open Life in Canterlot Castle

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

45 minutes ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

"They are entirely different species with only common thing being that they are lizards and happen to come form the same set of lizards." Ruby said "When you call them dragons I can only think about the Equestrian kind."

"My personal preference would be the third option." "I'd rather look at Wyvern than a pony."

"I still consider them dragons. If it has scales, wings, and can breathe fire, it is a dragon. Just like how you can never convince me that a dolphin is not a fish."

Somnus wasn't stupid, he just liked calling things what they look like.

"I wouldn't be able to fit in my armor as a wyvern. And just thing about how difficult it would be to enter doorways."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

49 minutes ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

"I still consider them dragons. If it has scales, wings, and can breathe fire, it is a dragon. Just like how you can never convince me that a dolphin is not a fish."

Somnus wasn't stupid, he just liked calling things what they look like.

"I wouldn't be able to fit in my armor as a wyvern. And just thing about how difficult it would be to enter doorways."

"I agree on the fish part." Ruby didn't really care about calling lower species anything else than what general type they most looked like, that's why ponies too were just ponies, not unicorns and all that stuff.
"The armor would be part of you as Wyvern and you could just make the doorways bigger."

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

1 minute ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

"I agree on the fish part." Ruby didn't really care about calling lower species anything else than what general type they most looked like, that's why ponies too were just ponies, not unicorns and all that stuff.
"The armor would be part of you as Wyvern and you could just make the doorways bigger."

"That's very impractical. Don't tell me you expect everyone in Equestria to make their doors bigger for one wyvern. That's not going to happen. Also, it isn't about beiny armored, it's about my profession. I am a guard, my armor is my uniform which I am supposed to wear."

Somnus decided to ask Ruby something.

"Do you really think I'm stupid?"

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

19 minutes ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

"That's very impractical. Don't tell me you expect everyone in Equestria to make their doors bigger for one wyvern. That's not going to happen. Also, it isn't about beiny armored, it's about my profession. I am a guard, my armor is my uniform which I am supposed to wear."

Somnus decided to ask Ruby something.

"Do you really think I'm stupid?"

"You have made some rather stupid decision and asked stupid questions." Ruby replied "And you haven't really given any reason for me to think you're any more intelligent than any other pony, and some times actually you have shown the opposite."

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

25 minutes ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

"You have made some rather stupid decision and asked stupid questions." Ruby replied "And you haven't really given any reason for me to think you're any more intelligent than any other pony, and some times actually you have shown the opposite."

He was about to go quiet, but decided he was going to say something this time.

"So building this raft as a way to get to our destination faster was stupid? Knowing all about about tactics is stupid? The ability to make resources when there are none is stupid?"

"Can you build a raft out of trees and a tent bag? Can you properly wield of spear? Come up with tactics? And don't call your hunting ability a tactic in a war, you'd have to be pretty stupid to think that being able to hunt would make you effective in battle."

He looked at Ruby straight in the eye. Once again, he had the eyes of a wyvern.

"You know nothing about intelligence. You know nothing about strength, tactics, or how the world works. The only thing you know about is yourself and being afraid of holes."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

1 hour ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

He was about to go quiet, but decided he was going to say something this time.

"So building this raft as a way to get to our destination faster was stupid? Knowing all about about tactics is stupid? The ability to make resources when there are none is stupid?"

"Can you build a raft out of trees and a tent bag? Can you properly wield of spear? Come up with tactics? And don't call your hunting ability a tactic in a war, you'd have to be pretty stupid to think that being able to hunt would make you effective in battle."

He looked at Ruby straight in the eye.

"You know nothing about intelligence. You know nothing about strength, tactics, or how the world works. The only thing you know about is yourself."

Ruby started laughing, and she laughed for a while "Most of those examples aren't question of intelligence, they are skills, those are two different things." "I can make questions to you with same logic. Do you know how to speak my language? Do you know the right spell to transform to different creature? Do you know how to easily seduce a pony?" "And I know the answer, of course you don't, because you have trained to do any of those." 

