/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>103834
"No Sir. Her Eyes turned Green, i asked Her how Chrysalis was. she Said Hail Chrysalis. she shot me in the barrel then i turned her into mush with my shotgun. Then.."
He Turns and looks at Blue
"Miss Skies Her Got me to the hospital, if not for her i would be dead....again."

>>103846
*Miss skies Here

>>103846
"Well, it looks like Miss Skies earned her pay. It seems she identified herself as working under the Hegemony... It's possible that Hegemony agents are working to incite partisans. You know, on the train that was attacked, there was a pony who was completely drained by Changelings, suggesting there were Changelings in that group of rebels that attacked."
Skies: "Or, he met a bar slut, got embarrassed when he was drained and didn't want his wife to know, so he blamed in on the rebel attack..."
Sea Breeze
"There's that possibility as well, but Changeling influence needs to be investigated"

>>103848
"Hmmmmmmmm who was this pony?"

>>103824
Grant and Pear are standing before the entrance to the treasure room, again talking with each other.

>"These frescos tell the story of the rebels after the Equestrian annexation of Tenochtitlan. See how they are carved?"
>"Is it it really fair to call the resting ponies ‘rebels’? The Equestrians were invading."
"The government of Tenochtitlan pledged vassalage before that, so they were fighting against the newly established order."
>"Like a population fighting back against new masters"
"Actually, as this tomb itself shows, many of the rebels were from the highest classes of society, the military and the priesthood."
>"So you say it is two aristocratic classes fighting against each other for dominance."
"I guess if you squint hard enough, you will find something like that. But it was about much more than dominance. It was about what gods could be worshiped."
>"Yes, the conflict is usually characterized as a war of religion. Of course I am familiar with the analysis of Rose Luxenwings that many of these religious wars are wars of competing power structures. The Aristocracy of the Tenochtitlan Basin justified their rule through their worldview and set of gods, and the Equestrians through their respective gods and morality. Of course when they met a differing interpretation of morality they had to fight, as the Equestrian power structure was jeopardized by the competing worldviews"
"I can sort of see where that interpretation is coming from, but it's a gross oversimplification of the motivations of the ponies involved. There were indeed power structures behind each side, but that fact alone does not adequately explain either why the existing noble classes risked their lives to preserve it, or why the common ponies would either support or revolt against a particular viewpoint."
>"Still, that leaves the Equestrians imperializing over ponies who did not share their religion, and a set of ponies fighting for their freedom of worship."
Pear sighs, and begins a long lecture that, to her, makes sense,
Again, that is an interpretation of the conflict that glosses over the important philosophical disagreements of each side and replaces both sides with simple caricatures. The Equestrian moral and religious worldview is one where Harmony is the cornerstone of the Good, and it is a force in the universe just as any other. Moral good and evil are thus parts of the Universe as surely as Truth. Likewise, Good is Good, and Evil is Evil, and thus Goodness is to be spread, and Evil is to be rooted out, or better yet, converted into Good. And because this morality applies to the entire universe, because Celestia is held as the great teacher of Harmony, and because the doctrine of Harmony emphasizes relationships between ponies, it only makes sense that all ponies be brought together in relationship under the Universal principles of Harmony as taught by Celestia. Thus the expansion of the United Tribes of Equestria.

The ponies of Tenochtitlan, by contrast, did not view good and evil as being basic principles of the cosmos, but rather as only things that applied to ponies and certain other creatures. They viewed gods and the bounds of the cosmos as beyond good and evil, and thus could not be judged by it. They viewed the gods as meriting respect because of their control over nature, and thus, meriting worship regardless of whether they were good or bad. They also did not make much of a connection between the divine and the universal, as to them, it sort of made sense for each society to have their own god or set of gods, and thus gods could be particular to nations. Now, the Equestrians thought that some of the gods worshiped by the Tenochtitlan ponies were demons they knew from their own history, and thus needed to be snuffed out, as they thought worship gave power. The ponies of Tenochitlan thought the gods were just as powerful with or without pony help, and so you may as well placate evil gods by worshiping them.
Grant does not seem to have understood all of that, and perhaps did not even hear all of it
>"You say all of that, but in the end it all sounds like killing for abstractions. I find that kind of hard to believe. Ponies don't hide out in caves because of something that abstract, they do it for power, wealth, or class interests. on existent gods generally serve as masks for an upper class for what these class interests generally are. In the case of Equestria, it meant the imperial system itself, and the right of Alicorns and the noble classes to rule over newly integrated populations until they learned to live like the Equestrian old guard, thus perpetuating and expanding Equestrian power"
"No, you don't understand. To these ponies on both sides, gods and Harmony were all too real, and they defined how many of these ponies lived their lives, and thus how they died. It was not a means to power, because that just begs the question of what you are going to do with power. For them, it was their purpose for life."
>"You can't possibly deny that wealth, power, pride and resistance played a part."
"And I don't deny it. Equestrians at that time had pride in the unity of their nation and what they believed to be a divine mandate to bring harmony to all ponies. they wanted to serve their Princess. The ponies of Tenochtitlan had pride in their newly created nation, and their roles in serving it. They did not want to give up their roles, their nation, or their traditions. They fought to preserve their religion and their sovereignty.
>"It still sounds to me like the Equestrians were in the wrong here in trying to force their worldview on the Other."
"But you are presupposing a universal definition of right and wrong, which is what you are criticizing the Equestrians for doing. In any case, take it up with your ancestors"
>"Oh not my ancestors. I'm a unicorn, not a pegasus."
"Of course they're not..."
\r

>>103849
"We don't know, some passenger"

>>103851
Does Dark Star know they are on the train?

