private Darkness over Equestria (RP)

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Tyra grinned and looked at the food Strider had set out, then put on a puzzled face as she curiously snuffled it.

"Hm...it smells rather nice!" She chirped, her grin returning as she dug in.

 

Much to her allies' relief, she seemed to have forgotten about the fish. At least, for now.

 

"Oh, does anypony where to find a grill and some fire? I would love to let you try grilled salmon!"

 

Or not.

Edited June 19, 2015 by Unicorncob

[HigurSan 195]

@@Chip Circuit,

Ironeye Sungazer

 

Her eyes burned just as his did, but with an intensity more attributed to the death of stars than mere fire. Behind it was an iron wall of determination, both letting those who looked see absolute self confidence, while at the same time hiding away her fears and pain and sadness. Once the other stallion had exited the room she listened to him speak. She stared in right in the eyes. Well, eye. One half of her face was hidden in the pillow. "I want to leave," she said wearily. "This place is... wretched." She looked at the room's filth before returning her gaze to him.

 

"Not just dirty. Below the dirt. I can feel the suffering and..." She paused to let her throat settle for a moment. "The... hopelessness. It's soaked into the walls... the floor... the sky." Stretching her legs, she rolled to a fully upright position. Her mane flowed out across her back in a long train. One time she'd braided it. Perhaps she ought to now. It might get in the way. The weak light from the window cast a sheen across it, as well as shadowing her face. Her burning eyes peered out at him, examining him. "Trust... is not an issue. No pony... can trust another. Not anymore. But... you are... better. Better than being alone." What she didn't say is that she'd seen the looks she'd been getting from the townsponies. If she was left here, she'd probably end up burning the town down in retaliation to the actions caused by those poorly hidden intentions of theirs.

 

"And its... comfy. On your back." A rare up turn quirk at the edge of her lips. "Better than this bed, certainly."

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

@@HigurSan

 

Radiant listened to what the mare had to say, he could only find himself agreeing with her words. He certainly didn't like staying in such a town, he could tell most of the citizens would pounce at an opportunity to loot his bag.

 

Radiant perked his head up and one of her comments, the fire of determination burning ever brighter in his eyes. "I will prove to you that there are ponies to be trusted out here... starting with myself." He declared raising hoof to his chest in a form of salute.

 

He returned his gaze to the mare and cocked his head to the side slightly narrowing his eyes in question at the mare. "My back is comfy?" He questioned glancing at his own back and then back to the mare. "First time I've heard that one. So I take it you still don't have the strength to walk?"

.

.

. *lunar*

 

Lunar had awoken during the commotion earlier in the morning that was caused by Caliber rolling off the room. He made a move to help him but it turned out he fell back to sleep almost instantly. "All my traveling companions are certainly quite peculiar..." He said chuckling as he walked back to the top of the roof. "Who is to say that is a bad thing though, with diversity can come the strongest unity of a group."

 

Lunar spread his wings and stretched his limbs, he then closed his wings and sat down on the roof. The shingles under him felt as if they could go at any given moment.

 

Radiant closed his eyes and began focusing, beginning his morning meditation.

 

After meditating for a while, by this time his fellow companions were gathering downstairs for breakfast. Lunar composed himself before opening his wings and jumping from the roof, his wings caught the breeze and he glided down turning in the air to land in front of the door.

 

Lunar set his talon on the door and opened it inward. As he went inside he found his companions and joined them at the table. "Might I say good morning everyone, I hope you all slept soundly through the night." He stated looking at everyone who was present.

[Little Red 1,529]

Red smiled to herself as Strider began laying out food, and at Tyra's approval. Thank Celestia's hooves, she'd forgotten--

 

 

 

"Oh, does anypony where to find a grill and some fire? I would love to let you try grinned salmon!"

 

Red paled. Her head sunk a little lower. She was grateful when Lunar came in, it provided a change of subject. Why had she agreed to try fish..?

 

 

 

"Might I say good morning everyone, I hope you all slept soundly through the night."

 

"Good morning, Lunar," Red greeted, clearing her throat to force the words out. "I slept very well, and I hope you did, too."

