking. After Clayton wrapped her friend, she immediately set out to drag the slab out, avoiding the use of magical portals for the moment. 

It was a long and arduous task, pulling a heavy piece of crystal out of the mines. At that around the halfway point out, Lin was reconsidering her stance to leave Sen outside; his strength would have made this task easier, saving them some time. With only one or two days left on the clock before Omen was completely encased, every second missed could be crucial. At least there wasn't anything hostile on the way in and it felt that way going out. Sen waited impatiently outside, pacing back and forth by the mine's entrance before seeing two familiar sights emerging from the darkness followed by a giant crystalline deposit. Lin didn't have to say anything out loud for him to get the message. 

"Please, please tell me there's still time," Sen desperately pleaded to both his sister and to Clayton. "Can I help with anything?"

"We need to get Omen into town immediately. She doesn't have much time." Lin replied but she didn't look straight at her brother. Her eyes turned to Discord hoping he might know something she doesn't.

"Discord, are there any spells that can undo this? There were others encased in crystal like Omen but we can't get them."

[cwhip9 1,078]

On ‎10‎/‎12‎/‎2017 at 1:31 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"So you eat ponies? I thought those were called cannibals. Is vampires a new way of saying that? And what does it have to do with you having died?"

Cresent wasn't surprised on cover ups reaction his shoulders sagging "cover up, I don't eat pony's nor little ones like you only the real monsters that pony's fear and I swear on my wings ill never cause you harm with how I am. I'm vamp not a monster" he said  

 

On ‎10‎/‎12‎/‎2017 at 1:31 PM, Blitz Boom said:

Zinthar looked at Crescent with a sort of annoyed confusion in all three of his eyes. He had expected to be blown away a bit, but now the context were lost on him, and it was frankly irritating.

Seeing the look cresent said "why are you annoyed I was going to tell you regardless, and no I don't eat 3 eyed cats. I'm a vamp not genocidal nor are you a an monster" he said soon turning around to cover up

"and cover if this bothers you well" he took off the gauntlet placing it in front of the colt "I'm allowing you to have this, its me biggest strength and weakness as it can permanently kill me if used against me"

While cresent was only meaning to relax the youngster he knew the gauntlet wouldn't work with mortals like the youngster, zinthar though......he half expected the cat to try it....but he wouldn't say that. With how he knew Zinthar the feline would probably test it but not fully kill him just to see how the gauntlet worked.

Still it was risky to offer your own true death to a frightened pony. The batpony simply waited closeing his eyes for the two to react......

[Blitz Boom 4,455]

@cwhip9

"I'm annoyed because I don't know what a vampire is, and I hate being uninformed."

Zunthar flickered his right ear a little as he said this. The look on his face had eased up somewhat when the *vampire* started to explain himself to Cover-up, but it had soured once more once he listened through it and found out that the only thing he had learned now, were that cannibals and vampires weren't the same. Quite frankly that irked him more than the fact that Crescent answered the feline's question to the colt instead, who still seemed quite shaken about things, and a bit scared.

A small smirk betrayed Zinthar's scowl when he was called *not a monster*. The fact that Crescent could still say that, despite knowing even as little as he would about the feline, was almost endearing.

"Not a monster? What an idealistic view on things."

Zithar rose a paw and extended a claw. It seemed regular at first, but with a little concentration, the ghostly glow that he had shown off a few times in the dreamworld, covered the sharp claw like an enchantment.

"One prick is all it takes to turn friend to foe, and peaceful to frothing rage. One, single, strain, and I could make you feast happily on our little... Companion"

The feline purred, and retracted his claw as Cover-up gave a little yelp of fear.

"But it'd just leave me all by my lonesome again, and where is the fun in that? Still, makes it hard to defend that I am not a monster in some way, no?"

He would really think that his appearance and what he had told of himself would have made it clear that he wasn't exactly a regular rat-chaser. Sure, he had left out the juicy bits, but they had to have something to speak about eventually, and he'd still say that didn't change much. Ancient, horrible history.

Not that he was keen of spilling the beans, just as Cover-up wasn't keen on taking the offered gauntlet.

"I-I don't want it. Vampires s-scare me, but..."

The colt moved a little closer to Crescent and whispered.

"I'm more a-afraid of him, and you n-need this to defend me if s-something happens."

"Fun fact: Mutated or not, cats have great hearing. "

Cover-up froze, and looked a little mortified as the cat swung his tails from side and faced him with a smirk.

"Stay cautious little one. Never know when that might save you."

He didn't specifically mean himself, but Zinthar knew how the colt interpreted it as the pony pushed the gauntlet closer to Crescent and hid a little behind the vampire, to create a barrier between the feline and him. Cute, but if it came down to it, potentially inefffective.

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

 

@EQ_Theta @Shineling

"If I can be p-provided with a rope, I will drag them out here and he can try. With h-her gone, they don't need to be in there a-anymore."

The transportation of Omen hadn't left Clayton any less of a mess. His words were shaky, he seemed to have a persistent look of paleness going over his face, and dread hang over his features like flies over rotting meat.

Everything that had happened here all those years ago had come back quickly, which already made him loose his cool. But that the statue that mattered had been empty? It was a looming ocean of worries slowly getting ready to drown him.  And then now came it that perhaps his friends were still alive in their statues? Not the ones from longer ago, but these were magic had been involved whose statues had been different. She had been after all, so why not them?

Even if they weren't though, at least they'd be able to bury them properly. A small gesture perhaps, but for his friends, he'd make sure it was done, in case something didn't work with Discord's approach.

"Outside the m-mine, it should be less dangerous to use magic, b-but stand back. If it isn't removed, it m-might try and grab a close one."

In the meantime, the drake was wriggling in Sen's grip, trying to get loose and down to the genmed mare. It could smell the hair on her tail, and it wanted to go back to her. Dangerous business, since touching her might expose it, but then again... It had shown itself to drain gems before of their color. Hard to say what might happen if it encountered these.

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

 

@genessee

"Oh you of little faith. The elderly are just the first. It's about pacing when you want to create a supervirus, and making sure it works first is how to go. Who's better than the older ones to test it on, since it gives them a starting point and nopony thinks it's weird when those like Missus Gingerly gets ill?"

She might be erratic to follow sometimes, but Berry wasn't dropped behind a moving cart. She could see the logic in starting easy out before moving to the main audience, as it was simply testing your product, before adapting accordingly. How most toys she knew off were made too.