>>103852
Who? Brie, Spark, and Onyx? I don’t think he does

>>103850
Iron's ears swivel from Grant's first sentence.
"Oh no. There is history on the pots," he whispers to Cauldron. "This is going to be tougher than expected." Frescos are pots, right?
Seeing how the two entered into another historical discussion, he decides to wait and hear.
(Pear put out that the Tenochtitlan ponies fought the Equestrians due to their differences in god worship. It sounds logical to me.)
He grins to himself.
(Why soften up and control nature when you can let nature mold you into a strong pony? I can see why they would fight back against them, to the point where one could kill because we believe in something they did not.)
Grant's addition does not change Iron's mind a lot, figuring it had a role but it wasn't what motivated a war of this scale.
(To think ponies like them caused ponies like me suffering because we did not believe in the same things. I bet they did not even fought honorably and settled their differences with some hooffights.)
A hard nose exhale follows.
(Remember, they are not the same ponies. They are not the same ponies, Iron. They will not try to subjugate you because you are only one pony that does not have a big difference in the grand scheme of things-)
Ultimately, Pear's recollection seems to be what had inspired the Natives in this area to fight the war for the Native present, but Grant's hoof pointing does sounds like it makes sense.
(They were the ones that decided to take over. They could have simply left them be, but they did not, and their vassalage only cemented the conflict further.)
His gaze turns the slightest bit downwards.
(Perhaps the leader also had a part in this for not consulting with his ponies instead of simply giving them out to a bigger group. He should have known, but why did he pick that path? Was he afraid of the possible blood on his hooves if he declined? Was he tempted by treasure?)

The last comment sounds a bit strange to Iron, releasing him from his lowkey anger at both parties.
"What does Grant mean by 'not his ancestors'?", he whispers to nopony in particular.

>>103853
>>103848
"It Feels "Off" to me"

>>103854
As the two ponies bicker, Iron and Cauldron approach
a ‘fresco’ is a painting on a wall. I meant to say ‘frieze’ which is a sculpted scene kind of like a painting

>>103855
“What do you mean?”

>>103857
"I Don't Know, Something feels Strange About it."

>>103856
Hm. Not sure to ask them questions or go for loot...
Fuck it, question time and a party split-up to ensure pots are safe and sound.
Iron uses his hoof to signal Cauldron to go ahead and ensure the pots are right where they left them.
"I want to ask some questions," he whispers to her, hoping it does not throw a stick in their snare.

Apporaching even further, he meets the two expedition ponies.
"What made the leader sign the vassalage in the first place?"

>>103859
Pear smiles
“Many have asked that question, but I believe I know why. Hayfeather first encountered Pegasi of the Castallion Pegasi nation, one of the United Tribes, and skirmishes occurred. Celestia herself intervened, and decided to visit Hayfeather personally. After their private meeting, Hayfeather decided to accept vassalage. There are several practical reasons he may have done so. Perhaps he was afraid of the threats that faced his nation, like the Quetzalcoatl Empire, and figured they would be stronger together with the other Equestrian tribes. Maybe he was impressed by the wealth trade could bring, or wanted help against more hostile natives or even in power struggles against his own nobility. I think it was something simpler, yet higher. Celestia is said to have a certain charm to her, a motherly quality that gives her an air of natural authority. In the Tenochtitlan religion, the goddess of the Sun hold a special place above all others. It is the sun that brings harvests and warmth, and ultimately life, and it is the sun that must be pleased above all else. And here he was, with the goddess of the sun herself, evidently, drinking coco before him. As if that was not enough, her gait and demeanor suggested she could lead like none else. He may have thought it nothing less than blasphemous to refuse her her place as Suzerain and teacher over his nation. Not only could she raise the sun, bring peace and stability, she could show them a better way of life, through Kindness, Loyalty, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Friendship.”

Grant shakes his head, and says his own piece
“The Equestrian ponies were indigenous to Lands far north. The migrated south because of climate change, but in the process became stronger. Unified. And they took with them a very special technology. Iron metallurgy. Something the natives of Tenochtitlan did not have. Thus, when the United Tribes started to expand in all directions, and the Castallions in particular sent expeditions beyond the badlands into Tenochtitlan, they found they could neither properly counter the Pegasi’s flight, nor the Iron armor of the Castallions. Several skirmishes happened, and while Tenochtitlan inflicted losses that were significant upon the small Castallion forces, it was clear who tended to get the better of the fights. The Castallions even raider Tenochtitlan itself before Celestia was called in to mediate. Hayfeather had to then make the hard choice to accept vassalage, rather than a continued war, since it was obvious who would win if more Equestrian forces joined in. Celestia and the United Tribes, for their part, would have rather taken Tenochtitlan as another competing, semi-equal partner than let all the spoils go to one tribe who could become too powerful. Of course, they weren’t really admitted as equals.”
\r

>>103860
The dichotomy between Pear's admitedly cute explanation of a secret fire inside the leader's heart for both her physical visage and what she represented to him to the point where he witnessed what probably the nuns back at the abbey meant, and Grant's gritty viewpoint that also made quite some sense tactic-wise seeing how the bigger tribes, throwing away their honor to ensure victory, leaves Iron with a small grin and frown, emotions swimming around his mind that he can't make sense of.
"What did happen to the United Tribes after the failed vassalage? I thought they would have taken the lands for themselves by now."
(Or maybe they all died due to that disease Pear told me long ago)

>>103861
Pear:
“They are still there. Well, minus the whole Changeling invasion.

When Tenochtitlan was accepted as a vassal, many of the common ponies accepted the situation, perhaps because they were too busy tending to their lives to do anything, perhaps because they agreed with Hayfeather. But a part of the military and priesthood fled to the rainforests away from the city, and started a guerrilla war against both Castallion occupiers and the Tenochtitlan government, and they were joined in this by some of the villagers of these areas. Equestrian soldiers, mostly Castallions, were called in to fight this rebellion. For reasons unknown, but probably relating to either the social upheaval caused by Equestrian contact or the rebellion, a drought occurred in the Tenochtitlan basin, which reduced food output, and the number of sources of water. This combined with newly introduced livestock and changes to agriculture that placed these livestock in closer contact with ponies, that probably caused the few remaining water sources to become contaminated. A disease that has never been indefinite, but resembles typhoid, spread and killed vast numbers of ponies, definitely a majority of the native population. Eventually, the revolt was put down, and inquisitors were called in to make certain the threat was contained.

