open Casual stroll

[Widdershins 9,959]

@Blitz Boom

 "Not, to whit, precisely predatory in reference to carnivorous inclination as such. More as instinctual scavenging as what was first brought up in Four Door's Compendium and then translated further in concept into Starswirl's many treatises on wildlife encounters back in his first...

 ...does Alonsus always refer to himself in the third person? What an odd vocal habit!"

 Blither not so quietly directed his last question towards Long Stare as they traveled into their destination. Upon entering, he quieted his usual self-propagating "Scholarly Debate" to take notice of where they were now and had missed what had been going on as they entered. Politely he waited his turn until the question was asked by what was deemed a suitable authority figure. 

 "I, Uhm….. need help finding the rest of my - Family. We got lost in the woods coming here and... we don't... really get along well in... populated areas well.

  And, come to think of it, don't think we've aten recently. That's usually a bad sign!  …   ….. B-because that, uh, usually makes us a bit cranky of sorts, heh! I-I digress! Help, uhm, finding family that is, the reason I, We, came here!"

 The Cephalli Family, try as they might were not really given to keeping secrets.

*Meanwhile!*

"Okie-Dokie, Big Lady!"

  Next to her oldest brother, Blither, Sunny Flush liked doing as she was told. Getting along with others was the best thing ever to her (a lot of things held the title of Best Thing Ever) as she loved making new friends and loved her brothers most of all. She just wasn't too good at following orders. Especially if she ever felt her brothers were being to mean. Being Nice was important to a filly, for a filly she technically... comparatively was. Even if she didn't have a good grasp of how she came across to others.

 She got up to follow, bouncing after the physically older mare. As she did so, she playfully tilts her head to a side again.

 "...Why would I step on somepony? I wouldn't a- hurt nobody!"

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

“We’ll always try to use more conventional methods, nothing that would compromise our values. Though, it would be good to steel ourselves for the possibility of Zhu not being as cooperative as we hoped. Then it would be best if we are more assertive.”

“If this is anything like what diplomacy is like, it would be good to get in some practice. As much as I could defend myself in a scrap, I’d much rather go the route without violence. I imagine the council of elders back home would be stubborn and difficult to talk with.”

Zhu is an unknown element, and despite all that the siblings learned of the seer through Rosa, it still didn’t give them a solid enough picture to work with. Ability to see possible futures, working covertly to nudge towards a desired outcome… if that meant anything, then there is a possibility that this coming prisoner chained in flesh would be a threat bigger than anyone could’ve expected. Even if Zhu’s reasons for passing on this warning could be for personal gain, he would need to have a very good reason to get someone involved. Or it could be just the siblings overthinking the what ifs.

Times like this, they preferred the simplicity of living in the village. There wasn’t too much to worry about beyond getting food in their bellies and working towards the longevity of their community life. The outside world didn’t include anything beyond their forest, their problems were their own. It sounded about as idyllic as it could be… if only it were that perfect. 

“More pleasant things would be nice, though I’m not sure we could do much in a cave.” It didn’t take long for Sen to remember an old conversation he and Rosa had a while back that got him excited at the time. Always eager to try honing some old skills with new perspectives, he turned to the thestral with the most wide-eyed grin and just had to pop the question. “There is something…. With the time we have right now, I wouldn’t mind learning some fighting techniques from you. Maybe there’s a thing or two you could teach me?”

[Sekel 692]

@Blitz Boom

KARMIC FATE & ATZY

"I'm not going to hide. I'm my own pony now. I can face these guards head on if I have to," Atzy told Enzo in what she hoped was a determined voice. Honestly, actually meeting ponies when she isn't part of a host pony didn't sound very appealing. She felt Karmic move under her hooves and looked down, peering closely in case she fell. "I think Karmic Fate is waking up, Enzo. Maybe set down somewhere so she doesn't fall off?"

@Blitz Boom

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

"Are you sure you aren't bothered by those tastes?" Twilight asked uncertainly, pointing at the way Last ate before biting into a piece of toast she had made. She didn't understand why Last would eat the lemons and chillis raw but at the very least it's done its job of distracting her from picking an official position for the guard mare. "Maybe you should drink something to help with the taste."

@Blitz Boom

AURORA LIGHTS

"I don't know all that Queen Chrysalis did, King Thorax," Aurora said eventually. She had calmed down a lot and was trying to make sure she was going to panic. Unless it had something to do with meeting other changelings when she's like this. She laid down to be more at Thorax's eyesight and looked at him directly. Her tone did get nervous, unable to stop herself from staying neutral and calm. "Although from my understanding, she did horrible things, didn't she? I'm gonna need to know this if I'm going to be a better Queen than her."

@Widdershins

DAWN STREAK

"You're comfy and cozy," Dawn replied with a yawn. She smiled up at Kaltrops and patted his wing. She didn't know why she was saying or doing these things and will most likely hav ea clearer head when she woke up properly. "You're warm and safe as well. Please don't go."

@Widdershins

DAZZLE GLEAM

"WHOA! WATCH IT!" Dazzle cried out, dodging the thrown pony. She didn't believe a pony could be thrown by another pony but there you have it. She looked around for him, taking a couple of steps this way and that. She spotted the runt underneath a vegetable cart and grinned. "Well, I guess I'm going to have to retaliate, aren't !!?" she had a feeling he wouldn't to just talking and chuckled throatily. Her body began turning blue, lines forming underneath her fur to surround various scale-like images. She opened her maw and blasted lightning towards the shorty. Ozone filled the air and made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end as the lightning breath traveled.

[Widdershins 9,959]

@Sekel

 Lowering his head, Kaltrop mumbles and makes a show of wanting to go back to sleep again. 

 "Humph... I'm not your pet, you know...I'm nobodies dwagun."

 

Elsewhere! (and to the same poster!)

"Hnn… HOY!"

 Shortstack currently couldn't hear what Dazzle was saying as his head was firmly wedged under a vegetable cart... where he was lifting it off the ground merely by the back of his neck muscles. With a flick of the head the cart, at easily four times the size of the stallion that had just tossed it, went tumbling towards Dazzle like it was caught in hurricane winds. As it plowed through the lightning breath, it kept tumbling on with shards of magic, wood splinters, wheel parts and, of course, scattered produce right towards the dragonpony.

 And away, in the distance, the muted cry of the produce seller cried out in shock: "My cabbages!!!" 

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Clever listened closely, taking in everything Vivid told him and storing it away like the information sponge that he was.  If anything, his attention unnerved others sometimes... yet he had the feeling it was not only appreciated here, but wanted on some level as well.  Poor Vivid had been through quite a lot, and it confounded him that anyone would want to keep such a fascinating mare away from them.  

There is a wealth of information and experience here that could do so much for others, he mused, and still she remains in a state of 'social pariah' standing.  This I find to be inexcusable; I must rectify this situation to the utmost of my abilities.

 

On 1/23/2020 at 11:46 AM, Blitz Boom said:

"As for your experience with the runes... Your approach to them are wise. I wish that back then, I had been as cautious as you were."

"Caution is a requirement that sadly many individuals find a more total appreciation for in retrospect, unfortunately.  However, there is also a school of inquisition that claims the leaps and bounds within the scientific community are the direct results of unseen and unpredictable behaviors.  I... hold more towards the ideal situation of being prepared, yet I am also not without my particular discrepancies in such areas, from time to time.  But I have always tried to err within the realm of caution, and have put to rest numerous experiments simply for a noticeable lack of safety."

 

On 1/23/2020 at 11:46 AM, Blitz Boom said:

"It have been a long time since anyone wanted to be near me, though I'm pleased that someone are willing to do so, even if I must admit, I hardly know you. In fact, I am not even sure what sort of species you are. Are you per chance a dragon and pony hybrid? It would be good if they finally moved past the old grudges that not even in my day, anyone could remember what came from. It had just seemingly always been like that."

To this, Clever gave a smile.

"I regret to inform you of a negative result for your inquiry; I am most assuredly not any manner of hybrid that I am aware of.  The scientific name to my particular heritage would classify as 'equus ferus kirinni', or a 'kirin' as a more pronounceable moniker may be preferred.  Though there is much about my geneology that remains similar to the four types of standard equine, we kirin have an emotional matrix which can prove to be... e-exceedingly volatile, at given moments of undue stress.  Pyrotechnically so, in fact."

