private What the Wasteland Hooves Out

[Standard User 2,127]

@@00Pony:

 

On the surface, Premier is calm and collected as she gets up to leave. Looking into her eyes, however, you see that she is more than happy to be talking to you.

 

The two of you walk over to the steps of the farmhouse, where Premier takes a seat. "So, sweety," she says with a grin. "What can I help ya' with? Ooh, let me guess: you wanna stick around here and spend quality time with a mare who wears the pants. I get ya', kid." 

 

@@Half-Note, @@UnitP0N13, @@Alex Kennedy:

 

Starry lets out a low whistle as Premier and Alizarin walk away. "Looks like we got a bunch of regular badasses over here, eh? C'mon. Do you really think that you can take down what the Rangers have been chasing for months now? The Technophiles are shadows -- they are seen only when they want to be, figuratively and literally. As soon as they catch wind of you hunting them they'll disappear. They may be little better than raiders, but that doesn't mean they're stupid. If you really want to take on the Technophiles, you can't use brute force -- you gotta use brains as well. You gotta beat them at their own game, I suppose."

 

Recruit laughs at this. "Yeah, maybe that's why the Rangers haven't been able to catch them -- seven of every five of us are a bunch of minigun-loving morons."

 

Starry gives Recruit an incredulous look. "'Seven of every five?' Do you even know what math is?"

 

"Oh, I'm sorry," Recuirt replies. "I meant four of every eleventeen."

 

@@SilverHeart:

 

Perception: You notice Tempo walking up from the front gate with two small foals at her side. One, wearing a party hat, walks somberly. The other has a bounce in his step as he looks around at all of the Rangers and Scribes. Noticing you, Tempo offers a small smile and waves at you to come over away from the group.

[00Pony 286]

@@00Pony:

 

On the surface, Premier is calm and collected as she gets up to leave. Looking into her eyes, however, you see that she is more than happy to be talking to you.

 

The two of you walk over to the steps of the farmhouse, where Premier takes a seat. "So, sweety," she says with a grin. "What can I help ya' with? Ooh, let me guess: you wanna stick around here and spend quality time with a mare who wears the pants. I get ya', kid."

 

"I really should have expected that, shouldn't I?"

 

Alizarin stands before her, shaking his head slightly, though managing a slight chuckle, "No, nothing quite like that, Premier. I was wondering if you could help me with a different matter," he sighs slightly before continuing, "Do you know anything about an audio file sent here by the Imperial Chapter of the Steel Rangers? When I was rebooting your computer systems, I came across an audio file sent here from them. I happened to download it while I was connected, and I have reason to believe it holds information on four defectors from the Chapter. I tried listening to it, but it is locked by a pass key. I was wondering, if you perhaps know the code? Or if not, you are good with computers, so you might be able to help me crack it."

 

Alizarin shrugs, "Sorry to disappoint." He says, somewhat quieter.

[UnitP0N13 25]

Malik quickly remembers that he wanted to check up on Ruby to see how she was doing. He trotted around the place, flailing his arms around and calling out her name in hopes of catching her attention. He stopped for a moment, realizing that she probably isn't here at all, but realizes once more that Beanie had been exiled, so this was as much her celebration as everyone else's, more so.

 

"Ruby! Are you around?" The bot called out.

 

He stumbles and falls on his face, the lower half of his body now hanging over his head. A few of the Rangers are quite amused at this display.

[Half-Note 273]

Guardian Angel looked at Starry flat faced. "It's not a matter of if we can tale down the Technophiles. I will take them down Starry. I definately don't need the approval... of a bitch," and with that he turned and walked off to see if he couldn't comfort Ruby or her mother.

[Standard User 2,127]

"I really should have expected that, shouldn't I?"

 

Alizarin stands before her, shaking his head slightly, though managing a slight chuckle, "No, nothing quite like that, Premier. I was wondering if you could help me with a different matter," he sighs slightly before continuing, "Do you know anything about an audio file sent here by the Imperial Chapter of the Steel Rangers? When I was rebooting your computer systems, I came across an audio file sent here from them. I happened to download it while I was connected, and I have reason to believe it holds information on four defectors from the Chapter. I tried listening to it, but it is locked by a pass key. I was wondering, if you perhaps know the code? Or if not, you are good with computers, so you might be able to help me crack it."

