private Golden Corruption

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@, "Well, if everything goes according to plan, then I will be there, yes?" He smiled lightly. "If you really want something to do, talk. Get to know the people that you will be under field command of more. What they are really. What they're fighting style is. What their feelings are." He paused. "What that gal you have your eye on's true personality is. This scouting trip will only take about two to three hours, and most of it will be walking." He started to walk away before turning back.  "And don't worry. I'm thinking of splitting the lovers up. I am aware of what foolishness love creates. Charming... but foolish." He shook his head slowly. 

 

@, "Yes, I am ready. Let's get this over with, yes?" He winked at Solar. "Be back in a bit."

 

---

 

As the pair continued to walk in the forest, Moon Crypt sighed, looking at the scenery. "It is nice out, is it not? You know, other than the fact that it's cold and we're walking in the most dangerous forest in the known world."

[Trevor Bright 872]

As Lee walked, he turned his head, smiling at Moon Crypt. "Yes, other then that. So this town is small...ponyville small? Possibly smaller? Should make for a quick easy walk around, yes?" His smile widened at his last statement "Did I just say 'yes?' Well, it seems your rubbing off on me in more ways then one." He chuckled kept on walking, scanning the forest ahead of him for any sight of the town.

@

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@, "Well, considering that I taught you most of your current skills, I'd be surprised if I hadn't." He smiled, shaking his head slowly. "This town is more like a village, and you can only really call it a town with quite a lot of generosity." He sighed. "But, then again, it's been fifty years. It would be natural if there was some expansion. Even if there wasn't a lot."

[Trevor Bright 872]

Lee nodded, "That's true, it would be surprising if you hadn't. And you've been here before? 50 years ago? What was it like then?" He only knew a little about his mentors past and loved finding out more and more about him. Ever since Moon Crypt had stopped the royal guards from killing him where he stood on his first visit to Canterlot, he'd taken to trying to learn as much as he could from and about the older changeling.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@, "Fifty years? No, at the time I was investigating an assassin ring in Manehattan. A nasty one, that was. It takes a thief to catch a thief, in it's own way. But when I talked to Solar Flare- the Inquisitor that lead the mission- he said that it was a small place, perhaps seventy people making a living on the mountains. They would use clay from the river to make dishes, and, as they used to me a mining town, was full of ore that they didn't know what to do with." He shrugged. "But I don't know what the place looks like personally. One of the reasons I'm accompanying you."

Edited December 14, 2013 by Magos Amphrose

[Trevor Bright 872]

Lee nodded at this. "Hmm. Well then, guess this'll be a new experice for both of us then. Can't say that about much, you and I both seeing something for the first time together." He kept looking around, not wanting to miss anything in case even the smallest detail came in handy later.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@, "I guess that's true," He said, quietly. He then stopped. "Welp, I would happen to guess that this is it..."

 

He was looking up on the ridge to see, amongst the trees, a few stone buildings alongside the mountain. One or two ponies are visible, making their way down to the central building. Smoke is rising from the chimney, and a strong smell of drink rose from the building. The small houses continued on over the ridge and out of sight.
 

"Well," he said quietly. "Shall we?"

[Trevor Bright 872]

"Hmm. Quaint. Yes, lets." He was surveying the lay of the land, planning escape routes should their presence not be taken to as friendly as they liked. "Where to first? Should we try and find the local inn? Or maybe the market? There's usually always good information in the market."

@

Edited December 15, 2013 by Dave Pyro

[Aerodynas 439]

@@Charcoal Embers,

 

As Lee left, Sunny walked up next to Charcoal slowly, putting her hoof around her. "Things'll be alright Char. That stallion's got a whole heap of trainin' behind 'em. You'll see 'em again." Sunny winked at her happily before releasing her and patting her back comfortingly. 

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@@Charcoal Embers,

 

As Lee left, Sunny walked up next to Charcoal slowly, putting her hoof around her. "Things'll be alright Char. That stallion's got a whole heap of trainin' behind 'em. You'll see 'em again." Sunny winked at her happily before releasing her and patting her back comfortingly.

Charcoal smiled at Sunny. "Thanks... I know he is going to be alright, but... I still can't help but worry. I don't want something to happen to him. I want to be with him, but i can't. I just... I just wish I could have gone along with them. I would at least like to be with him after he gets back."

