open A Darker Fate: Beyond these Walls Chapter Two.

[SilverHeart 741]

Midnight Scribbler

@@SilverHeart,

 

Scribbler's concern wasn't about to just go away, he respected her, but she was potentially in danger now. "I honestly don't know." He chuckled at the thought Mirror posed, though his worry bled through his amusement. "It's as though we've been thrown into a random location, I haven't got any idea where we even are. I'm not even certain Orion does." He paused, looking into Mirror's eyes. "Listen.. I.. I worry about you, I won't mention it to the others.. I just don't want to see you get ill from this. If you feel anything, let me know, I will try to help you if I can. How much did you drink?"

 

Mirror thought she could feel herself blushing...or maybe it was just the ability to feel returning to her. ".....Just enough to know that if you drink some of it, it will numb your mouth and throat....apparently it's not permanent. I'm more worried about someone casting a spell on me and killing me."

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

Midnight Scribbler

@@SilverHeart,

 

Scribbler glanced back to the pool, running what he'd seen the ice do in the liquid. Pondering this, he returned his gaze to Mirror. "Perhaps there is some form of magic in the water, I cannot be certain though. Until I know, I cannot cast anything on you, and I wouldn't advise using your own magic yet either." He smiled at her reassuringly "I'm sure you'll be alright. Just give it some time to work out of your system. The body is an amazing system.. Anyways, we should maybe get moving. I'm certain Orion must be growing impatient with us." He glanced over his shoulder as though to see what Orion's expression would be through the stone walls.

[Ihei 713]

@,

 

Willow Starsinger

 

"...I'm fine, thank you for finding me," Willow nuzzled the bug. She managed to smile at Zintiik tiredly. "Where is the cave?" Willow asked, eyes growing heavy. She dug her left forehoof into her right to try to focus on her situation. "Sorry if I worried you a bit much.. I went out here to get some firewood and some food.. but I had no luck. I thought that we would be in the cave a while." Willow trotted ahead and glared at her wings - they haven't been in any use whatsoever. If she could, she would give them back to Orion. It didnt seem anypony in the group could fly except for Zintiik, but it seems he had different wings than hers.

 

For the rest of the walk, Willow was deep in thought of what Orion was going to do to her when she got back. She wondered what would it be like - if she met the group when they weren't in terrible danger or searching for that stupid book. Would they make friends? Willow wasnt sure..

 

Willow glanced at Zintiik as a tired smile of reassurance formed on her face. She squeezed his hoof and continued to walk.

[SilverHeart 741]

Midnight Scribbler

@@SilverHeart,

 

Scribbler glanced back to the pool, running what he'd seen the ice do in the liquid. Pondering this, he returned his gaze to Mirror. "Perhaps there is some form of magic in the water, I cannot be certain though. Until I know, I cannot cast anything on you, and I wouldn't advise using your own magic yet either." He smiled at her reassuringly "I'm sure you'll be alright. Just give it some time to work out of your system. The body is an amazing system.. Anyways, we should maybe get moving. I'm certain Orion must be growing impatient with us." He glanced over his shoulder as though to see what Orion's expression would be through the stone walls.

"Right, I wasn't really planning to use my magic for now." Mirror stopped speaking as she took the lead and began walking back to the cave entrance. "Um, Scribbler? Thank you for worrying. I don't think many of the others would. Not that they should...but still...your concern is appreciated."

[Umbreon 569]

Zintiik

 

@,

@@Nomadic,

@,  

 

Zintiik blushed slightly when Willow nuzzled him, but he quickly shook it off and his smile was back on his face.  He starts leading her back towards the cave, the direction he'd come from, trying to fill the walk with random conversation.  "The cave's just this way...  Looking for supplies, huh?  That sounds like a good idea...  Next time you should just make sure to tell somepony where you're going!  You know we - errr Orion worries about you a lot.  He went deeper into the cave to see if you'd gone that way..."

