private Deep Science 1x1 with Blitz Boom

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

(Null)

On 2024-10-18 at 2:45 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"You look more familiar, than any of those I have seen before. Close to dragons, but without their flaws. It's very... Unusual."

Her voice were wary, and her muscles tense, but she tried not to show it too much outwardly. She did not want to end up like the ones she saw circling the two, drained of free will, and drawn to naught but worship.

They nodded at her assessment, "Indeed, it does seem like having known us before has altered your perception of us. But your perception is also quite different from most other ponies. We think you would manage our presence better than most others, perhaps even better than the changelings."

They motioned for her to leave, "One last thing though, a final test. Tonight, write down everything you can remember about this encounter, and send it to us. Then, once you are back in Troy, do it again. We would like to see how distance and time affects your memory of this encounter."

"Now, your friends are waiting for you outside."

 

Even turning away from them, their visage was stuck in her memory, it was hard to remember how she had perceived them before.

 

Once she was out of the room, and the doors closed behind her, she'd be approached by Ranger and Arcade, the both of them looking a bit off from the encounter, "Can we go now? I don't want to come back if we don't have to."

 

(Cherish)

On 2024-10-18 at 2:45 PM, Blitz Boom said:

Cherish's smile stiffened, when she heard Nova's question, and a brief moment of fear passed her, whilst a breath of air strained itself through her clenched teeth. It lasted but a second, before she pushed it down, though her smile did not have the intensity it did before. It thankfully did not go beyond that, as Nova would get answers some other time. Away from her, which were best. She could handle hearing about death to an extend, but she had been picturing Lyft assisting with some wounds, and then hearing that question, in the moment, reminded her of another doctor. Someone she'd rather not think about, as the last time she had been talking even a little about that... A-Anyway, her adoptive mother had needed to hold her for an hour after that, through the crying and screaming, and it took three weeks to get through a story, that took maybe five minutes to explain in total.

Lyft glanced over at Cherish briefly with a concerned and sorrowful expression, having felt the potent discomfort from her at the question, but she didn't press the issue. It wouldn't help to single her out like this here. But she hoped that Cherish would feel comfortable asking her questions privately if she wanted to.

 

On 2024-10-18 at 2:45 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"You... *clears throat* If you're healthy, that's good for your organs, so you'll probably live longer, yes? I've always been told that exercise and eating right, is a good way to stay healthy. And taking your vitamins."

Lyft smiled at Cherish's answer, both because the answer was good, and because Cherish had been willing to participate after the uncomfortable incident. 

"That is correct, living a healthy lifestyle and eating healthy foods helps you to make sure that your organs are functioning properly, which in turn helps you to grow properly and live longer. Regular exercise is good for your muscles, your blood flow, your breathing, and other physical attributes, as well as often being good for some mental attributes like mood regulation. Taking vitamins can be good to keep you healthy if your regular diet is lacking, but you should be careful as taking too much can cause damage, or if they're not mixed properly for your species. Not many ponies know this, but the different pony species actually have slightly different nutritional needs."

Lilac seemed a bit overwhelmed by the information, given all the big words that Lyft was using, and so she raised her hoof, "Um, I don't know what all those words mean" pointing at what Lyft had written out.

Lyft chuckled, a bit embarrassed, "Oh! Sorry, I should have used a simpler explanation. Still, you don't need to worry about all this exactly just yet. This is more for me to see what you all already know, so I know what to teach you about and how to teach it. The example that Cherish shared has actually given me a good idea as to where we can begin."

She turned her attention back to the class as a whole, "We're going to start by learning about how food and exercise helps us to be healthy. First we'll learn what food is healthy and unhealthy, then we'll go into why. Then next week we'll start into exercise, starting with what we can do, then understand why the exercises are helpful. Does that sound good?"

Most of the class seemed interested in that plan, or were at least unopposed to it.

Lyft nodded, "Well, since we're coming up on lunch time, why don't we start with an activity? Each of you can come up and write down what things you've brought for lunch today, then we can sort them based on which kinds of ponies can eat them, and whether or not each item is considered healthy or unhealthy. Also feel free to add to the list with other foods you've had before that might be more different."

(Since Void is packing their lunches, you can list what she packed and if she included anything special in any of their lunches, plus whatever Cherish wants to put up. I'll add the extra items for the young ponies and Nova/Lilac's lunch in my next post.)

 

(Grey Changelings)

Things had been mostly quiet in the Grey compound since Basher had been captured. There was a bit of an air of disappointment given Basher's capture had not been followed by an influx of members like the Grey Mare had wanted. Still, the changeling trio had been given their share of the reward, and returned to the duties they had worked on before.

Craven had recently been assigned to act as a guard for Basher's cell, and was encouraged to try and get Basher to open up a bit, maybe convince him to cooperate? He wasn't told how he might accomplish that though.

At the present, he was standing by Basher's cell. The pegasus in question was once again rhythmically bouncing a ball against the opposite walls.

In the adjacent cell was Birdie, Basher's lieutenant, a unicorn mare who Arcade had taken down. She had been somewhat more cooperative than Basher had, but didn't know much about the organization. She had mostly been Basher's bodyguard and lookout, while the other lieutenant, Moth, had been the real second in command. 

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

(Null)

On 2024-10-24 at 10:37 PM, Illiad Easle said:

They nodded at her assessment, "Indeed, it does seem like having known us before has altered your perception of us. But your perception is also quite different from most other ponies. We think you would manage our presence better than most others, perhaps even better than the changelings."

They motioned for her to leave, "One last thing though, a final test. Tonight, write down everything you can remember about this encounter, and send it to us. Then, once you are back in Troy, do it again. We would like to see how distance and time affects your memory of this encounter."

"Now, your friends are waiting for you outside."

Perhaps she were good at this, but it were an advantage that came at a cost. Dealing with gods, or demigods, were risky and required stepping around on eggshells, lest something bad might happen.

Those who usually fawned over the dragons, they likely only knew the stories of gods, or might have seen a play, or something like that, so they were enamored, and unaware of what they were dealing with. To them, these two were probably just higher beings, whom they should fawn over, as some kind of benevolent being.

Null could not see gods as benevolent beings like they could, because she knew what gods tended to be like. Sure they were not all the same, but they were often above them, to a frightening degree. Unable, or uncaring about their subjects, and incapable of empathizing with them. It would be like her trying to see eye to eye with an amoebae.

Some did better. The ones in Harrowmark, and the primary in Caneighda, were even openly communicating with them, to try and connect and see their subjects more closely, but they were still on a whole different level. Even if they understood, could they really connect? With the callous disregard for life that Null had seen, she had a hard time believing that they ever truly could, and if you couldn't empathize, what were to stop you from doing horrendous things? If they did not register of living, thinking creatures to you, what stopped you from simply doing things, out of boredom, or on whim?

She'd seen how bad it could be. The points where death would have been kinder, and had hit both those who worshipped them, and those who stood in opposition. So whilst she could worship, show respect, even pray somewhat genuinely, she could not watch them with unburdened reverence. It were foolish to do so, when you had seen what she had. And that did not even include how the worshippers were themselves sometimes.

"They haven't seen what I've seen.

And I'll write some things down. By your leave."

She'd bow her neck, then go on her way, feeling some small amount of relief the further she got away from the room they were in. She could hardly remember what she used to think of them right now, when she still had her curse. Some vague recollection that this wasn't right, but right now, she couldn't focus more on it than that. Maybe later, her head would clear up, and it'd be easier for her to recollect that. For now, she were just happy to get out of here.

On 2024-10-24 at 10:37 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Once she was out of the room, and the doors closed behind her, she'd be approached by Ranger and Arcade, the both of them looking a bit off from the encounter, "Can we go now? I don't want to come back if we don't have to."

A shiver went over Null, before she saw the others approach her. Seemed like they had gotten out unscathed. That was good. Never knew when it came to things like this.

"I don't ever want to return to this place either. Being in there, makes me miss my curse.

Are you two okay? I swear, I didn't know it would be like this. I've only seen their dulled followers, and thought they'd make you overly complacent, if you didn't have some kind of protection. I didn't think it would be so... Varied."

She were more than happy for them to be on their way, and not return here again, ever. Even if she had to make a letter, she were gonna ask a changeling to deliver it. She hadn't an urge to return to that place, long as she had a choice in the matter.

====================================================================

 

(Cherish)

The young ponies had varied lunch boxes, as Void tried to keep them towards their taste, but they were overall still healthy. They each had home made bread, some cut fruits/nuts packed into its own little wrapper, scraped butter and whatever they liked the most on top, that were fitting it. Mostly it were some variation that still played around the same baseline, though as she were trying her best to accommodate them all, Elef's lunch had some slices of meat, that she had cut from a raw piece she had gotten. If he preferred some spice, or it cooked, she'd have done that, but it might well simply be raw, juicy meat, packaged in next to the bread, to make sure it wouldn't go dry.

They all also had a nutrient bar, that she had made a fair bit. They were easy, had a lot of protein in them, and while there were some sugar, she did her best to make it mostly natural sugar, to avoid this getting too unhealthy. Though at times, she did make stuff more sugary for them at home, this were school. Good, healthy brain food were important. Though Elef's were differently colored. As she put crickets in his, she were using a bit of fruit juice to make it a little redder, so she didn't accidentally give one of the others the wrong one.

They also all had some water with them. And even if it were the day after Gemini's party (or the day after that again) they wouldn't get cake in their box. She'd rather they enjoyed some of the leftovers after school, than eating it in school. Besides, she didn't want the other students to feel bad about their own food, in case they didn't have anything as good. Though if the others had promised to share, she would have let them take some slices of leftover cake along with them. Cut so there'd be one for each student int he class.

Cherish's were simple. Some water, and a sandwich. Rough bread, and various greens. Including cactus slices, which she actually found fairly tasty. Nothing she ever got back in Equestria, but trying it here, it had been an instant hit.

There were also an olive, or the Trojan equivalent stuck to the top, with a toothpick. Sooth liked doing so for the looks, as it gave it some class, in her opinion. And it provided her a toothpick, in case Cherish got something stuck in her teeth.

Cherish also but a lump of diamond up from her pack next to it. Poor quality and filled with cracks, it were essentially worthless for any shop in her opinion, but that wasn't the intention with it either.

"It's for my dragon friend, Crow. I found that after I was out with her yesterday, and thought I could surprise her with it today. I dunno if its healthy though. Just that dragons eat them."

She had literally stumbled on it out there, on her way home. Gave her a big surprise, but she were pretty sure she knew exactly what to do with it, as Crow probably didn't find a lot of gems to eat, out in the desert. Made her wonder how much they really needed this, but... Maybe she'd know now? She just knew that Crow had talked about it longingly once, and she didn't really have anything else to use this for.