[Aerodynas 439]

@@Charcoal Embers,

 

"Yeah but remember why your here alright...We need ya for our part in this mission," Sunny chirped as she jingled her rapier upon her hip symbolically. "Don't ya be worryin' so much alright? Keep truckin' on and things'll work out." The mare then tapped her hoof a little before she began to hum to pass the time. 

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@@Charcoal Embers,

 

"Yeah but remember why your here alright...We need ya for our part in this mission," Sunny chirped as she jingled her rapier upon her hip symbolically. "Don't ya be worryin' so much alright? Keep truckin' on and things'll work out." The mare then tapped her hoof a little before she began to hum to pass the time.

Charcoal smiled at Sunny. "Thanks Sunny. You always know just what to say when I'm feeling down." Charcoal gave the incredible mare a hug to show her graditude. "Never stop being you Sunny. If you do... I just don't think the world could take the sudden drop in happiness."

[Aerodynas 439]

@@Charcoal Embers,

 

"Awe shucks Char, you're gonna make me start singin' again," she teased as she accepted the hug with a happy squeeze. "So I never asked ya but what are you good at doin'? I mean like I got this here rapier. I ain't too bad with it but I still got room for learnin'." Sunny then unsheathed the weapon and held it out proudly, happy that her cuts had healed up for the most part. 

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@@Charcoal Embers,

 

"Awe shucks Char, you're gonna make me start singin' again," she teased as she accepted the hug with a happy squeeze. "So I never asked ya but what are you good at doin'? I mean like I got this here rapier. I ain't too bad with it but I still got room for learnin'." Sunny then unsheathed the weapon and held it out proudly, happy that her cuts had healed up for the most part.

"Well if you aren't meaning my building skills, then it is this." Charcoal pointed to her head. "I might nit be the smartest pony, but I can be quite logical. I can use that to think of plans and know what we need to do. I'm also not bad at getting through places without being noticed."

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@, "Well, I've always found, in recon situations for a town or a city, it's always a good place to start with..."

 

---

 

As you open the door, the half- empty taproom seemed to be almost empty, until you realized that the ponies that were here look almost entirely natural. Moon Crypt copied/pasted a smile onto his face and walked up to the bar. The pony working it looked at the two of you with an appraising eye, although the others were too busy talking, drinking, or being passed out to notice. Moon Crypt sat down, with Lee following him close behind. "Hello," he said, his smile still there.

 

The bartender looked at him strangely, but returned his greeting with a grunt. He turned another part of the bar before saying in a gruff voice, "Well, what are ya gonna have then?"

[Aerodynas 439]

@@Charcoal Embers,

"Sounds like talent to me," Sunny happily stated as she resheathed the rapier. "So...um...can I ask ya a question?...What do ya think of Solar?...He's a very kind pony isn't he?" She asked in a low tone, blushing ever so barely as she looked to her friend. It was obvious to see she was infatuated with him as she looked down and shyly rubbed her foreleg with her other hoof. 

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@@Aerodynas

 

Charcoal chuckled a bit at Sunny's obvious affection to the guard pony. "Well, in my opinion, he is a very... what's the word... devoted. He is a guard pony at heart, and doesn't exactly seem content with things not being in ranks. But he also cares." She places a friendly hoof on Sunny's back. "He seems like a very nice stallion, so don't take no for an answer."

[Trevor Bright 872]

Lee walked over and sat down next to Moon Crypt. He'd been to the bar in Canterlot enough to know how to act natural. It was actually one of the places he went often. There, he could just sit and bask in the giant mix of emotions. It was an experience only a changeling could understand and enjoy. "Give me a cider." He said, taking a bit out of one of his pockets and throwing it on to the bar. "I'm going to see if I can't make a couple of friends while we're here, ok?"

He whispered that last bit to Moon Crypt so no other pony could hear him. He then grabbed the mug of cider from the bartender and walked over to a table where some ponies were playing a card game, gambling small amounts of bits. He pulled a few bits out as the game closed.

Originally, the stallions around the table seemed wary of Lee, but when he set his mug on the table and threw a few bits on to the pile, they visibly relaxed and dealt him in. "Now the trick is to get some info out of them while not appearing eager."

Internally he laughed. It wasn't fair, a changeling gambling. No matter how great your poker face, if you felt the slightest hint of elation or dread, a changeling could feel it. He'd learned long ago not to win to many games, he almost got in to trouble doing that. No, win some and lose some. When you lose, make a stink over it, but don't act to outraged or everyone will be able to figure out it's an act. If he played his cards right, he could walk away with lots of information and bits. He laughed internally at his unintentional pun. "Let the games begin."

