private The Carnival Obscura

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

Erle got up from his seat in the corner and left the train with the others. He watched as the griffon barged his way through the crowd. Erle scowled to himself. He hated bullies. DJ also left the train at this point, slightly more excitedly than Erle. He chatted and laughed with other ponies he had talked to on the way, and said goodbye to them as the group left the rest of the crowd.

[Mephala 2,633]

@

Rain did a little victory dance. "Took me long enough, didn't it?" she said in a stage whisper, and she looked behind to see the other two following Duskar. "Looks like you've gotten yourself another regular old Goon Squad," she added. "Just like old times."

 

@@Alex Kennedy @

 

Braith and Adlais also got off, each looking around. While Adlais seemed impressed by the beautiful architecture, despite having visited several times, but it all looked the same to the earth pony beside her. The latter snorted and stomped past the unicorn, who shied back slightly and blinked, looking a little hurt.

 

As she moved back, Adlais caught sight of a large shadowy figure standing just off the platform. They looked at each other a few moments, and it then moved away, mixing in with the chattering crowd.

 

Deciding it may be best to tell the others of it, she looked over and opened her mouth, but Braith had already started talking, and she shut it, telling herself it wasn't important.

 

"We're here," said the creamy earth pony a little snappishly. "Let's get moving, Candence is probably waiting for us."

 

She started to walk, and Adlais followed meekly. Rain rolled her eyes at the overbearing attitude of the earth pony and muttered something rude under her breath, promising to have a proper chat with her later.

 

As they started towards the castle, a carriage pulled up close and a smart pony hopped out and bowed, informing them that it'd take them to the castle. Braith hesitated to get in, bu she felt a shove from behind and turned, glaring, to see the freaky blue pegasus staring her down. Knowing it wasn't the time to fight, she got in grumpily. 

[Chickey 383]

"Indeed, though I wonder what he really looks like." Duskar said as he glanced at Weaver. "Well find out soon enough, but I doubt we'll get him to do it in a populated area like this." He added. He then looked back. "I suppose you could say that. I know Hypno, but Gamble is only following so he doesn't get lost. He's already half dunk." He explained as he then turned, adjusting the black woolen newsboy cap he had on and kept walking. 

 

Hypno admired the scenery. "It really has been a long time since I've been out." He commented as he walked.

 

Weaver followed the group, keeping quiet now. He knew he had screwed up on the train. But hoped nopony would say anything yet.

[Mephala 2,633]

@

Rain shrugged. "Most changelings look the same, just look in a book or something," she said, staring at the earth pony who she had bumped into the carriage. It was full, however, so she nudged Duskar towards another that was just in front, stepping inside with a smile at the driver.  She then focused her attentions on him.

"Great. So we have a psycho  namely, you, some forest refugee with crazy eyes, a drunk, and a changeling who can't even make a convincing story, in addition to a bookworm, some nasty earth pony, a racist griffin, another bookworm, a crappy detective, and some overly nice...something," she finished, counting off. "Oh, and me." She smirked. "Good odds, those."

The carriage lurched into motion, and Rain leaned back. "So, Duskar, what have you been doing these past few years?"

[Chickey 383]

Duskar and the rest got on the carriage Hypno got in the back with the other two and Duskar obeyed and got in the front. "Well, I believe the Psycho title has been handed down to Hypno. And most of the story of the changeling was true, he probably is just jittery due to not having to use one for years." He explained. "But Gamble usually is a dunk, so you got that right." He finished. "To answer your question though. I've been living in a old cathedral, cleaned it up of course. And started to advanced my studies as black magic mage."

[Mephala 2,633]

@

"Well, still. I assumed that changelings were used to that kind of stuff," mused Rain. "Either that, or he slipped up on purpose. We would find out at some point, maybe he just wanted to get it over with. Or he's just stupid, like I thought," she tacked onto the end, nodding affirmatively. 

At his last statement, she rolled her eyes. "Black magic. Great. I'm sure the Princess is gonna love that," she said. "More likely you're going to get us all put in prison or something."

The driver looked behind him sharply, but Rain just waved cheerily and he narrowed his eyes and continued walking. 

