private Bioshock RP

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

Steel rose from his seat. "Pardon me, Mr. Slab." He said very accusingly. "Princess Celestia is a fair and hooves off ruler. I did not come to Harmony because Her reign constrained me. I came to Harmony because it was the Canterlot nobility, those who's claim to wealth and status came not from merit or divine right, but from being born into a family that opposed other ponies in the past! I agree that the Gryphons are communists, but Galt has given us this!" He pointed his hoof around them. "He's created the utopia of the Great Chain. Where everyone is entitled to the sweat of their brow. I know Celestia would look upon what we've all done with pride!"   ((OOC: Psst dude, the year is 958, Luna isn't back from Her exile.))

 

@@Steel Accord,

 

((OOC: Thanks, didn't notice so many posts had been made.))

 

Sidon stopped a respectful distance away, reminding himself to get some of those favors back from Peaches one day. "Pardon me," he said, attempting to make himself heard over the din, "please do forgive the intrusion, but I do not believe that my friend over there will permit me to live if I don't get your autograph for her." He gestured back at Peaches, who even now continued to stare at Steel.

@@evilcorgi,

 

Steel rolled his eyes and smiled. "Stepped in their right in time my friend." He chuckled as he took out his notepad and a pen. "Who am I making this out to?" He asked.

 

 

"Peaches."

 

"To my loyal fan, Peaches.

 

Keep smiling,

 

Steel Accord."

 

Steel spat his pen back into his vest pocket and gave the stallion the paper. "There you go my friend."

[evilcorgi 48]

"Well, maybe it was different where you came from, but I-" Marble's eye was caught by a shimmer from Steel's sword "...Had different experiences. Guess that was just me though!" He said with an uneasy smile. "If you'll excuse me, I have to go now." He said hurriedly. He decided that he didn't want to anger the city's finest swordspony. He trotted in an unclear direction.

((Oh, crap. Uh... oops! Didn't think that through (the Luna thing) ))

[EcstaticWind 572]

Aegis sat in silence. Any other questions he had for the interview had flown out of his head. In fact, he wasn't even aware that his drink was empty. Until Poppy pointed it out.  "Aegis, it's empty."  "So it is. Is your shift over already?"  "Yes, and you forgot to introduce me."  Aegis straightened up in his seat.  "Oh, sorry about that. Everypony, this is Poppy Seed, a good friend of mine."  She smiled at everypony present. "Good to meet you all. And good to see you again, Mr Accord."

[Sidon Aldermane 52]

@@Steel Accord,

 

Sidon watched Marble's retreating figure for a moment, then turned back to Steel Accord, "Well thank you, hopefully this will sate her for a while, though I apologize in advance as I may need to come back for another." He smiled and gave a short bow, "Good day."

He walked back over to Peaches and gave her the paper, "There."

"Ooh, thank you Darkstorm!" She said, hugging him again.

"You're welcome, but no more favors tonight okay Peaches, I'd rather not serve as the wedge separating an ideological argument again."

He sat back down next to his friend.

Edited May 16, 2013 by Darkstorm

[Steel Accord 6,660]

"A pleasure Ms. Pop." He shook her hoof. Steel spotted a certain Zebra wondering his way. Like a gentlecolt should, he rose when she approached and bowed. "My lady." He greeted. She curtsied in return with a smile. The two briefly shared a peck, as not to make the others uncomfortable, and Steel pulled out a chair for Dot before taking his seat again.

 

"Dot, this is Aegis Dare, he's doing an interview of me. That is Poppy Seed, who just got off work. And that is Sidon. Everypony. This is Dot . . . the love of my life." He said without irony.

 

"Please Mr. Dare, if you should have some questions for me as well, I would just as happy to answer as was Steel." She said.

Edited May 16, 2013 by Steel Accord

[EcstaticWind 572]

Aegis bowed his head as Dot approached. "A pleasure, ma'am. Please, allow me to buy everypony a drink."  Poppy held out a hoof in a friendly manner. "As Aegis said, it's a pleasure to meet you. Actually I have a question, how did you two meet? If you don't mind me asking."

