open Casual stroll

[Sekel 696]

@Blitz Boom

TWILIGHT SPARKLE

"Okay, since my sister has decided to stay behind," Twilight paused while they waited for the train at the station outside Sanctuary. The forest spread out behind them and the path into the forest ended up being dark and ominous the further it wound its way through the trees. She was still getting used to the idea of having an actual older sister but believed writing letters to each other would have to suffice. "Drone, I would like to meet with your Queen, hopefully to establish relations between the Manetids and Ponies," she told the buzzing insect creature. She knew Last wouldn't take kindly to the option but believed it to be good for the moment.

@Blitz Boom

DAZZLE GLEAM & DAWN STREAK

Most of the house was clear of dust by now and the group has found various scales and pieces of fur amongst the sand particles. With each piece they recovered, Dazzle grew more and more fearful her parents may have actually been forced out of their home rather than simply deciding to leave. "Why would they leave the furniture and not leave a note for me in case I somehow returned?" Dazzle asked out loud, her face a picture of fear, panic, and cluelessness all rolled into one.

"Maybe they were taken. There's a lot of discarded scales around here," Dawn commented, poking at the jar full of blue dragon scales from Dazzle's father. She had no idea what was even going on beyond knowing she had to help Dazzle find her parents. "Is there a way for us to view the past with magic?"

@Blitz Boom

AURORA LIGHTS

"I had no idea there were kinder ways to feed," Aurora commented, now sitting on her haunches in front of Queen Cheshire. They had retired to the Queen's chambers and were all seated quite comfortable within. Aurora was wrapping her head around the fact that there was more than one way to feed off of emotions and it was blowing her mind. So much that she forgot she was in new company and wasn't nervous about it at all. "I thought it was just forcefully taking love but ... I guess Chry ... Chrys ... her. That one. She wanted to do her own thing?"

@Blitz Boom

KARMIC FATE & ATZY

"The fish could be rotten, the fireworks explode blowing limbs off," Karmic muttered, seemingly stuck in her vision loop. Her eyes were a stark white and Atzy winced.

"I'm sorry about this, Karmic," Atzy winced and solidly punched Karmic's face with her gem-studded hoof. Karmic gave a jolt and the light left her eyes before she gasped and shook her head.

"Wh-wha ... what happened?" Karmic muttered, wincing and holding a hoof to the lump forming on her jaw.

[Blitz Boom 4,645]

 @Catpone Cerberus

"I concur on the difference between magic and science wholeheartedly. I still attempted at the time, due to wanting to know more of my situation as well, but the notion of it working is somewhat ridiculous. Elementals are not as the layman might think, magical creatures. Elemental Spirits are, but the two are so notably different, that they have little in common, beyond being beings of nature.

Elementals as for instance a fire elemental, are wholly bound by physical laws. When they cast fireballs and causes smokescreens, among other things, it is not casting magic, but natural, biological processes, in the same vein as a dragon's fire. Some elementals can cast magic, and certainly there are a degree of magic in them passively, as there are in most creatures, but for the most part, their interactions are physical, and not as fantastical as the world of comic books would make one believe.

In truth, I am not even sure if I can cast magic anymore. I have tried some, but thus far, I have failed in my endeavors. Either my transformation are so complete that I lost my natural unicorn connection to the arcane, or it is locked down, and I am yet unable to unlock it. Or it can be that it have changed to being magic of an elemental nature instead, which would involve me having to first learn how they use it in the first place. A lot of uncertainty, but that is simply one more reason for me to research myself, and uncover further my abilities, as well as limitations.

In regards to research and limitations though, I think that if you can get access to the data from Center Zero, or if we go there and I can find the correct paperwork for you, you should look into the work of one of the Boom family members, Molotov Boom. That family have had a fascination with the concept of artificial wings for decades, and while his mother made and attached a pair on herself, they were still controlled via magic, and only really useful in floating.

Molotov however, managed to make a functional pair. Sun powered and attached via surgery, it were peculiar to see a unicorn with wings, flying about like it wasn't a bother, but he were ever a prodigy, in his own right. Wings were one thing, but he also managed to create life, after about a decade of work. Artificial intelligence, despite being told it were a ridiculous waste of time to tinker with.

