open [RP] The Blackwater Quarry

[Randimaxis 8,633]

There was a clatter from one of the guard towers along the mighty wall, and voices yelling echoed across the still-waking quarry.  Momentarily, there were two guards, the usual night watch, who came stumbling out of the tower doorway, both fighting to keep their hooves.

"Attaghsh!  Wehurr unner attaghsh!" the first one said, swinging hooves at shadows and toppling a barrel of spears.

"Whurr... hai dunno whash haapenmsh..." the second one drawled, leaning against the wall while he waited for the ground to stop spinning.

One of the morning crew, fresh out of bed, blinked as he saw the two guards - who, normally, would already be in bed by now.  He trotted up to the first one, but his swings seemed to mean at least some business, so he opted for the second one instead.  "What's going on?" 

The second guard did his utmost best to lock eyes with the morning miner.  "I fink... fink wesh wah drubbgeded..."

The miner gave a start, "Drugged?  Did you say drugged?" 

The second's reply was a wobbly-headed nod, followed with a moan and growl from the tower guard's belly. 

With that, the miner rushed directly to the barracks, and within moments, there were twelve miners outside, a gathered crowd around the two guards as they were both carefully convinced to sit down and rest.  The first guard managed to gather his wits enough to stop swinging and seat himself, while guard number two simply slow-slumped down the wall until he was lying on the floor.

Moments after they were seated, a miner ran for Ziggy's shed.

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Randimaxis

A swoosh would be heard above the miners head, before a certain large Zegasus would fly above him, and looking down with a yawn.

"Good morning."

She had been about to fly out to get a late morning flight when she had spotted the miner below her, headed towards her shed with alarming haste. Could also be for Silver, but she was in her shed too, so... Yeah. Turns out that even when Ziggy had to work through a few hours of the night to get all papers ready and start the boil of a blend that should help the little filly hidden in there, she were still up earlier than the others. Guess that could be explained by how little she had flown around. Not enough time to burn off energy before getting a rest.

"Is something wrong? Did Redd Handid fall down the old well?"

She snorted a laughter out behind the hooves in front of her muzzle. Sure sure, some might say that joke was overplayed and old, but that was from Ponies with no sense of humor. Come on, the oldies were the besties, hehe.

Also she couldn't think of anything else right now. It was before the flute went off and she hadn't gotten her usual morning flight. Give her a bit of rope okay? Not literal rope though, as she didn't know what she was going to use that for, but- Okay, that wasn't entirely true. She could use it to drag an empty barrels over to the barracks and then go down into it so she could surprise everypony as they woke up.

Buuuuut then again, one of the foreponies had been pretty adamant about her never being allowed to do that again. Something about her scaring the hair out of their tail or something like that. She couldn't remember the exact wording, or even the forepony in question, but she had definitely been warned.

...What was she thinking about again here? Morning flight, sleepy filly, Redd, barrels... Weird day yesterday, huh...

She'd keep thinking on this until the miner would tell her what was going on. In her morning haze, her scattered brain had sorta lost track of what was happening, and why she had approached this Pony to begin with.

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@Randimaxis

As the sun peeked over horizon, it was Low who was the first of the guests to wake up.  The shower was simple enough to figure out, though it certainly had as many bells and whistles as Carnelian's did.  As the warm water flowed over his hair, he lost himself in thought.

Speaking of Carnelian, he knew from experience that she wasn't bound to wake up for another few hours.  Unlike him, she was a night owl, and she took full advantage of that, pressing her ward tell her what he had experienced while she was getting a grand tour.  Low had no reason to hide anything, and told her all.

It was uncanny how she was always able to see right through him.  Just from his choice of words, she was able to identify and classify his infatuation with the Blackwater middle child, just as easily as she had picked out his infatuation with her.  Was he really that easy to read?  Carnelian had taught him everything he needed to read and avoid being read, but how could he ever be as good as her?  She always smiled when their eyes met, her eyes twinkling, her touch soft against his coat, and yet she never made any outright advances.  It was always him, only him, and those moments were the only times he ever swore that he could read something on her face.  Was it amusement?  Joy?  Interest?  There was a lesson buried somewhere in her warm embrace, and yet she seemed content to let him try and figure it out himself.

At least, that was until last night.

"Low, my dear, you have the body of a stallion and all the wisdom of a colt.  Tell me, when you were around Mister Daxter, what manner of thoughts were running through your head?  Tell me what you shared in common?  Were you telling him what was on your mind, or what he wanted to hear?  What is your goal in all of this? 

"You're infatuated, Low.  You can keep telling yourself you're in love all you want, but the fact is that you're giving control to your libido, and I think we've moved past the point when that was cute.  I won't forbid you from pursuing him, but I want you keep this in mind: is a relationship worth taking seriously if no heirs can be gained from it?  I'll let you sleep on that, you look like you're about to pass out."

The answer had come to him easy enough, but he didn't make the connection until he stepped into the shower.  Carnelian wasn't just talking about them, she was talking about them.  He wasn't sure what exasperated him more, that his guardian liked forcing him to play mind games with her, or that this was her way of ending their...relationship.  Was it even that?

No, she was right.  She had done nothing.  Carnelian had sat back and let him dig his hole, and then let him jump in it.  Why didn't she tell him it wasn't going to work?  Why did she make him waste all those nights trying so hard to please her when she could have told him right off the bat what the lesson was?

"I could have told you, and you would have learned, but would you have understood?  I could tell you not to play with fire, but you would never truly understand the pain and damage that would result if I didn't let you stick your hoof into it.  That's all it takes, several seconds of intense pain, a few weeks of recovery, and you will never touch that flame again, because now you know what will happen if you do."

Low turned the shower off and quickly dried himself with a towel.  He hurriedly put on a new undershirt and waistcoat before storming out into the hallway.  He needed to distract himself before he blew a gasket, he needed breakfast.

Edited January 7, 2018 by Hazard Time

[Widdershins 9,955]

@Randimaxis

   Stride uninterrupted and not having yet payed much attention to his surroundings as of yet through his half-lidded eyes, Clod plods right through the front gates. The half donkey, half pegasus (though the latter not being readily apparent at the moment.) had fully expected to meet with some sort of authority once he had gotten close enough. He was a farmfilly after all; structure often holds priority when you have a farm to manage and not much else around than your father. Why, he had set out on his journey the moment he woke up that day, but punctuality wasn't something he'd bring to bear against anypony else. No, rather he was frankly glad with how things had turned out so far. Clod wasn't very much one given to speaking up or meeting up with others outside of doing just what he was told. Somewhat relieved that the place seemed quiet and relaxed for now, he nonetheless felt a bit uneasy with having not yet been put to some measure of work.

 ...mostly because he had forgotten the reason his Pa, Buster Clod, had sent him here to begin with at some point during the several straight days of walking.

   Pausing for a moment in the space/courtyard beyond the gates, Clod assembled together what Country Colt logic he could put together. Pa wouldn'ta sent him off in this direction if it didn't help out the family stumpfarm. So, figures the head of this here mine-farm ought know where he ought start off at so... With that, Clod Hopper set off after the biggest house he could see in the area: the big Blackwater Mansion placed in what could no doubt be the most prominent spot in the Quarry.

 

   Though... considering the inopportune situation at the gates, some unknown, powerfully built, loaded-down stranger seemingly marching inside without hesitation and setting off right for the rich domicile of the heads of the business would probably look greatly suspect to any resident prone to panic. Perhaps now was not the time for visitors, but that hardly registered to Clod as he heavily trod towards his goal.

[Randimaxis 8,633]

On 1/6/2018 at 3:46 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"Is something wrong? Did Redd Handid fall down the old well?"

The miner, Picky Parsnip, was a bundle of nerves as he skidded to a halt.

