open The Town That Friendship Forgot

[Astral Vision 286]

8 hours ago, Pastel Heart said:

@Samurai Equine @Dynamo Pad @Astral Vision @ExplosionMare @Kronos the Revenant

As Pastel finds her way inside, her eyes light up. She quickly becomes lost in the atmosphere, which probably reminds her a lot of her Manehattan home. She is quick to quickly hop up and take a piece of pizza and bites into it. Now THIS was the life~ she could get used to this kinda atmosphere! She was gonna be a wild one when she got older, for sure. As she eats her slice of cheese pizza, she starts to miss home... Just a little bit. But this definitely felt like home!

Meanwhile, outside... The house was bright, indeed, bright enough to catch the eye of a certain large blue stallion in a turban, who had been carving a path of chaos in his wake in the town all day. Between brawls, screaming and other incidents, if there had been a police force they would have received several reports already.

With an intimidating expression curling his black mustache, the stallion downs the beer he had been drinking (from who knows where) and proceeds toward the house. THIS was gonna get messy! A party crasher, for sure.

As Pastel was about to take a bite into another slice of pizza, the stallion dramatically busts the door open, knocking it nearly off the hinges, making her drop the slice and her eyes widen. All as he declares...

"BRIGHT LIGHTS INDICATE A PARTY, THEREFORE, COLD BEER!" the stallion declares in a loud, booming voice. If there was music, it would have screeched to a halt at the sound of a record stopping. Pastel was scared out of her hooves by the combined yell and the door smashing open. It seemed like the party was about to end just as it began.

But, as soon as Pastel regained her composure and looked at the source of the loud booming voice. Her eyes lit up, and she yelled back...

"GRANDPA!" Her previous expression did a 180 and she nearly jumped out of her step, forgetting all about the pizza.

"MY FILLY!" The stallions expression suddenly softened in acknowledgement, and opened his front legs. Pastel rushed to him and jumped into a hug with him. Looks like this was, indeed, the grandfather Pastel told tales about! The two couldn't seem anymore different. He was tall, heavy, wore a unique style and carried an accent, and Pastel was, well, Pastel.

"How the hay did you find this place!?"

"Shoal intuition, my filly! HAHAHA!"

...And just like that, the adopted family was laughing. This has taken a strange turn.

@Pastel Heart @Kronos the Revenant @ExplosionMare @Dynamo Pad @Samurai Equine

Astral was happily taking part in the festivities, it had been quite a while since Astral was able to relax and enjoy himself. As he was about to levitate a pizza slice into his waiting mouth, a loud crash shook the room. Astral, startled, through his slice into the air... only for it to land on his face in a comedic fashion. After grabbing a napkin, the unicorn moved closer to the new arrival, who had just declared that they were Pastel's grandfather.

"So, you're this chaotic pink pony's grandfather? Well, it's easy to see where Pastel gets her endless enthusiasm. I'm a friend of her's, Astral, nice to meet you. Let me just say your granddaughter is a great delight to have in town, she has quite the way of making others laugh."

[ExplosionMare 18,066]

@Astral Vision

Pencil smiled at Astral’s quick return. Thankfully he was alright and had only gotten lost for a short while. Relieved that he returned, Pencil told him,

“Hey, glad you’re back, Astral! We’re just finishing up our visit with Bluebell if you wanna say anything before we leave,”

@Samurai Equine @Ragland Tiger

Just as she spoke to Astral, Samurai announced that everypony was going to leave for a party. Pencil felt a bit sad leaving Bluebell while everypony else parties, but she knew the mare would be resting comfortably here. While everypony else said their goodbyes, Pencil gave out a small wave and a sweet smile.

Once everypony had finished conversing, Samurai called the group forth to teleport to the party. The group collectively held hooves as they waited for the bright glow of Samurai’s horn. Pencil, while normally squeamish about touch, kept her grips tight in order to stay inside the teleportation circle.

As quickly as they left, they arrived. Pencil looked up and saw quite a few decorations and many boxes of pizzas. Pencil happily trotted over to one of them and magically lifted its lid, discovering it was cheese. Pleased, Pencil took a slice out of the box and began happily munching on it.

@Pastel Heart

Before she could finish her first slice, a loud cry erupted from the halls. Pencil jumped and nearly dropped her pizza. She was a little frightened by the noise as it seemed to come from an unfamiliar voice. She turned her head towards the sound and saw a tall figure with a moustache. Pencil was a bit intimidated, but mostly confused.

Her confusion turned into panic as the seemingly drunk pony staggered towards Pastel. All Pencil could think was, ‘He was going to hurt that filly!’. She began to inch towards the pony to stop him, but soon stopped as the pony and Pastel began hugging. Baffled, Pencil listened in to their conversation to gain some context. On the mention of the word ‘grandpa’, Pencil was immediately calmed down. Despite how weird and suspicious this pony seemed, Pastel knew and trusted him, so he couldn’t be too bad.

[Pastel Heart 6,466]

13 hours ago, Samurai Equine said:

@Pastel Heart, @Kronos the Revenant

"INTRUDER!" Samurai was quick on the draw when someone busts down his door, and so were his band of kurokos. While Samurai was summoning his sword, the kurokos were acting like a shield between the guests and this unidentified intruder. However, he didn't stay unidentified for long...