I cannot deny his genius, nor will I attest to understanding much of his work. He showed me the finer working and calculations for his wings at one point and trying to grasp how it functioned were giving me a headache. You'd likely have a better chance of understanding his work, which I will say is a shame will not be brought further, considering what happened to the town. The stallion in question himself I didn't much care for though. For one so smart, it is incredible how much he shoved his own hoof down his throat. Especially around mares. Never knew there to be more than four days of passage at most, without someone pushing him into a barrel, or something else, because he said something dumb.

*sigh* But I shouldn't speak ill of the dead. That whole family were very... Unique, but they were brilliant, and did do a lot of groundbreaking work. I hope that what they left behind, will come to good use."

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@Catpone Cerberus

Didn't seem like he much cared for seafood, but that were okay. Different folks had different tastes, and she really couldn't blame him about the clam. She usually didn't eat that, unless it were done properly at a restaurant, and even then, it were mostly down to what else were there, to make it taste better. It were better to have something with a bit of chew to it, and just with taste in general. Fish tasted good, but it were a bit mild, and clams were just salty boogers, more or less. That sorta meal needed some spices and steamed veggies, as an example.

Her dreams about seafood dining aside though, she did still like to see that he didn't waste food, and that he had still done a fair enough hunt. Sure it could have been better, but she wasn't gonna be a stickler that only praised him if he did above and beyond. The poor boy needed some encouragement, after all the treatment he'd been through before. It'd help with his confidence, and make him big and proud, just like a proper dragon should be.

Leviathan hadn't much else to do, and she had to conserve her magic, so she'd spent the rest of the time waiting doing some stretches, and looking around the tiny island they were on. Probably nothing to really do, but she couldn't just sit still for nearly an hour. She'd go crazed with boredom.

On 2025-01-26 at 12:30 PM, Catpone Cerberus said:

If Leviathan didn't say or do anything more, as the hour passed, Ruby would announce that it was time to go, and would get ready to lead the trio to the mainland, though not before telling Leviathan "You may be older, but here, stay close, and do as I say; And I will apologize in advance, as I may get physical if your safety depends on it, and ask that you trust me when I say, If I grab you, kick you or otherwise slam you to move you, it is to protect you, not to harm you, sometimes there isn't time for words." she was even more serious than she usually were, the homelands were dangerous place, even for her, so there was no room for her usual indifference. 

Leviathan would listen to every word she were told by Ruby. Were the place and timing different, she may have marked how sweet it were that the larger dragoness were starting to feel so protective of her, that she felt she needed to give these warnings, but this were not the time or place. Frankly it didn't even cross her mind, as the dread over where they were going, were more imminent, and hard to ignore.

"I trust you, Ruby. If you slap me around, I know you'd have done so for a reason. Just as I know that you're telling me to do what you say, because it's genuinely dangerous for me to not listen.

I'll do what you say in there. Just... Try and be careful, okay? I'd like to get out of this place, but not without the both of you. And remember that I can still fight. I'm not just gonna sit it out, if something happens. Might be I'm small, but I ain't useless."

She did genuinely worry if they were all three going to be okay, and she didn't much like to take orders and be bashed around by youngsters without them having good reason, or some sort of rank she actually respected. But this were a dangerous place, and Ruby knew best. If she said that she might have to throw her away for her own good, Leviathan would trust that. But she wasn't gonna be a helpless lizard in all this. If she could, she'd help in her own way. And if it seemed Ruby or Charir would get hurt, or worse, she were going to bring the wrath of a storm down upon whoever dared to try. Might be Ruby claimed they were tough and resistant to a point, but let's see how resistant they were to a localized thunderstorm to the back, or getting their limbs encased in ice. Resistant or not, that sorta thing would at the least slow you down.

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@Catpone Cerberus

"An Oni, so far from the mainland? Troubling news, if they have started to spread out from Neighpon. Though I do welcome hearing there are kitsune at the school. I haven't seen their elders for years. It would be good to hear how they're faring these days."

"You have friends among their seniors, doctor?"

"Yes. In this case though, I am speaking of their leaders. The ones from the main village at least. I spent a couple of fascinating, enlightening years there, some time past. They're quite knowledgeable about many things, and if you treat them with respect, they will do so in kind too.

Which also means that I am afraid I cannot answer questions about the Oni. Even among kitsune, their origins are meant only for the elders, and they say nothing about them to anyone, except for their chosen replacement. I know some general warnings, and that they are trouble for the elders to deal with, but beyond that it is merely stories and rumors, that won't help much. Though this is the first I have heard of one outside Neighpon, which I can imagine must be a topic of concern for their elders.

