open Casual stroll

[Moonlit 593]

@@Blitz Boom, Serenade moves though the water as swiftly as a Pegasi moves through the air. This was her home turf, here she was fast and nimble. She circles about a meter and a half under the surface, her eyes darting back and forth between Ziggy and Fah'lina, before finally settling on the mimic. With two powerful thrusts of her tail fluke, she closes the distance with the little creature and, smiling attempts to boop her on the nose. 

[redaxted 1,765]

@@Blitz Boom As Happy asked Cyan Flare is she would like him to ensure she got to the hospital safely, she nodded slightly and then said, "thank you! And sure, that would be appreciated." She looked over her stall. "I'll have to pack everything up first, though," she explained and began to clear away all of her wares, seperating them into clean brown sacks and placing them in a large wagon behind her. She took a hold of the wagon and told her customer that she would need to take her goods home and that her cottage was just around the corner from the market. "So I won't be long."

[Lonk Chase 255]

 

 

e creature. When they reached the edge of the forest, the wind barrier could be seen swirling into the sky.

 

Wait, what?

 

Lonk has too many questions for this "Traveler" right now.

1. What is that "wind barrier"?

2. Why is it here?

3. Why did it open up for the Traveler?

4. Was it here before? Lonk sworn this was the first time he saw this (and felt it; as the barrier rose up, he felt a gush of wind hit him square in the face. Thanks barrier).

 

He decided to follow closely anyway. He doesn't want the barrier to close on him and... Block him from getting to Ponyville, in the best case scenario.

[Rapid Wind 47]

@Blitz Boom

 

"Um..." Rapid Wind initially mumbled, but then hated mumbling.

 

 "I asked you who you are," Rapid Wind repeated raising his voice and making his metropolitan accent and his presence known. Rapid Wind immediately felt braver to overcome some foolish mumbling and stood with a little more pride and assertiveness in his posture and stance.

[cwhip9 1,078]

@@EQ_Theta,

 

Omen's eyes were fixated on Senlin when he flew around.

 

She had many times wondered what it would be like to look down on the world through something else than gates, but it had not been her masters will when he made her to give her wings. Why she wasn't sure, but perhaps it were to make it harder for her to find him when he wanted to be alone, before he knew he could just ask her not to show for a while instead?

 

It had been one of several things she had just filed under *Master haves his reasons* back then and only started to really be curious about long after he were gone, when the stranger made her doubt the ideal she had seen him as. But, one day she would find him, and then she could ask this, amongst a bouquet of other things, and hope that he would answer her. If not... Well, she couldn't make him answer things if he did not want to, so it would likely just end there if it came to that.

 

The lingering thought toned down as Senlin returned back to the ground and declared the wards to just being here where they were. How he had seen that were curious, but perhaps the trees carried signs? She could have a look later and find out if it were. Might be something worth knowing for another time.

 

"So, it's just here, but still warded? How are we getting through?"

 

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Wolves,

 

Happy almost took a step backwards when the mare started couching, but stopped himself midway whilst looking at her. Thankfully she hadn't gone off all over the wares, but still, germs were a thing and he didn't want to be under the weather in Equestria. His transformation magic tended to get... Erratic, when he were struck by flu, and he had heard stories on his way here about how they handled changelings.

 

Frankly, it were getting tempting to just turn around and wandering off just to be on the safe side after this germ factory on legs had revealed she were carrying at least some degree of virus, and rightly so he'd think. Nothing good could come from being around a sick pony who were so far off she wanted to go to the... Hospital...

 

Whilst outside he were looking pretty much unfazed, inside a cackling laughter started to ring through his head at the opportunity that had suddenly presented itself to him. A boon rather than a curse if this got played off right.

 

"Crickey, that really doesn't sound too good, huh?"

 

Happy took a step forward and put his best concerned look on whilst putting down the leather pack, then opened it and revealed rolls after rolls of bits packed inside dried bark, much like the rolls of coins that he had known back in the human world. This was cruder, but it made the counting of these things easier when you bought bigger bundles like he normally did when he needed stuff from local markets.

 

He cracked one of them open on the desk so that she could see that it were filled with exactly 30 bits, then put down six more and cracked one in half so the math would go up.

 

"Look, I know this might seem a bit pushy, but how about I'll make sure you get to the hospital safely? If it's a virus it can really muck you up, and I'd hate to think of your brother getting back to hear you staggered into a trash can or something worse. Ain't right for either if you to go through."

 

He had to wait just a little before he could stack up his wares and get them to his wagon, but he'd keep the concerned face and tone on and wait that bit more for the hidden gem that could be presented in helping this pony out.

 

Not so much that he'd get some local goodwill - which granted, he could always use as it made it easier to learn things and spread word that were good for business - but that he'd be able to get a first-hoof look at the local medical facilities without having to take over somepony's form or lurk around like a creeper, which he'd learned the hard way tended to end poorly.

 

As part of the ways he checked out if a city was ripe for take-over, inspecting how they handled injured or ill ponies, who worked there etc. etc. were important things as, if things started to get into a stalemate instead of a quick victory, they'd begin to use that sort and the staff to get patched up and back on the field. If the medical facilities were bad that wasn't an option, and it made it even easier to take over, but if it were good... Well, knowing that, and a few faces that could be taken over, were a solid strategy for taking them out from the inside, and figuring out the degree and the folks there all started with getting a looker at things. Something that he casually could get a crack at now.

 

Granted, it were unlikely that his own hive would ever invade here. They tended to take fringe towns and societies on the edge so they could keep some empty tundra behind them and make sure they weren't surrounded or their victims suddenly got help from nearby towns, but it depended on how it'd go when he learned more of how Queen Chrysalis were getting at things locally.

 

It it went poorly like he'd heard, they might just move in and give Equestria a taste of Real power whilst taking over a small town like this as a new base. And if Chrysalis held out better than rumour had it when his hive had heard of her attack on Canterlot... Well, some goodwill in helping her sack a town couldn't hurt. Might just stop him from getting sent back to his hive pinned to a board like a butterfly, and he couldn't deny that a good old-fashioned invasion sounded rather tempting. It had been a while since he'd been part of that.

