open Occult in the Swamps

[Twila Starshimmer 172]

@, 

 

@,

 

 

Twila listened intently to the conversation between Sabel and Wish, slowly walking with them back toward the gardens.

 

"Yeah, a swamp definitely is a place of adventure....eerie, cloaked in solitude, unknown dangers and treasure...sounds about right to me," she finished, looking onto the horizon with a slight sinking feeling in her stomach. Something isn't right about this place...but maybe I'm just being a coward.

 

She pulled out another pastry, nibbling on it hungrily between sentences.

 

Clearing her throat, she changed the subject. "So, Wish, what exactly have you been jotting down lately? Anything worth mentioning, or just your typical observations? I haven't written anything down, but I have noticed that the other workers seem a bit on edge, jumpy even."

 

She wiped her mouth of crumbs, just in time to see Skuldaf coming closer.

Edited November 25, 2013 by Twila Starshimmer

[Umbreon 569]

Sabellah

 

@@Twila Starshimmer,

 @,

@,

 

Sabel laughed quietly, about to make a comment when Skuldaf appeared.  Sheesh, this guy is everywhere...  She narrows her eyes as she looks at the pony, one talon already resting on the gate that would take them from the garden to the swamp.  

 

"Well, you already seem to be following me.  You're everywhere I've gone.  So, doesn't look like I have much say in the matter.  But I'm going hunting, so I don't want to hear a word about it.  Seriously, another comment like last night and I'm dunking you in a bog."  

 

With that, the griffoness lifts the latch on the gate and steps out into the swamp.  After the cleaned, taken care of look of the gardens it may as well have been going from night to day.  The other side of the wall looked completely wild...  And Sabel liked it.  Awesome.  Surely a place like this will have a decent spot to catch something to eat.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@@Twila Starshimmer,
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@,

"Uhm, well..." The earth mare thought for a moment, looking back at Twila as she followed Sabel out through the gate. She was trying her very best to not seem to excitable or jumpy: none of the other seemed that way after all.
 
"I think they were abducted overnight! And I think the rest of the staff are hiding something from us - they know about it!" It sounded like a solid line of reasoning when said out loud - wish smiled proudly. "I've been stalking some of them: watching them. They were all acting really suspicious - especially when they noticed me! I mean, why would they, if they were innocent?"

 

She grinned with a cockiness born of confidence.

 

"Don't worry though, I'm on to them. Nothings going to happen to any of us: and when Wish Scribe gives her word, she keeps it!"

[Contrast 292]

@, (sorry forgot to mention that he's a Pegasus)

 

Hack slightly chuckled at the way the griffon looked at him and how he didn't make himself very clear about his stay. "No, I didn't walk here, knowing my luck I would probably get lost on the way." He laughed a little, hoping that the griffon found the joke he made funny. He laughter slowly died down and he continued to speak.  "I just took the boat early in the morning yesterday. What I meant to say was that I was in the dining hall only long enough to get a coffee."

[Mickey Taker 347]

 @

 

Golbez raises a talon to his beak as he pinches the bridge of  his beak, clenching his eyes shut as he does, "Numbskull, of course he didn't walk here, in a swamp of all places!"

Lowering his talon again, he smiles in a friendly manner at the pegasus, "My apologies, I'm...somewhat half asleep here," the griffon lightly chuckles before continuing, "I was forced to catch the late ferry last night, not the easiest way of trying to get some shuteye when the bed keeps moving and all manner of wildlife constantly carrying on like they do," Golbez slowly shakes his head sighing a little, looking down he abruptly looks up at the pony, "OH!...Pardon me where are my manners, My name is Golbez, Entertaining Magician," he bows his head a little in a polite manner, "May I ask whom I am addressing?"

[Contrast 292]

@,

 

Hack though for a moment about what the griffon had said, "A magician huh?" Something about that job threw him off for a moment. He was lost in his thoughts when the Griffon, now know as Gobelz, asked him his name. It was Fi's loud buzzing from the table that had drew his attention back to what was in front of him.

 

He chuckled again and looked up at the griffon, he had missed his bow completely. "Oh, I'm sorry. That that tends to happen. My name's Insomni-Hack, or just Hack for short." He heard Fi buzzing again from the table, demanding attention. He picked her up and introduced her as well. "Oh, and this is Fi. Don't let her 'quiet' buzzing fool you. She talks quite a bit."