 

Aegis stood up. "I'll get us some drinks. I shall return momentarily."

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Windbreaker,

 

The couple both appreciated the more casual shift this conversation took. As much as Steel loved to give interviews, it had not eluded either the zebra or pegasus that this was now effectively a double date.

 

"It was back first when I arrived in Harmony, I felt lost and confused in this place under the sea." Dot began. "I was selling my horseshoes out of a stand, when I was approached by a most unruly band. They tore up my stand and called me terrible names, I felt like they were going to do worse before . . . he came." Dot looked fondly to Steel.

 

"I was shopping at Smart Cookie Square, seeing if somepony was willing to sell anything I could re purpose as a training dummy, when I heard a commotion. I saw that three ponies and a griffon were tearing up a stand and about to attack this beautiful mare. So I drew my weapons and . . . stopped them." Steel looked away for a moment. "The constabulary understood, there were plenty of witnesses to see I was acting in Dot's defense." Dot hugged his leg.

 

"Nopony ever stood up for me before. He even offered to help fix my store. He escorted me back to my residence, but was taken aback by it's former owner's negligence. He offered for me to sleep in his own apartment, of which I was suspicious of entrapment. Then I saw I had nothing to fear from him, not once did he proposition."

 

"Which is not to say I wasn't tempted." Steel threw in.

 

"And later, I found I was almost disappointed." She fake pouted.

 

"So . . . " Steel shrugged. "One thing lead to another."

Edited September 8, 2013 by Steel Accord

[EcstaticWind 572]

@@Steel Accord,

 

"That's so sweet. You two make a lovely couple." Poppy said happily. When Aegis returned, he was visibly upset.  "What's wrong, Aegis?" Poppy asked.  "A rude drunkard made fun of my mane. The bartender had him escorted out before I lost my temper, though." Aegis set the drinks on the table and sat down.  "Don't let it get to you, hon. Besides, the pink stripes look good on you."  Aegis smiled as Poppy leaned on his shoulder.

[Sidon Aldermane 52]

"Such a nice story." Sidon thought aloud absent mindedly.

"Huh?" Peaches looked at him quizzically. "What story? I was talking about that smuggler."

He broke out of his reverie. "Oh, didn't you..." he trailed off, realizing that he had been unintentionally eavesdropping on the other group. Not that he tried to, it just happened sometimes when his mind started to wander. It didn't help that he could practically hear a pin drop in a noisy room.

"Nevermind." He turned to the bar mare. "May I have an apple cider and..." he looked to Peaches.

"A peach cocktail please." She said after a moment of thought.

The bar mare nodded, brought him a mug and filled it with cider, then began to mix the cocktail.

"You and peaches. I think you may have a problem there." He chuckled, shaking his head.

She gave him a solid punch in the shoulder in reply. He laughed again, taking a swig from his cider.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Windbreaker,

 

"What of you two? How did you first strike up a romantic rapport?" Steel asked.

 

"Our first encounter was not under good circumstance, maybe your first meeting was better perchance?" Dot added.

 

((OOC: I can almost feel the tide of tone ebbing. I REALLY don't want Harmony destroyed!)) 

[EcstaticWind 572]

@@Steel Accord,

 

"Well, he wasn't a knight in shining armour, but he did get a pesky patron to leave leave me alone. On the way here, I was working the bar. Big surprise, isn't it? And this overbearing stallion kept making unwanted advances. Then Aegis comes along and, well you tell this part, Aegis." Poppy said. 

 

Aegis thought for a moment, gathering the specific detail in his mind. "I just said to him, 'She said no, so bugger off.' He didn't like it and wanted to start a fight. I didn't want to fight in front of a lady, so I took him outside and broke his right foreleg. When I came back, I just ordered a drink and sat down again."

 

Poppy smiled. "Never saw the other guy again, and the next day, I found a letter under the bar when it was my shift. Aegis had written a most beautiful poem for me. But he still hasn't proposed."

