open Casual stroll

[Rising Dusk 27,542]

@Blitz Boom

The plan seemed solid in his mind.  Well, it was a plan anyways, just not a good one.  Even with his extra magic sense though, it did little in the grand scheme of things in understanding the primordial magics contained in this alter.  Although he had a hoof up than any pony else, that hoof up though might as been one against a mountain that reached the Moon.  While he wasn't expecting the figure on the alter to actually move and speak to him, he was less expecting the sudden attack.  Quickly putting up a wisp raging barrier, not really all that sure even his counter magic could stand against such unfamiliar magics as this.  It was better than just standing there though. 

Luckily he didn't have to find out though as he was saved for an unknown force.  The silver light, primordial in its own right, but not matching the signature of the attacker in the least.  A second entity? Not really all that much of a question when the darker being confirmed it right after on its own.  How did he miss that?  The vile corrupted magic of the alter must have drawn his attention too much.  And all his work a cutting the connection between Twisted Gears and this alter, had been undone.  "Tough thread..." he commented, but this wasn't a puzzle he was going to give up on.  Dropping his barrier, he reached deeper into the tangled mess of primordial magics.  Sifting through the dark magic piece by piece... There, a silver weave weakly tangled in with the corruption, keeping it secure and trapped.  Although it had saved him not moments ago, the detective was cautious.  Light and Dark were merely powers, not necessarily linked to good or evil.

Rising Dusk was able to see the intent of magics in Equestria, but these tapestries he was observing now were in a completely different language.  Well, that was the best way of putting it anyways.  Forces of nature that he'd love to learn the language of, but he was pretty confident his mind wasn't ready for such a thing.  Extending his senses deeper into the matrix of magic before him to try and find more of what was the silver magic, he could feel the strain of focus starting to take it's toll.  Pulling himself back before he was lost in such otherworldly phenomenons.  

Pulling his senses back suddenly made him aware he wasn't alone in the room anymore.  Nearly jumping out of his skin at the sight of a spectral ghost pony standing by him, reminding him of his fruitless efforts.  The pocket watch in the other room ticked, sending a ripple of green magic through the spider web of threads Rising Dusk had used to connect all the objects and another dozen souls were freed.  Perhaps she was one of the souls freed from the first tick of the watch?  Was she one of the souls that had taken refugee in his mind and had been whispering among the many others?  At this point it was hard to keep up.  With so many whispering talking together, picking out a voice even with his memory recall was impossible.

"It appears Dispelling more than a shadow of a deity's magic is a bit beyond my current abilities," the detective admitted.  He was also starting to notice a common thread in dark beings always being after one's bloodline.  A study for another time.  Turning to more fully face the specter as she floated about the room.  "Were you not free to move on?  Does my spell matrix need alteration?" Rising Dusk asked, taping his chin in thought as he recalled the work he had done.  His knowledge of ghosts seemed pretty limited too as he pulled up books he read on the topic.  Nothing he pursued too heavily.

The sisters?  The unicorn put his hoof down and focusing.  Thus far witches from these lands asking about the sisters lead to a fight.  "Yes," he responded cautiously, reaching out with his senses ready for an attack. 

Edited April 15, 2019 by Rising Dusk

[Blitz Boom 4,621]

@Catpone Cerberus

Marley let out a sigh of relief as he saw that Ruby had not retaliated in some sort of way over the zebra. Unfortunately, this were the kind of behavior that you had to get used to when dealing with their kind, and this one were among the worse, as she did not have the decency to allow anyone the bliss of being unaware of her knowing more than she should. For a zebra, Zhiira were rather blunt.

"I thank you for not reacting poorly to this first impression, Ruby. Zhiira is a great enchantress, yet her manners can be somewhat lacking."

"Have I not set my table, the best I am able?"

"You are well aware what I mean. Regardless, as I see you expected us quite some time ago, I take it that you also have what we are seeking?"

The zebra chuckled and pointed towards the seats and the things she had set up for them.

"I do, yet why move in such a hurry? Indulge a lone mare, and soon you''ll have no worry."

There didn't seem to be a way around this, so Marley had a seat and took a small sip of the tinglyweed tea that had been prepared. Not a rarity by any means, but having it done properly sometimes felt like it, and as could be expected from Zhiivra, the balance were exquisite. He imagined that the cup of blood presented to Ruby would be to her liking as well, were she to try it, though he were not keen on asking where it had come from. Considering she were no hunter, she had probably gotten it from one of the other exiles during a trade, but you never knew with this one. Could well be that somewhere nearby, there were a creature wondering why it were bleeding from a wound that it had not seen happening.

"You wish to be free, of gazes and scrutiny? Then please, have a seat, and perhaps enjoy some meat? It is as fresh as could be, I can assure thee."

The tone in that last statement, along with the dark glimmer that went over the zebra's eye's, might seem like she were hinting at containing a great darkness, but Marley knew her enough to be aware that she simply found entertainment in theatrics. Ruby should be able to tell as well, since her senses would be keener, and therefor shouldn't have much issue noticing the small signs of this being a little jest, though she weren't joking when she said that the meat were as fresh as one could imagine. She knew well that dragons who ate meat, cared not for old leftovers. It were beneath them to enjoy second rate food like that.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

The mimic would pull her tongue at the bird before quickly diving down to avoid a fireball headed her way. Lyriel were still trying to get used to these birds holding such destructive elemental power, and winched as the fire passed her. It were one of many reasons why she tried her best to ensure that the scattered nests of these creatures were kept safe, and that the creatures themselves were treated with respect. Nothing good would come from irate beings who could burn the forest down to a pile of ash, if they for some reason wished to. It did not mean that she were going to chase them away or anything though. She had found that if she treated them with the dignity and kindness that she would any other, they would come to accept her, and in some cases like with Agni, would even find some degree of joy in her presence. A rather testing interaction the first week she were here, that were for sure.

Whilst she stayed back here and prepared to go on to see how other animals were doing, Fah'lina would swim with Nada back to where they had come from. A short and uneventful trip, but they had already experienced quite a lot today, so perhaps it were for the best that things slowed down for a little. Give them a bit of time to catch their breath, so to speak.

One fish would try to get near and have a bite of mimic, but the critter shades the sharp-toothed fish away with a display of her over-sized maw and a hiss vibrating through the water. It lost its lust for a furry snack at that point, and scurried away, provided that Nada weren't feeling peckish.

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

 

@Moonlit

"I were just curious,and I don't know that patch you talk about, but if she follows her eternal majesty, Princess Luna, let her know that the descendants of the most devout salute her for her service. Shrine Maiden or Night Guard, we all do what we must for the princess of the night, even when she are not among us."

The Shrine Maidens considered themselves to be the most devout, as they had lived and died in the name of the princess for a thousand years worth of generations, yet they did not think any less of the Night Guard. Their ancestors were once among them too, and even though they had not had a lifetime of war to their name, they were still there to help keep the country safe, and after the return of Princess Luna, had gotten in line to follow her orders and protect her without questioning. To Last, any member of the Night Guard, former or present, deserved her respect, albeit she would still question the devotion of some of them regardless, but that would depend on the pony in question.

"If she were among the others, her work were still good. Our history books tells us that all branches were important for the country, even if they couldn't work together. I've heard they have finally changed that. Now that her majesty is back, that's probably for the best."

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

 

@Zephyr / Karou

"Breathing problems are not a good sign in somepony your age. Have you experienced any heightened anxiety or stress in the situations when you feel short of breath?"

The doctor had a worried frown on his face and used his horn to gather some tools up from the walls. Starting with a stethoscope, which he placed on Zephyr's chest and asked him to take a few calm, deep breaths so that he could hear if something were the matter there. If that didn't turn out to be the case, he would have to go through several other steps, as there could be reasons big and small for this sort of thing. Anxiety or stress were something which should cause too much concern, unless it happened more frequently than once every few months, in which case a change of lifestyle were going to be needed. Same thing if it turned out that perhaps Zephyr had a lack of iron in his diet, which would make it harder for his body to transfer enough oxygen around his system, though the breathing would likely be a more frequent issue if that were the case, and might have something to do with long periods of times with unhealthy eating habits.

Then there were of course the more unsettling reasons, but hopefully that wouldn't be the case. A treatment for that could be a long and potentially painful process.

Back at the reception, the Coast Guard had wandered over to the desk and after a few minutes, managed to get a time reserved for three days after this. The receptionist didn't seem to care any more that it were a guard than she had about Zephyr, not even when the mare made a small salute and wandered over towards the door.

However, she halted as her eyes fell on Sun Fire, and after a few seconds just standing there, she wandered calmly over towards the mare and cleared her throat, trying to gain the attention of the mare.

"Excuse me, but are you... Sun Fire? I don't mean to pry, but others where I am stationed have talked about a mare of that name that looks strikingly like you."

The guard were not going to freak, and would keep her distance out of respect of the mare's privacy. She were simply curious. Especially since from what she had heard, this mare were mainly in Manehattan. Quite a trip from there to Ponyville.

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

 

@EQ_Theta

"Treat her like a foal, and start off with picture books. It have visual representations to help her understand what each word is.

You two have known her for longer, so if you know better than this, then go with that, but from what I have seen she copes poorly with a lot of information that requires her to think over what it means. Big words are one thing, but contradictions are a problem too, though I think this have more to do with what she spoke about with having too much in her head right now. We're giving her too much information without allowing her to go through what she already haves. I would suggest that perhaps it would be good to allow her some alone time soon, to just stand around and get through things at her own pace. When her head is cleared up, perhaps she can take more with the lessons, though again, picture books. Just try and inform her not to eat them."

It felt good to not have to be limited by sore lungs right now when he had to go through his thoughts and opinions on the matter of Omen and her... Situation. Rest of him still felt sore, but being able to speak normally were a good sign at least.

