Welcome back to Occupied Equestria
Dark Star, Silver, Iron, and Midnight continue their investigation and hopefully, the take down of a group of organized criminals who have taken up operations at an old fortress on the sea shore. They have already rescued a number of creatures and persuaded them to join in their efforts. Now, they most hope that they can strike with enough force, and quickly enough, to destroy the evil that has taken up residence there.
Up in the North, the ponies are waking up, ready for a new day
New bread, neat.
>>117000So, in the interest of not making you write each and every single document out, are the documents of any importance to their investigation? Any particular bits of information about this organization that may shed some light, or help to bring their end?
>>117001 →"Oh"
she looks at it
"Well thank you"
She looks to see how well it fits her
>>117003 →She smiles back at him
>>117002Unfortunately, that is a question that Silver must decide. They appear to be probably business records, and maybe some documents relating to the logistics of housing creatures in that location
>>117006Silver doesn't have the luxury of time in this regard to look through them. He takes what of them he can carry, figuring it's a matter for other ponies to look through.
>>117006>>117007"What you got there silver?"
>>117009"Various documents, kinds of things for other ponies with more time than us to sort through."
>>117006Iron awaits Khoi's eventual judgement on how well the suit fits her.
>>117011She twists her mouth
"If I am to be in front of line... This will serve"
>>117010"Hoof em here,i'll store em in my bag."
>>117012Iron nods with a smile before rummaging another jacket with the second best protection, particularly for the far more agile Sands and Jubilosa.
>>117016Oh boy.
[1d20 = 6]<Maybe by waving my hooves, two sets of good armor for the NPC mares will appear in front of me
>>117017Maybe one set of weaker leather
>>117018Damn.Iron takes the weaker leather clothing, trying to give it to Jubilosa.
"I hope this helps."
Um.... Are Silver, Dark Star, or Midnight there?
>>117007She takes it, looks back to Iron, and is a little unsatisfied with the jacket, but takes it nevertheless, trying to fit it
>>117020Damn. Pride damage. The worst damage.Iron looks expectantly at Jubilosa to see if it fits.
>>117021>>117019Fortunately, mostly. If anything it's kind of big, and thankfully it has wingholes
>>117020Yeah. Internet cut out on me for a second there.
>>117022Iron chews his lip in dissatisfaction, but nods at her.
(I hope this actually gives her some protection.)
Finally, he turns to see Sands, wondering if she finally figured out the knives he gave her.
>>117024It looks as if she has, though she doesn't seem to intend to use them as throwing weapons
>>117026Iron decides to search the room some more in case something may be missing that could be useful.
[1d20-1 = 17]<Smol brain native digging through stuff like a hobo
>>117027Hmmmm. Another luck roll
>>117028nervous sweating[1d20 = 12]<inb4 nat 1
>>117029>>117027There are a set of restraints on the shelf, besides some more papers and a mirror
>>117030Iron smiles.
(Nice.)
He takes the restraints, putting them in his clothing, followed by skimming the papers in front of him as well as the mirror.
>>117031Some of the papers are recent receipts, others, much older
>>117032>receiptsIron reads more carefully the newest receipt to see what they are all about.
>>117033This particular one seems to be a purchase of heating oil
>>117034Iron nods.
(Oh, so simple purchases of this 'oil' thing)
He checks the oldest receipt
>>117035The oldest documents, in a separate folder, are not receipts at all. Something about a "Mint Berry" admitted briefly after a bout of homelessness
>>117036>Mint BerryThat name sounds familiar.He inspects some of the older documents, trying to see if they can find a written document of one of the captives.
He beckons Skies over, hoping she knows if one of the ponies in this document is a missing pony.
>>117037Skies walks over and looks at it
"This is at least 50 years old, probably older"
>>117038Iron frowns.
"Help me out here, boss. I bet there is some written evidence of missing ponies in here."
And thus, his paper scanning commences.
[1d20-1 = 3]<Natives are not meant to be assistants
[1d20 = 18]>>117039rolling to help
[1d20+11 = 30]>>117039"Alright..."
She looks at the papers
>>117039Might as well.
[1d20-1 = 13]
>>117042>>117040Oh
now you two show up
>>117043i've been around.
>>117044You know, the whole silence thing after passing the whiskey between the two of you. Kinda made me believe you went to bed.
>>117046Silver was given whiskey? I completely missed that.
>>117047Oh whoops. Misread. I meant after passing the documents to Star.
Anywhey, going to bed. Night.
>>117039>>117037>>117042>>117045She silently looks over the documents, combing through them. At the end, she picks out a page, holds it before her with a hoof, and reads it in silence. After a minute, she lowers the document, sighs, and says solemnly
"I don't want to say they are the perfect victims... but the thing about illegal aliens is, the government doesn't really have papers proving they were there in the first place.
This... 'criminal enterprise,' seems to target mostly immigrants without papers and war refugees. These are people who have few relatives and connections to this land. No one would know that they are missing, because no one knew that they were there. Most of the creatures who know them live thousands of miles away, and even then, many of those creatures are either dead, living in a war zone, or in a dictatorship. Communication is poor.
Sure, Ponies notice them. The police see faces on the street, they eat food which travels by vans, they check into the hospitals, they use utilities and they rent out apartments. But they are not noticed as
individuals. It's kind of like hearing the scratches mice make when they scurry through the walls. You know they are there, sure, but you don't see them. You don't even know how many there are. And so it is with these creatures. You never quite know if they were abducted, or if they just moved away.
And on top of all of this, this is a group that, if they survive and witness something, doesn't always want to go get help from the government. They are afraid they will be deported. If they report what they see, they will not want to go to court to testify. They live in the shadows. It's hard to see when one goes missing."
>>117051Iron curls his lips in frustration.
"So basically, this search is fruitless because they do not actually care about these ponies. Great."
He sighs dissapointedly, going back to the door of Records.
"I will wait for Star and Silver to finish up their rummaging to look out for any patrols that happen to pass by here," he states with the barest hint of morosity in his voice. "Come along, Sands."
And so, he opens the door and walks out, leaning against a wall next to it, eyes scanning the corridor.
I wanted to note that Midnight Lily has changed classes from Cleric to Paladin, so a slightly different pony
>>117053Roger doger.
I suppose that's more layers of clothing to unpack~
>>117051"Sounds like a tough existence."
A couple changes to make note of in addition to class. She's now a pegasus, she now has two shortswords instead of her dagger and her pistol, but she does still have her necklace.>>117051Midnight shakes her head
"It is a sad life. Let us hope we can help them."
>>117052"I would hardly call it 'fruitless'. There are shipping records that can help us tell what shipping companies they were using, who they were working with in Griffonia and Zebrica, and things like food purchases that can help us guess how many creatures are living here at any one time"
By this time Iron is already walking away, and Skies is talking to no one. So she just stops talking
>>117057I don't know about all that...>>117056>>117057"Well, it's definitely not helpful for our purposes"
>>117058She simply shrugs
"It is still a sad existence for them"
>>117052Hopefully those footsteps down the hall stay far enough away. No creature visible in the secondary corridor
>>117059"In many ways it can be, yes"
That damned whispering again. It's a bit louder now though
"Do you want to have wings, Midnight?""Would you like to punish those who reside here?"
>>117060She closes her eyes, clenching her jaw as she listens to the voices.
"Shut up, shut UP"She then looks back at Skies
"Then let us find a way to help them"
>>117060>>117058Iron huffs to himself, deciding to absent-mindedly pet Sands as he stares at her hooves vacantly, his ears ready to detect any clawsteps around him.
(I have to wonder why ponies cooperate with eachother on such a grand scale only to abuse said deal.)
>>117061Fuckin' Mala must be whispering
"There are ways indeed to help them"Skies is silent for a moment, then returns
"There might be more upstairs"
>>117062Sands gives an expression of surprise, evidently not anticipating being pet. Her eyes focus on the nearing hoof, her face moves away. But when the hoof comes, and it pets her, she realizes there is nothing to fear, and she lets him pet her, closing her eyes, and now placing her head closer to him.
Her hair is not the softest. If anything, it feels a bit ragged. Like it needs to be washed. Much the same with her hooves, which while belonging to a set of pretty feat, could stand to use a trim.
Off in the distance, further away, Iron can hear what does indeed sound like claw steps. Maybe it's up a set of stairs, maybe in the tunnel. But it's not in this hallway. Not in this little corridor. It's just him and Sands here for now
>>117063"Shall we investigate? It can't hurt"
>>117063"Well... it can. If there are too many armed creatures"
"What would you like to know?"
>>117065"Hmmm, fine. That is a good point."
Midnight looks around, not quite frantically
yet, for the source of the voice.
>>117063Iron looks up to see Sands leaning in on the petting, causing him to smile a little.
(It is easy to handle a couple of ponies here and there. Manage their issues and such, and if it does not work, one simply fights the other to determine the victor, maybe cast him out.)
His hoof brushes along her mane, taking one step closer towards her to allow him more comfortable strokes.
(Little worlds, caring for themselves, not a big, unfeeling world of metal.)
>>117065"I will try my best to make sure they hurt only me."
>>117066Mala is moving up from behind, evidently heading to the door after interesting himself in the cigars and whiskey. His voice is a little off for it. Khoi is already by the door. Her voice is
definitely off for it. The voice sounded most like it came from just over Midnight's right shoulder. The best candidate for that is Meadows, who is over to the right. She is blinking and has a hoof on the shelf, probably testing out her vision. She's not finding the exit soon.
>>117067Now, she takes a few steps closer, and leans into him. She wants him to stroke her mane
>>117068"Oh Silver... You don't need to be that brave"
>>117070Mala looks over, and speaks with his detached, defeated sounding voice
"That's the main dorm area. There might be some captives there. Same with the workshop. But it's nighttime, that's less likely"
>>117069He nods. "I appreciate the thought, but it is better that I am one who gets hurt than rest of group. Do not worry, I am tough pony."
>>117069Iron obviously obliges on Sands' request, accepting her leaning fully, deciding to sit down against the wall slowly to make sure Sands doesn't fall from his change in position and starts stroking her mane with his two hooves.
(A life like this, where a pony only needs a couple of other ponies with different skills and similar interests living off the land.)
>>117069Midnight sighs at the group, before walking over to Meadows, making sure to make a few noises to announce her presence.
"I know I am asking a loaded question, but are you okay?"
>>117072She places a hoof behind his right ear in an almost petting action
"D'aww, you're adorable when you're so selfless. But seriously. Don't get killed"
>>117073She sits down as well, up against Iron. Her mane is long, and could use a brushing. Khoi Lua walks by, looks over at the two, and expresses visible disgust at the public display of affection
>>117074Meadows looks around, then points her head at Midnight. When midnight speaks, she smiles, as if joyed that she recognizes the shape in front of her as a pony.
"No... I... One of those monsters got me. A Rakshasa. I almost died. I think I am safe now, I hope."
>>117071"Mala where do the guards sleep?"
>>117075"I see, would you like me to assist you for the time being? Maybe later I can help to heal you as well."
>>117075Iron looks at Khoi quizzically at her expression as his hooves stroke her long mane and he rubs his coat lightly against hers.
"Is something the matter, Khoi?"
>>117075The ear folds in a sign of enjoyment. "I have not died yet. Are we ready to move out?"
>>117076He blinks, then looks over to the right. Back the way they came
"You met all of the gnolls, right?"
>>117078She just shakes her head, and walks forward a little. Sands seems to be enjoying it
"No pony has stroked my mane in a while"
>>117079"Yes, I am ready"
She takes a few papers, and places them in a sack she has
>>117077"Yes, if you can? You are... not a Rashaka too, are you?... Nevermind... Yes, I would be delighted"
>>117080"Yes, i assumed there's more than just 2 gnolls down here guarding the prisoners."
>>117080Midnight gently lays a wing across the pony's shoulders, judging her reaction
"Of course I'm not, I just wish to help you if I can."
>>117081"Well, there were four of us...."
He looks away, and down
"Yeah, those were all of us that lived down here... But those who live up there, who are actually part of the Society... There are many of them, and they might find arms if they know danger is coming"
>>117082She flinches a little, as she didn't seem to anticipate the touching
"I am... weak. I am afraid I will be a burden"
>>117080Deciding that he should test the touching boundaries for Khoi later, Iron gives Sands a little smile and a chuckle.
"I can imagine."
He strokes for a little bit in silence.
"Do you have any loved ones you are eager to go back to?"
>>117083"A pony in need is never a burden to me. I have dedicated my life to helping others, and would be honored to help you."
>>117083"How many do you reckon are up there?"
>>117084She looks at him, and blinks. Then she opens her mouth as if to say something. But she just blinks again, and nothing comes out
>>117085She is already standing, but when she lurches forward, she seems to raise in height half an inch, coming out of what must have been a resting stance. She walks a pace closer towards Midnight, placing her hoof in the air and gliding it over the ground as if feeling for any obstacles in her path. She wobbles almost like a newborn foal
"If you could just stop any others... from becoming like me..."
>>117086He looks up, and places his teeth together - row after row, of unsettlingly sharp teeth - in a fearful wince.
"I... I don't know. I think at least a couple dozen. Before I came here I heard they were raided by police, and they lost half their number. Then last year, at the end of the pony civil war, after the ships stopped coming, they were raided again, and again they lost half their number. But they grow back. They gain new members every month"
>>117087Iron cocks his head, worried, while the mane stroking continues.
"Is something wrong, Sands?"
>>117087Midnight steps to Meadow's side, wrapping a wing around her barrel, as if inviting her to lean on her.
"Of course, but for now just rest. I will keep you safe."
>>117087"Do you know how they recruit?"
>>117088She looks down, and ahead, as if focusing a hundred meters distant
"No... I don't think I do" She says, finally answering Iron's question
>>117089Meadows is noticeably taller than Midnight, and with visible ribs as well. Instead of leaning, she moves her legs, and locks into a resting position, standing up
"I-I am afraid that if I rest, I will waste away. And my legs will fall off my body. I must move"
>>117090His head is low, but his muzzle is level. He speaks to Dark Star
"Sort of... They look for the vulnerable. Those who wants omething very badly, but can't seem ever to get it. Those looking for power, respect, revenge, money... someone to talk to. To be around... I think most of them come from across the seas. Apparently they have groups over there. They smuggle them in, same as the captives. Some, they recruit from here in the city. That's how they found me. It was a creature I knew in the brief time I was in school who told me. I was happy to have a bed, and some creatures to talk to. Before, all I could eat was bread. That made me weak and feel sick. .... . I thought of joining the Society itself. But there was a separate set of gnolls, who worked for them but didn't participate in their activities because of culture I guess. I was excited to be around gnolls, so I went with that group. I got kind of stuck with that group. This whole time I felt I made a mistake by not pleading to be let into the bigger group"
>>117091Iron cocks an eyebrow, still trimming that ragged mane of hers with a tiny blush on her cheeks
"That is quite surprising. A mare like you would have made some waves with your beauty."
He hums slightly.
"It is not like you appeared out of nowhere, right?"
>>117092"You don't have to come from nowhere, to end up nowhere."
She looks up to him with those sparkling green eyes
"Enough of me. Tell me of you"
>>117092Silver, listening in on th conversation for want of things to do, briefly glares at Iron. "Or...something has happened to her loved ones. Something which would cause great grief to her."
>>117091"Then let us walk around the room a bit, I will make sure you do not run into anything."
Midnight wears her sadness at the situation on her face, wishing she knew what to do to help this pony.
>>117094Sands has a grave look. Khoi still looks kind of displeased, and standing ahead of the set.
From behind, Loputu coughs on a cigar
>>117095She stands up, cautiously places one hoof ahead of the other, then another hoof ahead of the other. Then one and two and one and two. They go on in the small circle. Meadows looks ahead mostly fearful of running into something. The lack of light in the room is doing her no favors
>>117094He glaces at Silver, a bit surprised.
(Now that is unexpected. He seems a bit too interested in Sands. Maybe he wants to have her for the night?)
>>117093He turns back to Sands, his surprise still apparent.
"It is true."
He hums for a bit, thinking on what to say.
"I am Iron. My previous life before coming here was back at the jungles, where I sparred with my kin and broke down medium-sized rocks as practice."
>>117096Silver looks to Loputu. "What are you doing, little one?"
>>117096"It is okay Meadows, just walk and I will guide you, just hoof after hoof and you will be fine"
Midnight is extra cautious, hoping she can get Meadows to trust her so she can help her.
>>117098He looks up at Silver, like a dog caught eating off the table
"Uh... That hyena said these had good flavor. Opened the carton too"
>>117099Midnight has to hold onto her muzzle. She resists at first, but quickly enough, Midnight can walk the horse. Her hoof steps become more even. Less afraid. Or at least that's how it is along the ground that has already been trotted. At least she's not wobbling now. Like a foal running
>>117100He sighs. "It is not good idea for foals to smoke, little one."
>>117100"Good pony, just like that. You're doing great. So Meadows, where are you from?"
She continues to lead her, slowing down a bit.
>>117097"Huh"
>>117101"But... I am not a foal"
>>117101>>117097Sands says to Loputu and Silver
"Don't worry, I'll take that cigar for you"
>>117102"I am a horse... And I am from Karkardannistan"
She moves with Midnight, being able to move her hooves at the right pace
>>117103Silver chuckles. "Right. Still, it is not idea for you to have those. They do not taste good."
>>117103He witnesses the cigar taking offering, looking wary.
"Are you sure that is safe for consumption? It looks unedible."
>>117103"Ah, forgive me, but such a long way to here? What brought you?"
>>117105She grabs it in the magic, and smiles in a half-laugh at Silver
"You really are from teh jungle. It's not for eating"
>>117106"My Nephew told us of this place when he was here. It sounded lovely. Equestria seemed like a lovely place. After I lost the pistachio plantation, I thought I would come here"
>>117104He looks at Silver with big, puppy dog eyes
"Okay...."
He relinquishes the cigar
>>117107"Well, someday I hope you get it visit some of the better parts. I think you would rather enjoy it."
>>117108She nods slowly, with a tired smile.
"Maybe..."
She blinks, then blinks again thrice in rapid succession
"Are there criminals and Rashaka elsehwere in Equestria?"
>>117109"I have never heard of Rashaka before, so I believe you would be safe from those. As for criminals, they are fairly sparce and there will always be a pony willing to help you."
>>117107Iron glances at the relinquished cigar.
"Thank the gods. It looks poisonous."
>>117110She nods
“Good... because I do not want to encounter those things ever again”
>>117111“Don’t be a bitch”
She takes the thing, and places it in her mouth
>>117104Silver may want to pay attention to Mala’s answer fo Dark Star’s question
>>117090 >>117091
>>117112"I cannot blame you. How are your legs feeling?"
>>117112Iron cocks his eyes at her wording, frowning.
He strokes her mane still out of habit still, but his efforts are reduced, glancing at Khoi.
>>117113Eh...okay?
Silver comes over and places a hoof on Mala's shoulder.
>>117115*Iron narrows his eyes slightly
>>117091"That is Absolutely Disgusting."
Dark Star's face has a Loathing expression on it.
"Just one more reason to Hate these Bucking Monsters,Hook Beaked Bastards. They will pay for everything that they have done, all the suffering they've caused. this ends tonight."
Star's face goes from Loathing to outright hate.
>>117115She takes it out, and looks up at Iron
“
What?”
Khoi is over by the other wall. Looking onwards. Listening
>>117114“A little better. They are not numb anymore. I can move them now. Stretch them.”
>>117118Mala looks to be mostly unsettled by Dark Star’s reaction
“I’m sorry...”
>>117116And so he does so. Mala looks up at Silver, before looking back to Dark Star
>>117119"Good, that is good progress. You will get there, even if it takes some time. Just let me know if you wish to rest or do something different."
>>117119"I do not know when, as I have...admittedly many things I must do tomorrow, but perhaps you would like to go out for something to eat? I think I know place that will be to your tastes."
>>117119Iron shakes his head, before standing up, ending their stroking session but not before giving a farewell pet and a small forced smile.
(She has red flags all over. I better disengage.)
He decides to walk up to Khoi instead.
"So how was life back in wherever you came from?"
>>117119"What's Wrong? you don't have to be sorry i wasnt talking about you. i know you didnt have a choice."
He pets mala
>>117121“No, I like trotting in place. It is like galloping up and down the valley in the springtime... I can almost smell the flowers”
She looks around, eyes not quite locking in on anything
“You know, I though I remember the flowers being bluer...”
And she is silent
>>117123She is locked forward
“Don’t like a mare smoking? Back off. I am trying to listen”
>>117122He looks up at him. Brown eyes, black fuzzy muzzle. He looks intrigued
“That’s nice if you.... but bread and beats will make me sick if I eat for too many days”
>>117124*gnoll is pet*
“But that’s just the thing... they were the only ones who even offered friendship to me. Or claimed to offer it, anyways...”
>>117125Midnight doesn't respond, silently guiding her fellow equine while trying to make her feel comfortable.
Inside, she is already swearing revenge against whatever did this to Meadows.
>>117125He smiles. "I do not know exact gnoll diet, but I would not imagine you are well suited to living as omnivore. No, I saw place where griffons and polar bears go to be served and eat meat. Sounds like kind of fare that would suit you."
>>117126"I'll be your friends mala."
He Smiles at him
>>117125Iron shakes his head.
"We both know it is not only that."
Nevertheless, he decides to watch what Khoi is witnessing to pass time, maybe he can feel what she's feeling.
>>117127So highland meadows torts in place in her 18 foot diameter circle, inside of the poorly lit room in the basement of an abandoned mare’s shelter.
“Tell me, what is the Canterlot mountain like?”
She trots forward
“I feel the cool air... I can imagine it. It is like I am there”
>>117129His eyes go wide, and for once, his natural frown turns into a smile
“... Really?”
>>117128“That would be, that would be very good”
He sounds happier
>>117132"I Promise. You seem like a Good Creature."
He Gives Mala a hug
>>117132"I will see what I can do about schedule." He smiles.
>>117133>>117134Dark Star hugs the gnoll. He’s actually surprisingly fluffy to touch, even if there is a smell to him.
Mala is very happy at Silver’s offer as well
“I don’t think anyone has offered to take me out into the town in a long time. At least not for food. At a real restaurant.”
He smiles. It’s kind of a toothy smile, but there’s nothing he can do about that
>>117131“Really now? Because I see you slobbering all over the first mare to show interest in you. Until she tries to take a smoke to calm her nerves after always I can assure you had been a very long day. You try to control her, she resists, and you discard her.”
Though her tone is serious, her face never moves from its position facing forward and towards the access tunnel
>>117136"Then it is time to break that streak." He stands up. "Are you ready to move on? It is not best time or place to idle."
>>117138"I Agree. We need to strike them now."
>>117137"It is not about control," Iron explains plainly and calmly. "More about concluding that our personalities do not match in a healthy way after exploring the other pony's personality and quirks."
[1d20+4 = 10]>>117140Khoi shrugs, still looking forward. At this point Sands slowly walks into line of sight between Iron and Khoi (or on the other side of the two are very close together.
“How is this for a personality trait? Big guy right here has a different girl back at home. A zebra, in fact.”
At this point, the jilted and discarded Sands takes the lit cigar, and, with a glow of magic, flicks it at Iron.
“Tells you what you need to know about him, hmph! Trying on every mare he meets like clothing, discarding or putting away the ones he doesn’t like”
She shakes her head, and walks out of line of sight
>>117138“Sure...”
He stands up
>>117132Midnight grins a little bit as she thinks
"They are beautiful. Very steep mountain and cliffs, with very many waterfalls breaking up the rocky scenery. Then there is Canterlot, nestled inbetween the ridges of the mountains. Many tall spires, pure white, gold, and purple set it apart from the cliff sides. I used to enjoy finding a nice place to rest and just view the city, watching pegasi fly in and out as the waterfalls flowed...."
