open Casual stroll

[Rising Dusk 27,510]

@Blitz Boom

Dawn appeared to be more thrilled with that notation than Rising did.  Her midnight blue eyes subtly shifting back and forth in thought.  Turning away from the group with a bounce in her salon pampered mane.  "Needing to take a page out of my book dear bro?" the teased, unable to hide the giddiness in her tone.  "Already tired of being the great Manehatten detective and becoming a diplomat.  Oh, so many things I can teach you.  Crank that charm nob up to..." she looked over her shoulder, eyeing her brother up and down, accessing what she thought she could get away with.  "Not much to work with, but we can get you to an eight," Dawn finally concluded.  "My lessons aren't cheap, but I'm sure we can work out a family discount," she nodded, wholly believing she was doing her twin brother a favor. The detective in question rolled his eyes and walked up to his sister, giving her flank a shove.  "Temporary," Rising corrected.  He was a detective at heart and would remain so with all the power he could muster.  "Princess Twilight hasn't even asked for such, don't get ahead of yourself" walking past her now to deliver a brotherly bonk on her head.  The spa pony up on Dawn's throne frown down at him for bonking what was probably an hour of her hard work.

Rising was actually receiving all the attention from the gathered party.  None of the guests having seen such actions done upon their hostess and the offender not be turned instantly into a snail or puddle.  Each exchanged looks and whispered while looking at the siblings out of the corner of their eyes.  Dawn let out an annoyed huffed and flicked her mane with a hoof, fixing any mess her brother may of caused.  "Yes yes, but this expert in the lands of Harrowmark thinks it will most certainly happen.  You would do your country so proud," she gushed, dismissively waving a hoof in the spa pony's direction to let her know everything was still find.  She might have been well compensated for her work, but the trip from Ponyville was still an ordeal.  A shiver ran down his spine as his twin played at his sense of duty to Equestria.  She knew her magic wouldn't work on him like all the other ponies in attendance would hope, but words can be just as effective.  

"If it is required of me," he affirmed with Lily, there was no mistake that even as a detective of the O.M.I. he would do as any of the Princesses needed of him.

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@FanOfManyShows

It'd be about an hour before they were revisited again by the colonel, who were now wandering with a nervous looking, robe-wearing stallion in his thirties, who practically hid behind the colonel once Chariot got into sight. Apparently not a big fan.

"The scouts found nothing related to any elements in their sweep, but Private Chisel claims to have sensed something. After colableration from his superiors, I determined the threat to be credible, and are here to escort both of you to see the generals. Private Chisel have requested to not take part. It have been denied, due to the need of his testimony. I expect him to not be trifled with regardless of that though, are we clear?"

"Y-Yes, of course sir. Chariot, are you ready?"

They had spent the hour going through a good deal of walking, stretching exercised, and if needed, a couple of readjustments on the prosthetic, so Chariot might be somewhat tired by now. If not though, they would be ready to go as soon as possible, provided that he didn't start to mess with the private. It seemed like the stallion were close to just bailing out already from sheer fear of Chariot, so a slight nudge in the wrong direction could potentially cause some issues here.

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@FanOfManyShows

"You're the ones who kept meddling with these here things, Astral. Only one I got a good glance at, were the Element of Deceit, and I'm still not sure it weren't just hiding its true looks. Y'know, it being deceit and all that. I'll keep the color codex in mind with the next ones then."

It was fair of her to call him out a bit, though again, he'd still hide behind not having had enough contact with most the stuff to really get anywhere when it came to identifying them. He weren't the one with tomes and stories around these, though ergh... He probably should've asked into whatever or not he could've gotten a borrow or copy of those things. Probably would've been a smart move to study these things up in his free time. Heh... Whoops.

10 hours ago, FanOfManyShows said:

She looked to Chow. "Also if I see him I'll let you act first, you seemed disappointed about me reacting so quickly."

"Y'know me Astral. When it comes to these sorta things, I like to go in swinging. But it were probably best you went in first if he already lumbered around two elements. We've seen what the sort with just one like to do when a simple kicking gets involved, and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been a bit of a ragdoll at times when that stuff went on. Without 'em though? Sure, I'd welcome a chance to kick his teeth in. Smug little bugger looked like he could use a good slapping.

I don't get how anyone could've trusted him though, no offense here. Ponies with serpentine eyes are always bad news."

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@Catpone Cerberus

Ruby would find that there were a little give and take with her risky attempt at an attack.

On the bright side, the attack would have an effect. The flaming wood would impact the side of the beast's trachea, and get stuck in the lining, which would surely hurt like all hay. Something akin to having a sliver piece of hard candy wriggling around your throat, except not melting, actually inflaming the area from the fire, and piercing tissue.

On the bad side though, the wyrm would manage to slap her pretty well with the dexterous tail it had, right on the middle of her stomach with a force that'd feel as if some large creature had ripped up a tree, and used it as a bat, whilst Ruby were the ball. Sturdy as she might be, it'd probably hurt to get slammed out of the sky, and hurdled towards the ground rolling.

What would happen after that - regardless of how she landed and how quickly she were ready again - would be a loud screech from the wyrm now getting to the point where the prospect of a meal were no longer worth it. Not when these creatures kept hurting it more than it did them. So its survival instinct kicked in and caused it to dig into the ground and towards the north, aiming to escape. It were careless and in a hurry though, so it didn't collapse the tunnel it made behind it right now, as it usually did, so they could follow it below ground if they wished to. Which is what Marley did, as he made his move and flew straight into the hole to follow the wyrm at a safe distance. The tunnel were more than large enough for him to fly within it, so that wouldn't be an issue.

Leviathan's first reaction though, were to use her magic to force a strong wind to blow from the direction Ruby were forced into, to slow her falling speed. Unless she seemed to be able to get herself in check again without the help of course, though if not, she should fell less of an impact with the ground from the help, and soon thereafter, the smaller dragoness coming to her side with worry plastered over her scaled face.

"Ruby! Are you okay? Please say you're not bleeding inside or something. I'm not a good doctor."

Revenge and getting the kill were important, but not as much as it were to make sure that her kin were safe. Better that the wyrm escaped and they lived to fight it again another day, than for her to have to track this one down and avenge the death of her new, reluctant *friend*.

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@Catpone Cerberus

"Okay. I will not tehl de... Tell them, where to find you. I promise."

He were young and likely unable to keep his tongue for too long, but it wasn't like he were asked to keep everything a secret here, just where he had met her. That seemed somewhat possible for him to keep to himself, at least for a while. He'd probably be found out eventually when he started to come back here often to see if he could find her, but that time, that issue.

Being a little bored now, Agni started to preen a few of his feathers whilst waiting for something to happen. One of the smaller, brightly orange downs from this, would fly over near the colt, who'd be quick to jump up and grab it before it got away. He'd end up falling on his rear from the action, but it seemed to be okay with him. He even smiled, as he now had a really special feather to put in the bag along with the rest. All pretty and warm.

"Hehe, I gotz oh... I got one of the pretty feathers.Today's real special."

He seemed distracted, so if she wished to, Nada could likely wave and say her goodbyes, and he'd be fine with it. After all, now he had a very special, secret friend that none of his other friends would know where were. Plus a feather more, which were what he had come for in the first place anyway. Honestly no downsides to his day, from his perspective, even if his new friend had to get going.

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@Catpone Cerberus

21 hours ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

If Scarecrow would have had eyebrows, he would have raised them in curiosity when he got a better look of the 'mare', she clearly wasn't a normal pony, he also could swear something about her felt...calming. "Don't worry about me, I'm long past worrying about overgrown timberwolf." he said when he walked into view from front corner of the mare, he chose that direction because that way he wouldn't sneak up on her, and wouldn't seem like he was blocking her way on purpose "The last pony I talked with called me Scarecrow, so you can call me that or something else, I noticed you are injured and just want to help." 

Lyriel's eyes went wide in confusion and wonder as she saw Scarecrow. What matter of creature were this? Even discounting his peculiar looks, from a distance, she could swear that there were something over him that felt odd, like some sort of magic laid upon him. One which she did not know about, though it felt almost natural in a dark way, if that made any sense. It were hard for her to describe the sensation honestly.

It almost appeared as if he were attempting to wander around her for some reason though, as if he were circling her down and assessing if she were prey, regardless of what his words might say. Or he were trying to put himself between her and something else? An escape route, maybe? Perhaps it would be best if she talked back to him, rather than speculate like this, as the initial thoughts about what might happen to her were not positive.

"I... Appreciate the concern, but I'm okay. Just a little beaten u-"

21 hours ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

Scarecrow had lost his sense of smell and taste long time ago, so his vision and hearing had sharpened with time, and though they weren't the same level as many predators, they were still quite good, so if the timberwolf sneaking towards the mare caused any sound or obvious movement in the bushes, he would most likely notice it. But regardless of if he would be able to spot the wolf early or if it had time to attack, his actions would be the same, get between the wolf and the mare, making sure that if the wolf bit anyone, it would be him, then he would lit his horn with red magic as rotten looking as his body, and try to scare the wolf away with sounds that were as unnatural and and horrific as him.

If the wolf would still be aggressive, he would resort to violence. 

Once she saw why it were that he were placing himself as she did, things became a little clearer. And that were quite the understatement, as the timberwolf stepped out of the bushes and growled at Scarecrow, which made it seem as if a fight here were just about imminent. Something which were not lessened to nothing by him starting to send some unnatural sounds her way, though she would back down some, and lower her head, showing that she were clearly intimidated, and not about to make the first strike.

"S-Stop! Please, don't fight. She's only here to talk. Right?"

The timberwolf nodded slowly, not taking her eyes off Scarecrow, just in case he tried something. After the nod, she'd begin to growl, yip, and bark from her semi-submissive position in what were probably nonsense to Scarecrow, but which caused Lyriel to slowly nod along, and wander forth, attempting to bridge the gap between them, even if it meant wandering past Scarecrow. And by the earth mother did things just feel stranger and stranger when she got near him. It were as if the rot that consumed fauna and creature alike, had risen up and infested this entity, yet with him still being able to walk around and seemingly function. A potential threat to the forest, or just another part of the cycle? She honestly couldn't tell right now, even if pressed for an answer.

"...I understand. Please tell her that I accept, and that when she feels calmer, I'd still wish to speak with her."

Provided the timberwolf were not attacked, she'd back away and when far enough away from Scarecrow, would turn around and run into the deep corners of the forest again. Unless of course, he tried to attack her. Hopefully that would not be the case, since it it did, Lyriel would have to try and separate them before something went horribly wrong.

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@EQ_Theta

Rosa would have paid before the longma had a chance to even try. His coin amount were getting pretty low though, yet what did it matter? What little he had on him, would likely be confiscated when he were sent to prison, so he might as well spend some of it.

"Aggressive flirting, from a mare who are not accustomed to accept a no."

Further cemented as Marvel - who had wandered off towards another section of the store to deal with some pears that fell out of their montre - turned around to give him a feisty little wink. Nothing which he returned, but it seemed like she didn't care either way, so it 

"I consider it pointless to fight someone like that. It'd take a lot of time, and we don't have a lot of that if we are trying to fit several kinds of last effort enjoyments - as well as a chat with your elder - into the timeframe. Far as I know, I can send a letter from where I am going regardless, and I doubt she would enjoy communicating further after that first interaction.

In short, you shouldn't worry too much about it."

Another time, perhaps he'd be somewhat happy that a mare had shown interest in him, even if she weren't a bat pony. Yet with everything else looming on the horizon, it honestly only showed it further in his face that certain things would be held from him for a long time to come. A few years only maybe, if he proved valuable and got lucky, but still... There were a long time in confined spaces in his imminent future, not pen palling with a stranger.

"Regardless, we got what we came for. What should our next action then be? Visit the board in the town's square to see if we can find a carnival? Or make contact with your elder?"

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@Windy Breeze

"Uuuuh, cake. Great idea."

