open Beyond these Walls: An adventure through Equestria. (Applications open!)

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@SilverHeart,

 

'Try to question why her aura is so...'

 

'I don't even know what that means! Just... give me a minute, okay? I'm perfectly capable of speaking to a mare without your help.'

 

The voice didn't respond so he assumed that it had listened - he appreciated its advice but sometimes it seemed more than just a little obtrusive. Orion spent another few seconds thinking before speaking again.

 

"You travel a lot then?" He asked Mirror curiously. "I've got to admit, I never really got out much before all this. What do you do? For your performances, I mean."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@SilverHeart, @,

 

Scribbler's ears perked at the sound of the word "Illusion" He half opened an eye, seeing the two were speaking and likely wouldn't notice him. He closed his eye again, and listened. The more he knew about these two, the better. He hadn't really thought to ask Mirror about herself yet, but now that she was speaking, he might as well take things in.

[SilverHeart 741]

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@SilverHeart,

 

'Try to question why her aura is so...'

 

'I don't even know what that means! Just... give me a minute, okay? I'm perfectly capable of speaking to a mare without your help.'

 

The voice didn't respond so he assumed that it had listened - he appreciated its advice but sometimes it seemed more than just a little obtrusive. Orion spent another few seconds thinking before speaking again.

 

"You travel a lot then?" He asked Mirror curiously. "I've got to admit, I never really got out much before all this. What do you do? For your performances, I mean."

(OOC: Posting from phone again)

 

Mirror returned Orion's smile and nodded, "Yes, I've been traveling for...about nine or ten years now.

 

"My performances can vary. From dazzling them with multicolored lights to tricks, or even some stunts. It'd be easier to show you...but I don't think I have the energy for anything more than a few simple spells."

 

"Although my best work would be my private performances, where I put the client into a trance and provide them with an illusion of their choice. I can give them nearly anything they want. Whether it's a childhood memory, time with a lost loved one, a fantasy of theirs or anything else. Basically I create a dream for then. It's usually very draining for me...so Ive learned to only offer private sessions to ponies I can trust."

[Ihei 713]

@, @,

 

Willow Starsinger

 

Willow was quiet for a few moments. "That's alright. I hope we'll be able to see each other again, then!" Willow smiled, putting the Aspect back into her mane. "Good luck on finding your group!" Willow said with a sincere tone, trotting back over to Zintiik. "Sorry about the wait. Red's just a friend I made at the camp.." Willow said quietly to the changeling, and set off in the direction Zintiik came from. There was a silence; a comfortable silence. Well, to her, anyway. She felt safe beside Zintiik; she knew he was a changeling, but being a bug doesn't change how she felt towards him. She knew changelings fed off of love, and she certainly didn't want Zintiik to feed off of her. But Zintiik was.. different.

 

@ Everypony At The Falls,

 

Aphrodite

 

"Is this waterfall safe? I hope I can swim in this.. it would be totally FUN!" Aphrodite yelped, zooming over towards the falls and sticking her hoof in it.

Edited November 11, 2013 by Shaymin

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@SilverHeart,

 

"That sounds... you can really do that?" Orion said blankly. "I mean... sorry, I didn't mean so sound like I didn't believe you: I've just never heard of magic quite like that before."

 

'We would advise against attempting such a spell, before you even consider it...'

 

Had the voice had a body and not been an entity inside his head, he would have sulked.

 

On a brighter note though, there seemed to be more to Mirror then met the eye - an illusionist? Something more subtle that his barely-contained magic would no doubt prove useful if they faced off against the thugs again: and considering his new talents so far seemed overly focused on destruction, both her and the stallion would be immeasurably valuable.

 

---------------

 

Redwave.

 

Red watched the mare disappear into the forest with the changeling: she hadn't noticed his mistake: that was good - he had never been able to lie to Dawn and while Willow certainly wasn't her, the similarities made telling her untruths feel unpleasant. He was keen to avoid any more deception than was necessary.

 

He waited a moment to be sure they wouldn't glance back before shaking himself: his joints felt stiff and the bite from the dragon-thing stung somewhat, but none of the damage seemed debilitating - save for the implacable sickness he felt inside his chest... and perhaps for sword.