But for now, this is a concern of theirs, while we have our own, more locals trouble. Including the couple you saved. It's remarkable they survived, considering the amount of wounds they had, but from what I am told, none of them seemed to be meant to be fatal. The blood loss could have done it, certainly, but nothing vital were hit. It makes it hard to discern a motive.

Still, it is over for now, and perhaps times have changed to where I can get more of a proper answer now. If not, then at least I have some to visit at the school now. I'm sure they would appreciate someone who knows their customs better too."

"Be that as it may, what happens now?"

"When you are ready, you can leave, and I won't be sharing stories. I know the princess and her ideals towards the reformed changelings, and while I will not lie and say I trust you, I do look forward to seeing the limits to this "reformed" status. Perhaps I can be proven wrong, and it can really change even the darkest of minds to the better. If not... Well, let's try not to cross that bridge, and hope for a brighter outcome, hm?"

Onache narrowed her eyes and scowled at the doctor some, though she didn't change her attitude, and the queen couldn't get a read on her. She were weak, and this mare seemed to know how to steel her mind well. She got nothing from trying to read her, and it annoyed her. But there were little she could do about that currently.

"Believe what you will, but I have no intention of repeating history. I will leave soon."

"Well then. unless I am needed otherwise, have a good day. And if you are looking for the guard you brought in, she is in the room right across from this."

If there were nothing else to Doctor Toxina, she would bow her head at each of them, and then be on her way. Plenty of things to do in a hospital, even at times when there weren't a lot of patients. Though if there were questions, she would stay and answer.

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@EQ_Theta

On 2025-01-27 at 12:21 PM, EQ_Theta said:

“The council of the longma elders has summoned us to speak before them about possibly opening up the longma to the outside world. We’ve been preparing for this, and we’ll be set to leave for this tomorrow, but… I don’t know. Even with our preparations, I can’t help but feel worried. I really want this to succeed, but some part of me can’t help thinking back to the night our parents were taken away… like it might happen again.”

“It’s not just that, Mother…” Lin chimed in, questioning herself if she had to mention more recent events but relenting at the need to come clean. “We’ve also discovered something back home. Old ruins mostly, but while we were there, something, or someone, took over me. It spoke about coming for the longma like it wants to bring us back under its control. Sen and Omen brought me to the kitsune for their help, but it may be a matter of time before it comes back.”

“I suppose we just couldn’t keep this all to ourselves because we thought you should know, and we didn't want to worry you, but it isn’t all bad news. We’ve met some friendly faces back home, and our grandfather helped us out with preparations. It's good knowing that he's still around and doing well. I think he’s getting familiar with Omen and the gates she and I can create. Maybe in time, this could be just another normal thing that happens in the village. Even some young longma in the village have seen Shrimp and have taken a liking to our little friend.”

Mother did not discourage any of them from hugging as much of her large form as they could. Something which Omen joined in on too, when she noticed all the others did too. Shrimp however, would take the chance to get up further than he ever had, by slithering up on Mother, and aiming to get on top of her head. Even when laying down as she did now, she were still huge, and it would be a very tall vantage point for the little longma. She smirked slightly at this, amused, and deciding not to interfere. Let the little one enjoy himself for now, as they spoke of other things.

And quite a lot of things there were to be spoken off. Things that made her smile falter some, as she were worried of several things she were told about. It seemed that things were as ever, very eventful for them, with little sign that things would slow down, or stop. A troubling tendency, and one she hoped would calm down eventually, but it seemed as if life simply were not like that for them now. Omen truly had found herself some very eventful beings to feel attached to, though much as she worried, she were happy that Omen were with them. Through thick and thin, she knew Omen would be with them, and when that much happened, she trusted that she would learn something too, and come closer to being what she had wanted for so long: Normal. Considering her master, a rather peculiar want, but Mother always assumed it were due to her thinking that being normal, meant she could understand others, and not be so far behind everyone. She had a simple mind, though it were clear that it were expanding, due to the good influence of Sen and Lin. Potentially others too, but these were the only ones she had met thus far, from their circle of friends.

"I blame you not for your many worried, my children. Much responsibility is about to be set upon your shoulders, among threats or ancient enemies, set upon conquest. Not to mention fears of history repeating itself, in the most cruel of ways... I envy you not, these troubling tides.