[P-Jay 1,987]

caliber froze. he needs a lot of food to power himself through the day. small rations isnt a good source of calories. he'd be slowed down in a fight.

 

see, this is why he likes traveling alone. less drama, you dont have to share your food, less chance to get spotted, you dont have to worry about a friend dying, the reasons go on.

 

but...they were still his friends, nonetheless. he'd stick by them.

 

but the small rations was still unacceptable.

 

walking inside, he looked at the others, and grinned sheepishly. "hey...anyone up for a food raid?"

[Reaver 350]

@@Unicorncob,

Strider perked at Tyra's suggestion of fish. He glanced nervously at Red, noticing her turning paler. She didn't seem like she was going to support him. "Er, Shatterhoof," he said, uncertainly tapping her shoulder. "I... am not sure whether meat would be healthy for me. You see, I am an old pony, whose digestive system does not like digesting things that shouldn't be digested by ponies in the first place. So, it would be better if I did not eat your fish," he said, and satisfied with this excuse/explanation, he added, "You might want to ask an innkeeper for a grill. If we spare a couple bits, they might let us use their kitchen."

 

 

 

Lunar set his talon on the door and opened it inward. As he went inside he found his companions and joined them at the table. "Might I say good morning everyone, I hope you all slept soundly through the night." He stated looking at everyone who was present.

"Good morning, Lunar," Strider said, smiling at the griffin. "I slept quite well. Though I awoke with a few more bug bites than I had carried the night before." He added, glancing at the innkeeper, who was scrubbing cups rather close to them. She seemed a little too interested in the conversations. Hopefully she wasn't an enemy.

 

 

 

"hey...anyone up for a food raid?"

Strider looked at Caliber sharply from where he had previously been conversing with Lunar. "A... food raid?" He questioned, cautiously, automatically not liking the sound of it. He doubted Radiant would, either--he was glad the unicorn wasn't here. "What do you mean by that?"

Edited June 21, 2015 by Reaver

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Tyra, upon seeing Red's look of reluctance despite her curiosity earlier and Strider's explanation, felt her grin waver a bit from disappointment. "Oh, um, very well then. If that is what you prefer."

 

She felt a quick pang of fear in her chest. Were they already getting tired of her?

 

Upon hearing his suggestion to ask the innkeeper to use the kitchen, she grinned again and nodded.

"Very well," She chirped, "I shall do just that, for anypony else planning to use the kitchen!"

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

*lunar*

 

As lunar sat at the table he looked at the group that was gathered. "I slept rather soundly despite the few aches from sleeping atop shingles." He said looking at the food before him, he then turned his attention to Tyra. "I hope i'm not over stepping here but I was wondering if I could sare in that fish Tyra?"

 

Lunar's attention was then grabbed by Caliber suggesting a "food raid". He fixated his gaze on Caliber, "my friend I cannot condone what you are suggesting and hope you choose against it. Every pony here is struggling to get by and taking food from others will only cause further suffering for those you target." Lunar lectured hoping to direct Caliber away from his suggested path. "If you follow along this path you are considering it will only prove to lead into darkness, which can drag the rest of us into the very darkness that you had chosen to accept."

[P-Jay 1,987]

Strider looked at Peyton sharply from where he had

 

"im talking lets go get some food. from the city, or forest, or anywhere. as long as we get more food then we got right now." he grinned. "times are tough. and its survival of the fittest. im certainly among the fittest, so...yeah, lets go steal some food."

 

he looked at lunar. "oh, iv already fallen into darkness." he said causally, "if falling into darkness means killing without remorse, then yeah."

[HigurSan 195]

@@Chip Circuit,

Ironeye Sungazer

 

"It is probably... because you don't many mares riding your back," she replied with a tinge of sarcasm. "But no... I cannot walk. My legs are still... too weak." As an example, she moved one of her hinds legs and pressed it against the bed. The instant it began to strain, it shook and collapsed. Sighing, she pulled it back up next to her. "I might manage a crawl. But I don't... fancy my chances of getting away with just that." Her head cocked to the side. "So... bandits. Some were chasing me. Do you have plan to deal with them?"

 

(An annoyingly short post, but I don't have much to say. Just pick her up and go.)