 

"Huh. Mayhap I require a new weapon..." He muttered, hanging at his side out of habit anyway before slinking into the trees after them.

[SilverHeart 741]

@,@@Midnight Scribbler,

 

Mirror chuckled before responding. "It's fine, I've gotten that reaction more often than not. But yes, I can. But like I said it's very draining. Usually I can't use my magic for around a week afterwards which doesn't really matter since I sleep for most of it. It also has a side effect of leaving the client blind for a few hours afterwards. Anyway is there anything else you'd like to know?"

[Umbreon 569]

Pavisa

 

@, @,

 

 

Pavisa nods at Blast as he comes back down from the trail.  "Alright, we're right behind you.  Midnight's group should hopefully have found the entrance and maybe even cleared it to safely go into by the time we get ther-  Aphrodite!  Don't touch the water!"

 

The guard had seen Aphrodite reaching for the waterfall, raising her voice to call out to the other mare.  "The water is what messed up Kingfisher, remember!?  Blast, can you please help keep an eye on her?  I don't want anypony getting hurt.  And with Aphrodite already under some kind of magic, who knows what the water could do to her?"

 

@,

 

With a small sigh, Pavisa turns her attention back to Kingfisher and does her best to smile at the other mare again.  "A thug?  Not at all Fisher.  Tough and straight to the point, maybe...  But not a thug.  In fact..."  Pavisa hesitates for just a moment, once more thankful for her helmet.  She could feel the blush starting to creep to her cheeks just from thinking about what she was about to say.  I'd never tell her something like this if she was the normal Kingfisher.  Maybe she won't remember it once she does get her memories back.

 

"In fact...  You're probably one of the nicest, strongest ponies I've met.  You acted tough, but I know you really care about your friends...  You helped reassure me when I was having doubts along the road, and you were strong enough to take on the role of leader after what happened to captain Redwave.  Even with your dislike for the guards, you were able to see me as a pony and not as a uniform."

 

She sighs quietly again before bringing her gaze back to the other mare.  Pavisa had planned to ease the conversation in to explaining to Kingfisher why she claimed to hate the guards, but she couldn't bring herself to do it to her friend.  I'll tell her if she asks...  But I can't drop something like that on her unexpectedly like that.  Instead she makes herself smile again.  "...That's why I promise I'm going to help you through this."

 

 

 

Zintiik

 

Zintiik was thoroughly confused as he walked alongside Willow, sparing a small glance over his shoulder occasionally in the direction that they had left Redwave from.  He had been planning to keep to himself, so as not to bother her, but he was having a surprisingly difficult time keeping quiet.

 

"Uhm...  Do you think he'll be alright by himself?"  It hadn't been what the changeling had planned to say, but it was what came out at the last second.  Zintiik's brain felt like it was going in slow motion, distracted as he was by trying to process the situation.  Willow certainly didn't seem to be uncomfortable around him...  In fact, he was sensing emotions from the mare that by all rights he shouldn't be experiencing in his natural form.  It was just unimaginable that anypony could feel like that about a changeling!

 

And there was still the strange feeling that he was experiencing when he was around her.  Zintiik wasn't sure how to describe it.  At first he had been trying to claim that he was feeling sick, or that it was because he hadn't fed in some time.  But now the changeling was just confused.

[Ihei 713]

@,@,

 

Willow Starsinger

 

"I'm sure Red would be fine. He always carries that sword around, doesn't he?" Willow said confidently. She found the camp that Orion and the others were at: and noticed that Orion was talking to Mirror Image. It looked like he didn't even know she was gone..! She decided to just lie down on a tree and sleep - it's not like Orion would notice. She had heard footsteps behind her and Zintiik, but she assumed it was the wind. Red couldn't have been following them.

 

@,

 

Aphrodite

 

"But I'm soooooo thirsty!" Aphrodite whined, then sat beside Blast, mumbling under her breath. 

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,@,

Blast nodded and began to explain. 

