open Occult in the Swamps

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@,

 

It took at least three tried for wishes mind to process what the pony had said: she tried to make sense of it in a number of fifer and contexts but there was no other interpretation that she could think of.

 

"No! No! Sweet Celestia no!... Not even a little bit!"

 

Recoiling at the statement, she scooted nearer Twila and Sabel... Not for her own comfort - that wasn't something that real adventurers did: it was just in case they needed protecting! That was all...

 

"What gave you...? Why would you even...?" She shook her head at the pony. "Just... No!"

Edited November 27, 2013 by Cinderscribe

[dashian500 194]

Steel chuckled as wish came within a few inches of him "hey I'm stained steel nice to meet you wish right" steel said as he held his hoof out "although you seem nice if rather you not be so close to me " steel smirked the hilt of his dagger was on was less than an inch away from her side

[Umbreon 569]

Sabellah

 

@, 

 

Sabel wasn't doing a good job of containing her laughter now, hiding her beak behind a talon as the sounds escaped from her throat.  It was just too much!  She leans over to whisper in Wish's ear quietly so the others wouldn't overhear, managing to get her thoughts out between laughs.

 

"Careful with that one Kid, he's kinda weird...  -Snicker-  If you end up needing a getaway pull on my tail, I'll grab ya and fly off."  She pulls back to let out another loud laugh, hiding her face with one wing as she turns her head towards the swamps.  She starts to walk off slowly into the wild looking terrain, calling out over her shoulder.

 

"C'mon lovebirds, we're wasting daylight and I still want to catch a good meal."

[SilverHeart 741]

(OOC: Sorry for my absence Lhee. I'll try to catch up in my next few posts.)

 

After Twila had excused herself Mirror resumed practicing, however she decided to work on spells that would change her appearance. She started out with something that was easier than what she was hoping to master. The mare stared at her reflection in the mirror and began to change the color of her eyes., it was nothing complicated but it was an exercise that would hopefully help her develop a decent foundation to improve the rest of her spells. Mirror practiced this for a few hours before she ran out of energy and went to bed.

[Hive King 2,001]

@,

 

It took at least three tried for wishes mind to process what the pony had said: she tried to make sense of it in a number of fifer and contexts but there was no other interpretation that she could think of.

 

"No! No! Sweet Celestia no!... Not even a little bit!"

 

Recoiling at the statement, she scooted nearer Twila and Sabel... Not for her own comfort - that wasn't something that real adventurers did: it was just in case they needed protecting! That was all...

 

"What gave you...? Why would you even...?" She shook her head at the pony. "Just... No!"

"Then you are in love with someone here" Skuldaf reasoned, bluntness dripping from his words."Or you're afraid, or laughing but I think love is the biggest culprit" Skuldaf muttered, realizing his many options. "I think you like the gryphon" Skudlaf announced

[Mickey Taker 347]

@, @

 

Golbez picked up the keys in his talon and inspected the room number it belonged too, taking note of it before tucking the set of keys under his wing.

Whilst he was doing so, he couldn't help but listen in on the conversation between Hack and Mr Silver, "I wouldn't worry about it too much sir, it's the same when anypony starts off a new business...they find themselves first ironing out the "kinks" as it were," he smiles in a warm manner at the elderly pony before turning to Hack, picking up his suitcase with his tail as he does so, "Mr Hack, I'm just going to see to my room and see if I can't freshen myself up a bit, I'll meet up with you again later," bowing his head in a polite manner before turning around and making his way down the left wing to the guest rooms.

[Contrast 292]

@,@, (sorry remember he's easily paranoid)

 

Hack wasn't satisfied with the answer he was given. He didn't feel like the stallion was hiding something when he said he didn't know, and he didn't think Golbez was trying to trick him; but a ton of employees all quitting, even if it is only the second day, just seems wrong... "I guess I can just keep an eye out... Well at least I will still be able to get a cup of coffee in the morning."