[Unicorncob 5,679]

As lunar sat at the table he looked at the group that was gathered. "I slept rather soundly despite the few aches from sleeping atop shingles." He said looking at the food before him, he then turned his attention to Tyra. "I hope i'm not over stepping here but I was wondering if I could sare in that fish Tyra?"

 

Tyra gave Lunar an energetic wave as he entered and sat down, then put on a wide grin upon hearing his desire to share the fish.

"Not at all, friend!" She squeaked, braided tail swishing happily beneath her cloak, "I would be happy to share with you!"

 

 

"im talking lets go get some food. from the city, or forest, or anywhere. as long as we get more food then we got right now." he grinned. "times are tough. and its survival of the fittest. im certainly among the fittest, so...yeah, lets go steal some food."

 

he looked at lunar. "oh, iv already fallen into darkness." he said causally, "if falling into darkness means killing without remorse, then yeah."

 

She raised an eyebrow at Caliber, instantly putting on a look of puzzlement.

"Why would you want to rob from those who would allow us a roof over our heads for the night?" She asked, cocking her head to the side, "It makes little sense to me."

 

She shook her head as he casually commented about falling to darkness. "Those who kill without remorse are no better than animals."

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Amorè just watches in silence. Because her primary food source is Love, she doesn't need to eat when full on it. She is currently full on her mother's love. It felt like it triggered something but she was holding it back.

 

She knows two things will happen when she finally gives in. One, she will change. For better or for worse, she will change. Two, during the evolution, she is so charged with energy that nothing, except an energy zapper or magic consumer, could stop her.

 

She also knows that the Chrysalis itself is more of a protection for those around her and not a protection for herself. She hopes that when she is ready to release, the group will be ready to accept her.

 

She asks the group, "Everpony? When are we heading out? I feel we should leave soon. If we don't, we may not be able to for over twenty-four hours. It is something I would rather discuss elsewhere."

Edited June 19, 2015 by Midnight_Aurora

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

@@HigurSan

 

Radiant nodded his head at the mare and enveloped her in a veil of golden Magic, gently he levitated her to himself and returned her to his back. He glanced back to her. "When you're ready I'd also like to know your name," he said returning his gaze forward as he begun heading to the door. "I am Radiant Sentinel by the way and I will be first to also apologize for everything you witnessed yesterday."

 

Radiant reached the door and he opened it with his magic, as he entered the hallway the floor boards creaked under their combined weight. "As to the bandits we encounter, I will deal with them myself if it no one else will. The less bandits in the area then better off the locals will be." He said as he tried to keep his steps controlled so he didn't shaken the mare too much.

 

Soon he reach the dining room of the Inn and found his companions sitting at a table. He sat the mare down in the last chair available and sat beside her on the floor, he had no care what the ponies staring at the group thought about him sitting on the floor. As he looked over the table he noticed oats separated out amongst the group. "Are we ready to depart?" He asked looking to Strider since the elder pony tended to seem like the leader, he tend gestured to the oats that had not been touched yet. "Also may we help ourselves?"

Edited June 19, 2015 by Chip Circuit

[Little Red 1,529]

Tension was rising between the group, Red realized. No pony approved of Caliber's thieving. She knew Caliber, though-- he wasn't a monster, and the others knew that too. No pony was a monster-- or griffin or diamond dog, she added as an afterthought, looking around. And she liked Caliber. He was just... lonely. Lonely like they all were. Maybe being in a group would help them lift each other up and take care of each others' weaknesses, as they'd help Red do.

 

She shook herself out of her thoughts. They hadn't made much sense, she was tired from a bad night's sleep. Tyra was disappointed that she hadn't wanted the fish-- which wasn't fair, as she'd asked to try some already, and now she was backing out. She decided that she would pony up and try some raw later, to make up for making Tyra sad.

 

"I think we should go, yes," Red said, nodding at Amore in agreement. "Before we get too tempted to steal. Or something." She wasn't looking at Caliber. She wasn't judging him, but she felt strangely bad for not being on his side-- she didn't want him to get hurt. After all, what was to stop him from leaving the group? He had no Strider. He could walk out. "We can eat on the way."