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Moonlit,

 

Ziggy giggled when she got re-splashed for her little spur of the moment before, then looked over to see... Nothing.

 

"Awh come on, this is cheating. You two swim Way better than me."

 

Despite the words, the tone were playful, and she tried to look down and see if she could see something through the surface of the water, but so far no dice considering that it were night. This sort of time of day wasn't ideal for her to see much, even with the light from above, and it weren't exactly powerful enough light to make it day-time sparkly as much as somewhat viewable to a point, then nothing. And in the nothing were both of the others it seemed.

 

Fah'lina certainly were. The mimic were about a meter below the splashing pony's hooves, looking like she were contemplating doing something against the equine in retaliation. Perhaps bite her again? Tie a stone to her tail for fun? Sure, she wasn't a powerhouse exactly, but pegasi didn't weigh That much, and in water her tail had some power to push her around...

 

Further it didn't get before Serenade got into view and Fah'lina once more focused her eyes on the Siren. She could always go after the striped one after all, but with this one she still wasn't sure what to think or do. Cautiously floating where she were for now seemed like the plan, but it would perhaps change depending on how things went.

 

________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@cwhip9,

 

The others around him began to prepare fangs and swords of their own, looking ready to pounce on the intruder and force him to the ground if he got any closer to any of them or started to swing his own blade around.

 

"Hold your blades."

 

The others kept still as a creature exited from the hole in the wall that the horror had almost gotten through on it's own. It seemed to be some sort of snake with six arms, but whilst slowly approaching Crescent - whilst still staying at a safe distance - she started to seemingly flicker like an imagine on a bad tv and suddenly, a pony stood in the stead. A simple earth pony stallion with a brown coat, yellow mane and tail, and orange, unblinking eyes. Nothing special really, but that didn't seem to be the point either, and just a form to approach this equine easier.

 

"Horror's don't speak. Who're you, and what are you doing here with That."

 

The pony nodded towards the unconscious Zinthar. She apparently did not think fondly of him, but considering everything, that feeling might be mutual when he woke up. Getting a rock to the head wasn't exactly a good start to a beautiful friendship after all.

 

He didn't carry any weapons of his own, but it seemed the ones surrounding Crescent were under his command and would likely strike if Crescent tried to get even a few inches closer to him with the fighting attitude he had going right now. Something that would not end well as he were rather obviously outnumbered.

Cresent saw the other pony lowering the blade slightly but still up in a defensive stance. "how I got here your guss is as good as mine. I'm trying to find my way out along with zinthar here back to our home relms. I don't mean harm but don't doubt me. Call them off and I'll stand down. Any harm to zin here everything is out the window" Cresent was unsure who or what he was talking to but he knew he had to play this right.

[EQ_Theta 459]

@@Blitz Boom

 

Senlin was reminded of the wards and without any magic of his own, he couldn't dispel them. Still, there was the strange entity that supposedly was watching him, if there was one in there. Those pinprick eyes wouldn't be in there for no reason and there was a good chance he might be able to talk to whatever it is inside to lift the wards. His only solution at the moment bordered on the definition of insanity, though. Keep going in and hope the result will be different from the last was the best he could come up with. 

"I'll try going in and hope I manage to convince whatever is in there to lift the wards. I know someone, or something, is in there. A pair of eyes doesn't just show up in the dark and not be there for no reason. If that fails, I don't know. I suppose we could get help. I'll have a look inside."

 

The longma proceeded inside, a gust of wind brushing past the webbing on his neck. He navigated the blackened section of the forest and this time, took his approach slowly. Inching his way around the woods and feeling for the trunks of trees he encountered. He made sure to scratch the sides of whichever trees he encountered to note his path. It was improvised, as he had no knowledge of how to go about finding his way around in pitch-black environments. Sometimes, he wondered if he could bypass the wards by will alone, a task unheard of. After some time, he found the pinprick eyes again and this time, slowly advanced towards it and hoped to meet whatever was watching him. 

But what followed next was beyond what Senlin could remember. His vision, impaired by the darkness, was now completely useless. The eyes were before him but not a second later, it disappeared followed by a gust of wind. He kept on walking, somehow not even aware of it until he reached the place where he first entered.

"Uh... hello? How did you find this place?" Senlin asked Omen, as if the two never met. "Who are you?"

[MDLineArt 93]

@@Blitz Boom,

 

Bashful felt the dizziness that came from what could be described as a mild concussion.  Buried under the rubble that was once the shelf and well organized fabrics, he could only think of the scene he had just made, and how Orange Lace was going to give him a verbal thrashing for ruining her shop.  Still, that was overshadowed with the shallow pride of getting that perfect thread from the top shelf.

 

It took a while for him to get himself out with the help of a concerned Florence.  That was perhaps the highlight of the moment.  He couldn't help but blush, and tried after an awkward moment to break eye contact by focusing on the drafting table.

 

Stepping over the mess, he tried to get to work, even as he felt the goose egg growing under his beret.  The needles and pins that were in the cap were now leaving shards of threads hanging from his cap, and while he tried not to pay it any mind, knowing that he probably looked ridiculous made him smile a little.  Maybe it would take her mind off things.

 

He began tracing out patterns, and pinning them to the appropriate materials. Trying to keep the conversation going, he could only respond to the question with a very delayed response.  "Yeah, I'm... I'll be ok.  Just a bump on the ol' noggin, nothing to molt your feathers over."  He gave a weak smile, beginning to take the sheers to the pattern and started the construction of the belt.  "Ya know, my roomie Firecracker took a spill a while back.  Came out of that hospital right as rain, and with the reliability.  Guess we can thank Celestia for the reliability of Pegasi, huh?"

 

"Anyway, you look pretty... er.... I mean, ya look like you had a pretty rough day, so let's try and make this something special, ok?"  Where did that come from? he wondered.

 

"I know you didn't ask for anything special, but maybe we don't need it to look all dazzling to do that, hmm?  What I was thinking was a lot of hidden stitching around the seam.  A warm orange to highlight a deep brown, something that would make it have definition without being too gaudy.  I mean, it's not like we use gems in our designs... unlike some."  That last sentence was said with a bit of bitterness.  There was another tailor in Ponyville, who got all the praise, and all it did was make everyone underappreciated what Orange Lace had been doing for this community for years.  Ever since she aligned herself with a princess, she became the talk of the town, the place to go, and it made business hard for some.  Thankfully, Orange Lace was stubborn, and really never backed down from any challenge.  He admired that kind of strength.