Pastel calls him grandpa and runs to his side; and they share a family moment. Something like that instantly deflates the situation. "Pastel no ojisan? Hmm..." Samurai makes his sword vanish. "False alarm, everypony. I think he's safe to trust." Samurai says, causing his kurokos to stand down and resume regular party activities. In fact, they are hardly there most of the time. They stick to the shadows and the background.

Samurai waits a moment before cautiously approaching with a hopeful smile. "Konbanwa. Good evening, sir." Samurai bows. "You must be the grandfather Pastel has been talking about. I welcome you to my home."

The elderly stallion didn't seem to be intimidated by Samurai's friends in the least. He was either fearless or overconfident. Thankfully the situation was cleared up quickly.

He smiled, his standoffish demeanor replaced by an air of drunken happiness as he laughed heartily and patted Samurai on the head, though it was more like a bonk with his strength.

"SALAM, BUBBA! Friends of my filly are in the favor of Iron Shoal! It is a good time, yeah!?"

@Windy Breeze 🥧

"Indeed, young mare! Pastel Heart is my grand daughter, the inheritance of the legacy of Iron Shoal, she's a fighter in the spirit of me! You are very beautiful, I am sure Pastel is delighted to have a beautiful friend!" 

He seemed to enjoy boasting about his grand daughter even more than himself, in addition to his flattering tone. To this in response Pastel stood up straight, swishing her tail and smiling proudly. He spoiled her for sure.

@Astral Vision

"HAHAHA! I am sure she has turned this town upside down as they say! I was concerned, upon receiving that letter. She's far too adventurous for her own good..."

He shot a look towards Pastel, who just smiled. No regrets. Her grandfather just laughed and ruffled her mane roughly to her delight.

"But I should not change a thing! My filly is THE REAL! And seeing as she's had fun I must thank you bubba!"

@Dynamo Pad

At last, when Dynamo approached, he looked past Pencil directly into his eyes with an intense gaze. Staring deeply as if sizing him up, he unceremoniously dropped his empty bottle on the floor, shattering it next to him. After a stone like gaze, he laughs loudly and grabs Dynamo's hoof tightly in his, shaking it up and down roughly. He'd shake him up and down if this were a cartoon.

"AHA! THE PAD OF THE DYNAMO IT IS, GREETINGS! Or 'Dyny' it seems, yes? You are the one my filly speaks affectionately of! I am Iron Shoal, I am the legend! I will not require you know of my work, as long as your intentions with my filly are good..."

Pastel giggled and bounced around the two happily. Dynamo and her grandpa talking must really excite her. "Nyahaha! Yep! Dyny has the best intentions! He's the best!"

Iron Shoal smiled wryly in acknowledgement of Pastels happiness before looking to Dynamo again. It's like he was sizing him up. "Indeed. SO, Mister Dynamo, stallion to stallion I ask..."

He stared Dynamo directly in the eyes, pulling him close forcefully, getting very close to him as if challenging him.

"Are you the real, or are you the jabroni?"

Pastel looked between the two, confused. It didn't seem like she was worried, but this was interesting to say the least...

Edited July 6, 2020 by Pastel Heart

[CameoShadowness 251]

23 hours ago, Samurai Equine said:

Trilby just shrugs. "You've got me in over a barrel. If that's what you want, then I'll go out by that window you mentioned." Trilby lifts his hat, offering her a place of safety again. "It's either this or my shirt collar."

Beryl sighs as her intenea slowly dim out. She flies over taking her place in his hat. Behind her the mark faintly glew matching her intenea for a brief moment. "You se de windorr dat's cracked?" 

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

@Pastel Heart

Kronos simply watched in curiosity as the gruff old coot went ahead and talked to everyone. He was pretty amazed at his stoic attitude given his rude reception. Nonetheless, the old pony seemed just as good company as his granddaughter. 
 

Chipper old geezer, isn’t he? a voice asked. 
 

I suppose it runs in the family. Kronos laughed to himself. 
 

At the old pony’s mention of a legacy, Kronos’ already keen curiosity of Pastel was heightened even further. Perhaps he really SHOULD keep close tabs on the little filly, and maybe her grandfather for good measure. They appear to be very valuable allies. 

[Samurai Equine 52,015]

@CameoShadowness

Trilby makes sure that Beryl is safe and secure under his hat. "Yes, I see it. Just yell in my ear if things get too bumpy. I'll try and leave as smoothly as possible."

Staying true to his word, Trilby leaves the library as smoothly as he can. The window is easy enough to open, though it does take some careful maneuvering to slip through it. Together, the two of them head off through the town until Trilby finds a familiar asian house. The only one of its kind in this whole town. "Hope you don't mind if it gets a little loud, Beryl. Because this where you can find those ponies I was telling you about."

With a sigh, Trilby collects himself, and knocks on the door. Or, rather, the door frame. Seems someone has busted in, maybe?

