private The House Always Wins {RP}

[Ms. J. L. Snickers 101]

Welcome to the fabulous Las Pegasus!

 

 

You've been called to the fabulous Las Pegasus. You got a note in the mail, with a complimentary, all expenses-paid vacation to the luxurious Bellagio Hotel. The note said that you had been singled out, and invited to this place at the whim of a reclusive billionaire, who's heard of you and wanted to meet you.

 

That doesn't sound too bad, right?

 

Except it turns out that the Bellagio - as beautiful and rich as it may be - is completely empty. There's just the six of you. Six ponies, trapped with a billionaire who's not known for being completely sane, in a gigantic hotel. And the featherbeds and expensive food can't hide the fact that you are now imprisoned in here.

 

Master Artix, the billionaire who invited you here, has a job for you to do. His wife was murdered, and he wants you to find the murderer.

 

And he's not going to let you go until you do.

 

 

 

• No Godmodding: That means controlling other people's characters, making them do things, or answering for them. It also means making your OC do highly attention-getting things to make sure the center of attention is always on them.
• Good Grammer and Spelling Is A Must: I understand that English may not be everyone's native language, and we'll try to be accomadating of that, but there is no excuse for having poor spelling/grammar. Every player must submit a paragraph or more of their roleplaying, fanfiction, etc., so this rule can be ensured.
• No Mary Sues, Gary Stus: That means having a perfect character. I'm usually a pretty good judge of these, so I'll be keeping a sharp eye on your profiles. If there's something wrong with the profile, I'll let you know right away.
• I Am Boss: I'm the TM here (ThreadMaster), which means you will have to follow the storyline I set forth. I hold the reins here, and I'll try to make sure the story is easy to play with. You have some certain freedoms; I'm pretty much here to keep order.
• Post Formatting Is Allowed: But make sure everything's readable. No flashing images, neon colors, etc. Try not to hide behind pretty posts and make sure your writing's good, too.
• OOC In OOC: I can't stress this enough - if you have an OOC comment, make sure you stick it in the OOC board! Try to keep the roleplaying posts in the actual RP thread. Also, whenever you make an IC post, make sure you mention or quote whoever you're roleplaying with. (i.e. @Ms. J. L. Snickers)
• Ponies Are A Must: There are no humans in Equestria! Your character may be a pegasus, unicorn, or earth pony. No Alicorns Are Allowed.

Failure to comply with these rules will result in you getting kicked from the roleplay. I am not kidding about this.

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

 

 

 

Characters:

 

\ Master Artix // ~ @Ms. J. L. Snickers

\ Maple Sands // ~ @RayFriedH

\ Flame Dancer // ~ @Joleton

\ Book Quill // ~ @Celebi (Thunder Knight)

\ Goldseek // ~ @Jirachi (aRegularPony)

\ Phil Noir // ~ @LeJAKoJAK

\ Max // ~ @ActFast231

Edited March 27, 2013 by Ms. J. L. Snickers

[Ms. J. L. Snickers 101]

 

It was almost ready.

 

The hotel seemed to inhale with him, not ready to expel a breath until all of his plans began to fall into place. The Bellagio was a puzzle, a huge puzzle, but only an expert caretaker could fully manage it. A caretaker was much more than just somepony who made sure the beds were clean or the guests were happy – Master Artix was much more than that. After Buttercup had died, the Bellagio had become his only friend, his only companion. His other two hotels had been purchased from other ponies, but the Bellagio was the only one he had built from scratch, with his own two hooves.

 

The hotel he loved so much contained the ghost of his wife.

 

There was a soft knock at the door. “Come in,” Master Artix murmured, still staring at his reflection. Time had weathered his features, but those piercing tawny eyes still glared hard back at him from the looking-glass, framed by a raven forelock smoothed carefully away from his face. His lovely assistant, a fashionista called Eloise, clopped gently into the room.

 

“The train will be here shortly, sir,” She intoned lightly. “Would you care to meet them at the station?”

 

“No,” He said after a long pause. “Bring them here. I’ll greet them in the lobby. Then you are dismissed.”

