open Fallout Equestria: Endeavor

[Unicorncob 5,692]

Crackshot listened to Dashia's story intently, taking in every detail. An outcast that was taken advantage of. He'd seen it before.

 

As she began to break down, he looked at Chip, who mouthed at him in distress. He rolled his eyes and gestured with his forearm, saying to put it around her shoulder and comfort her. He nodded once he saw him follow.

 

Crackshot may not be the most friendly individual, but he'd be damned if he betrayed a comrade in such a way, or at all.

"I only turn on those who turn on me first," He told her, as if trying to comfort her a bit himself.

[Scribblegroove 565]

@@Midnight_Aurora, @@Chip Circuit, @@Unicorncob

 

 Greshken accepted Crackshot's bottle of applejack daniels. He put it to his mouth and downed about a quarter of the bottle, before putting it down in front of his hooves before him and frowning. He then burped very uncourteously, and took another swig, though it wasn't as large this time. The alcohol didn't seem to affect him that much (endurance 10), but it was clearly stronger than the whiskey that Crackshot had given him earlier.

 

Chip approached as well now. He inquired him about his name, and if he could be a part of the feast as well. "You are welcome to eat with us." He said to him. "And my name is Greshken Brasshide." He added. Taking one of his own steaks from out of the rims of the fire, he brushed off some of the coal and chowed dow, eating half of it in one mouthful. He held the meat in his hand as he chewed, and listened to the others. He was completely oblivious of Chip's emotions for Dashia, and didn't really understand what he and Crackshot were doing. He was already confused by Dashia claiming she didn't eat meat, but her sob story didn't exactly make it better.

 

"Your tears are a waste, and in vein. What use it is to sorrow in reflection of your past while your future lies ahead of you. As broken and torn as the world may seem, your eyes should be clear to see the shards as they are, and find a way to put them back together." He said to her with an unforgiving voice. Clearly, he had little empathy for her. He chomped away another bit of steak and looked away from the drunk mare's shameful display. The fact that she had already gotten drunk of such a tiny bit of alcohol made him think less of her already. "My plan can wait. Let us sleep first." He mumbled to crackshot, who had voiced he wanted to hear his plan before.

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

She looks to them and a smile creeps onto her face. She says, "I tried so hard to lock away that event but it was our big friend that reminded me of it. They had forced one of his kind to go down on me and it hurt. I don't know what happened to them but a few days later I saw that Minatuar again and he apologized to me giving me the core as an apology gift. I think besides yall he was the only friend I made out here away from home."

 

She settles down in Chips hold and wraps a wing around him in a caring manor.

 

@Scribble

She says, "You think I am drunk don't you? I will have you know that it takes three bottles of Applejack Daniels to get me drunk. Five to get me smashed. This cider can only get me tipsy. It not strong enough to get me drunk." (Endurance 6.)

Edited April 14, 2015 by Midnight_Aurora

[Scribblegroove 565]

@@Midnight_Aurora

 

Greshken was shocked. Not by the story that Dashia was telling him. It left him virtually untouched. No, she mentioned a minotaur. One of his kin. Family. "What!?" He grumbled, standing up and looking her in the eyes from across the fire, the flames in between them casting shadows in the area around them. There was pain in his eyes. Panic, desire, hatred. "Where!? When!?" He almost shouted at her. "We are with so few. We were scattered. I haven't seen one of the pack in years!" He cried out. Immediately he felt that he was going too far. It was alright to let emotion overtake you, but he was not one to lose control over it in such a manner that it was visible on the outside. As long as reason reigned in his mind, intuition and feeling was alright to a certain extent.

 

The fact that she had called him a friend did not go lost on him. It confused him as well. Why did such a small, meaningless word touch him? He clenched his fists together and breezed through his nose once. He grabbed the bottle of heavy liquor and chugged the rest of it down. He threw the bottle to pieces against the wall far away from them, it's shards not flying far enough to harm the ponies around the fire. He was most definitely drunk now.

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Dashia taped a hoof to her chin in thought. She then looked to him and said with a smile, "He headed east from near Appleooza about two month back. Haven't heard from him sense. I worry about him some times and he was always a good tease when I needed it. I think he felt he owed me for what the group had him do."

 

It seems she has settled down nicely and she doesn't look tipsy but is openly talking about past lays with them.