"No no no no NO!  The Night Watch guards came stumblin' out of the tower like they were tipsy on hard cider, but those two don't touch a DROP of that stuff!  Besides, YOU know what Mister Blackwater thinks of being anything but sober on the job!  Mudbrick and Stone Gaze look like they were drugged - and the front gates are just standin' wide open!"

He turned back toward the gates.  "We don't know if it's poison or what; you're the only one we know who can tell!"

Pick began nervously running in place.  "C'mon - they're by the front tower gates!  HURRY!"  And with that, he was off like a shot.

 

 

On 1/6/2018 at 8:16 PM, Hazard Time said:

He hurriedly put on a new undershirt and waistcoat before storming out into the hallway.  He needed to distract himself before he blew a gasket, he needed breakfast.

*twang*

*ka-clunk*

*SPLUSH!*

In the space of a single second, in the midst of his thoughts, he was also reminded of other lessons he was taught... like why one should remain observant of their surroundings, regardless of what their mind may be wandering through.

The bucket had been placed ever-so-gently above the door on a plank of wood that was loosely fastened to the wall with what looked to be some sort of metal clamp on either side; a single string had come from the handle and had been tied to the door's handle.  The result was that anypony who came out of that door would effectively be covered in... in... what was this stuff?

One sniff confirmed it - tomato soup.  COLD tomato soup, at that.

The bucket had upended almost perfectly, and he'd caught the majority of it directly across his muzzle and back.  His clothes were ruined, not to mention the chilly, slimy feeling of tomato paste running down his flanks and legs, pooling on the floor beneath him.

There was the sound of a muffled giggle, and then the patter of rapidly flapping wings... then, silence.  Except for the dripping sound of cold tomato soup, of course.

 

 

8 hours ago, Widdershins said:

... considering the inopportune situation at the gates, some unknown, powerfully built, loaded-down stranger seemingly marching inside without hesitation and setting off right for the rich domicile of the heads of the business would probably look greatly suspect to any resident prone to panic.

 

"You... YOU THERE!  Stop!"

A thickly-maned stallion with a bright red coat came trotting over from the group of gathered onlookers, stationed around the two seated and moaning guards.  As he came over, he measured up only slightly to the powerful workhorse - there didn't seem to be any chance of a fair contest of strength between them.  Yet, when the red stallion came walking right up, he held a voice of authority... with a lilt of self-importance added in.

"Who do you think you are, just waltzing right in here as if you belong?  DO you belong?  Well," he gave a snort, "I'LL be the judge of that!"

This having been said, he then walked a slow circle around Clod, looking over muscle and frame, judging silently while his shifty eyes darted over him.  After a moment, he stepped back and regarded Clod with a bit more interest, as if gauging whether or not his own job was at risk from this... new worker?

"Well, you look the part, I'll give you that much.  As a forepony of importance, I will ask you directly what your business is with the Blackwater Quarry?  Well, go on - speak up!  Or are you hard of hearing?  Perhaps too many muscles to hear what I'm saying?  Hmmmm?"

 

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@Randimaxis

There was no time to react, no time even to make a sound.  There was only the slimy coldness that gripped him, soaking into his clothes and coating his fur.  Low could only look down in abject horror as the last hour of preparation had gone completely to waste.  He didn't think to try and figure out who did it, he didn't even bother to try and chase down the perpetrator.  No, he never got angry.  He only became sullen.

With a loud cry of anguish, Low marched back into his room, slamming the door behind him.  His clothes were in the hamper and he was back in the shower in less than a minute.  This time, he wasn't coming out.  It was warm and relaxing in here.  Why should he leave, especially when there was nothing out there that cared for him particularly.

----------------------------

Carnelian had a much more peaceful morning.  Her first instinct was to bathe, though for this, she would need to be careful to keep her head above water.  Of all the grand ideas to have, leaving home without her entourage was the worst that she'd ever had in a long time.  Her hoofmaidens would have come in handy washing and styling her mane.  Oh well, the sheen should last another few days, that would be just enough time for her to send word and get them here.

After the bath, it was a simple matter of drying herself off (how barbaric!) and deciding on what to wear.  Normally, even nobles accepted the casual nudity of the common folk during days when important events were not expected, and this was true of Carnelian, though surely, pride was a vice that she could never ignore.  After about an hour of decision, a long, flowing red dress with black trimmings was her choice.  After slipping into it (without hoofmaidens to aid her?  How undignified!) she left her room.  Assuming that she wasn't also the target of a certain colt's pranks, she would continue on to the dining room, where she hoped breakfast was prepared.

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Randimaxis

The miner wasn't even done before Ziggy's eyes went big and wide with worry. The gates were never open this time of the day, and the guards being drugged? This was bad, bad, bad!

She zoomed off faster than the miner would be able to keep up, whilst her thoughts razed on about how the guards were doing right now. Were they in pain? Were there any neurological damages? Were the poison leaving their system, or just starting to work? She knew at least three off the top of her head that presented themselves like that, and two of them would start to show off as being rapidly worse.

They also required ingredients only found in Neighpon, which made it incredibly unlikely that it was this, but who had time for logic when somepony might be in danger? She had to check for growing black dots behind their ears, and bald spots on their bellies just to make sure.

Then came the thought of what caused this, and her thoughts came back to Blitz. She had barely seen the little one before she had gone unconscious, but it wasn't likely that a foal could just sneak in without being spotted somehow, right? And she seemed like one of the smart heads, so- No, what was she thinking here? Bad Ziggy!

Even if Blitz had done this, somepony would have noticed during the day yesterday, or when the ones who had a home outside of here went off after the flute blasted ye olde tune. Even if Blitz had gotten hold of something, it were impossible that she was the culprit, and how could she even think that about a foal? Loopy as the little one seemed, nopony would be crazy enough to work with what she was thinking about, and nothing like that would ever be sold to a filly. The parts for the poisons were too dangerous even on their own for the small ones, so it was forbidden to sell to them, at least as far as she knew. It was a footnote in the book she had read with the poisons back in the day, so she had to go on that, as she had never been that far out into the world.

It wouldn't be long after that line of thought had passed through her head that she zig-zagged over the gate, made three sharp turns, and landed with a small *fwoosh* on the ground in front of the gate guards. They were pretty easy to tell apart from the others, in part because she had seen the ones on shift as she flew across and had her morning flight often enough to know who she were looking at.

"Picky said you might've been poisoned? Quick, show me your bellies!"

[Brobot 1,436]

@Blitz Boom @Randimaxis

Tracker Hoof stumbled over weeds in the dark forest,mud and maybe some blood stained his flank. every single tree he past looked the same, he looked down and realized he was about so trip on a root, he tried to move his body but all his joints screamed in agony so he allowed himself to fall, pain jolted him as he landed and he looked back at the massive sting mark on his back.A few days ago he was trying to observe the very rare Bugbears,apparently he ended up to close for comfort and one of them rushed him,the beast was able to sting him before he turned and ran, the bugbears were chasing him,the chase made Trackers heart race effectively spreading the toxin throughout his body.

He collapsed some where deep in the woods and fell into a deep sleep,he woke up a few days later in a very not desirable mood,he was starving,he rigged in his saddle bag and pulled out the last of some crackers he brought with him and started walking,this brings ups to now,desperately trying to remember all the survival techniques he memorized as a foal........Then out of the corner of his eye something... a small twinkle,it took Tracker a moment to register it....."Light"Tracker whispered out loud has energy shot through his body,he struggled to get and begin limping towards the light,as the trees started to deminished  he  could start to make out where the light was coming from...it seemed like some sort of mine....no quarry is a better word for it, it was more open and big,not just a hole in the ground, but deep down Tracked did not care he just hoped that these ponies where nice enough to help, all of his body was withering in agony as he ran, he couldn't take this much long, he finally broke though the trees and saw a big gate as he's eye sight started to go fuzzy....the gathered enough strength to utter "help" weakly as he collapsed, half unconcious . he just hoped that some one heard him.......