 

He heard her buzz loudly again, with a slight smile he her on top his head.

[Mickey Taker 347]

@

 

At first Golbez wasn't entirely sure whom Hack, as the pegasus introduced himself as, was referring to as "Fi" until he leaned his head quite a fair way closer, noticing a very small light hopping about on his hoof, "You have seen odder things Golbez, at least be polite about his...friend", the griffon finishes off his coffee and clears his throat, "Fascinating friend you have there...you can...understand her...somehow?" Golbez raises his eyebrow with a  puzzled expression upon his face, not entirely sure what to make of the situation.

[Umbreon 569]

Sabellah

 

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

 

Sabel shrugs and sighs quietly, already walking out into the swamp.  She was hungry - it didn't matter who came along to her, as long as they didn't get in the way with her hunt.  A few feet into the swamp there was a small cleared area with a number of signs posted; it would seem as though the hotel staff had come into the swamp a short ways at least to post them up.

 

As they approach, a strange black bird with white wings takes off from its perch on one of the signs.  It gives off a caw that sounds eerily like a laugh, but quickly disappears into the canopy.  Ignoring the bird, Sabel turns her attention to the signs.

 

WARNING: SWAMPS NOT PART OF HOTEL GROUNDS

EXPLORE AT OWN RISK

RETURN BY NIGHTFALL, GATE WILL BE LOCKED

 

With a shrug, she turns to look at the second one.

 

ANIMALS IN SWAMP ARE WILD

BEWARE PREDATORS

 

That sounded more like what Sabel was looking for!  She spared a brief glance at the other signs, they all seemed to be warning about different things in the swamp.  Animals, hidden bogs, other things she was too impatient to read...  The griffoness just laughed, eager to see these 'untamed wilds'.

[Contrast 292]

@,

 

Hack looked at Golbez as if he were crazy and asking in a confused tone. "Can't you hear foal demanding attention?" He quickly noticed how rude he sounded and tried to apologize and explain. "I'm sorry. What I mean to say is that I can't really understand her, but I can listen." He continued to explain hopping to clarify things between him and the griffon. "It's the same thing like a foal throwing a temper tantrum or maybe a cat purring against your hoof." Fi crawled on his nose and started to buzz softly. Hack could only stifle a small chuckle as his nose was being tickled. "See, she's happy. Unlike before when I didn't introduce her and she started buzzing loudly."

Edited November 26, 2013 by danzxc123

[dashian500 194]

Steel followed and stood by sable and looked over the signs and smirked he looked over to sable and seen the hunting knife "nice knife I assume you intend to use it to get some grub " steel said as he removed his cloak and put it in his bag "I'm stained steel by the way " steel held his hoof out for a hoof shake

[Mickey Taker 347]

@

 

Golbez smiles and raises an amused eyebrow as he watches the little light hop about on Hack's nose, he gets up from his table, picking his suitcase up by his tail and makes his way to Hack's table so to properly have a conversation with him, setting his suitcase down beside a chair opposite the Pegasus pony, Golbez takes a seat.

 

"So Mr Hack, may I ask what your opinion on this hotel and it's residents are like thus far? Admittedly I am somewhat interested on who I shall be sharing this establishment with," he thought it best to change the subject before the conversation about Hacks pet became awkward, in he fact didn't think it would be a good idea to refer Fi as a pet in front of Hack.

[Contrast 292]

@,

 

Hack saw the griffon coming over to sit with him. He was glad to have to company, but a little embarrassed by the question. He looked at the griffon and said awkwardly, "Well, I can say this hotel's very nice, but..." He looked over to the waitress that severed him earlier. "Not every staff member can be kind as the rookies apparently. As for the other ponies here..." He started to sound awkward again, "I can't say much. Unfortunately I was asleep most of yesterday." He slightly perked up when he realized he could at least tell him about one, "but I did meet one pony. All I really know is that Fi seemed to like him, and I heard something about a griffon being here."

 

He paused for a moment as he thought about the pony that told him about the griffon, the one that had decided to take the day off. Maybe he would keep an eye out for him  and tell him not to skip shifts. Hack knew from experience that skipping shifts to, in his case, sleep was an easy way to get fired.