Edited April 14, 2015 by Midnight_Aurora

[Scribblegroove 565]

@@Midnight_Aurora

 

Greshken sunk back into his usual, emotionless attitude. "Appleoosa" he thought. "Never thought we'd stray apart as far as that..." he looked at Dashia, the light casting shadows on his face. He looked grim and dark, but his voice wasn't unfriendly. "Do you remember what he looked like?" he asked her. As far as he understood it, he had been a forced form of entertainment, like he had been. Having to do things... Insane things... to entertain insane ponies. Many of them had ended up like that. Like exotic attractions. "Do you remember how the people who forced him to do what he did. How they came to their end? Was it painful?" What he said next, he said slowly, and the full force of his grimness was loaded on those words. (Karma -25) "Did they burn... end them in the height of their agony? Did he make them suffer?"

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Dashia says, "he was big, in more then one place, He had a ring much shinier then yours, he also had a ring on each horn. He held close a big cannon like energy weapon. Dark brown coat with white spots. And an impressive member to boot. As for how, i think it was the collar he had that was similar to yours. They had the remote. When he refused at first they showed it to him. As for the other questions I don't know he wouldn't talk about it much. He said that two of them in the middle of the night when the others were asleep set him free and told him to run. He ran and we found eachother the following day."

Edited April 14, 2015 by Midnight_Aurora

[Scribblegroove 565]

@@Midnight_Aurora

 

"He ran?" Greshken whispered, clearly upset by this unexpected news. "That must be Voldar Ravensgreed. He always used to wear shiny things and wield shining weapons... And he was always a coward." he didn't tell her this however. Ravensgreed was a sneaky and coy fellow. He had the tendency to use others, and convince them of his well-doing using his impeccable charisma. But Greshken had enough emapthy to realise that he shouldn't tell the mare this, otherwise he could perhaps upset her. 

 

"I've heard enough. Thank you for sharing me this story of yours." He grunted. He straightened his back and looked at the stars. He felt like he owed this mare something now. Even though he wasn't quick to pay ponies back like this, he decided this time it would be appropriate. "If you wish, you may ask me a question about my past in return. That is a fair trade." He spoke as if it were goods they were trading. Stories and history were as valuable as ammo, guns and other tradeware to him.

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Dashia says, "I appreciate the offer but you seem to have enough worry on your mind. Let's let the past be for now. But I have to ask, how did you get that hammer? You seem fond of it like he was. I have a item of that kind of value..." Dashia looks to her bag and thinks about showing it to them.

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Chip sat there listening to Dashia and Greshken talk to each other. As he sat there his stomach was growling so he took a piece of meat from the fire with his magic, he raised it up to his mouth and took a bite. He was impressed by the flavor being food freshly caught "Wow that's good Greshken." he mumbled with a mouth full of food.

 

With the meat still floating near his face he also pulled out the book he found in the shed 'melding into the shadows'. He begun reading as he took another bite of his steak. 

[Unicorncob 5,692]

Crackshot had been listening to the conversation for some time, watching Greshken's gestures and listening to his tones of voice. Whenever the minotaur would begin to sound angry or threatening, or when he showed no empathy toward Dashia, he reached back for Persuasion in a slow, warning manner.

 

Once the two had relaxed and begun to talk more openly, he let it go and just continued his steak.

 

As the two continued to talk, he noticed Chip take out a book and read as he took a bite of his own steak.

 

Everypony seemed to be taking turns sharing their histories, and somewhere in the back of his mind he hoped that he wouldn't be next, or called upon at all.

[Scribblegroove 565]

Greshken frowned. He seemed disgruntled by what Dashia had said. "What you ask of me is a thing of my past, yet you say we should let it rest. You say you decline my offer, but proceed to make advances on it anyway." As confused as he was, he decided to let it rest, blaming his knuckleheadedness that he did not understand. "You speak in strange circles, but I will tell you what you ask of me." He declared.

 

Looking at the others, who were listening as well, he took his Super Sledge from his back and helt it over the fire for a few seconds, so it could bask in the light. It was an advanced piece of technology, but weathered and old. "Sasha was the prized posession of champion Thar'seer the Withered once. He gave it up one day, claiming to have become too old and weak to deserve to wield it." He explained the legend of the weapons past as if it were a fairytale to him.

