private Deep Science 1x1 with Blitz Boom

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

On 4/22/2019 at 5:52 AM, Illiad Easle said:

At least in the crater, the wind wasn't blowing on them, though sand was still being blown onto them. The ground was mostly clay, with a dusting of sand on top of it, but it was dry and cracked.

Urgh, sand and the unforgiving warm winds of the desert wind, blowing more of the lifeless dust down on them. Twenty years passing and nothing changed...

Where they grew up in Troy, it were in a desert community too. Sometimes felt like there were nothing but sand in the world, with them hearing stories of oasis's and more flourishing grounds elsewhere, but never seeing any of that sort until they left the country, as they had been pretty much isolated in their town. Their parents had not wished to take them around out of fear of how things would have worked out, considering how little the locals seemed to care for them to begin with. That's what they said at least, and Null had seen no real reason to distrust that.

Actually getting into a forest the first time would have been a pretty wondrous thing for them, were it not for their injuries, the fact that they were fleeing for their lives, and how they both had just experienced the crushing reality of their parents sacrificing themselves to give their foals a chance to escape. it took a long time after that before any sort of wonder would enter their lives, and mostly, it were only Void that ever felt that. Null had more practical things to focus on, such as getting them food, and trying to make Void a functional leg. She didn't have time for frivolous, childlike wonder from there on out.

On 4/22/2019 at 5:52 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The corpse they now shared a crater with, hadn't been dead too long, only about a year, so it wasn't wholly decomposed, plus the sand had dried it out to the point that it was mostly skin and bones.

Still feeling a bit on the wrong side, Null had wandered over and poked to whom she had thought were her sister, but after her mind had gotten a bit more stable in it, it turned out to be a dried up husk of a corpse. Really said something about her life when seeing a dead body got the same reaction from her as beings who looked at a random patch of grass.

Didn't look like a fresh one, nor a very old one either, but the sand could make it hard to determine anything. This one could have been sealed up hundreds of years ago, or gotten lost and died within the last week or so. Without a sign of some kind, it could be anything, and since there didn't seem to be anything useful on the corpse by the first glance, she moved on and went over to Void, who were slowly starting to get her bearings as well.

"Come on sis, we gotta hurry before they find us."

Void looked up, nervously and with eyes darting all over the place to find some sort of hidden enemy just waiting to jump them.

"W-What happened? I remember the g-ground shaking."

"They were distracted and you ran. We gotta keep moving though, or that... Thing and his henchmen will just get hold of us again."

"P-Pen said that T-Troy could always t-track us..."

"Then they would've come for us years ago. Come on."

Null were still not feeling all that well on her hooves, and after seeing the issues Null had getting up the dunes - along with some teethmarks on her neck that made Void wince - her sister took hold of her and placed her back up on the mare's back, who then made it up to the edge, and poked out to see if there were anything out of the ordinary out there, or a desert animal just waiting to pounce.

There seemed to be a whole lot of corpses, but she didn't focus on them as much and just looked for signs of life. Null however, did bite notice in the corpses, as well as the run down station some way from them. The station were likely the first place the guards would look, so that were a bad place to go. The corpses perhaps, they could scavenge something from. So she directed Void to get closer, and when they were close enough to one of the ponies - they had no idea what the other beings were, which frankly surprised them as they had seen many things throughout the world - they both ended up making a grimace as if they had bit into a sour apple, at the sight of Equestrian guards among the multitude of bodies.

"Something bad's happened here. Strange Celestia didn't talk about that when we were there. You'd think she had some choice words about dead soldiers in Troy. Hay, or on invading the place to start with."

"I uhm... T-Think this was a-after we got caught."

"All within a week? The deserts of Troy are as effective as we were always told then. Bah, who cares. Grab a sword and a spear from whoever, would you?"

This might have been the right time to mention the actual time frame to Null, but Void just kept quiet, nodded, and went over to salvage a spear and a bladed weapon of some kind for Null that weren't in too bad of a shape. Might be kinda distasteful to rob the dead like this, but dangit, they needed weapons here. You never knew when one of the guards might close in on them, or somepony - or something - would sneak up on them ready to do unspeakable things.

On 4/22/2019 at 5:52 AM, Illiad Easle said:

A single pony dressed in a desert wanderer's garb seemed to have taken notice of them, a thick brown cloak to keep off the sand. It was a unicorn, as brown as the sand, and he spoke with a gruff voice "You lost?" 

With the wind having slowed down and potentially weapons on the back of Void, laying beneath Null (they'd take the first things that weren't basically falling apart on touch) they'd soon get approached by a desert wanderer of some kind. A Trojan, which made Null suspicious and frankly wanting to tell him to bugger off. Yet even she weren't that dumb considering where they were with no supplies, and with the consul away from her sight, her head were clearer, allowing for some rational thoughts.

"Yes. Freak portal accident dropped us here. Where are we?"

This was a unicorn, so perhaps he'd soon enough figure out that they were lying about being able to work with a portal, but it was the best she had right on the spot, and if he got too noisy... Well, hopefully he'd stay down after the first time she'd go in for a knockout, and not force her hoof further than that. For now though, she were gonna use him to get Void and her the fudge outta this cesspool of death and betrayal that were Troy.

[Illiad Easle 2,973]

@Blitz Boom

The wanderer only raised an eyebrow at her explanation, then nodded. "Explains how you got past the dead zone, no one's crossed from Equestria as unscathed as you two since..." the stallion grimaced, "But there's no need to talk about such terrible times now." The stallion scanned the horizon before he gestured for them to follow him, "It is good that you set to arm yourselves, it will help. They are most active during the day." He retrieved a small pouch of water from his cloak and passed it to them, it was warm, but better than nothing, and it at least tasted clean.

They were able to choose what they scavanged from half halberds, short swords, and spears, there were a few Trojan guards with a strange sort of crossbow type weapon, it looked like a much smaller version of the veritable cannon that the griffon had been carrying.

He lead them in a direction following the tracks as they went further from the facility. A sign by the tracks indicated, in faded text, that they led to Deltrot.

(Deltrot was one of the major cities, home of the rebellion that made Troy it's own nation outside of Equestria, and not too far from Appaloosa.)

As they walked it seemed their new guide was interested in conversation. "So," he looked over at Null, "How long have you two been wandering? Not many survive long without a group, especially not up against the Tar-Spawn."

In the wind there was the sound of groaning coming from behind them, the moans of the condemned, their guide shivered. "Already they wake, we should be able to reach my group before they do."

Edited April 23, 2019 by Illiad Easle
Forgot a quotation mark

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

17 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"Explains how you got past the dead zone, no one's crossed from Equestria as unscathed as you two since..." the stallion grimaced, "But there's no need to talk about such terrible times now."

Both of them wanted to know what it were this pony held back, but they both had their reasons for not asking right now.

Void didn't ask because she didn't want to stir her big sister right now, and because quite frankly, she were as afraid of the answer as she were to remain in uncertainty. Equestria had been the only really friendly place they had known since leaving Troy all those years ago, and to think that something horrendous might have befallen them were making her stomach feel as bad as her head.

As for Null, the mare bit her lips hard enough to almost draw blood, and kept focus on rearranging the weapons they had taken. A spear for Void, as it were the closest thing to the naginata she usually used in sight, and for herself, Null had taken a sword, along with one of those weird, crossbow sorta weapon. She'd have to figure out how it worked, but it looked to have range, and she were mainly a ranged attacker. If she could sort it, this would likely be useful.

Sure, she still had her blowdart set, but something told her that it might not be enough with what they were going to face to get away from here, and back to Equestria, though it sounded like travelling between the countries were going to be tough for some reason.

18 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"It is good that you set to arm yourselves, it will help. They are most active during the day." He retrieved a small pouch of water from his cloak and passed it to them, it was warm, but better than nothing, and it at least tasted clean.

Null made sure that Void drank first, the mare just taking a muzzlefull and then passing it to her big sister, who did the same. It wouldn't be much, but in the desert, you had to conserve liquid.

Void thanked for them both as she passed it back to the wandered. Her voice were shaky and stuttering as always, though carried some curiosity too because of something the pony had said.

"T-Thank you but... W-What are active? These t-things?"

She pointed towards one of the corpses she didn't know what were. This one seemed dead, but if there were more of them out there, just waiting for the right time to pounce, it wouldn't just be the guards who would cause them problems.

Regardless of the answer, she'd follow him as he moved in towards a sign near the rails pointing towards a place called Deltrot. They didn't know where that might be, but what difference did it make right now? Having a direction were a place to start, and if there were one sign, perhaps there'd be more, with one potentially leading in a familiar direction. Long as they could get out of this country, they could steadily make their way back to Equestria with ease.

