open Casual stroll

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Blitz Boom

"I mean, I could probably make them stop, but I don't like world domination since whoever made the stick is bent on that. Or are they bent on destroying the entire Omniverse? Eh, potato tomato."

"There's probably more to it than that, but I guess that would be the basic idea."

Lucid looked at Anomaly.

"Should we take his couch?"

 

[Catpone Cerberus 23,588]

@Blitz Boom @Moonlit

Nada looked at the door when she heard the knock, her first thought was that it would be Serenade, but then she challenged that idea in her mind because why would Serenade knock the door of her own house? She thought for a second at Cherish's suggestions, "I can get it." she finally replied, getting out of the water and shaking worst of the water off before heading to the door. She was bit nervous not knowing who to expect, and was hoping that whoever it was wouldn't freak out. She carefully opened the door looking out immediately when there was a cap big enough to look out from.

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@Blitz Boom

Ruby sensed the unknown material but she was more suspicious than confused, because the idea of silver coin, since that was clearly what it was made to seem like, helping with getting somewhere in time, made Ruby think of only one thing, magic, or more precisely teleportation, and that wasn't anything to be suspicious of, but why her suspicion came in was both because Scarcity didn't say it was the case, which she would most likely have done if it was something that simple, and because of the material that was clearly confusing her sense and vibrating. Ruby didn't take the coin and instead looked at it closer as if she was examining it "I'd like to know those minor details." "Because these clearly are not just silver coins." she looked up to Scarcity "And you not telling what they are really makes one cautious, because that usually indicates there's something you don't want to tell." to this point she had trusted Spicy and Marley enough to do as they say and do, but now, especially considering the reputation of this pony, she needed to be more careful.

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Dji

Obviously this reaction was expected, the unexpected would've been Watts not reacting at all. But then Zealous jutted in. "You're an idiot, Francis, let's just go. He's harmless seeing as he's dumb enough to reveal himself like that."

But, that did surprise him, as much as it shouldn't have, it was angering him that someone was calling him dumb. But he never was *that* smart as a changeling. "W-Well." He stuttered, unsure what to do with this unfamiliar feeling, since he never encountered many anger inducing moments. He leaned down and flew off without much thought. "Figures, even if I did that for no other reason, It gives me a reason to leave." He said to himself as he flew off.
===========================

@Blitz Boom

"Warping time?" Astral looked to him, tilting her head at him. "When did I ever mention that?" She asked, chuckling a little. "I can't warp time, at the least, I don't know the spell for it. We could teleport, but I also need to recharge my magic. So not using any spells would be better. Even if it takes longer."

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

@Blitz Boom

Sapphire gave an odd grin as she listened to her sister. "You've encountered him surely, yet you act as if you've only just met him. But anyway..." She started to pace around the room to think. "The best way to find something for varied magic, would be the Element, of Dark Magic." She looked to Emerald. "Now, it's not a location to learn varied magic, it's not a book. But what I've read on it, it can use multiple types of magic at once."

[Sekel 692]

@Blitz Boom

KARMIC FATE

"You call it a prison, I call it fate," Karmic smirked but kept on being on Enzo's back in case any traps where sprung. "What kind of place is this to lose so many Sphinx?"

@Blitz Boom

AURORA LIGHTS

"I'm honestly not sure on who or what happened to get me away from Queen Chrysalis but in hindsight, it was most likely for the best. The Canterlot didn't go well for her and I doubt any other ventures she may have tried have ended in success either," Aurora commented, looking up at Onache. She sat down and curled her tail around her legs before tilting her head. "That throne suits you, Queen Onache."

@EQ_Theta, @Blitz Boom

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

"You must be talking about Onache, Happy, and Aurora. I may not be talking much but I do like listening," Twilight chuckled. "However, those three changelings are nothing to worry about as far as we know. Two of them did change into what Thorax looks like. A colourful bug pony. But one didn't, and I believe that's because they're timid from what I could gather, and not really used to anything to do with changelings," she added and glanced towards Fluttershy. "Isn't that right, Fluttershy? Or was I reading the situation wrong again?"

@FanOfManyShows

WATTS MECHANO

"And there goes a dumb changeling. Honestly, why do changelings even still hide themselves? We're slowly accepting them," Watts said in confusion as she lifted her goggles back to her forehead. She looked at the fleeing changeling and then at Zealous. "If we have nothing better to do, do you want to follow him?"

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom @Catpone Cerberus Standing at the front door, flanked by a pair of Thestral Lunar Guards decked out in indigo armor is Princess Luna. She blinks "Are We speaking with....Serenade's friend?"

[Rising Dusk 27,514]

@Blitz Boom

A curious reaction from the sisters, but it shouldn't have been all that surprising consider the amount of experience they had.  Outside of Equestria Rising Dusk only knew of through books and the occasional oddity that wandered in.  His duties in taking on cases outside of Manehatten itself was still pretty new in the grand scheme of things.  While it would be most interesting to hear more, he wasn't all that confident they would be the most pleasant of tales.  The sisters were familiar enough with Kitsune that he didn't need to explain.  It was rare to find a pony anywhere in these lands that knew about the little trickster foxes.  Probably a good thing to be honest.

Item number five for the detective was prompt up onto the table, with a nice resounding thud of solid stone on solid oak.  Number 23 on the overall list provided by Null.  Said list flashing through his memory and the notes about what was given to him next.  Not that the note was as helpful as the last.  Rising Dusk might have to put a little more effort if all he had to go off of is to not look into it's eyes.  Before him sat a rather heavy looking stone bust of some wicked looking Ram.  She was carrying that thing around in her saddle bag?  Poor thing.

Luckily there was plenty to look at to keep his attention away from the eyes.  Long spiraled horns and a bushy beard common in older Rams.  There was no calling from the statue that he could hear, no urge to pull the detective into whatever horror it's gaze would cause.  It wouldn't be hard for an unsuspecting pony to just treat it as some sort of decorative art piece and not know what kind of trouble they were in for.  Such things couldn't be hidden from Rising Dusk though.  Much, much more was hidden inside this stone that he wasn't even sure the sisters knew what they were carrying.  The one sense of it he figured they might be able to grasp of it would be in the detective's reaction to what his extra sense saw.  The detective was no longer looking at the bust at all.  In fact he was looking about three feet above it and was leaning back in his chair in an effort to fill his field of vision with what he was seeing.

Thus far the spell weaves he'd been dispelling with the sisters had tapestries not all that far off from the size of the object itself.  Now though, he was looking at a spell that's ethereal weave was as big as a wagon!  His eyes wide and slowly moving from side to side as if reading a giant memorial.  There was so much to take in all at once.  The warning to not look into the eyes was fair enough, but that part of the spell was just a simple soul sap jumbled mess the size of an apple tucked away in the corner of the whole tapestry.  It left the pony drained, but alive and with a piece of their selves missing.  Weaves of gold, green, purple, black, silver, red and blue danced before him.  Ordered and organized like the most complex of clocks.  Nothing was wasted and everything had it's place with purpose.  The soul sap was the tip of this iceberg, but the rest of it sure did a lot with that piece it borrowed.  Everything was connected together with that single silver strand and numerous multi-colored strands went off into the aether, likely connecting to other artifacts if he had to guess. If this spell was made for darkness or light, it was hard to tell.  Nothing oozed with malicious or gleamed with harmony it was hard to tell what the creature felt when casting this spell.  

He'd been looking at the spell before him for quite a while now, much longer than the previous dispels.  The spell was already burned into his mind the instant he saw it, but now the hard part.  Every spell was a puzzle, this one just happen to have a billion moving parts.  Okay, a bit of an over the top guess, but oof was this thing complex.  The spell looked very old with a lot of ancient spell work written into it.  So old in fact, the creature or whatever that cast it didn't seem all that concerned in anypony's ability to deal with it in their time.  Being too complex aids in the domino effect when it comes to dispelling.  Everything was so ordered and organized it would be easy to stall one area to completely shut down the whole thing.  Being a little gunshy after the booby trap from the last artifact, he was taking a little more time and not just wanting to jump on the quick answer.  The more time he took though, the more he learned about the spell and what it did with that piece it took. 