 

Alizarin shrugs, "Sorry to disappoint." He says, somewhat quieter.

 

Premier furrows her brow, thinking intently. "Well," she begins, "I can't rightfully say how that would have ended up here. We just hauled out a bunch of new equipment...maybe it was a leftover file or a Scribe playing a bad prank. As for the code, I'm not the one to be asked that question. We once had a Scribe that was a whiz at hacking computers and files, but I haven't seen him in weeks. Either called on special assignment or eaten, I suppose."

 

She wipes some imaginary dust from her cuff and continues. "Funny, I can't really remember his name. Smart unicorn fellow; really into electronics. He would have been the colt we called today to fix the problem with our computer system...thankfully you guys came along." She bats her eyes playfully, leaning ever-so-slightly forward. 

 

[Don't you worry, pal. I'm working on a little somethin' somethin'.  ]

 

@@UnitP0N13, @@Half-Note, @@Silver Heart:

 

Ruby, Spion, and Tempo greet the three of you with open hooves. Well, not really Ruby. She still has the bad-girl attitude going.

 

"This stuff is so cool!" Spion says, looking around at the suits of power armor and rare tech piled about. "Makes me wonder why the Rangers haven't been helping out the town..."

 

Tempo pats Spion on the head gently. "You see, Spion, the Rangers will start helping us. Our new friends here chased away the bad guy." Her voice is no longer quiet and reserved. Instead, it has taken on the tone of a confident mother. "They figured out what happened to-- er, they solved our mystery and now the Rangers will be going on excursions again. Isn't that great?"

 

"Great? That's awesome!" Spion bounds about happily, giggling like a schoolfilly. "Oh, geez, with all of these Rangers walkin' around, no way no raiders are gonna be messing with us!" 

 

Ruby, who remained silent this whole time, finally speaks up. "Hey, uh...big robot." She nudges Malik's hoof with her head before offering up the birthday hat. "I think you need this more than I do." She puts the hat on Malik before wrapping her arms around his metal legs. "So, uh...thanks. Thanks a lot."

 

She backs away before sticking her tongue out playfully. "Shithead."

 

 

Tempo hugs Silver Heart, sniffling slightly. "We really can't thank you enough for what you've done here. I mean, a group of ponies-- er, and griffons-- come into town randomly and all of a sudden, the bad guys are gone. This...this is a miracle." Tears begin to form in the corners of her eyes, but she wipes them away with a swift flick of her hoof. "If you ever need anything, please, don't hesitate to ask."

 

 

Spion pokes Guardian Angel in the side. "Hey, uh...I heard you call that pony over some word. Something like 'witch' but not. What was it?"

 

[FOR GOD'S SAKE DON'T RUIN THIS KID'S VOCABULARY TOO  ]

[00Pony 286]

Premier furrows her brow, thinking intently. "Well," she begins, "I can't rightfully say how that would have ended up here. We just hauled out a bunch of new equipment...maybe it was a leftover file or a Scribe playing a bad prank. As for the code, I'm not the one to be asked that question. We once had a Scribe that was a whiz at hacking computers and files, but I haven't seen him in weeks. Either called on special assignment or eaten, I suppose."

 

She wipes some imaginary dust from her cuff and continues. "Funny, I can't really remember his name. Smart unicorn fellow; really into electronics. He would have been the colt we called today to fix the problem with our computer system...thankfully you guys came along." She bats her eyes playfully, leaning ever-so-slightly forward.

 

[Don't you worry, pal. I'm working on a little somethin' somethin'. ]

 

"I see."

Alizarin says, looking at the notice blinking on his EFS. He hums slightly, "Well, there were some hints as to what I'm looking for. But I don't have a name, or even general idea of what he looks like. If he's still alive in the first place. Oh well. If the Princesses seem it necessary, something will turn up eventually."

 

Alizarin turns his attention to the older mare as she leans forward. Outwardly, he shrugs. Though inwardly, he groans slightly, "I was happy to help. Seemed like the right thing to do."

He sighs slightly, "I feel I should apologize, however. If I've been giving you false signals, I did not mean to."

 

(Oooh, goody. I am looking forward to it.)