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Radiant's ears perked up at Red's comment about stealing. He set a hoof on the table with a look of disappointment on his face. "What is this speak of stealing?" He questioned looking to Red and then look across the group. "I will have nothing to do nor want when it comes to thieves."

 

Mentioning thievery around Radiant was obviously a mistake as he looked back to Red, her underlying tone sounded like she herself would be tempted to steal herself, especally since she didnt hInt toward anyone. He was disappointed in her and took the oats from in front of him and slid them over to the mare beside him. "We should get moving though." He stated.

 

@@HigurSan

Edited June 19, 2015 by Chip Circuit

[HigurSan 195]

@@Chip Circuit, @@Little Red, @@Midnight_Aurora, @@Unicorncob,@, @@Reaver,

((Warning. The following post is, in part, speculative and deals with aspects of magic that the show does not directly reference. I tried to do my homework on this, and this is my best approximation to fit my intention, within the boundaries of the show's established magical theory and application.))
Ironeye Sungazer

"Is it really stealing?" Her voice cut through the taut air between the group like a knife through sinew. "Everything here has already been stolen, often many times over. The original owners of this inn's mugs were murdered. It hangs off the glass like patina on a window." Despite her reluctance to speak, her desire to be gone from this place outweighed that. It would be better for her to convince them of that, and pointing out that the whole town was full of scumbags seemed the best route to that. Even so, she kept her voice down, so as to only be heard by those in the group. As to how she knew such things... she wasn't sure. It had to do with magic. All livings beings had it, though it had just been the Unicorns and Alicorns who could actually access it. Though notable earth pony alchemists had come close, once upon a time. Each beings magic had a flavor all of their own. With skill, one could determine who had cast a spell simply by identifying the flavor patterns.

But the magic produced was effected by the pony who produced it. It was like an aura, saturating the world around them. Everypony knew that places of great tragedy often experiences otherworldly events. This was due, in large part, due to the massive amounts of latent magic that were released during sudden and traumatic death. Most of the time, it had little to no effect on the world, as the magic was still passive. But with enough concentration, it lefts its mark, a call-sign if you will. The mugs, to her at least, wreaked of pain and suffering. The drink yesterday had left a foul taste in her mouth, and she could feel something similar constantly crawling across her flesh as long as she remained here.

"In all likelihood, everything in this town right down to the boards and land it was build on are the product of theft, murder, and all forms of wrong. Barely better than organized bandits. Just look at it. There's -nothing- here to draw ponies to stay. Even the water is almost undrinkable. The only reason anypony would build here is that they wanted to hide away from others. There's nothing to bring in any visitors, and money. Yet still they're getting the materials and the cash to build this place, and it seems to be growing steadily. The only place they could be getting the resources is from others, and I doubt anypony would be charitable enough to waste their effort on this scum-rim. It feels like I'm getting cancer even as I sit here, and it tries to worm its way into my bags and body."

She fell silent then, unable to speak further after her little speech. Maybe she'd overdone it. But they were getting stares from the other patrons again, and none of them were friendly. Some of them were aimed directly at her. She could positively feel her bags getting lighter already, and her muscles were still so worn out that fighting was out of the question. Well, she could use her magic. But the last time she'd wielded it seriously in combat, there'd not been much of the area left to stand on.

Really, that stunt with the squashed pegasus had been a parlor trick, one she'd used to mush fruit and vegetables for smoothies. While she'd had little in the realm of proper magic schooling, her natural talent and instincts tended to make up for it. But she'd need schooling soon, or at least someone else to practice with; she knew that fully well.. Radiant was the only one she'd found who used real actual magic in her entire life. She wasn't going to let him get shanked by some lecherous braggart.

Edited June 20, 2015 by HigurSan

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Radiant glanced the the mare who he had been helping this entire time surprised she was able to speak so much, yet he still did not know her name. "Whether or not the possessions in a ponies possession is stolen or not we can't lower ourselves to their standards. Let alone this use to be a respectable town but it seems to have been influenced by the local bandits." He stated sliding his oats to mare. "You should eat, you need this far more then I."