>>117115>>117123Maybe I should be happy that it went as well as it did for as long as it did, because frankly I was expecting much less. I was expecting you to meta-game yourself out of the situation immediately. I was very pleasantly surprised to see you not-meta game and play along. It was very fun and enjoyable, and it let me flesh characters and provide some minor conflict. I am not in the slightest surprised that the fun character moments didn’t last. But I’m not “happy that it happened.” I’m both disappointed and angry about how it fell apart.
Please listen carefully, because I mean it in all sincerity.
When you use metagaming to do shit that entirely sucks the fun out of the experience, there will be bad consequences. It ended absolutely terribly for Dark Star when his player did it, and so it shall be for you and yours. When the other characters are having fun and fruitful interactions with NPCs in downtime, Iron shall have nothing, or less pleasant interactions. Every creature in that hallway is witness to Iron being super affectionate to a victim of the traffickers, getting upset over one supper minor thing, then not even 10 seconds later, walking up to and talking to a different mare, a mare who knows damned good and well that she was not his first choice. When you do things in character that are justified only because of knowledge outside of character, the characters in the scene are going to see an irrational schizo who does hurtful things just because he has a shitty personality.
That’s not going to go over any better with the characters than it does with me personally.
Don’t give me some bullshit about, “no, it’s actually because of the cigar.” That autistic shit is as obnoxious as the derailment-by-meta gaming. It was frustrating beyond measure whenever Ash did it. It was infuriating when you did it out of character that one time Blue Skies shared a scene with Silver. Frankly, that shit is just another form of meta-gaming, because it inserts the player’s personal preferences over the actions of the character in a way that doesn’t really make sense in the setting. This is the fucking 1940s East Coast United States amongst the poor and working class. Smoking is perfectly socially acceptable. There is no Surgeon General’s warning, no fear of “big tobacco,” no Truth.org, no ban on smoking in public buildings, and no studies about cancer. A moral crusade against smoking - barring the parallels to the Nazi party, which decidedly does
not include your character - simply doesn’t exist in this setting.
Your character has very little reason at all to even have any comprehension of what smoking
is. He has no reason at all to think that is bad, beyond maybe a bad smell. And frankly your character should be used to bad smells. He has absolutely no reason for smoking to be the one and only thing he is ever moralistic about. Inserting modern moralism into this setting is immersion breaking, and it’s immersion breaking for everyone because everyone can hear your shrieks.
Even if it did make sense in the context of the story, and even if it it weren’t an immersion breaking insertion of modern moral opinion in a setting where it has no place, it would still be obnoxious. And that’s because dear god, has it been expressed in a shrill manner. There are plenty of other evils within the story that deserve far greater indignation.
The characters watching Iron do all of this - and they can’t miss it, because it’s super public - aren’t going to think “oh, she wanted to puff a cigar after being rescued from being held prisoner by gangsters. I can see why it wouldn’t work out” because no real person in that era would think that way, and frankly very few people with functioning minds even in modern times think that way. They are also not going to perceive it as a pretext for ditching Sands because of her other unsavory characteristics. Most of them don’t know about Sand’s other unsavory characteristics, and the only one who does, Khoi, knows damned good and well that Iron does not.
They are only going to see a stallion who is nice to a mare for a moment. They are going to see a mare who has been through some bad shit - evidently being abducted and held prisoner. They see the wounds left on her body from her captivity. They heard her imply that her loved ones are all dead, presumably from circumstances relating to the invasion of her homeland by Communist Griffins. And so after this, after all of this, they see her try to calm her excited nerves by smoking a cigar that would ordinarily be too expensive for a poor war refugee like her.
And what does Iron do? At random, he leaves her, and immediately starts hitting on an entirely different mare who he blew off earlier. What the fuck kind of shit person does that? Would you want to date that? Would you trust that? Would you honestly believe that that kind of person would come to your aid in battle? Do you think that kind of person would risk themselves to help you up if you fell down in the heat of battle? Would you want to help that kind of person? Are you sure they aren’t the same kind of person as the griffin captors, just wearing a different coat?
Jesus, this made me so angry this morning that I was late to work because of thinking about it. Midnight’s post is super sweet though. I’ll try to think about that instead
\r
>>117143She closes her eyes and trots about with gaiety
“I hope I don’t fall off cliff”
Then her trot turns into a prance, as she adds little skips of the hoof
“I am there...”
And for a moment, she prances on, her mane bouncing. Then she slows down, slows down. Stops. She opens her eyes
“The spires of Canterlot don’t shine gold like I used to imagine them. Even the grass is not so green...”
She looks over to midnight. Except she doesn’t quite, her eyes seem to miss her by a few degrees.
“Is it still so pretty to you?”
>>117145"No... It is not... It has not been since the war started, but I prefer to imagine it as it was. It gives me a sort of hope. A reminder of what I want... A hope that things can return, not to as they were, but maybe... Just maybe a little bit better."
>>117146The smile dissipates. She looks over to Midnight, and this time she points her head at Midnight, an improvement over how she was previously. But her eyes point a little down and off to the left from Midnight’s eyes, missing the mark
“But I cannot imagine it being so golden. Even my memories are washed of color...”
She is silent for a moment, and the muscles in her face seem to pull back in fear
“Will it always be like this?”
>>117147Midnight slowly hugs Meadows, as not to startle her, praying to Luna that some of her own courage can rub off onto the mare.
"No, it won't. Things will get better... Even if it takes some time, you just have to hope."
>>117148Her head follows Midnight as she comes up to her, and is not surprised when Midnight hugs her. It’s a little difficult to hug her. She’s taller than Midnight, and either because of her natural build, slow starvation, or both, she has a skinnier frame that feels bony.
“Can you help me with the hope? I have difficulty seeing it myself”
>>117142"When this is over, I would also be glad to help you through what is troubling you. You have clearly been through lot."
>>117149"Of course, it is always easier when another pony helps"
As she embraces her, she uses one of her lay on hooves points to heal her some, hoping that it helps.
>>117150Um.... Hi floofer. But which creature is he saying this to?>>117151The room is pretty dark, mostly illuminated by one light towards the back that still works out if a set of about four, and the light from the hallway. It would be easy to trip over objects even without blindness. But the darkness of the room is briefly overcome by a dim but clearly present blue light that seeps out of Midnight’s hooves, and into Meadow’s barrel. She tenses up for a moment, then relaxes and breathes. She looks down at Midnight. Directly into her eyes, with eyes that are blue-gray.
“You have quite the touch...”
She lifts up a hoof, and then another
>>117152Mala, the last person he spoke to.
>>117152Midnight softly smiles up at the larger mare
"So I have been told before. How do you feel now?"
>>117150"I'll be happy to do the same."
He says to mala
>>117150>>117155His doglike tail perks up at Silver’s words and moves too and fro
“Yes, I would like that. Very much so.”
When Dark Star speaks, his tail positively wags
“Really? Hah, ha”
His laugh thankfully doesn’t sound like the gnollish laugh. It’s more Pony-like
“Two friends in one day?”
>>117154“I feel... better. I think I can see slightly better”
Her muzzle returns to a smile
\r
>>117156"Good good, when this is all over I will do my best to help you. You have my word."
She gives the mare a gentle squeeze before releasing her from the hug.
>>117156Silver smiles at seeing the gnoll happy. "I suppose so."
>>117156"Yep."
He Smiles at the gnoll
>>117157She is hugged. Her coat in large part has the feel of some partly dried substance in it. Sometimes it’s wet. But underneath all of that, she has a coat of short hair that surely must serve well in hotter, mountainous environment
“I don’t really want to be dependent... I don’t know how to repay your kindness”
She does a minor bow to Midnight after she is released from the hug, including her left hoof being turned upwards in a sort of curtesy that accompanies the bow
“But you have my gratitude”
>>117158>>117159He is smiling. His teeth are a bit less even than you’d see in a dog, although a little bigger
“Two pony friends! I’ve never had that before.”
>>117160"You do not have to repay me, seeing you start to feel better is enough."
Midnight returns the gesture, hoping she doesn't look like an idiot for it.
>>117160"I'm glad you're happy."
>>117142Iron cocks his head at the retreating Sands, then turns back to the original position, with no attempt to stop the cigar from hitting Iron's body.
(It is intriguing how she went out of her way to say that. I wonder what is fueling her.)
>>117144Oh no, it's not metagaming. Just as Iron cannot stand Skies' abrasive, forward and sometimes lewd attitude, he cannot stand Sands' quirks as a pony. He, of course, was exploring her actions and mannerisms, but she kept on sending subtle signals of future conflict later, obviously starting from Silver taking her away for a private talk when the two couldn't possibly have unless there was a secret going on, but kept on piling up with her constant acts of self interest and subsequent challenge that drove Iron away. It's not about being a changie or not. I'd obviously had gone with dicking the changie, since he'd love to try that out, but he can't share a life with that sort of personality without things escalating into an even larger dumpster fire, and he has the foresight not to keep at it.
It's not the smoking, it's the retort that came with it, and it was the final straw of many. A mare whose only purpose so far is nothing aside from an interest in guns and revenge is indeed going to drive him away, and her brash attitude only accelerated that process, because his patience is thin for those kind of mares if you hadn't noticed with many of Skies' interactions with him.
I obviously get it's a dick move and won't get me rewards for it, only downsides in the short term, but it's not out of a desire to evade the changie in a metagaming move, rather to make her think 'Hey, why did the stallion that I got so enamored moments ago decide to bail out on me? I thought I had him in the frog of my hoof. How did he suddenly have the desire to leave me?' and reflect on her actions. Of course, this obviously opens up the possibility of betrayal out of anger, but maybe, just maybe, she can realize that all his headcocking, staring and suspicion Iron sent out can make her realize some of her actions were counteracting her attempts to maintain him charmed.
And no. I'm not expecting to get kirin coochie either. Of course not. Iron may aim for that, but he knows it'll take a lot longer than a romp destroying her captors to consider him a viable candidate. Heck, for all he knows, she could be another gunloving, revenge fueled mare with the same brash attitude like Sands and would dump her as well.
Now you'll be asking "What? Why didn't he communicate that to Sands from the start? I bet this is all an excuse." and sure, between two adults that could be a viable option, but consider the fact that Iron is not going out of his way to pursue and change a mare unless she actually has something of value worthy of pursuit, and he doesn't care about revenge-fueled mares or gun skills or even combat magic
if he ever gets to know about that because he sees himself as the muscle, concluding that while it would be a bonus in a mare, it can't be her only trait because Iron has that part covered
as pretentious as that sounds. Besides, she wouldn't change her ways by simply pointing it out. Obviously it's deeper than that. It's an intrinsic part of her that defines her as a different pony among the masses caused by both dealing with a totalitarian indoctrination of changeling superiority and getting abused by outsiders.
Don't fret, because there is still a chance to charm Iron again, but Sands is probably going to swallow her pride to do it, which I don't see her do for a literal stranger anyhow, unless she still saw him as an easy target.
To summarize, yes, I know it is a dick move but it's not to avoid the changeling in a bout of 'player brilliance in avoiding danger' but rather to spark doubt in Sands' mind over what made him discard her. Obviously she can recharm him again through a simple apology and a change in attitude and approach but if that can't be achieved, he probably lost interest in her. I know it sounds pretentious, but Iron is a pretentious pony that seeks a specific number of traits in a mare to be deemed pursueable, and if that can't be achieved, he discards it and keeps going. After all, there are plenty of fish in the sea to hook up with.
And no. It's not the smoking. Smoking, while it could make him uncomfortable with the smell, it's not a dealbreaker, even though it is for me IRL.
>>117162There is some enthusiasm in his voice when he says
“Okay, so what is the first thing I am doing with my new friends?”
>>117161She giggles at Midnight’s efforts
“Again, I thank you. I am not recovered, but I am better than I was before”
>>117163There is no “doubt over what caused whatever” just you and Iron being an asshole, and that is that
>>117164"Well, that is all I can ask for for now. Say, is there anything that you can tell about this place that could help us? I understand if you cannot, but if you have any information..."
>>117166Her expression becomes blank, and the smile fades away
“I don’t... I don’t think I have much I can tell you. I know I was kept chained to a desk in a big room with other features. I was made to sew leather to iron horseshoes. They took me here, and placed me next to a caged Rashaka, and that was all I could remember”
>>117165Here I am, proposing a possibility to return to status quo with one little tweak, yet you shrug it off because you believe Iron and I are 'assholes' due to my decision as a player to stop interacting with Sands out of a desire not to after not giving me a reason to aside from 'I give you a snuggle so you better love me' and nothing else. If you want to destroy Iron's life over not falling for the character you presented due to lack of interest in her characteristics that make her, you can obviously do it.
>>117167If Meadows could see Midnight's face, she would see her face go blank and then contorts into anger. She then steps forward and presses her snoot into the larger horse's shoulder.
"I... I will make sure that whatever did this to you pays... I am sorry about making you think about that, now just rest. Nothing will harm you now."
>>117168I’m not in the right emotional state to sift through an entire block of text right now. My normal patience is gone. What is the tweak?
>>117169The shoulder is also bony, but there is some muscle here.
Now, Meadows comes over, and hugs Midnight. Her legs are long and kind of bony. She places her long muzzle overtop of Midnight’s fur
“Thank you”
She’s sniffling
>>117164"Well, we could take you out to eat,Do you like Whiskey? i know a Great Bar on the East-side of baltimare."
>>117171“Yes! I haven’t been to a bar in that many occasions. I think I’ve only stayed to drink at one maybe twice. I didn’t know they could have food there”
>>117170She hugs her back, wrapping her wings around her.
"Of course... I just pray I really can help you"
Midnight is sniffling as well.
>>117170Simple. Make Sands realize what is ticking Iron off and promptly using it to her advantage by falsely apologizing over it and downplaying her abrasive
in Iron's eyes temperament with more active actions of physical contact to make it up to him, or even presenting a hobby of hers that isn't about combat.
It should allow to buy you some more time to flesh her out further as a pony alongside Iron, and I believe she would be able to since she seems like the kind of pony to be able to do that, being a manipulator and all.
>>117172"Some do. i'm not sure if mr.glass sells any at the eastside though. theres this one restaurant named "Benito's" that i think you might enjoy."
>>117174No one in that situation would realize what is ticking Iron off
>>117175He nods, but then lowers his head, looks away, and says almost restfully
“But I have to eat meat...”
>>117173She presses her muzzle down and towards her
“You’re so kind. I was afraid I would find no kindness in this supposed land of friendship. But I see it is real. Thank you again”
>>117177"I am glad that I have been able to do that for you, and I hope you can find more ponies that treat you with the same kindness."
Midnight is sniffling a bit more now, and her eyes are very watery as she raises a hoof and
boops Meadows on the snoot.
>>117176"I believe they sell spaghetti."
>>117176Iron was indirectly pointing out his perception of her flaws with his expressions, which mostly encompasses her combat-focused demeanor from the eyebrow raising at her thirst for vengeance at first, which while obviously being justifiable in the current situation, it isn't particularly interesting to him long term. Compound that with a lack of other quirks to balance it out and a 'sassy' demeanor, like when she taunts Iron to 'not to be a bitch', and he loses interest quickly.
Remember. Iron likes Cauldron as a zebra and wants to be with her not because she beats ponies with a crowbar or is the hottest mare or sucks his metaphorical dick everytime she gets a chance, but her other skills, like cooking and potion making, and motivations to both better her life without sacrificng her fathers', not to mention her caring, generous and sometimes innocently fun attitude.
Sands is a changeling version of Skies in a superficial level as of now: Revenge-focused mare that wants to make their captors pay as well as being playfully abrasive, thinking it's a good way to interact with others because it worked previously from where she comes from.
I'm not expecting a Cauldron clone, don't get me wrong, but she should have something more interesting than simply being a nuzzling machine or a petting toy to charm Iron further, and her attitude towards others only serve to undermine her efforts.
>>117178The pony is hugged. But when the hard object touches her soft, grey nose, she reflexively pulls back, wrestling her self out from under the wing. Stepping back, stepping back, stepping back away from her attacker. She goes back a couple more feet until...
Her right, rear hoof steps on an open cigar box, sending the wooden edge of the other side of the box into her long pattern bone, and launching cigars across the floor. She stumbles, her right hind leg collapses, then her left hind leg, and she falls down onto her rump
>>117179He twists his mouth, and something about his expression implies he’s not convinced that spaghetti is a meat dish
“I’m not sure if I’ve ever had spaghetti before”
>>117180You want a fleshed out character with whatever quirks and a distinct personality, you have to interact with them and give them situations to react to and bounce off of. You throw away characters I spend a large amount of time building and that I personally like, just because “eh, I don’t like this one” - and you did exactly the same thing to Black Cauldron last December and it pissed me way the fuck off then - then I’m not exactly inclined to do anything other than blow off your character in reciprocity. You don’t have to fuck it, just not discard blatantly and casually
\r
>>117181I did try to approach her with questions regarding her past in an attempt to open her up into a more fleshed out character, but none of it worked because she's paranoid of revealing her nature as a changeling, so she can't be approached unless I do the flashlight trick on her
which is metagame-y currently or otherwise have Iron know she's a changeling and she knows he knows but doesn't care, unlike Cauldron, which wasn't due to a lack of cooperation or actual way to explore her personality, history or hobbies.
There has to be an incentive to interact with other characters, GM. She provides none, so of course Iron'll stop caring about her sooner or later unless she gives a bone to chew on.
>>117181I... Feel terrible now.
"Oh my Celestia I am so sorry!"
She rushes over and gently strokes her back, looking over her for any injuries like cuts or scrapes.
"I am sorry, I am sorry, are you okay? Oh Celestia I was not, thinking, I am so sorry!"
>>117181"Spaghetti is a pasta based dish that comes with meat chunks in it. it a Delicious meal i believe it originates in wingbardy."
He whispers the last part about it being tasty
>>117183Her face reveals that she is shaken and frightened as she sits down
“I am... I am... I don’t know. My leg hurts just a little. I am fine though”
>>117184Jubilosa (in the hall opposite the door, with a line of sight to all of the character scenes)
“I heard that! You can’t take it back!”
Mala nods, looking a little more pleased
“Okay, I guess I can try that”
>>117185"J-just rest and I will look over you."
Midnight quietly looks over her leg, looking sad at herself.
Heal check to look for any problems.
[1d20+6 = 25]
>>117185Dark Star squints at her
"Whats your story?"
He asks her
>>117186The only injury of any kind is on her right hind leg, caused by the wooden side of the box jabbing upwards into Meadow’s leg on the mid pattern bone, when she stepped on the opposite side of the box sending that side up in a seesaw action kind of like stepping on a rake. It’s a blunt injury, far from the worst Midnight has seen, but it seems to cause her pain. Nothing is broken or fractured, but there will probably be a bruise hidden under her leg fur.
>>117187“What is my story? Heh, I am pleased you asked. My name is Volador Jubilosa, and I am from the Federated Parishes of Sicameon. Excuse me, I forgot the new name. “Territory of the Military Commander in Sicameon.” I grew up in Campo Claro, a little town twenty kilometers outside of Midora, and I attended the Parish School there. There was a griffin there who fancied me. A nice griffin, seemed to be heading to university. I wasn’t betrothed to him, but that seemed to be where things were going. Then you ponies attacked. His militia was mobilized, and I did not hear from him. I was heart broken, and remained in my parents’ house for a month when I found out he had been killed. Still, I persisted, and became a milkgrif, flying around delivering milk in my town. I knew I could make more money if I went to the city, so I did so. I became a typist for a shipping company in Midora. I worked there a year and a half.”
She’s been making gestures with a free claw through out her small speech, but it intensifies at this point, and she moves forward
“You know, there was this kid who lived just down the road from my parents. Then one day he just wasn’t there. I don’t know if he moved suddenly without telling his neighbors, if he joined the partisans out in the forests up north. But I think your secret police got him. Took him from his house in the night. Maybe stalked him as he walked home from the sugar mill where he worked. He wouldn’t have been the only one. Your damned soldiers walked the streets of the city. Redirected shipments going out. Frankly that’s a lot of what I did as a typist. Went over documents about exports, I didn’t like what I saw. I talked about what I saw. And when my parents wrote me and told me about little Mullido down the street just vanishing, I knew that it could happen to me.
So I went back to Campo Claro, and told my parents I would seek refuge in Aquelia until the end of the War. Then I went down to the city to locate a griffin I was told made fake passports. I should have trusted a different griffin. I would have used a ship my company contracts for, except they don’t run to Aquelia. And so, somehow, I ended up here. Tonight.”
>>117188Dark Star Remains stoic for her story.
"Interesting. Why do you think the Secret Police were involved?""
>>117189“They do not want an independent Sicameon, and they supposed little Mullino was in the way”
>>117190"Sounds to me like he ran away from home."
>>117191“He was an adult, no need to run away. He didn’t hate his situation there. He would have told his mother”
>>117192Dark Star remains unconvinced
>>117193She rolls her head, closes her eyes, raises her eyebrows and does a sort of shrug
“I never said you’d care, I just said what happened”
>>117194"I Care,in a way."
He turns to silver and iron and asks
"Are we ready to head upstairs?"
>>117195>>117196She remarks
“Probably joyful”
In an offhoof comment
>>117196Iron simply nods.
>>117182Plot twist: there has to be an incentive for the GM to waste his time interacting with the character.
I have no idea why you think that having your character treat well established female NPCs as if they are articles of clothing that can be stolen and then discarded when you don’t like how they fit, is acceptable, but I assure you that it is not acceptable.
>>117198I refuse to acknowledge anything happening with the Iron character after
>>117142. You can have a reset of any of the scenes leading up to that to see if you want to do anything differently. You can roll a new character who will join the quest later. You can wait in limbo to see if I change my mind later. But what is not happening is trying on my favorite new female NPC like a shoplifted article of clothing and throwing her in the garbage when she makes you look fat, and then proceeding on to combat tonight.
>>117188Far from the worst yes, but this one hurts Midnight too cause she knows her carelessness caused it.
She gently and slowly strokes Meadows' mane, hoping to calm her down after that.
>>117201She shakes for a moment, but she is calmed down. The hair is long and was arranged in some sort of pattern, but had since been undone. It too, has remnants of a goo remaining in it, messing it up.
“You know what I am glad about?
I can feel things now. When I was suspended in that goo... when I was awake at first... I couldn’t touch anything, except the walls”
>>117202"That is good to hear. Even of what you feel is pain, it still means your condition is improving, and it means you will get better..."
Midnight wishes she had some type of brush or comb to do the mare's mane, but alas.
>>117204EEEEEEEEEEEEE Mother Fucker!
>>117204Hey. Not sure where Spark is, but since Onyx is here you guys could start up one the next day of your journey.
>>117200Counter plot twist: If you want an NPC to stick to a PC/PCs, it must have something going for itself that keeps the player/s interested in it.
Unless, of course, you want her to become a villain and subsequently get killed or fade away from memory as she is slowly forgotten.
An NPC is well established due to the players perception of them, because even though the world you create is indeed yours to rule, you do so in order to provide players a setting to play in. Otherwise, you end up playing with yourself and the fun is stripped away even further than how you currently feel.
Now, I'm willing to give her a shot because your actions beforehand were fueled by fear of me metagaming my way out of it to resort to dodging the question in order to keep her around because you like Sands and don't want Iron to discard her as a potential plot hook and fail to properly characterize her
which I admit I'm surprised you thought that after that IronxChangeling dream orgy he had on Night 1.
I'll pick to rewind back to when Iron was combing Sands' mane with two hooves.
He asks the following question with his usual small smile he had:
"So, what life did you live before ending up here?"
>>117207I'm down to stab some bitches
>>117209Same here my dude
>>117210>inb4 I get stabbed
>>117211NAP between us, at least for tonight?
>>117212AFAIK, the NAP has been in place the whole time
>>117203Indeed, it looks like this mare would benefit strongly from a brush or a bath. But none are available
She sits there in place, where she fell, and looks forward in silence for a moment.
"I can touch things now... But I can't quite feel some things... When those Rashaka take you, they don't just remove from you your strength, your energy, you stamina. They take something from you emotionally, maybe spiritually. Memories of the plantation, the races in the village, seeing the Fire Temple in Neighran... the horses... it's all a vague sadness now. Not even a strong one... At least the numbness has cooled on the outside"
She stretches out a hoof
>>117209>>117209>>117210Brie and Onyx wake up
Do you want the end of the journey, a little side quest, or a dungeon clearing combined with the end?
