private B.E.T.A. (Bringing Equality To All)

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler

 

Media understood. "Oh, ok. I guess that makes sense. I do know a few ways out of the city too, so that helps." Soon after their discussion, a tall, yet stern stallion with a notepad walked up to their table. Unlike some of the waiters & waitresses Media had seen around the place before, there seemed to be a bit more serious look to him. Not grimacing, but definitely less.....friendly. "May I take your orders?" He asked, ready to jot down their orders. Media hesitated slightly. "Um, yes I'll take the baked potato soup please?" He folded his menu back up.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

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Clockwork nodded to Nova, who looked slightly flustered at first, then glanced back at her menu "Oh.. er, well, I'll have the greek salad, please.. and a glass of water." She smiled, handing the menu back to the waiter. Clockwork lifted his menu to him as well "The vegetable stir fry, and a glass of Chianti please." He smiled, as the waiter took down notes for their orders. Were his wings exposed to plain view, he'd have been much more worried by the sight of this Stallion.

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Media also slid his menu to the waiter. "On second thought, I'll take a glass of water too." He requested. The waiter grumbled, took one last note, then walked back towads the kitchen. Media eventually settled down as they waited for their order, but not completely. He didn't want to make a big deal, but something felt wrong. He checked the restaurant around him, trying to find what was bothering him. Among the chatter, there were a few words that for whatever reason Media heard over by another table.

 

"....with him....."

".......messy mane, had glasses....."

 

Media tensed. He looked over where the voices were coming from, there was the same table the other group had been sat down. Strangely they had the same waiter, seemingly taking their order too. He couldn't believe it, had they already spread? How did they find-

 

Getting an idea, Media hurriedly reached for his saddlebags. While Clockwork & Nova may have been wondering what was with him, he could care less. Alas, no flash drive. "Come on, that had all my projects on it...." Somehow they must have picked up whatever fell out of his bag whenever Clockwork bumped into him, although how he couldn't imagine why. "Oh no, this is BA-"

 

"You're drinks, sirs & madam." The waiter from before had popped up with their beverages. Media tried his best to keep from losing it. "Uum, yes! Thank you very much!" He quickly took his drink and took a sip.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

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Clockwork had overheard them as well. He remained calm, as did Nova. They had experience in the matter of being stalked, and it wouldn't have been the first time they'd have to pull off a counter attack in the middle of public. The key, was to remain completely calm, as though they were oblivious. Clockwork and Nova both nodded to the waiter and thanked him as he placed their drinks. When he left their table, he gave a knowing stare to Media, who was clearly in distress. He leaned over, and whispered "Breathe, just stay calm, and we'll get through this. There must be others like us.. Follow my lead if they come over here." Clockwork was sitting with his back to the other table, but was fully aware of their presence, and was listening for hoofsteps behind him. He was ready for anything. He took a sip from his wine, and gazed out the window. "Pleasant day, isn't it, Avon?" His voice was filled with confidence. Nova glanced to him, and replied "Indeed, couldn't ask for nicer.. How about you, Snaps? How have you been since we last talked." They were putting on fake names, and hoped Media would catch it.

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler (OOC: coming up with a fake name for Clockwork is tough xP)

 

"Calm, right..." Media didn't see how fake names were going to save their hides if they knew what he looked like, but he had one point. Freaking out wasn't going to help at all, if anything it would make it a whole heck of a lot worse, like he had been doing previously. He took a deep breath, and let it out. "Yeah, I've been fine! I hardly see you guys anymore!" He glanced over at the table, they weren't saying anything at the moment.

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Clockwork sat calmly "Perhaps we should make more trips into the city.. I could use the time off here and there." He winked at Nova, half serious about the time off. Nova smugly smiled back. "Yes, indeed that would be nice.. It's a good thing we've been given so much free time lately." They were beginning to run out of normal banter to sputter about, Clockwork was praying for his food to get there soon before he lost his mind.

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

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"Well, I sure appreciate you guys visiting!" He said, starting to get impatient, both because he was hungry & so they could bolt out of there ASAP. Media could have sworn he saw the waiter serve the other tables food before theirs, which only angered/worried him more. Before long though, they were eventually served their meals, which was a relief. Media gladly took his soup, and started to go at it, blowing on the spoon gently to cool it down before each bite.

Edited December 9, 2013 by ovr9000percentcooler

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@ovr9000percentcooler,

 

Clockwork smiled to the waiter, as his food was set down before him, and thanked him. Nova followed suit, and they both began to enjoy their dishes. It had been a long time since either of them had eaten anything. Clockwork sipped his wine, and glanced up into the window, to check the reflection in case anypony was approaching. Seeing nothing alarming, he glanced over to Media. "This place isn't so bad.. We'll have to come here one day when we aren't so.. Busy." He winked. Nova nearly choked on her water, and giggled. Clockwork's gaze darted to her, confused. "Nothing, nothing. Never mind.. it's stupid." She couldn't stop smiling, finding his wording humorous.