 

"A contest was held. The young fought each other ferociously to prove that they were worthy of wielding Sasha in battle. Some fought with weapons, others with their bare hands and horns." He sighed, but there was excitement in his eyes. "Four young ones died that day, blood shed in the name of the weapon's glory. Two of them were slain by me. I was the strongest of the pack, and Sasha was handed down to me by Thar'seer himself." He stared at his hammer, glowing in the flames, taking in it's aura of death and destruction. Basking in it's glory. For the first time a genuine smile appeared on his face.

 

"Thar'seer died not long afterwards. People claim he had gone insane and tried to battle a deathclaw without a single weapon, and dissapeared into their breeding caves." Childlike wonder and amazement lit up Greshkens eyes, but his face remained vacant of emotion. "But I know better. He befriended them, and learned of their ways until the end of his days..."

 

The hammer was placed back where it had came from. On his back. "Thar'seer had been the one to choose Sasha from the great armoury when the vaults first opened. I'm it's second owner since it's creation." And with that, his story had come to an end.

 

"I hope you are content with my story. I feel it has sufficed my debt to you." He said to Dashia. He grabbed another one of his steaks out of the fire. They were medium at this point, and he didn't like them any more cooked than that, so if he didn't take it out now he'd have to throw it away. He chewed it absent-mindedly, and asked: "Any of you got more heavy drinks for me?"

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Dashia smiles and says, "A tail that speaks of many things and truths beyond ones own light. I can say it does. It also speaks kindly of your kinds heritage. Moma always said, never forget ones roots or you'll be lost forever. I should know. Papa gave me this before I left and told me it once held the element of loyalty, my ancestor Rainbow Dash, before she and the other bearers gave up the gems to restore the tree of harmony so many years ago."

 

Dashia removes the setting for the element from her bag. It is a bit worn with age but still in p tr eat one condition. She holds it up for all to see.

 

She then says, "You know what, I think I should try something new. May I have a steak please."

Edited April 14, 2015 by Midnight_Aurora

[Defender of Tomorrow 323]

Aile had been left behind in the house, she had gotten her laugh out of Dashia and the rest over their antics. She was left all alone, just her, the silence and her thoughts remained. She held the blue pendant in her hoof, looking at the inscription again "Property of IDS" the rest was unreadable, she didn't know what the pendant served as and it troubled her because it looked so oddly familiar to something she held dear so long ago. She sighed and began to doze off, she needed sleep badly.

[Unicorncob 5,692]

Crackshot listened as Greshken continued his story, glancing at his hammer while he talked. A tournament champion, as a kid as well. That's nothing to sneeze at.

 

It was certainly an impressive-looking weapon. He'd love to see it in real action.

 

For now, his eyes glanced toward Dashia upon the minotaur asking for another drink, hoping he wouldn't ask for the rest of the unicorn's whiskey.

 

Dashia revealed a necklace, claiming to be one of those Elements of Harmony he'd heard about a few times from casual talk. They came up in the few books he'd had the opportunity to leave as well.

It resembled a necklace.

 

Someone else with a necklace, he thought as he glanced down to his own pendant. Nopony seemed to notice it anymore, which he was thankful for.

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Dashia pleaded the setting necklace around her neck and asks finally noticing Crackshot's own necklace. "I guess most of us like necklaces. How did you come across yours Crackshot?"

 

Dashia snuggles into chips while using a sturdy stick to claim a steak. She knew she should wait but the beans wasn't enougb to fill her. She also wasn't any closer to being tipsy again.

 

She took a testing nibble and before anypony could ask what she was doing, she moaned in satisfaction and began eating it normally. She says, "Tarderus be damned, I have been missing alot. This is really good."

Edited April 15, 2015 by Midnight_Aurora

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Chip remained sitting in his spot next to Dashia still reading his book. He was about to take a bite of his steak as he heard Dashia ask for a piece of meat from the fire.

 

Greshken  looked so intoxicated that he was phasing in and out of consciousness so he didn't answer Dashia. As Chip was about to offer his steak to her she took the chance to help herself. Chip returned to his book taking a bite out of his steak as Dashia snuggled up against him, he felt his heart rate increase as he held her tighter.