>>117214I'm assuming we're geographically still a good distance from the 'end', so I would prefer that we get there organically.
>>117215Well, assuming the ending is meeting any queen who could help, an ending is not far away. Just a road trip
>>117216Well then, I suppose we should be off.
>>117212"Ah. I suppose there's nothing left but to play our hand. Are you comfortable walking straight into the lion's den?"
>>117217"We've got nothing better to do, so let's get it over with."
>>117214Midnight ever so slowly, and ever so gently stretches out her own hoof, and places it on top of Meadows'.
"There there, just rest now. The joy will return in time."
>>117218"Perhaps, but this could get us killed. Up until now I've been able to rely on my wit and negotiations, but I can make no such guarantees."
>>117219"Well, I have my halberd, you've got your fancy knife skills. I reckon we can do this."
>>117220"Fair enough. I'll see to Sparks, the little ones, and the not-so little ones then."
>>117216Brie goes to ascertain the readiness - in order - of the aforementioned.
[Sorry, on phone]
Please do figure out the NPC situation though
>>117222I suppose I should assume that the 'Lings are squared away, both the young and older ones? Brie returns to Onyx. "I suppose we're all set then. We should have our new friends on either side of the cart when we approach the hive, though they agreed to 'assist' in pulling it (which of course means its their turn)."
>>117223"That sounds good to me, let's move out then."
Onyx grabs his halberd before heading to the cart to make sure it's ready for travel.
>>117224"Right behind you," Brie says, gathering the 'Lings, the Changelings, and of course Sparks.
Are there weakened ponies? I seem to recall there being weakened ponies, but somehow I think if we brought them they would end up eaten.
>>117225Actually several. The brothers, Ruby and Red Wine, and the Married Couple Dawson and Rose
I assure you your Changeling allies are way ahead of you on that whole "eaten" thing
>>117226Well, they could secretively be salty warriors, but that's not where my money is at. Hence, I'm figuring we'll leave the ponies behind.
>>117227>Warriors of the saltlandsIntriguing idea
Anyways, Seb and Fun can now be made to pull the cart, appearing to be brown ponies. They aren't fully healed, and Fun pretty clearly still wears his bandages, but they are healed-ish. There is no immediate noticeable traffic on the roadway. The sky is clear, the temperature is pretty warm, maybe 20 degrees F. A light breeze, making it feel just a little colder. The sun is barely up
>>117228Do you agree with
>>117227?
>>117228"Oh good, there you are. We're preparing to disembark. Our new changeling 'friends' have offered to pull the cart for a while, but when we get to the hive they're to walk on either side of the cart as something of an escort. I'm figuring that the hive won't respond well if we have changelings operating as laborers."
>>117230"I'm thinking the same thing."
>>117229I don't know if it is a good idea to bring the family along for this adventure. Their adventure awaits for them across the border, not deeper into changeling lands.
>>117231>>117230>>117220Red Wine is up making breakfast while Rose stirs and even Dawson sleeps in. It's based on boiled potatoes
For clarification, I know who you mean, I'm just intent on disembarking and since Brie was never really formally introduced nor had any significant interaction with them, he's not inclined to start now.
>>117235I guess it's more for Spark and Onyx...
Ready when you all are
>>117236They're free to interact of course, but I'm ready to go.
>>117236>>117235>>117233Well, I'm ready. Onyx is just preparing the wagon and waiting on the others.
>>117237>>117238>>117231And so, the ponies set out
Kerr and Wesley go outside and load up in the wagon, hopping through the snow
Wesley: "Ich vermisse die Hitze"
Kerr: "Ich auch"
Maybe Spark gets inside the cabin with them. Maybe even Onyx does as well. Seb and Fun really don't appear to be as strong as Onyx, or really, as strong as they would be under more normal circumstances, but they will suffice
>>117239Onyx looks uneasy as the cart begins to move.
"Gimme a moment Spark... don't stop. I'll be back"
He suddenly jumps out and gallops to the house, looking for Ruby.
>>117239Spark waves goodbye to the family.
"Think about my offer. I'll be back this way to head back home."
He enters the wagon to watch over the changelings.
>>117240"Oh?"
He watches the bartender rush back towards the house.
"Did he forget something?"
>>117241Dawson nods, lethargically and calmly, looking out. Red Wine is actually still inside, but Dawson says he says thank you for the owlbear
>>117240Ruby is at a table, eating boiled potato, with a side of fir tree leaves
>>117239Brie addresses Seb and Fun: "Werden Sie beide in Ordnung sein, dies zu ziehen? Wir werden in regelmäßigen Abständen handeln."
Did you pick Seb cuz of the lolcow?
>>117242"Hey Ruby... Remember that promise I made you? Do... Do you wanna come with us?"
>>117243"Seb" is short for "Seben." His real name is a hell of a lot longer, and frankly just a gender, number, and name of mother and sireFun: "Meine Haut ist immer noch empfindlich, aber ich glaube, ich kann ziehen.
Seb: "Ich kann nicht gut atmen und habe Schmerzen. Ich kann versuchen zu ziehen, aber ich kann nicht wissen, wie weit ich gehen kann"
>>117244He looks up from his dish of potato, turnip, and fir leaves
"Are you going to take me to Canterlot?!?!"
>>117245Brie sighs, taking off his fancy coat and cloak, and stashes them in the coach with the 'Lings, then returns to the front.
To Seb: "Scheisse. Ich hatte gehofft, dass Sie sich nach einer Weile mehr erholen könnten. Zieh das aus, ich zieh."
>>117246Seb gives excuses, but of course accepts the offer to go back to sleep in the more protected cabin
"Ich wurde mitten durch meine Brust gestochen ..."
I though Onyx would pull?
>>117245"Well, would you like to come? You gotta decide, cause the wagon is leaving. Just know it won't be easy."
>>117248"YES!"
He grabs a blanket, a couple baseball cards, his scout's knife, a pair of milk containers, a sack of turnips, and a half eaten potato, and jumps inside the cabin of the cart after hugging his brother goodbye
"I'll send you pictures!"
On second thought, Brie removes his trousers as well and places them with his coat. "Wouldn't want to wrinkle them." he sighs to himself.
He's still wearing his vest (with 2 throwing knives) and his fine sword.
>>117250Hopefully that fits under the vest. And hopefully it’s enough protection from the cold
>>117246>>117248>>117241The party pulls ahead, Brie in front. The dogs follow. There’s a pretty decent view of what goes by. Mostly it’s coniferous forest in this area. Though there are some inclines and hills, it’s more flat than not. Occasionally, a steam cuts through, and the road crosses a stone bridge. Birds chirp in the sky regularly, but really it’s more quiet than it isn’t. More than one cart is passed, mostly pulled by oxen. The ponies inside look down or ahead, not at those who pass by, and often cover their faces, presumably because of the cold.
Mostly this road doesn’t have large settlements, or settlements at all. But there is a trend. Individual buildings and small settlements - farm houses, cabins, and less often mills and hamlets - are more likely to look abandoned. Villages and towns may have a guard post in them, and there seem to be ponies living there. The population is becoming centralized. Sometimes, there almost seems to be a line between abandoned and inhabited buildings. There are several buildings that are visibly damaged by artillery, like a windmill that has its top half half blown off, and rubble strewn about.
Of course the forest doesn’t last forever, nor are most of the settlements near the forest. After that, they are meadows, then cattle pastures, more fields of winter wheat, and then fallow field after fallow field. Some naked soil, some planted with clover or grass. Some fields look as if they were burned and never replanted. But most fields have either stubble, clover, or wheat, with occasional crops of Timothy grass, rye, and rapeseed. And all of these are covered in a fine layer of snow, or at least, they usually are. One hamlet seems to be abandoned all together, buildings damaged. The changelings have a definite presence here, even if it is less felt than the pony presence of big red barns, and rustic windmills. Every settlement has a Changeling post near the center. With guards. And a station that has a small fence around it, surely a collection station.
They travel for quite a while
>>117250>>117248>>117241And so, it’s a while before they get to their first major challenge. A guard check point. It’s actually not the first one they came across, but the first one waved them through
Here, the creatures seem more serious. The guard is unambiguously an undisguised Changeling drone in a field grey uniform.
“Papers, Please”
>>117253"Ja natürlich, einen moment" Brie immediately responds, removing the harness and stepping back to retrieve his coat, and the requisite documents.
>>117254The creature responds with an expression of clear surprise, not expecting that result. He is speechless, and leaves Brie to go retrieve the items
Okay, I have to go to sleep now. But please keep replying
>>117206*floofs the floofster*
>>117255Returning with the papers provided by the changeling at the border, Brie smiles self-assuredly and extends the paperwork. "Ich vertraue darauf, dass Sie hier alles in Ordnung finden."
Also, I'm not worried about the cold for the time being, as nothing warms you up like physical exertion
>>117256*is floofed*
Sleep well!
>>117256'Night
Not sure how we're supposed to carry on while you're gone though
>>117249Onyx chuckles as her gallops back to the cart, ruffling the colt's mane as he sits down.
>>117253>>117252Ah travel montages, gotta love them.
>>117263*colt is indeed excite*
It’s a bit weird being in there with a dark brown Earth Pony who isn’t quite familiar though. He wants to take up an entire seat
\r
>>117264Onyx stares down the earth pony, having never seen him before.
"And who exactly are you?"
>>117265The pony is lying across the seat on the other side. He has a large, white cloth tightly wrapped around his barrel. He lifts his head up, and looks at Onyx. His blue eyes go wide, and he turns his head around the other way
>>117266"Hey! If you're gonna ride in this wagon, I wanna answer to my question."
Onyx walks around to the direction the unknown pony turned.
>>117267The wagon is arranged as two seats facing each other in a little compartment. It is physically impossible for Onyx to go around
>>117268Hmm, then Onyx puts a hoof on the pony's shoulder "gently"
>>117269The head pokes up, and he turns around yet again, hooves facing Onyx
>>117270"I asked, who are you?"
His eyes narrow, as he hopes he doesn't have to throw this pony out.
>>117271He blinks. No response
The colt is kind of confused and a little afraid by the tense situation
>>117272Onyx seems purely baffled now
"Can... Can you even understand me?"
He looks over to Ruby and notes the colt's reaction, relieved that at least he isn't imagining this.
>>117273He sits up now, but he is still silent
>>117275Hello Floofster
>>117274"Come on! Respond! Flick your ears, twitch your muzzle, tap your hoof for Celestia's sake!"
>>117276He is uncomfortable, and has his lips pulled back in such an expression
>>117275Hello floofster
>>117277"Well? Do something before I throw you in a snowdrift for being a stowaway."
Onyx taps a hoof impatiently.
>>117278He seems confused, and certainly unresponsive
>>117278Then all of a sudden....
A NEW CHALLENGER APPEARS
>>117278"Oh for fuck's sake, let him sleep! He's still too injured to pull the cart." Brie's voice emanates oddly from the front of the cart.
>>117280"Huh? Oh, it's you."
Onyx pats the lil ling.
>>117281"But who the Tartarus is it?!"
>>117281Kek>>117282The colt is pet, closing his eyes, and pressing his head up to the hoof
>>117283Onyx pets him more, still casting a glare at the stallion before he lies on the floor hoping that this trip goes well.
>>117282Onyx hears a bit of muffled Changeling-speak from the front, and he cart stops for a moment. Moments later, Brie's face appears in the window.
"That's Seb. He was gonna muscle through and pull the cart, but I could tell he's not in condition. Don't wrinkle my suit btw."
>>117285"Oh. Wait, what suit?"
Onyx looks for any protrusions of a suit from under his body wondering what the bat is on about now.
>>117286"You'd better not be sitting on it, I'm gonna need the documents in it when we get to this next checkpoint!"
>>117287"Grrrrrr, fine"
Onyx stands up, making sure he wasn't lying on the suit
>>117288I never specified where the suit was, I just figured it gave me an excuse to dialogue with some near 4th-wall breaking references to the upcoming interactions
>>117289Fair, but it's nice to have Onyx know some stuff in character now
>>117290Speaking of whichBrie's gaze turns and looks uncomprehendingly to the colt who has joined the party. Then looks at Kerr and Wesley (who should be obvious, cuz the fancy suits), and then back to the colt. Putting on a slightly exaggerated grin he says to the colt. "Why hello there. Who might you be?"
>>117291Since GM hasn't respondedOnyx pats the colt on the back
"This is Ruby, he's interested in seeing more parts of Equestria. Especially Canterlot, so I decided to bring him along and show him around."
>>117292Howdy edgy boi
>>117292Haroa fren
>>117293Brie looks to Ruby and extends a hoof. "Well hello Ruby. You've chosen a rather auspicious time and group to venture the world with but sit tight, you probably won't die!" he says, sincerely cheerful.
>>117291“Oh, hello! Are you one of the ponies that saved my brother and Dawson? I’m sorry we didn’t really meet before but mighty fine thing you did helpin’ these fellows here rescue my brother and all, and Dawson and his wife Rose, real good family friends. Nice to meet you, by the way, my name is Harrowed Holler but folks just call me Ruby on account of my shinny red coat here lookin’ like a Ruby. This fine young man here volunteered to take me to the Canterlot Palace. My folks didn’t really want me to go, with my oldest brother gone and all, but given that things aren’t really safe here they let me go ahead.”
>>117294“I like not dying!”
>>117293*colt is pat*
>>117296"I'm glad you like not dying, so let's keep it that way"
>>117296Brie cheerfully replies "No! I was asleep." he smiles, as though he just described an accomplishment. "We'll try to keep it that way."
>>117295EEEEEEEEEEEEEE
>>117297>>117298The smile fades slowly from his mouth, but he says nothing
>>117299Brie turns to Wesley and Kerr. "Jungetiere, ich brauche für jeden von euch ein Wurfmesser. Sie haben noch 2 Stück" then turns to Ruby and says "Do you have any weapons? Do you know how to use these?" he asks, holding up one of the throwing knives.
>>117299He pets the colt again
"Don't worry, I'll take care of ya."
>>117300Shitty translations aside, -1 knife from both Kerr and Wesley would leave each with 2, and 2 for Brie as well, while also giving 2 to Ruby.
>>117300“Okay...”
“Ja”
Ruby looks a little uncomfortable at the the language, but answers
“Well sure, I know how to cut things. I was in junior scouts”
>>117301He smiles a little more, as Onyx knocks part of his mane down over his eyes
“Well sure, you’re big enough to fight anything. Even fought a bear and won. Changelings too!”
>>117303"Heh, yeah. I guess I am pretty good. Just stay away from trouble and we'll be fine."
>>117304He tilts his head
“.... Define
trouble”
>>117303"These aren't just for cutting, though they'll work fine enough for that. These are balanced for throwing so that you can strike at an opponent without being up close. Try to keep them hidden, because an opponent won't see you as a threat if you appear unarmed. Then, when they're full of confidence, you can stick them in the face!" Brie conveys with perhaps a bit too much disclosure. "If you want, I'll show you more as we travel." Then, turning to Onyx, flashes a wide-eyed expression for just a moment, before heading back to the front of the cart.
I don't know if this exchange is occurring while the Changelings are examining their papers, or if this is occurring somewhere in mid-transit, but it could work either way.
>>117305Onyx narrows his eyes
"Don't pick on anything bigger than ya, and don't get under my hooves in a fight"
>>117308Calling back from his departure "The best combat stance is a scared face! They'll think you're helpless!"
>>117292Hello
>>117306Hello
>>117307Before
Ruby’s mouth hangs open, and his eyes are wide
“... Woah. Can you show me?!”
>>117308“Okay, I’ll try not to mister”
>>117309*pulls out notepad, and writes with a pencil in his mouth*
\r
>>117310"Good, then you'll be fine. And now, we wait."
Brie swats at a bug in a gesture that strangely resembles a face-hoof
>>117313Kerr jumps up
"Hiss!"
He moves to the other side of the cart
>>117314Not that kind of bug
>>117257A second Changeling comes out and watches Brie and the cart, while the first reviews the papers. The first then calls the second to look at the papers, says something to him, and later both nod
He says to Brie
"I see... you're the one they called us about.
You have special instructions"
He hoofs him a sealed note
>>117317"Splendid!" he exclaims opening the note.
I hope its not in wechselbalg,... Brie can't read
>>117312
I'm not going to get into the argument as I'm not involved here, but I want to say that I really love your characters, and I appreciate the work you've put into them for both us and the game. I know we don't give you nearly enough appreciation for it, so I just wanted to tell you.
>>117318There is more to the note, but this much is pertinent:
Brie is invited to meet an individual at the Iron Mine outside of Haysabi
The note includes directions
>>117319D'aww
*hugs the floofster*
>>117320When you hug the floofster, the floofster also hugs you.
*hugs the GM*
>>117320Brie gets Fun, and they go back to the cart. "Word of our venture precedes us. We have been given an assignment."
He translates the same for the benefit of Kerr, Wesley, Seb, and Fun
>>117322"Oh joy, this oughta be good"
>>117323"It says we're supposed to meet somepony, so I'm assuming its a kill mission." Brie says with enthusiasm.
"... But I always assume its a kill mission." He says with a wink.
>>117325>>117324"Well... Maybe this will be good. I see no point in delaying"
>>117326"Splendid!" Brie doesn't miss a beat and slightly rudely pushes Fun back to the front. where they both don the harnesses and disembark.
>>117322>>117324>>117325>>117326What follows is a synopsis of the letter's contents, if not a perfect transcript:
"Steel Otis is a Pony collaborator who used the opportunity of the Liberation of Equestria to rise from being a simple forepony of the Marion Mining Company, to being the Overseer of Taconite production for most of the Haysabi region of Whinnysota. He is aided by the Changeling head of Equine Resources for the Haysabi Taconite mines, a drone called "Fang Zu Lang." For most of the time that the mines have been operating, they have fallen behind in production and requested a more than normal share of equipment. This has been variously blamed on Pony sabotage and heavy rains, but deeper in Winter it is evident that that is not the cause. Otis is suspected of corruption, either selling the Iron himself, or worse, of treason by siphoning ore and materials for the partisans. Zulang, likewise, is believed to be guilty of corruption, and taking bribes to allow the continuation of non-productive behavior.
Your assignment is to collect evidence of said disobedient behavior, and then make an example of the guilty parties
Hail Chrysalis!"
>>117321*is hugged*
D'awww
>>117328Brie doesn't share this with the party yet
Don't worry, he will, but he's intent on getting there first
>>117326Uh... Onyx does
not see
>>117328
>>117330>>117331Oooooh, Onyx ain't gonna like you.
>>117332Noted
>>117333Oh hush, I'm just eager to get there before too long. We'll have plenty of time to status
>>117334Also, Sparks should be on this venture too, though we haven't heard from him
>>117327Fun is shoved to the front, a little unsettled, and they go off. It's a road going North of Whinnyapolis, but also not as far West. Fields become barer grasslands, and the layers of snow and frost become thicker
>>117336As they get started, Brie says to Fun "Entschuldigen Sie meine Begeisterung, aber genau so sorgen wir - und ich meine Sie und ich - dafür, dass die Königin glücklich ist."
>>117337He nods with a sort of concerned look
"Was auch immer mich davon abhält, erschossen zu werden"
>>117338"Ihre Hilfe wird bei dieser Mission besonders nützlich sein. Wir sollen Korruption und Betrug gegen den Hive untersuchen, und ich bin nicht gut daran gewöhnt, wie die Dinge auf dieser Seite der Mauer funktionieren."
>>117340Then why pet her mane before immediately leaving her in two sentences to go talk to a different female. Why bother in the first place. Why make me think you were going that direction
>>117339"Ich war noch nie ein Anführer oder hinter einem Schreibtisch ... Aber ich werde versuchen, Ihnen zu helfen"
>>117341"Ich bitte Sie nicht, ein Anführer zu sein oder hinter einem Schreibtisch zu dienen. Etwas ist faul und die Königin schickt uns, um nachzuforschen. Ich gehe davon aus, dass die Königin diese Mission als Test angeboten hat."
*waiting paladin and rock noises*
>>117342"Ich kenne deine Absichten nicht, aber ich kenne meine. Ich werde es auch sehen, dass wir gehen"
>>117343What'cha waitin' on?
\r
>>117347Ponish speaking I guess
>>117349
Uh... what's the matter?
>>117347"Meine Absicht ist es, die dargelegte Aufgabe zu erfüllen. Davon profitieren alle Beteiligten, auch Sie und Seb. Die Augen der Königin sind auf uns gerichtet, und ich beabsichtige, sie dafür zu befriedigen, dass sie uns dazu bestimmt hat. Es hilft allen."
>>117352"So sei es. Beenden wir diese Aufgabe. Ich kann nicht ewig im Schnee leben und ich möchte nicht erschossen werden"
>>117351>>117346Do you think that the Blue Skies character is not likable? Do you think that she is not a pony you can share a proper bond with?
>>117353"Mach dir keine Sorgen. Wenn du erschossen wirst, werden wir ALLE erschossen, und ich habe DIESE Scheiße nicht." Brie chuckles.
>>117354“Gut zu wissen”
They go forward even further. At least some of the coniferous trees have returned. The cart passes over a a stone bridge. On the other side is a wood and wrought iron rail bridge. On the otherwise in good shape bridge, some of the track ties seem broken in half, including a few falling down and held in place only by their connection to the rails
>>117357Spot check. Can the cart make it across the bridge?
Secondary check. Can Brie and Fun successfully pull it across?
[1d20-2 = 8][1d20-2 = 0]
Eyeing the bridge, Brie says "Es sollte uns gut gehen"
>>117358Yes and no
>>117361They nod, and proceed to pass over the stone pedestrian bridge
>>117354I intended to add that Fun "has a reserved fear"
>>117362Well, hopefully we don't die
>>117365They do not die crossing the bridge
On the other side is forest, and past that a town, labelled as "Blackwood" on the sign. The houses are mostly wooden and triangular roofed in a similar design, often treated a greyish color. Off in the distance, over the tree line, the end of a machine pokes up
>>117370Not seeing any signs for a/the Iron Mine, Brie says to Fun "Ich denke, wir sollten in die Stadt fahren und versuchen, die Eisenmine ausfindig zu machen. Es wurde in der Notiz von der Königin angegeben."
>>117382>>117383>>117384How's everyone today? Its not my situation, but I'm hoping that enough was discussed that everyone has a better appreciation of where one another are coming from, to the degree that we can continue.
>>117386I believe we have reached an agreement.
>>117386I'm hoping we can continue, too. It sounds like combat is coming up for the Baltimare Group, and I'd like to see what combat will look like with everyone together.
>>117386I believe GM and I reached an agreement.
>>117389This pleases the bat-fag
>>117391*drags GM into the hug*
>>117392Gah!
*is hugged*
>>117394Hello
Onyx/Midnight and Sparks/(does he have a 2nd character) are as yet unavailable, so the Northern Posse (is that what we're going with?) is on standby.
>>117396I don't think Spark has something like that.
Dark Star isn't here either, and two missing party members is quite the the blow on party power, so I can't say we can proceed onwards
>>117396Going a little further up, at the top of the hill, is a grey stone stone general store, a church of the same grey stone, and a cluster of buildings around a small square.
Looking down the hill, off in the distance a big hole in the earth is visible beyond the tree line, and between the tree line and the hill top is much of the remainder of the town - rows of buildings mostly in an even, planned style, and mostly of that same wooden construction, treated with something that gives the wood a greyish hue. There is almost a second town center, bigger than at the hill top, with a three story building, a smaller building opposite, and elsewhere what looks like a red brick school house, even a cinema.
>>117397Alright......
Loputu claims that he just wanted to try a cigar and that Mala gave him that one. But Silver shames him into submission.
White Sands takes the cigar with a magical glow
>>117398Iron looks at the floating cigar questioningly.
"That thing does not look edible."