@Pastel Heart, @Dynamo Pad, @Astral Vision, @ExplosionMare, @Kronos the Revenant, @Windy Breeze 🥧, @CameoShadowness

Samurai just giggles at being bonked like that. Not the friendliest way to treat a pony, but Samurai would be lying if he said he hasn't had worse. "That's a great name you have, Iron Shoal! Reminds me of my birth name. These days, everypony calls me Samurai Equine. However, my birth name is actually Crimson Gauntlet, or Taku for short." Samurai explains (Crimson Gauntlet = Kurimuzun Gōntaretto (クリムズン・ゴーンタレット) = Taku). Samurai waves one of his kurokos over, and said kuroko gives Iron a fancy bottle. "You mentioned beer. While it might not be the same thing, would you care for a bottle of saké? This is a special mountain brew made by my family. Refined, aged to perfection, and slightly sweetened for a dash of flavor." Samurai explains.

However, as he talks, Samurai soon hears a knock. He looks over and sees who it is. "Excuse me, sir. Please enjoy the festivities while I'm gone." He bows and leaves the house for a moment. "Trilby Hatter? How can I help you? Did you come to join the party?" Samurai asks. "Huh? Uh, yes! I mean, no, uh... I mean, I have a friend with me who has been looking for you, and Astral, and the rest. Her name is Beryl and she's interested in the town's history." Trilby lifts his hat just enough to reveal Beryl. Samurai looks amazed. "A breezie really did come to town~!" He says to himself, stars in his eyes. "Uhh... Yeah. So... I guess I'll just leave her here with you all of you. Be sure to be careful with her. I know you and I aren't EXACTLY friends or anything, and I am probably interrupting a friends only party, and..." Trilby goes on and on awkwardly, but Samurai just smirks. "Trilby, get in here. You're missing out on all the pizza." Samurai say. "I... Really? Well, I don't know... I mean, I still need to find Shadow Trail and all..." Trilby explains. "She's here too." Samurai says.

Trilby blinks in surprise. "She is?" He pokes his head inside. "Shadow? You in here?'

Edited July 7, 2020 by Samurai Equine

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@Samurai Equine

Shadow's ears perked when she heard Trilby's voice. She glanced to see Samurai poking out from the front door “Trilby, I'm glad we met again” she is unaware of Keen's hostile look as she looks on at Trilby.

“Shadow... Do you know that lunatic?” 'Keen' asked. Her voice was as low as a whisper when he called Trilby a 'lunatic' that even Shadow or everyone else in the house didn't hear her. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,383]

13 hours ago, Pastel Heart said:

At last, when Dynamo approached, he looked past Pencil directly into his eyes with an intense gaze. Staring deeply as if sizing him up, he unceremoniously dropped his empty bottle on the floor, shattering it next to him. After a stone like gaze, he laughs loudly and grabs Dynamo's hoof tightly in his, shaking it up and down roughly. He'd shake him up and down if this were a cartoon.

"AHA! THE PAD OF THE DYNAMO IT IS, GREETINGS! Or 'Dyny' it seems, yes? You are the one my filly speaks affectionately of! I am Iron Shoal, I am the legend! I will not require you know of my work, as long as your intentions with my filly are good..."

Pastel giggled and bounced around the two happily. Dynamo and her grandpa talking must really excite her. "Nyahaha! Yep! Dyny has the best intentions! He's the best!"

Iron Shoal smiled wryly in acknowledgement of Pastels happiness before looking to Dynamo again. It's like he was sizing him up. "Indeed. SO, Mister Dynamo, stallion to stallion I ask..."

He stared Dynamo directly in the eyes, pulling him close forcefully, getting very close to him as if challenging him.

"Are you the real, or are you the jabroni?"

Pastel looked between the two, confused. It didn't seem like she was worried, but this was interesting to say the least...

@Pastel Heart @Astral Vision @ExplosionMare @Samurai Equine

As Iron began to converse with everyone at the party, Dynamo blinked as Iron set his sights on the gamer pony. He had an intense gaze to him. Almost as if Dynamo was being sized up, or even being judged. He winced slightly as he heard a shatter. That shatter belonging to the empty bottle Iron had previously held. "Oh, that ain't good. Should we get a broom and a dustpan? We wouldn't want anyone to step on any broken shards and get hurt. Woah!" He responded, trying to break the awkward tension, before being pulled into a hoofs hake by Iron. Dynamo closed an eye as Iron had a tough grip over his hoof. He nearly lost his balance as if he was being shaken up and down. 

"Oh, yeah. I recall being referred to as 'Dyny' by Pastel a couple of times." He would say, verifying Iron's earlier claims. He soon pulled back from the hoof shake to rub his hoof. He tried to shake his front hoof as it felt like Iron almost pulled his hoof out of its socket. He soon tilted his head in confusion at Iron's further remark. "I don't believe Pastel had mentioned your name other than 'grandpa,' but it's nice to know your name, Mr. Iron. I guess you can say. Pastel has been a hyperactive ball of energy. Also, intention? What do you mean by that sir? Pastel has been a pretty great friend ever since we met." He raised an eyebrow curiously as Pastel had even confirmed Iron's suspicions. As Iron began to address him once more, Dynamo was caught off guard as he was pulled closely into Iron's personal space. He shook slightly in fear as Iron's next question caught him off guard. As this was happening, a single thought had crossed his mind."