As for Omen, this were just his own, personal observations so far. He didn't consider them complete, as there had been many things to focus on, but from what he had gathered at least, Omen were essentially just an ancient being, with the mind of a preschooler. At least when it came to the reading, writing, and likely math as well. Essentials that had not been taught her, and apparently she hadn't been able to pick up on without help from a master who likely had her more focused on learning her other things that had seemed more important than literary abilities. If the world had stayed chaotic, he had no doubt that that would have been the case, yet as Discord had lost and the world gotten stable, this were now among more essential things that she had to learn sooner or later.

That Lin were trying now were commendable, but it would have to be taken slow, and she could likely learn something from how ponies taught the youngest foals. Omen seemed able to absorb knowledge at an increased space if she could fit it into some sort of reason into her mind, so perhaps she'd be well versed in like... 2-3 months, if the studying course was made properly and explained very slowly, with a lot of patience and understanding of when to use bigger words.

"It's good that you're trying to teach her this in any case. She's going to need it to move forward and be able to teach herself some things too, and if you'd like, I can recommend some books to start you off with. The library in Canterlot should have a large section of them, and provided I don't get jailed when we return to Canterlot, I can show you where things are.

And before you ask, yes, I know my way there because I did some of my work in that library. I would prefer not to say who I was trailing though, if that is okay."

There were enough shame in most of his work as it were without him having to add to it by sharing less than ideal details about who his targets may be. Hindsight were an ugly thing that had beaten him over the head many times as it were, and though he would give a name if asked to, he would prefer to hold some things to himself. At least until he'd be interrogated.

"In any case, we'll have to wait and see when she starts to move again. Could be hours or even days more. Worst case scenario, we might have to carry her to the courthouse and try to explain it away as her being some sort of realistic doll. I mean no disrespect to her, but it wouldn't be the most difficult thing to convince others off in this state.

And no, I did not sleep well, but something tells me that I won't for a long, long time either. The swamp gave my nightmares some new ways to torment me that's proving to be disturbingly effective."

Unconsciously, Rosa directed a hoof to his neck to feel if there were something once again, but thankfully still found nothing. This particular nightmare had been a testing one, but he wouldn't burden them with details. It wouldn't make the day any better for them, and frankly, he just didn't want to talk about that. He'd rather go over every detail of his work than speaking of what tormented his mind once more.

"Do we still have some rations left?"

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

 

@Lucid_Nightlight

"Then make him bigger, and he can eat lots of things. Come on, you could ride him like the coolest mount in all of the deserts. I could get it done in a snap."

She still didn't like the lizard, but supersizing animals were always fun, and she did kinda wanna see what this gluttonous beast would do if he had the size and power to eat bigger prey. Perhaps eat a pony or something, she didn't know, though he'd best not try her. Draconequui were not good for the stomach.

"I'll throw in some bells and a pair of fuzzy dice? Lumen, can you think of anything else I can use to bribe them?"

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

 

@Rising Dusk

When he were rummaging around the threads and finding those belonging to the being keeping Suusha trapped, Rising would find that a sense if pleading would reach out to him. As if something were asking for help, yet had no voice to speak with. He would also find that said magic - though vast in power - were waning under the force of the darkness. Could be anything from a week to a century, but sooner or later, the entrapment would fail. That were an inevitable reality, as grim as it may sound.

"𝔾𝕠𝕠𝕕. 𝕃𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕪 𝕣𝕖𝕞𝕒𝕚𝕟 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕤𝕡, 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖."

The specter were not going to attack Rising. Quite to the contrary, she had stood ready to force him away if needed be when he once again had started to meddle in the fabric of Suusha's magic. A foolish action that could lead to nothing but ruin, yet it were not her call to make. Besides, this outsider... To even be able to see the weave that made up the deity's magic, were a strong and dangerous skill. There may be a reason why the weakened goddess had found it needed to save this one, when so many more would perish if her power waned completely.

Landing on the ground, she slowly took a step towards a former cursed object on the table - a now cracked glass orb - where she had just heard several voices cry out in joy as they had been released. To think how many more of them had become nothing but victims or ingredients in these vile contraptions...

"𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕗𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕪, 𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕝𝕦𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕞𝕖, 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕀 𝕒𝕞 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕪𝕖𝕥 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕤𝕙𝕖𝕕 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕖. ℕ𝕠𝕥 𝕒𝕤 𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕤 𝕊𝕦𝕦𝕤𝕙𝕒 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕤 𝕒𝕥 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕔𝕒𝕘𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕗𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕕𝕠𝕞 𝕚𝕟 𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥.

𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕔 𝕤𝕙𝕖 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕝𝕖𝕗𝕥 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕞𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕟, 𝕪𝕖𝕥 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕝𝕠𝕔𝕜 𝕣𝕖𝕞𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕜𝕖𝕖𝕡 𝕙𝕚𝕞 𝕥𝕚𝕖𝕕 𝕕𝕠𝕨𝕟, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝, 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕜𝕖𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕥."

While the aura of the sisters may seem like something a spell could just replicate, it were a special and unique condition that if remade by a spell, would be possible to just dispel like any other work of magic. Even for a weakened god, this wouldn't be the most daunting task.

The sisters however, had their effects somehow in the bloodline. It couldn't be countered,  as there were no spell on them. Whoever had spawned them may have had one, yet this were genetic, and if they were sacrificed in Suusha's honor, they may well end up unlocking the cage for good, and then Harrowmark would be engulfed in a darkness that would be impossible to escape.

Null and Void weren't the first picks in this endeavor though. There had been one other, whom had passed by the country very briefly around twenty five or so years ago, but the witch had never been able to get a lead, and then suddenly, two fillies had entered their country, carrying the same abilities, and tried to settle down. He had nearly had them too, but the villagers had chased them away before that, and Twisted had been left with empty hooves and a thirst for vengeance. He had not been merciful upon the villagers, which some of the souls released now were a testimony towards.

"𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕚𝕡𝕝𝕖, 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤, 𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕘𝕠𝕕 𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕤𝕠 𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕚𝕝𝕪 𝕓𝕣𝕠𝕜𝕖𝕟? 𝕊𝕦𝕦𝕤𝕙𝕒 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕕𝕤 𝕙𝕚𝕞 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕡𝕦𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕤𝕖 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕕𝕠 𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕞 𝕓𝕠𝕥𝕙. 𝕆𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝕒 𝕗𝕠𝕠𝕝 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕣𝕦𝕟 𝕟𝕠𝕨, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕡𝕣𝕒𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕓𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕 𝕒𝕘𝕒𝕚𝕟.

𝕐𝕖𝕥, 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕚𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕡𝕒𝕥𝕙... 𝕀 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕙𝕖𝕝𝕡 𝕪𝕠𝕦. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕕𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕞𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕡𝕦𝕥 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕒𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕚𝕟 𝕪𝕠𝕦, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕀 𝕕𝕠𝕦𝕓𝕥 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕕𝕠 𝕞𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕡 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖, 𝕀 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕗𝕠𝕝𝕝𝕠𝕨 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝. ℙ𝕖𝕣𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕕 𝕒 𝕨𝕖𝕒𝕜𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕨𝕖𝕓, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕞𝕪 𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕜𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕤."

A long shot to put it mildly, but if the goddess saw it fit to spare him, this outsider must be worth a fair chance. If everything failed, she would pray that she could at least drag his spirit off with her, before the witch got it. She imagined that all the hardships that could befall a creature would, if the deity and Twisted were to defeat Rising, which by far seemed the most likely outcome. It were what had happened to so many others who had tried to go against these two in the past several centuries, and she were painfully aware of this, as she had been forced to witness many of the things that happened to those who tried to rise up against Twisted. Her own punishment, for refusing to abandon her goddess those many moons ago.

"𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕖𝕒𝕜𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕕𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙. 𝕎𝕖 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕞𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕒𝕝𝕤. 𝕎𝕖 𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕙𝕠𝕡𝕖 𝕥𝕠 𝕕𝕖𝕗𝕖𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕞. 𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕤𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕟𝕕 𝕓𝕖𝕥𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕊𝕦𝕦𝕤𝕙𝕒 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕, 𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕣𝕣𝕦𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕡𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕒𝕟𝕖, 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕀 𝕕𝕠 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕜𝕟𝕠𝕨. 𝕄𝕪 𝕘𝕠𝕕𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕝𝕪 𝕨𝕖𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕕, 𝕤𝕠 𝕡𝕖𝕣𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕤 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕥 𝕞𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕓𝕖 𝕖𝕟𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕠 𝕗𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕙𝕚𝕞."

Edited April 15, 2019 by Blitz Boom

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Blitz Boom

"Pringle likes to stand on my head, so making him larger would make him unable to do that."

"Yeah! Pringle wants to stand on his head!"

Lumen looked under the table and found a half-eaten taco.

"Bribe them with this."

[EQ_Theta 458]

@Blitz Boom

"Not much in the way of rations, three packs of vegetables and some dried berries. The latter is on us because there wasn't enough to cover everyone and we thought you wanted something to eat last night. Should be good for one more meal." Sen had tucked away the last of the rations in his pack the evening before and handed one to Rosa along with a generous helping of berries. 

"Picture books..." Lin muttered, staring at the ground before noticing some rations sliding under her nose and drawing her attention back to reality. "Might be useful. I was just about to introduce double vowel sounds and silent letters to her but that'll be really confusing for Omen. Thank you for your offer, Rosa. I'm sure Omen will love seeing those!"

For now, it would seem like Lin is more optimistic about their progress once more. It still bothered her a bit but perhaps there might be some way to provide better instruction to Omen with visuals. She appeared to have a grasp of a lesson when there is something to refer to and something to see. Those books might come in handy. Thing is, Lin was already familiar with the library in Canterlot, having passed by it more than once but like Rosa, she had a sordid past with the place. There wasn't a place or time she could talk about it, preferring to keep her lips pursed on what she really did there years ago. There was a reason the restricted section was under lock and key, surrounded by a patrol of night guards doing the rounds. She wouldn't prod Rosa on his story out of respect. 

"The nightmares just won't make things easy for anyone. Sometimes they feel real, a little too real that you'd wake up in a cold sweat." Sen paused for a moment, about to lapse into a lengthy spiel about nightmares and talking from personal experience. He looked to Omen, hoping she'd be moving about and joining them for breakfast but she must have had a lot of information to process. 

"But there's still the matter of the trial today. I'm just hoping it goes well. I'd hate to see Filigree walking away and feel like everything we went through was for nothing. How long do trials last, if I may ask? You think we'd probably be in Canterlot a while longer?"