 

Radiant sat silent at the table waiting for when the group chose to finally depart, he even found himself avoiding direct eye contact with Red. The thought of such a young mare turning to thievery was not a thought Radiant approved of and it could end her life far before her time.

[Commander Tangent 861]

Lunar glared across the the group at the many young faces in front of him. They were all trying to find their way in this troubled world, and he knew that they would have many strong opinions on different subjects. He was trying to decided weather or not  to get  involved, possibly starting an argument. But he felt some of these people would need a bit of nudging, if they wanted to live longer. Thievery would likely get them killed. While some had different views on what a theif was, the type caliber was suggesting would be very dangerous to them.

 

" I have to agree with Radiant, lowering to banditry is a bad path. I have seen many consumed by such a life, and eventually, ended by it. The owners of these possessions are dead, yes, but they have been long dead, and most have little value. We did not come in and end them for their possessions, but rather came upon the remains of what once was a great town and civilization, scavenging what we could. In any case, many of you are young.... I do not wish to see your potential spent traveling a path that is likely to lead to a dark and painful end." Lunar added. He grumbled a bit. Something in his earlier meditation had troubled him, and still was.

[Reaver 350]

"I don't think we should follow your suggestion, Caliber," Strider told him, "as it might sever the group, when we have such strong-minded individuals among us that refuse to follow such paths." Strider was not going to go into further detail about it--he had been forced to steal to eat before, or so he remembered, and The Mare's surprising speech had made a strong point. However, stealing for food that wasn't completely necessary at the moment wasn't worth the forming bonds that would break.

 

"Let's eat what we have for the moment," Strider said, "and perhaps we'll find food later." An unworthy plan of taking food unnoticed from the bandits in their hideout and getting Caliber to help him was forming in his head, but he shook it out. If anything, he didn't want to lose Lunar's trust over such a matter--he might be able to fool the others, and Amore seemed somewhat impartial to the matter, but Lunar was old and experienced and seemed to know what to say to hit home. "Has everypony eaten? Once we have, we need to head out. This place seems to be growing more unfriendly by the minute," he added drily, glancing at The Mare. She was quiet, but a tangible aura of disgust at the place rose from her, and the locals seemed to sense it and were eying her specifically.

Edited June 21, 2015 by Reaver

[Little Red 1,529]

Red could feel Radiant's gaze on her, hard. It took her a few moments to realize that he thought she had suggested stealing. She was slightly indignant, but said nothing, not wanting to pin the blame on Caliber about something she actually half-agreed with. As the new mare spoke, Red watched. She couldn't help agreeing with the mare. But there was still something about her that rubbed Red the wrong way-- some hardness, something about the way she looked at ponies. Some cruel way, the way of the survivor.

 

She turned away as Strider spoke, and was a little grateful he'd directly mentioned Caliber, though she would never admit it. Hopefully, Radiant and Caliber would get along alright-- they were so... well, opposite, but they were both good ponies. Red could say that much very firmly even while only knowing them for-- had it only been a day? It felt much longer.

 

"Let's just go." She said, standing. "We can eat on the way." She stared at Strider and jerked her head at the inn-keeper mare. She hoped he got the hint to ask the mare for directions, if he felt it was wise.

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

As Strider mentioned Caliber's intention of theft Radiant's gaze drifted to Caliber, he then looked back at Red and finally looked away from the group. He was feeling discontent with the group as a whole, so far two of them were open to the idea of thievery.  

 

Radiant stood up from the table. "I agree we should get moving before I change my mind about this venture." He said, Radiant wasn't accepting of even just a notion of thievery. 

 

Once the mare he had been taking care of was finished eating her share of oats Radiant gently hoisted her onto his back. As she was back in place where she was comfortable, Radiant turned heading to the door. "I'll be outside when you all decide to leave." He stated, a tone of irritation lingered in his words.

 

Radiant left the tavern with the eyes of many of the patrons fixated on him as well as the mare on his back. He ignored the gazes of the patrons who found him and the mare such an eye catching sight. He set his hoof on the door and let himself out of the tavern, as he was outside he stood outside the tavern waiting for the rest of the group. Even though he was half tempted to continue on without them.