 

They were getting closer to the cave.  As they neared the entrance, Zintiik spied the blue glow coming from Kricket, which immediately put the changeling on guard.  For an aspect made out of cold magic, the little wyrm had teeth...  And for some reason Zintiik hadn't figured out yet, enjoyed biting him.  He also noticed Denarius still in the cave, lifting an insectoid wing to wave at the pony.  "Hey, new guy!  Have the others not come back yet?"

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

Midnight Scribbler

@@SilverHeart,

 

Scribbler turned as she passed him by, and followed. "Of course, don't mention it." He paused a moment, thinking of his words, then continued. "You can always count on me, Mirror. I won't abandon you." He smiled warmly, feeling a sense of pride in his actions. "I do owe you one after all. That knock to the head would have been much worse without your magic."

[Ihei 713]

@,@,

 

Willow Starsinger

 

"I'll keep that in mind," Willow smiles gratefully at Zintiik for getting her back so safely. She ran towards the little Aspect and stuffed it in her saddlebag again. "Sorry Kricket.. this is for your own good!" Willow took it out and nuzzled it against her cheek then gently placed it in the saddlebag again.

 

Willow noticed that Zintiik began to talk to Denarius as she sat at the fire, shivering. She was too cold to get up and grab a blanket so she sat by the warmth. Orion's words echoed in her head.. "No matter how old or how capable you get, you'll still be my little sister." Willow looked off deeper into the cave. She looked at Zintiik and Denarius in conversation, and grabbed a blanket to wrap around her shoulders. She picked up her saddlebag and proceeded deeper into the cave to search for her brother..

[EcstaticWind 572]

Aegis Dare

@, 

 

"Right. Find a safe place to wait until I come back. Keep 'em safe, Pavi." Aegis said, dashing off to the shack. When he got there, he gently opened the door and went inside. What was inside was anypony's guess. 'I bought the wingblades for a reason...but I really don't want to be forced to use them.'

[Nomadic 210]

@, @, @

 

Denarius watched as Orion left into the blackened expanse of the tunnel to look for Willow. Ah the sound of silence, it was oddly comforting to him after all of the commotion from last night. Pacing around the cavern, Denarius pondered once again all of the events that had occurred recently still unable to wrap his mind around his situation. Everything that he had seen or heard so far enticed him to continue on, yet one question still aggravated him. How was he supposed to play this game, if he didn't know what game he was even playing? Frustrated, he kicked a loose rock, and watched it as it ricocheted wildly off one of the cavern's walls.

 

Trying to calm down, he heard the sound of hooves coming from the entrance. Two figures came into focus, it was the changeling Zintiik, unsurprisingly, and Willow. He eyed them as they approached him. Admittedly, he enjoyed the presence of the changeling. Zintiik's snide remarks were at least refreshing, in comparison to what most of the others had to say here. The changeling greeted him as Willow off in the corner of his eye stuffed something into her saddlebag. 

 

"I see you came back again. Anyway, your boss is still probably wandering down through the caverns. At least, Willow's back we can wait here now, and besides Orion might be able to grab the others before he comes back".

Edited January 15, 2014 by Nomadic

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@Midnight Scribbler,

@@SilverHeart,

 

"Willow?"

 

It didn't take long for Orion to see the futility of his search - the tunnel was smooth sided with nowhere to stray in either direction: if Willow had come this way then she must have ran into Mirror or more likely... Scribbler.

 

He frowned. "Willow? Are you down here?"

 

It was getting harder to progress as the walls pressed in on him, but at least he could see - the trail of magic was still enough that his echanted sight could make out the way in the blackness until a light faded into view up ahead.

 

"W... Midnight? Mirror?"

 

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

 

Kricket.

 

@,

 

"N-aag!" Scrieched the aspect grumpily. "Gaa-ood"

 

It was far from 'good'... this was the opposite of good! He hated the bag - it was dark and cramped and musty.

 

But there might be something in there for eating. So he complied - if somewhat reluctantly.