[Chickey 383]

"Black magic has been my interest from the start, I'm sure you know that by now." He explained, slightly more quiet now. "Seeing it's really the only thing I'm good at what else did you expect me to do?" He asked. "But I doubt that they'll find out. I'm sure Hypno has some sort of spell to hide our appearances if needed." He said as he looked out the window of the carriage. He wondered what actually was going to happen when they arrived.

 

Hypno leaned back and closed his eyes. He wondered what Duskar was talking about in the front seat, but he knew eavesdropping would be rude.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Lost Knowledge tried to ignore their discussion of black magic. It was probably best not to get involved, although he had to admit he was a bit curious about it. He decided to talk to Adlais and learn a little about her research. As he got into the carriage he made a point to sit near her so they could talk.

 

@,

 

"So... Adlais, is it? I hear you research runes. Would you care to tell me a little more about your research? As a fellow scholar, I would be very interested to hear the details of your work."

 

---

 

Raptor climbed into the carriage and wordlessly sat down next to Braith. So far, she was the only one he could stand.

[Mephala 2,633]

"Black magic has been my interest from the start, I'm sure you know that by now." He explained, slightly more quiet now. "Seeing it's really the only thing I'm good at what else did you expect me to do?" He asked. "But I doubt that they'll find out. I'm sure Hypno has some sort of spell to hide our appearances if needed." He said as he looked out the window of the carriage. He wondered what actually was going to happen when they arrived.

 

"Well, I remember you were pretty damn good at getting everyone upset with you too," said Rain. "Maybe even better than me, and that's saying quite a bit. I mean, look at you." She gestured wildly at him. "You all but leak evil-osity. A disguise won't change that."

 

Lost Knowledge tried to ignore their discussion of black magic. It was probably best not to get involved, although he had to admit he was a bit curious about it. He decided to talk to Adlais and learn a little about her research. As he got into the carriage he made a point to sit near her so they could talk.

 

@,

 

"So... Adlais, is it? I hear you research runes. Would you care to tell me a little more about your research? As a fellow scholar, I would be very interested to hear the details of your work."

 

Raptor climbed into the carriage and wordlessly sat down next to Braith. So far, she was the only one he could stand.

Adlais jumped and blinked, opening and closing her mouth before she stammered a response.

"Uhm, what do...I study?" she said, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. "Er, I study and, uhm...I practice runic magic," she said, almost like this was a confession, and it kind of was; runic magic was mostly frowned upon for its volatile structures and its taxing requirements of some sort, making it a highly specialized magical study.

Adlais reached to point to one of her tattoos, situated on her cheek, and accidentally jabbed Erle in the face.

"Ah!" she gasped, drawing back nervously. "I'm sorry! Please, uhm, forgive me..."

 

Braith snorted and then said, "Do you mind keeping it down?", giving ber a nasty look. Adlais looked like she wanted to curl into a little ball and hide.

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

Adlais jumped and blinked, opening and closing her mouth before she stammered a response.

"Uhm, what do...I study?" she said, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape. "Er, I study and, uhm...I practice runic magic," she said, almost like this was a confession, and it kind of was; runic magic was mostly frowned upon for its volatile structures and its taxing requirements of some sort, making it a highly specialized magical study.

Adlais reached to point to one of her tattoos, situated on her cheek, and accidentally jabbed Erle in the face.

"Ah!" she gasped, drawing back nervously. "I'm sorry! Please, uhm, forgive me..."

 

Braith snorted and then said, "Do you mind keeping it down?", giving ber a nasty look. Adlais looked like she wanted to curl into a little ball and hide.

 

Erle smiled at her. "Do not worry, think nothing of it!" At this point DJ came trotting up to her. "Hey there, I'm DJ! Nice to meet you! What's your name?" He liked to meet knew ponies, and found that sometimes he could come across as too friendly. He didn't mind though, he was just to happy to be upset about it!

[Chickey 383]

"I'm a dark magician vampire that has already died, sorry If I'm not the most optimistic pony I could be. And you have that odd talent of always finding a way to put me in a bad mood." He retorted with a grumble. "Disguises can change many things, but I suppose we'll all just waltz right in there anyways." He added with a sigh. "It's not like they'll take me alive." He finished as he leaned back and waited for a response.

 

Weaver looked around, wondering what he should do, he felt rather cramped in the Carriage and around other ponies.

