open Casual stroll

[Blitz Boom 4,634]

@Dji @Widdershins @Lloyd

"I don't care about what these things are, just what I'm supposed to do while the guards mess around with the wacko who had it before. If you wanna follow and see for yourself, then do whatever."

Null didn't have more against griffons than she had with ponies, but considering her experiences with her own kind had not been good during the years, that didn't really say much. She weren't trusting the feathered newcomer more than she did that general who might try and lead her into a trap, so she could be secured in a cell.

"Who are you even? One of those noisy courier twits that have been rushing into town? Or are you three some kind of circus act?"

"Exactly that. Usually she wears a glittering tutu and juggles flaming knives though."

The comment from Spicy got nothing but a narrowed glare from Null, who in turn rolled her eyes and started to dust herself off from the run. Those two were going to have issues getting along.

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

 

 

@The Resident Brony

"4 years ago you say? Hmhm, I have only been free for a few months, so I'm afraid I've missed that."

So there had been an uprising in her absence, against Celestia of all ponies? Interesting, yet she wasn't certain if it was true. Even the best rulers had opponents, surely, but Celestia was a well beloved ruler from what she had been told, and she seemed like one who would be kind to ponies. She had even been mostly civilized about her arriving with Cadence when the time had come, though you could see it strained her a little at times as a few details about the demonic mare were dropped.

"As for my story... I suppose, since you seemed honest, I can share some of it.

I used to be a pony, nearly four thousand years ago, tasked with sending the lingering spirit to the next world.I made some... Questionable choices in the last days of my life that let me embrace immortality and strength in exchange for a few things, such as my freedom.

Things happened, and in the end, Discord trapped me until the princess and prince of the Crystal Empire unearthed me. I work for them now in whatever capacity they wish, and otherwise roam as I please. For example to seek out spirits.

I am aware this is not as informative as you may have wanted, but I won't give the more sensitive details this easily. Not before I know more about who I'm speaking with. Now then, you said you wished to leave this place? Does this have something to do with you wanting to speak to the actual generals of Equestria? Tell me the truth, and I'll get you out of here unseen."

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@genessee

"We had a few out helping yesterday, but with the couriers arriving this morning, we would just be in the way, so we're here and handling the business. Might be there's a free buffet in town, but there's still ponies who likes what we're doing and will come around. Also, the workers needs coffee, and if there's one thing we have going for us, it's that."

Putting things back, he signed the tag and put it on Lance, then nodded.

"Alright, looks fine. So, let's start at the counter, so you can see where the magic happens. You first, so I can lock the door."

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@EQ_Theta

The drake slithered away from Lin as it were let go off, though it didn't go towards the scarecrow. It smelled foul to it, and with what had happened before, it didn't trust it. It just wanted to get away a little so it could calm down. It would be easy to see though, as it went to a space on a shelf where it usually his behind a book if something was wrong. If they couldn't find it, tempting it with a banana or something would likely make it come forth, or int he case of a gem, would make it rush out.

They might have bitten notice in gems needing to be handled carefully with the drake though, since the episode at Mother's place. They seemed to make it soar with energy, and too many would make that energy needing to be expelled somehow. It also seemed to make it grow a little by little, which were more of a good thing, and had caused it to get a few inches bigger from the episode in the shadowy realm. I good thing in some ways, but could also be a thing to make one hesitant to feed it too fast with these things.

When it came to the scarecrow though, it were not as easy to predict the results of what might happen as the drake were. Layers would be rummaged through and spread around the place as much as they wished to, but as the layers went and nothing seemed to be within the somewhat rotting thing, it appeared as if this might be a bust.

The more they would dig in though, something would start to show. A few slivers of something like glass at first, too small to really get anything from, but they would increase in frequency the closer any of them would get to where the heart would have been if this were a living creature.

In the middle of the chest, they would find a mostly clear gem with swirls of blue, cyan and yellow going random through it. Nothing else would be here beyond this lump though, but a gem of this kind could well be a clue. It didn't grow around their village, and there was no reason why it would be sitting in a scarecrow normally, right?

Perhaps it was a clue as to where they could find Omen. Though of course, they'd have to find out what this strange gem were first.

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

 

@Foxy Socks

"Timber wolves. In a way I can understand why you ponies are fearful of them, but in another, I do carry a good deal of respect for them. They acknowledge those who are stronger than them and leave them alone after a time, and what I felt of them before I got my sight... The raw, natural energy that came from them were quite intriguing."

"By the way, why aren't your eyes open?"

"Because with everything going on in town, I think it would be too much for me currently. I'm still amazed with colors, how would it not be to see so many individual beings in one place? I prefer to ease into things currently. I hope you can understand that."

Brittle nodded and looked around, whilst moving a little closer to Briar. It seemed the spell still worked, but it was starting to slowly wear off.

"But I digress. Your caution is understandable Foxy, I simply wished to add my own take on these intriguing creatures. Might I suggest that you could use Anomaly's take on them too actually? She seems well in line with nature, and understands animals, whilst also being able to fend for herself. Perhaps she can help you mediate a truce that can assist you in gaining some insight peacefully?

Snakes is another matter entirely, and I don't know if she would be of any help there. I certainly wouldn't though, as whilst they might not be able to poison me, they seem to think of me as little more than a branch most of the time and either ignore me, or just slithers across my being. One time I woke up and they had started try and make a home out of me. They didn't leave me alone for days."

A small frown spread on his face as he recalled that episode. Quite an irritating experience honestly, but it could have been worse he supposed. They could have hidden eggs somewhere on him. That would have been a rather unpleasant experience.

"I am curious though. What is the hardest animal thus far for you to examine? You seem to enjoy a variety of beings for your examinations, but are Timberwolves as hard as it gets?"

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

 

@Battenberg

Benny shakes his head in disappointment as the mare declines a simple way to calm the air in here a little. It seemed like this were going to be one of those times where he wouldn't be able to do much to help them sort things out, as one of the parties were hostile to the idea.Or well, both of them were now, as Pop narrowed her eyes and opened her muzzle to say something- only to be interrupted before she got started by the return of Battenberg.