@

Edited December 16, 2013 by Dave Pyro

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@, Moon Crypt nodded before turning back to the bartender, handing Lee his drink and then starting up a conversation with the bartender.

 

---

 

There were three stallions and two mares that you ended up playing with. Two of them were focused almost entirely on the game. One of the mares- much to the embarrassment of her friend- was drunk, and the other one was a cocksure fellow, smiling lightly as he drank a cider. "So... a newbie to the circle, then, eh? What's your name, whitecoat?"

[Trevor Bright 872]

Lee looked up as a stallion addressed him. "Hmm? I'm Steel. Steel shield." Upon saying this, he indicated his cutie mark which had shifted from the curious symbol that usually adorned his flank to a shield like symbol when he had taken on his disguise earlier. He took a deep swig of his drink and inquired, "So now you know me, but I don't have a flying feather's idea of those I'm playing with. Who might you all be?" As he said this, he used his antenna to feel out their emotions, and thought of folding. A few of them seemed pretty sure of themselves, they're confidence levels going through the roof. He decided to let himself lose this round and didn't fold, losing the few bits he'd put in the pot.

@

Edited December 16, 2013 by Dave Pyro

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

@, "Well, my name's Solid Rock, while this is my buddy Iron Scar." The silver stallion next to her looked up and nodded as he dealt out the next round.

 

The drunk mare spoke up. "M'names... heh... Bleck Stair. Dis my frund, Durk Vengunse." She laughed again. "Y'look funny."

 

The other one shook her head and sighed, nodding, a slight blush forming on her cheek.

 

"And the other one's Quick Shot. He's a merc for Mrs. Page."

 

"Pleasure."

 

Solid Rock looked at his hand, twinging with slight disappointment, although his confidence was high. "So, what are you doing around here, Mr. Shield? We don't get visitors too often."

[Aerodynas 439]

@@Charcoal Embers,

 

Sunny chuckled with a smile to Charcoal as she whispered in her ear, "I think he's very handsome, maybe I'll be able to make him my special somepony. What do ya think? Do ya think he'll take an ole farmpony?" Sunny seemed to enthused with the topic of him while they waited. Besides, she wanted to sway Charcoal's mind away from Lee.

[Charcoal Embers 169]

@@Aerodynas

 

Charcoal chuckled. "I think he would be lucky to be your special somepony. But I think he would say yes if you just ask him. He is a nice pony at heart, just maybe a little too into being in formation or rank or whatever it is he does while on duty." Charcoal said.

[Aerodynas 439]

@@Charcoal Embers,

 

Sunny blushed as she answered her before hugging Charcoal tightly. "Ya really think so Char?" As soon as she released,  she smiled widely and enthusiastically before doing a small elegance dance as she imagined Solar dancing with her or cuddling with her at night. The mare had almost started daydreaming before she laughed at the face Charcoal was giving her. 

[Trevor Bright 872]

Lee nodded. "Please, call me Steel. I heard that this was a mining community? That's good honest labor, mining is. Dangerous it may be, but I enjoy a challenge." He laughed at his own statement. "Ok, that's partly true, while I enjoy a challenge as much as the next pony, I don't want to limit my self to mining. I figure any job I can get would be good enough, though I don't have my hopes up high for any other job." He shook his wallet and looked at his dwindling pile of bits in his bag. "I better start to win a few, or they'll think I just suck." Luckily, he didn't keep all his bits in one place, the bag he was using right now was his decoy bag. If a thief tried to cut it and run, he would still have plenty of funds to find a place to stay...or if he lost it all in a game of cards...He waited until he was sure it was the right moment and took advantage of the tension, playing his cards perfectly. His hand was terrible, but with some luck and a lot of changeling powers to help, he managed to win back most of the money he'd lost. He acted extremely joyous over his sudden "lucky streak" and took another deep draw off his mug only to find it empty. He was about to order another when he saw Black Star swaying precariously in her chair out of the corner of his eye and decided he'd had enough cider. He didn't want to end up like her, he'd gotten drunk once. That had been a bad day, he'd started shifting so fast, people didn't know if he was actually a changeling or was really on fire and needed help. It was all sorted out and taken care of eventually, but he didn't want to end up repeating that little fiasco. He set his mug down when a sudden thought struck him. "You mentioned a Mrs. Page. Who is she?" He asked this, directing his question to the one called Solid Rock.

@