 

"Alright thanks." He turned towards Golbez and said, "I will be sure to see you later."

 

Once Golbez had left, Hack decided to ask Mr. Silver one more question. "Any idea where I should go from here? I could use something to pass the time. My mornings aren't exactly planned out very well..."

Edited November 27, 2013 by danzxc123

[dashian500 194]

Steel walked over to sable while pulling his dagger out, it is black with swirls of silver. "might be as well help that is if it's ok with you" steel said as he spun now his dagger, -won't be as challenging as my normal hunts, but this will have to do for training-steel thought

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

"No, no, no no!"

 

Wish stomped a hoof in frustration as her voice rose steadily.

 

"I'm not... not in love! That's just stupid! I'm not upset either, and I'm not afraid!" She blustered - lost for words as she tried to piece together a response. "Not of you, not of the swamp... not of anything!"

 

Sinking a little, she quickly righted herself so that she wouldn't tumble into the mud again.

 

'Watch your hooves now wish - don't want to fall again: don't want them thinking you're incompetent...'

[Umbreon 569]

@, 

 

Mr. Silver taps a hoof to his chin as he thinks.  "Well, that'n depend on whatcha like to do, sonny.  I mostly designed this here place as a spot for ponies to get away from troubles for a wee bit, so its a fairly quiet location.  We've a library on the second floor if ya would like to look through it, there's nice fishin' to be done out front near the docks, and you're more'n welcome to explore the gardens.  Course, there's always the swamp itself to see, but I wouldn't recommend that...  It can be might dangerous, being as how it's wild and all."

 

 

Sabellah

 

@@dashian500,

 

Sabel huffs as she glances at the pony's knife before shaking her head.  "No way, I hunt alone.  There's no challenge to taking down something if you gang up on it.  If I'm going to be taking something down to eat, it has to be something I've proved I'm stronger than."

 

The griffoness spares a brief glance behind her to the other ponies, trying not to smirk at Wish's predicament with Skuldaf.  Ponies are so strange...  At least they're entertaining though.  They've sure made this little trip less boring.

 

As Sabel pushes through a somewhat dense knot of vegetation, she comes to an abrupt stop and spreads her wings to stop the others.  "Woah, hold up ponies, no shoving."  The ground before them gave way rapidly to what seemed to be a large pond in the swamp, mostly devoid of vegetation.  Well now...  This isn't an issue for those of us that can fly, but the others will need a way around...

[Contrast 292]

@,

 

Hack scrached his head while he thought, unfortunately he was thinking out loud. "Well, the library does sound nice, but how about the garden. That sound good Fi?" He could hear a light buzz in reply. 

 

Hack started to walk off, assuming that the garden was on the first floor somewhere. He didn't really want directions. Searching for the garden would help him kill some more time anyway. Maybe he would go fishing afterwards, or fly over the swamp. From what he knew the swamp air couldn't be that dangerous.

 

He waved his hoof at Mr. Sliver, not really looking back to see if he had noticed. "Thanks again."

[Hive King 2,001]

@, 

 

Mr. Silver taps a hoof to his chin as he thinks.  "Well, that'n depend on whatcha like to do, sonny.  I mostly designed this here place as a spot for ponies to get away from troubles for a wee bit, so its a fairly quiet location.  We've a library on the second floor if ya would like to look through it, there's nice fishin' to be done out front near the docks, and you're more'n welcome to explore the gardens.  Course, there's always the swamp itself to see, but I wouldn't recommend that...  It can be might dangerous, being as how it's wild and all."

 

 

Sabellah

 

@@dashian500,

 

Sabel huffs as she glances at the pony's knife before shaking her head.  "No way, I hunt alone.  There's no challenge to taking down something if you gang up on it.  If I'm going to be taking something down to eat, it has to be something I've proved I'm stronger than."

 

The griffoness spares a brief glance behind her to the other ponies, trying not to smirk at Wish's predicament with Skuldaf.  Ponies are so strange...  At least they're entertaining though.  They've sure made this little trip less boring.