Spoiler

 

"Um..." He gulped, trying to find his voice. "I-I don't exactly get w-what you mean by that, s-sir." He responded, feeling completely confused by what was real and what he Iron meant by when he said jabroni. 

[Pastel Heart 6,466]

@Dynamo Pad

Iron Shoal wasn't budging and just glared harder, as if expecting Dynamo to do something, but Pastel finally stepped in.

"Uhh... Grandpa, I think you're scaring him."

As Pastel smiled nervously, Shoal glanced at her and back at Dynamo, before releasing him with a hearty laugh.

"HAHAHA! Ease up bubba, I'm pulling your leg! I'm delighted to finally meet my fillys boyfriend!"

Iron Shoal patted Dynamo on the head, much the same as he did to Samurai, but hard enough to knock him silly, though this was unintentional, all as he laughed and ruffled the stallions mane. Pastel, upon hearing the word 'boyfriend', got wide eyed and blushed like crazy, jumping up and down.

"Eeeehhhh!? G-Grandpa! Don't say things like that!!!" 

Pastel was clearly flustered, but Iron Shoal just laughed and smiled, having fun.

@Samurai Equine

"AH, WARRIORS NAME! VERY GOOD! You could have been my tag team partner back in the day, bubba!"

Shoal seemed delighted, wasting no time taking the bottle of sake and twisting it open. It was that earth pony strength it seemed; one could only imagine what he could do in his prime.

"HAHA! I LIKE YOU, BUBBA! CHEERS TO THIS FABULOUS OCCASION AND MY FILLY AND HER FRIENDS! ENJOY A DRINK WITH ME, MY FRIENDS!"

Iron Shoal began downing the bottle like the heavy drinker he was, seemingly, things had gone back to normal. As he chugged the bottle, Pastel nonchalantly reached for another bottle of beer hanging from Shoals saddlebag, to which he shot her a disapproving glare. She retracted her hoof and smiled awkwardly. What a family.

[Samurai Equine 52,015]

@CameoShadowness, @Windy Breeze 🥧, @Pastel Heart

Trilby walks into Samurai's house, making sure to let Beryl out of his hat. There aren't going to be any gusts of wind in here, but there might be some loud voices and noises. "Shadow! I've been looking for you everywhere. I even...!!" >>Poke!<<

 

Trilby winces because he just stepped on a shard of glass left over from the beer bottle Iron Shoal just broke. "AAAHHH!!!" In Tom & Jerry style, Trilby takes a tumble while grabbing his hoof in pain. When he falls, he rolls around and flails, trying to grab something. In doing so, he grabs onto a sliding door and opens Samurai's closet. A few random things fall on top of him. "...I'm okay..." Trilby says under Samurai's belongings.

He eventually hobbles his way over to Shadow and sits beside her, a little roughed up but not too bad. "I, uhh.... I found the karaoke machine." Trilby pulls it up; a souvenir from Samurai's closet. "Anyways... I've been looking for you everywhere, Shadow! Did you see the race when it ended?"

@Astral Vision, @Dynamo Pad, @ExplosionMare

Samurai fights the urge to laugh at what he just saw. Watching his step, he walks in and whispers something to Dynamo. "Jabroni means imbecile. Meet up with me in the lab when you get a chance." Samurai walks away from the two of them for now.

He gives Pencil a wave. "Still want to see my drawings?" He asks, motioning her to follow him.

He also goes over to Astral. "Let's talk about the puzzle box and the book." Samurai says, motioning Astral to follow him as well.

Of course, everyone is welcome to follow him, but he thought I'd personally invite the ones who were most interested. Samurai leaves the party room, and heads into a more private room. His personal lab.

In this room, Samurai has kept detailed records, pictures, and documents of the Laronde Box. Everytime he has made some progress with it, gotten closer to unlocking it, or unlocked a town event; it's all recorded. Some documents have red strings connecting them, as if Samurai is trying to find any patterns or clues. There is also stuff that Samurai has drawn. Most of it is in Ukiyo-e style, but some of it is in Anime style. Pictures of home, Mistmane, his culture... Interestingly, there is a set of unfinished blueprints for mechanical wings, and a drawing of various creatures and shadowy silhouettes attaching it to Samurai's suit of armor. Samurai looks very happy in this drawing.

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@Kronos the Revenant

@Samurai Equine

“No, I was dealing my 'own problems'” she gave Samurai and Kronos a quickly glance before facing Frilby “Is your hoof okay? You might even have a wound!” she said this as Keen sat beside Trilby. 

[Dynamo Pad 11,383]

16 hours ago, Pastel Heart said:

@Dynamo Pad

Iron Shoal wasn't budging and just glared harder, as if expecting Dynamo to do something, but Pastel finally stepped in.

"Uhh... Grandpa, I think you're scaring him."

As Pastel smiled nervously, Shoal glanced at her and back at Dynamo, before releasing him with a hearty laugh.

"HAHAHA! Ease up bubba, I'm pulling your leg! I'm delighted to finally meet my fillys boyfriend!"