"But, impending doom aside, what's your flaw Lance? I know Straw tends to give special cases a chance more than regular ponies, so what makes you stand out from the others?"

Of course, she wasn't one of the crazy ones. She just didn't like others places as they denied the conspiracy excisted. Sure, Straw didn't either, but he didn't say it to her face. Biiiiig difference.

Plus, it was easier to hide from the spooks like this. Nopony would think she was a threat when surrounded by some that life had beaten down on. She'd just look like another, loopy pony.

[genessee 535]

@Blitz Boom

Lance thought for a while as he trotted along. I could go with the cheesy 'everypony's different in their own way' response, but, like, really?.. Hmm.

"I mean, my childhood wasn't exactly perfect. Uh.. I'm kind of clumsy and easy to pick on... and I'm little introverted. But I don't think I'm that abnormal. Right?"

He decided to leave out a couple other things he thought he was, just to avoid looking pathetic. But this got him thinking. Yeah, what is my flaw? And-- he paused. What's Alonsus doing there? He looks pretty normal to me. I mean, he gives me the creeps, but he's not crazy. Right? But, like...

 

[Storm Shine 1,195]

@Blitz Boom @EQ_Theta

Discord rubbed at his chin thoughtfully even as he conjured a bit of rope that he then handed to Clayton. "Well I'm sure there's a few that may work to free them, but I'm not certain how effective they would be with magically reactive crystals. Depending on how reactive the crystals covering the ponies are to Chaos, and the effects of the reactions, I would have to tweak the spells..." He glanced at the crystal encased Omen, "But I'm sure there's hope. Not to brag.." The Draconequus buffed his claws against his chest, "But I do more than magic, I bend the very reality around us, warping Chaos to my will. There's no magic that can resist the unbridled power of Chaos that I command."

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Blitz Boom

Astral looked down. "Could pretend to join them, and once Sapphire comes back, we could turn against them, and with such a powerful force on our side, we'd surely win." She said looking to Chow, with a small smile. the plan did work as an excuse for her in many ways to finally stop Warlock. Maybe get on even grounds with Sapphire. No matter how she'd do it. "Of course, we'd have to leave this hallway for that." She snickered. "And you have no idea how to use magic so, you'd have to stay behind, again. Unless you'd like to learn magic properly."

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

Warlock snickered as he looked down at his limbs, he was able to rebuild his body once before. But when Sapphire took his element, his body fell apart to the ashes he made it from, somehow he would need to build a permanent form that would collapse like every other time, there was really only one way to do that. "We both need our elements."  He said with a sigh. "If only Astral wasn't the wielder..." He mumbled to himself, he had no proof but it was his only assumption when he was able to see her around it with no effect. Was she greedy too? "I was not restricted to one form either, not this weak torn form I ended up with. But I keep finding it fell apart every time my magic was gone..." He said with a grumble. "Have you ever discovered a solution to that, Athriel?" He asked looking up to her.

 

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

Iron Wing turned around to the two ponies and looked down at the opened back as his back metal plates glowed, the feathers flew out in an orderly fashion, each one slotting into a place on his wings, eventually forming two rather large metal wings, which were only spread out before he drew them away to the sides of his body. "Thanks, I'll be putting your work to good use in the future" he said with a smile as he turned back to the dragons. "We do need information on the elements location, so we can know where they might strike, which would help with planning an assault, if they didn't take your trap idea you suggested."

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

(10 minutes earlier)

Nectar looked up and down the guard, smiling. "Thanks... love for us is shared, so it'd be far better that way." Some of her minor wounds were already healing, although the lieutenant wouldn't feel anything change with their current emotional state. "I'd need proper care for the major wounds." she said with a raspy voice while she struggled to keep her eyes open. "So getting me to proper care would be, a, good, idea..." She closed her eyes and laid down.

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

Francis looked to Nectar. "Oh good." He said with a relieved sigh. "Well I'm not really like her, so you probably would fall unconscious trying to give love to me." He said with an awkward smile

[EQ_Theta 427]

@Blitz Boom @Shineling

"Good to hear something can be done but should we need more than that, I think I know who else to turn to for alternatives."

Lin calmly answered to Discord, though should that fail or have some unforeseen hiccups that come with using chaotic magic, she has an alternative ready go-to. As much as she would like to get the matter done with, seeing the other trapped ponies in there and seeing Clayton in distress means she couldn't just let the matter rest. As much as she doesn't want to admit, some of Sen rubbed off on her; just like him, she wanted to get everyone out safely. At the very least, it would be their way of thanking Clayton for his help. 

Lin reached in her pack and grabbed a small pouch with leaves in it and handed some over to Clayton. "Here, chew on some of these. It should have a cooling effect once you take a bite out of it. No drop in body temperature but it can help you calm down. We need calm heads and clear minds to get through this."

As for Sen, he struggled fighting back against the drake's increasingly agitated movements. He understood what it wanted to do but given the risk of being exposed to the disturbing effects of the changeling emerald, he wouldn't want to risk having the little creature become petrified in crystal. All he could do was restrain it, keeping himself on the spot and locking his forelegs close to keep the drake from escaping. 

"Sorry, little one, I can't let you do that. I know you miss Omen but please wait a little longer." Sen gently said to the drake before turning his attention to Lin. "It's okay, I got this one covered." 

Tempting fate had some consequences indeed, as the squirming was too much for Sen that the drake slithered through an opening and broke free. 
 

[cwhip9 1,078]

10 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

"Stay cautious little one. Never know when that might save you."

Hearing both reactions cresent opened his eyes standing up aware of the colt next to him hiding "we wont hurt you cover" the vamp said looking kindly at the colt shooting a thought to the feline.

'don't make me a lier' the feline would hear cresents voice in his head at that and.....it sounded a little like the vamps ater ego from the dream realm. Maybe that other pony wasn't all gone, Still cresent was tired of the felines playing, dark humor no.

But listening to the colt he knew what fear was, this colt was near shaking in it, cresent put his gauntlet on looking at zinthar "you just like dark jokes right zin?"

While cresent had seen the feline fight and Zin him, the vamp still wanted to have the feline on his side in a fight. "and I will answer more of your questions about me zin why wouldn't I, now then."

