open [RP] The Blackwater Quarry

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@Blitz Boom @Mentis Soliloquy

"Uhm... am I... interrupting... something?"

Standing at the end of the hallway was somepony Scarlet didn't recognize, but Ziggy was well aware of their identity.

The stallion was a teenager, but on the very edge of adulthood; he had a black coat with green stripes, and a rough, yet full mane and tail to match. He looked strong and fit, and his eyes were the same shade of green as a Blackwater emerald. He currently wore a bemused and amused look, and he came trotting over to the two of them looking them both over with lightning fine glances... much like Luther himself had looked Scarlet over not ten minutes ago.

Dax Blackwater made his way over and looked down at the doctor... then at her hoof... then back at he. Sighing, he took on a sympathetic grin.

"From what I can see here, and the Spitfire figure... lemme guess, Oglevy?"

He shook his head, chuckling. "If we can get to the kitchen, I know a quick recipe that'll dissolve that glue in minutes." From the tone and expression on his face, it was apparent that if Dax was still upset over the other day, he wasn't showing it at all.

He smiled sheepishly at Ziggy. "He got ME with Daring Do; he can sure whip up some tears, can't he?"

He looked over at Scarlet. "Uhm..." He suddenly realized he had no idea who this was, and he blinked in surprise. "... hiya. I'm Dax. Dax Bl-..."

He paused, rethought his next words, and continued in an embarrassed voice. "... just Dax. And I'm pretty sure you're here with Ziggy, right?"

He looked at Ziggy questioningly. "Right?"

@cwhip9

As Silver made her way down Shed Row, a form zipped from Luther's balcony, flying all the way out to the exact same location the unicorn mare herself was getting to. She took no notice, as she was talking to herself as she walked.

"... a leather-winged love interest... nuzzles in the nighttime... oh, I just feel like I'm flying! Well, maybe not actually physically flying, so to speak, but more like the sensation of-"

>THUMP!< The mailpony landed right in front of her, bringing a squeaking/honking sort of sound out of her that made the delivery pony jump a bit as well. Then, she caught her breath. "Who... wh-wh-who are YOU?"

Instead of any words, he smiled and bowed deeply, then came up with a letter for her in hoof. She flinched, but then her eyes locked on the wax seal stamped into the back of it. A quill pen. A ruler. A paintbrush. Arranged into a six-pointed star.

Silver's eyes grew as wide as saucers.

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

@@Randimaxis,

@@Mentis Soliloquy,

 

(before Dax showed up)

 

"Heeeey, I'm plenty smart. Not my fault Oglevy was so convincing."

 

Ziggy looked up at Scarlet and pouted for a few seconds before she couldn't hold the maska nymore and started to giggle.

 

Scarlet was by far not the first to think that she, as a doctor, should be smarter than she sometimes acted, but Ziggy just didn't see it herself as being connected. Yeah, she should know her medical training by heart, but that didn't mean that she was above getting stuck places because she were curious, gullible, or got tricked by adorable little rascals who could cry so it seemed real. Reading books and knowing how to patch up wounds didn't mean you were a scholar after all, just focused in some specific areas.

 

Besides, if she had to act as smart as some said she should be, she couldn't be strange or have any fun in general because she should be *using her brain instead of giving in to silliness and impulses." Boooooring!

 

(after Dax showed up)

 

Ziggy didn't react as Scarlet tried to help her up as a familiar face got into view and started to talk to them.

 

She hadn't expected the green-stripped earth pony to have found them though. Yeah, they might have made a little noise when they tumbled backwards, but if anypony heard that, the odds would be that it should have been a servant, and not the oldest heir of the Blackwater family that was still living in the manor. That Dax had come out were really a thing against the odds, unless they were somewhere around his room. Ziggy at least had gone lost enough to have potentially gotten herself to around there by accident.

 

That wasn't why she didn't respond to Scarlet, nor Dax though. No, that reason would be to find in her strange facial expression over seeing Dax.

 

It was an odd mix of high joy, guilt, surprise, and a little worry, which really made for a strange expression, but was what she was trapped in right now as a fuse in her head had popped and she was going through a restart procedure so to speak. She could hear what was said, but beyond breathing, the rest of her body's functions hadn't gotten the light back, and wouldn't until the last few cables had been laid right inside her head and the switch got turned back on, a little after he were done speaking with Scarlet.

 

"Dax!"

 

Like a pink and white lightning, Ziggy suddenly went from her place on the floor to being just behind Dax and almost crushing him from a big hug.

 

"I'm so so so sorry, I didn't mean for you to have worry. Last night I was going, and I know I should've been showing, but nothing went very flowing. An explosion in the mine, where it turned out everypony were fine, but Crescent and Silver, they-"

 

She shook her head, but didn't let go of Dax yet as she speed-talked her way through this. It had just finally entered her consciousness that she were rhyming again, and she couldn't go serious talk when she rhymed. Nopony took you serious when you did that sort of thing.

 

"- nearly got blown up! Had to get to them, help them, and then there was all sorts of weird talk about what might have happened and it was an accident and, and... I didn't mean not to show! Everything just got so hectic that it went *honk* *honk* and rode out of my head. Pleeeeease don't be mad!"

 

Dax likely could feel the piece of vent she still had on her hoof poke into his side, or neck, beyond the emotional, hectic talk of Ziggy that tried to explain why she hadn't been there when she promised she would have been. It likely wouldn't make a lick of sense to Scarlet, but it gave her another chance to see that this doctor wasn't the usual, dusty type that had only seriousness with them, but more of an overgrown filly.

 

"Then I tried to find you today, but then everything went water and fire in the mine, and then Mr. Blackwater needed the report on it, and then Oglevy trapped me - Ooooh, you should've Seen it Dax! Oglevy is a born actor - and then there was glue and pulling and, and... I'm still stuck to it. And there's a hole in the vent!"

Edited September 1, 2016 by Blitz Boom

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Blitz Boom,@@Randimaxis,

 

Blackwater Manor - Oglevy's Room

 

(Before Dax)

 

"Your were taking in by what a twelve year old? Did you ever have any syblings younger than you? If you did you learn the fake cries from the real stuff. But meh I'm out of here before I get into trouble for wrecking part of their house you got into this pickle jar, I'm sure you can get out of it." She shook her head and headed for the exit to the room before anypony turned up and she got roped into something she really wasn't guilty of, I mean you can't just leave a pony stuck in an air vent that'd be silly.

 

She went to the door then...

 

(Dax)

 

She was forced back into the room when one of the Blackwaters came in, she thought he was considering all of the family seem to posses the same colour scheme. Not that odd her entire family had socks on their legs so sharing a colour was not that far gone different. 

 

When the questions started he nearly introduced himself as a Blackwater but stopped himself, how curious. "I'm Scarlet, Scarlet Orange I'm the new cook for the mines, not your house if you have one here." All likely event they would of, considering they seemed to have quite a few house staff, damn positive there would be a house cook. "Anyway... yes I was passing by from Mr. Blackwater's office and I heard the Doc here seemed to be in a spot of bother so I un-bothered her." 