[Widdershins 9,955]

@Randimaxis:                                                                 (Why the buck did it want to start typing backwards again...?)

 

    From the forestallion's first shout, Clod Hopper halted in step where he still was hitched up to his bulky, hoofmade wagon. Head turning if but a beat too slow, he looks up at the other stallion as he talks. Waiting until the other pony gets his say out from politeness, there's a quite noticeable pause that may not go that far in dissuading the other from his already voiced opinion. A bystander could almost count a few solid seconds before the half mule, half pegasus finally opens up his muzzle to speak.

   "...Whal, reckon you was who I startin' off ta look fer. Ma' Pappy done sent me off to these here parts ta work and I'd be much'ah obliged of your help thar."

[cwhip9 1,078]

@Randimaxis previous night*

As the night soon feel crescent warmed up some food for him and echo to eat to which he was thankful to eat with sonpony. After soon talking more about himself, his time at the mine along with how he's adapted to the day night bit. Soon tho sleep oddly called the batpony who laid out his hammock for her and pulling out a sleeping bag for himself to sleep. "Don't worry echo, " he said with a yawn "all else fails the cook will need a hoof with helping feed everypony here. Sleep well " he said soon falling asleep.....*the next day* 

Crescent woke up to the morning alarm feeling like he slept to long he hurriedly woke echo up and after wolfing down his breakfast he made his way with echo to the door. Then stopped realizing something.....red.....how are you going to deal with him batty? "We might maker a detour on the way to the boss, doubt it but just a hoofs up. You ready?" he asked with a cheerful tone to the other bat pony. 

[Randimaxis 8,633]

On 1/8/2018 at 6:58 PM, Hazard Time said:

With a loud cry of anguish, Low marched back into his room, slamming the door behind him.

It was several moments before there was a halting knock at that same door... but by that point, Low was bathing again, so it went missed.

On the other side was Dax, waiting to see if his new friend was okay - he recognized the look of splashed soup, and the clamped bucket was one he'd seen plenty of times, firsthoof.  The Blackwater lowered his head and sighed with exasperation for a moment... then, with a bit of true worry on his muzzle, he knocked again.

 

 

On 1/8/2018 at 6:58 PM, Hazard Time said:

Assuming that she wasn't also the target of a certain colt's pranks, she would continue on to the dining room, where she hoped breakfast was prepared.

Her hopes were not in vain; the very modern, yet rustic-looking kitchen was alive with the smell of soooooo many things! 

Over at the large, thick-yet-not-crude wooden table were a number of plates of different kinds of things to eat:  Sauteed mushrooms in wine sauce, two whole pans worth of homemade buttermilk biscuits, a pan full of peppery white gravy, a platter filled with strips of hay bacon, roasted fruit kabobs with a jelly-like sauce that was both sweet and sour, two whole fresh apple pies, slices of bean paste fried in expensive olive oil (with a dash of chutney),  hoofmade and exquisitely aromatic oatmeal filled with raisins, dates and walnuts, and the cream of the crop - stone-ground hearth-baked bagels with a sweet, creamlike cheese, coupled with a rich, dark and slightly steaming pot of exotic Griffonstone-imported coffee. 

At the impressive eight-range stovetop was Vylia herself, merrily humming a cute melody while simultaneously cooking two different things and tending to what appeared to be preparing fresh lettuce leaves for a later salad.  From all her body language and her peppy humming, interspersed with little giggles, it looked as though the Blackwater matron was actually... having fun.

 

 

On 1/12/2018 at 11:41 AM, Blitz Boom said:

"Picky said you might've been poisoned? Quick, show me your bellies!"

Mudbrick and Stone Gaze, two pones of a feather, were notoriously known for grousing at each other all the time.

They'd been hired on as miners, but when Gaze had broken a leg and Brick proved allergic to gem dust, they still wanted to work here.  Their families had come to depend on the pay, so Luther had deemed they were both still fit for work - and sent them to the wall's front towers.  They had seemingly hated each other from day one, arguing over even the smallest points.  But with time, it had become obvious about these two - their age had made them hard... but not heartless.

The two of them were sitting side-by-side on the ground, and the worried looks on both of their faces reflected like mirrors of the pair; each one was obviously thoroughly worried about the other.  When Ziggy landed and spoke up, they both glanced at the other's tummy, then both turned to her and shook their heads.

"Brick's no more bald there than usual... sorry it's so hard to tell."

"Me?  What 'bout YOU, ya dip?  I'd worry less 'bout my belly an' more 'bout my MANE, was I you!"

"Oh, this coming from the stallion whose tail is so threadbare, he had to wear a scarf on his flank to fool others!"

"But you gave me dat scarf, ya ninny!"

"I didn't give it to you because I LIKED it!"

Strangely enough, they actually seemed just fine; the time they had spent after awakening seemed to have been enough to gather the majority of their faculties back... but it wouldn't be a bad idea to thoroughly check them out anyway.  

 

 

On 1/14/2018 at 6:27 PM, Widdershins said:

 "...Whal, reckon you was who I startin' off ta look fer. Ma' Pappy done sent me off to these here parts ta work and I'd be much'ah obliged of your help thar."

Redd stared at him like he had lobsters coming out of his ears... then sighed gustily and facehoofed himself.

"By Celestia's Flank, your horrid accent's worse than Chuck's!  I don't believe I understood more than a few words of any of it, you garble-mouthed clod!"

Redd shut his eyes and thought for a moment, then gave another lofty, world-weary sigh.

"BUT... I understood enough 'BumpkinSpeak' to comprehend that you're here to work, so I suppose throwing you out would be downright offensive... much like your smell.  Very well, then," he motioned with a hoof, "follow me, and do try NOT to ask any foolish questions of me; my time is quite valuable, you know."

With that, the red unicorn with the feathered blond mane turned and started making his way up the small trail that led past Shed Row and up the slope to the mine itself.  Only once did he speak over his flank to the new recruit:

"Come on - no time for you to reply... sensibly, anyway..."

 

8 hours ago, cwhip9 said:

"We might maker a detour on the way to the boss, doubt it but just a hoofs up. You ready?"

Strangely enough, the poor thing looked like she hadn't gotten much sleep.

She had dark circles under her eyes, and seemed slightly distracted.  She blinked at him for a moment, then yawned widely, her sharp yet petite fangs in full view.

"Oh, I... i-i-if we have to, then it's o-okay.  I just..." another yawn rolled out of her, "I had s-s-some really... um..." she averted her eyes, "... i-intense dreams."

Did she have nightmares?  And if so, was this part of the reason she was afraid of the dark, maybe?  Perhaps she'd seen something horrific, and was trying not to see it in her sleep?  Either way, it was obvious she hadn't gotten much rest, but was still able to give a small, sweet smile and get herself up and ready for whatever lie ahead for her - and apparently, she was hoping that a job here was among those possibilities.

 

 

On 1/14/2018 at 1:07 PM, woodchunks66 said:

"Help..."

For a moment, there was no reply, no rescue, no nothing, and Tracker simply lie there in the dirt.

After a few more moments, however, there were the sounds of hooves, coming along at a slow and steady pace - multiple hoofbeats, at that.  They came to a slow stop when they reached him, and there was a slight nudge to his left flank.

"Well?"

A grunt, with an upward inflection.  

"I see.  Still alive, then?  Very well, gather him up - once we reach that pebble farm Blackwater calls a quarry, we can leave him there to be seen to; he might not be my business, but far be it for anyone to say that Jasper Cragg wasn't willing to make any effort to save a life.  Khosan, would you kindly?"

A strong pair of hooves descended on Tracker, and he was hefted onto the back of what felt like a very strong workhorse.  From there, he began to be carried to who knew where... though the sounds of the quarry were getting louder, for what it was worth.