18 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"So," he looked over at Null, "How long have you two been wandering? Not many survive long without a group, especially not up against the Tar-Spawn."

"We just got here, and I have no idea what a Tar-Spawn is. We're from Harrowmark, so we don't know anything happening in whatever country this is, or Equestria."

Ahe had to think fast on a country of origins for them, and the first one that popped into her head were Harrowmark. It was a small, reclusive country of primarily farmers and witches, far away from here. At best they would know the name here and there in this country, but a Trojan shouldn't be able to tell they weren't really from there. Perhaps playing on this would get them some answers.

Though it sounded like they were going to have to be faced with some of them soon, as a strange moaning and groaning sound seemed to come from nearby. It sounded like zombies and/or spirits, and frankly they were in no mood to deal with that right now. Right pain in the flank to put it mildly.

18 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"Already they wake, we should be able to reach my group before they do."

"Is that the tar things you were on about? Sounds like risen creatures."

[Illiad Easle 2,973]

@Blitz Boom (A nice convenience that most of their questions are related to the same thing.)

In regards to their question about the Tar-Spawn, their guide nodded as he started to move faster. "I can't rightly say I know where Harrowmark is, but it must be far from here if you two don't know these things. They're the twisted forms of those who have suffered in Tartarus for so long they've lost all sense of who they once were. They're the only ones who would follow a creature like Discord willingly. For just over a year now they've ravaged the continent."

The moaning drew closer, they were fast whatever they were, their guide started to gallop as tall walls became visible in the distance. "Move! If we hurry we can make the city before they get to us!"

Behind them the creatures were cresting the dunes, it seemed about a half dozen of them were in pursuit, black shadowy creatures with solid black eyes, their coats faded remnants of their formerly vibrant colors.

As the city grew closer more details could be made out, particularly that it had been seriously attacked, the towering walls had collapsed in a number of places, allowing a view of the ruined buildings and makeshift fortifications within, as well as a number of creatures moving about within. The tattered remnants of a banner hung from one of the standing towers, depicting a winged sword crossing in front of the moon. It may not mean much to them, but it was clearly not the banner of Troy.

(Assuming they don't slow down)

The creatures were nearly upon them, and they were nearly at a fortified entrance to the city, when one of the locals wielding a weapon like the strange one Null had picked up, used it to launch a sickly purple projectile against the leading monster behind them, dropping it to the ground with a solid thud. The other creatures broke focus long enough for a set of shots by the other guards to dispatch them, and thus Null, Void, and their guide were able to safely enter the walls.

The interior of the city was as damaged as the walls. While many of the structures stood upright, just as many had collapsed. A certain very tall structure had fallen across the central oasis, serving as a sort of bridge and shade over the diminished supply the oasis held.

All around them were creatures of all types: ponies, of the three kinds plus even a few crystal, deer and reindeer, buffalo, diamond dogs, camels, zebra, thestrals, minotaurs, and griffons, even two or three changelings going about. None seemed to pay Null and Void any particular mind though, they seemed too preocupied to tending to a number of young and sick or wounded that the undamaged buildings held.

(They are free to have some sort of reaction to this,)

A tired looking pegasus came up to them, she seemed to be a leader among them as others made way for her to pass. She bowed in greeting to them, "Welcome, I am Delicate Hooves, who might you two be?" She looked positive.

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

17 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"I can't rightly say I know where Harrowmark is, but it must be far from here if you two don't know these things. They're the twisted forms of those who have suffered in Tartarus for so long they've lost all sense of who they once were. They're the only ones who would follow a creature like Discord willingly. For just over a year now they've ravaged the continent."

Now this one really made Null question things. Creatures from Tartarus of all places being out and for some reason setting on Troy were one thing, but they were following Discord? Last she knew, he were on the side of the ponies and were more of a goofball than an actual force of evil. What the hay happened when they were away? Did... Did some more time go than she had expected, and he went in to deal with the cursed items Void and her had brought around? There were a few pretty strong dark influences there that could have twisted many minds, but Discord... They needed more information about this, both from here and Equestria. Perhaps they could earn some brownie points back from saving Equestria's strangest asset from himself. Was going to mean a lot when it came to the treason charges for bringing all the horrible items in and then just leaving them. Even if that were out of their control, she wouldn't think that many saw it like that, nor would be forgiving of the plight they had been through. Not if they had lost anypony to the items.

She were about to ask this drifter more about it, when apparently, the things they had just asked about started to rise up behind them. She cast a glance as currently, she were on Void's back, so it weren't up to her to run, but just hang on as her little sister sped up to keep up with the guard.

The things she saw were reminiscent of certain husks she had seen before. Devoid of what once made them individuals, and cursed to roam as mindless adversaries of the living, though these seemed to also be losing their form and colors to varied degrees. Made her wonder what Tartarus had done to these former ponies, yet whatever it were, they were clearly trouble. And they were catching up.

17 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

The creatures were nearly upon them, and they were nearly at a fortified entrance to the city, when one of the locals wielding a weapon like the strange one Null had picked up, used it to launch a sickly purple projectile against the leading monster behind them, dropping it to the ground with a solid thud.

It were starting to look like they wouldn't make it to the gate before these things would be upon them, so Null made ready to draw the sword and make a stand, when suddenly a burst of purple came from behind her and smashed into the creatures. She turned to gaze at the ruined fortification of a town with an unfamiliar banner hanging above it, and gazed at a creature that seemed to have been the shooter, standing with one of the things she had scavenged before. So these things threw out purple magic then or something? Better not be, or this was about as useless as a paperweight.

17 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

The interior of the city was as damaged as the walls. While many of the structures stood upright, just as many had collapsed. A certain very tall structure had fallen across the central oasis, serving as a sort of bridge and shade over the diminished supply the oasis held.

All around them were creatures of all types: ponies, of the three kinds plus even a few crystal, deer and reindeer, buffalo, diamond dogs, camels, zebra, thestrals, minotaurs, and griffons, even two or three changelings going about. None seemed to pay Null and Void any particular mind though, they seemed too preocupied to tending to a number of young and sick or wounded that the undamaged buildings held.

Void gasped for air as they finally heard the doors close behind them. Troy had become a lot more dangerous out here in the desert since they were last here it seemed like, and who knew what'd happen if something from Tartarus got hold of them? Likely something incredibly disturbing, yet somehow not the worst thing any of them had seen. They had gotten a little jaded towards horrendous sights over the years, though Void still often felt fear over the worst all the same.

It seemed this place had gotten the blunt of a lot of attacks by these sorts of things, judging by the state of it. How it were still keeping up were anypony's guess, but something told her that this place weren't going to last the month out, if not far less. Something which would surely spell doom to a good portion of the sick and injured that the varied creatures here seemed to try and nurse back to health. Especially the young ones, whom got Void to think of Null and herself at varied times back in the days, often with enemies near as well. Nopony should have to face that sort of thing at a young age, and yet these poor things seemed to be stuck straight in the middle of it...

She weren't blind to the weirdness of the scene though. Minotaurs helping others were rare in their experiences and from the stories they had heard and read, and thestrals? What would their kind do in a desert where the sun were often relentlessly burning it's light down on them? Not to speak of several of the others that just seemed out of place so far from their home. What exactly had happened in the last three years that had caused this sort of cooperation?

Seeing the changelings made Void twitch a little, but they couldn't risk being thrown out of here right now, so hopefully they'd just... Stay away from them, and she could try and ignore the manipulative insectoid creatures.

The crystal ponies were probably the weirdest sight for both Null and her though, as they had never been near the Crystal Empire, and frankly, they both had to look there a few extra times to make sure they got it right that there were literally semi-crystalline ponies there. Best bet any of them had at the moment, were that these were some weird sorts of elementals, though that felt kind of like a stretch. Just another mystery for the pile of weirdness that were stacking up higher and higher.

18 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

A tired looking pegasus came up to them, she seemed to be a leader among them as others made way for her to pass. She bowed in greeting to them, "Welcome, I am Delicate Hooves, who might you two be?" She looked positive.

Void gave an awkward bow back, whilst Null just nodded from her slung over position on her little sister's back.

"Uhm... H-Hi. I'm... Void, and t-this is Null."

Perhaps she should have used some fake names here, but come on, it had been twenty years, and the two hadn't really become any less recognizable since then. If anypony here knew how they looked like back then, a fake name wouldn't keep them safe, and if they had no idea who they were, saying their real names would mean nothing. R-Right?

"Portal accident from Harrowmark dropped us nearby. What's going on here?"

[Illiad Easle 2,973]

@Blitz Boom

The pegasus named Hooves looked confused at their answer, "Harrowmark?" She shrugged, "That puts you a very long distance from here. Nonetheless it's a pleasure to meet you, we'll need all the able bodies we can get if we're going to make it through this."