The vap put a comfort like wing to cover the young colt feeling him shake not full hugging the youngster just having a cover over him

 "in short a vamp is a pony that died that lives off blood to keep living. The blood helps us stay alive longer then most mortal or living ponys if we have a steady sorce of blood. Hence why I have these" he shook his sholders to indicate the saddel of drinks.

"sense neither of you two are blood drinkers these will help me get through our quest"the vamp said    

[Seamore Sandwich 470]

@Blitz Boom 

@Moonlit 

 

Charlie’s magic would begin its work on the Zegasus, slowly healing the bone.  The same magic would also ease the pain a bit more than healing the wound did.  It was by far no instant cure, but given a few hours, the bone could be healed completely.  Such magic was not typical of Everwood, but the excessive positive charge of the wood, plus having the actual spirit of the tree tethered to it and wanting her to heal made the stick more effective than what would normally be possible.  “I think it’s working!”

@Blitz Boom 

 

Tock blushed a bit when Scarcity said she liked him.   When she brought the topic of their business back up, he levitated an antique watch case out from under the counter.  It had a glass lid, and the watches were surrounded in red velvet.  There were enough segments in it for fifteen watches, but hers were the only three in it.  Everything seemed to be in great condition, almost new even, and the times on each matched the others exactly, down to the second.  It should be clear at this point that the watch Tock was wearing wasn’t Scarcity’s, seeing as that one was in the case too.  The glass, which had previously been cracked, seemed to have been replaced by the exact same curved glass it had before.  He rifled through the receipt box again and pulled out another slip, then began typing things into the register.  “Lets see,  that’s four hundred and thirty five bits for the work, and forty five bits for the parts, minus ten percent brings you to four thirty two.  I replaced them with only original parts to protect the value of your watches.  I suspect you’ll be able to sell these to a collector for a good profit, assuming you didn’t pay more than twelve hundred for the lot.”

[Victoria Sponge 1,014]

@Blitz Boom

"I mainly specialise in dress suits for stallions, I do a lot of that type of thing."

"He's great with a needle and thread though, he can do a lot more than suits if he needs to, more than clothes even; you have a curtain or tablecloth that needs fixing or just want a brand new one, Royal can do it for you."

"Y-yes, but if you want something that looks really nice that isn't a suit you should probably look elsewhere"

His modesty seemed to be bothering Red.

"Ahh, you have a great fashion sense sugarlump. He's too modest, I'll have you know that Royal actually designed my wedding dress, the one in the photo up there..."

She raised a hoof in the direction of one of the photo frames on Battenberg's shelf. It showed a wedding procession stood together under some weeping willows by a beautiful lake. Looking at it the pony and dragon could pick out recognisable faces: Battenberg looking very cute in a frilly white dress covered in lace and little butterflies in the colours of her mane, Victoria wearing a similar outfit and looking less impressed than her sister, and in the middle the couple of ponies who had just arrived, Royal in a neat grey suit and top hat and Red in a large white and pink dress that spread out in every direction with its folds and lace and ribbons, it all looked very grand.

"...the most beautiful dress I own, somepony who can design something that spectacular has no right to tell everyone that he's no good."

Royal blushed and returned his gaze to the floor.

At this moment the door gently opened, causing a little tinkle from the silver bell above it. In trotted a mare with her nose held high and her mane shiny and smooth, ever so slightly covering one eye. Victoria seemed to have cleaned herself up and to everyone's surprise had returned to the shop.

"I'm back... Figured you'd be struggling to run thing so smoothly without my assistance."

Victoria's arrival had woken the little foal on Battenberg's back who sprang up and ran straight at her, his eyes set on her luxurious and clean mane. Pop and Benny closed their eyes in anticipation for whatever horrible thing Victoria was prepared to do to even an innocent little foal to protect her pristine appearance. But to their surprise, they heard no yell or slap or even a hoof stomp on the floor. Opening their eyes again they saw Victoria on her back with the little colt on top of her, she had her hooves wrapped around him as he tried desperately to reach for her mane with his little legs and she was laughing. The first genuine laughter they had heard from her since they met her.

"Hee hee. Angel, you know I don't like it when ponies touch my mane." 

Her voice had changed, no longer uptight and regal, she sounded much more playful and actually pleasant.

The little foal continued to squirm in her arms, reaching out for her hair. Eventually she gave in and let go of him, allowing him to flick her fringe back and forth across her face. After a few seconds of this she gently put him to the floor and stood up, ruffling his little tuft of white hair.

"Hello Red, didn't expect to see you today."

Amazingly she was still smiling and even went so far as to give the mare a tight and warm hug. Battenberg smiled at the sight and turned to her guests,

"I'm glad she decided to come back, you actually get to see the real her. As uptight and cruel as she can be she has a big soft spot for foals, must be her maternal instincts or something. If a foal is in the room she turns into a completely different pony."

Angel certainly had lifted her spirits, she gingerly trotted over and squeezed her sister half to death.

"Sorry about earlier, you still want my help? I-I'll try my best to not waste your glitter this time."

She smiled at her sister before turning to the couple she had come into conflict with earlier on.

Her smile wavered the tiniest little bit, as if she was still unsure of how to feel about those who were not members of her family, though she seemed to have taken a liking to Benny due to his handy towels and this convinced her to speak up.

"I... would like to apologise to you two also. I behaved... out of line, I shouldn't have insulted you..."

Though she chose her words carefully so as to not completely put herself in it the apology did appear to be genuine, as did her guilt as she blushed slightly and avoided their gaze.

[Foxy Socks 2,596]

@Blitz Boom @Widdershins

"Of course, I love tea." Foxy was more focused on where Anomaly could be, and what Rarity's reaction would be to meeting a draconequus. Based on what she said, she apparently didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Anomaly had been quiet for the past few minutes, and Foxy wondered what she was planning. Foxy could feel her presence, so she knew they didn't leave.

Well, least it will make things fun.

Brittle seemed visibly nervous, but with Briar next to her, Foxy knew she would be okay. 

 

 

[Blitz Boom 4,455]

@genessee

Berry narrowed her eyes and moved a little closer to Lance. Closer... And closer...

And then she just shrugged, smiled and bounced back again. She didn't see it on the stallion that he was lying, so she'd take this for good information for now, and then try to peg him down as a spy later. If he were, she'd guess he were one for the Seventh Brigade. Sure, ponies said that was just a myth, but they didn't fool her that easily.

