private The Carnival Obscura

[Chickey 383]

"If you're looking for a gang you ought to talk to Gamble-r over here," He retorted. "I suppose I've been fine, but I heard Hypno here has been having it rough lately, and he wont even tell me what it is. Besides him I can't really remember," He explained, keeping a calm tone. "The real question is how you've been though. It looks like you've been having a rough time eh?"

 

Hypno nudged Duskar. "Maybe we should just stop talking," He whispered.

[Mephala 2,633]

@

"The train should be here in ten minutes," said Braith, not wanting to talk to him any more than she had to. He hadn't taken her sarcasm the way it was intended (that is, in a rude way), and he had kept talking. "We should be getting our instructions from the 'princess' herself!" She did a mocking swoon.

 

@

"Oh, I think I'm done with the whole gang scene," she said with a smirk. "As you probably remember, it didn't much work out for me, seeing as...let's see...oh, everyone I knew to is dead now." Her laugh was mirthless as she continued. "Rough? Not so much. Natural gas 'accident'," she added, referring to her scars. "Seems someone thought it would be a laugh to try and kill me. Again." She shot a brief glance at Adlais, and scowled at her slightly, but it was almost instantly gone and she was back to her fake smile.

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

Erle began to look interested. "The princess? Good. I hope she can provide us with some satisfactory details. Can't start a case without details! Not that it seems like the princess will have TOO many of them! If she did, she wouldn't need us to sort out this mess for her! Then again, this is quite a serious business, and if she hasn't solved it in over 100 years, it must be quite a tricky business indeed." He smiled to himself. Erle always did enjoy a challenge!

Edited May 17, 2013 by DJ-BRONI3

[Chickey 383]

"Do you plan on getting yourself healed?" Duskar asked. "Hypno's leg was blown off in a fight one time and he found a way to get it back good as new." He added, getting another nudge from Hypno himself. "I thought we agreed not to talk about that day," He said rather irritated now. "At least I'm somewhat alive."

 

"You're more dead than my great grandpappy Mista Gallows." Gamble said with a chuckle.

 

"Did you ever find out who caused the accident?" He asked. "I could always have Hypno hunt him down, he does like a good challenge."

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

 

 

"So...I'm guessing you're some sort of..." She looked at the other two and decided not to continue with her sentence, lest that self-proclaimed detective decide to do something rash. Instead she cracked a wry smile.  "I'd be surprised if anyone wanted to approach you," she said dryly. "Griffins are indeed not the best-loved species here, unfortunately...I suppose a nudge every so often keeps us in line." She gave a short, hard laugh.

 

Raptor shrugged. "Yeah, I guess you could say I am sort of a...", He wasn't afraid of the detective, but he felt no need to say any more and it was probably for the best not to start conflict within the group, especially before they had even started. "Indeed, fortunately ponies usually know better than to approach me. Of course, sometimes they just don't seem to get it," he glared back at DJ.

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

Raptor shrugged. "Yeah, I guess you could say I am sort of a...", He wasn't afraid of the detective, but he felt no need to say any more and it was probably for the best not to start conflict within the group, especially before they had even started. "Indeed, fortunately ponies usually know better than to approach me. Of course, sometimes they just don't seem to get it," he glared back at DJ.

 

"Okayyyyyy!" DJ said. "No need to get so up tight already! If you don't want me to talk to you, that's perfectly fine!" Erle rolled his eyes. "Oh well, this band of misfits may get the job done. I certainly hope so, anyway!" he thought. They would certainly be an interesting group to work with, even if they did lead to them all to their deaths.

[Mephala 2,633]

@

"No," said Rain shortly. "I tried getting them healed, but cursed magic like that..." She shook her head with a grim little smile. "Doesn't go away as easily as one would hope. I"m saddled with them." She shrugged. "I can barely fly now, though, so I suppose that kind of sucks."

She decided to remain silent on that last comment he had made; she was lying anyways. It was anything but a natural gas accident, and the story behind it did't matter. She had gotten better at lying, too; in the past few years it was how she managed to stay alive. She didn't need anyone's help any longer; she had finally been forced to toughen up and get used to it. Life was particularly unfair to those who were bad people, and Rain was far from a saint now.

 

Adlais stared at Duskar and Hypno in horror. Who were these people, and how were they so casual about this sort of thing? And Rain was the same; she seemed to have changed slightly in their presence. Something weird was definitely happening.

 

@ @@Alex Kennedy

Braith sighed. Clearly these two didn't know how to take a hint unless it was shoved right in their face, and before she could open her mouth to make another sharp retort the train pulled up in a cloud of steam and gas.

