open Casual stroll

[~Phoenix~ 196]

@Blitz Boom @Widdershins

Phoenix had used her magic to get a good grip on the body of the creature whose bottom half were currently inside of her mouth, although it didn't feel like it. her grip on his midsection was rather aggressive as she gave a very rough yank. if he weren't out in the first one, she would continue until he was, each yank getting more and more rough, as she had no real care for the well-being of the vermin.  

once he was out, she would cough, trying to get any sort of bad taste from her mouth. it wasn't going to be enough, however. after all, who knew what sort of diseases he was carrying. she happily accepted the bottle of mouthwash from Smokey, taking it into her own magical grip as she decided to pour a hefty swig of it into her muzzle. she followed suit with Smokey, swishing it around a few times before she eventually spat it out into the sink. she noted how powerful the stuff was. 

as if what he had done to her earlier wasn't enough, now he had to show himself when she was finally becoming comfortable? she wasn't too thrilled to see this creature being the next thing to torture her aside from herself. she stood up, from where she was practically hanging in the sink, and let out a very frustrated grunt as she trot out of the room. she best leave the room before she accidentally set the whole house ablaze in her rage. 

that train of thought led her to just outside of Smokey's mansion, funny enough. she hadn't planned on running away. no, she figured simply that if the creature did decide to follow her, outside would be a better place to cremate him. 

[EQ_Theta 330]

@Blitz Boom @Storm Shine

"Well, it's... this is a very complicated topic. I was afraid, that's true, but perhaps it was because I was afraid without knowing why. Losing mother and father so soon made me realize just how fast things can change. I thought everything I was accustomed would stay the same for a very long time but those were taken so quickly I started to believe that maybe I might end up just like them: having a life unfulfilled with so much left to do. I was afraid of dying because I thought I'd lose such good friends and family too soon."

"But I think I figured it out. I put too much thought into living in terms of how many years I got but not realizing how much I lived. I could go on living almost forever but if those were dull and unfulfilled years, then maybe living a short life might be better. It's not about how long I live but what I do with this life I have that counts. I've found Lin, met you and mother, helped you find Discord, and rediscovered the happiness I didn't know I needed to find."

In that moment of quiet contemplation Lin spent off to the side, she heard Sen's word and just stopped trying to piece together the information Omen provided her. It was a heartwarming thing to hear that for all Sen had to put himself through to see his family brought back together, he was beginning to turn that pain around and make something beautiful from it. From the nights spent back at the village before embarking on their search for Omen, he has been sleeping a lot more soundly, almost without catapulting awake from a sudden nightmare. Despite having to grow up by force and being robbed of the experiences that others had, Sen did what he thought impossible. She simply smiled upon hearing those words leave Sen's mouth, filling her with confidence. 

"I know you're concerned Omen but you don't need to worry." Sen looked to Omen, much more assured now than back in Mother's realm. "I might not be giving you the best explanation but if you are still confused, we can go to Mother and we can hopefully help you understand."

[Amanita 6,826]

“yes sir we do, we’ve just moved here. I heard it was safer then our old home was.” *Mirage replied, losing a bit of the edge off of her tone*

Amanita: *she smiles, somewhat friendly* “pardon me for asking, but I hear someone moving. Who is that?”

[BloodDrops 761]

10 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

Slappy had just about opened his eyes as the two started to argue. Partly because the sound made it impossible to rest.

He felt a great deal of dread as he once again held his breath to listen to the silence that had gone over his chest... And then his eyes went wide.

"M-My heart. It's beating again? I'm alive!"

He had never felt as relieved as he did right there. All of the pain and suffering from before must have just been a dream then. Oh glorious day, he would still be able to have a life. A second chance to experience everything, instead of going through the nightmare that had suddenly befallen him.  Thank Celestia in all her glory that it had not been true.

Sadly, not all of it seemed to be a dream, as he looked over and saw the Dragoness and Blood, of which the later than ordered him in simple terms to strip down. This time, he didn't pause, and just began to frantically rip every part off. Including the helmet that had been hooked at the side of said armor that he hadn't been wearing before. Dumb move on his side really.

"Y-Yes, take it all! I quit! By everything that is good and pure in this world, I can't take this horrible job anymore. Mom was right, I was never meant to be like this."

Tossing off the shoes and then the breastplate (he had been rather well armored all things considered) his cutie mark was more visible, which were a banana peel on top of a pie.

"I want go back to tossing pies and falling into buckets of water. And never, ever, return to this miserable life."

The last tossed off, Slappy started to look more happy than he actually had been so far. His relief were that great over being free of this burden, that he almost burst into song whilst messing up his mane and tail again to get his old, goofy look back.

Meanwhile, Nerzhei examined this shedding of skin, if you would. Not just the armor being tossed, but also the responsibility of what he had signed up for thrown tot he wind, and how it seemed to reinvigorate the previously sullen and nervous colt. Fascinating, but frankly also slightly annoying. Pony joy was something she would need time to adjust to.

"The armor won't fit everything Blood, it's going to need additional plating if you want to be more contained, and some kind of filter in front of your muzzle so you don't sneeze somepony to an early grave."

Sadly, she had run out of metal at the other forge. Or at least the sort that would be good for this. Blitz weren't exactly a collector of prime materials, and the amulet ont he ground had taken what good things the dragoness had found and used it up. If she wanted to get something done here, she needed to get to the Blacksmith in Ponyville... With Blood.

"We're going to have to sneak you into the forge in Ponyville, and convince the blacksmith to let us use it, without hurting anyone. Can you do that without getting distracted, Blood? If you want to think on this for yourself, remember that full armor means that nopony can hit you either. It's security for everyone."

Hopefully the zombiefied mare would be reasonable, and also let Slappy go, though she had the suspicion that perhaps the colt would just run off once his flip had ended. A second chance likely didn't mean that he wanted to be made a servant again, unless Blood somehow managed to keep him there regardless.

 

Blood smiled and slowly put on the armour and gave herself a small shake making sure it was all attached properly. It was, blinked at the patches in the armour where she was missing bits of plate or where it was meant to be removed for additional mobility. She put the helmet on her head and and glanced back at herself it was a start. Though she could still spread her disease though it would be much harder now. She blinked thoughtfully on where she could get more metal from though she wouldn't want to visit a blacksmith especially not in toe with a dragon that would just draw even more attention to herself. 

 "There is a train station in ponyville, we could take some metal from there and use it to patch up this armour. Or have Slappy steal some armour before he goes back to being a clown" I remarked to Nerzhei turning my attention back to her after frowning at Slappys lack of honour. "You couldn't sneak me into ponyville, its lock down since that dragon attack or whatever it was." she remarked and then frowned wondering what she could do.

"Yes I want full armour, though it might be best to forge it yourself, though we need metal for that" I remark frowning. "Taking it from ponyville would be the best idea" I add to the dragon.

[Widdershins 9,938]

@Blitz Boom and @~Phoenix~

   Woah now, woah there... sentient horse creatures. Take it easy now! I'm sure this looks bad now, from wherever it is you all are seeing it from, but I'm not fully through to your dimension or world, or whathaveyou yet. I realize this might have been uncomfortable to you now; heavens know it tends to be for me! I Just was in a rather irritable meeting with the orc clan cheiftains and they weren't very... well, maybe its for the best. My, uh, point is... if you'll work with me here from both ends, both literally & metaphorically then I do sincerely promise to atone for this trespass however much I can... if I can. I'm sure you can tell how awkward this situation is in all respects.

