private The Canterlot Caravan

[TotalNeon 72]

@@Moonlight Fire, @@Frosty V,@@Spiritual Nightmare,

 

the sandy pegasus shrugged "All I know is that we all happen to be heading to Canterlot, and we all happened to meet up here. In Seaponyport. Perhaps not all of us were intended to be part of this Caravan, but I know at least that somepony has put a lot of work into getting me to go into town this particular day and find this trailer marked as Caravan Merchandise." He picked the note back up and added it to his pack, putting it in a compartment along with his first note from the anonymous sender. "I'd like to remind you all that there is no shortage of magic in the world, if you want to disband and find some other group to travel with that's alright with me. Perhaps I am wrong and you will find the caravan or ponies you were actually looking for."

Edited August 9, 2013 by TotalNeon

[Moonlight Fire 20]

The fiery unicorn had conflicting thoughts in her mind. She didn't want to be part of this anonymous pony's plans, but she needed her item as soon as possible, and she wasn't sure when she would find another caravan.

 

Moonlight Fire stood up and as her mane whipped in the wind, she barked, "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm going to continue and stay."

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

"Possibly a shared acquaintance? Do you have any connections to each other, however distant?" Bardic suggested. He was curious, but without knowing more about each member of this group he wasn't likely to be able to figure anything out. He knew little of even the most prominent groups and guilds of this place so he couldn't even begin there.

 

"Regardless, I see a shared goal between ourselves, if we are to travel together I will require some things, not least of which would be names to address you by?" He looked around the group of ponies: it felt strange to not be the smallest. "I am called Bardic Knowledge, It would be an honor to travel with yourselves."

Edited August 9, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[Frosty V 309]

Jaeger shrugged "I might as well stay I need the money anyway, besides these events have tickled my interest and I would like to see where this goes..." he said "...but since this not a true caravan I suggest that we all go into town and pick up appropriate supplies for our journey."

[TotalNeon 72]

"It seems as though we will be traveling together then, I'm sure most of you know that this will be a dangerous trip, be careful in the wild." He said sternly.

 

@,

 

He turned to Bardic, "I am Driftwood." he nodded to the tall unicorn, "We have some time to gather supplies, in a few hours it will be noon. We can reach the forest by tonight, I think" He took out his trusty map, and traced a road along it with his hoof. "It is probably one of the least treacherous places we will stay in on this journey..." He put the map away again "Or of course, we could stay in town overnight and leave tomorrow morning, I prefer not to waste the hours however." he suggested "I have very little money though." he muttered.

 

As for a common acquaintance, Driftwood thought over the very few people he knew. There were, perhaps, friends of the old, widowed mare who used to take care of him, but he didn't know any of them really although they no doubt knew of him. He wasn't sure if they lived in Canterlot, or had business there.

 

"I don't know anypony who lives in Canterlot, the ones that might know me are all old pony folk, not sure what reason they would have of causing a thing like this. Perhaps somepony else has some clues."

Edited August 9, 2013 by TotalNeon

[Spiritual Nightmare 88]

@@Moonlight Fire, @@Frosty V,@@Spiritual Nightmare,

 

the sandy pegasus shrugged "All I know is that we all happen to be heading to Canterlot, and we all happened to meet up here. In Seaponyport. Perhaps not all of us were intended to be part of this Caravan, but I know at least that somepony has put a lot of work into getting me to go into town this particular day and find this trailer marked as Caravan Merchandise." He picked the note back up and added it to his pack, putting it in a compartment along with his first note from the anonymous sender. "I'd like to remind you all that there is no shortage of magic in the world, if you want to disband and find some other group to travel with that's alright with me. Perhaps I am wrong and you will find the caravan or ponies you were actually looking for."

 

"That's no matter, cause I'm sticking with you until we get there! My boss said to transport a caravan that has Drifty here in it, and I'm going to succeed." I stated, taking a step forward. "Of course, I'll need everypony here's help in also transporting this. Caravans need more than 2 people, you know."

[Moonlight Fire 20]

Moonlight struggled to think of anypony in Canterlot she might know. "I don't know of anypony either. But I agree with Driftwood, if we're going on this journey, we have no time to waste," she stated, gazing at the port just ahead. Moonlight took off her pack and rummaged inside, going through all her medical spell books and scrolls, until she finally found some bits.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Placing his pack on the ground again, Bardic started to empty it and truly asses the damage. The parchments and ink were useless. His maps, gone. The journal of the voyage was completely illegible too. He carried little money and doubted it would of any value here regardless.

 

"Aha!"

 

Using his horn to unthread the lining of the bag, a small number of brightly colored gemstones tumbled out. He did not know the value they might have here, but he presumed that he could barter the local merchants down enough to restock on the most vital of supplies.

 

"Might one of you be so kind as to direct me to where I might resupply? I fear the majority of my possessions are lost."

[TotalNeon 72]

@,

 

"There are many stores in this town, but you will find the most useful goods at the market in the town centre. There you can get food, tools, maps, things of that sort." Driftwood opened his knapsack "I have with me enough food and water for myself, some directional essentials, namely a compass and a map, and some useful things including a lighter and a blanket. You others might want to get some equipment like that."

