private Midnight in Manehattan Part 2

[Illiad Easle 3,131]

@@crispy fries,

 

"Midnight told us actually," Illiad said as he approached. "Though we are interested in finding the other two that you mentioned if you happen to have some idea as to where they may have gone." Illiad hoped that she had some idea, he did not want to wander blindly towards the badlands searching for them. 

[crispy fries 432]

@@Illiad Easle,

 

"First, allow me to tell you the story of what was behind the attack. You see, I was in possession of a powerful artifact, one capable of releasing any prisoner of Tartarus. It was stolen from me by the late head of the mafia, Cold Steel. I hired Swift and Salleria to help me track it down, but it turned out Salleria was working for Steel. The artifact required a key to function, and Salleria captured me in attempt to learn its location. She found it, brought it to Steel, and summoned the monster that destroyed Manehattan. I have heard Swift has been hunting down Salleria for her betrayal."

[Guest]

Second Sight sighed. 'I guess you'll do then' he thought. "Alright.were you directly involved in the battle? Could you describe he monster and it's attacks? Any runes? Markings?"

 

Second Sight doubted that it was a straight up golem, but it didn't hurt to ask.

 

( if the receptionist doesn't know the details about the battle, it would give him reason to find janeri and co )

[Illiad Easle 3,131]

@,

 

The receptionist thought for a bit. "While I was involved in the battle, I wasn't too close to the monster itself, mostly I was absorbing the fear of the citizens and supplying it to those more inclined to combat. As far as I could tell it seemed to be made of rock and lava. It seemed to rely on its brute strength, though it also did some sort of magic attacks as well." She sighed, "Two others came through here with similar questions, they went off in search of a zebra, Janeri, who was more directly involved with the monster. If what they said is correct, he is at the Waldorf right now. He'd be better able to answer your questions I'd bet." The receptionist looked like she'd just remembered something. "Oh! The monster was summoned by a sort of artifact, it was recently stolen by a griffon that was involved in the attack as well. My queen was preparing a party to go after her, if you want to help them you might get some answers from the griffon herself, by torture if you want." 

 

@@crispy fries, 

 

As it wasn't really Illiad's interview he didn't respond beyond a nod so the professional could do her work.

Edited March 7, 2016 by Illiad Easle

[Guest]

Second nodded. "An artifact? I figured as much. I doubt a spell that powerful exists."

 

He flipped a bit onto the counter. "Thank you for your time and information. I'll be heading to the Waldorf now."

 

He genuinely tried to portray a sense of gratefulness in his normally emotionless demeanour. He didn't think he succeeded.

 

Second Sight hailed down a carriage. "Waldorf, please. Make it fast."

[Illiad Easle 3,131]

@,

 

The receptionist shuddered as the pony left the building. It was uncanny how little he showed emotion, ponies were among the most expressive of creatures, even stoics could be read pretty easily, but this one? It was like he was made of stone. The receptionist moved the bit under the counter, silently hoping that that would be the end of weird things happening today.

[crispy fries 432]

@@Illiad Easle,

 

Ballpoint was furiously scribbling down every word Janeri said. "So, what do you know about the whereabouts of this 'Swift' and 'Salleria'?" she asked, "I heard it had something to do with her stealing something from the changelings."

 

Janeri's expression turned to horror. "Has she stolen the artifact?! She is mad! Does she wish to have a repeat of what happened here in Manehattan!? If she has done so, you must pursue her immediately. Last I heard, they were both going sown to the badlands."

[Guest]

As Second Sight arrived at the entrance of the Waldorf, the doorman's eyes widened in recognition. "Second Sight! You're late!"

 

Second raised an eyebrow. "....what?" He peered up at the convention's banner. "Huh. A magic convention. Who would have guessed."

 

The doorman put his hooves to his head. "You're supposed to be a guest or honour! Did you not receive the invitation?"

 

"Uh....."

 

*meanwhile in canterlot*

 

A small sparrow flew up to it's nest in one of the many eves in canterlot's architecture. He added a small slip of paper to it's nest. The name 'second' was barely visible.

 

*back to the Waldorf*

 

"Did you get the correct address? I moved."

 

The door pony facehoofed. "Nevermind, just get in here.". He opened the door to let him though. Second tipped his hat in thanks and walked in.

[crispy fries 432]

@@Illiad Easle,

 

"Woah, woah, calm down. She stole the artifact that caused the Manehattan attack?" Ballpoint asked skeptically.

 

"That is the only thing worthwhile she could have stolen from the changelings. Here," he said, hurriedly taking a bag of bits from his saddlebag handing it to Ballpoint, "Go, catch the first train to the Mild West. If you bring the artifact back, I will be sure to reward you handsomely."

[Illiad Easle 3,131]

@@crispy fries,

 

Illiad was starting to see that this provided little more to go off of in regards to his search for Swift, he had gathered their direction and chase from Midnight. Oh well he supposed. "I guess Golden Rod would want to hear about this anyway, maybe Swift had returned in the time since I left."

[crispy fries 432]

@@Illiad Easle,

 

Ballpoint held the hefty bag of bits, and figured if this Zebra could just hand out this kind of money, he would make good on his promise of a reward.

 

"C'mon," she said to Illiad, "You heard the Zebra, let's go."

 

From across the Waldorf, Ballpoint also noticed a conspicuous character in a big coat and hat.

[Guest]

As he walked in, he drew stares from all around. Most of recognition. Some of awe and respect. Some of disgust.