"Introvert could be the thing. You know, not good around ponies and all that jazz? Sort of like Stare, just waaaay less stalkery in it.

Still, you're off easily. I mean, Stare is shy as can be and doesn't know to approach ponies mostly, and Chop haves to deal with bias after he got chewed on by that shark. You're almost as normal as me when you compare with them, hehe."

She grinned wider and kept on walking. They were almost at the next house where they had to deliver a simple dish to a clock maker in town. After the town had gotten attacked, that one had been too hard at work to be able to leave the shop, so he had told somepony who came around and placed the order for him.

=======================================================================================================00

 

@Shineling @EQ_Theta

Clayton took the offered rope with a small nod of approval. It was still not a proper thank you, but it was hard to say that to Discord of all beings, considering his former escapades.

"T-Thank you.Now if you will excuse me, I have ponies to drag out.

Though uhm, b-before I leave, I should let you know that i-if there is still gems on her when you try to remove them, they will f-frantically spread like wildfire. If you try, make sure to remove all of them at once."

Speaking of gems calmed him down some, but he still felt his heart pound along and the dread weighing ever so heavily upon his mind. He were about to turn and leave after his minor instruction, when a movement caught his attention, and he saw the drake in Sen's grip for the first time.

Up until that point, he had honestly thought the creature was some kind of ornament, as it had been wrapped silently and still around Lin's head the few times he had bitten notice in it, but now the little thing were squirming like a cat trying to avoid a bath, and he got momentarily caught in watching the strange sight.

It looked somewhat like a dragon, but it was more elongated - like Discord - and seemed to have golden claws and teeth. It was a beautiful, almost shining white, so it's scale and fur had to be taken well care of by either itself or its owners, and if were not for the symmetry in its features, he'd almost venture the guess that this was a baby draconequui, considering what little of the form were recognizable. More specifically, Discord's offspring, though that first thought were dismissed by him almost as soon as he got it. Even if Discord had offspring, it were unlikely that it would look like th- Holy Celestia!

He saw as the drake finally managed to wriggle, claw and bite its way out of Sen's grip, and fell to the ground. There, it... Hovered? Flew? He didn't know for sure, as he saw no wings, but it still slithered through the air like it was water and quickly had its small body over at Omen.

He tried to lounge forward to get hold of it, but he barely got anywhere before the creature had reached Omen's tail, sniffed both that and the gems around it, and then chomped down on said gems like it was a hoof from an unwanted snuggler.

Fear swam over him as he saw the gems start to grow slowly up and around the mouth of the drake - the sure sign that it were starting its parasitic process - and then... Turn around?

He gazed in wonder as the gems around the drake started to grow pale and see-through like diamonds, whilst energy crackled around the small thing. Confusion and a small amount of hope started to give way as he saw the remaining colored gems retract from that part of Omen, and slowly move towards her head and desperately reach out towards another host.

"I-It's afraid..."

The drake wasn't letting down, and as long as everypony kept their distance from Omen's encased shape, it would have a field day climbing up and draining everything out of these gems as it could, one chunk at a time. Occasionally, it lifted its head to the sky and let out a large blast of bright, glittery energy, but besides that and the fact that it seemed to grow a teensie tiny bit every time it was done with a chunk, there wasn't any sign that this did anything to the drake.

Given what, ten-fifteen more minutes, and Omen might actually end up being only covered in a shell of diamonds, and those were easy enough to get rid off. Provided everypony kept a distance, so that the gems didn't find somepony else to leech on that were.

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

 

@Lloyd

"Always feared I had to go back down that route, but it seems like we're outta other options. Alright then, teach me, though I wanna protest trying to join the villains. Perhaps you could convince them that you were there because you wanted to do anything to get your mum back, but me? They'd never trust me. Especially Athriel, as she knows me too well after all that time in my noggin'.

Only way they'd believe it were if... I don't know, you brought me chained up as a gift for her? Frankly, I am not going down that path unless you're positive that you can infiltrate them and not end up getting swayed by their darkness. Evil is tempting by nature lass, and everypony can fall from grace."

A nagging fear alarm went off in his head, about whatever or not she actually were desperate enough to get her mother back that she'd hand him over like a gift basket regardless of his consent, but he hoped that was just his paranoia talking. Nopony could be desperate enough to get their parents back ,that they'd hoof over sompony that was guaranteed to end up in a world of hurt, right? Hehe... Heh...

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

 

@Lloyd

Athriel looked down on Warlock with a cruel grin on her beak.

"Depends, how do you feel about grave robbing?"

It might be windy up here, but since she were carrying him, he should be able to hear and see her well as she gazed at the pony firmly in her grip.

"Some leg bones, some blood of the right type, a bit of magic and a lot of pain. It's some pretty dark things, but thankfully these pesky morals that made such procedures illegal, doesn't weigh us down.

However, I will need my element before I can do that. I don't have the juice for this without my real form, and I can't unlock what Sapphire did to keep my powers down without it. Also, you're going to need two weeks of physical training afterwards or you won't be able to use them properly. Perhaps three, I'm not entirely sure. my test subject were... Reluctant to comply."

So he wanted legs back, and she could help him. Heh, seemed like she wasn't going to be stabbed in the back anytime soon after all. Not when he needed her to help him without complications.

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

 

@Lloyd

"I know not where the other elements are. Each guardian were given one, and told not to speak to the others, in case one of us got caught and bled for information. Warlock and Athriel being and attacking your little capitol as easily as they did just proves it was a smart move. They can't capture and torture me for information."

A strong wind blew through the room and carried the two blacksmiths out, before the door slammed shut.

"Three I've seen. Sealed in a puddle of stars. Trapped in the maws of the eater of dreams. Carried in the eye of the living nightmare."

Scorn looked upward with narrowed eyes.

"And how do you know this, Serpanther?"

"Because I helped them hide the things. It served my purposes."

The dragon snorted a small smoke cloud out of his nostrils.

"Explains more than I cared to know."

Zhu still wasn't showing himself, but with his wings back, Iron Wings could fly up and see for himself. Zhu would be robed from top to bottom - including his long tail, making it obvious it was specially made - and standing in free air, with winds blowing beneath his paws. If Iron Wing's looked under the hood, he'd be able to see nothing but two yellow, reptilian eyes, glowing in the darkness. Zhu would have winds push him away if he tried to touch him for the time being.