Edited January 15, 2014 by Cinderscribe

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@@Midnight Scribbler,

 

White Eclipse

Eclipse continued to walk by himself, infuriated. He couldn't believe the group was stupid enough to stay inside that cave! What were they thinking? More importantly, what was HE thinking? He could've said something earlier, but nope. He just went along for the ride.

 

After he calmed down, he decided to rethink what he was going to do. It'd take him some time, though. He just needed somepony to speak to. He slowed down and began walking next to Clockwork.

 

"Hey, remember that whiskey I threw on the train? Well, I think I have a good replacement." He said, not cracking a smile during the sentence. He reached into his saddlebags and pulled out a bottle of slightly drank vodka. "Want some?"

 

@,

 

Blasted Nova

Blast watched as Aegis left. He wasn't sure what exactly he was leaving for. Something about a warehouse and a weapon, but that's about it.

 

"Well, that was... sudden." Blast said to Pavisa, who apparently is 'Looking after him' "What can you make of what just happened back there, Pavs?"

[EcstaticWind 572]

Noble Persona & Gwyn

 

They arrived at Autumn's house. It didn't look like anypony was inside. Noble tried the door, but it was locked. Ordinarily, Noble would assume she was out, but she hadn't been to work in a few days. That meant something was wrong. He glanced at the window. "Gwyn, could you check it out?"

 

"How do you want me to do that?" She asked.

 

"Shapeshift. A fly, or a bee?"

 

Gwyn shook her head. "Nope. No way. I can turn you into a fly or a bee and you can deal with fly swatters." She waved a hoof over the door handle resulting in a faint click. "It's that easy."

 

"Impressive, but Mrs. Autumn is probably in trouble." Noble said, walking in cautiously. He reached Autumn's room. "This is not proper at all, but if she's in danger..."

 

The two opened the door with the unlocking spell, but found nothing. Except crumpled letters on the floor. Thinking them to be failed ransom notes, Noble picked one up and uncrumpled it.

 

"She is in trouble. But not the kind we thought. She's suffered some heartbreak with her daughter's death." Noble said. Gwyn was in shock.

 

"That's terrible. Condolences?"

 

Noble nodded. "Yes. But we shouldn't be here. Let's go." The pair turned to leave, since they no longer had a reason to be there.

[SilverHeart 741]

"Um....thanks...." Mirror muttered. There wasn't much to say for now. The path seemed easier to walk going back to the entrance. The distance felt shorter. Perhaps that was because Scribbler was with her? Out of all of her companions he seemed to make the best company. A voice from up ahead broke her thoughts. "Yes Orion, don't worry it's just us."

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Kingfisher.

 

Kingfisher smirked a little - of all the times to start drinking this was possibly the worst. Freezing, wounded and not completely sure what was wrong with her thoughts...

 

But it did seem like a good idea.

 

Besides - the spare bottles of Brandy were still in her saddlebags... wherever those were now. All that she had was the bottle by her side, the sword hanging next to it and the strips of red cloth. The harness had always seemed useful but she was just starting to realise its real value - thanks to it, she hadn't lost everything.

 

What's more, because of her companions friends, she hadn't lost her life.

 

She blinked, tugging at the bottle as she looked out over the expanse before them: it was going to take some time by hoof - the deep snow slowing her more than any injury could. So... perhaps a drink was in order? Even if it was just to pass the time? Eclipse was! Red always did it and he was still alive!

 

Snow started to fall - gently by comparison to the blizzards they had seen previously. She blinked: even now with the smell of blood lingering in her nose, she couldn't help but appreciate just how pretty it was...

 

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

 

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@SilverHeart,

@@Midnight Scribbler,

 

Orion peered ahead: the aura of the unicorns mingling with the light of the spell as he closed his eyes for a few moments to clear his head and see normally again.

 

"Willow didn't follow you down here did she?" He asked - already knowing the answer. "Buck! That means she went out into the snow again... she's going to be the death of me!"

 

He backed up to the point where he could turn around properly, calling over his shoulder.

 

"We need to be going... as soon as we manage to get everypony together."

