private Adventure to Atlantis

[Agent505 661]

@@Steel Accord, 

 

"I wouldn't call that help..." Frostbite interrupted "I mean...she was in her water form, yes? She can move by herself and can't be hurt in that state. They made her solid again and then left her. She could have starved to death down there and they didn't even attempt to bring her food or anything." She shook her head and looked down as she kicked off her bracelets for the night. "I'm just saying...if they where trying to help, there's a lot more they could have done."

[Ano170 162]

Dox had smiled at Frost and went back to the fire to dispense food. After everypony had been fed, he got his own plate and was looking for a place to sit when he heard Feather behind him say something about not having a tent. He turned around and sat next to her. "Well, how's your evening going?"

@@Steel Accord, 

 

"I wouldn't call that help..." Frostbite interrupted "I mean...she was in her water form, yes? She can move by herself and can't be hurt in that state. They made her solid again and then left her. She could have starved to death down there and they didn't even attempt to bring her food or anything." She shook her head and looked down as she kicked off her bracelets for the night. "I'm just saying...if they where trying to help, there's a lot more they could have done."

 

 

 @,

 

 

(OOC: Whoo, finally back!)

 

Feather smiled back at Dox. "Well, given today's itinerary of giant mechanical sea monsters, exploding submarines and temporarily losing our expedition leader...surprisingly nice." Feather leaned back. "I mean," she began, already cringing mentally in anticipation of whatever awful attempt at flirting was about to come out of her mouth. "There were some good parts of the day..."

 

Not sure how to continue, Feather trailed off sleepily. Her ear twitched as she caught the tail end of what Frost Bite was saying. Immediately she was wide awake, and very much tuned into their conversation, her brain whirling as she put together what was being said. She turned sharply to face the other ponies.

 

"Ocean, did you....meet them?" Feather struggled to keep the excitement out of her voice, otherwise she would start shouting.

 

How are they discussing this so calmly?!

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@,

@,

 

Steel shrugged. "Perhaps. I'm an optimist by nature. I always try to see the glass as half-full." Steel turned to Ocean. "If you'll pardon the expression my lady." He said with a smile. Of course he meant no offense to her, but a humorous allusion to her condition might illustrate how little he viewed it as an obstacle.

[Agent505 661]

@@Steel Accord, @,

 

"Half full or half empty, personally I would have drank it while others where arguing over it's state. I'm an opportunist by nature, of course." She looked over at Feather, who was clearly fighting herself over something "she brings up a good point, you did actually meet somepony down there if nothing else."

[The-Master 1,176]

A glasses contents is determined by whether it had gained or lost from it's original value. For instance if it started out with a full glace but lost half of its contents then it would be half empty, however if we were to fill an empty cup to half way then it would be half full. So an optimist can only say they are optimistic because they know what it's like to truly hit rock bottom while anypony else would see it as a misfortune.

 

Oh the things that went on in his head could fill a few books indeed. "Whatever the case we can't go galloping in like it's no ponies business. Subtlety is the key for this, that means no weapons, no large groups and no sudden or unexpected actions. Until we know the exact situation then it isn't wise to push the boundaries."

[Steel Accord 6,660]

((OOC: That was an excellent observation!))

 

 

 

 

no weapons

 

"No deal!" Steel affirmed. "These weapons were a gift from my best friend and just like my cutie-mark, never leave my side. I won't draw them unless provoked, but I refuse to leave myself or Ms. Ocean vulnerable before potentially hostile parties."

[Agent505 661]

@@Steel Accord,@,

 

"I gotta say, the boy's got a...a point. I mean, his obvious obsession with Ocean may put us...put us all in danger, but we need to be prepared" Frostbite struggled to get her words out as her throat dried up suddenly. A single bead of sweat ran down her forehead and dripped to the floor. "Besides...who's...who's pushing boundaries? They may...may as well have left ocean to die."

[Ano170 162]

A glasses contents is determined by whether it had gained or lost from it's original value. For instance if it started out with a full glace but lost half of its contents then it would be half empty, however if we were to fill an empty cup to half way then it would be half full. So an optimist can only say they are optimistic because they know what it's like to truly hit rock bottom while anypony else would see it as a misfortune.

 

Oh the things that went on in his head could fill a few books indeed. "Whatever the case we can't go galloping in like it's no ponies business. Subtlety is the key for this, that means no weapons, no large groups and no sudden or unexpected actions. Until we know the exact situation then it isn't wise to push the boundaries."