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

 

@Lloyd

(10 minutes earlier)

"Everything for an ally of Equestria ma'am. Now try and relax, we'll get you to the hospital pronto."

It seemed like a few of the guards around them wanted to complain, but a stern glance from Shimmer made them stop and just move along with their orders. It might that they had reservations about helping changelings- She did, so she could understand that. Yet it didn't tale away from the fact that they had an obligation to help the allies of Equestria, and that they had to keep in mind to not judge everypony by the action of a few. This was not Chrysalis, and she shouldn't be judged like her.

She'd be covered and carried to the hospital soon after that, and after reaching the room, would have her changeling follow shortly after.

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

 

@Lloyd

"No worries sir, we're-"

A cough from the side caused the lieutenant to pause and turn around to see a guard carrying a pink stone around half the size of her head.

"Ah, great timing. thank you."

The guard hoofed it over and gave a tired salute before wandering off.

"It's an experimental thing, but from what I've heard, testing have gone over well with some of the changelings under King Thorax. Try to see if you can drain this please?"

The best to describe this would be diet love. Drained and stored in gems by some process that was far beyond her. As mentioned, it was still an experimental thing, but she had requested one here when the two were brought in. Originally to the queen, but she seemed better at draining in a non-violent manner than this one sounded like, so... Time to test?

It would not do much if he did try to, and it would taste synthetically, but perhaps it'd be enough to make him less ravenous, if he were presented with an actual pony. They didn't want accidents with the few potentially willing donors they might be able to get hold of.

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

 

@cwhip9

"Not a blood drinker, heh. Good one."

Zinthar moved slowly closer, giving Cover-up ample time to move away as Zinthar snuck up to Crescent and with a purring noise rubbed up against his side. Affectionate to some perhaps, but he had a greater interest in getting his mouth to near enough the vampire bat's ear to make sure only he heard what the feline was saying.

"I have no interest in hurting the colt. Hearing that side of you outside the dream though, I wonder if you can say the same."

Zinthar stopped and wandered in a smooth motion away from Crescent, and turned away from the colt as well. he was done playing around for now, as it seemed like a certain beast had stuck its head out from it, and he had no interest in stirring that one just yet. Perhaps another time he'd be up for the brawl, but... Meh, he wasn't in the mood.

"So then, I think we've had our fun. How about we move along peacefully and try to help the colt then, hmm? Wouldn't want to disappoint the zebra who seemed to have oh so much confidence in our ability to help now, would we?"

A purring laugh and a knowing look to Crescent was all that escaped him as he sat down and waited, until the colt started to walk again in silence. Cover-up had things to think about now about both of his travel companions, and seeing as Zinthar let there be some way between them for now, he'd perhaps finally have the breathing room to do so.

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

 

@Seamore Sandwich @Moonlit

Cherish had no idea what was going on, but it seemed to be working at least. Considering that, she put down the stick on the mare, and floated the rodent a little further away from her.

"Okay, looks like it's doing something, but it still isn't good. I have to get you out of here."

She looked around and saw one of the collapsed tunnels, then floated over and started to move the rocks away with her magic.

"Can any of you help? I think I remember this place, before rocks fell. There should be a way out."

As subtly as she could, she also floated a small slab of rock that had been lying in the edge of the room into one of Ziggy's pockets. Cherish couldn't follow anymore unless she were in proximity of either the castle, or something of it, so if she were to help, she had to plant a few things on the others. Ziggy was just the easiest one, though if the others saw it, they might not be as easy to plant anything with as she hoped, though to be fair, it was likely only Serenade she could do anything with. The rodent didn't have pockets, and the ghost was in a stick. Not easy with those two.

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

 

@Seamore Sandwich

Scarcity didn't answer at first, as she were expecting the presented watches carefully.

It didn't seem there were anything wrong with them at all. No scratches, no cracks, the mechanism worked perfectly... Everything seemed to be in order.

"This is exquisite work Mr. Tock. Completely remade with original parts, and yet looking like brand new. I have several regulars who would nearly fight over such a pristine antiquity."

She put down the last that she had checked up on carefully, and pulled forth her wallet to set down the amount of bits that she had to pay for. An abhorrent amount for most, but in the high end circles, this was actually quite a reasonable price, and one she would gladly pay for considering how good the result had been.

"I acquired these at an auction for a departed collector. As you can surely attest, they were in a horrid state when they were brought in, and nopony had thought it worth it to have the restored. Can you believe that I were able to acquire them for only two hundred and fifty bits? I could scarcely believe it myself."

Bits were laid on the table, all as real as could be - she had made sure her bits had been thoroughly checked after the first coin Penny had found - and soon her wallet would be deflated, whilst Tock's should have a well earned influx.

"They will take out well in the cases my workers will arrive with. And do of course tell me if there is a problem with them Mr. Tock. I do not want anypony in my employment to trouble such a delightful and skilled pony as you."

Perhaps she were somewhat flirty towards him, but it weren't as if she saw any harm in that. It usually worked to make conversations less clinical when she spoke with somepony, as long as she did not do so towards married ponies. The wives could sometimes get rather testy, and she had little interest in dealing with drama like that.

"May I ask, is watches all that you restore Mr. Tock? My usual restorer is dreadfully long away, and quite busy herself most of the time, To have somepony a little closer for some of the more finicky things such as this would be quite a bit more ideal than that, and could be a stable source of income for you. I often get hold of new wares that tends to need a looking at.

If now is a bad time, I would be delighted to meet you in another setting when I am done assisting Penny and discuss it further. We may be able to find a beneficial agreement for the both of us, yes?"

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

 

@Battenberg

The return of Victoria were a mixed bag for Pop.

On one hoof, she still wanted to take the mare and pummel her head into cake batter until it stopped being funny. Yet on the other hoof, violence wasn't the answer here, and though she had done a fair bit to get under the candymare's skin, she had to try and just let it go. Victoria seemed to at least try to apologize right now, and if she started to make a scene now, she would be no better than the snooty baker had been previously.

"We got off to a rocky start, but forgive and forget, yes? Let's start over, and perhaps you can tell me about yourself this time? I have heard so much about the rest of this dear family that you're in, and I'd like to hear how you fit into the grand tale. Beyond being a sought after aunt for Angel it seems, hehe."

Benny had just shrugged. He had never wanted to run a feud over things, though he let Pop do the talking. He were far more interested in seeing the picture with the wedding dress in it.

