private The House Always Wins {RP}

[Dave (RayFriedh) 246]

@@LeJAKoJAK @@ActFast231

 

Maple's eyes widened at the detective's remark. "Hey! We're not loveb-", she began protesting, but the Film-Pony didn't seem to be listening to her.

 

She turned her attention to a glowing red light that seemed to be emanating from under the pegasus's coat. Max reached inside and pulled out a necklace with a crystal, emanating a soft red glow, and a comforting warmth. "W-what..."she stuttered, "What is that?" she put a hoof close to the necklace, feeling its warmth a little more. All her thoughts from before were left behind as her mind started focusing on the beckoning jewel. She lifted her sight to Max's face again, and repeated the pressing question. "What...is it?"

[ActFast231 432]

@,

"This is a necklace that was worn by...somepony before me. I think it is a small fragment of a heart ruby. I cant imagine why it would just start glowing like that." Max said in a low, calming voice. He found it so calming, this glow. It drained any flustered feeling he had before. It felt warm, comfortable, soothing. He felt like nothing could go wrong. He looked up at Maple with a very peaceful look.

"This crystal and the glow it emits really brings out your red eyes." He said in the same mellow tone. He had lost control over his own speech. He was basically saying what came to his mind at this point.

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

"Give me a minute." Flame said, rummaging around in his bag. Then it sounded as if he was pouring something...then it stopped...then it started again...then more rummaging. "Okay. here. we. go." He said, lighting a mach then lighting the end of what seemed to be some sort of torch. "Juggling clubs are quite useful things." He said, grinning. The room was now full of a slight orange flickering light.

Edited March 29, 2013 by Jolteon

[Ms. J. L. Snickers 101]

The room was bathed in a soft, almost romantic flickering glow. Still, in the corners of the dark room, the shadows gamboled about, leering at the flames. The heart ruby was one of the brightest things in the room, and it was a dull, muted glow instead of the firm brightness of the candles.

 

As the darkness settled in, something pearly white in the shadows flickered.

 

The ghost of a pony, half solid, half translucent, floated silently out of the wall and looked longingly at the flames. The closer the pony got to the light, the more it faded away, until it was nothing more than a slightly disturbed shimmer passing over the candles. When it had circled the table twice, the pony left the light and stayed in the darkness. It was the form of a filly, with darkly freckled cheeks and a tousled mane which spilled over her withers. A pair of mournful eyes stared at the gathered group of ponies, and then it faded away entirely.

 

Master Artix was in the middle of the room, staring at the ghost of his wife with lovelorn eyes. "Buttercup," He murmured. At the sound of her voice, the ghost vanished into the wall.

 

Fury exploded in the big stallions chest. "No!" He reared up, sending his powerful front hooves smashing into the wall. His elegantly coiffed black mane fell into his eyes, and he slammed against the wall again with all his might. "Buttercup! My darling! Come back!"

 

The ghost did appear, but not next to her grieving husband.

 

The ghost crept closer to the light, her gaze fixed on the glowing heart gem.

[ActFast231 432]

@@Ms. J. L. Snickers,

Max was snapped back into reality by the screaming and pounding of Artix. He was screaming for somepony named Buttercup. Max looked around the room, and saw the spirit of a mare. He let out a tired sigh, knowing that he would be the only pony-with the exception of Artix-to see it. He had the ability to see and interact with spirits. He could thank the "potion" he made for that. He saw it trying to approach the heart ruby, only to fade as she got close. Something was attracting the deceased mare to the gem. Maybe it was the glow? Maybe it was...because of its origin and significance. He simply sat back in his chair, and witnessed the ghost continually attempt to reach the gem, to no avail. He felt bad for her, she seemed like a lost spirit. Maybe she wanted to become whole again, to be with her one true love once more. But ghost couldn't inhabit a pony's body unless they let them in, or if they drank "potion" Max knew the recipe for. He couldn't imagine anypony would offer their life, and body for another.

"Excuse me love, I must attend to something." Max said to Maple (). He trotted over to Artix.

"I am assuming the mare spirit was a loved one of your?" Max said calmly. He was beginning to deduce what was going on here.

Edited March 29, 2013 by ActFast231

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

Flame could only stare at the ghost as she appeared.

He backed away slightly as she approached Max. *Yup...definitely a reason apart from just being nice and inviting us...I miss my trailer." He thought, gulping and looking over at Master Artix who was punching the wall...and yelling.

[LeJAKoJAK 49]

"Let me guess," Phil says as he starts to walk over to Artix. "That ghost there was the murdered mare from the paper, isn't she? And is it safe to assume that she was your wife?" 