Edited June 26, 2013 by 00Pony

[Half-Note 273]

Guardian Angel looked down at the colt and rubbed his head. "Listen, I'm going to let you in on a little secret," he then leaned in and whIspered to Spion, "that guy over there is what we call a bitch, now, only call people who really make you mad that and remember, Starry is a little bitch," he then rubbed the kid's head and turned to Tempo. "Look, I know it  isn't much but, I wanted you to know, if you need anything, I'm just a radio call from the rangers away," he said with a nod.

[UnitP0N13 25]

The robots sat up onto his haunches and wrapped his other hoof gently around the filly in a warm hug. Surprising enough, he does feel slightly warm.

 

"Friend, you may simply call me Malik or Mal, for short. And thank you, for keeping a my hat safe, Ruby." He chuckled.

 

He set her down after a while and gave her light but forceful nudge with his face: "Hooligan." He responded to her quip, giggling all the while.

 

Malik shot a sharp look (er...sharpish) at Angel. Why must he taint the children with cursewords...

 

He looked to Ruby. "Make sure you and Spion stay out of trouble too, alright?" He patted her head gently, ruffling the hair a little.

[Standard User 2,127]

"I see."

Alizarin says, looking at the notice blinking on his EFS. He hums slightly, "Well, there were some hints as to what I'm looking for. But I don't have a name, or even general idea of what he looks like. If he's still alive in the first place. Oh well. If the Princesses seem it necessary, something will turn up eventually."

 

Alizarin turns his attention to the older mare as she leans forward. Outwardly, he shrugs. Though inwardly, he groans slightly, "I was happy to help. Seemed like the right thing to do."

He sighs slightly, "I feel I should apologize, however. If I've been giving you false signals, I did not mean to."

 

(Oooh, goody. I am looking forward to it.)

 

Premier's smile only grows bigger. "Oh, don't worry about that, cutie. A mare can dream, can't she?" She licks her lips before continuing. "Oh, yes, this old mare's gonna be dreamin' for a while...hehehe!" 

 

Guardian Angel looked down at the colt and rubbed his head. "Listen, I'm going to let you in on a little secret," he then leaned in and whIspered to Spion, "that guy over there is what we call a bitch, now, only call people who really make you mad that and remember, Starry is a little bitch," he then rubbed the kid's head and turned to Tempo. "Look, I know it  isn't much but, I wanted you to know, if you need anything, I'm just a radio call from the rangers away," he said with a nod.

 

"A little bitch?" Spion's eyes widen in wonder. "That sounds like a mean thing to say. I'm sure that Starry fellow is very nice and polite!"

 

The robots sat up onto his haunches and wrapped his other hoof gently around the filly in a warm hug. Surprising enough, he does feel slightly warm.

 

"Friend, you may simply call me Malik or Mal, for short. And thank you, for keeping a my hat safe, Ruby." He chuckled.

 

He set her down after a while and gave her light but forceful nudge with his face: "Hooligan." He responded to her quip, giggling all the while.

 

Malik shot a sharp look (er...sharpish) at Angel. Why must he taint the children with cursewords...

 

He looked to Ruby. "Make sure you and Spion stay out of trouble too, alright?" He patted her head gently, ruffling the hair a little.

 

"Hey, just because you saved everyone doesn't mean I like you!" Ruby spits, glaring daggers at you. "Y'know...that much. I mean, maybe I like you a little more than before. Not much! Just, like, a little bit! Like barely any!" She huffs, blushing furiously. "You're still a shithead, but you're not that stupid anymore."

 

She points at the party hat with her hoof. "Where did you get such a cool- er, where did you get that lame hat anyway?"

 

[OOC: Yikes, I'm falling off the ball hard.]

[00Pony 286]

@,

 

 

"... Cadence guard me..." 

Alizarin swallowed uncomfortably, and gave a short nod, "Er.. Right. Well, now that our business is concluded.. I think it would be best for me to return to my team."

He slowly begins to back up and turn around, "Thank you for the information. I'm sure it will come in handy, someday."