"Let's just say that these two are never gonna be friends and then just hope they'll keep it civil. Your sister really haves her way with other ponies, heh."

The small laugh at the end sounded more hopeless than actually amused, but he just couldn't hide his disappointment over this going down as it had. He had hoped for some kind of solution to things, but Victoria had just brushed the attempt off like it had been nothing, and done so in a rather condescending way too. Some ponies just couldn't get along he supposed.

"I think it's best if we don't put a claw in that hornet nest though, so... How did your trip go ma'am? Found what you were looking for?"

He sniffed the air some times, hoping to catch a whiff of something, but there wasn't anything yet. Not that had reached him at least, though any spice vendor worth their salt would likely have the bag closed up so the wares didn't go stale. It'd be kinda sad if they hadn't at least in his mind, or they'd just end up with something like... Soggy pepper or something. Yuck.

Edited September 15, 2017 by Blitz Boom

[dragon4111 914]

@Blitz Boom

Ancalagon looked at his couriers working hard some were going to get something to eat while the rest continued to work. Ancalagon's eyes scanned for those that were slacking off. And using his whip like tail making a whipping sound next to their ears causing them to get back to work. He hated when his couriers were being lazy. Every so often he would whip his tail to get them to work. each had their jobs to do. Each were singing.

very

[Foxy Socks 2,599]

@Blitz Boom

Foxy laughed as Briar mentioned the snakes making him into a "home." It gave her quite a funny mental picture, and wondered what Anomaly would think if she were there.

 

"Well, they would be the most dangerous animal I see often, though I have seen and heard signs of potentially more dangerous animals around, so I have had to proceed with caution. I haven't had much time to study them though, and it may be to risky right now. Luckily the timber wolf bite was as bad as it got for attacks, though I have had stumbled and fell down a few times. I sprained two of my hooves once that way. I have learned to be more careful since then." Even though Foxy was a pegasus, her flying was not as strong as some, and by the time she was falling, it was usually too late, especially since she lost sense of direction that time.

 

 

 

[genessee 535]

@Blitz Boom

Lance nodded and made his way out of the office. Couriers? What couriers? Well, whatever. I'll probably learn about it soon enough. He waited by what he assumed was the front desk as he fiddled with his name tag.

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom @Widdershins @Seamore Sandwich Serenade was in full hunt mode, tracking Ziggy's magical scent. It led right to...thin air? Serenade tried to stop, but a full grown Siren going full tilt doesn't stop on a bit. She flew full speed directly into the anomaly and came crashing down onto the ground, making a sound not unlike a squeaky toy.  "EEP!"

[The Resident Brony 60]

@Blitz Boom

"I was sent here because the Guards are constantly fighting for political control. Im here as an unbiased agent to make sure they don't kill each other over political power. Celestia also thought that it would be good to have her former general controlling the Guard."

Invictus thought that the look Vivid loss had implied that she wanted more details. But what good would it do to tell her everything if she could report my actions to Lady Cadence? Well, whatever.

"Well, will you help me out of here? I already have housing arranged here. Will you shake on this?"

Invictus holds out his hoof expectingly.

Edited September 17, 2017 by The Resident Brony

[hollow-shades 129]

@Blitz Boom Alright, but whooo could be the person? Stingler, in his fake Earth pony form, looked all around Ponyville. A bunch of ponies talking to each other, sure, but nothing seemed too special. Eeexcept for two of them.

A stallion with pale blue coat and a mare with a yellow coat. They were both eating two muffins and talking outside of the Sugarcube Corner. Great! He just needed to somehow make them away from each other, trap one in a cocoon and impersonate them. Good gosh.

But before anything, he needed a way to approach them without looking like a weirdo. Now what would be a good alley to turn into a bunny in?

[Widdershins 9,960]

@Blartz Blurb, @DJ-Eye & @La-La-LuhLloyd    (LookwhatIcando!!!)

     With his body slowly flopping back over in the direction he fell, Kaltrop grumbles out another line of grumpy admonishment, low enough to be intended to be rhetorical but loud enough for Void to Dawn to anypony in between to hear his notable displeasure.

   "Oh no. Don't worry about me. Don't bother trying to help me out, its not like I landed on my crumpled neck or anything.

     'Cha. Just like a stupid pony to ask stupid questions and be stupid by standing all stupidly instead of helping a stupid dragon.

          ...W-wait..."

         ###################################################################################################################

@BallroomBlitz

   OCH, NAE! NOT THE BERRY FILLING!!!

   Ducking movement! I told you to stop narrating yourself!

  Widdershins gets squarely planted in the face from the vaguely plantoid projectile due to his usual self-distraction from his own theatrics. Ooh! Plantoids! That reminds me of another thing you've got in- No, no, you're limited to projectiles as per usual, no idea parading. I'm bad enough at that as it is.

  Pausing once more to dramatically mull over an idea while tiny seeds drip off his furred face, it regards Anomaly's somewhat distracted question.

     Whaaaat? Nooo... I wouldn't disappoint a faithful audience member! I know everything by virtue of having been everywhere & been most things! I know everything, even the Nothing! That makes the everything I know be part of that Nothing which makes the nothing a Something and the something I know of nothing be the nothing of the something, so I know nothing! Ya follow?

    By knowing something, I know nothing. By knowing nothing, I know everything!

  But! Digression! Your answer is Stagelights! ...Or possibly Limelights. I forget if those are synonyms.

   But thou art WHounded me, with your baleful doubt in my capabilities! I shall give thee a TASTE! Of my knowledge! OF REALMS BEYOND COMPREHENSION! BEHOLD!

       "Not this again... it took forever to get the stains out from last time..."