>>117399She looks up to him and giggles"
"hehe"
Then leviates it to her mouth, and tries to get a grip before picking up a hoof to deal with it. She then sucks on it, making it glow red
>>117401Iron's eyes widen at the lighting of the cigar's tip, head craning backwards slightly in surprise.
"How did you do that?"
>>117402She giggles again, puckers her lips and blows out a small cloud of smoke with a unique smell neither really pleasant nor unpleasant that smells kind of like wood
She takes it out of the green magical aura, and places it in her hoof
"Have you never smoked a cigar before?" she asks
>>117403Iron blinks at Sands.
"I have not."
He glances briefly at the cigar before looking back at her, hooves caressing her mane idly.
"Is that what that itcis?"
>>117400>>117405She blinks at him, and has a surprised expression
"You really
are from the jungle, aren't you? They are like cigarettes, but more expensive and you don't necessarily have to inhale. The ends usually need to be cut first but that was already done for this one"
A set of smoke slowly goes upwards
>>117408Iron cocks his head.
"They smell funny."
He focused his gaze on the cigar.
"Why are you inhaling it?"
>>117410She twists part of her mouth up
"It's a cigar. That's the smell of the tobacco plant. And as just now I said, you don't need to inhale it, just let the smoke stay in your mouth"
>>117411Iron ponders for a bit.
"How did it light up like that, then?"
>>117412"Inhale lightly but only let the smoke into your mouth, and it lights up..."
>>117413Iron stares at the cigar for a bit.
"Can I try it?"
>>117414"... Sure" She passes it over to him with the green aura, on the non lit side. It still has an orange glow
"Don't try to inhale all of the smoke, but let it sit in your mouth, then puff it out"
>>117415Iron tentatively opens his mouth, placing his lips on the unlighted tip.
For fun, I'll let the dice decide how good he inhales his first puff.
[1d20 = 4]<Iron's blowing skills at work
>>117416A little harder than perhaps desirable, a little more smoke in the lungs
>>117417He widens his eyes in surprise, not liking the sensation.
(Oh no.)
He quickly takes his lips out of the cigar, followed by a series of small coughs.
>>117418"heheh, you're supposed to take a small breath, and let it sit in your mouth. Not inhale it"
>>117419Iron can't help but smile lightly.
"I will have keep that in mind for next time."
One last cough comes put of him before facing her.
"Do you usually smoke this kind of stuff?"
>>117420“Not really. I prefer cigarettes. But these griffins only have cigars, and it’s kind of a more expensive brand. It’s been a
long day, and I needed something to calm my nerves.”
>>117421Iron ponders about her plight to calmness.
"What was your life before being dragged here?"
>>117422She closes her eyes and tilts her head to the side in a manner resembling a shrug
“A life in the city. Working during the day time, trying to be sociable and have fun at night. Living alone.”
>>117421Silver pulls out his pack of cigarettes for Sands. "Want one? They are Old Guard brand."
>>117423"What kind of fun did you have?"
>>117425“Socializing. Dancing. The cinema less often.”
>>117424And with that, her eyes widen, and her mouth firms into a smile. It is an expression of pure joy, as if seeing a rainbow in the sky after months of ceaseless rain
“Yes! Yes!”
>>117426Silver gladly gives her a cigarette, even lighting it up for her with his lighter, once it's in her possession.
>>117426Iron is admittedly surprised about her love of cigarettes being expressed currently.
"...how often do you take those things?"
>>117427She takes it, places it in her mouth, and lets him light it. She gives a smile back to him, more in line with a mischievous smile than the child-like wonder of a moment before
She suck on it, and lets the orange line recede down the cigarette, before later blowing out a long breath
"Thanks"
>>117428"It varies from night to night and who I'm with, but several a day. And this one is the first one in a
very long time"
If Iron isn't taking the cigar, she takes that too with her magic
>>117429Silver smiles back in his natural, pleased look. He closes his lighter with a
*clink*. "No problem."
>>117430Iron is slightly concerned over her need of cigarettes
(Maybe she relies on them?)
Nevertheless, his interest lies elsewhere
"What friends do you have out there?"
>>117398But the town is somewhat populated?
>>117400rood
>>117433Yes
and no. There are ponies around, yes. Not very many. The presence of things like trucks - looks like a version made for, or the same as an army logistics truck - it looks to be reasonably populated
>>117431She smiles again back to Silver, now in a more generally happy way
>>117432She looks at Iron suspiciously. Defensively, even at Iron's look of concern relating to an alleged and completely unproven "need"
"In this area? Not many. It's hard to make friends in a new location, especially in the city. But it's worth trying to meet new ponies"
>>117434Chill out, man. He needs to find out how good smoking is before he can realize it's an entretainment activity.Iron's eys widen.
"Oh! Are you a traveler of sorts?"
>>117435"Of sorts. I moved from Skynavia to Manehattan. And from there to Baltimare."
>>117436Iron nods approvingly
"What inspires you to travel so far?"
He looks down for a bit.
"...if it is very far. I think it is."
>>117438I have no hooves and I must boop.
>>117438>>117440HISSSSS!>>117437She nods and raises an eyebrow, then takes a puff
"Oh yes. Very far. Very far indeed. It's nothing less than necessity. Can't live in your hometown without the Talonberg family taking a five eights share of your farm. Can't live in Manehattan without the landlord taking six eighths of your income. So I'm here."
>>117441Iron stares pensively at Sands.
(It sounds like somepony that can help me.)
"So you were a farmer previously?"
>>117434>>117441Brie leans over to Fun and whispers "Wir befinden uns immer noch in einem Bienenstock und sind auf Mission für die Königin. Wie heißt sie übrigens? Wie auch immer, Sie können sich jederzeit als Veränderliche herausstellen, aber bleiben Sie vorerst als Ponys, damit sie Sie nicht als Bedrohung sehen. Nutze die Offenbarung taktisch.
Ich empfehle eine Strategie, die vorgibt, die Jungetiere seien Adlige. Hast du die? Anders als die Königin natürlich; Oh ja, du hast mir ihren Namen gesagt."
>>117442"No. My family were."
>>117443"Es gibt viele Königinnen unter der Königin der Königinnen. Ich weiß nicht, wer Sie geschickt hat, aber jeder von ihnen kann ein Urteil wegen Desertion fällen.
Ich glaube nicht, dass viele Mitglieder der Rasse die Haut eines Ponys tragen würden. Es wäre nicht vorteilhaft für sie. Sie werden überrascht sein, wenn wir es tun."
>>117444No.
For a moment, Brie forgets himself and staring straight ahead, adopts an overjoyed expression. "Ich hatte gerade die beste Idee!", remembers himself, and goes back to looking the stance of a standard laborer.
>>117445Iron hums in thought.
"So you left because of how much money these ponies took from your family, not wanting to be a part of it?"
>>117447"Griffins. A lot of ponies left because they didn't like the culture shock, or the reduced autonomy, or the collectivization"
>>117446Some eyes watch the creatures as they go forward, towards the second, lower center of town, to where a couple changeling guards seem to be posted. But neither is it an inordinate amount of attention. Carts must not be much out of the ordinary
How be Meadows? And Ruby?
>>117449Ruby is looking outside of the window
"Well this isn't Whinnyapolis. Where is the State Fair?"
Meadows is standing up, and stretching out, still looking fatigued
>>117445Brie responds "Das ist mein Punkt. Niemand wird denken, dass Sie Wechselbalg in Pony-Verkleidung sind. Wir sind hier, um diese Firma zu untersuchen, und alle Streiche, die wir spielen können, sind auf dem Tisch. Lassen Sie uns beim Gemischtwarenladen anhalten."
>>117448Iron's mind realizes something.
"Wait, you came from across the endless waters?"
>>117450Onyx looks a bit nervous
"We've... Got a bit of a detour before that."
Midnight does her best to help the mare as she can
"Gently now Meadows, don't strain yourself"
>>117448Silver solemnly nods, knowing the pain of what collectivization and communism can bring.
>>117452She nods. Up and down repeatedly
"The long way"
>>117451"Oh Okay"
Stepping into the grocer shows a set of rows of items of food. The grocery is pleasantly well stocked with a variety of food, including cheese, milk, a few items of vegetables, and bread produced in an attached bakery. There are no processed foods nor more complex baked goods,, though there is a small amount of beat sugar behind the counter. Everything seems to be locally sourced. There is a distinct lack of any tropical fruit, be it mangos or kiwis, and of any kind of food that would need to travel more than 100 miles.
>>117453".... Alright"
He looks disappointed
"I wanted to ride the tilt-a-whirl.."
>>117454Loputu nods as well, slowly and solemnly
>>117453Meadows:
"Oh, I've strained myself plenty when I was younger. I can handle it."
>>117455Onyx pats the colt's back
"Don't worry, I'll get you there."
>>117456"Well, I do not want you injuring yourself more. So be gentle."
>>117455Iron pondered for a few seconds
"How did you do it?"
>>117455Hold on one sec, he's not going in QUITE yet. After removing the harness, Brie steps back to the cart. Opening the door to the cart, Brie pokes his head in.
"We've been sent on a spying mission. We're to investigate a company for crimes against the Queen. I recommend we kidnap the main Overseer." Brie says with a beaming smile.
>>117454>>117455Dark Star Joins in their nod
>>117459Small colt Brie forgets the name of: "... This is a strange game you're playin'"
>>117458She takes another puff
"At the time, the Equestrian government was subsidizing tickets to ferry us to Manehattan, Sunset, and Baltimare"
She breathes out
"So we took ships. Came as whole families mostly"
Loputu walks up to listen in on this conversation
>>117457Um... see
>>117459Meadows:
"Alright"
she tries walking forward again
Ruby is happy again. Until Brie speaks
>>117461Brie smiles at the colt. "I'm sure you'll be fine waiting in the cart. It should only take a few moments."
>>117462He remembers, its Runie. Robby? RUBY!
>>117462“Oh... okay”
The colt goes back to doing what he was doing before, which seems to be playing tic tac toe with Wesley using a pencil and his notepad, while Kerr stares silently from a corner and Seb sleeps
>>117459"Oh, this oughta be great."
Onyx turns to Ruby
"Stay in the cart unless it would more dangerous to stay than leave"
He then jumps out himself
>>117461Midnight supports the mare, humming a quiet tune.
>>117465"We're not there yet, we need to stop and gather a bit of information first."
>>117461"So that is how most Skynavians came to live here. That must have been back when Canterlot would actually do things like that to help ponies in need."
>>117461Iron thinks where this is going.
"...did you come with your family here?"
>>117464"Oh, I almost forgot." Brie turns to Wesley and Kerr. "Wir wurden auf eine Spionagemission geschickt. Wir sollen eine Firma wegen Verbrechen gegen die Königin untersuchen. Ich empfehle, den Hauptaufseher zu kidnappen." he reiterates, with the same joyous tone.
>>117466"Hmmmm, lemme know if I can be of use then."
>>117470Brie blinks at him a couple times. "Well I
am going to need your help taking him. Unless I can get him alone, and even if I can, there may be guards of one type or another. And if we have to leave in a hurry, you and I will probably have to pull the cart."
>>117474So...how're things?
>>117475They’ve been better
>>117476That sucks to hear, man. Hope they get better.
>>117479>>117477Gah!
>>117478*is comforted by the floofster*
>>117469Wesley: “ Das ist ein ... das ist etwas Neues”
Kerr: “ Eine Königin! Was für eine Ehre!”
>>117468“No. My mother wanted to stay there with her mother, and she wanted to stay on the farm. But they wanted me to leave, and to see if taking them later.”
>>117467Loputu walks over, with a gait most like a fearful and submissive dog. Nevertheless, he answers
“Many stayed. Many went to Bakara. But we came to Equestria. Equestria was something of a fairy tail land to us. Magical guardians, friendship and harmony, wages in a day what would be made in a week back home. Equestria had just defeated it’s own version of Marksism, and was helping those flee from it elsewhere”
>>117465Ruby: “Well uh, okay”
Meadows walks out now, or tries to
>>117480Iron ponders for a second.
"I see..."
He looks at her for a second, from horn to hoof
"What sort of skills do you have?"
>>117480"I suppose when you put it that way, I can see why Equestria would seem like...fairy tail land, as you say. It is difficult to see it that way when you have lived in Equestria all your life."
>>117480"Well, it is good that you are walking better now."
Midnight helps her along.
>>117471"Sounds good.... I think."
>>117481Fairly thin and dainty, a snow white with long haired fur
“Skills?! What do you mean?”
It’s pretty obvious she thinks this is a weird question, or at least, a weird way to phrase it
>>117482He nods, then lowers his head as he continues nodding
>>117483They enter out into the hallway. While Meadows isn’t too tall for it, she takes up much of it
>>117484insert black couch hereIron chuckles at her surprise, before inhaling a little, calming himself down.
"You did travel very far and possibly without much spending money. A pony who can do that must have something to offer in order to sustain themselves. Have you picked up some manual labor jobs along the way, like Khoi?"
>>117480Brie smiles again at the 'Lings. He then grabs his suit and cloak, puts them on, and pats himself down for money. I think he's still got like 40 bits on him, that should be enough. He then looks at Onyx
>>117483"I'm still working on a plan to get close to him and try to get him alone, but that's fine. We won't be there for another 20-30 minutes. First we need som rope!" and as he says rope, he flares his eyes and eyebrows, putting a bit of adventurous anticipation in his expression. He is of course, still smiling. Without a sense motive check, it is clear that he is famously enjoying himself.
Brie
now enters the general store.
>>117484"Meadows, I hope you do not mind me asking... But what is a... Rack-shash-a?"
>>117486Onyx shakes his head, wondering what the buck he's gotten himself into this time.
>>117484Silver trots up to him, and puts a hoof on his shoulder. "But together, perhaps we all can help to make that fairy tale land reality."
>>117455Brie looks for provisions. Specifically, he's looking for sturdy rope, the sort that could be used to bound a captive, a black bag that will fit over a head, and anything that could be used as a gag.
>>117486And thus he sees the scene described earlier, a set of food items that is at once disappointing and better than it could have been
>>117487Her face now almost has an expression of fear
“Terrible creatures. They trick you into thinking they are one of your loved ones, then they eat you”
>>117488He blinks, and looks up at Silver
“How?”
>>117489Trash bag, cloth, and indeed rope
>>117485“Oh... you are asking about my job... Well, now I am helping to take care of the elderly in the ghetto. Skynavian life is a little different, a little more communal. So care for the elderly is more of a collective thing that a family thing, or than a business”
>>117490I'm hoping that its a fabric bag, that one could breathe through. Assuming it is, Brie purchases all three.
>>117490"By working together, and putting aside our differences to work towards something greater than any of us. By following example set by those that founded Equestria. It will not fix everything overnight, no, but only together can we right these wrongs, and fix what has been broken in this land and its people."
>>117491Iron ponders it a little bit.
"So your skills are related to taking care of ponies."
He mulls it over for a bit.
"Why would they want to nab a pony who does that?" he wonders to himself out loud.
>>117490Midnight's eyes widen a bit, and she can't quite hide the fear in them.
"You mean... They change form?"
>>117494Silver interjects. "They do not care what one did before they were captured. As long as they are fit for manual labor, or...other 'things', they will take them." He speaks 'things' with a particularly disgusted, reviled tone.
>>117492Eh, fabric seed bag. This may require going to a separate shop. Possible all the same
When Brie places his money on the counter, the clerk looks at the money, then looks at Brie, somewhere between confusion and suspicion. He takes the money, then writes in a notebook
>>117494She nods,
“Yes, my cutie mark is in service. In Manehattan I was a waiter. I’ve tried to get a receptionist job here but they are not easy to get, and the locals expect me to help them there.
I have no idea what these... creatures are thinking about except money. It is beyond me”
>>117495“In some tales they shapeshift. In others it is an illusion. All the same, they trick you, and prey upon your trust.”
>>117496She joins in
“They find a division of labor later...”
>>117496Iron turns to Silver.
"I would agree with you, but I find it far more plausible they trick ponies into their hold, then restrian them. Jubilosa and Khoi got tricked into a ship to another country, while Loputu was a colt without any really powerful connections to dissuade capture."
He mulls over the thing that's bothering him.
"I do not understand why they would try to kidnap a pony who had a job here, which could raise suspicion of their activities."
>>117497But after hearing Sands' current predicament of no job until now he nods.
"Oh. Nevermind."
He ponders for a second, interested.
"A waiter, you say?"
(I may have some use for that.)
>>117497"I see... Shall we look for the others then?"
>>117497Brie notes the notation, but pays it no mind. With his new acquisitions he returns to the cart, places them inside, removes his suit and places it inside, and returns to the front of the cart to re-harness.
The guards who were seen further along, were they ponies or changelings?
>>117498She looks more than a little offended at the suggestion that caring for the elderly is “not a job,” but she answers anyways
“Yes. In a fancy restaurant in Manehattan in the center town. I was inexperienced, but they thought I was pretty enough.”
>>117499She looks around the hallway
“Is that not them right here?”
She looks worried
“What am I seeing then...”
Blue Skies:
“We’re right fucking here Midnight”
>>117500The guards in the second town center - there are indeed two of them - are changelings, around what looks like a small police station and a three story building marked as the offices of the Marion mining company
>>117501....
Rood, I didn't know that.
>>117501Iron simply looks at her.
"How inexperienced are we talking about?"
>>117503“It was my first, paying job”
>>117504"You did not have any accidents of any sort, did you?"
[1d20+5 = 13]>>117505Sense motive
>>117507He mostly means physicial accidents, like tripping while carrying food around or spilling the contents out.
>>117508>>117508“Maybe once or twice or three times...”
>>117510Iron smacks his lips with uncertainty
(A social pony, probably good on negotiations. There may be some use for her... just not that I can think of currently. Hopefully I can keep her around. Just not as a waitress, from what I hear.)
He decides to give her a long stroke of her mane, checking his combing progress.
>>117501Midnight jumps, before glaring at Skies
"I did not notice you. Am I to assume you already know about the changelings?"
>>117512She blinks
“Changelings?”
>>117511She likes the combing, closing her eyes. The end of a hoof is a bit unwieldy for removing tangles, but he is getting done out of the hair. The remains of tattered braids are still there.
>>117513"Yes, Meadows here calls them by a different name, but they fit the description. We need to be wary"
>>117513He inspects the tattered braids closer as his hooves undo the unicorn's hair tangles.
>>117514>>117515It seems she once had her hair in braids kept together with ties. Those braids have since dissipated and come undone, with no ties remaining, nor the hair particularly cared for
>>117514“............... What”
>>117520I should clarify. Parking the car in an area near the offices, but with the door to the cart facing away from the office.
>>117517"Yes, this may make things harder."
>>117520A guard looks at the strange ponies going in. Others pay him no mind. A different pony, a blue Pegasus in winter clothing, simply walks by. The walls are a light blue color, and there is a dark wood receptionist desk with a yellow female earth pony sitting in it over to the left, and a hallway back
>>117521Alright
>>117522“Is this whole thing a Changeling operation?!?!?”
>>117523"I am not sure, but there are changelings around. I would recommend we all stay within sight of eachother now."
>>117523Yeesh! I'm not going in yet!
>>117517Iron decides to try his best in clearing those remains, in order to attain a smoother hair.
>>117523Once the cart is parked, Brie grabs Fun and goes back to the cart where he grabs (again) his suit (and puts it on, complete with the cload). Then opening the door Brie addresses Onyx and Sparks. "Alright gentlecolts, its game time! Here's the plan. We're a bunch of shady mercenaries who operate on behalf of the queen. We've intercepted someone in their organization who is trying to rat them all out for corruption and imbezzlement. That part will be played by Fun here!" He pats Fun on both shoulders. "We bring him in and demand to talk to the Overseer, using him and our identifications as leverage. Then, we knock the Overseer, one 'Steel Otis' out and replace him with Fun. Fun takes his appearance, and escorts us out of the facility, we all get into the cart, and then leave!" Brie exclaims (not too loudly of course).
>>117527
"That's.... I.... What. We're foalnapping someone?"
Onyx groans and grabs his halberd.
>>117529"Coltnapping would be the correct term, but yes." Brie says. "The queen wants us to find out the extent of corruption in the organization. I can think of no better way to determine that than by kidnapping him and either torturing him ourselves or handing him over. I mean, the whole point of this mission is to determine the fault and make sure that the problem is rectified. I can think of few better ways to do it,... though I'm open to suggestions."
>>117530Onyx raises an eyebrow
"The queen... As in Queen Chrysalis? Are you telling me this mission is for Queen Chrysalis?"
>>117531"Heavens no, the queen who presides over the home of these two." Brie says, indicating Wesley and Kerr.
>>117526Her hair is shortly straightened out. She has a long, light red mane of fine hair
>>117524“Well this could effect a lot of things... what exactly is going on here?”
>>117528Fun is more than a little concerned
“Was genau muss ich tun?”
>>117532"And.... Isn't that Queen Chrysalis?"
Onyx looks like he's about to burst a blood vessel.
>>117533"I am not quite sure, but as far as I can tell Meadows was attacked by a changeling and left in a cocoon."
>>117533Technically, I haven't told Fun yet,... but I'll roll with it.
"Erstens müssen Sie so tun, als wären Sie ein Gefangener. Wir werden deinen Kopf mit einer Tasche bedecken und dir die Hufe binden. Keine Sorge, das ist nur eine Ablenkung. Sobald wir drinnen sind, müssen wir vielleicht ein paar Ponys sinnlos schlagen. Ihre Hilfe wird dabei wertvoll sein. Sobald sie geschlagen sind und wir unseren echten Steinbruch haben, müssen Sie sein Aussehen annehmen und uns dann "aus dem Gebäude begleiten"."
>>117534"No. Apparently there's a bunch of them. Regional directors or some such." Brie says as though its a silly idea.
>>117533He makes sure to comb all of those annoying little tangles as his focus is set on the luscious light red mane.
(This will surely make her head clear for the combat later... not to mention it is
so soft to the touch.)
Brie looks at Sparks and Onyx. "Both of you will enter with me, don't worry we have identification, and will be primary in beating faces should that be necessary. It probably will, but we might get lucky. Isn't this fun?" He exclaims, entirely disproportionate to the situation.
>>117536She’s still clearly a pony, but her mane and especially coat have a real different to them. The hair is longer, fluffier even, and more gifts around the legs and ears. Her coat is softer to pet than Cauldron’s - Cauldron has short hairs, and they are more coarse. These are long and nearly fluffy. Her mane flows down, and is less stiff than that of the zebra, which is able to stand straight up where short enough.
Her mane is kept long, but strangely fine. Irons hooves can only take out so many tangles
>>117535“Oh.... o... okay”
>>117534“Are any of the other prisoners like that?”
>>117537>>117535"Hmph, fine. Lead the way"
>>117539"I am unsure, Meadows is the only one I have really talked to. Where are the rest?"
>>117538"Ach komm schon, es wird lustig! Ha! DU BIST SPASS! Das ist lustig! Aber ja, es sollte eine gute Zeit sein!" Brie pats his shoulder jovially.
>>117538Iron's tongue lightly comes out as his attempts to straighten her mane out are becoming futile.
(Damn. This is a losing battle.)
He decides to give her a soft, short stroke on her barrel, to signal his work is as done as he can get and recedes with his stroking with a small pout on his face.
>>117541Fun is unsettled, but nods his head
>>117540“Right here. Like, you’re already here.”
>>117542She giggles
“Hehehe, you need a brush?”
>>117544Iron looks to the ground with a blush present in his face, still pouting.
"Yes."
>>117545“Hehe, why don’t you look around for something long and slender. I don’t have anything, but maybe your mates do”
>>117546Using a penis as a comb when?Iron's blush increases in intensity at her wording, making him cough lightly, both from surprise and the remnants of smoke in his lungs.
"Alright."
He decides to walk over to Skies, with his everpresent blush.
"Do you by any chance have a brush on you?"
>>117543e_e
Yes, because I totally knew everypony didn't just run off.
>>117547>>117548Can we get some combat before you two start fucking down some mares?
>>117549Call up Dark Star.
>>117547>>117548SLENDER!