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Randimaxis @woodchunks66

"Waaaait, I have to examine the patient!"

Ziggy had been busy with the two guards that were arguing along like usual through the whole process of her zooming around them and checking behind their ears, chest, legs, eyes, and so forth. She couldn't see anything that was signs of the most horrid things she had in mind, and their cognitive functions seemed to improve the more they blabbered on to one another, so that was a good sign.

It was kinda cute to see them go at it like this. Reminded her of some old married couples she had met once in awhile in the hospital she more or less grew up in. They were going at it too nearly constantly, but you could see that they'd never be able to make it long without the other. Same with these two. Sounded all bad for an outsider, but it was the way they connected. Otherwise it would have escalated before this, and she'd have to sew up an open wound or remove the cracked hilt of a shovel from a leg. She still had to do those things now and again, but that was accidents, not something done with malicious intend.

Seeing that she had been focused on them, she had nearly missed the pony stumbling towards them as he just appeared to be exhausted and dirty, but when he collapsed she had been just about ready to run over before he was picked up by somepony she didn't know. The name sounded familiar, but she just couldn't place it... Perhaps he was a friend of somepony in the mine? He didn't talk that well about the place, but some loved ones surely wouldn't be too happy if one they cared about got hurt now and again. Ooooh, perhaps it was somepony related to the miner who had broken his leg after the flood and fire ruby fiasco? The stallion was in the hospital right now after she had patched him up and sent for them, but there might be something here that he wanted with him, and had sent Jasper to pick it up. Surely somepony who saw their friend/relative hurt wouldn't be all that happy.

In any ccase, she finished up with the two at the gate for now, but she still wasn't sure that something might not wander around in their system, so to be on the safe side, she asked them to come to her shed in fifteen minutes, so she had the time to brew up a quick something in her little cauldron. It was not a pleasant thing though, as she wanted their systems to be cleansed and that meant having the potential toxins uhm... *expelled* in one way or another. She'd have to ask them to drink it outside.

With them taken care of though, she also had to look at the other one that Jasper was carrying around. She had noticed a rather alarming sight on his back, and she had to move in closer and make sure that... Oh no.

She let out a meep as she got over next to Jasper and had a better look at the infected stab wound on his back. That a stinger had poked through his skin were obvious, but with a wound this size, it could only mean one thing.

"It's hard to believe, but the truth are there, the poor little soul's been stung by a bugbear. Please follow me, so his wound can be mended. Please, really quick, or his life might be ended."

Bugbear stings were devious things. It would begin slowly with a pain in the wound, with a heavy sleep being induced normally within three hours of the attack. It could last anywhere from a day to a week, and when you woke up, you'd feel fine. Tired, but that was basically it.

That was what was so dangerous about this. The sleep didn't seem bad, but it gave the toxin the time to spread in the victim, and when they woke up it would have completely infected them. It wouldn't feel bad, but it was a matter of less than 24 hours after that before a complete shutdown would occur and... Nonono, she didn't want to think about it. She could help him, as the antidote were thankfully just a large dose of an antidote used against some aggressive spiders that sometimes popped up in the mine mixed with a few other remedies, but she had to get working quick. He seemed exhausted, and with no energy to stay awake, he wouldn't have much to fight the infection with either, so his time would be shorter before he started to break down. And when that began, she wasn't sure if she could help him anymore.

She would have to talk through with Mr. Blackwater after this, as she would be using materials on an outsider, but she would take a pay cut for what she had used if it came to that. She couldn't just let somepony that needed her die.

With this horrid image in mind, she fluttered ahead and led towards her shed, though if Jasper would not follow, she'd try and call out for some miners to help get him to her shed.

This was going to be an issue if Blitz and Silver were still there when she came back, but she would take that blow when it came to that as well. If she couldn't defend not tossing an unconscious filly out into the snow, she wouldn't deserve her medical license. Or to be considered a good individual for that matter.

Speaking of Blitz, she were still not awake, and wouldn't be for some time without some kind of external stimulant like powerful smelling salt or a concoction from the doc. If Silver felt awake and secure enough in things though, the book of zebra recipes that Ziggy father had given her were laid out on the table, and everypony knew that she had the herbs she used for tea and the occasional weird stuff under her desk. There were the option.

Then again, the option to sneak out with Blitz might be a better one, before the flute sounded and a lot of miners would be around again. It wouldn't be easy to be stealthy if it came to that.

[Brobot 1,436]

@Randimaxis @Blitz Boom

Tracker was barley conscious,barely.He could make out shapes and colors but he couldn't move a muscle, lied there for a few minutes and then he could see figures showing up in his field of vision......could they be timberwolves?!?!.....well it didn't matter there nothing he could do anyway. but once he felt himself be lifted onto a back he knew that something had happened, he tried listing but he's body had given out, all he was able to make out was a name,  "Jasper Cragg" , he could feel him self gaining some motor functions...,,he was pretty sure he was conscious now, he tried to say "who are you people" but it came out as "*cough cough* ugh" He did not feel well at all,he just hoped that whoever this people where...that they have a doctor among them....he could feel the toxin spreading, it feel strange...where do pony go when they draw there last breath anyway?He will never get to achieve his dream of observing very environment and very creature in equestria..........NO..its not over,he will not let his passion be the death of him, he summoned all of his will power to utter a another word "who?" before be passed out again...

 

[Widdershins 9,955]

@Randimaxis

 Clod Hopper's eyes dart off at one point during the forepony's rant, ears flickering back, somewhat scared by having to deal with a new and ornery pony. Clod Hopper wasn't very much used to dealing with others, but he was quite familiar with taking orders. Slowly, his eyes come back towards the presumed forepony with a noticeably long blink of dawning understanding.

 Without hesitation, after introductions are over, the big half-donkey stallion trundles off with his large wagon still behind him after the redder stallion on the narrowing pathway up towards the mine. Moments of silence later down the trail, Hopper's low, calm baritone echos up from behind as they travel.

"Reckon that'a'd be the smell o' mud, Sir.

...Y'all get used to it when you workin' a farm."

 

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@Randimaxis

Low's forehead pressed against the tile of the shower stall, his body resting on his haunches as he let the warm water wash over him.  How long would it take before he was rid of this contamination?  Whatever, surely there was nothing waiting for h-

That was when he heard the knock on his door.  He instinctively raised his head, but then stopped to think.  The water was nice and warm, and it so far seemed as if the world outside wanted him to stay in his room.  Was it worth it?  After a minute of thought, he decided on his course of action.

His magic aura enveloped the shower knob and turned it off.  The stallion grabbed a towel and gave himself a rudimentary dry, leaving the cloth draped over himself as he plodded across the carpet and opened his door.

"Hello, Mister Dax," he mumbled, his eyes checking up and scanning every which way.  He was too disillusioned to truly care about the mussed look of his mane, or that he was talking to his latest crush.  Didn't Carnelian warn him about Dax?  He had barely gotten out of bed and he was already thoroughly done with today.  "Is there something you wished to ask me about?"

--------------------------------

Carnelian wasn't surprised to find Vylia back behind the range.  It was indeed beneath her, but Vylia wasn't Low; it would have been unnecessary to insult her intelligence by lecturing her a second time.  Plus, the crystal mare had already known her to prefer her old habits, doing so a second time would degrade her opinion of her in the slightest.  In either case, she avoided setting hoof directly in the kitchen, as part of her dress dragged across the floor.

"Your culinary expertise and taste are impressive, Missus Vylia," she greeted, taking in a deep whiff of the smorgasbord before her.  She grabbed a plate for herself and began taking some of the oatmeal, smearing a bagel with the cream cheese, and a cup of coffee.  It seemed so rustic, having to gather her own meals instead of relying upon a serving staff.  As long as nopony important was around to notice, then surely there was no harm in roughing it.