A shadow seemed to pass behind his eyes before he spoke again.  "I would not wish to subject such an individual as yourself to the sight of such... it... i-it most assuredly does not endear a kirin to those they would wish to befriend."

He now looked to her as if he was looking for something more to talk about.  "The magical device you just demonstrated... it's fascinating.  Might I inquire as to its' origins?"

 

[Azure Acrylic 24]

Azure lay down in Thunder’s mane while thinking. She then remembered what she was going to say and stood up to tell Shell.

“Actually you’re right Shell, I was actually lying about that “shrink potion” thing. I actually haven’t found anypony that makes shrink and grow potions yet, so I’m still a tiny Breezie. And besides, I like these small wings. I would want to know what’s it’s like to be big someday, maybe you could find a potion that can do that, Thunder?”

”And about your messy bedroom Shell, I can see what you mean. Personally, I would too love it if I was sleeping with dozens of blankets and plushies, it’s so soft.”

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Azure Acrylic @Blitz Boom

Thunder would sit down on the sofa and smile, and just as he was about to respond to what Shell had asked, Azure had spoken up, saving him from opening his mouth to likely say something dumb or stupid. He smiles and nods "Nice one Azure" he'd say with a chuckle "I did hear about one time Applejack got shrunk, but that was due to her walking through some Poison Joke." he chuckles once more.

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Rainbows2424 @AzureMoon

Aha, so it Were true that Breezies were trickery little things after all then. Good to have some of the random stories floating around the base being confirmed in some way.

"Hehe, you got me for a bit there, Azure. Still thinking that there's gotta be some enlargement potions somewhere. Zebras makes all sorts of weird stuff, so who knows? They might have something and you can still try being a big breezie.

Although... What's Poison Joke, Thunder? Never heard of that before. Sounds like some sort of messed up concoction."

Poison Joke weren't something they had at the ocean, due to it being more of a forest plant, and not thriving well in sea air. You had to get more inland to find those, such as in the Everfree Forest, whereas the Shoalbreeze Thicket (the closest forest to Shark Bay) didn't have a trace of them anywhere. A lot of thistles though, if you strayed off the path and didn't watch your step.

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

 

@EQ_Theta

20 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:

 “There is something…. With the time we have right now, I wouldn’t mind learning some fighting techniques from you. Maybe there’s a thing or two you could teach me?”

Not the distraction that Rosa had expected would come up, but whatever worked to get the tension out of the room he supposed. Talks of how far one would and should be willing to go to extract information were never something that left a good taste in the muzzle, and the more they'd speak about it, the worse it would get. Best to have it cut off now, after they had reached a sort of understanding of force and timing of more forceful methods, although he still had to share a small bit on something that touched somewhat upon it, that Sen had mentioned a little before this new topic.

"I can, yet to finish what were said before: Diplomacy does not include the kind of forceful methods I hinted towards. At worst, some employs mind readers and empaths as part of their entourage, with neither going in deep to take out what lies beneath your more top level emotions and thoughts. It is highly frowned upon to go further than that, to a point where entire lines of communication will be broken instantly, if it is found out that anyone employed such methods against ambassadors of another tribe or race. Essentially, even if it could give more information of whom they were speaking with, there are too many factors and consequences working against them to be seen as being worth the risk.

As for the combat training, I an teach you a little, yes. A lot requires muscle memory to do properly though, so things such as using this-"

Rose would pull his right front hoof to his belt, and pull out the thin wire that he had used earlier, to catch the plant. He'd just show it off, before letting go and having it roll back in there, ready to be drawn out and used another time again.

"- we won't have the time to train you in properly, without risking you ending up with potentially lethal accidents. Same goes for many usages of knives, though I can think of three simple ones to show you right here and now, that are not as complex, once you run through a bit of trial and error.

One is throwing daggers, another is the headlock that I have employed against you a couple of times, just with more pressure to cause the target to pass out, and the last is a few moves of close combat skills that mostly revolves around using your opponents strengths against them. I can't show you a full array of course, but a few basic techniques should be simple enough."

Life of a spy weren't simple, and sometimes, you needed to know how to incapacitate an opponent. Rosa personally refused to do anything lethal, or anything that would leave permanent, debilitating wounds, but that still left quite a lot of techniques that he had been trained to use through most of his life, and had often made use of too, when things got harrowing, or he needed to infiltrate somewhere. The wire and headlock were the things he mostly made use of to deal with others, whereas throwing a well placed dagger to either hit a button, cut a wire, or something else important, had been great ways to deal with set traps, or cause a ruckus from a safe distance.

As for the close combat... Well, as one of his teachers had once put it "We have a word for spies who can only fight with weapons: Dead." A bit crude perhaps, but Rosa would have to admit that given what he had experienced in the long run, this were a pretty apt way of putting it regardless of how direct and bleak it might seem.

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

 

@Randimaxis

13 hours ago, Randimaxis said:

A shadow seemed to pass behind his eyes before he spoke again.  "I would not wish to subject such an individual as yourself to the sight of such... it... i-it most assuredly does not endear a kirin to those they would wish to befriend."

"I've gone through a lifetime of prejudice, and dealt with actual, literal demons. Whatever it is that you fear to present, I assure you that it will pale in comparison to the things that I have seen. Though I won't force you to show what you're hiding. One should be allowed to keep some things to themselves, if they don't want to share it.

And for the record, a little fire does not harm me. This world have grown quite cold for me after the years, and if I can enjoy and survive entering one of the dragons volcano baths, then I doubt that a little fire will do much else than let me feel cozy. Unless it is magical in nature, and tainted with harmony or light. Certain schools of magic have gotten dangerous to experience for someone like me."

She could have also mentioned how she had wandered through the fiery pits of the netherworld, but she didn't want to push this forth just yet. She had already spoiled some of whom (or rather, what) she had associated herself with, and though she didn't want to hide this as it wasn't exactly a secret that she wasn't a regular mare anymore, it were preferable to her if it just evolved naturally on its own, as things went along.

Regarding this curious kirin and his secret... Well, whatever it may be, it were doubtful to her that it were all that bad, unless kirin were actually infected with demonic magic, and as one more than well aware of how that felt, she doubted it. Wasn't even a flicker of it in the air around him, from what she could tell, though it wasn't as if dark magic of some kind couldn't be lurking beneath the surface. Depending on the individual, those things were not always easy to spot, and dark magic came in a multitude of forms, with some even being benign.

13 hours ago, Randimaxis said:

"The magical device you just demonstrated... it's fascinating.  Might I inquire as to its' origins?"

Ah, here came something a bit more technical then, that wouldn't put either of them in a sullen mood. Of course, it did touch on Vivid's foals, but the amulet itself were just a carrier of old memories, and something he had seen already. The sting from talking about it weren't all that bad considering this, and especially not as they were merely speaking about how it worked, rather than the implications of her keeping memories of her foals, plus herself pre-deal, within said amulet.

"I made it myself, a long time ago. Not a difficult creation either, all things considered. It's just a complex illusion spell, feeding off embedded memories. I made it to remember my life as it once were, at a time when I found myself feeling like everything I once were, were slipping away through my hooves. I suppose, it were my anchor point to ensure I didn't forget who I used to be, even if it turned out, I still couldn't forget. Much as I sometimes wished I could.

Magic in this time have gotten complex, from what I have seen and heard. Things like this must be trivial for creatures of your generation to make, if not seemingly outdated and surpassed by something else you can now make."

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

 

@Sekel

"I have her wrapped in several layers of parchment. Were she to get loose, she'd have to grow blades from her stomach."

That being said, Enzo would still fly downwards, as regardless of Karmic being able to get loose of the wrappings he had covered her in - as well as the ones wrapped around her and his own torso to ensure she were stuck securely on him - it were likely for the best to not have her trapped like this for a prolonged period of time right after she woke up. Doubly so as there were likely going to be words between her and Atzy, and quite honestly, it was a fortunate turn of even that they could now get this sorted without getting into Canterlot. Some degree of discretion to a sensitive topic that might devolve into shouting, were best to keep ready, considering Atzy's new look might make the guards extra sensitive towards say, a perceived aggressive interaction with a pony.