[Catpone Cerberus 23,591]

@Blitz Boom
Again Ruby didn't say anything, she didn't have any reason to since Marley seemed to do the talking, though she almost said something to Marley after he thanked her for not being an idiot, as it was slightly insulting.
She just stood there with deadpan expression as Marley and the zebra had their conversation, and only sat down after the zebra asked her to, not because she wanted her permission, but because it was implied that it was the only way to get this thing done. 

Ruby indeed was able to know the real intent behind Zhiira's tiny gesture, but she still examined what had been served to make sure there was nothing that didn't belong in them before actually consuming anything. After making sure there wasn't anything that she knew could harm her, she took a piece out of the meat, which indeed was fresh, like was the blood, a rather rare treat outside freshly killed prey, since such things lost their freshness pretty quickly. 

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

Nada let the fish swim away, and just chuckled at the small interaction between it and Fah'lina, she didn't really know why she did find such things amusing, but she assumed it was because of her past isolation, since amusement was rather rare around the lake. When the two would arrive to the house, Nada slowed down and raised from the water quite slowly in case there was someone home, because she didn't want to scare them by suddenly appearing behind them or something.

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom Serenade nods, "I'll let her know. I know she was really happy when Princess Luna returned, and was doubly happy when something with the Night Guard happened. She was over the moon" Serenade smiles, "when I told her I reported directly to Luna." She puffs her chest out, she is proud of her position. 

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Blitz Boom

She looked at him, curious yet also surprised that such a word was a swear. She'd figure something like that would be, safer.
"It's not like I need to know that though."

She picked up a book she saw on the table and looked to the cover. "Oh interesting, Astral wrote a diary."
She turned slowly to Chow, her look without words asking the question she pondered. 'Wanna read it?''

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

Sapphire chuckled as she watched Iron pull out the book. "This sounds weirdly easy."

Iron glanced at her. "What sounds easy can be hard to perform."
He said this will pulling out the specified book, pulling together everything he could gather.
"Even if the soul escapes we could just find something else."

He scanned the words of the book, every letter and in between that might risk failure if missed, you could see the calculations in his eyes.While reading it he got things together, Sapphire finding a stick and lighting it with a simple spell.The interior of the crystal glowed as he spent whatever magic was left inside while casting the spell, and then a soul ripped it's way out of the rat. With a eerily similar appearance to Emerald's own form currently. Eventually they got it inside the crystal with some time and a lot of trying to catch it

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

The general let out a breath of relief, as if he'd been holding his breath the entire time.
"Really?"

"Because I can't handle this persona of a general, I'm not used to doing more than pointing a stick at somepony while giving orders, let alone an entire army.
Yet somehow, despite all odds I handled a powerful wizard." He said with a weirdly crazy chuckle before abruptly stopping. "But anyway, Shark Bay sounds nice."

The spotting of a unicorn guard caught his eye, whom appeared to have been there for a while. "Wait, who are you?" He looked to the unicorn, who would've arrived when Screecher left if Tidal had noticed her earlier, she glanced at both of them.

"So sorry, I got lost a bit. Not used to this area of Canterlot."  She rubbed the back of her head, smiling awkwardly. "What was that about?"

"Ahem, your name?"

"Oh! I'm Opal Luck." She said, chuckling again as her composure continued to fall apart.

[Sekel 692]

@FanOfManyShows

WATTS MECHANO

"So you can't care or you won't care of what you think of this mare?" Watts questioned before spotting a familiar alleyway and trotted to it, forcing Zealous to follow after.

@Blitz Boom

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

Twilight noticed the way Nerzhei revered her book and sighed softly. "Yes, I think it is time I went to bed. I'll just put away what we've done and store the scroll here," she told Nerzhei, magicking the scrolls and quills into a compartment in her desk. "If you need access, you can just press the top of this panel with your claw," she added, and where there was once a smooth desk, she put her hoof on a section in the upper right corner, and a section of the desk slid open to reveal the scrolls and quills. "I'm sorry I can't answer more of your questions because I don't know the answer to them myself."

@Blitz Boom

KARMIC FATE

"Oh, don't mind me. I'm just going out of my mind here," Karmic muttered in frustration when she slammed the last Equestrian book down on her pile. She ignored the timid pony that spoke with them in favor of sitting to the side and staring hard at a patch of grass in front of her hooves.

'Easy, little Fate. You'd either throw us both in jail with that attitude or you'll wind up burning a hole in that grass patch,' Atzy communicated to Karmic, causing to form a growling sound from her throat.

@Blitz Boom

AURORA LIGHTS

"Yes, sir, I can do that. You can count on me!" Aurora grinned, giving Happy a small salute. She resumed her walk with him and was content in the silence, glad that nothing was out to get them yet.

[Rising Dusk 27,542]

@Blitz Boom

While understanding the complex magics and natures of beings such as these, it wasn't difficult to find the sense of pleading for aid from the warden of this darkness.  The fact the goddess of silver knew the only way to communicate with the detective so quickly was curious to him.  Too weak to speak to anypony outside the alter and yet able to weave a bit of her magic in such a motion to catch his attention and get the message across.  This was so far outside the realm of Rising Dusk's last week where the most difficult case he'd been working in ages was a unicorn that modified a teleportation spell for pick pocketing.  He helped ponies, not gods.  Things like this were for Princesses or the Bearers of Harmony.  But... They weren't here right now.  

At least for moment the specter didn't seem to want to attack him.  Count his blessings while he could.  A concept that now seemed a lot more odd considering the company he currently held in the room.  The ghost pony was nice enough to provide the detective with a good dose of exposition in regards to what was going on though.  Even though she referred to the Dark God by name, yet re-framed from naming her own Goddess it appeared.  The sisters being a key to this prison made a lot of sense as well.  It had seemed odd to him why a dark wizard would want to capture two ponies that nullified magic.  Sure, maybe for defense against other magic opponents, but it made using one's own magic risking when they were near.  Rising Dusk could replicate the effect, seen in the spell he created for Molotov's new cage.  But the prep work required to do so and the duel of magics between the caster and the warden wouldn't result well.  Two ponies that did such a thing naturally was a far better option.

So his spell matrix in releasing the trapped souls was working, this one just appeared to have unfinished business, or so it seemed based on a left field book on the subject he had read.  Hopefully the ones that moved on though were forever freed from Twisted Gears grasp this time around.  Based on these type of odds though, it was hard to not agree with the ghost pony in her assessment of the detective not just running for the hills.  "A fool I am then," he admitted with a chuckle.  He wasn't going anywhere and had a mission to complete.  This did little to deter him in needing to rescue the dark wizard from this mess.  Rising Dusk still wasn't quite sure the batpony was aware enough that likely the first victim after Shuuan's release would be him.  The Dark God's direct connection to the alter was too close, but that didn't completely shut the door to this Spell Breaker.

The ghost pony was nice enough to offer her assistance, which the detective would gladly accept since he didn't have the complete grasp of Harrowmark yet.  Also, he still wasn't convinced that siding with the Goddess of Silver was the right answer either.  The Sun in Equestria was always viewed as benevolent and a thing of good, but the didn't mean it didn't also burn.  For now though, defeating Shuuan and his minion Twisted Gears seemed the better outcome for Equestria.  "It all depends on how you define 'Defeat'," the detective quoted his father.  Even minor victories could feaster it something bigger.  Often ponies sent their victory condition bars so high when such a thing isn't actually needed.  "I'm Detective Rising Dusk," the unicorn introduced himself.  Appropriate if the two were going to be teaming up. 

[Blitz Boom 4,621]

@EQ_Theta

On 4/16/2019 at 9:50 AM, EQ_Theta said:

"Not much in the way of rations, three packs of vegetables and some dried berries. The latter is on us because there wasn't enough to cover everyone and we thought you wanted something to eat last night. Should be good for one more meal."

"They've stretched far enough then. Thank you."

The berries were what he went after first, to see what sort of thing would be willing to slide down his throat and stay down currently. There didn't seem to be an issue, long as he chewed them slowly, so he could move on to some of the other things eventually. Partially because he wanted something with more nutrients in it, and partially because Shrimp had come over to look up at him with begging eyes in front of the berries, whilst chirping weakly. Wasn't a dumb creature this one, that were for sure. Found out who to go to to beg for food when Omen weren't active, and how to approach him, and honestly he weren't helping the situation by just allowing it to happen. Omen would have to discipline this creature a bit eventually, though something told him that she would be easy to manipulate for the refraction. She wouldn't want to keep him starved, so if he acted the right way, she'd just give him something.

Then again, it might just be that he went over because he were actually hungry, and who usually fed him hadn't responded when he started to to nuzzle and bite her. Had to find some other source of food then, and really, the small creature needed to eat, just like anypony else.

So whilst Shrimp went to work on a couple of berries after having a half dozen pushed towards him, Rosa would slowly eat of his own share of the rations, and listen in to what Sen and Lin were speaking of. Something of note were Sen speaking as if he had a well known experience with horrific nightmares, and considering what he knew of the longma sibling's history currently, he couldn't say it were something massively surprising, though he at least seemed to sleep well these days. Last Rosa had seen in any case, which he were thankful for. Nopony should suffer horrendous nightmares for long periods of times. It ruined your sleep pattern, and left you drained both physically and mentally. Getting to the other side of an ordeal who lasted who knows how long, were a blessed state that perhaps one day, he could share in as well. Though he did guess that Sen still had the occasional nightmare battering at him. Such things rarely left you completely one day to the next.

On 4/16/2019 at 9:50 AM, EQ_Theta said:

"But there's still the matter of the trial today. I'm just hoping it goes well. I'd hate to see Filigree walking away and feel like everything we went through was for nothing. How long do trials last, if I may ask? You think we'd probably be in Canterlot a while longer?"

Seemed like it were his time to inject with something then, though it would be a few seconds before he could, as he were trying to chew down a piece of apple that had just entered his muzzle at that point. After the chewed down, liquidized green had been downed, he readied himself to answer things as best he could.