[Storm Shine 1,195]

@Blitz Boom @EQ_Theta

Discord gently patted Omen's head, "Well Omen, sometimes creatures who aren't immortal become afraid of dying, or of dying before they want to or have a chance to do something, and so they look for a way to become immortal. Some do it for more sinister reasons as well..." Discord made an easel with a large flipbook appear, "But what I believe Sen here realized, is that he really doesn't want immortality." He pointed at a small drawing of Sen, looking around happily at his friends, "Sure, the possibility of dying early and leaving behind good friends would be terrible.." The Sen drawing disappeared, leaving the other drawings with sad faces. "but then, outliving your friends, and just about any other friends you could make, would be even worse." The Sen drawing came back, but now the other drawings began disappearing one by one, leaving Sen alone with a sad face. Another drawing then appears, and they seem to interact happily, only for that to disappear as well, once again leaving Sen alone. "Many of the immortals that achieved such a state either shut themselves off from the world and social interaction, or attempted to find a way to end their immortality. So few can cope with such constant loss and that's one reason why there's really only a few immortals today.... Well, aside from Sombra, Tirek, and their ilk. Immortals that aren't evil." Discord finished his explanation, circling a drawing of himself, Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Flurry Heart, and Twilight Sparkle - a label above denoting the group as the 'good immortals club'.

Edited December 9, 2017 by Storm Shine

[Moonlit 593]

@Blitz Boom @Seamore Sandwich @Dji Serenade smiles a bit hearing the voice, then looks over Twilight "♪You would have a bleak outlook as well Princess if your entire race was judged by the actions of three. You Ponies are not judged by Sombra's or Nightmare Moon's actions, yet I am judged by Adagio, Sonata and Aria.♪" Swimming close to the shore, "♪Perhaps you are right, you and the Shrine Maiden♪" Serenade grins at Last, showing her teeth "♪would be the better choice taking the Pegasi into town, one must not scare the locals♪" Serenade turns her attention to Aurora, "♪♪What makes you believe Sirens are extinct?♪♪"

[Blitz Boom 3,921]

@~Phoenix~

Outside the mansion itself, things were no less impressive.

The ground around had some size to it, and it seemed as if a professional both had laid everything out, and maintained it as well.

The grass well well cut and lush, with paths if granite stones swirling around the area to make sure not to interfere with any of the vegetation beyond the grass.

And quite an array there were. Flowers stood vibrant and alive in clusters of their own, sectioned into parts where they would not interfere with one another, and yet managed to blend in well when you look at the overall picture.

A few bushes were cut like figures too, though thankfully not Smokey. There had been one with his likeness there once, but he found it a little over the top pretty quickly, so it had been cut down into the shape of a vase instead, with long stilted roses growing out in tge top, to give it a more personal feel.

Roses did seem to be a theme, even if they weren't the only ones. Several sorts of harmless fauna was present, but it was hard to look in a direction without finding some kind of Rose, and the directions she couldn't see it from, were likely just places ones hadn't been planted yet.

Near one of those bushes, a mare actually stood, who hadn't taken notice of Phoenix yet. She were too busy smelling the roses, which currently were a yellow variant.

She was about a half head taller than most grown Pegasi, but otherwise she seemed rather normal. Ear rings wasn't too unusual in the somewhat younger crowd these days, and you looked away from the skull around her neck, nothing noteworthy were really going on. Well beyond her being inside private property that was.

The skull were clearly (and thankfully) not from a pony, though what else could be hard to say. Some kind of somewhat large rodent, like a big ferret.

"Aaaah. How Rose does it I just don't know."

She rose her head and looked around for more flowers to sniff, when she spotted the newly arrived Phoenix, and gazed at her with curious eyes. After a little think, she figured the mare was likely okay, and that she should come over and say hi.

"Hi there, who're you? Are you one of Rose's friends? I've never met any of them before, so I have no idea."

As the pegasus got closer with the big grin on her face, something odd happened. Two orbs of pale light, around the size of marbles, flared up in the eye sockets of the skull. Nothing more happened, but it almost looked as if the two somewhat flaming orbs were focused on Phoenix. This was definitely not normal, though the pegasus didn't seem to even notice. She just kept approaching slowly, with a big happy smile on her face.

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

 

@Widdershins

Smokey looked towards Phoenix as she left the room, with a longing gaze. He didn't want to see her leave, even if Widdershins actions had been repulsive and almost made him puke. If he could have actually hurt the creature, he might hace done more than just get sick, but it was pointless, and not something he cared about compared to seeing the mare rush out.

Somepony else got into his vision as br kept starring at her though, and that was Grim, now with a hoof in front of his nose to try and stop from leaking blood unto the carpets.

"The young lady and I are going to have a word about doors when this is all over."

It was said somewhat as a joke, but this was the second time he had been hit in the nose, and this time it had gotten more bloody. Third time he'd perhaps loose a tooth or something.

He barely noticed anything as he pushed his way past Smokey, and stepped over whatever was laying on the floor (looked like some kind of tube) to get to the sink, and start to clean up the mess.

The distraction, plus seeing Grim with blood all over his muzzle, defused Smokey's anger somewhat, as worry came to mind for his friend and butler as well.

"Dearest me, that doesn't look good. Take care of it, okay? And... Thank you for ignoring the Draconequus."

Grim nearly his his head on the mirror when he heard the last word.

"The WHAT?!"

"Oh... Well, we have an unwelcome visitor, who seemed to find it fit to come between Phoenix and I an a... Compromised situation."

Grim cursed in some kind of old dialect Smokey couldn't understand, but Widders might know as being a few variant of *This is bad*, just in cruder terms.

"And speaking of which, your excuses are not acceptable Widdershins. I finally had a moment where I was happy, and she seemed to be as wll, and your appearing that way may well have scared her away from giving it further chances.

I swear, if this have ended things, I don't care what it will take. I will find some way to get my revenge on you for taking away the best chance of happiness I have encountered."

It was not normal for Smokey to be angry at anypony, but it was just hard not to feel like that with what had happened. Hopefully, this would not have ruined things beyond repair.

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

 

@EQ_Theta @Storm Shine

Omen listened intently to what both parts said.

Sen's explanation had more meaning in what was being said. It sounded personal, and she got some idea of what he meant by what life being lived meant in a more metaphorical sense. Not much, but enough to get the thought that life wasn't about how long you had, but how you used it.

Discord's visuals however, helped her understand the concept of immortality a little more effectively. Time and death itself were still foreign to her, but she got the base about the longer you stayed, the more others would go away until you were alone.

Combining a little after little, she slowly nodded her head and looked at them all three.

"Stay too long, everypony vanish, and you don't use the time, you don't live? So short life is okay, if time is good?"

The thoughts rummaged through her head as she felt the little creature gnawing on her mane again. Nothing she really cared about though, as she turned to Sen specifically with her follow-up.

"Living long, not using time. Is that like me?"

She had spoken to Sen before about her time after Discord had vanished, mainly just sitting in Mother's realm and waiting to hear something. Even after Mother had made her go back, she had spend most time in this static vacuum, looking for him and only learning little about the confuaingly stable world around her.

It had not been discussed when she had heard it, far as she remembered, but she had really only lived the little time she had known Sen and Lin, after Discord was made into stone. Even if she were the next-oldest being here, she was the closest to an infant as far as time actually spent living were concerned.

Thinking on something else for a moment, Omen looked back on the *good immortals* visual, and then up on her master.

"Master Discord, where am I? One of the bad ones? Not immortal? When do I vanish?"

Omen's best idea were that she were immortal herself from something Mother had told her, though she didn't know, and unbeknownst to her, neither did Mother.

The Reaper's best bet had been that since she had lived as long as she had without looking a day above the point Discord made her, that her daughter shared in her master's life, and would likely last as long as he did. Though honestly, only Discord might know, and even then it could just be a guess.

They were getting through to her in any case, so that was a start, though they shouldn't think she had gotten all of it currently. It were much to tackle for her limited understanding, and especially will all the other stuff going on as well.

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

 

@BloodDrops

"It's not optimal, but I can improvise."

In a lunch, her own flames could work in helping her with a makeshift forge, but she would have to be focused then. One slip, and she'd have to start over, and she needed to work fast as well in general. Flames weren't unlimited, and she wouldn't have to time to really set something lasting when the got there.