 

Feather frowned when Star Keeper mentioned no weapons. She agreed with him - of course she agreed with him - but...

 

She looked down at the lopsided battle saddle she was wearing. Would it be all right to leave it behind, now, without it's case? Deep down, Feather knew it was silly to get so sentimental over what was, first and foremost, a weapon, but for her the saddle had always been more than just a family heirloom: it was a gift from the past; a relic passed down from her great grandfather, her inspiration; by taking it with her, Feather carried a part of him. Besides, as far as Feather was concerned, the saddle wasn't hers to give up; it still belonged to her great grandfather, and always would until the day somepony was willing and able to fit in the harness.

 

Feather sighed aloud. "I agree with Star Keeper. A confrontation with..." she avoided saying the word "Atlanteans", "whoever those ponies were is the last thing we need." She glanced at Steel Hooves. "But Steel has a point, too. We can't exactly go in totally unarmed either." Already the different possibilities began to play out in her mind. "We could go in unarmed, and they may prove hostile. Or, we could take our weapons and end up provoking them." she shook her head, beginning to ramble. "Of course, we could try and conceal our weapons, but things could look pretty bad if they were later discovered...." Finally she trailed off, lost in her own thoughts as a dozen scenarios played out in her mind, mostly ending in bloodshed.

[The-Master 1,176]

@@Steel Accord,

 

"By keeping them on you she's in far more danger than if you were unarmed. We are not an invasion force, we are not here to fight and we are certainly not here to make enemies." Star Keeper gave his best attempt at a harsh glare, but wasn't exactly an expert at it quite yet. "I'm not asking you to part with a heirloom, I'm asking you to leave it until we know what it is we're dealing with. I'm just trying to be logical."

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

Feather frowned when Star Keeper mentioned no weapons. She agreed with him - of course she agreed with him - but...

 

She looked down at the lopsided battle saddle she was wearing. Would it be all right to leave it behind, now, without it's case? Deep down, Feather knew it was silly to get so sentimental over what was, first and foremost, a weapon, but for her the saddle had always been more than just a family heirloom: it was a gift from the past; a relic passed down from her great grandfather, her inspiration; by taking it with her, Feather carried a part of him. Besides, as far as Feather was concerned, the saddle wasn't hers to give up; it still belonged to her great grandfather, and always would until the day somepony was willing and able to fit in the harness.

 

Feather sighed aloud. "I agree with Star Keeper. A confrontation with..." she avoided saying the word "Atlanteans", "whoever those ponies were is the last thing we need." She glanced at Steel Hooves. "But Steel has a point, too. We can't exactly go in totally unarmed either." Already the different possibilities began to play out in her mind. "We could go in unarmed, and they may prove hostile. Or, we could take our weapons and end up provoking them." she shook her head, beginning to ramble. "Of course, we could try and conceal our weapons, but things could look pretty bad if they were later discovered...." Finally she trailed off, lost in her own thoughts as a dozen scenarios played out in her mind, mostly ending in bloodshed.

 

"We could try a compromise." Steel suggested. "I be the only one to carry weapons. Ms. Frost doesn't require them anyway due to her potent spell casting. We are on security anyhow."

 

@,

@, 

 

Steel rolled his eyes. "A point . . .very humorous Ms.-" Then the rest of her statement kicked in his brain. "Why Ms. Frost! I assure you I am not obsessed with Ms. Ocean!" He said as he hadn't moved an inch from her bedside. "I am her contracted protector, and I will fulfill that duty!" 

[Agent505 661]

@@Steel Accord, 

"You're contracted like myself and...and...what's his... like me and cap. We're..." she shook her head, as if she was struggling to think of the words "we...we're here to protect everypony here, not just our...what would you call her? Leader?" She was starting to sound like she was intoxicated with the way she spoke, coupled with her heavy breathing in between sentences. "I...I aint leaving my horn behind if that's...if that's what you're asking of me"

[Count Paradox 3,548]

Dox smiled. He could tell she was trying to flirt, and damnit, she was adorable when she did it. "Well, I-" He began, but was soon interrupted by her small outburst about Ocean and the Atlanteans. He chuckled and allowed her to listen to them instead of him.

[Dawn Stripes 301]

"Go in without weapons?" Giant nearly spat out his beans. "Especially after all I did to haul those claymores down here. You got down for brains? Who knows what kinda' nonsense has cooked up down here if there's actually anything alive in this cave?"