[Spiritual Nightmare 88]

@@TotalNeon,

(*cough* Fillers suck to an extent of sucking one's *****.)
"W-Wait, you're not saying that we can just...ah. Okie dokie, I'm off. I'll meet you guys back here soon, I guess!" I said optimistically,  basically hopping to the center. I almost bumped into another stallion, which was a bit bigger than me. I mumbled an apology and continued walking, not as optimistic as before.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

"A market, most excellent. I shall return shortly."

 

He strode in the direction he was indicated, hoping that he might be able to barter enough supplies from the hoof-full of rubies.

 

On reaching the stalls, he immediately felt more at home: the crude stands and shouting, it was exactly like a bazaar back where he came from. Transactions were dealt with face to face - he smiled to himself as he searched for the type of stall he required most...

Edited August 9, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[Moonlight Fire 20]

Moonlight Fire glanced at her pack. "I don't really have any of that stuff, unfortunately. I guess I better go head down there too," she said, hauling the pack onto her shoulders. As she trudged off towards the shops, she couldn't help wondering how this journey would turn out.

 

As she entered the shops, Moonlight felt extremely confused. There were so many ponies crowding around her, and so much noise. A pony bumped into her, causing her to stumble. "Watch it!" she snarled. Moonlight felt dazed as she made her way through.

[Frosty V 309]

Jaeger walked into the market seeing all of the people running around hustling and bustling, it really wasn't his type of situation, but he needed supplies.He kept a mental list of what he needed: ammo, food, water, and some extra supplies to be shared with the group. Once he was done with his shopping he walked back to the caravan happy to be out of all the commotion.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@@Moonlight Fire,

 

"Excuse me again, if I may?" There was a very important question he had overlooked, and he needed somepony other than one of the shopkeepers to help him with it. "I have a slight problem here... Could you please explain how much value a 'Bit' holds?"

 

Of course, he knew he could get the maximum possible amount of money for his exchange... but to do so he would actually need to know the currency.

Edited August 9, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[TotalNeon 72]

Driftwood had stood by the trailer, and waited for his companions to return from their supply-gathering. He leaned against the wooden cart and glanced at the familiar seaside town surrounding him. He thought to himself, although he had very few good memories of the place, a part of him was going to miss it. He wasn't sure how long he was going to be gone for, or even if he would return.

Driftwood took a moment in himself to take in the old town, cherished it for a little time... then dismissed it. He admitted to himself, he was quite excited for this quest. Though he would never show it.

[Moonlight Fire 20]

It took a second for Moonlight to register somepony was talking to her. "Oh, right, you're new here. Well...I'm not quite sure how to explain it.." Moonlight looked at his jewels. "But in exchange for those, I'd say you'd get about 70 each. Those are some fine jewels," she said.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@@Moonlight Fire,
 
"My thanks again." He nodded. Seventy... he smiled inwardly as he turned to find a merchant to try and haggle with. 
 
'Five stones worth seventy bits each... Five hundred bits easily.' He thought proudly as he singled out a particularly hard-faced trader. "Excuse me, my friend. I hail from exotic lands and I bring these fine trinkets from afar...."
 
...
 
In less than an hour Bardic had filled his bags with papers and ink, quills, maps and books. He had a small supply of food, fifty bits and three of the jewels remaining. He had also acquired a thick woolen robe for when the temperature fell further at night and was feeling much more confident about himself in this new land.

[Moonlight Fire 20]

Although the stalls confused her, Moonlight finally managed to buy her supplies. With her small amount of bits, she had bought food, water bottles, a small foldable tarp, and a pocket knife.

 

She made her way back to the coast, hoping it would be enough.

[Rascal~ 657]

@@TotalNeon,

Fire Sharp walked towards the pony, she had watched as the others introduced themselves and came to the conclusion that they had all been sent here. Fire sharp had been sent for a 'holiday'  by one of her acting generals, though he did give her a piece of cloth that had the same symbol as the sand pegasus did. The other left to gather food ans such things but Fire didn't need to grab any food right now, she needed to speak with the stallion.

"Hello there, I'm Fire Sharp. You ran into me at the markets and it seems that everybody left me out in the street. I now realize that I have been sent here as well and I wish to join you in this."

Fire waited for the stallion to respond to her request.

[Durandal 623]

Head to Seaponyport, find Driftwood.

Escape your past.

 

The letter was anonymous - naught but a hippocamp seal and those two, simple sentences decorating its surface. The first sentence was innocuous enough - Seaponyport was not far from her most recent abode, and this Driftwood was likely a businesspony. Its brevity was peculiar, but regardless she expected that somehow this 'Driftwood' pony had heard of her, and desired to talk with, or employ her. Though her paranoia warned her of much more sinister intentions, there was no indication of this being from her Hive.