-----------------------------------

@Widdershins

Along the winding mountainside passes, carriages and carts found themselves hard pressed to keep away from the dangerously steep edges.  Thankfully, the road wasn't so clogged this early in the morning, with the only disturbance being a peculiar wagon, intricate engravings and flowery details decorating its sides.  The patterns were beautiful, if painted with cheap paint that was already beginning to chip.  The most peculiar thing, however, was that no pony was pulling it.  Sitting on the yoke, where a pony should be, was instead a large crystal, which glowed as the sun rose above the horizon.  Blue lines drawn into the decorations weaving from the yoke to the wheels glowed with the same intensity, urging it on slowly but steadily.  Were there any ponies inside?  For all intents and purposes, it seemed quite lifeless.

[Widdershins 9,955]

@Hazard Time

  A faint shower of small gravel can be heard tinkling away at the roof of the carriage from above. Gradually that pebble rain becomes slightly more noticeable before a loud thump resounds from above it. Judging by the sudden stop of a running leap it can be surmised that the conveyance now has itself a sizeabley larger passenger, one that's taking up a rather sizeable space on the roof. The sound of claws repeatedly puncturing their way in for footholds along with the rumbling of the road as the magic drives the special-made wagon onward muffles the sounds of two similar voices on top.

"...no stallion driving it...? Aww..."

"We don't do thiss to get you dates, Taer. A device built this rich, has to carry some provisionss on it somewhere.

Look for windows ssomewhere on it."

   After a brief moment, a green feline-like head pokes upside-down on the cliffside window. "Think I've found something, Sis!" Can be heard before another head more cautiously comes into view on the opposite window, waiting to see more of the explanation behind this mysterious horseless carriage. 

[Randimaxis 8,633]

On 1/20/2018 at 6:14 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"It's hard to believe, but the truth are there, the poor little soul's been stung by a bugbear. Please follow me, so his wound can be mended. Please, really quick, or his life might be ended."

It was such an urgent call to care that Ziggy didn't even notice it was a zebra who carried the patient in.  With a shrug and a look at said zebra, in followed the other stallion as well, who began glancing all around the entire quarry.  Other miners, regardless of what they were doing, began to stop and simply stare as they went past... and they weren't staring at Ziggy.

"So... THIS is what everypony refers to as the 'Blackwater' quarry... most of this stuff is rather unnecessary, you know.  AND impractical.  I mean, the storage facilities are right next to that eyesore of a vault, the refinery looks like its' been in a flood, and there's only ONE opening to the mine proper... and Luther STILL makes more profit than I do?"

He gave a derisive chuckle.  "No wonder he never let me in - I'd be ashamed too."

The rather strong, muscular zebra let out a single snort of derision, yet carried the wounded traveler all the way to Ziggy's shed.  Jasper continued to glance around with a mixture of mild curiosity and barely-masked amusement, his eyes fixing on points here and there - including the stately manor house above the quarry yard.

"Hmph... gaudy," Jasper spat... but if anypony had been looking closely enough, they might have caught a momentary flash of that green-eyed monster that takes everyone, once in a while.  All the same, Jasper continued to walk along with Ziggy and his stripey bodyguard.

Cragg and Khosan followed along with the pegazebra, Cragg condescending but making astute observations, and Khosan simply carrying the victim, stalwart & unspeaking.

 

 

On 1/25/2018 at 9:22 PM, Widdershins said:

"Reckon that'a'd be the smell o' mud, Sir.

...Y'all get used to it when you workin' a farm."

Redd jumped when Clod spoke, and glanced back over his flank at the newcomer.

"... you're just now answering me?  Oh, for the love of Celestia - I've been saddled with a moron."

He gave a tight, angry sigh, then looked Clod right in the eye.  "I've half a mind to send you right back to wherever you came from... but, as we've been backlogged with work lately, I suppose I can't merely turn you away... as much as my sense of smell would like me to... so I suppose you'll just have to do your best to keep your own idiocy from killing you.  Come along, then - the sooner I get you working, the sooner I can go about the rest of my day without looking at you."

As he made his pace a bit more brisk, another pony came out from behind Shed Row, headed toward the mine proper just as they were.  She was a little thing, with a dark blue coat, mismatched eyes and a satchel slung across her flank with the word 'TAPS' stitched into the front.  She was a pegasus... but she wasn't flying; the steady clop of her hooves were just like any other Earth Pony's, and even though she was small, she looked far from helpless.

Topping off her appearance was a small cap she wore that had the word 'Mailmare' emblazoned on it, on a brass plate.

Redd groaned.  "Taps, did you manage to get that letter out to my sister yet?  I know you take pride in your job, which is why I'm certain it WILL get to her... but with your lackadasial attitude, I simply want to know if I'll be writing another before she receives the first!"

Taps turned and regarded Redd cooly; she wasn't about to be put off by the stallion's cruddy attitude.  She gave her own irked sigh, rolled her eyes, then nodded at Redd while simultaneously glaring at him, as if daring him to accuse her of being lazy again.  However, Redd was no fool - he took the hint that he was getting on her nerves.  You could tell he knew he was getting to her because he smiled.

"All right, all right... I shall ASSUME the matter is handled.  Good.  Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to find a miserable corner to put this cream-brain in."

Taps gave Redd a scowl... and gave a small wave of a hoof to Clod, tossing him a light grin before returning her eyes to Redd and doubling up on the initial scowl.

 

 

On 1/26/2018 at 2:39 AM, Hazard Time said:

"Is there something you wished to ask me about?"

Dax took a moment to pointedly stare around the doorway at the spilled soup still congealing there, then looked back at Key.

"I heard the sounds - and I know the little butt-tick's m.o., so I wanted to come and make sure you were okay.  Dumb for me to do," Dax grinned, "because I know what it feels like ALL too well.  He's done that to so many folks, and only one of them ever had the courage to stand up against him.  But that doesn't mean he's anywhere near invincible - in fact, it's the fact he thinks everypony else is stupid that's gonna get him in trouble."

The smile on Dax's muzzle was a bit too broad to be innocent.

"... of course, if we were to help his comeuppance by exploiting the intellectual superiority he thinks himself full of, then we would be no better than HE is, right?  I mean, it would be an absolute shame if, say, somepony might want to try to get revenge on him... especially if said somepony was teamed up with another somepony who just happens to know where the most embarrassing pictures of him exist... and might be willing to, oh I don't know, pull out said photo album & share it with a certain elite viscountess who, no doubt, would fawn and coo over them..."

Dax smiled a bit wickedly.  "Because if there's anything that makes Oggie mad, it's being seen as a foal.  And what better way than to share all those baby pictures with someone who will quite likely want to make reference to them again... and again... and again..."

He lifted an eyebrow.  "Unless I'm mistaken, and Miss Carnelian ISN'T the kind who enjoys making social stabs at others to prove her dominance?"

 

 

On 1/26/2018 at 2:39 AM, Hazard Time said:

"Your culinary expertise and taste are impressive, Missus Vylia,"

A light, bubbly laugh issued from the cooking mare.

"If you don't enjoy the food, why eat?  After all, I do tend toward a few foods that I'm certain aren't good for my waistline... but the morning exercises make me peckish, so I simply fell into the habit of making breakfast for myself as a part of the entire routine.  I mean, servants notwithstanding, it truly does add to my sense of accomplishment for a morning - and getting oneself's mindset right for the rest of the day is important."

She grinnned.  "Speaking of which, would you mind if I asked you about your charge?  He seems a bright fellow, if a bit shy - much like my Daxter, in fact.  I'd even go so far as to wager they'll be the best of friends before long... Daxter is SUCH a social butterfly, doing his utmost to make friends."

Mayhaps not as successful as I'd hoped... 