"Slappy, is there any metal on the station. "

Slappy turned around and looked at the two, with dread in his eyes and wondering if he should answer at all.

"I'll make sure you're not kept here, long as you don't tell anyone about Blood. I don't want to deal with pitchforks and torches."

"...I saw some, but t-there's not much. I can get something and take it to the s-station. I'll uhm... M-Meet you there."

Slappy reluctantly agreed to do a final act of service, and then took off. Perhaps he could get the container with scrapped metal and push it there? He just had to think of some kind of excuse. Also as to why his uniform was gone. Hopefully he wouldn't be drilled too much about that.

Seeing him leave, Nerzhei let out a sigh and looked between the somewhat armored Blood and the lake of dead fish.

"Urgh, luckily forgot about that for a moment. Okay, let me think..."

After a time, the best she coukd think off was what she did: Stuck her hands in the ground to get a better grip on the magic, and then covered it with an uneven pattern of stone slabs. If something wanted to go in there, it likely still could, but it was the best she could think of doing that she still had the energy to. She wasn't going to admit it, but using as much magic as she had today was draining, especially when she didn't eat too many gem stones. Gorging in that might have given her more, but she had rationed what she had found thus far, in case the supplies went low all of a sudden.

"Alright, we have a plan. Let's go and fix this then, and I'll... Figure something out about this place later. Must be some way to clean it up."

Unless something were said by Blood, Nerzhei would then flap up into the tree she had planted Lotus in, and get her along on her shoulders before walking towards Ponyville.

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

 

@MiragetheChangeling

"I take it you mean Ponyville, surely? The forest is a dangerous place to live, especially if you have... Special needs to consider."

When the princess changeling spoke about hearing somepony, a clear look of worry went over the guard's eyes. He might know that these were likely not issues, but even the smallest chance made him worried about his daughter.

A small, low frequency screech piqued his ears, and after a few seconds he slowly did the same towards the tree she was in. It wasn't words really, but more of a signal thing he had trained with Jelly in case she was told to hide, and would help letting her know when she could come out.

Reacting to the signal, the colorful bat pony filly hung from her tail down from the tree and then spread her wings, flapping down in front of the changelings.

"Hello bug ponies!"

Jelly saluted the two of them with a big smile on her face, showing off the fangs she had from her father, though the color scheme should make it somewhat obvious to at least the guard changeling that bat pony couldn't be the only thing in her heritage. They were almost always dark colors after all.

"I'm Jelly Drop, and this is Gary. Please be nice to him."

Hearing his name, the large, fuzzy spider crawled out from Jelly's mane and looked on Amanita and co. with disinterested eyes, once he figured out they were too big to eat. Nothing for him, so he'd skitter back again soon after, and get lost in Jelly's tall mane.

"Did daddy say you lived in Ponyville? Do you need getting there? My daddy is the bestest guard there is. He can get you there all safely."

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

 

@Moonlit @Seamore Sandwich @Dji

"If I try and carry anypony, you will have two ponies needing to be taken in. Straining enough as it is."

Last spits out a glob of blood on the ground, trying to clean her muzzle of the coppery taste that had started to collect around her teeth.

It wasn't enough though, so she went to the river and took in a muzzleful of water, swirled around, and spat out a rather big patch of pink on the ground next to her, before running a hoof in front of her muzzle and get back to moving.

She hated having to do this, and show weakness in front if the princess, but it was this, or she would attempt to carry Ziggy with the mere notion of an order from the princess, and then she might just burst, though they wouldn't need the hospital then. They'd need a mortician.

Getting close to town, Ziggy still hadn't woken up, and thankfully, Charlie and the stick was still helping her, so it wasn't getting worse. Last still wondered what were with the lagging nature of his current state, but it didn't seem anypony had an answer, and she didn't have time to look into it. Hopefully he'd answer it himself sooner or later.

Edited December 9, 2017 by Blitz Boom
Added color

[BloodDrops 761]

4 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

"It's not optimal, but I can improvise."

In a lunch, her own flames could work in helping her with a makeshift forge, but she would have to be focused then. One slip, and she'd have to start over, and she needed to work fast as well in general. Flames weren't unlimited, and she wouldn't have to time to really set something lasting when the got there.

"Slappy, is there any metal on the station. "

Slappy turned around and looked at the two, with dread in his eyes and wondering if he should answer at all.

"I'll make sure you're not kept here, long as you don't tell anyone about Blood. I don't want to deal with pitchforks and torches."

"...I saw some, but t-there's not much. I can get something and take it to the s-station. I'll uhm... M-Meet you there."

Slappy reluctantly agreed to do a final act of service, and then took off. Perhaps he could get the container with scrapped metal and push it there? He just had to think of some kind of excuse. Also as to why his uniform was gone. Hopefully he wouldn't be drilled too much about that.

Seeing him leave, Nerzhei let out a sigh and looked between the somewhat armored Blood and the lake of dead fish.

"Urgh, luckily forgot about that for a moment. Okay, let me think..."

After a time, the best she coukd think off was what she did: Stuck her hands in the ground to get a better grip on the magic, and then covered it with an uneven pattern of stone slabs. If something wanted to go in there, it likely still could, but it was the best she could think of doing that she still had the energy to. She wasn't going to admit it, but using as much magic as she had today was draining, especially when she didn't eat too many gem stones. Gorging in that might have given her more, but she had rationed what she had found thus far, in case the supplies went low all of a sudden.

"Alright, we have a plan. Let's go and fix this then, and I'll... Figure something out about this place later. Must be some way to clean it up."

Unless something were said by Blood, Nerzhei would then flap up into the tree she had planted Lotus in, and get her along on her shoulders before walking towards Ponyville.

Blood blinked and turned as Slappy went to get some metal. She smiled hopefully he would bring back enough though if it wasn't then she had a suggestion. She would tell Nerzhei "I could start ripping up some of the tracks the train uses, then we got more metal to work with and can make a better armour for myself" she remarked before glancing at the lake, she frowned. "it shouldn't be contagious, just dead, coz i didn't directly infect it. Just used magic to drain its life energy" i remarked to the dragon.

I snorted and then sneezed onto the ground, killing off some grass. I then blinked again "Yeah a sneeze guard wound be good, I end up killing tons of things each day by just sneezing, just wait till i get hay fever in the spring." I remarked smirking at the dragon, "You got a tissue or something, or i could wipe it on a leaf but then that leaf will die" I add blinking at the dragon. 

"do you want me to come with you to ponyville, or just wait here? Me going around in heavy mail might draw attention to myself, plus its not my mail so they might think i stole it from Slappy" I add to the dragon sitting down. 

[~Phoenix~ 196]

@Blitz Boom

as Phoenix got outside, she felt as though she had to reconsider her previous intentions. after all, setting a fire out here looked as though it wouldn't be any better than setting one in the house. after all, some pony looked as though they spent a lot of time trimming these hedges and making this garden look as extravagant as it did. was all of this part of Smokey's estate? it was certainly a bit bigger than she had previously imagined.

she began to look around in wonder, momentarily forgetting her unpleasant encounter with Widdershins. she walked down one of the paths, looking at how well placed all of the roses were, as well as noting the sheer number of them. whoever made this garden must have an obsession. "hold on a moment" she thought to herself as her mind traced back a bit. "that would explain her cutie mark". she thought back to when she had encountered Rose, and how she appeared to be one with nature. this garden must have been done by her. she certainly did a spectacular job. there definitely wasn't anything wrong with roses in her eyes. she stood over a whole bunch of them and inhaled deeply through her nose, smiling as the pleasant scent reaches her. 

she turned and saw the other mare there. she was a Pegasus. she had never really talked to any Pegasi before. then again, that wasn't anything surprising considering her mannerisms. before she could even consider approaching, the Pegasus was already approaching her. Phoenix took a step back a bit, not quite being used to others coming up to her like this. 