Once they got down, Enzo would make the parchment vanish, and then carefully lower Karmic down to the ground, using his left front paw. As what were to happen next would mainly be between Atzy and her, the sphinx would lay down on his stomach, and place his head on his paws, preparing to wait and observe. His input were likely going to be needed sooner or later, so best to listen in he supposed.

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

 

@Sekel

"I grew up eating stuff like this, and bitter roots. Plants like apples takes too much care to grow in a warzone, but chilies, lemons, some tougher roots, that sort of thing- All have an easier time with what we had to deal with. Besides, a bit of sour and spice keeps you sharp."

Lemons had been more of a treat where she came from honestly, as whilst they could grow them, it took time and the harvest were meager at times. Chilies had been the most resilient, and commonplace for them to eat to both get some nutrients, as well as making sure that the slight burn even the hardened among them could feel, kept them aware during the frequent battles for the shrine.

There weren't enough vitamins in those things on their own though, which were one of the reasons why the original Shrine Maidens had brought some bushes along which grew surprisingly fast roots, that whilst bitter and a bit on the tougher side, were very nutrient, and helped cover the bases that the rest of the stuff they got in didn't.

"A shame we had to burn the roots before we left, so they wouldn't take over the shrine. Could've used them later."

She took another large bite out of a lemon, and felt the juices roam through her mouth and really perk her up from the sheer sourness of it. It'd probably be a good idea for her to get a crate of these bought at some point later, once they were back, and the market were opened up again.

"Life's easier around here, your highness. You have time to tend your fields and grow whatever you desire, while our last fields of wheat were burned down and salted generations ago. We made due, and that affects our tastes too. Not too many I knew who even liked sweetness."

While all of this were discussed, Cherish had just been floating around, looking at things, through cabinets and if possible, outside windows or through walls. Seeing as she couldn't eat, there weren't much for her to do in a kitchen like this, and with the others in conversation, she just sorta kept to herself for the time being.

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

 

@Sekel

"She did. Numerous crimes to both us, and whatever race got in her way..."

Thorax turned his back to them and looked towards the ceiling, as memories of what he had seen ane experienced went through his mind. Some of the things in Canterlot alone gave him chills down his spine, and those were not even the worst he could mention, with some things being unlikely for him to wish to share with Aurora, in her trying time. She didn't seem to do well with the worst in changelings to begin with, and sharing these last things wouldn't help right now. Best to save those for later he supposed.

"What do you want to hear about first? What she did to her hive, what she did to the other hives, to ensure hers were the largest, or what she did to the ponies and their allies? There are plenty of wrongdoings from all sides, and it's going to take us some time to go through them all. I think it best if we take one subject at a time."

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

 

@Widdershins

On 1/24/2020 at 12:41 PM, Widdershins said:

"Not, to whit, precisely predatory in reference to carnivorous inclination as such. More as instinctual scavenging as what was first brought up in Four Door's Compendium and then translated further in concept into Starswirl's many treatises on wildlife encounters back in his first...

 ...does Alonsus always refer to himself in the third person? What an odd vocal habit!"

"Only half the time. You get used to it eventually."

"Fret not, friend. I am merely full of confidence, and at times, it can even make the mighty Alons- I mean, Me, speak somewhat special. It is simply the heat of the moment that grabs me."

Alonsus were well aware that he did this, though in the moment, it weren't always that he managed to stop himself, which were partially why a good deal found him obnoxious to be around for too long.

A sad side effect of having spent a portion of his life after the gang feeling really down, and then taking the self help books to heart. Far, far too much in fact, even if he saw them as having had a great influence on his confidence, as well as character. Depended on the eyes that saw, and whatever or not some knew the context of his past to this, which far as he knew, only Mayor Mare, Stargazer and his boss knew off, as he needed to disclose such things to the local law, Stargazer were his new parole officer, and his boss had needed the paperwork that explained these sorts of things. Thank Celestia that he were one used to giving chances to those with a shady past, or whom didn't do well around others.

On 1/24/2020 at 12:41 PM, Widdershins said:

"I, Uhm….. need help finding the rest of my - Family. We got lost in the woods coming here and... we don't... really get along well in... populated areas well.

  And, come to think of it, don't think we've aten recently. That's usually a bad sign!  …   ….. B-because that, uh, usually makes us a bit cranky of sorts, heh! I-I digress! Help, uhm, finding family that is, the reason I, We, came here!"

Mayor Mare rose an eyebrow at this, unsure of what to say for a few seconds before nodding and turning to Stargazer.

"Officer, please get detailed descriptions of his family members,and distribute it around town so that more can look out for them. Tell them to send them here, in case anypony finds them."

Stargazer nodded and went over to Blither, asking for details, down to height, age, looks, etc. He'd be writing all of them down on a notebook he pulled out from under the makeshift desk of boxes he had set up currently, which so far really just did seem like another pile of boxes. Hopefully he'd have time to do something properly here one of these days.

Afterwards, Mayor Mare would take over again, as he wandered outside.

"There. Now you tell me what issues could perhaps happen with your family. A lot of bad things have happened in recent days, and I want to know what my town might be faced with. Ah yes, and Alonsus? Do you think that you could take care of getting us some refreshments?"

The large stallion smiled widely.

"As you wish, mayor."

With that and a dramatic head swirl, he'd be on his way to get this sorted, leaving the time for explanations to occur solely at Blither.

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

 

@Widdershins

"Oh of course you wouldn't hurt anypony willingly, dear. But a mare of your impressive size could have an accident as you walked down the street. Especially if you did so at high speed, so I just think it wiser if we don't risk it, and walk with some degree of care."

Messy business if one were stomped on, even if they'd likely be fine enough. A broken bone or two at worst, as she doubted Sunny were going to stomp down hard, but any sort of damage like this going on would make perception of the large mare negative in a hurry, and that would just make everything even more complicated. Best to handle this delicate situation with some degree of care, and not take too many risks.

As for the pace though, whilst Sunny had to walk at a normal pace, Scarcity would have to speed up to follow. Not quite running yet, as she were not much for that, unless needed, but she still had to wander at quite a brisk pace, towards the center of the town. Would not be long before they got there now, and if there were any place that they could be there'd be enough eyes on Sunny to be seen throughout the town, it should be there. That, or she'd have to climb the castle, but again, perception mattered.

"Are there anything you can tell me of how your family members look like, Sunny? It'd make things easier if I had some idea whom to look or ask for."

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

Fair enough that being diplomatic would mean being able to work their way through conversations without employing questionable and forceful methods to achieving success. That would leave a terrible impression on the longma who, despite being new to the concept as a whole, would be better seen in a more positive light. They’ve got fighters and artisans among other professions but having an edge in the field of diplomacy and negotiations would be seen as a step up. 

Lin understood that, even wondered if she could join her brother in picking up some lessons, but it would seem Sen was interested in being a fighter. Still, it was an intriguing set of topics offered before him: incapacitation and combat momentum. Those would come in handy at fighting foes bigger than him or if he needed a way to go around a fight. Or it could be funny watching the hunters at home fumble around foreign techniques. It got the longma to snicker at the thought. 

“The headlock and the close combat skills sound interesting. I’ve wondered how you do that, incapacitating your foes without fighting them. It’s like putting them to sleep, right? How does that work? And I’m if, say, on the receiving end of it, how would I get out of it?”

As much as Sen dreaded the day to come, he wanted to make this moment count. No amount of worrying could hold him back from being able to learn and he mustered up the biggest grin he could make as he asked his questions. Lin remembered the look he gave to the thestral, the same one he had whenever he would eagerly leave home to learn something new from the hunters. At that moment, she could see the younger version of her brother coming back, if only for a while, and she couldn’t help but smile as the good memory returned. What the hay? She might as well join in on the lesson!

“I hope you don’t mind me sitting in as well, Rosa. I’d like to know this stuff too!”

[Sekel 692]

@Widdershins

DAWN STREAK

"Alright, fall back asleep," Dawn sighed softly and wriggled out from underneath his wing. She shook herself and managed to smile before heading into the small kitchen located in the lounge room. She left Kaltrops sleeping on the lounge room floor and went about making food for them both.