It honestly looked stunning. Beautiful, not complicated to the point of just wanting to look pompous, and it seemed to fit Red splendidly back in the day.

O-Of course, she might still be able to fit into it. He didn't know anything after all. It was just after a foal or two and several years of married life, he tended to see ponies chubby up a little. It was cute, honestly, but that was all he meant by it. Nothing insulting.

Wait, why was he scolding himself over a thought like that? He had something more important to think about, and Pop asking the tough questions right now to Victoria gave him the chance, if he were lucky.

"Don't sweat it ma'am. I didn't take it personal. Now then, mind if I borrow you for a moment here sir? I wanna ask you something, but I don't wanna interrupt the others in the middle of their conversation. Wouldn't be nice, you know? It should only be a minute or two, and they can get their talk done in peace in the meantime then."

Benny looked at Royal and pointed to the door leading outside with a grin, though he tried to signal through his eyes that it was important, whilst also trying to look like it was urgent the others didn't hear it. He might look a little crazy doing this though, but it wasn't like he could just blurt out *So, you make clothes for brides and grooms? Well, do I have a question for you*. He was trying to be secretive here.

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

 

@Foxy Socks @Widdershins

Briar leaned in towards Foxy a little as she had gotten seated, and whispered, hoping he wasn't heard.

"With the greatest respect to our friend, I have doubts her entrance will be calm when she desist hiding, and the spell appears to be wearing off on Brittle. When she shows, please assist me in pleading to her kinder side before things erupt in a true chaos and all of us ends up in trouble. Including Miss Rarity."

He had the sneaking suspicion that Anomaly would still know what he had said I totally do but he still had to attempt to make things right here, and prepare for the worst. Especially because of Brittle, since if her spell were gone when the chaos erupted, the teenage filly may end up cluttered in a corner, rapidly changing forms and begging for them to stop. He did not want her to end up like that again, and would actively go to his knees and beg for Anomaly to end her pursuit of entertainment if it came down to it.

[EQ_Theta 427]

@Blitz Boom @Shineling

It seems the rush to bring home a friend could lead to something more. First, the crystals, then the drake... Equestria had plenty of surprises left for anyone to see. Sen and Lin were paralyzed by fear in one moment, then seeing the parasitic gems react to the drake washed them with feelings of relief. For a moment, Lin was about to hyperventilate with her brother preparing to run back in to grab the little creature before it grabbed Omen's tail. Now, it seems there might not be plenty of reasons to worry; the drake and Omen looked like they were going to be fine and for Lin and Clayton, maybe the crystallized ponies in the mine would be alright as well. 

"Huh, didn't know it could do that." Lin sighed in relief as she watched the drake at work. "And here I am without my notepad. The little one's got guts, I'll give it that."

"Still don't know if its a male or female. Would be nice to give it a name instead of calling it 'little one.'" Sen calmly said as he knelt down closer to see how the drake was reversing the crystalization process. Who knew it could do such a thing? "Discord, have you seen anything like our little drake here? Or possibly living gemstones? I figured you with your... longevity, you've probably seen a lot of strange creatures and things from a thousand years ago."

Something still bothered Lin though. Clayton's distressed look and stuttering suggested something else was off in the mine. The other crystal deposits in there didn't look natural and the way he spoke... 

"Clayton, there's something about those crystals back in the mine. Did you know them? Could our little friend help them like Omen?"

Edited October 22, 2017 by EQ_Theta

[genessee 535]

@Blitz Boom

Lance nodded as he walked.

"Yes, because nopony here is as normal as you are. I'll keep that in mind. Here's something to think about-- is it possible to be weird if you're too normal? And if you're weird because of it, are you still normal enough to be considered weird? It's an, uh..."

He paused to search for the word.

"...paradox! Yeah, paradox, I think. Pretty sure."

Though something else Berry had said had given him a thought, and he quickly looked over his shoulder to see, just out of curiosity, if Stare had followed them. He didn't expect to see anypony out of the ordinary, though.

 

[Storm Shine 1,195]

@Blitz Boom @EQ_Theta

Discord laughed and clapped as though watching an amusing stage show, "Oh Bravo!" He chuckled, "A Refraction, or at least that's what I call them, (Sometimes I call them Dracrystalline depending on my mood) I'd thought that they'd gone all but extinct!" He then points at the crystal attempting to flee the feeding draconic creature, "And showing up just as we find it's natural prey - Ethereal Emeralds. Also known as Changeling Emeralds, Vampire Gems, The Creeping Green, Crystalline Death, Etc Etc, yadda yadda." Discord rolled his eyes and various appendages in a dismissive gesture, "It's good to see they haven't all died out though, these little ones keep dangerous gems and crystals like this under control." The Draconequus grinned. "However you really don't have to worry, there's much worse crystals than these- Roving Rubies or Dire Diamonds for example." Discord magicked one of the other crystal-covered ponies out of the cave. "Now that I know for sure what these are, I can tell you that these ponies are absolutely dead."

 

He paused for a moment, as though confused, and then quickly pulled a sheaf of papers out and shuffled through them while muttering to himself. "Ah! No, sorry, that was a typo. These ponies are absolutely NOT dead. They're just in a sort of stasis." He flicked a green crystal off of one of his claws and towards the more crystalline drake. "Given a couple decades or so of being covered, yes they would have died, but as it is they're perfectly safe."

 

Discord sighed to himself, "Oh Exposition, why do you haunt me so?" He then turned and glared at the human currently typing his lines, "And YOU had better have my cheese ready."

[~Phoenix~ 196]

On 7/24/2017 at 4:12 PM, Blitz Boom said:

Smokey let out a minor laugh as he heard her stomach growl on.

"Perhaps we should make a stop in Dodge Junction on the way and get something to take the worst then. Not much of a spread in that town, but I do remember one place with some nostalgia. Might be a good place."

Thinking on this and whatever or not that place were still open - it had been some time since he had been there last - they eventually made it out of the forest intact, and without running into dangerous wildlife, and would look over a place somewhat describable as a steppes or discount savannah. Either way, it were spread trees, lot's of grass, and not too far from them, the glimmer in the pair of train tracks going over the place.

"Excellent. We should be able to get to the *outpost* travelers and the semi-nomads in the area uses normally, where we can get on the train. Hopefully it will not show up too soon so we'd be forced to rush along."