Phoenix at least owed the Pegasus mare an answer to her questions. she shyly lowered her head and avoided eye contact as she gave them "i'm Phoenix... and actually, i was brought here by Smokey" she replied rather quietly. 

all of a sudden, Phoenix noticed the strange skull hung around the strange mare's neck, and it had alarmed her quite a bit. even more so when the eyes began to glow. she leapt back, and immediately put herself into a defensive stance. it wasn't at all like Phoenix wanted to hurt the mare. rather, odd things like this simply triggered her survivalist instincts. 

[EQ_Theta 330]

@Blitz Boom @Storm Shine

Something about Omen's words struck a chord with Sen. He noticed some similarities with what she had gone through prior to them meeting but what she thought of those moments searching for Discord, he can't say. There's no way for him to say something that gives a direct and concrete answer without inadvertently invalidating her own experiences. Just saying something along the lines of a direct yes or no would likely leave the wrong impression so this response would need to have some tact and caution. 

"Omen, I don't know everything you did before we met. All I know is you wanted to find Discord but I can't really say more without overstepping my boundaries and imposing what I believe on to you. The best way to put it is only you can say whether or not it was time well spent. If you still want to speak about this, maybe we can continue this at a later time."

It was a difficult thing to consider when Sen thought maybe he could be wrong. He'd be open to this conversation when there was time but at the moment, there was a mad bat-pony with plans of revenge on her mind. Lin left to meet with Clayton without turning to Sen, Discord, or Omen and approached the former with some findings. 

"Clayton, we haven't gotten much from our friend," Lin said though the sight of his friends freed was a relief, that moment passed without her acknowledging their presence. "She said the pony in the mines looked glittery, had a crystalline horn, and was shouting the words 'Fancy Filligree.' Repeatedly, that is. Do you know if that is a name we should look into?"

Meanwhile, Sen had run out of things to say that could keep his conversation with Omen going but seems to have a few words for the draconequus. A few words that he wouldn't expect to say many years ago. 

"You know, Discord, have you ever considered teaching professions? The way you explained your piece showed you have some talent at it."

[Storm Shine 1,195]

@Blitz Boom @EQ_Theta

Discord patted Omen's head once more, "Don't worry Omen, you're one of the good immortals - in about the same sense as Flurry Heart is." He said with a smile, "You'll likely live forever, or at the very least for as long as I exist..." He smiled gently at her, "And~ you're a bit too naive and innocent to consider as anything but good." The spirit gave her a slight hug as a picture of Omen appeared in the 'good immortals club' drawing, "You have plenty of time to live and make your own experiences."

Discord then turned to look at Sen, floating upside down once again, "I've thought about it, but classrooms are much to orderly for me." He rolled his eyes, swishing a claw as a bag of chocolate covered raindrops appeared, "I doubt many would appreciate my teaching environment, should I ever pursue the profession."

Edited December 10, 2017 by Storm Shine

[Blitz Boom 3,921]

@~Phoenix~

The mare noticed how the mare g9t all defensively and jumped away from her, at which point she stopped and scratched her head. What would make a... Ooooh, she got it.

"Hehe, you don't have to be a worry-bird. They're not gonna do anything to you. They just get curious when we meet new people, ain't that right everypony?"

She scratched the top of tye skull, and the *eyes* focused more towards her. Phoenix wouldn't be able to see more in it, but the mare giggled.

"It's a shame you didn't hear that one. It was pretty funny.

Anyway, where was I... Oh right, introductions. My name's Sorrow. I'm Puff Puff's friend too, and my dad works here. And these curious ones are Legion. They'd wave if they could, but, you know. Getting a-head of things there."

Sorrow frowned and rolled her eyes a little 

"I swear, they never laugh at that one. No humor any of you."

Sorrow had kept her distance whilst talking, and kept a big happy smile on her face for most of it, since Phoenix looked a biiiiiit on edge, and she didn't want to fight her. She didn't want to fight anypony honestly, and especially not here. Rose would never forgive her if she ruined her beautiful garden for no good reason.

One time she had accidentally crushed a particular arrangement by stumbling, and Rose had her doing work for hours to repair it. Way more than was necesary, but the mare wanted her to learn from it, and not do so again.

Funny how a pretty mare like that was as tough as she were, but you couldn't judge the cover by the book sometimes she supposed.

"Is he awake by the way? I came to make a round, but if he's not sleeping, it'd be fun to talk to him. See what's new and all."

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

 

@EQ_Theta @Storm Shine

"I waited, until Mother told me to leave. Said I had to go back."

Omen remembered the moment, when Motger had calmly, but sternly, told her that she had to leave after spending so much time waiting in vain. She had veen patient enough according to her, and it was time to attempt to make contact with Equestria again.

"World was still strange. Looked different, but not with chaos, and nopony talked about Master Discord anymore.

I looked for him, until I found you. Sometimes, ponies asked me to deliver things, but they didn't want to talk, and many ran away when I tried. Never understood why."

It might be that nopony had any knowledge of her work relation to Discord, unless she told them (which she did if they tried to listen to her for a little) but she was still not trusted. What she did, how she spoke, and the curious, unblinking gaze made quite a bit think she was creepy, or some kind of monster.

Perhaps she was just unlucky with those she ran into, but eventually she guessed it meant she should just focus on looking for Discord, and just went between every bit of strong or Chaotic magic she found. Made her find quite a bit of things, such as the bauble, but they weren't interesting to her. They weren't him, so until a few days ago, she didn't think they were important.

"One talked. Strange snakecat with glowing eyes tgat found me. Told me things about Master Discord, Chaos and Order. Made sense when he said it, but never saw him again."

Sen had said they should talk another time, but Omen didn't see something bad happening right now, so she didn't think it was bad to say this.

Her story would make it pretty evident that she had been stuck in the past though. Discord had been her only focus, and with her continued alienation with most ponies, she hadn't had other things to do, or focus on. Might be she had learned a few things here and there, but honestly, Sen had granted her more knowledge in the first day, than what she had gotten the past twenty years in Equeatria.

Telling Omen her time had been spent without living wouln't hurt her though. It would just answer a question, like anything else, and she'd move along. It would take a good deal more to make her be aad about things, especially considering her initiate, dull emotions.

Hearing Discord talk and put her in the good club he had shown, would make her be more okay with it too. Long as she wasn't bad, everuthing should be okay, and in this picture. She was there with her master. It was something comforting in a sense.

"I remember you taught ponies things before, Master Discord. Is it like then? With the weird looks and crying?"

It had been more of a *teach them he didn't appreciate being mocked* thing, but it was the only teaching she remembered. Had looked a little like a school, but with less rulers and frantic writing of *We will never question our lord again* whilst weird things happened to them. Guess it worked, since she didn't see them try again.

Meanwhile, Clayton turned from the miners, who had started to talk together about how to cope with the years gone, and what it would mean for their families. A tough subject that he was thankful he did not have to answer right now, as he had no idea about most of that, and it would not be a good answer for his old friends.

The subject at hoof did not make him any more pleased though. It just served to drain him of even more color in his face and seem as if he had been given a bucketful of icewater down his back.

"Fancy Filigree w-was the owner of this mine. We never met him, and o-only heard from him through his lawyer. If h-he have been mentioned, she must be going after him f-first. We need to find File Fiddler. And q-quickly.

Last I heard, he was in L-Las Pegasus, setting up a new practise. There's a long way, but w-we have to find him."

Clayton looked to the workers once more, then lowered his head.

"No... Y-You need to go. I have to get my f-friends back to Canterlot first, and h-help them find answers, and a w-way forward. I can't abandon t-them again...

And, if the h-horn is true, you need to t-tell Mr. Filigree. Perhaps he knows w-what was in here, and what it d-did to her."

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

 

@BloodDrops

"We're trying to cause less death, not more. The train tracks stays. I'll go out and find something myself if I have to.