[Mephala 2,633]

@

Adlais stared at him with a start, a bit overwhelmed by his incredibly extroverted attitude.

"...Adlais," she said quietly. "It's, er, a pleasure to meet you, I guess..." She swallowed and forced a smile.

 

@

"I'd almost say it's my special talent, if not for that...whatever it is stamped across my ass," said Rain, glancing at her cutie mark. "I feel like I'm wearing some brand name constantly, and I don't even get what it's supposed to be." She frowned at it. "Maybe it is my special talent....the tears of the butthurt! Yes!" She smiled wanly. "Perfect. It's what I always wanted. It's like Hearth's Warming Eve up here."

She looked him over, then raised a brow, lifting his mane up to examine it. "Yeah, you really can't hide that," she muttered. "I mean, you stick out like a wrench in a gunfight. And like a wrench in a gunfight, you're going to get your ass kicked all the way to the moon."

Edited May 21, 2013 by Morrigan Aensland

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

DJ noticed Adlais was a bit uncomfortable. "Oh, sorry!" he said, a little embarassed. "I'm sometimes a little too eager to meet people! Nice to meet you, Adlais! What do you think of this mystery? This carnival, it sounds like something from a kid's nightmare or a horror film! These abductions are pretty worrying!" While he tried to keep cool and relaxed, DJ was still a little worried. He wondered of they would be able to get to the bottom of this. It sounded pretty dangerous on the whole!

[Chickey 383]

"But you were so nice when I first met you. Or at least that's what I remember." He said. "Though in the end it seemed you were just trying to have me have an aneurysm and die. You got pretty close too."

"I don't think it's possible for a wrench to have an ass, or get kicked with enough force to be thrown to the moon." He said "But, fair enough, I'll go with the off chance that something will go wrong, and it won't end in our favor. What do you expect me to do then? Wait in the car like a good boy?" He asked somewhat sarcastically at the end.

[Mephala 2,633]

DJ noticed Adlais was a bit uncomfortable. "Oh, sorry!" he said, a little embarassed. "I'm sometimes a little too eager to meet people! Nice to meet you, Adlais! What do you think of this mystery? This carnival, it sounds like something from a kid's nightmare or a horror film! These abductions are pretty worrying!" While he tried to keep cool and relaxed, DJ was still a little worried. He wondered of they would be able to get to the bottom of this. It sounded pretty dangerous on the whole!

Adlais stared at him for a few moments and blinked.

"Uhm, yes," she muttered quietly. "They're, er, very...strange."

While Adlais had her suspicions on both the existence and motives of the ghost carnival, she felt it was not time to say. As if these seemingly logical ponies (and griffin) would listen to her ramblings.

 

"But you were so nice when I first met you. Or at least that's what I remember." He said. "Though in the end it seemed you were just trying to have me have an aneurysm and die. You got pretty close too."

"I don't think it's possible for a wrench to have an ass, or get kicked with enough force to be thrown to the moon." He said "But, fair enough, I'll go with the off chance that something will go wrong, and it won't end in our favor. What do you expect me to do then? Wait in the car like a good boy?" He asked somewhat sarcastically at the end.

"Well, I was nice because I hadn't met you yet," she said, only half joking. "And, as a result, most of family and friends weren't dead yet." She yawned, stretching. "So dying seemed an easy option. Unfortunately for me, easy isn't the way I was meant to live, apparently."

She sighed in an exasperated manner. "It's a metaphor! Okay, not my best, but one all the same. Don't be so literal." She frowned and tapped her hoof against her front teeth, musing. "Well, the question is...would you even stay in the car like a good boy? I doubt it. You're a bit thick. I guess we could drag you along and pretend you're a kind of mascot. Since you're pretty much dead, maybe you could pretend to be taxedermized. You're chubby enough to pass for a stuffie of sorts." Rsin grinned wickedly.

Edited May 22, 2013 by Morrigan Aensland

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

Adlais stared at him for a few moments and blinked.

"Uhm, yes," she muttered quietly. "They're, er, very...strange."

While Adlais had her suspicions on both the existence and motives of the ghost carnival, she felt it was not time to say. As if these seemingly logical ponies (and griffin) would listen to her ramblings.