 

Phoenix continued to walk along silently. she pondered what sort of things she would eat first. in fact, the thought began to excite her a bit. it had been a long time since she had been near civilization long enough to have some decent food, and she was beginning to look forward to it, rather than dread it. 

[EQ_Theta 427]

@Shineling @Blitz Boom

"Seriously? Dark humor?" 

Sen and Lin answered both in unison and in the most deadpan tone possible. They didn't pick up on themselves answering at the same time until much later when the two fell silent before thinking about something to answer back at the draconequus. But now looking at the way the gem was reacting, it was indeed strange that it would behave as such. The only thing the two knew about gemstones in general was that the only animating either of them would see would be the the light bouncing off its surface. Otherwise, it was just about as solid and inanimate as they come. 

"I take it these were common given how many names you've come up with? Because that scares me more than it should." Lin spoke once more when the shock subsided though Sen would preferably remain silent and not think about who Discord was referring to when he mentioned something about cheese.  

[Storm Shine 1,195]

@Blitz Boom @EQ_Theta

Discord shrugged, "It used to be." He replied, ignoring the comment about dark humour. "It was almost wiped out at one point but now it's probably becoming more abundant now that there aren't as many Dracrystalline around to keep it in check. Thankfully it doesn't multiply fast enough to be a problem for, about..." Discord counted on his claw, growing more digits as he did. "Twenty years or so?" The extra digits fell off, becoming mice that quickly scurried away.

Edited October 24, 2017 by Shineling

[FanOfManyShows 396]

. @Blitz Boom

Chow really would regret suggesting that later, although Astral knew it was stupid, but it might also work, she could make chains from the walls and just teleport away, although doing it so suddenly would end up convincing Chow she was turning evil. "I've avoided evil before, it's was when I turned away from trying to resurrect my mom with dark magic." She paused for a moment and looked away. "Although I suppose I'd be doing that now... depends how the horcrux works." She let out a quiet giggle and looked to Chow. "Yeah it might work, as for learning magic, the books for that would be back at our house I think."

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

Warlock looked up to her with an evil grin. "Dear, I've dug up my own parents grave to resurrect them, I don't care about grave robbing." He said with a snicker. "But... I would have to figure out how to deal with the pain." He looked down and back to his hooves again. "I could wear my metal legs, but I need magic to make those since Sapphire destroyed the originals..." He said with a sigh. "I'd probably float even with legs though, It's a habit now." He said shrugging.

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

Iron Wing looked down. "Hm" He looked to the window, he could use his metal wings to reflect some light to reveal Zhu, but he wasn't wanting to shine light in a dragon's eye, no idea what it would do to react. "Why are you on the roof?" He asked looking up to the ceiling. "If you don't mind me asking that is."

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

Francis looked to the object, which is what he'd discribe it as. He sensed the love inside, but he could feel the lack of genuine love in there, he snickered, in his head somehow, he had felt that so many times as a changeling. "Might seem odd to you, in many ways." He said with a snicker, and took the gem and simply opened his mouth. His eyes closed as a pink magic flowed out of the gem into his mouth, his body seemed to heal of its smallest wounds, and a scar on his wing was even fixed as other small wounds were fixed too, he'd need more love to fix the major ones, like, a lot, same even went with Nectar, except she didn't need to open her mouth. He closed his mouth and cut the magic flow off, letting it drif in the air, he flicked his tongue out and took it into his mouth. "Hm, doesn't taste that bad, might just save it for later." He chuckled softly.

[Widdershins 9,955]

@Dijon Horseradish & @Blartz Blang

  Looking back at Spicy Rolls as she shouted out in greeting to him, Kaltrop's defenses once again rise with his proverbial hackles.

    "What do you want from me?! I've gotten literally thrown into some Inquisition in some Pony Hive, and I'm not supposed to get upset at everypony tossing everything all on me?"

With his head turned back around on his long neck to address the former red pegasus and unaware of Aurora's advance as a third red pegasus, Kaltrop's head swivels back as the second of three red, pegasus mares bumps into his chest. Addressing Dawn Streak, the drake once more ventilates his emotions. A habit that seems to happen often in firebreathers. Not that Kaltrop's was all that reliable to begin with.

    "And what do you want? You haven't exactly been helping either, sniping comments from a safe distance! Acting like you're better then dragons! Like dragons are only another species in your Equestria! A Dragon is Strong! A Dragon has to be able to defend themselves at all times! A Dragon doesn't have to listen to no pony!"

    Flustered in his finite fit, the drake appears to be almost chanting that which most young dragons get drilled into them from a young age from the small groups of peer pressure and equally misguided teen dragons. From his body language, he hasn't moved much to pose any threat of actually attacking anypony. Words really do seem to come to Kaltrop's arsenal more then his claws or magic breath.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

To Sir Blitz of Booming:

  "I'd, uh, be g-glad to help you Mr. Hour, but, uh... C-careful I-"

 With what could only be guessed at as a gentle, magical tug channeled from whatever horn Happy Hour had, Ambie began to fall out of the tree. His sturdy, earth pony frame capable of taking a moderate fall more than the pudgy pony would give himself credit for, laid at a heap somewhere between the base of the tree and Happy. His mane and tail, still the same usual shade of leafy green, still sported a few small pieces of tree debris, but his coat now turned to an almost pale, ivory white the tint more common among cave critters the like of which typically don't see all that much natural sunlight. Ambie lies for now, scuffed but unharmed. He ought be fine to go now after a few hearty prods. The likes of which a business-stallion like Happy would no doubt be prone to giving.

 *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

  @Faxy Stacks & Bullets Bill (B.B, that is!)

      Prancing back into the room with the tea cart, muzzle held to her usual height, Rarity sits besides Foxy while she uses her magic to gently pour some green tea into rather small, decorative tea cups. With a wave towards the silver platter, she first addressed the group.

   "Oh, that is truly good to hear! Do feel comfortable & relax after all that has been in the past and your adventures through our dear town today! Make yourselves at home and do partake in some fine cucumber sandwiches to go with your tea while I talk to our dear Miss Socks here about her project here!"

  Turning to Foxy Socks now to give her client her whole, undivided attention, Rarity swivels in her seat.

  "Do tell, darling! What did you want done here? Just a bit of repair here & there on what few threadbare sections there are or a more overhaul of it? I know sentimental value may be of concern here, but perhaps the ensemble may last longer with entirely new fabric? What you think is best, darling?"