And you're coming with me. You got to and from the train station before without being seen, so you can get there again. Just keep down, and don't draw attention to your attire, or we're both going to have a lot to answer for."

Nerzhei were sure that now, that the mare had been near the station when she had been there before. It seemed her nose had been wrong about how fresh the tracks of Blood had been, but that was a mistake she would have to live with.

Besides, getting Blood to the station meant that Nerzhei could keep an eye on her, whilst they waited for Slappy. It wasn't good to leave the mare unsupervised, as had been proven a few times already.

Absentmindedly, Nerzhei took a piece of cloth from her pocker and dropped it unto Blood, to avoid getting touched. It was part of her robe that had been cutt off when she was messing around near some sharp rocks, and she didn't to sew it back on right now, so Blood could have it. She needed to replace the ratty old thing sooner or later anyway.

"Good that the lake isn't infectious, but it still can't be good for anything to drink off. I'll get someone to help me drain it or something later, when there's time.

I'm going to need to find some kind of garden shop in Ponyville for a sneeze mask before that though. Have to be something they use that will fit you, but it's the last part. The armor comes first. We shouldn't be too far out by now."

[Storm Shine 1,195]

@Blitz Boom @EQ_Theta

Discord gave a sheepish chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "That... Wasn't really how teaching is supposed work, Omen." He said, "That was a, ah.. wrong kind of teaching. Teaching is supposed to give knowledge, not impart fear as I had.." The spirit looked away, "That was just one of many.. mistakes.. I've made in the past, in terms of how I've treated others." Discord smiled with the next sentence, however. "Fluttershy really has helped me see things from a better perspective."

[Amanita 6,826]

@Blitz Boom

*Mirage slowly eased back to talk into Amanita’s ears* *sounds a bit like she’s describing Jelly* *when she’s down she looks back at them* no ma’am we don’t live in Ponyville. But we are planning to move there, if it is fine with the current residents that is.

*Amanita slightly bounces on her hooves grinning slightly, revealing her own hooves* hi Jelly! I’m Amanita! That’s Mirage! Like she said, we’re planning on moving there if everypony is alright with it! *she sounds rather happy and childish, for her age that is*

[Widdershins 9,938]

@Blitz Boom

   "Well, there it is still. Guess where I dropped it off." Ambie gestures at the wagon having been left out overnight on the edge of the forest some short few paces ahead of them. Nearby some few spare logs are still laying behind as extra from whoever had brought the logs down to begin with, likely Big Macintosh.

  "Think I... kind of took the harness with me when I dragged the load into town. And it's probably still with the load we dropped off, but Mr. Filthy ought send that back to the Apple family I figure so... there's nothing to worry about, right? It's good to drag back to the farm if you've got some string or something to tie it to me with? Suppose I could just head-push it back..."

@Blitz Boom and possibly still @~Phoenix~

   From where its body lies discarded on the bathroom floor, one end of it slowly wobbling a bit as if trying to find out where to direct its speech despite being without its ends, Widdershins talks clamly looking somewhat like a used sock or pink, wobbly log. 

   Well, you must have to beg my pardon, as I can't directly tell right now, but somehow I do doubt you are the ones lying here both headless, tailless and half-portaled in. I did say I would make my best amends, but, logically speaking I don't rightfully appear to be in any good shape to be of much use right now. Forgiveness, perhaps is something we can work on later with proper report, but before that I do feel I need to ask...

   How is it you know my name? Have we met before?  ...aaand... maybe when you two are up to it... we can see about recapitating my body here? If that's quite alright with you. This is quite uncomfortable. 

 

[BloodDrops 761]

9 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

"We're trying to cause less death, not more. The train tracks stays. I'll go out and find something myself if I have to.

And you're coming with me. You got to and from the train station before without being seen, so you can get there again. Just keep down, and don't draw attention to your attire, or we're both going to have a lot to answer for."

Nerzhei were sure that now, that the mare had been near the station when she had been there before. It seemed her nose had been wrong about how fresh the tracks of Blood had been, but that was a mistake she would have to live with.

Besides, getting Blood to the station meant that Nerzhei could keep an eye on her, whilst they waited for Slappy. It wasn't good to leave the mare unsupervised, as had been proven a few times already.

Absentmindedly, Nerzhei took a piece of cloth from her pocker and dropped it unto Blood, to avoid getting touched. It was part of her robe that had been cutt off when she was messing around near some sharp rocks, and she didn't to sew it back on right now, so Blood could have it. She needed to replace the ratty old thing sooner or later anyway.

"Good that the lake isn't infectious, but it still can't be good for anything to drink off. I'll get someone to help me drain it or something later, when there's time.

I'm going to need to find some kind of garden shop in Ponyville for a sneeze mask before that though. Have to be something they use that will fit you, but it's the last part. The armor comes first. We shouldn't be too far out by now."

Blood blinked at the cloth and put it around her nose, to stop her sneezing at anything. She blinked and smiled at Nerzhei "now i can sneeze into this, useful" she remarked. Following Nerzhei and tried to hide under the dragon, so that she couldn't be seen by other ponies.

"when we get to the station you can wait outside, and i can go inside and clean it. I made some mess in there" I remarked. Before rethinking that statement "not like killed someone mess, just inhabited it slightly and caused some mess to be made from doing that" I finish.

Blood nods at the idea of going to find a garden shop, it did sound like a very good idea. She did need a sneeze mask along with her armour. 

[The Resident Brony 60]

@Blitz Boom

Invictus sighs, and calms down, following Vivid

"I understand that. It's just hard to believe that after all these years, I still haven't CHANGED!"

His magic begins to flare up

"After all this time, Im still the same Celestia damned PONY!"

 

[genessee 535]

@Blitz Boom

"Huh? Oh, nothing much. Berry showed me the route and where everything was, plus we stopped by another restaurant on our way back. I grabbed tons of fruits, you want one?"

Lance held out a peach to Alonsus. He was still suspicious of the third-person-speaking stallion, but Lance figured it was just himself being paranoid. Plus, he's my coworker. It'd make a good early impression on him, you know?

[Foxy Socks 2,594]

@Blitz Boom @Widdershins @~Phoenix~

Foxy winced slightly when Agni dug her talons into her, though she didn't mind. It was quite an experience having a phoenix rest on her, and Foxy smiled before returning to Briar.

 

"Oh I see, it is a shame that you've been treated like that, and be sure I won't stand for anypony harming your kind. Perhaps one day things will be better."

 

"It is wonderful to be able to know of you and your kind, especially since you've said they aren't familiar or fond of outsiders. Anyway, do you have any idea what you want to do next?" They had been in the shop for a while now, and Foxy often becomes bored.

[FanOfManyShows 396]

@Blitz Boom

Astral reached her hoof to the trapdoor, closing her eyes as she focused, the lever underneath being pulled as the trapdoor opened. "Okay, there's going to be some dark magic involved when fighting." She trotted down the stairs into the basement, pulling out books. "Usually anything that is intended to hurt a pony involves some." She reached for a dark magic book, the symbol on it burned like a freshly scorched log, emitting small burning ashes as she pulled it out, ashes that dissipated when they touched any surface. "This was written by Warlock himself." She smirked a little, the symbol on the book showed the intent of it, it vaguely resembled two fiery wings as Astral opened it up. "It talks about all the spells he created and used, even stuff about how to properly use the elements of disharmony, although, I've never read those parts." She turned to a page that showed a depiction of Warlock himself, but in his prime, with his legs intact, and with wings made of fire on his back. "This will be useful for us to know later." She stood up as she put her hooves together, two complex shapes forming around where Pegasi wings would be, having a star shape inside a circle, which rotated around as it extended outwards, emitting particles similar to that of fire sparks.

Iron Star shivered, a deep sensation of dark magic flooded over him, something was wrong, it flowed through the family bloodline like it had when Sapphire practiced dark magic...