 

“Everything else has been completed, sir,” Eloise reminded him, obviously fetching for praise. “Everypony has been instructed to leave after ten o’clock tonight.”

 

“Everypony?”

 

"Everypony. Waiters, servants, even the cleaning staff.”

 

His own golden eyes crinkled in a smile as he straightened his black frock coat. “Excellent. We want to show them a good time before the plans begin. The hotel will be full when the first arrive, and make sure the evacuations are concluded quietly. We don’t want to scare them off.”

 

“Sir...” Eloise hesitated, wondering if it was safe to ask him what he was planning. “Are these ponies going to get hurt?”

 

"Not unless they give me what I want."

 

“And that is?”

 

“My wife’s murderer.”

Edited March 27, 2013 by Ms. J. L. Snickers

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

Flame was fast asleep sitting upright with his head against the window.
He awoke as the train came to a stop. He yawned and stood up.

He adjusted the straps of his saddlebag which was full of many many different types of circus supplies...a few juggling clubs could be seen sticking out here and there.

Yawning, he walked down the hall towards the nearest door then out onto the train station platform.

He was about to make his way towards the door when he realized he had no idea where he was going. "I need a map." He muttered, looking around for a staff member or somepony who may be able to help...

[ActFast231 432]

Max sat anxiously as the train pulled into the station for Las Pegasus. He needed a vacation badly. It has only been a week since he dealt with...an issue two years in the making. Maybe this could be his chance to meet some new ponies. He stepped onto the train platform, pulling out the map of Las Pegasus he had purchased at the last stop.

"OK, so the hotel is...that way." He thought aloud. He began trotting over to the end of the station, and make his way to the hotel

[Dave (RayFriedh) 246]

Maple leaned her head against the open window, surveying the buildings moving toward and away from her as the train chugged through the city. It had slowed down considerably since a few hours ago. She tries to take mental note of any landmarks that could help her move around the city, but the whole place was practically full of vibrant colours and beautiful buildings. The whole city was full of landmarks. She gave up her attempts at trying to map the city in her mind, and thought about what was to come.  She had been quite skeptical when she first received the letter, but upon confirming its legitimacy, she was bouncing off the walls, filled to the brim with pure excitement. She could barely sleep that night.  It was moments like those that she loved, just moments of pure childishness.  She had just been offered a one-of-a-time offer that she could not refuse! She wondered if maybe the owner wanted to talk about her novels, or maybe-

 

No time to finish that thought. She could see what seemed to be a train station- which was also needlessly over-decorated- in the distance. She stood up, and prepared her saddlebag, an oak-coloured bag with an image of the Canterlot Royal typewriter that she used to write her stories. Fastening a strap, her ears perked up to catch the sound of the train's whistle. She stood up and walked toward the door. The train reached a slow and steady stop. Maple tripped a little, and caught herself with the door. She chuckled at her own clumsiness as she opened the door, stepped outside into the hallway, and to where she had first entered on the train.

 

Maple stood at the exit, took a deep breath (then regretted it, as the train was still belching steam) and then stepped outside...

 

That was when she realized that she did not know where to go.

Edited March 27, 2013 by RayFriedh

[Ms. J. L. Snickers 101]

The train hissed to a stop, and Eloise trotted over to the platform amid clouds of steam. Her stylized, mussed mane was flung attractively over her shoulder, and she checked her clipboard as the ponies climbed off the train. "All ponies heading to the Bellagio hotel under the invite of Master Artix, please step this way!” She called, snapping her chewing gum. A few ponies, rather stiff from their train ride but excited nonetheless, gathered reluctantly near her. "You’ll be traveling with the compliments of Master Artix,”

 

A carriage pulled by two strong black stallions was waiting at the station, their vests carrying a swirled golden B inside a circle, the symbol of the Bellagio hotel. There was room for all six of them inside the plush carriage, and with a compartment for their luggage. "Leave your luggage with me, I’ll take care of it,” Eloise said dryly, enjoying the awed expressions.