Still, it is good that there are light you can focus upon. The reunion of friends and family, and familiarity to Omen and others, could spell well for your effort, to open the horizon for your kin. I hope that your efforts will bear fruit, though I regret that I cannot offer you more support, than that of comfort, and love. Were they here, I am certain your parents would offer the same, and be proud of the visionaries they had raised."

She'd reach a claw closer to Omen, and poke at her head, to which Omen stood still for. This would not work on Lin, as she were only half of them, but Mother could well read Omen's mind, and get a look of how things had happened. Quite a lot it seemed, and nothing spoke against what the others were saying either. Not that she suspected it. She saw no reason to doubt her children were anything but honest to her, lest they had reason to otherwise.

"I see you also have contact to one of Omen's newly formed siblings. It warms my heart, to see family still stick together, beyond worlds."

"One of?"

"There is another, who reached here. An accident of science he said. A bold tongue, but his heart were kind, and he mastered one of yours. Her master is an inventor of sorts, it sounded like. I know not if perhaps that could be of use to you, in some way? Matters of the soul I can handle with ease, but the mind, and politics, are not topics I have as much understanding with.

Also, this Rosa, that I see in Omen's memories... He seems a troubled child, with much on his own shoulders, yet loyal and kind to you. Remember to visit him soon too, yes? I am always happy to see you, my dear children but your friends matters much too. Relations can be so fleeting in life. One should cherish those they have."

Shrimp had now reached the top of Mother's head, and were standing right above her forehead now, giving a tiny, almost unnoticeable roar, that made Mother chuckle.

"The innocence, and simple pleasures of a growing mind. Many millennia have it been, and yet I cherish such sights all the same."

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@EQ_Theta

"While I can hardly talk with certainty, when it comes to Nightmare Moon, I can fortunately speak well about the reason for the princesses being in charge of Equestria, rather than representatives of the tribes.

Before Equestria, this land were ruled by a Draconequui, named Discord. Their race are very old, so perhaps you know of them? Creatures of chaos, that shows themselves as amalgamations of other beings. They are quite unique, in each their own way. Equestria homes a few now, such as Fright, Avarice, Gluttony, and Discord himself. All reformed, in some fashion, with Fright being the reason for Avarice and Gluttony's change to assets to society, rather than menaces.

Ah, but I digress. Discord is often seen as one of, if not the strongest of the draconequui, and thus this land were under his chaotic rule without much resistance. Chaos and weirdness is ideal for their kind, but it is hard for others to live in well, especially ponies. Discord put everything in disarray, as he declared himself ruler, and there were nothing any could do against him. It were Princess Luna and Celestia, that gathered the famed Elements of Harmony, and together managed to turn him to stone, and restore order to the land. The three tribes were brought together by this act, and they swore their allegiance to their saviors. To them, the princesses had done the impossible, and saved the entire country, from a crazed tyrant. As alicorns too are the embodiment of all three tribes, it likely made the choice all the easier.

Not that the change were overnight, and everypony got along right away. No, there's many tomes of history talking about the early years, and the trouble that there were, in bringing them all together, but the princesses managed it in time. Some did remain apart though. Especially some of the more high ranking unicorns, who refused to mingle with others, but over time, all but the most resilient left their towering cities, and those who remained, faded into obscurity, and old history.

There are still those who oppose the unity of Equestria, but they are few and far between, and few give them much attention.

Ah, and I am sure you will ask... Discord. Why he is now seen as an ally, when he were once a tyrant.

Story is long too, but in essence, he broke free from his stone prison a few years back, and began taking over again. The new wearers of the Elements of Harmony - Applejack, Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie - managed to encase him in stone again, and some time later, seeing the various threats that have hit Equestria in the time since, Princess Celestia tasked them with reforming him,, under threat of him being imprisoned again, if he failed.

It have been a... Rough process, but he were reformed, and keeps his tricks and chaos to doing minor things for amusement, rather than covering the land in it, and are overall helpful. For a draconequui, that is really all one can hope for at times. Though Fright are different. I met her once, when I were younger. A very calm, wise lady that one. Much different from she once were, as she tells it."

It were many thousands of years ago, but Fright had been around the world here and there, where she had caused fear in others, either locally or wide spread, so perhaps they had encountered her in some way. A shadow, taking many forms, to cause as much fear as she could, to feast upon it. Never one to hurt another, but she were certainly not a welcome presence. Time had certainly changed her quite a bit though.