What it were doing out there... She had no idea, and wasn't gonna ask, because the answer were probably some variation of someone had it, then bad stuff happened, and it got dropped in the sand dunes, until it uncovered again recently. Could have been trashed too. hard to day. The dunes could hide things for years, while the sand shifted around.

==========================================================================

 

(Grey Changelings)

*sigh* Why did it have to be him?

Well, he knew why him, out of the three of them. Mongoose were doing better, but he were still best kept to things that included cleaning duties, or supervision. He were also too easy to manipulate, which were a risk they couldn't take with Basher. And Yannit supposedly had other things to attend. That or he were being mislead, and they were trying to make the three of them work more independently, rather than being stuck as a group. He sorta suspected that might be the case, but he were worried that asking the question would get him in trouble somehow. Not that he really had someone to ask. He were given orders, and followed them. There weren't much of a boss to go and ask. Not unless you counted Grey mare herself, and he would hate to disturb her. Surely her time were more valuable than that. And even if it were not, he'd rather try and avoid accidentally catch her ire.

So now he were here. Performing guard duty, on a pony that he had partaken in chasing down, in his own small way. Props to that small mare too, for still giving them the share they did, considering they hadn't been able to do much, before she seemingly solved it herself. It had been a welcome surprise, though honestly, the more he did this, the further the thought of stopping once his debt were paid, went from his mind.

Yes the work could be dangerous, and at times it were nerve-wracking, or tedious, but he did feel like he were making a difference, and helping to overall make things better than they were before. It offered him a chance to seek penance, and he were glad that he had the chance, as the guilt just kept gnawing more and more at him over the years, after what he had done. Yet it also offered him purpose, in a world that didn't have much of it.

Sure he could follow Bling and the others, but she had enough hooves there, to where she could let go of a few. He were still grateful for what help she had provided though, as most of them were. Hard for him to put a bad word on her, and he would openly protest, if he were told that they had to go and enact vengeance upon her of all creatures, as she were about the least dangerous, spiteful being he had ever met in his life. What were there to seek vengeance for?

*sigh* Okay, okay, focus on the job. He had to do this. Guard Basher, and trying to get him to open up perhaps, and be a bit more cooperative. He could do that... Maybe. Honestly, what the hay were he supposed to talk to Basher about? The weather? Not something he could really witness a lot in here.

"...You okay in there, sir? You've been awfully quiet."

Yep, he was gonna excel at this alright... Couldn't Basher just hit him in the head with that ball, and free him from his own idiocy?

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

(Null)

On 2024-10-29 at 6:07 PM, Blitz Boom said:

A shiver went over Null, before she saw the others approach her. Seemed like they had gotten out unscathed. That was good. Never knew when it came to things like this.

"I don't ever want to return to this place either. Being in there, makes me miss my curse.

Are you two okay? I swear, I didn't know it would be like this. I've only seen their dulled followers, and thought they'd make you overly complacent, if you didn't have some kind of protection. I didn't think it would be so... Varied."

She were more than happy for them to be on their way, and not return here again, ever. Even if she had to make a letter, she were gonna ask a changeling to deliver it. She hadn't an urge to return to that place, long as she had a choice in the matter.

They each shuddered when asked how they were, but once outside they felt comfortable sharing their thoughts.

Arcade went first, "Their voice, it reminded me of the Administrator's. It carried the same weight, that it must be obeyed at all cost, and that pain and suffering would follow, whether I was successful or not. I never met the administrator in person, I think because they suspected I might try to kill them if given the chance. So I think it was a good idea to not see them without the protection from before."

Ranger followed, "It was similar for me, only it was the voice of my trainers. I felt... inadequate, inferior, listening to them, but there was something else burning inside me too, a rage I've never felt before. I think... I have your sister to thank for that."

Arcade followed up, "How was it for you? What was it like to see them?"

 

After Null answered, they would be about back at the Top Suites. Ranger doing her best to move on from the incident. "Well, I for one am looking forward to seeing if the kitsune is done. And I'm sure the two of you are anxious to get whatever talking you need to do done. I've never seen Arcade so... off before."

Arcade blushed at that, but didn't disagree.

 

(Cherish)

Each of the young ponies had the chance to go up and write what Void had packed for them following what Cherish had put up.

When it came to Lilac and Nova, Nova was willing to write for the both of them, indicating that they had brought some fish and bread. Lilac commenting that she had even caught one of them herself.

Lyft then asked the class what other foods they had tried before or knew about that other creatures ate.

On 2024-10-29 at 6:07 PM, Blitz Boom said:

Cherish also but a lump of diamond up from her pack next to it. Poor quality and filled with cracks, it were essentially worthless for any shop in her opinion, but that wasn't the intention with it either.

"It's for my dragon friend, Crow. I found that after I was out with her yesterday, and thought I could surprise her with it today. I dunno if its healthy though. Just that dragons eat them."

Lyft smiled, "Very interesting! We'll talk about that in a bit, but that is also one of the few things that changelings like me can't eat. Even when disguised as a diamond dog or a dragon we don't have the jaw or tooth strength to bite through gems like they do."

The young ponies added some of the things they had tried with Void before, like cake, salad, and soda.

Lyft turned her attention up to the list that had been written, "It looks like you are all eating quite healthily, I hope you'll maintain these habits as you grow, so you'll be able to stay healthy."

She then wrote across the top of the board a few different species, including the three pony types, thestrals, diamond dogs, dragons, and changelings.

"Now, let's go through each item and see if it is healthy, neutral, unhealthy, or bad, for each of the species."

Some seemed confused by the options so Lyft explained, "Healthy foods provide nutrients, or things that your body needs in order to grow and heal. Unhealthy foods either don't provide nutrients, or provide too much of one thing or another, and can make you sick if you eat too much of it. Neutral foods are things that don't provide much benefit, but also don't cause harm. Bad foods are things that will make you sick or hurt you if you even have a small amount of it."

That seemed to clear things up, so Lyft proceeded. "Let's see, we have a unicorn, a pegasus, an earth pony, and a few thestrals here. Why don't we have each of you fill in the column you represent as best as you can, then we'll discuss? Elef, Nova, and Lilac, you can work together to fill in the Thestral column. But first I'll fill in the changeling column so you can see what it looks like."

• Bread
  • Healthy
• Fruit
  • Healthy
• Nuts
  • Healthy
• Butter
  • Neutral
• Raw meat
  • Neutral
• Cooked meat
  • Neutral
• Fish
  • Neutral
• Bar
  • Healthy
• Insects
  • Neutral
• Cake
  • Neutral
• Salad
  • Healthy
• Soda
  • Unhealthy
• Gems
  • Bad

Lyft then explained, "Changelings are a bit different from ponies, we get most of our food from emotional energy, but we do still need to eat food from time to time. That said, while we can eat most kinds of food in order to maintain our disguises, many things don't do anything for us, but that is different for ponies."

She would then step back to let the class attempt to fill in the rest of the board, helping Gemini to reach the top of the board given she was the only one without wings or magic to reach up high.

 

(Grey)

On 2024-10-29 at 6:07 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"...You okay in there, sir? You've been awfully quiet."

Yep, he was gonna excel at this alright... Couldn't Basher just hit him in the head with that ball, and free him from his own idiocy?

There was a snort from inside the cell, "What's it too you? You-"

He stopped, If Craven was looking he could see that Basher was looking at him, "Huh, didn't expect a changeling. Didn't think they could catch a changeling, what with all that disguising you do." He shrugged, "You meet the Spy when he was in town? What name did he use? Wraps Putting? I heard he was mixing with the local changelings for a bit before he disappeared again."

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

(Null)

On 2024-11-01 at 8:15 PM, Illiad Easle said:

They each shuddered when asked how they were, but once outside they felt comfortable sharing their thoughts.

Arcade went first, "Their voice, it reminded me of the Administrator's. It carried the same weight, that it must be obeyed at all cost, and that pain and suffering would follow, whether I was successful or not. I never met the administrator in person, I think because they suspected I might try to kill them if given the chance. So I think it was a good idea to not see them without the protection from before."

Ranger followed, "It was similar for me, only it was the voice of my trainers. I felt... inadequate, inferior, listening to them, but there was something else burning inside me too, a rage I've never felt before. I think... I have your sister to thank for that."

Arcade followed up, "How was it for you? What was it like to see them?"

Null needed a few seconds to find the words to start this off. As they clearly had never seen gods, or knew much of them, since they did not see the two like that, it made it somewhat tricky to find the right words, but she'd try.

"In a way, we all see them the same. They're what we consider the highest being we know off. Someone beyond us.

You wonder what they're like to me? They're gods, because I know them. Heck, I've seen, or even served some of them for a time. Beings made of, and in control of, primordial magic. Magic that is so strong, that anti-magic simply doesn't work, wielded by beings to whom we are mostly inferior creatures, fit only to amuse them, or worship them. I think if I also hadn't seen how those beings can be before, I might have been like their lackies. Devoted, and fawning by their claws.

They still looked dragon-like to me. Flawless, and otherworldly, but still draconic. I know something were off, but I don't think I can perceive the differences yet. I think the effect takes time to wear off.

*sigh* I loathe dealing with gods. We're as bacteria before them, and the indifference they tend to have towards what happens to even their most devoted followers, makes me rightfully concerned. I hope you never have to witness some of the things I've seen."

The first time she met a god, she had ended up deadly afraid. A pagan one, that weren't all that impressive, compared to those she would meet, but her hubris had nearly cost her her life, when she found out how little her anti-magic meant, against magic beyond what simple mortals could even handle a sliver of.

On 2024-11-01 at 8:15 PM, Illiad Easle said:

After Null answered, they would be about back at the Top Suites. Ranger doing her best to move on from the incident. "Well, I for one am looking forward to seeing if the kitsune is done. And I'm sure the two of you are anxious to get whatever talking you need to do done. I've never seen Arcade so... off before."

Arcade blushed at that, but didn't disagree.

Null would blush too, looking away sheepishly for a moment. She considered trying to push this off. Say there were other things they should focus on, or that her head wasn't in the game yet, but... No, nothing good would come of her trying to lie, or push this aside. For the sake of both Arcade and her, they needed to talk. Now were as good a time as ever.

"Yeah, it's probably for the best that we address this. We'll meet up with you later."

Arcade and her could go back to their room now, and lock the door behind them. She felt her heart beat harder, whilst sinking in her chest, her worries increasing that something would happen, that would shatter the happiness that she were starting to have with him.

"So... Where should we start?"

=======================================================================

 

(Ranger)

Getting to the theater, she'd be able to get a room number for Kozue, in case he hadn't let her known earlier, and shouldn't have a problem finding it. The door wouldn't be fully closed though, and through the slight creak, you could hear the voice of Kozue. He sounded worried about something, which the words would only cement.