>>117548Skies is wide eyed in surprise to see and hear this request from Iron
“Uh...”
She looks through a small pack
“Uh... I have a pick. Don’t lose it”
>>117549I'm down with that.
>>117551Iron takes the pick, returning to Sands, then tries using it on her mane gently and slowly, hoping it doesn't hurt or bother her.
>>117553The hair is thick enough that it cannot harm her. This seems successful, taking out the tangles that his hoof cannot
>>117554With newfound confidence, he undoes the
evil, anarchic tangles with his
weapon of hair order.
(Winning this battle is a certainty.)
He smiles to himself.
>>117555+2 against tangles
Slowly it is evened out, and laid straight. Her red hair is long, and rests upon her neck, head and back, flowing over
>>117556With a huge smile on his face, he pats Sands' back in reassurance.
"It is done. The menacing tangles have been taken out."
Followed by puffing his chest.
Alright. I think it's combat time.We can always tame the tail later~
>>117557She nods, and smiles
"Nice job"
>>117558Iron sits proudly next to her, closing his eyes with a big grin and looking slightly up.
"I am eager to please."
>>117563I'm kinda hoping Star shows up so we can move on.
Otherwise, I might as well comb Sands' tail.
>>117567>>117566>>117565Dangit, goiz! Don't spoil our deaths! That's supposed to be a seekrit!
Um.... you all can still declare actions
>>117569I think Iron and I are waiting on Dark Star, but we're pretty well ready to proceed, free some prisoners, and take on some griffons.
>>117570>>117569What the floof said
>>117569I had hoped Dark Star would've come by now,
but if I have all this time...Iron glances back at Sands' tail to see if it needs some combing as well.
"Alright, places everypony,... er bug,... whatever." To Sparks and Onyx, Brie says "Remember, we're disreputable mercenaries." Then to Fun "Tut mir leid, aber es ist unsere beste Option. Ihnen wird kein bleibender Schaden zugefügt."
When Fun is ready, Brie places the bag over his head. He cuts a small piece of rope to bind Fun's forehooves, and then places the rope around Fun's neck like a leash. Checking Fun's appearance briefly he says. "Alright, let's proceed inside.!"
As they're leaving, as an afterthought, Brie looks over to Ruby. "We'll explain more when we get back." and with a wink, turns toward the office.
>>117573Onyx sighs and turns to Ruby as he slings his halberd over his shoulder.
"Be good, and I promise we'll be back soon...."
He turns to follow Brie but says over his shoulder
"Um... Sorry about all this"
He then quickly follows
>>117573>>117537"Er... I'll try my best."
>>117576Brie whispers "Hopefully it will just be a simple snatch and grab, or perhaps a modest beat-down, but don't hesitate to get creative!"
>>117573Fun looks like a dark brown earth pony
>>117572A few tangles, yes
>>117523"Hello my good mare. We are here to see Mr. Otis."
>>117578Iron pokes Sands, then points to her tail, followed by moving the pick in a combing motion.
>>117578With a bag over his face
>>117579>>117581Okay, is Brie going into the administrative offices with a brown Earth Pony that has a bag over his head?
>>117580"Uh... Okay"
>>117582Flanked by Onyx and Sparks, yes
>>117582Iron, albeit with a small blush when realizing what he just asked to do, simply presses on with a determined look, placing the comb from the dock of her tail to the tip, wanting to take out those mean tangles that dare cause chaos against the mare's otherwise orderly look.
He inhales a bit.
"Do you usually comb your mane?"
>>117583Right behind you.
>>117583The receptionist blinks at him
>>117585She reacts, and raises the tail slightly
"Yes, I do"
>>117587"I'll just make my way inside then. This isn't a 'scheduled' meeting, but I daresay he will want to see us right away."
Bluff
{1d20+7]
I probably should have mentioned that by "making way inside" he was turning to go in (wherever in is, I'm sure there's doors). Seems kind of crass after the roll, but that was his intention regardless.
>>117587Iron can't help but sweat a little from the reaction, moving the pick up and down along her silk strands with tentative strokes.
"I see."
His blush at how he's acting only gets stronger as his hooves get closer to touching the sacred no-no before every brush
"I heard you like movies. What are those?"
>>117589>>117588>>117590"He's.... out doing field work. Probably in the South Mine..."
>>117591"Moving images displayed on a screen. They even have sound now"
>>117592"Surely he will be back before too long. I can't imagine he has more to busy himself than with,... well overseeing."
>>117592Iron's stress levels die down after catching an actual topic worth discussing over while the tail combing continues, making him forget slightly the action he's doing. In fact, he raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Really? You mean moving pictures? What kind of magic is that?"
>>117593".... He will be out at least a few hours..."
>>117594"Hehehe. Lighting Film. But it really is magical in its own sort of way"
>>117595Sands could swear Iron's eyes just sparkled.
"
Woah. What did you see done with it so far?"
>>117595"I see. You'll have to excuse me as - though it weren't obvious already - I'm not from around here. Is there an Inn or some such locale that I can wait for him at in the area?"
>>117596She giggles again, holding a hoof to her mouth
"Well, have you heard of Gone with the Whinny?"
>>117597She stares at him blank faced
"... Is.... I'm guessing it's not urgent? If it's urgent you can just walk to the South Mine and meet him. It's very close, less than a mile away. Would you like to talk to someone else maybe? His first assistant? Maybe Security?"
>>117599"No, this matter demands I speak to him directly. Though since you mention, what is your impression of his first assistant?"
>>117600"Would you like me to start out to the mine? I have nothing better to do yet."
>>117599Iron stares at Sands blankly, not even attempting to remember if he had heard of it, followed by a shake of the head but with renewed interest.
"Tell me about it!" he chirps out.
>>117600“... Are you with the PLF?”
>>117602Do I gotta describe a whole movie plot?
>>117603Brie smiles as though she has just said something she might not have wanted to. "If I were, I would have the good sense not to admit to it, wouldn't I?"
Bluff
[1d20+7 = 26]>>117601"You're right, we have other matters to attend to."
Back to the Yellow-mare "Thank you for your discretion. We'll try the mine then."
Hot damn, my rolls are ON tonight
>>117604I do not understand the bluff
>>117606It was a bluff to imply that yes he is part of the PLA, but is shrewd enough to not admit to it.
>>117604>>117607Alright. So he ends leaves.... presumably
>>117603Ya don't have to, ya goose.
Say the main themes of it.
>>117608Yes, they leave the office and head back toward the cart, undoing Fun's binds and bag and such, Brie removing his suit and cloak, stashing it in the cart, and then resuming the lead.
>>117610"Change in plan I assume?"
>>117611"What kind of bureaucrat
isn't sitting in a comfy office? Absurd! Still, we know the PLA has their hoof in whatever is going on here. Same plan, different location."
>>117610And so they presumably leave, heading onwards along the sane path
>>117613>saneOh heavens no, but along the path yes.
>>117615>>117613Sanity left this group long ago
>>117614Boops u
>>117614Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Heyo. Wanna fight it up against the griffs?
>>117618Yes, lets do it. its furnace time.
Looks like everyone from all gangs are here.
>>117619Coolio.
>>117567Silver! Get your butt moving and ready up your rump for more bullets!
>>117615>>117616They go onwards. A guard stares them down as they move, but does not act. They go onwards, past cookie cutter buildings, past a railroad track, and through a set of woods. The trees are not even a hundred yards thick before a clearing. This clearing leads out into what could be thought of as a stunning sight
Beneath and before them lies a huge black pit of rock and ore, with valleys all of its own, spanning hundreds of acres and possibly more than a square mile. 100 feet deep (deeper?) at parts and spanning, though perhaps not to the horizon, certainly a fine distance. Inside are dozens of diesel trucks with steel beds, ponies hauling carts, and steam shovels. With magic, diesel, probably explosives, steam and sheer horsepower, they rend the earth and move it likely towards the left side of the mine.
On the mine’s left side is the sand railway line, with a long train with dozens of open cars, and a steam locomotive billowing black smoke into the air. This is next to a large facility that must crush, sort, and clean ore, at the edge of the nine. Below, inside the mind, are a set of trailers and a few more ponies. Elsewhere are what seems to be pumps.
>>117622Toward the trailers I think, though others are welcome to interject.
>>117623>>117622Nah, towards the trailers seems smartest to me
>>117624>>117623They go down, past a noisy facility, and down a slope where stallions pull carts up the slope, and make way for a diesel truck. There are three trailers down the slope at the bottom of the pit
>>117625I probably should have clarified earlier, but when you say trailers, can you be more specific? I mean are we talking mobile building trailers? Empty hauling trailers? Redneck RV trailers? Breaking Bad trailers?
>>117626For some reason it never occurred to me that not every one has been to a construction site and seen those mobile home like trailer- buildings they put offices in, or have seen the same used to hold classrooms in those schools where the population of children is far beyond that of the capacity of the permanent school buildings. I don’t know what those things are called and I can’t figure it out right now
\r
>>117627Thats what I thought you meant, I just wanted to make sure
>>117627Ayyy, I know those things.
>>117627>>117614>>117629So... ya want to start some of that combat stuff for the remainder of the day?
>>117625Onyx turns to Brie
"I'll take the cart so you can talk."
>>117631"Alright, but don't go anywhere. Once I've figured out which one is Otis, we may have a fight on our hands. Hopefully not." Brie retrieves his suit, his cloak, and all his paperwork should he need it and then knocks on the most apparently active trailer's door.
Spark takes a look around.
>>117630Yea, sorry my power was out.
>>117633Spark sees more or less this
>>117622. Of course, he's on the inside, but it's a black, rocky pit that strecthes for perhaps a mile with steam shovels dotting it, and far beyond, some grass and pine trees.
Close to sprak are three seperate trailers. Two are lined up almost, but kind of angled inwards, and one is a bit off yet almost parallel to one of the others. There are a couple ponies who seem to be roaming around, going to the units
>>117632A gruff voice answers
"What? Just open the door"
>>117635Brie does so. "Hello? I'm looking for a Mr. Steel Otis. Is that you?"
>>117636Brie opens the door. It looks like a lavenderish colored crystal pony is the one who responded. He has his winter coat loosen up, and lazily holds a steel mug in one hoof and a cigarette in the other. Inside he sees a few ponies and one changeling - who is as unenthusiastic to return to the cold as the ponies - sitting along a set of chairs, with a table in the center, mostly with coffee and or cigarettes
"No. This is the breakroom trailer. He'll be with the forepony over in the foremare's trailer"
>>117637"Ah, my mistake. Which trailer is the Foremare's? I don't know my way around here, but I must speak with him urgently."
>>117638He points the cigarette to the right
"That way"
>>117639"My thanks." Leaving the trailer, Brie wanders over to the cart. "He should be in that trailer there." He says pointing. "There's some rough looking ponies in that first trailer, so if things get hairy we're in for a bit of a brawl."
>>117640"Oh fun, this is just swell."
Onyx stands by the cart, ready to either fight or quickly leave depending on how this goes down.
>>117640"Ok... so, do you want us to help you there, or stay back here?"
>>117643"Stay here, I'm gonna try and draw him out. If you hear me scream its cuz he's beating the life out of me, but otherwise I should be able to lure him out of the trailer."
Brie goes and knocks on the indicated trailer
>inb4 there's more than one trailer in that direction
>>117641>>117631>>117630Khoi remains as she has, like a guard dog at attention by the door
"Somecreature's coming!"
>>117640A green unicorn walks by, and opens the door
"Alright, back to work. We're behind our quota already"
The crystal pony retorts
"Our machine isn't working"
"No way your shovel is down too. Do it manually if you have to, just get back to work"
>>117645Well, there
are three in total. But no, there is only one that way
"Who is it?"
>>117646Midnight's wings reach under the opposite wing and seem to wrap around something when she hears the warning, placing herself between Meadows and the door.
>>117647Through the door:
"Hello, I'm looking for a Mr. Steel Otis. I have an urgent matter that requires his attention."
>>117648"Alright, come in"
>>117646Dark Star pulls out his bow.
and aims it towards the incoming creature.
>>117650Opening the door, Brie enters the trailer.
Spot check (anything that seems useful or relevant)
[1d20-1 = 6]
>>117646Iron stops his combing, standing up and expecting a fight, stuffing the pick in his clothes.
"Sands, behind me," he whispers to the unicorn.
He awaits, ready to pounce any living thing that Khoi just mentioned.
>>117651>>117648>>117630The creatures are not yet there, but down the hall
"I would've thought Kurzefeder would have got the heat back on by now. It is too cold here."
"Thing must really be down if he still hasn't got it back up"
"I hope he didn't take extra time with that sicameonese girl"
"And where are those other captives? The gnolls should've brought them up by now"
"Maybe
they are with the girl"
"Whatever, we'll get them ourselves"
>>117652Desk to the left. Blue unicorn mare. Board over to the right with papers pinned to it. What is useful?
>>117654"Mr... Otis?" Brie asks, slightly off-put by the scene.
>>117654He decides to await these griffs in the storage room, at the door, ready to pounce them the moment he hears they're in front of the door.
>>117654Can i ready an action?
>>117655"I am the forepony's secretary"
>>117656>>117657If Dark Star and Iron are taking their sweet time, so are the griffins. They enter a different room down the hall
>>117658"I see. I was told that I could find him here. Or was he the green unicorn whom I just passed outside?"
>>117659"That may have been the forepony. Steel Otis is here"
>>117648>>117658>>117657Damn.
Iron decides it's a good idea that because they've entered a room further down the hall, he should be able to get to that room and be ready to ambush them faster.
Therefore, he tells this plan to the others.
>>117648>>117643A pair of Changelings walk up towards the third trailer from outside
>>117660"Perhaps I'm missing something, it appears to be just you and me."
>>117658>>117661Dark Star nods
"Right behind you."
>>117663Sleight of hand, frogging a throwing knife
[1d20+9 = 22]
>>117661>>117664Midnight nods and pulls out two shortswords from under her wings
"Here we go"
>>117662Onyx watches, trying not to make his staring obvious
>>117662>>117666"Well... that's probably trouble. Let's go talk to them."
Spark heads toward the changelings.
>>117663He is. There is another set of rooms off to the right, and a little hallway
>>117665Successful
>>117666They move in, and stand besides the door
>>117668Ah, my bad. "Thank you young mare." Brie smiles and proceeds toward the other set of rooms.
>>117667There are two of them. The black creatures are drones, wearing white, including a white fuzzy hat. It's a bit of a contrast because almost all of the ones they have met so far wore a grey uniform. They are obviously guards or other security staff. One looks at the door, the other back at Spark
>>117669The little hallway has a room off to the right, another door past that, and a door at the end
>>117667"After you Spark"
Onyx will follow the unicorn, while trying to look intimidating.
>>117666>>117664>>117668With a nod, he beckons the group forwards as he moves himself to the room the griffons had just entered.
(Hopefully they are distracted enough.)
>>117670Poking his head back toward the unicorn mare, Brie asks "Uhm, which room am I looking for?"
>>117673"The main office is in the back"
>>117674"Thanks again." Brie smiles and heads toward the back office and knocks three times on the door.
>>117670Spark addresses the changelings.
"Hello there. I must say, it is a bit cold out here. Why don't you two head the the break room for a bit and warm up. We got this shift covered."
>>117675"Who is it?" Answers the voice
>>117676Glares
>>117677"Hello sir, my name is Brie and I have an urgent matter that requires your attention. May I have a word?"
>>117672Dark Star follows
>>117678"Sure. Come on in"
\r
>>117672The paladin pony pursues
>>117680Entering the room, Brie takes a quick glance around and then settles his gaze on Otis(?).
[1d20+3 = 20]>>117677"What? Surely you aren't new here. You have seen the boss do some deals, right? I hear the trade this time is with a bat. Now, you didn't hear that from me. As you know, bats are a bit jittery and so while he is here, we got this shift."
Bluff roll.
>>117682A wooden desk that is fancier than the construct of most of the room kind of to the left, a grey earth pony behind that, a white unicorn stallion standing over to the side wearing a white fur jacket and cap, a window behind with the blinds down, and over to the right as well, a clock on the wall off to the left, and so forth
>>117681>>117679>>117672And so I guess they go to stand outside the boiler room
>>117684Correct.
Iron peeks into the room, trying to see the griffons inside it.
>>117683He is confused
"We are here to deal with a threat from partisans. This is no 'shift'"
Then he says
"Let me get confirmation from the boss"
>>117684"Mr. Otis?" Brie says looking at both ponies.
>>117686"And interupt the deal? I'm afaid that is a death sentence. Do you have permission from him to interupt such a thing? Not even I am supposed to. I can't even begin to think of what they would do to you if you come barging in and see something you aren't supposed to."
>>117687He nods
"You're the one from the main office, aren't you?"
>>117688Now he's definitely weirded out
>>117688As if to emphasize Spark's point, Onyx moves his halberd from resting on his shoulder to hiding it at attention, still staring straight ahead.
>>117690The other one blinks
"Let me guess. You two are with the PLF?"
>>117689"Quite. I'll cut to the chase. You have a mole in your operation."
Bluff
[1d20+7 = 15]
>>117681>>117679>>117672Okay, Ive completely misinterpreted the map.
The one doorway there does not lead into the hall. It leads into the boiler room and not a hallway. And the griffins entered the boiler room
>>117692"... A mole?"
>>117689"Look, I get the feeling you are new to this. Just relax. They will do their thing, and if all goes well, we all might get a little pay bump out of it. This is how the real world works. Sometimes you have to run a little money under the table to get things going."
>>117691"What? No. Our boss ain't with those low lifes. Not enough money in that in the slightest. Trust me, we are in a get in, get out kind of business. Public recognition of that level gets in the way of such things."
>>117694They look confused as all hell. But their weapons go to an at ease position
>>117693"Indeed. Your arrangement with the PLA, well I wouldn't say its common knowledge
yet, and it can very easily remain that way if you prefer. For example. My men and I have the mole in custody."
>>117685>>117693Post should still apply. Add boiler in front of room.
>>117685There are indeed griffins in there, inspecting equipment and such
>>117685>>117690>>117679"The boiler is off"
"And the valves are turned off"
"What the hell is going on?"
"Just turn it back on, get it working. I'm wondering if the damned knolls are on strike, or if Hans and Kurve were running some kind of test"
>>117697"I don't
have an arrangement with the PLF"
His eyes dart nervously to the Unicorn to his left
>>117699Sense motive
[1d20-1 = 19]
>>117700Use the real dice, the email dice, so we can actually see the dice
He seems to be telling the truth. Further more, he feels the need to convince the pony standing next to him of the truth of that statement
>>117699>>117690>>117696Iron stares at the griffons pensively until he gets an idea, turning to Skies and Sands.
"Can any of you two attract these griffons back here? It should make it easier to overwhelm them," he whispers to the two mares.
>>117702>it doesn't show the dice I used in the bracketsBut if I use the email dice I'll die! ._.
>>117703I would think Skies and Jubilosa would be a better pair"Uh, I guess we could"
>>117703"what did you have in mind?"
>>117702"I suspected that you didn't." Brie looks to the other pony, a bit of edge in his gaze, while still talking to Otis. "It seems someone in this organization has been,... taking liberties shall we say. This has attracted unwanted attention. Mine."
>>117705>>117706Actually that makes sense. You're right.Looking at Sands, he shakes his head, turning to Jubilosa.
"Nevermind, two griffons should attract them easily, since they trust their kind," he whispers. "Lure them closer so the melee troops can strike easier and keep our presence hidden."
>>117708"Sounds like an alright plan to me."
>>117708"Okay...."
"hello?"
The two griffins peak their heads through the door
"What are you doing out?"
"Who are you?"
"No grif should be there"
Well, they are coming alright
>>117707"Who are you?
He asks, confused and worried
>>117711"I already told you, my name is Brie. And I'm here to collect the head of the pony(ies) responsible for making deals with the PLA." he says calmly.
>>117711Iron readies his hooves for a strike the moment he's able to reach them in a 30ft radius.
"Ready up, melee troopers, and follow my lead"
>>117709He glances at Dark Star
"Fire your bow when they are at striking distance from the melee troopers."
Should be 30ft on all of them.
>>117711"You needn't worry, I believe you when you confess no knowledge of it. Your associate there however has been rather quiet."
>>117713"i had planned on it."
He moves about 15 ft away
>>117712He places his hooves on the table and leans up
"Well I'm not the one doing it!"
He calms down slightly, and leans back in his seat
"And I don't know who it is..."
Ready move. If the unicorn attempts to escape, he's getting stuck.
>>117713>>117716And one of them comes into the doorway
[1d20+5 = 25]>>117719Dark Star lets his arrow go
>>117719>>117721Iron sees the signal of somegriff approach from Dark Star, taking the opportunity to charge at the one griffon courteous to come out of the boiler room into an arrow, charging at him with reckless abandon. Fully powered attack, hopefully in a good spot to tickle the griffon in just the right way into unconsciousness.
[1d20+8 = 9]<Here comes punchy time.
>>117724I KNOW.REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
>>117721It proceeds forward, hits him in the head, shocks him with pink magic, and causes the lower part of his body to keep moving forward as his head moves backward, knocking him on his back in a glorious fashion
>>117722And... right into the wall, hurting Iron's bone, and knocking him prone
>>117718>>117720The White Unicorn simply stands there, silently
>>117727"What I don't get" Brie continues, nonchalantly "Is what the PLA needs mining equipment for. Smuggled ore, that's easy to account for, but equipment? And further," his gaze never wavering from the unicorn "how is it that the secretary at the main office knows, but you don't Mr. Otis. I'm not blaming you, just wondering aloud how extensive this scheme is. I mean, I don't technically need EVERYPONY'S head, just one and an explanation will do."
>>117726Ow my bone. Definitely not gonna impress anybody like that.Iron groggily stands up for this turn's duration.
(I cannot believe you have done this, wall.)
>>117728"She told me that a guy ccame in with another pony with a bag on his head looking for me. Logical conclusion, it's PLA looking to kidnap me or something"
Then he looks down
"They don't always steal the equipment. Sometimes its broken. Sabotaged I think. Sometimes it's missing workers. We think they are joining the PLA"
\r
[1d20-1 = -1]>>117730Sense motive
>>117731Oh yeah, there’s something more here
>>117730"So you're telling me that they're stealing from and sabotaging the company, but you have nothing to do with it. But their activity is enough that the lady at the office knows about it, to the point where she'd offer it to a random pony who shows up with a prisoner in tow. Is that what you're telling me?"
>>117733"Literally everyone knows about the PLA, and she wasn't offering anything. She's asking the guy who has another guy with a bag over his head if he is a terrorist. That's a normal assumption, alongside 'bank robber,' and it wasn't a bank."
[1d20-1 = -8]>>117735Sense motive
[1d20+5 = 18]>>117736Seems legit
>>117734Blue Skies shoots as well
>>117737Brie sighs and rubs his temple. "Show me."
[1d8 = 8][1d6 = 4]>>117737>>117734Blue Skies hits the griffin, and Dark Star's magic bow takes effect
>>117734>>117739The griffin is out, but the other griffins are alerted to the trap
>>117738"Show you that you looked like a PLF member?"
>>117740"No, that's absurd. How many PLA members have such a fetching suit? I'm talking about the equipment. Show me."
>>117742"Oh that. The foreman told me of another shovel in the northern lot, if you'd leave to go see it"
>>117741And that is his action for the second turn
Midnight disappeared as well now...
>>117743"A shovel. A
shovel. I don't think you understand. I'm not leaving here unless I'm dragging somepony behind me. As far as I can tell its you," referring to the unicorn, "unless you have something more pertinent to tell/show me. If so, now is the time."
>>117743Do you think we should hold for now?
>>117745Yes. Dark Star and Blue Skies downed one griffin, and now the others are alerted to their location and not too thrilled to go in
>>117744"Yes. The steam shovels are being damaged. I don't think it's normal wear and tear. Oil lines ripped and everything"
The Unicorn, standing silently, twists his mouth and looks back to Brie with distaste
>>117746Roger. I'll withhold future actions until the Floof and The batter to come.