  With a practiced flourish and an unaimed turn, Widdershins spins to his left while holding out Anomaly's head. In a swift jab, he points her metallic head snoutfirst into the mostly pristine white wall behind him and with a loud sound of a pen through paper held tight, a hold is punctured through it. Letting go of her head to rear up dramatically with a wide-eyed expression while a bulging pressure builds behind the wall, Widdershins proudly stands as Anomaly's head blows free into the room as a torrent of black goo very slowly floods the room.

   THE MOLASSES DIMENSION!!!

                                                                                                              Yes, It is an entire universe of nothing but molasses. 

   

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Blitz Boom @Dji @Widdershins

Astral landed with a thud shortly down the street, grunting in pain, growling at herself for using all her magic to propel herself, looking back, to see the little group nearly a block away from her. Astral deciding to walk over after spotting the arrival of another pony. Looking around herself at the destruction that occurred. "Actually I can just message Iron Star from here." She said, trying to excuse her sudden reappearance as she walked back to the group, at least close enough for them to hear her now, or at least screecher. Her eyes landed on the new pony when she got close enough. Scanning them for magic, before quickly realizing what they said earlier. "If you were hurt I could cast a healing spell." Astral sounded almost ignorant to the possibility to them not knowing what she meant by that.
================================
Warlock laughed for a bit, stumbling on his step as he transitioned into swinging his hoof forward to the wall, almost contacting it as his hoof glowed with some magic. "Have you thought of blowing the wall down?" He pulled his hoof back, glowing with magic. Inches away from the wall. "It might sound ridiculous but if they can hide the element, it could be right behind where they tell it was elsewhere, to trick ponies." He moved his hoof away from the wall and started walking away from the wall, the magic that was around the hoof fading quickly, almost giving enough space for Athriel to blast through if she decided to. "Or well, we could check the other temples."
================================
Iron Star nodded to Dew's words, making sure to walk closely to Dew. "I would hope they've been sent myself, and that this dragon isn't a threat, although it does make me wonder why the dragon is here."

[Sekel 694]

@Jedishy

WATTS

Watts checked on her stall one last time and went after Winter with a laugh and smile. Some ponies can really be eager for food. Then again, this particular pony didn't seem like the normal touristy type anway. She quickly caught up to him and answered his questions after catching her breath. "The Cakes run this place along with Pinkie Pie. And you can get a drink from here too, you just need to pick," Watts told him as they entered the establishment and freshly baked aromas permeated their senses.

@Blitz Boom & @Widdershins & @Lloyd

AURORA & DAWN

"Except the knives are back in the Everfree after facing an Ursa Major ..." Aurora groaned in a dazed manner from behind the cart. She automatically answered questions without really thinking about what she was saying. "And the meanie dragon ate the tutu so we need to ... buy a new one."

"I think this griffin needs a mind healing spell," Dawn commented, looking at the griffin in mild concern while staying as far away from the dragon as possible. "Dragons are carnivorous creatures. They don't know their meat from their gems," she said, holding an expression that just screamed disgust and contempt at the fallen dragon.

[EQ_Theta 460]

@Blitz Boom

As much as the siblings wanted to go back for the drake, there was a sense that they trust the little creature to not make a mess of things. It probably didn't need to set anything in the hut on fire and there aren't enough gemstones to keep it full, at least for now. And for the moment, the interesting sight of the gem with the swirling interior caught their attention. There was no telling what it was and no one in the village is an expert. Maybe the other northern village with their quarries might have something to offer but know just how distant they are, too much time would be wasted trying to learn about this gem. Omen's plea for help was still the priority. Lin picked up the gem and looked at the swirling colors within, an alluring sight but there was something more to it. 

"Sen? Gems like these don't just show up from nowhere. Someone left it here and wanted us to find it."

"I sure hope Omen left it here," Sen stared at the gem as he pondered on the possibilities that could befall Omen. In a way, her safety is his responsibility and he's really be kicking himself if the worst were to happen. Still, he held onto the other, more positive thought that maybe the threat isn't bigger than he's exaggerating it to be. "So, crystal ball or gem? This thing the gem was wrapped up in doesn't have a mouth. It could be using this object to speak with Omen's voice."

It was a sound hypothesis on Sen's part, something Lin was quick to notice but beaten to the punch. There's little else to do but test it; a crystal ball acting as one end of a messaging pathway and nothing else seems to point to an alternative explanation. The lack of magical knowledge was already a big downside. Random testing is more or less the only approach left. 

Lin waved her claw before the swirling colors and expected something to happen. Maybe not a voice but something to shift in the motions, an erratic switch or something to tell them their initial guesses are good enough to be lucky. As per Sen's suggestion, Lin thought about communicating, maybe seeing some life form on the other side even if it is just the colors changing to resemble a face. 

"Hey? Anyone there? Someone better pick up on the other end."

[Widdershins 9,960]

@Chintz Room, @Darjeeling & @Lloyd

    "Oh! And that's your excuse to treat us like wild animals, huh?"

  The young drake gripes from his position on his back, having been distracted from his previous pastime of playing up his unfortunate tumble. Legs flail slightly in the air as he continues on, more concerned with arguing his reputation to whoever last talked then being aware of being in a more suitable pose for it.

  "I'll have you know we noble dragons don't even eat meat! ...O-often... Gems are loads easier to find anyway. Just like a pony to assume whatever justifies their hatred!"

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Widdershins @Dji @Blitz Boom

Astral couldn't help but roll her eyes at the banter, half tempted to shut them up with a spell. "Hey!" She said rather loudly. "We've had enough fighting today you two." She waved a hoof up next to herself, lifting up rubble from a building Warlock had sliced apart. "No species should be defined as what it is." She walked past the two as she lifted away the rubble, putting it into a pile. "Or what past experiences you've had with the species, which from what I hear, goes for both of you." She stopped walking and stood giving the two a glare, then looking to Kaltrop in particular. "Now, do you need any medical attention mister? or was that just a sarcastic comment about being injured?"