This was an awakening.  Not for something in this specific Ram bust, not at all.  This was a harvest point, one of many he suspected.  The soul was taken, refined, imprinted and returned to the pony after it took something before being sent off else where.  The gold tapestry, the largest in the whole spell work, served as both a clock and counter.  But how it kept time and the like was lost to Dusk.  "This... will take a minute," he finally addressed the sisters.  Igniting his horn anew he cast his black wisps upon the spell work that enchanted the wicked stone bust.  Rather the flurry of blows the sister might be accustom to seeing thus far, the wisps snipped and sliced at the air in a much slower, careful dance.  This was also the most effect way to show the two how large the spell he was dealing with actually was as the wisps danced around a large area.  It required more effort to cast the wisps over a larger area, but the spell put up little fight in being dispelled.  Even being easy to catch any run away spells unraveling into anything dangerous.  His breathing was slow and steady, using it as a paced rhythm like dealing with a heavy weight.  Beads of sweat slowly appearing on his face.

Two minutes, three, five, six, tick tock.  Coming up on ten minutes Rising Dusk had reduced the large spell into the size of that of the bust.  With all the black wisps concentrated, he drove them down on the stone Ram like nail and split the bust in half, ending the curse.  Keeping his breathing steady, he extinguished his horn.  "Whoever made that thing was very confident it would last for ages.  It wasn't worried about luring anypony in.  Very ancient magic and only one of Celestia knows how many other pieces."

 

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

What did you mean by that? About not being real and familiar magic?

Sen whispered as quietly as he could to Omen, taking her aside and moving her to his back subtly to make it seem like he is putting himself in the middle of this standoff of sorts. Hopefully Omen might be able to provide an answer without the pony or his guards hearing her. 

He didn't take kindly to being threatened, taking a more aggressive stance and eyeing the hostile group ahead. He, however, held back from doing anything more than attempt to take them on. They were in a hospital and could seriously injure anyone nearby, and the group had Lin and Rosa as bargaining chips, at least from what Sen understood. What tipped him off were Omen's remarks, cryptic as they are, as well as what the pony in the suit said.

He wasn't normally the deeply analytical type but he caught on to some things that the pony should not know about them. Omen being able to track others through scent, the portals allowing them to travel to different places being called gates, and healing magic working a little too perfect to be true. That last one was a mere guess stemming from how Sen's distrust of magic leading to suspicions that even his own passive healing ability likely had a catch he doesn't know about. Everything about this encounter is giving him a reason to believe the pony before him isn't here for simple chatting, more like wanting to exploit or extort them for their own ends. 

"You seem to know an awful lot, well-informed about things only we know. How about you tell us who you are and why you're interested in us?" 

Admittledly, Sen hoped he could buy Omen enough time to tell him something that could at least give him an idea about who they are dealing with and how to respond. That, and maybe figure out his next move. 

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

@Blitz Boom @Dji

"That's right, Twilight. Happy and Onache changed into more colorful and whole forms back in the desert. I'm not fully informed about Aurora though so that leaves you more knowledgeable about that matter." 

Frankly, the whole issue back at the desert went by like a blur. It was nice to see all the talk about friendship and taking a chance on a big change got through to Onache. This probably might qualify as a friendship quest if the map were to send her out but seeing how things are looking up for the new changelings, there was room to forge new ties with them. After all, they will need friends and a way to reach out to Thorax. Both are now possible with a good chance of becoming true. 

"The situation back at the desert came about because of Onache looking for a supply of ponies to feed on. In her old state, she was starved and despite her ill methods, her heart was in the right place. She cared for her hive and wanted to make sure they were fed. Onache and Thorax are of different hives if I remember right. The sphinx gave her and her drone Happy the desert to help them start anew."

Edited December 26, 2018 by EQ_Theta

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Dji

"The only sphinx this place ever saw were me, and it were not by my choice. This temple ran by dragons, and if I ever saw one of them breathe in my vicinity, I would chain them atop the highest, most frozen mountain this world have seen, and let them rot, as they left me to do."

Enzo let out a growl as he spoke, and his eyes grew hateful. Much as the ponies has made him let go of his grudge towards all of dragonkind, they would never be able to make him forgive those who had chained him. 2 centuries of ignoring him and his pleas to be released, and then a century of loneliness, with nothing to sustain himself, but what he were able to make out of the critters in his vicinity, and the rare bird flying above. If they still lived, they were going to pay.

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

 

@Dji

"She got too big for her own good. The hive of a changeling needs to be held at a number where it can be sustained, but she thought she could go further. Culling nopony, overtaking other hives, and building herself a marauding army.

It did make her powerful. I saw that for myself, as she assimilated my hive, but her changelings starved profoundly, and drones were born mindless. She needed Canterlot to keep it alive, but even if she had won, it would not have been enough. A few weeks at best, to sate the hunger, but then eyes would need to go to other kingdoms, and larger towns.

I had mild admiration for her ambition, yet her execution and lack of foresight were staggering. She failed to understand that with more predators than prey, we would only set up our own downfall. I doubt that when she raises a new hive, she will have learned that lesson, and she will fall once again. Perhaps next time the ponies will learn their lesson, and strike her down."

"I doubt it. They keep thinking they can save everypony, like they did with Discord."

"They will fail then. As for my throne... I find it acceptable for now, but it needs to be lined with something more befitting of a queen. The hide of a great best, brought down by my own hooves should suffice, soon as I find something worth my time.

Tell us something, little one. If you lives among the griffons, but share none of their need for fighting, how did you not get found out? A changeling must adapt to blend in well, and those griffons I have met have not been less mistrustful of oddities than ponies."

Onache were genuinely curious about this, and wondered if perhaps Griffonstone were just simpler, and more foolish, Perhaps sheltered from the odds of changelings, they had grown complacent? If so, they would do for a tempting target for Chrysalis in due time. Something to watch for, she would think.

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

 

@Dji @EQ_Theta

Nerzhei had to sit down and drink a full vial of elixir before she could go on. The headache were trying to consume her from the mess of things that had just been told, and it took more than a small dosage to if not fix her,then at least make things tone down to a more tolerable level. At this rate, she'd have to excuse herself from any more interactions with the ponies, as she were down to two and a half vials right now, and without them, another migraine could end up leaving her whimpering on the floor, wishing for the end.

Lotus had jumped over and put her paws on the dragon, looking up at her friend with nervous eyes until Nerzhei eventually opened her eyes, and let out a long, shaking sigh.

"Okay. I don't like what I hear, and I think you're thinking too little over the fact that it is impossible to sustain themselves with nothing taken from the outside, but... Fine. I don't have the elixir, knowledge, or strength to argue for my worries right now, so I'm just going to accept what you have told me for now to some degree. I would advice caution in regards to anyone who came with the intent of stealing your kind away for food, since you don't really know if that have changed, but it's your choice what you think.

The second I have some semblance of power again though, I am going into the desert, and I will face these changelings myself to get some answers, and to see to it that the desert they reside in does not spread. Standing on the ground as it withered away, nearly ended Lyriel, and I need to know that it doesn't get worse before she gets out there again. Either from the sands or these changelings, of which I now understand there is several hives, and only the colorful are on your side. As far as you know anyway. I don't know how you think you can just trust them though."

"It's because they have faith."

Nerzhei turned her head at the voice, and she looked over to the pony-like creature that had entered silently while they talked, and observed them from the hallway.

The flowers in her mossy fur were looking soggy and the glow in her green eyes somewhat dim, but it were still Lyriel as the dragon had come to known her.

"They believe these strange creatures because they want to think the best in others. I have found this hope to be the quality I find most endearing in ponies."

"Evidence is stronger than mere hope."

"Perhaps, but I find their faith to bring me comfort."

Lyriel wandered closer, but stopped a few meters from them, and sat down on the floor, where she looked at the two ponies. First Twilight, then Fluttershy.

"My name is Lyriel. The last daughter of the Silver Valley, and I thank you for stopping the sphinx from engulfing my forest. I know not you, purple pony, but I understand that this is your home? It's... Barren, but strangely feel as if nature brims within the walls. It's a soothing feeling.

You I know though, Fluttershy. The beasts of the forest speaks kindly of you. Even those who think badly of ponies have warm words for you. It is an honor to meet you.