The sparks caused the air itself to burn as ashes floated through it, forming the shape of two wings, made of fire, originating from her midsection. Astral bounced up and down and giggled, flapping the wings, then folding them up to her side. "Oh I haven't cast this spell in ages~" She said as she looked to Chow. "So do you want to try to cast it?" She asked, smiling. "Oh and it doesn't hurt by the way."

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

Something went through Warlock, terror, and something else, some deep sense that there was somepony using Dark magic who hadn't before. Warlock realized he was there too long as he saw the Sphinx notice him, even in his ethereal form he let his body pull him back like a rubber band, as he almost fell backwards, then pulling forward in a motion that looked intentional, as he blasted all the magic he gathered forward towards the Sphinx as he yelled out in anger, unless the Sphinx stopped it, it would be cutting through all the rock and destroying the traps ahead, even taking magic from any that used it.

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

He smirked a little, deciding to go with this. "Well I had noticed them pass through here earlier when you were knocked out, but, I will make sure the generals don't find out." He said, giggling a little. "Oh and I came here to check on you, so, are you two alright?" He asked, pointing at them with his hoof, as he tilted his head a little.

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

Iron Star continued to remain there, not really able to cast any healing spells in secret. "Well I don't have any pony to watch over me at home yet, aside from Astral maybe..." She looked to the doctor. "I think I'd prefer being here for now." She said, laying back a little.

[EQ_Theta 330]

@Blitz Boom @Storm Shine

"File Fiddler? Might need to point us to a specific location in this Las Pegasus place. Also need a description of their appearances in case. And is this place only populated by pegasi. Pony settlement names are strange sometimes."

That last one sounded a little more insensitive than what Lin was thinking. It sounded better in her head but she'd always admit to not being used to pony naming conventions despite being out and away from the village for a very long time. Perhaps this might be one of those big cities she's used to hearing about but never got around to exploring. And with that drive to see new sights comes the potential to get slighted or worse. Not helping is that she, Sen, Omen, and Discord are already oddities whose appearances will draw too much attention from others. 

Maybe ponies would distance themselves from them and make the search for two new ponies that much harder. It makes them targets for opportunists who might take advantage of them for being very, very inept and unsure about what to do in a place like Las Pegasus. Perhaps those are all just thoughts lingering in Lin's mind and whether it will be true or not will be revealed in good time.

Edited December 11, 2017 by EQ_Theta

[~Phoenix~ 196]

@Blitz Boom

Phoenix began to let down her guard as she realized that the pony in front of her clearly meant no harm. that skull would continue to creep her out, however. she listened on as the mare appeared to talk to the skull, as if there were some being, or beings inside of it. clearly, due to the glowing eyes, there was something up with this skull. otherwise, the mare would simply look insane. 

she thought it strange how Smokey had all of these ponies he was connected to. there were the few ponies here on his estate, as well as the others he had a chat with at each of the train stations. she shook her head slightly, thinking about just how opposite he was from her. perhaps that would only serve to help her out in the long run. 

she stepped back a little again. "puff puff?" she muttered to herself. she figured it must be some odd nickname for Smokey "yeah, i was just in there with him... but i think  he's dealing with something right now" she answered, thinking back to what had just happened inside of the house. her blood began to boil at simply the thought of it all. 

 

[Blitz Boom 3,921]

@~Phoenix~

"Awh. Well, perhaps I can catch him later.

Actually, wanna use some time out here so we can both go in and surprise him? It'll be fun. You can see the garden, and I can have my round to see if there's more friends for Legion lurking around somewhere. This place gets some weird activity sometimes. Not *Canterlot Garden* weird, but that's a tall order too."

Sorrow looked down on Phoenix with pleading eyes. She could go the round herself, obviously, but it was more fun when you were with somepony else. Perhaps she could even find out who Phoenix were in the grand scheme of things, and why she was here?

"Come on, pleeeease? We can talk too if you want. Just let's do something fun whilst we wait for Puff Puff to be done. I want to surprise him."

Ideally, she'd jumpscare him, and see him get a little frazzled over that, but she could wander with Phoenix and just have a regular chat too she supposed. Less fun, but it couldn't all be about her and what she wanted to do. If it were, they'd be out chasing strange things and monsters, all adventurer style.

But sadly, that sort wasn't just something you could do, even though she could already see Phoenix just blasting things left and right, with a wild mane and roaring at monsters. Vivid imagination was funny like that, at least for her.

"Well, unless dad told him I was coming. No fun when he spoils it, but that's not important right now. C'mon, let's wander the garden and see if we can find something pretty. Just don't ruin anything, okay? Rose doesn't like others messing up her garden."

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

 

@EQ_Theta @Storm Shine

So her master admitted he was wrong now? This day was just getting more confusing.

Back in her time, what he had done had always been right. Discord could do no wrong, and wouldn't apologize for his actions. Not in a way that he meant as least.

Perhaps the Stranger was right then. If even Discord thought that he wasn't as flawless as she had once thought he were, perhaps he wasn't.

She had thought for some time after meeting the Stranger that made her think her master had done wrong in the past, but there was a difference between thinking something, and hearing him admit fault himself. It was rather strange actually, but she guessed it was a good thing? At least for him it should be.

"Yellow mare sounds important Master. Is she going to be magic mare?"

Omen recalled hearing him talk about wanting a Lady of Chaos a few times, but he had made it clear that she were never to tell about any of the times to anypony, so she didn't ask this specifically. Instead, she used a phrase she had been ordered to use instead. Or one of. He had told her other that were weirder, and she couldn't recall all the words anymore. The one who sounded like Alicorn or Unicorn was the only one she had clearly in her head currently.

Meanwhile, Clayton gave a description of File Fiddler, a direction to go for Las Pegaus, and an address they should go for. It was in the southern part of town, though they should likely ask a local when they got there.

"- and then it's on the s-second floor. That's where I l-last saw his office being at least. When you see him, tell h-him that the statues cracked. H-He will know it is serious.

It is mostly a P-Pegasus city, but you will not be a-able to tell with all the tourists. A lot of w-weird and varied ponies and b-beings showing there for the a-attractions, and casinos. I would s-stay clear of those if I were you. They r-rob ponies blind more often than not."

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

 

@MiragetheChangeling

"As long as you adhere to the law, there should not be an issue. Just remember that impersonating somepony can be acceptable, but doing so with ill intent is illegal. I hope you can understand the need for such a law."

Not all changelings were good, or came with anything less than horrid thoughts in mind, and as such, when they introduced Changeling specific laws, they had to take that into account.

However, they also had to think about how some changelings would be persecuted and shunned by everypony if it was found out who they were in the transition phase, so outright banning other forms could be seen as unfair. The last that Stargazer had heard, it would be okay with being other forms in case of pranks or other harmless stuff, and could be seen upon with good eyes on a case to case basis if it regarded transition or fear of persecution, depending on the city.

As the main guard in Ponyville currently (at least until Princess Sparkle would form her own guard) his judgement would be on the lenient side, and he had hopes that the princess's entourage would feel the same when it came down to it. She were the Princess of Friendship after all, and should be open towards others because of that.

"Hehe, you two sound nice. Can we help them daddy? Pleeease?"

Jelly looked with pleading eyes up on her father, who shook his head with a little smile and rustled her mane.

"A good guard helps everypony they can Jelly, so no worries."

He looked back over at the two, who may well end up being his new neighbors.

"Ponyville is still some way from here, and there's far worse things than Timberwolves out here. Best if we go with you and make sure you both arrive safely, if you'd allow it?"

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

 

@Widdershins

So the wagon was still here, that was good. Less well off were they when it turned out that Ambie had apparently messed it up last night, and now was missing a harness.