All the while, there were skirmishes with other native tribes. The Marexica of Tenochtitlan were and are the largest native tribe, and one of the few to live in civilized cities at that time. But they are not the only Neighuatl speaking native tribe in the jungles, and these other tribes continued to skirmish with both parties. They had done so centuries before Equestrian contact, and would continue to do so centuries later, sometimes rebelling after being subjugated. Eventually, Equestrian settlers moved in to settlements on the south and Western coasts of the south east if the Equus continent. The United Tribes still exist... kind of, as does the city of Tenochtitlan, albeit transformed by time.”

>>103862
Iron nods at this new nugget of information, somewhat transfixed. Pear has awoken the colt in Iron.
"So do you mean that the cities themselves are still lived in but are now filled with non-Natives? Why would they start to live here again when a lot of ponies died from disease? Did they know what caused it? Did they only need to move the livestock elsewhere and not have a drought?"
Hopefully Cauldron can wake him up of his childish stupor.
Unless she doesn't want to.

>>103844
Well, I certainly fell asleep.

Silver doesn't know if Mint is talking about changelings as a species or the Changeling nation.

>>103863
“No, this region is more native. At least it seems to be. Unlike with populations of Griffins, it’s a bit harder to tell whether a population replacement has taken place. They lived here after the disease because the disease affected the entire drainage basin. There was no where else to go, except into forests that were often unfriendly, and did not necessarily have food. In any event, they saw the plague as divine, and did not think hiding or running would save them. Every city has been subject to epidemic at some point or another, be it Cholera, Cutie Pox, Sleeping Sickness, Typhoid, Purple Plague, or Potomac Fever. They did not know what caused it, but our best guess now is that it was some kind of waterborne illness that came from non-pony creatures, and spread because of the change in farming and the drought meaning more water sources were contaminated. The disease killed over a span of three days or less by causing tissue fissures and bleeding in internal organs, which resulted in bleeding through every orifice of the body. The natives had no immunity to it, while the Castallions were confused and generally thought it was Typhoid.”

>>103868
Silly Silver, everypony (and everybug) knows that they are the same thing

>>103870
Iron blinks in confusion.
"I do wander why the gods made them suffer that, though. Were they getting too weak and stable, only threat being amongst themselves and not nature itself?"

>>103871
Grant:
“Humph! It was not gods who did it, but none other than the Equestrian government and society”

>>103872
Iron looks at Grant like a newborn who heard something brand new.
"How do you know it was them and not the ones above us?"

>>103873
He looks at Iron with a very serious expression
“In a way... it was the ones ‘above you’ in that it was the malfeasance of a ruling class.”

>>103874
Iron nods, knowing what he said is right to some extent.
"While I do not think gods rule in a direct sense, they did let it happen."

>>103875
“Pfft! The Equestrians didn’t need the permission of any phantom gods to do as they did. By the contrary, they felt quite entitled to speak for the gods.”

>>103876
He shakes his head.
(What a stubborn pony.)
"Do keep in mind that the gods led us here and saved your flank from being a bandit's toy."

>>103877
“Heh, if you say so”

Pear blurts out:
“The Equestrians only intended to spread Harmony”

Grant retorts
“And they ended up spreading only misery”

>>103878
Iron's left eye twitches.
(This pony...)

Although Grant does make sense, he feels deep within himself that something else caused it.
"Perhaps this idea of harmony was only a ruse to trick them into letting their guard down. Maybe the Equestrians in charge misused it to further their own gains."

>>103878
>>103877
>>103879
Black Cauldron, who until now has remained uninvolved in the matter, asserts
“I don’t imagine Celestia as power hungry or imperialistic...”

Grant does not directly respond to Cauldron, but answers Iron
“We know for sure many of the lower level ponies did. General Highview’s decision to centralize many settlements in particular ended terribly”

Pear:
“They were centralized to make them easier to defend from rebels and other tribes”

Grant:
“And to make them easier to administer and see who was worshiping what”

Pear:
“That too...”

Grant:
“And all the same, it help the disease spread in crowded villages where livestock were within defensive walls”

Pear:
“But they didn’t know - couldn’t know - how the disease would spread”
...

>>103880
Iron blinks at Cauldron's presence.
(Was she here this whole time? Maybe I got too engrossed with the talk to notice her walking in and out and checking the pots.)

Iron simply looks slightly defeated at this discussion.
(Why can these things not be solved by hoof to hoof combat?)
"Grant does make some sense, but Pear is right in them not knowing unless we think the Equestrians intentionally poisoned the population."

>>103881
Something something “Cutie Pox blankets,” something something that only happened once, in a besieged fortress much further north and to a different population than the Marexica, blah blah blah

Grant: “so Dr. Faucet tells me you have already removed some items?”

>>103882
Kek.
Iron nods.
"Nothing of historical value."

>>103883
“And how did you ascertain that?”

>>103884
"Because it does not have any drawings or writing on it."
Iron shrugs.
"Besides, the frescos you mentioned give a pretty clear picture even to me, so you have that part covered."

>>103885
He looks over to Pear for some kind of support:
“I saw coins placed in pots, and several masks”

Grant:
“Coins? Coins provide available insight as to what time the the events took place, and can also tell archeologists who was trading with who. Masks are also of great historical importance, because they tell us about religious practices and customs.”

>>103886
Iron nods.
"I see. This means you need about... 5 coins at most from each pot and perhaps some of the masks."
He leans over to Cauldron.
"What would those masks cost again?" he whispers to his partner.

>>103887
Cauldron
“I don’t even know”

Grant:
“Hardly, as any coin could be a view into the world at the time. What if the one coin that would show trade with Somnambula is not among that five? Then we would be deprived of the important historical knowledge”

>>103888
Well that mask part is boggled.
"Seeing how these bandits pretty much perished at overall equal times, it is highly likely they have not used more than two types of coins to trade with others."
(I hope that makes sense. I think I am going to intimidate rather quickly if not.)