"Those Falls have only one way to get around them; the edges." He said. "There are small obsidian paths along the edges of the falls that we can pass through. But, off course, since water has pretty much drenched the paths, they'll be slippery. We'll need to tread carefully and be careful not to fall. If we do, all that will be waiting at the bottom is our doom. That is, if your not a pegasus. If you are, you could just fly back up."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@SilverHeart, @,

 

Scribbler's ears perked again, this time something had caught his ear from the woods. He stood up, staring through his goggles into the trees. Adjusting a magnification dial, he zoomed in, scanning the trail, looking for whatever had made the sound. He turned the dial back again, and looked to Orion. "I heard something out there, Maybe Willow?" He kept sweeping the woods, looking for movement, but locating nothing unusual. He formed up next to Orion and Mirror, keeping the group tight in case of danger. Scribbler was not about to let anyone take him off guard if he could help it.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Orion Starsinger.

@@SilverHeart,
@@Midnight Scribbler,
@,
@,

Using his wings to push himself upright, Orion peered between the trees as he wandered in the general direction of the sounds. Catching sight of his sister, he quickened his pace a little.

"Willow! Where were you?!" He exclaimed. "You were gone for ages, are you okay?"

She must have not gotten far at all, judging by how long it had taken Zintiic to return with her: still, now that they were all together again then could move on.

---------------

Kingfisher.

@,

"I'm..." She stalled, taking in the words and understanding what they meant - kind of - but not fully grasping the context. At least she had a friend that seemed to have a high opinion of her for some reason. She smiled a little to herself as she lowered her gaze to her hooves at the undeserved compliment: they looked distinctly worse for wear - when was the last time she had been to the spa?
 
She pulled out the sword again and this time, didn't squeal and drop it. It did feel somewhat comfortable - more than she would have expected. She tried swinging it and nearly lost her balance on the slippery surface - resolving not to try again until they were in a safer location before replacing it in the strange harness.

"Let just keep going. I'm sure it'll all come back in time..." She said hopefully. "Whats this Litany thing? I remember something about that."

Edited November 12, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[Ihei 713]

@,@,

 

Willow Starsinger

 

"I.. well, I got lost." Willow felt terrible having to lie to her brother: she was afraid that along with the Litany he can sense lies.. she rarely tells a lie: especially to her brother! "I'm okay, the Aspect and Zintiik found me. Thank goodness!" Willow said with a fake smile. 

[SilverHeart 741]

@Lhee,Midnight Scribbler, CinderScribe, Shaymin.

 

Once Scribbler and Orion focused their attention on Willow Mirror sighed. It seemed like her moment in the spotlight had come to an end. Perhaps there would be time on the walk to get to know the others. The changeling still interested her or at least his natural born abilities did.

@Lhee,Midnight Scribbler, CinderScribe, Shaymin.

 

Once Scribbler and Orion focused their attention on Willow Mirror sighed. It seemed like her moment in the spotlight had come to an end. Perhaps there would be time on the walk to get to know the others. The changeling still interested her or at least his natural born abilities did. "I take it tht we are leaving now?" Mirror asked, oblivious to Redwave's presence.

[Icy Void 19]

Midnight Sky

 

After much the long trek along the treacherous path, Midnight and the others finally reached the entrance to the waterfall. "All right, here's the plan. We'll have to enter on by one, so stay behind the pony in front of you. Aegis, no flying unless you want to take the express route to the bottom, these falls are moving so quickly that no pony could possibly fly through that water and survive to tell the tale. Eclipse and Crimson, once we're inside I want the two of you to walk on the far left and right sides of our group to look for traps. My sister will be in the rear while I take point, and Aegis, you're in the middle. Now let's move, and be ready for anything." Midnight said to his group before walking behind the waterfall, sticking as close to the cliff's wall as he could.

 

He figured this formation would work best for any scenario, with Crimson, Eclipse and himself on the front and sides they should be able to detect and counter any traps, physical or magical, that they find. Having Aegis in the middle of their group should work best since he doesn't really have any combat training, but as a traveler and writer he will be able to advise them of possible problems without getting in the way. And Midnight put Sunshine in the rear not only to protect her since she was his little sister, but also she was the least experienced magically and thus would not be as helpful in exploring the cave, but she does have a good enviromental awareness which will be good for rear lookout in case Orion catches up to them. Once inside the cave, Midnight realized that it wasn't very dark, and a little ways in saw that there was a gap in the roof that let in sunlight. Beyond that was what looked like a mess of moss, ivy, and rock, but he just knew the Litany had to be in here somewhere, he could feel the magical energy in the air.