Edited January 15, 2014 by Cinderscribe

[Umbreon 569]

((Quick post before I head off to school))

 

Zintiik

 

@@Nomadic,

@,

 

Zintiik watched as Willow proceeded to the tunnel that went deeper into the caverns - after all the panic of finding her, it wasn't like he planned to ignore her now that they were back.  The changeling bumps into Denarius and starts heading towards the tunnels after Willow.  "Doesn't look like waiting is part of the plan, newbie."  It's not like Zintiik was going to object - he went along with orders, not questioning them.  He'd just follow along and try to make sure Willow didn't get lost again...

 

 

Pavisa

 

@,

@,

 

Pavisa looks at Blast and shrugs slightly, a small smile playing across her face despite the situation.  "In all honesty?  I don't know what to make of anything that's happened since we stepped hoof on the train back in Canterlot...  I was never trained for situations like this, I mostly know how to deal with things like theft or bandits on the road...  Strange presences which can destroy stuff just by being there is out of my pay grade."

 

She laughs quietly, stepping up next to Kingfisher as she speaks to Blast.  As she talks she looks out over the expanse between them and the shack that Aegis had gone to investigate.  Part of the mare's mind registered that it was a pretty view - the other part was complaining about what appeared to be their path to the shack.  Going to be a cold march...  And fresh snow is already starting to fall again...

[Nomadic 210]

@, @

 

Denarius watched and listened as the changeling spoke what he heard as a few mumbled words, before heading down further into the tunnels. They had just gotten back, and that mare had decided it was best to wander off again. "Hey pal, there's no way that you're leaving me here to rot, so you can go meet up with your friends", Denarius said with a grin as he chased after Zintiik. He was hoping that the changeling would know how to proceed through these tunnels.

[SilverHeart 741]

@@Windbreaker, 

 

Autumn Breeze

 

The flight had helped with her cabin fever...but not with anything else. She no longer felt dizzy, nauseous or like her heart would explode. The flight back home had felt all too short...the thought of sitting at the desk only to spend the foreseeable future attempting to write a letter that nopony should ever have to write, twisted her stomach into knots. Or maybe she was hungry? When was the last time she had eaten...or even had anything to drink? She couldn't remember...and, in all honesty? It really didn't matter to her. 

 

She flew through the open window, barely even trying to slow down she landed crashed into the ground. It wasn't a hard enough landing to do any real harm to her....however it was still enough pain to temporarily force her out of her depression. 

 

"Buck....that hurt..."

[EcstaticWind 572]

Noble Persona & Gwyn

@@SilverHeart, 

 

Noble and Gwyn turned back at the sound of a crash. Noble ran to help Autumn up. "Mrs. Autumn, are you alright? What's happened? The mares at the clinic said you hadn't been to work lately."

 

"And we thought something was wrong and...sorry we entered without your permission." Gwyn said.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@,@,

 

Blasted Nova

"Well, I guess you're just one to get into strange and new situations. Not just you, but all of us have a similar habit." Blast said, cracking a smile, as he liked doing under tight situations. It always helped keep his spirits high when he smiled to himself. "At least we're stepping out of what we know best and having new experiences, even if they're dangerous, am I right?" He asked, trying to liven the mood.

 

"What about you, Kingfisher? What do you think of this?"

[SilverHeart 741]

Autumn Breeze

 

Autumn stared at the two for a moment...she didn't recognize the mare at all but the stallion regularly made donations at the clinic. Noble or something like that.... "You really shouldn't be here, I'm going to ask once and only once. Would you kindly leave?" 

[EcstaticWind 572]

Noble Persona & Gwyn

@@SilverHeart, 

 

"We know, but-" Gwyn began, but Noble cut her off.

 

"Autumn, what if I told you I could return your daughter to this world? Would that be a blessing to you? One last gift from our Princesses Celestia and Luna?" Noble asked. He was never going to get a better chance than this.

[SilverHeart 741]

 

Noble Persona & Gwyn

@@SilverHeart,

 

"We know, but-" Gwyn began, but Noble cut her off.