[SilverHeart 741]

(OOC: I'm so sorry it took so long. To avoid a lengthy OOC post I'll just say that today has been busy. Also did we [y'all] ever determine what the name of the currency in Harmony is?)

 

Silver Heart listened to the sound of her hoof lightly tapping against the receptionist desk. On a normal night the clinic was quite busy, however tonight everyone was celebrating the Summer Sun. Silver Heart was the only pony in the building. She had been randomly chosen to watch over the place.

 

Silver Heart was staring at an old coin she found back in Canterlot. The coin was golden on one side and silver on the other. The golden side had Princess Celestia, the silver side had another Alicorn that Silver Heart hadn't recognised. It was one of the few things she had brought with her from Equestria. The coin was probably one of the more socially dangerous things to openly display in all of Harmony. Especially when one considers that more than just a few residents of Harmony hated Equestria and anypony that still seemed loyal to her or Celestia.

 

The golden coin served only one real purpose now...to help her make pointless decisions. Such as whether or not to leave the clinic to go have some fun on one of the greatest events of the year. It isn't like anyone would come to this clinic when the much better equipped hospital was just a little ways away. Besides that the majority of the clinic's visitors were ponies that wanted to buy the more dangerous talent potions. 

 

(OOC: I'll post the rest tomorrow.)

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Windbreaker,

 

Steel was quite impressed.

 

"I am quite impressed! To 'not fight in front of a lady.'" He paraphrased. "I can say that if circumstance offered me such a choice, I would not take it. In my heart I am a swashbuckler, even a gladiator of Ancient Roam. I live for the fight and to have eyes upon my actions is only icing on the cake!" Steel laughed. "I mean not to imply that I am specifically a glory seeker, but like all who have come here, I wish for . . . honest recognition of honest deeds." 

[EcstaticWind 572]

@@Steel Accord,

 

"Is that where your talent for theatre comes from, Mr. Accord?" Poppy asked.  Aegis allowed his curiosity to get the better of him this once. "Forgive me if I seem rude for asking this, Ms. Dot, but your accent and appearance is one I am not familiar with. Are you foreign?" Aegis unconsciously braced himself.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Windbreaker,

 

Dot shook her head. "We both know you mean no offense, your more than welcome to know of my accent. I was born among zebra but raised in Stalliongrad. It was a traditional Equestria upbringing I had." Her ears lowered. "But as I grew older, my stripes grew bolder. I was met with confusion, even fear. 'Who is this Zebra that acts so queer?' Not pony in appearance nor Zebra in bearing, such slander as 'half-breed' I grew used to hearing."

 

Steel put a wing around her shoulder and gave a gentle rub . . . as well as slipping his hoof on to her thigh under the table for a lover's reassuring squeeze.

 

"To answer your other question, yes and no. I acted once or twice in school, but never thought of it as a profession. As ponies gathered more and more to see me fight, it was clear they were coming to see me 'perform' just as much as they were there to see the actual duel. So . . . I recognized a market when I saw it. That's when I started acting. It wasn't anything extravagant at first, little more than a soapbox for a stage and some soaring poetry, but it sold, and soon directors were asking me to perform in their own productions."

[EcstaticWind 572]

@@Steel Accord,

 

Aegis thought back to the day he earned his Cutie Mark. He'd been teased for the colour of his mane, his blank flank, and and his effeminate build. "Must've been horrible, hearing those unkind words. But you're here in Harmony, and only those who, and I quote Mr. Galt when I say, 'are worthy to join us in this city where neither Alicorns nor Emperors control you.' I imagine most of those who doubted you did not get invited."

 

Poppy shook her head and sipped her drink. "Brave enough to take a stand against injustice, even through the press, yet can't gather the courage to ask one pony on a date." She said in a playful manner.

 

Aegis grinned sheepishly. "That is true."

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Windbreaker,

 

Steel chuckled.

 

"I'm sure you'll get around to it eventually. Well! This has been fun! Why don't we meet up again sometime?" Steel proposed. "Why don't we meet at Posey Park next week?"

 

(                            ) Aegis response here.