 

As Sabel pushes through a somewhat dense knot of vegetation, she comes to an abrupt stop and spreads her wings to stop the others.  "Woah, hold up ponies, no shoving."  The ground before them gave way rapidly to what seemed to be a large pond in the swamp, mostly devoid of vegetation.  Well now...  This isn't an issue for those of us that can fly, but the others will need a way around...

"We'll swim it" Skuldaf said flatly, walking around Sabellah and stepping into the water. The lack of vegetation made the swim easier than he thought and he treaded through the water with little trouble other than pushing aside a few a rocks. Skuldaf made it to a fallen log and climbed onto it to nod to his teammates. "Swim" he said before getting back into the water

[dashian500 194]

Steel shrugged and sheathed his dagger when sable stopped steel took flight and flew over her -I'd love to hunt a target in here it'd be great-steel thought as he scanned the water the water for danger -the challenge of it would be insane-steels mind went to work profiling the ponies around him again steel sighed "there's no bounty on there heads so there's no point in profiling them " steel said louder than he intended

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@,

 

Wish pulled a face at the look of the swamp: swim? If her books were even half right then it would be full of leeches... maybe even alligators or who knew what! Not to mention that the contents of her saddlebags would be ruined...

 

"I don't think that's such a great idea." She said - craining her heck around Sabel's wing curiously: trying to get a better look at the pool. Reaching a hoof out, she prodded at the gloopy water and pulled it back with a dissatisfied look.

 

@,

 

"I mean... I totally could swim it, but aren't these things usually full of... y'know, nasty stuff?"

[Mickey Taker 347]

"Ah!...Here we are," The Griffon smiled a little as he came across the room number matching his key, taking his key from inside his wing he inserts it into the lock and opens the door.

Golbez peers his inside and around the door he takes a good look at what was effectively his home for the next few weeks, "Oh, this'll do nicely".

It was a simple room, furnished with a  single bed, bedside cabinet, chest of drawers and a table, there was even a large window beside the bed that allowed the sun to shine through, it was very quaint.

Plopping his suitcase onto the bed, Golbez opens it up as he begins sorting through his belongings.

[Umbreon 569]

Sabellah

 

@,@, @@dashian500,  @@Twila Starshimmer, 

 

Damn!  What is that idiot DOING!?  Sabel nods slightly towards Wish, her gaze focused on the swamp.  As a griffon she prided herself on her good eyesight, and right now she was watching shapes move beneath the surface of the water...  Not well enough to identify what they were, only that they were obviously disturbed by Skuldaf's presence.

 

"This is bad, wait here, I'll be right back!"  Blasting her wings backwards, Sabel launches herself out over the water trying to race towards Skuldaf.  She catches up to the stallion to reach down and grab him in her talons, struggling under the added weight to try and pull him out of the water, right as the surface beneath them erupts in a swarm of scales and teeth.  Those...  Are some strange fish...

 

Thankfully they weren't far from the bank and the griffoness was able to keep them above the water as she flew them back to the others.  As they land she turns her gaze towards Skuldaf before gesturing towards the pond.  "Are you CRAZY!?  An open body of water like this should always be suspicious when you're in unknown territory, you shouldn't just jump in like that!"

[dashian500 194]

Steel spotted the danger after sable -of course she seen it before me she's a griffon- steel thought before he could act sable had already taken care of it "unless you have a death wish she's right you're none to bright are you " steel said as he flew over the water

[Hive King 2,001]

"I guess these are Slaughterfish" Skuldaf droned, not seeming all that frightened that he had almost died. "I suggest that we go around the bank" Skuldaf said before giving off some info. "Slaughterfish kill you slowly via injecting poison to paralyze you" Skuldaf said, pointing to a bird who was having it's life ended

[Umbreon 569]

Sabellah

 

@,

@@dashian500,

@,

@@Twila Starshimmer, 

 

Sabel had grown distracted by the strange fish, sitting down on the bank of the body of water to reach into her bag.  Pulling out the can of fake meat, she forgot all about her earlier thoughts of using it as bait as her curiosity got the better of her.  Carefully using a talon to open the can she flings the contents out into the water.