 *.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

@Shineling & @Blitz Boom

If one of the passengers had poked their heads outside of the... literally mobile home Anomaly was indirectly piloting, they would notice the music getting gradually louder the closer anything got to the small clearing in front of the congealed molasses mountain. Hopefully they got there before the flower-munching rock creature did; judging by what appears to be sentient movement of the overlarge, pony-sized daisy, it doesn't look like things will go well if its dancing gets interrupted.

With its two big leaves rather high up the stalk like hunched shoulders under its large, yellow-petaled "head", the whole stem appears to be swiftly shaking back and forth while it's shimmying in place. In fact, the whole circular area of grass appears to be swaying to match its movements in tune to the frenetic jazz drifting out of the area.....

 

 

                         OOC: I'm so sorry. I just had to pick the Ten Hours!  

[Foxy Socks 2,596]

@Blitz Boom @Widdershins

"Well, it may be difficult. It's in her nature to do that, but I'll make sure Brittle will be okay," Foxy whispered to Briar. Foxy debated whether or not she should notify Rarity of Anomaly's presence. Her thinking was cut short when Rarity came back to the area, with questions for Foxy.

 

Foxy didn't really think much of how her fox costume would be repaired, but she knew Rarity was skilled enough to make it good as new. "Well, as long as it's repaired and foxes can recognize me, I don't mind. I've heard very good things from you, so there is no need for me to worry too much." She honestly didn't know much about fabric herself, so she didn't care much. 

 

Foxy's eyes darted around quickly as she remembered Anomaly. She decided now was the best time to tell Rarity, as she could appear any moment. "Also, we may have a friend, um, appear. She's a bit eccentric, but she is quite nice." Foxy left out the part of her being a Draconequus for a for reasons, but she hoped Rarity would understand.

[Sekel 685]

@Widdershins & @Blitz Boom

DAWN & AURORA

"Oh. It's just Kaltrops," Aurora huffed in disappointment. "I thought you were an actual dragon," she added sitting down and flicking her tail so it covered her front hooves. She tilted her head at Spicy, then at the huffy whiny dragon. "You know, Spicy, I think Kaltrops was having a seizure. Why else would he have yelled like a mare when one accidentally bumped into him?"

Dawn felt Kaltrops' annoyance, and that unfortunately fueled her own at actually touching a dragon. She quickly walked forward and turned before sitting in front of him, and near Aurora. When she did, she moved her tail in the opposite direction, to the left, and had it cover her front hooves that way. "Sniping comments from a safe distance, have I? Been treating you wrongly, huh!? Well, that could be that I'm treating dragons the way they're supposed to be treated! With prejudice, racism, and judgmental looks!"

[cwhip9 1,078]

On ‎10‎/‎22‎/‎2017 at 7:59 AM, Blitz Boom said:

"I have no interest in hurting the colt. Hearing that side of you outside the dream though, I wonder if you can say the same."

Cresent's eye twitched in anoyence of how the feline turned that on him, or maybe he was just also reminding cresent as well, but cresent had to admit he was glad the feline said that. Still, whish the colt would have herd the first part of it only.

 

On ‎10‎/‎22‎/‎2017 at 7:59 AM, Blitz Boom said:

"So then, I think we've had our fun. How about we move along peacefully and try to help the colt then, hmm? Wouldn't want to disappoint the zebra who seemed to have oh so much confidence in our ability to help now, would we?"

As the cat moved ahead of the two ponys cresent let his wing leave the colt to give him space, hearing all that about a comrade on a quest would be a lot to take in....was it handeled too ruffly? too much care? Cresent would proably never get the answer unless cover up spoke about it to him.

"agreed" cresent said moving on still staying by the youngster side in case of foes or the like yet with enough space for one to think.  

Edited October 24, 2017 by cwhip9

[Victoria Sponge 1,014]

@Blitz Boom

Victoria huffed a little, it was clear the previous version of her was still there, but Angel had taken position below her, poking his head out between her front legs and smiling up at her which seemed to soften her again as she smiled back down at him.

"Well... I suppose it wouldn't hurt to talk to you... for a bit. Just try to keep your saliva in your mouth and I'll do you the same courtesy. I... don't fit in per say, I'm just Battenberg's little sister. She's older than me, kinder than me and a better baker which leaves me as just a poor man's version of her. And as much as my family persist they still love me, I can tell they hate every moment I'm around... I feel it with you too."

"Victoria! That's just not true. I love you with all my heart."

Battenberg put her hoof around her sister and squeezed her gently. She didn't seem convinced.

"I know I can be... difficult... That's why its so hard for everyone to get on with me, but what else can I do? The only way I can make myself stand out from Batty is to make sure I look prettier than her, and I can barely even manage that. Ponies don't understand me, or how I work and that's why I'm always alone. All adds up and I end up becoming more and more vein because the more I can tell ponies don't like me, the more I don't like them."

Her expression was strange, despite her stories depressive tones she didn't seem to be bothered by it, it was as if she'd just grown used to her situation.

"I need ponies to get on with me before I can get on with them but I often upset them before they get the chance."

Angel tugged on her mane, again seemingly the only one who could touch it without her going off on one. She smiled wistfully at him.

"Angel's the only one who has no ill feelings towards me whatsoever. Foals are so cute and innocent, they understand me and they don't judge me. I long to be a mother and have a foal of my own, but sadly that seems to be an impossibility since no stallion wants to spend more than a few minutes with me; looking pretty is no good if you aren't a nice pony."

Her face remained nonchalant though her eyes did appear to be wetter than before. Battenberg took off her scarf and wrapped it around her sister.

"I love you Victoria, and so did our mother."

"Is that why she made you this scarf and gave me nothing?"

"She made this scarf for me because I'm the older sister, she told me to look after you and to use this scarf to remind both of us of her back in Trottingham. It's not my scarf Vicky, it's our scarf."

Victoria smiled and hugged her sister, Angel still whizzing about below them, completely unaware of any negative feelings in the air.

 

 

Royal Velvet followed the dragon out of Battenberg Bakery and onto the busy streets of Manehatten.

"That is correct. I saw you looking at Red's dress in that photo, am I picking up hints of interest?"

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom

Serenade blinks rapidly, her eyes shifting from her normal eye color to green and back again. She shakes her head then settles down next to Ziggy. "I'm not sure what I need to do, I can't seem to focus my mind."