But please, go on with your talk. I just needed to see others, after I finally came through again. The garden outside is lovely, but the bubbly creatures speak not a language I can hear."

Lyriel spoke with a tired, but soothing voice, and both Angel and lotus should feel some degree of calm being near her. A minor side effect of being a dryad, though nothing that would dictate their behavior or force them to do anything. It had a larger effect on more wild and primal beings, as it were a kind of soothing effect on the instincts, yet again, nothing that would force the will.

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

 

@EQ_Theta

7 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:

What did you mean by that? About not being real and familiar magic?

"Illusions. Master used many. Smells familiar, but stranger."

"The right words are *More powerful*."

Even if Sen whispered, that weren't really possible for Omen. Her voice would always reach the beings within her vicinity, and leave the clear, but whispering voice inside their head. She could have gone away a little, yet the pony were following nearby, so she couldn't. Plus she didn't really think about it, as rarely she had found a reason not to speak so that everypony near could *hear* her.

8 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:

"You seem to know an awful lot, well-informed about things only we know. How about you tell us who you are and why you're interested in us?" 

"You barged into our classroo- I mean, home. We have to answer you nothing, and if you keep playing your games, it will be worst for your companions."

"Is that so?"

A black cat passed through the guarded door, and looked with narrowed eyes as she spoke to the pony. One who now suddenly seemed far more nervous and sweaty in it, after the appearance of the disapproving feline.

"T-Teacher, we can explai-"

"You know the rules, Mr. Wyan. Never break the illusion, by telling that you're not what you seem. You're disappointing me."

"But that's not fair! She could smell through the magic."

"As can a pawful of races around the world. You're going to keep using this as an excuse when you face them too? Retest tomorrow at noon. Stage 3 scenario."

"But-"

"Do you want a stage 6 instead?"

The cat stepped forward, and the pony grew pale, whilst his form, and that of the guards, shimmered slightly.

"N-No miss."

He sent Sen and Omen a dirty look before vanishing again, leaving them with the cat who let out a sigh, and rolled her eyes as Omen went over to sniff the air near her as well.

"Kits these days. Always thinking they know how to do things better than their elders. And would you stop that infernal sniffing? It's making my whiskers curl to see a pony - or something looking like one at least - do that."

The entire room suddenly shimmered, and fro the bottom up, everything just fluttered out of existence. No longer were they in a hallways in what might be a hospital, but instead in one, very large room, inside what seemed like a hollowed out tree trunk, with doors in several directions.

"That was better. And don't pester me about the other two. Our healers will deal with them fine, and have them up and running soon enough. However, I'm not lifting the veil over this room to show you the real way out before I know who you two and your friends are, and why you're suddenly in my classroom. I don't like unwelcome disturbances when I'm teaching."

The cat gazed up on Sen mostly, as Omen pulled back as she were asked to. The feline most of all looked rather bored and irritated rather than potentially malicious like the last one, but also one with more control. If she began to make threats, it might carry some actual weight to it.

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

"I ain't too in on the whole magic thing yet, so yeah, my bad. Meant the teleport stuff. But you're right, save your energy and let's go."

He'd say he would keep them safe, but honestly, it weren't that way around this worked. Especially not with their wards. They'd cheat themselves through anything.

They wouldn't have any issues with local wildlfe as they went through the forest, and ended on the same stretch of land Misty, Astral and Chow had once been on to get with the train to Canterlot. They'd see if they had to go on that, or just keep walking.

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

"If we have to meddle with that, then fine. Though a minor detail there, sister. The one who last used it were Warlock, who is likely trapped in the dungeons of the Canterlot prison. However, far as I know, he lost it whilst fighting your daughter and her little friends. If we want that back, to harvest the magic needed, we might need to get it from her.

And even if we got it, I doubt you can carry it. You already possess one element. More could ruin you, even if this is the element meant for you. Another would need to carry it. I know not if I can, but unless you think that you can convince my niece to help us, that would be our only choice."

To think of Astral suddenly being on their side, even if it meant getting her mother back... What a riot.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus @Moonlit

Cherish stood in the background, ready to shield Nada from vision if she got a little closer. Just in case this were an intruder.

Yet, it turned out to be none other than the princess of the night herself, flanked with two ponies. Pure-blood bat ponies it looked like. Fitting of her stand, most certainly.

"Y-Your majesty. This is... N-No, she should introduce herself."

"The princess is here? Boy howdy, good I brought extra. You aren't shy of some bagels and caffeine, right?"

Berry didn't get intimidated by royalty, but she'd watch her muzzle about the conspiracy around them, as she weren't sure how involved they were with it. Hopefully they would get fooled by the act, and not send goons to make her disappear.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"Let me dispell any doubt you may have: I am never telling anypony everything. Such knowledge is important to balance, and I make a handsome living knowing what to share -"

Scarcity smirked, though her glance towards the two in front of her - and especially Marley - spoke some of things lurking in her head that she should not know. Something which made the griffon gulp, worried that she may spill the beans on him.

"- And most importantly, what not to.

But I find you an amusingly brazen mare, so perhaps I can indulge your hungry mind with a small taste.

What you hold, are beacons for certain... Unusual associates of mine. When the bell rings, they will grab whoever carries one of these, and take these discs as payment for providing travel. They're quite fond of this material, though why is none of your business. No need to challenge a harmonious relationship after all, hm?"

It didn't concern anypony what her deal were with those beings, though she had to remember to get more slivers of this unique material soon. A big event were soon to happen, and where she had planned for it to be, many of these would be needed to allow for access.

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

 

@Lucid_Nightlight 

"Well duh, obviously. But let's have a little fun too, hehe."

Anomaly worked her magic, and slowly, the couch started to split up like a bacteria, and soon an identical one stood there, ready to be put in place of the old one.

"Whenever anypony sits in this, a cloud of spores releases and makes whoever breathes it in go through all sorts of random things. It's hilarious! Especially when they grow a second head or they think their tails are gonna eat them."

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

 

@Rising Dusk 

"17. With this one gone, that leaves 16 more.

We got it from an old cultist somewhere near Melbarn. Babbled on and on about needing a new protector for it before his time ended, but needing somepony worthy, and yada yada. When he saw it didn't work on us, he spouted off something about it being a sign of his masters return, and practically forced us to take it with us. If it weren't for the heaps of bodies, we wouldn't have. Heavy garbage.

For what it's worth, he said it was one of 17, harvesting parts for some sort of entity. Never said who, never thought there were anything. Just another cursed object making somepony fried in the head."

Honestly she had just taken this with her to get rid of the heavy trash, and if it weren't for what Rising had said, Null wouldn't have given it a thought beyond that. Now though, it seemed like it were something he'd need to know, even if it was doubtful how much of it were true.

Long away from them, there were one who could authenticate it, as the energy were released, but she cared little. It only mattered that this made for another energy burst, that now made it that she knew what building to focus on, and could zoom in, ready to see whoever exited.

Back in the basement though, Void walked over to Rising, worry radiating from her eye the closer she got.

"Are y-you okay, officer? It t-took you longer than the o-other times. It m-must've been difficult. Draining too p-perhaps? We can wait with m-more things if it t-took it out of you. I don't w-want you to get h-hurt."

The ram head had been a tough one, timewise at least. Most things from a few days ago, had required wards and everything, but they had gotten through somewhat quickly. This one had really taken time, which in part seemed to be fueled by the spell being far larger than the one before, which might really have taken its toll.

Rising were a strong-willed, kind pony, who clearly wanted to do his job well, but Void kept worrying that sooner or later, he'd break during one of these cleansings, and end up getting hurt. Something which she worried about often in life, even if they were being chased down like monsters, but this were different. Rising had done nothing but good things, and his job were highly important. If he got hurt... She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if he ended up crippled, or worse, because they pushed him, or didn't make him question if he were ready. He had done well enough in pushing the breaks the last time, but worry didn't have to be rational. It just needed to involve somepony you cared about.

"Oh please, we gave him worse than this, even if he got stuck on it, he'll be fine. Besides, we still have two more things today, and I want to get rid off #5. I don't wanna keep wondering if I drop the feather, and it starts changing somepony else into a bloodthirsty chicken. It always leaves a mess."