 

Bashful Thread could only hope Florence had that same strength.

[Holiday Agnaktor 1,436]

@Summer Breeze

@Blitz Boom

 

"You can't say that this isn't our dimension because stuff like this doesn't happen at home, the world is big, you know! To be fair, it makes it very probable, but not certain. Just remember, we have sonic rainbooms. Those things are weird as well."

 

Frosty frowned. This all seemed too weird to be true. Maybe this is all a dream. A really long dream ... That also includes him sleeping and dreaming about something. Yeah, this is no dream.

 

Frosty turned to Lyriel after she finished talking.

 

"These Atazi sound really determined to let nothing in or out of this place. Are you sure we'll be able to get out of here?"

 

Frosty was pretty worried about this. What if those Atazi didn't see that they didn't belong in there? They wouldn't be able to get out, or at least, not without fighting they're way out, which didn't seem like a good option.

[Melke 160]

@@Seamore Sandwich,

@@Blitz Boom,

@@Denim&Venom,  

@@Mentis Soliloquy,'

 

Syo saw her mistake and could only scratch her head, embarrassed. She was never good at listening to instructions and was more of the 'let's do whatever and see what happens' type. She silently thought to herself to just hang back and observe for now. 

 

Meanwhile, Melke smiled softly as things seems to be okay for now and slipped away quietly into the forest. 

[Denim&Venöm 19,047]

@Seamore Sandwich, @Melke, @Mentis Soliloquy,

 

 

"Alright then. Shall we get it over with so we can all get back to doing something constructive?"  

 

 

"Well yeah I guess I'm pretty much in charge here. Nice to see everypony still alive and well without my help. Always an encouraging sign. Now, what exactly are we getting over in route to doing something constructive?" 

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

@@Moonlit,

 

The expression of Fah'lina changed a good deal in the few seconds it took for the swift Siren to close the gap and touch her, beginning with a sudden, cautious look and an attempt at jumping back surprised, forgetting that she was in water and not on land so that really didn't work. It then went to somewhat cared as the big aquatic equine got close enough to use her as a toothpick... ANd then into disbelief as Serenade just bopped her. On the nose.

 

She just floated there in disbelief for a few seconds after that, wondering if that had literally just happened. Sure, she might look cute and all, but usually other creatures did not try to get too close after she had shown her teeth off, and this one had... It were like if a bear started to roar at you and you went over to hug it instead! Just... Y'know, in smaller proportions.

 

It would eventually give Serenade an interesting view after the moment of realisation had gone over Fah'lina though. After all, how often did you get to see a squirrel-like creature look at you and then face-palm?

 

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Wolves,

 

Whilst Cyan packed down her own cart, happy spent the time to move his new goods to his cart a little by little and lock it up inside the wagon. Not inside the big crate itself, as he'd have to prep it before it could get in there to begin the main process, but there were a few places he were able to stack things around it. Not something that would keep it in much of a system around, but hey, he could sort thing later as long as he secured the more fragile things like the tomatoes. Right now though, he had to try and match speed with the mare so that he wasn't gonna be scrambling around whilst she were done.

 

The timing was roughly the same. He were a bit behind, so when she said that she had to take her cart home before they went off to the hospital, he still needed to secure a few things and turned towards her with a small nod.

 

"Alright. I'll be right here waiting for you then. And if anything happens, just holler and I'll be there."

 

With a concerned look and a small grin to her, he turned around and went to work securing at this point some lettuce in one of the last places he could without going around to the other side and shove in from there. Something that wasn't much of an option as then it might roll into his poison kit and vials, and he was Not going to have to deal with stains of that stuff lurking around or getting stabbed by some of the tools.

 

The spill was likely the worst one of them as the tools of that trade were washed properly after each use, but you shouldn't underestimate getting a sharp knife stuck in the back of your thigh. That stuff could hurt just as much as the effects of some of the more painful poisons could if he got unlucky.

 

But, it should all work well, and when Cyan would be back he'd be ready to hook himself up to his wagon and wander to the hospital. That were, if she didn't holler at him before that, but hopefully that wasn't going to happen. He might have tossed it out there to sound nice and all, and he'd answer the call if it were so he wouldn't end up shoving his hoof down his throat, but that didn't meant that he cared for it. Not really anyway.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Rapid Wind,

 

"The name's Stargazer. member of her royal majesty Princess Luna's Night Guard."

 

He knew that technically he were *Officer Stargazer* but he really didn't like to call himself by that. It sounded wrong with his name, like he were somepony higher up than the common folks he were there to help. Something that he really couldn't see himself as being since the Captain had stricken it into him early on that he were as good as others, but not better. Kept his head in level during those first years and had stuck since then.

 

Stretching his legs one by one and cracking his neck, Stargazer uttered a simple question of his own back at the pegasi.

 

"Mind if I ask about your name sir?"

 

It wasn't said or meant threateningly, it were just that it made it easier for him t talk to somepony when he had a name instead of going only by sir and ma'am. That stuff wouldn't fly in Canterlot as the stuck up ones that had a solid presence there didn't want to be mentioned by anything less from somepony *beneath their stand*, but Ponyville wasn't the same. Sure, it had a princess too, but that were about where the similarities ended.

 

Well, if you ignored Rarity that were. She had the Canterlot vibe going over her. Not fully, but it wasn't too far off.

 

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@cwhip9,

 

"..."

 

The pony moved closer, clearly not caring much for threats or any aggressive behaviour above using it as an excuse to make the rest of his squad attack him, but so far he kept them away from the two interlopers. *So far* were the key words here, as he were not taking much more of this from suspicious elements.

 

He were about to open his mouth and sneer something at Crescent when a voice came from behind them going "Wait! Halt!" and a... Well, it Looked like a pony-sized, more streamlined and leafy then normal timberwolf, but intelligence shone in its eyes and voice as it hastily moved up to the side of the leader of the armoured troupe and looked at her with a paper stuck in his hand.

 

"What is it Brackenspiel? I'm busy here."