"Awh man, she's gonna kill me..."

If she went in there, she'd find that he were looking distressed and guilty on the remnants of a lamp, smashed on the floor. A nice looking one, once upon a time, but now it were shattered in glittery pieces all around, and he didn't even know f it used to be expensive.

The culprit were likely the other one in the room, whose head turned, the moment it heard the sound of someone entering.

It bounced in place, and bounced over to Ranger. It were a good deal more detailed looking now, as well as larger. Around the size of a foal, as he had mentioned, using a lot of more red and white paper to give some classical vulpine colors to its form, as well as two, folded wings, down the sides of its body.

It rubbed its head on her, which would be softer than it seemed. Nothing like hair of course, but no sharp edges to get papercuts on, so that was a definite plus.

"Oh, hey there. Sorry for the mess. It were testing limits and it accidentally hit this. Reeeally hoping this wasn't expensive.

But uhm... Tadaa, heh. Looks nice, yeah? Put a lot of effort into this."

It would let out a notable chittering laugh, and look up at her, mischief likely going on behind those dark, folded eyes. Much like before, except now it were large enough to actually cause trouble.

=====================================================================================

 

(Cherish)

On 2024-11-01 at 8:15 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Lyft then explained, "Changelings are a bit different from ponies, we get most of our food from emotional energy, but we do still need to eat food from time to time. That said, while we can eat most kinds of food in order to maintain our disguises, many things don't do anything for us, but that is different for ponies."

She would then step back to let the class attempt to fill in the rest of the board, helping Gemini to reach the top of the board given she was the only one without wings or magic to reach up high.

Cherish would start the list from top to bottom, using her wings to reach up there. Not something she got to do often, and she normally never flew inside, but otherwise she couldn't get to the top. She had been raised to think that it were rude to do so, unless you had a really good reason, and it was hard to shake that off.It probably also had something to do with an unruly pegasus foal flying around, being a recipe for things falling down and probably break. Best to leave flying training for the lawn or something similar.

• Bread
  • Healthy
• Fruit
  • Healthy
• Nuts
  • Healthy
• Butter
  • Neutral
• Raw meat
  • Bad
• Cooked meat
  • Bad
• Fish
  • Bad
• Bar
  • Neutral
• Insects
  • Neutral
• Cake
  • Unhealthy
• Salad
  • Healthy
• Soda
  • Unhealthy
• Gems
  • Bad

    This seemed right to her at least. Might be she were wrong with fish, since she heard some might do a tiny bit of sushi somewhere, but she wasn't sure on that, so she went with the safe option, and considered it bad. Not as bad as gems, but then, it weren't many who actually could or would eat those.

• • =====================================================================================

 

(Grey)

It shocked him a little that Basher actually responded. Doubly so when he looked in, and noticed that the elderly stallion were looking straight at him. Oddly enough, he didn't feel scared or worried though, as much as relieved, that he were at least talking to him. That were a start, yeah? Though they'd see how that would go, when they'd get the talk going. For the time being at least, he'd be honest, and talk to him eye to eye, and hope that it would go well. Though he might judge him, based on his answer to the first thing.

"I wasn't caught actually. I volunteered. The word came from The Grey that they'd want some volunteers, and three of us did. I don't know if it was because they couldn't just go and capture us though, but either way, I came here by my own volition.

And the Spy... I'm not sure who you mean. Is it Rasputin? He have been helpful, both when the gang wars came around, and to help Bling assert herself a little more. Far as I know, he had to go and handle something, but he'll probably be back one of these days. I know Bling is looking forward to it at least. I think she is appreciating his insight, now that she's had to formally take charge of the New Pegasus changelings.

It sounds like you know him? Is it okay if I ask how, sir?"

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

(Null)

On 2024-11-05 at 1:57 PM, Blitz Boom said:

Arcade and her could go back to their room now, and lock the door behind them. She felt her heart beat harder, whilst sinking in her chest, her worries increasing that something would happen, that would shatter the happiness that she were starting to have with him.

"So... Where should we start?"

Arcade took a seat on the bed, and motioned for Null to join him. He was quiet and thoughtful for a bit before he began.

"You... aren't happy. I thought I was helping, but I'm not, am I?"

He held up a hoof to stop her from interjecting.

"Ever since we first got together, you've been running from one thing to another, and at every turn you've hurt yourself, distanced yourself."

"Back in that Grey place, with Basher, you said the only thing keeping you here, keeping you alive, was being useful. Ardee, or Ranger and I, that was our lives. But we were allowed to live because we were useful. But you... it seems you'd rather be dead. But at the same time, you don't, because you fight so hard to be in debt, to owe something, and I worry, that you'll only stick around because you feel like you owe me, I don't want that."

He shuddered, "With the dragons today, I heard the administrator's voice. The voice of the one who decided whether I lived or died each day. I don't... no. I refuse to be that for you. I can't bear the thought that..."

He shook his head.

"Then, you gave up your chance at freedom. You could have cleared your debt today and no one would have blamed you. But you chose to stay in debt to Vengeance. I understand that you want to keep your word, but given what you said I worry that, once your debt is cleared, you won't know what to do. Maybe... it's not me keeping you here, but Vengeance?"

He seemed more worried about that.

"And that scares me even more than being the reason that you're still here, is that I might not even be enough of a reason. As much as it would kill me to be the only reason why you're still alive... it would kill me a hundred times if I wasn't enough. But your own family, your own sister, even they weren't enough, how can I hope to be enough?"

He was crying, "But that's not fair, not to you or me. I don't want to be what keeps you here, but I also don't want you to leave."

 

(Ranger)

Ranger was quite happy to see the new, larger, paper fox. "Wow! Look how much bigger you are!" She looked back up at Kozue, "Thank you again, how much was left over after the wings?" She was referring to her half of the minostralium, since she was going to get back whatever remained of her portion that wasn't used to improve the paper fox.

After that was sorted she would look at the fox thoughtfully, "Um, you know how you volunteered to go with me somewhere?" she looked back at Kozue, "I made a promise to visit some places outside of town, that could be pretty dangerous. Old research facilities. I wouldn't say no to some extra help if you're willing, but I understand if you're not interested in getting yourself into danger."

 

(Cherish)

Cherish was done about as fast as Teal, given the two of them were working alone, followed by the thestral trio and Toupé.

Lyft had them go back to their seats once everyone was done, then took to examining the board, "Very well done all of you! It seems like you all have a good idea as to what is and is not healthy. If you follow the lists you've written, you should be perfectly healthy, but there are some things that surprised me about your answers. Well, not really surprised, but I would have expected some of you to put an unhealthy thing, like cake, as healthy or neutral."

Still, she went up to the board to make some adjustments.

"It is a bit of a societal taboo, at least in Equestria it was, but even here in Troy many ponies are a bit squeamish, but Equines are actually opportunistic omnivores."

She adjusted cooked meat and fish to neutral, and raw meat to unhealthy.

"That is to say, any pony can eat meat, but it doesn't provide many nutrients. It is however high in calories, which is energy, so it can be used in survival situations if need be."

On Cherish's column, she adjusted fish to healthy, to match it in the thestral column

"Pegasus ponies, like thestrals, are better able to get nutrients out of fish than other kinds of ponies. Similarly, earth ponies get more nutrients out of ground and root vegetables, and unicorns gain more from flowering and other enchanted fruits."

 

(Grey)

On 2024-11-05 at 1:57 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"I wasn't caught actually. I volunteered. The word came from The Grey that they'd want some volunteers, and three of us did. I don't know if it was because they couldn't just go and capture us though, but either way, I came here by my own volition.

Basher snorted at that, "Volunteered huh? Figured you'd clear your 'debt' before they forced you to?"

On 2024-11-05 at 1:57 PM, Blitz Boom said:

It sounds like you know him? Is it okay if I ask how, sir?"

He smiled at that, "Now that's quite the story. But if you want to hear it, I think I'm owed one first. What did you do that got you so scared you joined the Grey willingly?"

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

(Null)

He wasn't the only one crying. Null felt the tears press on, the more he spoke. The pain in his voice, making it only harder to keep them from flowing, though she barely even tried. Arcade were one of the few she didn't feel like she needed to keep a shield up around, to try and look tougher than she actually felt at times. And yet... She had done that, hadn't she? He wasn't exactly lying, or wrong in what he said. She did distance herself from things. Hold others back. Things that he should know. No, Needed to know And instead, she had bottled it up. Trying to just focus on the good things, whilst pushing things away that she worried would make him leave her behind. Instead it seemed to give off the impression that she were intentionally trying to hide things from her, and that she struggled to find a reason to live, if she were not useful.

He had barely finished the last word, before she pushed her hooved against her eyes, sobbing slightly for a moment. Tears having run down her face for long enough, to leave wet stains on her coat before that. She had a rebuttal. Things to say, but... She needed a moment to gather herself, and find the right words. Not a way to talk around it, but the truth, ugly as it were in places.

"...I tried to keep it back. W-What I said back there, i didn't even tell my family. I didn't want to worry them, or you. I was afraid if I said anything, y-you would leave."

She'd lower her hooves, and look right at him, drying her eyes of the worst tears, so that she could look him clearly in the eyes.

"I am happy with you. I really am. But I haven't been for a very long time, and I'm not always sure how to express it, or what to do with it. Anger I know, but happiness and love is new, and I'm trying to get better, but it's hard. and sometimes... Sometimes, I still have to deal with things, the old thoughts.

Truth is that I've struggled with suicidal thoughts for the last twelve years or so, before Void and I were frozen, and tried to do it at least a dozen times. I don't remember when exactly, but at some point, it all just became too much, and I had to fight just to find a reason to stay alive. For a long time, I could tell myself that I did it for her, but in the end, I struggled even using that as an excuse. Like you said, I told myself that long as I were useful, I could go on, and when I weren't anymore, I planned to..."

Her words halted for a moment, but if he tried to interject, now it would be her that signaled for him to stop, and to let her finish.

"Things have changed, but I still get the thoughts sometimes. Had a few times when I stood from somewhere high, and wondered how easy it wouldn't be, to just jump, and not spread my wings. But I've not felt even the slightest inkling to act on it. Not since you entered my life. Not because I feel like I owe you something, or that I feel like I have to go on, because I am needed, but because I love you, and I want to be with you.

Those thoughts have been with me for a long time though. I'm... Broken, and I'm doing what I can to accept and fix that, but those thoughts doesn't vanish so easily. Yet I feel no want to act on them anymore. They're just there. Remnants of how I used to feel: Useless. No, less than that. Like everything would have been better, if I simply hadn't been there in the first place. Maybe Void wouldn't have lost a leg, if she didn't try and save me? Maybe our parents wouldn't have gotten caught, if they hadn't stopped up to get me out of the dune I got stuck in?

