private Enigma's Mysteries (Private w/Illiad Easle)

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The van would start moving again. Though the trip would prove to be short, as they would soon arrive at the politicians mansion. There we voices that could be heard outside the van, some sounded somewhat familiar. "Alright boys, you know the drill." The politician would say "Get her in through the back doors, then unblindfold her, make sure that she is properly treated though" he would say "Don't want damaged goods".

"Right boss" One of the goons would say, as they slid open the doors of the van and started to get Hard Line out of the van "Come on then pretty one, the boss likes you quite a lot" the goon would say, getting him out of the van and leading him towards the mansion's back entrance.

[Illiad Easle 3,132]

@Crescent Moon

Hard would follow meekly, as if the fight had gone out of her. He didn't want to try the boundaries just yet, see how strict this politician was on his definition of undamaged. Idly he wondered how many of his staff were actually slaves.

Nonetheless, it was again a show either of stupidity or arrogance that he was allowed to see that he was at the mansion. They clearly expected that he wouldn't be leaving to tell anyone.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

it wouldn't be too long until the politician would walk in once the guards had left. He'd sit down on an armchair with a glass of wine as he'd use his magic to unblindofold Hard Line. "I do apologise for the roughness" he would say, sipping on his wine ""I had to make my interest believable, though those mob types are pretty easy to fool, wouldn't you say?" he'd ask with a slight smile.

[Illiad Easle 3,132]

@Crescent Moon

Hard would look, and feel, confused by the sudden change in tone. Nonetheless he would maintain the fearful disposition, apparently cowed into silence by the clout the stallion held. "Wha... what d do y you m mean?"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The politician who was actually the Governor for the city that the Pier was in, smiled a little more as a servant would offer Hard Line a glass of wine for himself "That arcade, in fact the entire pier and everything on and around it, belongs to me. I am the governor of that city, and as such I have a vested interest in that area." he would say, rubbing his temples "It was I who hired you after all." he'd say "I had been investigating the disappearances of my citizens ever since before I became governor, the only problem was, I couldn't trust the guard"

[Illiad Easle 3,132]

@Crescent Moon

Hard's confusion only increased, "B but, you're the governor, you could fire the guard, hire new ones." A bit of anger rose up in him, "You put me in danger on purpose! What? Got tired of waiting for the perfect mare to fall into your trap so so lured me in specifically? I could have died!" Part of his anger was from how he thought Enigma would react, the rest was personal, he had voted for this apparent scumbag foalnapper after all.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

He nods, "I do apologise for that, and I understand your anger, how-ever the reason I hired you was the real reason" he would say, his tone sombre "I do want the arcade spiritually cleared so that I can reopen it" he'd say "the fact that the mob would be operating out the back of the arcade at that very moment, was completely unexpected" he'd say "I was hoping the reopening of the arcade, which would mean a lot more exposure would have made them move" He'd then look at him "As for the guards, I would have had to have had very very solid evidence of their corruption before laying the lot off" he would say.

Edited May 10, 2020 by Crescent Moon

[Illiad Easle 3,132]

@Crescent Moon

Hard humphed at that, "And why should I believe anything you say? I saw you working with the same ponies who foalnapped me, who violently captured me. Besides, ponies know I'm missing. They'll be coming for me and what are they going to say when they find me here? You expect me not to tell them how you bought me like a slave?"

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

"Once again I understand your apprehension" He says, "But believe me, I have my own on the inside of the ring" he'd say and then smile a little as a servant went up to Hard "Excuse me, but there's a set of fresh clothes for you, and a hot bath"

[Illiad Easle 3,132]

@Crescent Moon

Hard was not impressed, turning to the servant. "And what's this then? Another unfortunate pony like me? Foalnapped so you could 'infiltrate the ring' how long have they been trapped here? Or are they in on it too, to keep me from escaping? Let me guess, it's a straight jacket and a hot bath of acid so they never find my body right? That's how no one gets out with the information now isn't it?"

Hard's frustrations were rising dramatically,he didn't like this situation one bit, nor did he believe anything that he was being presented. "I didn't come to Manehatten alone you know, I brought a partner. And I'm darned well sure nothing will stop him before he finds me. You better be darned sure to have a much better excuse than you just gave me, or it'll be your head."

Despite all this she would follow the servant out, provided the Governor didn't stop them.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The governor would let them go. The servant would talk as they left "He is not keeping me here. I stay by my own will" she would say, "Before here, I was a street pony, living on the streets and turning tricks to get my next drug fix" she'd say. The governor took me in, cleaned me up and gave me a home and a job" she'd say "I can understand how you feel, but he does mean well"

[Illiad Easle 3,132]

@Crescent Moon

Hard calmed down a bit, there was no need to take his anger out on the servant, "No, you can't. YOU weren't violently abducted, knocked unconscious multiple times, and stripped down to almost nothing by the worst sort of ponies Equestria has to offer. You came here of your own volition, provided your memories are even real, memory magic is a thing you know."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The servant would nod "You've got me there, but also you are here now" she would say, "and you are right, memory magic is a thing, but the Governor has forbidden it" she'd say as she opens a door to the bathroom, where a hot bath was indeed waiting.