 

"I-I know sir, but we got a message from one of the guards outside, asking if we could make a sweep for a Dreamer they lost. Seems like a new arrival dropped a winged pony in transit, and he's worried that perhaps he dropped him through one of the cracks leading down here."

 

The one in charge got a look on his face that pretty much made it clear that he were not pleased with those news.

 

"How many times must I tell them to not entrust new ones with stuff like this? *sigh* Do you have a description or a name?"

 

"Yes sir, right here."

 

He took the paper from the wolf's paw and read through it, then handed it back before looking between Crescent and the... 'cat*.

 

"Alright then, *Crescent*. Scrape the beast off the floor and come with us so we can sort this out. And someone shut the hole in the wall behind us. I don't want these monstrosities to slither in."

 

With that he turned around and flickered statically for a second again before returning to the shape of a snake with six arms that slithered through the hole, then Brackenspiel behind him and the rest of the creatures quickly after that until just one remained outside, which were likely the one who were going to fix up the hole after the bat pony and the cat had passed through.

 

Zinthar wasn't a heavy being by any definition of the word, even if his length made him a bit harder to move around with. If Crescent dragged him across the floor though, it'd likely work fine enough, and should be with little issue as he'd weigh about the same as a 10 year old foal, though he were far less easy to just lift up and take along.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

@@EQ_Theta,

 

"Strange."

 

Omen had waited where she were asked to, expecting Senlin to return and rightly so: He Had returned. However it seemed that something were wrong with him, as he asked for a name he knew, and acted as if she had come to a place he belonged. Something that made her walk closer whilst looking at him with curious eyes.

 

"You don't remember, think I came to you... An illusion?"

 

A gate opened silently behind Senlin, stopping him from wandering backwards away from the encroaching Omen. If he wasn't an illusion after all that were. It might well be that the wards had made that, and sent him here to confuse her further away from what were hidden inside instead of his memory having been hit, so she had to make sure. Which included the classic step one: See if you could touch them.

 

"Doesn't smell of magic, but it's strange. Fickle. Hard to tell if a trick or your memory were cleared. Think I need to check if you're real."

 

___________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@MDLineArt,

 

Phew, so he were okay. Thank Celestia for that. To think that he could have been seriously injured just for trying to help her with something... No, she didn't want that again. Even if you didn't know the other one, it still hurt to know that you were part of their plight, so as much as it were a selfish act, she were getting almost as happy for herself that she did not need to go through that as she were happy for him, and the fact that he was okay. Sure the store looked a mess, but that were just materiel things. It could be fixed.

 

Really, considering both the serious damage he could have faced and the fact that this place looked a mess, it were impressive for her that he kept on talking and working on the belt she had come in for. It were really solid customer support in her mind, and it made him seem far more professional than the fall or the myriad of threads on his head that looked a lot like a 3D sketch of a long wig made him appear as.

 

It made her smirk a little to see the thread wandering behind him as he walked about whilst she imagined him with a long, multi-coloured mane swaying in the wind behind him as he wandered slow motion. She knew it was childish to put him in some commercial she had seen for mane products being performed here and there, but she just couldn't help it when she saw that, and the imagery of the ill fitting mixture almost made her burst out laughing.

 

She knew it'd be rude to do so, which were why she were holding back, but nevertheless, it were still good fun that she really could use today instead of all of this doom and gloom that had swayed over her for most of it.

 

The awkwardness as he started off talking about what to do with the belt with a small slip of the tongue made her want not just to laugh, but also reach out and hug the poor fellah. Nervousness really didn't help on things and the cute comment were just... She wanted to try and make him feel a bit more comfortable around her she supposed, so he didn't get into awkward mentions like that again. Not that she didn't like the gesture, but a slip of the tongue like that shouldn't make him embarrassed from her saying thank you for giving her a comment that she hadn't heard often in recent years, and were about as genuine as a somepony snoring a *yes* to a question in their sleep.

 

"Well, I suppose it doesn't matter if it gets a bit more special, just as long as it's not something sparkly. I'm not really much for that sort of thing. Makes you stand out too much, and I already have that problem a bit too much as it is."

 

For effect she rose her tail feathers behind her and spread them out so that the rainbow-coloured feathers came more into view. The bane of her existence really as far as she were concerned most times, but unlike the lucky ones with easy colours she could just dye this over and get on with things. Not when each shade of colour needed a special fix of its own, and she hadn't the want to use five hours each morning on that.

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

@@Summer Breeze,

@@Frosty Frost,

 

Lyriel let out a sigh and looked up at the approaching mountain-side.
 

"I honestly don't know. I would think that they would let you out, but I have been away from everyone for so long that I don't know how things work there anymore. The Atazi and I have never spoken, and my siblings..."

 

She clutched a piece of her dress whilst a sad look once more passed over her face.

 

"The last I saw of them they had changed to something that I were not. Violent. Greedy. Territorial. That shouldn't be our way, so I left them. They are... They are why I say I am not certain if they don't protect the outside world from us as much as they keep it safe from the outside."

 

A sad tone had fallen over her tone as she spoke ill of those who had grown with her in years past. It were not something she enjoyed, but she could not close her eyes to the faults they indulged themselves in the last she saw them, and it tainted her view when the subject brought her speech towards them.

 

"Still, I carry hope that they will let the two of you pass at the very least. You do not belong here, and if you did not come here by your own choice, then with some luck they will not see you as threats to anything but the knowledge of this place. Perhaps they will just make you swear an oath of sorts to keep this to yourself? I don't know.

 

As for myself... I have yet to find the courage to ask for passage on my own from them, even though there is nothing that remains to make me think of this as a home anymore. If I can find it now I know not, but I will at the least do what I can to speak your case before the great Atazi, and pray to the earth mother that they are merciful to your pleas."

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Denim&Venom,

@@Melke,

@@Mentis Soliloquy,

@@Seamore Sandwich,

 

Ashta changed his position towards the Kitsune, suppressing the lust to visibly gag at being faced with another of this lower race, much less needing to talk to her as an equal or better even if she were just a marked one near a handful of others. But the infernal machine that were politics demanded that he stayed his blade and opened his mouth regardless of his own feelings on the matter, so what'd you do? Wasn't like she could just force in there

 

"We come to terms with the attack on a Suterrenean diplomat being solved now or figure out the details on how to make it so, we'll finish of these other marked ones, and we'll get out of eachothers way again. We all have work to do, yes? No need to keep that waiting unless there's a reason for it. Like whatever Ko means you had to say about these mongrels.?"