"And then the only one than can be tied to intelligence, tactics. I have said this before, but you have yet to show any of this knowledge you claim to have, and really, the fact that you claim that the tactics we use in hunting aren't effective in a battle is a great example on just how little you know." "It takes a different tactic to take down a single deer and to take down a pack of wolfs, not to mention different environments, but it's still hunting." "It's called hunting, because we are the one's searching the target, if an army was trying to find me in a forest, they would be hunting me, would that make their tactics useless in battle?." her lizard eyes came to view as she returned Somnus's glance "You have been living inside stone walls surrounded by magic, where a forest is so terrifying to you that it expanding would destroy you, and you claim that i'm the one who doesn't know how the world works?" "Equestria isn't the whole world, the Wyvern kingdom isn't the whole world, you wouldn't survive a day in the real world without your precious harmony." 

Edited May 1, 2019 by Catpone Cerberus

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

Just now, Catpone Cerberus said:

Ruby started laughing, and she laughed for a while "Most of those examples aren't question of intelligence, they are skills, those are two different things." "I can make questions to you with same logic. Do you know how to speak my language? Do you know the right spell to transform to different creature? Do you know how to easily seduce a pony?" "And I know the answer, of course you don't, because you have trained to do any of those." 

"And then the only one than can be tied to intelligence, tactics. I have said this before, but you have yet to show any of this knowledge you claim to have, and really, the fact that you claim that the tactics we use in hunting aren't effective in a battle is a great example on just how little you know." "It takes a different tactic to take down a single deer and to take down a pack of wolfs, but it's still hunting." "It's called hunting, because we are the one's searching the target, if an army was trying to find me in a forest, they would be hunting me, would that make their tactics useless in battle?." her lizard eyes came to view as she returned Somnus's glance "You have been living inside stone walls surrounded by magic, where a forest is so terrifying to you that it expanding would destroy you, and you claim that i'm the one who doesn't know how the world works?" "Equestria isn't the whole world, the Wyvern kingdom isn't the whole world, you wouldn't survive a day in the real world without your precious harmony." 

"You need intelligence to learn these things. Even if your hunting was a true tactic, it would be one. The one with more tactics will win. And I do know about tactics. I've been trained in them for majority of my life. Battle formations, repelling enemy forces that have higher numbers, attack enemy forces that have higher numbers. Are you trained in that? No, all you know is killing deer and making sure no one tries to take it from you. The fact that you even need to do that is a sign of weakness."

"And harmony? The fact that you don't have it is what makes you weak. Without it, you are doing things on your own. One day you will come across something stronger than you, who will help you then? What will you do when you have a challenge too big for you and you have no one to depend on? Remember when I pulled you from that hole? If I weren't there, what would've happened? You'd be either dead or dying."

Speaking of which.

"And how do repay me? You continue to slowly destroy me. Remember when I almost jumped off that mountain? Well that was because of you! You are the one to blame for that!"

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

15 hours ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

"You need intelligence to learn these things. Even if your hunting was a true tactic, it would be one. The one with more tactics will win. And I do know about tactics. I've been trained in them for majority of my life. Battle formations, repelling enemy forces that have higher numbers, attack enemy forces that have higher numbers. Are you trained in that? No, all you know is killing deer and making sure no one tries to take it from you. The fact that you even need to do that is a sign of weakness."

"And harmony? The fact that you don't have it is what makes you weak. Without it, you are doing things on your own. One day you will come across something stronger than you, who will help you then? What will you do when you have a challenge too big for you and you have no one to depend on? Remember when I pulled you from that hole? If I weren't there, what would've happened? You'd be either dead or dying."

Speaking of which.

"And how do repay me? You continue to slowly destroy me. Remember when I almost jumped off that mountain? Well that was because of you! You are the one to blame for that!"