Iron Shoal patted Dynamo on the head, much the same as he did to Samurai, but hard enough to knock him silly, though this was unintentional, all as he laughed and ruffled the stallions mane. Pastel, upon hearing the word 'boyfriend', got wide eyed and blushed like crazy, jumping up and down.

"Eeeehhhh!? G-Grandpa! Don't say things like that!!!" 

Pastel was clearly flustered, but Iron Shoal just laughed and smiled, having fun.

@Pastel Heart

Dynamo still felt nervous as he wasn't sure what to say or what to do. He was hoping that any of the others would be able to help bail him out of the situation. He was soon saved as Iron laughed, while patting Dynamo on the head. The gamer pony soon fell to the ground in a daze as he felt somewhat dizzy. "Ugh...did someone get the number of that taxi? Huh? Anypony?" He asked in a confused state. He soon shook his head as he tried to gather his bearings, before he took note of Iron's earlier comment. "Wait...b-boyfriend!?" He exclaimed with a blush upon his cheeks. He looked from Iron, to Pastel and then back to Iron again. 

"W-What are you talking about? I thought Pastel and I were just friends. We had only met a few days ago. I mean, she's a good friend and all, but I wasn't aware of what was just mentioned, sir. I mean, what did Pastel write about me in her letter for you?" He asks, feeling curious about what was mentioned about him. He soon thought back to the times that Pastel had acted when she was around him. He wondered if this was the reason to him being called her boyfriend, but he didn't want to jump to any conclusion.

5 hours ago, Samurai Equine said:

Samurai fights the urge to laugh at what he just saw. Watching his step, he walks in and whispers something to Dynamo. "Jabroni means imbecile. Meet up with me in the lab when you get a chance." Samurai walks away from the two of them for now.

He gives Pencil a wave. "Still want to see my drawings?" He asks, motioning her to follow him.

He also goes over to Astral. "Let's talk about the puzzle box and the book." Samurai says, motioning Astral to follow him as well.

Of course, everyone is welcome to follow him, but he thought I'd personally invite the ones who were most interested. Samurai leaves the party room, and heads into a more private room. His personal lab.

In this room, Samurai has kept detailed records, pictures, and documents of the Laronde Box. Everytime he has made some progress with it, gotten closer to unlocking it, or unlocked a town event; it's all recorded. Some documents have red strings connecting them, as if Samurai is trying to find any patterns or clues. There is also stuff that Samurai has drawn. Most of it is in Ukiyo-e style, but some of it is in Anime style. Pictures of home, Mistmane, his culture... Interestingly, there is a set of unfinished blueprints for mechanical wings, and a drawing of various creatures and shadowy silhouettes attaching it to Samurai's suit of armor. Samurai looks very happy in this drawing.

@Astral Vision @ExplosionMare @Samurai Equine

Dynamo's ears perked as he heard Samurai's voice was close. He glanced and turned his head slightly as he heard the asian pony whisper something. He blinked for a moment, before giving Samurai a thankful look. "Thanks for the warning." He would whisper back, before wondering what he and the others thought about what Iron had mentioned. As Samurai had asked for the others to follow him, the gamer pony wanted to give them a pleading look. One that wished they could help him through this ordeal between him and Iron. He hoped that he would be able to meet up with the others in whatever the 'lab' was that Samurai had mentioned later.

[Astral Vision 286]

5 hours ago, Samurai Equine said:

@CameoShadowness, @Windy Breeze 🥧, @Pastel Heart

Trilby walks into Samurai's house, making sure to let Beryl out of his hat. There aren't going to be any gusts of wind in here, but there might be some loud voices and noises. "Shadow! I've been looking for you everywhere. I even...!!" >>Poke!<<

 

Trilby winces because he just stepped on a shard of glass left over from the beer bottle Iron Shoal just broke. "AAAHHH!!!" In Tom & Jerry style, Trilby takes a tumble while grabbing his hoof in pain. When he falls, he rolls around and flails, trying to grab something. In doing so, he grabs onto a sliding door and opens Samurai's closet. A few random things fall on top of him. "...I'm okay..." Trilby says under Samurai's belongings.

He eventually hobbles his way over to Shadow and sits beside her, a little roughed up but not too bad. "I, uhh.... I found the karaoke machine." Trilby pulls it up; a souvenir from Samurai's closet. "Anyways... I've been looking for you everywhere, Shadow! Did you see the race when it ended?"

@Astral Vision, @Dynamo Pad, @ExplosionMare

Samurai fights the urge to laugh at what he just saw. Watching his step, he walks in and whispers something to Dynamo. "Jabroni means imbecile. Meet up with me in the lab when you get a chance." Samurai walks away from the two of them for now.

He gives Pencil a wave. "Still want to see my drawings?" He asks, motioning her to follow him.

He also goes over to Astral. "Let's talk about the puzzle box and the book." Samurai says, motioning Astral to follow him as well.

Of course, everyone is welcome to follow him, but he thought I'd personally invite the ones who were most interested. Samurai leaves the party room, and heads into a more private room. His personal lab.