 

"Autumn, what if I told you I could return your daughter to this world? Would that be a blessing to you? One last gift from our Princesses Celestia and Luna?" Noble asked. He was never going to get a better chance than this.

Autumn stared blankly at Noble in disbelief. What? What kind of cretin would joke about her daughter like that. She broke eye contact and slowly started walking to the side of the room. Her body language became more aggressive as she walked towards a heavy looking wooden club that was propped up against the wall. Gripping it in her mouth she turned around and started to advance upon Noble.

 

"I was willing to forgive you for breaking into my home....but I won't forgive that. How dare you make light of her death?" She said, her voice, surprisingly easy to understand despite the wood in her mouth.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@@Windbreaker,
 
On approach - it was clear that the cabin had been quite the sturdy affair at some stage of it's life - solid timber reinforced with stone bricks that had almost stood the test of time: it had clearly seen better days, but all things considered was in an incredibly good state.
 
Three stories tall (though the third was exposed to the elements in more than just a few areas at this stage) and with large, thick windows - either of frosted glass or with actual frost forming a solid layer them it was too difficult to tell. Regardless - they were intact, which was a blessing in of itself.
 
Outside, the ground was uneven: though with the snowfall, it was unclear at a glance whether it had been recently disturbed or was for some other reason - but in the barren landscape, it seemed a solid enough shelter in comparison with anything else nearby.
 
---------------
 
Kingfisher.

 

@,

 

Kingfisher shook her head - it was actually a pretty accurate description of what she was thinking at that moment: her thoughts were still scattered all over the place. She lifted the bottle of Brandy and practically inhaled the liquid: wincing at the foul yet oddly appealing taste as she tried to formulate a more understandable response.

 

"Right now, I want to get inside someplace warm, with real walls and no sign of anything that wants to kill us." She managed to say. "No magic. No shadows or lights or Alicorns and by all thats right in Equestria no more snow!"

 

She half grinned, half frowned.

 

"And a hot bath would be pretty nice too..."

[EcstaticWind 572]

Noble Persona

@@SilverHeart, 

 

Noble's black wings flared open and his eyes glowed menacingly. "I have the power to turn that fevered dream into a reality! Autumn Breeze, I propose a deal. I will restore your daughter with my power, but I will need your medical skills in return. Will you accept this contract?"

 

Aegis Dare

 

Aegis inspected the shack. To his relief nothing had come out to kill him yet. "Looks safe enough... On a close inspection, I would say it's good shelter for now. Better head back to the others."

 

@, And the rest of Team Brandy.

He returned to the others very quickly. "It's safe and...Fisher, have you been drinking?"

[Umbreon 569]

Pavisa

 

@@Windbreaker,

@,

@,

And the rest

 

Pavisa raises an eyebrow and smirks when Kingfisher starts to hit the bottle, chuckling quietly.  "You always pick the nicest places to break out the bottle, Fisher.  Can't decide if the ancient ruins that wanted to kill us or the frozen wasteland that wants to kill us wins."  After teasing her friend the ex guard grins at Aegis before starting down the slope...  Practically sinking to her chest in one of the snowbanks.  

 

"Let's get going, then...  And okay, I admit it, a hot bath does sound nice.  Aegis, you didn't see a bath at the shack, did ya?  This is going to be a cold walk."  Pavisa sighs before lowering her head and pushing onward through the snow - she was going to be freezing by the time they reached their destination...  At least if she was pushing a path through the snow the others could follow her trail and be a little better off...

 

 

Zintiik

 

@, 

@@Nomadic,

 

Zintiik quickly hurried to catch up to Willow - at least the glow from her wings made her easy to find in the dark cave.  "H-hey, wait up!"  He smiles as he walks up behind her, since the caverns were too narrow for him to fly.  He heard Denarius following behind him, but didn't think much of it.  "At least let me come with ya, yeah?"  The changeling shuts his eyes briefly as he grins again - he was still working on his smile, but he knew that look sometimes worked for ponies...  Why not for a changeling?