open A Darker Fate: Beyond these Walls Chapter Two.

[Tricksters Pride 100]

Strings

@@Windbreaker, 

 

As soon as the subject is dropped Strings returns to his usual manner. "Nothing to be sorry about on your behalf Little Angel, i'm sorry for bringing it up." He then grins slyly and his tone turns amused. "Nothing to be ashamed of Artorias, only the toughest stallions cry in front of their guards."

 

 

 

 

 

Silent Stallion and Co

@, 

 

The quiet stallion sits in a casual manner while his companions carry the unconscious pony out a back door and starts to speak in a friendly manner. "Well You did me a favor by taking that unsavory character out when i wasn't permitted to and you seem like you might need some bits. it only helps that your a capable combatant and my boss is hiring ponies like yourself to increase their patrol count, need more patrols to keep lackwits like that one in check else they start causing trouble."

Edited January 28, 2014 by Tricksters Pride

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

(OOC) I could swear I posted something earlier for Clockwork. I must have missed the post button or something. >.>

 

Clockwork Green

@,

@,

@,

@,

@,

@@Windbreaker,

 

Clockwork was close enough to hear the bet go down between pavisa and Kingfisher. He smirked, amused by this camaraderie, and somewhat senseless gambling. He turned, speaking openly to the party. "I am inclined to agree with Eclipse.. though I do not think this place to be any more safe than that cavern. I propose we take turns taking watch, so we can be certain not to be caught off guard again by any.. mysterious forces of nature." Crimson piped up, seemingly fired up about Noble, but his comments towards Midnight were chafing. "Calm yourself, Crimson, there will be a time to deal with your enemies when we meet with them. Midnight has taken the gem to keep it contained to himself, it is a precaution so that the rest of us don't get pulled into it's effects, if it has any. Does anypony here know magic? Aside from destructive magic, I mean.. We must have a fail safe in case Midnight succumbs to some force within the gem that we have yet to encounter. From what I've read about magic so far, these things may take time to take effect." He glanced around the room, looking for any response.

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@, @@Midnight Scribbler, @Everypony upstairs

 

White Eclipse

Eclipse lied on the bed, unable to fall asleep for ten minutes. He headache he was receiving from his new magic prevented him from even coming close to dozing off. He simply lied awake, hoping it would be morning soon. However, Eclipse heard what Clockwork was talking about upstairs. Slowly, he got up out of bed, holding his head while walking upstairs.

 

"If somepony is going to keep watch for awhile, I think it should be me, first. Maybe I'll put this new magic to use after all." The unicorn was really just looking for a reason to stay awake. But, at the same time, he was curious about this new magic. If it could repair walls and ceilings, maybe it would have an opposite effect on living beings. The only way he would figure this out, however, was via experimentation.

[Ihei 714]

@@Tricksters Pride,

 

Aphrodite

 

"How many bits are we talking about here?" Aphrodite asked curiously. "And who is this boss? What's he like?" Aphrodite wasn't sure about this. She's never been offered a job before, and most of the jobs she used to have were to create things. Of course, she got fired from all of them because all she could do was hit and destroy. 

 

@, @,@@SilverHeart,@@Midnight Scribbler,@@Nomadic,

 

 

Willow Starsinger

 

"Shh, it's okay. Don't panic, just go to sleep. You don't want me to drop you now." Willow tried to be soothing in such a situation - she wouldn't want him to squirm and have her drop him to his death. So, she tried a levitation spell. She wasn't ever very good at magic, so she just had enough magic to hold him in place. But then she felt a sense that she's forgotten something. She looked back, trying to trot as she did, heeding Orion's warning. Denarius is following her, and so is Zintiik. So that's Orion, Denarius, Scribbler, Zintiik, and..

 

"Mirror!" Willow shouted, a downpour of snow starting to rain on the group. "Orion, could you hold up the bridge much longer?"