>>103889
“You misunderstand. These coins are not from the bandits, but from the Marexican rebels. The question is whether any coins from foreign countries entered and are among the horde. In any event, these all belong in a museum for public viewing”

>>103890
Iron squints his eyes at Grant's last part. "You do realize that me and my partner allowed all four of us to even reach this far."
He puffs out his chest to show his collection of bullet wounds.
"You may say that your female partner guided us here, but if we did not clear the bandits we would not be having this discussion right now and you would have been killed and thrown into a ditch like the other members of your team after you stopped being useful and Pear would be either coweing in fear, lost in the jungle or in civilization empty hoofed."
He breathes in.
"I am being quite generous in allowing to part ways with some coins to begin with, so I would say you take the deal. If you really want to, you can inspect the inside of pots and those other two improvised ones repurposed as one for any foreign coins."

>>103891
This quiets Grant for more than a moment, and he physically back away
“I cannot deny that you and... this fine mare have been more than a little helpful. It seems that a finders fee may be in order”

>>103892
Iron simply cocks his eyebrow.
"What do you propose, then?"
Is the pic Pear's face? Man, I'm not going to have her in a positive relationship anytime soon.

>>103893
Yes. Yes it is.
“Well, perhaps a 10% return on any gain netted after we get back to Baltimare, and a mention in the papers”

>>103894
Sorry, Pear. I promised Cauldron some good money to keep her around for this quest and I'm not going to break my word.
Iron simply deadpans at the poor trade.
"10 percent? Do you take me for a fool? You will take 5 percent while I take 95 percent, otherwise I will simply take the pots with me and leave you two behind. After all, you have all of the temple ripe for finding historical knowledge. Some chalices in the river and some dropped coins scattered inside the temple to pick up, too. You can take away the mention in the papers. I will not hold it against you."
Iron leans towards Cauldron again.
"Do you think they might accept only to break their part of the deal?" he whispers to the street-wise zebra.

>>103895
Cauldron, whispering:
“He made some kind of deal with those bandits, and didn’t care when they were shot in front of him. I have no idea what he thinks, but I can almost guarantee you whatever happens, the first ponies he talks to in Saltmane will be the Territorial Police. I don’t think he intended to honor his deal with the Bandits.”

Grant:
“95%?! Good heavens, that’s absurd, and most definitely out of custom for finders payments”

>>103896
Iron nods.
"It seems we might need to eliminate him."
Good thing Iron shouldn't appear in any sort of Baltimare records. Cauldron could be found out, so... I might be forced into doing something naughty to the stallion. Let's see what he does next
Iron shrugs.
"Fine then. I will go on my merry way and pick all of those pots up. Be sure to pick up the coins on the floor. Maybe they might be what you are looking for."
He starts walking to where he assumes the pots are, ears on alert and ready to be interrupted by anything.

>>103897
That first line is a whisper to Cauldron.

>>103897
Cauldrons ears perk up

Grant:
“You can’t do that! These are historical artifacts that belong in a museum!”

>>103899
"Sure I can. You have other history pieces inside the temple for you to substitute them. The pots themselves are not worthy of historical value by themselves, there are some gold coins on the ground to pick up and present to your superiors and you have history to spare with the frescos. You have other options than the pots."

Iron leans to Cauldron again.
"Be at the ready, Grant may try to attack us. It should justify killing him," he whispers to her. "Spare the mare if you can, but if she tries anything funny, you can do what is best."
With that, Iron continues his slow walk towards those juicy pots filled with money.

>>103900
“Alright, tell you what. How about a 20% finders fee?”

>>103901
Iron fakes a long yawn, clearly uninterested as he walks even further.
It would be funny to be jailed by police into doing Black Hooves service.

>>103902
The pots are indeed there
“You only found this because of us, you know@

>>103903
"I believe I have already told you why that point is moot. Do you want to be reminded of your impending demise with the bandits? You would have died and not even see the pots to begin with. You have all of the history scattered in other parts of the temple."
He slows attaches one of the pots to his person, taking his sweet time.
Don't tell me I have to accept his in order not to break the rest of the plot.

>>103904
Nah
Pear slinks off to the area around the entrance, Grant stomps around, complains to pear, then heads towards the entrance. Cauldron gets to the pots. Grant ultimately lopes over to near Iron’s position

>>103905
Iron takes note.
"They might try to ambush us," he whispers to her. "Be at the ready."
Seeing Grant close to him, he awaits any sort of response while he finishes strapping his first pot and starting the second one.

>>103906
He hears
“Raiding native grave sites is a crime”

>>103907
"Good thing I am a native, then."
(Is he looking to be killed or something?)
"Why did you not bring up that to the band of raiders you were with before? Maybe they would have relented in their search and let you go."
He chuckles, then turns stoic.
"If it did not dissuade them, why should I?"

>>103908
“Ugh! Very well.” He lopes on by Iron, past the two of them, and disappears out of line of sight beyond the appex of the cavern trail

>>103909
"I smell an ambush." he says out loud for Cauldron to hear.
"They may try to use that police you mentioned in order to steal the loot we have worked for. Any alternatives or methods you know to either make it before them or other sellers closer to this place?"

>>103910
“We’re out in the middle of the Jungle. There are many ways to avoid police or Saltmane”

>>103911
"I will trust you on that. They are certainly going to try and take these pots back."
Smiling at his prudency, his pot tying increases in pace, going for those last three pots after securing the second one, but wavers as other possibilites are brought up.
"Can they track your identity from how you look? Perhaps they will submit a report to arrest you."

>>103912
“I don’t know. I know they’ve never seen me before, and to the police, one Zebra generally looks the same as any other”

Cauldron looks back, and it becomes evident that Pear is slinking up. She has all four idols with her

>>103913
Iron nods to his partner, knowing she is relatively safe from institutional retaliation.
However, when Pear brings the idols with her, a small chill courses through Iron's spine.
"Uh oh. They are definitely planning something," he mutters.

>>103914
Pear casually slinks up to Iron and Cauldron
“For all of my colleagues... ‘lack of tact,’ he has a point. Removing items from an archeological site without careful cataloguing can disrupt the investigative process”

>>103915
He nods.
"While I agree, I must point out that these pots are not the only examples of coins inside the temple. There are some strewn about the floor, even including chalices still untouched by us."
(Time to make my play.)
He sighs.
"I have risked my body for you to be able to document what history is in here."
Looking at Cauldron's most recent wound, he continues.
"I simply cannot take a measely 10 or 20 percent of profits when I almost died about 3 to 4 times and even got my partner injured because I insisted on being here when she was extremely reluctant to accompany me."
He looks back at her, determined. "We deserve better for enabling you to reach the story you waited for so long, risking your boss' mood for it. This was what you wanted. A story worthy to document. Not some pots that add to the footnote of what really matters here: What happened to these ponies."
(Hopefully this works.)