"Sure, you need intelligence to learn them, but knowing how to do them isn't an indicator of intelligence."  "If I don't know something you have studied for millennia, that doesn't make me less intelligent, it just means I haven't studied it yet. If that makes me less intelligent, then you're an idiot because you can't speak two languages like I do." "And you really like to boast with this training of yours, I know more ways to kill someone than I can count, and I also learned everything about a species  I had never before heard of, everything from the language to the tiniest details of how they are expected to act, and I did it all by myself. It's true I haven't been trained, because I never needed anyone to train me, I learned everything by myself... in tenth of the time you did no less." 

"And you again showed just how much you don't know about me, because fun fact, I actually never had even seen a deer before I came here, defenseless creatures like they haven't survived in our lands, I just used them as example because you know what they are." "And you clearly underestimate our kind by saying that I only needed to defend my food against them."

"And then the harmony?" "So what you're saying that creature that can survive alone is weaker than a creature that needs and army and magic to defend itself?" "Sure hundred sheep is stronger than one wolf, but that doesn't make the sheep as a creature stronger, no, it actually makes them weaker." "And what I will do when I face something I can't beat? Easy, I fight until my last breath, and die with a smile on my face. I don't need to imagine it, since it already has happened, and I'm not ashamed that I was crushed, no, I learned from it, and now I won't make the same mistakes again."

"And the hole? If you weren't there, I wouldn't have been in that hole, because I would have never left the treasury, I don't see your point."

"And you are wasting your breath by trying to guilt trip me, it won't work on me, it's not my fault you fell for me regardless of knowing I'm not a kind creature, it's not my fault you feel destroyed because I'm not kind, and it's not my fault you can't handle it." 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

42 minutes ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

"Sure, you need intelligence to learn them, but knowing how to do them isn't an indicator of intelligence."  "If I don't know something you have studied for millennia, that doesn't make me less intelligent, it just means I haven't studied it yet. If that makes me less intelligent, then you're an idiot because you can't speak two languages like I do." "And you really like to boast with this training of yours, I know more ways to kill someone than I can count, and I also learned everything about a species  I had never before heard of, everything from the language to the tiniest details of how they are expected to act, and I did it all by myself. It's true I haven't been trained, because I never needed anyone to train me, I learned everything by myself... in tenth of the time you did no less." 

"And you again showed just how much you don't know about me, because fun fact, I actually never had even seen a deer before I came here, defenseless creatures like they haven't survived in our lands, I just used them as example because you know what they are." "And you clearly underestimate our kind by saying that I only needed to defend my food against them."

"And then the harmony?" "So what you're saying that creature that can survive alone is weaker than a creature that needs and army and magic to defend itself?" "Sure hundred sheep is stronger than one wolf, but that doesn't make the sheep as a creature stronger, no, it actually makes them weaker." "And what I will do when I face something I can't beat? Easy, I fight until my last breath, and die with a smile on my face. I don't need to imagine it, since it already has happened, and I'm not ashamed that I was crushed, no, I learned from it, and now I won't make the same mistakes again."

"And the hole? If you weren't there, I wouldn't have been in that hole, because I would have never left the treasury, I don't see your point."

"And you are wasting your breath by trying to guilt trip me, it won't work on me, it's not my fault you fell for me regardless of knowing I'm not a kind creature, it's not my fault you feel destroyed because I'm not kind, and it's not my fault you can't handle it." 

"Two different languages? ¿Te refieres a eso?"

"Quam circiter tria? Guards can be stationed in other nations, but don't have to learn the languages of which those in that nation speak. Seeing it as an advantage, I learned more languages than you know exist. If it has any tactical use, I've learned it."

And the thing about dying on her own?

"So you don't fear death? You seemed fear it when you were losing your mind in that hole. You seemed to fear death then."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

8 minutes ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

"Two different languages? ¿Te refieres a eso?"

"Quam circiter tria? Guards can be stationed in other nations, but don't have to learn the languages of which those in that nation speak. Seeing it as an advantage, I learned more languages than you know exist. If it has any tactical use, I've learned it."

And the thing about dying on her own?

"So you don't fear death? You seemed fear it when you were losing your mind in that hole. You seemed to fear death then."

"My point still stands, since it wasn't about what you actually know, but about it not being indicator of intelligent." 
"And no, I'm not afraid of death, and I wasn't afraid of it then." "There is things worse than death."