 

Escape your past, Liberta echoed internally, shivering. Those three words had sent her into a panic days ago, bringing her normally well-masked paranoia to the surface. Though every ounce of her being told her to run, she knew that was not possible. Whoever had sent that message knew about her past - the fact she was a changeling. Whether the sender was a changeling or not was irrelevant. The letter itself was a threat. Escape your past. It was a warning of what was to come if she refused. But yet, at the same time it was an offer - Find Driftwood and escape your past. A promise that by meeting the letter's terms that all would be alleviated.

 

And so Liberta left her home behind, much like those that came before. This time, however, she knew where she was heading - and for the first time since she had escaped the Hive, she felt like this was it. No longer would she need to run from her past, fearful of the Hive's retribution. She would finally be able to find some place permanent, someplace she could call home.

 

And now she was a step closer to that goal. Staring into the street before her, Liberta smiled for the first time in days. The cobblestones beneath her were smooth, worn by the sand passersby unwittingly ground across their surface, a lingering tang of seasalt permeating the air. This was Seaponyport - though not at all unique or even interesting, it was her destination, and that itself gave this quaint settlement more value than the trail of villages she had left behind combined.

 

Find Driftwood, Liberta recited, concentrating on any indications of the pony. A few blocks into her search, she stumbled across a to ponies speaking next to a small wooden trailer. Though to no interest to her at first, a white object attached to the trailer caught her attention. Hoping to prevent interrupting the two's conversation, she casually investigated the piece of paper from afar. Though barely legible, she could make out a hippocamp seal. Recoiling, she pulled out her letter. They were the exact same, no doubt about it. Turning to the two ponies next to the trailer, she bit her lip.

 

One of these two ponies was likely Driftwood, or similarly related. Or maybe not! She quickly supplied. Maybe they weren't involved in this scheme at all - perhaps they were leaning against some random trailer, and its owner was off getting drunk. Yes, that was likely the reason. No need to interrupt these ponies - she was not their concern. Perhaps she should simply return to her own village and wait out the coming storm. After all, they could be using her-

 

No. Adjusting her posture, Liberta attempted to look as composed as possible. She would not play it safe this time. She had been running for too long. She wanted to be able to live, and this venture provided her that opportunity. She wasn't going to give up such a chance now, even if it killed her. Anything was better than going back to her old life.

 

"Excuse me," Liberta began, politely smiling. "Would one of you happen to be Driftwood?"

Edited August 10, 2013 by Durandal

[TotalNeon 72]

@,

 

"Another pony for the caravan?" Driftwood stood upright again "Sorry I knocked you over." he said flatly. "The caravan leaves soon, some ponies have gone to get supplies. You should too if you need any."

 

@@Durandal,

 

He turned to the newcomer, a blue unicorn, "I am Driftwood, what is it that you want?"

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Bardic returned to the caravan to see another new face had joined them and was speaking with Driftwood. He watched the exchange, waiting to learn more about the new pony before he announced himself.

 

'There is something curious about the mare.' He thought, wishing that his notes on this place and its inhabitants had survived the sea. 'Never the matter, I am certain it will come to light if fate wills it.'

[Spiritual Nightmare 88]

As I finally got my supplies, I happily bounced back to the 'caravan', where a couple of new ponies were. I stopped bouncing as I realized that these other ponies were probably going to be in the 'caravan' as well. I happily, yet carefully, bounced over to the cart and giggled. "Well, if there isn't going to be anymore distractions, we might as well head off, right?"

[Durandal 623]

Liberta regarded Driftwood carefully. Unlike many of the ponies she had come to know, his expression was lacking in the usual warmth she found in most ponies - in fact, she sensed very little warmth emitting from him at all. Had she not picked up on the more subtle emotions inhabiting the stallion, she would have been convinced he was a changeling. Though intimidated by this lack of emotion at first, she recovered quickly. Best not to seem like anything is wrong.

 

"My name is Soothing Serum, I was-," Liberta blinked, shooting a glance towards the trailer. I think that paper said something about a caravan.

 

"... was told that there is a caravan in town heading towards Canterlot. I'm needed there, so I was wondering if I could tag along. I am well-versed in the field of medicine, so I could probably treat any ailments contracted over the journey. Is this acceptable?" She tried her best to give the stallion a warm, bashful smile.

 

If there was one thing that was convenient about being a changeling, it was the fact that lying and improvisation came easy to her. She still didn't know if it was a good thing, necessarily, however it had its uses.

Edited August 10, 2013 by Durandal

[TotalNeon 72]

@@Spiritual Nightmare,

 

"We're all here, but some members haven't collected their supplies yet." he looked around at the group "We should be off soon though."

 

@@Durandal,

 

There was definitely an odd air about Soothing Serum, something that didn't sit right in Driftwood's mind... perhaps it was just because of the amount of ponies that had come to join him on this unexpected quest, but he was not quite sure. A pony with medical knowledge would certainly be useful though, especially on a journey such as this. This strange feeling about the pony, however, drove Driftwood to question the unicorn.

 

"Who told you that a caravan was headed to Canterlot?" He looked at Serum harshly. If anything, perhaps she had more information about the sender of the messages he had been picking up.