The former Paladin fully turns and walks back the way he'd come. Glancing over the rest of the group members, he did smile a little. Seemed like the little filly was doing better. Alizarin didn't step over to either of the younger ones, however. He instead went to silently stand by the Griffins.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@00Pony,

 

Raptor chose not to say anything as Alizarin came over and stood by him. He wasn't sure why the ex-ranger would want to stand with him anyway, but if he was honest with himself, it made him slightly uncomfortable, all though he wasn't quite sure why. He quietly sidled away from him a little bit. 

[UnitP0N13 25]

"Hm? Oh, my party hat? I just found it blowing in wind one day. It just looked to funny and weird...so I decided to take it with me! Glad you like it." The bot chuckled, sitting beside Ruby.

 

He pondered for a moment, then spoke up again: he needed to know.

 

"Ruby...what are you going to do now that your father's gone? I imagine you plan on joining the Steel Rangers, yes?" Mal asked her in a slightly more serious tone.

[SilverHeart 741]

(OOC: Posting from phone.)

 

@Scoutaloo

 

Silver Heart returned Tempo's hug. "Thanks, I'll renember that. The same goes to you. If I can ever help you or Ruby I'll do whatever i can. I'm so glad we could help. I'm sure that almost everypo-...um, no...everyone was happy to help too."

 

Silver Heart took a step back and glanced over at Ruby and Malik. "So un, what are you two going to do now?"

[Standard User 2,127]

@,

 

 

"... Cadence guard me..."

Alizarin swallowed uncomfortably, and gave a short nod, "Er.. Right. Well, now that our business is concluded.. I think it would be best for me to return to my team."

He slowly begins to back up and turn around, "Thank you for the information. I'm sure it will come in handy, someday."

The former Paladin fully turns and walks back the way he'd come. Glancing over the rest of the group members, he did smile a little. Seemed like the little filly was doing better. Alizarin didn't step over to either of the younger ones, however. He instead went to silently stand by the Griffins.

 

Premier only smiles as you leave. With a faraway look in her eyes, she trots inside the farmhouse alone.

 

@@00Pony,

 

Raptor chose not to say anything as Alizarin came over and stood by him. He wasn't sure why the ex-ranger would want to stand with him anyway, but if he was honest with himself, it made him slightly uncomfortable, all though he wasn't quite sure why. He quietly sidled away from him a little bit. 

 

[Oh, I don't actually have anything to say. Um...well, ain't this awkward.]

 

"Hm? Oh, my party hat? I just found it blowing in wind one day. It just looked to funny and weird...so I decided to take it with me! Glad you like it." The bot chuckled, sitting beside Ruby. He pondered for a moment, then spoke up again: he needed to know. "Ruby...what are you going to do now that your father's gone? I imagine you plan on joining the Steel Rangers, yes?" Mal asked her in a slightly more serious tone.

 

(OOC: Posting from phone.)

 

@Scoutaloo

 

Silver Heart returned Tempo's hug. "Thanks, I'll renember that. The same goes to you. If I can ever help you or Ruby I'll do whatever i can. I'm so glad we could help. I'm sure that almost everypo-...um, no...everyone was happy to help too."

 

Silver Heart took a step back and glanced over at Ruby and Malik. "So un, what are you two going to do now?"

 

Ruby looks over the robot, then back at Silver Heart. "Nah, I dunno about the Rangers. They're still a bunch of stupid shitheads in my eyes." She curls up on the ground a few feet from Malik. "Maybe become a pony who builds robots. I never realized how cool they are-- I mean, how, uh, not-as-stupid they are as ponies." She pokes Malik in the side, feeling for rivets and bolts.

 

 

With most [all?] of the group around her, Tempo clears her throat. "So what's the plan now? I doubt you came to settle in Shantytown. Will you be leaving soon?"

 

[Fun fact: I was playing New Vegas for the first time in a long time a couple of days ago, and I realized that the quest we just did is almost exactly like another Brotherhood of Steel quest in the game. Completely unintentional, I swear.  ]

[Half-Note 273]

"I guess we just start searching for Haven, which reminds me, RECRUIT! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!" Gaurdian said, yelling at Recruit. "We need to sync this young lady's pipbuck with your chapter's map," He told the ranger. "If you don't mind that is," he said to Silver.

[Standard User 2,127]

"I guess we just start searching for Haven, which reminds me, RECRUIT! GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!" Gaurdian said, yelling at Recruit. "We need to sync this young lady's pipbuck with your chapter's map," He told the ranger. "If you don't mind that is," he said to Silver.