Edited April 25, 2016 by Blitz Boom

[cwhip9 1,078]

@@Blitz Boom, As the batpony lifted the cat up onto his back he still didn't feel at ease. Unsure if he was close to being beheaded or the like. From what Cresent saw of the pony, snake thing, it seemed to be the big shot, and less likely to befriend if it had the call on the armed shadows.

 

From the tree wolf, or timber cub, it was hard to work out with its size but it looked like the snakes under ling or rank. a possible alley but cresent wasn't sure how zinthar would behave around any canines. He walked into the door blade sheathed and looking around not sure what was going to happen next, he still followed all the more.

 

"something tells me a lot of rules have just been broken" he said catching up with the snake and wolf pup.

[Denim&Venöm 19,047]

 

 

@Melke, @Mentis Soliloquy, @Seamore Sandwich,

 

 

"If by mongrels you mean the cat, the evergrowth and the ponies, yes they are under my protection. But let's get to the root cause of this dispute. Starting with soemthign called the guardian. I presume it was a giant chaos spider coated in massive diamonds?'

[EQ_Theta 459]

@@Blitz Boom

 

Though the image were of himself, that was the only certainty. Whatever remains of the longma at present is only his physical form and his memory was altered or repressed. Senlin didn't know and whatever spoke on his behalf could only try to access them, with some difficulty. 

"Go right ahead and test me, I am not even sure if I am myself." Senlin's voice slowly began to change though this would be noticeable every few words, the pitch raising and even cracking at times revealing the sound of a female voice superimposed on his own. "Just don't do anything drastic." 

[Rapid Wind 47]

@Blitz Boom

 

Rapid Wind was relieved to hear the large bat pony worked for Princess Luna and not Nightmare Moon. He also noted his question was said without threat and he felt more compelled to give an answer.

 

 "I'm Rapid Wind," Rapid Wind answered and then wondered if it was countryside custom to stretch out a hoof to shake as per a way of greeting. Since, however Rapid was not 100% certain, Rapid kept his four hooves on the ground.

[Moonlit 593]

@@Blitz Boom, Serenade smiles at Fah'lina, cocking her head to one side. With a kick of her tail fluke, Serenade propels herself up toward the surface. She's aiming for Ziggy, hoping to use her speed and stealth to get close to the Zebra/Pegasi and hopefully glomp her. 

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Melke, @@Denim&Venom,@@Blitz Boom,@@Seamore Sandwich, 

 

Summer just really stood there she was not really fully briefed on the situation before she got here just was in two minds to rescue her mate. That was really all she was there for but now she was here she'd aid her spouse in anyway she could while they remained despite wanting to go home now...

[redaxted 1,765]

@@Blitz Boom "Okay, see you back here," Cyan Flare said, and then headed off in the direction of her cottage. She was finding it slightly hard to breath as she coughed more, but managed to get to her home okay. She fiddled at the lock on the gate leading to the large back garden, then it swung open and she trotted over to where she parked her wagon. She then walked slowly back over to where Happy was waiting. "Okay, I'm back," she announced, and then pointed in the direction of the hospital.

[SugarfootWillie 383]

@@Blitz Boom, @@Seamore Sandwich, @@Quinch

 

Aye our bauble holds still.

The only halcyon item in sight

among faith’s dutifully executed rill.

What ov our homely kin?

The guileless souls who

ill-informed of what horror resides within

hide of their own volition.

Misfits and aught else roam

with inept and impuissant munitions.

To what end do the faiths play our lives?

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

@@EQ_Theta,

 

Omen stopped in her tracks and tilted her head to the right, looking at Senlin? with increased confusion in the pale eyes.

 

"Voice changed. Different."

 

His voice had started to carry an odd edge to it at the end in her ears. Not by much, but she had listened to him speak a lot yesterday, and this hadn't been his tone at any point as far as she recalled. Not when he were awake, and not when he were sleeping. But what did it mean? Were it an illusion then, as she thought it might? Perhaps if she went ahead and touched him she would be sure.

 

Omen corrected her head again and took a step forward... Then opened her mouth and let the long tongue shoot out like she were some sort of chameleon, though her tongue was not sticky or even wet. Just a little warm and somewhat smooth to the touch.

 

Faster than Senlin? should be able to react, the tongue would be over and wrap around his left front leg a few times, though if his reflexes were really good and it missed she would just poke to him with the tip wherever she managed to move it afterwards. The wrapping around were due to the power of which it shot out with mostly, and she couldn't poke directly there unless the Longma were to feel like somepony tried to stab him with the dull end of a wooden spoon, and she hadn't an interest in making that happen.

 

Whenever the tongue would make contact, one way or another, a few new words would be projected into Senlin's? mind in Omen's curious tone.

 

"No, not an illusion. Memory loss then? But how much? Can't remember me... Can you remember yourself, Senlin?"

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@cwhip9,

 

It wasn't that impressive what were behind the crushed bit of wall. A minor, basic meeting room with some caves going a few other ways at the back and the sides, a few places to sit, and a floating, see-through ball on a table with some papers to the side of it like the one that the wolf had come with before, just not written upon.

 

As the snake-guy mumbling to himself slithered down one of the paths and left two guards along with the timberwolf behind, a small rumble would come behind them where another of his squad were closing up the hole by pushing in the stone and melting them together with what looked like changeling bile, but smelled like magma. A strange combo both to look at and smell to really, not to mention the slight gagging sounds...

 

"It's not really rules, more like advice he have given the others some time before and they haven't listened. His tone can get a little... Well, you can guess I suppose."

 

The timberwolf answered somewhat and turned towards Crescent and his passenger, Zinthar, that was starting to twitch halfway across the pony's back. He had more things to say really, but perhaps it was better to make sure about whatever or not this... Well, *cat* didn't seem to cover things as it were large and had three eyes, not to speak of the multiple tails with sharp ends. Yet, it were what he had to work with for now.