 

 

Sunshine Rays

 

"That was such a great story Aegis! Even better because it's true! I can't wait to find out what my cutie-mark is, but I know it will come in it's own time. Back where Midnight Sky and I are from, they teach us that if we had our marks from the beginning or got them too soon then it would diminish the meaning and importance of it, and that nothing as great as a cutie-mark could come without the drawback of having to wait for it." Sunshine said to Aegis. She was glad that she had remembered how slippery it was, because Sunshine had been ready to bounce up and down after Aegis's little story. She was a little annoyed when she heard Midnight say that she was to stay in the rear, but she truly did understand his reasons. They did take the same strategy classes after all, she knew she was the weakest fighter of the five of them, but she had a feeling his decision was still influenced by his urge to protect her. Nonetheless, she followed her brother into the cave behind the waterfall and was not surprised to find a damp cave with a whole in the roof, just like almost every other cave in the world that held some powerful artifact as far as she knew.

[Umbreon 569]

Zintiik

 

@,

 @,@@SilverHeart,@@Midnight Scribbler,

 

 

Zintiik grins, giving a cocky wave of his hoof from where he stood.  Part of him still said that he should tell Orion about what happened, but he absolutely couldn't betray Willow's trust.  Besides, if there was anything the changeling was good at, it was putting on a false face and lying through his fangs.  It was how he'd grown up.  

 

"No worries boss, she's fine.  As long as you've got me buzzing around you don't have to worry about her, I'm scarier than anything in these woods.  And if I'm not, I can change into something scarier."  With a laugh he buzzes his wings to hover just off the ground.  It was obvious at least to the changeling that Willow wasn't quite comfortable with the story, so he hoped that he'd be able to lessen any suspicion that may arise.

 

 

Pavisa

 

@,

 

"The Litany, huh?  Well..."  She tried to think back to how Redwave had described the Litany when they first started their journey.  "It's an ancient artifact, some kind of scroll or book.  By reading it it's supposed to bring out the full potential of a pony, giving them untold power.  It's supposedly the last of its kind, and it's technically half gone.  A pony named Orion has read half of it and it turned him into some kind of pseudo alicorn..."

 

Pavisa gives a small shrug as she continues.  "Orion is powerful...  Insanely powerful.  And he's not exactly what you'd call stable...  He sees us as a group of brigands trying to harm his sister.  That's why we have to get to the Litany before he does - if he finishes reading it, who knows what will happen?"

[Ihei 713]

@,@@SilverHeart, @, @@Midnight Scribbler,

 

Willow Starsinger

 

Willow, clearly grateful that Zintiik covered for her, took a small sidestep closer to him. She mouthed a small "thanks" to him and smiled for a split second, then turned away so it wouldn't look suspicious. "Did anything happen while we were gone?" Willow asked lamely, mentally facehoofing. She seriously didn't want to blow their cover.. she looked around the woods and made a silent shriek to find out Redwave was watching them: then blocking him so the group didn't see him.

Edited November 12, 2013 by Shaymin

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@, [

b]@[/b],

@@SilverHeart, [

b]@[/b],

 

Scribbler smiled at the sight of Willow, and Zintiik's return. He gazed into the trees once more, scanning about for anypony else that may be following. "Well then, now we're all together again, shall we continue on? Are you alright to move on, Mirror?" He glanced down to Mirror, taking in her condition. Scribbler glanced back to Willow, noticing her act somewhat strangely for a moment as she looked back. He moved to the side, and peered into the bush, trying to make out what it was she'd seen, until she moved in his line of vision.
"er..well, Nothing too eventful. I fixed our travel problems for now. We should have no problems crossing this razor field now." He smiled at Mirror in a friendly jest.