I've gone to therapy. It have helped, and so have it to talk to them about these things, and not just sit with it alone, but I kept my suicidal thoughts, and attempts, to myself. I didn't want to worry them, just as I didn't want to do that to you.

Instead, I... I closed off to you. Kept secrets, and it made it look worse.

I don't blame you for thinking I wasn't happy, Arcade. The things you say, they hurt, but you're not wrong. I do still want to feel useful. But it's not because it's my only reason to live. I just... I don't know how to just sit idle anymore. There's always been something to do. Some sense that I have to do something. When the chance came for me to be part of something greater, I took it, because I wanted to help, and... And because I was scared.

There's so many dangerous things out there. Crooks, gods, sirens- Many who have grudges against me. I saw one of those in Troy, trying to kill Void and me even. But before that, when I saw my new little siblings especially... I've always protected my family. It made sense to me, to keep doing that. Go out and confront those dangers that might be there, and more importantly, keep them from looking back to Troy. I'm so used to protecting Void, that when I got the chance to protect them all, and possibly others, I felt less scared, saying yes. It makes me feel like I'm still keeping them safe, so the little new ones have a chance.

*sigh* But yes, there's some level of duty there. I think Vengeance knew just what buttons he had to press, to get my thoughts going."

For a brief moment, she'd look down on her hooves, and shake her head slightly, before returning her gaze to Arcade.

"It isn't what I want my entire life though. I didn't stay in debt, because I want to do this forever. I gave my word to the changelings, that they'd get their fair share, and I didn't see why I shouldn't honor that. I don't have a lot of debt in any case. A few rescues, or some community service, and I'm done.

I've tried working hard, and gotten cheated out of what I'm owed before. It's demoralizing, and I don't want to do that to others, unless I have to. And getting rid of a little debt faster, isn't a good one. Not with how little I have. And to be honest... My guilt will follow me longer than my debt. I have done things, that they might think is balanced out, but I still feel guilt over. I'll share some stories with you another day, when we have more time. I swear on it.

But I'm getting off track again, aren't I?

Arcade, I don't feel miserable when you're there, but I should have told you the truth a long time ago. The whole of it. Maybe it could have avoided this, but I just... I was scared that you'd realize how broken I were, and leave me. It's something I'm trying to work on. I really am. But it takes time, and a lot of effort. Twenty years of things hammering me down, doesn't just go away in a few weeks, but I want to get better. Especially now that you're here.

I've never thought about life after things. After Void, after the gates, after Vengeance, but the more time we've spent together, the more I see one. Not with Vengeance, or running around soaked in blood and anger, but with you, and maybe... Maybe a family of our own, i-if things goes well. It's been in my dreams recently and it's been the most pleasant dreams I've had in years."

She'd blush up, almost averting her gaze, but managing to keep it on Arcade, and those pretty eyes of his.

"I want to live, Arcade. For them, and for you, but also myself. I'm finally seeing a life that's worth living, and fighting for."

She'd reach a hoof forward, wanting to hold hooves with him, while her tear-filled eyes were almost glowing with love, beneath the thick droplets of water glossing them over.

"And I want more than anything, for you to be part of it. Not because you're the only one that stops me from killing myself, or I owe you anything. But because I genuinely love you, and I want you in my life."

It were hard for her to open up properly, even to Arcade, but she were trying here. Saying things that she hadn't to anyone before, because it made her feel vulnerable. But holding back, had made things worse, and she didn't want that. So she'd try to let it all out there, and see if maybe this would work.

She had some things she wanted to bring up to him too, but they had to discuss her first, as her issues were the one they needed to address more urgently. And while she didn't think this would solve everything, she hoped that it would be a start, and that they still had a future ahead of them.

=============================================================

 

(Ranger)

Kozue would grin, hearing that she liked the work done on her pal, and would wander over to the corner, to pull something out of a drawer. It would be the leftover minostralum, gathered on two things. The first - his share - spread over a small wooden amulet, making a symbol. The rest, gathered in a smaller feather, somewhat similar to what it had been before, but a little less detailed. He wasn't used to crafting things like that, but he'd done his darndest.

"Here you go, and to prove what I've used, here's my homemade amulet. The symbol means Home, just for the record.

As for the stuff in the fox, it's running down the inside of its wings, woven into the paper. I figured it'd help keep it hidden, and also make it harder to just pull its wings off."

He'd give the remnant over, and give her a big ol' grin whilst doing so.

On 2024-11-07 at 11:24 PM, Illiad Easle said:

After that was sorted she would look at the fox thoughtfully, "Um, you know how you volunteered to go with me somewhere?" she looked back at Kozue, "I made a promise to visit some places outside of town, that could be pretty dangerous. Old research facilities. I wouldn't say no to some extra help if you're willing, but I understand if you're not interested in getting yourself into danger."

A grin that just increased, as he were told that she were indeed wanting for them to have a little walk. Not to something he had thought she'd say, but... Why not, yeah?

"Some old facilities? Sounds quaint. Count me in. Besides, I'm a kitsune, Ranger. We're good at getting into danger, and better at getting out of it again. Heh you've probably not seen it, but the fox here got a bit of it too. Regular ol' cloaking magic for a start. Really nifty stuff, that you might find come in handy someday."

He'd jump, and disappear with a poof, then reappear right besides her a moment later. Not a teleport clearly, but a good cloak, and that could be useful if something was lurking around. What better way to not get in trouble, than to not be visible in the first place, yeah?

"Just lemme tell the front desk that I'm going out for a bit, on the way out, and we're golden. Just in case they start looking for me, and can't find me. You wouldn't believe how many jumps to the conclusion that you're out causing trouble, when they can't find a kitsune. It's not like I'm hanging out with the two scam artists or anything. Those I'd be more worried about suddenly being gone.

Anyway, anything you wanna tell me about those facilities, or is it more of a surprise? Or one of those hush things that's better to not talk about too early? probably one of the latter, yeah? Cause I'm assuming by your choice of words, that we're not gonna tell your friends about this, yeah?"

He didn't have a problem with it either, but it was good to know, before he started to blabber on about stuff he weren't outta. Ooooh, maybe she needed him to cloak her too, so she could sneak out? That would be fun! He hadn't done anything like that for years. Not to anyone who wanted him to do it anyway.

===================================================================

 

(Cherish)

Cherish looked genuinely surprised at the board as it were corrected, with explanations as to what things she had been wrong about.

"Woah, I didn't know I could eat fish. Not that I want to, but it's funny learning that I could.

I guess you're right with it being taboo in Equestria, Miss Lyft, because I've only ever read and been taught that it was bad for ponies."

Equestria did have a lot of animal lovers, so maybe this were taught, to ensure that ponies stayed vegetarians, and didn't eat any of the cute pets, roaming cows, or overfished in places? Or maybe it were just one of those things you told foals, so they wouldn't try and stuff that sort of thing in their mouth, and then they'd be told about this in classes when they got older. She wouldn't know, as she hadn't gotten that many years into school, before the incident happened, but it were an option, probably?

Honestly she couldn't imagine eating a cute rabbit, or fry a fish, but maybe someday, she'd be better off knowing this sort of thing. Could be there'd be a point when she wouldn't have many other options, though she hoped that if it were, it would at the very least be a fish. The rabbits had those big, cute eyes, and shook when they were afraid. How could she hurt such a little cutie? Fish were just kinda gasping when they were out of the water, and didn't look all that cute. It would be easier on her sanity, though yet again, she hoped it would never come to that.

=====================================================================

 

(Grey)

He would hesitate, as the exchange of stories would be brought up. Sure other changelings knew his story, but he hadn't actually talked to it with non-changelings before. But then, was a time when he hadn't to other changelings either, and the guilt were all the worse for him keeping it fully to himself. Bling encouraging him to share, and showing understanding, had helped him ease up about things. Perhaps, letting Basher know wouldn't be too bad, and it were a fair question. He did say he volunteered, so it were natural for Basher to ask what he had done.

"I didn't join The Grey, because I was afraid they'd haul me away for my sins, sir. I did it because I feel guilt, and I want to make amends for what I did.

As for what I did... I was a fool, and I panicked. I was exposed, when trying to infiltrate a town, to get some information about it for my queen. The pony who found me... I just wanted to knock him out. Just make him quiet, so I could sneak away, but he struggled back. He was so strong, so I used more force, and I... I broke his neck. He was dead before he hit the floor.

I felt the way his emotions just ebbed out, along with the light in his eyes. It was... It was horrible."

He were shaking a little, remembering that feeling. That of someone dying, and the last emotion running through them, being a rapidly fading sense of surprise and pain. The pony had been aware of what happened, albeit briefly, and Craven were all too aware of that.

"In my panic, I tried to gather up him, his clothes, and pile it all on the pool of blood, and then I... I set fire to him. But it didn't stay with him. I didn't see how dry the wood were, or what were laying around. The whole building started to catch on fire. Then when I ran out, I could see it caught on to the next. Then the next, and again and again and again and-"

He had to stop to take a half dozen deep breaths to calm himself enough to finish this. This were one other reason he didn't speak much of this. It were hard for him to forget what he had seen, when he were telling about it.

"Dozens with burn wounds. Four more ponies dead, and hundreds homeless, in an inferno that set fire to most of an entire district, all because of me. And then when they started to look for answers, I... I ran, and I never looked back. Not to the town, not to my hive, I just left. I was a coward, that couldn't handle what I had done.

When I got here, after the war began, Bling heard me out, and she understood that it still haunted me. So she had me help others, to try and let me give something back, but I never felt it was enough. When the call came from The Grey, it was like a sign to me. That why I were so quick to accept the offer.

I know it was an accident, but it doesn't take away my guilt, sir. That's why I joined up."

Maybe The Grey wouldn't be the answer in the end, but at least currently, it were feeling like he were making amends, and doing his to atone for his sins. That were good enough for him right now, even if the work were sometimes dangerous, and/or weird.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

(Null)

Arcade gave Null his full attention as she spoke, not rushing her or anything, and not making any attempt to interrupt or interject. Though his expression shifted a few times between sadness, confusion, and a bit of hope several times throughout.

On 2024-11-14 at 4:59 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"I want to live, Arcade. For them, and for you, but also myself. I'm finally seeing a life that's worth living, and fighting for."

She'd reach a hoof forward, wanting to hold hooves with him, while her tear-filled eyes were almost glowing with love, beneath the thick droplets of water glossing them over.

"And I want more than anything, for you to be part of it. Not because you're the only one that stops me from killing myself, or I owe you anything. But because I genuinely love you, and I want you in my life."