>>103916
She blinks, then says “very well,” and slinks past Iron, almost as if the question never interested her in the first place

Cauldron has a kind of irritated look on her face

[1d20 = 15]
>>103917
Iron uses empathy to feel Cauldron's emotions that cause her irritation.
aka Sense motive.
(That went better than expected. I assumed something bad was going to happen. Still, that should spread the tiniest seed of doubt on enforcing her partner's wishes... hopefully. Cee-vee-lized folk are strange.)

>>103918
She’s been shot, personally killed at least 2 ponies, and has generally been involved in a large amount of haste she is not used to

>>103919
Surprised she only showed these emotions now, tbh. Guess adrenaline is fading.
Iron is bemused that expedition ponies are trying to implicitly state threats if he doesn't give away the pots and agree to their rather unfair trade.
He wraps a foreleg around Cauldron, knowing the pain she's going through, and pats the zebra's shoulder.
He checks his body to see if all the pots are strapped on his body.

The DA randomly decided to pretty much dismiss all of the misdemeanor marijuana cases. Going through every unresolved case from the last six years took a while

Some defense attorney went around my back and got the first assistant to dismiss a cruelty to animals case I spent hours working on. I am not pleased

>>103920
She accepts the foreleg, but remains serious in her demeanor
“What is next?”

>>103921
Oof. That is quite the sudden and dickish moves that have recently happened to you.
That defense attorney is a real dick. Pretty sure he/she wants to hinder you because he/she's scared of you having better success than her tbh.
"We are in the final stretch. If we were to stay the night here and rest aka get some HP through hours of resting and losing rations., do you think they will have enough of a headstart to reach a city and report us?"

>>103922
“I do not know, but much can happen in a day”

>>103923
Iron hums.
"We should leave then, before they decide to actually go through with reporting us. It should be a safe trip with you watching my flank."
He squeezes a small hug with his foreleg.

>>103924
This gets a brief smile out of her
“I’m skeptical as to how safe things are going to be”

>>103925
Iron ponders.
"Do you know how much we need to travel to reach cee-vee-lai-sei-tion?"

>>103926
“We are a number of miles from the nearest railway station. We could also follow the river. There should be a village or saw mill eventually, and onwards to Saltmane, Mareida, or Tenochtitlan.”

>>103927
"Perhaps going along the river is best. It would increase our chances to pass by without much issue and allows us to rest and heal our wounds before setting off."
BTW how much heal for simple resting instead of sleeping?

>>103928
“It increases the chances of encounters with other ponies, if that matters to you” she says. She sounds calmer, but with a slight air of stress still about her
Perhaod half as much, but Iron still needs to sleep eventually to avoid being exhausted

>>103929
Seeing Cauldron calm herself with the proposition means that she really needs this rest to restore her sanity.
"I do not think it will be much of a problem. We fought hard and now we rest for a bit."
He squeezes her again.
"It gives me more time to feel your smooth coat."
Good enough. Real sleep comes when mission is complete. I'll take this downtime to excuse myself, since I have class soon. See you in 4 hours!

>>103930
“Eeep!”
*Zebra is hugged*

>>103931
I hope Brie comes around today.

Spark looks around to see if there is anypony passing by talking. It seems Spark's favorite pastime is eavesdropping.

>>103932
Coming from the area of the check point are two earth ponies, one of a grey coloration, the other of a pink, scurrying by:
“We can’t leave Cinnamon Heart”
“The consulate will provide us with papers... don’t lose hope. We will get her soon.”

Two ponies, both unicorn stallions, in line to go across the border:
“I’ve seen commissars occasionally, visiting the Paper Mill at Riverside. I was an engineer on the pulp mill there when one visited, in a random inspection. He didn’t ask me any questions, but I could see he looked at me with clear disdain when he passed”
“I haven’t had that issue, or at least I haven’t seen it. I did a number of geological surveys in the occupied zone in the Messabi area two months back. Bare woods. No pony bothered me. The woods were surprisingly quiet. I was expecting them to be teaming with action.”

An earth pony mare mare with two foals, petting the medium length hair of s lime colored filly:
“It’s okay, you will see your father. We’ll just have meet him at Whinnychester. It’s okay. It’s okay.”

>>103933
Although all are interesting and a bit depressing, Spark tries to listen in to the ones talking about a Cinnamon Heart and hopefully learn a bit more.

>>103934
>>103934
Through listening to them, Spark learns that the group of mares is a group of either friends or relatives who are trying to emigrate from the Changeling zone into East Equestria. “Cinnamon Heart” is the third member of that group. These two mares were able to cross, but due to some defect in paperwork at some point, Cinnamon Heart was not allowed to emigrate. These two mares seem more than a little disturbed by this fact, and one of them hopes to talk a consulate into providing the requisite paperwork

>>103935
Hmm... I don't know how we could help as we would be going the opposite way, but worth a shot if we run into her.

>>103936
And thus, Spark chooses to do nothing

>>103937
What's that mean? I don't think I can cross the border, snatch a pony, and bring her back by myself. I need some level of teamwork.

>>103938
Use sorcerer magic to teleport the last mare to the other side.
Teleport as in sweettalk the guards to death.
>>103931
Gimme a minute or two to reach laptop status to continue. I need my Mad Fast Typez to treat the zebra like a chieftain!

>>103939
Fine. I guess if I should die on this mission, it might as well be now.
>>103937
I approach the ponies that were discussing Cinnamon Heart.