 

The then next set of events and somewhat the appearance of grovelling or somthing, she wasn't really bothered to understand however her face just said. "Wut...?" As she stood there. 

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@Blitz Boom - @Mentis Soliloquy

 

 

Dax stood there looking a bit overwhelmed as Ziggy spoke, rapid-fire, telling him what all had happened and explaining herself as thoroughly as she could.  He stood there listening for a bit, then sighed when she finished.

 

"Well... I actually had come back and told Father you wanted to speak about things, and he waited... WE waited... for quite a bit before he simply went to bed.  It was embarrassing, yeah... but, I guess things like that happen, huh?  It's okay, Ziggy; I forgive you.  No harm, no foul."

 

His grin cemented that statement.  

 

To Scarlet, he gave a slight grin.  "Well, no - the Ons cook when they feel like it, but everypony in this household can make their own food - and usually do.  Besides, I LIKE to cook, to be honest... it's fun."

 

Though he was answering Scarlet openly, it was obvious by his body language that he was a bit shy about the newcomer.  He wasn't trying to avoid Scarlet, as much as he was trying to not be in the way.  Ziggy had seen similar behavior from him before, in the presence of others - he was chronically shy until he got to know you.

 

Dax looked at the vent, then down into it at the hole.  

 

"Oooooh... that... could be pricey.  But it's not as bad as it looks."

 

His head came back out, and he smiled at Ziggy.

 

"Yeah, Oggie's quite an actor, alright.  Caught me more times than I'd care to admit, but I guess that's just a part of having siblings, y'know?"

 

He motioned for them to follow him.  "I have an old recipe to get that stuff off; follow me - we'll make it in the kitchen."

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

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@@Mentis Soliloquy,

 

"Yeeeey!"

 

Ziggy's voice as she were told that Dax wasn't angry with her and that they could likely fix things were so happy and sweet that it sounded like she'd explode into kittens and candy if somepony poked her right now. Dax wouldn't be able to test that out really, as she, at the same time, grabbed him and pulled him up from the floor in a tight hug, resting her head on his for the few seconds she could hold him up and radiate her happiness at the usually shy-looking stallion.

 

She didn't think about how it might look to Scarlet that she were squishing the boss' son like a plushie, nor how it might be for Dax considering how awkward this likely were. To her, everything were joy for the few seconds she had her grasp fully on him, before she finally put him down and walked to the side of him.

 

"That was so much better. Been worried about how things would go all day. Well, when there wasn't bad things happening, but you know what I mean, though I guess I have to apologise to Mr. Blackwater too the next time I see him. I'll have to try and remember that."

 

The zegasus were almost dancing right now. Regardless of how much she usually didn't like the thought of disappointing anypony - especially Mr. Blackwater - it didn't really get to her right now as more than something she had to take care of another time. Dax had been the one she were the most nervous about because he had always looked like he could use ponies around to be there for him when they said they'd be the few times she had seen him, and his mood the day after they were supposed to meet he looked like it had really gotten to him. It had made her feel all kinds of guilty, and knowing that he forgave her washed all the bad things away currently.

 

It also helped that Mr. Blackwater hadn't seemed to be more annoyed than he usually were, nor had brought this up when they had a meeting before. It were something she had to answer for, certainly, and she'd do that when it was time to do so, but currently at least it looked like he hadn't let it get to him, so the guilt there was lesser currently. Not something that stood a chance against all the happy right now.

 

Well, that, and the fact that if he checked the timetable on the usual reports she had to send in, he could see what her time had been occupied with at the time she should have been there. She had to write down the medicine used for incidents, the time it were used, and the incidents themselves as part of her report, along with filing the things as well, which she always did at the end of the day after marking down the basic information as things happened. Everything was easily verifiable, and she could imagine that would be a good help when explaining herself to him. Perhaps not something that would've worked with Dax, but luckily, that wasn't an issue anymore, so yey!

 

"Speaking of remembering stuff, Scarlet? About what you said before? I do know what it's like to have siblings. I'm the oldest of triplets, and they like to make tricks all the time, but I didn't grow up home so I never really got to see a lot of the fake tears and stuff. Plus, I like to think the best about everypony and don't think they'd lie unless it looks really obvious, and Oglevy was in-cred-ible! Seriously, he even had a monologue afterwards! I bet that if he got a little more tutoring he'd make a lot of waves on the theatre world."

 

it might seem a bit odd to praise a foal that had gotten her glued to a vent, and especially towards his older brother that had gotten on the bad side of the rascal's games quite a bit of times, but as she had said, she liked to think the best of others, and sure, Oglevy was a bit of a brat, but he was a talented one, so why not focus on that part and the front row seat she had gotten to that show? In a half dozen years it might get expensive to see a performance by him if he took up a bit of acting, and especially to get near enough so that you could almost touch the stage. Sure, she were on the stage here technically, but the point still stood. At least it did to her.

 

Wandering down the hallway, she couldn't help on also thinking that she'd really like if it was big enough for her to spread her wings in here, as it'd help with her not walking on her glued hoof right now, but that was more of a small, side thought that bounced up now and again. She could still walk - albeit slower and a little strange - with three legs, and this way she didn't accidentally crush the figurine that she was glued too, which was a thing that she'd prefer not to ruin. Sure, it might be kinda tough in it, but she didn't know that, so why take the chance?

 

She might have something else on her mind if she had seen the drawing on her flank, but she hadn't really taken notice of it since it happened. So many other things had started that the part about Oglevy doodling on her got pushed quite a bit back in her mind and was currently stuck somewhere out of her reach.

Edited September 8, 2016 by Blitz Boom

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Randimaxis, @@Blitz Boom

Blackwater Manor - Oglevy's Room/Hallways

Scarlet was not sure what to make of half of what was going on it was clear that the doctor needed to have her head examined by another doctor because she seemed quite crazy. The son was shy towards her, odd considering what she'd seen of some of his family and his father, but then she was nothing like her sister Summer nor some of her other syblings.

The sighs of effection towards each other was... interesting. She couldn't honestly tell much apart from them liking one another and Ziggy being more outgoing in her affection towards him she seemed to be just overly friendly however.

"I was just being clear there sir, meant nothing by my words." Keeping herself formal around Dax, he was part of their family and certainly not a friend by any means as of yet.

Ziggy's comments about being away from her family hit a nerve, reminding her of Summer's absence from the family during their childhoods as she went to Cloudsdale to train and school there. "I'm sorry to hear the doc, but I don't know how your singing his praises if he's the one who caused this."

She followed the pair as they went to the kitchens she guessed. "I'll leave you two to it, I'm going to make my way to the lodgings and get some sleep unless you require me still?" As she followed.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@Blitz Boom  @Mentis Soliloquy

 

 

Dax gave Scarlet a bit of a half-grin.