He was fairly quick to take her offered hoof, once he noticed that that was what she wanted, but he didn't respond right away when she finished, taking a moment to think very carefully about how he should respond.

"I..." he choked up a bit, but tried again, "All this, is very new to me. Growing up, I never thought there would be anything more for me than the lab, then testing, then dying over and over again. They never taught me how to deal with emotions, how to have relationships, or how to care about others. So I know I'm going to make mistakes in the future, but, I'm glad you were willing to share this with me. At least, I'm pretty sure that's a good sign."

He smiled, then sighed, "I'm sorry that my words hurt you, but I hope we can talk more like this in the future? Maybe more often means it will hurt less? It just hurts me to see you hurting, and not being able to do anything about it."

He would draw her into a hug if she would allow it, "I... I may not know what love is, but I think I love you too. I am happy to travel with you so long as you need me, or want me."

After they had been hugging for some time, he would speak again, but wouldn't pull away unless she did so first. "There's something that's been embarrassing you lately too, when you talk about us. I hope I'm not doing something wrong?"

 

(Ranger)

On 2024-11-14 at 4:59 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"Here you go, and to prove what I've used, here's my homemade amulet. The symbol means Home, just for the record.

As for the stuff in the fox, it's running down the inside of its wings, woven into the paper. I figured it'd help keep it hidden, and also make it harder to just pull its wings off."

He'd give the remnant over, and give her a big ol' grin whilst doing so.

Ranger simply nodded as she stowed the feather away.

On 2024-11-14 at 4:59 PM, Blitz Boom said:

Anyway, anything you wanna tell me about those facilities, or is it more of a surprise? Or one of those hush things that's better to not talk about too early? probably one of the latter, yeah? Cause I'm assuming by your choice of words, that we're not gonna tell your friends about this, yeah?"

He didn't have a problem with it either, but it was good to know, before he started to blabber on about stuff he weren't outta. Ooooh, maybe she needed him to cloak her too, so she could sneak out? That would be fun! He hadn't done anything like that for years. Not to anyone who wanted him to do it anyway.

She shook her head, "It's not a secret, we can tell them afterwards, there's just dangerous things there that would be best if those who weren't prepared didn't find by accident. It's... it's the facility where I grew up, and the one I went to afterwards. There shouldn't be any monsters in the first one, just traps and security. But the second one does have monsters."

She seemed uncomfortable to share more than that for now. Maybe if he asked some specific questions she'd be more willing to open up about it?

"I'll meet you out front, I'm going to go to the roof first to see if I can remember where it should be."

 

Once Kozue was done with whatever he had do do to be able to leave, Ranger would glide down from the roof to meet him outside the casino, assuming he left out the front doors. "Alright, I think I know where it is. Let's go."

She would lead the way out of the town, or at least beyond the wall that had been assembled, to one of the ruined buildings that had previously been on the outskirts of Las Pegasus.

 

(Cherish)

On 2024-11-14 at 4:59 PM, Blitz Boom said:

I guess you're right with it being taboo in Equestria, Miss Lyft, because I've only ever read and been taught that it was bad for ponies."

Lyft nodded, "That is something common to Equestrians, Equestrian culture puts a lot of emphasis on what ponies have in common, what brings them together, over what makes the species unique. I'm sure you remember the Hearthswarming tale? How the races used to be very divided before Equestria? I think that Equestria puts such emphasis on what brings the races together for that reason, to prevent the division and fighting that hurt the old ponies so much."

That part of the lesson concluded, Lyft encouraged the students to go enjoy their lunches, "After lunch we'll do a brief lesson on exercise before you go home for the day, so don't take too long eating."

Cherish would be able to sit with whoever she wanted to talk with during lunch, or sit by herself if she preferred.

 

(Grey)

"Hmm" Basher snorted, he didn't seem to impressed by the story, but also not entirely unsympathetic to it. "Well, this life isn't for everyone. You don't forget your first kill, accidental or intentional."

He nodded, "Well, I owe you a story too I guess. How I know the changeling called the Spy. It was a good number of years ago, back when I was still a quick colt, before Nightmare Moon came back. I had been running a small gang in Baltimare, mostly whacking ponies for bits, when the guard finally caught up to me."

"I was sitting in a cell, not unlike this one, waiting to be executed, or petrified, or whatever alternative punishment they had lined up, when this cute little filly, couldn't've been more than 21, offered me a deal: Get shipped off to Minos, fight a bunch of golems, steal some magic metal for the princess, and earn my freedom if I survived. So of course I agreed to that, and a few weeks later I get to Minos with a group of eight other creatures and a code name, The Scout. That's where I met The Spy, he seemed to know me before then though, but he was a changeling, so maybe he had lived in Baltimare before? Maybe I'd even whacked him once or twice? He seemed to not like me much, I think he was just jealous."

He snorted, "Heh, good times there."

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

(Null)

She were shaking as they hugged, feeling a mixture of relief, shame, love, and uncertainty. She hadn't the foggiest clue about what might happen, and even less how he would take it, when she told him about the things that she had held back, because she was afraid what others would say, if they heard her say it. Him especially, as she so long had assumed that it would make anyone hate her, or feel disgusted. Or worse yet, gaze at her with pity. She needed none of those, and from Arcade especially, it had taken it out of her to come clean to him, as she did not want to repulse him with the truth.

But he had heard it, and he hadn't decided to leave her. It hurt to have it out there, but keeping secrets had almost torn a cliff between them, and when everything had settled down, she would probably be glad that it wasn't a burden that she had to sit with alone. Sure Nine would know about it, but that wasn't the same, as telling another.

Shuddering in his embrace, she wasn't willing to let go of him just yet. Even when he asked her a question that made her cheeks blush, she couldn't make herself do it.

"It's n-nothing, just... When I think about you, and me, I sometimes imagine more than that. Sometimes it's us having foals. Other times it's... W-Well, about how they're made. It's not something I've ever done y'know, but seeing you, I think that I... I'd like to. I just didn't know how to bring it up, or if I even should."

It was awkward to say it, but she had been open about something that was far more personal than this. So if he asked, she'd get it out in the open too. It was kind of easier to talk about it, while she were holding him too, rather than look him right in the eyes.

====================================================================

 

(Ranger)

On 2024-11-18 at 11:18 PM, Illiad Easle said:

She shook her head, "It's not a secret, we can tell them afterwards, there's just dangerous things there that would be best if those who weren't prepared didn't find by accident. It's... it's the facility where I grew up, and the one I went to afterwards. There shouldn't be any monsters in the first one, just traps and security. But the second one does have monsters."

She seemed uncomfortable to share more than that for now. Maybe if he asked some specific questions she'd be more willing to open up about it?

"I'll meet you out front, I'm going to go to the roof first to see if I can remember where it should be."

"Monsters and traps? No offense, but your birthplace sounds sucky.

Hehe, but then I guess it's good that you have me around. Never a bad thing to have a kitsune along, if you're planning on infiltrating somewhere. Heck, we do it a lot of times for fun. And sometimes to nick shiny stuff."

Hey, they weren't perfect. They liked to sneak around and inspect and admire the world outside of their forests, but sometimes... Well, you needed some souvenirs, right? Folks should just be thankful that more of them didn't care about being actual spies, and went in to steal important intel. Though any government worth their salt would make sure to kitsune-proof their highest secrets. Enough stories of one going to find some important documents, only to find a blank paper, with an enchantment giving off a yipping laugh. Though they mostly did that towards the ponies of Neighpon. Wasn't smart to get too much heat their way, and most times the real stuff was hidden somewhere nearby. They wanted to mess with others, not start wars. The ones who went and collected valuable intel from other countries? Mostly not affiliated with the villages, and they were subtler about trace after they did something. Wasn't ideal, but some were drawn to the intrigue of a proper spy network. And the money too. That were pretty good for any defectors, far as he were told.

Honestly, he had no interest. Worst he'd do, were to sneak in and rearrange some things in Bling's office for fun, and even that he hadn't wanted to do yet. Well... Not enough to act on it anyway.

On 2024-11-18 at 11:18 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Once Kozue was done with whatever he had do do to be able to leave, Ranger would glide down from the roof to meet him outside the casino, assuming he left out the front doors. "Alright, I think I know where it is. Let's go."

She would lead the way out of the town, or at least beyond the wall that had been assembled, to one of the ruined buildings that had previously been on the outskirts of Las Pegasus.

He would indeed come out the front doors, around ten minutes later. He's have a backpack with some stuff in, and seemed chipper, considering they were headed towards monsters and traps. They'd probably be fine, and he wasn't gonna get overconfident here, but it were just nice having a buddy to go about a bit with. Plus, he were mighty happy with today overall too. He made a pal, got some of the fancy metal that were of the same sort as what the elders from back home had, and blinged out one of his creations. What wasn't there to like?

Well the monsters and traps part, obviously. But they'd get that done.

Speaking of the creation, the fox had been more than pleased to show off, as several sets of eyes had followed it. Even if it had flown out with Ranger, plenty still saw it, and more now outside, and it seemed to bask int he attention. Strutting around, wings flapping about slowly at various angles- It were having a great time.

"I see your companion's really enjoying itself, yeah? Heh, can't blame it. It's looking good. Can't fault it for being proud of it.

Well, show the way, and let's hit the road. They aren't expecting me back for a time now, and they'll have someone else cover whatever shows I was gonna make. Bling's great at sorting the schedule in a jiffy. Real great theater experience, I can just tell.

Hey, while we're going, have you thought about a name for this diva? I tried asking it earlier, but it didn't seem to have one, and it's not on me to pick one. That's a bonding experience, y'know?"

======================================================================

 

(Cherish)

On 2024-11-18 at 11:18 PM, Illiad Easle said:

Lyft nodded, "That is something common to Equestrians, Equestrian culture puts a lot of emphasis on what ponies have in common, what brings them together, over what makes the species unique. I'm sure you remember the Hearthswarming tale? How the races used to be very divided before Equestria? I think that Equestria puts such emphasis on what brings the races together for that reason, to prevent the division and fighting that hurt the old ponies so much."

"Ooooh. I never thought about that. Heh, it makes a lot of sense though."

Equestria really were about being together, and finding similarities over their differences, so even small things like this being included? That made sense really.

She missed Equestria... She heard some bad things here, and maybe some of them were true, but she had lived there, and it was a very nice place to just grow up, and enjoy yourself. A very laid back place filled with smiles and friends... Heck, they even had friendship magic, and a princess of friendship. Or well... They did... Poor Twilight. She seemed like such a nice pony, and the stories about her were always something that made them curious in her old school, and really swoon over the thought of meeting her personally sometime. She didn't deserve what had happened. Not that any of them did really.