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

Midnight Scribbler

@,

 

At the sound of Willow's voice, soothing him, he relaxed somewhat, knowing that doing anything unexpected might throw her off, which at this point, wouldn't be a very good thing to have happen. He was unsure if there was even ground to land on if he chose to roll off, he could barely see straight. Suddenly Willow shouted Mirror's name, which immediately woke Scribbler from his near comatose state. His eyes shot open, the world was blurry, but visible. He looked around, seeing there wasn't much for him to stand on, let alone both he and Willow. "Wait, Willow?" Of all ponies, he hadn't expected her to be the one to carry him. He raised his head, looking about him, trying to see where Mirror had gone. Had she stayed behind?? He adjusted his goggles to magnify and scanned the platforms he thought were the ones he'd been on before, and then he spotted her. She didn't look well, like she was nearly succumbing to the cold. His mind began to race, he had to get to her, somehow. "Willow.. you must let me down. I have to go back for Mirror. I will save her if it kills me, but I will not leave her stranded down there." He felt that he was awake enough now to stand again, though he wasn't sure how long it would last. He knew he needed true rest, but now was no time for that.

[Ihei 714]

@@Midnight Scribbler,

 

Willow Starsinger

 

Willow was surprised by Scribbler's sudden recovery, and carefully let the stallion down. She knew what it was like to go and find somepony to protect them. In the cases of knowing Orion, Kricket or Zintiik were gone, she would have rushed away from the group to find them. It was very important to her that they don't get hurt. She didn't know the others well though, but she felt that she could trust them. Well, at least under the circumstances that they haven't hurt her or insulted her in any way yet. 

[EcstaticWind 573]

Aegis Dare

@, 

 

“That’s fine. You don’t have to talk about your past if you don’t want to. I’m just a writer and storyteller who travels around Equestria collecting stories and knowledge of all sorts. I figured that with a sword like that, you’ve probably heard a few stories yourself.” Aegis said. He stretched and brushed his mane out of his eyes. “Long manes get annoying sometimes, but I just can’t bring myself to get it cut.”

 

Noble Persona & Gwyn

@@Tricksters Pride, 

 

“You’re forgiven, Strings.” Gwyn said, hugging Strings once again. “But where’d the ‘Angel’ name come from?”

 

They couldn’t tell behind his mask, but Noble smiled at the two. ‘Between the two of us, Gwyn is safe, and it takes another weight off my mind. All tasks at hand have been cleared.’ He thought, noting that the phrase no longer carried misfortune it its wake. Nothing left to do but wait.

[Midnight Scribbler 1,705]

Midnight Scribbler

@,

@@SilverHeart,

Scribbler's hooves touched the ground once again. He was shaky, but standing, miraculously. "Strange that I would have this energy.. I should be unconscious.. But I must get to her." He thought, glancing down to Willow with a warm smile. "Thank you Willow. I owe you much in the last two days. You've been good to me." With that, he looked back to where Mirror stood, hoping she wasn't in worse condition than she looked. He fired his horn, and teleported back to her, appearing in front of her with a snap of reddish energy. Luckily teleporting didn't use much effort for him, it was his most practiced spell of all. He immediately stepped towards Mirror, checking visually how her condition was. "Mirror, we have to get across this. Are you alright?" He looked worried, about as much as he felt. "You cannot stop now, you'll be taken by the cold. We have to keep moving." He moved to her right side, and huddled in close to her to share warmth. He wasn't very warm himself, but with their combined body heat, they would be better off.

[~Sole~ 852]

Aegis Dare

@, 

 

“That’s fine. You don’t have to talk about your past if you don’t want to. I’m just a writer and storyteller who travels around Equestria collecting stories and knowledge of all sorts. I figured that with a sword like that, you’ve probably heard a few stories yourself.” Aegis said. He stretched and brushed his mane out of his eyes. “Long manes get annoying sometimes, but I just can’t bring myself to get it cut.”

 

Noble Persona & Gwyn

@@Tricksters Pride, 

 

“You’re forgiven, Strings.” Gwyn said, hugging Strings once again. “But where’d the ‘Angel’ name come from?”