 

With the agreement made, Steel and Dot wished their new friends goodbye and returned to the rest of the party. The approaching midnight hour reminded Steel of the possible appearance of Galt.

 

"Ohhhhh I'm nervous Dot! This is my dream! My life's goal! If I don't get it, I might suffer Cutie-Mark Failure Insanity Syndrome on the spot!" The mere thought of failing at this, only made the early symptoms of CIMFIS begin to onset. Dot abruptly moved in front of Steel . . . and kissed him deeply. She could feel the tension melt from her stallion as she worked her wiles on him.

 

The kiss ended.

 

"Better?"

 

"Uh hu."

 

"Now why don't you tell me anew, what ambition so fervently calls you?"

 

"To . . . to be the Master Swordpony. Just like Red Pommel was before Celestia's reign."

 

"You remember I see, and why did you come to this city?"

 

"Because the title has become obsolete." His ears drooped. "Of whom on the surface could it be bequeathed?"

 

"So you escaped below the sea . . ."

 

"To become the Master Swordpony of Harmony!" He smiled and felt his vigor renewed.

[EcstaticWind 572]

@@Steel Accord,

 

Aegis nodded, almost shocked at his unbelievable luck. "We'd love to." As they bid each other goodbye, Poppy thought to Steel's earlier words: I believe Mr. Dare here is open.  "Making plans for the two of us, are we?" Poppy said, a sly grin decorating her face.

 

Aegis smiled. "If I didn't, you would have."

 

Poppy nodded in agreeance. "You bet. So how was it meeting your idol in the flesh?"

 

Aegis looked over to the crowd. "He's a nice pony, but I wouldn't want to make him angry. Like some of your patrons find out about you after they've had one too many." He grinned as Poppy feigned indignance.

 

"Suggesting that a lady like myself would do such a thing."

 

"Of course." Aegis thought for a moment. He wanted to ask her, but the one thing that held him back every time was a question he kept asking himself: Is it the right time?

 

"I know what you're thinking, Aegis." Poppy said, her tone becoming serious. "Listen, we both have feelings for each other, but I'm not going to wait forever. So why are you waiting?"

 

Aegis took her hoof in his, almost convinced that this was what he had been waiting for. "I was waiting for the right time, but there's no better time than right now. Poppy Seed...will you marry me?"

 

"Yes. Of course I will, Aegis Dare."

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Fillies and gentlecolts! May I present to you the man, whom without which, none of us would be here. The CEO of Galt Industries . . . Galt the Griffon!" Their was a roaring applause. Galt himself was wearing an impeccable suit, and was as sharp eyed yet relaxed as his hybrid nature would afford.

 

Steel gulped. "I need another soda."

 

"No!" Dot grabbed Steel and began to gently push him across the floor towards Galt. "You cannot delay this any longer, come now I know you are stronger!" She brought him close to whisper in his ear. "Just be courteous and frank, and you will ascend to your destined rank." With one final kiss upon his cheek, Dot left her love to his task.

 

Steel beheld his hopeful future employer, and a man he had a great personal admiration for. He stood up tall, straightened his vest, and checked his weapons. 

 

"Excuse me, Mr. Galt sir?" The industrialist turned to him, and raised his eyebrow.

 

"Yes, Mr. Accord?" He regarded.

 

"Why not? Everypony else seems to know who I am." Steel thought.

 

"Pardon me for disturbing you-"

 

"I have no patience for hesitation Mr. Accord, and I know you to be a pony of soft words yet bold action. So speak your mind if you intend to hold my interest any further." Galt said while sipping a martini.

 

"Mr. Galt, I would like to become your personal bodyguard." Steel said quickly but coherently. Galt stopped sipping. 

 

"Having personal protection would imply I have enemies. Do you believe I have enemies, Mr. Accord?" He said with a point of his talon from around his glass.

 

"I believe the weak prey upon the powerful just as much as the reverse." Steel fired back. "This is Harmony Mr. Galt, we all have our competitors. Some unfortunately don't believe in fair play."

 

Galt smiled a tad. 