>>103940
Spark would have been sitting inside of the cabin of the carriage in a red cushioned seat that facing an opposed set of seats, along with the ersatz foals. To listen to the condensations, he would have pulled the latch up on the window, and slid the window open to look out at the passing ponies. Now, Spark opens the door on the carriage to get out, possibly doing the same careful opening and closing one night use to prevent a pet dog from exiting a house as you leave, Spark doing the same to prevent the ersatz foals from roaming about. Spark walks towards the two mares, looking at them. The grey earth pony mare is the first to take notice of Spark, looking at him approaching, but not saying anything to him. As he comes closer, the pink mare notices the grey mare looking over to her left (and the pink mare’s right), and decides to look over that direction for herself. Neither yet says anything to Spark

>>103941
"I heard you mention something about somepony not making it though the border?"

>>103931
Iron lessens his grip on Cauldron, smiling like a doofus.
"I think you would like some time to relax and let go of any and all fears. Do not worry. I am here to help you through and create the best opportunity you will ever have in your life."
He frowns, looking ahead of Cauldron, then returning his gaze, smiling again.
"At least for now. There might be even bigger opportunities that can help you accomplish any dream you have ever had."

>>103942
Grey mare:
“Yes?”
She looks at him uncertain of his intent, but she is swiftly outspoken by the pink mare.

Pink mare:
“Yes! My sister Cinnamon Heart was supposed to come with us, but the border guard said that she did not have adequate cause for going through the border. Now on my paper it said that the two of us were going to live with our grandmother in Manehattan to help support her, and Cold Stone here had her paper that said she was going to Manehattan to live with her husband whom she said emigrated earlier. Now the guard saw us and saw that the three of us were together, and they passed through Cold Stone here first, then they let me through and stamped my passport, but when Cinnamon Heart came up and also told them that she was going to live with our grandmother to support her in her old age they told her that our grandmother only needed one pony to support her. So they refused to stamp her papers. I thought that that wasn’t right, so I tried to argue with the guard but he told us to get back, so we had to go on through and Cinnamon Geart had to get out of line. She’s my sister and so we’ve been around for years, I don’t want us to be delegated. Cold Stone says she thinks we can get permission from the consulate here, but I don’t know about that. I do not want to lose my sister...”

She speaks quickly and indefinitely. Her coat has a kind of faded appearance, almost like a pastel colored Easter egg dipped in the dye only momentarily. She looks unhealthy, a bit undernourished and slightly wrinkly. Her eyes look tired, even as her voice conveys energy.

>>103944
She looks at him, then let’s our breath in a very long sigh
“I guess that’s true. These should sell for quite a large amount. That should open up some opportunities

>>103945
"You aren't going to lose your sister. Don't worry."
Spark turns to Cold Stone.
"Do you really think you can get permission here? How much of a long shot is that?"

>>103946
“Oh thank you, I don’t even know how I could live without my sister I really need her...” she continues speaking very quickly

Cold Stone’s disposition is more reserved.
“Who are you? We were going to go talk to the consulate to see if they could provide us with a visa”
Cold Stone is also slightly malnourished looking, but has more muscle than the thin pink pony

>>103945
Iron does his best to huggle the zebra.
"You still sound rather sad about it."

>>103947
"Just consider me a friend. Now, if you try for that visa and it doesn't work out, come back to me. I will get her through."

>>103948
“It’s been a long day.”
Cauldron actually doesn’t really feel that soft. Her hair is short and slightly course, Iron can definitely feel that she has been sweating, and under her skin she has tangible muscle. All in all she is built more for work than for show. Her skin fits on kind of loosely, but not too losely.

>>103949
Cold Stone is left in skeptical silence

Pink mare:
“Oh thank you! Thank you thank you thank you!”

>>103950
Spark smiles at the pink mare.
"Now hurry and see about that visa."

>>103950
That's more akin to smooth. Still like. Iron is most likely sweaty too, so no issue there.
"'The biggest rewards are always at the top of the mountain'," he chuckles to himself. "That is what my brother told me once."
His goofy smile is still plastered on his face.

>>103951
“But the consulate is in downtown. At least I’ve heard it’s in downtown. I’ve never been here before and I’ve never spoken to a consulate...”

>>103953
"Well, if you would like, I can tag along to make sure we get to the right place."

>>103952
“Did your brother give you any advice on fighting entire hordes of bandits? If it were just me, I would have let them be”

>>103955
"Oh, my brother would have simply rushed them, dodging everything they threw at him. Perhaps grapple one of them to use as a shield or do some flips, bucking down at an unsuspecting bandit."
He smiles.
"He is really, really hard to hit to begin with. He would have made defeating these bandits a dirtwalk."
(I would have done the same if I did not leave my armor and shield at Cauldron's place.)
He frowns.
"He may not like the idea of taking this for profit, though."

>>103957
“Hmmm.... I don’t know about all that. What do you mean ‘taking this for profit’?”

>>103956
It's up to you.

>>103958
He shakes the pots on his pony body to highlight the thing that might annoy his brother.

>>103960
“No, I know that. I mean why would he not like it?”

>>103959
Eh...

>>103961
Iron looks up, a bit uncomfortable
"His master made him a goody-four-horseshoes. Help the weak, punish evil-doers and the like."
He ponders a bit.
"Now that I think about it, this situation would probably stumpt him if it happens with the results we have gotten. Sacrifice your brother's work to make the expedition ponies happy or make the weak ponies sad by allowing us to leave with the gains we have rightfully gotten by combat."

>>103962
“Oh, so he fancied himself a knight in shining armor”

>>103963
Iron nods.
"He most definitely would not agree to help if this was the outcome."
He pointed at the expedition ponies.
"If he had cleared the place of bandits himself, he would have gladly given almost everything to the expedition ponies, escort them back home and even do any special favors they would ask later."

>>103964
“Oh really? You say his ‘master’ made him like that? What do you mean?”

>>103965
"From what I managed to witness back when I was a foal, my brother would always commune with one of the younger elders. He would give some sort of rule of his moral code, then go on to teach them his techniques."
He yawns.
"It was as boring as you would imagine. Laying in place for half of the day, repeatedly punch the air and other silly stuff like that."

>>103966
“And what made you different?”

>>103967
Iron deadpans.
"Do you think I can lay still for half a day, doing nothing? That is boring."
He pulls his free foreleg up and flexes it.
"This is the result of endless fights and other competitve activities from young. Only through brawling and having fun I learned."
A sudden pain from his chest forces Iron to stop flexing.
"I should not have done that... Ow."
He rubs his chest.