On 2024-11-18 at 11:18 PM, Illiad Easle said:

That part of the lesson concluded, Lyft encouraged the students to go enjoy their lunches, "After lunch we'll do a brief lesson on exercise before you go home for the day, so don't take too long eating."

Cherish would be able to sit with whoever she wanted to talk with during lunch, or sit by herself if she preferred.

Cherish would definitely seek out companionship during lunch. She loved making friends, and she liked to think that it were going well with the ones here in school. But who to sit with, who to sit with...

She'd try getting over to Nova and his sister, and see if they were up for it first. Nova seemed to have eased up lately, so perhaps he'd be ready for proper interaction now? If not, she'd go towards Gemini, unless she were already busy with some of the others. Honestly, Cherish would prefer hanging out with someone who sat alone, as that seemed the sort who'd need a friend to come around, right? Even more than hanging out with the thestral siblings, she'd go for that. Though she were still mighty curious about them, as well as how Gemini were doing, since she got her mark proper.

Either way, she were gonna try and integrate more and more. The more friends the better. That was just science. Or math. Either way, that part of Equestria were never gonna let go of her.

==============================================================================

 

(Grey)

"Well, being a street thug isn't the most glamorous thing, but I'm not here to judge, sir.  We changelings knows that sometimes, you gotta do things you don't like to survive, and I'm not clear of that sort either. You wouldn't believe some of the things we changelings have to do, to scout for food now and again. Had to sell drugs for a half week for instance, to blend in better for instance, so... Yeah."

He'd scratch the back of his head there. Wasn't something he were proud of either, but he had to take over the role of some street dealer, as part of one infiltration, and that sadly meant having to deal with this sorta disgusting business. Thankfully it seemed to be more low rung stuff, but he did have constant paranoia, that he had to do this long enough, to where he had to make some new stuff, because he definitely had no idea how to go about that, and would probably have ended up killing someone by accident.

"I wasn't caught, but seeing your options, I can certainly understand that you picked what you did, sir. Fighting and stealing for the princess, sounds a good deal better than end up like a statue, or hung for that matter.

Though uhm, it might be that The Spy wasn't so much against you because you mugged him once, sir. Some changelings are very attuned on emotions, and if he were more judgmental, you showing some level of glee over things you've done - such as robbing others - could have robbed him the wrong way. It can depend on the hive though. Drones from Queen Verde's hive, would have given you a hoof bump and regaled their own tales. They thrive- Uhm, Thrived, on pain."

A bunch of bullies from top to bottom honestly, but the hive hadn't fared well either. At first happy to join with Discord, the entire hive had been annihilated during one of the attacks on a settlement, when they had met unforeseen resistance, in the form of anti-magical weaponry. All of them died, and not too many were unhappy about that.

A shame that Queen Carnage hadn't gone the same way. Last he heard at least, she were still skulking out there, reveling in the bloodshed that had happened over the years, even as her hive had suffered plenty of losses. Though that were a years ago, he last heard a mention. If they were lucky, she were dead by now. She was a savage and a monster, that most other queens kept a great distance away from.

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

(Null)

On 2024-11-26 at 4:26 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"It's n-nothing, just... When I think about you, and me, I sometimes imagine more than that. Sometimes it's us having foals. Other times it's... W-Well, about how they're made. It's not something I've ever done y'know, but seeing you, I think that I... I'd like to. I just didn't know how to bring it up, or if I even should."

It was awkward to say it, but she had been open about something that was far more personal than this. So if he asked, she'd get it out in the open too. It was kind of easier to talk about it, while she were holding him too, rather than look him right in the eyes.

"Ah"

He didn't pull away, but she could tell he was getting contemplative.

"We talked about this before, back when you still had that field. I guess that's not a concern anymore. But my anomaly, my dwarfism, my horn, those aren't traits that I want to have passed down. Now, I can't say I know, well, much of anything regarding how foals are made. Maybe those are things that can be easily avoided with magic? If so, I'm happy to follow your lead on this. Otherwise, those are my concerns. I don't want to risk anyone being burdened by the things I had, have, and will have, to deal with."

He yawned, the emotional discussion having drained him, but he didn't seem to want to rest just yet in case Null had other things she wanted to bring up now that they were being open about things. Maybe there was something she had wanted him to open up about too?

 

(Ranger)

On 2024-11-26 at 4:26 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"Monsters and traps? No offense, but your birthplace sounds sucky.

She simply nodded at that. "Yep. It sure was."

 

On 2024-11-26 at 4:26 PM, Blitz Boom said:

Hehe, but then I guess it's good that you have me around. Never a bad thing to have a kitsune along, if you're planning on infiltrating somewhere. Heck, we do it a lot of times for fun. And sometimes to nick shiny stuff."

"Well, in the first place we're going, anything you find should be safe, but I'm sure it's all just books and papers. In the second place though, best if everything got left alone. The things they kept there, weren't meant to get out."

 

On 2024-11-26 at 4:26 PM, Blitz Boom said:

Speaking of the creation, the fox had been more than pleased to show off, as several sets of eyes had followed it. Even if it had flown out with Ranger, plenty still saw it, and more now outside, and it seemed to bask int he attention. Strutting around, wings flapping about slowly at various angles- It were having a great time.

"I see your companion's really enjoying itself, yeah? Heh, can't blame it. It's looking good. Can't fault it for being proud of it.

Well, show the way, and let's hit the road. They aren't expecting me back for a time now, and they'll have someone else cover whatever shows I was gonna make. Bling's great at sorting the schedule in a jiffy. Real great theater experience, I can just tell.

Hey, while we're going, have you thought about a name for this diva? I tried asking it earlier, but it didn't seem to have one, and it's not on me to pick one. That's a bonding experience, y'know?"

She snorted at that, "Yeah, a bit showy, but the more attention off of me the better. Reminds me of... well... who I was supposed to be. But she wasn't orange. I wouldn't want to name it after her anyway." She shrugged, "We'll see if a name comes up during this adventure. Maybe they'll find something and want it to be their name? It can rearrange letters of notes it's eaten right? Maybe we given it a bunch of words and see what it likes best?" She turned to the fox, "Would you like that? To pick your own name out of some dusty sciencey notes?"

 

In any case they were at the building. What remained of it indicated that it had been a school of some sort before everything fell apart. A local branch of Princess Celestia's school for Gifted Unicorns.

"Well, here it is, or what's left of it."

Spoiler

(AI Generated with some edits by me)

She climbed over some of the rubble towards the back of the building where an elevator had once been. The elevator was at the ground floor, but it looked like the building had only been two stories high at most.

"Hmm, maybe from below?"

She went looking for some stairs and found a way into the basement. By the entrance to the elevator there was a desk with a different logo.

Spoiler

(Same as above. I may one day go in and remake them as vectors.)

She sneered at the logo, but moved past it to the elevator doors. "Think you can get these open? Then we have to climb down and hope the elevator doesn't come down on top of us."

 

(Cherish)

On 2024-11-26 at 4:26 PM, Blitz Boom said:

She'd try getting over to Nova and his sister, and see if they were up for it first. Nova seemed to have eased up lately, so perhaps he'd be ready for proper interaction now? If not, she'd go towards Gemini, unless she were already busy with some of the others. Honestly, Cherish would prefer hanging out with someone who sat alone, as that seemed the sort who'd need a friend to come around, right? Even more than hanging out with the thestral siblings, she'd go for that. Though she were still mighty curious about them, as well as how Gemini were doing, since she got her mark proper.

Either way, she were gonna try and integrate more and more. The more friends the better. That was just science. Or math. Either way, that part of Equestria were never gonna let go of her.

Elef was actually sitting somewhat close to Nova and Lilac, about as close as anyone had ever been allowed to up until this point. Nova seemed to trust Elef the most out of all of them. Gemini was reading, like she usually was when given a free moment, which left Teal free for Cherish to talk to. "Oh, hi Cherish! Wasn't today's lesson interesting? I always liked fruits before, and Piecey really loves them, I guess I know why now. I wonder what other cool things we'll learn!"

She noticed she was rambling a bit and blushed, "Sorry, um, how are you doing? What'd you bring for lunch today?"

 

(Grey)

On 2024-11-26 at 4:26 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"Well, being a street thug isn't the most glamorous thing, but I'm not here to judge, sir.  We changelings knows that sometimes, you gotta do things you don't like to survive, and I'm not clear of that sort either. You wouldn't believe some of the things we changelings have to do, to scout for food now and again. Had to sell drugs for a half week for instance, to blend in better for instance, so... Yeah."

Basher would raise an eyebrow at that, part offended that he didn't think what he did was cool, and part intrigued at the end. He snorted, "Bah, drugs, never touched 'em." He flexed, despite his age he was still well toned, "All natural. Well, minus all the Minostralium, but that comes out of the ground so, that's natural too, right?" It was a rhetorical question.

 

On 2024-11-26 at 4:26 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"I wasn't caught, but seeing your options, I can certainly understand that you picked what you did, sir. Fighting and stealing for the princess, sounds a good deal better than end up like a statue, or hung for that matter.

Though uhm, it might be that The Spy wasn't so much against you because you mugged him once, sir. Some changelings are very attuned on emotions, and if he were more judgmental, you showing some level of glee over things you've done - such as robbing others - could have robbed him the wrong way. It can depend on the hive though. Drones from Queen Verde's hive, would have given you a hoof bump and regaled their own tales. They thrive- Uhm, Thrived, on pain."

He smirked, "You clearly don't know The Spy. I heard from the Medic that he had a kill count to rival mine, and the way he would sneak up on those golems and the occasional minotaur we came cross? You could tell he wasn't entirely doing it for the money. He enjoyed killing."

He leaned back, "And that was just before we went rouge. After Discord scooped us up? He was right there with us, one of Discord's generals. Only broke rank when another general, I think his name was Blackwater? Put a young changeling queen in danger. Apparently she was his granddaughter or something?" He shrugged, "Point is, up until then, the Spy had no qualms with killing. None of us did. We were all mercenaries, plain and simple."

He leaned forward again, "So what's the Gray Mare got planned, hmm? Judging by the last few years, 'rehabilitation' doesn't seem to be the Grey's MO." 

[Blitz Boom 4,626]

@Illiad Easle

(Null)

"I..."

On some level, she did feel good getting it out there, and that he seemed amendable to the idea, but the caveats did cause some ups and downs in her, that felt like her heart were breaking a little bit.

"I don't ... It doesn't m-mean so much to me, if they had dwarfism too... It's been hell, but neither of us, had anyone there for us. Your researchers were no help, and I didn't have any, for most of my life.

But... I-I understand. There's things I wouldn't want others to go through too, but I don't know how...