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

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Media could barely stifle a laugh himself, some of his soup dripping from his muzzle. He grabbed a napkin and wiped it off. "Yeah, it's a shame..." He remarked, taking another spoonful of his wonderfully tasty meal. They continued to chow down before the door opened, making the bell right above it ring. A dark grey mare with a smooth black mane trotted him, looking like she had an important announcement, and she did. "Hey guys, there's some sort of meeting going on in the city square! Almost everypony seems to be there!" She stated loudly, suddenly leaving. The restaurant buzzed with chatter, some ponies left completely, thinking it was mandatory. Others sat and finished their food before leaving. Media, however, knew they needed to bolt while they had the chance. "Here we go again..." He leaned in, still aware there were a few ponies lingering around. The table across them was also still present. "Um, I think now would be a great time to show you that place..."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

@@ovr9000percentcooler,

 

Clockwork tensed, knowing what was going down. He leaned closer to Media, speaking softly. "Just remember.. stay calm, we'll finish eating, and then go. If we jump up and go the other way, they'll catch on. Just stay cool." He sipped his wine, and began finishing up the last of his meal. Nova had an uncomfortable expression, but continued to munch away at the remains of her salad. The air was thick with tension, you could almost cut it with a knife. Clockwork drained his glass, and waited for the others to finish.

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler

 

Now filled with worriedness, Media continued to finish his bowl, scraping for the last bit. He wiped his muzzle again. Media pulled some bits out & laid them out on the table, paying for his own meal. "Well, shall we be on our way?" He asked the two, already nervous as it was. One of the stallions from the other side started to get up, but was stopped by the pony next to him. He snarled quietly, only to sit back down without notice. Their time wasn't now, as they were ordered to ceased fire for now.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

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Clockwork tossed his and Nova's due payment on their bill, and a tip for the waiter. He knew the art of getting into the good books, even if it were only for the purposes of outwitting. With that, he glanced about at the group. "Well? Shall we be going then?" And began to stand up. Nova trotted around to his side, and waited for Media. "Well, how about you show us around then? I'm dying to see the city." She smiled, glancing briefly over at the far table as one of them seemed to get up, then sit back down again. This made her extremely antsy, wanting more than ever to run for it, but she kept her cool.

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

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With that, Media led them out of the restaurant, not looking back at the table who seemed to be after them. Once they were a safe distance, Media sighed deeply. "Wow, never thought with my luck we would have gotten out of there alive." He was still grateful he was though, and able to finish his food for that matter. Media didn't exactly catch where the meeting was held this time, but he just went in the opposite direction of the cheering/booing. "So...how's about those places I was talking about?"

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

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Clockwork and nova both nodded. "Yes.. indeed. Let's get the hell out of this populated death trap before we all get ourselves impounded for breaking this newly imposed law." He glanced over to where the protest was taking place, seeing some ponies were standing up against B.E.T.A. But were being beaten down by the masses who agreed with them. Opposing outright was suicidal, they needed a way to get inside their network. "We must destroy them from the inside out.." Clockwork thought.

Nova could see there were others who shared their views being taken down. Her temper flared, and she stopped, turning around. "We have to help them. I can't just stand here.. Clockwork, we have the power." Clockwork stopped to look over his shoulder. "Nova, you know we can't take them on like this, it's suicidal. Don't be foolish." She glared back at him "So you'll just run like a coward?" "Fool, mare! This is beyond our power." He trotted over to her, whispering in her ear. "If we are to destroy them.. we must come up from below, and erode them like cancer. You know how I work.. Don't cross me." She opened her mouth to respond, then silenced herself, replacing her initial thoughts of rebellion with submission. "Yes, Clockwork.. I know.. Let's just go then." She hung her head, and trotted back in the direction they'd been heading.

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler

 

Media gulped, he'd never seen either of them get angry at each other like that yet. Sure, he agreed with Nova to go do something, but Clockwork also brought up a fair point. They couldn't just waltz in there & save them from those horrid ponies. He wanted to say something, but shut his mouth. He was never one to get on ones bad side, and Clockworks wasn't one to be on that was for sure.