>>103968
Iron should have quite a few pains in his chest. Billets have not been removed and are still lodged inside of him, and he is not fully healed by any means. At best, the bleeding is stopped

>>103969
I know, but flexing only amplifies said pain. Mostly used as a joke.
Iron pokes his collection of bullet wounds, now wondering what they are doing in there.

>>103968
“But why do you not agree with him on helping the weak, or whatever moral issue it was?”

>>103971
Iron cocks his eyebrow.
"I never said that. I only said that the elder's method of training is boring. I would not simply punch a harmless pony without reason. You even saw me not attack a mare with a stupidly powerful weapon until the last second."
He sighs.
"I suppose it is because of how rigid his teaching was that made me dislike his methods. Punching the air 50 times in the same way numbs my mind."

>>103972
“No, I am asking you why you say you would take the coins as profit, but your brother would not. Why are you okay with it?”

>>103973
Iron simply cocks his head.
"I do it because I got through all the bandits and therefore should get a big compensation for my efforts. Not to mention your share of work that you did, and I did promise you would get life-changing money"
He lays down.
"I am okay with it because we got them through a fight, however unequal it was against us. To the victor goes the spoils. Meanwhile, my brother simply decides to give almost all of his belongings out, as if his efforts does not need any sort of compensation. He just does it because 'it is the right thing to do' and gallops into the sunset."
His head lays down, a frown on his face staring ahead.
"It is like he does not care for himself at all."

>>103974
She nods to Iron, with an expression of uncertainty upon her face

[1d20 = 9]
>>103975
Iron looks up at Cauldron, standing up again. He uses the power of empathy to see what makes her uncertain.

>>103976
She’s conflicted, although what about, Iron cannot tell

>>103977
Internal conflict? Not on my watch!
Iron initiates physical affection, hugging the zebra.

>>103961
What do you think?

>>103978
Cauldron by this time is laying down on the ground. But she’s still huggable, with a neck and ears that are extending upwards

>>103979
I don’t know

>>103980
Awwwww. Can't I just do this mission and catch back up with the rest? Who knows how many more times I will miss them.

>>103980
If that's the case...
Iron lays next to her, wrapping a foreleg around her neck.
"Is something the matter?"

>>103982
“My father had me raised as a strict Harmonist... we are supposed to help the weak. It kind of feels like a betrayal of his values.”

>>103984
"Do you mean you have never helped the weak before?"
(So does she care about the debtors?)

>>103985
"... Maybe not as often as I should have"

>>103986
"Are you able to help them without risking your own livelihood?"

>>103987
“I don’t know...”

>>103988
Iron squeezes Cauldron lightly.
"You cannot help the ponies you want to help because you are not in a position to help them."
He smiles.
"Now that you will have the opportunity to better your life, you will be able to help the ponies you want to help more often."

>>103989
She smiles briefly
“I guess that is true... I still feel like I don’t understand. Why do you disagree with your brother on his... morality?”

>>103990
"My brother simply... helps others because it is what a good pony does. It is strange to simply help without having an ulterior motive behind it."
He frowns.
"He will never stick around anywhere, as he will simply wander almost aimlessly forever and doing good deeds as he goes. Help a colt down a tree? He does it, then leaves when he ensures the family is well. He cannot stay with others with his moral code."

>>103992
Cauldron blinks, then twists her head
“But a good pony sticks with friends and family, and helps them above all others”

>>103993
Iron sighs.
"He thinks all ponies are family, one way or another."

>>103994
>>103994
Her mouth hangs slightly open, and her eyes are wide.
“Huh” then a laugh “he!” And then “I can say safely that all ponies don’t think I am a part of their family”
She looks away
“Not that I would expect a random pony on the street to fill in for my shift, or pose for an art project anyways...”

>>103996
Iron squeezes her some more.
"I do not know about you, but I think you are part of my family."
He smiles.
"You are the most reliable pony I have ever had the pleasure to meet."
His smile turns mischevious.
"You can draw me as one of your Prench mares if you want to. It is only fair."

>>103997
She blushes a little, and gives a full laugh
“Hahaha, it’s Obere who is the artist, not me”

>>103998
Iron ponders.
"So you pose for your sister?"

>>103999
She laughs, and lightly pushes a hoof back at him
“He’s my brother, and not like that! Just so he can practice drawing faces”

>>104001
Iron strains to contain a laugh.
"Alrigh-pfft-Alright. I think I get it."
He breathes in, feeling the firm, smooth hoof on his body while containing his laughter.
"And you offer your face every single day?"

>>104002
Cauldron, previously laying down, sits up
“When she needs it”

>>104004
Wait, so the artist is a she now?
Iron follows suit, nodding.
"What about the shift you mentioned? You mean in your family's restaurant?"

>>104003
Doth mine eyes deceive me?

>>104005
You hush
“Well, yes”

>>104006
Neigh they doth not

>>104006
Soz
"Have you proposed looking for a replacement, maybe using some sort of sign on the door asking?"

>>103858
“But what about it feels strange?”

>>104008
“Oh, my father has hired help before. I am talking about when one of us needs a temporary to fill in. He likes to have us around because he knows he can trust us, but not necessarily a stranger. Besides, we sometimes need part-time employment”

>>104009
Iron lights the mind torch.
"Ah, so you only work there periodically when one of the ponies he hired are not available?"

>>104009
"...... I'm Not Sure."

>>104010
“When my father asks me, or my brother or sister”

>>104011
“Well, trust your gut, but know that only solid info can keep the area stable and safe from infiltrators”

>>104012
Iron ponders.
"Do you like cooking or potion making more?"

>>104012
"Was there anything else you wished to know about the shooting,Sir?"

>>104013
“Potion making. There’s more complexity to it. More artistry. More science. More precise measuring abs compounds too expensive to mess up a batch, and more reward from making a successful potion. But I don’t discount cooking either. It too, has an art to it, and a feeling of making something good.”

>>104014
“What did the stallion tell you? I’ve heard from Blue Skies, but not from you.”