 

Phil pulls out a piece of licorice and offers it to Artix. "Listen bub, I can kind of feel ya when it comes to losing a woman. This might help lift your spir- I mean calm you down a bit. I'm more than willing to help. But I can't help, unless you calm your tits and explain everything from the beginning. And is it also safe to assume that she is the reason why we are all out here tonight?" After a few moments, he sits the candy beside Artix, waiting for a response.

 

(OOC: Sorry about the post times, I just got off for spring break and I've been kinda busy. I will be faster in posting from here on out.)

[ActFast231 432]

@, @@LeJAKoJAK,

Max could see all of these ponies ambushing Artix. Max knew that when one was grieving, it was best not to pester and intrude.

"Everypony back. Give him some space." Max said, directing them to a more reasonable distance.

"This pony has lost his wife. We shouldn't be poking him in such a way." Max had a slight edge in his voice. He was amazed that everypony could see the spirit. That he wasn't going to look mad staring at nothing. He noticed that the spirit had followed Max, and was continuing its efforts to get to the heart ruby necklace Max had forgotten to put back into his coat. It was still giving of a dim, warm red glow. It had an energy that could calm even the most flustered pony. It also gave of a light warmth.

[Ms. J. L. Snickers 101]

Master Artix drew in deep, ragged breaths as those piercing golden eyes were now positively mad. He followed the ghost around the room with his eyes, riveted to her shadow’s form even as she pawed at the red glow around the heart shard. When he finally came down from whatever cliff top she had left him on, he blinked hard and realized the other ponies were trying to talk to him. He swept a hoof over his mane and turned aside, heartbeat still battering his ribcage roughly.

 

"She...she was my wife," He managed, and then all at once it clicked – that eerie calmness, almost jovial nature slipped over him as easily as a parted curtain. "Yes. Buttercup. She was a lovely mare, and she was...murdered. They thought it was an accident, said it would be further investigated, but...it was not."

 

He drew himself up to his full height. His own mental image of Buttercup tittered and waltzed dreamily with herself, then beckoned him with a hoof. Meanwhile, the ghost of her whimpered pathetically, silently trying to absorb whatever energy the necklace gem was giving out. Each time she swatted at it, her hoof went right through the glow with no effect. Master Artix made a ‘one moment’ gesture to the Buttercup in his mind and turned back to his audience.

 

"You are here for a week, and the hotel is yours. But while you may relax in the spa or enjoy the buffet, you are all here for one purpose: to find the person who murdered my wife." Something flickered in his eyes as he looked at the ghost again, but that calmness didn’t waver. "But there’s no reason we can’t discuss this during dinner. Please, have a seat."

 

While the rest of them stared, horrified and slightly disgusted, he took a bite of the candy Phil Noir had offered, letting the licorice dangle from the corner of his mouth, and began cutting his rose salad with swift strokes. "Please, sit," Master Artix smiled. "You’ve all been called here for a very special reason. All of you have the abilities and clues to this case already within your grasp. It’s up to you to solve the case...I believe that won’t be any trouble for the six of you."

 

He patted his muzzle daintily with a napkin. "You’ll be sleeping in the East wing of the hotel, even though you may have the room of your choice, I think there would be a safety in numbers, don’t you think?"

 

At the other’s confused looks, he smiled with frightening complacency. "Well, my wife isn’t the only loved one that’s passed away within these walls...And it appears as though one of your number has a bit of a magnet for them."

 

The ghost of Buttercup gave one sad, final look to the necklace and let herself fade away, but not before looking at her insane husband with sad eyes.

[ActFast231 432]

@, @@Ms. J. L. Snickers,

Max knew he was referring to his heart ruby, still out in the open, around his neck. He began pondering why his necklace and the glow it gave off was a magnet. He started remembering the events around the necklace.

 

 

"What is so special about heart rubies?" Max asked with a pondering tone.

"It has special magical properties. It can detect the love and affection in ponies, and it will react to it. It will glow in the presence of love. The more there is, the brighter the glow." He looked around to make sure nopony was around to hear what he was about to say.

"The glow isn't just pretty. It emits an energy of warmth. You could say that it radiates love. Nopony has deduced why it does this, maybe it cant store it, but it gives everypony near it a warm, peaceful feeling. It grows in power the more it is fueled." He whispered.

 

"I know why this attracts spirits." Max declared.

"The spirits are attracted to the energy that it gives off. It is almost like a spectral pheromone." Max said aloud. He trotted back over to Maple.

"Well, this is all to be sorted out later. For now, lets have dinner." He said, returning to his seat next to the mare. He didn't want to distract anypony with the light, so he tucked it under his coat again. It made him feel tranquil, a feeling he felt he would need later.

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

@@ActFast231,

 

 

"I wasn't poking at him." Flame muttered under his breath as he sat down again, still holding the torch in his hoof.