[Blitz Boom 4,634]

@dragon4111

"I am sorry for questioning your methods, honored one, but are you certain that hurting them is necessary?"

Lyriel spoke up after seeing the whipping of the tail a few times, though from her low viewing point it should be mentioned that she could not see exactly if he actually hit anyone, or if he just whipped around their head. Neither of them too kind she would think, but of course, hitting them would be worse, and the thing she feared he actually did currently.

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@Foxy Socks

"Ah, that sounds rather painful. I'm glad to see that you made it out of whatever situation that caused that to happen."

Briar had frowned somewhat when he heard of her spraining two ankles. Considering how helpless ponies tended to be without horns when it came to physical damage, it must have been quite the harrowing experience. But then again, he supposed that since she had wings, there was still a way out for her, so there were that.

Rounding a corner, they now finally stood face to face with Foxy's previously mentioned home, that actually seemed to have workers on the scene. A good deal of debris were there to get rid of, but there were also actual building work beign done, so if she were lucky, this might get fixed up faster than she had anticipated.

Though considering the beings were both inside and out to work, she might want to get in there in case she had something of real value or something she didn't want somepony to accidentally stumble across.

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@genessee

The counter were well placed in the establishment, and if Lance would look, had quite the array of things behind it. Not so much the menu's, which were framed in well carved wood it seemed, but more the big shelf full of pictures and names of different brands of coffee, ready to pull out and empty of a little of the beans they held. It seemed they had a few dozen variants currently, with one of them slightly open. Likely it was what the cherry-red mare with her back to them were currently blending ready for a customer.

"This here's where some of the magic happens. Since most wants coffee, we keep it out here so they can see and smell, rather than in the kitchen with the rest of things. Also means the flavors doesn't get mixed with anything not ordered. Hey Berry, meet the new blood."

The mare had swung around as they spoke, and looked at Lance with big grin on her face.

"Hi, hello, how are you? I'm Berry, I run the counter. Who're you? What're you here for? Is this a trick? Did you send him to mess with my plans Straw?!"

She sounded like she didn't just serve the coffee, but also enjoyed sampling quite a number of cups during the day. Somehow she managed to do this without her being obnoxious to their customers, so Straw didn't have a go at her normally, though her ideas that he were trying to ruin some non-existence plans did made him roll his eyes at times. He were never sure if she were just joking with this, or if she actually were paranoid though.

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@Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich @Widdershins

Much as it may sound cute, Cherish didn't bite note in that as much as the large fishpony that had suddenly appeared out of nowhere!

She didn't do well with stress, or fear for that matter, and seeing her, in this already tense situation... Things would start to fly.

Like, literally. Her eyes were getting paler, she seemed as if strong wind were starting to run around her, and some of the rocks in here were rumbling. Either she had to be warded off, or calmed down, or Serenade might end up seeing Ziggy with more damaged than the limp leg strained wing and concussion that were somewhat obvious on the sleeping mare.

"No... No! Monster, big teeth. It's gonna hurt me! I c- I can't..."

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@The Resident Brony

Vivid smirked as she were offered a hoof and a deal.

How tempting it were to make this official and puncture her hoof a little to make a proper, binding deal of blood going with this alicorn. Just a little that might not even realize before it was too late, that gave her some leverage over him, as long as she kept her own end of the bargain going.

Ah, but alas, Cadence would not like this, and much as she'd like to see him squirm, it would just end up with her feeling guilty in the end, and have one more who were willing to put her into a cell of some kind. So she'd play nice, and just shook his hoof without any additional swindling.

"You have a deal, but know that I'm going to see this through. When you meet with the generals, this should provide me with more amusement than what else I might be able to think about doing today."

She looked as if she knew something he didn't, but she didn't elaborate more on things, and instead just put her hoof down.

"Now then, you wanted out? Come closer then, and I'll lead you through the same *door* I opened to get in here in the first place."

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

 

@Flinp

Step by step, she wandered closer to the pony who had stopped up.

Onache had followed the trail of changeling magic well thus far, and eliminated some of the potentials, leaving only a half dozen left that it could be. Too many still in her mind, but the number swindled the closer she got, and the more the suspects wandered off without leading the trail those ways.

One of them - the pony she had bitten notice in that had starred at her earlier - were starting to become more of a prime suspect, as the way he looked around seemed suspicious, but there wasn't anything set in stone yet. *sigh* If only this had been one of her hive, she could have tapped into the hivemind to force the miscreant out to face her, rather than this guessing game, but alas, since she were without her people, she had to do this the old fashioned way. Disgusting drone work not fit for one of her stand, but the only option currently.

Meanwhile, at the table, one of the two ponies in the conversation pulled out a deck of cards and started to put them on the table, apparently to prove some kind of point.

"Look, all I'm saying is that luck isn't all that simple. It can be tinkered with a little if you know what you're doing. Come on, I'll prove it. Shuffle this, and I'll pull out an ace. I swear I got it this time."

Not the first time he had made this claim, but as always, he seemed confident about it working this time. Time would tell if his female companion would prove him wrong yet again.

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

 

@Widdershins @Lloyd @Dji

Screecher rolled her eyes at the crowd currently. A bunch of foals bickering and arguing over nothing right now as far as she were concerned.

Just look at the dragon and Void for example. After he had spat at her that she didn't help, she had stepped back whilst mumbling apologies, and her smaller sister had gotten closer and started to growl at him. What were she, feral or something? WHatever it were, the situation wasn't helped by this, nor the mare who were starting to rant about the dragon being some kind of mindless monster, roughly speaking.

Then there were Astral wo had just gotten back and started to talk about healing spells to ponies who likely wouldn't know what to do about the earth pony saying such things - witchcraft were illegal after all - though she'd think the gambler would have a sarcastic retort ready in a few seconds. The annoying mare had that sort of thing in spades, and it seemed her griffon companion were not much better.

Did she really have to take all of this on herself again? It appeared so, and she were getting ready for a scolding, when out of the corner she saw somepony show up that were getting audible before she had the chance.

