private Saddle Arabian Nights

[Scribblegroove 565]

"Aah, luna's royal guard. I rember those fellas. I used to make armors for their generals... Decorating those was a pain, they requested all sorts of weird inscriptions."

 

Runedawn looked out of the window to see if the train would be leaving anytime soon. "Well, your eyes sure are interesting. How does that hypnotising even work..? And what do ye use it for? The mind is a lot more delicate than steel i presume, how do you tame one's mind like i tame the alloy's in my forge?" Runedawn looked into his eyes again. "I betcha can't fool me, my mind is as sharp as the daggers i make!"

Edited January 8, 2014 by Scribblegroove

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

@@Alex Kennedy, 

@@Pripyat Pony, 

"Selflessness is something in short supply these days... it is a pleasure to meet you Glory, my name is Bardic." The Bard chuckled slightly, motioning towards the platform with a slight bow. "I hope we might get a chance to speak some more... but now I believe we all may wish to find a train?"
 
Truthfully, he had wanted to speak with a number of the ponies he had seen, but Glory was the most self depreciating as far as he could tell: and that was something he felt like he could help with. It was all too rare that he found an opportunity to use his speech to really help a pony in any way. 

[Chickey 383]

"I'd like to say I know what the eyes mean, by I haven't figured that out myself." He chuckled. "However, the point where I actually used the technique has long since passed." He said, somewhat lying. "It was much more for the guards who came back with a damaged psyche from what they've seen on duty. They'd be sent to me if all other doctors fail. Their damaged mind makes it much more malleable to my control. And I would rehabilitate them till they can return to their post. Eventually I ended up being posted myself at Canterlot Castle itself as a servant and to carry out my job there, so they didn't have to make a trip all the way down to the Shades. It's probably the reason they sent me the letter." He explained. "You however, after my lost touch, and the fact you don't seem to have any visible problems to me. Would be near impossible for me to control."

 

(Had to go eat, back now.)

Edited January 8, 2014 by Pumkin

[Scribblegroove 565]

"Well well well... That is a bit dissapointing. But you use your talent for a noble cause! Curing the guards of their PTSS is quite vital to the morale of the troops..." Runedawn looked through the window to the horizon for a while, forgetting that he had company in his vincity. He drifted off for a short while, but in that time a lot flashed by in his mind. "I used to be a guard when me father was still alive. He called me back to teach me the ways of the earthstriker just before really bad things started happening. I made a lot of friends in the guards, and I lost many of them to their insanity..." Runedawn looked back at Hypno and gave him a grim smile. "I've seen some things, but ye could say that I was lucky not to be 'round when things went down for real..." Runedawn sighed. "A lucky coward that is..." he thought.

Edited January 8, 2014 by Scribblegroove

[Stormbringer 346]

Storm, afraid that the train would leave without him, hopped aboard and got to the carriage where the other ponies were at. He wasn't aware they were the other in his party, so he sat a few seats away from them. Opening his suitcase, he pulled out a novel which was leather bound. He had acquired it in a trade. The previous owner said that the book came from "a far away land". The title was "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea."

[Strong Copper 126]

The carriage ride to the train station after the arrival of the mail was rather uneventful.

 

However, once the carriage arrived at the station and the top hat wearing Myopia stepped out into the sunlight, an earth pony he recognized as one of his foreponies in his gem mine rushed towards him, clear worry on her dirt covered face. "Sir, there's been a collapse! Some of the supports gave way and some ponies are stuck in there! And we can't find Overseer Pocket anywhere!" The mare yelled frantically.

 

Despite the attention that she was drawing to herself, Myopia's brow narrowed as he let out a loud sigh. The moment he found out that the overseer of this project had been cutting corners to line their own pockets, he had been afraid this exact thing would happen. Turning towards One Eye, his voice surprisingly commanding. "One Eye, you're my expert when it comes to mining and I am giving you my full authority on this matter so I don't get in your way. Get our people out of that mine alive. Since Deep Pocket resigned earlier, you're now in charge. Understood?"

 

With a nod of his head and a grunt, the one eyed Diamond Dog took one look at the earth pony mare before saying in a voice that would have been more at home on a unicorn noble "Lead the way Foremare. You can tell me what you know of the situation on the way there."

