private Whisper: The City Of Darkness

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

"When we're clear of those things...how about a song?"

 

"I... don't know any songs," Crystal said, looking a little sad.

 

"How can you not know any songs?" Marble asked, jumping into the air and barrel rolling over the group to land next to Crystal, who flinched away from her slightly.

 

 

"I can't remember anything before about a month ago. There's a lot I can't remember about the past month, either," Crystal shivered slightly, "Sometimes it felt like the shadows just swallowed me up..." She looked up at one of the buildings, back-lit by a small fire and casting  a long shadow out into the street. "We should stay out of the shadows, if we can. I can't explain it, but they feel wrong," She walked in silence for a moment more, "I think I'd like to learn a happy song, if you know one," Crystal added with a small smile.

Edited September 19, 2015 by Once In A Blue Moon

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

the various prices of glass in his bag along with the small cauldron fixed to his back made an assortment of noise with each step

 

@@Unicorncob,@@Orion Caelum,  

 

Marble's ears twitched. "Did you hear that?" she asked, looking around. Bramble shook his head slightly and started peering into the nearby buildings, quietly flicking his knife out of his saddlebag and into his mouth. Crystal looked apprehensive, slowing down and letting everyone walk past her until she was at the back of the group. Trivy frowned, closing her eyes for a moment. Her horn sparkled slightly, then she opened her eyes, which were now a dark yellow. 

[Unicorncob 5,679]

"I think I'd like to learn a happy song, if you know one," Crystal added with a small smile.

 

"Oh, I know loads of 'em!" Lavender chirped, beaming to her new friend, "I've been all over Equestria, I know a great tune or two."

 

She cleared her throat and took a deep breath, puffing out her chest and looking prepared to belt out a jaunty tune.

 

 

Marble's ears twitched. "Did you hear that?" she asked, looking around. Bramble shook his head slightly and started peering into the nearby buildings, quietly flicking his knife out of his saddlebag and into his mouth. Crystal looked apprehensive, slowing down and letting everyone walk past her until she was at the back of the group. Trivy frowned, closing her eyes for a moment. Her horn sparkled slightly, then she opened her eyes, which were now a dark yellow. 

 

She quickly froze and pointed an ear up, feeling it flick as she indeed heard something. "Oh yeah, sounds like...glass, and perhaps ceramic...maybe metal...?"

 

She looked back at Crystal, who had shied to the back. "Y'alright there?"

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh reached the bottom of the stairs where he had to step over quite the mess if chairs, tables and bookshelves that were thrown about by the now deranged ponies.

 

He made his way to the entrance of the structure and stood within the opening and saw the group of ponies a short distance from him. The stallion begun observing them to see if they were hostile as well as he wasn't sure how to approach ponies, he was never to adept at being a social butterfly.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

"Y'alright there?"

 

Crystal started backing away - straight into the shadow of a ruined building. For a moment, she seems to hold herself a little taller.

"No!" she said, her voice several octaves deeper.

 

 

 

stood within the opening and saw the group of ponies a short distance from him

 

Suddenly Crystal's head slumped, returning to her normal posture, and she let out a sigh. Seeming to realise that she was standing in a shadow, shuddered and trotted out into the light. She looked about to say something when Trivy called out.

 

@@Unicorncob,@@Orion Caelum,  

 

"Who's there?" She was looking straight at Zayoh, but she kept blinking, and the yellow tint to her eyes seemed less intense. He was fairly well hidden, his dark grey cloak blending in to the worn concrete walls and rubble very well in the darkness, and he hadn't expected anypony to spot him quite so soon.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Lavender looked on with some concern at Crystal, wondering what exactly was with her. She slunk into the shadows, her voice deepened for a second, then scared herself when she realised she was in said shadows.

 

"Um--" She began, then perked up as Trivy called out to somepony.

 

She trotted to the unicorn's side, and squinted as she looked in the same direction. "Uhhh...can't see anypony, Triv..."

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh lifted a hoof in a gesture to suggest he meant no harm, he walked forward a few paces to reveal himself from the shadow of the building. "I mean no threat to you all, I was merely present before the town's fall." He said taking one more step forward so he was completely removed from the shadow.