She gestured for them to follow her as she turned away, walking towards the center oasis of the formerly large city. "As to what's going on, its the same as anywhere else on this continent, survival." Those they passed glanced their way, they all seemed tired, worried. "But I'm sure you two are well acquainted with that aren't you? I heard Harrowmark got hit pretty hard after Discord couldn't break the Blackwater shield." She gave them a momentary stare as she opened the door to a large tent next to the diminished oasis, and held it open for them to enter, before she took a seat on the far side of a table that bore a map of Equis, only it didn't look quite like it did the last time they had gotten a look at it, a large area that covered much of the open area between Troy and Equestria had been circled and labeled Dead Zone, with another circle around a marker labeled the Gates of Tartarus, which was well within the dead zone.

Delicate gestured for them to take seats on their side of the table, "Now, it's clear to me that you two aren't from Harrowmark, and I can respect a certain desire to be cautious, but if this community is going to be strong, we need to be open. I'll answer any question you two have, but I ask that you answer mine in return. Is that fair?"

She looked at the two expectantly, she seemed relaxed, and unarmed.

"If you don't mind me asking then, where are you really from? and how did you really get here?"

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

On 4/26/2019 at 4:06 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"As to what's going on, its the same as anywhere else on this continent, survival." Those they passed glanced their way, they all seemed tired, worried. "But I'm sure you two are well acquainted with that aren't you? I heard Harrowmark got hit pretty hard after Discord couldn't break the Blackwater shield."

"Peh. Discord is a demigod playing with his magic. Harrowmark is infested with the essence of gods and death. Only thing he did were adding bodies against him, and serve souls for Suusha to feast on."

Harrowmark were a dark place, where magic ran thickly through the soil. Black magic primarily, which showed in the land's tendency to bring back the fallen as anything from shamblers to spirits, to feeding the creation of countless wicker creatures, and that were just naturally. The wilderness witches had no issue using the resource of death to their advantage, and any attack on Harrowmark were going to provide plentiful.

Then there were the gods. Whilst the Goddess of Final Rest - that were historically responsible for providing her worshipers a valuable, peaceful afterlife - had not been shown for a long time when the siblings were there, Suusha, God of the Everlasting, surely were. From what little they knew, it seemed as if a particularly nasty follower of the formerly weaker god had done something that were speculating to have siphoned power from the good god, and given it to the cruel one, yet he had not manifested fully at the time they were there at least. Perhaps if Discord meddled around enough, he'd cause that one to get free of whatever bound him to not get fully through, and then it would be him who'd have issues. No matter how powerful Discord were, a clown were nothing against a real god.

The notion that he had attacked the country though, were rather alarming. What exactly had happened in the time they had been away, for Discord to launch an attack on Harrowmark? As much of a fool as he seemed, he should know better than to test his meddle against the cursed lands.

Following the one who seemed to be in charge, they were lead to an isolated area and shown a map that appeared to have a big zone marked off as being bad news between here and Equestria. Wherever these tar things lurked in the most more than likely, along with whatever else could be found out in the dunes.

On 4/26/2019 at 4:06 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Now, it's clear to me that you two aren't from Harrowmark, and I can respect a certain desire to be cautious, but if this community is going to be strong, we need to be open. I'll answer any question you two have, but I ask that you answer mine in return. Is that fair?"

She looked at the two expectantly, she seemed relaxed, and unarmed.

"If you don't mind me asking then, where are you really from? and how did you really get here?"

The somewhat calm demeanor that Null had tried faking started to go away at about this point, when the mare began playing smart. It seemed she knew more about the faraway country than one would think, which presented the dilemma of whatever to threaten her into silence, or comply in any sort of way to the noisy one. Killing her were sadly not an option, as she'd be too missed, and the two likely didn't have much of a shot out in the dunes right now, before they knew of a safe route to take to get away from Troy once more.

"The only place that's worse than Harrowmark."

Null would try to cautiously comply, and then react accordingly if this mare tried anything funny, so she said her piece and pointed towards Troy on the map.

"We were kidnapped and forced back to this country, and we're leaving the second I find a safe route back to Equestria. We've already been away for possibly weeks, and whatever's going on here now, is not our problem."

"Y-Years..."

Null looked down on her sister, who squirmed under the confused and irritated look from her sister, as she took forth the only thing she still had on her from the facility: A few pieces of crumbled up paper, that had somehow not fallen out of her bandanna when the gem did earlier. Among them, were the report that detailed their kidnapping, which also had a date and some details on it that made it clear that the span were not a week or two, but rather around three years.

"I d-don't know how we d-didn't see any time p-pass, but... W-We just got away f-from there, and we j-just want to go b-back home. To E-Equestria..."

It should be easy to see on Void that she were expecting to be told some sort of bad news that would conclude in how they couldn't return, as so far, what she had heard made it sound as if something horrible had happened in the time they had been away from life. Whereas Null looked.. Stunned, were likely the best word for it, though her little sister were also aware that this were just a silence before the storm, and that eventually Null were going to come back to her senses. Things would likely get very loud from there on out...

[Illiad Easle 2,973]

@Blitz Boom

Delicate looked stunned by Void's response, taking a step back from the table before stepping forward to more closely examine the crumpled papers that Void had produced. She nodded with a saddened and concerned expression as she put the paper down and looked at the others. "Three years..." she glanced up at them, "I realize that most of what I'm about to say will mean nothing to you, but first of all I feel a great sorrow for you both."

She sat down with one of the papers in hoof. "The elections were just after you two were abducted, Consul Hoof had justified the program under his plan to find any weapon against Equestria. When my husband took office he had the whole thing shut down because of such violations as yours." She shook her head. Eyeing the paper that Pen had written about them, "The Grey as well has been almost entirely disbanded since Cosul Easle took office after my husband resigned, they at least shouldn't bother you two anymore."

She set the paper down and looked at them with a serious expression. "Now, you two have missed out on quite a bit while you were in, " she looked back at the paper, "cryo storage." She looked back up at them, and sighed. "Not long after my husband became Consul, there was a war on the Cervidian continent." She pointed it out as the one across Eternity's Sea, to the southeast of Equestria. "Both Troy and Equestria fought opposing sides of the civil war, and in the process a number of territories switched sides, namely Appaloosa, Dodge Jct., Las Pegasus, and the Blackwater Protectorate." She pointed out each of the cities in turn. "My husband resigned at the end of the war, so Vice Consul Easle took his place as Cosul, and we had peace and open borders for almost a full year. Then we entered the conflict we're in now. Discord opened the gates of Tartarus, and proceeded to lay waste to any semblance of harmony and peace he could with its spawn. We all fought valiantly, those that didn't join him that is, But Equestria fell, then the Empire, then the Kingdoms, then Troy." She sighed, "While what remains still bears its name, it is far removed from what it was, better in my opinion. The former city of Troy is now one of four remaining beacons of civilization left after Discord was defeated. The dead zone a scar of that final battle, and the spawn remain as none have been able to close the gates. We've been trying to rebuild for about a year now... the calamity has been a big help towards cooperation. "

She sighed again, "Now, I know this is quite a bit to accept, and I know this likely means nothing to you, but I swear by the ever constant stars above that it's the truth. I won't tell the others what you've told me, they don't need to know."

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

The reassurances meant very little to the sisters right now, as they had just been told that everything they had been through to find one, single good place in this unpleasant world, had been for nothing, as the entire thing had apparently been decimated, along with who knew how many lives. And for what? So that Discord could betray everypony again and try to take over the world?

"No... Y-You're lying!"

Null's eyes burned as she finally spoke up. Her voice quivered with barely concealed fear, masking poorly under what little rage she had to muster in comparison.

Usually she could just brush this off as lies right away, but there were things she had seen and heard throughout their little *adventure* in the facility that just fell into place if this were true. What Pen had said about Equestria, the poor state the place they had woken up in were, although apparently they had been considered valuable enough to kidnap from Equestria seemingly not too long ago, the shades from Tartarus that honestly, she couldn't refute might be exactly that, as they weren't like something they actually had seen out there in the world, and the two of them had been far and wide. They knew many variants of reanimation and curses that could do all sorts to a pony.

Yet, she couldn't just accept this, since it meant that they truly were left with nothing yet again. Actually less than nothing, as at least before, they had a world to escape into to get away from Troy. Now it sounded like there were little to nothing left, and even if there were... Where would they go? There had been less then a half dozen places countries int he entire world they hadn't been through yet, and none of them had been very welcoming to them. Equestria were the only place that had actually welcomed them, and if that were gone... She just couldn't accept that, or she'd crumble up and lie crying on the ground like Void currently were. Somepony who had also seen and heard things that would collaborate the story, but sadly, she weren't able to place a delusion in her own mind about this story not being true, like Null were. She could actually believe it, and she were heartbroken on a level she hadn't felt since the last time she saw her parents.