 

As pony and diamond dog hurried away, Myopia gave his driver a healthy tip before letting his horn glow, a single green suitcase coming down off the back of his carriage and floating down by his side as he walked into the station, seemingly ignoring any attention the last few moments might have brought him as he made his way to book a ride to the Crystal Empire of all places.

[Chickey 383]

"I had to retire sooner or later I suppose." He chuckled "I suppose you dodged a bullet there then, eh?" He commented as he waited for the train to start. "However that is quite a shame about your friends. I can say I've lost quite a few myself also." He added with a sigh. "However, I think that's enough talk about such a dark topic for today wouldn't you agree?" He asked.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@, Glory smiled at Bardic. "Nice to meet you," she replied, politely. "Yes, we ought to get on the train; I think there's one at the station already for where we need to go. I put my luggage on there earlier, cuz I wanted to look around Canterlot for a while, but the city is just so big! Far bigger than what I'm used to."

 

For a moment, Glory felt a pang for the forest glade she had left behind in the care of one of her assistants, but pushed it away. This was a new mission and she had been asked for help, so she would undertake it to the best of her ability.

[Stormbringer 346]

Storm began to look about the train, seeing if there was anything to do. He heard the other ponies' conversations of the Crystal Empire and perked his ears. Reaching down to grab the letter with his mouth, he went up to where they were sitting. "Did you guys get a letter like this, too?" He asked, swishing his tail.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@@Pripyat Pony,

 

Lost nodded as he began to head for the train station, assuming the others would follow. "I remember feeling the same way when I first came here to study. Growing up in Ponyville I was used to a small town, and I didn't even realize cities could get as big or as busy as this. Of course, later when I went to Manehattan, it blew my mind even more. But I've always preferred the quiet life of a small town, even if it isn't the best place for my work."

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Alex Kennedy, Glory walked to the station with Lost and Bardic. "I know I'm going to miss my peaceful glade," she said, "But at least I'm going to be helping somepony. I just hope that I can do the very best that I can."

 

Once at the station, Glory went to sit in the train. Now that the adventure was beginning, she was impatient for the train to leave so that they could get to where they were going to, and be briefed on exactly what they had to do.

[Mephala 2,633]

(OoC: You have been warned - the train now leaves, and all conversations have been cut off!)

 

As Loveless boarded the train that sleekly pulled up, she handed the guard her ticket and smiled as she accepted back the stub, ignoring him as she entered the private car reserved for her.

Or so she thought, because a few moments later the rest of the people she had stumbled into on the steps outside the station piled in. Loveless frowned, but she said nothing as she haughtily turned her head and looked out the window. She was not in the mood to speak; here she had thought she was important, but obviously not if the rest of the common rabble were going on this trip with her.

 

Shortly after everyone was seated, the bells rang as the train began to chug once more, leaving its previous occupiers behind, greeting family or getting food from nearby stands. Their smiling faces bored her, and she flipped back around as she heard another door open and Slaes slid inside.

 

He dipped his head courteously and gave a wink to Loveless, who smiled girlishly, and began to speak.

"I know many of you have questions," he began, "but I will ask you to hold your tongues until I am finished speaking.

"As you all know, the Princesses of Equestria have gone missing," he continued, pacing. "However, they were on a trip to Saddle Arabia, to sort out a new trading treaty - before they mysteriously disappeared."

His eyes flicked to the Saddle Arabian, but he didn't comment.

 

"We have reason to believe that the Saddle Arabians have kidnapped the Princess, but under what grounds we do not know. The Princess of the Crystal Empire, Lady Cadence, had planned to travel down to sort out the issue herself, but another...unfortunate situation has arisen."

He waved his arms to the windows; despite the journey having barely begun, snow was already lazily curling around the windows. Slaes' face tightened.

"An enemy we thought long defeated has returned, perhaps as a result of the leftover dark magic of the...tyrant, King Sombra, who as we know attempted to take over the Crystal Empire nearly fifteen years ago. Windigoes, the spirits that will freeze the land as fear grows, and terrorize the population with their cannibalistic tendencies."

 

He once more looked at the Saddle Arabian, then narrowed his eyes, realizing he had said too much.