 

DJ had taken a bit of a liking to this mare. At least you could talk to her without her going crazy, like a certain griffon. She seemed to be the only normal person in the group, even if she was a little overly shy. He smiled at her. "So, what do you do for a living then? What's your talent?" DJ asked her.

 

Erle rolled his eyes. "Why is it that this DJ never stops talking?" he thought to himself. "Maybe if he actually listened, he could learn something important, maybe even something remotely relevant, to the situation at hand!" Erle preferred to listen and pick up small details that could be of use, rather than actually engage in sociable conversation.

Edited May 22, 2013 by DJ-BRONI3

[Chickey 383]

"Great to know I was such a positive influence." He grumbled, looking a but sad and hurt for a few moments. He merely muttered. "Sorry" after a few seconds before continuing. "But that's quite literally the most morbid thing I've ever heard. I'd rather stay in the car before I become some sort of undead statue. Besides, how are you going to get Hypno through too?" He asked with a slightly irritated face now.

 

Hypno noticed the carriage seemed to stop for now. He figured it was just a small break for now so he didn't seem to pay much attention.

[Mephala 2,633]

DJ had taken a bit of a liking to this mare. At least you could talk to her without her going crazy, like a certain griffon. She seemed to be the only normal person in the group, even if she was a little overly shy. He smiled at her. "So, what do you do for a living then? What's your talent?" DJ asked her.

 

Adlais was tiring of all these questions; she wasn't used to getting much attention besides the stares she got for her multiple tattoos. She swallowed nervously and tried to put a determined face on.

"I study...runes and, uhm...runic magic," she said, almost with a grimance. To avoid talking about it she quickly added, "and you?"

 

"Great to know I was such a positive influence." He grumbled, looking a but sad and hurt for a few moments. He merely muttered. "Sorry" after a few seconds before continuing. "But that's quite literally the most morbid thing I've ever heard. I'd rather stay in the car before I become some sort of undead statue. Besides, how are you going to get Hypno through too?" He asked with a slightly irritated face now.

 

"Well, you taught me a hell of a lot about pain and sacrifice," said Rain with her lopsided, eerie grin. "I guess that's a bit depressing, but hey, it's something, right?"

She looked thoughtful and then slouched, making a noise of defeat. "We can't leave a pyscho alone, he'd be like a kid in a candy store. You're going to have to come with us. Just don't say anything stupid, meaning you shouldn't say anything at all, more than like."

 

The carriage jolted to a stop and she flung forwards, banging her head on a bar across the front if the carriage. Rain cursed and clutched her head as the driver came around and began to help the others off.

 

Adlais and Braith were both very happy to get off the carriage. They stood a distance apart, waiting for the others.

[Umbral Noir 1,556]

Adlais was tiring of all these questions; she wasn't used to getting much attention besides the stares she got for her multiple tattoos. She swallowed nervously and tried to put a determined face on.

"I study...runes and, uhm...runic magic," she said, almost with a grimance. To avoid talking about it she quickly added, "and you?"

 

"Cool!" DJ said, smiling at her. "I'm a DJ. I usually play in Manehattan, but I live in Ponyville." The carriage stopped. DJ trotted out and stood with the others, waiting to get going.

 

Erle had been silent for the whole carriage journey. When the carriage stopped, he quickly got out. "Finally," he said to himself. "I'll be glad to get started!"

 

Edited May 23, 2013 by DJ-BRONI3

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Raptor sighed as he got off the carriage. Being crammed in there with a bunch of idiot ponies (and, admittedly, one he rather liked) was nearly enough to drive him out of his mind. At least now maybe things could finally get underway.

 

---

 

Lost Knowledge couldn't help but feel excited as he exited the carriage. Not only were they finally going to get briefed on their mission, but he was going to meet royalty as well. It was quite an honor, to say the least.

[Chickey 383]

Duskar sighed, "Fine, we'll come," He said, not looking that happy about it. The carriage stopped and then Rain banged her head against the bar. He then asked concerned, "Are you alright?" then slowly got out of the carriage as Gamble greeted him with Hypno, who was wearing some sunglasses. "So, since we're going places with you two freakshows, I think the best Idea is that you wear these. It will cover up ya eyes, but not much I can do about ya ears." He said, handing another pair.