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

Somnus had an idea. Maybe he could Ruby's logic against her.

"There is really nothing smart about you either. Your hunting? How is that impressive? Knowing how to hunt doesn't make you smart at all. More ways to kill sonething than you can count? That doesn't make you smart."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

29 minutes ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

Somnus had an idea. Maybe he could Ruby's logic against her.

"There is really nothing smart about you either. Your hunting? How is that impressive? Knowing how to hunt doesn't make you smart at all. More ways to kill sonething than you can count? That doesn't make you smart."

"It's you who brought up tactics." Ruby pointed out "Hunting is no different from battles, both are just different ways to kill something." "The question of intelligence comes on when you ask how quickly you can come up with those tactics." "And I come up with them right after seeing the enemy." 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

6 minutes ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

"It's you who brought up tactics." Ruby pointed out "Hunting is no different from battles, both are just different ways to kill something." "The question of intelligence comes on when you ask how quickly you can come up with those tactics." "And I come up with them right after seeing the enemy." 

Somnus took some spare rope, tied one side to the raft and the other to a try by the river to stop the raft.

"But knowing that doesn't make you intelliegent remember? And do you really think I can't do that too."

Somnus stepped off the raft.

"If you honestly think you're so special with your hunting, try to take me down. Don't hold back."

This time he wasn't trying to prove is was smarter, he was trying to prove he was right.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

21 minutes ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

Somnus took some spare rope, tied one side to the raft and the other to a try by the river to stop the raft.

"But knowing that doesn't make you intelliegent remember? And do you really think I can't do that too."

Somnus stepped off the raft.

"If you honestly think you're so special with your hunting, try to take me down. Don't hold back."

This time he wasn't trying to prove is was smarter, he was trying to prove he was right.

"It doesn't work like that." Ruby calmly stated, "Firstly, I can't not hold back, because that would mean killing you, and there's a difference on how to do things depending on if your aim is to kill or to not kill." "And one of the ideas of hunting is that your prey don't know when the predator is coming, and you know when I would be coming, because you know I can't wait forever." "In real situation I would be ready to wait for days." "the 'if you this, then do this' is never a good argument when talking about things related to surprise." 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

28 minutes ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

"It doesn't work like that." Ruby calmly stated, "Firstly, I can't not hold back, because that would mean killing you, and there's a difference on how to do things depending on if your aim is to kill or to not kill." "And one of the ideas of hunting is that your prey don't know when the predator is coming, and you know when I would be coming, because you know I can't wait forever." "In real situation I would be ready to wait for days." "the 'if you this, then do this' is never a good argument when talking about things related to surprise." 

"Ah yes, using surprise on the enemy. Finally we can agree on something here. You can't know what to do before the surprise attack because it isn't predictable. If it was, such an attack would be useless. That's why you have to improvise sometimes."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

3 hours ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

"Ah yes, using surprise on the enemy. Finally we can agree on something here. You can't know what to do before the surprise attack because it isn't predictable. If it was, such an attack would be useless. That's why you have to improvise sometimes."

"I don't know if I should be glad or annoyed that that is the thing we agree on." Ruby said sounding almost unsure "Because sure it's good we agree on something, but the importance of the element of surprise is something rather...common sense."

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

35 minutes ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

"I don't know if I should be glad or annoyed that that is the thing we agree on." Ruby said sounding almost unsure "Because sure it's good we agree on something, but the importance of the element of surprise is something rather...common sense."

"You'd be surprised about how many ponies don't understand this, why do you think they are so easy to sneak up on?"

"Then again, it's not about knowing the trick, it's about knowing if someone plans to use it on you."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

11 hours ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

"You'd be surprised about how many ponies don't understand this, why do you think they are so easy to sneak up on?"

"Then again, it's not about knowing the trick, it's about knowing if someone plans to use it on you."

"Why do you think I think ponies stupid?" Ruby pointed out after Somnus's comment.