 

They couldn’t tell behind his mask, but Noble smiled at the two. ‘Between the two of us, Gwyn is safe, and it takes another weight off my mind. All tasks at hand have been cleared.’ He thought, noting that the phrase no longer carried misfortune it its wake. Nothing left to do but wait.

ronin was quiet for a moment before speaking "if you want to keep it that way then do so. But remaining indecisive is never a good thing." He said calmly, before slowly drawing his blade and getting a small whet stone out from his bag. He quickly began to sharpen and examin the edge, making sure it was as sharp and dealy as possible.

[SilverHeart 741]

@@Midnight Scribbler, @, (And all the others in Team Serious.)

 

Mirror Image

 

Mirror flinched from the bright flash of energy. It wasn't as bright as the lights from earlier had been....but it was sudden enough to give a pony a start. Opening her eyes, she watched Scribbler walk to her right. She opened her mouth, ready to protest...but what could she say? Instead, she closed her mouth and nodded in response to whatever he had said. She leaned against him. Possibly a little more than was necessary.It was hard to tell when you couldn't feel. 

[Commander Tangent 861]

@,

 

"Hmm, I was considering first watch as well, but if you wish to take it, so be it" Icarus said, speaking after a long bout of silence. He had been quiet and secluded lately. Mostly lost in thought about the current situation. It fascinated him, from the artifacts they had found, to the many unnatural and anomalous  effects manifesting in the area. It was all food for his mind. 

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@@Commander Tangent,

 

White Eclipse

Eclipse raised an eyebrow and turned to the doctor.

"Actually, Icarus" The unicorn began. "We should both stand guard together. I could use a 2nd pair of eyes by my side to help me keep a lookout. Just, do yourself a favor and watch where you go. If you accidentally get into my line of fire when this magic spontaneously goes off... bad things might happen."

[Tricksters Pride 100]

Quiet Stallion

@, 

 

The stallion thinks for a moment before responding in a careful tone. "Mostly depends on how good you do and what your willing to do. Our boss isn't the type to force anypony to do anything but some jobs pay more than others. Though their a pretty good pony... Their second is a bit unsettling though, but even she's pretty decent if you don't pull anything stupid."

 

 

 

 

 

Strings

@@Windbreaker, 

 

Strings' grin comes back shortly, seemingly pleased at another chance to tease Gwyn. "A pretty mare deserves a pretty name, and your so innocent that i couldn't call you anything but that Little Angel. Not every young lady is so open hearted."

Edited January 28, 2014 by Tricksters Pride

[Ihei 714]

@@Tricksters Pride,

 

Aphrodite

 

"So, where can I find your boss to ask about it?" Aphrodite asked, eager to meet her new boss. He sounded pretty friendly. Do a good job, get more bits, make more money, finally get a home. Simple as that. She could already see her future, sitting in front of a television in a small hotel room. Actually, it wasnt that good. But being a bodyguard sounded all the better. She could get paid to do something she was good at!

[Tricksters Pride 100]

Quiet Stallion

@, 

 

The stallion grins and gestures towards the door. "Why don't i show you the way there, Strings likes to keep his business private so you wouldn't have an easy time finding them outside of our base. I'll even throw in a personal recommendation, my words carry a bit of weight as a squad-leader so between this little performance and a recommendation your likely to get a good salary."

Edited January 28, 2014 by Tricksters Pride

[Icy Void 19]

Midnight Sky

 

When Crimson protested to his wearing the gem, Midnight had been about to give a sharp reply but was saved when Clockwork answered for him. That gave Midnight a moment to recognize that Crimson did have a fair point, though he still believed that his way of handling the gem was better for everypony. And when Fisher and Pavi both mentioned their seemingly newfound uneasiness, Midnight couldn't help but agree. Now that he was wearing the gem this lodge didn't quite feel as comforting as it had before, though he couldn't place why, and he was also starting to feel a little sick even. "Don't worry Crimson, I think you'll notice if I start becoming crazed with power like Noble and Orion before him. And that's why I won't be helping keep watch tonight, I'll be staying up to try and figure out what the magical power of this thing is. And if it proves to be dangerous then, but only then, will I let you torch this gem into oblivion." Midnight said before walking over to the far corner of the room. Midnight was also planning on reflecting on all that's happened in the last two days, because there have been so many magic abnormalities happening around them that it was clearly not a series of coincidences.