 

"Well, I never really mind company; you can stay if you wanna... but I get it if you want sleep.  That's fine with me.  Oh, and uhm..."

 

He blushed a bit.  "You don't have to call me 'sir'; that's Father.  I'm just Dax."

 

The kitchen was actually rather nice - wide enough to allow a lot of space, with a number of pantries, TWO iceboxes, a large flat grill and a lovely dining room set.  It looked like the kind of kitchen you'd find extravagant chefs in... but now, it was simply two earth ponies and a pegazebra.

 

Dax made his way to the pantry, and began fishing out some strange ingredients: Flame peppers, vinegar, cumin... it was as if he were making chili instead of a solvent, but Dax apparently knew what he was doing.  He collected a bowl from under the counter, and began mixing the varied items together.

 

"Oggie's always been able to get one over on me - I try to keep my distance when he gets prankish, but that genius mind of his won't let it be.  He always seems to stay one hoof ahead of me... but he's never done anything TOO bad."

 

With a bit of mixing, the obnoxious smell of spice and vinegar began to fill the room.

 

"Yeah, it stinks," Dax apologized, "but it does the trick.  Just don't EVER get it in your eyes.  Okay, let's see that hoof, shall we?"

 

Dax took Ziggy's hoof and examined it thoroughly before taking a spoon, dipping it into the smelly mix, dabbed a bit on the space between Ziggy's hoof and the Spitfire figure.  Instantly, she could make out a barely audible sizzling sound coming from where he applied it.

 

"There - about two minutes, and it'll fall right off."

 

He looked happy for the company - even though Scarlet was effectively a stranger, Dax didn't seem to mind her presence at all.

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

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The smells really didn't get to Ziggy as much as Dax might think. Back when dad had tried to learn her to make potions - something she failed miserably, she might add - the things she had accidentally smashed together would make this running for the hills. And really, it had made some run away from it a fair bit, including her father who had been... Well, he was impressed that she had made a smell so pungent it made the plants nearby wither, but it wasn't in a good way, and it hadn't helped when she had tried to add something to make the smell better and then gave it around.

 

It had been sort of a dare if she'd give this to anypony, and it were a little of funny, seeing the ones who drank even a little start to burp bubbles for up to a few hours, but the earful afterwards from her dad was not worth it. Not in the slightest.

 

Thinking on this was perhaps not the best use of her time, but at least when it was about done with the fast replay of the hours of safety talk etc. that had happened back then, she could look down on her hoof and see that it was now significantly more glue-free. And figurine/vent-free.

 

"Huh..."

 

She wriggled her hoof a little, just making sure that she weren't imagining things again, before putting down her hoof and walking around in circles for a spell to check if everything seemed to be as it should be. It appeared fine enough, though she wondered what sort of thing he had actually do- Wait, what was that?

 

It had taken the better part of fifteen minutes from it was put on her - roughly estimated - until she had realised, but finally, the face on her flank got into view.

 

How should one react to something like that? Some would get angry, that was for sure. Others embarrassed, sad, worried that this might be permanent marker etc. Ziggy? Well... She turned towards Dax and walked flank first towards him whilst making cutesy monster sounds.

 

"The butt-monster thank you for your aid, sir Dax-alot. We owe you one."

 

She turned around again and grinned at him before quickly grabbing him in a small hug, then zapping over to Scarlet and embracing her before she had a chance to do something about it. The doctor might be a bit nuts, but she was rather fast when she wanted to be, so the mare shouldn't be able to do something for the two seconds the gentle embrace would happen.

 

"You too Scarlet, for pulling me out of the vent."

 

With that, she let go of the mare and zoomed back to her previous position, bouncing a little in place and waiting for them to head for the exit. She had stuff to do and paperwork to finish before the night turned to day again, and considering everything that had happened today, she were already behind with this little side adventure.

Edited September 13, 2016 by Blitz Boom

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

@@Randimaxis,@@Blitz Boom,


Blackwater Manor - Main Kitchen/Hallways

She did follow the pair to the kitchen if not to be totally rude at the least. She didn't say anything as the trio made their way into the kitchen, quite a nice kitchen at that well the entire house was so this was not surprise but it did sure look nice. She watched on as they worked on removing the figurine from the bottom of the Doc's hoof. Dax addressed her a few times and seemed to be lightening up to her presence maybe he was simply becoming accustomed to her a little in order for him to seemingly loosen up.

She wasn't sure about Dax's asking for him not to be addressed the way he was by herself, it was odd he was part of her employers household she'd call them all sirs/ma'ams for the entire time she was in their employ which would hopefully not be that long (but considering this RP I'm gonna guess by 2017, maybe?). "Well if you insist on just your first name I'll adhere your wish, Dax." She said with genuine sincerity. It showed a few things about him, well those depended on what she would later find out but his willingness not to be tied to his families name and potion here was a sign she liked.

Speaking of the stuff to get that figurine off, by Celestia's tail that stuff stunk, she had to scrunch up her nose to stop the foul smell as it was applied.

She was a little taken by the Doc's attitude to everything again with the butt routine then the random tight hug and a nice thanks from the mare. "Well of course Doc had to get you out of there, anypony would of done it though so don't worry about it. Well now I'll take my leave, G'night to you two." She bowed slightly and departed from the manor and head to the cabins to sleep for the night.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@Blitz Boom - @Mentis Soliloquy

 

 

Dax hid his face and blushed bright red as Ziggy's Butt Monster gratuitously thanked him, and stayed a similar shade as he led her to the way out.

 

"You're, uhm... uh... welcome.  Yeah."

 

The poor fellow was torn between a want to burst out laughing at the pure silliness of it... yet, at the same time, it was a rather shapely and exotic flank - he didn't want to stare, butt... UHM, I MEAN, but... BUT...

 

"That looks, uhm... a l-lot like greasestick; it should come off with a good scrub..."

 

[Ziggy in the tub...]

 

His face was now red enough to where it almost glowed; he smiled sheepishly at the pegazebra, then saw her out to the front steps.

 

"Look, it's... it's okay about the other day - I got kinda chewed out a bit, but nothing really bad.  It's okay, really."

 

He stepped back indoors, but gave her a kind smile.

 

"Sorry again about Oglevy... but I'm glad you're taking it so well.  And yeah - he IS good.  Well... goodnight."

 

He closed the door gently, and the manor grew quiet after his receding hoofprints faded away.

 

The quarry had come to a rest, at last... all was peaceful and quiet.  Yet there were so many mysteries just waiting in the wings, around any given corner, and at any time.  For this had always been a place of chance, circumstance and coincidence; it was as if the quarry had been built over a weirdness magnet.

 

But still, only time would tell as to which secrets would be unearthed... and which would take others further down the proverbial rabbit hole than they're ready to fall...

 

 

 

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

 

 

The morning steam whistle shrieked into the crisp mountain air and carried off the mountainside, echoing the sentiment back from the large steel and iron gates surrounding the quarry proper.  Already, life was beginning to stir in the yard, as the early shift began to rise and mildly glimmer (the shining part would come later).

