open An Arrow to the Wing (1x1 with Catpone Cerberus)

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"I wouldn't say society requires emotions, only mutual respect, which can come from many things besides emotion." Ruby pointed out "My niceness simply comes from the fact that I have realized the potential advantages that may come if you don't kill everything that moves, sometimes unpleasant things are required for even greater gain" "In the end I can't say anything for certain, what I know is that for example fear is something I used to feel, but I got rid of it, so it is not impossible, even I still find it ridiculous, that we have full set of emotions, they just have been buried so deep that they never come out."

"Also, drop the Shine from my name, I only used it because ponies tend to have two part names, I'm now only Ruby." 

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"I have always preferred these over what ponies sing, pony-songs tend to be as random as their decisions on when to sing." Ember said "Can't say I'm totally innocent on that though, I do like to sing when I'm alone, it's a good way to let out steam and relax." "But in my defense, nobody else needs to hear them, that and they tend to sound like actual songs." 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Well, I don't have the book and it isn't like I can see past what you feel and think in the moment, so maybe something will come up, who knows. Could be many things, really, perhaps you're made to hide those emotions at an age so young, you cannot remember it, maybe it's that when things went out of line, the early survivors had to bury their emotions to survive and it's like those stories where something happens that makes the feelings surface, though, realistically if they came up at once, it may seem distressing. Perhaps fear is naturally unburied, due to it's use in surviving. Fear is actually very important, helps predators fight and threat and prey run from danger. You know what they say about cornered animals."

Even though Quasi liked Ruby, he kept a respectful distance, not wanting to invade her space.

"And why not Ruby Shine? This may sound cheesy but, you really shine to me. Even though you wouldn't let me purchase you a drink, ya lightweight!" He said the last part in a playful manner!

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"Yeah, what I don't get is how they seem so planned when made up on the spot. I personally don't like it when ponies break into a happy singing concert about holes and digging at someone's granny's funeral!"

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"Fear can also freeze you in place causing you to get killed." Ruby pointed out "I don't need fear when I already fight everything that threatens me." 

"It matter not what you think about it, I do not like the Shine part, it shall die with the pony." "And while I understand the implications of your playful tone, the reason why I don't care for drinks is because I don't see anything positive about purposely making yourself less aware of your surroundings." "There's other things you could have offered me that I may have accepted." 

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"Can't say I have ever experienced that in any of the funerals I have been in." Ember stated "Though it is called fun-eral, and at least in my opinion celebrating someone's life is better than crying over its ending, I for certain don't want anyone letting grief ruin their life when I die." 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"That's what Mira always said about drinking, her mind is always on the field of battle, that dragon."

Suddenly, a familiar voice.

"You've humiliated me, I cannot let this go."

The evil nightwing that Moonstone killed was back, small enough to fit in the place, and a lot larger than the two dragons. He went to Ruby and ripped the horn ornament off of the red dragon.

"Strong thing, you are weak to my magic."

"How are you here? And... someone came and tried to recruit Ruby!"

"They know not that I'm to kill you, you think I will bow to the whim of dragons do weak? No, I will soon betray them too. I'm yet again a clone, yet I have the memories of the others. Now to do what I've said I'd do. Strike fear into you, Ruby, the dragon that was weak and hid among prey. Make appear a dark and terrible shadow, the one I envision. And may the pains of her past replay vividly in her mind."

Then appeared a large shadow dragon that would resemble Ruby's past, many times the size of said dragon. The shadow let out a terrifying laugh and grabbed Ruby by the neck, picking her up.

"Feel the pain you've felt long ago, deathwing."

The shadow would slam Ruby into the ground.

"You will regret harming Ruby!"

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"Grief is natural to one that lose those they deem a friend or more, you mustn't let grief of others hurt you, Ember. Speak of that, got a love at home? In an weird way, you seem like the type to have one."

Arrow wasn't trying to get into a relationship, he was genuinely curious.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight
Fear and pain are fascinating things, nobody has quite the same reaction to things they fear, and Ruby, if one was to ever think they would see her begging for mercy out of fear, they would be wrong, it's like Quasi had said 'You know what they say about cornered animals.', and what were Ruby's kind but intelligent animals.