Maybe... W-When we return to Troy, do you think we could ask a doctor? Or the Consul? I don't know anything about blocking things, a-and what's hereditary. We probably need some doctors or something, to find out.

But not here. I don't trust this town enough, for someone not finding out something, if we h-have anything done here."

She were torn here, as she didn't herself much care about the flaws anymore, but she understood where he were coming from. It wasn't like life hadn't sucked for her either, in parts due to her dwarfism. And his immortality were something she could see him not wanting, though the horn didn't bother her. It were probably his way of having to cast spells, that were gnawing at him though.

Whatever it were, they needed experts of some sorts to answer things, and she wasn't one, in any sort of way. They had to speak to doctors, or maybe if it were on the whole anti-magic thing, someone the Consul knew of, that knew about these sorts of things? They had taken paperwork from the facility at this point, right? Or had been given the data by their half-metallic doe friend. Maybe there were something there that they could use too somehow.

They could use the time home to think about it, but for now, it were a rough plan at least, and she could accept that, even if it wasn't perfect. Pesky logic tended to make things less nice and simple.

She'd slowly let go of him and pull back a bit, then used her right front leg, to dry her eyes. They were still puffy and red from the tears, but it were okay. She had needed to cry, just as he seemingly had, and now everything were out in the open, right? Their concerns, the issues... Though she did want to ask him something too, after mostly being the one to answer.

"*sniff* Y-Your horn, what is... It doesn't sound like you are happy with it. I never really saw it as a flaw, so I didn't ask, but it sounds like it's causing you more trouble than I thought.

Can you tell me more? Please?"

He had given her a rough outline once, but it just never seemed a big deal to her. Of course, her history with magic were not exactly the sort where she learned about how it worked, or how others used it, so it didn't really register as something she had to worry about at first, and then later, after she had fallen for him, it just wasn't something she bit notice in. It were just Arcade's horn, not something that made her grimace and think of as a blotch on him.

==================================================================================

 

(Ranger)

On 2024-12-04 at 12:12 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Well, in the first place we're going, anything you find should be safe, but I'm sure it's all just books and papers. In the second place though, best if everything got left alone. The things they kept there, weren't meant to get out."

"Well I wasn't planning to take souvenirs, but I'll try and keep that in mind. I ain't planning on dying just yet y'know. No one around here would know the first thing about kitsune burial rites, and there's enough in turmoil already I can imagine, with how things ended.

*sigh* I really hope the elders haven't turned into hostile spirits... It'd be really demoralizing.

Anyway, I'll keep my impulses under control, no worries. Sounds like a pretty messed up storage facility for bad stuff, and I don't wanna be the one to unleash a plague or something messed up like that."

On 2024-12-04 at 12:12 AM, Illiad Easle said:

She snorted at that, "Yeah, a bit showy, but the more attention off of me the better. Reminds me of... well... who I was supposed to be. But she wasn't orange. I wouldn't want to name it after her anyway." She shrugged, "We'll see if a name comes up during this adventure. Maybe they'll find something and want it to be their name? It can rearrange letters of notes it's eaten right? Maybe we given it a bunch of words and see what it likes best?" She turned to the fox, "Would you like that? To pick your own name out of some dusty sciencey notes?"

Who she were supposed to be? Kozue's right ear perked some after hearing that. Sounded like there were a story behind that sentiment, that were outta be pretty interesting. Which meant that it were probably a bad idea to ask, before they were more like chums. It'd cramp up things way early, and he didn't want that. He didn't exactly have a lot of options to work from, when it came to making friends, despite what you might think, rom his charming personality. Kitsune weren't exactly trusted enough to let them get close.

As for the construct, it would chitter in a joyous way, but not seem to be for or against the suggestion in any way currently. It seemed it would think about it, but liked getting the option to chose.

"Give it some time to mull it over. I'm sure the stars will align, sooner or later, and you'll end up on a name one way or another."

On 2024-12-04 at 12:12 AM, Illiad Easle said:

In any case they were at the building. What remained of it indicated that it had been a school of some sort before everything fell apart. A local branch of Princess Celestia's school for Gifted Unicorns.

"Well, here it is, or what's left of it."

Kozue were very excited as he moved forward, eyes wide agaze.

"Oooh, I heard about Celestia! We had her in some of our own stories too. Mostly from kitsune that's seen her over the generations, or picked up some tomes to read from. A lotta crazy things said about her. Usually nice, though we were advised to stay away from her. Dunno why specifically, but I guess she didn't much care for kitsune. Or she were too good to see through our disguises? Doesn't matter I suppose.

Kinda cool we're raiding one of her old schools."

Celestia might well have an issue with them. Kitsune were highly magical tricksters, who liked to stick their noses where they didn't belong. They could be useful as test subjects perhaps, but in general not the sort you wanted around you, if you were involved in certain things the public shouldn't know. Might be they wouldn't deliberately look for dirt, but who knew what one might stumble upon? He didn't know for sure, but it was somewhat irrelevant, right? This were just a school.

The paper foc meanwhile were also curious, perking its ears, and wandering around, sniffing to things. If it actually could smell were a good question, butt he motion certainly fit, though they'd both come back around when Ranger started to push in on this place. They were curious, but they weren't gonna let her go alone. Especially not the paper fox.

On 2024-12-04 at 12:12 AM, Illiad Easle said:

She sneered at the logo, but moved past it to the elevator doors. "Think you can get these open? Then we have to climb down and hope the elevator doesn't come down on top of us."

"Huh, never heard of this before. The schools sure, but... What's that? Some sort of college? Why's it underground?"

He'd move over and have a look at the door proper. Seemed a tough nut, but he could give it a bash, yeah?

He would start trying physical strength, grabbing the elevator doors, and trying to pry them aside. Considering his physical strength were akin to an average, young adult earth pony, it might not work though. Kitsune were more meant for agility and fast strikes, than raw strength, so a regular adult pony could usually take them in a head on fight, long as they could get hold of them.

But it was as the saying went: If at first you don't succeed, cheat. And if it came to that, he'd put his paws against the doors, and use magic to pry it open, and pull the doors open. General telekinesis was not just a pony thing y'know, but he'd prefer not wasting magic on this. And he definitely were not hoping to need to smash the door in with a magical blast. It'd fall down, and make a lot of noise. That were not gonna help them, if they were aiming for stealth.

If they could get it open, he wouldn't climb down though. Instead, he'd jump, landing on small pads in the air, made with telekinesis, to jump safely. They were fragile, and didn't last long, but the light step and quick movements made this a reasonable way to do this. Doubly so since he sucked at climbing rope. He were more likely to fall flat on his rear if he tried that, than get down with much grace.

The paper kitsune instead, folded itself around, into a paper airplane, and just floated itself down, flying in a small spiral around Ranger. Some just had it easy.

They both kept an eye on Ranger though, in case she needed help. Like if the elevator came crashing down, or the rope snapped.

================================================================

 

(Cherish)

Teal were a nice choice to talk too as well. Nova were still very tantalizing, because he were usually so standoffish, and it made her curious, but she could try that another day. Elef seemed to be getting closer to them, so that was a good start, and she wouldn't try and force her way in on that. Even though there were three thestrals here, and she really wanted to connect well with them all.

It wasn't her fault that they were so cool!

Anyway, back to Teal, she'd give a warm smile to her classmate, and put down her lunch box.

"Heya Teal. It's nothing special, but it's nice and healthy."

She'd open and show her sandwich, which were just rough bread and some greens that she liked, with the most prominent being cactus slices. Along with a rather standard-looking re-usable bottle of water. Nothing fancy, but it looked relatively pristine, so it were perhaps something crafted, rather than scavenged.

The presentation were not as neat as what Void had made, but Soothe were doing her best. It wasn't as if she had expected to suddenly have a daughter to take care of, but things had just clicked into place, when Cherish came to talk to her, and she just knew that she wanted to try for this filly.

"What about yours? I bet it tastes well. Miss Void seemed like a really good cook, when I was there for Gemini's party."

She didn't envy it, if Teal and the others had more fancy, bulbous, or varied lunches with them. Why would she? Soothe had made her a nice sandwich too, full of stuff that she liked. Just like she were sure that Void did, when it came to Teal and the others. What were there to envy, when they both got a lunch made just for them?

"And the lesson's been really surprising. I honestly didn't know that I could eat meat. I mean, I still don't want to, but it's fun to learn something new.

Oooh, and what sorta fruits do Piecey like? Strawberries and other sweet ones? I saw lots of strawberries there at the party, so I just kinda guess."

She might be blabbering a little bit, but she were just happy to speak to others. Sure she loved speaking with Crow, and they had great long talks too, but doing so in a classroom setting, were still something she were feeling giddy about being part of again. Was a long time when she assumed that were a part of normality, that she'd never revisit.

=====================================================================

 

(Grey)

On 2024-12-04 at 12:12 AM, Illiad Easle said:

Basher would raise an eyebrow at that, part offended that he didn't think what he did was cool, and part intrigued at the end. He snorted, "Bah, drugs, never touched 'em." He flexed, despite his age he was still well toned, "All natural. Well, minus all the Minostralium, but that comes out of the ground so, that's natural too, right?" It was a rhetorical question.

"...Huh? O-Oh, uhm, I don't know much about minostralum sir, so I'm sure it could technically count as something natural. Like vitamins."

He would admit, that he did catch himself in looking rather impressed at Basher, when the older stallion flexed. Considering his age, and everything he had been through, he were still in very good shape, and Craven could certainly admire that. Might be some magical metal involved, but he honestly had no idea how much that influenced things, so he'd assume it wasn't that much, compared to simply keeping in shape, and eating well, among other things, such as good genes. A fair bit went into it, but he were certainly not a creaking husk, that much were certain.

"And drugs are definitely not something I'd recommend. I had to sell it, to keep my cover, but seeing what it does to creatures, it's pretty messed up that there's so many willing to take it so frequently. A momentary rush really doesn't seem worth it to end up like that."

On 2024-12-04 at 12:12 AM, Illiad Easle said:

He smirked, "You clearly don't know The Spy. I heard from the Medic that he had a kill count to rival mine, and the way he would sneak up on those golems and the occasional minotaur we came cross? You could tell he wasn't entirely doing it for the money. He enjoyed killing."

He leaned back, "And that was just before we went rouge. After Discord scooped us up? He was right there with us, one of Discord's generals. Only broke rank when another general, I think his name was Blackwater? Put a young changeling queen in danger. Apparently she was his granddaughter or something?" He shrugged, "Point is, up until then, the Spy had no qualms with killing. None of us did. We were all mercenaries, plain and simple."

He leaned forward again, "So what's the Gray Mare got planned, hmm? Judging by the last few years, 'rehabilitation' doesn't seem to be the Grey's MO." 