"True, but letting your enemy know that you'll try to surprise them is a working tactic too, because it will put them on state of alert, which in turn may work as disadvantage to them."

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

4 hours ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

"Why do you think I think ponies stupid?" Ruby pointed out after Somnus's comment.

"True, but letting your enemy know that you'll try to surprise them is a working tactic too, because it will put them on state of alert, which in turn may work as disadvantage to them."

"True, that is possible, but it really depends. If the enemy is properly trained or experienced, they can be on alert without driving themself insane. If they are really smart, they will take the opponent down right when they tell them they are going to catch them by surprise. That way there is really nothing to worry about."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

6 hours ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

"True, that is possible, but it really depends. If the enemy is properly trained or experienced, they can be on alert without driving themself insane. If they are really smart, they will take the opponent down right when they tell them they are going to catch them by surprise. That way there is really nothing to worry about."

"I wasn't talking about literally telling them." Ruby pointed out "Telling your plans is the worst mistake you can make, and also probably part of the reason why ponies always win...your enemies are idiots." "I mean letting them know by for example 'accidentally' revealing you're somewhere close." "And any training won't protect you against natural fear, and there is nothing more scary than unpredictability."

And just when Ruby said the word unpredictability, Calti suddenly ran next to her fur bristled, growling at the sky. The dog would most likely something similar, since he too should be able to sense whatever Calti sensed. Ruby too after noticing Calti, turned her gaze towards the sky, before kicking her bags off her and transforming to her dragon form, all emotion but some kind of animalistic hate leaving her face. She then spoke, with voice so full of deep hatred that it could be almost felt "Dask. Mother." Somnus wouldn't be yet able to see or hear anything, but nearby birds and possibly other small creatures were taking off to same direction, away from there.

 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

8 minutes ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

"I wasn't talking about literally telling them." Ruby pointed out "Telling your plans is the worst mistake you can make, and also probably part of the reason why ponies always win...your enemies are idiots." "I mean letting them know by for example 'accidentally' revealing you're somewhere close." "And any training won't protect you against natural fear, and there is nothing more scary than unpredictability."

And just when Ruby said the word unpredictability, Calti suddenly ran next to her fur bristled, growling at the sky. The dog would most likely something similar, since he too should be able to sense whatever Calti sensed. Ruby too after noticing Calti, turned her gaze towards the sky, before kicking her bags off her and transforming to her dragon form, all emotion but some kind of animalistic hate leaving her face. She then spoke, with voice so full of deep hatred that it could be almost felt "Dask. Mother." Somnus wouldn't be yet able to see or hear anything, but nearby birds and possibly other small creatures were taking off to same direction, away from there.

 

Philip ran towards Somnus. Fluffball would just sit there and eat a peanut, not caring about whatever threat there could be.

"Um... I don't see anything, what are you so worried about?"

He was looking around trying to see what Ruby was so worried about.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

Just now, Lucid_Nightlight said:

Philip ran towards Somnus. Fluffball would just sit there and eat a peanut, not caring about whatever threat there could be.

"Um... I don't see anything, what are you so worried about?"

He was looking around trying to see what Ruby was so worried about.

"She is coming from the side of the wind, she wanted to be noticed." Ruby stated, hatred still burning in her voice. There wasn't anything to notice for a while longer, it wasn't a long while, but long enough to possibly get bit weird, but then came something. First was a shadow, and soon after came the source of the shadow, it was another dragon, her scales colored like fire and she was at least five times the size of Ruby, it landed in front of them, somehow making barely any sound, and it sent Calti running and hiding in the saddlebags that Ruby had dropped.

The dragon brought with it a smell of fire, and just by looking at her, one could tell that she thought about others even less than Ruby, and her voice was somehow even more cold and hateful than Ruby's "Hianag" Ruby simply stared her down and responded "Dask.", and while they just stood there and stared at each other, the resemblance was unquestionable, it was like looking into a mirror...just bigger...and more orange.

They then started speaking, but all of it was in their language, so Somnus wouldn't be able to understand a word, but there was certain things that could be figured out, one, it wasn't a friendly conversation, two, the newcomer didn't seem to even knowledge Somnus's existence and three, it was most likely going to end up in a fight.