"And I'm sure the two of them will end up fast friends.  Unless... there's some reason they cannot?  Admittedly, I don't know if my Daxter would disrupt the upbringing you're fashioning for the young stallion - far be it for me to become an issue there.  Perhaps there are ways I could help assist in making things more suitable for your training?  Not that you have any problems or such - you're FAR too good for that - but maybe I could make the work easier for you somehow?"

 

 

 

 

[ @Hazard Time & @Widdershins, that scene is between the two of you for now - I'll step in when I'm needed. ]

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@Randimaxis

Low took in Dax's offer, his ears flicking as the gears in his head started working.  He really didn't care that much about getting revenge on Oglivy.  The fires of anger were already smoldering out by the time his big brother had come around, maybe it was for the best that he held on to this grudge?  Dax certainly seemed interested in getting back at him, so perhaps it was pertinent that he get involved, as well.  Then again, Carnelian had warned him about his infatuation, so what was the correct course of action?

"I can't say one way or the other what Carnelian would do," he answered.  "She's not the most predictable of ponies.  However, she does love foals, from what I've seen anyway.  She might not even need to be asked to give us the reaction we want."

----------------------------------------

Carnelian seated herself at the table, and soon dug into her food, cutting them into small bites before taking dainty little bites from them.  Her ears flicked in the direction of Vylia's voice, her mind absorbing every word and working through a correct response.  It wouldn't be prudent to let her know about Mister Low's intentions with her son.  He was a colt with his own mind, and he would decide the time and place when he finally decided to become a stallion.

"From what Mister Low has told me, he and Daxter have bonded quite nicely," she explained after washing her last bite down with some coffee.  "And if I will be honest, my teaching style has a very 'hooves-off' approach.  You can lecture at a pony for hours at a time, but how much of it will they absorb?  You can give them a test on a piece of paper and they might get all of them right, but how will you know that they will apply that knowledge to real life scenarios?

"The conclusion I came to is that life lessons are best learned from mistakes.  I did not tell Mister Low that a particular costume he wished to wear to the Crystal Gala was poorly made and utterly laughable.  The lesson was the humiliation he suffered first hoof.  I can understand that some ponies might see this as cruel, but if I had just told him not to wear it, he either would have become indignant or reliant upon my tastes instead of developing his own.  He now does his own research before costume balls, seeking out the best tailors, asking advice from professionals in the fashion industry, and coming up with unique ideas that will set him apart in a good way.

"Of course, I don't just sit back and eat bonbons while he chases butterflies.  I do give him lessons and his knowledge of aristocratic traditions is entirely from me, but I don't sculpt his mind.  He does that himself.  His experiences build his own character, and I have no intention of interfering in that learning process."

------------------------

@Widdershins

As the two heads stare through each window, a head stares back at each.  Bright, verdant eyes stare out at the feline, freckles spackling her cheeks from under her bright red gothic hood.  The other head finds nothing where the other's head would have been, though slightly lower, the top of a purple head peaks up over the windowsill, her endlessly deep pink gaze boring into the serpent.

Both are silent for a moment, their gazes locked with the strange creature.  Suddenly, their maws fall open simultaneously, and they shriek.  The combined discordance seems to have an effect on the crystal, the powerlines flickering as the wagon begins to veer all over the road.

Edited February 4, 2018 by Hazard Time

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Randimaxis @woodchunks66

In another situation, Ziggy might have said a few things and asked questions of the ones she were leading to her shed. Several would be able to be taken up too, such as why everypony seemed to be starring at him and his entourage, why he seemed to be so harsh to the place and Mr. Blackwater, and if he wasn't supposed to be here.

But currently, her focus were on the poor soul the zebra were carrying around, and concerns or realizations such as how there actually were a zebra with them, wasn't something to got the front of her mind.

"I see it now, closing right in. Follow, with speed, so I can begin!"

With that the slow flight of Ziggy ended, and she zoomed off in her zig-zagged pattern like a confused pink lightning bolt, over to a shed that she rapidly unlocked and entered so she could look around the shelves for what she needed.

"Antidote, vials three, pinch of honey from a bee. Droplets two of couching drink, mix it to the foulest drink. One of that, two of this, dark it gets in the abyss. Shake it with a a pill or two, wait then for the golden... Hue!"

It took about 20 seconds of her finding, and mixing the ingredients in the way that she recalled she had to from her dad, before she were done. Bugbears weren't massively common to run into, but you'd be amazed what both zebra literature and medical text books agreed needed antidotes, in case some of them did come along. Considering how aggressive those giant, fluffy things were though, it was hardly a surprise that her exam had called for her to make a vial of this one.

She didn't do it exactly the way she had rhymed, as for example the honey were just for taste and some essence, so she used cough drops with honey in them instead, and her befuddled brain couldn't make the last few ingredients rhyme in well enough, but the recipe were solid,otherwise the orange hue wouldn't have been there. It would've stayed pretty dark, and it would hurt instead of help.

She zoomed out again and went straight over to the unknown stallion that had been hurt, with concern in her voice.

"Every drop, you should be fine. Though what comes next is less divine..."

She made sure that every drop of the vial would get into his muzzle, as slowly as she could to make sure that he got it in him, and pushed the bucket she had brought along a little closer to where his head currently were. He still had to get rid of the toxins after this, and honestly, he was not going to like it. The elixir would be vile enough, but not nearly as vile as what he'd barf up after this. She likely had to bury the entire thing somewhere far from here to not make it stink up the entire place.

Unbeknownst to her, her shed door were still slightly open after her hasty actions. If Silver wasn't awake yet, she likely would be from the sounds coming from the outside now. Or you know, from somepony potentially barging in whilst the doc was distracted. Blitz would still not be awake (she hadn't had the time to get the stuff smoldering in her cauldron inside to the little critter yet) so it was going to be on the inventor how things went now. Considering she likely knew who were out here with Ziggy... Things could get ugly.

[Brobot 1,436]

@Blitz Boom @Randimaxis

Slowly but surely Tracker regained his consciousness and was meet a by tidal wave of nausea, Tracker shot up,look around, spotted a bucket and....well..."got rid of the toxins".It was NOT pretty,but Tracker noticed that he's...vomit was yellow. The toxins must of saturated to long in his body.He groaned and turned to the 3 figures in front of him..a Pegasus who was watching him with sympathy and a zebra and a pony with hard looks on there faces...he decided that the Pegasus is the one he's gonna ask his questions." where am I....who are you ponys". he had to admit, they where one weird gang, a earth pony, a zebra and a Pegasus..not ever day you see that but he himselfd spends hes days studing the Ursa majors mating habits but....that's not the point. He sniffed the air and cringed..."before you answer my questions do you have any water so I can wash my face or something, I smell like a yak outhouse right now" he said while giving a weak smile.

[Widdershins 9,955]

@RandyToTheMaxis 

  A small jolt shivers through Hopper's hide at the approach of the pegasus mare. Whether that reaction is any more than his usual vaguely hidden response to meeting new ponies or because of meeting a mare, and a pegasus at that, even he could hardly be aware to define it. He greets her with a darting glance and a deep, but still audible mumble.

 "H-Howdy, M'aam."

   Hopper turns towards Redd to address him, discomfort apparent in naught but his face from being in an foreign environment.

 "Muh Paw had some sorta arrangement with y'all. Reckon I'd like ta know what I can halp with ma family farm from that if you be the head of this here... uh, Emerald Farm." Hopper stumbles over what to call anything built bigger then the sparse two-stallion farm he was raised in for the majority of his life. 

**********************************************************************************************************

@Hazard Time

   "Aww, lookss like the little giblets don't have much-"

"Not very healthy. Wonder what'ss-"

   The other, smaller face momentarily interrupts the other before being interrupted herself by the sudden panic of the inhabitants of the carriage. Her gaze flickers over to one side to take notice of the small magical channeling lines on the traveling device before whisking back out of sight a few beats faster then the wider-necked assailant on the other side.