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

Magic can be confusing at times but this instance is giving Sen a headache. Still, some part of the longma was calmed knowing the tense situation was brought about by confusion more than hostility. He took some deep breaths in and walked up to the cat creature. 

"I am Sen and this is Omen. We needed to find help for our friends Lin and Rosa and Omen opened a way here because we didn't know where else to go. I'm not even aware this place existed but we are terribly sorry for intruding. Maybe I knew a place in mind but I doubt they'd be willing to treat outsiders, let alone let them in."

It is still strange, but refreshing to know there are other kinds of creatures out there beyond ponies he could meet. It makes the world feel more varied over the more numerous ponies and he might be able to tell his village about these creatures. Of course, that part is up to these magical cats. If they wished to remain hidden, he's respect their decision. But now might not be a good time to think about that. For all he knew, he would likely be thrown out if he said something out of line.

"My sister, Lin, and Rosa, they were injured by something when they went off searching for a statue. Possibly an artifact. We hoped we would be able to retrieve it in exchange for bringing somepony to justice. May I ask who and what you are?"

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

@Blitz Boom @Dji

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lyriel. The animals in the forest are always welcome to seek shelter and help with me whenever they need it. I certainly believe it is something they shouldn't be afraid to look for. Angel here is... wait, Angel?"

Though this meeting is a pleasant one, the pegasus lost track of her bunny. She was certain he was just standing around nearby but at that moment, Lyriel might feel something climbing up her leg and ruffling her hair. Angel then peeked around on the dryad's back looking relaxed and comfortable.

"Angel! Did you ask permission before you could climb her? It's rude to do that you know. I'm sorry about Angel, he's usually well-behaved around guests."

"And Nerzhei, I wouldnt recommend being tough on the Onache. She went through a tough time being convinced to change her form. She needs time to let that sink in and companionship to let her know this change is something she doesn't have to go through alone." 

It was the way to go, at least according to Fluttershy. Just as she give animals their space, other ponies or creatures need theirs when going through difficult periods. It was the kind thing to do, and the gesture will likely be very much appreciated by Onache. Besides, it will probably help shed her more abbrasive side one step at a time knowing she's got support. A dragon coming in not too long after their metamorphosis might jeopardize things but the pegasus will be more than willing to accompany should it be necessary.

Edited December 27, 2018 by EQ_Theta

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Blitz Boom

"Wow, sounds like a trippy experience."

Lucid looked in a different direction as if facing a fourth wall.

"Don't do drugs, kids!"

"Let's sell the real couch to an insane asylum!"

"Ok, but we'll have to keep a close eye on Anomaly."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,588]

@Blitz Boom@Moonlit
Nada's eyes widened when she saw Luna standing behind the door, she hadn't expected her to appear this quick, she immediately bowed, and ignored both Cherish and Berry who's voice she heard from behind the Princess  "Yes thy majesty, I am Nadanna, Serenade's friend." her voice was respectful and calm, she didn't know if Luna recognized her or not, but she wouldn't blame her if she didn't, after all, it had been quite a long time since they last met, and they had been acquaintances at best.

She found Berry's way of talking to the princess to be a bit distasteful, but she didn't judge her too much because as far as she knew, she herself could be the one doing everything wrong, considering that culture had changed since she had last seen royalty.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

@Blitz Boom
"I got the answer I asked for." Ruby coldly replied, taking the coin meant for her. She didn't really care about what the material was, sure she was bit curious, but it didn't really seem like something she would want to add to her collection, so ultimately it didn't matter what it was "You can rest assured that I don't care about the material or your associates, but as you probably can understand, there's certain level of caution one needs to have when dealing with such.....influential mare as yourself." she had noticed Marley's reaction to Scarcity's words, and it didn't take a genius to figure out the implication, "But please, save your threats for those who fear you." "Many have tried to make me their pawn before you, none has succeeded." she smirked "And I hear all of them left town never to be seen again, rather curious don't you think."  she met Scarcity's glance with her usual lack of expression "But I trust you would never be that foolish? Because after all it's like you said, There's no need to challenge a harmonious relationship."

 

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2018 by Catpone Cerberus

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom @Catpone Cerberus Luna stands with her head upright, "Taebian, Brathian. You are dismissed for now" The male Thestral speaks, in a language that none here can probably speak, it's rapid fire. Luna glares, "Are you disobeying Our Order" He shakes his head and bows low, "No Mistress" The pair give Berry a look then swoop off into the night. Luna turns back to Nada, with a twinkle in her eye, "Do We have permission to enter" 

[No Longer Here 15]

Evan walks around Ponyville, looking around at the daily activities going on.

"Hmm, what's going on over there?" He looks are some ponies talking. "Should I go there and intervene? Hmm..."

Evan snaps his figures and takes out a coin,. "Heads, go and talk. Tails, leave."

He flips the coin and lands on heads. "Alright, I guess I got nothing else to do."

Evan starts to walk over to the ponies having a conversation. "Hey, what's going on? Everything okay?"

Edited December 27, 2018 by E-Man

[Rising Dusk 27,514]

@Blitz Boom

This kind of information was rather useful to the detective.  Although the idea of having to dispel another sixteen of these stone bust to whatever being they were looking to bring into the world wasn't the most pleasant one.  The rest would be easier, quotation marks, as he now had a firm grasp on how to unravel the spell.  No need to experiment or waste energy in blocking a feedback loop if he could just avoid it all together.  Ultimately these could just be the ramblings of a crazy old pony.  While Rising Dusk grasped the function of the spell, the idea of it working in this day and age just seemed so far fetched.  Still... best to keep it in mind should other evidence pop up, not that he could remove it from his mind or anything.

Void's worry for him was darling enough though, and he could pretty well figure the way he had to dispel the latest artifact might have on the outside appearance, look exhausting.  In reality though, it was more akin to lifting a single heavy weight.  It's the reps that get ya.  Offering Void a reassuring smile, "I'm find.  It was just a large spell.  Took me a tad longer to dispel it."  Although it seemed that in doing so caught the attention of whomever was casting that scry spell.  He had shoved it to the back of his attention, but it was no longer moving up and down the street, now completely focused on the O.M.I.  The target was rather certain, either him or the sisters.  Would the spell even be able to lock on to two target's with a nullifying field?  Probably not the best time for such an experiment.  Measures would need to be taken when they were done for the day.

The first artifact didn't take much out of the detective, so he felt pretty confident in continuing.  Whether he'd get two of them would of course depend on how difficult the next one was.  Turning his attention to Null, he nodded.  "I'm ready for the next." 

 

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@EQ_Theta

The cat listened in to what were said, as Sen responded to her inquiry. In better details than she had expected too as well, and respectfully she might add. as a teacher, it carried quite a bit of weight how you responded to things, and whilst his seemingly blank friend had acted more like one of the first year students, this creature were responding like a proper adult should, especially when they intruded into another beings territory.

"You know how to address others, Sen. I can't say you will be given a warm welcome, but I see no reasons to imprison someone who only came here to find help. Though, how did Omen then know this place? It is heavily warded against outsiders."

"Found it many, many years ago. Used to be a healer house long ago. Ponies in funny hats and masks with many teeth." 

"Oh, Them. They haven't been here for over 700 years. A long time for a pony."

The cat narrowed her eyes, and glared at Omen, who looked at her with her head tilting from side to side. Something were off with this creature, that much the cat were certain about, as well as her not being an actual pony. Too many things weren't right. It weren't a changeling though. They had wards that would make any of the bugs regret even trying to step a hoof in their area. They had to keep an eye on this one, though beyond that, it seemed things were mostly cleared, and matched well with the scene that had met the ones who had gone and picked up the injured parties.

The air flickered further, and all of the doors vanished, leaving only the two, large oaken doors that were actually real, whilst the cat fluttered apart in many, glittery butterflies, that blocked the air with their moving wings and radiating light. A few seconds passed, and a large paw stepped through, followed by a dark nose, on the tip of a long, red snout with silvery stripes down the side of the mouth, where sharp teeth glistened through in a small grin.