Happy really needed to have a word with his parents about getting a carer with a leash to make sure Ambie didn't just accidentally finish what evolution and common sense should really have sorted up to about now. A bit of a harsh thought perhaps, but when it was made more and more apparent that pure luck had to be the only factor in Ambie still being alive and well, the gloves had to come off to accurately describe things. Or socks he supposed, since it was ponies

"Well, it ain't pretty, but I say we're better off trying to fix this rather than having you accidentally push it into somepony at the sight of the first incline. I might have a spare in my cart, hold on."

Considering he were on his own, he had to be prepared for things, though he would admit that rope wasn't something he had to dabble in often. But still, it was this or work some vines, and he'd start with having a look before they went full Tarzan.

Shouldn't take more than a few minutes either. He knew stuff like that wasn't going in the box, so it was really about the area around it. Hopefully Ambie could stay out of trouble for that long, though as Happy grabbed the key under his neck-plate and opened up for his shop, his better judgement told him that it wasn't gonna be that easy.

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

 

@Widdershins

Smokey hated to admit it, but the Draconequus did make a point. He was not here completely, and had some excuse for what he did by the merit of being an apparent twisted combination of confusion and random acts. It did not mean however, that Smokey were any more pleased with his entrance, and still felt an anger that he did not normally have rummage around under the surface.

"You're kidding me, surely? We met in Ponyville. Phoenix and I brought your claw back after you somehow lost it. She set you on fire."

You'd really think that last one in particular would have been something the scattered Draconequus would bite notice in, but apparently, he could forget things like that, no matter how ashen he had been afterwards.

Wanting to get this over with, he started to push the parts that he could see together of the Draconequus, though he wasn't sure if all parts were even here. Hopefully he didn't have some of the creature in his stomach. That would just make an abhorrent even more disgusting, and it did not need help, considering how it had already completely ruined an excessively happy moment.

"So now you met this Draconequus beforehoof, whom your marefriend helped set on fire? I'm going to need more details about that one."

"Later. And don't call her that. She and I are... I don't know, but I don't want to make her feel more uncomfortable by hearing you say that.

And you, Widdershins, are going to keep your mouth shut about our secrets this time. It's not up to me to know her past unless she feels like talking, and she does not need to know about my business until I am ready to tell her. With how strained you have made everything with your appearance, you at the very least owe us that."

Having cleaned his nose as the conversation went on, Grim finally turned away from the sink with a little smirk on his face, from hearing how Smokey had responded to his comment about Phoenix being his marefriend. It got strained though, as he saw the pieced up Draconequus. He could not imagine this was considered a good way to meet the first one of those, and especially not if said creature was feeling like being vengeful to somepony who had once hurt him. Hopefully they weren't as bad as he had been made to believe.

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

 

@BloodDrops

Well, that was not the way she had intended the cloth piece to be used, but as long as it did something useful, she should just be somewhat happy about this honestly. Considering everything, having something become a tin bit less difficult was more than welcome.

"Good then, we have a plan for the time being"

As Ponyville got into sight, Nerzhei's mind started to go on alert, and the slightest movement made her think that some pony had found them, and that Blood was going to do something against them to stop othes from hearing about them. Thankfully, they somehow managed to get to where they had aimed for without actual ponies biting notice of them. Leaves, and the occasional critter had been what made sounds on the way there, unless Blood for unknown reasons would want to try and get them closer to town than made sense. In that case, this was going to end with somepony noticing them, but surely she wouldn't expose herself like this?

If something as bad as that did not happen, they should soon enough be at the station, at which point Nerzhei would wait for Blood to begin her planned part of everything, before she'd take off and find a garden shop for some kind of muzzle protection.

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

 

@The Resident Brony

"Some things never change, no matter how much you'd wish that they did. Perhaps being emotional is simply who you are?"

A lot of things could change, and Vivid knew this. Behavior, powers, likes and dislikes, or your very being, were all examples of what she had seen and experienced herself. However, there would usually be a part of you that never changed, or at least was plenty difficult to escape from. IN Invictus case, that may be his emotionally-driven behavior.

For her it had always been the dead. Even when corrupted and hurting others with glee, she had kept her respect for the dead, and done what she could to help them onward. The sympathy for them was a base that had never changed for her, even when more or less everything else had.

"In the grand scheme of things, I don't think that sounds too bad, though for somepony who wishes to be a guard however, perhaps it is not as simple for you. I imagine that requires a more level mind."

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

 

@genessee

"Another restaurant? And here I were believing that we were the only ones who had open today. It seems even I, the great Alonsus, can be mistaken about some things now and again."

"Several things, each day,,you big dolt."

Berry rose her voice from the counter and pulled her tongue at Alonsus, who returned her teasing words with a puffed chest and a pleased smile on his face.

"Once again, the fair maiden have been drawn toward my presence, and her heart aches for my attention."

It was entirely certain if he was just teasing Berry back as she had a stab at him, or if he actually believed that she were just after him because she could not get enough of his attention.

"Ah, but hold still my heart, you will not have to wait for long. Tell us, where did you partake in a feast outside of work Lance? Alonsus is curious about where the competition have arisen, though a want to taste of their labor isn't there, unless you have found yourself in position of a pineapple? That would be quite intriguing."

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

 

@Foxy Socks @Widdershins @~Phoenix~

"The past is in the past Foxy, and I prefer to think les son how harsh that were, compared ot the wonders ahead of me. In any case, perhaps you are correct, and it would be time for us to leave soon. I would hate to take too much advantage of Miss Rarity's hospitality as it were."

Speaking of their hostess, he had likely shown off the cloak for long enough by now, and would slowly pull it back to put on his being once more. She had not mentioned anything about it after he had brought it up, but it were likely because her mind was racing. With what he had heard of her work, her mind would surely have to be occupied by thoughts about grandiose designs and splendid patterns after hearing his plea for a future piece of work. It was honestly an honor to have somepony so focused on her work that they went silent from being presented with an idea alone, without it being from disgust.

 At least he were fairly certain it wasn't a bad thing, as she were still in the room, and that she had thus far seemed like nothing but a kind pony. He couldn't believe that she would all of a sudden turn now.

Rainbow Dash's silence however... That one were stranger, but he would attempt to believe it had something to do with Agni. It seemed the bird's presence had started to render the pegasus speechless, and perhaps it was simply that which still made Miss Dash short of words. It was one of the nicer things he could imagine at least, and he did not wish to think harshly on ponies he had just met, so that would be his thoughts for the time being.

He got on his hooves as the thoughts ran and his cape settled on his back, with Brittle following troop shortly after.

"If we could, would it be terribly selfish to ask that we left the bustling town for now? Brittle seems to have reverted to her previous state, and I would prefer not to worry her too much with the amount of beings currently in town.

Ah, and Miss Rarity, Miss Dash? I thank you for the meeting, and to host us in what must be a busy time. It have been a fascinating experience."

Briar turned towards the two mares, and with a hoof to his chest, gave a deep bow before the both of them, as one should do according to his late mentor.

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@Lloyd

Chow almost took a step back when Astral started to meddle with the sort of magic that Warlock apparently had written down, but as he saw the wings flare on her back, he halted,a nd took a large one forward instead.

"Are you outta your mind?"

His eyes had gotten a brief hardness in them as he saw the thing she had just done, though it did soften up the more he spoke after his first, sorta hostile outburst.

"We're supposed to fight him Astral, not turn into him. You wandering 'round with a trademark of his is going down the path, and the book? If he have written it, he already knows all the tricks in there, and it'll just be to his advantage. Not to speak of how it's likely loaded with all sorts of horrible magic. Heck, who knows what the wings alone might have of side effects?

I know we need to push him back, but I ain't gonna have you run in his steps to get there. I'd never be able to forgive myself if I lost you to his sort of magic, and that's not even speaking of your family. Misty needs you as you are, not as a shadow of a greater evil."

If she hadn't knocked him out, trapped him, or something else like that at this point, he'd try to take another step forward and put a hoof on her shoulder.