@Widdershins

DAZZLE GLEAM

"Ah!" Dazzle squawked in surprise and flared her wings to shield her face. She grunted at feeling the impact against her wings from the multiple tiny objects. "Aye yi yi, that tore right through!" she howled, flapping her wings to try to get splinters out of the membrane in between her feathers. She pranced in place and glared at Shortstack. She knew she was going to goad him on but it was the only way she could get a peaceful walk done! "Hey shorty! You could have done a lot worse to me!"

@Blitz Boom

KARMIC FATE & ATZY

"Wh ..." Karmic groaned awake. Atzy hopped off of Enzo's back and quickly helped her to a better lying position. "I feel like my soul's been ripped in two! AAA!" she howled and furiously rubbed her head against the grass.

"Karmic Fate," Atzy said, lying down on the grass across from Karmic.

"Not now, Atzy I-" Karmic stopped talking. She had realised Atzy was not in her head. She lifted her head and stared at Atzy.

"The separation worked," Atzy said calmly.

"Of course it worked! I felt it work as that idiotic queen tore you from me!" Karmic cried, slamming her hoof onto the grass. She didn't care for the change in location or the fact that they were finally breathing fresh air after who knows how long. "We were together for so long and you said yes to her without even consulting me!"

"Wh-what would you have said?" Atzy asked nervously, flinching at Karmic's tone.

"I don't know and we'll never know because you didn't ask what I thought!" Karmic yelled.

"We-well .... but-" Atzy got interrupted by Karmic suddenly standing and hitting Atzy with a yell.

@Blitz Boom

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

"I didn't realise things could be tough in other areas of Equestria," Twilight admitted through a mouthful of toast. She swallowed with a small blush and coughed. "Sorry. I should probably finish chewing before talking."

@Blitz Boom

AURORA LIGHTS

"Before we get to whatever Chrysalis did," Aurora breathed and looked at Happy. "We still need the answer for Queen Onache. Will King Thorax help her, I believe the question was. Isn't that right, Happy?"

[Catpone Cerberus 23,588]

@Widdershins
Cerberus ignored the parts that had nothing to do with the topic at hoof, thinking them as just Widdershins being Widdershins "You mean those flying cute balls that reproduce very quickly and almost destroyed Ponyville?" "Sure." 

---------------------------------------------------------------
@Blitz Boom
Ruby didn't really show her reactions, but she was positively surprised by what the dragon had said to Marley, since less risk was always nice, and the staff not caring took away a big risk. She visibly rolled her eyes when she heard that there would be female griffons around, knowing how Marley would react and most likely act.

"Ruby and Marley." Ruby simply replied, not bothering to point towards anyone since she assumed the smaller dragoness would be smart enough to figure out who is who. She shook her hand, though it was easy to tell she did it only because it seemed like necessary thing to do. "You can drop the customer service persona with me, I'm not fan of unnecessary friendliness." she sounded surprisingly friendly when she said it, but the usual coldness was still noticeable.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nada was thoughtful while Nerzhei closed the cave, but ultimately chose against leading the dragon to her current residence, not because she didn't trust her, but because she felt that Serenade wouldn't necessary appreciate if she led every random creature she met to her house. She decided to head towards the river. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but I'm curious, how did a dragon end up adopting a bunny? Not to look down on anyone of course, it's just...unexpected choice, considering everything."

 

 

[Azure Acrylic 24]

@AzureMoon @Blitz Boom

Azure smiles and giggles softly.

”Hehe, I did get you a bit there. And Thunder, I have heard that Poison Joke makes you grow or shrink, it’s just that the chances of growing or shrinking is so random that I don’t know if nothing might happen or I’ll grow to your size.”

”And Shell, I have heard a bit about Zecora from ponies around here, but I don’t really know much about her. She seems to come from a kingdom far away, in some sort of savannah-style place. But, I don’t really know what potion she’s creating in that pot half the time, and I wouldn’t wanna test them.”

She lies back down and nibbles quietly on Thunder’s mane.

”Nimnimnimnimimim!”

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Azure Acrylic @Blitz Boom

Thunder chuckles "Pray you never  come across Poison Joke, either of you" he says "They're blue flowers, if you don't know much about them, then you wouldn't know what they look like and to avoid them" he smiles "It's sort of like poison oak, hence the name, but instead of making you itch like crazy and come out with hives, it plays a 'joke' on you. For example, Fluttershy had a rather deep masculine voice" he chuckles "Poor baby sister, bad enough she was shy already but that made it worse." he'd say.

Mrs Shy nods as she gave the three their tea "By chance miss Azure, d o you know Pinkie Pie?" she would ask softly "she likes playing pranks and telling jokes"

[Rising Dusk 27,510]

@Blitz Boom

Rising had the same reaction when he woke up in Oakbrook.  The gap in technology and social evolution between the two countries was so vast.  All stunted by one Twisted Gears and the lack of much resistance from the capitol.  It would be interesting if the rest of Harrowmark had different levels of advancement than the town kept under iron hoof.  The directions of their arcanium also went down completely different paths.  Granted the types of magic they drew upon were completely different as well.  Rising got first hoof experience of the dark magics in Harrowmark playing at his senses in just the short about of time he was there.  Longer exposure would likely allow him to get use to it, or completely change him in ways he couldn't find the most pleasant.  From an Equestria stand point at least.

Taking another large bite out of his hayburger to much upon while Lily tried her own sample of Equestrian food.  Without all that much customizing, it served as a decent vehicle for the times of flavors enjoyed by many a city pony.  Considering the food he sampled in Harrowmark, her reaction to her much smaller bite wasn't all that surprising.  Bitter and bland was the name of the game.  Take what earthy foods the swamp provided.  He was sure the Good Burg Burg could find a way to give the hayburger just the bitter after taste she needed.  

Rising smiled as he gulped.  "Glad you enjoy it," he chuckled and tossed in a few fried horseshoe shaped potatoes into his mouth.

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Sekel

"Enough!"

As the conversation had gone talking, and progressively gone worse and worse, to the point where a one sided shouting match were currently happening, Enzo had suddenly risen up and roared out the annoyed, loud word at the two minuscule creatures standing before him.

It were not his intent to tower above them like this, wings spread and with a glare in his eyes that made it seem as if he were debating treating the equines like the the rats they comparatively were, next to one of his size. The shouting bashing through his sensitive ears had just started to grind on him, while he were already in a somewhat annoyed mood, and he just wanted it to stop. The fact that he briefly tried to cover his ears with his paws before this to no avail, should be some indicator of the impact it had on him.

"She made a choice for you both, Karmic. That she cannot take away, but have you thought of the things words? Your separation hurt, because you were so close to being assimilated, and what I thought of had no guarantee of working, even if we found the right materials.

That said-  Yes, she should have heard you out, and let you talk this over to prepare yourself with what were going to happen. You were robbed of a choice, even if you might have chosen the wrong one, and she owes you for that. Just as you owe her for pleading Dia'thiz to spare you."

He had given them a hope, but he'd be the first to admit that there had been no assurances, plus it would have taken them quite some time to get everything ready. There might have no longer been a Karmic Fate at that point. Just Atzy, slowly changing the former pony's body to fit her own needs.

After this initial outburst and condemnation of both their parts in this, Enzo sat down again, ears hanging and wings just slopping down his sides. The air in his balloon had burst, and his bravado had taken a hike, as apathy started to flood over him again with how pointless this all were. Karmic and Atzy fighting, him trying to stop it, Equestria, camaraderie, just... Everything. What were the point in trying to get things to work out, when they couldn't even stop themselves from fighting?

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

 

@Sekel

"You got your threats to deal with, we had ours."

The stories she had heard so far, made it questionable which side had it worst in Last's opinion. So far nopony had died from the attacks brought on by Discord, Tirek, Chrysalis or the like, which were in large part due to the element bearers efficiently dealing with things before they escalated. Yet at the same time, seeing how easily they were dealt with over one of three fights (even if it had taken powerful magics to win), made it pale in comparison to some of the enemies they had at the shrine, such as the Manetids, who had tormented them since the first generation of Shrine Maidens arrived.

On the other side though, there were a lot of casualties over the years for the Shrine Maidens, but their enemies were technically on a lower scale than that of the lord of chaos, or the magic devourer himself, regardless of how relentless they were. They had also been unable to definitely deal with a good deal of them, which were why so many of the threats still persisted throughout years, or even generations, which might have been different if they had definite victories like the princess and her friends had.