"Equestria can't be gone, you hear me?! It's the only good place left in this rotten world, and if that's not there... Y-You might as well just kill me."

A tear fought its way to her right eye, and she wobbled over to embrace Void's neck, trying to comfort her as best she could, yet needing every ounce of that same false reassurance that she were given her sister. Though as always, there were none there to tell her that everything would be alright. No comforting voice whispering her lies to try and make things better, nor a loving embrace to bring her some semblance of comfort and security. Troy had stolen that from her when they took their parents, and left her as a broken mess that had to take over the role of both mother and father, to try and give her sister some semblance of a life. And in times like this, the knowledge of that lack of any supporting beings herself, were almost crushing her.

When they had come to Equestria, and met Princess Celestia, there had finally been somepony who were acting much like their parents once had. Welcoming, telling them that things would be okay, and consequences be damned, even came over to embrace the broken spawn of Troy. It had been too late to really save Null, but it had felt okay. For the first time since they had left Troy, there were some weak hope that perhaps somepony actually might care about them for once, and if Equestria were now gone, and they were stuck in Troy, the last semblance of hope that Null had been able to cling on to would finally wither and die. This mare would have been kinder if she just executed the, rather than tell them this.

[Illiad Easle 2,973]

@Blitz Boom

Delicate simply looked at them with a sad expression, and gave Null a moment to grieve before she continued. "I hardly expected you to believe me, but that is simply the way it is. We're trying to put everything back together here, taking the best of all nations and building a better world of it. A New Equis that stands taller than any of the nations of the old world."

She gestured towards the door, "Out there standsstands a collection of nearly every nation, all united contrary to the loyalties of their former nations in an effort to build a better world, one of cooperation and hope."

She sighed, seemingly realizing that her talk was likely wasted on them. "You two are free to remain with us as long as you like, or to leave when you wish, so long as you don't cause trouble. The leader at the former city of Troy is one of the foremost proponents of the New Equis plan, he's agreed to send transportsto move those who can't make the trek across the desert. Once they're all out of here the rest of us won't be too far behind them."

She moved to leave the tent, "You have about a week then to decide if you'll be coming with us or not."

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

On 4/29/2019 at 10:24 PM, Illiad Easle said:

She moved to leave the tent, "You have about a week then to decide if you'll be coming with us or not."

There wouldn't have been any sort of response from neither Null, nor Void as the mare had talked on again, as the crushing reality of everything were gripping them tight in its iron hoof. Yet as Delicate were about to move out of the tent, Null would let go of Void, and with a forced growl lounge towards the tent entrance. Not to get to Delicate, but to grasp towards the weapons they had dropped down next to them when they got the bad news, who just so happened to be in the direction of said exit.

Grasping the sword by the handle with her right hoof, Null would stand still with it raised in front of her. Tears were starting to form in the corners of her closed eyes, and her teeth were gnashed together hard to stop herself from letting out sounds of what she considered weakness. Grasping the sword hilt quickly with her other hoof, she'd twirl it and turn the blade on herself, and with her face turned towards the ground, she'd plunge the tip towards her chest.

The tip would break through her skin and be about a half second away from plunging through, but for some reason, she suddenly stopped herself, and just stood there, with a trickle of blood from the small puncture wound running down the blade. As the feeling of the crimson liquid hit her hooves, she'd let loose of the blade, and it fell to the floor.

"...I hate you..."

There were no indication who she were speaking to, if anypony really, before she turned and wandered back over to Void, where she'd sit next to the mare. Her voice had been flat and about as expressionless as her now relaxed, yet motionless face as she spoke, and her eyes remained closed. Whatever had gone on in her head as she tried to finish herself off, it kind of seemed like something had snapped, and she'd just sit over there, with a little blood trickling from her chest in a small quantity, until Void would eventually get a hold of herself. It would likely be at least ten to fifteen minutes before that.

(in case Delicate had left the room and saw nothing/left without seeing anything)

The two siblings would eventually leave the tent. with Void in front and Null following on her own hooves slowly. The larger of them would look around nervously, and appearing to be at the verge of tears again, whilst her smaller, elder sister, would just follow with her eyes directed towards the ground most of the time, and not saying a word. They'd both have their respective weapons with them, though Void - after seeing Null's wound - had decided to carry the sword too, and would have patched Null up, if the bleeding hadn't already staunched. It'd be hard to miss the clothing over the wound itself though, regardless of how much Void had done hers to use a little spit and hoof work to wipe off whatever she'd seen.

[Illiad Easle 2,973]

@Blitz Boom

Delicate had left soon after her parting words, and as such did not see nor hear Null's reaction.

The guard next to the tent however did notice the makeshift bandage as they walked out, he was another pegasus, dressed in parts of an Equestrian armor set under a desert cloak, he had the insignia of the Las Pegasus guard. "Hey," he looked concerned for the fellow pegasus, "you night want to get that looked at." He pointed first to the bandaged wound, then to the medical areas. "Also, Mrs. Delicate told me to tell you where you could get food, given it looks like you two haven't eaten properly in a while." He pointed out a doorway in a mound of clay, "That leads down into the old caverns, most of us sleep down there as its cooler, and the food's down there."

The guard returned to his post, they were free to do as they wished. The creatures that were milling about didn't seem to pay them much mind.

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

"T-Thanks..."

The sight of the Equestrian armor were a hard one to swallow for Void. A familiar, welcome presence, overshadowed by the sickening feeling of loss that came from knowing that Equestria were gone.

She wanted desperately to think it wasn't the case, but there were just too many things working against that hope. The scattered bodies, the uniforms, what had been found and heard in the facility... There wasn't much doubt anymore when confronted with that, and the state of this place, as well as the armor being used were a good indicator too. Troy personel back in their day would not be caught dead in anything that were connected to Celestia.

So sadly, once the worst of her distraught reaction to the news had settled down, she had to swallow that hard pill and try to figure out what to do in a world deprived of Celestia's warmth. And then there were Null...

Void had never seen her sister like this before. Whenever something happened, she had always been the overly emotional one, who were usually guided by whatever emotion drove the situation. At first it were mixed and had a good deal of compassion behind it, but as time had passed and more hardships than good had come their way, Null had grown jaded to the positive, and hatred had increasingly been the fuel in her heart.

But now, there were nothing. She had just sat there, near a bloodied sword, and stared into the air with emotionless eyes and not a word for herself when Void asked why she were bleeding. It were like she were dead inside, and Void had no idea what to do to help her.

The only thing she did know, is why the sword and Null had been bloodied, and that where why she carried it herself, rather than trust Null to carry it. She had always feared that her big sister were going to do something reckless if the situation got dire, but this... It were just too much, and yet it were now her time to try and deal with it, as Null weren't in a position to do so.

At least she were following her, though it felt like having a zombie on her trail more than anything right now. It were rather unnerving, yet she had to think on what to do right now, rather than that, or on how they'd make it now that Equestria weren't there to welcome them anymore. If she focused on that, she'd just go mad, or end up like her sister. Either choice wouldn't help them survive right now.

As for the immediate survival, the choice were between food and getting Null some proper medical checkup, rather than the improv bandage Void had made out of her bandanna. Frankly they could likely use food, but she were feeling sick to her stomach, and wouldn't be able to right now, and between the choices, she'd rather have Null's wounds checked before she tries to force something in her.

There were the chance that this place would be more reliant on magical remedies and healing spells, which would expose their powers, but it were going to happen sooner or later anyway, so what were the point in doing everything to hide it? Besides, they may still rely more on just gauze, salves and the likes, and this wasn't a major infection, like the one Void had when she were very little, that resulted in her losing her eye. The result of not being able to get proper medicine in the area they grew up in, and the magical remedies not affecting her.

So she lead Null to the medical areas. When they got there, she turned around to make sure that her silent sister were still with her, and started speaking whilst turning back from seeing the red spot grow on the cloth. It seemed like moving around, the wound had opened up a little again. Likely not too bad of a situation when thinking about blood loss, but again, infections were very bad for them.

"E-Excuse me? My sister got... C-Cut. Could you h-have a look to see if its o-okay?"

[Illiad Easle 2,973]

@Blitz Boom

The nearest medical pony who they caught the attention of, a pegasus mare, smiled as she turned to address them. "You're the ponies from Harrowmark right? Wander told me about you two." she led them over to an open seat as all the beds were full, and motioned for Null to take a seat.