>>117746"Very well.
Show me" Brie reiterates with more intensity.
>>117749"Okay..."
He gets up, and starts to walk out of the room
>>117750Brie allows him to lead the way
Taking a cue from others, this is probably a good point to stop for the night
Of course, the moment Dark Star gets back is the moment I pass out...
>>117754I don't believe you, I think you're there.
Can't believe I went to bed so late.
Anyways, here is me.
Which ponies will be available today?
>>117761Mehybeh, I'm still waiting to see. But I should be.
>>117761I'll be available for a couple more hours, then I'll be on again around 7.
I'll be on toward the evening
Okay, we can proceed with something if enough players are online
>>117771I'm back.
>>117771>>117772Two questions: what's the order of combat (if there is one), and are we aiming to capture or kill?
>>117776No order as of yet, but Dark Star shot his bow first, followed by Iron slamming against a wall from bad rolls and then Skies shot an arrow, too, I think.
Midnight hasn't attacked so far.
>>117776Capture is preferrable, but from how the griffs can never talk after getting punched so hard they become unresponsive, I dunno if they can be useful unless the last griff surrenders anyways.
>>117776There is not quite an “order.”
There was more than one griffin that came into the boiler room, concerned about the lack of heat, the “lazy” maintenance team, and the gnolls evidently not doing a required job. Iron had Jubilosa and Blue Shekels come and lure the griffins into the hallway all of the creatures are in (which leads from a door in the boiler room). One griffin came through. Dark Star, with his chad email dice, scored a 20 and knocked down that griffin with blue skies following up his attack. Iron, with his virgin in line dice, scored a 1 and hurt himself on a wall.
I’m not going to tell you capture or kill
>>117777>>117778>>117779Is the griff knocked out? Or should Silver treat him with a pommel to the face?
>>117780Heil, Edgy Boi!
>>117781Knocked out/dead.
But there's two more inside the boiler room.
Surprise round is over, and each group is in their respective rooms
>>117781I mean, Silver can always give that double tap he was going to give to Zwolf to the downed griffin
>>117780Hello. That’s a super cute poner
>>117783I'll use this moment to rush into the room and get shot by the other two griffons, with the shield hopefully granting me more than just 10 AC.
Hopefully the other melee troops follow.
They better shoot me and not any of the prisoners.
>>117784You already declared your next action after the surprise round: standing up
>>117785Dangit.
Got bamboozled.
>>117780>>117785>>117787"Это снова мы...it was probably not best idea to send in griffin they were talking about." He drags the griffin away from the door to tie him up.
>>117786
Okay, just to be clear: the remaining griffins are inside of a big room with plenty of pipes and such in it. The party is in a hallway that connects to a doorway in the very corner of the griffin room. There is not really a line of sight between the two. The griffins know there is an ambush waiting in the other room, and so are not enthusiastic to charge in
>>117788So Silver quickly drags the griffin away from the door
Do paladins get surprise rounds?
>>117793Only if you shoot first
>>117795What, am I Han Solo now?
Is it possible for Midnight to get in an attack or should I wait for the normal round?
>>117796Well, now there are no enemies in line of sight
>>117797Then Midnight bides her time.
Soon
Everypony is gone now and I don’t know why
>>117807Oi, don't ye think I'm out of yer sight, ya mumbling horse!
I never left, I’m just waiting.
Eeees in EEEEEE
>>117807I'm waiting for someone to decide to go in so Silver can go in with them.
>>117814Midnight would follow if Silver leads.
Okay, So the Northern Posse can walk out to the broken shovel if they like.
And the griffins do not walk into the trap a second time
>>117817>>117815Well, I suppose Silver is the first to cautiously enter the room, sword at the ready.
>>117818Midnight cautiously follows, her shortsword and dagger held at the ready.
>>117817I can't. Still standing up n shiet
>>117817Does that mean the unicorn isn’t breaking for escape? Alas
“The hell was that?”
“Jurgen?”
“He just got shot...”
“By whom?”
“Either some of the captives broke free, or an incursion by the gangs”
“What do we do now?”
“See if they come out, and get help”
“Good. No way I am going in there”
>>117822Why would he run to escape?
>>117821Woah!
Iron seems to have gotten in the boiler room.
>>117823Can Iron see where these griffs are now?
[1d20 = 18]
[1d20+5 = 15]
[1d20+5 = 18]
Midnight should probably be in first since she was the only one not doing something else. Silver and Iron, who took actions before, should follow.
I’m thinking roll initiative. The griffins get home field advantage
>>117825Wew, that's a lot of good rolls.
18 15 18?
Alrighty. Let's roll back
[1d20 = 1]<The Laws of Probability dictates that Iron's ass is toast
[1d20+4 = 19]
Initiative tiem?
Order:
Chad email dice paladin
Grif 1
Grif 2
Grif 3
Edge Pone
Virgin In line dice
Loose a turn: other in line dice
[1d20+8 = 26][1d20+8 = 12]>>117830dabs in superior dice rolling skillsMidnight slashes with her shortsword and stabs with her dagger at the 1st griffon.
>>117823Because if he ran that would make my job a lot easier
>>117832He is seeing no reason to do anything except stand silently to the right of Otis
The ponies roll into the boiler room. Iron rolls a little too much maybe, as he runs into a set of pipes and trips, falling down. The Griffins are three in number and all to the left of the boiler itself, kind of evenly spaced.
Midnight and one of the griffins fun at each other, with midnight landing the first blows
I’m only granting the first one as landing at the moment
[1d6+1 = 7]>>117834Damage
[1d20+5 = 16]
[2d20+4 = 24]
Alright
Midnight’d sword slashes into the breast of the griffin before her, while the second is dodged, grading the feathers of the creature. The creature strikes back, however, with a short sword of his own.
A second one charges over at Iron, who is prone on the floor
The third charges at the fluffy silver pony
1 For midnight
2. Fir Iron, who has -2 AC because he is in the pipes
3. For silver
>>117836Nice. Good thing Shield is here to save the day!
>>117836RIP Me, that's a hit
>>117836I do believe Silver is hit.
[1d6 = 2][1d6 = 3]>>117818>>117835I believe Silver and Midnight are hit. Iron’s attacker fares no better with the pipes than he does
1. Midnight
2. Silver
[1d20+5 = 20]>>117840Dark Star moves to the door frame
And shoots the griffion standing over iron
[2d6 = 8]>>117841The arrow hits the griffin in his side, sending a pink shockwave
>>117839Fluffball’s turn
>>117833Alright, well he's supposed to be in the process of leading the way to show the industrial shovel.
Its not arbitrary that Brie is insisting either. He's got an ace up his sleeve yet.
>>117843Why would the unicorn lead?
Otis gets up, not quite eager to walk in front of Brie
>>117843Onyx is following the bat.
>>117842Power Attack: [1d20+4 = 9] Silver intends to reciprocate his newfound slash-mark in his chest by giving one to the griffin attacking him.
>>117846Silver put his faith in the in line dice, and the in line dice failed him
The sword goes wide off to the side
>>117844Well, we ended here
>>117749>>117751>>117845We're still in the office, but just as they're not putting their back to Brie, he's keeping them in front of him.
[1d20+7 = 9][1d20+7 = 8]>>117848Good enough
>>117847Oh yeah. My turn.
Midnight glares at the griffon who just swiped her, and slashes back with her sword and dagger.
[1d20 = 3][1d20+2 = 4][2d20+3 = 30]And now, from the other room, in bursts help.
Jubilosa takes the lead, charging in with a short sword taken off of the other griffin.
Khoi follows closely, calmly charging with silver’s hammer.
Mala jumps out, wielding a scimitar in his mouth
Blue Skies rolls out with her bow, staying in the rear
Jubilosa and Blue Skies +3
Khoi +2
Mala +1
Though Iron stumbled at first, he is now up and ready to fight.
Iron should roll initiative
>>117848“Oh... Kay”
Otis slowly gets up from his chair in what is turning out to be a very tense moment
>>117850>>117849Observe how the oppressed native rises up!
[1d20 = 17]<Thankfully, Probability should help me this time.
>>117850Brie sighs. "Look, I'm quite confident that you're not telling me everything. I'm also confident that if what you weren't telling me weren't incriminating, you would just tell me. You claim that the machines were sabotaged, fine. Show me the machines. I'm not just going to start stabbing ponies without cause." he says with an exaggerated wave of his hoof (the one not holding a throwing knife). He's still looking at the Unicorn. "Show me some sabotaged equipment and I can conclude that that as well as issues with the PLA - is it PLA or PLF? I never could get that straight - are the cause for the unsatisfactory production and consumption of resources. Otherwise,...."
The order for round 2 is:
Midnight
Grif 1
Grif 2
Jubilosa
Iron
Blue Shekels
Edge Pone
Silver
Khoi
Mala
>>117852The Unicorn has the dead eyes of a mackerel
He blinks
>>117854"Ahhhh, I get it. You're protecting somepony else." Brie says tapping his chin
>>117855If those are the dice rolls you want to go with...
>>117856He nods, slowly
>>117857It's what I rolled
>>117857"This other pony, let's call her Matilda. Is what Matilda is doing urgent? I mean, are lives at stake if she and 'whomever else' were to lay low for a while?"
[1d20+5 = 13][2d20+4 = 35]>>117858Midnight misses. She misses pretty well.
One of her short swords hits a pipe, and bounces out of her wing-claw
The griffins are now more than a little frightened at the small horse coming at them, but neither does a clean retreat look possible. They fight on
1. Midnight
2. Iron
3. Silver
>>117859Who is Brie talking to and who is the other pony
>>117860Brie is giving a hypothetical name to the pony(ies) the unicorn is theoretically trying to protect with his silence.
>>117861Talking to the Unicorn still. Not excluding Otis, but Otis is clearly as oblivious to what is going on as Brie is, relatively speaking.
>>117860Your call: either the griffon misses Silver with that 11, or he crits with that 20.
>>117861He shakes his head
>>117864Well, the center dice is for Iron, as it was last time.
But that’s a +4 on that 11, so I’m not convinced it’s a miss
>>117862Unless she’s wearing armor it’s a hit
>>117865Wait, does a 13 on an AC of 13 hit or miss?
>>117865"We're making progress then! Come, let's look at the machines shall we?" He bounces forward and then - with a spring in his step - leaves the room, headed for the exit. "Come come!"
>>117866If attack roll >= to AC, attack roll wins.
>>117865His armor + his Dex bonus puts him over 15 AC, so it's a miss.
[1d20+4 = 22]>>117866It’s the first one that hits
Otis gets up to leave, and the unicorn more slowly after the two others
>>117869What armor is he wearing
>>117868Speaking of which, rolling to confirm crit on Iron
[1d6 = 1][2d6 = 10]>>117871That’s been curiously absent the entire remainder of the the night.... Fine
Iron is stabbed right into the barrel, while Midnight is stabbed in the side
[1d20+3 = 16]
Jubilosa lurches forward, and stabs at the one attacking midnight
>>117872...I thought you already knew he was wearing it.
[1d6 = 5]>>117873Jubilosa strikes true
>>117872I assume that's 10 damage
>>117873Iron, for his part, grunts in pain at this griffon's well placed attack.
He retaliates with a quick jab to the griffon.
[1d20+11 = 18]<Beak? Meet hoof.
>>117876It's an unconsicousness inducing one, by the by.
[1d20+5 = 21]Blue Skies shoots her cross bow at the one attacking Silver
>>117876And it hits
>>117878Hitting the griffon on his chest, he unleashes native hoof power.
[1d3+7 = 8]<Native fists Griffon in front of crowd
[1d20+5 = 11]>>117878Dark Star fires an arrow at the one that stabbed midnight
>>117881And... it barely misses
>>117882[1d20+9 = 10] Once again, Silver attempts to put a big gash in the chest of the griffin attacking him.
>>117883>nat 1I'm convinced the universe believes I pissed in its eye socket at some point in the past. At this point I would unironically be better off not rolling.
>>117884try the email dice
>>117885I already did, I get shit rolls with them, too.
[1d20+3 = 13][1d20+5 = 15]>>117883Silver thrusts forward. But the griffin parties the blow, and even knocks the sword right out of Silver’s glow
But the Kirin charges in, and swings her hammer
Then comes Mala, who says with muffled words
“You’re not going to hurt my friends, you bully!”
And slices with his sword
>>117867And so they leave, with more detail after the end of the battle
[1d8 = 5][1d6 = 6]>>117890Hammer crushes and sword slashes
The lead griffin, who attacked midnight, is still standing, despite being sliced by Midnight then stabbed by Jubilosa.
The one off to the right, who confronted Iron, is down,, shot and stunned by Dark Star, then punched down by Iron.
The third one has been shot, bludgeoned, and sliced by Skies, Khoi, and Mala. He is down
>>117893Next time we get into combat, I'm not even going to have Silver roll for Initiative, I'm just going to have him stand in front of the enemy in Full-Defense mode.
>>117894You need initative to roll that.
The last griffin, the one formerly attacking midnight, starts to run
“INTRUDERS!”
>>117897Iron attempts to stop the griffon's retreat by trying to tackle him.
[1d20 = 20]<An attempt is being made
>>117898And he charges and tackles the bloody griffin right down to the ground
>>117899Iron takes this opportunity to forcefully put his foreleg on his/her beak to silence him/her.
"Be quiet."
>>117894Jesus Christ just roll die like a normal person and stop worrying about it. Also there’s still a live griffin
>>117900Dark Star ties some rope around his beak.
>>117892The two ponies take Brie, and presumably Onyx and Spark, out side of the trailer, past waiting guards, and towards the north side of the pit. Down little hills of black and grey rock, past carts, towards an edge. There is some water a little distant, and the ground seems wet, maybe even muddy.
The shovel itself is a large contraption of metal color, with a big steel claw at its end, and a smoke pipe coming out of a side that must be the engine.
“See, it’s damaged.”
Brie actually can see damage on what is presumably engine housing. In fact, there’s a large tear or hash. A gash as if shredded with some giant blunt object. The tears are at least six inches long
>>117902>>117900And so Iron tackles and holds down the griffin, while Dark Star ties him up
[1d20+10 = 26]>>117903Disable Device check - ascertain the nature and method of the sabotage
>>117904Iron pats the griffon on the head.
"Good."
He awaits Dark Star's bondage skills being finished on the griff.
>>117905Despite some of these machines being called steam shovels, this particular one is actually a smaller diesel power shovel
Blunt force applied from outside tearing through a steel engine housing, and disabling an oil line inside, as well as tearing into a gear box. It is harder to tell if the cover over the engine had as well been lifted to enable the dansge. As the damage is greater on the exterior than the interior, the damage was noticed before the shovel was run without oil, thus avoiding additional wear on the gear box and an engine low on oil.
"Hmmmm. This was either a team effort, or an exceptionally large pony did this."
>>117906"Knock him out. i'm gonna have a few questions for this flappy merchant after we take care of his friends."
>>117904>>117909Iron glances at Star.
"I do not think it is necessary. Besides."
He hovers his hoof in front of the griffon's beak.
"This one is wide awake for some question right now."
>>117907>>117910"Im sure if we untie that beak he's going to start squawking again. unless of course some pony shows him that's a bad idea. right iron?"
>>117910>>117911"Did your parents never teach you two to not play with your food?" Silver picks up his dropped sword, and touches the wound on his chest with a hoof. "Knock him out. We do not have infinite time to waste. Who knows who heard him call that out."
>>117912Hello floofster!Sorry you couldn’t enjoy last nightSome of the creatures present in or entering the room see Silver’s phrase as curious, Mala and Sands most of all. But there is a general mood of compliance
>>117913Nothing for you to apologise about, the universe just likes to fuck with me.Sorry about me acting like an ass, though.
>>117912>>117911>>117913Everypony can see your sins, Floofster!Iron considers it for a bit, before nodding, bonking the griffon on the head with his hoof into unconsciousness.
[1d20+11 = 14]<Griff grunting can be misinterpreted.
>>117915>>117912>>117911>>117858And so the griffin is bashed into unconsciousness. He was barely hanging on anyways, and bleeds on the floor
Jubilosa and Khoi, especially Khoi, look displeased at Iron and Silver’s remarks.
Mala contrasts sharply. He has blood across his front, and seems not to notice it. He is smiling, proud of himself
>>117916He's not actually dying though, right?
>>117909>>117916>>117917Iron looks questioningly at the two.
"It is not like he is dead."
He stands up, turning to Silver.
"He will be fine, although his head will be sore when he wakes up."
>>117917In D&D terms, no. He’s unconscious. Probably.
>>117919Okay then. Just wanted to know.
>>117916Dark Star Pets mala
"You Did a good job,buddy. are you hurt?"
>>117922So cootHe looks very much excite
*is pet*
“No. But did you see me? That member slashed out at Silver! So I slashed him back.”
He looks down
“I think he’s dead”
Then he looks back at Dark Star, and receives more pets
>>117923"Good Job! you saved silver."
Dark Star continues the pets
>>117924“Anything for my new friends!”
Mala happily receives the pets. His joyful expression tells all
For once, just once in his life, Mala is a good boy
And he knows it
>>117918>>117920>>117925Any pony else here?
"We Need to keep moving. they could have heard him scream."
>>117926I don't think so.
Iron simply nods, not wanting to dawdle much longer.
>>117926I'm here. Sort of.
>>117925"You did well, Mala." Silver smiles at him.
>>117908Brie turns to the Unicorn. "Alright, show me your paperwork. Requisition forms, repair requests, I'll need to see the paper trail."
>>117928He smiles back
"Thank you... I don't hear that often..."
He looks again at the dead griffin
"He won't be hurting you anymore... Or me either"
>>117929He looks at brie with a dead "really?" look
>>117930Brie smiles. "I'm sorry, did I stutter?"
>>117931He raises an eyebrow at Brie
>>117932"Hauling you out by the neck IS still on the table." Brie smiles sweetly.
>>117933There is no smile on the unicorn’s dead faced expression, looking back at Brie
>>117930Silver looks to the same griffin. "I take it you knew him, then."
>>117934"So then, the records?"
>>117935"I'm not sure... A lot of them kind of blurred together to me. But he looks like this one that would come by and make condescending demands. Be angry like I did not do something when I had already done that. Several of them were like that."
>>117936Now, and only now, he speaks, with the same dead expression. His voice is deep, and accented to some region further West
"Kid. I'm with the Gendarme. I don't have any records. You're looking for administration"
>>117937Silver nods, and places a hoof on Mala's shoulder for support.
>>117937Brie looks from the unicorn, to Otis, and then back to the unicorn. He sighs "That's disappointing."
He walks over to Onyx and begins a whispered dialogue with him.
"This guy knows way more than he's saying. He's effectively admitted it to me. If he's part of the Gendarme, that means the entire group could be and likely is involved, either directly or tacitly. There's no way we're gonna be able to pull him out of here if he's an official."
Aside from his whispers to Onyx, he calls out to Otis and the unicorn. "Very well, one last question. Who is 'Fang Zu Lang'? I'll need to speak with him."
>>117938He looks back up to Silver, almost solemnly, and nods back
>>117939He answers, plainly
"He's the head of the Genderarme in Haysabi"
>>117941"Ah, splendid! That will be all." As he moves to leave, passing the Unicorn he smiles. "You get to live another day! You should be proud."
>>117942He looks on at Brie, dead eyed
>>117943Brie waves to him with a finger-wiggling, jazz-hands-esque wave.
>>117944He responds
“Not very subtle, are you?”
>>117945No
So is almost no one here tonight?
>>117949Yep, not here. You're imagining this post.
Hmmm.... maybe we can do something
Okay, so I take it the Hoebuck group wants to move on?
Where to?
>>117955I think going upstairs is a good idea.
>>117956i think that as well.
>>117956>>117957I vote upstairs as well
>>117956>>117957>>117958“Well...”
Mala’s expression turns from his previous pride, to that of worry. A silent look of worry as he frowns, and looks at them
“There are two ways to go upstairs through the same stairwell. One is back into the basement of the old military prison, where we cane from. On the right. The other is down the tunnel under the main building, on the left. Either way, you will go up to where their members from across the seas live”
>>117960After hearing Mala's offers, Iron makes a quick decision.
"I choose the second option presented. If we can take out more patrols down here, it means that their forces will be weakened."
>>117961"That was my thoughts exactly."
>>117961Silver nods in agreement.
>>117961>>117962>>117963Midnight looks at the ponies, then the hyena before nodding
"Then let us be off"
>>117963>>117962>>117961"Okay...."
The group cautiously goes through the boiler room, then, peering into the tunnel, takes a right through the doorway of the now busted down door, and into the beige colored stone and mortar old hall. At times the hallway seems to twist and wind like a forest stream, at others it seems perfectly straight from end to end. Past one doorway, and another on the right, then
"Well... the sleeping quarters are up these stairs. I don't know how many of them will be up there. But it's a big building."
Mala in the lead, Khoi not far behind, Skies and Jubilosa in the center, with Loputu and Meadows at the rear, with only Sands to act the rear guard. It's an unwieldy caravan of the able and the less so
>>117964A renewed sound of steam flowing through pipes accompanies what seem to be distant whispers
>>117966Silver would be near the front.
>>117966>>117967Midnight tries to ignore the whispers as she joins the back of the group, by Sands.
>>117966Dark Star is in the middle near blue.
>>117970"Then I suppose we had better get moving..."
>>117972"Do you..... want to go to a floor?"
>>117966Iron is also near the front.
>>117965>>117970>>117972>>117969>>117971"Let us not dwindle for any longer," Iron says. "We go up one floor and see the resistance there. Any objections?"
Is there a reason no one wants to agree or disagree with first floor?
>>117977I can't see a reason to disagree. I'm just waiting for us to get on with it.
The stairwell itself has an olden quality to it, with the mortar on the walls stained with water. Going up the stairs even a single floor gives a different look. White painted walls, and steps that are no longer decaying and questionable, but slightly newer and concrete. Through a closed brown door and....
Into a hallway, the hallway is straight and surrounded by white walls and and brown doors. Part of a wall bears the imprint of a removed celestial religious symbol, while the light fixtures seem to have been changed over time, but have a white cover over them to dull the yellow tint of the light. There are definite sounds of movement about on the floor, and of talking as well. On the left side are visible mostly evenly spaced doors, with some irregularity. One nearby is marked as a simple closet. Further down on the right side, the wall gives way to an open entrance to something else, maybe a central hall, room, atrium, or courtyard. The ceiling there is held up by simple square columns. To the left midway is something like a narrow way to an external door. To each end of the hall are corners where the hallway simply turns.
>>117978SighIt's not like the choice is meaningful or anything, or like player participation is a part of the story
>>117980How many doors are we talking about?
>>117981Several. At least four
>>117982Well, I have no better ideas than to try each one we come across and see which ones have either prisoners or enemies.
>>117976"How long has it been like that?"
Spark observes the damage.
[1d20+5 = 16]>>117980Dark Star tries to listen to the whispers
>>117985No whispering for Dark Star. Actually. Distant talk is mostly in a foreign language. In ponish only “we will meet up with them” is distinguishable from the mass
>>117983Door 1: Broom closet
Door 2: a public bathroom, including a section with showers. Not sure if Silver is eager to explore that given the possibility of running into some creature
Door 3: looks like a bedroom. Actually kind of decent if austere. Made bed with tree patterns, shelf of leather bound books, single chair, wooden floor (contrasted against concrete floors elsewhere)
>>117984See the same linked posts to see what the damage is, unless more details are needed
Otis responds
“They... they said it happened early this morning or last night. It wasn’t reported until later this morning. I don’t know what is true, but this machine was reported as oppressing yesterday”
>>117986"What is bedroom doing here...?"
>>117986Dark Star whispers, "i think somepony may be looking for the group in the boiler room."
>>117986Spark looks along the ground for evidence that parts were removed. Perhaps oil stains, drag marks, or peices of metal?
>>117987Mala: “Sone of the wealthier members live in the first floor… Recent arrivals are higher up”
>>117989There is oil on the ground, yes, but nothing seems obviously to have been removed
>>117991Silver nods, and continues to look through the doors.