"Please everypony, just... Calm down, alright? There's no need to get all up in a tip right now. The danger have been warded off with a minimum of damage. Can't we focus on that instead of all of this arguing?"

"I second that. And Dawn, please don't have a go at the large dragon. You might notice we have an even larger one looming over town? I don't think he'd like it if his kin got insulted without too much reason, okay? He probably doesn't know your situation with them."

Whilst Benny spoke to just everypony there in general, Pop had focused her words towards her friend, who were sounding none too happy about things - too many dragons for her liking probably - though she kept standing with Benny, who moved a little closer to her and wrapped her tail semi-protectively around her. He didn't trust that Warlock wouldn't try something more in a few seconds just yet, and he couldn't let her get hurt.

It should be pretty obvious to everypony - including Kaltrops - that the gesture wasn't just something he'd do to protect any random citizens. There was an overly protective, tender sort of way over how he kept guard over her currently, that might not fall in good ground to him, considering how he seemed to think dragons were above the equines, not equal too or with.

As for deflating things, Null and Void seemed to calm down some, and Screecher closed her muzzle as there were no further use for her input currently, thought he snarky gambler seemed like she wasn't too keen on not saying something.

"He might be a bit of an empty head, but no potion will be able to tear the air outta there girly. Besides, just look at him boasting off. Wouldn't be kind to burst his bubble right now, would it? But hey, that still ain't as delusional as an earth pony that think she can cast magic, though I like your attitude. Feisty gals are always more fun, am I right?"

Perhaps Astral could have some fun teaching the mare a lesson, though there were plenty who might have a go at her currently. Including Screecher, who still didn't seem too happy about the poker playing mare yapping off the way she did, even if Spicy did it with a chuckle mixed with the sarcasm.

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

 

@Widdershins

"Hey, no using my snout as a doorhandle, that's cheating."

You literally cheated just before. I can scroll up and see it.

Bah, what do you know? You just think you saw something, I was actually there. So hah!

Laugh it up whilst you can, but your head is rolling away -

They call me Joan of Arc

- and you're about to drown in something dark and foul. Sewer water of some kind it seems.

Don't dis the molasses you t-

Her words thankfully drowned out as she were hit with a dark wave of sugary waste, causing her to drop the vegetable she had used to fight with, and falling backwards into a wall whilst her lungs started to fill with the weird substance.

Elsewhere, her head floated on top of the stuff and looked ar whatever bopped into her vision. Her body not included, as it was currently under a good deal of the weird stuff the her head were licking at whenever she used her tongue as a paddle, but Widdershins were viewable now and again.

"Okay fine, you win this round. But I'll get you next time, count on that!

But let's not get too far a-head of ourselves here, hehe.What were all the strange talk before? Sounded pretty confusing. Is that the sort of thing you're representing? If you are, you're pretty good at it. I didn't get a thing from it. Completely senseless."

She seemed happy the more she stepped on this not making any sense. Typical draconequus to not have a grasp on the full body of reason, and not thinking that it had to have a leg to stand on.

Yeah yeah, keep mocking the floating head. Humans are mean.

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

 

@Lloyd

"They expected somepony will come through and destroy the wall. Everything to try and find the element of disharmony, including destroying the clues they left in the writing, in case someone of their own came around.

If there is anything behind that wall, it is a trap, though I think they'd be arrogant enough to just think this being what is required to keep others out of their trap. Which just leads me to believe that they're not keeping my element in the real temple. They'd know I would be able to translate this, and they wouldn't be stupid enough to think it wise to keep my element in such a position.

I can imagine whatever guardian they have to watch over the element will have an advantage over me though, just in case I somehow went here to try and get the element as a bargaining chip. How fortunate that the improbable happened, and two wearers went instead then, isn't it?"

They had never thought it possible for the Disharmony wearers to be able to work together well enough, at least not in the circle she had been in before she became a wearer herself. It seemed so improbable back then, and yet now, it seemed like they had been wrong. It might end up be an advantage for them, but they'd see soon enough.

"We're done here, let's get to the next temple."

As she passed the depowered Warlock, her eyes narrowed on a section of the writing she hadn't seen before this and ran her claws across it.

"Crimson soul, fearful knight, death to all within its sight... Doesn't sound positive. We should keep that in mind as we get to the northern island."

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

 

@Lloyd

"Benny seemed to think he could help with information about the elements of disharmony. Considering we need all the help we can get for this situation, I'm inclined to give it a chance and listen to what he haves to say."

Dew would keep on leading the way, but had to stop once in a while to give orders to some of the guards lingering around, confused as to what they were going to do right now. They should get to the mailing room soon and be able to get on with this soon, and hopefully be back before their scaled guest arrived. Depending on whatever or not he went flying, it could be as little as in five minutes.

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

 

@EQ_Theta

Much as they may ask, there would still be no answer. The best they would have to work with were the gem, which started to act a little odd as it were lifted, though it still didn't present an answer.

The reaction it gave were much like a plasma ball. The colors inside would send out small threads and try to cling towards the points pressured on them, but they were stopped by the glass, and just ended up giving a slightly tingling feeling.

Was this perhaps some kind of toy? If it were, it were likely of pony design, and not longma, or they'd have noticed that already.

Considering there were no voices or further clues popping up currently, it wasn't as if there were much else to follow up upon. But at this time of night, no toy shop would remain open in any equine city. Though perhaps, a gem enthusiast could be of as much help? Canterlot had a rich selection of ponies in all kinds of higher end professions, so that were an option, though perhaps they had other ideas as well.

As it stood here at least, the only sound that did not come from the siblings were a slight creak as the drake made itself a bit more space behind a book, and the raging storm outside, passing over the village like so many before it.