Ruby went limb and silent for a second, almost like knocked out, but if one was to be in her head, they would find she was well awake, or at least something was, as there was no thoughts to read, only pain and anger, as to be expected. After the moment, she started moving again and fighting back, but this was different, there were no insults, no angry words, just growling, hissing and roaring, if her eyes had ever had any warmth in them, it was gone, replaced by pure bloodlust, she had seemingly snapped, fighting everything and everyone and trying to kill it, including Quasi. 

So the nightwing had managed to make Ruby fear, to relive her worst nightmare, and this was the logical result of it, after all, she hadn't rolled into a ball and cried when it had happened, no, she had caught the dragon behind it and tortured him to death, and had sworn to kill those even remotely related to it. Someone was going to die in this ravine again.

But not all is always what it seems, as mentally Ruby was in the exact state of fear and suffering that the nightwing wanted, the thing is, she hadn't lied when she had said she needs to focus to keep herself in control, so now that her more intellect side was busy with going through the past, only thing left was a unpredictable senseless animal with thirst for blood.

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"Yes, grief is natural, but like with every other emotion, one shouldn't let it control their life." Ember said "And no, there has been some candidates, but I don't feel right risking their safety by getting them involved with myself." she then explained "And even if I managed to somehow assure their safety, the mental stress caused by worrying about my safety is not a burden I'm willing to push to others." 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

The shadow laughed as Ruby's attacks went through them, Darkstalker stood there, smiling, having accomplished what he wanted as he blocked the attacks Ruby dished out, seemingly with little effort. It was a sign that the spell that made him vulnerable to attacks was in effect. It wasn't a lot, given the size of the evil dragon but, it was something. Quasi was fast, avoiding the Ruby's hits, his training was useful, especially since Ruby wasn't thinking with logic to make the attacks, at least not as much as far as he knew.

Quasi would take off his earring and put it on Ruby's horn to stop Darkstalker's magic, and then fly into his mouth, scratching and attacking. With the little bit of time Darkstalker had to live, he'd use his power to get Quasi out and slam the already injured dragon against a wall. Darkstalker would lay there dead, while Quasi would lay there severely injured.

As for the earring that was on Ruby, it should bring Ruby back and stop the shadow, as it was merely a strong illusion, though, Quasi wouldn't be surprised if she was shaken up from the experience.

"I'll live... probably, you're looking at a true dragon. No less, a nightwing! Darkstalker's part Icewing, no wonder he'd die!"

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"Get someone strong, I'd say, someone that can hold their own against your type of enemies. Maybe like that Rockhoof guy, though, he's not very attractive. Maybe that's because I'm not into guys. Whatever the case, someone like you is in a good position to hold high standards in terms of looking for someone, I'm sure you can find someone that suits you well. Someone that is strong and has confidence in you to face anything that is thrown at you. Maybe I can take you to meet some ponies someday if you're into the warrior type. Maybe you'll have more luck finding someone than me."

"What do you MEAN you want to start a family after this? I don't think it's a good idea, with my line of work, I won't be around enough."

"Just take less missions, Sky."

"Our missions pay for the house!"

"Your missions pay more than enough already."

"We sound like a married couple."

"We are a married couple."

"Alright, we'll discuss this when we get back home, there's a lot of factors that come into this. Money, time, daycare, college funds, a lot of things."

"Alright, we'll talk about this later."

"Huh, so he IS somewhat responsible."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight
Blocking the magic wasn't an immediate fix to Ruby's state, after all, the spell had brought up the memories, those didn't just disappear like that, like one didn't became calm if you told them to calm down. She would ravage around Darkstalker's body for a while before turning her attention towards Quasi, and he would soon find himself being held from the neck by Ruby, with eyes filled with blind hatred staring at his, but that would be as far as it got, as she kinda just stared at him for a while before the hatred seemed to start to decrease, though before it was fully gone she let him go and turned away, after which she hit the stone wall hard enough that a crack of a bone could be heard, followed by a roar of deep anger. After that she went silent, and not only as in not saying anything, her thoughts and emotions were also silent, empty. 

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"That's the problem, it's probably surprising, but I don't really care for the 'strong guys.', strong gals too, while different, are bit meh." Ember said, partly ignoring the situation with Sky as she really didn't care about him "I see that type of creatures so much in my work that I don't want one into my home too." "They also tend to be way to obsessed with being strong, I want to be able to be weak without feeling like I'm being judged for it you know?." 

 

 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Ruby?"