"Do you know how hard your p-"

 

Further he didn't get before a paw slung down on his nose and tore slightly into his being with the tips of pale, glowing claws.

 

The timberwolf lookalike felt like he should be retracting himself from the unfortunate attack that seemed instinctual by the cat groggily opening his eyes, but he felt paralysed. No worse, he felt like he couldn't move, And that something were coursing through him from the claws of this thing, rolling through his veins and infecting his blood by the second.

 

What in the name of the gods were happening to him?

 

He didn't get much time to think about it before the claws got retracted and the paw lifted from his face and headed towards the floor as Zinthar slowly got more aware of what happened around him. Not enough to have seen the look of silent horror going over the face of this one as his poison tried to spread through him, but enough to know that he was being carried, and that he didn't want that. He wasn't a pet anymore, even if it were likely just him that had been moved after something had clocked him out.

 

"Urgh... Why do I feel like I got a wall through my skull?"

 

He looked around when he got on his feet, starring between the others whilst holding a paw to his head where a pounding pain rumbled through, but not caring much about most of them right now. Especially the guards who seemed to have gotten closer with risen blades after seeing the attack from before. Or at least the part where a large *cat* had slammed into the face of the odd one out amongst them.

 

Zinthar's eyes ended on Crescent, trying his to not look like he were in too much pain, but failing somewhat right now as his brain were still getting settled in from the feeling of it.

 

"And what's with all the dream guards? Did they come from one of the gates?"

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Denim&Venom,

@@Mentis Soliloquy,

@@Melke,

@@Seamore Sandwich,

 

"They are.. Under your protection?"

 

A twitch were almost visible near one of his eyes as he took a glance towards the infernal plant that had tried to make him into a cracked piñata before, thinking about how no restraints were going to keep him away forever. One day, one way or another, he would find this one and repay him the favour. Perhaps if he cut off those precious little vines of his he'd learn his lesson.

 

"I see...

 

And yes, the guardian is as you described. It were stolen from us by the Traveller."

 

He spat at the ground at the mentioning of the being's name.

 

"Cursed be his name and his actions. He took our guard and pulled his strings to guide you and the other beings to release that which should have stayed sealed up. Such is the way of the infernal beast. Using others to games that bring nothing good with it and messing in plans he have no right getting involved in."

 

Resentment towards the Traveller were clear from him, but he had also grown up hearing stories of the exploits of this being and what seeing even his shadow could mean in things. Vague tales in a sense, but they said enough, and after this incident it were clear that even in pieces they told the truth that he were not to be trusted.At least, that were the message he had taken from it.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Rapid Wind,

 

"'S a pleasure Rapid. And I apologise again about before, it have been some long days since I got here. More crime than I thought, and more petty disputes to settle that I'd want to know."

 

Granted, he could have just had a bad start to this town, but really, it had been a nightmare without end. From the vendor and the colt that started to mess up things within the first few minutes of him getting here, to the criminal on the looose that had taken a day to get a hold of, and that he had been sat to handle mostly alone as the Solar Guards had more or less all been recalled back to Canterlot for some kind of meeting and the remaining one two were paper pushers.

 

He had managed to eventually find the troublemaker and chained him up at the other's camp with a note, but since there had been some doubt about whatever or not he might have some accomplish that'd try to get out of town via train he had to go check there too according to the two Solar's. Protocol according to them, though to him it felt more like hazing.

 

After he had finally settled in with everything, and been done with he meeting with Princess Sparkle in... A few hours he'd think, considering the looks of things, he would have to step his hoof down and inform them that he had been sent there to help with crime at night, not to be an errand boy during the day. It made him tired and unable to do his job right when he didn't get any sleep for too long, and he wasn't going to work himself into an early grave.

 

That aside though, he had to handle what he had in front of him now. Usually that's be a hoofshake and a name giving, but he had already given his name and this one hadn't risen a hoof so he'd skip that until he knew otherwise. It might be seen as rude or awkward otherwise, and neither of those were really needed.

 

"Considering everything still seems fine here, I'll call it paranoia that lead here then. So, is there anything I can help you with? I have a few hours to spare before my meeting, might as well use them to assist where I can."

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Moonlit,

 

 

Ziggy were by all accounts a fast pony. Zipping around on the ground, zooming across the skies and having the leg length for a good gallop made her mobile, and her quick movements even when standing still tended to keep her safe from having things smack into her head if thrown if she saw it coming.

 

Now however, she were i water. Her wings were soaked and unable to be used to fly before she got the chance to wring some fluids from them, and considering the speed of the Siren below her and the dark water not showing that much even with the pale moon shining down on them, she had no way to know or stop what were coming for her.

 

But hey, who didn't like a surprise glomp now and again?

 

________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Wolves,

 

She were met with a grin by Happy who had gotten his wagon set for travel a little before she had shown up. She had shown up late enough to not make him seem rushed, but not so late that he had started to stand and get bored, which he'd at least give her were good timing. He really disliked having to stand around and wait for nothing amongst these regular equines, and the few minutes he had been waiting were fortunately not enough to make them pester him more than a few times.

 

Mostly it was about the booze, but when weren't it sooner or later? He sold it, they wanted it, but he didn't have it ready and had to tell them kindly what they could have just read on the damn sign. It happened every dang time and generally speaking, were why he tended to not be in a town when the bottles were getting ready. Left him with less idiots to converse with about nothing instead of just running a business, spying on things, and get out and on his way to the next town and the next potential target for the hive to strike.

 

It were baffling though that the *Brewing, open tomorrow* sign didn't work at all to deter ponies, but if he set up a big ol' *CLOSED* sign, Then all of a sudden it worked. Unfortunately, he had lost that one a few days ago to some breezies who had thought it fun to take as a souvenir after they had played around with him for awhile.

 

Worst, freaking, half hour of the year for him.

 

Regardless, he had something else to focus on for now, and as the mare came nearer he turned to face the way she pointed so they could get onwards to the local hospital.

 

"Right'o, let's get cracking then. Oh, and before I forget-"

 

He backed up a bit to make sure he wandered at the side of this mare so he could keep an eye out on whatever or not she stumbled around and got herself earthbound, so to speak, and greeted her with a hoof raised roughly to the height of his face. The pony equivalent of a welcoming wave far as he'd gathered during his years. Usually he gave a hoofshake, but she were ill right now and he'd still prefer not to get ill off her that easy.