She'd still technically say that they had it worse though, due to occasional food shortages, loss of loved ones, little to no time to enjoy life, a life expectancy rarely surpassing forty, etc. A lot of painful things that happened there, and yet... It had been her home, and her life. It were hard to try and fit into a society like Ponyville when that were her reality, instead of this mostly peaceful life.

*sigh* But like her father used to say to them: "Examine, adapt, and overcome." She'd learn to fit in eventually, one way or another.

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

 

@Sekel

"I don't know if we'll Help her per se, but I'll be willing to listen to her."

"That's all we're asking for. My queen knows you two didn't leave on the best of terms, and she just wants a chance to talk, and see if there's a chance that you can move past it. If you can't, then at least we tried."

King Thorax slowly nodded, and seemed to look beyond the walls, but didn't answer more to that. It had been settled, that the two royals would meet, and have a talk. What came of it would depend on how that meeting went. Gods knows that he certainly couldn't tell, as Thorax weren't sure if she he could forgive the slaver queen for the things she had done, even if she thought them necessary.

His gaze would turn towards the ground briefly, as he felt a slight rumble on in the rocks beneath them, lasting not more than a half second before stopping again, as suddenly as it had appeared. Curious really, as they didn't usually have any seismic activity in the area... Perhaps a slagworm had been drilling through the deep dirt some way down and it just vibrated up? It were probably nothing.

"...So, what would you want to know first, Aurora?"

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

 

@Rainbows2424 @AzureMoon

"Sounds like a really bad flower to run into for a pony. But that's why it's good to have a zebra around to help with the issues. They're really good at alla sorts of concoctions. We even got a few in Shark Bay. They make a mint during tourist season on stuff for hay fever and such."

Regarding the Poison Joke, some might think it best to just incinerate every trace of that flower, but Shell would never advocate ruining the environment like that. Weird and potentially dangerous as that plant might be, it could be vital for the ecosystem in some way, and even if it wasn't, barring it being an invasive species, it had as much right to be there as the ponies in the cities had. Why anypony would think differently were sometimes beyond her.

"Anyway, that flower is probably important for the local ecosystem. Long as the locals are aware of it and keeps away, everything sounds like it'll be fine.

Oh, oh, and I heard about Pinkie Pie before. Is it true that she's some sort of inter-dimensional wizard that sees the laws of physics as ground rules to break on a daily basis?"

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

 

@EQ_Theta

"Very well, let's start with the headlock then.

I'm going to need a volunteer for this, and as Omen isn't here, and you both wish to learn, I'm going to take turns between you. Sen, you go first."

Rosa rose up and stretched his legs. A strange thing to be suddenly in the teaching position on this, rather than a subject or student, but he had hopefully seen and done enough to be able to properly explain how to do this. At least to some extend.

Once Sen were in position, Rosa would go slowly towards him, and start the lecture.

"The first part to know, is that doing a front facing headlock is quite a lot more difficult, and takes a long time to practice. As such, you're better off either sneak up behind your opponent, or flip them around, like this."

With a quick motion, Rosa would close the gap, dive beneath Sen's head level, and use his own body weight to force the longma in an upwards, two leg position, before rapidly swinging him around and placing one front leg around Sen's torso and front legs, pinning them down, and the other up at his neck, though the thestral wasn't pressing in on the throat just yet. The whole act were done quickly, in a well trained motion that the longma might struggle with, but any sort of way he could get behind a target would do the trick really. This were more or less just Rosa showing off.

"Now, the trick in a proper headlock is twofold. The main one is that with the correct pressure to the throat and chin, you will cut off the air flow to your targets brain, which will eventually cause them to pass out. You can hear when you have hit that point, as the target will let out a troubled attempt at breathing. Like so."

He'd press down on Sen's throat until a wheeze, or raspy gasp would escape the longma, at which point he'd relax that part of the routine again.

"In one done wrong, the one performing it will only pressure on the throat, which gives you the option to smash your head backwards and headbutt him. A proper one is where you press upwards against the chin at the same time, which locks your targets head from going forward and gaining enough momentum to hurt you on a push back. With some training, you can also have the head in the correct angle to completely negate any attempt at movement, but you risk snapping their neck, or causing muscle spasms if you're untrained, so I'd advise against you trying to begin with. Simply try and rest your head on or near their shoulder if possible instead, which will negate the backwards motion they're actually able to make.

As for the second part of a good headlock, it all comes down the surprise. As the air flow starts to be reduced to your targets brain, they'll go into an increasing panic. If they are surprised at the assault and this happens, they are even more unlikely to think rationally on how to get lose of this, and will just try to wriggle free, or pull their head away, rather than fend you off.

As for how to get off, I will have Sen demonstrate one option now."

Rosa would lean into Sen's ear, and whisper to him "Once I start, lower your knees, then push back up as hard as you can, and throw yourself backwards."

He'd begin properly showing the headlock on Sen after that, aiming to cause the longma to pass out. However, if Sen did as told, he'd be able to push into Rosa with all his weight, causing the bat pony to be forced down on the ground on his back, with the longma crashing down on top of him. This would cause Rosa's grip to loosen, and for the thestral to let out a groan. He were fine enough, but he could sure feel the impact.

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

 

@Rising Dusk

"I am not saying it id inedible, just different. We weren't allowed many spices in Oaksbrook, and the swamp natural flavors are more earthy than this."

Her complaints aside, Lily would eat the hayburger alright, though the fries would go slower, as those she weren't too sure about They tastes somewhat greasy in it, for a lack of a better term, though the taste weren't bad, so... Had it been drenched in some sort of fatty oil before getting cooked, maybe? Tasted somewhat like that, and she were used to being a pony in her twilight years, which meant having to watch the fatty foods, as her system couldn't digest it as well anymore. Now she were young and spry, but old habits died hard.

As they were eating, her eyes were off the bauble for about a half minute, whilst she glanced at the calmness surrounding her in this strange land. In that time, Rising would be able to see that something actually did happen. A large swarm of what seemed like decaying risen of many races, shambled out of the nearby woods the group were on, and aimed for the beings in the cart.

They all got ready to fight, with the diamond dog cracking his knuckles, Blighteye readying a bolt in his crossbow, and Caramel drawing her knife and getting a disturbingly pleased smile spreading on her face. All the while, blue wisps of flames sparked in the air around the cart, ready to incinerate all that tried to get near, as Wisp did her part in protecting their sleeping cargo. However, all their actions were for naught, as the priestess rose above the cart and took action herself.

A pale light were dancing in her eyes, beneath the old glasses, and with what seemed like a shout or roar of some kind, light would burst from her into a pair of enormous moth wings. Beneath them, the undead would stop up as if frozen, and one after would have a pale representation of the soul who inhabited what were once their living, breathing body, rise upwards into the wings themselves, before the bodies would collapse.

This would happen to about two thirds of them, before the priestess shouted something to the others, who then got to work cutting the remaining ones down. And whenever one of the paralyzed risen fell, a pale light of varied strength would float from them, and slither over to Caramel, rising into her dress and aim for something in her stomach or chest area, just as Minty had seen earlier.

The whole scene would take about thirty seconds, with the high priestess folding in the wings that then disappeared again, soon as the last undead were downed and burned in Wisp's blue flames. And then, they'd all just get on with their trip again, as if nothing happened, though... Thistle would look different. With a more regal, ceremonial dress overtaking the ratty one she had worn so far, and her glasses seemingly fizzling into nothing. There were still plenty of ways one could see who she had been before, but her change were certainly recognizable. Considering how attentive Rising were, he'd probably also be able tot ell even from that angle, that she appeared to have become a little taller too. Not by much though. A few inches at best.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

The draconess just chuckled at the response given to her by Ruby, clearly finding it rather amusing.

"I see you've dealt with dragons before. Plenty of our kind's not nicer than your average lump of coal, thrown right at your face, but you shouldn't think it's all an act just because one of us acts nice. Sometimes, we really are good, and the smiles are genuine. This certainly helps too."

Reaching below the desk, she'd pull out a flash with some sort of swirling, glowing, silvery liquid inside, and put it down on the table with a big grin.