Sorrow clapped her hooves excitedly before she spread her large wings, ready to fly off. Cake wasn't really what one could realistically consider travel food, but come on. They were going on an adventure! Cake was probably perfectly fine then. Plus, blueberry Cheesecake sounded yummy. Not something she'd say no to trying at all.

"I think Cheese Basket's place might still be open. Follow me, yippieee!"

With that, she'd rise from the ground, and take the flight towards the south end of town, where they'd soon enough land in front of a small cheese shop. Packed and wrapped, ready to be bought by hungry ponies wanting a few slices on their morning bread, or some for a curious dinner, such as haydogs with cheese.

The sign outside also indicated that she were good at making pizza with varied kinds of cheese, starting from a bit later in the evening, but the time for baked goods were still there. And lookkit that! There were a gorgeous, rather delicious-looking blueberry cheesecake right under the glass montre of the desk. At which stood the owner: Cheese Basket. Yellow as could be, with black freckles all over her body, and a short mane, complimented by a large, bulbous tail that were currently wrapped up several times in a large hairnet.

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@Pastel Heart @Widdershins

As Pastel rubbed the feathers of Cloud, she'd find that there were something weird going on with him alright: He seemed to have a powdery substance coalescing around the bottom of his feathers. Almost like dandruff, yet surprisingly reluctant to wander away from his body even if she rubbed a good deal on his feathers, or tried ruffling them a little.

Were she any good at biology at all, she'd recognize this as being spores. How it got there or what the significance of them were up for debate, but it seemed at least somewhat clear that it had something to do with the mushrooms growing both on the panicky stallion's wings, as well as on the path when the matriarch were chasing them. What kind of new friend exactly had Pastel picked up here?

One who weren't spooked about the mushrooms, that much were certain. In fact, as she were talking with him, he'd start to flap over to the nearest ones and start to peck through it, gobbling up chunks as he went along with great delight. Give him some time, and he could likely help them both. Y'know, if they were able to make Slimpsy calm down, which seemed to be near impossible as long as he were awake.

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@Rising Dusk

"It will be a simple choice. Either the queen gets to meet Rising, or she will have no interest in talking to your princess. I would invest in some proper clothes if I were you. Something with some degree of style, just without going too far. You won't impress many from our lands if you're wearing something that makes it hard to move."

Lily gazed at Dawn, giving her another once over to try and determine whatever or not this one would be suited for the task at hoof.

"Dawn seems capable, and you seem to find an understanding in how you deal with things. You should be able to think of a compromise."

Which one she didn't know though. A tuxedo of some kind, maybe? She only knew some really old, stuffy ones from Harrowmark, with big, frilly necklaces on and everything. Not too pretty a sight in her opinion, but a more modern take on it could work well. Perhaps something with a less long jacket, some pockets, a belt with varied equipment in it, and something hidden under the hat. Harrowmark appreciated seeing a good, hidden dagger somewhere on another being, as it didn't make them seem too trusty or overconfident.

"I doubt you'd be forced along every time though. The queen would want to meet you, and being with your princess would give her some strong credentials for future meetings. I'd imagine you'd be able to do whatever you normally do relatively peaceful, unless you're being called in for a sculpturing, or whatever yearly day I imagine they'd hold in your honor.

You might not want glory, detective, but we celebrate our heroes, and you're among the pillars now. It is inevitable, even if we have to drag you kicking and screaming towards your celebration ourselves."

The last part were likely just a funny little joke here in Equestria, but the tone and look on Lily's face should make it clear that she were dead serious. He'd quite literally be tracked down, thrown through a portal (either drugged beforehoof or semi-willingly) and placed on the podium for all to see. Really, it'd only be a few hours at best once a year. He could invest the little amount of time required of him on those scarce occasions.

"You should bring her too. She seems to know how to make a scene that's hard to ignore, and I'm sure she would enjoy watching your depictions being immortalized via sculptures, paintings and so forth."

This time, she were trying to make a little fun of the situation, as she indicated whom she were talking about, by nodding towards Dawn. Sure she'd be able to make it ungforetable for others to see her brother via a spectacle they couldn't be prepared for, yet at the same time, they were siblings, and what fun were there in having that, if you couldn't mess somewhat with the other? Seeing Rising being somewhat awkward and embarrassed about the reverence he'd be subjected to, might be of great, comedic value to Dawn.

She could also clearly handle his looks if it got ruined at some point during the trip, as were evident by her own appearance suffering only briefly before she corrected it. Might be valuable, in case Rising accidentally (or attempted to get out of the situation by) stepping into a large pool of mud. As an example. He might also be hurdled up by the queens pets, or a pigeon. Alive or undead, those things left a mess, one way or another.

"And your princess... I have my doubts she even knows of your actions, does she? Perhaps you should take advantage of the time you now have, to inform her of that. I only request to not be put into another imploding cage. I understood the warning the first time. I am not attempting to become a problem for you, or anyone you know."

The look she gave him as she said this were mixed with some degree of concern, though she tried to hide it. It were just hard not to be affected when you had almost been able to see your own dead, creaking and bending towards you, ready to turn you into a pile of mush. The slow at first, then rapidly increasing process, had certainly made her weary of her position here, and a want to not try to become the sort of issue that would have her placed in anything even slightly resembling that cage again. She liked her limbs and body straight and unbroken, thank you very much.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,588]

@Blitz Boom
Ruby didn't exactly nail the landing, having been stunned from the powerful slam, and she was motionless for a second or two before getting up and shaking herself, it may have hurt like hay even with the help from the older dragoness, but she wasn't going to show it "There may or may not be few broken bones but I'm fine, this is not the first time I have been knocked out of the air." it was pretty common actually, mostly because she tended to pick a fight with those bigger than her, "But there's no time to worry about minor injuries, we have a overgrown worm to catch." for other creatures stomach was usually the weak point, but because Ruby's kind had evolved to fight, her stomach, throat, and other vital areas were protected by the thickets armor on her body. 

She would then go to the tunnel, and depending on its size, either fly or run after the escaping creature. Her injuries didn't seem to slow her down, and they really didn't because her pain tolerance when fighting was quite good, but that didn't mean they weren't injuries, and they would come back to bite her tail when the situation calmed down and the effects of adrenaline faded. 

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There was no way of knowing how trustworthy this colt's promise was, but Nada had no other option than trust him. She used the opportunity to get the colt to leave, so she smiled at him and said "I need to get going, have a good day and good luck with your feather hunt." she would the dive into the river and hide on the bottom until the colt left, at which point she would raise her head from the water to see if Agni was still around. 

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Scarecrow wouldn't attack the wolf if it didn't attack him, and he would extinguish his magic when what sounded like a conversation between the wolf and the 'mare' started, but he kept his eye on the timberwolf just in case, even when he got out of the way of the 'mare'. While the conversation was going on, Scarecrow observed the pony looking creature bit closer, and came to the conclusion that this in fact was not a pony, even it looked like it, and instead, based on how she interacted with the animals and the aura that he could feel even if it didn't affect him, was a some kind of being of nature itself, maybe even a protector of it.

After the timberwolf had left, Scarecrow talked again "My apologies, It seems I was wrong about you, I though you were another lost pony but I can tell that isn't the case." he would then turn around and start to walk away "Sorry for bothering you."

[Windy Breeze 15,189]

@Blitz Boom

Windy drooled at the blueberry cheesecake displayed inside the glass montre but decided to lift her gaze to the owner “Ah, hello there miss, how much is the Blueberry Cheesecake?” she asked politely, smiling brightly at the owner.

Edited April 19, 2020 by Windy Breeze

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

Looks like Rosa beat them to the punch, paying for the fruits before the siblings could pull out the bits needed to cover their expenses. As much as they would want to shoulder the purchase, they didn’t want to argue with their friend, not when there was time to lose and activities to catch up on before the day ends. Lin resigned to keep the coin pouch and continue with their plans. With the whole strange communication method still being confusing to the siblings, they wouldn’t push the subject further lest they remain confused.

“Many thanks, Marvel,” Lin said as she turned to her companions and walked ahead outside. Even now she was already making plans and putting events together in her head before addressing the others on what she’s coming up with.

“How about we head for the town square and see what we can find out. I’ve got some ideas but I want to be sure I know what I am walking into before deciding.”

“And what is it you’ve got in mind?”

“If there is a carnival, you just need to point me in the right direction. I can then head back home to meet with Elder Ghilan and see if I can make some arrangements. The day is winding down and so are his tasks. No way will he keep himself working in the evening, which means his schedule will be free and he can meet with us. Once it’s done, I’ll find you.” 

Much is true about Lin’s statement, and evenings are usually times for everyone to wind down. Elders would often retire to their homes earlier than most in the village, leaving the hunters to stay up and begin their patrols. In the absence of a village elder, there is usually an appointed representative named the elder’s “second” to cater to any requests or concerns. Those are usually individuals who shadow the current elder, the same ones who will take their place once the previous retires from their position. Here’s to hoping Ghilan appointed one to take his place at home before the meeting will go underway.

“Seems like you’ve got it all figured out,” Sen nodded before turning to the thestral. “Sounds good, Rosa?”

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Catpone Cerberus

Leviathan wasn't convinced that Ruby were fine, but from what she knew of the dragoness so far, the only way to stop her from hunting something that she got her sight set on, would be through force. Something which would just make things worse, if she were actually hurt.

So sadly, best she figured she could do for now would be to follow, and be ready to help in whatever way she could once things started to show.

"Just don't pressure yourself too much. You can't hunt it if you're dead."

Leviathan would take the back position as they flew into the hole, which should have enough space for even Ruby to fly, provided that she watched herself a little. Up on ahead, Marley would make for the front assault, as he silently kept on following the escaping wyrm.  A wyrm mind you, that moved ahead at a surprisingly fast pace, so they'd have to keep up if they didn't want to risk it getting further in, and potentially collapse the tunnels to cut them off.

The tail did not respond at all to fire attacks, yet if they tried to physically harm it, they could probably make a sufficient amount of damage for it to matter. However, they'd also draw attention to themselves, and again, collapsing tunnels were likely bad news for them.

Safest bet would be to follow this wyrm for the ten minutes it would take for it to reach a large, underground chamber, which judging by the smooth walls, were dug out by either this speciment, or other creatures like it, far below the surface. There it would aim to get to a dusty *nest* of sorts at the bottom, to lay down in, whilst it'd metaphorically licked its wounds.

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@Catpone Cerberus

"Okay. Buh-bye Nada. Have fun mreml... Fun mermaid adventures."

Featger would wave at Nada with a happy grin on his little face, until she had dived under and he couldn't see her anymore. At which point, he'd gather up the feathers that were almost making it out of his pouch, and get ready to leave.

A last look were sent towards the river, just in case the special new friend he made would get back, but it'd only be able to keep his attention for a few seconds, before he waved gooodbye to Agni and left. The phoenix responded to this by a loud chirp, before flapping over towards the river to look curiously into the watery depths. He did not despise the colt, so if they met another time, he might allow the little one to pet him again. Depended on his mood.

Seeing as Agni at first didn't see Nada, he assumed she were gone again, and would start drinking some water instead. Closed eyes, and taking things calmly.

The surprised squawk and back jump as Nada rose above the surface should tell her that he had not expected her to come back, but he'd get hold of himself again quickly. At which point, he'd take some small jumps forth again, and look at her questioningly. What a peculiar creature, this siren were.

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@Catpone Cerberus

"Wait, please."

Lyriel were not entirely feeling great around this creature, as she tried to get a sense of what it were that she were faced with, yet she didn't want him to leave on his own just yet. He were a creature in this forest. One whom also seemed to aim to help those who needed it. As fellow protectors of the forest, she wished to at least know who this were, and see if they could not work together, for the betterment of them all. Perhaps she might even be able to help him, if others looked upon him with horror, such as her duckling had before it burried itself into her mane in an attempt to hide itself.

So she'd wander with him, best she could considering her physical state, and would attempt to make verbal contact. She didn't yet feel ready for a physical touch, but perhaps later, once she knew him better, she would be okay trying to do so.