[dragon4111 914]

@Blitz Boom

Ancalagon stated with a grin on his face "I'm whipping near their head and not on them," he chuckled as he looked at Lyriel as he said "Dryad do you want to see how I do?" Ancalagon said with a grin on his face as he used alittle earth magic to bring Lyriel up to his level to see how Ancalagon sees the world with a wall of earth beneath her.. "I see things from high up to watch for those who would hurt my little couriers," Ancalagon stated with a gentle smile. "And Plus listen to what they are singing,"

Edited September 18, 2017 by dragon4111

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom @Seamore Sandwich @Widdershins Serenade rolls onto her back, and lets her forelegs flop to the side, "No...I'm not a monster." Serenade tries to keep her fangs from showing, "I swear on the Princesses, I will not harm you." Serenade opens a single eye, "How is my friend?"

[genessee 535]

@Blitz Boom

Lance waved and smiled. It was pretty obvious to him that this 'Berry' had drank a bit too much coffee. He didn't drink a lot of coffee, usually because after the rush he basically immediately fell asleep. Better introduce myself, right?

"Hi! I'm Lance. You're Berry, right?"

[EQ_Theta 460]

@Blitz Boom

Sen and Lin were stumped. Without anything solid to point the way to Omen, it dealt a rather hard blow to their efforts. No one in the village would help, their reputation to the other villages would likely be poor, and they couldn't get Ghilan to help them this time. The last one cut off a lot of avenues for support as he had connections beyond the village and he was in good standing with other village elders. The siblings looked to the mess before sitting down and thinking about other places to start. Lin kept herself hidden away from others and Sen had no contacts within any of the cities he visited. Smaller towns didn't seem to work either and the two looked to each other, just silent but knowing just what the other was thinking about.

"Back to nothing, huh? Where do you suppose we should start looking? We don't have connections to anyone who could help let alone who knows about this magic." 

Lin returned to looking for the drake and deciding to leave it alone after seeing it find its own spot. No point in disturbing it. As for Sen, he paced about and looked back and forth at the weather outside and the gem in Lin's possession. Maybe he should've at tried to speak with someone on his travels but it was too late. Or maybe not. It was an unorthodox option but there was something to try. 

"Lin?" Sen looked to her as he reached the window. "You don't suppose Discord could help, could he?"

That name rang a few bells in Lin's head, suddenly jogging her memory. "No time to lose, then."

Without another word, she ran to get her things ready as did Sen, who immediately got the hint and gathered his things. The two packed some essentials with Sen keeping the gem in his pack while Lin grabbed the drake and set it on her head before opening a gate to Ponyville. Specifically, she imagined the sight of Fluttershy's cottage before walking through with her brother in tow. It was a long shot but if Discord was home, they'd at least be able to start going in the right direction. 

[Foxy Socks 2,599]

@Blitz Boom

Foxy looked at her house being repaired. Any valuables in her house likely wouldn't have made it, but she decided to check it out anyway. "I'm just going to check my house out. You can follow if you want."

 

Foxy thanked the workers after walking up to it. Much of the debris was cleared out, but there were still much left, making it a challenge for the workers to remove. A few rooms, (or what was left of them) were inaccessible or crushed, but there were a few open areas. She didn't worry too much about her valuables, as she didn't have many to begin with, except her fox suit. She galloped around the house to find it, which was luckily left in a place without too much damage. Unfortunately, when she found it, the fox suit had a few tears as it had caught against a board.

 

 It may not have seen like much to others, but Foxy loved her fox suit, especially as it helped her get closer to the animals. She was visibly upset when she found it damaged, but she tried to to act like so. After that, she walked back out silently, carrying it.

[The Resident Brony 60]

@Blitz Boom

Invictus was still somewhat doubtful of Vivid Loss, despite her agreeing to help him out of the hospital. It seemed all to convenient, almost as if she wanted something, As far as he knew, Cadance had been opposed to Celestia's decision to send him here. She had wanted someone more relatable to the Guard, like Shining Armor. But, it was now or never at this point. Go with Vivid Loss and risk Celestia-knows-what, or stay in the hospital for a few months while the Solar, Night, and Coast Guards tore each other to shreds over political matters instead of protecting their fellow Equestrian citizens. Invictus sighed before replying,

"Ok Vivid Loss, lead the way!"

[Seamore Sandwich 471]

@Blitz Boom

@Widdershins

@Moonlit

 

Still, Charlie and the echo were arguing back and forth.  "Leave me ALONE!" the echo rang out through the castle.  "Fine!" "Fine!" "Finally something we can both agree on!" "Finally something we can agree on!" 

 

@Blitz Boom

 

Gaea led the way up the path over the root and into the tree through the open doorway.  Inside it looked like a lovely home, the furniture was made of gigantic flowers and other plants, and the lights were glowing fungus growing on the walls.  There was even a bathroom and through the door a toilet could be seen that looked like a pitcher plant with water in it.  "We should get some rest.  You can sleep on the couch," she said, gesturing toward a flower with two petals stretched in one direction forming the seat, and the other petals just folded out so they were out of the way (see image below).  "I'm sure I can trust you, we have a common goal.  Also, I don't even have anything to steal."

[Blitz Boom 4,634]

@dragon4111

"I am sorry that I doubted you great one, though i- Huh?"

Lyriel stopped her line of speak as she were suddenly lifted up into the air to get a vantage point to see what happened beneath her.

For a bit of time she seemed to just feel confused and disoriented as she wobbled around up there, but as the seconds passed, she started to writhe in pain and coddle her head in her hands.

"Put me down! P-Please, I beg of you!"

Dryads of her kind were not meant to be this far away from the ground, and the further from it she got, the worse she felt. At about two meters and above it would start to become agonizing, and if she stayed up there, it would just get worse.

Her leaves and roots were already starting to rapidly wither, and she couldn't focus on the aounds or what Ancalagon said right now. Just the painful experience, and silently begging tge earth mother to rise a mound of dirt to reach high up to her, or to be set down.

Ancalagon could also just scoop up some dirt and place it under her. It wouldn't feel right for her, but it would reduce things to simply being uncomfortable, not painful.