The butterflies faded into nothing as the creature wandered through and got closer to the pair. Her form were long and lean, covered with a kimono fit for a four legged being and leaving a hole for the large, fluffy tail that waved behind her. Age had left some marks in the slightly furred face, and the wise, narrow eyes looking at them through the small glasses, as well as the grey streaks in her fur, yet she wandered with grace, and no sign of age holding her back physically.

" My name is Yazma, and I am a teacher of Advanced Illusionary Arts at this school. Welcome to our side of Neighpon."

Kitsune were a strange bundle of creatures that the ponies of Neighpon knew well, but not everyone else outside the country did, which fitted the large, pony-sized creatures well. The less that started to lurk after them the better, especially when it came to poachers, who sometimes had the audacity to think they could come and steal away some of their kits. They never made it back to where they came. But Sen and Omen didn't seem like poachers, so she weren't facing them down with hostility currently. Sure they could have lied, but her whole profession were deceit. She knew when she were being told tall tales.

"I am a Kitsune. Now, what are you two?"

Omen answered the question, but the words being whispered from what sounded like five mouths at once, all speaking a different, indecipherable language, made it impossible to grasp. Yazma would have to consider this as *unknown* for the time being.

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

 

@EQ_Theta @Dji

On 12/27/2018 at 3:04 AM, EQ_Theta said:

"Angel! Did you ask permission before you could climb her? It's rude to do that you know. I'm sorry about Angel, he's usually well-behaved around guests."

"You needn't worry, Fluttershy. Dryads are creatures of the earth, and guardians of the forests. Animals feel safe around us, and I welcome their presence, big or small."

Lyriel giggled as the bunny rummaged around her grassy hair, and likely ruffled some small flowers loose. Such an adorable little creature he were.

"So many years I were trapped in a valley where animals were turned to trees, and the air fell silent. To have them near me again are a great comfort in this strange land, and makes it feel like a home once more."

She offered Lotus to follow troop, but the bunny were more focused on Nerzhei right now, and just shook her head at the offer.

On 12/27/2018 at 3:04 AM, EQ_Theta said:

"And Nerzhei, I wouldnt recommend being tough on the Onache. She went through a tough time being convinced to change her form. She needs time to let that sink in and companionship to let her know this change is something she doesn't have to go through alone." 

"You have your trust, but I need evidence. if it helps, I'm not entering with the intent of striking anyone down when I first meet them."

Nerzhei were thinking better of ponies than she had for centuries these days, but she still considered them to be overly naive, and she for one didn't think that a being could just all of a sudden go from invader to peaceful creature, among all the other inconsistencies. And when the time was right, she were going to prove it, though she'd keep it down somewhat. Better to have Lyriel derail things, and seeing how Angel were having fun climbing the pony made of bark, moss, grass and other plant parts, that and the talking might help keep the dryads mood up. Besides, both her and Fluttershy were huge on animals and taking care of them. They would have an easy time to connect.

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

 

@Lucid_Nightlight

"I don't think they'd keep me. Or do you mean that I'd cause trouble? Because I totally am! Crazy folks are funny."

It were perhaps a wise idea to not take her off the leash, though another issue would be Henry, who were going to follow them there as soon as he saw them leave the tank. Quite the circus of troublemakers the lot of them had started to gather up, though it were strange how their surroundings weren't really reacting on them so far by the look of things. They must really have been through hell and back when nothing so far were getting to them.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus @Moonlit

"Y-Yes, off course your majesty, p-please come in. I know our meeting was brief earlier, at the castle, but I'm here with Nada and Serenade, and I can't get away from here, so... I-I hope it's okay that I'm here, during your meeting? I won't tell anypony what is said here. You have my word."

"I'm sure it's fine, Cherish. You know about Nada and Serenade after all, so it's not like anything here's secret. Plus, you're dead! I'm sure the princess had a few words about ghosts roaming Ponyville too, once everything's been talked about.

Anyway, just dropping the coffee off here, and then I'll get out of your way. Big hush hush, and all that, right Princess Luna? Lips sealed, no worries. Serenade! I brought you the joe I spoke off before. Have a sip, and tell us what you think, eh? And dip a doughnut in it if you want. I know some who likes to soggy it up first for some reason."

Cherry wandered past the princess, tilting her head in a greeting as she did so, and put the cups and cakes on the table. Were some muffins, doughnuts, that sort of thing. Most were put on the table, but the caramel swirl latte that she had promised to bring to Nada, as well as one of the doughnuts, were put over near the siren, at which point Cherry would look at the fish pony with expectant, somewhat crazy eyes, curious as to how the siren would take this in.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"Of course, why would I challenge a working relationship that had no problems? Such are the reactions of short-sighted individuals who think intimidation is the only way to run their business. Rather foolish to think that violence is the only answer, is it not?"

With this, Scarcity both answered Ruby's question, and gave a response to the threat the the pony had given her, and showing that she were not intimidated. Many had there been who threatened Scarcity, and far, far more powerful beings than just a singular, potential pony had been brought low afterwards by Scarcity's influence and schemes. it may well be that she couldn't win in most fair fights, but the only truly fair thing about her were her business deals. What else happened, were up to her own diskretions.

"Personally, I like to savor my response to an unpleasant encounter, rather than sending them on a walk they might never return from. Seeing things crumble around your adversaries have a certain, cruel beauty to it.

Ah, but time flies and I believe it is about time for our final player in this group to introduce herself. However, my office are getting filled quite well right now, so if you would be so kind, let Brick escort you out, and enjoy your day in Canterlot before the meeting. Do try to visit the outskirts to the north. The scenery is quite lovely there."

As if on cue, Brick would open the door then, with Spicy trailing right after, carrying a jar carefully.

"Spicy Rolls, darling. It have been far too long."

"Depends on who you're asking chief, but we're here now anyway, and boy do I have something fun for you to smell."

"I believe this is our cue to leave then. We will meet at the auction, m'lady.

Now Ruby, are you ready to leave?"

Marley bowed to Scarcity, and then faced his draconic friend in disguise, thinking that she would be more han happy to leave before the jar got opened, and she had to endure the stench again. Dreadful thing for the dragon.

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

 

@Rising Dusk

"See? He's not a wimp. Here's your poison."

Going from a heavy weight, they got into the entirely different direction with the next item: A feather. A chicken feather by the looks of things.

"Rank 3. You have to work fast on this one, since it floats around by sudden wind even outside, soon as my hoof is off it. It touches somepony, they turn into a chicken with a blood thirst, who will attack everypony in sight. Whoever survives it for four minutes, turns into another one, and so on, and so forth. It's only rank 3 since if you kill the first one, the feather blows off again, and everyone affected goes back to normal. A right pain in the flank to catch."

"Y-You don't want to k-know how we got it. It... W-Wasn't a pretty sight."

Rising were going to find this feather to be all but innocent. While it wasn't made with the intent to harvest anything, the touch of vengeful malice would be easy to see in the cruel, but incredibly complex spellwork. Somepony had really wanted others to suffer for some reason, yet one part would be foreign: The spell causing it to fly around. Somepony else had intercepted this and wanted to cause harm on a far greater scale, and so had added this on a later date.

"I have one class 5 more with me, if you're stallion enough for it after this. Right now though, keep your focus, and Don't Get Hit! I'd hate having to cut you down."

To make her point, Null took a knife up from her back, and put it on the table. The look on her face should say that she were not kidding, though strangely, she felt like if she did this, she might actually feel sad about it. Rising wasn't all that bad of a stallion.

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Blitz Boom

"We may have to give Henry a squeaky toy to keep him from going into or destroying the asylum."

"Yes, a squeaky toy is clearly the best course of action to keep a giant weird thing calm."

Lucid looked at Anomaly.

"Now, you will behave right? No kidnapping a random patient and forcing them to marry you."

"It would be hilarious to see though!"

"True, but it wouldn't be polite. You're supposed to get their number first."

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

"A Kitsune? And you teach your students about illusions? Is... that an ability all kitsune have?"

That headache is starting to wear off now, but this is all so bizarre. They're in a strange land that he doesn't know about and mingling with creatures that could pull a fast one on him if he weren't careful about who he was talking to. But being in Yazma's presence calmed him down and left him feeling a little more relaxed. The butterflies in the room were a strangely soothing thing to look at; it reminded him of his days traveling wide open plains when he'd see the same thing. His mind wandered for a bit before nearly forgetting Yazma's other question.