 

"At first I thought it was you, but this one was here when I first arrived." He awkwardly scratched the back of his head and said. "Still sorry I couldn't tell you more. I was just extremely tired yesterday."

[Mickey Taker 347]

@

 

"Yes, thee...waitress mistook me and this other griffon as being related for some reason, thinking we knew each other," Golbez smirks at Hack as he shrugs simply, "I would like to get to know this one however, in my case meeting others of my kind is a rather rare occasion, and I intend to make the most of it." Golbez would have raised a single claw and wave it rhythmically at Hack as he finished off his sentence, "That can wait for the time being however, I've actually still yet to check in," picking up his suitcase in one talon and holding it up, Golbez smiles sheepishly at Hack.

 

Putting the suitcase down again Golbez leans back in his chair and turns his head, looking out of the dining room and into the hall where the front desk was, "Speaking of which...why are all the staff in such a hurry? I tried to get the attention of a few but I decided to just give up after they kept ignoring me."

Edited November 26, 2013 by Sparx

[Contrast 292]

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Hack looked towards the area that Golbez was starring at and said, "I honestly have no Idea. The waitress told me something about her workers deciding to skip today, but I didn't think that one or two workers would cause a problem big enough to make the remaining act so rude towards the other guest..." Hack thought back to how the waiter acted towards him earlier. Maybe she wasn't trying to be rude, he was starting to think that she was just really busy.

 

He saw Golbez pick up his suit case and place it back down and took it as a hint of him leaving. "I wouldn't have minded asking a few questions about his job. I know trixie has her calling... sort of, but what reason does a griffon have to be entertaining ponies?"

 

He was lost in his thoughts again, and didn't even realize. "Ah well," he sighed while standing up. He turned toward Golbez and said, "If you still need to check in why don't you come with me? I guess I have a question to ask the staff about their slackers."

Edited November 26, 2013 by danzxc123

[Mickey Taker 347]

@

"Oh, certainly!" the griffon smiled at Hack as he stood up from his own seat, picking up his suitcase with his tail, "As long as the beds are comfy, I'll be satisfied," he gives Hack a sly wink.

 

At the front desk, Golbez was the first to sit back on his haunches, once again tapping his claws upon the surface of the desk, he sighs rather agitatedly as he decides to call out to behind the desk.

 

@

 

"Excuse me, is there anypony back there that would be kind enough to give us some service?"

Edited November 26, 2013 by Sparx

[Umbreon 569]

@,@,  

 

The owner of the hotel, Mister Silver, shows up behind the desk with a look that would suggest he was woken up very early.  He still does his best to put on a friendly smile, trying to hide a yawn behind a hoof.  "Hello there young'uns, I'm mighty sorry for the wait.  Everypony's runnin' around a little crazy right now tryin' to make up lost time, do hope ya can forgive us.  Anyhoos, how can I help ya this morning?"

[Twila Starshimmer 172]

@, @,

 

Twila chuckled at Wish, amused by her determination and confidence. "Well, at least we agree that they all are acting strange. Maybe we'll find our answers in the swamp?" she replied, squinting to try and read the signs ahead. 

 

Upon reaching Sabel, she could finally read the signs:

 

WARNING: SWAMPS NOT PART OF HOTEL GROUNDS

EXPLORE AT OWN RISK

RETURN BY NIGHTFALL, GATE WILL BE LOCKED

 

Gee, make us feel welcome why don't you? She thought to herself before turning to the next one.

 

ANIMALS IN SWAMP ARE WILD

BEWARE PREDATORS

 

Uh oh, what kind of predators? She thought nervously, fidgeting from hoof to hoof.

 

"Uh, Sabel? I'm all for exploring the swamps with y'all in the day...but aren't you at least a tad bit worried about these predators? I've never been to a swamp before..."

 

She turned to Wish to see her reaction and if she'd support her or not.

Edited November 26, 2013 by Twila Starshimmer

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@@Twila Starshimmer,

 

"Don't worry about it!" Grinned Wish, holding her head high and shooting a sideways grin at the Unicorn. "Nothing's going to mess with us while I'm here!"