She would assure that Null was okay with her proceeding before moving to undo the bandage, "It looks clean, maybe a bit of dust and dirt, should be easy to clean."

She brought over what they might recognize as a magical bandage, only for it to shrivel in Null's presence, the pegasus sighed, then looked up at the two of them with a sorry expression. "Sorry for your loss, it must have been hard crossing the Dead Zone." she discarded the bandage and took down a note before passing a small colored strip of paper by them, some of the colors faded, but one returned as it left their presence. "Well at least it isn't contagious, I'll have the doctor come and fix you up proper, you two just wait here a moment okay?"

She trotted off into the crowd of creatures in the medical tent to find the doctor she had mentioned.

If they were watching her leave, they would discover who the doctor was before he came up to them. He was an older stallion, but they would be able to see past that to recognize his distinctive features, the way he styled his mane, his colors, his mark. Could it really be?

When he came up and spoke to them it was the final confirmation they would need, "Alright, what seems to be the problem?"

That voice was unmistakably his.

The doctor was their father.

But for whatever reason he didn't seem to recognize them.

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

4 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"You're the ponies from Harrowmark right? Wander told me about you two." she led them over to an open seat as all the beds were full, and motioned for Null to take a seat.

Null didn't move anywhere, until Void pushed her along and got her silent sister to move over to the seat that were pointed out to her.

"Yes w-we are. Nice to m-meet you, and s-sorry for my sister. She's... T-Traumatized."

They were alrrady lying about being from a country that were currently either a country of deceased ponies, ruled entirely by the gods, or a bastion still standing in the world. It were hard to tell when it came to that country, but id it had truly been hit hard  she imagined that all the inhabitants had gone to devote themselves wholeheartedly to the first god that would prove a match for the invaders, which would likely be Suusha. All of that prayer and sacrifices made in his name would surely strengthen him exponentially, and make him able to defeat whatever forces Discord sent their way, yet she could hardly imagine what the price from his new followers would be for this, or for the world around them, if the god were freed. Suusha had not been a kind god before he were imprisoned from what she had heard, and Void hardly thought that would have changed from being shut out for so long.

Yet who knew? What she heard were just stories and legends, of a time long gone by. It may be that things were not so bad, though she doubted there'd be much of a happy ending no matter how things went. That sort hardly ever happened in Harrowmark.

4 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

She brought over what they might recognize as a magical bandage, only for it to shrivel in Null's presence, the pegasus sighed, then looked up at the two of them with a sorry expression. "Sorry for your loss, it must have been hard crossing the Dead Zone." she discarded the bandage and took down a note before passing a small colored strip of paper by them, some of the colors faded, but one returned as it left their presence. "Well at least it isn't contagious, I'll have the doctor come and fix you up proper, you two just wait here a moment okay?"

Void held her breath when the magical remedy shriveled up, unsure how things would go, considering how it had the last time they were found out in Troy. Yet things must really have changed, because not only did the nurse not seem disgusted or afraid of what she were faced with, but she actually said she were sorry for their loss. She even looked apologetic, which stunned Void so much that she pretty much had nothing to say about how the nurse were giving condolences for an apparent loss that Void weren't sure were directed towards some experience in the desert, Harrowmark, or something else entirely.

Before she could refocus on that though, it were drawn towards the strange paper slip, which were apparently used to measuring their nullifying field? How common had this sort of thing gotten, that there were a scale for it now? Had more Trojan's been born like them? That was an unnerving thought, though what else could be the reason she hadn't a clue. Something with Tartarus perhaps?

Void let out a sigh. So many questions, and not a single one answered would make it easier for them to survive in this new world. Especially when eventually, that Consul were going to find them. Things would likely get substantially harder from there on out.

For now though, she needed to focus on the here and now, and from the sounds of it, the doctor were getting near them. Making sure rhat there were no sharp objects within Null's reach, she turned around, ready to try and make something up to the best of her abilities if he or she were going to ask about Null's wound, but the words just withered on her tongue as she saw the doctor in question.

The stallion were slimly build, with a base coat of light blue, gradually going into lime-green on the bottom half of his legs and muzzle. His mane were slicked back and short, with a long, narrow tail that looked like he kept it that way by plucking hair out of it for astetic reasons. Streaks of grey were here and there on his coat, mane and tail, but for a stallion his age, he looked spry and energetic. 

A small pair of glasses rested on his muzzle, framing the brown eyes that met her own as she just starred at him in disbelief.

This... This was impossible. Right? This couldn't be him. It had to be a coincidence. Everything about him screamed that it were exactly who Void thought, but there were lookalikes in the world. Same looks as otters were rare, but not unheard of, and even cutie marks were not as unique as most thought. One particular one, the two had actually seen three separate times, so though this ones cutie mark were certainly familiar - a parchment tilted a little to the side with scribbles on it, along with a goose feather quill writing said nonsense - it weren't 100% guaranteed to be who she thought it were.

17 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"Alright, what seems to be the problem?"

The voice sealed it though. There were just far too many things fitting now to make it a councidence. Much as it should be impossible, this were their father. The very stallion they had last seen twenty years ago, being overrun by a lot of aggressive Grey members with weapons, striking down on their parents. They'd even heard them scream before they were out of reach. How could even one of them be alive? Were they both? Were their mother also somewhere in this camp?

And why didn't he seem to recognize them? They hadn't changed that much beyond just growing larger, so surely he should know it was them. What the hay was going on here?

"...D-Dad? But... Y-You're dead. I d-don't..."

Whilst Void tried to fumble through some sort of sentence, Null moved over to her false leg, and with a small kick, opened up a part so that she could pull out the amulet they had stashed in there, and held it towards her sister, whilst still just looking into the ground.

The doctor might see the swinging, open amulet that Null had raised up as a way to remind her sister that there were no hope, and see himself, another mare, and two small fillies in a family picture, taken about 21 years ago. The parents looked nothing like the foals, but the pegasus stallion should be well able to see that they all acted like a family regardless. Young Void were even sitting on his neck and hugged his head, with a happy look over her face and one watchable eye.

Void had still needed an eyepatch at the time because glass eyes were hard to get done right, and it were a few months after that she got her replacement for the previous one that had felt uncomfortable in her socket.

Null on the picture were sitting smiling in front of a brown unicorn mare with a long, pale-blue mane and tail. A hoof were on the filly's head, scratching the then two-winged Null, and in the mare's silvery eyes, there were a lot of joy shown. It looked like a happy little family, though it would likely cause him as much confusion as Void currently had.

Null hadn't seen him, and didn't listen to the words, as there were not really any hope left to think anything good would happen to them right now. She had raised the amulet too for the same reason. To show Void that there were no hope, and no point in thinking there were anything left for them.

[Illiad Easle 2,973]

@Blitz Boom

The doctor looked deeply concerned, and slightly confused, especially when the amulet was brought out for him to see. He gingerly lifted it up with a wingtip to see it better, his eyes analyzing each of the faces in it, before looking back up at the two sisters before him.

"What..."

That seemed to be the common feeling in the group.

He rubbed the back of his neck in confusion as he returned the amulet to them. "That... I'd recognize her anywhere... but you two..."

He looked at them with another concerned expression. "Who are you? How do you know us?"

He sat down heavily.

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

The youngest of the sisters felt stung by the comments from their father, and her expression showed this emotional pain well.

"How? You... You're our dad. Don't you remember us? I'm Void, and this is Null. We grew up in a small town near Eponsilon with you and mom."

Void's stutter came from her being nervous and scared of everything on a general basis, but here, with her father, it were akin to when Void and her were alone and not being chased. She felt safe, yet at the same time, incredibly hurt by the comment he had given her, and the total lack of recognition in his eyes. What had happened to him? What did the Grey do?

"We lied about coming from Harrowmark because of what happened back then. Don't you remember? It was 21- No, 24 years ago, just four months after this picture were taken. The locals were afraid of what Null could do and tried to cull her wings, then when I tried to stop them, it ended up costing me a leg, and her her right wing. You... You even had to amputate what were left of her wing when it couldn't be fixed."

The look in her dad's eyes when he realized that back then were hard to forget, and it wasn't like she could avoid it, as their mother had tried to gauze the fresh wound on Void's leg as well, whilst attempting to comfort the filly. If Null had been awake at the time, her bawling mixing with Void's would have likely been unbearable, but she had been knocked out at the time, and wouldn't realize how much she had lost before after that.