Could be too that they had never seen a draconequui, or if so, not one that were in Equestria now. Rusty were curious in honest, but he would wait and hear what they might say on the matter.

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@Sekel

"Kkrrkthllk. You wish to see her... Now?"

Drone would look towards Twilight, as well as Last. Her features made it harder to tell her general mood by facial expression, but the voice did sound surprised at the least.

"I'd argue against it, but I doubt that would come far. But I must ask that if we do this, your highness, you must be ready for a hasty retreat. Drone speaks well of their new matriarch, but things could go wrong. If something happened, would you be able to teleport away with little warning? Or are you not at full strength? I will die for your safety if it comes to it, but I still wish to know that you would escape safely."

"Rkkrhthkk. Our princess would not attack an envoy, if they come to parlay. She is not as her mother, who would all but welcome fresh meat, willingly wandering to our hive. If I signal you are there to speak, you will get your chance, lest you try hostilities. That especially goes for the Shrine Maiden. She will not be trusted to wander unguarded."

"If I wasn't guarded, I'd think less of you too."

Last were not pleased with this, as she thought this a crazed risk, but she had learned from her new majesty, that she were one who wanted to meet with a friendly hoof, rather than a sharp sword. And if she wished to speak with Drone's new monarch, then so it would be. Last would get nothing from warning her of it, and instead it were best she spent her energy, preparing to defend her. Though if the eternal queen had still lived, this would be out of the question. That old monster would have personally eaten her alive, legs first.

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@Sekel

"Certainly there are such magics, but that requires specialists, and preparation.

A proposal, if I may? I have a friend who knows the right type of magic. If I ask him, and help him here, then I'm sure he and his friends could prepare the house for the correct viewing, Though I would need to ask for time. They still have work to do, and preparing takes time. I would say... Thirty or so hours? I know you must yearn for answers now, but sadly, some things simply takes time. Perhaps you all three can try to find something enjoyable to do, and clear your minds some of your concerns here? I'm sure there is something you could find enjoyable to do together.

As for the scales, I ask that you leave them here. It will help the viewing, as I understand it, to have something from the right time you wish to see."

Scarcity would need to pay for the specialists in this case, as they were some she knew, and worked with, rather than some who owed her favors, but she wouldn't mind the minor investment. Frankly at this point, her curiosity were well piqued too, and thus she craved answers too. This were not how she imagined it would go, but it would certainly speed up things somewhat, if they could glimpse what may have happened here. Hopefully nothing too grizzly.

"I think we should do this. It takes time, but it's better than guessing, right? Though I don't know what you'd want to do. Are you maybe hungry? My co- I mean-"

"Oh calm yourself sister. I know you and Chop Chop are an item now. Congratulations, by the way. You make an unlikely, yet adorable couple."

She had tried to wander around this subject, but of course, Scarcity already knew. Honestly Stare knew that too, but in the moment, she would admit to have forgotten that. It were odd enough to have Scarcity so openly call her sister, that it ere throwing her off somewhat. And then all of this too, of course.

"Y-Yes, well, thank you, Scarcity. And Chop is a good cook, so he could make something you'd enjoy. He even work with meat, if you prefer that."

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@Sekel

"You were caught in a maelstrom of visions, of all the ways that things could proceeded poorly."

"Yep, and didn't sound like things were looking all that bright. You one of them Oracles? I hear those folks have random visions sometimes. Frankly sound like it'd suck."

"Are you okay now? Or do you need a big hug?"

Blitz stood ready to try and jump down to hug her. She could probably make it from where she stood. If not, Molotov would catch her. He told her he usually did, when she tried to make her early win designs back at their old home too, as she weren't too keen on safety. Still wasn't, but Molotov did what he could for her. She were his sister after all, and he loved her. Plus their mom would roll in her non-existent grave, if she knew he didn't look out for her. Blitz always had been a troublemaker, and needed some oversight. That she had managed several months on her own, were frankly astonishing.

Enzo held her still firmly between his claws, waiting to see if she had truly come back from all of this, but he would move to set her upon the ground for now, that she might find stable hoofing, as she freshened up. It seemed that whatever many troubles she saw, it had not been nice things. Perhaps with so many things that could go wrong, they would eb best off not taking this trip today.