 

A new day.  A new opportunity.  A new problem.  All were coming up soon enough.

[Hazard Time 1,127]

Manor Driveway - 8 AM

 

With the dawning of a new day, Celestia's sun brought forth warmth and light to Blackwater Quarry.  Seemingly from out of the sun, there also came a large carriage.  The car itself seemed a rather dark affair, painted in all black with silver leaf trim.  Upon the doors of either side was placed an exquisite family crest: A shield divided in two by an invected-line, with the upper third a gleaming silver Argent and the lower two-thirds a field of black Sable, upon which sat a coiled silver wyrm.  Upon the roof, several large chests lay strapped down.

 

The two stallions pulling the carriage were just as dour, which was surprising considering their crystalline coats.  Both were decked out in segmented body armor and plumed helmets bearing the house colors, a banner drapped across their sides bearing the family crest.  Also upon their sides were slung a long spear and a single-edge shortsword, a great deterrent for most would-be highwaycolts.

 

The carriage gradually slowed to a stop as it pulled up outside of the manor.  The guards unfettered themselves, but not before one of the doors opened by itself.  The first pony out was, surprisingly, a grey unicorn in a waistcoat and bow tie.  He wasted no time taking in the sights and offered a hoof to another pony stepping out of the cabin.  This time, a black boot was produced that was attached to a pony who was clearly dressed much more conservatively.  From the small amount of skin showing between the boot and her riding coat, however, one could see blonde fur which sparkled in the early morning sun.

 

From out of the carriage stepped the main attraction, the true star of the show, a crystal mare of indubitable nobility.  As the last of her boots touched upon the gravel of the driveway, her deep blue eyes scanned the facade of the manor, taking in and judging every detail.  Hmph, not quite what she'd consider tasteful, but to each their own.

 

With a flick of her covered hoof, she tossed her crimson mane over her shoulder.  "I don't believe I will need any help up the steps, dear," she said to the unicorn next to her.  "Organize my baggage and ensure my hoofmaidens have everything they need."

"Yes, my lady," he said, his tenor voice carrying accents from Canterlot.  He hurried back over to the carriage as a few more crystal mares exited, carrying their own baggage.  The noble, herself, ascended the steps and stopped before the door.  She looked to the doorknob and then to the bell, but made no further motion.  No, she would wait for them to come.  A good host was always there to greet an expected guest.  Surely they knew that much about common custom.

[cwhip9 1,078]

@@Randimaxis, As the bell went off to single the morning for everypony cresent in a rare oddity was looking pretty chipper that morning giving a whistle to a tune in his head. Before he set off he gave a look around wondering if he forgot something then spotting the pan he warmed it up a bit whispering a few words his mother taught him for keeping pasta warm without cooking to the pan itself.

 

Once it was warmed up he smiled and wrapped it with a small blanket for the small pot and set it in his saddle before putting it on, he hoped silver liked pasta for a picknick as it was his main idea, making it was harder then he orignaly thought but after a bit of tinkering with his limited supplys. He wondered if he had enough time for a trip to the tree house he lived in and back but looking at the clock knew it would be in vain.  

 

He shrugged "well cresent boy time for another day and hopfully an new love" he said setting himself up giving a whistle to himself as he left the his little cottige and made his way towards the cave entrence, some minors gave each other quizzical looks seeing the rather happy cresent trot towards the cave. Seeing him whistle like that was odd for some of them seeing the bat bark orders like move, be carfule, and general guieding the rest of the through the cave.

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

Blackwater Road, Approaching Quarry - 8:15 A.M.

 

A pair of figures made their way down the path to the Blackwater Quarry, having been recently passed by a rather well-protected carriage.

 

The one in front seemed armed and armored even more than the carriage guards had been, the outlines of protective plates covering his legs, chest, and back, visible in the tight wrappings of his cloth wrap. His neck though seemed to be protected by actual dragonskin, lending to a draconic appearance further amplified by the dark leathery wings at his sides, beneath one the grip of a sword could be seen, beneath the other a full-length halberd pointed menacingly forward. His head though was the most intimidating feature, as it was completely covered by a mask and visor, making it impossible to see his eyes or mouth. A bag was securely fastened to his back, tied in such a way that it would likely stay on even at a full gallop. It was clear that this pony was not one to be messed with.

 

The one following closely behind was an altogether different matter, his robe was wrapped a bit looser and had a thin line of red along the edge while the leader's had a black line. Further, rather than weapons, a suitcase floated on either side of the unicorn, one seemed to be a regular suitcase while the other was a deep black case with an odd triangular symbol etched into the side in white. The unicorn's neck and head were uncovered, revealing his khaki coat and brown mane, as well as his blue eyes and a wide smile. Atop his head sat a collection of silver leaves fashioned in a horseshoe shape, and around his waist, a red sash was fastened with a silver design: A quill pen. A ruler. A paintbrush. Arranged into a six-pointed star.

 

Indeed it would seem that this was the one the mysterious letters were from.

 

The one in front spoke as he continued looking back and forth across the road they traveled, "Vice-Consul Easle Sir, We would have been there much faster had we taken a carriage like the one that passed us did." Despite the mask, the deep voice of the pony was not hindered in any way.

 

The apparent Vice-Consul smiled, "We certainly could have Euler, but then we would have missed the experience of such a journey. Besides, I really did need the exercise, really this whole trip has been a great change of scenery from that office. And please, if you're going to be my personal bodyguard, do try to call me Illiad, at least in private if you can't bear the informality in public."

 

The guard sighed, "If you insist Vi... Illiad, Sir."

 

With that, they approached the gates of the quarry.

 

(Pictures:)

Guard(Euler Fastar):

Vice-Consul(Illiad Easle):

[Randimaxis 8,652]

@Hazard Time 

 

 

The doorway opened, and standing on either side of it were two identical butlers, both standing regally and attentively.

 

"Madam," one began, "if you will come this way..."

 

"... you and yours shall be formally received," finished the other, "in the grand parlor."

 

Behind them, standing in twin rows, were a number of other servants, all bowing before the current presence passing them before becoming a flurry of activity, from offering to take vestments or luggage, to offering trays of sweets, or of flutes filled with well-aged hard cider.

 

All the while, the twins led the way, walking in perfect step with each other as they came through a large entrance hall, complete with dual curved staircases, rich tapestries and elderly antiques that simply GUSHED the idea of money.  

 

It would almost be gauche... except that, beneath the seemingly gaudy veneer, there was a quiet, dignified strength in the structure of the place... the paneling on the walls... the subdued yet exquisite carpeting... a trained eye could eventually pick out that the loudest of the decorations were easily the cheapest - and the most eye-catching to any fool who didn't know better.

 

It said a bit about the decorator, as well.

 

Rising to a pair of fine oak doors, the twins opened them, and both bowed in unison as they gestured inside.

 

"Dearie!"