 

With precision timing, she strode into a boggy section of swamp and immediately tripped as the sludge trapped her hoof. Falling face first into the mud - she scrambled upright again with a distinct lack of dignity and gave a weak laugh.

 

"Heh... uhm... it's camouflage!" She added hastily, rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof in embarrassment.

[Umbreon 569]

Sabellah

 

@@dashian500,

 

"Huh?  Oh, well, yeah.  That's what it's for."  She looks at Steel's extended hoof before making a fist with a talon and bumping it against his hoof.  She turns her attention to the others, trying not to laugh as Wish falls into the bog.

 

@,@@Twila Starshimmer,  

 

"Heh, like she said Twila, we'll be fine as long as we're together.  You alright there, Wish?"  The griffoness flies out over the sludge to offer the mud covered mare a talon to help her get out of the bog, a small grin on her beak.  "Camouflage huh?  Pretty good thinking there, kid."  Sabel winks at the mare, still holding her talon out.

[dashian500 194]

Steel lowered his hoof then heard wish fall and turned hood head to look -interesting why would she lie about falling - steels mind went to work creating a profile on the ones around him he stopped himself "they're not targets or threats" steel muttered to himself

[Mickey Taker 347]

@(OOC: will be posting on my phone tonight)

 

Golbez smiled on one side of his beak as he looks upon Mr Silver, he felt agitation slip away slowly when he figured he shouldn't be so hard on the staff,"Yes, Um...I would very much like a room to stay in if there are any left available, also I believe my friend here wanted to enquire to you about your staff I believe," Golbez looks and subtlely gestures to Hack.

[Contrast 292]

@,

 

Hack was still thinking of how to ask his question when he felt the griffon hint at him, "Oh... Oh, right! I don't mean to complain or anything, but I just wanted to know something about the staff here all taking... breaks. Did anything happen that may have caused them to leave or not come to work?"

Edited November 27, 2013 by danzxc123

[Umbreon 569]

@,@,

 

The old, grandfatherly pony suddenly disappears behind the large desk, though he can be heard whistling tunelessly through his teeth.  After a minute he pops back up just as suddenly as he had vanished, a key held between his hooves.  Laying it on the desk he slides it towards Golbez, the same friendly smile on his face.

 

"About my staff, hmm?  I sure hope there hasn't been some kinda problem involvin' anypony in my employ...  How can I help ya out, sonny?"  The elderly pony frowns just a little as he listens to Hack's question, getting a sad look on his face.  "Fraid I don't rightly know about that, sonny.  I hoped I was offerin' all these fine folks a right fair working agreement, I don't know why so many'd choose to abandon us here on the second day."

Edited November 27, 2013 by Lhee

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@,

"Yeah I'm fine." Winced the mare - thankful that she was covered in mud to disguise the embarrassed blush as she accepted Sabel's assistance out of the bog. "Thanks! I could have handled it though..."

 

'Come on Wish! You're out with a real adventurer! A griffon! This is the big leagues - you cant go making a foal of yourself!'

Thankfully, nopony questioned the 'camouflage' theory - so she decided to stick with it. Sabel even said it was... what did she say? 'Good thinking!', that was it!

'Aah! That's amazing! She thinks I had a good idea! Me!' The mare mentally squealed. 'I knew I could do this! I'm a natural adventurer!'

[Hive King 2,001]

@,

"Yeah I'm fine." Winced the mare - thankful that she was covered in mud to disguise the embarrassed blush as she accepted Sabel's assistance out of the bog. "Thanks! I could have handled it though..."

 

'Come on Wish! You're out with a real adventurer! A griffon! This is the big leagues - you cant go making a foal of yourself!'

 

Thankfully, nopony questioned the 'camouflage' theory - so she decided to stick with it. Sabel even said it was... what did she say? 'Good thinking!', that was it!

'Aah! That's amazing! She thinks I had a good idea! Me!' The mare mentally squealed. 'I knew I could do this! I'm a natural adventurer!'

"You seem excited" Skuldaf said flatly to Wish. He still had no clue why the mare's pulse raced when near him, then again, studies showed this meant attraction. Well, it could also mean a few other things but attraction was most likely. "Are you excited because you love me?" Skuldaf asked, blinking owlishly.