Quasi stood and limped towards the dragon.

"RUBY!"

Quasi didn't know if Ruby was seriously injured or passed out but, he heard the bone crack, he looked through his bag desperately hoping to find something to help, when suddenly, he realized something! Darkstalker! He had a necklace on, that must mean the magic used was from... his stolen page! Quasi opened the necklace, and found a piece of paper that said "turn whoever wears this into Darkstalker but, a little smaller." The paper had lot's of space, perhaps to add more if they wanted to in order to save paper.

"You'll be okay, Ruby."

Quasi ripped off a piece and wrote 'heal Ruby's wounds, physical and mental. And let her get up.' and then he'd wait, hoping she'd get up.

"Please get up."

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"I get what you mean, I kinda feel like an odd one out really. I act strong sometimes but, my size is more like of a rogue and not a warrior, so I can relate. As you can see, my strength is obviously not from any muscles, just magic. It's why I'm so good with a bow."

He took a bow from his bottomless bag and fired and hit a pigeon.

"I thought that was a leaf!"

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight
Ruby didn't injure herself too badly, just a broken bone in her leg, and she was fully conscious, she just wasn't all there mentally, feeling numb and empty, having lost the little she had in life, again. But that didn't matter anymore, as Quasi's spell took hold, doing the only thing that would do anything, and wiped out part of her memory, reverting it back to around when 'Darkstalker' had his monologue.

She looked around, looking bit confused, first at the damage her hit had left on the stone, then at the aftermath of the short fight, and lastly Quasi "What did he do? did I get knocked out or has someone been in my head?" she may now have a gap in her memory, but she wasn't stupid, and it wasn't hard to gather what could have happened from what she did know.

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"Strength means lot less than skill and using one's head." Ember said "But I don't necessarily mean physical strength." the crow took off and grabbed the dead pigeon, after which it started eating it "Outside this job I'm not too different from average mare, I am half pony after all, and I have been raised by ponies, in fact, if we would have met outside this the first time, I dare to say that you wouldn't expect me to do this as a job." 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Darkstalker came back, he brought back the feelings of your past so vivid that it was as if you were there. It was liked you've turned into an animal. I'm assuming it's a fear reaction from your kind. I flew into his mouth and tore the throat up, just... don't take off that horn ornament, it's the only think keeping you safe from the spell. I've healed your mental and physical wounds from a paper in his necklace but, the spell remains, so it'll only happen again if you take off the horn ornament."

The dead dragon was now a stick. Without a the paper, the spell was inactive. Quasi burnt the paper that transformed the stick to avoid issues in the future.

"Thanks for picking me up at the neck, I think you popped my spine into place!" he laughed, still a little shaken from the incident that happened.

---------------------------------------

"I don't think you're weak, you're probably the strongest one I know. And I get it, you seem nice for your line of work."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight
Ruby blinked before putting her leg above the ornament and muttering something, after which she lowered her leg again "Can't say I remember the part about picking you up, but if you're telling the truth, you're lucky I only picked you up." "What I do know is that this ornament is staying in place, it's now sealed on my horn, never coming off that horn." she looked at him for a second "You should probably head in to the cave before someone smells an easy prey." 

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"That's not really what I mean either...." Ember said "It doesn't really matter, you'll get it if we ever meet outside this." she then concluded, she didn't know how to explain it, nor did she really want to explain it here either, so she wanted to change the topic, and change it she did, with rather direct question "Do you have a crush on me?"
 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"I'm not afraid of some big dragon."

Quasi held back a scream of pain, though it was clear with the look on his face.

"I'll kill any dragon that comes after me!"

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"A crush? Let's say for a moment I did, do you think I'd admit that to someone I've only just met? You say that to a mare you've just met, you'll either wind up embarrassed or in severe physical pain."

He didn't say he had no crush but, he didn't say he had one either. With many ponies, this would be a clear indication but, Arrow was a complicated pony.

"And what kind of pony asks that? Like, is this one of those things where you indirectly try to tell me you like me without telling me you like me to avoid rejection? No, no, can't be the case, I started the conversation. Whatever the case, I just met you, so if I did have a crush, asking you out wouldn't be the responsible choice to make."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"That doesn't matter." Ruby stated "Fighting injured slows down the healing progress and may lead to permanent damage." she didn't reveal her opinion about Quasi's capabilities, as like she had said, that didn't matter to her, and ultimately it was up to Quasi what he did, but at least she had warned him "I can also sense your pain, you are wasting energy trying to act tough." her saying someone would smell him wasn't figurative.