"All aboard for the Crystal Empire!" called the conductor, and with a dirty glance at the two ponies, Braith stepped onto it.

 

Adlais was happy to escape the creepy party, and she fled, hopping on quickly with obvious delight, and Rain followed more slowly.

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

DJ smiled. "Cool! The train! Let's get going then!" He quickly hopped onto the train and sat down in one of the seats.

 

Erle slowly walked onto the train. "Now, we should get going." Erle sat down on a seat in the corner, lit his pipe and began to puff contendedly on it.

[Chickey 383]

Duskar sighed, "Fair enough, it's your choice." He said as he pulled out a large black book from a saddlebag at his side and started to read it. It had an odd symbol on the front and seemed to be made of something odd too. "Though not being able to fly wouldn't be very fun." He added. His reading was cut short as the train arrived. He sighed and placed the book back in it's bag and got up with the rest of his slight group of four. 

 

The four walked onto the train, Hypno even seemed excited. "It's been quite a while since I've been on a train." He almost seemed to giggle. The four then sat down, and Gamble resumed his rude nap posture with his hat still on his head.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Lost Knowledge sighed in relief as the train finally arrived. The whole situation had been getting very uncomfortable for him, with the griffin glaring at everyone and Rain acting so strangely casual about her scars. He sat down a little apart from the rest of the group, not feeling up to dealing with all the weird tension that seemed to have formed between them already.

 

---

 

Raptor followed Braith onto the train. Although she technically wasn't a griffin, he couldn't help but feel the same bond of kinship with her that he felt among his own kind.

[Mephala 2,633]

@

Braith sighed and rolled her eyes, glancing at Raptor in exasperation as she took a seat a little out of the way from everyone else. Having so many ponies around made her feel awkward; she was currently residing in a southern settlement by the border of Saddle Arabia where few ponies lived; it was mostly griffins, diamond dogs, and other oppressed creatures. 

At least there's a griffin on the trip, she thought to herself. Makes it a little easier. 

Several other people on the train looked at the griffin and whispered rudely, but Braith shot them an angry glance and most quieted down. However, one unicorn who seemed to be drunk despite the early morning kept making rude gestures and muttering loud insults in his wife's ear. Braith stared at him, but her refused to stop, and eventually she stood up.

"Do you mind?" she asked, and the unicorn laughed, sending alcohol breath her way before saying something so rude that Braith calmly punched him in the face and then sat back down, nodding politely at his wife, who stared at her in shock.

 

@

"You know how much I sucked at it anyways," Rain shrugged. "I can still get some altitude, but not for a very long time. I'm hoping to get some cybernetic limbs or something like that." She sat down and motioned for Adlais to join her, but Adlais just hurried away from her, head down. Rain frowned.

"Wow, thanks," she muttered sarcastically, twisting to look out the window.

She felt a small pain lace up her side and winced. The doctor had informed her that they would never be able to go away; magical scars were different from the regular kind. It took much work (very painful work) and even then, it could kill or drive the patient to madness. There was a near zero percent chance of even making a small difference on them.

She didn't mind them, anyhow; bit unseemly, but after the initial shock people got used to it. Well, not really. But as much as they ever would.

 

@

Adlais scurried over past Erle and DJ, but she inhaled some smoke from Erle's pipe and coughed. She wanted to ask him to put it away but didn't feel comfortable enough to, so she just put her head down and took a seat near them (it was the only one left where she wasn't sitting with anyone else) trying to fan the smoke away.

 

"And we're off!" said the conductor, not even noticing Braith attacking the unicorn as he cheerfully walked up the aisle checking tickets. When he got to the unconscious man, he just stopped for a second, shrugged, and moved on. They were used to drunks early in the morning.

 

The train began to move and Rain sighed. Finally, they were away.

[Chickey 383]

"I have no liking for 'cybernetic' limbs" Duskar said. "Too... how should I put it... untasteful?" He commented as he pulled out his book again, flipping to a random page and started to read. "I think your friend is afraid of us too. But I suppose she should be." He mused as he read his over sized book. "Speaking of such, did I ever tell you about my friend Hypno here?" He asked. "He's been having a rough time, try not to be too mean to him."

 

Weaver looked slightly nervous as the conductor passed, but when he was gone he let out a sigh and returned to his normal posture. 

 

Hypno looked over to Gamble. "Who's your friend here." He said pointing to Weaver, and his nervous look returned. Gamble picked up his hat and looked over. "A customer of mine, he bought some underground supplies and such a while back." Weaver himself then gave a wave, and a slight. "Hello"

[Mephala 2,633]

@

"Perhaps so, but it's better than nothing," replied Rain. "Anyways, don't mind Adlais. We're not acquaintances by choice, and she's afraid of everybody, not just you. It's nothing new." She smiled wanly. "She may be the most booksmart creature I know, but when it comes to social interaction she definitely got a F."