 

Giant would be keeping a close grip on all weaponry until this mission was over; that much was for sure. He wasn't particularly worried that Iron Hoof would actually permit them to try to walk into Atlantis blind, though.

 

Be quite a sight if the place was real, however. Things were starting to get suspicious. A pony made of water that had clearly took a beating washes up on a shore talking about seeing Atlanteans hardly counted as proof to him, but things were adding up.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@,

@,

@@Dawn Stripes,

 

 

"I'm with the Master seageant, and ironically, I find myself allied with the opportunist as well." Steel resigned and turned back to Star. "All due respect, Chronicler, I shan't remove my swords." Steel wondered if Star was aware 'Chronicler' was a title of respect he had given the pegasus. "I do not seek battle, but nor will I be unprepared when it finds me."

 

He turned to Giant.

 

"All due respect though Sergeant, you could put it just a tad delicately. Some ponies are just pacifists by nature." He put a hoof on Star's shoulder. "I find it to be a respectable path, it's just not one I walk."

Edited May 20, 2013 by Steel Accord

[Ano170 162]

Feather, for her part, had more or less tuned out of the conversation and gotten lost in imagining the different scenarios.

 

...and then, after the smoke from the burning olive branch becomes visible, the backup team jump out of the giant wooden horse and we have an epic battle with the Atlanteans and their robot lobster things and -  Feather blinked, belatedly registering Steel Hooves words. Oh, "point" heh, I get it!

 

It appeared the discussion had blown into a full-on argument, and the sargent had joined in, too. Feather shook her head.

 

At this rate, if we ever meet the Atlanteans, they'll think we're savages....maybe there's some way I could remove the guns and still have the saddlebags without dismantling the entire battlesaddle...

 

A new thought struck her, and Feather turned back to the black and white pony beside her.  "What do you think, Paradox? Weapons or no weapons?"

[The-Master 1,176]

@@Steel Accord,

 

"Is that how you want the Atlanteans to think of us, just another band of sword bearing thugs? For an optimist you seem to have very little understanding of what you're walking into. I understand you think this will protect us but it'll cause more harm than good. What good do you think those swords will have? A small band of untrained explorers against an entire city, I do not like our chances. The weapons stay, otherwise I will instead."

[Dawn Stripes 301]

@, 

@@Steel Accord,

 

Giant downed a plate of macaroni. "Sorry, but I've had enough delicacy for a lifetime. Besides, we don't know what's down here. 'City'? We're assuming there's a whole city of dangerous, judgmental ponies down here now? Not that it's completely impossible, but it could just as well be a tiny circle of crazy thugs. 'Thugs'," he said pointedly, "As opposed to trained, professional soldiers, who are not thugs just because they happen to carry means for self-preservation."

Edited May 20, 2013 by Dawn Stripes

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@,

 

@@Dawn Stripes,

 

Steel was more than a bit offended by Star's words. "I apologize that I fail to live up to your expectations, Chronicler. I do not believe the Atlanteans to be inherently violent. Quite the contrary, I would want to thank them for sparring Ms. Ocean and treating her condition." He said with a tender look to the unicorn. "All I'm saying is I would prefer to have the option of defense should we need it. As you can see, I have great gifts of elocution. While I may not speak their tongue, much can be conveyed through tone and body language." He waved a hoof in a nonchalant manner. "They will see I mean them no harm. Your posture, on the other hoof, conveys a certain level of agitation. But your stance is defensive. You will not attack, but you will not give ground either. Truly a fellow idealist, you really should give yourself more credit great Chronicler." Steel said with a slight bow of his head.

 

"Of course I see your point of view as well Sergeant. That said, these people haven't seen anything like your firearms. The unknown is frightening and gives off a feeling of superiority. They may very well recognize my weapons, being they descended from the Pegasi tribe. So my choice to carry but not draw them won't summon an immediately hostile approach."

Edited May 20, 2013 by Steel Accord

[Miss Light Diamond 2,802]

Ocean didn't like were this was going...at all. "If I had a choice...I would have come here without weapons. It would tell the Atlanteans that we mean no harm to them...and worst case they would just send us away. But I was kinda forced to bring weapons...Iron Hoof was hired by Fancy Pants...and Iron Hoof was the one who insisted we brought weapons." She sighed. "And now onto my encounter...I think they weren't healing me for the simple fact that Atlantis is probably miles away from us...so three ponies, dragging me through a cave...well, it may be dangerous." She said.