[EcstaticWind 572]

@@Icy Void,

 

Aegis nodded in agreement to Midnight's plan, though he couldn't help but feel that the group was underestimating him. Still, there was no logical reason to disagree. He flashed a smile at Sunshine, having finally figured out her name.

 

"A Cutie Mark is a wonderful thing. It's a sign of who you are, but don't ever think it's your destiny. A destiny isn't determined by a mark on your flank, but by the path you chose for yourself. For only on the path of hardship shall the truly righteous step forward, and ever onwards shall they tread, ever faithful to their true selves. And only the just shall pass through fire and hold it in his hand. Or so the saying goes. It's an old legend I've grown very fond of," He said as they entered the cave. "And this is much nicer than I was expecting. And looks can be deceiving..." 

[RAGESTAR 479]

Crimson, not wanting to say something stupid again, merely nodded in agreement,as he followed the rest of the group into the temple-like, ancient structure, which seemingly hasn't been occupied in a very long time. "Wow! I've been to a few old temples in my time as a pirate...but damn, this place looks downright ancient!" Thought Crimson, as he scanned the surrounding area for traps or monsters.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

As the party passed through the entrance to the ruin, it quickly became clear that there was more than just conventional defences in place to protect the Litany. The water crashing down from above them was clear and fresh but past the cave it was cold and flecked with the silver shards. It was here that the enchanted shards entered the flow - trickling through the cracks in the floor of the slightly upward-facing tunnel from somewhere deep within the mountain.

 

A frigid chill that seemed to sap the very talents from our brave ponies started to creep over them as they drew closer: the earth ponies growing weak limbed while unicorn magic sparked and flickered out - requiring mighty concentration to manage even the simplest spell. A crushing weight would overwhelm any Pegasus trying to fly - as if burdened with some heavy load. Magically weakened, anypony entering would have to face whatever trials awaited within on equal terms.

 

The path into the cliff face was lined with ornately carved stone brick - it ascended very slightly towards a large, circular room. It was pitch black inside.

 

... But somewhere deep within lay the fabled Litany of Magic.

 

---------------

 

Kingfisher.

 

@,

 

"... and, uhm....are we?" Kingfisher asked tentatively, pausing as an unnatural shiver shook her. "Trying to hurt them...? I mean, we wouldn't..." She glanced towards the pirate that they were inexplicably traveling with. "... would we?"

 

Her legs nearly buckled under her as she passed the invisible border of the magic protecting the litany - as if the strength and balance she had been marvelling at only moments ago were suddenly missing. Stumbling a little, she instinctively snatched for the cutlass and thrust it into a crack in the ground with a twirling flourish to avoid falling.

 

'... What?... No way...' she thought as she heaved herself up from the edge of the narrow ledge. She blinked and gave her friend a look that she hoped said 'I don't know, so don't ask' before continuing, weakly stepping along with care until she was safely inside.

 

---------------

 

Orion Starsinger.

 

@,

@@SilverHeart,

@@Midnight Scribbler,

@,

 

"Praise the ancients you're okay..." Orion said as he pulled his sister into a hug before turning to the changeling. "Thank you, I don't know what I'd do without you Zintiik."

 

He wandered back to the bridge formed by Midnight and placed a hoof firmly in the unnatural surface. It held. Happy with the result, he motioned for the others to follow.

 

"We need to hurry - who knows what kind of chaos those foals will cause if they get their hooves on the Litany.

Edited November 12, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@,

@,

@@SilverHeart,

@,

 

Scribbler followed next to Orion, having been practically on the bridge already, he merely turned around and started walking when Orion stepped on. The bridge, he knew, had a good strong energy field still. "This bridge is still strong, the energy is giving off a strong aura still. We're most safe, as long as you don't fall off the edge. I'm glad it worked so well, I never tried manipulating the shape of the shield spell, it's really quite useful."

Edited November 12, 2013 by Midnight Scribbler

[SilverHeart 741]

Mirror Image returned Scribbler's smile, "Yes I think I can continue on for now." The mare stood and followed behind Orion and Scribbler, making sure she stood in the exact center of the bridge. She had no intention of tearing the sharpness of the rocks again.