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

10 minutes ago, Catpone Cerberus said:

"She is coming from the side of the wind, she wanted to be noticed." Ruby stated, hatred still burning in her voice. There wasn't anything to notice for a while longer, it wasn't a long while, but long enough to possibly get bit weird, but then came something. First was a shadow, and soon after came the source of the shadow, it was another dragon, her scales colored like fire and she was at least five times the size of Ruby, it landed in front of them, somehow making barely any sound, and it sent Calti running and hiding in the saddlebags that Ruby had dropped.

The dragon brought with it a smell of fire, and just by looking at her, one could tell that she thought about others even less than Ruby, and her voice was somehow even more cold and hateful than Ruby's "Hianag" Ruby simply stared her down and responded "Dask.", and while they just stood there and stared at each other, the resemblance was unquestionable, it was like looking into a mirror...just bigger...and more orange.

They then started speaking, but all of it was in their language, so Somnus wouldn't be able to understand a word, but there was certain things that could be figured out, one, it wasn't a friendly conversation, two, the newcomer didn't seem to even knowledge Somnus's existence and three, it was most likely going to end up in a fight.

"Somnus, looked over at Fluffball. Why are you asking me what they are saying? I don't speak their language."

Somnus didn't worry too much about the larger dragon he thought Ruby could handle this. He was however keeping an eye on them just in case something went wrong.

Somnus decided to say something.

"That must be your mother, the arguing or whatever you're talking about gives it way. What is she doing around here though? Anyway, I would suggest delivering the first hit. Just remember you're facing someone larger and more experienced than you are, so don't get overconfident."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,599]

16 hours ago, Lucid_Nightlight said:

"Somnus, looked over at Fluffball. Why are you asking me what they are saying? I don't speak their language."

Somnus didn't worry too much about the larger dragon he thought Ruby could handle this. He was however keeping an eye on them just in case something went wrong.

Somnus decided to say something.

"That must be your mother, the arguing or whatever you're talking about gives it way. What is she doing around here though? Anyway, I would suggest delivering the first hit. Just remember you're facing someone larger and more experienced than you are, so don't get overconfident."

Ruby didn't break the eye contact with her mother, after all, that would have been submitting and showing weakness, but she muttered from side of her mouth "In short, she is disappointed to my life choices. Don't know how she knows, but now she want's to get rid of the weakling of the bloodline as she calls me." she then seemed to notice something that Somnus wouldn't be able to notice, and suddenly dove under her mother, just before the mother struck with her claws where Ruby had been. Ruby made her way behind her mother "Also, stay out of this, this is personal." and at first she seemed to be doing pretty well, though it came apparent just how more durable her mother was as the cuts Ruby managed to make revealed just how much thicker the scales on the bigger dragon were compared to even Ruby, a spear would most likely be like poking guard pony with a needle.

But then Ruby started doing less well, and her mother just grabbed her like she had done to Somnus at the training yard, and slammed her against the ground, and based on the flames that Ruby let out, she had gotten air knocked out of her. She also looked a bit concussed. 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus (Forgot to quote it and had to edit this in.)

Somnus noticed that Ruby wasn't doing well, he knew Ruby told him to stay out of this, but he was afraid Ruby would die if he did nothing. Even with the spear being enchanted, it wasn't  for something this big, sure it could pierce the dragon, but it was not big enough to go far. He'd have better luck stabbing an elephant with a toothpick. He had an idea though. Somnus took the top of the spear off and plunged it into a rock, making the enchanted spear into an enchanted hammer like he did in the training yard. Maybe he land some hits and distract her so Ruby could stand a better chance in this fight.

"I'd say something clever, but I don't know if you can even understand me."

Somnus slammed the hammer into the larger dragon's tail. Somnus did this in a way to inflict enough pain to make the dragon angry enough to attack Somnus so that Ruby could get a hit.

Edited May 4, 2019 by Lucid_Nightlight
Forgot to quote.