 

Duskar merely stood there for a few seconds before saying, "Fair enough," And putting them on.

[Mephala 2,633]

@

"Oh," said Adlais weakly, looking at the grumpy earth pony nearby and cringing at her stare. "How...uhm...interesting?" she added, avoiding looking at him and shuffling a little further away, hoping he'd get the message.

 

@

Rain rolled here eyes and grinned. "Oh, yeah, I'll be okay," she said, but her eyes were slightly unfocused. "You know me, I have the thickest skull ever." She then paused, and added, "and that was not meant to insult myself." She slipped out and landed gently on the ground, puller her hood up to hide the sides of her face so only her eyes and muzzle were visible and sliding a massive saddlebag over her shoulders.

She overheard Gambler speaking to the other two and approached quickly, reaching into her bag to pull out two other cloaks; it appeared that her bag was stuffed full of them. She passed two on to them.

"Here," she said, a little ungraciously. "I always carry spares. Since I'm a bit of a midget and you two are a bit...how do I put it nicely...curvy, the may not fit perfectly, but they can cover those feather dusters you call ears, at least." It was true; Rain was rather diminutive compared to the others; it was only her big ego that made her appear larger.

 

@@Alex Kennedy

Braith noticed the griffins irritated face and leaned a little closer to him. "Finally getting somewhere, I hope," she muttered, and that was when the carriages moved and revealed a beautiful, sparkling palace, looming near them. Braith stared at it, not sure what to think; the architecture was nice enough, she supposed, but all the crystal was so...garish. She wrinkled her noise, and the scarred pony walked forwards, summoning the attention of the group.

 

"We will now be approaching the palace," she said, loud for such a little pegasus, Braith noted. "It would be appreciated if some of you...spruced yourselves up a little bit, as the Princess will be accepting us," she said, and looked directly at Braith, who wasn't much one for appearances; she;d rather judge based on how hard-working an individual was. 

Irritated by this, Braith stared right back at her and coldly asked, "Who put you in charge, pegasus?"

Unruffled, the pegases stared right back. 

"First and foremost, my name is Raindancer, earth pony," she said, equally as cool. "And secondly, I see no others stepping up to take charge...as a result, perhaps it is best that those who take initiative should also be those who organize." She sniffed. "In addition, perhaps it should be one who...how do I put this...hates everyone in this group?"

Braith narrowed her eyes, refusing to look away, but her expression made it clear that she wasn't going to remain satisfied with this arrangement. Rain held her gaze a few moments more, and then, looking affirmatively at the others, gestured them towards the castle.

 

When they arrived at the doors, she looked about at the others, and the guards bowed and opened them. They were led to the throne room promptly, where Cadence sat upon a glittering throne. While she was still beautiful, the death of her husband decades ago had left her scarred, as had the disappearance of the "Lunar Sisters". She looked up and gave them a weak smile.

"Hello, my faithful subjects," she said softly. "Please, be seated."

Rain bowed, and Adlais almost fell over with her excitement to, but Braith just blinked at her rudely and sat, waiting.

 

"So, what brings you all here?" asked the Princess. "Please know I have nothing to offer you but supplies and some clues..."

[Chickey 383]

Hypno started to giggle. "Feather dusters." He muttered between laughs as the two slipped on the cloaks. "We look like lowly hipster wizards..." Duskar commented as he adjusted the sunglasses. "...I suppose it's better than being caught though..." He added as the rest followed her to the palace. Hypno muttered "Lets fly to the castle!" In a girly voice to Duskar after a few seconds on the way.

 

Weaver looked fine on the outside, but on the inside he was about as nervous as a changeling could be after he noticed where they were all going. Gamble however didn't seem bothered, almost casual as they walked inside and the four sat down.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

Raptor glared at Rain wordlessly as she gave them orders. Nobody told him what to do, especially not a pony no more than two-thirds his size. He almost wanted to cover himself in mud just to spite her, but that would just be juvenile.

 

He was hardly impressed when they met the princess. He decided it was best to just stay at the back of the group and wait for it to be over.

 

---

 

Lost Knowledge tried to fix up his mane a bit. He really wished he had realized they would be meeting the princess in person sooner. He really wasn't prepared for an audience with royalty.