 

In a beautiful and LARGE ballroom, there were a number of expensive and soft-looking couches and pillows, strewn about as to be strategically nonchalant.  The centerpiece was a sculpted waterfall; an angular, almost alien alicorn with a mane of water that seemingly flowed from some sort of pipe or mechanism - it looked breathtaking.  It looked magnificent.

 

It looked OBSCENELY expensive.

 

Seated at a fine velvet couch surrounded with trays of goodies was none other than Vylia Blackwater herself, looking resplendent in a lovely casual sundress.  The twins trotted to either side of their mistress, and Vylia stood and made a proper curtsy.

 

"It's SUCH an honor to have you here... please, won't you have a seat?  A treat?  My fine fellows here are always at my Beck and Call..."  she gave a soft giggle, "and they do not disappoint."

 

 

@cwhip9 

 

 

As Crescent made his way toward the cave, nothing could possibly spoil his moment of-

 

"Oh... it's YOU."

 

Cress knew that voice.

 

He had reached the area where he was to lead the first crew down for the early shift; he would be in the deep mines with them for quite a while, only separating from them whenever he got a break - and those would be short, if the tunnel looked like an issue.  This group would be his responsibility - and guess who was apparently in charge today?

 

"Wonderful - perhaps I should simply save you the trouble and get us lost as soon as the lift arrives?"

 

Redd certainly seemed like himself today; such a joy to work with.  This was echoed by the other six ponies geared up for the crew - the looks they were giving him meant it was a good bet he'd already endeared himself to them.

 

"Uhm, Mr. Redd, sir?  The lift ain't comin'... the flood broke it.  We gotta go down the pathway."

 

Redd Handid's muzzle twisted into a rictus of anger for a few seconds before he shut his eyes, took a deep breath, then turned to Crescent.

 

"Well come on, guano-brain," he grumped, "I suppose a ghost of a chance is better than none at all.  Move it."

 

 

@Illiad Easle

 

 

Approaching the gates, one of the turret guards gave a start, then leaned forward to watch the two newcomers.

 

He'd just let a rather pushy caravan through, though he'd seen them coming and sent out the word - what he'd gotten back was "let them in", and the fact that they'd been flying a crest was simply... well, it irked him, for some reason.  Now, here were two more, and they looked pretty plain compared to the last lot.

 

Though that one looked kinda scary... like, 'worry' scary.

 

He leaned out over the parapet, and called out, "Who goes there?"

 

The second guard, an old hoof at this, came to see what was going on now - he'd spent a while here at the quarry, and there normally wasn't much in the way of activity on the visitor side; the carriage had been spiffy, but what was...

 

Looking over the side, his eagle-sharp eyes widened... then he shot a glance at his young partner, and smiled broadly.  He knew EXACTLY who was down there - he was just gonna see how the new kid handled it.

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

@@Illiad Easle,

@@Randimaxis,

 

"♬The quaaaary's aliiive, with the sound of pooooonies. ♫"

 

The singing voice came from behind Illiad and his bodyguard, carrying a bundle of joy and more energy than should really be allowed this early in the day. She had been told that last part some times before at least, but she couldn't help it. The imbalance she went through growing up had left her with an abnormal amount of energy to burn through most of the time, and it tended to show the most in the mornings, where most had trouble to get out of bed.

 

She tended to wake up early though because of that, unless she had spent a lot of energy the day before and needed more time to recharge, so to speak. And like most days, she had spent her time before work began just flying around and enjoying the crisp morning air in the areas outside the quarry, whistling and singing a little to herself before it was time to get to work. Some days, the good doctor was a bit earlier in it than she were now, as the weather could be bad or she didn't find that much to look at, but it had been a pretty day outside, so the few hours she had used were well spent outside and enjoying it.

 

Ziggy wasn't late though. Though it seemed like she might get distracted from the time and only be there later than anypony else, she had thus far not gone too late for work. Or well, she usually were on the grounds at least, but she might not exactly be working the first few minutes as much as going around saying goodmorning here and there. So if you wanted to be nitpicking a bit, then yes, she could at times be a few minutes too late to be inside her office itself, but it still counted when she were on the grounds far as she knew. And she hadn't gotten fired yet for tardiness, so it seemed she had a point thus far. Or perhaps it was just all the early starts that made up for it, she didn't know.

 

She weren't too far before the working day today though. From the sound of the horn before, about a half hour, which were still good enough as it gave her some time to stretch and look around the quarry, just in case there were something happening. Or like today, when it seemed like she didn't even have to go inside the quarry itself to find something happening, at least from the sight of the armored pony beneath her.

 

He didn't look as menacing from a distance, but it still really drew the eye to see anypony dressed up like that around here. She hadn't really seen armor often since she started here, and this one garment didn't look like the usual. At least from this distance. Perhaps she should get closer and have a teensie, little look just to make sure? Couldn't hurt just to look, right?

 

She didn't bite much notice in who he were travelling with right now. He looked kinda neat from up here, but she couldn't see who it actually were from the back, so her attention were still fixated on his bodyguard.

 

"Goodmorning."

 

Before she went down though, she waved at the guards at the gate and greeted them like she usually did. She weren't one who needed to get their attention to pass in, as she just flew over the gates, but that didn't man that she couldn't be nice to them, right? It'd be really rude to just ignore them, pass into the quarry, and only then begin to interact. with others.

 

But again, her path right now wasn't into the quarry juuuuust yet. Instead, she flew down softly, not being in any sort of rush, and landed a bit away from the two outsiders.

 

"Hello, and goodmorning to you too."

 

She waved at them both, and smiled like she tried to illuminate the area around her with positive feelings.

 

The look she got of them both were way better now. The armored one for example, seemed to have some patches of dragonskin covering his neck, which really weren't something she had seen before. She had barely even seen a dragon, only at a distance some years ago, and he had looked really angry at something that she didn't think she should get involved in. The scales looked similar though, so she were pretty sure this were dragonskin.

 

She also finally got a better look at his travelling companion. And thinking about it, didn't she know this one?

 

"Oh, hey there Illia- Illiad!!!"

 

Like a bolt of peppermint lightning, the doctor went from standing where she just had to zig-zag at high speed over and tacklehug Illiad from the side, holding him in her hooves and lifting him into the air in a small spiral with her wings spread wide, radiating joy and love to a degree where it could potentially make a changeling sick. Unless his guard had some amazing reflexes and were able to keep her at bay, though if that were the case, he'd be one of the first she had met in years that could do so.

 

She wouldn't care though, it felt like ages since she had seen Illiad last, even if it had only been a year. Back when all the weird things happened.

She wasn't exactly sure what had happened, but it was something with a weird stone, everypony acting all sorts of crazy, and... A draconequus? She wasn't sure if that were right, but it felt uncomfortable to try and think about that anyway, so it was better just left behind.

The whole day had been seven kinds of crazy from what little she could remember, but it wasn't much that stuck. Perhaps she just tried to repress it or something, she didn't know, but it was something that was better not to dive into in her opinion.