"My name is Lyriel, Scarecrow. I wish not to intrude upon your time, if you do not want it, but please. I'd like to know those who lives within the forest, that I now protect. Especially if they too wish to help others in need, be they equine or beast.

And since you seemed to worry, I can assure you that I am not in danger anymore, merely beaten up. Like many others, the Timberwolf matriarch have become restless and confused after the desert area came into the forest, and felt it best to reassert her dominance. She thought me a pony, and with how things stand between their kinds currently, acted upon that assumption by quite a decisive slap with her paw.

Whom you saw were one of her children, relaying her apologies for what happened, now that she have calmed and heard them tell her the truth. Neitger her, nor Gretchen wished to truly harm me."

A peculiar name the old matriarch had, but from whag she understood, one that had some history and pride behind it. Lyriel had yet to have a chance to speak to her properly yet, so much as the attack had hurt her, it may prove the opening she'd need to finally have the civil conversation with the timberwolf that were needed. She'd focus on this silver lining, rather than carry a grudge for the pain she were now in.

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@EQ_Theta

Rosa would think briefly on the matter, before slowly nodding in response to the inquiry.

"I concur, that does seem to be the best course of action. It will leave us more time to get things prepared properly, before we are forcefully summoned."

For a while there, he had actually forgotten the deal with Scarcity. Or well, more precisely, it had been pushed to the back of his mind so much that he hadn't really brought it into their time schedule.

Now that they were getting along though, and Lin put forth a solid plan for proceeding with this whole thing, it stirred in his head once more, and honestly made him grimmace some. There were no telling when she'd have them picked up, but... Within the next half hour or so, seemed about right at this stage? It were hard to tell as they hadn't gotten a precise time frame, but he'd assume this were somewhat correct.

"Warn your elder that you might suddenly be dragged away when it is, just in case, to avoid him being worried. As as for your carry-on..."

He trailed off some as he glanced at Shrimp, who were done sucking the excess juice out of the clementine he had gotten, and currently were shredding through the fruit with his small teeth. There'd be a strong, citrusy smell in the air, and Lin might feel an occasional droplet here and there on her, but he seemed overall to have this controlled. As well as appearing to be quite pleased, which would likely make the first meeting with the elder a little easier too. The smell being similar were one thing, but unfamiliar grounds might've normally gotten him somewhat on edge.

"You should keep him with you during this. It'd probably be best that he got to interact with your elder at a fortunate time, rather than another moment when he isn't as complacent. The less hostility in dealing with your leadership from any angle, the better. Just try not to make it seem as if anyone is attempting to take his food.

All in due time though. Let us first see if there is a festival somewhere that we can reach via simpler means."

Rosa would take charge here, and lead the way towards the town square, where there would indeed be a large board filled with events. A massive one in fact, reaching above certain buildings even, with the top spots mostly reserved for Pegaus-related messages. Still, there were a pegasus stallion there too, dressed in a simple white uniform, with inscribed words saying *Information desk* on his right and left sides. A name tag under his neck would call him out as being called Pin Needle.

His function seemed to be flutttering around the board, and answering questions regarding the varied things posted up here, by curious ponues fuerher down who couldn't reach some of the higher ones. Or just general things about the events, and where to find them.

Seemed like he were helping someone right now, with a poster talking about some sort of autumn concert, but they'd be properly able to see what they came for at the bottom regardless. Two posters, each declaring in fancy fonts and marvelous backgrounds, to hold a carnival. One being in Las Pegaus, and the other in Fillydelphia. Both seemed extravagant and promises an array of activities, so it would mostly be a matter of picking one over the other based on other things, such as the locations, and populations. Maybe something else, yet thag would be up to the siblings to ask. Either Rosa, or potentially the hired help, who'd cast a glance at them when he were done with his current pair, just in case.

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

 

@Windy Breeze

The owner's eyes seemed to glitter over with glee once she saw who had entered her store. Or rather, What had entered her store.

"For an honored member of the Wonderbolt? Only seven bits."

Looking at the tag, it would normally say ten bits, but Cheese saw a chance here at enticing a potentially important client, and took it. Sure she'd only more or less break even on the sale, yet just imagine if this mare liked it, and then started to share the news with her friends. Ponies who might also come here to shop for her wares, which in turn would be a glowing commendation for her store. A favoured cheese shop of the Wonderbolts themselves? What better advertisement could she get?

Don't ger ger wrong, she wasn't hurting here. Despite the other options for baked goods in town, along with her not exactly being the only one selling cheese, there were some competition. Yet she kept a fine profit here regardless, as the locals still liked that her cheeses were just that much better than what else were on offer.

The key word here though, were locals. Outside of Ponyville, she didn't really have any acclaim, like for instance Circle Pop did. If the Wonderbolts started to show up though? She might finally get more country wide acclaim. *gasp* Perhaps she could even hire another helper, and actually have some concurrent  vacation days now and again? Oh, how she hoped that could be.

But she were getting ahead of herself. This sale had to happen first, and go well too. Please, kind and noble Celestia, let this go well...

[Windy Breeze 15,189]

@Blitz Boom

Windy Breeze managed to hide her frown for the discount. She didn't deserve that kind of treatment just because she's one of the members of a popular and well known pegasus squad, this kind of kindness is only truly achieved by being friendly or even making friends, she didn't even know this mare, she only know she's one of Sorrow's friends.

“Sure, seven bits coming right up!” she said in a now fake enthusiastic tone. Once again she used her muzzle to open and rummage inside her saddlebag. When her mouth finally bit down on the prize, she tosses it to the air, revealing a sky blue wallet. Windy spread her wings and flew, and successfully caught her wallet with her mouth. She squeezed it hard enough to let seven bits go out and land on the desk infront of the owner. She returned back to the solid floor and smiled, trying to avoid the looks she is receiving for what she just did. 

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

The siblings were frozen in their tracks for a moment; they’ve forgotten about the beacons on them and their plans to help the scholars find new bodies in the golem shells. There was a brief second when the two could not figure out how that throw’s their plans into disarray but as Rosa spoke further about their meeting with Elder Ghilan being briefly interrupted. That or they wouldn’t get their meeting if they’ll be summoned before the meeting can happen. It was hard to tell just how things will progress now.

“Scarcity’s beacons…. How did we forget about them?” 

“If it is all the same, this means Elder Ghilan will need more thorough preparations to anticipate ourselves getting interrupted. I’m sure he’s adjusted enough to his position and knows about letting someone he trusts take over for him while he’s away.”

“And we better get Shrimp acquainted with him as well. At the very least, our little refraction should be familiar with his scent lest he start worrying about us and runs off when we are away.”

Seemed like their plans were still set with only minor changes to plan for. That will put a damper on their merrymaking for the remainder of the day but they’ve chosen to put some important matters to rest and they’ll have to go through with them. The siblings followed Rosa to a massive board with messages, flyers, and announcements tacked on. Big bold letters drew their attention to the advertised events and amongst them, two locations stood out: Fillydelphia and Las Pegasus. Sen remembers the latter like it was only yesterday, recalling the place as a haven for games of chance but he never truly saw what those were like. They were there for business, not for pleasure. 

“Here we go, a carnival in Las Pegasus and another in Fillydelphia. I was hoping there’d be one a little closer. Maybe we could ask about that.” Sen would wait until the stallion at the information booth was finished before walking up and inquiring.

“Hello. We saw those notices about carnivals in Fillydelphia and Las Pegasus but would you happen to know if there is one here in Baltimare or perhaps in a neighboring city? We’d like to go to a carnival but we’re a little short on time. Could you help us out?”

[Catpone Cerberus 23,588]

@Blitz Boom
Ruby didn't try anything in the tunnel, after all, she was blood thirsty, not stupid, and instead just decided to follow the thing until they would be somewhere with more room. When they arrived to the chamber. Ruby looked around a bit before saying to no one in particular "This looks cozy." she quickly sharpened her senses to see if there was any more of the creature's species around, if not, she would attack it again, if there was, she would pause to think about it. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Oh, sorry, didn't mean to scare you, I just wanted to see if you were still around." Nada apologized when she saw Agni jump back a bit "I live here...or well, there..." she pointed towards the house "...for now, it's my friend's house, I'll be staying there until I get my own place." "You're welcome to come in if you want, just don't burn anything." she smiled at Agni, "That's all I wanted to say, I'll head inside now before the colt's parents come here, one of the windows are open if you want to come in." she would then go back under and swim inside. 

----------------------------------------
"There's no need to worry about wasting my time Lyriel, I have plenty." Scarecrow stated slowing down to make sure Lyriel could keep up, not really surprised that the protector of the forest wanted to talk to him, though the reason he wasn't surprised was more pessimistic than the real reason for Lyriel's interest. "And did you say desert? that would explain why the forest suddenly felt so much smaller." he had noticed that certain edge of the forest seemed to be lot closer than it used to be, but he hadn't really investigated it because he had assumed he just remembered wrong. "That aside, yes, I have made it my task to help those who cannot help themselves...though it's mostly ponies because they seem to have bad habit to end up here unprepared." "And I assure you that regardless of my interaction with the wolf, I have no interest in hurting the beings of this forest, I don't enjoy violence and only use it if it's the only way to protect those in danger." "I don't have the need to hunt either, so creatures like the duckling in your mane are also safe." 

[Sekel 692]

@Widdershins

DAWN STREAK

"If you can take care of yourself then why are you so hesitant to eat!?" Dawn cried, lowering the plate back onto the table after she hopped off of it. She was furious because he yelled at her, not necessarily the contents of his words. She had a bright red face that marked her embarrassment as she began to engage Kaltrops in a shouting match. "Why are you so hesitant to do anything here!?"

@Widdershins, @Blitz Boom

DAZZLE GLEAM

Dazzle tilted her head at Scarcity, completely at a loss as to what she was talking about. Her head then slowly tilted back into an upright position as she thought hard about the question the mare had asked of her before. When her head was fully upright, she smiled when she fully remembered it.

"Oh, right. My scales. The ones you labelled as a disease. I'm fine in telling you the answer here. I don't care who knows or finds out. They are not a disease. They're a part of my biology, Miss Scarcity. I was born part dragon," Dazzle told her with a couple of nods. She's spent the better part of her life alone in a forest full of magical creatures. If they think of her as one, then so be it.

@Blitz Boom

AURORA LIGHTS

"You don't want to see the rest of the griffins, Queen Dia'Thiz," Aurora sighed heavily. "Most of them are downtrodden and snarl and fight. I was lucky enough to live on the outskirts of the area to avoid most of the downfall of the kingdom some years back." Her voice sounded like it would crack from reliving partial memories. It didn't do well to dwell on these for too long. She was a Queen now, so she should try and at least act strong in the presence of this crystallized Queen. She'd let Thorax and Happy sort out Dia'Thiz's other request while she listened and tried to learn from this meeting. At the moment, it seemed like Happy had been drinking that same foul tasting juice she'd tried on their wway to Thorax's hive so she wasn't sure on how much help he'd actually be.

@Blitz Boom

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

"You look and sound troubled, Cherish," Twilight said in slight concern, her ear flicking in response to Cherish's whispers. She wasn't sure was going on but the hairs on the back of her neck had started to straighten. She gave a small shiver as a cold swept through her. "This is a creepy, creepy place. I hope we don't spend too long here, Last."

@Blitz Boom

KARMC FATE & ATZY

"The Queen of the Gemlings is called Dia'Thiz. She fused with a Changeling Queen long, long ago. Dia'Thiz is a crystal deer, to put it bluntly. The changeling she had fused with is suspended within the crystal deer but both of them speak in unison. I am unsure if the changeling still has a mind of its own but at the very least its body is always suspended inside the crystal in a perpetual state of suspended animation," Atzy explained. She couldn't get the image of Dia'Thiz out of her mind and it scared her somewhat if she was being honest with herself. She wasn't sure how far the Queen's power extended from the mines but at least she can provide some information to the ambassador. She munched on another gem within her magic and swallowed before speaking further. "She is very curious. We've been trapped within some far off mines for quite an exceptionally long time. So sooner or later, Dia'Thiz will definitely make an appearance here."