In this room, Samurai has kept detailed records, pictures, and documents of the Laronde Box. Everytime he has made some progress with it, gotten closer to unlocking it, or unlocked a town event; it's all recorded. Some documents have red strings connecting them, as if Samurai is trying to find any patterns or clues. There is also stuff that Samurai has drawn. Most of it is in Ukiyo-e style, but some of it is in Anime style. Pictures of home, Mistmane, his culture... Interestingly, there is a set of unfinished blueprints for mechanical wings, and a drawing of various creatures and shadowy silhouettes attaching it to Samurai's suit of armor. Samurai looks very happy in this drawing.

@Samurai Equine

Astral nodded and slowly followed Samurai to a room hidden. Looking around at the walls and informational notes posted, Astral could tell that Samurai had gone really in depth with his research, which only made the data he could provide all the more invaluable.

"Alright, Samurai. This latest page I found doesn't reveal much, though it is still interesting. Apparently, Final Premonition used to be a close friend of the two mayors before their friendship dissolved. As you said before, the Laronde Box is said to be the key to bringing the two mayors back together, but it got me thinking. What mention of this box is there BEFORE the mayor's divide? And furthermore, why is the box even locked to begin with? Is it possible that this artifact is hiding something more sinister beneath its surface? To me at least, it just seems a little weird that an artifact would be the solution to something it was never involved with, unless it wasn't mentioned for a reason?"

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

@Samurai Equine @Windy Breeze 🥧

Kronos stifled a chuckle upon seeing the new pony enter into Samurai’s house. When the strange new pony took off his hat and revealed a breezie, his voices reacted accordingly. 
 

Awww, how cute. 
 

The hell is that?

 

Swat it or something. Looks like a bug. 
 

I WANNA EAT IT.

 

Kronos lightly tapped at his own head and simply sat still while the little creature buzzed about the room. 
 

He then noticed the way Shadow acted towards this particular pony. 
 

Perhaps THESE two are lovers?

For fuck’s sake, enough with assuming relationships with you. 
 

Actually, i think Alejandro has a point. I mean, look at them. 
 

Fair enough. 
 

Paying no further attention to them, he continued to simply sit and observe the ever increasing absurdity of this “party”.

[CameoShadowness 251]

15 hours ago, Samurai Equine said:

@CameoShadowness, @Windy Breeze 🥧, @Pastel Heart

Trilby walks into Samurai's house, making sure to let Beryl out of his hat. There aren't going to be any gusts of wind in here, but there might be some loud voices and noises. "Shadow! I've been looking for you everywhere. I even...!!" >>Poke!<<

 

Trilby winces because he just stepped on a shard of glass left over from the beer bottle Iron Shoal just broke. "AAAHHH!!!" In Tom & Jerry style, Trilby takes a tumble while grabbing his hoof in pain. When he falls, he rolls around and flails, trying to grab something. In doing so, he grabs onto a sliding door and opens Samurai's closet. A few random things fall on top of him. "...I'm okay..." Trilby says under Samurai's belongings.

He eventually hobbles his way over to Shadow and sits beside her, a little roughed up but not too bad. "I, uhh.... I found the karaoke machine." Trilby pulls it up; a souvenir from Samurai's closet. "Anyways... I've been looking for you everywhere, Shadow! Did you see the race when it ended?"

@Astral Vision, @Dynamo Pad, @ExplosionMare

Samurai fights the urge to laugh at what he just saw. Watching his step, he walks in and whispers something to Dynamo. "Jabroni means imbecile. Meet up with me in the lab when you get a chance." Samurai walks away from the two of them for now.

He gives Pencil a wave. "Still want to see my drawings?" He asks, motioning her to follow him.

He also goes over to Astral. "Let's talk about the puzzle box and the book." Samurai says, motioning Astral to follow him as well.

Of course, everyone is welcome to follow him, but he thought I'd personally invite the ones who were most interested. Samurai leaves the party room, and heads into a more private room. His personal lab.

In this room, Samurai has kept detailed records, pictures, and documents of the Laronde Box. Everytime he has made some progress with it, gotten closer to unlocking it, or unlocked a town event; it's all recorded. Some documents have red strings connecting them, as if Samurai is trying to find any patterns or clues. There is also stuff that Samurai has drawn. Most of it is in Ukiyo-e style, but some of it is in Anime style. Pictures of home, Mistmane, his culture... Interestingly, there is a set of unfinished blueprints for mechanical wings, and a drawing of various creatures and shadowy silhouettes attaching it to Samurai's suit of armor. Samurai looks very happy in this drawing.

Beryl rushes to Trilby as fast as she could. "brwinkeh!" She swore as she took some of the things off of him. Seeing the others leave and no one else jumping in she calls out. "An non of vou halp?! Jonte." She continues to help him. "You okya?" As much as she wanted to follow, she didn't want Trilby to be left injured. She may not be capable of much but she can at least do somethings to help out.

[Pastel Heart 6,466]

@Samurai Equine

Pastels eyes widened as she saw Trilby walk in, pointing at him.

"Gah! It's the used toilet paper salesman!"

As he takes his magnificent stumble, both granddaughter and grandfather laugh. 

"HAHA! YOU BOTCH LIKE GREEN JABRONI!"

"Nyahaha~! Botch, botch!"