"It's impossible to say. Some cases takes mere minutes, some can last days, or even weeks. It depends on the evidence, how good the lawyers are, whatever or not the jury can agree on a verdict, and so on and so forth.

Considering the burden of tangible evidence we actually have relies on what Scarcity dug up, as the rest can be refuted by a lack of actual proof, I can imagine that whoever will represent her, will argue that anything else brought up would just be trying to sully her name, and that this new part might as well be another fabrication. Then they'd have to check, which would give her a few more days to prepare, and even if they then came back with something damning, it might still be something that could be dismissed, if the crime in question have gone beyond the statute of limitation, though that depends on what the crime is. Murder generally have no limit to how long a crime can be pinned on you for example.

There are many more variables, such as the punishment merely ending up being a slap on the wrist, but let's just keep it at this, and say that it is a highly complicated system that doesn't always punishes fairly. Sadly, no justice system is perfect."

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"See? No harm comes from me. Not to a friend of one whom I like at least, to those I offer a feast. Enemies will instead suffer, as they are bound to do, with the poison of a puffer, or the darkest voodoo.

But no need to speak of enemies, when one are among allies. Now to get the point, as the time rightly flies. For an enchant that hides you from dragon and magic, I seek compensation that is rather specific. A captured flame, fired in rage, to hold aloft in my hut and warm me from it's cage. Along with three drops of blood from a magical dragon, given freely and drawn with a specific weapon. A blade once used to snuff out the light, of an elder dragon who boasted of his might. Brought low in disgrace by a pony so weak, his last breath were spent, making a tweak. A curse who would follow all who raised it to his kind, and burn them alive before they would find, as much as a scratch on his kin's scaled behinds.

The curse of a dying creature is powerful and unique, and finding a blade with such a thing is no easy feat. But fortune have smiled and opportunity struck, as Marley holds such a blade, to all of our luck.

So draw three drops with the blade, let them flow into my mixture, and blow a flame laced with hate, that I can make a fixture. If you will do this for me, I find it a perfect fee, for parting with an item that's suitable for thee."

She pulled two things up from under the table. A cage with a complex enchantment cast over it that would absorb incoming flames when opened - which she did now - and a silver necklace looking elegant and delightful, with a ball made of the same pure silver that would contain the eye that Ruby carried around perfectly, leading others to be unable to see it.

"Around your neck, this hides you from most senses, whilst the eye's draw is only for you to feel, unless you let it out of its hinges. Now this is not perfect, nothing ever can be. Some creatures may detect, that there's more than they can see. Yet even if they are able to grasp something like that, they cannot tell it is a dragon that can crush them flat. As for other dragons you needn't need to fear, while your'e wearing this necklace, they cannot detect you're one of their."

"And when she changes size?"

The zebra chuckled and took another sip of water before addressing the griffon.

"You think me a beginner? No, this thing is a winner. If she grows it will also, this I guarantee. Would be bad for reputation if something I made were destroyed so easily."

With that being said, she returned to drinking some water, whilst Marley slowly drew the blade from the scabbard beneath his wing, and mentally made a note to never draw this when fighting a dragon again. You did not mess with curses like this. At the same time, he also glanced at Ruby, whom were the one to make the final decision on this.

"I cannot say that I know others who can make the same offer, and especially not without mountains of gold being involved, but the decision ultimately lies with you. If you wish to go through with it, please, feel free to make use of the blade as needed."

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

They wouldn't find a single soul there, as Serenade were were still out, and she had locked behind her, so Fah'lina could freely jump out of the water, shake the water off herself near the edge of the pool to make for less things getting wet in here, and then scurried around to see if there were any traces of anypony. There wouldn't be, but there had been too many weird creatures lately to make her convinced that there wouldn't be something, somewhere, without checking.

There were technically something, which would draw her nose, just on the other side of the door, yet as the door were locked she were out of luck there. Or well, she would be, if she didn't just crack a window and crawled out, at which point she'd let out an excited squeak and start dragging in a paper bag in her teeth. She'd leave it on the table when it were, and go over to close the window again, before Serenade and her had to have a discussion about that again. If Nada looked, she'd find a few glazed doughnuts wrapped up nicely inside the packaging of varied tastes, along with some caramelized hazelnuts and a note.

Hey, the door was locked and everypony was silent, so I figured I'd just leave it here, and then one of you would pop out when you couldn't see anypony anywhere. Just watch yourself. They have eyes everywhere. Anyway, enjoy the treat, and tell the little monster that the hazelnuts are for her, from me. Perhaps she won't try and bite my head off the next time if she's been bribed.

See you around. Loopy Berry Swirl.

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

 

@Moonlit

"She's right to have been happy. We were too at the shrine when suddenly she flew down and basked us in her radiance. Imagine the surprise and awe as after a thousand years waiting for her return, she were finally back, free of corruption and speaking of what happened to her. We were thrilled, even after she let us go of our duty.

Most have just gone to her now, to keep serving in the Night Guard. I envy them, but not as much as you. To work with the princess directly... I can't imagine anything better."

Her voice had grown longing at the end, and her gaze wandered elsewhere. Last hated how she could not follow others like her sister into service at the capitol, but she knew how little happened there, and she had never been able to just relax like some others were. She could not just stand still day in and day out, in an area that were overly peaceful. She needed to fight for her believes, and sadly, once Luna had dismissed them, she didn't have that anymore unless the Night Guard suddenly started having a need for a frequent strike team. Something which had been made clear by her sister, that they didn't. Not often enough anyway.

"And just for the record, I never apologize, but for what it is worth, I regret the way I dealt with you earlier. I didn't know you were one of her majesty's favored then."

Something which she supposed she might as well have to do, before she would get scorned by Luna for her behavior towards Serenade. Being reprimanded by Celestia were one thing, but Luna? She would feel the disgrace of her ancestors until the end of her days for that. So she apologized. Sort of. Just before she heard something else go on nearby, and turned to see the robed dragon that had been speaking with Twilight leave the premise.

"If you wanted to speak with Princess Sparkle, now is your chance."

Last would escort Serenade,  or follow her, depending on how quickly the siren might move.

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

 

@Dji

"If we had all the answers, there would be no need for scholars."

It were a rather poor attempt at humor from Nerzhei's side, but in fairness, she weren't majoring in comedy. Plus her home had not exactly been a hotbed for many jokes worth listening to, with the majority of those told being generally just crude, simplistic, irritating, demeaning to other races, or a combination thereof. This were more or less the best she could offer, at least at the given time.

"It's interesting to know that apparently, there is access to the castle normally. You'll find me in the library often in that case. I can imagine there are many worthwhile things to study in there, but for now, I'm leaving. Rest well."

With a wince, she put the strap of her bag over her shoulder, and prepared to leave with Lotus currently sleeping in a side compartment of said bag.

"Before that though, you should go speak with whoever is in your library. It sounds like one of them were looking for you. Farewell for now, Princess Sparkle."

With that, Nerzhei would make her way towards the forest, to see what - if anything - were left of her cave, and if it were gone, find someplace else to rest for the night. She were going to need the energy from a long night's rest if possible.

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

 

@Dji

The archivist sent a few looks towards the mare, unsure of what to do or say here, until Enzo got in close to her, and they met eye to far larger eye.

"Care for your own work, and leave her be."

The mare gulped and nodded, before going back to her ow stacks and doing what she could to ignore anything else going on, as Enzo laid down flat on his stomach, with his head placed near the irate Karmic. It seemed like the parasite within were doing well in pulling her levers, and really, they had no need for this irritating distraction.

"Tell me, what says she to anger you so? "

He cared for Karmic's well being as much as he could for a lesser race such as this, and were somewhat dismayed to see that her mind were being prodded at to the point were her emotions were starting to rule her actions. It wouldn't serve her well to be like this, so he figured that he might as well ask, and see if they could find some sort of solution to this before Atzy got her own shell.

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

 

@Dji

"See? That's the spirit. Tough knowing this place, being all this excited should get us some bad folks to deal with right about... Now!"

Drawing one of his sickles, Happy began looking around, fully expecting karma to just throw something big and mean at them right now after teasing fate. Surprisingly, there weren't a thing. A bird dropped a stick out of its nest that were sitting badly with the rest, which landed on his nose, but that were about the only thing that happened.

"Huh, I'll be a monkey's uncle. Usually when I say stuff like that bad things happens. Guess we'll just... Get on our way then."

Honestly it felt sorta disappointing. He'd been ready and everything, and then it were just hype for nothing. Guess he played himself here then, but eh, how things went. Best to just set the sickle back, and start walking again.

"So, ya got anything special we can talk about while on the way? Gonna be mighty boring to keep quiet the entire time, and I'm thinking you don't wanna hear me sing. Unless I magic it up, it sounds like a frog falling down a staircase."

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

"I'll be the first one to admit that I like snooping around a lil' bit too much, but I'll be honest here and say that I'm thinking that if I looked into Astral's diary, she'd turn me into a mouse and drop me off at a cat sanctuary.

Of course, if you were to read it out loud whenever you found something juicy, I'd just be a perfectly innocent bystander in this. Nothing I could do if that happened."

Thinly veiled interest aside, he were pretty sure that Astral would indeed make him pay for it if she figured out that he had been in her diary, whereas Misty were probably fine. He'd likely still get a scorning for somewhat encouraging her to just read it herself, whilst sharing in some of the funner details, but eh, that'd likely not be as severe. Weren't like he were perfect or anything either. Just a regular ol' flawed, curious pony, right here.

"Just y'know, don't dig too deep into the stuff that looks real painful. Poor gal doesn't need anypony going into open wounds."

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

Apparently, these two did not care to listen to what she were telling them... Yet again.

"I told you, capture the soul energy, not the soul itself. If this needs to happen another time, you have to differenciate, or you could end up trapping a soul in eternal torment.

Regardless, it will still work. Just ignore the screaming when it's used, and burn the husk. It may seem alive, but beings with no soul are ticking timebombs."