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"First, if someone actually hits you for that, they have something wrong in the head." Ember said, nobody had the right to physically hurt others for no reason "Second, what kind of pony? the answer is I, I ask it, I like to go straight to the point if you haven't noticed." "And that's why I said crush and not deeply in love, crush just means that you want to know someone better because you feel you could come along well enough to go further." she smiled in almost teasing manner "You are easy one to read, you could have just said yes and saved some time." it wasn't clear if she really believed so or if she was just trying to get reaction out of Arrow, having a life like hers, she had learned how to be very hard to read.

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

 @Catpone Cerberus

"Awww, you do care." he said playfully.

Quasi would go lay down in the cave.

-------------------

Arrow had a slight smile.

"It isn't everyday someone can read me like a card. Well done. Though, if you don't have the same idea, I'm cool with it, just a fact in life."

"Am I invited to your honeymoon?"

"Me and her are NOT getting married."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"Don't get annoying about it, I'll amputate it if you do" Ruby said in almost humorous tone, there was some seriousness mixed in though, as to be expected from her. She made her way to her part of the cave and soon came to Quasi and threw him a book, literally. "There, you like history, so you can read while you rest." the book was written in...english? common? ponyish?...in not-Ruby's-language, and was written in very journal like manner from first-person perspective by someone who seemingly was studying Ruby's kind. It didn't have anything Ruby hadn't already said in some manner, but it went in bit more detail with it.

------------------------------------------

"Part of my job is to read intentions from creatures." Ember noted before responding to Sky "No you aren't, but I'll make sure to send the most foul and disgusting parts of the leftovers to you so that you can eat them from the floor and feel like you're there." she didn't bother repeating what arrow had said, besides, it was clear that such reaction was exactly what Sky wanted. 

She then addressed Arrow again "That aside, I do not feel anything towards you currently, but I am not opposed to sitting down with coffee, tea, cider, or whatever and getting to know each other, I have not had a chance to have a conversation with a dragon hunter before, as the tensions between me and hunters tend to be high for obvious reasons." "Though it would have to be somewhere that doesn't allow dogs." 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Whoever made this probably died, surprising they managed to write before getting killed."

Quasi would look at the book.

"Now what does it say..."

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"I'd probably go with coffee, I'm trying to not drink anymore. Turned into a bad habit after my partner died. And a place not allowing dogs might be an issue, Sky will probably be too busy killing those jackals to even consider messing with us."

"They can't keep me out, Equestria has discrimination laws!"

"They can ban you from annoying people."

"Yeah, Arrow is right, you've already gotten banned from our local Walmart for ripping the beard off a santa and making the children cry as a result."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight
Ruby didn't say anything and instead just left Quasi alone, heading to her own end of the cave and proceeding to unpack everything, eventually laying down on her pile of treasure.

The book, or more accurately, the journal, started with whoever wrote it explaining how they found a cave they believed to be safe in, they never introduced themselves, but the writer did express that their sole purpose was to look into the history of the dragons who lived here, and that they knew it wouldn't be easy. The first segment was mainly about how the writer explored the homelands, and during few years found bits and pieces of history, mainly in form of written text on walls of caves, but they noted that this didn't help yet as they didn't know the language. After that was a period of time where the writer focused on translating their findings, writing only short entries logging their progress. Last pages that were filled were the conclusion, where the writer explained their findings.

At some point of time, very long time ago, there was a civilization of dragons here, ruled with monarchy-like of system, and from what could be gathered, it thrived for a long while. But then something happened, what exactly wasn't sure, but it was implied that greed took over, and the writer inserted their own guesses, guessing it could have been related to a death of the leader or something else that would have caused a power vacuum, though they emphasized that this was speculation by them. They then continued explaining how it seemed that after this event, in the following conflicts, many of the most powerful individuals disappeared, and among them many of those not interested in fighting also went missing, as there was evidence of those left over trying to find them with no avail. The last note on that entry was that this was most likely when the land turned to what it was now.