Unbeknownst to Void, her parents had actually seen this as the point where they knew that they had to escape, and not when the Grey had arrived later. They had been expecting that, but the others had not expected that the two scientists they put in charge of looking out for the fillies would have gotten attached over the years, and couldn't bear it anymore when they saw the two being as hurt as they had been, rather than just attempting to keep the two fillies in line after what the higher ups would likely consider a *favorable accident*, since it did limit the sisters mobility. Void's eye back in the day had been one thing, with it being an unfortunate lack of access to medicine in time to save it, but this episode had been far too much. Especially for their dad, Exquisite Calligraphy, since he as a pegasus knew how horrible it were going to be for Null from the second she woke up, now that she could no longer take to the sky.

Septicity Bunsen (their mother) agreed on things, and eventually that would lead to the last time the family were together, as they tried to escape the facility and Troy in general.

"You and mom tried to get us all out after that, but the Grey attacked, and you two stayed behind to keep them at bay so Null and I could escape. We... We heard you scream, and saw them overwhelm you. We were so sure that you were dead, but now, you... Oh dad, what did they do to you?"

Null had not moved a muscle through all this talking, and wouldn't glance towards their befuddled father, nor raise a concern about potential other beings listening in to this chatter. The later wouldn't grace Void's thought for a moment either, considering this were their father, and he had apparently lost his memories or something like that. She couldn't focus on anything else but him in this moment, and frankly didn't care who might listen in.

Edited May 6, 2019 by Blitz Boom

[Illiad Easle 2,973]

@Blitz Boom

The doctor looked even more concerned, but in a slightly hopeful way, "That... sounds right." 

He shook his head with a slight smile, "It'd be hard to prove though, I mean, you two look nothing like us, but it isn't impossible."

He looked at them with a kind smile on his face, though it still had a bit of doubt to it, "Way back when my wife and I were recently married we were scientists in Celestia's school researching whatever we could, until we started to notice that we would have changed projects without remembering how they ended, and when we tried to look back at the data it simply wasn't there. Then after one of our experiments succeeded, with some rather serious implications for the world, we decided to leave before we could be made to forget again."

He looked as if he were struggling to remember, "We came to Troy, we brought the research to TrUST... " He shook his head sadly, "We worked there for some time, the wife remembers that much, but neither of us can remember exactly what." He looked at them, "I'm sure they or Celestia made us forget about the incident, and sent us back to Troy. It's likely given what you told me."

He seemed contemplative for a moment before one of the nurses moved to get his attention, he turned back towards them, "My wife'll be here tomorrow, she's helping out on the transports they're putting together to get all these sick creatures to better medical care."

He quickly moved to patch Null up, disinfecting and bandaging the wound, then wrote something on a notepad before passing the paper off to Void. "Here, you two'll need a place to stay tonight? That's how to get to my place, it isn't much, but in the chance that you two are my daughters I owe you the nest I can give." He smirked at them, "I've got to make up for all the lost time now don't I?"

At that, he moved to follow the nurse to the next patient that required his attention.

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

On 5/7/2019 at 4:38 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"It'd be hard to prove though, I mean, you two look nothing like us, but it isn't impossible."

It were a fact that were hard to dispute, but Void had seen many ponies throughout the world at this point, and could comfortably say that just because the foals looked nothing like their parents, it did not mean much. Colors, cutie marks, behavior, and even the sub-type of pony that you could be, weren't as simple as looking at the two parents. There were some magical trace tests that could be done to make a definite answer, but... Yeah, that didn't really work with the two of them, and Void weren't aware of any other test that might be able to prove some familiarity. Well, outside of perhaps certain curses that affected the bloodline, but again, magic negating aura. It wouldn't do anything.

Only proof they had of a family relation were this amulet, and thankfully, they had been able to get that back. The only good thing that had come from that horrible facility, and as it had turned out, the potential key to getting through to a pair of ponies who had seemingly been mind wiped. A horrendous situation, but compared to thinking they were dead? Void would happily spent all the time she needed to go over every single detail they'd need to know everything, if that were what it took. It were a second chance that neither Null nor her had thought were possible for over twenty years, and despite how painful it were to see that their own father didn't recognize them, it did not overshadow the joy of knowing that both him and their mother were alive. What else came after that they'd tackle as they arrived.

On 5/7/2019 at 4:38 AM, Illiad Easle said:

He quickly moved to patch Null up, disinfecting and bandaging the wound, then wrote something on a notepad before passing the paper off to Void. "Here, you two'll need a place to stay tonight? That's how to get to my place, it isn't much, but in the chance that you two are my daughters I owe you the nest I can give." He smirked at them, "I've got to make up for all the lost time now don't I?"

"We all have a lot to talk about I think dad. See you later."

Void stared with longing eyes at him as he left. To think that this had happened... It were going to take some time to process for all of them.

With him away for now though, her immediate worry came back to Null. Even when being faced with their father as he were cleaning and bandaging her self inflicted wound, her big sister hadn't said a word, or shown any sign of perking up from seeing Exquisite right in front of her.Her eyes had remained distant and devoid of much in the way of life, as if she were little more than a risen husk. Void knew that things were bad for Null, but this were more serious than she could have expected if their father'd presence didn't do anything to help her out of this hole she had dug herself into.

"Big sis? We have to get over there later, okay? Dad's gonna be there. And tomorrow... Mom's going to be there too."

Null's eyes didn't even focus on Void as she said this, and this honestly were starting to terrify Void. Where the earth pony had been most attached to their father, Null had always been closest to their mother, and spent as much time with the mare as she could when they were little. She even tried to sneak with Septicity a few times when she had to go do something away from home for a while, but were always caught before they ever left the house. Their mother had been a crafty and observant mare like that, and Void had often felt like her big sister took a lot from how their mother did things in the past and tried to make it work as best she could when they were plunged into the world at large. It likely kept her sane for a long time too, until her actions started to be more based on anger than well thought out actions and plans.

There were another nagging part of everything that she were trying to keep at bay though. The part about Celestia's seeming willingness to mind wipe anypony who got some science done that she didn't think were good. They had been raised with bad storied about Equestria and its ruler, but meeting her themselves, they could see little as being true when it came to the kind, kindhearted princess of the sun. TO think that she would actually be willing to censor things like that just because it didn't fit her grand ideal... It were hard to even try to accept that as being true, and not just something that had gotten mixed up in their dad's head after his own, apparent mind wipe. That could happen, r-right?

"...C-Come on, let's get something to e-eat, okay? We're going t-to need our s-strength."

The thoughts swirling and doubt about things were starting to stir her nervous tendencies again as she got Null back on her hooves, and directed the mare towards the outside. They'd aim for the food area after that, and get something down while Void tried to turn everything in her head over what had just happened, and the implications of what she had just learned. Something told her that she wouldn't manage to get much of it actually sorted anytime soon.

[Illiad Easle 2,973]

@Blitz Boom

Those they passed only gave simple nods as they went, and didn't otherwise acknowledge their presence.

It wasn't hard to find the door that the pegasus guard had pointed out, and going through it was like entering into a whole new world.

The door opened to a very well fashioned stairwell, though well worn by the many travelers that had made their way up and down them over the years. While it was a pile of clay on the outside, the inside was walled with slabs of stone, the stairs slabs of marble, and a carved banister. It seemed very out of place in such a ruined city that sat around it. It was much cooler in the stairway than it was outside, the heat rising with the sun, and it seemed to have a gentle breeze keeping the sand out. Every so often in the stairwell were glowing crystals that darkened as they drew near, clearly magical in nature.

The stairway wasn't long, and ended at another door, through which was a large open area filled with the same variety of creatures as up above, though their temperament was quite different. The creatures above ground had been rather stoic, serious, or ill, those down here were more on the positive side, sharing stories of how they had escaped the Tar-Spawn, their home towns, and the like.

It wasn't long before a happy looking diamond dog, light brown coat and a lithe build with big brown eyes, came up to them, "Heya! You're the two from Harrowmark right? Prolly lookin for food right? This way then!"

(Assuming they follow the dog)

By the voice and build the dog was likely female, she led the way around the crowd that dominated the center area of the wide open room towards another part, through an archway that smelled of food, and the smell grew stronger as they grew closer.

(If they don't follow, the dog will return and ask why they don't follow.)

The food area was simple, set up much like a diner with a central cooking area and tables all around, there were a few creatures occupied with their food, but it was generally quiet. A pegasus mare in charge of the grill looked up as they entered, and moved as close to them as she could without crossing the barrier that separated the cooking area from the tables, she looked weathered, but strong, not unlike Delicate had, butter yellow coat with her mane and wingtips grayed. "What can I get you two?"

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

On 5/9/2019 at 3:18 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The stairway wasn't long, and ended at another door, through which was a large open area filled with the same variety of creatures as up above, though their temperament was quite different. The creatures above ground had been rather stoic, serious, or ill, those down here were more on the positive side, sharing stories of how they had escaped the Tar-Spawn, their home towns, and the like.