Pastel wasn't familiar with what a botch was but was enjoying sharing a laugh with her grandpa, at Trilbys expense.

@Dynamo Pad

"HAH! EASE UP BUBBA! I have no reason to break your back and make you humble... unless you hurt my filly."

Incredibly, he downed the sake and tossed the bottle, adding it to the list of things stacked on Trilby. Poor guy.

"She spoke of you in fondness, and in my old age I know a crush when I see one! Especially for little Pastel! She's a journeypony just like Shoal in his glory days! HAHAHA!"

"Grandpaaaa...!"

"MY FILLY! BRING US PIZZA!"

"You got it, gramps!"

Pastel instantly forgot about the dialogue and rushed over to get pizza for all three, leaving Iron Shoal and Dynamo alone for a bit.

"My filly likes you a lot, bubba. Shoal is fine with that, innocent enough; and if she fancies you, you must be the real. But if you hurt her or break her heart, I promise I will break your back. Iron Shoal has been collecting on his promises for 40 years..."

He had a serious, threatening tone, but it was all for Pastels safety and growth. He didn't know Dynamo from a hole in the head, and though he disapproved of his meekness, he wanted to trust his granddaughters judgement while also keeping her from potential landmines.

...He was also probably by now feeling the effects of the alcohol and being a bit more dramatic than necessary. It runs jn the family. The drama part, not the alcohol... for now.

[ExplosionMare 18,066]

@Pastel Heart @Dynamo Pad

Pencil found it quite odd that Iron Shoal considered Pastel and Dynamo a couple, especially considering their age difference. In defense of the two, Pencil spoke up and said,

“S-Sir, uh, y-your daughter—ahem—your daughter and Dynamo aren’t dating. They’re just friends. Dynamo’s more like a guardian anyways since Pastel’s just a kid. Somepony’s gotta keep an eye on the troublemaker, heh!”

She hoped at least some of that was helpful. For the most part she felt super stupid and dorky for talking but she couldn’t stand all the discomfort in the room. Somepony had to say something!

@Samurai Equine

Pencil soon drew her attention to Samurai and smiled as wide as she could. She began hoping up and down immediately.

“Yes, I wanna see! Show me, show me!” she cried.

She tried to calm herself down, but the effort was futile. She just couldn’t contain her excitement. Pencil had almost forgotten about the drawings and was glad she was able to get to see them.

“Afterwards I can show you some of my stuff too, if you’d like. Maybe we could do an art trade!” she suggested.

[Samurai Equine 52,015]

@Windy Breeze 🥧, @CameoShadowness

Trilby waves. His hoof has no wound or anything. "I'm fine! Really!" Trilby shakes off what happened. "Anyways, Shadow, this is Mini Horse Beryl. She's interested in the town's history. She wondered in during the race and I've been helping her. Beryl, this is Shadow, the mare that I told you about. Me and her are totally dating." Trilby explains.

As he talks, the kurokos are quietly putting Samurai's closet back together and cleaning up any other messes, including the broken glass.

@Kronos the Revenant

Being as polite as possible, one of the kurokos goes up to him and gives him an envelope before walking off. It's addressed to him. Why was a letter delivered to him this late, and why here of all places?

When he opens it up, the letter says "Let's talk. I'll be outside."
The writing is a little chaotic. Probably not written by any of the kurokos themselves. Someone wants a private audience with Kronos, but who could it be?

@Astral Vision, @Dynamo Pad

Samurai listens to what Astral is saying. "The Laronde Box doesn't seem that old to me..." He pulls it out. "But I did get to talk to Mayor Black today! While you and everypony else were busy with the race, he asked to see me. He's a very temperamental mayor. The only time he actually seemed nice was when he was talking about the race. He said he remembered kart racing as a kid, and watching the town's race really made him happy." Samurai explains.

Samurai toys with the box, but can't seem to many any progress with it right now. "It's strange. It's almost as if this thing knows when to give us a clue, and when not to. Even now, it feels like it's cooling down from the last event we just finished."

@ExplosionMare

Samurai shows off his drawings. "Feel free to look at whatever you like, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask!" ... Samurai then sees the drawing he made of mechanical wings, as well as the half-finished blueprints, and pulls them off his art wall. "Except these... These aren't quite finished. You'd probably think it's silly anyways..." Samurai rubs the back of his head and gives a nervous smile, a little embarrassed. 

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@Samurai Equine @CameoShadowness

Shadow's POV

Shadow looked to see a bug flying beside him, a breezie. She smiled softly, sincerely and, honestly at the breezie “Nice to meet you Beryl” she said.

Keen's POV

Keen suddenly got a headache. She put one hoof to her forehead as her thoughts, her personality, and everything personal to her changed and was replaced by someone's memory.

'now, that the haderdasher is here, i will start my first attempts to make them jealous' she thought. 

Edited July 11, 2020 by Windy Breeze 🥧

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

@Samurai Equine

Kronos looked above the note after he was finished reading it, observing the scene before him. It seemed chaotic enough the he could just walk out some other route without anyone noticing. Sure enough, he managed to fluidly weave his way through the patrons of the party and simply exited through the front. 
 

Huh, Kronos thought to himself, that was easier than i thought. 
 