There was one more entry in the book, in which the writer explained that they had found other things like for example information about the magic these dragons used, they were books written by someone else they had found from a deep part of a cave somewhere, but that they hadn't had the time to fully translate those yet. They also noted that they had written a guide for translation in case they died in coming days and someone else found these, as they were planning a travel deeper into the homelands, something they knew was very dangerous, but what they believed to be necessary for sake of information.

That was the last entry.

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"Harassment is also illegal." Ember pointed out "And while the business can't necessary throw you out for being a dog, that doesn't mean you're welcome, as a half-dragon I know just how nasty ponies can be when they don't like someone, dragons haven't been accepted by ponies for that long after all." 

 

(this could be a good moment for time-skip, but it should be planned in OOC first)

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

After a long while, Quasi got better, settling into life in Ruby's land. Sometime during this, a nightwing with a scale that looks like a teardrop on both eyes appeared and gave Quasi a gem with a string that looked a lot like some kinda star. Told him it was a gift but, Quasi knew what it really was and with his abilities, knew the purpose. The nightwing walked off with one of her own. If Ruby ever asked, he'd answer, 'a symbol of friendship between and her', at the moment, it was too risky to tell Ruby the truth about this necklace, Quasi didn't lie much, but, it was something he knew how to do well.

One day, Quasi would wake up to a dragon in front of him.

"Ruby! Someone's here!"

"The Fironians wish to recruit you, Quasi, you don't agree with our cause but, I know you'll go with Ruby, who will be paid well. You can be our librarian, since we cannot trust you to do any fighting, don't worry, you'll be close to your friend. And that necklace..." Quasi jolted slightly hearing that but, was relieved when after "...I wouldn't wear it myself but, to each their own."

When Ruby appeared she say: "The leader requested you to personally protect her. She is severely weakened despite her species?" She could tell Quasi' had a look of curiosity and answered before he asked anything. "Draconequus. Much more serious than many other ones, perhaps a byproduct of her weakened state. If she can plunge other nations into chaos and watch it unfold from her throne room,  our leader will maintain to her power and regain her strength and thus ruling multiple worlds. For now, the war is her chaos and soon. Animus magic was used to control the mind of Discord, the dragon you killed was actually responsible for that, Darkstalker was useful, but, is now a liability, that is why we sent him here so you'd kill him."

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The party would go and raid the treasury with great success, though there was a backup out there, this put the Fironians on seriously low budget. Weirdly though, the Fironians held their own. Sky's ptsd improved along with his attitude with Myra's herbs. He even stopped harassing everyone, aside from a few playful jokes. After being cleared of suicidal tendency, he was given his weapons.

Arrow had a bit of a thing for Ember, but, he wasn't going to let that hinder him from the mission and he respected Ember's boundaries. This time, they were meeting up with someone who had information, and Arrow was surprised at who it was, a friend from the north. An armored pony with a big battle axe.

 "Ragnar?"

"An attack is imminent. We were unsure, so I sent the my messenger to give the Fironian leader my axe, when my messenger returned, he returned with my axe."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight
Ruby didn't do anything too special after she had settled in, killing few dragons and otherwise just eating and spending time in her cave, and while she never pushed Quasi away, she didn't actively seek out interactions with him either, only times being during the time he was injured, as she would bring him food and few more books with no new information, dismissing any suggestion that she cared, always coming up with a excuse based on survival and or logic.  What came to the visitor, she had mostly ignored the whole thing, it seemed almost like something was bothering her, but any amount of questions or mind digging didn't give hints on what it was if anything. And while Ruby let Quasi do almost whatever he wanted, she was strict on one thing, and that was him staying out of her part of the cave, though she never got physical about it, just angry, but if Quasi did go there regardless, the increasing amount of claw marks here and there would have been something to be noticed, but like with the possible bother, no answers were available.

 

Ruby was surprisingly calm when she came to see what was going on, she has expected this day to come, though she was rather surprised by the position she was asked to fill, either this leader lacked some brain, or she would be there only for show, letting someone like her so close right away, even if enemy of the enemy, though she didn't mind, gave a chance for her to bolster her place in the ranks, finally someone gave her the treatment she deserved. "I accept, and I can also give free advice, she should next time send someone with more restraint, you let out quite a lot of information that the enemies would love to hear." "Luckily for you, they betrayed me." it may have looked like she didn't think it over, but she had had time to consider since the first visit by the Fironians, though she wanted to make sure this dragon understood its place, everything from her tone to her body language told 'I'm the boss here' 

"I need to do something first though." that something was to seal her part of the cave, this time so well that even if someone somehow managed to find it from the huge cave system, there was simply no way to access it alive, and it would get buried under so much volcanic rock that even bigger group would give up trying to find it after that. 