 

"I'll tell you what, Mr. Accord. I have heard of your exploits but never seen them with my own eyes." He snapped his talons and an odd mechanical whirring sounded from far away, but coming closer. "Why don't you give me a demonstration?" From out of the vents and shaft came these odd flying mechanisms. They looked a bit like parasprites with rotors instead of wings.

 

"Don't be afraid." Galt chuckled. "These ones are only loaded with rock salts. That said . . . I wouldn't want to get hit by them and by that notion you should hate them with a passion." 

 

With that, Steel's "test" had begun.

 

B-B-B-B-BANG

 

Ponies scrambled for cover while the sentries fired at Steel. He ducked behind a table, and pulled it onto it's side. The sentries shots did not even perforate his feeble cover. Steel cautiously raised his blade, the polished surface giving him a view of his enemies.

 

"1, 2, 3, 4 all together." Steel muttered to himself.

 

"Take out the right most one.

 

Evade.

 

Go for the center most one."

 

B-B-B-B-BANG

 

Steel ran out from the side of the table, ducking and weaving behind the decor and party favors. He circled the room systemically until the first Sprite-senty was almost directly over him. After the closest one ceased fire to automatically reload, Steel launched from cover.

 

Once he was close enough, he pulled a loop de loop, slicing the first machine in two on his rise. The one's behind it fired in return but Steel had already reached the arc of the loop and dove down before they could get a clean shot.

 

He skewered the following one, then spun in place with a heaving toss, sending the impaled robot into it's brother.

 

When the two dropped to the ground, one remained. Steel flapped hard to close, but he wasn't quick enough.

 

BANG

 

BANG

 

The first shot grazed him and the second nailed him center mass. Steel pushed through and not only stabbed it, but in his rage st being shot and no doubt failing, cut it into as many pieces as he could before it hit the ground.

 

By the time Steel was finished, the room was littered with sea salt rocks, and ruined decorations. Steel himself was standing in the center of diced up bits of metal, breathing hard. He then felt a talon, drape around his shoulder.

 

"That last one got you good didn't it?" Galt asked. Steel's ears drooped in disappointment. "Don't fret . . . you'd make a poor bodyguard if you were afraid to take a bullet." Steel stared at Galt, wide-eyed. "Have fun at this party, it's going to be a busy year for you." The griffon said with a friendly slap on the shoulder. As he walked away, he turned back as if just remembering something. "Oh! Just so you know, a position like yours affords a title of some sort. While I normally don't suffer arcane traditions, the rank you've sought was a historically earned one." Steel couldn't believe where this was going. "As far as Galt Industries is concerned  you are the Master Swordpony of Harmony." One could knock Steel over with a feather.

 

Galt then left to join the others where the party had fled to another chamber, all except one.

 

"Steel my love, you did it!" Dot said as she embraced him. "I told you you would win it!" Steel's emotions swam in his head. He had achieved his life long dream, but what had he just agreed to? He looked around at the ruined scene. Galt was so casual to summon his drones as an extravagant job interview. Non-lethal ammunition or no, somepony could have been hurt! What else was Galt capable of? Steel had fought, both literally and metaphorically, to achieve his dream and the status and comfort he had. He had earned all this. But . . . he never involved anypony that hadn't chosen to compete. Even at his most ambitious, Steel could never compromise another's freedom or safety to get what he wants. That was the founding ideal of Harmony, Galt's dream! That all would be free to work, to win, to loose, to dream! Right?

 

Steel, for the first time since coming to Harmony, felt unsure. About himself, and his idol. Steel, found himself asking,

 

"Who is Galt?"

 

((OOC: See what I did thar?))