He then went a ways away from Samurai’s house and sat down with his zither on his lap, strumming it and creating light breezes around himself while waiting for whomever sent him tue letter. 

[CameoShadowness 251]

16 hours ago, Windy Breeze 🥧 said:

@Samurai Equine @CameoShadowness

Shadow's POV

Shadow looked to see another mare beside him. She smiled softly, sincerely and, honestly at the mare “Nice to meet you Beryl” she said.

Keen's POV

Keen suddenly got a headache. She put one hoof to her forehead as her thoughts, her personality, and everything personal to her changed and was replaced by someone's memory.

'now, that the haderdasher is here, i will start my first attempts to make them jealous' she thought. 

||Trilby waves. His hoof has no wound or anything. "I'm fine! Really!" Trilby shakes off what happened. "Anyways, Shadow, this is Mini Horse Beryl. She's interested in the town's history. She wondered in during the race and I've been helping her. Beryl, this is Shadow, the mare that I told you about. Me and her are totally dating." Trilby explains.

As he talks, the kurokos are quietly putting Samurai's closet back together and cleaning up any other messes, including the broken glass.||

 

Beryl simply glanced over, even though she acknowledged the mare and her standing, she was more concern with Trilby's crash. "Breeka, Shadow." she mumbled.  She cleared her throat and poked Trilby carefully. "Trilby, you sure you okay? Dat musta hurt bad." She was concern realizing even with no external- he can easily have internal but she doesn't know pony bodies too well and wasn't sure.

Edited July 9, 2020 by CameoShadowness
Forgot to add a bit needed.

[ExplosionMare 18,066]

@Samurai Equine

Pencil eyed all of Samurai’s work, studying it intently. The detail in the mechanical wings was mesmerizing and the blueprints were quite intriguing with what they had on them. Pencil was hoping to see more, but Samurai quickly put the rest of his scraps away, embarrassed by them.

“Don’t be embarrassed! Pencil told Samurai. Your sketches can’t be as bad as mine! They all lack proper proportions and angling and all that. I won’t judge your sketches, promise!”

She winked confidently, hoping Samurai would feel more comfortable sharing the rest of his work. Even if he didn’t, hopefully he would at least feel less embarrassed.

[Samurai Equine 52,015]

@ExplosionMare, @Dynamo Pad, @Astral Vision, @Pastel Heart

Samurai is usually reluctant to share this level of privacy with others. But, these are his friends now, and how can he say no to somepony so nice? He eases up and shares the prints and the picture of the mechanical wings. "Well, I hope you won't laugh at me, but... Secretly, I've always been envious of Alicorns and Pegasi because they can fly like birds. I've always wanted to be able to fly into the blue heaven, but I'm a unicorn, so I'm pretty much stuck on the ground..." Samurai shows Pencil the drawing most of all. "I'm not very good with designing machines. I tried to make mechanical wings myself, but I just can't seem to figure out a working set of wings I can attach to my armor. I guess in my fantasies, I thought that maybe if I made friends with various ponies and species from all walks of life, they might be able to help me make the wings I dream of." Samurai explains.

@Kronos the Revenant

Earlier today during the race, a gazelle appeared. It was made of paper and was disguised thanks to a hoodie. But Samurai identified the assailant as an Origami Shinobi. Well, after the race finished and the track was cleared, the discarded hoodie jacket begins to move. It too is made of paper! And its turning into another ninja gazelle.

And that's exactly who is there to greet Kronos as soon as he sneaks outside. He steps up and points at Kronos, but before Kronos can think of attacking, it speaks! "You." Its voice sounds like a bunch of whispering voices speaking in unison. "You fought against the Samurai earlier today, and then you fought beside him. Tell me... Are you his friend or foe?"

@Windy Breeze 🥧, @CameoShadowness

Trilby nods. "I'm fine. Positive. I've taken falls like that before, trust me." Trilby gives a laugh. "Hay! Since I have this karaoke machine, should we set it up and give it a try? I didn't get to perform at that concert event a few days back, but we're not in front of the entire town now, so it'd be much more fun and simple this way."

Edited July 10, 2020 by Samurai Equine

[Windy Breeze 15,190]

@Samurai Equine

Keen's POV

Keen smiled “that sounds fun” she approached Trilby “Would you like me to help you out?”

Shadow's POV 

Shadow smiled at Keen's hospitality. She didn't seem to look like a hard-working, she looked more like a carefree mare who like to relax and play than working. Looks can be deceiving.

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

@Samurai Equine

Kronos saw the Origami Shinobi reemerge from the shadows. He drew his swords at the assassin ready for a fight. 
 

“I saw Samurai disintegrate you,” Kronos told the paper ninja, “How are you still alive!?”

There may be more than one of him, a voice said. 
 

He’s right, another replied, It’s possible that there’s a guild full of assassins much like this one. Remember, we’re members of the Reaver clan of Ragnarok, part of House Korvax, one of our peoples’ first conquerors. 
 

If there’s a guild of them, Kronos thought, Then this town may be in more grave danger than originally anticipated. 
 

“I will finish you off,” Kronos retorted to the Origami Shinobi, “For my friend, Samurai!!”