"I've never been outside of Equestria. Can you remember what Saddle Arabia was like?" Karmic asked curiously before blowing on her cup of tea. A small sip later and she was grinning like mad. "I haven't had tea in a long time. Whatever these Red Scorpion Tea Leaves are, they are simply divine."

[Rising Dusk 27,510]

@Blitz Boom

Rising was well aware of his lack in choice with this matter.  The list of ponies with ill opinions of his functional attire, if lacking fashion, continued to grow through just the last couple of days.  Now extending over two different countries.  At this point, his growing need to wear his hoodie was shifting to the desire to be spiteful.  Dawn snorted a laugh, "Oh darling, believe me, I've been trying to change is wardrobe for so many moons.  Now though, it appears I have the ultimate excuse!," the mare stamped her hoofs delightfully against the floor with excitement.  Each causing a ripple of rainbow to expand out and do battle with the changing lights above that already shifted to the music.

Her sweet laughter renewed with the thought of her brother being hog tied and dragged all the way to another country filled her imagination.  Even heroes in their land had at least the right to refuse appearances should they truly be so wearisome.  "Oh what a treat you are Lily," Dawn commented, reaching up to wipe a built up tear of amusement from the corner of her eye.  Being a little slow on the uptake that Lily's expression betrayed no humor.  Rising, being a much better reader of pony expression, simply raised his eyebrow.  When did his welfare fall so short for such a heroic deed?  Dawn recovered though as she caught up and her laughing stopped, "Oh, oh my... you aren't joking.  Bro, you should do as the lady says," she waved her hoof in a shooing motion with a bit of concern on her face.

Then Lily brought up what he was hoping to avoid, a small grimace at the corner of his mouth betraying such, "You think so?" he inquired flatly.  The hostess... simply appeared sitting beside him, there was no evidence of teleportation or movement of any kind, she simply just was.  One leg draped over her brother's shoulders to pull him against her side in an embrace.  The largest smile she could produce on her lips.  "Oh just imagine it dear brother!  A hero receiving his rightful recognition for deeds served!  Bridging two countries with the first steps of diplomacy!" all the while, moving her free hoof in a dramatic arch, which left a glittering rainbow behind in its wake.  The colored lights that had bee flashing to the music had turned into spot lights now focused on the twins.  "Side by side, I can be the manager to a celebrity!  They have no hayburgers..." Dawn winced as if from a sucker punch.  "T-That's okay!," that was probably the quickest recovery he'd ever seen from his sister.  Rising rolled his eyes, Dawn just wanted the chance to step hoof on foreign soil first and stack her claim.  Rising's head lulled to once side to give Lily a 'This is your fault' annoyed expression.

"The Captain will report directly to the Celestial Sisters on this matter.  I'm sure I'll hear something soon," the detective tried to explain.  There was a fair enough 'dragging' in Equestria now that he thought about it.  Stallions of his rank didn't report directly to royalty, that's what having a boss was for.  Hardly able to finish his through before he felt two hoofs now on his shoulders, shaking him violently.  "Imploding cage!?  What in Tartarus were you doing to our honored guest!?" his twin yelled at him.  Oh boy, Dawn went full native already with thoughts of pressing her influence in a new land.  "Prrrrooootttooootttttyyyyppppeeee," Rising tried to get out while his head snapped back and forth.

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Sekel @Widdershins

Dazzle got quite a few surprised looks by that comment, and one small, knowing smirk from Scarcity. However, since she were currently dealing with Shortstack, it were not her that first approached the peculiar half-breed, but rather Long Stare, who had wandered silently behind Dazzle after hearing this. Might surprise her, suddenly hearing a voice so close to her, without there being any sound indication that she had been approached, but that were not exactly unusual when it came to Last. Moved as silently as a ghost that one, and had about as big of a jumpscare effect on most.

"You're half dragon, half... Pony? Could I introduce you to somepony another time, maybe? They're a dragon/pony couple. I think they'd be happy to see you."

Circle Pop weren't one she really spoke with all that often, and Benny had been a one time meeting, where she mostly responded by looking at him with big eyes, before wandering away again, but that didn't mean that she couldn't share this important information with them. As a strange, interspecies couple, knowing that they could spawn would probably be important for them. Especially since the general consensus were that it weren't possible.

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

 

@Sekel

"We are ancient, young queen. Ancient and powerful. What fight the mortal races wish to bring upon us, we do not fear."

 

The queen smiled their dual smile at Aurora, amused by the notion that anything looking like what Aurora depicted now, would be able to harm them. Such frail creatures were not something which they saw any reason to worry about.

That being said, they had no reason to seek a fight with them. If the griffons tried to assault them, they would defend themselves of course, but they had given their word that they did not seek to become pariahs upon this world. Something which would be hard to keep, were they to begin a small scale mass crystallization, as an example. Also rather overkill from what would be akin in danger, to a leaf falling on a rock.

Now, refractions on the other hoof... Those they would be cautious about, were they to hear of their presence somewhere. As the only natural enemy to the crystal beasts of old, the gem-drinkers were likely still a threat that were best not taken lightly.

"Worry not though, we are not invaders, nor monsters. When one day we wander to see their kind for ourselves, we will not scatter what remains of a fallen kingdom, even if they assault us. This we promise you.
Though what brought about their downfall, is something we find curious. Could we ask you to elaborate, young queen?"

"Just uhm, before she does, I'd like to put something out there."

Things had derailed some, but it seemed to Thorax that he might have an opening here, and he were going to take it if possible, so that he might be able to get negotiations going to some extend.

"Cooperation with my hive is not an issue, long as we agree on a no hostilities arangement, Queen Dia'thiz. And if need be, we can get you in contact with Princess Twilight eventually, so that you can try and work something out with the kingdom itself.

That being said, we only met you, and though I've learned from her that thinking the best about others is the way to go, I have to be cautious. Both for them, and for my hive. As a hive mother, surely you can understand that, yes?"

They nodded, agreeing with what Thorax said so far.

"I'm afraid that we will need to wait with details though. I understand your want to get things going quickly, but I think I'll need my advisor to help me with more specific details. Would it be okay if we did that?"

"We have many a hive and creature to see, so we can have patience. Long as your word remains, that we will cooperate, and not cause harm upon one anothers hives. We will defend our own, yet peace between us and others are what we strive for the most. Perhaps things will end differently this time, if we do."

"We have a deal then, at least for now."

"I'll bring word to my own queen, next time I see her around. Pretty sure she'll be mighty interested in seeing you someday."

Happy seemed to be downright mellow and jolly right now, but that's one of the reasons he were happy he could just take the edge off his worries. Ling as he stayed in line, it wouldn't get too bad, and seeing as he weren't being chased with pitchforks, he'd reckon things were still fine.

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

 

@Sekel

"I've been a ghost for a long time, Twilight. Between both me and others, I know what it's like when there's signs of other ghosts in the area."

"You're seeing some now?"

Cherish slowly shook her head, as her eyes continued to wander all over the place.

"N-No, but I can see there were. Hundreds of them, marked by fragments of energy, yet without a soul in sight. But that's not the part that worries me.

They... *gulp* They're all almost fresh. Somepony, or something, caused them all the vanish. Sometimes within the last few weeks. Maybe a month? Spiritual residue takes a while to vanish, but not that lo-"

A growl escaping Last made her go quiet, as the scruffy captain clearly weren't too pleased with what she had just heard.

"Whoever did this, they better hope I never find them."

It were clear from her tone, than were she ever to get hold of who were responsible for this, she were going to do bad things to them.

Understandable in a way, as she deeply respected her ancestors, and this were troubling, yet so would it be to think of what she might do. It were probably best if she never met whoever, or whatever, were responsible for this.

"Uhm... Sure. Let's just get to the shrine, p-please. This place makes my ectoplasm crawl."

Provided nothing happened, they could be at the shrine within ten minutes. Ten minutes were the story would all be the same. Traces of spirits no longer there, in a silent, growthless zone of grey. A creepy, creepy place, as the princess had put it.

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

 

@Sekel

 "They claim they're combined in mind now. I don't know how true it is, but the way they speak and act, it seems plausible."

The ambassador were silent as he heard the story, as well as when Enzo gave his take on things between licking up tea from his over-sized mug. A slight frown were on his silent face however, indicating that something were troubling him about what he heard. A stark difference to the confusion on his medical attendant's face, which mostly just spoke of being unsure whatever or not he heard the truth right now.
 
"Recently, we acquired a prisoner who have since made her escape. She were galfway overtaken by something I were told, resembled a crystalline bull. That there are now another creature like this is... Troubling, considering the damages this first encounter I know of caused. We will still welcome them with an open mind, yet I get the feeling that it is best, were the librarians to be set upon finding out more, of these crystal animals."
 
The question about tea brought back the kind, warm smile on his face in its entirely again, as memories of his home entered his mind.

"Saddle Arabia is a land of much sand and a heat which only ceases at night. Throughout our lands though, lies grand oases, which many a town have been build around, and thanks to our princess's grace, they will forever flourish.
It is hard to truly describe what it is like though.

I could speak at length about our mighty caravans, or the towers from which springs the oil we primarily trade to other countries. Days upon days of fables, and fantastic tales of splendor in the palace, ir the grand bazaars that makes the markets in Equestria pale by comparrison.

Yet  I could never truly do it justice. If ever you get the chance, I would warmly reccomend you attempt to visit there yourself. Although perhaps not you at first, mister Enzo. Saddle Arabia have some... Troubled history with sphinx, and I would think it best if perhaps you allowed us to iron out thinks with her majesty in advance."

Enzo nodded, not surprised at this message. His kind had not been well recieved in many places, and a large, desert area? It were practically beggjng for his kind to have made some sort of contact, though he'd wait until another time to ask into what exactly that might be. Knowing his ilk, it were probably heinous according to pony standards.

"As for the tea, it is brewed from one of many plants that grows around the Grand Oasis in the capitol. A favored one of many higher ranking members of Saddle Arabian society for a reason."

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

There would be no sign of any additional deepwyrms within this *nest*, so the coast were clear for Ruby to attack. Which could be rather effective, depending on how she started, as this would be an unexpected ambush attack. 

They'd get the first hit in for free, before the creature would get the chance to compose itself for retaliation.

Leviathan would aim to use a mixture of her magic-based frost breath, and quick movements, to send a torrent of icicles towards several places on the beast where she had seen eyes present, thinking them the best to attack.

Marley in turn, would swoop in close, and like a hawk, would strike down on a wounded area with a precise, brutal strike, then rise up and slash at another nearby one whilst getting out of range. Best prepare to look for the next opening, rather than take too many chances.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

Agni looked up at her with his head crocked to the side, trying to grasp in its entirety what he were being told, before Nada suddenly swam under again, and he were left on his own to try and guess what to do here.

After a few seconds, he looked over towards the house she had pointed out. A place with no obvious foors, but there were large openings in the side he could use. Maybe through there?

Flying closely, he almost impacted the window, but halted as he saw his own reflection. From there, he'd peck atthe window a few times, trying to see if he were truly being reflected, or it were another phoenix. After testing for a time and becoming certain that this were not another one of his kind, he' flap back and evaluate things once more.

The siren had mentioned a window, and he had seen the mimic wander out from under one of them... Yes, perhaps this were his entry point too then.

Flying over to the correct window, he'd see the creacked part, and would use his beak to open it up a little more, so that he could crawl in there without getting stuck.

The whole process would take about seven minutes, but it were important that he learned things like this for another time, so it were best not to interfere. Now they'd just see if he could get out faster than he got inside when it were.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

 

On 4/21/2020 at 4:05 PM, Catpone Cerberus said:

"And did you say desert? that would explain why the forest suddenly felt so much smaller."

 
"There have been a lot of issues after its arrival, yes. Whilst some animals have found a more suitable home there than their usual habitat, many were displaced, and rearranging territory have been taxing.

This is why the matriarch were out too, best I can tell. She felt the disturbance, and thought it might challenge her position among the predators of the forest. What followed were a matter of dominance, and assertion, which I sadly got caught up in."