It were one of t he reasons why she were not trying to possess the slightly mutated rat, who had grown grey with pale eyes, and were acting highly aggressive after its little... Extraction. She'd essentially be working with a dying entity that were only going to become more dangerous in behavior and appearance, and any offspring that the freak might create were highly likely to also be soulless abominations. It would spread like a plague in creatures like rats.

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

Tidal Wave turned to look at the guard, and listening into how the new kid dealt with the situation. He could've done better, but eh, it was his first day. She should give him some slack.

"You'd be amazed how well guards just sorta fit into the scenery sometimes. But hey, good timing, eh? We're needing somepony to go down and letting them know to prep up transport for Warlock. Figure we have a functional gal here, but hey, she's one of yours. Your duty to send her off newcomer."

Tidal weren't in town enough to know that many of the guards. Sure, she had a few drinking buddies here and there, yet that weren't the same as being around 'em and really getting to know who you were speaking with. That were more what she did with the Coast Guard. Well, the ones in Shark Bay at least. The Coast Guard had to cover a lot of area, so she literally couldn't see all of them, but she knew all the officers who controlled the various coast towns. So there were that.

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

 

@Lucid_Nightlight

"Hah, perfect, thanks."

Anomaly took the leftover and gave Lumen a peck on the cheek. Not easy to do when you didn't have lips, but come on, she tried. That mattered, right?

After that, she put the taco down on the table, and pushed it towards the trio.

"How do you know he won't like you riding on his head for a change? Come on, just give a trial run, and you get this, Plus I'll throw in a free fire breathing gland for lizard face. It's the best deal you're gonna find this side of the loonie bin. Probably on the other side too."

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

 

@Rising Dusk

"𝔻𝕖𝕗𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕒 𝕘𝕠𝕕 𝕚𝕤 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕗𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕚𝕓𝕝𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕒𝕝. 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕙𝕠𝕡𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕖𝕒𝕝 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕞 𝕒𝕨𝕒𝕪, 𝕪𝕖𝕥 𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕤 𝕡𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣 𝕠𝕗 𝕒𝕥 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝕒 𝕕𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕘𝕠𝕕'𝕤 𝕝𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕝, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕒𝕝𝕤 𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕤𝕚𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕤𝕦𝕔𝕙 𝕡𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣. 𝕀𝕥 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕥𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝕦𝕤 𝕒𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕥."

The ghost knew nothing of items such as the elements of harmony, which could harness such an immense power, but made it easier by splitting it between several beings, which meant they could do so without being immortals such as the alicorns, or actual demigods like Discord. A being whom she also didn't know, as he had never gone here for unknown reasons.

"𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕨𝕖 𝕞𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕜 𝕥𝕠 𝕕𝕠, 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕓𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕋𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕜𝕟𝕖𝕖𝕤, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕤𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕟𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕊𝕦𝕦𝕤𝕙𝕒 𝕧𝕚𝕒 𝕙𝕚𝕞. 𝔾𝕠𝕕𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕪 𝕒𝕤 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕒𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 𝕠𝕣 𝕤𝕒𝕔𝕣𝕚𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕖𝕤 𝕞𝕒𝕕𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕟𝕒𝕞𝕖𝕤, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕞𝕖 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕚𝕡𝕝𝕖, 𝕊𝕦𝕦𝕤𝕙𝕒 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕚𝕗 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕓𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕕, 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕙𝕒𝕝𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖 𝕒𝕥 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕥, 𝕨𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕤𝕥 𝕨𝕖 𝕗𝕚𝕘𝕦𝕣𝕖 𝕠𝕦𝕥 𝕨𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕕𝕠 𝕟𝕖𝕩𝕥.

𝔸𝕤 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒 𝕟𝕒𝕞𝕖, 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕔𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕞𝕖 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕝𝕖. 𝕆𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕚𝕡𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕘𝕠𝕕𝕕𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕓𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕖𝕕 𝕤𝕝𝕖𝕖𝕡, 𝕍𝕚𝕫'𝕟𝕒𝕪."

They had much to do, but it were fair to say that there would be little point in not sharing names now, as it helped them communicate better, so the moments spared for this were a fine enough investment of their time. Time however, were their most dangerous enemy here. Quite literally too, as this were the power that Twisted held, and with the many sacrifices that had occurred over the centuries, he still had much to spare of that, regardless of whatever or not he had returned a good deal of them to his apprentice. Hopefully that mare were locked up somewhere in Equestria, where she would at least be briefly safe from the things that one were forced to when studying under Twisted, willingly or not. This place carried enough misery as it were.

"𝕎𝕖 𝕞𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕗𝕚𝕟𝕕 𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕙𝕖 𝕚𝕤 𝕙𝕚𝕕𝕕𝕖𝕟, 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕕 𝕞𝕪 𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕟𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕓𝕖𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕨𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕧𝕖, ℝ𝕚𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕘. 𝕐𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕡𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕤𝕒𝕧𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕝 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕙𝕚𝕞. 𝔻𝕠 𝕟𝕠𝕥 𝕤𝕡𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕚𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕦𝕟𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕪 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕪𝕠𝕦. 𝕀𝕥 𝕞𝕒𝕪 𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕞 𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙 𝕥𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦, 𝕓𝕦𝕥 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕞𝕒𝕪 𝕨𝕖𝕝𝕝 𝕔𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕦𝕖 𝕚𝕗 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕕𝕖𝕗𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕠𝕟𝕖𝕤 𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕘𝕖𝕥𝕤 𝕕𝕣𝕒𝕨𝕟 𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕚𝕟. 𝕎𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕓𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕚𝕣 𝕤𝕒𝕝𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕞𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕦𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕖.

ℕ𝕠𝕨, 𝕀 𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕙𝕚𝕕𝕕𝕖𝕟 𝕚𝕟 𝕠𝕟𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕤𝕖𝕤, 𝕠𝕣 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕤𝕙. 𝕎𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕠𝕗𝕗 𝕚𝕟𝕧𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕚𝕘𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘. 𝕀 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕖𝕝𝕝 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕚𝕗 𝕀 𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕤𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕪𝕨𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖, 𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕡𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕪 𝕥𝕣𝕪 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕠𝕪."

Edited April 18, 2019 by Blitz Boom

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Blitz Boom

"He will be able to change size on command and you have a deal."

"Yeah! Give us the half eaten taco and the fire breathing thing for Pringle!"

"That does sound like a good deal. Just imagine a giant fire breathing lizard. Sure, there's that purple one, but he is tiny."

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom Serenade waves a hoof, "It's fine. I don't go around saying I work for Princess Luna specifically. I mean I do work for both Night and Day...technically" She narrows her eyes, "But I prefer and love working for the Night Court." She puts the book away, and gets up, then bows down in a very particular way. The bowing only a very specific Corps of Night Guard were taught. Night Stalkers were the ELITE of the ELITE of the Night Guard a thousand years ago, only a dozen were ever active at any one time, and they usually handed pick their successors.Those in the know referred the Night Stalkers as the Night Guards version of the Wonderbolts, but the two are very different. 

Most modern Histories leave the rumors of the Night Stalkers activities out of the history books, and what records are kept in the Canterlot Achieves are classified BEYOND the highest levels. 

Edited April 17, 2019 by Moonlit

[Catpone Cerberus 23,591]

@Blitz Boom
Ruby was thoughtful for a moment, she would get more than she originally wanted, and it obviously was a good thing, and the cost wasn't that huge either, since this wasn't the first time she has give pieces of herself in exchange to something she needed, and with her healing speed they never even left a mark, but there was a one thing she wanted to asked before volunteering to anything. "I have no problem with the fee you have asked me to pay, but there is one thing I want to make sure first." "The curse, does it have a negative effects on me?" "Obviously I can't be burned alive, but I know that curses can  be huge pains in the tail." "And why exactly does it need to be this exact blade? if you want to tell that is, you potion makers seem to be rather secretive individuals."
 

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

Nada read the note she found after opening the bag, she was both glad and disappointed when she saw it was from Berry, glad because she didn't seem to be mad at her, but disappointed because she had missed her visit. "It's from Berry, you know, the pony who's head you tried to eat." "She says the hazelnuts in the bag are for you." she then turned the bag over to drop everything inside on the table, since her hooves were too big to get them easily any other way. "She calls you 'the little monster'. " she said chuckling as she sorted the doughnuts into two groups, putting one set back to the bag and taking the other to herself. She put the letter back to the bag too before closing it. 

 

[EQ_Theta 458]

@Blitz Boom

Those were some big words, terms that didn't mean anything to the siblings and probably will catch them off-guard when they get brought up during the trial. For a moment, they tried to wrap their head around everything Rosa mentioned, understanding the bits that they could pick up on. Duration, waiting, proof, all of that they clearly understood. Statute of limitations? They have no idea what that one meant. And on that, they'd have a lot of learning to do in such short notice. If those present at the court would bring up even more terminologies, they'd be left clueless about how to go about the proceedings, unless they had to speak about something Scarcity did. That part they could do just fine. 

I don't think justice systems will ever be perfect, Sen quietly muttered though Lin picked up on this rather quickly and retorted. 

"Is there something you want to say?"

"No. Yes. Why would anyone want to represent or even defend Filigree? Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions and only we know the extent of her actions but it baffles me why we have to consider the possibility of her getting off lightly. And what happens if she does? Do we get called out for wasting the court's time?"

Those last questions were meant to sate his curiosity though Lin couldn't help but wonder the same. As much as she hadn't approved of Sen's comment earlier, it did lead to this line of questioning. From their experience back home, there is some similarity with having a jury and someone presiding over the trial, but the defendants were always those who were accused of a crime and the victim of the crime. They plead their case before the village and there will be a verdict dependent on the nature and severity of the crime. Most of the time it was labor, and that was usually enough for everyone. If what Rosa says is true, that the punishment isn't always fair, what were the odds that the verdict on Filigree's crimes would very much turn out that way? 

[Early Sunsets 2,106]

@Blitz Boom

Zephyr thought deeply for a moment. "Even if I'm not stressed it can still be difficult sometimes, though that does make the problem worse. I'm definitely not the most health conscious pony, so that might be a contributing factor," he said, thinking back to his tendency to stay up late, his less than ideal eating habits, and his hatred for exercise. It was a miracle that he was as thin as he was, which he often attributed to the metabolism he likely inherited from his mother. He remembered she could always eat whatever she wanted and never gain a pound. He scratched the side of his neck. "That might actually be a bit of an understatement."