 

The two stallions whinnied, and Eloise did another head count. "Hang on, I’m missing a few. I’ll be right back. You go on in, there’s complimentary beverages inside.”[/b]

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

"I'm here!" Book Quill took ran right off the train, carrying a suitcase with papers flying out of it. "I'm here, I'm here... I'm sorry..." She shook her head and stood up straight. "I'm sorry..." She looked down at her hooves, falling silent. Why did she have to make a fool out of herself in front of everypony?

[LeJAKoJAK 49]

It's a dark out when Phil Noir steps of of the train. A gust of wind whips his, mane, threatening to knock fedora off. He places a hoof to stop the hat from flying away. He sticks a piece of red licorice in his mouth, gives it a couple of chews, and pulls out a note.

"Let's see here, the note says to meet at the Belaggio, Ballgo, whatever. The question is, where is it?"

He stops a pony that is about to board the train. "'Scuse me miss, do you know where the 'Bellgio' hotel is at?" The mare gives Phil a look over, harumphs, and boards the train. "Thanks for the help lady, hopefully you are as stuck up as the rod shoved up yo-" Before he could finish the sentence, she had boarded the train.

Phil let's out a long sigh and walks over to the nearest newsstand, tosses a few bits on the counter, and grabs a copy of the latest edition of the Equestria Daily.

"Mare murdered, more on page C4." Phil flips through to the right section, "Mare murdered...guards won't reopen the case.... husband distraught..." The stallion trots to a bench and continues to read.

(OOC: Formatted. I found a fun way to distinguish my character's voice.)

Edited March 27, 2013 by LeJAKoJAK

[Ms. J. L. Snickers 101]

Eloise threaded her way through the thickly populated train station, squinting up at the thundery clouds above her. The clouds always darkened and the weather got funky whenever the weather patrol was off partying somewhere. Twitching her tail irritably, she saw a rather flustered looking pony standing near the carriage, and she forced a plastic smile on her face. There was that young mare that matched the description on her clipboard – the other writer. "Hey, step aboard," She muttered. "Free drinks inside."

 

Not far down at the train station, there was a suspicious looking pony sitting on a bench and reading a newspaper. He was a detective of some sort – of all the ponies Master Artix had invited, he was the only one who made sense. "Detective? Step this way, please, there’s a carriage waiting for you."

 

She squinted around, checking her clipboard. Was that everypony? She hoped so. She was late for a hoofacure already.

 

\\ OOC: Hoping this is the last time I'll have to use Eloise, don't like her much. XD//

[LeJAKoJAK 49]

"I was wondering how I was gonna get there, and free drinks? Thanks, but no thanks. I've seen what drinks can do to ponies." Phil puts the newspaper into his overcoat, and pulls out a another piece of candy. "Let's get this over with."
Phil climbs into the wagon, and sits off in the corner away from everypony else. Now looking at the other ponies, "It seems like we are gonna be stayin with each other for the next week or so, so, let's start with some introductions. I'm Phil, Phil Noir."

Edited March 27, 2013 by LeJAKoJAK

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

@@Ms. J. L. Snickers,

 

Flame noticed a small booth where they would probably sell maps. He was about to make his way over when he heard somepony mention the Bellagio. He looked around and spotted the mare who had spoken. He made his way over to her and stood a few feet away...unsure what he should say or do...

[ActFast231 432]

Just as Max was about to leave the station, he heard someone call for all Bellagio guests. He flew over to what appeared to be a large carriage.

"Oh, that will work." He said, trotting into the carriage. He took his seat, waiting for the carriage to depart. He had butterflies in his stomach and he had a rather large grin on his face. He noticed a few drinks in the carriage, with a note saying "COMPLIMETARY" on the dash. It didn't interest him, Max has never drank.

[Ms. J. L. Snickers 101]

@Joleton, @ActFast231

 

Just as she was about to give the rest of the ponies up as a lost cause, two of them came trotting over at once. She ground her back molars together but forced a pleasant smile on her attractive features. "Right this way, sirs," She said sweetly, taking their luggage and resisting the urge to throw it at them. Eloise carefully tucked the saddlebags into the compartment, and noticed that the pony in the fedora was already chatting it up with the rest of the ponies.