 

The stallion's eyes glanced out from under his hood at the ponies before him, he was observing them to see if they were unharmed and free from any corruption that the monster from earlier seemed to bring with it.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

"I mean no threat to you all, I was merely present before the town's fall." He said taking one more step forward so he was completely removed from the shadow.

 

"What happened here? And who are you?" Bramble asked, his voice low and controlled.

 

"He's not one of them," Crystal spoke out from the back, her voice surprisingly clear, "He chases the shadows away." Marble gave her an odd glance at that, but otherwise kept staring at the cloaked figure. Trivy looked around at her, a thoughtful expression on her face as her brown eyes bored into Crystal. Bramble kept his eyes fixed on the figure, hardly moving.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

As Lavender waited for the supposed stranger to reveal themselves, her eyes began to slowly scan the ruined buildings around them, and the nearby city.

 

A fond smile grew across her face. She had no idea why, but she felt...comfortable. Like she was right at home, but she didn't even live there. It was strange, but a nice kind of strange. Like a stranger offering you a couple of bits to stop practising your potion brewing in the front yard because it 'smells like deep fried manticore excrement'.

 

Her gaze shot back ahead as the stranger, overhearing Crystal's strange comment.

"A shadow-chaser hiding in the shadows," she commented, her smile turning into a small smirk, "Heheh, that's pretty funny."

 

Somehow, she got the feeling this zebra wouldn't exactly be the joking type. Hopefully she could still teach Crystal some songs.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

Bramble kept his eyes fixed on the figure, hardly moving.

 

@@Unicorncob, 

 

A tiny piece of concrete fell from one of the ruins, hitting Bramble squarely on his backside. In a flash he kicked out with both of his hind legs, and when they failed to connect he span on his forelegs to face the other way, coming face to face with Lavender. Seeing his expression of concentration switch to confusion and embarrassment proved to much for her, and she burst out laughing.

 

His confusion seemed to break the tension, as he only glanced at Zayoh before returning his knife to his saddlebag. Even Crystal gave a small smile.

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh continued to stand in place and chuckled quietly to himself as he saw the pony's reaction to the peice of concrete that struck his back. "I suppose in a way I do chase shadows way, I am an adept potion brewer at least that's what my friends say." He said flashing his gentle smile to the pony who had hud his knife once again. "Zayoh is what you may all call me, I'd be happy to assist your injury and I'd ask for no fee."

 

The stallion then looked back at the building behind him and returned his gaze to the ponies. "As to what conspired here was a monster is all I can say, I failed in my attempt to keep it at bay." Zayoh explained as he rose a hoof to the base of his neck where he was touching an amulet that was concealed by his cloak.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Lavender, upon seeing the sudden change in Bramble's expression, couldn't help but burst into a fit of wild laughter. He always had a funny face when he was thinking, like that time back on campus with that 'weird cooking' fiasco.

 

His surprised face was even funnier, so the sudden shift proved to be too much for the lighthearted mare.

 

"I-I'm sorry, Bram," She giggled, managing to calm down and wiping a tear from her eye, "I'm not laughing at you, you just make the best faces!"

 

Finally composing herself, she turned her attention to the zebra, Zayoh he said his name was, and she perked up upon hearing his skills.

"Ooh, another alchemist!" She chirped, pattering her forehooves on the ground, "We gotta swap achemist-y secrets sometime!"

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh's smile only grew as he learned that one of the mares of the group was an alchemist as well, his attention then shifted in her direction his muzzle was still the only thing noticeable from under his hood.

 

The stallion took a few steps toward her still smiling. "I would love to share knowledge with you, although I'm curious as to while you're on the road how do you brew?" He asked curiously looking at the mare.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

"Ooh, another alchemist!" She chirped, pattering her forehooves on the ground, "We gotta swap achemist-y secrets sometime!"

"I would love to share knowledge with you, although I'm curious as to while you're on the road how do you brew?" He asked curiously looking at the mare.

 

"I'm so glad you two have such a wonderful chemistry" Bramble quipped, his ego still smarting from his overreaction, "I'm Bramble, former Corporal of Horse, Royal Guard." He scowled at Marble, who had pulled a mock serious face and was mouthing 'Corporal of Horse.' She grinned back at him, and gave a salute that made him shudder.

 

"I'm Marble," She said, giving a cheery and rather toothy smile, "Pony of Bat, Royal pain in the backside."

 

"Trivy," Trivy said simply.