Ironically, Sun Fire actually had wanted to read the aging magazines in the waiting area like Zephyr had jokingly suggested. While worn, they were preferable to doing nothing. Though she had kept up with the going ons of the country while on tour with Songbird Serenade and nothing in them was much of a surprise due to this fact, it was a little refreshing to just relax and reminisce about the past. She had even managed to find an old article about Songbird herself, which included Sun Fire in the background along with the other backup singers. She had shuddered slightly when she found that page and had immediately flipped to the next.

Sun Fire looked up at the strange pony as she heard the noise. "Yes, I'm Sun Fire. You've heard of me?" she said politely, trying to keep the dismay out of her voice. She folded up the magazine and placed it on the end table next to her. She had been tempted to lie and say she just had the misfortune to look like a celebrity, but lying never ended well in her experience, even in a situation as seemingly trivial as this. She sighed internally. "Please don't let this pony be like the last one."

[Rising Dusk 27,542]

@Blitz Boom

Thistle the Ghost Pony, what a prickly name.  Ponies had just strange names here in Harrowmark, but it was likely they thought the same of Equestrian names.  And now the Goddess of Light keeping the darkness at bay also had a name.  Not a being the detective was aware of, but really in Equestria there was little above the Celestial Sisters the ponies brought attention to.  There wasn't a lot of material on Harrowmark in the libraries either though to know of such things.  Freeing the captured souls from these objects in the room might be a drop in the bucket, but it was less to feed to the dark being and any more of Twisted Gear's experiments.

Cutting off the dark wizard source of power and denying the dark being it's worship did still seem the best course of action.  Just cutting it off from here wasn't feasible at this time.  A new tactic was in order, but he needed to find the batpony first.  His original means of tracking him had been closed, the dark wizard was adapting quickly.  Having to cut off his connections to the artifacts he'd poured so much power into must be rather aggravating though.  Like having to gnaw off one's hoof to escape a trap.  Rising adapted quickly too and had seen some new magics that were burned into his mind.

Nodding to the ghost pony, it was indeed time for some detective work.  Having the aid of a specter for physical traps would be most helpful.  Magical ones usually proved ineffective against the Spell Breaker detective as his extra sense made those kinds of traps stick out like sore hoofs.  Moving back toward the main room, he turned his attention to the hiding spot the pixie had attempted to surprise him from before being flung at the barrier.  The dark wizard seemed awfully intent on making sure this creature was with him when he left.  Curious for a pony that was so willing to throw his minions into danger with little care of their well being.  Reaching over into his saddle bag, he removed his magnifying glass and search the area.  Careful, thorough until he found what he was looking for.  Putting his detective tool away while he igniting his horn and cast telekinesis on a small hair caught on the corner of the shelf the pixie was hiding on.  Removing a vial from his bag, he plopped the tiny hair into it and redirecting his spell to removing a small eyedropper filled with a purple ink.  Adding three drops to the vial before putting the dropper away.  Sitting down, he put his hoof over top the vial and shook it rather violently for a few seconds.  Stopping, he removed his hoof and a purple butterfly made of vapor came fluttering out and made it's way to the door.

Quickly putting the vial away and getting back up he motioned to his new companion.  "Let the hunt begin," he instructed and moved to follow the butterfly.  A rather kind spell.  Looking to return something lost to it's owner.  Can't track the criminal?  Track what the criminal took.

[Blitz Boom 4,621]

@Moonlit

Last actually looked surprised as she saw this greeting presented by Serenade. This were one that she knew somewhat well, as it were described in the shrine's old tomes as one used by their brethren faction before Princess Luna sent them towards the forsaken warzone of a shrine so many years ago. It were well documented as being the sign of somepony that one would have to be wary off, yet show some trust towards, as they too were among Luna's favored. Allies of the original six and their followers. To think that after a thousand years, members of those still existed were a surprising idea, mainly because apparently, one of their members now were a siren. Serenade must truly hold a lot of her majesty's trust to be given that honor, though what exactly that faction the siren had potentially joined were called, Last couldn't tell. It was somewhere in the tomes, but she had been more focused on remembering the look of the greeting, as it were required by them all, just in case an envoy came along. The actual name were more important for their leaders.

No matter what the name were though, the only proper response to this would be to greet Serenade back the way that she and the others at the Shrine were taught to, bar tightly gathered groups, as to avoid accidents.

She drew her weapon carefully from the scabbard with her muzzle, the white, pale magical flames licking on the blade not burning anything or even giving off heat, this were more to not make Serenade think that she were about to be attacked. Then Last tossed it into the air where it'd spin around to make the illusion of a white disk hanging from above because of the flames, then as it fell, she'd skillfully grab it by the handle with her muzzle yet again when it were about a meter above the floor, and strike towards the ground, stopping it around three inched before it hit anything.

A strange display to most likely, but if Serenade were one of the Stalkers, or knew much of them, then surely she'd know about the fanatics too, and their greeting. Far less subtle, but their role historically, had never bee so either, and their own tomes had never been shy of that. In fact, they had been proud to point out how even the more vile things they had to do, were necessary, and proved their unquestionable loyalties to Princess Luna. Whatever tomes Canterlot had one them, were likely safeguarded because of that. Wouldn't want the dirty little secrets out now, would they?

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

The zebra chuckled at the understandable concern in what Ruby asked.

"The curse hits only those who would harm your kind. Such as the pony who owned this, which is why only ash were left behind."

"He tried to kill another dragon?"

"Emboldened by a victory barely won, he sought more fame and glory and went for another one. The blade held high over the dragon that slept, caused him to pay a long overdue debt. His ash and the jewelry he once stole were all that would remain, a grave reminder to his friends that dragons repay cowardice with flame.

This blade is not one of it's kind, yet few are those who struck an elder dragon, and have been left behind. The few weapons who have done so are revered and kept close at hoof, yet fortune smiled when I foresaw one found by this feathered goof. I simply had to wait for him and you to both show up at this auction, then offer my service and see your reaction.

You seem willing to deal, and your wound would soon heal, and no harmful magic hits you, which is mighty ideal. Only if it were used to cut you unwilling, but that is avoided with your approved in this fair dealing. So a cut if you will, and three drops to spill, just ignore the colors that will drop into the swill. I assure it it is only from that which falls as it flows down the blade's pointy range, the blood in your veins will not undergo any change.

The fire though must be breathed with anger, so think of someone that you wish would burn forever, or drown tied to an anchor. Direct this rage, towards my cage, and remember not to fear, your flames won't come us near."

She weren't kidding. If the flames were thrown, the cage would absorb it like a vacuum, and leave what would on the outside just appear as a regular lantern, though somewhat brighter. If the flame were not breathed with hateful intent however, the flame would flicker out and die shortly after.

As for the three drops of blood, they would gain a slight emerald tint as they ran down the blade, but honest to her word, it would not affect Ruby in any sort of way. For that to have happened, it would have to be a forced cut. And in regards to the brew, it would absorb the drops, but not seem to change in any meaningful way for the time being.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

Fah'lina had flown up to the table as soon as she saw the stuff being spread around it, eager to know what t he contents were.

The doughnuts certainly drew her eye, and she were making a short plan on how to steal one of them away for later consumption, until she opened the small bag with the nuts were in, and grasped around it, as to show that this belonged to her. That made it somewhat awkward when it were told who this were from, and what she had called her in the letter. The mimic did not enjoy being called things like this, and especially not by a nuisance like the mare had been. Yet at the same time, she Had just gotten a pretty nifty gift...

Cautiously, the mimic took out one of the caramelized nuts and slowly chewed down on it, not sure if these were any good or in fact, perhaps even laced with something bad, yet after a few chews the suspicious look on her face got replaced by one that just shone of delight, and a little shiver went down her spine. If Berry kept giving her things like this, the two of them might end up getting along just fine, though she still weren't gonna share, and flew the bag up to the highest place in the room she could come. Nada didn't seem like she could fly high, so this seemed safe for now.

Looking down whilst slowly munching on one of her treats, the mimic would observe what the siren did, now with the chance of Nada having her snacks stolen being greatly reduced. That did not mean however, that she wouldn't do something just to mess with Nada, but there'd be some degree of peace for now at least.

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

 

@Rising Dusk

Thistle looked on curiously as she saw Rising work, unsure of what he were doing. In her time, detective work involved following tracks or magical links, but with Twisted having hidden himself well this time, and with the sort of time magic he used making it so that it'd be like he were never even here in the first place, this would not work. Looking around seemed the only option, and yet, Rising remained here, looking like he were searching for something that were not going to be found.

It started to dawn on her what his idea were once she saw the hair he had found from the little pixie from before. Much as Teisted did well in shielding himself and his own magic use, what he had og time based magic were, generally speaking, personal. He could take or give time as needed, and manipulate his own, but he didn't have actual time magic where he could have other creatures undergo the same effects of seemingly not having been somewhere. Lily had been taught a small flicker of that magic  to not be traceable, but this thing? Pixies did not have magic potential of this kind. It would be possible to trace, and with some luck, Twisted might not even think of that. Even if he did, they'd likely get an idea where to look before he cast some other cloaking magic that would hide the little one and changed location. Rising deserved more credit than she had given him it seemed.

Seeing the little magical butterfly though, made her wrinkle her nose somewhat. It were not something she made mention off, and simply moved on to following the detective.

"𝕋𝕠 𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕔𝕜 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕙𝕖𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕜𝕖𝕖𝕡 𝕤𝕒𝕗𝕖. 𝔸 𝕔𝕝𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕒𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕔, 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕀 𝕨𝕠𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕙𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕤 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕙𝕖 𝕗𝕖𝕝𝕥 𝕞𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕓𝕖 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕟 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕙𝕚𝕞. 𝕀𝕥 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕒 𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕥𝕚𝕞𝕖 𝕤𝕚𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕙𝕚𝕞 𝕔𝕒𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕒𝕟𝕠𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕝𝕚𝕗𝕖 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖 𝕡𝕖𝕤𝕥𝕤 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕝𝕪 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕙 𝕤𝕚𝕕𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙. 𝔻𝕠 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕚𝕥 𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕠 𝕊𝕦𝕦𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕟'𝕤 𝕚𝕟𝕗𝕝𝕦𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖? 𝕀𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕀 𝕔𝕒𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕜 𝕠𝕗𝕗, 𝕒𝕤 𝕙𝕖 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕟𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣 𝕓𝕖𝕖𝕟 𝕒 𝕗𝕒𝕟 𝕠𝕗 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕗𝕝𝕦𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕔𝕙𝕚𝕖𝕗 𝕞𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕣𝕤."