Sen snapped himself back to reality and scrambled to get his answer in order. "Lin and I are longma, half pony and half dragon creatures known for their very... isolationist tendencies. Please don't be alarmed by Lin's looks. She had a similar appearance to mine back then but after a terrible incident long ago, it was what she got in order to save her life. Our friend Rosa is a bat pony and Omen is a Ki'Nathar."

There was a bit of hesitation as Sen answered what Omen is. Though he seemed to trust the kitsune for now, there was only so much he is willing to divulge. It might be safe to say what Omen is but any more information on her background or home realm might not be a good thing to say. It was to keep unwanted visitors out and protect Omen's formless siblings and maybe even Mother if whatever decided to seek them out had ill intentions. One breach is already enough.

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

@Blitz Boom @Dji

Angel appeared to be very much relaxed around Lyriel, and her giggling gave him a little more confidence to try something a little different. Grabbing a few locks of hair together, he started twisting and turning, braiding a section of the dryad's hair and tying up the end to hold it together. He normally does this around Fluttershy when she asked but the pegasus preferred her hair straight and with her extensions. It was a little secret but she eventually revealed this, or maybe not. He recalled one pony making mention if it once but Fluttershy didn't seem so perturbed by it. 

Fluttershy watched on and giggled a little bit, recognizing the more familiar Angel she knew was at his best. He liked doing that, sometimes even sharing some of his techniques to other animals; Harry does some hairstyling on the side, though that was more for Rarity's sake than anyone else's. And it involved grass, twigs, and an odd bird's nest that somehow got caught up in the makeshift wig. How that happened is anypony's guess. 

But there was another mention of animals turning into trees, something that sounded awfully familiar to the pegasus. Zecora and herself were in a similar situation once, and judging by those memories, it wasn't a good one. Perhaps it may be better to not mention that part first.

"If you'd like, Lyriel, I could take you to the Sweet Feather Sanctuary. It's an animal sanctuary I put together with some friends, and you're more than welcome to visit. If you don't mind me asking, what is the Silver Valley like?"

Edited December 29, 2018 by EQ_Theta

[Catpone Cerberus 23,588]

@Blitz Boom@Moonlit

Nada stayed in the bow until Luna addressed her again. Besides being bigger, Luna hadn't changed too much from how Nada remembered her, only thing was that she did seem just a bit...less authoritative towards others than her guards as far as she remembered, the twinkle in her eye being rather surprising detail to Nada. But Nada knew she couldn't fully trust her memory, considering there was a lot she had already forgotten totally, so it wasn't out of the question that she remembered things wrong. She didn't answer to her question since Cherish already did, but she did give Luna more room to come inside, gesturing politely.

She didn't touch the latte or doughnut yet, and instead she kept her eyes towards the princess, but made sure she wasn't staring her too much, it was clear she wasn't really sure what to say or do, but eventually she decided to do the most logical thing and introduce herself in case the princess didn't recognize her, she bowed again as she started "Thy majesty, My name is Nadanna Adratina and I thank you for letting me speak with you."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@Blitz Boom

Like usual, Ruby didn't give any reactions to Scarcity, it was her way to signal that she wasn't intimidated either, because even though she would have liked to have this pony on her side rather than against her, she wanted to make it clear that she wasn't just some foolish young pony new to this side of the pony-society, sure she had no experience on the organized side of it, but she knew how the mind of the creatures on this side operated.

Ruby just nodded when Marley asked if she was ready to leave, not even looking towards the jar to avoid giving Scarcity any ideas, and like to be expected, she didn't bow or even say anything respectful to Scarcity, instead she just nodded upwards in her general direction before turning away ready to follow Marley out

 

 

 

Edited December 29, 2018 by Catpone Cerberus

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom @Catpone Cerberus Luna waits until her Thestral Guards leave, then turns to face Cherish, "We are glad for your Presence Cherish" then to Nada"It is our Pleasure Nadanna. We Remember you from before our.....absence. We....I mean I am glad that more then just Ponies are moving to Equestria and becoming possible citizens. What Questions do you have for Us?" Luna manages to almost hide a smirk. 

[Rising Dusk 27,514]

@Blitz Boom

Poison.  Considering what he's dispelled so far for the sisters, it probably wasn't all that far off.  Hopefully the remainder of the artifacts were magic based though, because if they were carrying around vials of poison, that was his forte.  They'd have to hit up Bash at the front desk of they want poisons neutralized.  He knew she was just using an expression, but his mind wanders with such things.  

Not that he'd attribute poison to a chicken feather, but he'd been in his career too long to be all that shocked that something a simple as a chicken feather being enchanted with such things.  It was nice though to have a little more detail about when he was working with.  A lot more than just 'don't look into it's eyes'.  This kind of information at least let him know he was looking out for a Transfiguration spell, Emotion spell and Contagion spell.  Granted, on the more extreme end of the spectrum with how intense the curse was placed on a pony.  Oh, should probably keep an eye out for a Flotation spell as well, but it shouldn't be too big a deal since he can just grip the feather with his telekinesis.  

The warning was taken into account though as the knife was placed on the table.  Not that he particularly had much interest in being a chicken for any period of time.  Probably least interested in being cut down as one.  Cut down at all didn't sound all that pleasant, so he'll just have to ensure it isn't necessary.  Nodding to Null's warnings, he prepped his horn with an orange glow.   

As the hoof was lifted, and with it the nullifying field, the spell work that cursed the feather.  Not that he could spare more than a split second to see it before the feather lifted off the table on it's own before even the magic circle engraved could catch it.  Float was a bit of an understatement as the feather flew off in his direction.  It was ponyseeking!  Rising Dusk quickly leaned back on his stool and let gravity out speed the feather that was aiming at him.  Falling back onto the basement floor with a thud as the feather zoomed over him.  Ugh, the second time he's ended up on the floor today.  Luckily he had that split second to see the weave to know what to do before the ponyseeking feather went after him again.  Not letting the feather reaim itself before he cast black wisps at the left corner of the tapestry to snipe out the Flotation spell that gave it flight.  He was quite familiar with the spell to know how to disable it.  Didn't matter if the spell that let the feather seek out a target was still in place, it wasn't getting very far without a motor to take it there.  Well, a motor of it's own anyways as gravity was still always an available method.  The feather gently floating down now without the Flotation spell in effect, the detective worked to undo the rest of the curse. 

As predicted from Null's description, the overall tapestry was a weave of spells the detective was familiar with.  If abet extreme in intent, evident in the inky appearance that told of the malicious behind it, combining spells like this wasn't all that uncommon.  Pokes and prods from the black wisps performed their surgical dispel on the feather as it gently floated down.  Only a few short moments later did the feather end up landing on his snout while he look cross eyed at it.  Curving his lips enough to blow the now harmless chicken feather off his snoot before it caused him to sneeze.  Taking the free moment to let out his second annoyed and delayed reaction of the day, "Oww..."

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Dji

He smirked to himself. "Why'd you hiss at him if you're going to mention something like that? If you know we're accepting them, scaring him off like that won't help." He then shrugged at her. "But sure, let's go after him." He walked in the direction the changeling had gone, not heading at a fast pace. "I do expect he might fall back down."

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

@Blitz Boom

She looked around, Sapphire thought to herself as she glanced about. "Then there's not many options. We have to find a way to learn these types of magic." She looked to the door, walking to look closer at the runes. "Like a ancient archive may hold some books for it, but which ones still have any are beyond me."

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

@Blitz Boom

Astral kept heading forward, sighing to herself as she thought, glad that at least taking the train again would still save on time. "I've never really taken a proper break actually, my life has always been busy."

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@EQ_Theta

On 12/29/2018 at 3:52 AM, EQ_Theta said:

"A Kitsune? And you teach your students about illusions? Is... that an ability all kitsune have?"

"Us kitsune are highly magical creatures, yet our most defining traits are our skills in illusions. This does not simply come natural though. It is a long, tedious process before the potential of any kit is refined enough for them to advance out and do their own trickery without being found out.