>>117991Does the damage seem uniform, or clearly hoof made, with indentions and irregularities in it?
[1d20+5 = 6]>>117991Dark Star tries to spot the pony
>>117993"Almost like industrial equipment was used to sabotage industrial equipment." Brie says walking up to Sparks.
[1d2 = 2]>>117993It’s like a bludgeon tearing through it
>>117994A spider falls onto Dark Star’s face
>>117992Seems like a minor guard’s room.
>>117996Dark Star squishes it.
>>117996Alright then. Any other doors to check?
>>117998 Not in this hallway on this floor
>>117999Then I suppose I'll wait for the rest of the party to advance.
[1d20+5 = 13]>>117999>>117986Dark Star Looks over the bedroom checking for anything interesting.
[1d20-1 = -14]>>118001Silver assists.
>>118001>>118002Imported quills, a jeweled necklace, books probably of a religious bend, white sheets, and a brass image of a sun over the vec
>>118003Dark Star takes the necklace and examines it.
>>118005Looks fairly nice, and made for a large creature. Jewelry set in a gold necklace, not too ornate though
>>118006Dark Star Hoofs it over to blue.
>>118007“Hmmm... seems to be foreign made jewelry. Do you think a female lives in this room?”
>>118008"It would be likely, i wonder how she fits into this."
>>118009“How do you suppose they got it?”
>>118010"Somepony probably stole it."
>>118011“As I figured...”
She still takes hold of the necklace
>>118012"Lets get to the next floor."
>>118011>>118012Silver is getting monitarily fucked on this mission.>>118013"If you did not want to look at open area on right side of hallway, then very well.
>>118015"Hmmm maybe we should."
>>118017Nevermind. I was sleepy and being stupid.
>>118019*Pets the poor silver pony*
>>118021D’aww
>>118023You
monster
>>118029You're not alone, though. I'm here.
>>118030D'awww, thanks floofster
>>118031No problem, GM.
*hugs*
>>118032*Is hugged by the Floofster*
*Is hugged back*
>>118032>>118033Um.... *hugs* the Floofster
Wanna watch something in the cytube?
https://cytu.be/r/Nelumbo
>>118034Sure, gimme a sec.
>>118038>>118039So um.... I don’t know if anypony wants to play tonight...
>>118040I'm always up for it.
>>118043>>118042>>118041Well....
maybe we can advance somewhat tonight. The ponies are in the hallway, with the sounds of creatures elsewhere. Silver and Dark Star particularly were last in a bedroom
[1d20+5 = 18]>>118044Dark Star tries to listen to find the source of the sound
>>118044What other options to go are available for native boy?
[1d20+3 = 18]>>118045Silver assists.
>>118046Theoretically many. There are 4 rooms (each of which identified) a door to the outside, an open access to what seems to be a central hall, the hallway seems to wrap around the first floor in a square shape, going upstairs, knocking against the wall, banging Sands in the bathroom, and so forth
>>118047>>118045From the central area of the building
[1d20+5 = 8]>>118048Dark Star points it out to the group, then tries to stealth towards it.
>>118045>>118048Silver looks to Dark Star. "Well, you are far stealthier than I. Care to sneak ahead into central hall and see what we are up against?"
>>118048One option is different than the others.A good difference but I'm not sure if stalling any longer is a wise idea.Iron is reluctant on where to go, but decides to go near the door near the access to what seems to be a central hall.
>>118051Kek, I was messing with you>>118049>>118051Dark Star and Iron are damned lucky that the sound of clipping on the floor does not sound
too radically different from what the creatures can expect to hear in the night’s revelry.
It appears the be a central square floor at the center of an atrium. Above are at least two levels with railings. In the center of the square is a group of a dozen griffins at minimum, with a few going in and out. They are shouting, talking, and in a state of revery. They wear robed garments with various white, red, and brien coloring. A could have knives or shirt swords, but the great majority are either unarmed or must be carrying the weapons out of sight
>>118050"Yea thats the plan."
>>118052What do they appear to be doing?
>>118052You had me going for a second there. I was just about to pretend sex noises to attract even more guards over.Unless...Iron glances over, unsure of their odds again this many griffons.
(Hm. I might have to apply some divide and conquer rules here.)
>>118053Socializing, and gathering together. If there is something more sinister going on here, it either hasn't happened yet, has already happened, or looks exactly like standing and talking
>>118055Dark Star sneaks back to the group
>>118050>>118052"They appear to be having a party."
>>118056"Then at least that guard's warning has not gone through. How many of them are there?"
>>118057>>118056Iron accompanies Star as he goes back, with a slightly nervous expression.
>>118057"Dozens of them, there are a few going in and out. there's one down there wearing similar robes to the one we saw earlier."
>>118059Silver's eyes go wide. "Черт.
Dozens?" The older unicorn scratches his floofy chin. "Then we have problem. We will end up facing them at one point or another on this mission, but facing them all at once will mean our death.
"You said they are coming and going? Perhaps we could ambush small groups of them after they leave, thin herd little."
>>118060"That Sounds like a Good idea. Do we have any way to start fire? i have an idea for some whiskey i found."
>>118060>>118061"Maybe we can make loud noises enough to attract a group of them here?"
>>118061It's not hard to see where Dark Star is going with this. "I have lighter. All we would need is to find some suitable bits of cloth to burn."
>>118062"Hmm. Maybe. Though that runs risk of alerting entire group."
>>118064"And you believe by starting a fire you would not alert every single pony around these parts?"
>>118059Note to clarify:
all of them are wearing some kind of clothing, even as one or two go further with headgear
>>118065"I think he is planning on making firebombs for when we do get into combat. Until then, I believe we do not even have to lure any of them out. If they are coming and going of their own volition, then we merely need to ambush those leaving until there is more managable group of guards to deal with."
>>118067Das'raycist.
>>118068"Until one of them yells..."
>>118067That's racist!
>>118068Iron blinks at Silver dumbfoundedly
"Firebombs?"
>>118067YOU CAN'T SAY THAT WITHOUT OBAMA'S EXPRESS PERMISSION!
>>118069Iron nods.
"Maybe if we pretend to scream in danger and fear to alert the guards, we might lure the strongest foes into an ambush."
>>118069"I did not say it was perfect plan. We will need to either silence them, finish them off quickly, or otherwise convinc them that they do not need help."
>>118068>>118065"That was the plan. Maybe we can grab 1 walking alone and drag him around a corner."
>>118067Cauldron Get Down!
>>118070"They are bottles of alcohol with pieces of cloth wrapped around bottleneck. You light cloth on fire, throw it, and when bottle breaks lit cloth will set alcohol on fire. Works exceptionally well against feathers and fur."
>>118072"Precisely."
>>118072>>118073After hearing Silver's explanation, he can't help but nod.
"It sounds like a plausible plan. Now where should we wait for somepony to pass along?"
>>118074>>118069Silver looks to their guide, Mala, for guidance.
>>118073"Don't forget feathers. does anypony know where we can get cloth?"
>>118075"I would think they would be walking down these hallways..."
>>118075>>118077Iron nods to the gnoll, turning to Sands.
"So, how good are you at sneaking up on ponies?"
>>118076Silver can only stare, as he already mentioned feathers.
>>118077"We should keep lookout then until we are ready."
>>118078"Literally? Decent. Metaphorically? Pretty great"
>>118081They are planning out how to take down a group of more than a dozen griffins
>>118081We found where the majority of guards are. We're making plans on how to deal with them without dying.
>>118080Iron can't process the metaphor he inadvertly placed on the table, giving her a blank, confused look before shaking his head.
"I believe we will need some stealthy takedowns."
>>118083Killing them first is a good idea
>>118084>StealthyOr you could be boring I guess
>>118079Oops that was my bad.
>>118085I have to be honest, but I don't trust the team to be able to take down 24 griffons, not to mention more than 10.
>>118084She shrugs at the native's unfamiliarity with metaphors
"Maybe I can help with take downs..."
>>118088Iron hums a bit before looking at Mala and back at her.
"Sneak up on Mala and poke his ear without him noticing you."
>>118089She nods to him, slowly, and develops a sly grin. She stands there at first, doing nothing, until it happens that Mala turns his head. Then she slowly, casually, walks back around Mala, slowly placing her hooves down, and doing so by pressing down the tip of the hoof before the remainder. She walks around him to his left side, stands there for a second, then lifts a hoof up and
*tap*
"Whoop!"
Mala runs forward several feet, then looks back at what startled him
>>118090Iron can't help but chuckle at Mala's display, nodding at Sands eagerly.
"You definitely have the capability to do so."
He beckons Mala over with a smile.
"Do not worry. It was I who did it."
>>118090Silver himself is startled by Mala's sudden reaction.
>>118090Dark Star Looks Spooked
>>118090Midnight looks surprised by the reaction
>>118091Mala looks over at Iron uncertainly
>>118092"I'm... It's okay"
>>118093Sands: "What?"
>>118095Silver nods. "Good to hear."
>>118095Iron gestures him not to come if he wants to.
"It was merely an act of jest."
He walks next to Sands with a goofy smile.
"Am I right?"
>>118097She's looking down, then quickly looks back up to Iron with almost surprise
Huh?"
>>118093>>118094>>118096Mala looks back over at each of the three, then lowers his head, and walks away. His padded feet need little care to make no noise
>>118095"I Wasnt Expecting that."
>>118098Iron merely chuckles again.
"It is alright."
He pats Sands on her back lightly, before turning serious.
"Do you notice in here any spots where ponies can hide in?"
>>118098Midnight trots after him
"Wait! There is no reason to be embarrassed."
>>118098Dark star follows behind him
"Its ok friend. everypony gets scared sometimes, its not that big of a deal."
>>118099She says, pointing at Iron
“Well he asked me to do it!”
>>118100“This place is like if a hospital were built by a prison designer.
Of course there are plenty of places to hide”
>>118101>>118102When a Midnight, then Dark Star, speaks to him as he is walking off, his triangular ears go up, and he turns around back
“Oh... Okay”
>>118103Dark Star pets him
>>118103Sneaky reference to the building's previous nature.Iron nods, smiling.
"Good. We need to find a particular spot where all of us can hide in so we can all form an ambush area. Could you point me where that place could be?"
>>118104>>118103Midnight smiles at him and joins Star in petting him
>>118104>>118106Mala is pet, and it seems his head and tail both go up from their lowered position. It’s seems he even smiles
>>118105“Well I don’t know. I haven’t seen most of the building. Are you trying to lure them in or something? Hit them from a distance?”
>>118107Knowing most weapons are melee oriented if stealth is wanted, Iron formulates his plan.
"I want to catch unawares any guard or griffon that patrols or simply strolls around the hallways without a care in the world. Preferrably, it should be at a distance where melee weapons can be effective without them alerting the others."
Not to mention maybe having to separate into groups~
>>118107"Don't Worry about it. you're a Good Boy."
>>118108“And you want to.... do what with them?”
Blue Skies, the eternal eavesdropper, adds a comment of her own,
“According to the design information, there should be a second floor railing that would overlook the ground floor. Same with the third floor”
>>118109Now he’s definitely smiling, and even wiggles his tail
>>118110Iron shrugs.
"Thin their numbers to make fighting the rest easier."
He nods at Skies' comment.
"I assume that could be useful if we wanted to pick targets off at range. Maybe you and Sands could open fire when the guards are alerted of the melee ponies' presence, but I need both of your cunning to properly set the others up in good ambush locations."
>>118111“If you knew where you wanted the sword fighters, and you had bow mares at range in protected areas, that could help take on many of them”
She smiles
“Of course if you want to take them out one by one, I may be able to help...”
It’s not clear if Skies, with the body of a griffin, is exceptionally physically attractive by griffin standards or not, but something in her smile suggests she could milk it for all it’s worth
>>118112Iron strokes his chin for a bit.
"Alright. You convinced me, but do not start just yet. I still need to find a good spot for you to lure griffons into."
He decides to look around the hallways for any spare rooms, corners and furniture to set up a good ambushing position near him.
>>118113A bedroom, a small room used by guards, a supply and cleaning closet, and a public bathroom
>>118114He decides to check on the small room used by guards first.
(Maybe this will be the most spacious and filled with hiding spots for an ambush.)
>>118115A bit underwhelming as far as "hiding spots" go. The best is a desk
>>118116Iron is a bit taken aback as to how empty the room is, walking out with a small pout.
He tries the bedroom next to check for any ambushing spots.
>>118117Not empty, just not full of tall grass or jugle brush that would allow ambushes
The bedroom has the bed itself, maybe a dresser or curtains, but in general is mostly open and makes jumping out difficult
>>118118Iron huffs in apparent frustration, hoping that maybe the storage closet has a lot more places to hide.
(Who knows? Maybe the bathrooms are the best spot to ambush on.)
>>118119The closet, likewise, has a simple layout. Certainly one can pop out. What is harder, is getting someone in the room, while hiding somewhere else in the room, without the new entrant knowing the other is hiding elsewhere in the same room. Most of these designs are too simple to enable
that, except maybe minor furniture like desks
>>118120Iron hums to himself as he enters the bathroom.
(Maybe if I move the furniture around...)
>>118121Now this is a more complex structure. It has closed stalls off to the left with sinks on the far side, and over to the right are public shower spaces, including white plastic curtains
>>118122He beckons Sands and Skies over to the bathrooms to test the hiding spots out.
"Could you both enter the shower space and close the curtains? I want to test how well these things will cover us as well as how spacious they are."
>>118123"Oh...kay"
They do so
>>118124That's it?
Iron really wants to know how well they're hidden by the curtains.
"Are you both comfortable in there?" he asks the two rogue-ish mares.
>>118125"I mean... There's standing space"
The curtains are translucent, and allow a silhouette to be seen on the other side when close, but they are harder to see when standing further away from the curtain
>>118126Iron nods to himself, before coming over to their shower space and moving off the curtains to see how spacious it really is.
>>118127Something like 6 meters by 3 meters
>>118128Iron hums to himself, before grinning.
"Alright, try to tackle me from here."
>>118126Dark Star walks back over to the group with mala
>>118131It’s a strange situation, as not everyone in the group is made fir combat, nor can they be hid easily. The possibility if some creature stumbling upon Meadows, for example, standing in the hallway, is rather high
>>118130"I want you two to tackle me from there to ensure that more than one pony can succeed in coming out ready to dish out the pain from your position."
Iron shrugs as his deep stab is apparent on his side.
"I will be fine. Do not worry."
>>118142Master booper.
Masturbooper.
Hmmm..., do the ponies want to do anything?
>>118148Yeah, but our group can't exactly advance with only one player.
>>118150I mean, Iron kind of did. If nothing else, maybe some planning, exploring, or interactions
>>118149We’ve been over this a thousand times.
No.
>>118150>>118151Speaking of movement.
>>118151>>118152Silver looks at what Iron is trying to do in the bathroom. "Hiding in stalls would be better option, though they have even less space."
>>118133Skies blinks, Sands stands steady
“Are you serious”
>>118151Iron glances at Silver.
"While that may be true, it does not hurt to try more spacious spaces, especially since we have bigger ponies to hide."
>>118154Iron nods with certainty
"I do not wish to take the chance that more than one pony inside this space may trip over eachother if they try to pounce on the target at the same time."
>>118155Skies still looks unsure. Sands however... lunges forth at Iron
>>118156With a grin, Iron readies his body against Sands' lunge with the slightest changes to his posture.
>>118157And so, Iron readies himself, presumably by spreading his legs a little further apart.
If Sands had a little more weight to her, greater speed, possibly a height advantage, or more of an element of surprise, she may well have knocked Iron off his hooves. Yet none of that is present here. She hits Iron like a solid wall. Her forehooves spread over his pack, she lands on him with an “Uph!” Then kind of twists around, and falls off.
For Iron, it’s like being beaten with a very large pillow
>>118158Dark Star stifles a laugh
>>118158Iron extends a foreleg to soften Sands' fall, making her land safely on the ground.
He nods approvingly, smiling.
"That was quite good. Now go back to the showers, please."
He turns to Skies.
"I want both you and Sands to attempt the tackle. I want to see if there is any issue from charging from the shower space at the same time. You can start the countdown if you so desire to have a better flow."
>>118159She frowns back at Dark Star
>>118160Iron extends a hind leg out to under where Sands falls. Her rump lands on this hind leg, which bends a little under the weight, and Sand’s ingloriously staffers and stands back up. She looks back with vague offense at the directive “back to the showers,” but seems to do so nevertheless
>>118160“Because I’m so excited to have a part in
that... anyways, I think the curtains would be more of a hinderance, getting in the way, possibly being torn down, and blocking the view of the target
>>118161Iron nods.
"If you are not going to do it, it is alright. You do not have to go into the showers again, Sands. Good job, by the way. I am pretty sure I would have been swept off my hooves if I had not seen it coming."
He ponders for a bit, walking towards Sands and giving her a stroke on her mane as he thinks.
"I see the issue. However, we can easily position either Silver, Mala or I on the stall closest to the door and cut off any escape, and I do not think a scream in here is going to be heard that much."
>>118162Sands giggles lightly at the “swept off my feet” remark, then let’s Iron stroke her mane. It’s a little messed up
>>118162>>118159>>118153Blue Skies:
“So.... is your plan to capture some griffins, tie them up, and leave them in stalls for Immigration to find later?”
>>118164Iron nods while he takes out the pick Skies gave him for to clean up Sands' mane from the nassty, messy and unruly hairs.
"The more the merrier. Not to mention it decreases the amount of griffons we have to take out later."
>>118164"That could work. i was thinking we put them out of their misery though."
>>118165“I mean, what kind of attack exactly do you intend to make?”
>>118166“.... just so long as you know what you intend to do”
>>118167"Overrun any griffon you attract here, hopefully the strongest first. Damage their overall strength. If we can take them alive for questioning, it is a plus in making things easier to prosecute and stop."
Iron turns his attention to the mean hairs, combing the messiness out of her hair.
>>118167"I Intend to burn this place down."
>>118168Sands closes her eyes as Iron does his work. Thankfully the hair is mostly still straight from the last time he did it, and her hair comes down in her flowing red mane
“Alright...”
>>118169“That’s kind of hard to do, when it is is brick and stone”
>>118170Iron smiles warmly, with the usual shade of red on his cheeks, staring intently
(I just want to nuzzle that smooth, soft mane of hers.)
He glances at Skies with a dreamy gaze.
"If you want to kill them, you can do that."
>>118170"i'll find a way."
Dark Star looks determined
>>118171It's not as red as her bright but light red mane
"I wasn't saying that either. Maybe you'll get some good information out quickly, just be ready for risks like them alerting others, or being found later."
Sands smiles back at him in a very warm way, and party lowers her eyelids. She leans her head slightly into his hoof
>>118172Skies lowers her head slightly and looks up to Dark Star with her sly grin, a grin that carries even more malice in her griffin body
>>118173Dark star matches her grin with one of his own.
>>118174"Just be sure to never use deadly force on mere aliens or petty criminals. If the government wanted this place blasted to the ground, they'd have the navy shell it"
>>118175"these are far more than just petty criminals."
>>118176"Well... even now, no one knows that except us... Us and Them... If the Principality uncovered anything like this.. If They were even doing this back then... They sealed it away. The State just thinks its mundane creature smuggling"
>>118177"they'll see after they look at the evidence we have got."
>>118178"What exactly do you think is going on here?"
>>118179"All sorts of smuggling,Foalnapping, and a host of other degenerate activities,im sure."
>>118179Silver speaks up. "When we first entered, Dark Star managed to intimidate pair of gnolls who then let slip name of their organization: Intercontinentals."
>>118173Iron nods.
"I understand the drawbacks of letting loose ends, but I would rather not accidentally kill the leader without making sure this operation gets dismantled from the roots."
Iron can't help but fluster a little from Sands' affection, shifting his balance side to side with a redder tinge on his cheeks.
"You understand, right?"
His hoof traces ever so softly against Sands' mane, feeling the texture of her hair further.
(She's
so beautiful~)
>>118183She nods
“Twice before the Equestrians have cut them, and twice before they have grown back. This parasitic vine is one that must be ripped off in full and burned.”
Sands stands there with a contented look up her face, a soft smile. Through the sensitive frog of Iron’s hoof, he can feel the individual hairs in the mane. Though thin, together they form a thick, soft blanket over her neck and shoulders.
>>118181“Intercontinentals? We’ve suspected griffin criminals were coming over here, either for an untapped market or because their governments are cracking down over there.”
>>118180“Well, it kind of affects what police agencies have jurisdiction. If it’s criminal activity, then the Baltimare PD. If it’s immigration violations, customs violations, or tax evasion, then it’s R&M under the civilian government. If it’s Changeling espionage or weapon smuggling for partisans, then it’s the SSA under the Blackhooves. And if you’d rather do it all yourself, then it’s a moot point”
>>118184Iron glances at Skies with worry.
"You mean taking the leader alive is not worth a damn?"
(Damn.)
His stroking, however, remains steadfast, starting to close the distance between their barrels, rubbing coats between eachother.
(This feeling... It's... rather nice. Is this what awaits living with a mare?)
>>118185“It might be the only thing worth a damn. We just know that not taking out the leader fails.”
Sands coat is likewise soft, with long hairs that are almost fluffy. Her barrel past the chest is thin for a pony, whether by malnutrition or a peculiarity of her design. Nothing seems unhealthy though. She stakes a step to the side, closing the gap
>>118186Iron nods.
"Indeed."
He decides to lightly nuzzle Sands' neck, testing the boundaries of touch some more as his hooves keeps on passing through those silk red strands.
(I know for sure mares like Sands do not deserve this treatment. Beautiful, soft and comforting.)
>>118187Skies begins to show mild irritation
Sands, however, smiles, and moves her head back, so her eyes can look upon Iron. Her neck gives way slightly as the coat is pressed aside, and hair falls upon Iron’s muzzle. She giggles
>>118188Iron, in turn, giggles with her as the mane and coat tickle his own, as well as his muzzle, cheeks flushed from the experience. His cheeks brushes along her neck softly and gently, wanting to make the feeling he has last for a bit longer.
He turns back to Skies, still under Sands' strands of mane.
"I believe the plan is settled so far. With your abilities, I bet you can silence any would-be screamers quickly, boss. After that, it's a round of questioning and knock-outs to figure out who is the leader."
>>118189She smiles back to him,
“Mr. Pony, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’ve fallen for me”
Skies is pleased,
“That, I can do”
>>118190Iron nods at Skies confidently.
"We will see if Star's idea works as well. I would also like to tear this place apart."
He turns to Sands, smiling sheepishly still under her mane
"I admit I cannot resist simple pleasures like these."
He nuzzles her neck some more, feeling the warmth and beat of her heart.
"I have longed for this."
>>118184"From what we read in file, and from what we heard from Boek and Maakie themselves, I am inclined to believe latter. It is likely they are akin to invasive species for local gangs, and that they had operations similiar to this in their home countries before being forced to relocate to Equestria under guise of religious persecution."
>>118191The mane is cold to the touch, but warns a bit from Iron’s own hear, as surely nothing escapes it. Her heart too, is a bit elusive, beating somewhere in there. Yet still her mane and coat are like a soft blanket, or a child’s plush toy, feeling somehow safe and familiar.
She responds,
“In a way... so I have I... among other cruelties of confinement... it’s been dreadfully lonely”
>>118191“Just leave the building behind. The SSA would like it as a prison, and the city thinks it’s historical... or something”
>>118192Hi floofsterUm... which one is “the latter”?
>>118193Griffin governments cracking down on crime and dissidents, as opposed to the organization simply filling a void.
>>118193Iron nods to Skies, obviously not that interested in the building itself to be destroyed.
His ears swivel and his cheek lays on Sands' smooth yet oddly cold mane and coat as she utters those words, one foreleg wrapping along her crest to comfort her.
"I completely understand," Iron whispers to her from under her mane. "I hope this helps you as much as it does me."