Pixies were really more of a nuisance than anything in Harrowmark. Their magic was weak and mainly used for pranks and their small sizes meant they were useless for physical combat, so instead they just made life a pain for anyone unfortunate enough to having to deal with them. Stealing everything, luring ponies into the marsh, guiding one of the various wicker creatures to settlements, etc. The more you tried fighting them off, the more you just angered them, and the worse things they did.

Unless you had a ward to deal with them and just ignored them from that point on, most just gave them an offering once in a while to leave them be. Fruit and a few shiny things - generally worthless stuff, as the pixies only cared about it  being shiny and/or glittering - usually did the trick.

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

 

@EQ_Theta

"Unless we're dealing with somepony who have openly attacked a town and there are hundreds of witnesses - including trustworthy guards or the princesses - there will always be enough doubt that a lawyer will be appointed to defend whoever is on trial. It's a good system in theory, where no innocent is judged by false statements, planted evidence, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, etc.

Unfortunately, it also sometimes helps those who actually have done wrong get away on technicalities or shaky evidence. Again, no system is perfect, and since Equestria works on the idea that everypony should be given the benefit of the doubt, as well as second chances, this system is the best one can likely hope for when it comes to them.

As for a lighter sentence, bite note in the part about second chances. As you've seen with Discord, Equestria prefers to rehabilitate criminals rather than keeping them perpetually incarcerated. This tends to be practiced in two ways.

1. They will have somepony be judged and then placed in prison, from which point on they will be placed in programs, support groups, and so on, and when they think the individual in question truly regrets what they have done and are ready to be a productive member of society again, they will be released.

2. Community service and forced talks with counselors at least once a week until they can vouch for the creature to have become a changed being. This is more akin to probation, where if you start falling into old habits or don't come to the meetings, you're sent into prison and rehabilitation starts from there.

There's some exceptions to this, like sadistic murderers, but generally speaking, this is how they operate. Also, regular talks with a counselor or guard is generally still mandatory for both after release for at least ten years, to keep track of the progress.

It does give some repeat offenders who unfortunately doesn't get the point, but most will eventually be able to rejoin society, and do what they can to atone for what they have done. Those who doesn't... Well, there are harsher places to be serving your time, like Shark Bay. The Coast Guard headquarter have some less than pleasant cells compared to the regular sort, if the situation requires it. With how often they change general, that varies quite a bit."

Seeing how often he had to deal with Equestria in one way or another, Rosa knew a good deal of how they worked, and he would admit that it mostly showed some good results. Still, there were ways to take advantage of it, and he had certainly near studied it to be able to do so, in case he got caught.

Funny how now, he were more or less throwing himself into the prison system with actual remorse for his actions. How things had changed.

"You don't need to know much of how it works though. If needed be, they will ask you questions related to the case, but I think they will mainly just debate it between the lawyers, and make me go up to explain my part in all of this, since most of the evidence brought against her were brought in by me. You two should mainly consider it a drawn out, confusing learning experience.

Also, before you get ideas, do not mention how Scarcity got us further information. There won't be anything that will stick, she likely had some guards deliver the evidence as part of an ongoing investigation that they conducted themselves, and I would prefer not to have her view us as snitches. She is a problem solver, and I do not wish to be one of said problems."

These two were good, generally honest beings, but in the real world, you had to consider certain boundaries to that, as well as how it sometimes served you better to keep less moral creatures on your side. It got things done, and everything ran better if you didn't try to meddle in this system. It had a habit of crushing those who attempted.

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

 

@Zephyr / Booker

The doctor shook his head as he heard Zephyr's response. This were not any good, but it did make the likely culprit for his breathing issues pretty apparent. There still needed to be run some tests to make sure though, starting with a needle that floated down from the wall as the doctor listened in on Zephyr's lungs and heart.

"Your breathing and heart rate sounds good currently, but you need to take better care of yourself, or the issues could become worse. However, to know if this is the actual issue, I'm going to need a blood sample. Do you have a phobia of needles?"

He really hoped that weren't the case, as there were already enough potential issues here without him needed to extract a blood sample without a needle. It also made it difficult in case he had to give Zephyr an injection of any minerals he might be really low on.

In the lobby, the Coast Guard would get a bigger smile as she heard that this were indeed the mare she had thought. She weren't acting anywhere near how the nurse had though. More like a regular being meeting a friend of a friend.

"A few of my colleagues have spoken of you before. They say you're a pretty great musician, though I can't say I've ever heard something you've made. I'm more of a classical musician kin of fan.

Oh, sorry, this must seem kind of odd coming from a stranger. I'm Officer Amazon Lily of the Coastal Guard. Pleasure to meet you."

Amazon saluted at the mare, and moved a bit out of the way so that she wouldn't block the door. She wouldn't move too near Song though. As a celebrity, she'd surely be tired of everypony trying to get close to her, and Amazon weren't here to make her feel uncomfortable.

"Well, normally anyway. On a forced medical leave for a few months, and I have to keep getting the surgical scars checked up on, but I'm still an officer of the law.

Heh, sorry for babbling. Kind of been some... Weird days in Ponyville. Would it be okay if I asked you what you're doing here? I thought your band were a Manehatten thing mainly.

And please, just let me know if I bother you. I don't want to ruin your day miss."

She sure wouldn't mind a talk with another outsider though, and the others had kept saying how this mare seemed nice, so there was no harm in trying to strike up a conversation, right? She just shouldn't start trying to go fanfilly over this, which weren't so hard. All due respect to Song, but Amazon would far prefer to hunt an autograph from Octavia if any. That mare did the classical arts proud.

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

 

@Lucid_Nightlight

Anomaly scratched her chin. These two were running a hard bargain, but she would get something through that'd be fun for her. This couldn't all be one-sided.

"Only if his fire isn't regular colored. You pick another color, and I get to see him torch a tree. Then you have a deal."

To represent her driving her own hard bargain, a toy train set would appear on the table, with the half-eaten taco riding in one of the carts, following the small train being driven by a mini-Anomaly, enthusiastically pulling the string to make *toot toot* sounds.

If Pringle went to bash the cart with the taco in over or try to eat the contents, it'd count as acceptance too, instead of requiring a translator. Totally legally binding and everything.

Edited April 19, 2019 by Blitz Boom

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Blitz Boom

"His fire will be alternate between multiple colors of the rainbow."

"And you have to provide the tree and the tree insurance."

"That does sound like a fair deal to me."

"Of course it's a fair deal! You don't expect me to pay for the tree, do you?"

Lucid quickly ate the half eaten taco. The deal would have to be sealed.

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom Serenade smiles, a genuine smile. "Well" She clears her through, "We musn't keep Princess Sparkle waiting." Serenade waits for Last to lead her to Twilight's chamber, "I haven't seen that greeting in pony before, only in a history book." She lowers her voice, "I'm not one of the Night Stalkers, but my mother was. Please don't tell anyone...just yet."

[EQ_Theta 458]

@Blitz Boom

It is fortunate the two had taken time to speak with Rosa about this much more complicated justice system, or even just meeting and befriending Rosa. His wealth of knowledge and experience made it easier for them to internalize and come to terms with things that are so foreign to them. As much as they could pick up on commonalities between their own backgrounds and how much of it can be seen in Equestria's own systems, there was a lot of difference that the longma would be clueless to respond. Prisons just didn't exist for the longma simply because they didn't have any reason to keep them running or keep criminals around in the hopes they could reform. And even then, labor to the affected party was the way to go. That was about as close to reformation as anyone could get back home and repeat offenders were rare. 

Lin took note of these fairly quickly and understood the lot of what Rosa mentioned. It was easy enough to follow, and she might be able to observe some of these at work come the trial. She smiled and nodded, following along with the explanations given to her.

"You make it sound so simple. I wouldn't know how to start going about this if it were up to me alone to learn about this topic."

Meanwhile, Sen kept to himself though he too listened intently, understanding just about enough to know the gist of things and the important points that should help later in the day. When Rosa mentioned about having to stay quiet about Scarcity, it was... conflicting. He knew the importance of honestly but this wasn't brought up in any lesson he had before. Being honest leads to trouble? It didn't sound right, but at the same time, he could see point in being quiet. It just didn't align with his own morals, likely him being too naive about the way the world outside truly worked. 

"So it is best we keep quiet about Scarcity's methods. Better to have her on our side than against us, I suppose. Don't worry, I really don't know how she got us more information. No way would I be able to explain where she got those."

"Agreed. We might be more hindrance than help but if we need to speak, we'll keep it short in length and information. Shall we prepare to leave for Canterlot? I can get us there fast  but I wouldn't know where the courthouse is."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,591]

@Blitz Boom
After the assurance that the curse wouldn't affect Ruby, she after looking around a bit loosened her things and changed shape, this time making it rather carefully to make sure there wasn't any signs of it to outside of the tent, which meant that there was no sounds and she kept her wings against herself. She then took the blade, no way she was going to let anyone stab her, and lifted one of her scales so that she could cut her skin with it, lot easier than trying to hit through her armor, and as asked she dropped three drops to the brew, she could have given a full bottle of the stuff if she would have asked, but this was what was asked, so she then just put the blade down, letting it to be Marley's problem how to clean it.

For the fire part, well, there wasn't much thinking needed for anger, since rage was as natural to her as breathing fire was, though she did start with a tiny flame to make sure she hadn't been lied about the cage before letting out the the real fire, which shouldn't effect the end result since even her tiniest flame was filled with anger. She then transformed back to her pony form and did the usual changes to her necklace and box's strap. 