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After the treasury's raid, Ember got the payment done, how exactly wasn't clear, as she made sure everyone else was out of the treasury when she did it, but after she was done, good chunk of the treasure was gone, and any questions would result to 'connections' being said in her professional tone. She had also gotten some mysterious equipment to herself, but what it was wasn't clear, and any questions would be answere along the lines of 'preparations for possible end result of your mistakes.' 

She mainly avoided everyone else but Arrow, interacting just as much as necessary, keeping up the familiar professional demeanor, even after Sky's improvement, it was clear that she just didn't want to deal with any of them, and the reason would come up in the various conversations, as she made it clearer and clearer that she had specific hatred towards powerful organizations, and with Sky and other's being such lovers of their government, she couldn't get herself to like them.

For Arrow, she would treat him better, but not in the way that told of any romantic interest, it was more the 'I tolerate you the most' type of deal, and she would stay professional, and if Arrow had tried to make any moves, they would have been politely and calmly refused.

 

"How was that unsure at this point?" She asked, this was active war, was a symbolic thing like this really necessary? "Though I guess the fact that a messenger made it back alive is a surprise." 

Edited February 15, 2021 by Catpone Cerberus

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"I'll be your librarian but, I will not aid you in this war."

"It's settled."

"And Ruby, remember, they know your abilities, but, underestimate your intelligence. I know you can do what is right, you're sweeter than you know."

"Very touching... now let's go the queen is not a patient draconequus."

"Yeah, and I'm sure she's waiting to put a sword through both our hearts."

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"My land isn't a superpower by any sense, no... but we would decrease Equestrian moral have we joined the Fironians, as we are in trade with the Equestrians. We tried to remain neutral but, we've recently gotten word that it was join or die."

"Did the messenger have a letter to explain?"

"We understand each other, we need no words. Faithless Fironians will fall soon enough. Them and their leader... who is merely pawn according to our spies. Draconequus, weakened and serving a worse Draconequus named Malum, one that according to legend, a yellow draconequus in the form of a pony will kill. Malum isn't your problem, but, the evil Matilda, she can be killed by traditional means but, that doesn't mean it is easy."

"Ragnar... Matilda... hehe, don't lose your head, buddy."

"Is that a reference to a piece of media from your world?"

"Of course it is, you know me well!"

Arrow looked over to the dragonpony.

"We gonna have to pay you again?"

"I hope not, I heard a dragonpony's house is upside down from draconequus magic."

He showed a news paper.

Equestrian house upside down!

"Funniest thing I've seen all day": Local Pony.

"Why is that newspaper in your place?"

"Well, I like to know about the world."

"I hope you're from Ponyville, you'll need the insurance."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight
"That will have to be an impressive sword." Ruby commented half jokingly, dismissing Quasi's previous comment "Though such action would be waste of her time, because while I'm not so stupid that I would blindly believe that this definitely isn't a trap, we both are useful to her alive." she would follow whenever they would start moving

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"Most likely fake news, since it would say the town if it was real, as saying 'Equestrian house' is the same as saying 'some random house somewhere" Equestria wasn't just small area in a bigger thing, Equestria was...well, the whole Equestria "It's also meaningless, I have enemies that could send my house to the void if they got close enough, a little draconequus magic trick doesn't even slow my life down." as she had stated before, she wasn't stupid enough to keep her important things in a place that everyone knew. "But to address the more important matter, I took enough payment to cover quite a lot, but we'll see after this is over if it ends up being too little." "Though I'd like to remind you that the leader is not my main target, there's others I'll go after first, as they were paid first, and they were paid without any unnecessary annoyance." 

 

 

 

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Isn't a draconequus pretty deadly though?"

Quasi would move with them.

"I'm not threat without my book, so I may not be killed, that would be true if you weren't here, Ruby, I'll die inside if they kill you."

He looked at Ruby.

"You bury your emotions well, Ruby. But, if you care enough like I think you do, I'm sure you'll eventually make the right choice. And if not, you would recognize that doing the right thing will work more in your favor."