As Chip snuggled Dashia he finished his book and closed it putting it in his saddlebag, he looked over at Crackshot as Dashia asked him about his necklace "So yea Crackshot, what kind of past to you have behind you? We all know you were the leader of a raider group but what else lies behind you?" He asked taking another bite of his meat expecting Crackshot to send a death stare in Chip's direction.

Edited April 15, 2015 by Chip Circuit

[Unicorncob 5,692]

Crackshot cursed internally when Dashia brought up his pendant. Why did he have to draw attention to it?

 

He couldn't keep quiet, not without looking suspicious, but he can't just tell these ponies everything now. How would they react? He'd only known them for one day.

 

When Chip spoke up, however, his heart skipped a beat. If he expected a death glare, he instead received a look of shock.

"How did you-?" He sighed, figuring it was obvious from the reception he got from the Ponyville raiders.

 

He took a deep breath. He may as well tell them something. Their reaction will tell him if he can work with them or not.

 

"Fine," he grunted, keeping his gaze into the fire, "I didn't just lead some lowlife gang of thugs."

 

A beat passed, then he looked the two dead on, eyes slitted. Sitting across the fire from them, he probably looked almost demonic.

"My younger life has its fair share of joy and glory...and it's outweighed by the regret I carry from it."

Edited April 15, 2015 by Unicorncob

[Steel Accord 6,660]

The fire they were sitting around sputtered and snapped, but then it made a new noise. An emission of gas from the burning of the flame's fuel turned into a whisper.

 

"Raaaaaaaage." 

 

Suddenly the homely hearth burst forth into a roaring Blaze. It licked at the hooves of those who sat around it, lashing at their food and bodies, while continuing it's very unnatural and alive sounding roar.

Edited April 15, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Dashia screeched loudly at the sound of the fire and clung to Chip. "What in the name of Tarderus is that?!" Chip can tell it startled her. She is clinging tighter then a snake trying to coil stangle him. She however didn't cut off his oxygen supply. She looks spooked.

Edited April 15, 2015 by Midnight_Aurora

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Chip watched as the fire began to suddenly rage, he leaned his head back from the burst of sudden heat. It was getting a bit to intense when suddenly he felt as if Dashia was trying to strangle him to death, he could still breath but the spooked mare was holding onto him for dear life. 

 

Chip realizing how scared she was wrapped his arms around her turning his back toward the fire putting himself in between Dashia and the raging fire. So far he didn't feel like he was burning but his back was definitely getting hot. "Don't worry I got ya," he whispered to her.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

The fire begins to take on the shape of a scowling face, it roars again at the ponies.

 

"Rage! Raaaaaage!" It rescinds a moment later. The fire seems to scowl and snarl. Suddenly a hoofull of dirt comes into contact with the fire and it growls but shrinks.

 

"Nakuamuru moto. Kwenda kulala. Nakuamuru moto. Kwenda kulala." Chants a newcomer, a stranger wearing a hooded cloak, lightly sprinkling the dirt as he approaches.

 

The specter shrinks and whimpers, the fire returning to it's previous state of comforting warmth. The hooded figure stands over the fire and tosses in a bullet. Strangely the fire doesn't set it to blow bit it dissolves into ash as if it were made of paper.

[Unicorncob 5,692]

Crackshot jumped back as the fire seemed to come to life, hissing and roaring as it attacked the group.

 

"What the fuck is that thing?!" He snapped, grabbing Persuasion in his magic and firing at the blaze. His shots simply went through the fiery monstrosity.

 

He paused as the monster is covered in dirt, and glanced around upon hearing strange chants.

A hooded newcomer appeared into the light, who the unicorn kept an eye on.

 

He kept Persuasion ready in his magic, just in case something was up.

Edited April 15, 2015 by Unicorncob

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Chip heard the chanting and could hear the fire returning to its normal crackling. He tried turning around but he was being squeezed so tight by Dashia he couldn't spin them back to the fire. "Dashia, it's alright , it's over so can you stop trying to kill me via constriction." He said managing a slight chuckle.

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

At chips words she loosens her grip. "Sorry. It spooked me." She looks at the new comer and says, "Thanks. I was so scared I couldn't move. I must have been relaxed. Well darn there goes my tipsy. Time for more cider. I have to get it back before sunraise."

 

She chugs the remainder of her bottle and tosses it behind her missing the newcomer.

 

"There much better." She gives a content sigh.

Edited April 15, 2015 by Midnight_Aurora