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

 

@Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich @Widdershins

Rocks vibrated and lifted into the air around Cherish, and pebble began to soar like she were the center of a tornado.  Much as Serenade tried to show calmness, it didn't seem to be working... At first.

Slowly though, after some things had begun gathering near her, ready to be flung, she began to calm down as the voice filtered through and the fog started to lift from her eyes.

She wasn't surrounded by enemies right now. The wolves were gone, the screaming had stopped, and the fish pony creature... Hadn't she heard that voice before?

"...Strange pegasus? Is that... You're a fish pony?"

Confused at what she saw and heard, she looked around her to try and ger her bearings, and her eyes fell on the mare she had slammed into the wall before. After accidentally breaking her leg.

The panic seeped out of her and got replaced by guilt so deep that it darkened her form and face.

"...This is my fault. She was hurt and I... She needs help."

Cherish looked at Serenade, still curious as to what exactly a *Siren* was, as she had called herself, but far too guilty right now to really have focus on that as much as the Zegasus with the broken leg.

The sound of another voice suddenly interrupts things, and made the depressed spirit turn around to look at wherever the voice had come from. Or well, where she thought it did at least. There had been an echo of the voice around them, so it was hard to be sure, but she'd likely either see the other spirit soon, or the branch that he inhabited. It were covered before, but with the debris being prepared for tossing around before, the little hideout had been revealed.

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

 

@genessee

Berry grinned and wandered forward,so she could get reeeally close and look this new hire in the eyes.

"All day, every day. But enough about that. Tell me what you know of the secrets beneath the mound! I can practically smell the mole people on you."

"Alright, that's enough. You can interrogate him later."

The amount of glee that came over Berry's face as she were told she'd have a chance to really get into things later were slightly disturbing, but it made her back off the new hire. At least for the time being, though the inevitable time would come.

They had a reprieve for it now though, where Berry hears a small bell go iff, loudly proclaimed "It's cappuccino time for the feisty lad at table 12!* and bounced over to the coffee machine.

"You'll get used to her faster than she thinks. Now follow me to the kitchen for the next part of the tour."

Nothing of notice would happen before they got to the back room, as it was just behind the counter area, but in case Lance had something to say, now would likely be a good time to do so.

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

 

@EQ_Theta

The drake didn't seem all too happy to be dragged out of hiding, adding yet another trail of claw marks on the wood when it got taken out, along with some hissing. It didn't struggle too much after getting placed on Lin's head though, but it didn't feel like it was calm either, considering how it kept writhing for a time before settling in on a spot.

In Ponyville, the town would be relatively quiet. Sure, there was workers still handling a few things on the houses not too far from where they appeared, but overall, it seemed as if most had either stopped or had a break at this time of the night. Fortunate for them, yet not so much for the stallion they appeared right next to, who had been taking a round and just passed 

He might have given out a yelp of surprise if it wasn't because he had tried this before, though the Night Guard still took a few steps back in surprise.

"Oh, it's you two. What brings you around this time of night?"

Stargazer looked a little tired, but still more fresh than the last time they had met him. No big surprise there really, as he had not gotten any sleep for a few days there, but that didn't seem all too important to bring up, at least not to him. There was something else he'd rather focus on rather than this for the time being.  Y'know, beyond the town getting up and running again.

"Where's you telepathic sidekick? Have she gotten ill or something?"

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

 

@Foxy Socks

Brittle looked at Foxy a little worried when she came back. The changeling had moved closer to Briar yet again in the short amount of time that Foxy had been in her home,  though she had wanted to go in too. Briar however, had convinced her that unless they were specifically asked to come in, it was likely best that they let her check up on her things in peace.

"Foxy? Are you... Okay? Did something happen to your... Clothes?"

Brittle couldn't see that it was a suit before she got closer and could actually see that, plus a section of it that seemed pretty torn up. Apparently, the attack on town had done a number on something that apparently meant a lot to the mare.

"Oh. It's okay, I'm sure we can find somepony that can help you. There have to be somepony in town able to sow that will help you."

Briar kept silent as Brittle tried to lift Foxy's spirit a bit. Though he liked to fashion himself somepony that could help with a little of this and a little of that, sowing wasn't one of his strong sides. Whenever his own cloak got ruined or damaged to a point where a patch couldn't keep it together, he tended to simply just replace it, not repair. And something that sounded important to tge mare were likely not something where a patch would be good enough. No, likely they had to go and get it stitched up at a pro, to make the object as close to new and pretty again as possible. They just had to hope one were working at a time like this.

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

 

@The Resident Brony

Vivid chuckled and slowly moved closer to him, until her muzzle almost touched his ear. He should be able to feel her warm breath flow down the side of his head, and smell a faint trace of sulfur as she whispered softy: "With pleasure."

He wouldn't feel much as she pressed against him and wandered through the layers of the world. At most, it would feel like being pressed through a thin layer of bubble gum, trying to stick and resist the force being but against it, but ultimately failing as the two stepped through and ended in a world that seemed so far from where they had been.

Perhaps his higher magical energy would cause him to feel less, and just have  the wall break down easily for him, but it did not matter to the chuckling Vivid. She just stepped back on the dark-purple, giant tendril they were standing on, and waves her hoof around her.

"Welcome to the layer between. A place where I can wander peacefully, away from prying eyes."

The tendril they stood on were just one of many. Things feeling solid and sturdy, yet somehow wrong, stretching across a world that didn't seem to end in twists and turns, immovable beneath the gray sky above them, and out of reach of the forest beneath.

The trees looked dead and distorted, yet if he looked, he could see fruit that grew heavy and fell from amidst creaking branches. Or perhaps his eyes got drawn to the movement down there instead? Shadows slithering through the trees, all dark and featureless beyond their varied forms and pale, empty eyes.

Whispers. Voices barely reaching them, telling him to come down for various reasons. Some claiming it were because they had something to show him, others begging for salvation. Others still, luring him with hollow promises and false hope.