She glanced at Hypno. "By your definition of 'rough time', you probably mean that he just runs around doing violent stuff and then complains about it. And of course you haven't, it''s been ages since I've seen you, and we didn't leave on...the best of terms, I suppose one could say." She stuck out a hoof to Hypno anyways with a cheesy smile. 'Charmed." 

Glancing around, she chuckled. "Duskar, dear, now when have I ever been mean? I'm positively hurt, really."

 

She looked at Weaver. "Oh, look, and we meet yet another criminal." She offered him her hoof as well. "I would say it's nice to meet you, but it isn't." She then paused and frowned. "Damn. Three seconds in and I was mean again. That's probably a record of some sort. Everyone take notes!"

However, she smiled kindly at Weaver. "So tell me, what do you do?"

Edited May 18, 2013 by Morrigan Aensland

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Raptor, used to the hateful stares and rude words of pony-folk, payed no mind to the other passengers. He had to admit he did enjoy watching Braith punch one of them, though. He decided then that even though she was a pony, he would treat her with the same respect and kindness he normally reserved for other griffins. Still, he didn't want to risk causing too much trouble, so he decided it was best not to say anything. He just looked over at her and smiled.

[Chickey 383]

Duskar started to talk in a slightly quieter tone now while Hypno was distracted with Weaver. "Hypno tries to be kind but in the end he always seems to fail. He runs a guise as a nice pony but it's dropped at the first sign of trouble. He hasn't been a violent pony for years however." He explained "He's been acting rather depressed lately and I'm not sure why, but I think it has to do with the disappearance of someone he was with the last time I saw him."

 

Hypno spun around, shaking her hoof with a slight smile. "The pleasure is all mine." He responded with a chuckle.

 

Weaver looked slightly confused. "I-I'm not a criminal?" He said. "I work out in the forest as a researcher really, that's about it." He explained with a shrug. He had a rather odd tone in his speech, sounding slightly off from a normal pony. 

[Mephala 2,633]

@@Alex Kennedy

Braith smile back, but she was still rather steely-eyed. She didn't get the mocking as she was a pony, but sometimes she really wished she just was a griffin so she didn't have to deal with all this.

 

@

"The part about the guise makes it a little hard to believe he's a nice guy. Bit like you," Rain muttered back in a joking tone, but Hypno started to turn around and she didn't have time to finish speaking before he shook her hoof.

After Weaver spoke she laughed. "I'm sorry, the company that this guy keeps usually isn't the most fun crowd. Apologies for my probably correct assumption," she said, picking up on a mysterious accent. Intrigued, she decided to ask about it. 

"So tell me a little bit about yourself. Where are you from?" she pressed gently. "I know a...er...lovely pegasus who works out in Everfree, are you stationed there?"

She felt the cold start to seep in through the windows and she took her cloak off, enjoying the cool fresh air even as the other passengers stared. She just made a rude gesture at them and then smile pleasantly at Weaver, waiting for his response.

[Chickey 383]

"You're on a roll today with saying mean things." Duskar commented with a shrug. He would of continued but knew Hypno wouldn't like him blindly saying things about his past.

 

Hypno leaned back, looking around the train and out the window. He noticed a few of the ponies on the train stare at their group, but he didn't seem to mind too much. It had been a while since he's been out of the forest and into a city though.

 

"I come from Fillydelphia, but I haven't been their for quite a while. As my studies require me to stay out in the forest for quite a while, so yes, I am stationed out there. By now it's obvious I know Gamble, but I've met Hypno once out there, seeing he lives in the deeper parts of it." He explained, as he talked his accent slowly started to go away, and sound more like a pony. But before it sounded almost bug like.

[Mephala 2,633]

@

"Oh, you're too kind...I do try," said Rain, smiling briefly at Duskar before returning her attentions to Weaver, who had most certainly caught her eye.

 

"FIllydelphia, you say?" she asked, and she leaned forwards, giving him an intense stare. "Really, I never would have guessed, based on your...accent," she said. "I have family there, and visit quite often...really, dear, you ought to get out more." She dropped her voice to a dramatic whisper. "It doesn't bode well to hang out with people like this all the time. Others might think that you're not who you say you are...if you understand what I mean." She winked at him and leaned back, looking satisfied.

 

Rain hoped that her ploy would work; normally ponies would get nervous and spill the beans on whatever after she pressed them a bit. However, he seemed to be made of tough stuff, and she wasn't sure that she would be able to get him to crack. If this didn't work, she could easily lean the psychological arm on him (with a bit of help from Duskar, of course).