 

"-name's Happy Hour. Pleased to meet ya, even under these circumstances."

[cwhip9 1,078]

@@EQ_Theta,

 

Omen stopped in her tracks and tilted her head to the right, looking at Senlin? with increased confusion in the pale eyes.

 

"Voice changed. Different."

 

His voice had started to carry an odd edge to it at the end in her ears. Not by much, but she had listened to him speak a lot yesterday, and this hadn't been his tone at any point as far as she recalled. Not when he were awake, and not when he were sleeping. But what did it mean? Were it an illusion then, as she thought it might? Perhaps if she went ahead and touched him she would be sure.

 

Omen corrected her head again and took a step forward... Then opened her mouth and let the long tongue shoot out like she were some sort of chameleon, though her tongue was not sticky or even wet. Just a little warm and somewhat smooth to the touch.

 

Faster than Senlin? should be able to react, the tongue would be over and wrap around his left front leg a few times, though if his reflexes were really good and it missed she would just poke to him with the tip wherever she managed to move it afterwards. The wrapping around were due to the power of which it shot out with mostly, and she couldn't poke directly there unless the Longma were to feel like somepony tried to stab him with the dull end of a wooden spoon, and she hadn't an interest in making that happen.

 

Whenever the tongue would make contact, one way or another, a few new words would be projected into Senlin's? mind in Omen's curious tone.

 

"No, not an illusion. Memory loss then? But how much? Can't remember me... Can you remember yourself, Senlin?"

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@cwhip9,

 

It wasn't that impressive what were behind the crushed bit of wall. A minor, basic meeting room with some caves going a few other ways at the back and the sides, a few places to sit, and a floating, see-through ball on a table with some papers to the side of it like the one that the wolf had come with before, just not written upon.

 

As the snake-guy mumbling to himself slithered down one of the paths and left two guards along with the timberwolf behind, a small rumble would come behind them where another of his squad were closing up the hole by pushing in the stone and melting them together with what looked like changeling bile, but smelled like magma. A strange combo both to look at and smell to really, not to mention the slight gagging sounds...

 

"It's not really rules, more like advice he have given the others some time before and they haven't listened. His tone can get a little... Well, you can guess I suppose."

 

The timberwolf answered somewhat and turned towards Crescent and his passenger, Zinthar, that was starting to twitch halfway across the pony's back. He had more things to say really, but perhaps it was better to make sure about whatever or not this... Well, *cat* didn't seem to cover things as it were large and had three eyes, not to speak of the multiple tails with sharp ends. Yet, it were what he had to work with for now.

"Do you know how hard your p-"

 

Further he didn't get before a paw slung down on his nose and tore slightly into his being with the tips of pale, glowing claws.

 

The timberwolf lookalike felt like he should be retracting himself from the unfortunate attack that seemed instinctual by the cat groggily opening his eyes, but he felt paralysed. No worse, he felt like he couldn't move, And that something were coursing through him from the claws of this thing, rolling through his veins and infecting his blood by the second.

 

What in the name of the gods were happening to him?

 

He didn't get much time to think about it before the claws got retracted and the paw lifted from his face and headed towards the floor as Zinthar slowly got more aware of what happened around him. Not enough to have seen the look of silent horror going over the face of this one as his poison tried to spread through him, but enough to know that he was being carried, and that he didn't want that. He wasn't a pet anymore, even if it were likely just him that had been moved after something had clocked him out.

 

"Urgh... Why do I feel like I got a wall through my skull?"

 

He looked around when he got on his feet, starring between the others whilst holding a paw to his head where a pounding pain rumbled through, but not caring much about most of them right now. Especially the guards who seemed to have gotten closer with risen blades after seeing the attack from before. Or at least the part where a large *cat* had slammed into the face of the odd one out amongst them.

 

Zinthar's eyes ended on Crescent, trying his to not look like he were in too much pain, but failing somewhat right now as his brain were still getting settled in from the feeling of it.

 

"And what's with all the dream guards? Did they come from one of the gates?"

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Denim&Venom,

@@Mentis Soliloquy,

@@Melke,

@@Seamore Sandwich,

 

"They are.. Under your protection?"

 

A twitch were almost visible near one of his eyes as he took a glance towards the infernal plant that had tried to make him into a cracked piñata before, thinking about how no restraints were going to keep him away forever. One day, one way or another, he would find this one and repay him the favour. Perhaps if he cut off those precious little vines of his he'd learn his lesson.

 

"I see...

 

And yes, the guardian is as you described. It were stolen from us by the Traveller."

 

He spat at the ground at the mentioning of the being's name.

 

"Cursed be his name and his actions. He took our guard and pulled his strings to guide you and the other beings to release that which should have stayed sealed up. Such is the way of the infernal beast. Using others to games that bring nothing good with it and messing in plans he have no right getting involved in."

 

Resentment towards the Traveller were clear from him, but he had also grown up hearing stories of the exploits of this being and what seeing even his shadow could mean in things. Vague tales in a sense, but they said enough, and after this incident it were clear that even in pieces they told the truth that he were not to be trusted.At least, that were the message he had taken from it.

 

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Rapid Wind,

 

"'S a pleasure Rapid. And I apologise again about before, it have been some long days since I got here. More crime than I thought, and more petty disputes to settle that I'd want to know."

 

Granted, he could have just had a bad start to this town, but really, it had been a nightmare without end. From the vendor and the colt that started to mess up things within the first few minutes of him getting here, to the criminal on the looose that had taken a day to get a hold of, and that he had been sat to handle mostly alone as the Solar Guards had more or less all been recalled back to Canterlot for some kind of meeting and the remaining one two were paper pushers.

 

He had managed to eventually find the troublemaker and chained him up at the other's camp with a note, but since there had been some doubt about whatever or not he might have some accomplish that'd try to get out of town via train he had to go check there too according to the two Solar's. Protocol according to them, though to him it felt more like hazing.