 

 

@,

 

A little ways away were the same three ponies hiding behind a rock. One was spying on this strange pony while the other two remained hidden. (For the sake of...making this more simple...I am going to just type this out normally. These ponies are actually speaking Atlantean...or...just latin.)
One of the pony's hidden tugged on the spying pony's tale. "Princess...we must not interact with these surface dwellers. Hide before she see's yo-" "Shut up, Eon...these ponies are the first surface dwellers we have seen in many years...I want to watch." Replied the spying pony.
The pony hiding mumbled something about her father being angry before he let go of her tail and tried his best to remain hidden.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@,

 

Steel raised an eyebrow. "If . . . you were trying to make a point that would persuade me to part with my (comparatively small) arsenal my lady, it wasn't a very compelling one. I want to believe the Atlanteans mean us no harm but that merely sounds like they're laying a trap and waiting for us to stumble into it."

[Agent505 661]

(Considering i'm off to bed now, this is a great time to post this Also, this will be my last post for the night unless someone replies soon, i'll be off in about 15 minutes)

 

*Thump*

Frostbite hit the floor with several beads of perspiration dripping from her forehead and her cheeks, she tried to stand back up again but her legs buckled and she collapsed again, unconscious. She hadn't realised how close she had gotten to the fire, and how large the fire had gotten, burning away the piles of wood it had been fed. 

Edited May 21, 2013 by Creeping Dusk

[Milk Wave 454]

@

 

It would seem like the more Moon sat there looking at the picture, the more she wanted to stay and relax herself. Over a period of memories, she forgot the rest of the crew members, and even forgot that she was stuck many leagues under the sea in a cave. But even knowing about that, it didn't worry her much. As long as the picture in front of her was still intact, Moon figured that she'd be safe for now.

 

"Maybe, I should just stay here." She said to herself. "Let everyone move on while im gone.."
But she had to forcefully change her thought pattern, since Moon already knew that staying would result in starvation and then death.
Realizing that gave her an idea. Since she was seperated from the group as of now, why not sleep here for the night and wait until everyone gets up? Surely she would hear the echos of the other ponies voices when Iron would wake everyone up, right?

..

.
But of course, Moon would never know, that she was even the slightest bit wrong from her answer.

[Count Paradox 3,548]

Dox looked at Feather. "Well, honestly, I believe we're better off without weapons, Everypony here is strong in their own way without them, so-" He was cut off by a loud thud nearby, looking over to see Frostbite had fallen over. "Hey!"

He got up and quickly moved over to her. He felt her forehead. "She's burning up! We need to cool her down, and fast!" He picked her up and moved her away from the fire and towards the ice cold lake.

 

@Ano170

[Ano170 162]

Dox looked at Feather. "Well, honestly, I believe we're better off without weapons, Everypony here is strong in their own way without them, so-" He was cut off by a loud thud nearby, looking over to see Frostbite had fallen over. "Hey!"He got up and quickly moved over to her. He felt her forehead. "She's burning up! We need to cool her down, and fast!" He picked her up and moved her away from the fire and towards the ice cold lake.@Ano170

(OOC: you know, this debate reminds me in part of the trident debates over here and the gun debates in America...).

 

Feather followed anxiously after Dox, and started using her fore hooves to gently splash Frost Bite's face with the cool lake water.

"You alright in there Frosty? " She asked the unconscious unicorn mare, before looking at Paradox. "I agree. " Feather told him, carrying on their previous conversation.

 

Whatever the group decided on, Feather wouldn't bring the battle sale - after all, just that morning when thinking about sea monsters she had admitted it wouldn't do her much good in a fight...

 

Sea monsters.

 

An all together more distressing thought occurred to Feather. "Dox," her eyes widened with the realisation. "How do we know there's only ponies down here? There could be something else; something that isn't open to negotiation..."

[Agent505 661]

(Been quiet today...like...everywhere)

 

@@Count Paradox, 

 

Frostbite's nose twitched at the water splash on her face, and after a few more she managed to open her eyes slightly. She could make out the blurry image of a white light against the darkness of the cave. Wait...that wasn't a white light, that was Paradox..."Heh...didn't know you cared" she wheezed before collapsing again. 

Edited May 21, 2013 by Creeping Dusk