 

The conductor came out and announced that the train would be arriving in twenty minutes. Adlais, who had been dozing, woke with a start, and noticed Rain's smug expression. Foreboding curled inside of her, and she decided to stare out the window, a bit disturbed by the pegasus' scarred face.

[Chickey 383]

"I never knew I had an accent, where do you think I got it though?" Weaver asked with a slight chuckle. "But I'm sorry to say I really don't know what you mean." He explained, looking a bit more comfortable in his chair now. "Any other questions you might have, I'm all ears?" He added.

 

Duskar simply watched, by his magical presence he would already sense what he was, but he wanted to know if Rain could find out herself. He kept quiet and continued to nonchalantly read his book.

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

Erle was not interested in talking with the others. He preferred to sit by himself and think.

 

DJ however was looking to chat to someone. He didn't want to annoy anypony else, so he just sat there, wondering what was going to happen when they arrived at the Crystal Empire.

[Mephala 2,633]

@

"Sounds a bit like someone I know," she said casually. (That was also a lie, Rain didn't know anyone with an accent like that.) 

There was something definitely off about Weaver, now she was certain; he was too casual about the questions and avoided them as well as possible. 

"Here's a question-what are you?" she asked, curious. "Are you from out of this country? Overseas?"

Hopefully from his (most likely) vague answer she could discern something.

 

@

Adlais noticed another pony looking around as if searching for someone to talk to. She decided to swallow her fear and ask if he knew what was going on.

Approaching the blue maned pegasus, she smiled weakly. "Uhm, hi, uhm, I'm Adlais, and, uh...do you, er, know what's...going...on?" she asked meekly, ducking her head.

[Chickey 383]

"Like I said, I'm from Fillydelphia, but i travel quite a lot, and visit some odd places for research." He explained. "But, uh, I suppose I'm a Pegasus due to the wings, I've been to Cloudsdale a few times too." He added with a slight laugh. "If that's what you mean?" At this point he figured Rain wasn't going to figure out much, so his confidence level raised to normal.

 

Duskar simply observer more, keeping quiet and waiting. He wondered if he was going to have to help.

Edited May 19, 2013 by Hypno

[Mephala 2,633]

@

"I suppose I'm a pegasus?" said Rain, noticing that line sharply. "You seem a little unsure of that fact. So tell me, darling, what are you really?"

She had been thinking about that possibility, but it seemed so remote; changelings were uncommon to find, as it could be difficult for them to stay in one form for extended periods of time. However, one with enough willpower had the ability to, so long as they had plenty of love around. She had met one changeling a while ago, but after their banishment hundreds of years ago by the Elements of Harmony and the Princess and her husband, they were few and far between.

 

@ @@Alex Kennedy

 

As if on cue, the train stopped, and the conductor shouted for the passengers to disembark. As Rain stood up, she bumped her shoulder against Duskar playfully. "So tell me, am I right about him, All Knowing One?" she whispered to him.

 

Adlais stood up with a little shriek, suprised by the sudden booming voice, and flushed at the looks she got. She scurried off the train hurriedly, eyes flicking towards Rain, who looked like she was talking to that creepy gray pony again.

She's going to get herself killed, thought Adlais wildly. He's going to hurt her, oh, he's so creepy...

She forced herself to calm down and waited for the others on the platform, dancing from hoof to hoof.

 

Braith smiled at the now waking pony she had knocked out and mockingly greeted him, happy to get off the cramped train and into daylight again. She shivered in the cool air, however  and instantly missed her southern "home", pulling out a thick woolen cloak.

Edited May 20, 2013 by Morrigan Aensland

[Chickey 383]

Weaver was about to respond, but then the train stopped. Saved by the bell. He thought as he got up, adjusting his coat as he did so. He then walked out and into the sun, on the inside he hated the sun, but on the outside he looked fine. He also wondered just how much that girl knew about him already.

 

"Well, that all depends on what you think he is." He whispered back as he got off the train, Hypno following behind and Gamble behind him. "But, I'm guessing you think he is a changeling, and if that's so, you're correct." He added.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Raptor sighed in relief as the train arrived. He hated being cooped up in these things, especially when they were full of ponies who were almost all glaring at him or talking about him like he was a freak. Pushing several random ponies out of the way, he quickly exited the train.

 

---

 

Lost Knowledge had spent most of the train ride lost in thought, wondering what was in store for them. He was rather startled when he heard the conductor announce their arrival at the station, not having realized how much time had passed while he was thinking. He shook his head and calmly walked off the train.