   "What's going on now?"

   Four claws can be heard to dig yet deeper into the roof as whoever are on top cling on tighter to hang onto their ride.

Edited February 25, 2018 by Widdershins

[Randimaxis 8,633]

On 2/4/2018 at 3:22 AM, Hazard Time said:

"She's not the most predictable of ponies.  However, she does love foals, from what I've seen anyway.  She might not even need to be asked to give us the reaction we want."

Dax grinned with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"That would be best; Oggie's pretty smart, and he'd spot a fake reaction a mile away... but a REAL one?  That would be priceless!"

He gave a light chuckle, then looked back at the young socialite.

"It might not seem like I'm a very good brother for this... but keep in mind, we don't get company very much at all - and taking this opportunity is as much for me as it is you.  Mother's... kinda got a point when she says that, 'open emotions are a puppetmasters' playthings', and Oggie usually ends up being the one to get my goat, so to speak.  Now?  It's not just a chance for me to strike back at the little winged weasel, but it would be teaching him a lesson about underestimating somepony."

Dax stared directly into Key's eyes, all seriousness.  "Key, he NEEDS that lesson, before he gets too old to learn it... without great pain.  I mean, the pranks are bad now - can you imagine a full-grown Oglevy's idea of a prank?"

Dax shuddered.

 

 

Hearing that Dax and Key were bonding gave Vylia a satisfied grin.  Of course they have, she thought, after all, who taught Daxter everything he knows about the social world.  And if anypony knows social cues and expectations, it is I.  She tossed a look back at her company and her grin quirked a bit higher.

So would Carnelian, much to my delight.  I do believe she's the kind of trouble I've missed all these years.  Good; that stubborn stallion of a husband I have could most certainly USE a spot of trouble in his life.  Luna knows we don't get much else going on here...

"Hooves-off is one thing, Dearie - and far be it for me to say your method is no better than mine, but I took a much more active role during their 'tender' years; once they demonstrated that they were capable and couth, I relaxed my grip.  You have noticed that they refer to me as 'Mother', have you not?  That was an important point to establish with them - respectful acknowledgement does wonders for keeping my little ones in line."

This said, out of nowhere, Vylia's muzzle fell momentarily.  It was only a moment's flash, but she hadn't been fast enough to hide that look before it manifested.  However, within seconds, she had policed herself and returned to the grinning socialite soon enough.  Finishing the last of her cooking endeavors, she brought her own plate to join the Viscountess at the table.  Her own plate looked positively scrumptious, and after gathering a few more items already laid out for the two of them, she began enjoying her own hard work.

"So," she asked lightly, between bites, "as you've seen, my husband is not exactly... well, 'copacetic' with the idea of our family having to dwell in the spotlight.  I swear, it's terribly difficult to change his mind over things... though, when it matters, I do have my ways."  She smirked knowingly.  "But about this?  I'm working my own angles, yes, but... perhaps you might have a few ideas on how to convince my entire family that THIS is what we need, should we ever really wish to thrive outside of our little 'hole in the ground', as it were?"

 

 

On 2/7/2018 at 2:12 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"Every drop, you should be fine. Though what comes next is less divine..."

On 2/23/2018 at 6:32 PM, woodchunks66 said:

"before you answer my questions do you have any water so I can wash my face or something, I smell like a yak outhouse right now"

Watching bemusedly, Cragg simply held his tongue while the injured pony was seen to.  He was making mental notes, and once the potion proved to be worth its' salt, he lifted an eyebrow and addressed Ziggy.

"Well, now - aren't you a talent?  Old recipes like that are some of the best; my own grandmother used to have remedies for almost any possible ail out there.  Tasted nasty, too... but they got the job done, so I suppose there's no room for much complaint.  Still, it's heartening to know that those old methods are still in circulation, so to speak."  He turned to his stalwart bodyguard.  "Not to mention your own concoctions, Khosan - I mean, it's interesting enough when you make your own little... 'brews'... but these are medicine.  Maybe she'd be willing to teach you a thing or two, eh?"

The dour and sullen-muzzled zebra said nothing, did nothing.

Turning back, he addressed the recent regurgitator.  "To answer your questions, my fine stallion:  I am Jasper Cragg, and this is my associate, Khosan.  We came across your unconscious form, and in the name of charity, we decided to assist by gathering help from the closest establishment to our location.  Unfortunately," his smirk grew, "where you are is in a shabby little hole in the ground that most of the locals refer to as 'The Blackwater Quarry' - and I'd advise you to move along quickly, lest the Blackwaters themselves show up.  They're-"

"JASPER CRAGG!"  Silver's voice rang out through the shed, and she stormed directly up to the stallion... though she was kept short of going muzzle-to-muzzle with him, due to Khosan's moving to intercept her path.  She reached about five feet away before the bodyguard's massive form was in front of her.  Comically, she peered around the sides of the zebra, and she looked angry!

"What are YOU doing anywhere NEAR here!  You are WELL aware that you're banned from being here in the first place, and you haven't been ever since the LAST time Mr. Blackwater threw you out!  Some of the others here might not know who you are, but I remember EVERYTHING you did... well, at least since I've been here!  Snake!  Cheat!  Liar!"

Cragg's smirk didn't falter.  "Ah, Silver Studs - the mare with the knack for gizmoes.  It's admittedly been far too long; how are you?"

Silver's normally happy face was practically grimacing in anger.  "I'd be MUCH better if you took your bodyguard and got OUT of here!"

"Oh, so rude!  Not even a moment's time to whisper about a few changes I'm implementing, over at my own mining company?  I mean, with the new staff I've recently hired on, I gather it shouldn't be long before my own mines are functioning at peak efficiency... which, hopefully, will mean a bit of... shall we say, 'rest' for all these weary and overworked equines Luther has struggling to survive here?"

Silver, usually kind and sweet, looked as though she were about to explode with fury - she was shaking, and it wasn't out of fear.

"Better to be overworked than underSAFE!"

Jasper put a hoof over his heart, mockingly appearing hurt.  "You wound me, oh-high-and-mighty-custodian!  To say that such things are that way - why, that's the OLD Jasper Cragg!  The new one, standing here before you, is FAR better than that!  Safety measures have been recounted, implements put into place, changes made... all at the behest of my own workers.  Which, unlike SOME stallions, I do my best to meet, greet and speak with."

"You LIE!  You're a snake... well, maybe not exactly a snake, but more like an oily, shifty, no-account hack that only wants to put the Blackwaters out of business!"

Jasper simply smiled broadly.  "Competition is all about winning; Luther doesn't care about being ahead, only maintaining his current status-quo.  But I have ambition..." he strolled forward until he could stretch his neck out to come mere inches from Silver's fuming face, "... and HE doesn't."

 

 

 

On 2/24/2018 at 7:16 PM, Widdershins said:

"Muh Paw had some sorta arrangement with y'all. Reckon I'd like ta know what I can halp with ma family farm from that if you be the head of this here... uh, Emerald Farm."

Redd gave an exaggerated sigh, then turned to face Taps again.  "Excuse me; I have an idiot to tend to."  

As he began to continue his way towards the mine proper, Taps watched him for a moment before turning to look at Clod again.  She pointed a hoof towards Redd, then made a silly face.  Her mismatched eyes held a spark of fun and humour in them, yet she didn't speak a single word as she began to trot off.  She did toss a light wave at Hopper as she went.

"BRICKS-FOR-BRAINS!  LET'S GO!"

Redd was waiting near the top of the rise, at the entrance to the mine... and he didn't look as though he was very patiently waiting.

 

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Randimaxis @woodchunks66

"I'll get you some water right away."