Besides, most she had heard from the others. For some reason she had gone frantic and started to go through all her shelves in her office before writting page up and page down about stuff they needed. And not even stuff that made sense! It was like she had wanted to try to have something for every disease imaginable, even the ones that couldn't hit ponies, before suddenly, she had just stopped and gotten back to her senses.

She knew it was him that had snapped everypony out of it, and that they all were in his debt because of it, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what he had done. She seemed to recall having him on the table afterwards though, before she burned the papers, but even that were sort of blurry.

Oh well, not important she supposed. Important thing were that he had returned, along with Selena she hoped. She were still curious about the diamond, even if she knew she couldn't tell anypony about it. Also, it wouldn't be nice to say hello to only him, but she likely had to wait til later to have the chance with her.

*sigh* Hopefully the poor thing wouldn't feel overlooked until then.

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

 

Elsewhere in the quarry, a thick plume of smoke rose up into the air.

 

When somepony would eventually go to the source - shouldn't be long, as something burning in the quarry would be bad news - they wouldn't find something on fire though. Instead, they'd fine a somewhat primitive looking pipe made from wood with a crack in the middle, smelling heavily of gunpowder and, for some reasons, flowers. There wasn't any indicator of who had set it here, but who would stick around and take credit for a home-made smoke bomb anyway?

 

The question were more in why it had been set off though. What would one gain from diverting some guards or workers towards this? Were it perhaps... A distraction?

 

It seemed like the quarry might have an interloper snooping around somewhere.

[Mentis Soliloquy 3,025]

Outside the Mines - Cabins/Mine kitchen

 

Scarlet had awoken around eight in the morning, found the shared showers and had one, then finished getting ready for her second hopefully less eventual day on the job. Before she went to the the kitchen to start prepping for lunch she was at a desk she managed to find writing a letter, she disliked using her mouth to write but no alternative she did not posses magic. The letter was detailed with a few plans she had for her dilemma and what she may possibly need from the recipient. 

 

On the back was the family seal the outline of an orange tree, on the front was the address and recipient.

 

Emerald Bolt, Commander of Twilight's guard

34 Princess Avenue 

Ponyville, Equestria

14 CE 06

 

"Right I'll give that to Taps when I see her..." She thought out loud as she placed the letter in her pack and headed to her place of work to start prepping, there should be a ton of hungry workers today hopefully and she had to prove her worth to them.

 

She got to her kitchen and started on her work, she would serve the soup from yesterday, it would of kept well without any issues. She nevertheless checked it and tasted it. "Mhmm... That is hoof licking good, I should get some smiles hopefully." She put it on a very low heat and let it settle. Then moved on to things that would go with the soup; bread, chips, hay and a few other things she also made a few smaller pots of things like ready to make hay burgers for special requests of if one of the family stopped by for some food during the day and she did not want them to just be stuck with soup, she also thought that some of the ponies may not want soup or if the foreponies wanted to have 'special' food. She was not sure and was prepping for most out comes she could think of.

 

She was quite busy with her work if anyone came her way, someone would probably have to shout at her to get her attention as she cooked, cleaned and washed up in a one pony whirlwind of work...

[cwhip9 1,078]

 

 

"Well come on, guano-brain," he grumped, "I suppose a ghost of a chance is better than none at all. Move it."

As much as Cresent has worked with red on the guid job a few times he did ocasionaly make it as much of a chore for red as red made it for him every time down the mine. His good mood did deflate a bit looking at the sky then the board. First shift ended at mid day, maybe he could still play his cards right and still meet silver for that picknick. With this in mind he simple nodded at red

 

"my my red with as much gusto you have today me thinks you have a hot date later" he grined leading the minors down the path. All of them knew it in their sleep but to be fair red in the morning was as plesent as waking up with a hangover with an alarm clock going off...even for the most dry of ponys so to speak.

 

The darkness soomed engulfed the group as they made their way down the path a few jokes were had between the minors waking up and cresent about water and floods. "you know im not going to lie seeing the place after the flood is a bit odd and strangley welcoming. I mean half of the tunnels probably effected gotten deeper or wider so explore will be better" cresent said as he led them to the right of the fork.

 

Having red follow in toe was expected really not orders from the boss himself more red being well...red. It was then they came across the discover him and silver made before the flood. Cresent held up a wing or the others to stop as cresent aproched the crack. Did it get wider? he flew up close without burning himself then called back to the minors "carful round this patch boys. unless any pony brought smores with him" the bat pony said marking around the hot bleeding with chalk around it then in a area further back for those that were near it would see him write

 

FRESH VAIN AHAED APROCH WITH CATUCTION

 

"a heads start good, ready boys?" he turned back to the group and red guiding them around the chalk line

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Randimaxis, @Blitz Boom

 

Copper woke up with a confused expression.

 

What the heck just happened?  Did he have some sort of nightmare last night?  If he did, he hoped he wouldn't go through it again.  Either way, since he was up, he may as well stretch and...

 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

 

Never mind.

 

He sprang up, did a quick little stretch to start his day, and trotted to find his saddlebags...

 

Which were there, but he forgot he wasn't doing the mail.

 

He face-hoofed at the thought and trotted out of his sleeping place and was about to begin his new day when...

 

Something was off.

 

He looked around, and saw a thick plume of smoke in the air.  Had someone set something on fire?  If they did, that would be bad news.  So instead of going to his fore-pony first, he was going straight to Mr. Blackwater.  And that was exactly what he did, galloping down to Mr. Blackwater's Headquarters.

 

When he was there, he sighed a bit.  Though he didn't investigate, he would have to with his boss.  Whoever was behind this was going to regret doing whatever they were doing.  He knocked on the front door, hoping that Mr.Blackwater himself would open it, and if not, one of the workers inside.

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@Randimaxis,@@Blitz Boom, 

 

Euler was about to announce who they were to the guard when a strange pegasus/zebra hybrid landed in front of them. He wasn't too worried at first until she seemed to recognize his charge, and launched herself at him. In an instant, his wings snapped open as his training kicked in, with a powerful flap of his wings and a tackle he took down the potential assailant before they could reach his charge, he wasn't a dragon commando for nothing. " Kindly step back from the Vice-Consul."

 

Illiad chuckled as he watched it go down, he had felt Ziggy's optimism and enthusiasm coming from a ways away so he had been prepared for the possibility of a surprise hug. "At ease Fastar, this one's a friendly. In fact, I'd say most of those within the walls of the quarry are friendlies, though I am impressed at your reflexes. Go announce us properly to the guards while I assist this one." With a wave the guard stepped away from standing over Ziggy to turn his attention back to the gate, "Sorry about Euler there, he's a bit overzealous about protecting me, he really want's to make a good impression on Consul Hooves." He extended a hoof and a smile towards Ziggy, "It's been a while hasn't it? How have you been?"