"Unfortunately, it appears you have a follower," he said coldly. "Speak to the Princess for the rest."

With that, he swept out, and silence fell.

 

Soon, the train arrived at the lavish station of the Crystal Empire. Loveless was unimpressed by the lavish setting; she had seen it many times before, and it was nothing new. They were greeted a short while after by their escort (the introduction as such made Loveless giggle), and swept towards the palace.

 

Soon, they stood outside the vast doors to the throne room in the (even she had to admit it) gorgeous palace, as the escort informed them that Cadence would be along shortly.

 

Loveless turned to her new companions and raised a brow. “So, I suppose my previous introduction was rather abrupt,” she said in a more sweet tone, deciding to play them to think she was a kind mare. “You may all know me as the Mare, assuming you read the papers.”

They seemed a motley lot for royalty; one even appeared to be (ew) a blacksmith.

[Alex Kennedy 1,228]

@,

 

Lost had indeed heard of her, and in fact a colleague had once recommended her, but Lost didn't go in for that kind of thing. Still, might as well try to get along with her if they were to be working together. "I apologize for my behavior earlier. I was... well, I've had a lot on my mind lately, and I guess I just sort of unloaded on you for no real reason. My name is Lost Knowledge. Professor Lost Knowledge, actually, but call me what you will."

[Stormbringer 346]

Storm only smiled and nodded; introductions really weren't his things. He looked upwards, letting the sunlight wash down on his face. He shivered a bit from the breeze. He rustled his wings, waiting for Cadence to arrive. He stayed towards the back of the group, seeming a tad shady.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

The trip had been spent in relative silence for Bardic - keeping his distance from the others on the train after the insidious accusations and cold glare. It could not be true - the nomads had no quarrel with Equestria, and the noble caste were too proud to perform an act of such subterfuge, surely...

 

The Bard followed the group from the train wordlessly: the mares sweet voice meaning little as they washed over him like - little more than background noise (however pleasant) as he was lost in thought.

 

He would speak with this Cadence: if anyone, she was the one to explain the situation to. Surely she would see when presented with his case... If nothing else he might be able to help bring this to a peaceful solution: this was the very definition if his title after all: the mundane side of it at least.

[Scribblegroove 565]

Runedawn's jaw had dropped since they entered the crystal empire station, and had been like that till the absolutely gorgeous mare started speaking. His stallion instincts told him to act like a gentleman, but he knew he did not have a chance with this mare anyway. ""So why bother!"" he thought.

 

"Holy buckamoly, have you fellas seen this place! The craftsmanship on it is amazing! Bit rushed, and maybe magically reimforced, but amazing nonetheless..." Runedawn turned to the other ponies and realised that he hadn't introduced himself to most of them yet. "Right, good day everypony, my name is Runedawn, and I'm an earthstriker. Maybe you know what that is, and maybe ye don't. Apparantly the princess has summoned me for my skills in the art of runesmithing. At least, that is what I presume... (ooc: runedawn and hypno were not in the same train as the one where the letter was explained.) I used to be a guard, but now I'm a blacksmith, though I prefer to call meself an 'artist'." Runedawn said all this in his regular, way too loud voice.

 

Runedawn looked at everypony, and felt a bit outclassed. Some of them looked very neatly, and one of them was even wearing a suit worth three anvils at least! As opposed to the ash covered, knife cut maned, barely washed giant of a stallion. ""I'd best accentuate the parts o' me that look good then!"" he proceeded to get out his shiny, beautiful magical hammer (worth at least 10 of those suits), and wanted to stroke his beard, only realising he was already using one foreleg to rest his hammer on his shoulder. Instead, he pointed his chin forward.

 

"Well, what are you little ponies doing in this beautiful palace èh?" He said, while walking around on 3 legs. "Oh, and milady, I am afraid I must admit that I don't read the paper. I don't read much at all actually. I had a hard time tryin' to figure out what this letter said anyway. Way too many expensive words such as "political difficulties" or "affliation"..."