Ziggy zoomed in to pick up one of the bottles of water she kept around for various reasons - mostly drinking and cleaning minor wounds - and went back out again. Her patient seemed weak, but he was alive, and the toxins had been expelled alright. Pheeewie a ripe one he had let out, but like she had said, it wasn't going to be pretty.

Frankly he was lucky from the looks of things. Yellow meant it was getting into the dangerous stages like she had thought, and if he had been away for just an hour or so more... Oh the poor thing. Praise Celestia that it hadn't gone that far.

She looked down on the stallion when she came out again, towering a head or so over him like with most others around here, and reached the open bottle towards him with a smile on her muzzle.

"Here you go. Try to drink some of it after you're done cleaning your muzzle, okay? You're pretty dehydrated right now, and you need to get your fluid balance in check again."

Just in case, she had brought another bottle out with her, but hopefully he'd be able to make due with this. She could get on to answering his questions about where he was after that, but it wasn't like there'd be an issue with that. it was a slow morning, and everything was great.

Aaaaand that was when Silver burst out of her hut, and had a go at the other Zebra's boss, who had now been identified. Unfortunately, the one in question turned out to be the one pony less welcome by most ponies she had heard utter his name than even the Blackwaters themselves. Not the regular, sorta intimidating way, but like *Pink slips poking out of pockets* sort of thing.

Getting fired was among the top things on most ponies lists here, with the sentence *Meeting Jasper Cragg* being about the same or above on that list from what she figured. She hadn't really paid attention to many of the stories, as she wanted to think nicely about others, and hearing only bad things gave a wrong image, but Jasper seemed like a really unpopular pony. Truth be told, his attitude kinda gave off the impression that the bad words weren't completely unjustified. Who went to a place just to brag and rile others up this way if it weren't for a bad reason? Except for some comedians, but they delivered it better.

He couldn't be all that bad though, right? He had let his worker help her with the poor stallion that had gotten poisoned, and the one she had heard snippets about wouldn't be like that, right?

Okay, truth be told, she wouldn't know exactly how much the quarry despised him, or if his reputation matched the arrogant stallion that were here now. If she had to be completely honest, the only things she did know about him were that he were competition that Mr. Blackwater didn't like, and that he shouldn't be talked about, just in case the owner of the quarry heard it and got irritated by it. Sounded pretty bad really, but again, she tended to walk away when the talk fell on him otherwise, so she didn't know that much. Should have known enough to have realized this when she heard his name the first time, but in all fairness, she had a patient at the time, and that tended to be more important to her.

Well, sicne she couldn't hide behind ignorance being bliss, she were going to have to go for plan B then: Roll with it and hope for the best. Tended to work out one way or another.

"Ooooh, That Jasper. That's uhm... Vauw, this is awkward then."

Ziggy scratched the back of her head and turned tot he two unwelcome visitors, looking between them with a sheepish grin before settling on the zebra for starters, and inching over to see if she might be able to drag Silver away from Jasper before they got into an actual, physical fight. They were getting a bit too close for comfort right now.

"It kinda sounds like I'd get in trouble if I showed you my potion book, but it's mostly just *Zethana's Mixology & Oddities* with a few recipes from my dad. The book's a ton of help if you'd wanna learn and can find it. Sort of like a *for dummies* the first forty pages or so.

Thank you for helping getting the patient here. It really helped save his life."

She gave Khosan a big ol' happy smile, though she regretted not being able to just rush over and hug it out like she usually did. But between trying to get Silver to walk away from Jasper and not wanting to make things worse by making it look like she were getting up close and personal with Mr. Blackwater's enemy's bodyguard, she had to keep it down for now.

She really needed to find somepony or thing to hug after this... She were already feeling itchy.

During her internal struggle  between hug and don't hug, she'd end up looking towards Jasper and opening and closing her muzzle a few times, trying to find the words she could use. She didn't want to get in trouble for being too nice to him, and he were kinda rude in it to Silver, but he had been part in helping her outside patient.

"...Thank you for the help, but please don't be mean to Silver. She's better happy and full of energy and smarts."

A smile couldn't help spreading on her face, making her words seem less dire than those of Silver by quite a bit, but she didn't really do angry and mean either. Best she could do was like the time when she thought Oglevy had been kidnapped for nefarious purposes, and kinda scowl for a limited time, but she couldn't muster that right now with all the things that brought her relief.

But hey, the inventor mare seemed like she'd have angry words enough for all of them. Made her wonder if Jasper had done something personal to Silver at some point... Oooh, why had she never listened to any of the stories so she would've known?

[Widdershins 9,955]

@Randimaxis

  Lagging behind the forepony, Clod Hopper stays behind for a few steps to awkwardly wave back at the retreating form of the mare. Not one for particularly quick or accurate movements, he weakly bats back at her in gratitude both for her kindly attention and for standing up to the stallion that was quickly becoming apparent to him as, like his father might say: "Ah right burr in the hoof."

   Wordlessly, the burly-built buck trundles his way up the slow ascent of the hillside to the emerald mine where his fuming superior awaits him with shortening patience; still carting behind him the personal, hoofmade, heavy-built wagon that he still remains hitched up to.

 

 

[Some poster on these forums get back to me about the "content length threshold." For some odd reason six hundred & eighty characters is somehow not nearly enough for me to actually post anything. Which gets to be a right bother when I literally cannot think of any other way to expound upon things. There's only so much an author can do, am I right?!}

[Hazard Time 1,127]

@Widdershins

The abomination(s?) was gone, but the shock still wore heavy on the occupants of the carriage.  The panic passed between them like a hot potato, dissipating slowly.  Too slowly, in fact.  By the time they had gotten a hold of themselves, their screams once more pierced the thin walls of the carriage as it fell over the edge, picking up speed as it rode down the slope, heading straight for the quarry at an ever faster speed.  All that could be done was to brace for the coming impact.

@Randimaxis

Low wasn't quite sure how to react, but nodded emphatically.  His anger was starting to dissipate, but when would the next prank target him?  Would it be a predictable tomato juice booby trap again, or something different, something he wasn't prepared for?  He wasn't willing to take the chance, and Dax seemed to know better.  Everything would work out, he just hoped that it wouldn't end up with Oglevy being even more spiteful towards him.

"I would not really know what it is like to have a brother, I grew up an only child," he admitted.  "Though I will be deferring to your judgement.  You know him better than I, after all."  Low fixed a warm smile on his face.  "So...what do we do first, or should we wait?"

---------------------------

"How I raised my daughter and how I instructed Mister Low are two separate beasts, entirely.  I was much more hooves-on with Ametrine, though my ward is old enough that I don't have to spoon-feed most of my lessons to him.  I've noticed he has a high-capacity for abstraction, so I've taken to sprinkling some symbolism into his studies.  If he read ponies as well as he can read into subtle motifs and themes, then his social skills would be quite impressive.  For the moment, though, we still have plenty to work on."

The subconscious twitch did not pass by the viscountess.  Her ears twitched as she analyzed it briefly.  Guilt, perhaps?  Why would one be guilty over instilling respect and discipline in your foals?  That was one of Carnelian's greatest successes, even if it was technically a failure.  She'd come around.

"Normally, my dear Miss Vylia, I would say that you would be the one who best knows what interests your family, though I am willing to brainstorm some ideas I've had.  For example, I believe that it would be important that each individual's concerns be addressed and assuaged through companionship.  When a pony knows that others share his trepidations, he becomes more accepting of his situation as he will not be suffering alone.  I have a few associates in mind that would make for possible matches for your husband, though I would need more time to think on it before I volunteer their names.  As an example, I emphasize our own friendship as well as that of Mister Low Key and Daxter.  Oglevy, however...I admit I do not know much about him, though he piqued my interest at supper last night.  Could you tell me more about the youngest Blackwater?"