[Umbreon 569]

Pavisa

 

@,

 

"Of course not.  We're trying to protect Equestria from-WOAH!"  As Pavisa stepped through the invisible boundary to the Litany's chambers, she crashed to the ground weakly.  She tried, and failed, to push herself back upright.  What...  Why do I feel so weak..?

 

She manages to turn her head enough to look at Kingfisher.  Seeing the other mare still standing confuses her even more, until she notices the seemingly growing weight of her helmet trying to drag her head back to the ground.  For some unknown reason her strength seemed to be being sapped, and the suit of steel that she was so accustomed to was as heavy as the day she had first tried it on.  

 

"Ugh...  Hey, can you help me unlatch some of this?  I'm...  I'm kinda stuck...  My armour just, I don't know...  It feels a LOT heavier now though..."

 

 

Zintiik

 

@, @@SilverHeart,@@Midnight Scribbler,@,

 

 

"Heh, don't mention it."  The compliment, while appreciated, did make Zintiik feel a twinge worse about lying to Orion in order to cover for Willow.  He really didn't like being stuck between the two siblings like this.  But, it wasn't the changeling's place to say one way or the other...  Willow would tell the truth when she felt it was right, and it was Zintiik's role to go along with the story until then.

 

As the others are turning towards the bridge, Zintiik spares a moment to glance at Willow and wink at her.  He had managed to pick up on her subtle shift earlier, and he had been able to put two and two together to have a guess at what she must have seen.  He figured that the sooner they got across the bridge, the less chance there would be of her lie being exposed.  

 

"Shall we get going, then?"  He nods his head towards the magic bridge, flying alongside of it rather than stepping on to it himself.  He figured it may be a good idea for at least one of them to not put all of their faith in the magic...  Plus this way it left more room for the others, so he could fly alongside somepony and talk.

[SilverHeart 741]

(OOC: Posting from phone.)

 

Mirror Inage continued waking along the center of the bridge. The sound of buzzing wings caught her attention. For a moment she thought of swatting away whatever bug had decided to torture her. Thankfully she decided to look before trying to knock the bug out of the sky. To her surprise Zintiik was flying alongside the bridge. She had expected him to be alongside Willow. Since both Orion and Scribbler were leading the group the changeling seemed like the best company for now.

 

"So...Zintiik were you separated from your hive or have you always been so independent?"

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Kingfisher.

@,
 

Approaching her friend shakily, Kingfisher nodded and looked over the armor: wondering exactly how to go about assisting. Reaching out, she pulled at some visible straps hopefully - not really sure how to go about removing a suit of armor, never having needed to before.

 

"Are you okay?" She asked urgently as a couple of the metallic plates came free. "You feel it too? It's really weird around here... the water and now... do you think it's in the air or something?"

 

---------------

Orion Starsinger.

@,
@@SilverHeart,
@@Midnight Scribbler,
@,

Stepping firmly onto the magical crossing, it took a few steps for  Orion to establish that it was indeed safe: he trusted the pony who had created it but was still careful about entrusting anything regarding the safety of his sister to another: Zintiik had already proven himself numerous times before reaching the forest but the other two...
 
They were new. He liked them - but they were still new.

As he walked, he wondered about himself. About the voices, the headaches... the risks relating to the Litany. Even his allys had expressed concern about his ability to control it: about the effects it might have on him. For the first time, he felt the slightest doubt enter his mind.
 
'So... voices? Thats not normal, right?' He thought, directing it towards the presence he felt at the back of his mind. 'Why? What happened, what are you?'
 
'What are we?' Answered the voice. Focusing on it paid off - it was less ghostly, less detached. What was more, it sounded... emotional? As if entertained by his question. 'We are... We are the Litany of Magic. We are the knowledge and power of thousands of years... and yet we are not.'
 
'You... what?' He thought.
 
'We are a creation of your mind to cope with the knowledge that the Litany imparted on you, it created us. We are the Litany, and yet we are the not. We are you, and yet we are not. We are many: we are Legion.'

 

Orion walked on in silence as this mental discussion took place: he didn't really understand what he was hearing but at least it was some kind of answer: it was more than what he had to go on before.

Edited November 12, 2013 by Cinderscribe