"Diamond Drizzle. Lethal for ponies, but sure to mellow a dragon out. It helps take the edge off, yknow? And I for one like that. Dragon Isle is a boring, fight-fueled place you see -  even worse than what ponies are usually told about it - and that's no place for an enterprising wind dragon. Las Pegasus though? Plenty of opportunities, but you gotta keep it nice for the kids. This stuff's a real helper in just toning down that instinctual side just poking at you to lash out at things for banalities."

She popped the cork and with a joyful smile on her face, took a healthy gulp of the liquid which Ruby should be able to tell, included actual, liquid gemstones, making this sort of like a... Dragon smoothie, just with more alcohol, and a waft of strawberries.

"Aaah, great stuff.

Now come on then my equine friend, you don't need to feel defensive around me. Lower your guards and tell ol' Snuzzle what sorta business you're bringing to the dummies on my list. Not gonna report you or anything, just have to be sure it doesn't involve knives and things being done with them. The guards doesn't like that sort of thing, and I run a legitimate business here. We wouldn't wanna impede that, right?"

While all of this went on, Marley would unsurprisingly, be over near a mirror, and looking himself over between preening a few lose feathers, and practicing his winning smile. He weren't paying one ounce of attention to what went on at the bar in this time, as he had to keep full focus on preparing himself for the onslaught of griffons, of where some females were seemingly single. Couldn't go into that unprepared now, could he?

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"Back in Dragon Land, a travelling salesman went between our place and Equestria, to sell a little to both sides from the others. I usually bought my books at him, and then one time, I saw this small cage with a little, pink bunny laying within. Barely old enough to open her eyes, she were just laying there.

He claimed to have found her in an abandoned den, and figured some dragon might want to buy her as a snack. So I did."

Nerzhei rose her hand and scratched Lotus gently under the chin with her clawed index finger, causing the bunny to stomp her right foot in place and letting out a pleased chitter.

"I felt bad for the little thing, so I figured I'd just nurse her up a little, then set her free and that would be it. She'd have as much a chance as any other prey animal in our country like that, and my consciousness would be clear.

But it took a while to get her there, and in that time, I started to feel attached to her. I still tried to set her free, but growing up around dragons, that were the only sort of behavior she learned to imitate and thrive in. She scared the other bunnies in the burrows, and I didn't have it in me to just leave her behind and force her to try to get along with them."

Lotus might look all sweet and innocent, but as had been seen before by Nada, the bunny weren't like her timid, Equestrian counterparts. The only one somewhat like her would be Angel, which were also why he were the only bunny she actually got along with.

"Besides, I like her company. She's the only friend I've consistently had for the majority of my life. Have you not had one like that at some point too, whom you'd feel bad for leaving alone?"

Edited January 27, 2020 by Blitz Boom

[Sekel 692]

@Blitz Boom

KARMIC FATE & ATZY

Enzo's tirade caused both ponies to shut up and even cower underneath his terrible might. Karmic even gulped as she hopped off of Atzy and looked down at her companion. Atzy rubbed her jaw where Karmic had punched. She worked it up and and down and snorted.

"This is the thanks I get, huh?" Atzy muttered. She rolled onto her belly before springing to her hooves and glared mildly at Karmic. Her tone was bitter but she made no move to leave the pair. This she chalked up to believing Karmic will one day see her as a sister as well. "You should be glad I'm sticking around. I've grown fond of you, Karmic Fate. Your mind is interesting, even now when I'm not a part of it. Be thankful I didn't run off as soon as we touched down."

"Atzy ... I'm-" Karmic began but stopped herself, having the decency to look cowed under Atzy's stern gaze.

"If you're going to say sorry, don't! If I didn't take charge and choose without consulting you, you wouldn't even be here! I'd be in your body, having taken over your mind completely! That's how close you were to cease existing!" Atzy hissed at Karmic. She didn't know why she was so mad at Karmic. Maybe it was the fact that she had been punched. Or maybe it was the fact that Karmic was too stubborn to see how much of a life-saver Atzy was to her!

@Blitz Boom

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

"From the way you're looking at me, I get the feeling you had much tougher enemies than the ones I've fought with my friends," Twilight said in mild concern. She finished her toast off and spotted Cherish in and out of the window. "Cherish? Do you remember fighting anything when you were alive? We could probably use the knowledge if you have."

@Blitz Boom

AURORA LIGHTS

"I guess," Aurora mumbled and rubbed her front foreleg with the opposite hoof. She didn't want to drag things on too long and make Onache mad. But she had to know a couple of things about Chrysalis if she's going to be a different Queen from her. "Maybe. Um. What was she like? We know now that I'm one of her personal hatchlings but ... I think I would like to know more about what she was really like. How long do you think it would take to talk about this?"

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

Sen eagerly stepped up and before Rosa, though somewhat wondering in jest if he would regret being made the example. Demonstrations of techniques such as this were usually done with inanimate dummies made of wood to simulate the real deal until practice rounds were done with the instructors usually in Sen’s place right now. Different situations call for different methods….

It didn’t take long for Rosa to begin the headlock. The longma anticipated it but didn’t expect the motion to be carried out so swiftly. Exhilarating at first but his natural instincts took over, his mind racing and working up the urge to break free but the longma had to silently repeat to himself that this is a simple demonstration. No matter how real it felt, he was in no danger. That was up until Sen slowly started to lose his breath, gasping for air and attempting to wriggle himself free on impulse.

“Pressure on the throat and chin. Got it,” Lin said, as she began scrambling for some paper and writing it down while trying to keep her eyes glued to the demonstration.

As for Sen, he began panicking some more, feeling uneasy with the air getting sucked out of him. By the time Rosa whispered instructions to his ear, he was just lucid enough to pick up on what he said on account of the thestral loosening his grip around the airways. Automatic response would soon kick in with Sen lowering himself, pushing backwards with no hesitation until he was just upright enough to slightly angle himself away from landing on top of Rosa. He didn’t look back, eyes still closed but hearing the groan, the longma jolted up and checked on Rosa.

“Oh no no, I’m so sorry! Are you alright? I didn’t mean for it to go that way!”

[Catpone Cerberus 23,588]

@Blitz Boom
Ruby just blinked at the response, not really caring to comment on it, and for the drink, she fought the urge to show her disgust towards  the though of drinking rocks. What she did show though, was the fact that she didn't really appreciate the way the other dragon talked to her, as it at least sounded condescending, even if it wasn't necessarily meant that way "Nothing too special, my plans aren't yet clear, but few expensive things may mysteriously disappear." 

---------------------------------------------------------------
Nada nodded in understanding after the explanation, not having anything to say.
"Not exactly." Nada admitted "I mean, I of course missed some individuals after I was forced to hiding, but I didn't leave them alone." "In fact, I'd say I was the one who was left alone." 

 

 

[Azure Acrylic 24]

@Blitz Boom  @AzureMoon

Azure sits up again to sip on her tea while chatting with Thunder and Shell.

*sip* ”I haven’t seen Poison Joke yet, Thunder, but I’ve heard other Breezies talk about it as a sort of legend. Pretty weird for me. And yes, I’ve heard from others what that flower did to the Mane Six. I heard that one pony, named Applejack, got shrunk down to my size!”

She giggles softly.

“And yes, Thunder, I have heard of Pinkie Pie. I call her as sort of a weirdo, cause she can somehow spawn things out of thin air, and even cause confetti to blast out from nowhere! She’s kinda annoying for me, she’s wayyy too hyperactive and talks wayyy too fast.” *sip*

”And Shell, I didn’t know your hometown had zebra residents! I know they come from the same place as giraffes, but I didn’t know there were this much in Equestria.”

”As for that flower, yeah, it’s probably best I left it alone. I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to me at anytime.”

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Sekel

The sound of a certain feline slumping down unto the ground on his stomach and chin, would be the first response from the sphinx at now seeing the tables turned, and Atzy being the one who felt she had the moral high ground, and the right to be aggressive.

"Could you two just stop fighting? Please?"

Pride, honor, bla. bla. bla. Enzo couldn't muster the energy to care about that, as he politely asked the two in a somewhat gloomy tone to just stop with this, instead of just taking turn being the moral crusader.

"No one is innocent in this, but you're both alive and free now. Can't you just be happy about that, instead of continuing this cycle of hatred?"