Edited January 9, 2014 by Scribblegroove

[Pinkie Paranoia 43]

(((Two parter. First part describes how Artemis got onto the train, etc.  Second part is what happened when the train arrived in the CE)))

 

Artemis watched as the group entered the train, the conductor taking their tickets. He quickly glanced around, looking for a way onto the train after them. Noticing to his right a ticking sticking out of a stallion's saddlebag, Artemis seized his opportunity. Walking towards the Stallion, he let his cloak hang beneath his feet. When he neared his target, he feigned tripping over his garment, falling into the stallion, nearly knocking the both of them over.

 

"Pardon me," Artemis began, using the cover of his false clumsiness to swipe the ticket, "I've just bought this darn cloak today. I'm still not used to it's length."  He quickly departed from the stallion, before he could realize what had happened, heading for the train. He handed the ticket to the conductor just seconds before the "all aboard" was called and the train took off. He walked down the cars until he saw one of the group disappearing into a private car. Walking to the door, he pressed his ear against the crack, blocking out the other distractions, listening to all that was said in the car.

 

 

===============================================================================================

 

 

When the train arrived in the Crystal Empire, Artemis, now partially filled in on what was going on, departed the train, quickly finding the group he was following, along with the mare from earlier. There were also a few new ponies who had arrived on a separate train. After hearing from the train that Saddle Arabians were the cause of the Princess' disappearance, Artemis wanted to rush out and question the dignitary from earlier. However, after weighing his options, he decided to hang back, and hopefully learn more, before revealing himself to the group.

 

Unluckily for Artemis, however, the Crystal Empire had no shadows for him to hide in, and as such, he was forced to remain in the open, slightly exposed for all to see....

Edited January 9, 2014 by Pinkie Paranoia

[Chickey 383]

Hypno walked off the train and with the group, examining all of the characters by him. Especially The Mare that seemed to be somewhat of a leader for now. He listened silently but after what he's seen in the papers he caught up with on the train ride here. He didn't really trust the girl. She almost seemed too kind. He shrugged it off for now and waited for the journey to start. 

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@, Glory smiled warmly at Loveless. "I'm afraid I do not know who you are, cuz I don't read the newspapers," she said. "But to me, whatever and whoever you are, and what you do for a living, doesn't matter to me. I prefer to judge ponies on what I see and hear, rather than their past deeds. I admire your self confidence, and I'm sure that we could be friends. I hope so, as it appears that we will be spending a lot of time together, since we're part of the same group. My name is Glory, and I'm a nature priestess. I live in a sylvan glade in the forest, where I have my temple. This is all very new to me, but I promise you that I will do my best."

[Mephala 2,633]

"Milady, that's a new one," said Loveless with a little smile, basking in her attention. She was fairly disappointed that not many of them seemed to know her, but she masked it as she gave a gracious bow. "I'm pleased to make all of your acquaintances, though I cannot imagine what else the Princess expects us to do here. How kind of her to extend an invitation, no?"

Adjusting her mane with a little flick and some light laughter after her little spiel, she noticed the same odd pony she had met at the station. However, she did not remember him being in their car. Loveless bristled with sudden caution, but the other rather pretty mare was with them, and she began to speak. Barely listening, Loveless returned her gaze to the group.

@@Pripyat Pony

"What a wonderful way to live life, darling," she said smoothly, and she draped her arm around the mare and gave her a little sisterly smile. "I'm sure that we shall be, how do they say it, the very best of friends." She looked around at the rest, and her smile broadened. "Oh yes, all of us shall be, the very best..."

She gave her head a slight shake, and then breathed out a little dramatically. "So."

[Strong Copper 126]

The train ride towards the Crystal Empire was rather peaceful in first class.

 

Having gotten a well deserved nap on the trip and feeling good in the knowledge that the situation in Canterlot was in good paws, Myopia had taken a few moments to himself to enjoy the sight of the Crystal Empire in all of its glory. While the place wasn't something that Myopia would have put together, he was stallion enough to admit to himself that it was an interesting work of art for a major city. His few moments to himself come and gone, the formally  dressed stallion made his way towards the grand palace that stood in what appeared to be the center of the city while a part of him wondered exactly which of the empire's rulers had desired such a palace built enough to go through with it.