 

But with his mind so busy, Midnight almost yelled in surprise when his sister just popped up out of nowhere. "Hi Midnight! You won't believe what I found! But first you're going to tell what that pretty gem of yours is!" Sunshine said in her normal cheerful mood. "First, I thought I told you to not sneak up on me like that when I'm thinking. Second, this is what was inside the box with the eye. It has some sort of magic that seems to affect the senses but I'm not sure what it is yet." Midnight managed to say before Sunshine started looking closely at the amethyst, turning it to look at the whole thing. Midnight was about to ask her to stop when she gasped in surprise, which in turn surprised him. "Look Midnight! Your gem makes the floor look ugly!" Sunshine said excitedly. Looking down at the gem himself, Midnight could actually see that the part of the floor illuminated by the gem's glow looked old and rotten, and when he moved the gem away the floor gradually seemed to fix itself. "Well that is interesting, you might have just helped me Sunshine. Now what was it you wanted to tell me?" Midnight asked, though his mind was swimming with what what he had just seen could mean.

 

"Oh, well I finished exploring the lodge and so I decided to practice my magic in one of the rooms like you said I should in my free time, but then my energy beam I've been practicing misfired and hit the wall.  The weird thing was that the wall seemed okay, so when I went to get a closer look at the wall I slipped on a rug and before I knew it I hit the part of the wall I had hit earlier horn first and suddenly there was a light and I fell through an invisible hole! Then I found another invisible hole by accident that brought me in here, but everypony was looking the other way! So how interesting is all that brother?" Sunshine asked once she finished her story. While most of her story seemed a bit unlikely to him, the part about the second hole is what got his attention. Based on where she said it brought her, it would have to be around where Eclipse tested his new magic. If that were the case than it could be that those letters were right and maybe this place is run down. Maybe the entire lodge is just covered in some sort of illusion that effects all five senses that is undetectable even to magic users. And if a pony followed that line of thought further, then they could be developing hypothermia and not even know it!

 

But Midnight still needed to be sure, after all it could be the gem casting an illusion of decay on the cabin though that didn't seem very likely, and he didn't want to worry everypony else until he knew this for a fact, but he also didn't want to be responsible for somepony dying if he is right. "Um, everypony please listen up. I know it seems nice and warm in here but I'd appreciate it if you all bundled up when you slept and avoided using anything that isn't ours. I've got a hunch that this place may not be safe thanks to my sister and this gem, and unless I'm proven wrong I'd rather be safe. So everypony please be careful." Midnight said, using his best royal prince voice to make sure everypony heard him. Now he just needed to figure out how he'd test this.

Edited January 28, 2014 by Icy Void

[Nomadic 210]

Denarius

@@Midnight Scribbler, @@SilverHeart, @, @, @

 

In quiet shock, he watched as Orion slammed the mismatched chunks of hovering land together into a hodgepodge bridge. Denarius smiled, it appeared that Orion had taken his earlier advice much more seriously than he had initially thought. He followed the newly formed path to reach Willow, Zintiik, and Scribbler as he walked in a silent stride crossing the impossible bridge. He approached them, merely giving a fleeting glance and shake of the head to each, before he began to follow behind the two, as they heaved the damaged Scribbler over the floating landmass, with a quickly paced trot as they rapidly approached the bridge's end.

 

Denarius glanced forward watching Scribbler disappear in a flash of light, before his mind grew curious of Willow. This mare seemed to be an anomaly amongst the others. She seemed so innocent, and uncorrupted in comparison. "Oh Willow, what could you of hoped to accomplish by jumping into that gorge? Was your curiosity of the light below so insatiable?", Denarius' voice cooed the words, not in a mocking fashion, but in one of curiosity as he tried to understand this foolish mare in front of him.

[EcstaticWind 573]

Noble Persona and Gwyn

@@Tricksters Pride, 

 

Gwyn smiled at Strings. “Aww, you’re so sweet. Is it a custom to give ponies nicknames in your line of work?” She asked, genuinely curious.