*sigh* For creatures with such short lives, they certainly wasted far too much of it focused on the wrong things. They had both gotten what they wanted, despite the wrongs that got them to this point, so why focus on all the bad things? They had their lives ahead of them now. Surely that should be something that could brighten up their day, even if the skies looked dark and grey for him.

Following the pattern, he supposed they'd start to refocus blame on him now, for pushing them with a hope that had no guarantee, and going along with all of this, without truly trying to stop it. Might well look like that from their perspective he supposed, seeing how strong his kind usually were. Had he the knowledge and training others of his age would have normally  then sure, he'd be able to do this as well. Yet that wasn't an option, though he doubted these two would know that, and so, the turn for anger would come for him.

*sigh* Whatever. Let them yell to their hearts content. He didn't care anymore.

Laying and waiting for the verbal lashing, Enzo would glance at the ponies with a dreary, moody look in his eyes, and general slumped over stance. They wouldn't rouse much of a fight on this out of him, though that may never be their intent. Could well be they would still be bickering like siblings and completely ignore the sphinx for a while, until they found some middle ground.

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

 

@Sekel

"I doubt they're stronger, but persistent? Yes."

Last went back to gnawing on her sour and spicy dinner/breakfast (she hadn't had much time to eat today), as the princess finished her own meal, and turned her attention towards their resident spirit.

A spirit who - at the question asked of her - would avert her eyes, and scrape her hooves through the floor.

"I... Don't remember what it was like to be alive anymore."

Cherish had spend so long in the old castle that she couldn't even remember where she came from before ending up there anymore. Whenever she tried to fo us on it, most of it just came of as a foggy blur, obscured from direct viewing, with a few images sort of clear every now and again, though rarely the same.

"I know I went to the castle because I was afraid of something that included unicorns, but before that I just don't know.

Sometimes when I really focus on it, I can remember some feelings though, like the wind through my mane, or rain drizzling down and making me wet.

Maybe I'll remember when I can wander around and look at things again, but I just can't say anything about my life right now. I... I'm sorry.."

"I doubt you were a figther. You're too frail, and that dress ain't for battling. Guessing your ghostpowers could come in handy though, yeah?"

Cherish looked up to find herself locking eyes with Last's one-eyed stare, as the mare brought some simple, yet fair points up. Cherish didn't look, nor feel like she were a fighter. Hurting others had never been something she remember enjoying in undeath, and like were pointed out, she looked more like she were ready for a party than a brawl.

"My... O-Oh, right, those. I uhm... Yes. I can help with things like this, though I hope it doesn't go that way. I don't want to fight."

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

 

@Sekel

"I could talk of her for hours, but I can make it as basic as possible, in case you have somewhere else to go.

To make it short, Chrysalis can best be described as a powerhungry tyrant. The hive never mattered to her, as much as being the most powerful ruler. Which sadly, she were.

A changeling monarch's power is tied in some part to how big their hive are. The more drones in the hivemind, the more power the monarch has. It might just be around a fifth or so of your potential at best, but when it comes to assimilating hives like she did to bolster her own numbers, that edge were all she needed.

I'm not as strong as she were though, just because I've taken over the hive. When we reformed, one of the things that went away were the hivemind. We don't have that link anymore, and it makes us weaker in a way."

"Could've sworn I've still seen some communicating without using their muzzles."

"That's just telepathy, and frankly without it, I think some of u would've gone insane from the silence. It helps ease the change in for us.

*sigh* But to return to Chrysalis... As said, she were a power hungry tyrant, with a heart as cold as the frozen mountains. The only one she cared for were herself, and she treated the rest of us like tools, or even worse, if we somehow failed her, or she were bored. It's been a struggle to explain to some of them why this abusive, horrendous creature were a bad queen too, since that sort of behavior were all they knew. Kindness is still a new concept for far too many of the others, but I'm doing my best to change things. It just takes a lot of time and effort, and with all the politics in over things now...

Sorry, I didn't mean to throw in self pity there. This is about you, and what you want to know, Aurora. And as for that, just know that unless you whip your own nymphs, you wouldn't be able to do worse than Chrysalis did.

Swarm be willing, you'll be a kind queen, when you eventually get your own hive."

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

 

@EQ_Theta

Rosa rose a hoof and waved dismissively at Sen's worry towards his well being. It were a kind gesture, certainly, but it were misplaced, as he were fine, if a little bruised on the back.

"I'm fine. Just the result of one of the many proper way to escape from a headlock, or general attack from behind. I just need a moment."

Perhaps this were not the best thing to do, considering he still weren't at the top of his game, after the incident with the statue, but nothing were broken so it seemed to be okay. Though it did make him think that this might have been a better exercise to test with some precautions taken first. Like say, a layer of moss, or some sort of mattres lying behind him. A failure to anticipate that lied solely on him.

After about twenty seconds, Rosa would get back on his hooves and stretch his back and wings. Small cracks would be heard here and there during this, as everything got settled right back, much like if you cracked your knuckles, or stretched out after sitting in a chair for a prolonged period of time.

"Nng, much better.

Now then, as you could both see, slamming back like that and smashing me with his body weight, forced me to let go. Even heavier opponents will more than likely at the very least ease their grip automatically, which is your chance to wriggle free. Another option to get loose for the record, is also to stomp on the feet or toes of whoever drags you up. As equines have neither, I couldn't show that with any ease, so the measure with more of a counter attack worked better.

Now then, I believe it's your turn now, Lin. Though in your case, I will show you a different technique to get lose with. Something which should work better against weaker opponents that underestimates your strength."

Before that though, he'd just spent a few minutes to prepare a soft layer of sorts of what he could find that were less impactful than the ground they were standing on, at which point, he'd wave Lin over, instruct her to stand behind the layer, and then take hold of her, like he had with Sen, though he wasn't putting as much force into it, as the point here were to show what would happen against someone careless or weak enough to not have the physical strength to keep the headlock up.

"Soon as you're ready, keel over and force me over your shoulders, and down on the ground. Try to make a full somersault and land on top of me as well."

Wit that said, Rosa would stop slacking off, and actually put some pressure on Lin's throat, whilst bracing himself for impact. This were going to be an experience.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

The dragoness picked up on the bad feelings from Ruby, but she honestly didn't care about it, and just kept on smiling through the annoyed pony's response.

"Long as the expensive stuff isn't mine, I don't mind."

She let off a chuckle and took another sip from her flask before storing it away under the desk again. Truth be told, most dragon run bars had their own variants of some kind of gem drink, mostly made from really heating up some diamonds or some random, non-expensive gems, depending on what sort of flavor they were going for. This here you could hardly taste the gems in though, as her secret ingredient (combined with some fruit essence) covered that up nicely, and really added most of the calming edge to things.

Honestly, it was just a bit of gin, nothing secret. Okay, perhaps a little more than just a bit. Like a thimble maybe. Or well, a small glass' worth. Almost a half-full, tall glass if you looked at it at the right angle really.

...Okay, the bottle was 90% gin, and she were low level buzzed most of the day. What were anyone gonna do about it?

"If you're looking for someone with a fat wallet and no moral high ground, try the griffon with the yellow wing stripes when things get started. Got told that one's a real piece of work, that're only showing up to flaunt his wealth at every chance he gets. You know the sort, right? All high and mighty, needing to be brought down a peg or two. Wouldn't doing that put a smile on that sour face of yours?"

Snuzzle had no idea who, or even what she were dealing with. She were just having a good time, and talking with folks like she usually did. Not her fault if a few folks got a little too high strung and couldn't find a laugh if it bit them in the rear, like Ruby here. Someone's gotten a taste of a real sour apple and never gotten over it, hehe.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"I hope that you'll find some individuals that won't turn their backs on you as easily again, or at least won't simply ignore you. Even a lifelong, bitter rivalry is some kind of companionship, which anyone needs. Being alone is just bound to eventually drive you mad."

Nerzhei had spent a lot of time in her life feeling alone, but she had rarely actually been that. Much as she were frustrated and irritated about her own family and kind in general, without some kind of noise in the long rung, it started to grind on her mind, and make her feel as if she were slipping slowly towards some kind of breaking point. Had she not this problem, she would have been happy living as a hermit for most of her life, away from towns and other dragons that served to mostly mock her or boast of their strength. That sort of hassle would be welcome to just vanish. Yet as mentioned, it were still better than prolonged silence, as irritating as it were to admit that.