 

Why in the wide world of Equestria would her boss be interested in these ponies? They were some of the dullest, most common ponies she had ever seen, and a few of them looking pretty suspicious. Of course, Master Artix hadn’t been quite right for the past few years, but still, it was an odd order to give.

 

There was one pony left to find. Eloise slammed the carriage doors shut and galloped into the crowds, tail twitching, determined to find the single elusive pony who was keeping her from her hoofacure.

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

@@Ms. J. L. Snickers,

 

Flame reluctantly gave her his saddlebag. He never really liked other ponies touching his things...especially his circus supplies. But he didn't say anything. He quietly climbed into the carriage and sat down, instantly looking away from the other ponies to look out the window.

He sighed, still unsure why of all ponies, he was chosen to stay at the Bellagio.

 

(OOC: I will be gone until later today. Try not to speed ahead without me)

[Dave (RayFriedh) 246]

Maple shook her head, flustered. How long had she been staring at that carriage? She felt like an idiot. There were already someponies on the vehicle, which, she figured, had undoubtedly given her some strange glances as they passed by. She even felt the stallions pulling the cart give her an intense stare, but she didn't dare look up to confirm it.

 

Some first impression that was.

 

They seemed to be ignoring her, which probably meant that she had been out a considerable amount of time. She had had one of those moments- just spacing out. She did that sometimes, but mostly when she focused on something,but not like...this. She'd been thinking of the city she had currently found herself in. It was nothing like she had seen before, and she was wondering just what sort of things she could do with this type of setting in some new creation of hers... but that was where her train of thought stopped. She looked up at the carriage, seemingly towering above her head, and, seeing no other alternative, she placed her hoof on the door, and turned it. She pulled the door to reveal a four ponies sitting there, waiting. She gave a nervous smile at them, then stepped inside. She took a seat, and then hung her head low. 

 

She tried to keep her snout shut to stop her from assaulting these ponies with excuses as she strained her eyes to look at them while she had her head down. She wasn't able to see much, what with her mane covering her eyesight, but she managed to notice the features of two ponies.

 

One of them had a rather dark coat, and a grey fur to match. He seemed to have a strong, firm build. She chuckled internally at the thought that he could have been ripped straight out of a classic police film and nopony would notice. The other seemed to be a pegasus, wearing what was seemed like a red sweater. Judging by the colour of his wings...

 

Oh damn it, she was spacing out again.

Edited March 27, 2013 by RayFriedh

[aRegularPony 306]

Goldseek sat up to the sound of somepony yelling about a carriage to Bellagio. He had fallen asleep somewhere in the travel. The sunlight blinded him as he stood up and started trotting towards the doorway. Exiting the train, he noticed a carriage, which he suspected was the one to Bellagio, and jumped on. The company was... odd. Why had he been chosen with them? Why had he been chosen at all? Had he earned some kind of reputation from his travels? He was starting to doubt this would be just a regular holiday.

[ActFast231 432]

@,

Max sat by and watched as more and more ponies entered the carriage. He didn't notice anypony major in the carriage, save for the detective looking stallion. Max began to wonder why they were all selected for this trip. He noticed a mare trot in, mane covering her eyes, and avoiding eye contact. She seemed to glance over at him briefly, so Max decided best to introduce himself.

"Good afternoon, ma'am." He began in a bright demeanor.

"My name is Max. What might your name be?"

[Dave (RayFriedh) 246]

@ActFast231

 

Maple lifted her head at the sound of the pegasus's voice.

 

He wore a rusted-red fedora, and had a nice light-green tint of hair to match with his fur. This is all Maple allowed herself to observe, in fear of spacing out yet again.

 

"Uh, hullo," she started, pacing herself.

"My name's Maple. Maple Sands. I'm an author."

 

She glanced at the other ponies beside and in front of her, and thought aloud,

"I wasn't aware that there were other ponies coming along...we're all going to the Bellagio, right?"

 

She lifted her hoof for a friendly hoofshake.

Edited March 27, 2013 by RayFriedh

[Ms. J. L. Snickers 101]

Las Pegasus fairly hummed.