[evilcorgi 48]

Marble sat at his table, alone, with no one but a few fans in search of autographs to keep him company. There were many many peers here, but Marble had alienated himself from all of them at some point in his career. He had been greeted by a few distasteful glares, but not much else. Marble was just beginning to wonder if he should just leave, when his attention was diverted to the overblown appearance of Galt. After the applause ended, Marble opted to order another drink instead of just leaving. After all, maybe there's still a publisher he hasn't insulted or pissed off yet. It had been only about a minute before another distraction hit the party. For whatever reason, Galt was attacking Steel Accord with a few nerfed ((Is that word too un-ponyish?)) versions of those flying sentries. Marble just watched in surprise, until a couple mis-fired shots persuaded him to take cover. Marble was unlucky enough to pick a table that was close to the firefight, closing any escape options he might have had. After it was all over, he emerged from underneath his table, to see that the party had been mostly deserted.

[CamRad18 337]

Food was a simple creation, a collection of various ingredients recklessly thrown together to create one flavor or another. Gustave did not make "food". Gustave crafted art. As such, only that art which had received copious amounts of both time and effort was allowed to pass through his claws. Such dedication meant that Gustave was often late to the affairs he catered for and tonight was no different. Finally free of his workspace, the griffon began his trek towards the party. He took a brief moment to collect himself before pushing the double doors open with a loud bang! The room quickly grew silent. This was what Gustave lived for: that moment when every eye was on him, drinking in his silhouette. It always reminded him that the relationship between celebrity and admirer was symbiotic. The crowd needed his skills and showmanship as much as he needed to bask in their praise. As such, moments like this could be seen as the lifeblood that kept Gustave going. He could only stand such far-away admiration for so long, however, and began to scan the room for somepony who seemed enraptured by his presence to approach. 

 

((I live!))

[Sidon Aldermane 52]

"Well, that was certainly rather...interesting." Sidon commented, rising up from behind the bar and brushing some rock salt from his mane as he surveyed the restaurant. Peaches peeked up next to him, eyes wide with excitement. "That, was, awesome!" She shouted, pumping a hoof into the air with enthusiasm.

He glanced at her somewhat bemusedly. "Oh yes, delightful, love a good firefight every now and again, I mean what's a ball without one."

Sidon grabbed his cider from the counter, gulping down the last, albeit rather salty dregs, then hopped over the bar. He looked over to where Steel Accord and Dot were standing.

 

@@Steel Accord,

 

"Good show Steel, you surely turned that dull soiree into quite a party. Congratulations on your achievement by the way." He turned and walked after the other party-goers, Peaches close in tow behind him.

[EcstaticWind 572]

Aegis popped up from behind the table and looked around. Everypony was now heading for another room where the party would likely continue.

 

"It's safe. What the f-" He began before Poppy lightly slapped the back of his head.

 

"Language, Aegis. What was with the drones?" She said, at first glaring at Aegis, then looking to the destroyed drones.

 

"I don't know. Actually, I was about to say the same thing." Aegis said. He thought about it for a moment, then put it aside.  "Let's join the others. I'll need a strong drink before the night is through."

[Fluttermena 1,223]

On the way to her office, Ziska passed through the observation floor. You could see the fillies' rooms from above, and the pink walls and decorations were a disturbing contrast to the cold metal doors as they appeared on the outside or the cells.

 

Ziska's office had a safe that contained her notes concernng the new Talent potion she'd been working on. Most Talents were designed for commercial use, but this one was a threat to the POX business and Galt's ownership of the fillies, which is exactly what she intended.

 

The idea was simple: the fillies were bound to the roots of the POX plant inside them. No more plants, no more servitude. No more servitude...no more of the sickening guilt that plagued Teneighbaum  Of course the researchers always kept track of the little ones, so the difficult part was to make one of them dissapear without raising suspicion. This wouldn't be too hard, the smugglers still had some presence in the city, if the official records said that a filly was gathering in a high risk area, the blame for her dissapearance would fall on them...

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@,

 

 "Thank you Sidon." Steel responded. "I must admit, I am a bit shocked by Galt's method of induction." He looked at the sparking remains of the Parasentries. "I really am sorry that I ruined the party. If I hadn't asked him anything, this wouldn't have happened."

 

 

@@Fluttermena,

 

((OOC: "In most, this feeling would be seen as natural and beautiful. But in me, it is forgeign and disgusting . . . my maternal instinct."))

Edited May 23, 2013 by Steel Accord