What you landed in were a simulated military facility scenario, which is among the tougher tests I run, though clearly my students are not ready to pass yet. Not masking their scent, and then telling it is all false by the drop of a hat... I had higher expectations of them than that."

Yazma suddenly looked at what would to others seem like an empty spot and narrowed her eyes. What followed were no visual, but the sound of something scurrying off and a weak yip were there, if one cared to listen.

"And it seems like I have a meddling kit more to give a talking to later. They should know better than to think their novice tricks would work on me.

In any case, I knew of the thestral and the refraction, but longma and Ki'Nathar? Our libraries are vast, yet I haven't heard of your kinds before. Something new to add to our books it seems, especially from our healers, whilst they are tending to Lin's wounds. She shouldn't be long, though this Rosa one is another matter."

Yazma made a book appear out of seemingly nowhere, and it flapped open around 3/5'th of the way in, at which point it'd flip, and show them a painted depiction of a bat pony in dark armor, flying down with a spear towards a flock of hissing kitsune, magic soaring around them. Several words were also written down each side, but the language of Neighpon weren't easy to decipher if you didn't know it, so it likely just looked like scribbles to the two visitors.

"Our history is complex, and full of both war and tenuous peace. Suffice it to say that he will be under heavy guard and have his memory scoured when the healers are done with him. We can't have potential enemy spies snooping into our business, and endanger the kits. Not on my watch."

The book closed again, and vanished into thin air. She had shown what was needed to get her point across, which she had little doubt would be understood by Sen. He seemed an intelligent, albeit strange creature. Very different from the seemingly clueless companion of his, who were either a good lier, or several centuries old.

"The young needs direction and protection to not end as prey in the outside world, or exotic pets. Much the same as the refraction. Bad things happen to those who steal their young."

There were an implied suggestion here to explain why the group of outsiders had this little thing with them, and making it convincing before something would happen. It appeared that there were still some mistrust to go around here, and not just from them working with Rosa.

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

 

@EQ_Theta @Dji

The feeling of Angel now climbing around on her back and braiding her hair made some old, pleasant memories surface for Lyriel. Small critters had liked climbing her people so much that while they had animals there, each of them basically functioned as a permanent settlement for something. An owl had been that of her brother, as he had carried heavy bark with a sizable hole in the back for something to settle in. As for Lyriel, it had been a couple of bats, who liked to hang from her branches in the daytime and enjoy the cover that she granted with a layer of flora over vines. Creatures like Angel came around often too, though not too many interacted with her hair. The few who did, tended to look for something to use for their nests, or wanting a taste. The braiding were a pleasant and welcome addition to that list.

She could just imagine Angel doing this to Fluttershy as well, though it would be kind of a shame. The mares hair were a beautiful, lustrous pink, that flowed like a calm river. Braids wouldn't fit that, no matter how endearing it might look to see the bunny do so.

Much of Fluttershy's appearance invoked the same feeling with Lyriel actually. Her stance, her eyes, her voice- It all just seemed so balanced and harmonious. It were easy to see why the animals mostly spoke of this pony as if she were a dryad in her own right. A few exceptions remained, but those tended to be the same that were hesitant to trust Lyriel too, despite her best efforts. Beings such as the timberwolf alpha. A troubling being to even get the others to speak of, though she had been told recently that the old female had taken interest in the dryad, so perhaps the day would come eventually.

Then... The line of thoughts got interrupted as the conversation fell on her old home, and her smile withered a little.

"Through the valley, runs a river in many colors. Every creature of flesh and blood who drank from the sacred waters, would be reclaimed by the earth mother. Such were the faith of the animals, once the other water sources ran dry, and they tried to drink from what were never meant for their mouths.

My people... We could do with the water falling upon us from the morning dew, but in time, they too took to tasting the forbidden waters, and they fell to heresy and madness. I escaped and hid, but others who did not drink... Were not so lucky."

A tear fell from her right eye, as the image of what happened back then came to mind.

"I'm sorry. You asked what the valley is like, and the answer you must have wanted were lovely, and once it truly were. Yet now it is silent, barring the mad ramblings of those I once called my family and friends. It is a place of sadness and heresy to the earth mother, and it brought me nothing but sorrow to see everything I loved brought to ruin.

Ponies came by strange magic, I helped them leave, and the dragons allowed me to wander with them. It saddens me greatly that it cost Nerzhei her homeland, yet I feel blessed to be in your forest, where I am needed, and life flourishes. It reminds me of what home once were."

"I don't miss it."

The dragon knew it likely didn't make Lyriel feel less sad about having been part of why she had to leave Dragon Land, but she wanted to clarify this regardless.

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@Catpone Cerberus

As the two left her office, escorted by the silent Brick, Scarcity chuckled slightly, which made Spicy raise an eyebrow.

"Brazen company you're keeping these days. I look forward to learning more about her."

"Yeeeah... Not gonna touch that with a seven hoof pole. Wanna see the wares?"

Spicy would start showing what they got, and then describe the jewelry, so that they could get the finer details done before the auction. That left the griffon and dragon in disguise to be left at the entrance, whilst Brick returned to looking around the store for troublemakers.

Marley said nothing at first, and just signalled for Ruby to follow him into a nearby side alley, where they may have a little privacy from prying ears.

"That went better than expected, if I do say so myself. Some subtle death threats on both sides, but I've heard worse in this profession. May I ask for your personal opinion, please? I find myself quite curious."

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@Lucid_Nightlight

Anomaly giggled at what they said, then went into full blown laughter for a solid minute.

"Sorry, but oh man, that made me think of Crazy Joe. I totally did that to him, and he kept thinking he were in the middle of a dragon-pony war, and kept telling to me to hand him another sword to lob at *That scaled garbage fire with more air than brains*. Or the tree priest, as it actually were.

It was pretty fun, but man was he boring once I sorted his brain, so I sent him back before the vows were read. Perhaps your world have more fun crazies, but I wanna wait kidnapping anypony until I meet your fowl-talking dimension hopper. He made a lot of sense.

Am I allowed to go back and kidnap the pretty crazies for bridesmaids later? Otherwise, I'm gonna start mutating all sorts in there for funsies."

She were totally gonna mess around the place anyway, but it would get even worse if there wasn't some future fun. As for Henry... She were a bit blank on what to make to catch his interest, so sure, why not a squeaky?

A snap of her tail, and a rubber tree would sprout, with a big sign saying *squeeze me!* and a depiction, if Henry couldn't read. Didn't seem to do much, as the creature just began poking it gently, but at least he seemed invested. Might do it. Or not. Guess they'd see.

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@Rising Dusk

The sisters twitched as the feather flew towards Rising, and their muscles tensed. It had almost managed to hit the officer, but thankfully, he took advantage of the fact that the feather still had to obey gravity, and didn't travel all that far, to fall backwards. This however, still left him exposed, as it were hard to move now when the feather inevitably would go towards him.

Void had taken a step forward before the black wisps began to do their work, of snipping away at the spells around the dangerous feather. Still, she wanted to go forth and stop it, but were halted by Null, who put a hoof in front of her and shook her head. Whatever Rising were doing right now, he had to be allowed to deal with it. If they interrupted, who could say what would happen? An unraveling curse, kept down, and then suddenly loose again if they dropped it? Sounded like bad news. Besides, they had to try and trust the officer. He had done well against horrid things before, he could do so again.

The first that seemed to go were the spell keeping it in motion. As the feather now only floated like any other would, this gave Rising a few more, precious seconds to work with, and from the looks of things, he weren't wasting them. Assaulting the feather, attacking the spells that made for the combined curse, though as with all other times, it were impossible to determine how far he were in the process, as they couldn't see the weave that the officer could.

As such, soon as the feather fell on his nose, Null instinctively grabbed the knife, though thankfully she hadn't a need to use it, as the feather were now once more merely that, and free of the malice that had once caused it to be a fleeting, dangerous piece of work.

"Hmph. Not bad."

"O-Officer? Are you o-okay?"

Whilst Null gave a slight bit of praise to the officer's ability to work under pressure, Void instead came over and would try to help the officer up, concerned what he had reacted to with pain just then. Were it hitting the floor before? Magical exhaustion? Were something perhaps still wrong with the feather, and he had gotten stung by it? Whatever it were, she didn't like hearing him in pain, and far as she were concerned, this was it. She weren't going to let Null take forth the last item after this. it had been a horribly close call, and even if the last item were pretty low brow, it wasn't worth the risk. Not before she were completely sure that he were ready for it.