Moonwatcher made it very clear that hiding what she was thinking was possible. She also said in some timelines, she would think going with the Fironians was the choice to make at first. Not knowing was part of the plan. In fact, there was other things Quasi knew nothing about. Things he wouldn't suspect to be part of this plan to stop the Fironians. He felt bad having to manipulate Ruby but, it was important that he did this.

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"Pfft... annoyance."

"Someone that loves their government so much can get annoying."

"My government? It isn't about the government, I fight for my people so they can be safe from the evils of the world. My government is just my boss, my people are the ones I fight to protect."

"I see, perhaps we aren't so different, coyote."

"What is it that you want in return, dragonpony?"

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight

" 'The right thing' is an opinion." Ruby stated "For me killing an intruder is the right thing to do, for you and ponies it's not." "The truth of the matter is that there's no right or wrong, only self-interest and the common-good, and I most likely don't need to tell you which one I follow." "If this ends up biting me in the backside, so be it, if I make a mistake that leads to my end, I have deserved that death." "I have had more than enough time to think about this decision, the ponies can blame themselves for the death it will bring." she expected there to be some kind of test, had to be, the leader couldn't be stupid enough to just invite a random dragon as their personal guard without making sure they would actually kill her enemies.

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"Still don't get how intervening with the laws of different world protects your people? especially a world that is known to be almost too peaceful?" Ember remarked, she didn't let things down easily, even if she didn't want to talk about them, and to imply that she really didn't care to hear the answer, she continued right away with different topic "I only accept things that have direct worth in currency I can use, so bits, gold, gems, silver....things like that. I also accept some things that can be sold, but that will be lot more expensive in relation, as it's never sure if I can sell them at their full worth, in most cases I can't."  

[Lucid_Nightlight 923]

@Catpone Cerberus

"Perhaps you'll learn the hard way, if they do turn on you, make sure it is you that lives."

He knew she would, he knew Ruby would tolerate such betrayal. They can't scare her, and if they did, Quasi knew that would only make things worse for her attackers.

"Why does a draconequus need protecting? Couldn't she handle any assassin herself."

The dragon's carelessness broke a little but, only for a second, barely noticeable for someone unobservant. Quasi caught on to this, reading emotions and minds was helpful, though the dragon seemed unaware of this detail. Perhaps these Fironians didn't know as much as they thought they knew.

fools, Quasi thought.

"Princess Celestia can defend herself but, does she not have guards?"

The point was fair, but, the dragon seemed to say it halfheartedly, as if not having an actual answer.

"Fair enough. You're lucky I have no idea what you think, though, if I did, I'd hope Ruby wouldn't rat me out. I'm sure shed want to remain prepared just in case you betrayed her."

"Yes, we've looked into that, but, the records the Nightwings kept have no record of you reading any minds. They those days have long passed. I'd be careful with your words, it is due to the documents we've taken that I did not just kill you now as a threat."

Of course, it was known by Quasi that and he assumed Ruby, since she was in Rainwing Kingdom that the information the Fironians had was outdated. Perhaps a planned move the Rainwings made to cover his track? That Moonwatcher dragon was proving to be a useful help to him.

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"I speak on what my government will do, not that I agree with them. Perhaps you want to believe I'm such a fool because you wish to have something to act negative about."

"You should've watched the wording you've used, you put her under this impression."

[Catpone Cerberus 23,594]

@Lucid_Nightlight
I'm surrounded by idiots, Ruby thought to herself, she didn't think of any specific reason, it was just kind of a mental eye roll. "For a strong leader personal guards are mainly for show, and to work as meat shields of course." "And every creature must sleep at some point, some beings are bit different though, but that's besides the point." "Though if the troops of this leader are anything like those that ambushed us before the arena....I'm not really surprised I'm needed, those weaklings lost lives to me even with my blood full of sedatives." 

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"You seemed very happy to agree with them when you tried to threaten me." Ember pointed out "Besides, the fact that you are willingly serving them, means that you endorse what they do, words mean nothing when your actions don't match them." "Part of the reason why I don't take orders from organization, I'm only responsible for my own actions and opinions." "And before you try to point it out, the difference is, I never claimed to be a warrior of goodness, the savior of other worlds." "But maybe you're right, maybe I don't want to get along with you, because the truth of the matter is, I don't like military's dogs, no matter if they are literal dogs or not, as they tend to excuse their awful actions with 'just following orders'."