So this were the community area? It seemed... Nice. It were certainly a more positive and social place than upstairs, which likely could be attributed some to the cooler temperatures down here. Not everypony came from Troy, and for outsiders, the climate could be a difficult one to adapt too. The burning sun, scarce vegetation and sand getting everywhere were a special climate to get used to, and that weren't even talking of the near constant dry heat during the day.

It worked the other way around too. After leaving the country, Null and Void had a hard time getting used to other climates at first. Moving further and further north towards colder areas had been a struggle, requiring them to trade off some stuff Null had stolen to buy a few hides from some travelling hunters, and even when they were wrapped up in some pretty okay furs like that, it had been freezing. It weren't as bad now, as their travels had brought them into so many varied climates that they had an easier time adapting to them, but the first five years especially had been a real nightmare at times.

The worst climates for them though, had and continued to be swamps and jungles. The humid heat felt unbearable, and with the areas tending to have a myriad of bacteria and venomous critters, the two sisters tended to be in a heightened amount of danger whenever they were in the vicinity of either kinds of places. It might not be as bad for normal ponies, but a lot tribes in jungles or rural swamp lands tended to rely on magic and/or zebra potions to clean out any sort of infection of toxin, which were a huge issue for the two of them. Void had already lost an eye because of an infection that required actual medicine that couldn't get there in due time, and she weren't keen on something like that happening to Null, nor for her own issues to be multiplied.

Null tended to get ill within three days of being in a jungle or swamp regardless of how careful they were though. Mostly stomach related thankfully, but even if it didn't leave permanent wounds, having Null out of commission or delusional could be rather devastating in case something went wrong, as she had almost always been the one taking charge and getting them out of bad situations. Weren't easy to do if you were passed out, or thinking that the trees were trying to drag you below ground so that they could plant their roots in you and drain you of all fluids, as an example.

Trying to get her mind off these sorts of things, Void tried to instead focus on how they had to try and not go up or down the stairs with others near them, considering the effect their presence had on the magical lightning there (thankfully it didn't just get fizzled out, like many spells tended to do), but she didn't get far before she were sought out. Guess that were bound to happen when she were just standing still there, and nopony knew you.

On 5/9/2019 at 3:18 AM, Illiad Easle said:

It wasn't long before a happy looking diamond dog, light brown coat and a lithe build with big brown eyes, came up to them, "Heya! You're the two from Harrowmark right? Prolly lookin for food right? This way then!"

"Y-Yes please."

Diamond Dogs were really among their better encounters out there, and this one seemed friendlier than the usual gruff, territorial sorts that they tended to run into, so Void had no issue following the female canine towards a feeding area. Frankly she were happy that the fuzzy inhabitant had sought them out, since it were easier to respond to things than taking the initiative to go over and just talk to some random being and hope they had the answer. She were feeling a little too rattled to try that right now, whilst at the same time guiding her sister to follow her.

On 5/9/2019 at 3:18 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The food area was simple, set up much like a diner with a central cooking area and tables all around, there were a few creatures occupied with their food, but it was generally quiet. A pegasus mare in charge of the grill looked up as they entered, and moved as close to them as she could without crossing the barrier that separated the cooking area from the tables, she looked weathered, but strong, not unlike Delicate had, butter yellow coat with her mane and wingtips grayed. "What can I get you two?"

Seemed like they had entered the quiet section of the below then. Strange in Void's eyes, as eating areas tended to be where she saw and heard most have some calm conversation, but if they did better just eating in peace, then she'd try to follow suit once she got some food of her own. She didn't want to stand out too much, or get on anypony's nerve. The world weren't big enough anymore to make enemies and just hope to avoid seeing them again.

When the cook leaned towards them, Void took a few seconds to gather herself before answering. This mare seemed nice, and just questioning what she could serve up, but still, Void needed a bit of time to think on this.

"Uhm... W-What you would recommend f-for me please. And something m-mushy for my sister, i-if you have it? She's uhm... N-Not doing well, and I kinda n-need something that won't be h-hard feeding her with."

Perhaps this were a place where Void could help eventually? Whilst she were great at blowing glass, she had been the cook for the two of them most of the time during their travels as she had always been around the kitchen when they were really little and loved cooking, plus the fact that much like with their father, whatever Null created could at best be described as gruel, lingering on the edge towards inedible. It had been a long time since Void had worked with Trojan ingredients, but as she had seen when she had helped cook for the workers in Ponyville that had worked hard to rebuild after the latest monster attack, she still had the touch, though she were still curious how the mare had gotten hold of Trojan veggies, considering how Equestria and Troy never got along.

Perhaps if they had a bit of water and the right stuff here, she could help make some proper, Trojan Thistleroot Stew. Hearty and rich in vitamins if done right- Inedible and likely to make you hurl if done poorly.

[Illiad Easle 2,973]

@Blitz Boom

The chef looked thoughtful, then nodded. "Mush I can do, we've got tons of 'taters around to make something good for her, that'n some other roots here'll make a nice stew for ya, was thinking of doing that for the next meal rush anyways."

She motioned for them to take a seat at the bar while she set to work preparing some mashed potatoes for Null and the start of a stew for Void and presumably the creatures outside later, it smelled great despite the scant ingredients, all of which were the kind that grew in the ground.

It wasn't long before they each had a bowl of food in front of them, the chef looked to Void specifically, "let me know how it is, if it's lacking anything I can fix it before I serve it to the others."

After they began to eat, the chef would ask Void, gesturing towards Null, "So, what's your story?" Indicating the particular interest in what had happened to Null. 

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

21 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"Mush I can do, we've got tons of 'taters around to make something good for her, that'n some other roots here'll make a nice stew for ya, was thinking of doing that for the next meal rush anyways."

"Thank y-you."

Void kept an eye on things as the chef were preparing the stew. Back when she had lived in Troy, at least in the area she lived in, most of the greens they had access to were roots or sturdy plants who needed a lot of love to become edible, so stew had not been an uncommon meal when a hearty dinner were on their parents mind.

Generally speaking, there tended to be two varieties that she knew off. One took at least an hour to finish up, and would include things such as Stonebloom and Gnarlteeth, which both needed at least fifteen minutes of prep work and after that, a lot of slow roasting/boiling on a low temperature, without any other greens near them. These tended to be the best in her opinion, as they were full of energy, rich in flavor, had a natural spiciness to them, and the aforementioned greens would actually be edible this way. If not handled in this slow process, they tended to be inedible, or in worst case, downright poisonous.

The second were what this one understandably did. Taking use of the easier to use green, along with some things prepared in advantage, and then add what were needed for the taste. A few things were added that she didn't know, but a lot of things had changed. What grew now might not be the same as then, not to speak of the fact that the sisters didn't really see much of Troy in their foalhood, so they hadn't a clue what might be growing in other parts. Then there were potential scavenging, seedlings brought in from other countries, etc. Basically, a lot of chances for her to encounter something new.

21 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

"let me know how it is, if it's lacking anything I can fix it before I serve it to the others."

Void took a spoonful of the stew after it were presented to her, and focused on the taste as she slowly went through it. She didn't want to be critical, but the mare had asked her for pointers in case something were missing, and as such, it seemed rude to not at least try to focus on it, so that she could provide some actual feedback.

"It tastes really g-good, but uhm... P-Perhaps if you have s-some Fieldling sticks, y-you could use a d-debarked one to stir w-with the last minute? It's i-inedible itself, but the stirring gives a l-little spice. It's a s-strange trick, but it works w-well."

Fieldling's sounded like some sort of creature, and for a while when she were around two, she thought it were as well, but it were more called that because the large, rigid bushes that made up these things, were somehow moving across the deserts at a random pace. Their mother had said it were because the roots weren't anchored, and their dad said it were because they went out searching for water, but who of them were right she didn't know. Perhaps none of them, and they were just telling them stuff.

What she did know though, were that beyond using broken off sticks from these things to build small fences, arrows, walking sticks and the likes with, the only use for it were as a stirring stick in a stew that needed a bit of taste. You had to debark it first though, or the whole thing would become revolting, and stirring should not be done over three minutes max at a time, depending on the warmth of the pot, to not risk some of it getting boiled off and added to the mixture. It were an annoying part, but it did tend to give that little bit extra in her memories of the meals their mother made.

"I-I'd uhm... B-Be happy to help here s-sometime if you n-need another pair of h-hooves?"

Void wanted to be useful and feel like she contributed to something, and making food had a nice, familiar feel to her. It soothed her in a sense, long as she weren't getting shouted at. She did not handle that kind of pressure all that well, and either had to stop and take a breather whilst tuning out the noise, or escape the situation until the one shouting were gone, in case it got intense or the shouter were persistent.