 

"I'm Crystal," said a small earth pony that had walked to the front of the group. She looked up and smiled at Zayoh, and she was visibly more relaxed than even a few moments previously. "I don't know how, but you keep the hungry shadows away."

[Unicorncob 5,679]

"I'm so glad you two have such a wonderful chemistry" Bramble quipped, his ego still smarting from his overreaction, "I'm Bramble, former Corporal of Horse, Royal Guard." He scowled at Marble, who had pulled a mock serious face and was mouthing 'Corporal of Horse.' She grinned back at him, and gave a salute that made him shudder.

 

"I'm Marble," She said, giving a cheery and rather toothy smile, "Pony of Bat, Royal pain in the backside."

 

"Trivy," Trivy said simply.

 

"I'm Crystal," said a small earth pony that had walked to the front of the group. She looked up and smiled at Zayoh, and she was visibly more relaxed than even a few moments previously. "I don't know how, but you keep the hungry shadows away."

 

"And I'm Lavender Gleam," Lavender piped in, grinning a toothy grin, "alchemist of Hollow Shades and, according to most, health hazard to every living organism in a ten-mile radius!"

 

 

The stallion took a few steps toward her still smiling. "I would love to share knowledge with you, although I'm curious as to while you're on the road how do you brew?" He asked curiously looking at the mare.

 

"Oh, easy-peasy!" She chirped, and used her magic to levitate her beakers and small pot from her bag, "This is all my equipment, ingredients, and little things I've already made! I know a lot of recipes, and I love experimenting too!"

 

Anypony who knew her enough would get a shudder out of that.

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh smiled at them all and nodded hus head gently. "It is a joy to meet you all the same, but forgive me if I forget a name." He said looking to the small earth pony named crystal.

 

"Hungry shadows you say? Well I'm happy I can help keep them at bay." He said as his smile remained on his face. "I'm not sure how I do it, but it could be my spiritual attunement."

 

The stallion's attention was quickly grabbed by Lavender who removed all her equipment from her bag. "Fascinating to meet another, that is do prepared for any bother." He chirped happy to meet another alchemist.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Unicorncob,@@Chip Circuit,

 

It was at this moment, with Lavender unpacking her bag that a pony with a misshapen head and several fleshy growths on its flanks shambled past the end of the road leading out of town behind them. It paid the group no heed, occasionally sniffing the ground and wandering rather aimlessly between the buildings, but in the distance the rhythmic metallic clinking sound of a group of shod ponies moving purposefully could be heard - from the sounds of it, they were moving along the perimeter of the town and getting closer.

 

It was at this point that Bramble's knife made another appearance. "Sound's like there's at least five of them - possibly quite a few more. We should move on, or hide and wait for them to pass," Bramble said, his tone making it clear that he preferred the former. 

[Unicorncob 5,679]

The stallion's attention was quickly grabbed by Lavender who removed all her equipment from her bag. "Fascinating to meet another, that is do prepared for any bother." He chirped happy to meet another alchemist.

 

Lavender beamed at Zayoh's compliment, her tail swishing with pride. "Thanks, and might I say you have a delightful way of speaking. Rhymes just get me!"

 

 

It was at this moment, with Lavender unpacking her bag that a pony with a misshapen head and several fleshy growths on its flanks shambled past the end of the road leading out of town behind them. It paid the group no heed, occasionally sniffing the ground and wandering rather aimlessly between the buildings, but in the distance the rhythmic metallic clinking sound of a group of shod ponies moving purposefully could be heard - from the sounds of it, they were moving along the perimeter of the town and getting closer.

 

It was at this point that Bramble's knife made another appearance. "Sound's like there's at least five of them - possibly quite a few more. We should move on, or hide and wait for them to pass," Bramble said, his tone making it clear that he preferred the former. 

 

Lavender looked over at the pony, and couldn't help but grin at it. It was familiar...and kind of sweet, like a dumb but loveable dog snuffling after a trail. She almost wanted to keep it for a pet.

Heck, she was even looking through her bag for something to feed it while she was packing her things!

 

The shamblers in the distance also felt familiar...now that she thought about it, everything felt familiar.

But these ones...they moved like they had a purpose. Exactly the same...one feeling strong and decisive.

 

She smirked to herself. Confusing such a tightly-packed group would be a good bit of fun...