It did make him somewhat visibly uncomfortable, to hear these things about The Spy. Sure they had heard stories and such, but then they had seen other stuff entirely, and it were just kinda... It were a bit messy, to think that Rasputin were all these things, even if he hadn't a reason to doubt the stories. If the regular ones fit, then stuff like what Basher were now saying, certainly did seem in character.

"I... I dunno what to think of him myself sir. He saved several friends of mine, when the gangs started their short-lived war, and Bling have told us that we should give him a chance, but we know some stories, and this is uhm... It's a hot topic, but he's helping us changelings right now, and I think Bling is right, when she says that we should do our best to focus on that, and let the past be what it is.

Forgiveness and all of that isn't my job to dole out, and I do think it's best to be cautious about former members like him, or yourself sir, but... I dunno. There's just been so much war and death already. I'd like to think that Bling's right, and that it's a new day, of a new time, and that we should try and work together with those we can, to make tomorrow better. A little naive I guess, but I like the sentiment.

I don't think that's what Grey Mare's thoughts are though. Best I can tell sir, she wants to get The Grey going differently than before she took over, and needs more members to replace the bad seeds. The last Grey were not exactly well liked, even if he had some degree of law running to keep things civilized, so I guess there were plenty to work with there.

Grey Mare's a lot more sneaky than he were so far, but it's not been that long yet sir. I can't say for sure how things are gonna go, or what her plans are, but so far, it seems to be okay. Though like you said, I don't believe rehabilitation will be the main goal. Not in a way that the usual health centers think of it in anyway."

[Illiad Easle 3,139]

@Blitz Boom

(Null)

On 2024-12-07 at 7:09 PM, Blitz Boom said:

Maybe... W-When we return to Troy, do you think we could ask a doctor? Or the Consul? I don't know anything about blocking things, a-and what's hereditary. We probably need some doctors or something, to find out.

But not here. I don't trust this town enough, for someone not finding out something, if we h-have anything done here."

Arcade looked hesitant, but nodded, "As much as I don't want to get prodded by doctors again... It seems like it would be good to know, rather than wonder, or avoid something due to fear. Hopefully they'll be able to give us the answers we seek."

 

On 2024-12-07 at 7:09 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"*sniff* Y-Your horn, what is... It doesn't sound like you are happy with it. I never really saw it as a flaw, so I didn't ask, but it sounds like it's causing you more trouble than I thought.

Can you tell me more? Please?"

He nodded, more comfortable talking about that than about the doctors, "Oh, yeah. I mean, I don't exactly have a way to compare it to what it would be like to have a normal horn. But from what I've heard when talking to Teal..."

He sighed, "It's... well, you probably wouldn't get that analogy, but it hurts to use magic. I'm used to it by now, it's like a burning feeling when I run magic through it. There's also the pressure, I have a lot of casting potential, but it's like there's only a small opening for it to pass through? It hurts more if I try to push harder, so that's a limit to what I can do. I can pretty much only lift and move things, or cast light. Anything else... well, the longer I have to focus on a spell the more painful it gets, until I lose the concentration and the spell either fizzles out or misfires. So I don't really try anything else."

 

(Ranger)

On 2024-12-07 at 7:09 PM, Blitz Boom said:

As for the construct, it would chitter in a joyous way, but not seem to be for or against the suggestion in any way currently. It seemed it would think about it, but liked getting the option to chose.

"Give it some time to mull it over. I'm sure the stars will align, sooner or later, and you'll end up on a name one way or another."

She smiled at that, accompanied by a mirthful snort.

 

On 2024-12-07 at 7:09 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"Oooh, I heard about Celestia! We had her in some of our own stories too. Mostly from kitsune that's seen her over the generations, or picked up some tomes to read from. A lotta crazy things said about her. Usually nice, though we were advised to stay away from her. Dunno why specifically, but I guess she didn't much care for kitsune. Or she were too good to see through our disguises? Doesn't matter I suppose.

Kinda cool we're raiding one of her old schools."

Ranger wasn't too excited, "Never met her myself, and the ponies in charge didn't seem to have the highest opinion of her, from what little I overheard."

 

On 2024-12-07 at 7:09 PM, Blitz Boom said:

He would start trying physical strength, grabbing the elevator doors, and trying to pry them aside. Considering his physical strength were akin to an average, young adult earth pony, it might not work though. Kitsune were more meant for agility and fast strikes, than raw strength, so a regular adult pony could usually take them in a head on fight, long as they could get hold of them.

But it was as the saying went: If at first you don't succeed, cheat. And if it came to that, he'd put his paws against the doors, and use magic to pry it open, and pull the doors open. General telekinesis was not just a pony thing y'know, but he'd prefer not wasting magic on this. And he definitely were not hoping to need to smash the door in with a magical blast. It'd fall down, and make a lot of noise. That were not gonna help them, if they were aiming for stealth.

The doors were a bit stiff to move, but a careful application of magic was enough to get them moving, revealing the shaft and the fact that the elevator was lifted with gears on a track instead of a typical cable system, which meant that there was nothing in the shaft to get in their way as they descended.

 

On 2024-12-07 at 7:09 PM, Blitz Boom said:

If they could get it open, he wouldn't climb down though. Instead, he'd jump, landing on small pads in the air, made with telekinesis, to jump safely. They were fragile, and didn't last long, but the light step and quick movements made this a reasonable way to do this. Doubly so since he sucked at climbing rope. He were more likely to fall flat on his rear if he tried that, than get down with much grace.

The paper kitsune instead, folded itself around, into a paper airplane, and just floated itself down, flying in a small spiral around Ranger. Some just had it easy.

They both kept an eye on Ranger though, in case she needed help. Like if the elevator came crashing down, or the rope snapped.

Ranger would use her wings to float down the shaft, wincing as she considered that she would have to fly back up the distance unless they could get the elevator working. She was surprised to see the fox turn itself into a plane rather than use its own wings or simply ride down on her back.

 

Still, it was dark in the shaft, and they reached the bottom about three floors down, "Hmm, I should have brought some light." There was the sound of tapping, "Here's the other doors. Shouldn't be any harder to get open."

And in truth they weren't. Through the doors revealed a hallway lit with magical candles, albeit dimly. Still, it was enough to see by, and recognizable enough to make Ranger shudder. "Let's try and be quick about this."

 

Ranger would start to lead the way, the hallways were dusty and oppressively quiet. There were several offices that they passed, each seemingly frozen in the midst of research, half finished diagrams and open books on desks covered in dust, but Ranger paid them no mind until she reached a crossroads and looked confused. "Hmm, this place is a bit more complicated than I remember. Do you have any magic that could help find things? Or like, find a path through things?"

 

(Cherish)

On 2024-12-07 at 7:09 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"What about yours? I bet it tastes well. Miss Void seemed like a really good cook, when I was there for Gemini's party."

Teal shrugged, "Its the same sort of thing Miss Void makes for us when we're there, just portable. It's better than what we had to eat before we got saved, that's for sure."

She didn't seem all that concerned about food, rather, she didn't really think about it other than it being edible.

 

On 2024-12-07 at 7:09 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"And the lesson's been really surprising. I honestly didn't know that I could eat meat. I mean, I still don't want to, but it's fun to learn something new.

Oooh, and what sorta fruits do Piecey like? Strawberries and other sweet ones? I saw lots of strawberries there at the party, so I just kinda guess."

She smiled at that, "Yeah! Miss Vale brought us some fish one time to try, I wasn't much keen towards it, but Ardee, Elef, and Tu- Gemini seemed to like it. Oh, yeah, she really likes strawberries, she and Peal both, also mangos and... I think it was called kee-wee? I thought that one was strange since it was fuzzy on the outside."

She looked more thoughtful, "I wonder what she's going to teach us next? She said exercise, Ardee and AyJay never seemed to like that before, but maybe it'll be fun? Do you know about exercise already?"

 

(Grey)

On 2024-12-07 at 7:09 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"...Huh? O-Oh, uhm, I don't know much about minostralum sir, so I'm sure it could technically count as something natural. Like vitamins."

He would admit, that he did catch himself in looking rather impressed at Basher, when the older stallion flexed. Considering his age, and everything he had been through, he were still in very good shape, and Craven could certainly admire that. Might be some magical metal involved, but he honestly had no idea how much that influenced things, so he'd assume it wasn't that much, compared to simply keeping in shape, and eating well, among other things, such as good genes. A fair bit went into it, but he were certainly not a creaking husk, that much were certain.

Basher smirked at that, "Yeah, she kept it pretty secret once she had most of it. Given how powerful it made us, I don't blame her for not wanting it to get around."

On 2024-12-07 at 7:09 PM, Blitz Boom said:

"I... I dunno what to think of him myself sir. He saved several friends of mine, when the gangs started their short-lived war, and Bling have told us that we should give him a chance, but we know some stories, and this is uhm... It's a hot topic, but he's helping us changelings right now, and I think Bling is right, when she says that we should do our best to focus on that, and let the past be what it is.

Forgiveness and all of that isn't my job to dole out, and I do think it's best to be cautious about former members like him, or yourself sir, but... I dunno. There's just been so much war and death already. I'd like to think that Bling's right, and that it's a new day, of a new time, and that we should try and work together with those we can, to make tomorrow better. A little naive I guess, but I like the sentiment.

His expression grew a bit more serious, "Well, he doesn't exactly have a history of loyalty, not that I do either, but he betrayed both Celestia and Discord."

He shrugged, "Maybe he's more loyal to his kind than the ones in power? Who knows?"

The changelings who knew the story of Queen Geletine's descent into madness knew it had started with a betrayal, one that lined up with the story of Rasputin. So he may well even have a history of betraying Changeling Queens too.

 

On 2024-12-07 at 7:09 PM, Blitz Boom said:

I don't think that's what Grey Mare's thoughts are though. Best I can tell sir, she wants to get The Grey going differently than before she took over, and needs more members to replace the bad seeds. The last Grey were not exactly well liked, even if he had some degree of law running to keep things civilized, so I guess there were plenty to work with there.

Grey Mare's a lot more sneaky than he were so far, but it's not been that long yet sir. I can't say for sure how things are gonna go, or what her plans are, but so far, it seems to be okay. Though like you said, I don't believe rehabilitation will be the main goal. Not in a way that the usual health centers think of it in anyway."

He looked thoughtful at that, "Hmm, that's not the answer I was expecting. Maybe there's hope for this operation after all. I'm not convinced enough to call in my ponies, but I'm less opposed to it now. We'll see though, see how this plays out. If I know Moth, and I'd like to think I do, something'll go down in the near future."

 

He settled back into his seat, but he wasn;t facing away from the door. He seemed open to keep talking but content to not if the changeling outside wasn't inclined to any further questions.