"I know you wanna end this, and get your mother back from him and Athriel, but the way isn't to be him. There have to be something here that's gonna work on him without going all the way down the rabbit hole.

Now, if you can say without a shadow of a doubt that what's in that book, and what it does, can't end up hurting you in the end, I'll listen to the sales pitch and perhaps buy in on the wings, but if there is anything that makes you unsure, I implore of ya: Put it down, get rid of the giant sign that you're practicing some sort of magic, and let's look what else is in here, alright?"

If Astral was set on this, perhaps she wouldn't listen to him, and instead see this as him being against her, but it couldn't be further from the truth. Sure, he was a bit harsh in the way he had gone at it to begin with, yet it had just seemed to him like she needed a firm hoof to help her get sorted again, and not go down the path of madness that Warlock once had.

Granted, the wings were pretty cool, but he already had tried to accept something that turned out to be corrupting, and he wasn't keen on just jumping on the bandwagon when this time the risk came from an even greater evil.

Of course, he might not be able to get much said before Astral would lash out, but surely she wouldn't do that to her buddy...Right?

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@Lloyd

The Sphinx had tools at his disposal, but something which could stop the magical blast that hammered down the halls at this volume? No, he had nothing like that in his arsenal.

As the blast hammered down the hall and headed towards him, he dodged it with gritted teeth and look behind him, as the destruction both there and in front of him

At the other end, Athriel had actually taken a step back in surprise, not having expected this in the slightest, though she had to go forth again to grab hold of Warlock, as using this much magic might have left him unable to even float. Honestly, she were a little awestruck by the sheer force of the, and felt a shiver going through her as her heart skipped a beat. To have felt such power surge that close to her... She almost said something about it that wasn't a snark comment about a waste of magic, before a loud, angry voice from further in stopped her.

"You dare to make a mockery of my trial!? I have not been trapped here for centuries just to have some worthless mongrels cheat their way through it! You will come here now, and I will crush you below my paws!"

The remaining torches on the walls flared up quite a lot, and lighted the path forward in either patchy intervals, or on the floor itself, where some of the torched had fallen down into the rubble left behind by Warlock's attack. It were far more than were needed, but the Sphinx were angry. This was not how things were supposed to be done, and whatever merit the two of them had from releasing him were running thin now.

One way or another, they would be made to prove themselves, even if he had to take the magical orb his paw were placed on, that had powered the temple's defenses before, and trap them in it, to see if they would be driven mad or escape unscathed. Though he were sure the leech would cheat and just eat the remnants inside of it as well. Perhaps it would best to make this physical when they got there.

In the meantime, Athriel had started to grit her beak at the prospect of what were ahead now, and knowing well that there wasn't a way out behind them anymore. Not one they'd be able to get through with any ease, now that the whoever was guarding this place were in a harsh mood.

"We need to get going. If you can't move on your own, just let me carry you there. Hopefully there's something you can drain there."

It was not intentional that some worry escaped with her words, but for some reason it had just slipped out before she had a chance to think on it. No matter, they had something to do here, and unless Warlock would or could move on his own, she'd take hold of him, and fly like she had when they got to the island in the first place. The Sphinx were not going to ground her again this time if it were.

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@Lloyd

"Yeah, we're fine. Just need a bit of time to get sorted."

"Getting your heads smashed together in a metal helmet leaves to a lot of ringing."

"Yeah well, less than what the Generals could've ended up doing if they learned what happened, am I right?"

"Yeah, getting ringing beats getting an earful from those two. Not easy to ignore when they're giving you a verbal assault."

"Well, thankfully not an issue since our friend here is bening a real pal about things. Thanks again for that by the way.

"Yeah. you're a life saver. THough we still need to figure out where that robed one went. Have you seen anyone like him? He's completely covered in a ratty robe, and it seemed like he had a long tail to, considering the cylinder for that thing in said robe."

"And glowing, golden eyes."

"Oh right, those. Weren't they kinda slit in it? You know, like a dragon perhaps?"

"Oh yeah... Might've been a small dragon then? Would explain the tail."

"Totally. Wouldn't you agree... Iron Wing, right?"

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@Lloyd

"Good good. It's easier to monitor things here, but we are required to ask."

The doctor nodded and noted down a few things on a pad, then looked at the cast on Misty's leg and scribbled something more on. He'd likely show them if they asked, but doctor writing wasn't exactly an easy one to decipher.

"What about the ambassador?"

The doctor halted momentarily, then let out a sigh and looked at the Lieutenant.

"...He sustained a good deal of internal bleeding from his impact with a hard surface, several bones have been bend or broken, and he suffered a punctured lung. Quite honestly, I'm surprised he could even talk or stand after hitting it in the first place."

"He's gonna be okay though, right?"

"Honestly, we're not sure."

Shimmer got a pale look over her face.

"We staunched the bleeding and we've done what we could to fix his lung, but he had lost a lot of blood when we got him in, and the damages was extensive. The angle and the surface he hit ended with his own body hurting him more than the impact, and as much as we have done, it will have to come down to his will to carry on right now. If he manages to fight through the next hour, he should be okay, but I can't give guarantees with certainty.

We will do everything that we can of course, and I have hopes for him, but right now we all need to weapon ourselves with patience."

Unless there would be more from Misty, the doctor would move along over to Iron to check up on him, and leave Shimmer behind visibly shaken, and mumbling something that sounded like a prayer for Celestia to watch over him, wherever she were.

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@woodchunks66

On the apple farm, a strange figure were currently wandering between the apple trees.

Lyriel might look like a Human to some at a distance, which would be weird enough, but when they got closer and saw her robe of leaves and grassm the roots in her hair, and the bark on especially her fingers and bare feet, it would start to get stranger.

Dryads were not something she had gotten the sentiment were common in Equestria. Beyond her, she had not heard of any, and by the looks she had been given after getting to town earlier today, neither had the locals. It was a shame, but at least she could wander peacefully among her little pony friends, and not get attacked.

After Ancalagon had picked her up however, things had become... Strained. Others looked at her a little more strange, as if she had a personal connection with the great one, and after she had stormed away from him a few minutes ago, it had likely not been better. She wasn't sure, as she had rushed away, not wanting to bait her temptation with the pure water he could offer anymore. It was a kind gesture, but she couldn't let herself be consumed by it like her people had, even if it was offered by a great dragon who likely did not wish her harm.

Looking at her hand just before she placed it on the trunk of the tree in front of her, she could still see some of the effects. The pale flowers had fallen off as she had started to tun, and her eyes had gone away from the pink they had in them before back to the normal light green. Yet she could still see herself being overly florid, and still not rid of the excessive healthiness look that it had given her.

It was a better look perhaps, but it wasn't her, and she couldn't allow herself to change like that. Change would come soon enough of course, and she would welcome it, as she would attempt to see if she could blend in better with the ones near the forest she now resided in, but it was different to change because you wanted to, instead of addiction to something that made it involuntarily.

So she had run away, and had fallen over this large orchard full of apple trees with no pony around that she could see. Curious, she had then entered it, and as she were doing now, as her right palm gently got placed the tree in front of her, she had communicated with the trees, to learn from them, and the ones who governed them.

Edited December 12, 2017 by Blitz Boom

[Amanita 6,826]

@Blitz Boom

Mirage looked at Stargazer, as if judging whether or not she could trust Stargazer and Jelly. As she was observing, her eyes looked as if they flickered between fear, protectiveness, and something Stargazer wouldn’t be able to place.

“All right. Amanita normally doesn’t let me do that anyways. And thank you, for your kindness.”

She seemed to mean the last statement. After saying this however, her eyes went back to their original state, emotionless.

Whilst Amanita was currently smelling/listening around, she answered Jelly.

“Thank you miss! You seem nice to!”

Amanita giggled happily at finding possible new friends, even if trying to make friends with that Timberwolf hadn’t worked out to well...