"Don't listen to them. If they get hold of you, you will only end up exactly like them."

Her eyes were drawn to a shade she had seen here once in a while. Not a friend, as those were rare among demons, but somepony she had at least found tolerable. Poor fool he were to believe their hollow promises of power.

Sometimes when she looked at what was left of him... She could still hear his pleading voice, begging for them to let go...

But, greed had been his downfall, as it so often were. She knew no way that he could be saved, and as far as she knew, nopony else did either. Other demons had experimented for a long time to find an answer, to get those out they had an interest in returning, but so far there had been no answer. Perhaps because they looked at it infernally, when it could be they needed to view it angelically.

A small smirk spread on her muzzle.

That really would be the day, wouldn't it? When an angel found its way to this place that the veil had made a travel place for demons. Somewhere only those who carried infernal power could enter or leave, albeit with passengers.

Perhaps one day an angel would work with a demon to solve the issue of those beneath? A laughable thought if she ever had any, but she had heard of strange things happening after her release, that she had never found possible before. Perhaps she should not be so dismissive of this?

"...We should not linger here. Follow me Invictus. We have a little way to travel before I can get us back to Equestria unnoticed."

With that, she'd begin to walk. Unless of course he had something to say or do that would stop her? She had her doubts, but you never knew with ponies. They could be rather unpredictable at this.

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

 

@Seamore Sandwich

It wasn't much that could still surprise Zhu. Several lifetimes worth of seeing what could be had left him with impressions of nearly everything that could be at least once, and the magic started to fade out after a while of seeing this.

A place like this though, he had never seen. A home made in harmony with nature. Glowing and flourish around them, making for a place that managed to sweep his paws away under him. Metaphorically only, but were that not impressive in itself regardless? With all he had seen, this place were still unique, and it fascinated him as he ran a paw down the wall and felt the insides of the tree.

He had not thought you could keep such a place and have the tree remain alive, but he were certain of it. He could almost hear it breathe, just like everything else around him. It was... Spectacular.

"You have a home many would envy."

He certainly did.

Every home he saw were something many took for granted, but for him were a precious thing that were not appreciated enough by most. To them it were just a roof over their heads and a place to hand their hats, but a home was more than that. it was memories, safety and a place you could rest after a long day of work, or a journey that took you far from it. Somewhere you could always return to when life had you down, and you could call your own...

Zhu remembered the last time he had a home. The pristine tiles, the walls lined with paintings and beautiful scenes, depicted in stained glass. The feeling of a bed beneath his paws and the embrace of a loving mother, tugging him in and telling him that she would always love him...

A tear started to fall from his eye as he recalled her face. It was hard to push away after all he had seen after the Creator had gotten hold of him. The truths he now knew and the pains he realized Celestia must have gone through when she raised this strange child she had to keep hidden from the general populace, made him yearn for her once more. A longing he had managed to keep down for a long time, yet drew in him whenever he thought of her.

For a long time, he had told himself that it could never happen, even if he prevented the 37 risks to her life. The way that he had just left her alone, and the things he had done to ensure both her safety and the balance in general... How could she still look at him with love, after all the pain he had caused? How could anypony?

He didn't even realize that Gaea had gone as his thoughts ran amok. Guilt had a way of clouding your vision like that, as did memories that were best left buried.

For as much joy as there was then, it would always come back to the same: He had abandoned her. He were all she had left after she sent Luna to the moon, and he had simply vanished from her life without a trace. Even if she could forgive him for that, he were not sure if he ever could.

With this gloomy thought, he found the couch he were to rest upon, and laid down, as curled up as he could be, and fell into an unpleasant rest, marred by troubled dreams and twisted memories.

Edited September 18, 2017 by Blitz Boom
Added color.

[Foxy Socks 2,599]

@Blitz Boom

"Thanks Brittle, don't worry. It's just something I've had for a while, and it's just a fox suit." Foxy still looked upset, though she imagined she must have looked silly to care about something so simple and childish. She loved it though, and wore it often especially to help gain trust of foxes that haven't met her before. "I know it must look silly for me to be upset about this, but it is one of my few valuable items."

 

The suit resembled the common red fox, and was made to cover most of Foxy. It was soft, and even wild foxes could take her for one. She had had it for a few years, and it had meant a lot to her and her career.

[EQ_Theta 460]

@Blitz Boom

"It's not that. We're worried about her. She never came home and all we found is some mess of sticks and mud looking like her. There is this strange gem too."

Sen pulled out the gem that was buried under the scarecrow with the interior still swirling and unchanged and showed it to Stargazer. It was a long shot but maybe he might know someone who could tell them more about this gem. Otherwise, it was back to looking around for Discord. With the last minutes of daytime fading away, everyone settling down for the night would put a damper of their efforts. 

"We're hoping Discord could tell us more about this, maybe help us identify a place to start looking. Or if you could tell us who else might be an expert on magic or gems that could take a look at this, we might have other options."

Lin didn't mind this temporary diversion but she was quietly getting antsy about getting to Flutterhy's place immediately. Stargazer looked like he needed rest and it would be a good idea to let him settle down for the night. The gate should have opened near the cottage and hopefully didn't stir the animals at rest. It would be a nightmare to have to calm them all down if they all went ballistic upon seeing the gate at this time of day. 

[cwhip9 1,078]

On ‎9‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 3:32 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"Remind me to laugh if your sandwich ever runs off."

Cresnet rolled his eyes pulling out a dried fish he packed "oh ye of little faith next time just ask for food" the fish was in a well sealed bag to preserve it to how cresent hoped felines liked their fish. He gave up on pasta with the feline as pasta is more of a home made food then out in the wilds of the Forrest

"besides something tells me an easy bid is over head hiding maybe you cloud get it soon" cresent nodded at a bush near by, then twitched his ears "no that was a rabbit"

he blinked shaking his head "how did I mess that up, anyway we need to get going I still have ore fish in the bag for you and if we start on this path we should be out of here in a bit"