 

An earth pony who majored in the field of magic commanded some power, after all.

 

He wasted no time locating the Zebra. She was somewhere in the middle, speaking to some other insignificant mare. He walked through the crowd, ponies parting a path for him.

 

Second greeted the zebra. "Is this Janeri I am speaking to?"

[Illiad Easle 3,131]

@,@@crispy fries,

 

Illiad was wary of all the attention this cloaked pony was receiving, few ponies with power were also kind, usually they were self obsessed and rude. Worst of all, they might recognize him. His ability to manipulate emotions like changelings do was not well received back in Canterlot and had earned him the burn scars on his back. He realized now that this may not be a safe place for him as he began to make his way away from the hat wearing pony that had engaged the zebra in conversation.

[crispy fries 432]

@@Illiad Easle,

 

Ballpoint gave Second Sight an incredulous snort as she walked by Second Sight. "He looks like he should be writing bad poetry about his stepdad," she whispered to Illiad.

 

@,

 

(Dude Janeri is a guy)

 

"That is I. You are Second Sight, correct? I have heard much about you."

[Guest]

Second Sight nodded. "Hopefully you've heard good things about me. I don't think my peers like me very much." He said. He didn't make any attempt to sound sad or scornful. "So, I've heard that you have details regarding the monster? I would like to know more about the incident. The artifact itself sounds fascinating."

 

yeah I'll edit it later. My hand slipped I think

[crispy fries 432]

@,

 

"Funny, there were two others who asked the same thing. A reporter and her colleague, I believe. In fact I just sent them out in search of it. But, the artifact. You see, it is of Zebra origin. It was first a rare ruby with no magical properties, but some hundreds of years ago, a Zebra shaman performed a dark ritual lost to time on it. He sacrificed his very soul to imbue it with the power to summon any prisoner of Tartarus. Two months ago p, the late head of the mafia stole it and used to summon the monster that attacked Manehattan."

[Guest]

Second Sight nodded, memorising her words as she went. "An enchanted artifact, I see. May I see it? I wish to study it."

 

He revealed his mechanical forehoof, experimentally moving it's claws. "I specialise in enchantments. The secrets of this artifact's power... Intriguing, really."

[Illiad Easle 3,131]

@@crispy fries,@,

 

Illiad couldn't help but overhear the cloaked pony's conversation. "Indeed," he whispered back. "It's like he's not even listening to what Janeri's saying. He seems just as full of himself as I thought he was." He sighed as he kept walking. "Let's just get going, we won't find the griffon waiting here any longer." 

[crispy fries 432]

@,

 

"You may absolutely not," Janeri sternly said, "The artifact caused countless lives to be lost and wreaked havoc upon this city. I have, or had, the artifact stored in a safe place, and I never intended it to resurface. It unfortunately has, and that is why I sent the reporter and her colleague to find it."

 

@@Illiad Easle,

 

"Is he deaf and stupid? Why would the Zebra still have the artifact just kicking around?"

Edited March 7, 2016 by crispy fries

[Guest]

Second Sight's eyes narrowed. "I can also undo the enchantment. I can seal away this evil power forever, and leave the spell matrix to the princesses. Studying this enchantment will give leaps and bounds of progress to dimensional magic to improve the lives of all ponykind."

 

He shrugged. "I'm offering you a permanent solution. You can't hide the artifact forever, even if you retrieve it."

 

Second Sight turned to eye the reporter behind him. "tell you what: why don't I help find the artifact too? It'll speed things along. I think the city's police can vouch for me, I don't have malicious intentions."

[crispy fries 432]

@,

 

"I am somewhat skeptical that you will be able to rid the artifact of its power. It has the soul of a powerful shaman in it, plus, Zebra magic is not well known, although you are welcome to try. Any help retrieving it would be appreciated though," said Janeri.

 

"Yeah, I guess you could come with," said Ballpoint.

[Illiad Easle 3,131]

@@crispy fries,@, 

 

Illiad rolled his eyes as he continued towards the door. "Sure, whatever. Let's just get going. We're not making any progress by standing around here." To be perfectly honest, Illiad was not fond of this mysterious pony, he seemed too sure of himself. Too confident about his claimed ability to break a gem enchantment while extracting the matrix from it.

Edited March 7, 2016 by Illiad Easle

[crispy fries 432]

@@Illiad Easle, @,

 

"C'mon, boys, time's wasting," said Ballpoint as she walked out of the entrance of the Waldorf, "We got a train to catch."

 

Ballpoint went up to the curb, stuck her hoof out, and yelled, "Taxi!"

 

Ballpoint had been to swept up in the adventure to have even taken a moment to think she had just agreed to track down a griffon mercenary and steal a powerful magical artifact.

[Guest]

Second Sight smiled. A smile of genuine contentment. "Excellent. I'm sure that even if I can't rid it of the enchantment, I'll be able to find some pony or some zebra who can."

 

He turned to his 'travelling buddies'. "Let's get going. We'll get aquainted with each other in the carriage."

[Illiad Easle 3,131]

@,@@crispy fries, 

 

Illiad sighed again, this was certainly not going the way he had anticipated. If only he weren't such a freak of magic he could have lived out his days deep within the archives in peace, but now he was about to traipse about the badlands in search of a changeling and a griffon to recapture a magical artifact. "Fine then, Dodge is as good a place as any to start." 

 

(And there's my bed, see ya'll tomorrow.)

Edited March 7, 2016 by Illiad Easle