Things were getting calmer now, but there surely had been a good deal of time when it were not so. From the most robust bear, to the tiniest mouse, there had been challenges that had felt overwhelming at times. What were bound to happen when an ecosystem were so rapidly intruded upon.

Lyriel let out a sigh and shook her head as she recalled some of the compromises she had to be the mediator between, to prevent fights, or one part simply eating the other. She had felt miserable at the same time from her own expriences, regarding that desert, yet the job of a dryad could not always be easy.

 

On 4/21/2020 at 4:05 PM, Catpone Cerberus said:

"That aside, yes, I have made it my task to help those who cannot help themselves...though it's mostly ponies because they seem to have bad habit to end up here unprepared." "And I assure you that regardless of my interaction with the wolf, I have no interest in hurting the beings of this forest, I don't enjoy violence and only use it if it's the only way to protect those in danger." "I don't have the need to hunt either, so creatures like the duckling in your mane are also safe." 

 
Lyriel rose a hoof, and scratched the duckling on the back of its fuzzy little head. An action which prompted a satisfied quack from the duckling.

"Bobo swam across me once I regrew, and have refused to return to the river thus far. It is good to hear that he is in no danger from you.
Yet, I wonder if I might ask: Where in the forest do you reside? The animals have told me of several of their legends and myths, yet far as I am aware, you have not been mentioned by them. Perhaps if I know where you traverse, something might surface from my memory?

Are you from a swamp of sorts, maybe? The energy around you remind me of it. The finality of rot, and decay. Yet somehow... Mobile."

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

 

@EQ_Theta

"Howdy-ho, we're here to help."

The information clerk flew down and landed softly in front of the strange group. He sure never saw anypony like these before, but on this job, being chipper and helpful, no matter the creature, were imperative. As were the admitedly lame slogan, but hey, it got the point through.

"We got three additional carnivals throughout Equestria. First one is in Dodge Junction, starting in two days.

Second one is off the beaten path a few miles outside of Manehattan, but that's not until next month.

If it needs to be here and now, only other one starts tonight, an hour before midnight, in the Moonlit Thicket. Not an wasy one to find, and pretty late, but as a thestral town, I'm sure it'll have something going all night long.

Now for travel, it'll be time consuming, but you can start with the I6 train to-"

"I know these places."

"By Luna's moon!"

The clerk zoomed up and clung to the sign, as a whispering voice suddenly assaulted his mind. Gave him a right scare, and made several others look around for the culprit.

"There are places on the moon?"

It really wouldn't help that there were now suddenly a spotted mare with big, pale eyes looking at him through a hole in the air. Or rather, her head were, whilst the rest were down on the ground, down to the shoulders in another gate.

"Ohme!"

Shrimp would soon be topside too, after slithering off Lin, quickly climbing his primary caretaker, and going directly up to cling to her head, with an array of happy chirps.

The whole thing were causing quite a scene honestly. Which meant that a certain batpony had to try and defuse the situation before it went too far, starting with pulling Omen back fully out of the dual gate.

"Don't mind her. She's a psychic with a bit of a theatric flair. Looking for the carnivals with us to see who's better at the craft."

Pin would flutter down as the gates closed. More of an automated function by Omen, as it seemed like what Rosa wanted her to do, but it functioned into his attempt to derail things well for the time being.

"Oh, another performer. I'm sorry for the reaction ma'am."

This wasn't per se a new trick. Portals were a relatively rare skill, but performer pairs had been known to do these sorts of things, with the unicorn making the portals hiding somewhere nearby. In a crowd like this? Could be anypony really, so most seemed to accept things and just move on. It were an easier sell than trying to think of somepony without a horn, doing these sorts of things.

As for the mind talk... Telekinetic chatting were a highly rare, yet known anomaly that could hit even earth ponies. Those who had it, usually referred to themselves as psychics, and made a living at fairs and such. It still bend a few things, but it were plausible enough to accept.

As for Omen, she had shown up nearby, and just wandered into the crowd, following the smell of her friends and family. Stepped right out of the crowd and into sight at just the right time too, and seemingly no worse for the wear. Whatever she had been sent off doing, it didn't appear to have hurt her.

"Anything else I can answer you folks? Again, I'm really sorry about before. Just got a bit of a shocker there."

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

 

@Windy Breeze

Quite the show that were being made, and it were just making Cheese feeling better and better about this whole thing. Just look at all the ponies both inside and outside glancing at this. It'd be the talk of the town soon, and from ghe faces she could see, some were even outsiders! And now there were no way they wouldn't know there were a Wonderbolt here.  Oh glorious Celestia, how she smiled upon her this day.

It were also doing something else, as a pale mist - like a puff of smoke - rose from Legion. Barely noticeable, but seemingly important, as Sorrow started to clap the skull like it were a puppy.

"That was great, Windy! You're really talented."

The scattered clapping and smilimg faces, seemed to agree with Sorrow's sentiment, by patrons and outsiders alike. Along with Cheese, who only didn't clap because she were busy carefully putting the blueberry cheesecake into quite a beautiful box, emblazoned with the name of her store. Either Cheese had some hidden artistic abilities, or she had a deal with somepony who did, because the package looked about as inviting as what were within.

"Very impressive miss. Here you go: The best Blueberry Cheesecake in Ponyville. I hope you have a fantastic day, and remember that we got you covered for all your cheese-related needs."

A happy smile and customer service, along with a cake delivered on the desk, in a perfectly hermetic and beautiful box. If this wouldn't make the Wonderbolt happy, she were not sure what would. A dance and song? Please not. She didn't like those spontaneous musical numbers Pinkie somehow made happen. It made her feel possessed.

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

 

@Rising Dusk

7 hours ago, Rising Dusk said:

"Oh, oh my... you aren't joking.  Bro, you should do as the lady says," she waved her hoof in a shooing motion with a bit of concern on her face.

Then Lily brought up what he was hoping to avoid, a small grimace at the corner of his mouth betraying such, "You think so?" 

"Does it really surprise you so, that in a land of gods, we take our worship seriously? It does not only count for our gods, but for our greatest heroes too, and the detective here have done likely the most impressive deed for us in the past nine hundred years. The reverence that will generallly be sent his way, will not be minor, and neither will the determination by the citizens to have a chance at paying their respects.

If you work ties you to something you cannot leave without it causing casualties, I imagine they can rearrange the schedule some, but being told you simply did not feel like it, wouldn't be seen as acceptable.

I doubt that dragging you by your tail would be the first option though. An invitation at first  then some persistent inquiries. Maybe bargaining, and a few others, before things would get out of hoof. I cannot imagine the want for a sour hero to be present at his own parade. It would dampen the mood.

Besides, a few hours at worst to get a proper depiction, that we may start to immortalize him, shouldn't be too hard either. Simply stand still, and if asked, turn around now and again. The scans and artists will get your image done from that soon enough.

I don't get your aversion to this though. What reason have you to want no recognition for what you have done? You wish not to bask in the glory? Are you embarrassed, standing in front of so many? You must know that so many will be intent on seeing you, because you saved them from a living nightmare, yes? They won't care if you are looking nervous, nor wish to think of you feeling uncomfortable, because to them, you will still be a living legend. Their savior. You should understand how important it is to them to show you their appreciation for that."

The next thing she'd do to get through to him why they took it this serious, were to literally smack him on the back of the head, and tell him to get there for the same reasons, but with a few less kind words mixed in. If his sister did not beat her to the punch that were. Much as Dawn seemed disturbed by her brothers potentially forceful transport, she at least seemed to understand the need for others to shower some adoration upon others. Perhaps not for the same reasons, but surely a mare with a flair for the theatrics like this, would understand that there were a reason for the spotlight to be shined upon someone at times. Just as there were reason for others to need to show their appreciation.

7 hours ago, Rising Dusk said:

"Imploding cage!?  What in Tartarus were you doing to our honored guest!?" his twin yelled at him.  Oh boy, Dawn went full native already with thoughts of pressing her influence in a new land.  "Prrrrooootttooootttttyyyyppppeeee," Rising tried to get out while his head snapped back and forth.

"Might I ask to not be put in your defective toys then? Just throw me in a regular cell. I am not particularly fluent in teleportation spells as it is anyway. I had more important magic to focus on in the past eighty years."

She admitted to being somewhat annoyed with Rising in this moment. The cage she were put into were a prototype? They put a forgeign witch, who had likely information to be harvested about a threat attacking their country, in something not even tested to see if it were safe to use?!

You know what? Let Dawn shake him all she wanted to. Perhaps she could click the detectives brain back into place if she went at it  for long enough.

[Windy Breeze 15,189]

@Blitz Boom

“It's nothing, really” Windy Blushed. She tossed her wallet back into her saddlebag “That's how I express how excited i am for the tastiest cake I've ever eat in my entire life” she then look back at Sorrow, she felt suddenly cold and all of her fur stood up but she ignored this, knowing there's Legion, a group of ghost living in the skull Sorrow wore “Hey, thanks for leading to this bakery, Sorrow. Their Blueberry Cheesecakes are more cheaper than those expensive ones back in Cloudsdale” 

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

Carnivals happening in two days or next month, tonight in the two given locations, or another one an hour before midnight? The the former options weren’t going to work and the Moonlit Thicket option sounds a little more promising given it was situated in a town populated by thestrals. But given just what they were planning for the remainder of the day, they probably might not even finish their business in time. Still, if they can get their business done with the scholars sooner, they still had to attend a trial the following day and they’ll need all the rest they could get. This is getting a little tough to wrap their minds around. 

Fortunately, the mounting stress would be broken by the appearance of a familiar face. The siblings were comforted by Omen’s appearance, bringing a pleasant surprise to their day.

“Hey, Omen! Glad you’re here!”

“We’re looking to go to a carnival today,” Lin added. “Well, we’ve got several things planned and the carnival is one of them.”

Sen seemed to be running through some options through his head, factoring in their activities later in the day and in the day to come. With all they’ll be doing in due time, it looks like some efficient scheduling is in order. Now it’s become especially true to keep their time in a carnival brief and probably only spare some time for a few games before ensuring they still have some time to meet with Elder Ghilan. 

But for now, Pin Needle was about to add some more information for something, directions to what might be the Moonlit Thicket. The longma turned to the pegasus, wanting to hear more about this before deciding on anything.

“You mentioned something about taking a train? Could you tell us more about that?”

[Catpone Cerberus 23,588]

@Blitz Boom
Ruby stayed in her previous strategy, only difference being the few changes that were needed for it to work in the closed space they were in, her first strike was a claw attack at whatever looked like it would hurt the most. Her way of fighting had its risks, but that was just how she liked it, what was the point in fighting if there was no chance of losing? in fact, she often felt disappointed when she made it out with mere scratches.

(check OOC)

--------------------------------------------
Nada noticed Agni's confusion with the closed window, realizing that he probably didn't know what window even was, but even though she first considered it, she didn't open the window for him, because she wanted to see if the phoenix was able to figure it out himself. When Agni got inside, Nada smiled "Sorry, I didn't realize you weren't as familiar with buildings as the mimics seem to be, but I'm glad you figured it out." "Just remember that that window isn't always open, wouldn't want you to fly into the glass."  she wasn't sure why she even invited Agni in, he was in a way her friend yes, but there wasn't really anything for phoenix to do in the house.
-----------------------------------------

"It also explains the sudden increase in predators and other threats." Scarecrow said thoughtfully after Lyriel's explanation about the habitats, it sounded like it was more he thinking out loud rather than something he actually expected a response to.

He would have smiled at the ducklings reaction if he would have had the required parts, but instead he just looked at it for a second. "No, I'm not from a swamp, though truthfully that would be more fitting place for me." "I reside in a empty cave, though I sometimes wonder why I even go there since I have no reason to stop wandering around." "I have accidentally scared some animals investigating the cave, so if you have heard about red eyed monster in a cave, that's probably me."  "And for the rot, it's simply because my body has died long time ago, I think in pony literature they would call me 'undead'." he was also aware of the word 'zombie' but he didn't feel it was the right term for him "And before you ask, no, I don't know how I came to be like this, my memories rotted away with my body." 