 

Media eventually guided the two to a subway entrance. The entrance in speaking had orange traffic cones around it & yellow tape saying 'Do not pass'. The place had been condemned for a while, but never was really in any harm. He himself found nobody ever was down there, so he used it as a chill-out zone, to meditate or whatever. He turned back to Clockwork & Nova. "This is the closest area, I have maybe one or two more I know of, but this should do."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

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Clockwork nodded, glancing quickly to Nova, making sure she wasn't going to pull anything further. They both followed Media down into the tunnels below. "This seems like a good place to hide out.. I just hope they didn't think of that too." He said in a slightly wary tone. Nova followed close behind, the sound of their hooves clattering and echoing in the seemingly empty tunnels. Nova spoke in a low voice, so it wouldn't travel far. "Seems like a good way to access the rest of the city.. also seems like a good place to get jumped. But I think we'll be alright if we stick together."

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

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"Oh, don't worry, this place hasn't been used or traveled in in ages, I haven't seen anypony here before since it shut down." He assured Nova. "Then again.......well, the only super-secret I know of isn't too modern....actually it's not even a building, it's some secret cave I found walking around here. If you haven't noticed, I can get a bit nosy, so there's hardly anything or anyplace around Manehatten I don't know about." He continued to walk down to the tracks. "The place I mentioned takes a while to get to, so I don't visit there as much..."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

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Clockwork's ears peaked at the words "Cave, did you say? Hmm.. I don't like the sounds of this.. But.. I suppose it's better than being up there in the open. It wouldn't be the first time I've had to skulk in the depths." He shuddered at a memory from long ago. He glanced back to Nova, who had become sour with him. She had said little since their little dispute in the street. "Come now, Nova, don't be so negative. I know you just wanted to help.. But you know it was futile." She glanced up, with a mixture of defiant anger and melancholy. She knew he was right, but was still mad at being put into her place.. A place which Clockwork had firmly carved out for her to be in. She simply replied with a low mumble. "Yeah.. whatever." And continued to sulk as they trotted along.

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@@Midnight Scribbler

 

Media looked back at Nova, wanting to say something to cheer her up, but he decided against it, it didn't seem like his business. He spoke to Clockwork again. "Well, there are other areas I've been to, just not as frequently. If you have something in mind, I'll try to see if one of them matches your description. If we're to bunk in wherever we're staying, it might be best not to go to the cave anyways." He cringed at the thought of trying to sleep on one of those rocks.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

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Clockwork considered what he'd said. "We need a place that has a back exit, if you know my meaning. Someplace we can stay, and escape from quickly if we need to get out a different way. Never corner the king, or it's check mate, my friend." He smiled with his reference, hoping Media would know what he meant.

Nova glanced up, avoiding Media's eyes, and stared at the ground as she walked. She didn't want to speak to anypony, her mind was going places it shouldn't again.

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler

 

Media chuckled at what Clockwork referenced, then thought on what he requested for a while. "Well, if we keep doing down the tracks, we should hit another subway entrance from a..."less popular" part of town. There's an old family owned building that's vacant, and there are a few alleyways that lead straight out of the city. The place has a basement, and there's a hole in one of the walls that leads back to this subway system. It's the closet one to what you mentioned that I can think of, other than the cave, which also leads out of the city. Everywhere else is cornered."

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Clockwork grinned broadly. He hadn't expected this, but it was precisely the sort of thing he'd hoped for. "Perfect.. That will make an excellent base of operations for us to work from. Access to all parts of the city, and multiple escape routes. I couldn't ask for more."

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler

 

Media grinned. "Alrighty then, to the vacant building it is!" He guided them through the long tunnel, occasionally seeing an immobile subway train or two. The lights flickered violently, not very bright to begin with, but enough to make them & the tunnel around then at least visible. They eventually reached a light area, which was the entrance Media mentioned earlier. They rose back to the surface to find a run-down fraction of the city. The buildings looked old, many had graffiti splattered over them, the place just had a very empty feel to it. "It should only be a few blocks from here, then we should be there." Media announced.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

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Clockwork admired a particularly intricate piece of graffiti on the wall as they passed. "The words of the prophets are written on the wall.." He muttered. "So much inequity.. So many who deserve better than they have. I can change this.. but BETA must fall." He thought.

 

Nova followed close behind, bringing up the rear. She remained silent, but seemed a bit more happy to see the light again. She looked about, feeling nostalgic. The place she'd grown up wasn't so dissimilar to this place.

[ovr9000percentcooler 107]

@@Midnight Scribbler

 

After a few blocks, the building began to come into view. It looked used & worn as the rest of the buildings did, & had a sign above the front door that barely made out, "...'s bookstore." The rest was illegible, but Media figured it was the family name that owned it. They walked inside, the smell of old books devoured the air around them. "Well, this is it. Not to shabby, right? Heh..."