 

After he had finally settled in with everything, and been done with he meeting with Princess Sparkle in... A few hours he'd think, considering the looks of things, he would have to step his hoof down and inform them that he had been sent there to help with crime at night, not to be an errand boy during the day. It made him tired and unable to do his job right when he didn't get any sleep for too long, and he wasn't going to work himself into an early grave.

 

That aside though, he had to handle what he had in front of him now. Usually that's be a hoofshake and a name giving, but he had already given his name and this one hadn't risen a hoof so he'd skip that until he knew otherwise. It might be seen as rude or awkward otherwise, and neither of those were really needed.

 

"Considering everything still seems fine here, I'll call it paranoia that lead here then. So, is there anything I can help you with? I have a few hours to spare before my meeting, might as well use them to assist where I can."

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Moonlit,

 

 

Ziggy were by all accounts a fast pony. Zipping around on the ground, zooming across the skies and having the leg length for a good gallop made her mobile, and her quick movements even when standing still tended to keep her safe from having things smack into her head if thrown if she saw it coming.

 

Now however, she were i water. Her wings were soaked and unable to be used to fly before she got the chance to wring some fluids from them, and considering the speed of the Siren below her and the dark water not showing that much even with the pale moon shining down on them, she had no way to know or stop what were coming for her.

 

But hey, who didn't like a surprise glomp now and again?

 

________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

@@Wolves,

 

She were met with a grin by Happy who had gotten his wagon set for travel a little before she had shown up. She had shown up late enough to not make him seem rushed, but not so late that he had started to stand and get bored, which he'd at least give her were good timing. He really disliked having to stand around and wait for nothing amongst these regular equines, and the few minutes he had been waiting were fortunately not enough to make them pester him more than a few times.

 

Mostly it was about the booze, but when weren't it sooner or later? He sold it, they wanted it, but he didn't have it ready and had to tell them kindly what they could have just read on the damn sign. It happened every dang time and generally speaking, were why he tended to not be in a town when the bottles were getting ready. Left him with less idiots to converse with about nothing instead of just running a business, spying on things, and get out and on his way to the next town and the next potential target for the hive to strike.

 

It were baffling though that the *Brewing, open tomorrow* sign didn't work at all to deter ponies, but if he set up a big ol' *CLOSED* sign, Then all of a sudden it worked. Unfortunately, he had lost that one a few days ago to some breezies who had thought it fun to take as a souvenir after they had played around with him for awhile.

 

Worst, freaking, half hour of the year for him.

 

Regardless, he had something else to focus on for now, and as the mare came nearer he turned to face the way she pointed so they could get onwards to the local hospital.

 

"Right'o, let's get cracking then. Oh, and before I forget-"

 

He backed up a bit to make sure he wandered at the side of this mare so he could keep an eye out on whatever or not she stumbled around and got herself earthbound, so to speak, and greeted her with a hoof raised roughly to the height of his face. The pony equivalent of a welcoming wave far as he'd gathered during his years. Usually he gave a hoofshake, but she were ill right now and he'd still prefer not to get ill off her that easy.

 

"-name's Happy Hour. Pleased to meet ya, even under these circumstances."

As the bat pony helped his cat friend up he explained "Somthing knocked you out, you doing all right? After you went down these two" he nodded at the dog with the scratch and snake "opened a door, or gate as it were brought us in here for..." the bat pony paused looking at the two in front of him. "Where are we going exactly?" he asked still not getting an answer.

[EQ_Theta 459]

@@Blitz Boom

 

"I... It's not that I can't remember," the longma replied. "But I really don't know who you are. I-I think I should explain, however I can."

 

"His" eyes lit up with a bright blue glow and the wards faded from view, the darkened forest made visible in view again. If there was a possibility that Senlin's body might have been swapped, those suspicions were quickly dashed. Nothing was behind the "Senlin" except for an open forest clearing. 

"I inhabit of the body you are familiar with but the one you know as Senlin..." The longma hesitated for a moment and thought about how to break the news to Omen. "You are aware of his goal, yes? He intends to find his sister and he is plagued by terrible dreams about it. I pitied him after I sought to read his memories and I wished I could help him. Unfortunately, I am accidentally bound to his body. You see, he isn't really Senlin. Sen came first, and I am the other half of his name. I am Lin." 

Edited April 27, 2016 by EQ_Theta

[Denim&Venöm 19,047]

 

 

@Mentis Soliloquy, @Melke, @Seamore Sandwich,

 

"So, that's the common enemy we have. This traveler who took the guardian, and placed it in an environment where it threatened the balance and where we had no choice but to engage it.  I wouldn't be surprised if our groups facing off was part of the plan. Play us against each other, tie up any loose ends, and leave no witnesses."

[Quinch 1,120]

@Seamore Sandwich, @Quinch, @SugarfootWillie, @Blitz Boom [Ponyville]

 

Quinch looked at Penny, puzzled for a second. Then it clicked.

 

"They're called Valkyries where I come from," he said, touching the wings on his helmet. "If those are the ones you mean, anyway," he added, since the nature of her question implied they weren't here before. Unless he actually did grow wings. He didn't feel any, so... illusion? Magical side-effect. He was not fond of the boots, but he could have done without actual wings.

 

He looked up as the creature materialized, virtually, in front of him. "Clean," he said simply, and the cacophony of signals and shapes vanished like the flicking of a switch. The thing was... big. Not as big as some things he'd had to deal with, he thought, with sour memories of the Kronos Titan, but it definitely fell under the giant monster category.

 

He couldn't fight this. Not effectively. He definitely couldn't beat it down. But, he thought, as he tried to make sense of the word jumble the poet spewed, if you can't beat them...

 

"No deals," he said to the voice in his head. "But I can work with this."

 

He leapt into the air, the boots propelling him up and to a hover of the multi-limbed shadow in front of him, and reached out, touching its shoulder.

[redaxted 1,765]

@@Blitz Boom "Nice to meet you too, Happy Hour," Cyan Flare replied with a shy smile. "Okay... let's go..." She began to head off in the direction of the hospital, stumbling slightly occasionally but going at a steady pace. About halfway there, she had to sit down suddenly, feeling out of breath trying to stop herself from coughing too much or even being sick. Ugh, she thought. Almost there. She'd begun to feel much more ill, she she stood again and picked up the pace.