 

Tempo gulps, having no idea what you're yelling about.

 

Recruit trots over lazily, just catching that you need the chapter's map. "What? I don't think we can, uh, give that to you. Kind of classified stuff, I think..." He scratches at the ground awkwardly. "I suppose we can give you a limited map with some of the bigger locations so you aren't COMPLETELY lost. I'll go work on that right now." And with that he follows in Premier's footsteps into the farmhouse.

 

[Okay, I'll work on a Trottingham-area map tonight. No guarantees that it'll be anything pretty.]

[00Pony 286]

@,

 

(Oh, good God. At first, I had been expecting you to make Alizarin seem like an asshole with Premier's reaction, but I really was not expecting.. that. Tread carefully in there, Recruit.)

 

 Alizarin steps over to the other ponies, "I feel the sooner we get on the path and moving towards our destination, the better."

He mumbles, a hint of unease still in his voice, but he quickly covered it up.

Alizarin nods at Tempo, deciding to explain why Guardian was shouting,  "We originally planned on leaving Shantytown to search for the 'untouched city' of Haven. However, we soon realized we did not possess a map for a cross reference, and we were subsequently sidetracked by your daughter's predicament."

 

He looks down at the little filly briefly, before looking back to Tempo, "I'm assuming you've heard the stories about Haven?"

[Ghostpony 17]

Seeker watched the group with a forlorn expression, he expected the group to move much faster then the slow pace they were setting, but it didn't matter to much, after all Haven wasn't moving anywhere anytime soon and with what he was hearing and seeing most of the group seemed to thrive on communication with their fellow ponies. A group that was able to thrive was a group that could become useful, if unforeseen situations made themselves known. After all, when one has a bounty on their head for being a free slave, as much as he hated to admit it survival was above all else even if it meant using someone or somepony.

 

 

Though what almost made Seeker chuckle was the way Raptor reacted for the slightest of moments, as the other griffin shifted in his armor when Alizarin stood next to the two. With that, for what felt like the first time throughout the whole little picnic Seeker actually started to eat a bit of what he was given. After all being a slave had some upsides even if they were few and really far between, they seemed to come in handy every once and awhile.

 

[[so sorry it took forever for me to make a post, but i finally made one  ]]

Edited July 3, 2013 by Ghostpony

[UnitP0N13 25]

Malik gently threw a wing over Ruby, keeping her close and warm. "Ruby, how do you feel about going to Haven? Who knows, it'll be a long while till we get there, plenty of...trials and tribulations but they might have someone that makes robots."

 

He looked up to the stars and sighed happily. He could still see a few, and he was glad.

[SilverHeart 741]

Silver Heart took a step back and looked at Recruit and then Guardian Angel. "Oh no, I wouldn't mind." Silver Heart quickly glanced down at her pipbuck. When she looked back up, Recruit was walking away. "So should I follow after him or...just wait here for now?"

[Half-Note 273]

Guardian Angel turned around and walked a short distance away from the group before sitting down and sighing. "I'm just a big Softie," he said to nopony in particular as he smiled at the pegatron who seemed to be acting as a surrogate father for Ruby. He then started a maintenance check on his armor to make sure all systems were functional.

[Standard User 2,127]

(Oh, good God. At first, I had been expecting you to make Alizarin seem like an asshole with Premier's reaction, but I really was not expecting.. that. Tread carefully in there, Recruit.)

 

 Alizarin steps over to the other ponies, "I feel the sooner we get on the path and moving towards our destination, the better."

He mumbles, a hint of unease still in his voice, but he quickly covered it up.

Alizarin nods at Tempo, deciding to explain why Guardian was shouting,  "We originally planned on leaving Shantytown to search for the 'untouched city' of Haven. However, we soon realized we did not possess a map for a cross reference, and we were subsequently sidetracked by your daughter's predicament."

 

He looks down at the little filly briefly, before looking back to Tempo, "I'm assuming you've heard the stories about Haven?"