 

 

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Blitz Boom
"Being ready isn't always possible. But I do desire to make sure this threat is dealt with. So yes I am ready."

=============================
"Well I trusted him before he got power hungry." Rose jutted in. "This is, I'm not sure what got him like this."

"Whatever the reason, what would he go after next?"

"Uhm, want to turn in the first two elements first?"

"I can use them against him. Gives us an upper hand against him..." She looked around, taking a moment to try and sense magic nearby. But she couldn't shake off something. "I can't sense the magic from these." she looked to the gems in her hoof. "But I sense it from you." She looked to Rose, who looked nervously around. "Do, do you somehow have them?"

"N-no, maybe your senses are wrong."
Those words dug into everypony's minds, an intrusion, but then that sense vanished, feeling like it belonged

"Maybe, I've not had this happen before so perhaps that is possible... anyway! I need to think... What does the kingdom not have under protection? Which one is not in Canterlot right now...."
She started pacing, wondering aloud.

Edited April 24, 2020 by FanOfManyShows

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@EQ_Theta

21 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:

“You mentioned something about taking a train? Could you tell us more about that?”

"Of course. As mentioned, you have to take the I9 until you get to Deltrot, then from there switch to the J3 train towards Fillydelphia, but stop over near Shadow's Cove. From there you just need to follow to road signs to get to Moonlit Thicket. The train travels should take about five hours combined, if you include the wait between the trains running, with the additional walk taking an hour or so."

Quite a road to take to get to that place sadly, yet if that were their want,t hey'd need to take that, and then hope to just manage to get there a little late. Unless of course, there were a faster way, that would save them such a degree of travel. Which judging by what Omen had said before, there might well be.

"We will keep that in mind.. Thank you for your time."

Pin gave off a large smile with closed eyes, towards this strange group that had just needed some help finding someplace to go for a fun time.

"No problem. Equestria's Information Services are always ready and happy to help."

Provided there were no more from Sen or Lin, Rosa would subtly, yet insistently, push them away from the crowd, and towards a nearby corner where there didn't seem to be as many. Were there still something the siblings wanted to discuss with the information helper, he'd wait until this were done before going through with this, yet sooner or later he would be going through with this, to be able to talk without as many eyes on them. Though primarily, he just wanted it to be quieter so that they could discuss things without having to raise their voices to drown out the crowd. Had started to be quite a few gathering up the last few minutes, and with more beings, usually there'd be a louder environment.

"It sounds as if we have some options as to where to go then. However, with an elongated travel time to most of them, unless we have an alternative for proper, more fast paced transportation?"

Omen looked on him as he stared at her, speaking his mind, without a clue what he were saying.

letting out a sigh, he shook his head from side to side, then began to prepare to try again. He had briefly forgotten how to speak to her, so really, he had only himself to blame for this confusion, that were running over her eyes.

"I'm saying that if you have been to either of those places, we might be able to have you help us get there, Omen. Have you?"

"Yes. Darkened town in the forest, with many bat ponies. Big city with many dragons and ponies in tall houses."

"Yes, sounds about right. It appears as if we do not have to worry about an extended train trip after all then."

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

If Ruby were aiming to go for where it hit the most effectively, the more and more open wound left after Marley took advantage of one of her previous assaults, would be optimal, as the gashing wound were starting to clearly be rather deep.

Hitting that however, would result in two things.

1. The beast would let out a large, screeching sound of pain, as the wound went from painful to severe.

2. It would contort it's body and hit Ruby with a substantial amount of force, right on her hip. An attack that should be felt, considering the amount of muscle mass behind the strike, combined with the previous one she had gotten.

It would start to get up slowly, wobbling around as it tried to catapult towards one of the previously made tunnels, and dig its way out of there once again, yet it wouldn't get so far before a certain dragoness came over, barely avoided a tail slap aimed for her side head, and plunged her hands into the deep wound, all the way to the shoulders.

The scream that would come from the wyrm as she let out a large, electrical charge through it, were enough to make the walls shake, and the ceiling drizzle with dirt, but the room would remain intact. Even as the large creature fell down and rolled to the side a few times, on the way to the bottom of the room. A trip which would cause it to actually hit Leviathan, who got slammed some ways away, and right into the tunnel they had come here through in the first place.

As for the wyrm... Severely wounded, smelling rather badly, and barely clinging on, it would weakly raise itself up, running more on instinct than anything else at this point. One good strike more, and it should be done. Even if it wouldn't reach all that deep, its systems were damaged and fried, so one way or another, it were done for.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

Agni cooed at her, and flapped over to a nearby table, where he could have a better look around.

This weren't his first trip to Ponyville. Be it on his own, or the short time he had with that odd pony he had followed the first time he latched on to another being, he had gotten a good look at how the ponies went about their lives, and some outside looks at these large, stone and wood based nests of theirs, that they retreated to when their days were done.

A few times he had landed on a balcony or something similar to have a look inside, but this were the first time that he were actually inside one of these things, and it were a strange sight to gaze upon, when it weren't seen through the slight reflective surface that usually blocked his path inside.

So of course, he were curious, and would jump around on the table, before flapping over to a few places and peck at various things that he didn't know. Nothing would fall down, though he did jump back a little when he pecked an egg watch, and it gave off a few ticks. Something which would cause him to try and peck it a few more times, but without more of a result. Seemed to have just be a final second left in the cycle.

If called upon, he'd come to Nada, and land on the nearest surface that'd put him relatively in eye height with her. If not, he'd be spending some minutes checking the kitchen, before returning to the table he started on to look at her. There were more to explore in here, yet he wanted to see if she had something else to say to him first, just in case. Perhaps a want to stop, or something specific to look at.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

20 hours ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

"It also explains the sudden increase in predators and other threats."

"Even the predators had their areas impacted by this, and in some cases, had to be moved closer to the town to accommodate everything as best as possible. It is not my place to decide that predators should stay away from these new grounds, and deny them their food sources. Only to keep the balance of nature as best as possible, and try to reason with them to leave the ponies alone.

I've had success with some of them, who have agreed to leave the ponies be, unless they present a threat to them, or their young. Yet the timberwolves remains an issue. They do not follow any rule set before them, lest it comes from Gretchen. Perhaps now that she seems to accept a meeting, I can finally work towards causing an armistice between the ponies and one of the predators that they have a prolonged, bad history with."

It had been a while since one of them had actually eaten a pony, and as she had been told, the matriarch actively avoided hunting them herself, as she considered it to be more trouble than it were worth, but she had not ordered her flock to do the same. If that could come through, in exchange for a promise from the ponies to not intrude upon their grounds, nor threaten their young, a substantial threat from both sides could be handled. A harmony which would of course be strained, as outsiders were likely to ignore the word of the forest, yet that would be her role to fix, lest all the work would be ruined by one or two ignorant individuals.

Hearing the rest that Scarecrow had to say, she had two facial expression changes during it. One of surprise and recognition, once he mentioned the cave and the red eyes, and another near the end. A sideways glance which told of another sort of recognition. The sort which troubled her, and potentially even caused some degree of distress.

"I have met one before, who claimed be to be of the undead. Her aura were not like yours, and she were a menace to this forest. Voracious and unending in her hunger for flesh, she threatened the balance, and I told her to leave. The sphinx which made the desert unraveled her before that.

You sound far more reasonable than she were though, and I have yet to see you chase after whatever moves to feast upon it. I promise that I will do my best not to judge you, based on what other experience I had with her."

Lyriel would give him a tired, yet kind smile. Hearing he were undead had been disconcerting, but he weren't like she had been. Scarecrow seemed better, or at least far more in control of himself, even if he looked far less whole as her. Perhaps the severity of undeath he had, made him more controlled than her? Or he just refused to wander the same path? It were hard to tell, and as he said, he had no idea of how he even came to be, so there would not be anyone she could look for to ask either. Perhaps one day, the Earth Mother would bless her with an answer.

"I think I have heard of you before though. A small myth told by a flock of bats, that spoke of the cave-dweller with the red eyes, who skulked the woods seeking ponies. The way they spoke of that, I thought it a predator of sorts, but it appears as if perhaps I were wrong. A pleasant surprise to be certain, as I had feared a creature that would leave a trail of desecrated equines on its path. Not one who looked for them to help."

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

 

@Windy Breeze

Sorrow wandered outside with Windy, looking happy as a clam. Even made a little twirl once she had the space to do so.

"I kinda see why it'd be more expensive in Cloudsdale. This here's a farming town, so there's lots of stuff for baking, while Cloudsdale is in the sky. Must be harder to get things up there, so it costs more? I dunno, just guessing.

So we got cake, fruit, and I got some bottled water. I think we're okey-dokey to take off then, yeah? This is gonna be fun!"

She twirled up into the air, ending with extending her wings before she would fall down, and hovering slightly in the air, before making it down to the ground again. All the while, with that big smile on her face, and looking like she could hug the world, to try and share her joy with everypony.

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

With that settled, the colonel would lead their group - the private at the front, to keep distance to Chariot - they would be lead throughout the prison. A few guards gave some glares to the prisoner which were not kind, yet they wouldn't dare to do anything. All but one that were, who thought it appropriate to put his leg out just as he passed, to trip up the prisoner. Something which he didn't get a chance to do, as Hogweed raised her voice, called him out, and went over right to his face. He looked genuinely surprised and rather scared at the look in her eyes, and looked to the colonel for help on this situation. Something which he did not get, as he actually gave off a little smile seeing this.

He wouldn't say it publicly, but he liked when Hogweed got confrontational. Made him certain that she could take charge and be harsh when she had to be, which she'd need one day. he couldn't stay the leader of the medical regiment forever, and at his age, you had to think of your eventual replacement. Hogweed were one of a very few he considered, and were consistently on top of that list, even if he knew she did not find herself to be worth a position of power that high up.

As for the guard, he'd be quickly sent off, without ever making contact with Chariot, with an order to report for duty at the forge right away. Didn't sound harsh, but with the insane heat in that place, even standing guard near the place felt scorching in their armor, so it worked as an efficient punishment, when you didn't want them to be put on potato duty.

In any case, they'd soon be on their way again, with Hogweed briefly stopping up to look at the group, and Chariot in particular, with a small blush on her face.

"Uhm... S-Sorry for that. I just can't accept my patients being treated like that."

"Good."

Unless Chariot had something to add, they'd go on in silence until they reached the general's office.

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

 

@FanOfManyShows

8 hours ago, FanOfManyShows said:

"Well I trusted him before he got power hungry." Rose jutted in. "This is, I'm not sure what got him like this."

"Again: Snake. Eyes. Unless that's new, you should've been concerned right off the bat, lass."

Seriously, it really were that simple. Slit eyes on a pony? Evil. Go ahead and prove him wrong with an example. He'd stay there and wait for it, probably forever, because there weren't a single one.

Why it were like that? No idea. Dragons for example weren't inherently evil, and they had slit eyes, so wasn't a clue in general. Just for ponies. Might be a magical thing messing your eyes up. Though would that mean that really evil dragons had equine eyes? Pfff, the thought alone almost made him laugh.

8 hours ago, FanOfManyShows said:

"I can use them against him. Gives us an upper hand against him..." She looked around, taking a moment to try and sense magic nearby. But she couldn't shake off something. "I can't sense the magic from these." she looked to the gems in her hoof. "But I sense it from you." She looked to Rose, who looked nervously around. "Do, do you somehow have them?"

"N-no, maybe your senses are wrong."
Those words dug into everypony's minds, an intrusion, but then that sense vanished, feeling like it belonged

Chow had a moment of paranoia too, when it were pointed out with the magic from Astral, but her words on it just seemed to clear that up mostly. Still a bit of it there, but that were always the case, even with those that he knew. And really, Astral agreed that things were fine after this, so it were probably just a glitch, right? She knew better about these magical things, so it were probably like... 90% fine or something. Maybe 95%. He liked those odds.