He quietly listened to everything Master Artix had to say and wondered what he could offer in the search for his wife's murderer. "Um...may I ask why you chose such a wide variety of ponies. Like me...how could I help ? Unless you ponies need entertainment or something...I don't think I can help." He said, looking down at his plate

[Dave (RayFriedh) 246]

@ActFast231

 

"Sorted out later? I-"

 

She stopped herself, thinking about what she was about to say. True, what had just happened was a little scary and rather strange, but technically the stallion hadn't exactly tricked them into coming.The whole situation was very interesting to her. Who was Buttercup?  Was she murdered? By whom? What did she want with this gem Max had? There were very few things that Maple loved more than a good mystery. She had no idea what Artix thought she could contribute to whatever sort of investigation he was expecting the ponies to do, though... besides. If she didn't like his proposition, she could just say no, and leave.

 

Hopefully.

 

She look back up at Max, her eyes reflecting his, and nodded slowly. "Alright. We'll see what Mister Artix has to say before we do anything else."

Edited March 30, 2013 by RayFriedh

[ActFast231 432]

@,

Max looked into Maple's eyes, and the happy feeling that the ruby was giving him was intensified. He felt like his entire body was melting.

"Yeah. That's a good idea. But let us eat first." He sounded very tranquil, with a hint of infatuation in his voice. He sat down, tucked in his chair, and simply rested his head on the table. He just looked so mellow it appeared that he might fall asleep at any moment. But he was very much awake, and had the dumbest grin in his face. He looked like a love struck school foul, which probably looked ridiculous to everypony in the room. But he was too enveloped in a calming energy to care. He didn't even notice the necklaces glow become slightly brighter than before, the warm calm feeling increasing.

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

(OOC: Hey RP thread...why are you fading ? Hey RP thread....Stahp)

 

@@Ms. J. L. Snickers,

 

 

Flame placed lettuce and a few other  chopped vegges onto his plate...he ignored any of the greasy food. But before eating, he looked up at Master Artix. "May I ask why you chose such a variety of ponies ? I just find it odd that you would have chosen us instead of police ponies or detectives...and what is it you expect us to search for ? None of us really have any experience in this sort of thing." He said.

[LeJAKoJAK 49]

@,

 

"Well, that'll be all but one of us. I'm a detective. I understand why I'm here, but you guys do have a point. And I'm not trying to sound rude here, but why is everypony else here?" He looks towards Artix. "Or is it something on the lines of safety in numbers? " He leans over and grabs a hoofful of hay fries and puts them on his plate. "And do you have any ideas as to who the killer is? Anyone on staff with some motives?"

 

(OOC: Sorry about my lack of posting. I think the word 'Skyrim' says enough. After this week, my postings will go up immensely.)

Edited April 1, 2013 by LeJAKoJAK

[ActFast231 432]

@@LeJAKoJAK,

Max managed to come out of his stupor, to hear the detective asking why we all are here. He felt that he could interject into this conversation.

"Well, the spirits of this place seem attracted to the love energy that is building up in the heart ruby necklace I have. Maybe I can try communicating with them when they get near. And I think more of them should start to arrive as more love energy collects. If I remember correctly, the love energy builds up in the crystal as it builds up in the bearer of it." Max was being surprisingly open about the nature of this crystal. He didn't like secrets or being cryptic, so he decided to lay it all out.

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

Flame gave the hay fries and rather grossed out look before eating some of the vegges on his plate.

He still wondered why of all ponies...Master Artix would invite a circus performer...but he just guessed that Artix had his reasons and kept munching on his lettuce.

[LeJAKoJAK 49]

"Hey, while Artix gather's his composure, why don't we do some introductions? Get to know each other. Like talk about what you do for a living and stuff." Phil takes a bite of a fry, then continues to talk. "I'll start. My name is Phil Noir, I'm a private eye, and I'm from Manehattan. I hate momma's boys and I love red licorice. Who's next?"

[ActFast231 432]

@@LeJAKoJAK,

"I shall go next I suppose." Max said

"Heh, feels like kindergarten as a new student. My name is Max, and I am Pegasus. Couldn't you tell?" Max said comically as he spread one of his wings for display. 

"Spent most of my life in Ponyville, I do what I can to help others whenever possible, I am taller than normal ponies..." Max was thinking of what else would be interesting. Then it hit him.

"Had a wife 2 years back. She died in the Everfree forest, and I only recovered from amnesia about the event about 6 months ago. There is a whole story behind it but I will skip it, we don't have time. Have a necklace that glows brighter the more I fall in love and it attracts ghost." Max stated the last part comically, even though it was true. The glow was still dim, only lighting everything in a 2 foot radius.

"So that's me and my boring life. Who else feels like sharing?"