[Illiad Easle 3,132]

@Crescent Moon

Hard rolled his eyes, "We'll see if that's an improvement. Last I checked foalnapping was forbidden too, yet, like you said, here I am."

Hard would enter the bathroom, closing the door behind him if he was allowed, and if so he would hesitate before actually using the bath. He briefly considered setting it to flood the room, but decided he shouldn't make things worse on the off chance the governor was actually just misguided on his attempt to break up the ring, and not just trying to lull him into a false sense of security.

If he were not allowed to close the door behind him he would refuse to enter the bath until he was allowed to close the door, "Ponies have seen me stripped enough for one lifetime thank you. I'd rather not add to the count."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The servant would nod "Oh of course ma'am" she would say, turning around "If you need anything, please feel free to buzz me" she would say, closing the door behind her as she leaves, leaving Hard to enjoy the hard bath. The clean clothes were also folded out on a bench nearby.

[Illiad Easle 3,132]

@Crescent Moon

Hard would begrudgingly enjoy the bath, not that he needed to bath to get clean, as a changeling he could simply roll his fire a few times and be the cleanest thing in the room. He would also put on the new clothes, provided he didn't detect any enchantments on them and that they were tasteful. He'd rather wear old clothes than tasteless ones.

He didn't need anything at the moment, and assumed someone would come fetch him when he was needed, so he sat to meditate once he finished with the bath and dressing, contemplating what he would do next.

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

There would be a knock on the door and the governor would call "Excuse me miss, are you decent?" he'd ask "I'd like to apologise for my manner earlier" he'd say, waiting for a response from Hard. 

Meanwhile, Enigma would lay on her bed and sigh, she really didn't have anywhere to return to after all this ended, just her small dingy one bedroom unit and she was getting a little to comfortable in the hive, or at least she was beginning to think that, forgetting that any Ling nearby could probably pick up on her feelings and thoughts.

[Illiad Easle 3,132]

@Crescent Moon

Hard briefly considered not responding, or telling the Governor not to come in, but decided that he shouldn't push his luck considering what could happen. "You can enter. Though for apologies, I assure you it will be quite difficult."

Enigma's musings would be interrupted by none other than the Queen herself, who was carrying the things she had requested from her van and apartment, "I hope I'm not disturbing you, but I had hoped you'd be available to perform your services for me? I assumed you'd need your things in order to work, so I brought them myself."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The governor would slowly walk in and sit down on a armchair that was in there "I understand" he would say and then look at her "Please believe me that my intentions were never for you to get involved with the whole foalnapping and pony slavery ring. I really did just want you to check out the arcade and if it was indeed haunted, to at the best of your abilities clear and cleanse it" he would say "It is very unfortunate that all of this has happened to you. I was alerted to what was happening by my insider" he would say "and rest assured that the money I used to 'buy' you is altered, it's tracked. So we will soon be able to end this...hopefully" he would say "Now, I need to contact the one guard I know I can trust fully"

Enigma would open her eyes and look up at the Queen "Your highness, I can try to help, though, as you know, I am supposed to be laying low" she would say, sitting up, trying to hide her tears as she'd pretend to wipe sleep from her eyes.

[Illiad Easle 3,132]

@Crescent Moon

Hard was conflicted, he really, honestly, wanted to believe that the Governor was a low down crook, but what he was saying made sense all things considered, and were he in the same position he'd've done the same. He humphed, "I suppose we'll see then, won't we? What happens now?"

The Queen gave a comforting smile, "Don't worry, you'll still be below ground. It's something here in the hive in fact. I thought maybe doing something you enjoy would be a good way to get your mind off of whatever it is that's distressing you." her expression grew slightly worried, "it's not the hive is it? I know it's not the most homey for one used to the surface, and we don't get many non-changeling visitors, but we always strive for the best care of our guests. If you need anything, do let me or Ra know so we can make it right."

Provided Enigma didn't object, the Queen would lead the way deeper into the hive, "I thought I'd show you the area first, let you understand what it means before you set up whatever t is you need to to do your work." The walls grew less detailed, rougher, almost primitive, yet it was warmer. Near the end of the hallway there was a flickering light, and through the doorway...

It was a large room, approximately circular with hundreds if not thousands of alcoves, each containing lit candles of varying heights, all burning with cyan flames. Each of the candles too had a small placard which appeared like an epitaph or tombstone giving the name of a changeling, presumably the name of their disguise, as well as a rendition of their mark. On some of the taller candles it was clear that the mark was also carved into the candle.