>>104015
Iron smiles.
"Your food is enough testament to that."
He unfocuses his gaze on Cauldron.
"Would you like to do potion making as your job?"

>>104015
"Well it Began when i Told them "I Knew what you did." i wasnt expecting to Hear he was a part of the WaterFront Gang."

>>104016
The stripes mix together, and she becomes a blur
“I think potion making”

>>104017
“It’s far from surprising. The Baltimare police system has been corrupt for some time. Mayor Larry Berry was just below the Chief of Police before he was voted in to replace High Tower, who resigned in a scandal. The police have been taking many bribes, and generally tolerate organized crime where it doesn’t kill anyone or overstep its bounds. They think that the gangs can’t really be stopped, and fighting them will cause violence, so they let them continue practices like loan snarking. That may have been what you stumbled in on. But there is more to it than that. More recently, the gangs have taken a role in supporting partisans, mostly by means of weapon smuggling. We don’t know the exact field of relationships between the Baltimare Social Democrats, the gangs, and the left wing partisans, but we have reason to believe it is more than nothing.”

>>104019
Blinking multiple times, he nods, smiling.
"With this amount of money, you can definitely afford to make potions as your job."

>>104020
“Well, there’s more to it than that. Starting up my own shop would be like running a business, which has its own set of issues”

>>104021
He cocks his head.
"What kind of issues?"

>>104022
“Dealing with customers, accounting, finance, employees, advertisement, and so forth.”

>>104023
"The potential of potion making should make dealing with these issues simple. You only need to showcase the benefits of the potions to skyrocket your work."
He pokes his chin.
"Maybe give out potions to increase someone's ability to think, spot and other enhancements to the body. That would surely be useful, and profitable."

>>104019
"well,Sir. If i may Speak Frankly. it sounds like they are a bunch of Treacherous Pussies who Don't Have What it takes to Protect our Ponies. they should be treated just like the communists for letting them operate at all."

>>104024
>>104024
She smiles
“Maybe I will open my own potions shop.”

Then she adds
“If you want to advertise enhancements...”

>>104025
This makes Sea Breeze laugh, and he closes his eyes and leans down, until he leans down to a position that must hurt his old wounds. He composes himself, and sits up, all in the span of a few seconds

“I think you may misunderstand our directives. The Caretaker government’s purpose, above all else, is to achieve stability in the lands under its control, with secondary goals of providing raw materials and exactions for metropolitan New Mareland. We have sought stability by leaving continuity in the government and society of the administered territories, even by allowing democratic elections and letting officials stay in power who would not be acceptable under different circumstances. I understand that you wish the rot in your homelands to be pulled out by the root, but unfortunately the Caretaker government is not able to do that with our current directives and resources.”

>>104026
Iron simply smiles back.
"You know I am going to accept your request. We always stick together."
Another wrap of the foreleg on Cauldron's neck.
"We are the dynamic duo!"

>>104026
Dark Star Frowns And Then Looks Down.
"I See."

>>104027
She laughs awkwardly, then says “what?”

>>104028
“Dark Star, I understand your frustrations. I do not want to see Equestrian society, nor any part of Faustian Civilization fall into its Long Night. But the rot is very deeply rooted here, and the ponies will likely be resistant to, or perhaps even appalled by, the measures necessary to eliminate the decay in society. Imagine you have a home where terminates have eaten away at every wall. Imagine you have a family living there who cannot go away, even for a weekend. How do you fix the problem? It is going to take some time at least, and perhaps a change in the overall situation before a full change is possible.”

He pauses, then continues,
“Look at it this way. So long as the caretaker government is in power here, the situation cannot deteriorate much. The Griffins are held at bay, the Communists are kept out, the worst excesses of International Capitalism are held in check, the Changelings-“

“Hegemony,” Blue Skies interrupts
Sea Breeze gives her a condemning glance, but does not stop speaking “are kept from dominating Free Equestria, and the worst parts of social liberalization are also kept from their terrible advancement. So long as the Caretaker government reigns, Baltimare May be saved from its Long Night”

>>104029
Dark Star Keeps quiet. But he returns to looking at Sea Breeze.

>>104029
Iron chuckles.
"I got excited."

>>104030
“Well... any further questions?”

>>104031
She gives a half smirk, and and a playfully corral expression

>>104032
"None Particularly,Sir. Actually, is there anything else that needs to be done?"

>>104032
Iron blushes a little bit.
"What?"

>>104033
“There’s always something that needs to be done.”

>>104034
critical, not corral
“Nevermind”

>>104035
"What Needs to be done?"

[1d20 = 11]
>>104035
Iron does the unthinkable, booping the zebra on the snoot!

[1d20+7 = 19]
>>104037
Reflex save!

>>104036
“Everything. It’s like gardening, always tending to something. There’s investigating attacks upon the military, investigating tips about partisan activities or espionage, cultivating community watch programs, talking to locals, setting up sting operations for local government officials believed to be corrupt, investigating the loyalty of territorial soldiers, surveilling areas, taking part in raids, and so forth. There are a few tasks for the civilian government as well that may be necessary.”

>>104038
"Talking To Locals about what?"

>>104039
Pic

>>104040
“Talk to them about their issues with the caretaker government, what their wants and concerns are, who they are afraid of, and ultimately, any subversive activities”

>>104041
So... I'll just... take that as a yes.
Iron barely boops the zebra mare next to him.
"Do not act silly. You were definitely thinking something."

>>104042
“Yip yip! Yip Yip!”

>>104043
Iron chuckles.
"Spill it out."

>>104044
“Spill what out?”

>>104041
"Hmmmmm that sounds pretty light. maybe i wont get shot again."
He Laughs

>>104045
"You said 'nevermind' just a second ago."
Iron squints his eyes in mock determination.
"And I will find out what you meant."

>>104047
“You just said you got excited, and it was strange. That is all”

>>104046
“Maybe not. It’s very different work”

>>104048
Iron blinks.
"What is so strange about being excited?"

>>104049
“Oh, nevermind. There is nothing to it, really”

[1d20 = 16]
>>104050
Emapthy time!
What is Cauldron thinking about?

>>104048
"i'll take Care of it."