"Whoah whoah, easy there Astral. You sure it's smart to use the elements? They're some nasty business, and what if one of 'em starts clinging to you? You saw all the issues it caused your mum and aunt to meddle with these things in that way. You sure you know what you're doing, so it ain't a risk? I don't wanna see you get hurt here."

[Windy Breeze 15,189]

@Blitz Boom

Windy as she watched Sorrow. Despite her name, she looks very happy which kind of reminds her of Rainbow Dash when she's excited of something “Should we take a train or just fly to Fillydelphia?” she asked. 

[Catpone Cerberus 23,588]

@Blitz Boom
The hit was hard enough that Ruby couldn't stop a small cry of pain from coming out, and it send her plummeting to the ground, but she didn't stay down long, and when she got back up, her expression had turned to pure bloodlust, she was done playing around. As her focus was no fully on her target, she didn't pay attention on where Leviathan or Marley were, and only looked for the opportunity to make the final blow. She made the final charge at whatever weak spot she spotted first, but this time she did't just scratch it, no, instead she quite literally dug into it, doing as much damage as physically possible, not stopping until the smell of death filled the caves confirming that the creature wouldn't be waking back up.

The pain started to flow in when Ruby calmed down, and though she tried her best to hide it, Leviathan would probably be able to see through her act, as any time she took a step, her body reacted to the pain. She would make her way to the creature's mouth and rip out one of its teeth as a trophy.

--------------------------------
Nada let Agni explore and let out a small chuckle at his interaction with the egg watch. She didn't really have anything specific to say to Agni, so when he sat down and started looking at her, she smiled "There's nothing specific I want from you, I just figured you would want to come inside, feel free to explore more, just don't break anything, and if you want to ask me about something, peck at it a few times and tilt your head at me, I'll tell you anything I know." she would open any door that may be closed so that Agni could explore the other rooms too, she enjoyed seeing Agni looking at the various pony things, it was amusingly adorable. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I do not blame anyone for any mistrust towards me, considering that most of those I help also think I'm there to harm them, I'm not surprised that animals would think so too." Scarecrow said, sounding like he had expected to have a negative reputation "And regarding this other undead, I never met them, and I can only hope we are not related in any way, but I'm glad it got dealt with." "And  you can rest assured that I have no interest in feasting on any flesh, as I have no need to eat anything, and though there is possibility that I too lose my mind at some point, I will do my best of stopping myself if that ever happens, even if it requires me to collapse a cave on top of me to trap myself until end of time." bit grim maybe but being unable to die, it was the only way he had come up in case his minds starts slipping at some point of his existence. 

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

The siblings had the information they needed and were just about ready to reconsider their plans for the day. They’d notice Rosa nudging them off to a corner to convene and decide how they’ll proceed, though something was telling Lin that they would need to rearrange their scheduled events to make some accommodations. 

“I take it this means we’ll be heading to the Moonlit Thicket?”

“A forest town? That sounds like an interesting place to visit,” Sen chimed in after hearing about the location’s description. “Might remind me of the sights back home minus the tall houses. And I guess the city’s size. I wonder what a city in a forest would look like?”

Frankly, the idea of a large city in a forest sounds foreign and difficult to conceive. Unless the city planners and developers manage to weave some form of magic or technology together with nature, then perhaps the trees could lend themselves to foundation of the entire location. That and the forest would need to be exceptionally large to fit as many thestrals and dragons in large homes. Someone must’ve found a lot of potential in a forest such as that to consider expanding it into what it is today. Sen pondered on the possibility that there’s something there could serve as a source of inspiration to the folk back home. If not, then it will still be a nice place to visit again.

“I guess that means it's time to make some arrangements sooner. I’ll send us back to the cave and get this meeting ready, unless anyone needs to run a quick errand.”

Lin would pause for a bit and see if anyone would object to her plan. She’d then open a gate back to the outskirts of Canterlot, just outside the cave they’ve used as a home. Perhaps the downtime is the opportune moment to fill Omen in on what is to come in the next few hours. One way or another, these will be some busy hours. 

[Sekel 692]

@Blitz Boom

KARMIC FATE & ATZY

"I'm truly sorry I can't be of more help, Ambassador," Atzy sighed. She thought she knew what she was talking but most of it was something that sounded right in her head at the time. She's no authority on crystal creatures! She became one herself not to long ago to save Karmic from a fate worse than death! She was broken out of her reveries by the Ambassador mentioned another crystal creature, causing her to focus entirely on him. "I ... I don't know what to say to a half-formed crystal bull creature, sir. It's probably somepony that's heeded the call of Queen Dia'Thiz now that she's out and about and looking for information."

"Well, the tea is very lovely. I absolutely adore it," Karmic smiled at the Ambassador.

@Blitz Boom

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

"That graveyard gave me the creeps," Twilight shivered, her feathers ruffling as she flared her wings. She flapped them a couple of times to settle her feathers and folded them against her back with short sigh. They made it to the shrine after ten minutes had passed and she had a worred expression on her muzzle. "At the very least, we're a bit away from there. Why is it so close to this shrine?"

@Blitz Boom

AURORA LIGHTS

"I don't know the ins and outs of what made the griffins fall," Aurora admitted, speaking up now there was a bit of quiet in the negotations side of things. Her front talons clicked on the ground as she grew worried. "What I do remember from learning about the history is an old griffin king went mad with power. Whatever granted him that power has since been lost to time and now, because of it, the griffins don't have a ruler to keep everything nice and orderly. Everything's gone to chaos and now no griffin wants to be leader because they think it's too much work."

@Blitz Boom, @Widdershins

DAZZLE GLEAM

Not having heard Long Stare approach, having been too busy being confused at everypony staring at her, Dazzle jumped and twirled, facing Long Stare when she spoke. It took a couple of seconds for the gears to tick in her brain but when they did, she coughed and had the decency to blush. "Sorry. I don't normally get sneaked up on. A dragon/pony couple? I would definitely love to meet them sometime."

[Blitz Boom 4,620]

@Windy Breeze

"It's cheaper to fly, but the train rides takes less time. I don't mind either really, so you decide."

Sorrow had a strong pair of wings on her, so the long flight to Fillydelphia wasn't that bad, long as she got a chance to rest up on the boat ride. If they took the train though, she'd be full of pep for the entire trip, rather than needing to sit down for a good deal of the second part of it. Either way, she'd do what Windy thought were best. Sorrow had enough spendable bits to do either, and no issues stretching her wings and soaring through the skies. Sure she were no speedy Wonderbolt, but she wasn't a flying snail either. More like a bit over average.

"Personally, I think it's a good weather to fly at least a little though. But as a Wonderbolt, you must've used your wings a lot today, right? Don't you get tired and need to rest them?"

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

With the open wound crispy and easy to strike at, Ruby would find no issue cutting very deep into this. Even breaking right through if she wanted to, which would give her access to some vital, internal parts that she could strike at. The wyrm had been almost assured to go down regardless, but going in there and tearing at it where it hurt the most - or even just continuing to widen the outside wound as an example - would fasten up the process, and soon enough, the mighty beast would shiver- And then fall to the side, its lifeless form giving off quite a rumble as the dead weight hit the floor full force.

The battle had been won, and Ruby had managed to get the final strike in, as she wished to. Yet it weren't a fight won without any sort of price to it, as were clear by her movements. The same could be said for Leviathan, who wandered out of the tunnel she had been thrown into, with a bit of a wince going over her face as she slowly tucked in her right wing. Sprained by the looks of things, which weren't too unusual for her, sadly. Came from having no robust frame in her mixed heritage, but rather the nimble forms of both water and wind variants, which made her more mobile, yet more fragile than say, your average earth based dragon.

"Urgh, is it dead yet?"

"It appears so, yes."

Marley would run his talons across the dirt, trying to get rid of the varied liquids he had on them.

She barely listened to him though, as she saw Ruby, wander around in pain, and rushed down as quickly as she could, to get to her larger ilk. She could try and hide it all she wanted to, but Leviathan weren't blind, and you'd more or less have to be, to not see that whenever Ruby took a step, something were hurting. And if this stubborn dragoness were showing it, it had to be bad.

"You're hurt."

Her voice were nervous and worried, as she wandered to the side of Ruby and looked up at her with concern plastered all over her face.

"Where? Is it your legs?"

It were gonna be a right pain to get Ruby out of here with as little pain to the dragoness as possible, seeing how big she were, but they'd just have to suck it up and get it done. Leviathan wasn't gonna let her own kin sit around here hurt and in pain. Not just because of how wrong it were to leave a wounded comrade behind, but also because the place weren't structurally safe anymore, and what if more of these things came around? She'd be easy prey.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

As he were given permission to wander around, Agni would do so on a limited basis. Going upstairs were so far not his priority, so instead he'd fly around and land here and there, to see what were going on. On one particular shelf - the highest in the room - he'd find a small pillow that he pecked at a few times, and moved around to see if there were something beneath it. As there weren't, he'd then try to sit in it, but would quickly get up again, not liking the feel of it. Too soft for his taste.

If he had known that this were Fah'lina's favored resting spot, he'd likely have pushed the pillow down to the floor our of spite, but as he didn't, he'd go on to check a few other other things.

It seemed that most that attracted his attention were clocks, and other mechanical things that made sounds. As well as one of those toys that looked like a wooden bird, bopping it's head up and down into an empty glass of water perpetually. He'd follow that one's movements for about twenty seconds before he got bored and moved on, which brought him to something that really stuck out to him. A grandfather clock, situated right next to one of the now-open doors.

At first it were just the ticking sound that interested him, as well as the burly metal spears that he tried to move around with his beak, but to no avail. But as the timer than struck whole, the dinging sound brought him to look down, bend over from where he stood on the top, to look down on the disk. And that would be when the small, wooden bird would pop out and make it's mechanical cooing sounds. Something which startled Agni, and would cause him to fly away from it immediately.

He's land on Nada's shoulder, and hide behind her whilst looking over at the clock, which had suddenly stopped the startling action, and gone back to just ticking. After a bit of time, he'd tentatively fly closer, and once there, would peck at the little door the wooden bird had popped out of. He himself would flap backwards when it were, unsure of what would happen, but would find that nothing were the answer. It just kept on ticking.

So with no idea what this were, or what happened, he'd land on the shelf nearest to the siren, turn to Nada, and give off a confused couple of chirps, wondering if she might know what were going on with this strange thing.

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

 

@Catpone Cerberus

"Perhaps if the worst happens, I can help getting the earth to reclaim you. Earth Mother be willing, there are something that can be done to help, were the unthinkable to pass."

A lot of good news about Scarecrow so far. Not a flesh eater - or eater of anything, which made it even more obvious to her that he were probably magic-powered to a likely high degree - not crazed, and were aware that if things went badly, the best would be to not end up a scourge upon the area he had otherwise deemed fit for him to protect. Lyriel would hope that were she ever to end up like that, someone else would show her the kindness it were to cut her down, and send her spirit back to the Earth Mother, were it belonged.

"It is a strange feeling you know, being near you. I feel nature in all it's glory wherever I go, and can cause it to grow as much as I deem needed. Yet where there is life in nature, so too are there death, and with you, it feels more potent than I can recall seeing before. Even places where rot have settled in, and are eating away at once were, does it feel as it does around you. It is a... Peculiar experience, to wander with one who is embraced by the finality of death."

Pondering something briefly, she'd halt to raise a hoof towards him, though not making contact just yet. In fact, seconds later, she would lower her hoof again, and continue to follow Scarecrow. In case he had kept walking that were.

"Forgive me. Curiosity overtook my judgement for a brief moment there Much as I'd like to feel your aura more closely with a touch, I am still weakened, and without knowing what might pass, perhaps it is better if I waited until I have regained my strength."

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

 

@EQ_Theta

22 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:

“A forest town? That sounds like an interesting place to visit,” Sen chimed in after hearing about the location’s description. “Might remind me of the sights back home minus the tall houses. And I guess the city’s size. I wonder what a city in a forest would look like?”

"Many houses. Some were cut into the trees."