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@Catpone Cerberus @Moonlit

Well this was no fun. Nopony were responding to her, and Nada were looking away from the good stuff. Well then, if they wanted to go and be antisocial like that, then let it be on them. She could go... Retaliate against the flying rat or something. Though there were a chance she'd get another face full of teeth then, so perhaps she should go do something productive then instead.

"Well then, since it sounds like I'm the fifth wheel on this royal caravan, I'll go grind some beans for tomorrow. Have a hoot."

With that - and an eye-roll towards Nada - she passed through the door and went back to the shop. Might as well get some overtime pay since she weren't wanted here. Not entirely true, but Cherish at least were shamefully happy to see Berry leave, as the way she spoke didn't seem fitting for a royal visit. Perhaps things had changed, but Luna were old school, and both Nada and her had been out of society for ages. New age ways of doing things were not exactly the norm in this setting.

"I-I'ts an honor to know you remember me, P-Princess Luna."

Cherish bowed the best she could, then floated away from the pair as best she could, and kept quiet, to not get in the way of things, This meeting were intended for Nada's benefit, and she wasn't going to derail this if possible. She'd franklyv vanish from sight too if it were, but Cherish weren't sure how the princess would react to something like that, so for the time being it seemed wiser to remain visible, and just try not to get in the way.

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@FanOfManyShows

"Celestia's libraries likely holds something like this, but their security must be heightened, because they think I will come and save Warlock. He made me react... Irregularly for a time, but my interest aren't in saving him right now."

There had been a brief moment where Emerald had been swooped up in his commanding presence, and thought she felt something more, but she were sure it were simply that: She were drawn to his presence. Nothing more were to it, and she weren't going to dignify it with more of a thought.

"I recall us getting some magic books long ago from some dusty, reclusive places. Perhaps some of those still stands? Suppose it couldn't hurt if we checked. Anyone in particular that you want to inspect first?"

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@FanOfManyShows

"Heh, go figures."

The train didn't seem to be near yet, but the group were not at the stop yet either, so that were just good. Having to run it right now were gonna be annoying.

"Don't get me wrong here Astral, I like that you're stubborn enough to upstage a mule, but keeping at things constantly ain't good. I've been hunting for most of my life and done extra most of the time to try and be seen as equal to the griffons, but take my word on this: You keep at it without taking a breather now and again, and you're gonna end up seriously injured."

Chow stopped up, turned to Astral, and pushed some fur away on his neck, revealing a pretty long, pale old scar going from around his right shoulder and down his chest, aiming for his left hoof.

"Headed in over my head with less than half a tank, and I barely made it. So trust me, I know what I'm talking about when I try to get through that a break's important. The sort we're dealing with right now's far more dangerous than what I ran into, and I don't wanna see you end up taking that step further by running low on a full powered bunch'a bad news.

So you know... Don't make me chain ya down and feed you tranquilizers, alright?"

Oh yeah, nice move Chow. Derail a sensitive subject by putting in a horrid joke. Get a grip on yourself!

*sigh* Well, this was likely a bust then... Might as well turn around and get down to the tracks then, before the lot of 'em started pointing and laughing at him.

Edited December 31, 2018 by Blitz Boom

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Blitz Boom

When Lucid heard Anomaly's question about taking crazy ponies as bridesmaids, Lucid opened the hatch of the tank, looked at the sun, summoned a device to measure the weather for next week, and looked at Anomaly.

"According to the density of the sun and the current weather pattern, I don't think the pidgins will approve of such a decision. Though if you promise to put them back... you might be able to get away with it without the pidgins getting mad."

The average pony would have no idea what it meant, but any chaotic entity would see the reason behind what Lucid was saying, despite there being none. Lucid went back into the tank and closed the hatch.

"It's Anomaly's turn to drive, now full speed ahead too the insane Asylum!"

[Catpone Cerberus 23,588]

@Blitz Boom@Moonlit
Nada managed to wave a hoof to Berry when she was leaving, she felt bit bad for her even though she disliked how she talked to the princess, she seemed like a lonely pony, trusting nopony and with few screws loose in the head, so it wasn't fun to ignore her or see her leave again, but Nada also understood that this was a time when she would need to be bit selfish.

She was happy to hear that Luna remembered her, it made things bit easier, since it was known even back then already that Nada didn't like the whole mind-controlling and collecting negativity thing.  She replied to the princess with more relaxed, but still very honoring and respectful tone "Thy highness, I wanted to know if there would be a way for me to return to civilization and possibly even my old way of life, as a siren." with her old way of life she meant singing for ponies, and she hoped Luna understood what she meant.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

@Blitz Boom

Ruby followed Marley without hesitation, and after his question, she thought for a second before replying "About the situation or the mare?" she asked, but continued by answering both anyway "The meeting went like I expected, nothing to say there." "As for Scarcity, good ally to have, inconvenient enemy." "She is intelligent for a pony, but she's clearly hiding behind her assets, by herself she's as weak as one could get." "In conclusion, I don't fear her, but I can respect her capability." "Reminds me of myself, exception being that I prefer doing things myself and that I'm not weak."

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

Seems like there is something the kitsune and the longma have in common, though Sen seems to envy them a little. At least they are aware of their own history and know what to look out for. Compare that to the longma who are wary at just about anyone who isn't them, always assuming the worst but never really saying more beyond that. Still, there was something going for the kitsune that made them concerned about Rosa, though the longma understands that there has to be some measures to make sure their bat pony companion, or thestral as Yazma mentioned. 

Unfortunately, the shaky trust he has earned already has the longma treading very unstable ground. The mention of the refraction being likened to a young kitsune could end up being a sore spot that could cause further animosity between them. That said, neither Sen nor Lin wouldn't be able to provide an explanation that gave anyone present some measure of confidence. There might have been a mention of this creature coming from one of Omen's sisters but even that memory was a blur, not something the longma remembered with any degree of clarity. That and how the distrust of the kitsune have with the bat ponies is already making things more challenging. 

"I understand your caution given your history with the bat ponies, but if I may, I'll vouch for my companion. For what it's worth, Rosa... isn't like the other bat ponies. Maybe he was once as your book showed but not anymore. Can you take us to see our friends? It would ease some of my worries to know they are alright."

Sen took a step back and once more attempted to whisper to Omen, though some part of him felt that this may be more of a fool's errand more than anything. Still, it didn't stop him from trying.

How exactly did you come across Shrimp? I mean, he hatched from an egg if I am not mistaken?

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

@Blitz Boom @Dji

"I... I'm sorry. For bringing that up, that is. Just hearing that from you is difficult but I can't imagine what it was like when those things were happening."

Fluttershy fell quiet, and for a moment, didn't quite know how to else to respond. Though deep down, she had an inkling of an idea. What if all that time Meadowbrook was absent, the ponies who fell victim to swamp fever never found their cure were in a similar situation? Twilight and Fluttershy found a cure and stopped the transformation from pony to inanimate plant but it was successful because the transformation never finished. They never once tried to see what would happen if the cure was introduced to a tree that was once a pony long ago. Would age catch up to them in the short amount of time they had? Would it even be called a mercy to save them from their current states only for them to fade away shortly after? Thoughts like these are difficult, sometimes keeping anypony up justifying one side or another without ever reaching a conclusion. No matter how long it went, there just wasn't a satisfactory answer. Maybe this is one of those instances.

Even Angel paused, finishing up his braiding and sympathized with the dryad. He stroked her hair and though he didn't say, or squeaked, anything, he knew opening up old wounds wasn't always a good thing. Fluttershy may have needed it once, but not every case was the same. Just that gesture was all he could do for now, wanting to let the dryad know that in this moment, she would find comfort and friends.

"If you like, there is the Everfree Forest near the town," Fluttershy quietly continued. "You wouldn't need to worry about bodies of water turning animals into plants. Apart from the odd chimera or cockatrice, that area is more or less safe. We can go there if you'd like." 

Edited January 1, 2019 by EQ_Theta