 

@@Scribblegroove, @@Pinkie Paranoia, @, @,

 

The doors that led into the throne room were much like the rest of the palace; overly large and grand. Still, Myopia's gaze as he approached was on the gathering outside of the doors. It would seem that he was not the only one that had gotten an invitation to speak with her majesty on this day. Keeping his head held high and walking with a confidence earned the hard way, Myopia stopped a few feet away from the group before letting his horn glow in order to remove his top hat politely. "Good afternoon ladies and gentlecolts. I take it that her majesty is wrapping up a few last minute issues before seeing us?"

[Scribblegroove 565]

Runedawn was studying the insides of the giant castle even he himself felt small in here, something that usually never happens. He was inspecting every little corner of the place, so that he would notice if any mistakes had been made. He did not find anything. "Simply amazing. This would've taken me at least 4 years!" He exclaimed, not realizing that when he talked to himself, everpony around could hear him. He then inspected the armors of the guards that were standing a short distance away. They stood perfectly still as he approached them. He was quite a lot larger than the guards, so he went through his knees a bit and lowered his head to inspect the armors value.

 

"Excuse me, what are you doing..." One of the guards asked. Runedawn ignored him for a second or two, after which he answered. "Checkin' yer armor. I think you should have those hinges checked, they seem a bit rusty, and the plates don't overlap correctly. They could seriously restrict movement..." Runedawn grinned as guards jaw dropped. "I just had it checked!" Runedawn laughed loudly. "Then you should have your blacksmith checked!". Runedawn walked back to the group, realising he had drifted off a bit too much.

 

@,

 

He saw Myopia Oncler approach.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlecolts. I take it that her majesty is wrapping up a few last minute issues before seeing us?"

"Well I suppose she is, but she's been taking awfully long now." Runedawn replied while frowning. The he smiled at Myopia. "Aren't you the Thneed.co guy... umm." Runedawn tried to remember his name. "Mayoper Uncle? Myopa Oncer. Myopia Oncler, that was it right? I remember ordering loads of ores from your mining company, so thats why I happen to know." Runedawn looked ridiculous in comparision to the well dressed, small stallion. Runedawn started to feel a bit out of place around these ponies...

 

 

@@Pripyat Pony,

 

Then he heard 'nature priestress'. "Hold on a second." He said to Myopia. "What exactly is a nature priestress? Do you adhere plants or somethin'. That sounds interesting... What exactly do you do as a nature priestress? Do you have any form of rituals?" Runedawn stuck his curious gigantic nose straight into the other conversation. "Me myself adheres something kinda familiar. Its the stuff that nature grows on. The earth..." He hoped to feel a little more in the right place talking to her.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@, The lavender pegacorn mare smiled at Loveless. "I'm sure we'll all be the best of friends," she said. "In a way, I'm looking forward to spending time with the group. It will be quite an experience!"

 

@@Scribblegroove, Glory was surprised when Runedawn spoke to her, but she replied straight away.

 

"Well, I mainly live as one with nature," she said. "The wild creatures come to my temple to be healed and simply to be with me. I also offer healing to anypony who comes to me. I have an assistant at the moment, a zebra mare named Thistle who's currently looking after the temple for me. Mainly I just listen to whatever nature has to tell me, and live at peace. Since I first came to the temple, this is the first time I've ever left it."

[Scribblegroove 565]

Runedawn listened curiously, as he truly found the idea of listening to nature fascinating. "Right, very interesting. Remind me to show you somethin' when we get outside. I am sure you'll find that interestin' to see... Very similiar to how you listen ta nature, I can feel the earth if I want to. I can make you feel it too. It is quite a strange experience... But please, tell me now. How do ye listen to what nature has to tell? Does it speak a strange language?" Runedawn was honestly very interested, and was trying to use his proposal as leverage to make her tell more.

 

(on phone atm, there might be some typo's, sorry for that...)

[Stormbringer 346]

@@Scribblegroove,

 

Storm perked up his ears as he heard Runedawn say  he could feel the earth. Quietly, politely, he waited until he was done speaking and approached him. "You can feel the earth? How is that possible, Mr... ahh... Runelight? Pardon me if I'm incorrect, I didn't spend a lot of time reading the letter. I got it just as I was closin' up shop and flew on down to the station." He cocked his head and smiled, aware that he may have rambled a bit.