 

As the carriage pulled away from the station with a small jerk, the clear windows began showing the extreme beauty of the urban city. Neon lights flashed and beguiled, billboards offering attractive mares decorated the sides of the road, and the traffic seemed to part in front of their carriage miraculously. Famous movie stars strutted down the sidewalks, their snouts in the air, in their own little world despite the paparazzi ponies around them. Skyscrapers towered to the clouds, where they didn’t end, but instead just became a part of the heavens, stretching out into lounges and even larger casinos. Hotels offered free pools, breakfasts, and a thousand other luxuries.

 

But the tallest one of them all was the Bellagio.

 

A huge, towering structure of sleek black, it was surrounded by low cloudbanks, where Pegasus ponies were visible, playing poker and roulette, oblivious to the traffic only a stone’s throw away. Opulent carriages came and went, dropping off richly dressed ponies, while penniless mares and stallions crept out with their heads down low. A peculiar scent – part fresh money, part cigarette smoke, part gourmet food – mingled together to create a rich aroma.

 

The carriage carrying the six ponies didn’t park at the front door, but rather circled the building to take them back to a private entrance. A path wound its way through a garden and past a pool fed by a gently flowing stream, and Las Pegasus seemed to still in the garden. Neatly clipped hedges marked the path to the door, and a colt was standing at attention, bow tie and tux immaculately cleaned.

 

"Welcome to the Bellagio. Right this way, Master Artix is waiting."

[ActFast231 432]

@,

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Maple Sands." Max said as he shook her hoof. He always tried to be friendly and polite with others.

"And yes, it does appear as though we are all staying at the Bellagio. It should quiet the experience, don't you think?" Max said, maintaining an upbeat tone in his voice. The mare actually looked very nice. Her red mane really complimented her tan fur and light red eyes, which were easy to get lost in. She held a striking resemblance to...somepony he used to know. It may be the reason why he took such a fancy to her. Maybe. He continued to converse with the Maple until their carriage came to a complete halt at what appeared to be a private entrance. Max stepped out of the carriage, and held a hoof for Maple, as a gentlecolt would.

"After you." He said.

Edited March 27, 2013 by ActFast231

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

Flame's eyes widened at the massive hotel...he had traveled to Las pegasus once before with the circus, and he did see the Bellagio...but it was much bigger and fancier than he remembered.

When the carriage stopped he climbed out with everypone else and went to the back to look for his bag...which he felt empty without.

[Dave (RayFriedh) 246]

@@ActFast231

 

Maple smiled at Max, and took his hoof. She lowered herself gingerly. "Thank you.", she said.  She decided to walk alongside him to the hotel. He seemed very friendly! She had barely even noticed the carriage moving while they were talking, and the ride didn't seem to take more than a few minutes! It was very much fun talking to him. She looked back at the ponies in the carriage.

 

"Maybe we should wait for them?" she said, "Or perhaps we could also wait inside."

[ActFast231 432]

@,

"We can wait for the others if you wish." Max said politely. He was very much enjoying Maple's company. He was amazed that he was able to find a friend so quickly. He didn't have a lot of self confidence, so he usually set the bar low for himself. In any case he stood by the door, allowing everypony else to enter ahead.

"Besides, this gives us the opportunity to continue our discussion." He said with a smile.

[LeJAKoJAK 49]

"Exactly my thoughts." Phil says, interrupting the conversation. "So do you guys know why we were invited out here?"

 

The stallion looks up at the Bellagio. "Don't you guys find it a bit suspicious that several random ponies are invited to  a fancy place by some random big-wig." He looks back towards Maple and Max. "Me personally, when it comes to the upper society, I'm a nopony, and when somepony rich does invite me, they want something out of me. I'm not trustin this guy..." Phil chews on the end of the licorice stick.

 

"Not one minute."

[Dave (RayFriedh) 246]

@@ActFast231

 

"I think we should keep talking." she said, "But I think it'd be better if we went inside." she gave the carriage one last glance, where she spotted somepony looking around worriedly for something, before trotting inside the behemoth of a building. She looked back at Max. "Are you coming?", she motioned.