[Reaver 350]

"Alright," Strider said, nodding, and caught Red's motion in the innkeeper's direction. He nodded once at her. "Go on ahead, you lot. I'm going to go ask for directions," he said cheerfully, and trotted up to the mare, who immediately looked away. He noted her expression. Her normally irritated slouch had been replaced with a look of interest as she had 'swept' the floor uncomfortably nearby to the group.

 

"So, you know we're after the bandits, then, as you were rudely eavesdropping," Strider said, staring at her impassively, not allowing a hint of any aggression or mercy flicker across his expression. It was rather unlike him; most of the time, he would have asked politely, but she could be a dangerous character. It wasn't worth the risk.

 

"They killed my husband." She said shortly, and lowered her voice. "I know where they are. Do you?"

 

He blinked at her curtness. "No, that's why I came over. You seemed very interested in the conversation. Where are they? We're going to put a stop to their workings."

 

"Come in here," the mare said, and gestured into the kitchen. Strider followed her, and she shut the door. The window allowed the light of day into the room, but other then that, it was pitch dark. "You need to know more than directions," she said, "Their hideout--it's more of a reeking city--is twenty or thirty miles to the southeast. Every single pony, griffin, and even minotaur in that place is a dangerous character, but they all fight each other all the time. Use that." Strider nodded, considering this. She continued, "There are five different unruly tribes in there that came up because those morons couldn't agree on a leader."

 

Strider badly wanted to ask her how she knew so much, but she continued quickly, obviously sensing this intention and not wanting it to be fulfilled. "All are run by ponies, and you don't want to mess with them unless you can ambush them. If you take them out, then the city's gone. The bandit's will scatter or kill themselves in a civil war."

 

It was a harsh prospect, but Strider saw no other choice. "Alright. Do you have any information on them?"

 

She nodded briefly. "Yes. It's been a long time--that is, I don't know what they look like, but I can tell you their names. One moment." She dug in a drawer and pulled out a piece of paper. She scribbled on it, and then gave it to him. He read it. Five names were indeed scrawled on it, and Strider memorized it before stowing it into his saddlebag. They looked at each other, and she turned away. "I've got stuff to do. Go on."

 

He looked at her back, and sighed. Trusting this many ponies will get me killed, he reflected, but decided to do so anyway. He began to walk out, but she abruptly called, "Good luck." He glanced back at her. She was staring into a dirty mug, and glanced up at him. At last, he turned away with a small smile. At least there was one pony in the world who agreed with him, if only out of dreams of revenge.

 

"Thank you, but I have the best ponies in the world at my side. I don't need it." He told her, and trotted out of the inn to meet with the others. "Alright, everypony! I know where to go," he announced, "and I have some important information. I'll tell everypony on the road, but first, Amore," he said, addressing the Changeling, "You said you had something to share with us? I'm also curious as to why you are... no longer hungry."

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Amorè says, "On the road. I will take on the radio as well. I don't feel comfortable talking about it here. To many unwanted ears."

 

Amorè then stands and says, "If we got what we need, then we need to get going. Those baddies aren't going to end their careers themselves."

[Little Red 1,529]

TIME SKIP!

On the road yayayayay

 

The group was trotting at an even pace up the road. They were traveling over the hill. Strider was leading the way-- he had apparently gotten directions from the mare inn-keeper. He had said that once they were a little further from the town, he needed to inform them of what to expect in the bandit lands.

 

They were a little over a mile from the town at this point. The group had mostly been in an edgy silence, not quite comfortable with each other yet.

 

Finally, Red couldn't really stand much more silence. She glanced at Strider. "What did that inn-keeper tell you?" She asked. She turned her head to Amore. "And didn't you have something you wanted to say, as well?"

[Midnight_Aurora 571]

Amorè had walked beside Strider. She kept ahead of the group a little so their emotions didn't affect her as much. She also wasn't fond of this silence and was about to speak. But Red said something first. "Yes I do have something to show yall and tell yall."

 

She steps ahead of the group and stops turning around revealing the star shaped gem she showed Tyra and the diamond dog earlier. "Do any of yall know what this is?"

Edited June 23, 2015 by Midnight_Aurora