 

‘Yes, Gwyn. Ponies who keep secrets must add their own name to their secrets. An alias is necessary to protect those secrets.’ Noble thought, leaning against the cart while waiting for whoever they were meant to meet here.

 

 

Aegis Dare

@, 

 

Aegis glanced at Ronin. “Not very talkative, are you? That’s cool. I won’t ask about your past or your personal issues. But if I’m honest, you look like you could use somepony to talk to. You’ve been on your own for a while, right?” He asked, just trying to be friendly.

[Tricksters Pride 100]

Strings

@@Windbreaker, 

 

Strings grins for a moment but its more devious than usual. "Oh it is but there is one other way to do it. I was rather fond of my name so i just erased all information that could be used to find it, you could look up Strings in the archives and all you would find is rumors... I'm rather proud of that." Ice who had remained silent throughout the exchange moved from her impassive state to briefly whisper something to Strings. Immediately after she did his expression changed to an apologetic one. "Not i'm sorry to ask this of you but if i told you who you where waiting for and which district we're heading for could you handle it on your own? I have a few... mishaps that i need to correct and i'm running out of time now."

[EcstaticWind 573]

Noble Persona & Gwyn

@@Tricksters Pride, 

 

Noble nodded. “Of course. If your business is urgent and cannot simply be rescheduled, Gwyn and I will gladly assist you. Not that Gwyn would need much convincing at this point.” He said, with a hidden sly grin.

 

“Shut up, Noble.” Gwyn said indignantly, trying to nudge Noble in the ribs and forgetting about his armour. “You’re cheating…”

 

“How so?” Noble asked, vaguely stifling a laugh.

 

Gwyn tapped the armour with her hoof. “You can’t feel it when I poke you in that suit.”

[Ihei 714]

@@Tricksters Pride,

Aphrodite

"Thank you, that'd mean a lot." Aphrodite followed the stallion out the door, once again wondering how her old companions are doing. How was Blast or Kingfisher? They were probably fine without her. She only wore them down anyway. She hoped this new job would bring her good..

@@Nomadic,

Willow Starsinger

"Well, I wasn't curious of the light. I just wanted to save my friend," Willow started, thinking she sounded ridiculous.

"I know it sounds silly, but Orion conjured up a little dragon Aspect to keep me safe when we were in the forest. A few days later, when Orion lost the power of the Litany and it was transferred to me," Willow gestured at her wings,"Orion's spell freed the Aspect and I kept him as a pet ever since." She took Kricket out of her saddlebag and handed him to Denarius as she trotted along the path.

Edited January 28, 2014 by Shaymin

[~Sole~ 852]

Noble Persona and Gwyn

@@Tricksters Pride, 

 

Gwyn smiled at Strings. “Aww, you’re so sweet. Is it a custom to give ponies nicknames in your line of work?” She asked, genuinely curious.

 

‘Yes, Gwyn. Ponies who keep secrets must add their own name to their secrets. An alias is necessary to protect those secrets.’ Noble thought, leaning against the cart while waiting for whoever they were meant to meet here.

 

 

Aegis Dare

@, 

 

Aegis glanced at Ronin. “Not very talkative, are you? That’s cool. I won’t ask about your past or your personal issues. But if I’m honest, you look like you could use somepony to talk to. You’ve been on your own for a while, right?” He asked, just trying to be friendly.

ronin paused as he sharpened his weapon and sighed "yeah... I guess I have..." He said quietly, memories of his last night with his family flashing through his mind. "The only way to protect those you care about is to get stronger then those that wish to harm them. I wasn't strong enough back then, but I hope you and your friends are." He said suddenly, seemingly lost in thought.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Kingfisher.

 

@@Icy Void,

@,

@,

& the group in general.

 

 

 

 

Dabbing one of the strips of red sailcloth gingerly at the faint trickle of blood that had began again - a little concerned that the healing only seemed to have worked temporarily but not especially so: it was barely fit to even be called a trickle after all. She shook a deep breath and tried to ease her nerves. It was all too much: she just needed some quiet to ease over the stress - just for a moment - but first... there were a few issues to deal with.