 

Tempo gives you a blank look with an equally-blank smile plastered across her face. "Oh...Oh, my. You're one of those groups, then? The ones with a deathwish?" She scoffs, laughing bitterly. "Well, I'm glad you came here and fixed the situation here before you went to far into the Wasteland. You know what you're gonna find at the end of your journey?" She points an accusing hoof, narrowing her eyes at you. "Death. But don't say I didn't warn you, as I'm sure countless others have..."

 

Seeker watched the group with a forlorn expression, he expected the group to move much faster then the slow pace they were setting, but it didn't matter to much, after all Haven wasn't moving anywhere anytime soon and with what he was hearing and seeing most of the group seemed to thrive on communication with their fellow ponies. A group that was able to thrive was a group that could become useful, if unforeseen situations made themselves known. After all, when one has a bounty on their head for being a free slave, as much as he hated to admit it survival was above all else even if it meant using someone or somepony.

 

 

Though what almost made Seeker chuckle was the way Raptor reacted for the slightest of moments, as the other griffin shifted in his armor when Alizarin stood next to the two. With that, for what felt like the first time throughout the whole little picnic Seeker actually started to eat a bit of what he was given. After all being a slave had some upsides even if they were few and really far between, they seemed to come in handy every once and awhile.

 

[[so sorry it took forever for me to make a post, but i finally made one  ]]

 

[Hmm. You gave me an excellent, excellent idea. Everyone remember this post, as some day you won't be happy with the plan Ghostpony gave me.   ]

 

Malik gently threw a wing over Ruby, keeping her close and warm. "Ruby, how do you feel about going to Haven? Who knows, it'll be a long while till we get there, plenty of...trials and tribulations but they might have someone that makes robots."

 

He looked up to the stars and sighed happily. He could still see a few, and he was glad.

 

"More robots?!" She squeals giddily before almost instantly regaining her composure, assuming an air of disinterest. "I mean, uh, cool. Robots, yaaay. More like yawn." 

 

[CHR/PER] While you notice that Ruby presses closer into you as you wrap your wing around her, the tone of her voice insinuates that she does not want to go find some lost city.

 

Silver Heart took a step back and looked at Recruit and then Guardian Angel. "Oh no, I wouldn't mind." Silver Heart quickly glanced down at her pipbuck. When she looked back up, Recruit was walking away. "So should I follow after him or...just wait here for now?"

 

[Just wait. Recruit is busy drawing up the map. And by Recruit, I mean me. I suck at being on time.]

 

Guardian Angel turned around and walked a short distance away from the group before sitting down and sighing. "I'm just a big Softie," he said to nopony in particular as he smiled at the pegatron who seemed to be acting as a surrogate father for Ruby. He then started a maintenance check on his armor to make sure all systems were functional.

 

[PER] You notice a few dings, scratches, and miscellaneous boo-boos with your armor and its functions.

[iNT: 27] With years of experience of working with your armor, you manage to fix all of the problems.

[00Pony 286]

 

 

Tempo gives you a blank look with an equally-blank smile plastered across her face. "Oh...Oh, my. You're one of those groups, then? The ones with a deathwish?" She scoffs, laughing bitterly. "Well, I'm glad you came here and fixed the situation here before you went to far into the Wasteland. You know what you're gonna find at the end of your journey?" She points an accusing hoof, narrowing her eyes at you. "Death. But don't say I didn't warn you, as I'm sure countless others have..."

 

Alizarin merely raises an eyebrow at Tempo, "All roads of life lead to death at some point. That's the fact of our mortality. Perhaps it the thought of being immortalized as the discoverers of Haven that leads us 'deathwish' groups to it?"

 

He shakes his head, "You are actually the first to have warned us. And I'm sure you will not be the last," he gives a small smile, "But all the same, you are welcome."

[UnitP0N13 25]

Malik chuckles a little, keeping the filly warm. "Oh well, it was worth a try I suppose."

 

"Well, if I ever find a robot mechanic, I'll make sure to point him or her your way. Sound good?" He gently ruffled her mane a little.

 

Still, he felt slightly dejected. He guessed not everyone was not so willing to taking up the call of adventure.

[Half-Note 273]

After Guardian got done with his repairs he walked back to the rest of the group and noticed Ruby and Malik talking about robotics. "Well if you'd like to get a head start I'm sure you could convince a scribe to teach you the basics of working with machines with enough sweet talking and black-mailing," He told Ruby.