The Queen had a sort of reverence in this room, "When a changeling dies, their fire reclaims their body, leaving nothing but ash. We then gather as much ash as can be found and make candles with the ash and gel, one candle goes here, others distributed to any loved ones they had, and if any ash remains it is sold as a potent fire-starter, usually to forges. Changeling ash is very flammable after all. Given how large a hive can be, it is often difficult to maintain a series of new names for all the new changelings, so the system is that when a changeling dies their candle is lit, and when the candle goes out a new changeling is given the old name, is taught about the previous bearers of the name, and instructed to further their new legacy. A cycle of life, death, and rebirth."

The queen sighed, "Which leads us to why I asked you to come." She pointed out one of the middle sized candles which was not burning like the others, "Vængr, died about three years ago. Their candle should be burning bright for another five years at least, yet no matter what I do the candle wont stay lit. It has led me to believe that She is trying to say something, that she wants her name passed down already? This assuming that her spirit is what's causing her candle to go out."

She'd turn to Enigma, "Is this the sort of thing you can do? See if her spirit is here?"  

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The governor would nod "For now, you are my guest" he would say "until the ring is taken care of, it would be safest for you to be here" he would say "to which i sincerely apologise for" He'd look to Hard "How-ever you have free reign of the manor, and if you need anything, I will have Sarah take care of your needs" he'd say "Sarah is the servant girl who brought you to the bathroom."

As Enigma got up to follow the Queen, she would listen to her and then shake her head "Oh no, no, no.." she would say, then look down "It-it's..the hive..it's the closest I've had to a home..in so long" she would say softly "But I of course don't want to overstay my welcome" she'd follow her, listening closely to her explanation of the room and what the candles meant. She would nod "Oh..well I can certainly try to contact her" she would look to the Queen.

[Illiad Easle 3,132]

@Crescent Moon

Hard rolled his eyes, "Sure, whatever. Don't suppose I have much of a choice in the matter anyway."

7 hours ago, Crescent Moon said:

"It-it's..the hive..it's the closest I've had to a home..in so long"

The queen had a comforting smile, "I see, it seems like you've been lacking a family for some time, then coming into a place where there's family to spare... I understand why that may overwhelm you. Provided you're able to help, you'd be welcome to return any time. Furthermore I've heard that my issue is not unique, other queens may be interested in your services as well."

7 hours ago, Crescent Moon said:

"Oh..well I can certainly try to contact her"

The Queen nodded, "Please do, if there's anything I or my children can do to assist, don't hesitate to ask."

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

The governor would then stand up "If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask me or Sarah" he would say before turning to leave "Have a good night, and hopefully I will be able to let you go soon" he'd say then leaving. He would then go to his office and dialling Trace's number.

Enigma would smile a little more "Well, if I can help, can I..maybe call here home? I'm more than willing to share my love" she would say as she would put her bags down and begin to set up the circle.

[Illiad Easle 3,132]

@Crescent Moon

Trace was quick to pick up the phone, "A surprise Governor, but I'm afraid I'm in the middle of an interrogation at the moment, can you make this quick?"

The queen was a bit surprised by Enigma's request, "Well, I don't think in a thousand years has anyone requested that before, besides the kings. I suppose, if you so desired, we could accommodate you more permanently in the Hay building above, you'd be free to come and go as you wish, but you should understand: Each hive has it's preferred emotion, and as such seeks to cultivate the desired emotion as much as possible in the world. This hive thrives on Awe and Appreciation, as such we produce many tour guides, drivers, travel agents, and the like in order to inspire and collect such emotion. While I've no doubt you'd be a great source of awe yourself for a bit I doubt you'd be able to keep it up forever living down here, but if you could use your talents to inspire awe such that my harvesters can collect it I see no problem allowing you to remain."

The queen would watch curiously as Enigma went about her work, taking a seat nearby as she did.

(It's worth noting that Enigma has not seen the queen undisguised yet, even now she is still in her Indigo Blue form.)

[Sphinx-Ara 3,569]

@Illiad Easle

"I'm aware,  as it would seem that the mare i had hired to cleanse the arcade got caught up in it" He'd say in a sombre tone "A very unfortunate set of circumstances, how-ever, you can rest assured I have 'bought' her and she is safe in my manor, how-ever I didn't know she'd be so hard headed, though..I suppose I can't blame her. Do what you must to make sure this ring is completely shut down please. I am sure the mare is wanting to get to her home"

"Well I can certainly supply that" she would say "Some things just never cease to amaze me, plus..you've all been so kind to me, even though you didn't have to be" she would say, finishing setting up the circle, she'd place the salt to make sure no evil would enter and set up the candles. "If you are wondering why i do not use an Ouija or Spirit board, it's because those things are fake.  They were always made by a game company. All the hype about them being able to 'contact' spirits is just that, hype, false information spread to increase sales" she would say "You really need a special ability to contact the spirits of the departed" she'd smile and light the candles before sitting in the middle of the circle, calling out the departed, "Miss Vængr, my name is Enigma Charm, I am here on behalf of your Queen, please come to me so we may clear the air"