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

@@LeJAKoJAK,

@@ActFast231,

 

Flame figured he would be a little more interactive so he decided to speak up. "Uh...my name is Flame Dancer, I am a professional flyer and fire performer for the circus...I also know the wheel of death...I am constantly traveling so I am not really from any place specifically in Equestria...I grew up in Canterlot." He said, picking up his water and taking a sip.

[aRegularPony 306]

@,  @@ActFast231,  @@LeJAKoJAK,

Well, there wasn't any harm with going along. "My name is Goldseek, and I'm a..." He paused. What would he call himself. A traveler? An adventurer? None of them sounded right. "Well, never mind my occupation. I grew up in Ponyville, with no family after the age of ten." 'Great. Make them have pity for you. You're so great at making introductions.' He decided to end the introduction there for fear that he would say something else wrong.

[Dave (RayFriedh) 246]

Maple idly stirred her plate of apple salad. She glanced at her neighbor from time to time, who seemed to be trying to strike up a conversation. He never really seemed to know when to stay quiet, did he? Still, he was only trying to be friendly.It was strange, she had only just met this colt, and yet he was the subject of many of her thoughts...

 

Finally, Max seemed to have convinced everypony to introduce themselves. She decided listened intently to everypony's introduction. Max was first to introduce himself. 

 

"Heh, feels like kindergarten as a new student. My name is Max, and I am Pegasus. Couldn't you tell?"

 

Maple tried her best to suppress a giggle at his commentary. It was a cheesy joke, but she laughed nonetheless. 

 

"Spent most of my life in Ponyville, I do what I can to help others whenever possible, I am taller than normal ponies...Had a wife 2 years back. She died in the Everfree forest, and I only recovered from amnesia about the event about 6 months ago."

 

She turned her head back up at Max, registering the information given to her, She had already noticed that he was tall, but it was strange that she had never met him back in Ponyville... though, as he mentioned amnesia and his wife, she supposed he was under hospitalization for much time... she also sent Max the deepest of condol-

 

"Have a necklace that glows brighter the more I fall in love and it attracts ghost."

 

Wait. What was that first part?! She quickly turned back to her apple salad, and began furiously picking at it while Max concluded his introduction. Maybe he wasn't referring to her?! Maybe she just heard things? She was blushing furiously, and she hated it. When the pony called Goldseek finished her own introduction, she tried to clear her mind of what her neighbor had just said, raised her head a little, and began. 

 

"Well, I'm a pony from Manehattan. I've gone through a few schools, and travelled from city to city, studying literature. I write stories. Right now, I've settled down in Ponyville, where there is room for many stories and many nice people."

 

She quickly set her gaze back to the salad- the sliced, diced, and torn up salad. She did not rehearse that last part, and was completely aware of its corniness. She took a quick bite out of it, and tried not to keep looking back up at her neighbor- and failed.

[ActFast231 432]

@,

"You live in Ponyville too? Cant imagine why we ha-" Max noticed the Maple seemed quiet nervous, and was blushing heavily.

"You OK? You seem like your flustered." Max said with concern.

"Was it something I said? Or maybe somepony else said something?" Max thought to himself. Max quickly backtracked the intros they all made and hoped he would find the culprit.

"...event 6  moths ago. I have a necklace that glows brighter the more I fall in love..." Max was surprised at how open he was. He was just so pressed for things to say, he just threw out whatever seemed interesting. Too late now, it was already out there Max's face also changed brick red at the thought.

"Hey listen, I hope my introduction didn't make you uncomfortable. It's just...that's what I was told powered the necklace. Come to think of it...I think it used to glow vividly when my wife wore it." Max was failing badly at damage control.

"Well, I mean that...w-well it just that...I-I suppose it is possible th-that uhh..." Max was stammering like a bloody idiot. He had no idea how to behave in these situations. His mind was flustered and all over the place, and his speech and facial tone were betraying that knowledge.

[LeJAKoJAK 49]

Phil chokes on a fry, laughing hysterically. "Max, you are as smooth as sand paper." He looks at the stone around his neck. "So, in other words, we get ghosts, *snicker snicker* when you get some?" Now he's laughing even harder than before. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself. But seriously though. That stone is actually pretty interesting. Does it allow you to actually talk with the ghost? Or just helps bring them about?"

[ActFast231 432]

@@LeJAKoJAK,

All Max could do is lower his fedora to cover his brick red face. He sank in his seat. When asked about the necklace, Max responded in a sheepish tone.

"The energy in the necklace will attract them, but it wont allow communication. I can talk to and interact with ghosts because of a potion I made and drank. The "potion" killed me instantly, but I was able to re-inhabit my body without trouble. Now I can interact with spirits like nopony else can. It is also the reason I am as tall as Princess Luna." Max said, never making eye contact.