 

The guard spoke up to the guard who called to him, "Announcing Vice-Consul Illiad Easle of Troy, we sent word ahead of our arrival."

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@@Randimaxis

 

Identical twins?  Quite the novelty.  Not quite her personal taste, but Carnelian had at least considered the possibility of hiring a group, should one produce themselves.  Not twins, though.  It must be triplets.

 

The more impressive sight, however, was the gauntlet of servants arrayed before her.  For a moment, she had assumed her hosts would only have prepared a simple greeting for her, but this...

 

The baroness raised her head high, reveling in the pampering as she waded amongst the servants.  A hoof reached for a glass and sniffed it cautiously before taking a sip.  Her face frowned as the liquid rolled across her tongue.  Apple wine?  What was wrong with the grape?  Or even the cherry?  Oh well, if this was all they had, it would do.

 

"Please escort my hoofmaidens and their luggage up to their accommodations.  I would also prefer it if rooms for myself and my ward were prepared, as well."  She didn't have to wait much longer for the unicorn to appear at the door, straining as he hauled several chests in his magical aura.

 

"It's alright, dear, you can set them down," she called back.  Low Key breathed a sigh of relief as the designer luggage came to rest against the soft carpeting.  "But oh, do keep the gift chest.  I will need that."

 

After the baggage situation had been dealt with, the baroness and her ward followed the twins through the winding halls of the manor.  Her eyes always scanning, Carnelian continued to take in and judge the sights.  There was a lot to be said of the decorations, namely what could be read from them.  The Blackwaters may be able to fool any commoner walking through those doors, but they could not fool a billionaire who could practically smell sophistication.  They may build walls out of money, but her hosts were nothing more than common freeponies looking to play aristocrats.

 

Not to say that she had no ounce of respect for the Blackwaters.  If she could befriend them, they would make most useful allies and business partners, even if their quarry provided a large obstacle to Carnelian's own business.  It would require more analysis before she made any moves, whether to strengthen or debilitate.

 

"Vylia, a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."  Carnelian carefully measured the size of her hostess' smile and reciprocated it, trotting over to a nearby divan and reclining upon it.  Her ward was slow in coming to the door, gasping for breath as he set the trunk down.  His magical endurance would need training.

 

Carnelian took another sip from her cider before continuing.  It was starting to grow on her, this strange apple drink.  "Your hospitality leaves very little to be desired, dear.  How have you and your family been?  I hope all are in decent health?

[Blitz Boom 4,629]

@@Illiad Easle,

@@Randimaxis,

 

Ziggy wouldn't lie and say that she didn't get surprised when she were suddenly tackled from the side when she were headed for Illiad, but... Or well, no but here, she were really surprised.

 

The way she tended to move, along with the speed she had going with her when she put the energy into it, had made that nearly nopony in her time had been able to capture her before she hit her target. Far as she recalled, this marked the third time actually, and considering this one wore a lot of armor, she were actually really impressed that he had managed to get hold of her.

 

Not that her first reaction beyond surprise were to praise him just yet. No, instead, before he had the chance to move away from her, she nuzzled her head against the side of his like a cat, and if she hadn't then heard what Illiad told him, she would have attempted to give him a hug too.

 

Oh well, her plotting how she were going to get him sooner or later would have to wait for another time. For now, she went through with what she had before and grabbed hold of Illiad, lifting him from the ground and giving him a hug so tight that if she had been in possession of an earth pony's strength, she might have broken him in half.

 

"Illiad!!! It's sooo good to see you again. Are you here to look for your friend? Dax is around, Mr. Blackwater too, and I bet they'll be surprised when they see you. Or did you tell them in advance? Is this part of some big-"

 

She shook her head and put Illiad down again, though she wasn't letting go of him completely. Her grip was pretty slack though, so it'd be easy for him to get out of her grasp if he tried.

 

"Sorry, it's just so exciting! I was thinking you'd never come back, and then you do, you do, you do! What brings you back? Oh right, and I'm fine. Lots to do, plenty ponies to help. Especially after yesterday. We had a lot of accidents there, but I guess Dax would want to tell you when you find him, and spoiling his fun wouldn't be nice.

 

But I want to know what's up with you! What've you done for this long? How long are you gonna stay? What's with the funny clothes? Who's your friend? Why did he call you Vice-Counsel, and what does that mean?"

 

Lowering her voice some after the first wave of the several questions she had to him, she whispered some last, hopeful words into his ear before standing to his side, letting him go if he hadn't wriggled away on his own accord before this.

 

"Also, do you have Selena with you?"

Edited September 17, 2016 by Blitz Boom

[Illiad Easle 3,142]

@@Blitz Boom,

 

No one could tell because of the mask, but Euler was blushing slightly because of the nuzzle the weird pegasus zebra gave him.

 

Illiad stepped back out of Ziggy's grip so he could talk more comfortably, "You really missed me didn't you? I didn't realize you cared so much. Anyway, I'm here primarily to negotiate trade, and secondly to meet up with Dax and Silver, I sent them a letter ahead of time, but due to the speed we made it here those letters didn't beat us here by much, so it still might be a surprise when I see them."

 

He sighed, "Accidents? Nothing too big I hope? I thought I took care of the big problems last time, and as much as I enjoyed that I wouldn't want to have to do it again, it would be an awful trend to set now wouldn't it?"

 

He smiled at Ziggy's enthusiasm, "Well, a few months after Dax came back from Troy Midget and I succeeded in being elected Consul and Vice-Consul of Troy respectively, since then I've been very busy doing pretty much anything Midget can't or won't do himself, as well as running most of the council sessions in regards to Troy while he runs the National councils. Anyway, I won't be here long, just long enough to discuss and finalize a trade agreement, I may or may not actually spend the night, who knows? As to my clothes, they aren't too different from what I was wearing when I first showed up at the quarry, the difference being the wreath, the border, and the sash, which symbolize my status as the Vice-Consul, which is to say I am the second in command of the Trojan Empire. My traveling companion over there is Dragon Commando Euler Fastar, assigned to be my bodyguard for the duration of my trip."

 

To answer her last question he simply pulled Selena's diamond out from his robe so Ziggy could see ti before returning it safely to its spot.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

(WHEW... okay, here we go.)

 

@Blitz Boom - @Illiad Easle

 

 

The young gate guard scratched his head, but the older one's smile grew until it looked as though it would meet in the back and his fool head would fall off.  As the youngster pondered, the elder reached over and tripped the lever that opened the gates.  When the young buck turned to protest, he was stopped with a hoof to his lips.

 

"No, no... you recall me tellin' you about the fracas we had here last year?  THAT'S the pony responsible for gettin' us OUT of it; he's always welcome here."

 

He leaned over the parapet, and yelled down with authority.

 

"Proceed directly inside, honored guests... welcome back, Mister Easle!"