"Rather standard for most forest towns I know of. Cutting through as little essential wood as possible, and use the dead wood inside as your residency, to preserve the tree as well as possible, so that it can continue to grow. If done right, the wood you cut out can also be used as planks to make more ground based residency, benches, tables, and so on and so forth. It's hard to say for certain, and I've never been to this particular place, so I can mostly just guess."

"I saw benches."

Rosa nodded, not wanting to stress Omen's brain with more in depth questions about how this town might look. They might as well leave it as a surprise, and not risk another melt down from her side, though he supposed the risk of that happening from a few questions were rather small. Still, he did have a small want to leave some of what awaited them to surprise. It could be very interesting to not know everything in advance.

22 hours ago, EQ_Theta said:

“I guess that means it's time to make some arrangements sooner. I’ll send us back to the cave and get this meeting ready, unless anyone needs to run a quick errand.”

"I have done what I needed to here, for the time being. We can proceed."

Rosa would wander through the gate, followed shortly by Omen, who didn't halt to think of whatever or not she had errands to run.

"I have done what Master Discord told me."

"Might I ask what that were, exactly?"

"He wanted me to deliver some letters."

"He couldn't do that on his own?"

"He did not say. He just asked me to do this."

Rosa shook his head. Had to be some reason to this, but he honestly didn't care to look into it right now. Let them have whatever they had together, and let it be so.

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

 

@Sekel

22 hours ago, Sekel said:

"I ... I don't know what to say to a half-formed crystal bull creature, sir. It's probably somepony that's heeded the call of Queen Dia'Thiz now that she's out and about and looking for information."

"For the sake of cooperation between our kinds, I hope that Queen Dia'Thiz and this entity are not working together. Both it and the mare it seemed to either possess or work together with, caused a slew of crimes, of which I am sadly not able to tell much of yet, due to the case being ongoing. I can only inform you that it have severely impacted the life of at least a dozen ponies, and presented a willingness to partake in both cruelty, and a lust for domination over our nation.

I would hope that even if Queen Di'Thiz and it are connected in some way, that she will not take its side, and that they may actively help us to fight this other entity, if need be."

The ambassador would let out a sigh, and take a sip of his own tea. There were coming more questions than answer into things now, yet that were the life he had chosen, when he agreed to be gifted to Equestria. To deal with these things, when the princesses could not for whatever reason, or at least ready a potential peace agreement before presenting it to them. Oftentimes, he had found that this later option came forth, as they had much to do at times, and Princess Twilight had caused quite the amount of new connections to be made.

"They talked about being one of many creatures of old, calling themselves crystal beasts. A crystal bull sounds as if it would fit."

"Yes, but as it seems to be gone, and the carrier have been extracted from her cell, there is little we can do now, beyond studying what information we can find, whilst waiting for signs and react to them. But I do not wish to burden you with these worries. They are not yours to bear, nor are the sins of this crystal bull."

22 hours ago, Sekel said:

"Well, the tea is very lovely. I absolutely adore it," Karmic smiled at the Ambassador.

"It pleases me that you like the tea, Miss Karmic. I'd wish for all whom I meet to feel as comfortable and satisfied as possible.

And speaking of satisfaction, may I now ask you, Mister Enzo, what you wish from cooperating with our military?"

Enzo gulped down the last of a piece of fish he were chewing on before answering, and made no motion to take more from the bowl. He had longed for this taste for a while, but gorging were undignified, so he had to try and keep himself a little in check here whilst he presented his demands.

"My wants are threefold.

1. I wish for shelter.

2. A large, soft pillow to rest myself upon.

3. The access to fish, if I am unable to go and catch some myself for whatever reason."

Golden raised an eyebrow, surprised at what he were hearing.

"You would submit to our military, and work together with Equestria as a citizen, in exchange for only this? I mean no disrespect, yet -"

"- You wonder why I don't demand more, and haggle for a middle ground? Perhaps I would have, once upon a time. Yet I have spent too long in conditions I can at the kindest describe as miserable. So what I wish for now, is but fairness, and commendations befitting of a respected being. Not an enforced guardian or pet."

"I see. Well, I could see things being ready within a week, if you would allow some measures to be taken, yet for no other complications to occur. Might I ask though, if the situation arose, would you be willing to bring an offering of peace towards your own kind?"

Enzo snorted a small laugh out at the mere thought.

"If I wander to our sacred town, saying that I want the ponies to be relinquished from their control, the council will make me long for the centuries I were trapped. But if ever one come here with war or an offer to speak, I would take your side, if that is a consolation."

"I suppose that is only fair. Very well Mister Enzo, I believe we have a deal. I will make sure it gets finalized and written down, before going through the required legal documentations needed. You should expect to be met with at least one of our esteemed rulers at some point, for them to finalize things more publicly."

Seemed like at least one of them were sorted then, with Atzy and her queen on track to a peace treaty, provided that the unnamed crystal bull wouldn't become a wedge in the system. A productive meeting so far, all in all.

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

 

@Sekel

"It's always been too dangerous to go far away from the shrine. Would leave us open for ambushes, and waste time we'd need to protect our quarry. Same reason we burn them on the sacred fires. Coffins waste too many resources."

Protecting the shrine had never been a cozy duty that were filled with boredom and nothing to do. It were a grueling, harsh environment, wherein a lot of beings had died over the centuries to protect what they had sworn to keep safe. In such a life, wasting time on going far away and setting up a proper burial ground, were not a sane option, so they burned their dead on magical flames, and scattered their ashes over these grounds, which were the furthest they could realistically get from the shrine, without it causing issues. it left them with less place to grow food, but such were life for the Shrine Maidens. Hard work and periods of harsh rationing, sprinkled in with constant fights and an average lifespan of roughly thirty.

"It sounds like a depressing life, if that's okay to say?"

Cherish floated nearby, more than happy to be away from the area where the graves were, and instead looking at ground that appeared to have some grass and small flowers on it instead. Seemed like they had made it out of the dead zone, so to speak.

"We did what had to be done, for her majesty. Such is the way of the Shrine Maidens."

She'd lead the way towards a large gate, and start pushing on it to gain access. Usually there'd be guards on the ready here, yet the place were abandoned, and as such, this would only take force, and lead them right into an open field, reminiscent of the training field the guards in Canterlot used. Yet here, with no equipment remaining, and only some scorch marks here and there to mark where that which they could not bring with them, had been burned. They wouldn't let the invaders have anything, but the empty shrine itself, to stand there as a monument to the Shrine Maiden's victory over all their enemies. Until it would one day be destroyed that were.

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

 

@Sekel

Dia'thiz would gaze upon Aurora for a time after that, silently pondering, before a small smile showed on their faces.

"And yet here stands one with the blood of a leader, who grew up among them. One who would understand their culture and struggles, whilst still having the gaze of an outsider looking in. A perspective that could make you see more than them.

Perhaps your destiny never were to leave a hive, but a people in more need than your own."

"Wait wait wait. Are you suggesting that Aurora here becomes the griffon queen?"

"Yes. Though if not their leader, then an advisor to one whom seems to have what it takes to lead a nation.

You told us yourself. You feel better in this form. Could you remain as such? Hidden away, living completely like one of them, feasting upon the love and adoration given to the throne? Only you can tell if that is the case, yet we would advise you to think of it. A people divided can never become great, young queen. They need a leader to unite them, or like with so many others before them-"

They summoned a small griffon replica of crystal in front of them, then watched as it fractured and fell apart, becoming particles that blew away in the wind.

"-they risk being but a footnote in history, and vanish."

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

 

@Sekel

"Sorry for that. I'm a quiet mare."

There had been a time when she had been embarrassed every time that she startled somepony, but time and help from her friends and coworkers (mostly the same beings) had helped her get a little more confident, and able to accept that this were just the kinds of outcomes that came from her being so quiet. They had tried putting bells on her before to prevent this, but had dropped the idea, once it had turned out that even though they could hear her, the jingling attracted every cat within a ten meter radius. Had been a challenging day at work when they learned that lesson the hard way.

"Anyway, thank you for agreeing to this. Benny and Pop will be thrilled seeing you, I'm sure of it.

So... Are your parents visting Ponyville too, if it's okay that I ask? Since you're not a local, I guess you might be a tourist? Perhaps somepony looking to move in? I could try and help you all look for a place with enough room if it were."

Ponyville were a generally welcoming town, and this sounded like a special case, where they might need some help from somepony who weren't judgy. Stare considered herself to be openminded, so... Maybe she could help, if it were?

[Windy Breeze 15,189]

@Blitz Boom

Windy spread one of wings and examine if there's something wrong with it. The feathers all fine, no broken bones, or any other signs of injuries, but the appendage needs some rest. “Well, i do use my wings too much due practicing for the next airsbow, but don't worry, I got used to this since i was just young” she said “Maybe we should just fly. I don't want wasting too much bits” 

[EQ_Theta 457]

@Blitz Boom

“Huh, that sounds similar to what the longma sometimes do. Houses built on the ground are usually made from large, hollowed tree stumps. Kind of like the makeshift home I made in the Everfree Forest. Takes some time, a rock, and some effort to set up but it was enough.”

Omen might not remember their first meeting but Sen had a small home so out of the way some might not even know a hollowed tree stump was actually a home. For some time, Sen only busied himself with constructing that home and considered living an aimless future alone along the outskirts of Ponyville. At the time, it was a fairly solid plan. Superstitious beliefs about how the Everfree Forest tended to itself and how nopony who entered it ever left ensured no one will disturb the longma. How times have changed since then…

The siblings followed behind Omen and found themselves back at the cave. Still untouched after a while, it’s somehow a surprise how well Lin picked this location to rest and hide in while still wandering the world.

"I'll be heading off to meet with Elder Ghilan. Be back soon."

Without further delay, Lin opened a second gate and hopped in, closing it immediately. As for Sen, he’d take this moment to get Omen up to speed.

“So, Omen, I guess now would be a good time to let you know what we’ve got planned for the rest of the day. Lin’s trying to arrange a meeting with Elder Ghilan. If time permits, we’ll be seeing him soon. At any moment, we might get whisked away to get some golem bodies for our friends in the orb. They’re ready to be set free and go on their own paths; this might be the last time we get to see them. And then we’ll be heading to the carnival and maybe even have a picnic under the moonlight.”

Technically, those were just three or four things on their list but given how much time they have left before the day ends, their activities were cramped with not much time in-between. They were on a fairly tight schedule but to the siblings, this was their opportunity to give Rosa his time to enjoy the simple things and having some fun while they were at it.

“Oh, this is gonna be fun! Have you been to a carnival?” Sen giddily asked the Ki’Nathar, slowly growing excited at the visiting this fun-filled place and see why ponies go to them. That, and the seeing the Moonlit Thicket’s tree-town structure. That would be quite the sight!

[Widdershins 9,959]

@Pastel Heart & @Blitz Boom

 Slimpsy comes to a stop in front of the two, looking forlorny down at them with the expression of a long face that horses are so good at doing. "Buh- Be that as it may. That was just the very, absolute least I could have done. Every horse has, like, random magical powers like bouncing like taffy or whatever. It's not biologically feasible. 

 My point here is. Would YOU touch me like this?!!? Just dripping with toxic goo, this... this Status Ailment? I'm here steadily losing health!" The long-in-the-snout stallion shrugs his wing elbows at them, both showing that he was clearly exaggerating and that his wings were too large for him to draw back in. "...and... i'm going to need help with these things. They're too big for me to pull in around me. And right now, I really don't want to, with them like this. You know what mushrooms do, right?! They have roots! Into what their growing and eating on!!

 H-how does this even happen? From that bird? How does that even happen? Some curse from that... grassy... ghost type?! How am I supposed to get Sanitized again?!" 

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@Sekel

Still sputtering and having not looked at her yet, the drake gasps. "Because I can't do your crazy pony ways! I don't fit in your perfect pony world! I didn't ask to be stolen into your smaller, awkward world!"

 With a shy cough, he bends his head down in shame in a much quieter voice in an indirect attempt to apoligize. "...sorry. That was... that wasn't this situation. Being hatched in Canterlot was a long time ago."