21 hours ago, Illiad Easle said:

After they began to eat, the chef would ask Void, gesturing towards Null, "So, what's your story?" Indicating the particular interest in what had happened to Null.

After her offering, Void had gotten on to try and feed Null some of the mashed potatoes. Her sister didn't struggle against it, though she seemed unwilling to just lift the spoon and get the food into her muzzle herself. Never had Void thought that she'd have to feed her big sister like this, outside of Null being sick, and even then she usually tried to take the spoon herself out of stubbornness. Now though, she had to alternate between them eating, as well as now answering a question that she really wished she didn't have to address, yet it seemed like an answer would be required to fit in. So... Did she tell the truth, or make something up? The truth were painful, but making up things convincingly were hard, and could eventually backfire. Perhaps if she just made it kind of vague? Would that even work?

Void were quiet for a dozen seconds or so as the thoughts went through her head, which she masked by shewing her current spoonful of stew slowly, but eventually she'd make up her mind and address the chef, whilst feeding Null at the same time.

"T-Things haven't gone too w-well for us r-recently. A lot of f-fighting, running around being c-chased, death... In t-the end, we ended up b-being sent here against o-our will, and then having to f-fight off h-horrible monsters whilst r-running for our l-lives and trying to f-find one another again... It w-were too much for h-her, and she uhm... Something b-broke in her. I don't k-know what, but I'm t-trying to help her u-until she comes b-back from... W-Well, this.

The b-bandage is a s-sword wound. She got cut not l-long ago. The m-medic said it wasn't b-bad though, thankfully."

She would try to go vague first and then see how things went, though more than anything, she'd really prefer not to go into details on the last part, regarding Null's wound. Void were barely able to accept the fact that her sister had tried (and thankfully failed) to commit suicide as it were, and she didn't think she could start to openly talk about it without starting to bawl her eyes out and sulking uncontrollably, which would not get them anywhere. She had to try and stay strong right now, just like her big sis had always done for her.

[Illiad Easle 2,973]

@Blitz Boom

4 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

"I-I'd uhm... B-Be happy to help here s-sometime if you n-need another pair of h-hooves?"

The chef looked intrigued by her suggestion and offer of help. "Fielding sticks you say? Very few around here know how to use one of those effectively, much less cook with them. You must've been from around here, the mild west that is, if you know that from experience."

She motioned for Void to join her, holding up a spare apron, "I could always use the help of someone who knows how to cook."

4 hours ago, Blitz Boom said:

The b-bandage is a s-sword wound. She got cut not l-long ago. The m-medic said it wasn't b-bad though, thankfully.

The chef nodded sadly at their story, "I figured as much, there's quite a few like her from what I've seen, the world crumbled around them, now what they're good at isn't useful or possible, the whole paradigm shift of it all has broken quite a few creatures. Many lacked someone to care about them when they tried to off themselves."

Void would likely be surprised at her deduction,

The mare gave a knowing look, "The Tar-Spawn don't use swords, and no one around here would draw a sword on a sentient creature here."

She sighed, "She's lucky to have you to care for her, they'll probably have her go on the transports with the other ill creatures in the next few days, the city has programs that'll help her pick up the pieces."

(Time to react)

The mare looked up at the clock on the wall, "food rush incoming, if you want to help then get over here, I've got a fielding stick around here somewhere."

[Blitz Boom 4,429]

@Illiad Easle

On 5/13/2019 at 5:41 AM, Illiad Easle said:

"Fielding sticks you say? Very few around here know how to use one of those effectively, much less cook with them. You must've been from around here, the mild west that is, if you know that from experience."

She motioned for Void to join her, holding up a spare apron, "I could always use the help of someone who knows how to cook."

"W-We have family in the a-area, so I uhm... K-Know some things a-about the food. A-And I'd be happy to help. Just need to g-get my sister to eat a l-little more."

It were potentially exposing to have shared her thoughts about the food honestly. Trojan meals were not common outside of the country, and with the local ingredients being so tough to get in certain countries? The odds were high that if you knew what you were doing here, you came from Troy, or had some strong family connections and visited often. Void were trying to hide things by saying she had some family ties here, which weren't a lie either, but this may well be the first hole in their story of being from Harrowmark, and when the truth eventually came out, what would they end up doing? She supposed it depended on the others reaction, but hopefully it would be like with delicate, where they could understand there being some caution and reluctance to share too much for the sisters.

Still, they hadn't lied about everything. They hadn't used false names as an example, that were something at least.

Whilst still feeding Null as best she could, Void would reach over and grab the apron, then sling it over her shoulder. This were likely not going to be as bad as in Ponyville, as there had been hundreds of varied beings who needed food and came bursting towards the area quickly, looking to be served, but it may still be a testing experience. At the same time though, it made Void feel useful, and after learning of how the world were going, she needed that. Same with Null, though first she'd have to get her out of her current state somehow.

On 5/13/2019 at 5:41 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The chef nodded sadly at their story, "I figured as much, there's quite a few like her from what I've seen, the world crumbled around them, now what they're good at isn't useful or possible, the whole paradigm shift of it all has broken quite a few creatures. Many lacked someone to care about them when they tried to off themselves."

Void would likely be surprised at her deduction,

The mare gave a knowing look, "The Tar-Spawn don't use swords, and no one around here would draw a sword on a sentient creature here."

Void looked as if she got a whiplash once the mare brought up what she believed had happened to Null, with some rather solid proof behind it, if you thought about it. Yet thinking about it were the exact thing that Void didn't want to do. It were painful enough to see her sister in her current state, but knowing what she had done before ending this way were a painful reality that she had feared for years, yet had hoped were just her exaggerating Null's deteriorating feeling of self worth, in her own mind.

"P-Please don't tell anyp- Anyone. It's h-hard knowing she tried this a-already, but it b-being brought up by others... I c-can't deal with that. N-Not now..."

She averted her eyes and fell silent, taking a large spoonful of stew and trying to feed Null without looking at her sister right now. Void were not good at confronting pain like this, and with Null being the only family she had thought she had left for over two decades, it were certainly painful to think that in their darkest hour, Null would chose to leave her behind to fight for herself in this world robbed of Celestia's warmth. Even when she had felt the lowest in the facility, at least Void had wanted to take her sister with her, so that neither of them would suffer without the other, and yet Null had... She just couldn't understand it right now. She needed time before she could even truly confront it, and others poking to her about it, and seeing judging eyes following Null around... It would just be too much to deal with right now.

On 5/13/2019 at 5:41 AM, Illiad Easle said:

She sighed, "She's lucky to have you to care for her, they'll probably have her go on the transports with the other ill creatures in the next few days, the city has programs that'll help her pick up the pieces."

Void nodded at this, and formulated a shaking, low *Thank you* after a few seconds. Knowing that they'd have someone they could seek out and hopefully get help from might be a good thing, though going to one of the towns would get them near what guards were there, who'd likely know to look out for them by their consul, and his plans were likely not a kind one. He'd never come looking for what Troy might well consider traitors or exiles, unless he had a use for them in some fashion. Her thoughts on this remained on it likely being something bad, but with the country being the way it were, the tar things and what her sister and her could do, there were starting to form some degree of doubt of his intentions. Perhaps there were a need for them that were actually good in some fashion, though that thought were yet small and weak. It'd need time to fester before she'd be willing to place any sort of trust in a consul of Troy.

On 5/13/2019 at 5:41 AM, Illiad Easle said:

The mare looked up at the clock on the wall, "food rush incoming, if you want to help then get over here, I've got a fielding stick around here somewhere."

"...O-Okay."

Null had gotten around half her bowl in her so far, and Void a quarter of her own food, but she'd be able to stand and take a few bites whilst getting dressed up in the apron and placing herself on the right side of things. This would give a nice look at her wooden leg to the chef, whom might have missed it before, as the angle had been mainly one sided when it came to the perspective on Void, and how the color of the sturdy dark wood blended into her coat color to a certain degree. It would also mark her as not being from here, as no wood grew anywhere in or near Troy of this sort. At least not back when they grew up here.

When she stood ready, about half of her own bowl were gone, and she placed it next to Null, who just sat and looked down into her mash. The only sign of life were random slow blinks, and her chest methodically going up and down as she breathed, but at least where she sat right now, Null would be able to keep an eye on her. It would've been good if she had the time to finish her own food, as well as feed Null fully, but she needed to get something done, and honestly she weren't so hungry anymore after the talk fell on Null's suicide attempt. If she got hungry later, she could warm up the soup again, and thought he taste would be worse, cold mash were still perfectly edible, and her sister were unlikely to complain right now. If she did do that, then honestly, Void would be happy, as at least she'd be talking again at that point. Seeing her being this silent were unnerving.