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

Nada just chuckled and smiled at Fah'lina, something about the creature's doings and gestures was so amusing. She could have easily flown up to the mimic, but she could tell that Fah'lina was protecting the nuts from her, so she didn't want to bother her, and instead just chuckled again "Don't worry Fah'lina, I won't steal your treats, after all they were given for you, and really, they probably are too small for me to taste anything anyway." She then proceeded to eat her own treats, focusing on the taste as much as she could since it was something new.

 

 

 

[Blitz Boom 4,621]

@Catpone Cerberus

The zebra smiled as she saw the dragon take on her true form and use the cursed blade to draw three drops. A meager, barely noticeable amount for one her size, yet it were all that were needed. Too much dragon blood could ruin the concoction, and cause some pretty undesirable results. And as were promised, the blade had no effect on the large lizard, who would be able to just close up the small scratch as easily as if it had been any other cut.

As for Marley. he took a step back as he saw that Ruby were about to breathe her flames, and observed how the jet of destructive fire got sucked into the small lantern like a red whirlpool. It were a strangely beautiful sight, regardless of the fact that he knew that if he stood near it, he'd be reduced to ash. One should never underestimate the intensity of a dragon's fire.

"Our deal is complete, please accept the rewards of your feat."

Zhiira gently pushed the necklace towards Ruby. With the dragons part of the deal sealed, it were her time to complete the transaction, and she were a mare of her word. Behind her, the brew suddenly started to bubble violently and let out small bursts of quickly dissipating smoke. The sound of hissing and distant roaring strangely flowed through the room, which just made the zebra smile.

"Something tells me I will regret asking this, but what exactly are you brewing?"

"A potion of transmutation, for those with draconic aspiration."

Her smile increased, whilst Marley looked as if he were having a migraine, complete with him placing two talons on his forehead and rubbing the soft skin covering his skull.

"So you're working for the cult then?"

"La Perrine herself came to ask for me aid. I were reluctant at first, but with what she paid? I cannot complain, so I agreed to brew what her most loyal will gain."

"She came to see you directly? I uhm... Wish you both the best in your endeavors then."

This particular thing made him nervous. That one of the cultists had potentially asked for this potion on her behalf he could imagine, though the grand mistress herself? From what he knew, it took a lot for anyone to even be allowed to see her, much less receive a personal visit. Things must have been delicate or desperate for that to occur, though he weren't going to put his claws in that beehive. He'd rather go punch Scarcity.

"In time you will get to say that to her face. Try then to carry yourself with some degree of grace. Be that as it may, one more thing I will have to say. Or rather ask honestly, regarding what I have given to you, Ruby. Is it sitting with ease? And do it function as you please?"

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

With the treat turf divided then, so to speak, Fah'lina proceeded handling her own good stuff up here on the shelf. She wouldn't eat all of it though, nor go at this quickly. This here were a special treat that should be enjoyed over several times, and it wasn't like she weren't actively hiding food around this house as it were. Well packaged in and hidden in various crooks and under other stuff, Serenade had managed to find some, but some things were still hidden and ready for a rainy day. Or in case she got peckish. Whatever came around first, though as long as others found her cute, she could usually get a little something here and there. The hoarding were just her instincts saying that she might need it.

Since Nada respected her treats, the mimic also stopped herself from going down and taking the siren's food, even though it did look rather delicious. She'd just steal some the next time Berry was around. Shouldn't be too hard. She were pretty easy to ambush the last time.

As for what Nada were eating, she'd find it to be some pretty good baked goods, though not as well made as what the bakery in town could make, were she ever to try there. Sloppy Joe made the best coffee by far, but the bakery were the best at their own business, and Berry figured that she'd take some of her own stuff with her since she were trying to show that she still weren't dropped behind a cart in this department. There were a bit of an overdone sense in the balance when it came to the caramel filling in one of 'em, but it should taste fine, and the cappuccino one were... Well, polarizing. If you didn't like coffee, that one likely wouldn't fall in your taste, whereas if you did, it tended to be great. Bit of a chance there, but she figured that eh, who cared, right? Worth a shot.

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

 

@EQ_Theta

"Nopony knows how she does it. I've been part of the biggest spy network in the known world, and we could barely find out that she were actually doing anything,a nd if we did, she would know well in advance and invite us in, because she knew that we couldn't prove anything, no matter what we tried.

Tracking spells fails. Scent trackers? Nothing. Finding the used buildings or sites? Like there were never anything there. Some higher ups even tried making... Less than moral use of a few zebra mystics, and we still didn't end up with anything. Best we can guess, she have connections more far reaching than we could dream of, and the way she uses them is what makes her both valuable, and incredibly dangerous.

Imagine this. You witness a horrendous act, and you, as well as fifty other individuals, manage to see it. You then report it, and the guards shows up to find nothing. No trace of everything. Then you think that perhaps the anecdotal evidence can help. But again, nothing. Suddenly you find that whoever accidents occur, some even vanishes without a trace, or just nervously changes the story out of nowhere.

I know that you two wishes to have some kind of honor or fairness in over this world, but I am telling you this because I want to keep you safe: Do not cross somepony who can make the truth what she wants it to be. As pleasant and polite as she seems, I can assure you that if you cross her, everything from a bad day to you spending the rest of your life in prison for a murder you had nothing to do with could be in your future. And yes, I do mean the rest of your life, as I am certain that she could manipulate the reformation process by making you appear uncooperative in the paperwork somehow."

This were perhaps being a bit... Ominous, but Rosa did not give these warnings without reason. He had seen the results of trying to work against Scarcity, and in Equestria, she would ensure that you were made to pay for the insolence of crossing her, or trying to betray her, if she so saw fit. Her reach extended beyond the borders too, but out there, there were others to content with. Some far worse than her, but the siblings did not need to hear about this.

"Anyway, I don't mean to start the day off with causing too much alarm. If you're ready, we can go, though what about Omen? It seems safe here, but are you certain it's wise to leave her?"

"Why would you leave me?"

Rosa did not consider himself somepony who got startled easily, but suddenly hearing the statue-like Omen speak managed to get the best of him, and a small jump came out of him.

"What the... How long have you listened to us?"

"I do not understand time. Short time maybe? You were saying a lot of big words."

It had been around three minutes, but as she hadn't moved or given any indication of life until then, none of them should really have been able to tell a difference.

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

 

@Moonlit

"The Shrine Maidens will never betray our brethren of old. Her secret goes with me to my grave."

Last's expression and voice should make it clear that she were dead serious. The Night Stalkers were once great allies of them, and as staunch defenders of the princess as the Shrine Maidens had ever been. They were their brethren, and betraying them were akin to insulting Princess Luna herself. Something which would not come to pass on her watch.

"We had thought that perhaps with her majesty gone for so long, that her kind had vanished. Make sure to let your mother know that even if we don't have a place to guard now, the Shrine Maidens are still alive, and if we're needed for anything, we will answer the call. The same goes for you. If you know that greeting, as far as I'm concerned, you're one of them. It entitles you to the same help we would offer any other of her majesty's most trusted.

Do you know how many are left?"

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

 

@Lucid_Nightlight

"Tree insurance? Pfff, whatever."

Anomaly's head split in two, and out of it sprung a cloud of pollen, which would go over and engulf Pringle for a few seconds before getting sucked into his nostrils like a vacuum cleaner. The effects would be active from about two seconds after that. Could she just have snapped and get it done in an instant? Sure, but she liked to be theatrical sometimes.

She would still snap her tail, and outside, the sound of something big stomping into the ground, along with a roar, would be heard.

"Home made, feral ent. He can set fire to that and make a huuuuge bonfire! Just y'know, be aware Pringle can only get like twice as tall as an alicorn. I figured if he could get Tirek sized it'd be cheating. Plus he'd eat the planet, and I don't want that. All the fun stuff are on it."

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Blitz Boom

Pringle hearing that he could be twice the size of an alicorn decided to grow to that size. If any normal pony would go here, they would run, but of course no one did because no normal pony would ever go to such a disgusting restaurant.

"Pringle says he would eat you if he thought I wouldn't take away his TV privileges."

"I think it's because you have ladybug wings and he thinks you are food."

"So when is he going to burn down the tree?"

"We had a tree, but she left after I, Lucid Nightlight single hoofedly defeated the sphinx with my handsomeness!"

"I have a feeling that isn't completely accurate."

"You weren't even there, what do you know?"

A Fluttertree joke? Got anything original?

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom Serenade blinks, and looks from side to side, "About a dozen or so. Celestia was....very thorough in her removal. And it resulted in two versions. One half upholds the Night Stalkers and what they stood for. The other half...well, they are dedicated to one thing and one thing only. The overthrow of Celestia. They find her unfit to rule. I'm sure the Guard has noted several sites where the words Sic Semper Tyrannis is graffitied. Thus Ever to Tyrants." Serenade stops, "And thank you, I'll pass that on to my mother, I'm sure she'll be pleased." She looks around, "So....question. How does Princess Sparkle keep track of all these doors" 

[Early Sunsets 2,106]

@Blitz Boom

Zephyr squirmed slightly on the table as his eyes darted to the needle floating towards them. "Um... I certainly don't like needles. I don't know if it would be considered a phobia, though." He bit his lip and sighed internally. "Oh dear. I had really hoped it wouldn't come to this." The thought of one of those little metal spears puncturing his body had always made him feel more than a little uneasy. And they hurt, too. That was all he could remember from his visits to the doctor as a foal. A creepy pony and painful needles.

"Thanks. Songbird really was the star of the show, though. I owe everything to her," Sun Fire said, smiling slightly. "My brother has a thing for classical music too, though jazz and r&b are more his thing."

She looked Amazon over again as she moved slightly closer. Being as small of a town as it was, Sun Fire hadn't thought Ponyville would have any guards, so she had assumed the pony was just dressing up for the fun of it at first. Being an actual soldier on medical leave sounded like a better reason, and the scars made more sense now. "I'm actually not in Songbird's group anymore. I left and moved here with my brother to live a calmer life. It's a bit of a long story as to why, and not a very happy one, either."