Nada might be different though, and handle solitude better. Seemed like she had so far really, yet at the same time, she were in a forest. Hearing the animals also counted as some sort of companionship, even if you ended up eating them. Though that likely depended on the individual. Might be that this siren were just far more mentally robust for something like that, and even preferred it at times, if not always. Perhaps she'd get an answer to this sooner or later.

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

 

@Azure Acrylic @AzureMoon

"Wait, giraffes are real?"

Tis actually surprised Shell, as much as she had heard of these creatures, it didn't sound like a real species. Something like a tall horse, with an enormously long neck, just sounded ludicrous, and frankly pretty bizarre. How would someone like that even get by normally? How'd they drink? Or put a sweater on? Or anything else that regular beings did, really? Even if they were just animals and wouldn't use clothes, there'd still be things that just didn't make sense, including first and foremost, the enormous neck.

"How? I've heard others speak about those before, and it just sounds silly.

Zebra's though, totally real, and so are those we have in Shark Bay. A small family that moved in I think... 5 years ago, more or less? It's pretty easy to spot them, and where they live too, as their place is really traditional. As is their rhyme speak. Took me some time to get used to that the first time I had to go in after a sleeping potion to help with some insomnia my brother had. I kinda thought they were messing with me for a solid ten minutes."

She's let out a small giggle. Strange folks you could meet at times in Shark Bay, but the majority were real friendly, including these. You just had to get used to how they functioned, just as they probably had to the first time they ran into a regular pony town. Adaption were the key to everything.

Edited January 29, 2020 by Blitz Boom

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Azure Acrylic @Blitz Boom

Thunder nods and chuckles a little "Shrunk Applejack to the size of a Breezie, made Pinkie Pie have a swollen tongue so she couldn't speak without spitting, made Rainbow keep crashing, gave Twilight a floppy horn, gave Rarity a really bad maneday, and of course gave Flutters a baritone voice" he'd chuckle a little somewhat "But yes, the only other thing I know is the only place they've been found is near the entrance to the Everfree Forest" he'd say, sipping on his drink and looks to his bandaged wing "I just hope that the instructors don't take it out too hard on me"

[Sekel 692]

@Blitz Boom

KARMIC FATE & ATZY

"I didn't know," Karmic squeaked in fear, trying to make herself as small as possible underneath Atzy's glowering stare. 

"Just ... just be thankful you're alive," Atzy eventually sighed. Her gaze softened and she sat on her rump. She looked to her right and faced Enzo. "I doubt our fights will be this ... dramatic again, Enzo. We didn't mean to get you all mopey."

"I'm sorry, Enzo. I had to get that off my chest," Karmic said quietly, also looking at the sphinx. She didn't want there to be bad blood between the three of them and for now, she felt good to have Atzy around. "Atzy, for what it's worth, I am glad you stuck around instead of staying with those gem creatures."

@Blitz Boom

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

"I guess I didn't pay much attention to your attire, Cherish. You're so transparent already," Twilight admitted. She smiled at the ghost pony and nodded a couple of times. "Not to worry. I'm sure whatever these ghost powers are that you have will not have to be used where we're going."

@Blitz Boom

AURORA LIGHTS

Aurora had no idea what to say to the explanation. Her eyes were wide with an expression of disgust. Something she was unused to feeling. She did manage to rearrange her face into a fearsome scowl and directed her glare to the ground. "How!? How could one Queen do all that bad work!?" She didn't think this Chrysalis was all bad when she first heard about her but after hearing even some of the crimes she committed, it made even Aurora the pacifist's blood boil. "If she was here I would-" she stopped herself and took in a couple of deep breaths. She rested her head against the ground, and attempted to calm herself down. "Just ... ARG! THIS IS SO INFURIATING TO HEAR!"

[EcstaticWind 572]

On 1/24/2020 at 3:46 AM, Blitz Boom said:

"The offer will always stand, were you ever to change your mind. You merely need to send words to one of those whom I informed you of, and I'm certain that things will work out.

And thank you for the treat. It is most kind of you, Velvet."

Briar rose his hoof to his chest, and gave a galant bow to the stallion. His vine held the ice cream whilst he were doing this, which certainly made some nearby creatures gawk and move ahead, ready to tell a tale to others, but there appeared to not be anything other than gossip in mind currently. Never hurt to take notice of those around you in cases like this though, just in case something went bad, even if you wished to believe the best in others, and thought it unlikely that something bad were to happen.

"Yes, uhm... T-Thank you..."

Brittle didn't have it in her to bow, or being as generally galant as Briar were, but she still tried to be as polite as possible. Which due to her nervous state, and the feeling of eyes starting to follow her every movement - something she more or less constantly felt in any town - didn't get much farther than a direct look at Velvet, along with a small, fleeting smile along the few words.

Someday, she hoped she'd be able to be as brave as Briar were, instead of shaking like a leaf in the wind by the smallest sign of resentment towards her presence from others. Perhaps then she could say a proper thanks for what were a well tasting treat.

"If I may though? You could potentially still write with them, and hear some exploits of their travels via letters to get an idea of what might happen, were you to ever wander with them. I know that Lulu Leila, and Flaxy especially, would enjoy having a pen pal of sorts that they could share some interesting tales with."

 

"Perhaps I should. It would be nice to have another friend, at the very least. When I'm ready, I'll see about heading out on an adventure. For the meantime, a friend sounds pretty swell."

Velvet smiled at the pair, brushing his mane aside a little. It seemed he'd have a fair bit of learning to do, and perhaps finding someone to help manage the shop for him while he was out on his trips once he was mentally and physically prepared for an adventure. He gave a little bow towards them, with a friendly wink toward Brittle to be polite.

"You're welcome for the ice cream. Next time you come by, we hang out again. I'll try not to melt down next time, too."

He'd heard her, barely, but it was enough to know she was appreciative. He'd press a little, but he didn't want to scare her. He figured even this was testing the limits of her courage and he dared not cause her to retreat with his misguided good will.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,588]

@Blitz Boom
"Figuratively, yes, literally, no."  Ruby simply responded, she did enjoy hurting the pride of other creatures , but she wasn't big on smiling when she didn't have to "Tell, does this griffon also happen to be the type that likes the attention from all females, or is he like my companion here and only cares for his own kind?" this would affect on how she would approach him specifically, but it was also just she continuing the conversation, as having a conversation with different breed of one's species was more entertaining that looking at griffon in front of a mirror.  

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

"I hope that too, though it may be that I have already met such individuals." Nada responded with careful hope  "The pony who found me for example, sure she's a pony, and sure she may be bit...out there, but she shares the distrust towards ponies I have, in fact, I think she trusts them even less." she shrugged "But well, in worst case scenario I can always keep singing to myself until someone finds me again in next thousand years." she said it as a joke, but it was clear there was some truth behind the statement, and there was, since that's exactly what she would end up doing.

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

Everything seemed fine and Sen would back off to let Lin have a go with the demonstration. This was good to know, being able to get out of a headlock and ready to make a move after. The two would still need to get a hang of the grip though as the technique, the pressure being placed on the head and chin are important in a successful lockdown of whoever they were trying to pin. 

“Alright, but you do know you could demonstrate with Sen and step on his feet,” Lin cheekily suggested, with Sen shooting her a grumbled look. She chuckled at the thought and made it no secret she was having a bit of fun. 

Readying herself, the longma halfling took some deep breaths and keeled down. Lowering herself and allowing the demonstration to proceed. If she were in a real situation like this, she’d have to muster up the strength to pull her assailant over one shoulder. Simple, right? Well… not quite. She did as she was told and tried forcing Rosa over her right shoulder. While the first part was successful, Lin barely managed to get the job done. Rosa was down on the ground, softening the crash by a folded blanket, and Lin landed on top of the thestral without the somersault. She got him on the ground but it left her too winded to force Rosa to stay down.

“I guess I don’t have the body strength to do it quite right. Or am I doing something wrong?”

Perhaps it was down to technique and positioning. If the point of keeling down was to give herself ample room to move and use the height difference as leverage, it might take less effort on Lin’s part to pull off the maneuver. Certainly worth another go if that is the case though she’d give herself and Rosa a minute or two of reprieve before trying it again.