 

With a plop! the meat substitute lands in the water...  And sits there.  After a couple minutes of nothing happen, Sabel falls onto her back laughing.  "Oh, that's freaking great!  Even the fish won't touch the garbage!  Guess we know the secret to not getting eaten at least, if you're covered with that junk nothing is going to WANT to taste you!"

 

The griffoness lets out a loud sigh as she sits up and grins, in no real hurry to start the trek around the pond.  Maybe we should just pick a different direction...  Hehehe.

 

 

----------

 

@,

@,

@@SilverHeart, 

(And anyone else still in the hotel that I missed)

 

Gradually, a scent would begin to waft through the hotel...  It would be a strange aroma, subtle at first, as though it were there all along and you just didn't notice.  Once your attention is finally drawn to it, the scent would seemingly...  Shift.  Sweet one moment, and bitter the next.   

[Contrast 292]

@, (assuming the garden is indoors)

 

Hack was relaxing with Fi in the garden. After some searching he finally found it and it was well worth him searching. He felt great taking the time to relax, sit back, and smell the extremely bittier flowers... "Wait... What? That doesn't sound right..." Slowly he got up and looked around for Fi. She was happily drinking what little dew that was still on a leaf. The smell seemed to have barely phased her. Hack pick her up the insect in his hooves and returned her to the top of his head. "I should know by now," He said, almost sounded bored. Fi buzzed softly towards him, almost as if to ask a question. Weather this was her intention or not, Hack answered. "Don't relax near plants you don't know."

 

He thought the smell would only be in the garden, but as he walked back into the hotel's halls. He noticed the smell was still there.

Edited November 30, 2013 by danzxc123

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@,
@,
@@Twila Starshimmer,
@@dashian500,

"Uh... heh... yeah!" Wish grinned as she forced a chuckle over the mention of being eaten - already unsure about her decision to explore the swamp but determined to explore, and more importantly, not to look scared in front of her new friends. "I don't... uh... I don't think I'd by really good to eat anyway."

 

Raising a hoof up over her eyes to shield them from the sun, the mare squinted across to the other side of the water before looking left and right for possible ways forward. Everywhere looked... well, it looked green and brown. No old stone ruins or secret caverns... just, swamp.

 

It was a little disappointing. Also, as great and awesome and cool as Sabel was - Wish couldn't help but become increasingly aware that she had ventured out into the wilderness with a creature known to eat ponies.

 

'Come on Wish! You're never going to learn about adventuring without getting into a little danger once in a while!'

[SwigglySwiggly 358]

Swiggly trotted through Ponyville to find a place to get lunch, Swiggly wasn't exactly sober so he had difficulty finding the cafe. Swiggly bought a sandwich from the counter and sat down at a table. Swiggly happened to have sat next to a bulletin board, his eyes caught sight of an interesting flyer on the board, Free rooms in MiddleO'Nowhere Hotel "Interesting...." Swiggly checked the clock tower, "Why the buck am I having lunch at this time of the day?" Swiggly looked back at the flyer and thought about it "I have nowhere to stay tonight, cant be stuffed asking the mayor for a place to crash in" Swiggly levitated his saddlebag and checked through his belongings:
A buck load of pens, ink and pencils, A giant eraser, Lots of Paper, A bottle of water and $327 (bits)
"A hotel with free rooms probably has strings attached, good thing I have money" Swiggly trotted northwards past the Yellow Pony's cottage and towards the location indicated on the flyer "location is somewhere on the borders of Equestria, I got a long way ahead of me"

Edited December 2, 2013 by SwigglySwiggly

[Mickey Taker 347]

Golbez took out his trusty top hat from his suitcase which, to his annoyance, became completely flattened by the rest of his belonging's.