Edited September 27, 2015 by Unicorncob

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh's eyes watched the mutated pony with curiosity, he had never seen such an affliction before.

 

His ears then flicked at the comments of the other ponies and looked to them. "May I accompany you all? I fear if I remain alone I will surely fall." He questioned hopeful for a positive answer.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

while she was packing her things

Her magic flickered several times, and it felt like everything was being levitated through treacle. At one point her magic cut out entirely, and she barely caught the flask before it smashed on the cobbled street.

 

His ears then flicked at the comments of the other ponies and looked to them. "May I accompany you all? I fear if I remain alone I will surely fall." He questioned hopeful for a positive answer.

"We can hardly leave you here, and an alchemist is always good to have to hoof," Bramble said, "Despite the smells," he added, looking pointedly at Lavender.

 

"We should stay close to him," Crystal said. Despite the sound of the rapidly aproaching ponies, she still seemed calmer and more relaxed than she had been at any point in the past few hours.

 

Trivy simply nodded, her attention focused on the mutated pony. Anyone who knew her would instantly recognise that she was deep in thought.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Her magic flickered several times, and it felt like everything was being levitated through treacle. At one point her magic cut out entirely, and she barely caught the flask before it smashed on the cobbled street.

 

Lavender felt her magic starting to strain, her horn flickering like a faulty neon light. She yelped as her magic completely cut out, dropping the glass flask, and she practically dived to grab it, just barely saving it from the cobblestone.

 

 

"Despite the smells," he added, looking pointedly at Lavender.

 

She gave Bramble an awkward, toothy grin as she put her flask away. "It was one time! ...maybe...?"

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Zayoh smiled being allowed to accompany the group for the time being, he was still unsure what else he could do other then follow his visions which were being very vague.

 

His attention turned to Bramble. "No need to worry of my odor, I will make sure to do my brewing in the outdoor." He assured him so he didn't step on any ponies hooves.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Chip Circuit,@@Unicorncob.

 

The ring of shod hooves on cobblestone was getting very close now. It had taken Lavender longer than expected to re-pack her saddlebags, so used was she to using her currently unreliable magic to assist her. It was just as she was swinging her saddlebags onto her back that the mutated pony suddenly looked up, straight at the group. With a raspy braying call, it charged headlong towards them. Moments later, the call was echoed by the approaching group as they rounded the corner.... and by several other, more distant ponies.

Edited September 30, 2015 by Once In A Blue Moon

[Unicorncob 5,679]

The ring of shod hooves on cobblestone was getting very close now. It had taken Lavender longer than expected to re-pack her saddlebags, so used was she to using her currently unreliable magic to assist her. It was just as she was swinging her saddlebags onto her back that the mutated pony suddenly looked up, straight at the group. With a raspy braying call, it charged headlong towards them. Moments later, the call was echoed by the approaching group as they rounded the corner.... and by several other, more distant ponies.

 

Lavender's grin quickly faded into a fearful frown as the monstrous pony roared and sprinted in their direction.

That loveable dog was nowhere to be seen now, and she was not going to keep a rabid beast on a leash for long. It seemed that the group were going to become the breadcrumbs now.

 

"We need to go!" She yelled to the others, backing away from the charging mutant, "Like, right now, if you please!"

Edited September 30, 2015 by Unicorncob

[Chip Circuit 1,842]

Lavender's grin quickly faded into a fearful frown as the monstrous pony roared and sprinted in their direction.

That loveable dog was nowhere to be seen now, and she was not going to keep a rabid beast on a leash for long. It seemed that the group were going to become the breadcrumbs now.

 

"We need to go!" She yelled to the others, backing away from the charging mutant, "Like, right now, if you please!"

Zayoh watched as this mutant pony begun charging at them and saw how every pony was reacting to it. From that he determined the mutant was an actual threat to them all since they have probably dealt with them before.

 

The stallion stepped forward as he reached into his cloak around the base of his neck, only to pull out a small rounded vial attached to a leather cord. He yanked it off his neck and looked back to the group. "All you ponies look away, I will attempt to keep it at bay!" He exclaimed.

 

Without turning around he slammed the vial to the ground causing an intense flash to erupt from where the bottle struck the ground. He spun around ready to flee with the group in hopes the mutant wouldn't be able to follow.