 

"Midnight, try and figure that thing out: safely." She instructed.

"Eclipse, keep an eye on him. I don't want anypony left alone with it until we know more about it. Last thing we want is a repeat of what happened back at that cave..."

 

She made to leave the lodge - pressing a hoof against the door and paused: looking back into the room.

 

"Crimson, keep an eye out for... well, anything. Something feels wrong and I don't want anything surprising us. Everyone else, get some rest and don't go off alone. I'll be back in a few minutes." She added as she backed out the door and allowed it to swing closed behind her.

 

...

 

"Agh!"

 

The cry of frustration left her mouth as she slumped against a flat rock just a few paces from the lodge.

 

Magic? Why was it always magic? It could have been something to do with anything! She could sail, she could fight... she could read just about any kind of map or modern language put in front of her: sew, cook, steal or even recite poetry through sheer force of will and far too many sleepless nights of practise... but magic? She didn't know where she stood with magic. She didn't understand it or trust it. Even by earth pony standards she was completly inept - not even ever feeling the bond with the earth like others of her race did...

 

Magic was completly beyond her. Redwave had a slightly better understanding of it at least - but he wasn't here... and now she was being looked to to provide guidance, while things she could hardly even comprehend lashed out at them from seemingly every shadow they came across? It was all too much: she wanted to give in. Wanted to go back to acting out her role without thinking - without becoming emotionally involved. It would be so much easier... but she couldn't. Exactly why, she couldn't tell - given any other situation she would be overjoyed to have found her feelings again, but here?

 

 

 

 

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

 

Orion Starsinger.

 

@@Midnight Scribbler,

@@SilverHeart,

& the group in general.

 

 

 

 

Orion felt the telltale signs of magical fatigue reaching their pinnacle as his spells gradually transitioned from shining orbs of light delivering blows of blunt force, to little more than sparks. It was no good: he couldn't keep going forever. He was already at a significant risk of straining his mind from the constant barrage of magic.

 

As he stopped casting, he took a moment to watch as the remaining shards of... what didn't really resemble land at all at this stage... began to drift loose of the makeshift bridge in the absence of any kind of incentive to stay in place. Gaps began to appear and start to widen, revealing the most certainly fatal fall into the light below.

 

Willow was safe, and he was safe... He couldn't let himself fall here - he had to be okay to take his revenge on Noble!

 

 

 

 

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

Edited January 29, 2014 by Cinderscribe

[Geek0zoid 1,468]

@@Icy Void, @, 

 

White Eclipse

The unicorn nodded as the earth mare left the shack. Why was she in such a hurry like that? It's not like anypony had somewhere to be out in this frozen wasteland. Still, that wasn't his main focus. He was focused on his position to uphold.

 

"Alright, Midnight, here's what's going to have to happen." Eclipse began, speaking to his unicorn companion. "I have guard duty. I can't just abandon my duty, so you're going to have to help me watch. And by watch, I mean I stand guard while you can examine that gem. How does that sound?"

[Tricksters Pride 100]

Strings

@@Windbreaker, 

 

"Well a stallion has to have some kind of defense against a sharp mare such as yourself. And i suppose that i could-" Hes cut off by Ice sharply tapping the back of his head. Apparently his work is needs to be done... Weather or not he wants to put it off. "... Not wait to get back to work... Your waiting for a Near Black unicorn mare with a Violet mane, but you'll probably notice her eyes first as their a very nice Emerald Green. Her mark is a green gemstone and she goes by Emerald Gaze. Be careful with her, shes a shrewd diplomat and is fairly used to manipulating those pompous oafs in the council, so she'll test your public speaking skills quite a bit."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiet Stallion

@,

 

The stallion quietly laughed off Aphrodite's thanks before speaking up in an amused tone, all the while leading them along the city streets. "No problem miss, if i didn't return your help with some of my own then i wouldn't be where i am now. Not even counting that Ice'd put me through the wringer when she found out."