Gripping his hat by the rim with his thumb and fore-talon, he gives his wrist a quick flick, effectively straitening it out again, satisfied and with a smug smile, he places it to one side on the bed.

As he dived back into his suitcase, the griffon's nostrils twitched as a peculiar faint smell invaded the room, "Now what is that?", Instinctively Golbez raises a fore-arm up as he takes a quick sniff,"Well..it's definitely not me, still...better to be safe than sorry."

Taking out a white towel from his suitcase, he heads to his own personal bathroom, like his room it was quite a pleasant to be in despite only being filled with he basic necessities, still..at least he had his own bathtub to himself.

[SwigglySwiggly 358]

(oh my, not a very active RP is it?)

After a long trek Swiggly made it to the Swamp, the foul smell of decaying plants and muddy water didn't bother Swiggly . "I can now see why the rooms in this hotel are free" Swiggly levitated a flask of cider as he trotted into the swamp. 

Edited December 2, 2013 by SwigglySwiggly

[Umbreon 569]

Sabellah

 

@, 

@@dashian500,

@,  

@@Twila Starshimmer, 

 

The griffoness smiles again as she stands back up, stretching before turning to start making her way around the body of water.  It couldn't be helped, it was right in the way.  She was still somewhat curious about the strange fish, namely about what they would taste like, but she wasn't about to stick a talon into the water to find out.

 

As she walks she falls back a little to walk with Wish and Twila, letting the two stallions take the lead.  Sabel looks at Wish and grins, nudging the pony with one of her wings.  "Nothing to worry about anyways, right kid?  Nothing in its right mind would want to mess with us."  Sabel winks at the mare before turning her gaze back to the land in front of them.  She had to admit, it was...  Fairly boring.  Sheesh, figured an unexplored swamp would at least be a good place for some excitement...

 

 

----------

 

??????

 

The ferry was in the middle of its route, returning to civilization to check for new guests waiting for a trip to the hotel.  It was a quiet ride, the only ones on board being the ponies in charge of the old boat.  Suddenly a strange bird - black with white wings - lands on the railing and lets out a loud caw.  Its cry sounds almost like a laugh...

 

As the ponies turn to glance towards the bird, it seemingly explodes in a large burst of feathers.  In front of the railing where the bird had been perched moments before stood...  A monster?  No, that wasn't right, it was a pony...

 

With the laughter still ringing, all three of the employees in charge of the ferry found themselves lifted into the air in front of the intruder.  It was a unicorn, that was the only way to explain the magic.  Two dark blasts from the intruder's horn were enough to leave two of the employees unconscious, leaving the final one to stare wide eyed at their assailant.

 

The intruder's eyes were what held his attention.  He couldn't see the rest of the pony's face, thanks to the wooden mask he was wearing.  The mysterious unicorn began to walk around the helpless employee, giving him a view of the rest of the pony.  What he had at first assumed to be a grey stallion was, in fact, a zebra.

 

"Hee hee, chu be doin' a good job wit' dis here boat...  And chu gonna keep doin' a good job, cha?  Savoba want ta make sure chu do.  Dat why Savoba be here now."  The zebra unicorn, this 'Savoba', sat down in front of the still levitating employee.  The pony had no choice but to look into the eyes of that mysterious mask.  

 

"Chu going ta keep bringing new ponies inta Savoba's swamp.  But chu not gonna let dem leave, cha?  When dey come ta get on da ferry from de hotel, chu gonna tell dem 'no'!  Savoba make sure of dat.  Dos who come inta Savoba's swamp, dey don't get ta leave...  And chu gonna keep bringin' in more fo' Savoba."

 

Savoba's horn began to pulse with a dark aura as he reinforced his words with a spell.  "I...  Will keep bringing more guests...  But will not let them board from the hotel..."  the now thoroughly hypnotized employee repeats.  With a laugh the zebra releases his spells on the employees, changing back into the strange bird and flying away.