 

The immense doors opened, and the sight of the quarry in action greeted them both.  The sounds, the smells of the Blackwater Quarry washed over Illiad's muzzle once again, bringing up all sorts of-

 

The first thing Illiad noticed was the damage to the grounds: the water tower was down, there was a large-ish hole in the refinery's southern wall, there was dried mud everywhere, and a number of workers were doing as much equipment hauling as actual quarry work...

 

Happenings, indeed.

 

 

@Mentis Soliloquy

 

 

"'EY!  Any chancea some soivice 'round heah?"

 

Scarlet recalled that voice; it was Chuck List, the earth pony she'd help rescue the other day.  He was looking in the order window, and gave a grin when he saw her.

 

"'ey dere!  Scarlet, 'f I r'membah karrectly?  Howyadooin'?"  He gave the air a sniff.  "Saaaaay. whatevah dat iz yer cookin' smells DEE-lish!  I uzually gedda simple hashbrown an' hay bacon breakfast... but I'm up fer anyt'ing dat smells DAT good!"

 

He looked around the kitchen with interest, grinning as he saw her hard-cleaned kitchen.  "Aftah yestiddy, you got dis place clean azza whistle!  Good ta see yer dat dedicated, ma'am!  If dere's one t'ing dat I t'ink's most important heah, it's da grub!"

 

 

@cwhip9

 

 

The miners were as friendly as they ever were with Crescent; they always had a joke or a funny story for him, and a few even brought extra water for him, just in case.  He'd long ago been considered one of them, so there was no issue whatsoever with any of the usual stuff he did during his routine routes.

 

Redd, however, was as far from accepted as he could be; even the other miners gave him a cold shoulder... unless, of course, he addressed them directly.  Then, they responded - usually with thinly-veiled snark.  Regardless of his position as a forepony, not a one of them actually LIKED him... but when they reached the chosen site, Redd pointed to where the veins were supposed to be, and they did exactly as he told them.  There was NO ire or anger here; this was the pit, and they were in the thick of it. 

 

As they started kicking rocks with their magically-augmented horseshoes (that were actually Silver's work), a single pegasus worker flapped down carefully, landing near Redd and approaching quickly.  He whispered in the forepony's ear... and Redd's eyes W-I-D-E-N-E-D... then, he turned his gaze on Crescent... and a wickedly evil grin grew across his features like a Rapid-Gro spell on kudzu vines.

 

The other pony nodded to Redd, then took back off, swift as as arrow and out of the cave again.

 

That smile was very disconcerting.

 

 

@DwhitetheGamer

 

 

As Luther's study was his office, this left Copper knocking on the front door of Blackwater Manor.  He stood there for a moment... and a moment more.  Had they heard him knock?

 

Just as the idea to knock again began to drift across the young stallion's mind, the door DID open... however, immediately after it was wide enough to allow a pony through -

 

> WHAM <

 

Copper was sent sprawling backwards and into one of the columns, but he kept his hooves.  Dax, however, wasn't as lucky: he backpedaled into the other door, smacking his rump into it, then whirled around and spun off his hooves and into the still-open door muzzle-first... then he slid slowly to the ground.  He'd hit hard enough to see stars, and Copper could almost hear the tweeting birds that would be flying around his head.

 

He was out like a light... and Copper had an unconscious Dax Blackwater on his hooves.

 

 

@Hazard Time

 

 

Vylia gave a sparkling laugh that had just a touch of genuine pleasure at her guest's visit.

 

"Well, one certainly cannot expect such a refined socialite such as yourself to have to settle for mere basic details - my entire house staff has been alerted to your presence, and are under orders to cater to any whim that may take you... within reason, of course!  Then again,"  she grinned, "somepony of YOUR high stature would certainly have quite a bit of reason with me, dearie!"

 

The twins eyeballed the panting assistant before skirting the outside of the mares' conversation to reach him.

 

"Need a hoof?"  Asked one, softly.

 

"Perhaps four?"  Added the other.

 

Meanwhile, Vylia continued.

 

"It's simply marvelous to have you here - I am so VERY glad you agreed to come out all this way.  Being as far removed from the seat of action, as it were, one does find company scarce.  Of course, my caliber of guests has CERTAINLY increased, I would say!"

 

She gave her lovingly-kept mane a slow stroke as she grew a thoughtful look, keeping her kind smile as she considered her guest's question.  

 

"Well, Luther remains Luther, of course... though he certainly hasn't been upset over our profits, I can assure you.  He's been spending a bit more time with the young ones, especially Daxter; the two of them are far closer than one would think.  Oglevy?  Oh, he is so VERY precocious, you know?  He goes through tutors as if they were going out of style; we've had three in just this last year!"

 

Vylia's body language spoke of a certain relief at having another mare to speak to... as well as a glint in her eye that said she was appraising Carnelian as well.  She remained poised and chatty, but there was more going on under the Blackwater matriarch's gold bow than there seemed to be.

 

But, for whatever reason, not a bit of her interest appeared hostile, or even truly ambitious - perhaps simply a curiosity/cautious mix of concern; nothing that could be even remotely perceived as aggressive.  Perhaps the pegasus mare was genuinely looking for a friend?

[DwhitetheGamer 867]

@@Randimaxis, 

"OOF!"

 

It was all Copper managed when the somepony came flying towards him at a surprising speed.  At least he would be okay for the moment after the hit.  He shook his head off of the surprise to see Dax Blackwater knocked out.  And that was more than enough to see him in frantic mode.

 

"DAMN IT!  NOT WHAT I WANTED!"

 

Seeing as if there was no time to call for help, he took it upon himself to carry this pony to a medical room ASAP.  Quickly, he picked up the poor pony, struggling to get him up, and walked him to the nearest medical room.  

 

While walking, if anypony was nearby, he called out, "Hey!  Help me take this pony to a medical room!  He ran into me while opening the door of the Manor, and knocked himself out because of it!"

 

Whether or not anypony came to help, Copper was still able to get him into a medical room in the Quarry.  In there, he laid poor Dax Blackwater down on a medical bed and sat down, sighing in relief that he was able to get the pony in the room as quickly as he could.

 

He shook his head, disappointed that he wasn't able to get Luther at the moment.

[cwhip9 1,078]

@@Randimaxis, Generally cresent would stand back watching the show the minors made of cutting the rocks and typical mining as he would make sure they wouldn't get near any danger zones and such. He listened for any nearby wild life but couldn't hear any spiders, must have left after the flood or something. As he looked on and spotted here and their he did get distracted by the mail pony that flew on in the cave. He was about to question what he was doing their but then saw the pegisis interaction with red. Then reds reaction, a listen to the pegisis blood said his blood beated faster at what ever the news was.

 

Seeing the smile on reds face as the pegisi moved out before cresent could warn him about being in the mine itself the pony left....ok something was up. He watched the minors as he trotted up to red not looking at him keeping more an eye on the minors then red (as part of his job) then asked the obvious

 

"good news I take it, you don't smile too often like that unless its..." he paused its never good to see a pony like red smile like he was

 

"rewarding" he said carfully keeping an eye on the minors that were digging.