>>118195*smooth yet oddly cold neck as she
>>118192“That makes sense. I don’t think think the decision of the Principality to stop immigration raids after their one very successful one did much to help. They stopped casting nets for little fish, only wanting to catch the sharks. What they didn’t realize was that Sharks are caught mostly in the nets cast for the little fish, and in any event, they certainly weren’t disrupting their food supply.”
\r
>>118197Silver nods in agreement. "We also found what is likely name of ship they are using to transport criminals. HMSS Laurel Forest."
>>118195“Oh it does. It does” she grins
>>118198“HMSS? That’s a ‘Her Majesty’s Steam Ship’ appellation... I guess that would explain how they are getting around the embargoes and customs”
>>118199>>118198Iron, even though he keeps on nuzzling Sands with care on her neck, glances at Silver and Skies.
"You mean there are some ships exempt from the rest? What for?" he asks under Sands' mane still, with the usual blush on his face.
>>118199"Oh? Mind giving brief explanation?"
>>118184"R&M and SSA should be contacted for back up, but we should continue on with the plan. i suspect there are weapons being smuggled."
>>118200Iron nuzzles her neck so hard his nose slips under the long coat hairs and into the pink skin underneath. The little hairs occasionally go up the nostril itself
>>118201>>118200Skies explains to them
“That’s not a foreign ship, that’s Equestrian it New Marelander. They are using the customs union that now exists between East Equestria and several other territories to get past the stricter trade regulations internationally.”
>>118202“That’s definitely a possibility after what happened at Blackwood. Let’s Decapitate this organization”
\r
>>118203Iron can't help but scrunch up instinctively from the unintended side effect of extended nuzzling sessions, pulling back quickly and sneezing off to the side where Sands would not be targeted.
He takes this opportunity to look at Skies and nods, turning back to smile at Sands sheepishly.
"Sorry about that."
>>118204And now she looks at him with a half frown, confused
>>118202>>118203Silver nods at what Dark Star and Blue Skies say. "Sounds like plan."
>>118205He decides to nuzzle Sands' cheek instead to make up for that little slip up.
(I wonder if she will be available after this. Where would she go, though?)
>>118203"my thoughts exactly"
>>118206"i'm gonna go grab the whiskey."
>>118203Dark Star trots back to the room the whiskey was in and brings it back.
>>118207And so, he nuzzles her. She pulls her head back slightly when her his lips make contact with hers
>>118209Whoops.Iron rubs his cheek against hers a little bit before pulling back with a goofy, sheepish grin.
>>118210She smiles again
“Hehe, you’re okay big boy”
>>118208He’s gonna go into the hallway, down the stairs, through the tunnel, through the boiler room, through the hallway, into the records room, then back into the hallway, through the boiler room, through the tunnel, back up the stairs, and down the hallway?
>>118211Iron blushes harder, puffing his chest proudly from the compliment.
"I am the biggest of boys, at your service."
[1d3 = 3]>>118212She crosses her forehooves together, bats her eyes, and says
“I’ll keep that in mind if I need to be serviced”
>>118213
>>118214He walks down the hall, down the stairs, and down into the tunnel. But he’s not alone. There is another creature there. A zebra, in fact, who has already seen him
>>118215does he look armed?
>>118216Best guess is a weapon holstered on the left side, but it’s not really clear from here
>>118214Iron is flushed with embarassment at the signals he thinks she's sending, making him fidget with his hooves and his cheeks redden to their maximum point.
>>118217"Was Good zigga?"
>>118218She tilts her head slightly, rolls her lips, and narrows her eyebrows
“What is it?”
>>118219“Who are you?”
He speaks with a very deep voice, foreign accented
>>118220Memories from the abbey surface within Iron's mind, making him fidget some more, looking at something at the floor intensely.
"Oh! Nothing! I was simply... Uh..."
He trails off, not knowing what else to say, looking up with yet another sheepish smile.
"The weather?"
>>118221She shakes her head
“I haven’t seen the weather in a very long time. I don’t know how long actually.”
>>118220"Who am i? Who are you? i aint never seen you around befo."
>>118222Iron recoils back from asking such an obviously bad question.
(Gods help me.)
"R-right. Sorry."
He decides to pet Sands on her head as compensation, while still looking down in shame and embarassment.
>>118223He comes up, now next to Dark Star
“You must be lost. The gathering is upstairs”
>>118224She is pat on the head, but keeps her eyed on Iron with a look of almost sorrow
“I guess I cannot fault you. I would not understand it myself if I had not lived it”
>>118225Iron's hear cannot stand Sands being sorrowful, making him hug her gently.
"I will make sure you never have to live that again."
>>118225"Sheit i thought it was down here, my bad. i aint good at directions."
>>118226*Poner is hugged*
At least she’s soft all around, so not unpleasant to hug
She looks down, then up, with tears in her eyes.
“....
I’ll make sure of it”
>>118227He comes even closer. He is wearing a simple white robe.
“Are you drunk?”
>>118228Zekker Flashes a big smile
"A Little."
>>118229His orange eyes have a stern quality to them. He nods
“Now go back up stairs”
>>118230He does so
"Thanks my zigga."
did i manage to get the alcohol?
>>118231No, he was stopped before getting to the records room
[1d20+5 = 12]>>118232"Ay my zigga, i need to get something from the records room i left in there."
Diplomacy
>>118233Why are you a made up country.
>>118233“How could you have anything in there?”
He asks
>>118234HE RETURNS!
>>118236"Between you and me... dats where i was drinkin."
>>118237“How did you get in there?”
>>118238He Grins
"Was Drinkin with one of the griffs."
>>118239“Okay... But back upstairs”
>>118240"I will as soon as i get what i left inside."
>>118241He looks suspiciously at the zebra
“I have no idea what that griffin was doing, but you are not allowed down here. Go back with your group. I take it you’re from in the town, yes?”
[1d20+5 = 21]>>118242"Yea i'm from in town. I'll be sure to tell boss,that he can't have his whiskey."
Bluff
>>118244“I can’t imagine he wants it all drunk”
>>118243Yeah huh!
*plants midnight back in the story*
>>118245"I Aint gon drink it all."
>>118245Hey! That's a violation of my NAP
>>118246“
Why do you need to go to the whiskey?”
>>118247*Violates u*
Now come play midnight
>>118248"I already said why."
Dark Star walks towards the records room
>>118249And the Zebra stands in the way
“If you wish to get drunk, you must do it upstairs. Furthermore, I do not think our benefactor will appreciate you showing up to the ceremony drunk”
>>118250"Look,i'll get out of your mane and you can go back to doing whatever you were doing. i'll grab the stuff and head back upstairs.""
>>118251Hrs wearing a turban
“You don’t understand. My employer does not want the outside folk coming down into the bowls of the building”
>>118248Well, what's going on?
>>118252"Then will you go get it for me, since you have a problem with me grabbing it?"
>>118253https://youtu.be/ZZ5LpwO-An4Silver, Blue Skies, White Sands, Dark Star and Iron all went into the bathroom where they tested charging out from the showers, and Iron nuzzled White Sands furiously. Then Dark Star figures he needed booze, so he went down stairs
>>118254He sighs
“Alright...”
And walks forward, actually going a different direction than Dark Star was going
>>118256"Thanks my zigga."
>>118255Midnight looks around, noticing everyone had left her outside the bathroom and Dark Star has left downstairs.
"Oh"
>>118258It’s hardly uneventful.
Meadows has wondered around in the hallway, confused, and having difficulty fitting into small, crowded rooms. Until she is approached by a griffin. It’s not Jubilosa, but a yellow-brown female wearing the sand white robes as most of those in the structure
“What are you doing out?”
“Who... are you?”
>>118257He goes off the opposite direction in the tunnel, through a door, and disappears for a moment
>>118259Midnight notices her absence and walks around, looking for Meadows.
>>118261And so she sees the white robes griffin in contact with meadows
>>118260Not towards the records room?
>>118262Midnight stands by Meadows, but doesn't say anything.
>>118263It’s not the way Dark Star went
>>118264Now she’s alarmed
“Who are you?!”
>>118265I'm assuming that's the griffon.
"Just a pony wandering this place, it is nice to meet you"
>>118266She acts as if Midnight were a home invader or something
“WHY ARE YOU HERE?”
>>118265is he out of sight?
[1d20+5 = 25]>>118269Dark Star Stealthy follows him
[1d20+10 = 20]>>118267Midnight looks surprised and recoils a bit
"I am just wandering and ended up here, I mean no harm or trouble."
Diplomacy to calm the griffon.
>>118270Dark Star has no difficulty following behind him, the rare occasions he makes a sound being perfectly covered by howling steam pipes, or sounds upstairs. Dark a Star sees that he’s entered through a door into...
No where else, but the record room. There was another door. The zebra looks around, and curses
“They really made a mess here. Cigars strewn about the floor. Whiskey bottles lying around... We have to work on discoloring these new comers... No matter”
He picks up some whiskey bottles, and cones back out
>>118271She’s still startled, but calms down a bit
“Are you looking to join?”
She asks
[1d20+10 = 11]>>118272"Join what? Like I said, I am just passing through."
>>118272He sneaks back to the area they were in
>>118273Er, there isn't supposed to be a roll there
>>118275>Didn't intend to roll a 1Yeah, I'll bet you didn't
>>118274He does so. The zebra comes out carrying two bottles of whiskey and wearing an expression of irritation
"Here it is... I don't know what they are doing with the parties, but I hope this doesn't become a regular thing"
>>118273She looks at her like something isn't right
"The Society... didn't they lead you here?"
>>118276"Thanks,zigga."
He leaves and goes back upstairs
>>118276I mean, I didn't declare a roll.
"Society? No, like I said, I simply wander and ended up here"
>>118278She pauses for a moment, knowing something is dreadfully wrong
"
How did you get in here?"
>>118277So he does so. Midnight is chatting with a white robed griffin in the hallway
>>118279"I met a group of ponies, and I came with them here. Why, is something wrong?"
>>118281“.... .... WHAT?!?”
>>118282Midnight recoils at the shout
"I-I am sorry, I d-don't know what's wrong?"
[1d20+5 = 18]>>118281>>118282Dark Star Shoots her with his bow
[2d6 = 11]>>118283She looks to be distressed, wondering how and why a roaming band of plundering ponies has penetrated her home. Then she gets shot with a bow
>>118284Hit
>>118284Midnight turns to Dark Star
"WHY DID YOU DO THAT?"
>>118286>>118284Her eyes become wide, she makes a hacking noise... and she falls over onto the floor
[1d20+10 = 22]>>118287Midnight's eyes go wide as she rushes over and tends to the griffon.
Rolling heal to stabilize
>>118286>>118285>>118288"What are you doing?"
Brb
>>118288The griffin seems to be breathing if unconscious. Stunned
>>118289"Trying to not kill random griffon, what are YOU doing?"
>>118291"You do realize that's an enemy right?"
>>118292"And, pray tell, how did you tell that?"
>>118293"You know where we are right?"
>>118228Iron removes his head from the hug, looking at Sands' eyes, believing he understands her pain, only to nuzzle her on the neck once more.
"I am sorry for bringing it up. I should not have said that."
>>118295She looks back, then her eyes avert slightly up and past him, as she slowly but almost incessantly shakes her head
"Oh, you didn't have to bring it up to make me think about it. It's difficult to
not think about"
But she places a hoof under Iron's neck as he comes in to nuzzle her, rubbing Iron's neck
>>118296Iron nuzzles a bit more on her neck, using a spare hoof to caress her barrel to bring some needed comfort to Sands.
"I can tell. It most likely was not easy to cope."
>>118298Sands seems to enjoy this almost aggressive nuzzling, with her back reducing in tension
“No... and it won’t be easy to”
>>118299While Iron has the small curiousity poking him in the back, wanting to know what happened to her, he knows better than to ask directly.
He therefore decides to keep up the nuzzling, hoping his expressions of physicial affection would quell the sorrow she most likely has for being stuck in there for Gods know how long.
>>118300She giggles again, then looks at him
“You will protect me?” She asks
>>118301Iron stops his nuzzling to look at her, face filled with determination.
"I will."
(I will make you feel nice and happy.)
>>118302She now rubs a hoof in the side of his barrel
“You look big and strong”
>>118303Iron's cheek reddens slightly from the slight rubbing, with a confident grin, while also reciprocating with his own hoof to her barrel
"You look slim and fast."
>>118304She nods, confidently
“Thank you”
She rubs him
“I haven’t had that much experience running... but...”
She either stops herself, or loses her train of though. Still rubbing if less confidently
>>118303>>118304Silver lets out a cough. "I think there is empty bedroom nearby, you two."
>>118305Iron reddens his cheeks a little bit more, but the pace being less confident makes him worry a bit.
"Is something wrong?"
>>118306Seeing Silver's apprehension, Iron figures his bouts of physical affection is making the Floof uncomfortable.
>>118305He looks back to Sands
"Want to talk about it in the bedroom? It will be some time until Star comes back here."
>>118307She looks down
“No. It’s fine.”
She looks back to him
“I guess we could. Are you worried about being stumbled upon?”
>>118308Iron shakes his head.
"I am not."
He starts to walk out the bathroom at a slow pace.
"No griffon can surprise me."
Of course, he goes to the bedroom with Sands following along.
>>118309“Alright then”
She follows him slowly to the room
>>118310As he reaches the bedroom and gently closes the door with both him and Sands inside, he decides to see what sort of reason why she trailed off when correcting him beforehand.
[1d20 = 3]<Native boi trying to understand mares
Haven't posted here for a while, I've been trying to catch up with the dozens of threads (I'll get through eventually) but life things got in the way. Is Iron still an incel or has he gotten over his wish to be >striped?
>>118311Suffice it to say, it remains an enigma. She walks around the room, looking at the red leather bound books, the sun on the wall, and other assorted features
>>118312Just the right time!
>>118312Still incel drooling over mares and wanting the stripes as well as the chitin, sadly.
Heck, he'd want yaks if it were a nice female.>>118313He decides to simply sit on the bed, watching intently at Sands' actions for a bit before speaking.
"I did not remind of more tragic events with my fast comment, have I?"
>>118312He’s found a new thin, white unicorn totally not a disguised Changeling female to hopefully cure his jungle fever
>>118315“It’s alright. You can’t run from everything”
She is still looking around at the book shelf
>>118316Iron nods.
"I suppose."
His gaze turns curious, standing up again and looking at the bookshelf next to her.
>>118316Whenever I hear "Jungle Fever" I think of "Jungle Juice" from that Murdoch Murdoch Christmas special
>>118317A number of books. Not the most he’s seen, nothing like Curwhinny. Brown and black and red
>>118318Is that the one where anon learns the beauty of race mixing?
>>118319Iron sees the books with confusion, turning to Sands.
"I assume you like books?"
>>118320“Well, somewhat. But I was just looking around”
>>118321Iron decides to place his hoof on her barrel, stroking up and down her coat.
"I admit I am a bit more into more physical activities."
He smiles at her.
"What is it that you like most?"
>>118322“A couple novels. Short stories published in magazines”
>>118323"Novels?" Iron asks, confused while still stroking her coat idly. "What do you mean?"
>>118319Yes, the Christmas Carol parody. It's still really funny.
Also, glad to see that ponies are still very tactile creatures.
>>118324She looks back to him with an expression of... Well, surprise at this statement
“Long stories in written form”
Then she smiles at him, half lowers her eyelids, and places a hoof on him
>>118325Reeee if the show lets applejack hold a balloon with a single hoof, then I can have my ponies do things
>>118327Iron smiles wider, closing the gap between the two and rub his coat against hers while blushing.
"Long, you say? I cannot imagine where somepony can fit in something like that in a cave."
>>118328She laughs, placing a hoof up to her mouth. Then she looks back to him, now standing immediately next to her
>>118329Iron can't help but laugh a little as well, before starting to nuzzle her neck again with an even harder blush.
(I cannot get enough of her soft fur. It is...
majestic.)
>>118330“Hehehe”
She moves her head away, stretching her neck
“And what do you do, big guy?”
>>118331"I am a stray of sorts down here," Iron responds within Sands' chest. "Seeking fortune just like you with my own four hooves by any means necessary."
He looks up to her face.
"Punching ponies, carrying stuff, that sort of thing."
>>118332“A stray?” Her eyes are wider, her face contorted in a half frown
“I know that feeling”
She nods
>>118333Iron nods back.
"Yeah. Came here by my lonesome. It was not that painful overall, but it was a big change of beliefs for me."
He looks down, rubbing his cheek on her chest.
"This concrete jungle is a darker place than I imagined."
He widens his eyes, realizing he's being a sour grape before rubbing against her coat with vigor.
"But I do not want to bum you out with my problems. I am here to help you, not dump my life onto you."
>>118335Yes. Play.
>>118334*coat is rubbed vigorously
“No... it was much the same for me. Alone. Kind of hostile, but I was kind of expecting that. Quite a change all the same”
>>118336>playGee, that's encouraging,....
>>118312>>118318>>118325Hey Good to See you againn
>>118294"No, so where are we?"
>>118337Yes. I don’t know if this is midnight or something, but midnight last encountered on of the griffins who inhabits the structure in the hallway, who stumbled upon Meadows. Midnight told the griffin that she was part of a band of home-invasion robbers/mentally ill homeless people who were “passing through” the private property. The griffin freaked out as any creature would, but was shot by Dark Star.
It lead to a fascinating discussion about the ethics of targeting an evident non-combatant, which sadly just kind of... died
>>118338Hi!
>>118339"Still in Griffion territory. still in the fort that they use as a base..."
>>118341"I am still confused, what exactly
IS going on here?"
>>118340>midnightEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
>>118344".... Well in addition to all of the Creatures in cages that are being used as slaves. i suspect they are also running guns. that along with them trying to kill us..."
>>118345Oh, it’s the other bat pony. Brie was looking at the damage done to the power shovel, expressing an opinion to Spark that is was caused by another machine
>>118348That or a really large pony, or a team of ponies, yes. I last was letting Sparks do his own analysis before heading back to the cart so,... Brie returns to the cart, satisfied that the analysis is complete
>>118336Iron is a bit perturbed, looking at Sands with worry.
"What do you mean by this expected hostility?"
>>118349Ah, this party then.
Onyx wanders around, curiously observing the mines.
>>118349He finds (Presumably) Onyx, Fun, and Seb
>>118350“Well, I mean... it’s not perfect friendship and Harmony. At least not for everyone”
>>118351Onyx wonders around. A few miners are kind of doing nothing, some are moving frantically or fearfully, looking around. Some are almost lazily going about normal business. A crystal pony stallion operates a drill going into the ground as he smokes a cigarette. Lowe shovels pick up rick and place it into carts and trucks. Further away, Changelings watch over all.
>>118352Iron nods.
"I mean, it is not perfect friendship and Harmony here either. I have not really experienced that save for..."
He stops, unsure to finish that sentence.
>>118352"Well thats interesting. This whole scenario is more complicated than I initially anticipated. I know, you're disappointed that there are no captives - yet - but I think I have enough to make an extensive report on what's going on here." Brie says openly and without any attempt to speak covertly.
"Oh, right. Dieses ganze Szenario ist komplizierter als ursprünglich angenommen. Ich weiß, Sie sind enttäuscht, dass es - noch - keine Gefangenen gibt, aber ich glaube, ich habe genug, um ausführlich darüber zu berichten, was hier vor sich geht."
>>118356“ Und was ist hier los?”
Fun asks
“ Was wirst du melden?”
>>118354She nods again, but smiles strangely. Confindently, almost. Reaffirmed.
>>118357Iron looks up nervously at her, a bit concerned.
"I did not say something dumb, did I?"
>>118353Onyx glares at the changeling as he continues on, hoping he doesn't fall in a hole.
>>118359For better or for worse, the Changeling does not notice him. Further on, there is water in a recessed portion of the pit next to a wall. Three children play by it
>>118358She shakes her head still smiling.
“No. No.”
>>118357"Es scheint, dass der PLF die Bergleute abschreckt. Sieht nach Erpressung und Erpressung aus, und es sei denn, ich habe meine Vermutung, Entführung und Lösegeld verpasst."
>>118360Iron tries to understand what ticked her off enough to smile at him in such a way.
[1d20 = 7]<Iron is scared of the unknown
>>118360He stops for a moment, sitting down and watching the children play for a little bit.
He seems surprised, no one
seems abused by the changelings here.
Baltimare Ponies can also join
>>118363And it’s ruby, wearing little boots and a scarf, next to the water. He taps the water, before recoiling at it
“It’s cold. No ice though”
He looks over to another creature - the purple bat pony colt Onyx is familiar with, wrapped in winter clothing
“What cha’ got there, Broody?”
The bat pony kicks a rock into the water. Then another, and this one skips.
A little further away, a small Pegasus colt, also wearing a scarf, looks at a motionless power shovel
>>118361“ Die PLF erpressen sie?”
Fun looks interested
“Was ist das Geheimnis?“
>>118362She continues smiling, and shaking her head lightly
“You wouldn’t get it”
>>118364"Oh, es wird besser. Die Gendarm sind irgendwie involviert."
>>118364Iron raises an eyebrow.
"I bet I would, as long as it is not related to technology."
He puts a hoof on Sands' chest, brushing along her coat slowly.
"Besides, now you have made me curious. I want to hear about it."
>>118364Excuse me while I go grab some insulin
Onyx chuckles and walks up beside Ruby
"Glad to see you entertaining yourself, as boring as this trip is."
>>118365“ Ich denke, Ihre Handler wollen, dass diese Tatsache bestätigt wird. Sie vertrauen nicht immer ihren eigenen.”
>>118367“Huh? I ain’t never seen a hole in the ground like this one before”
>>118366The long coat hairs recess down from their fluffed up position ad the hoof goes by
“I never quite believed in the Equestrian notion of ‘Friendship’”
>>118364Silver looks to Blue. "There were balconies looking down at party. Perhaps we could have couple of ponies throwing firebombs onto party goers from there?"
>>118368"Zweifellos. Hoffentlich habe ich genug Federn gekräuselt, dass es leicht zu bestätigen ist."
>>118369She smiles and nods
“[
Now you’re on my level”
>>118370 "So oder so, du solltest es herausfinden."
>>118368Iron shrugs.
"To be fair, while it is a nice idea, I do not believe that notion that much either. So far I have not found it more than once or twice."
He nuzzles her chest a bit.
"Although I am quite fond of physical activities like these. Makes me think this is what those 'friendship' preachers really mean."
>>118372She laughs now, standing up perfectly straight with her legs together, allowing her slim barrel to be all the more visible, and braces against Iron’s pushes
“You’re really enjoying yourself there”
>>118371"Oh, ich habe vor." he leans in and whispers "Ich bezweifle, dass wir lange warten müssen."
>>118373Iron glances up, smirking.
"I love it."
He sits in place, allowing his two hooves to caress both of Sands' sides of her body.
"Not that I want to repeat myself, but I yearned for these moments."
He stops his nuzzling to look at Sands in the eyes, smiling without restraint
"It makes me feel alive."
And with that, he starts to nuzzle her chest again.
"Tell me if you want me to stop."
>>118371Silver can't help but smile. "I suppose we just have to find out where Dark Star is with that whiskey, and find enough cloth."
>>118374“Was ist dein Plan?”
He asks
>>118376She tilts her head, and her mouth is open slightly
“Whiskey?”
>>118375“Hehe, go right ahead”
She moves her legs a little, making her lower, but also easier to access between the legs, and slightly more stable
>>118377Silver nods. "For firebombs. Though, I do have bottle I bought earlier on-hoof if you need it."
[1d20-1 = -13]>>118377Which one asked? Sense motive on him
>>118377Iron gladly takes the invitation, attempting to get in between Sands' forelegs, nuzzling all the way, scooting the slightest bit forwards.
>>118379That’d be Fun, and he seems anxious
>>118378“Well... most whiskies will not explode”
>>118380“Woah, hehehe”
Her legs skip ever so slightly. Iron’s nuzzle goes against the grain, causing hairs to stick. This is also a fluffy area of her body, causing the whole section to feel soft, if possibly irritating on a nostril
>>118368"I can't say I've seen many like it. How are the other kids?"
He sits beside the colt.
>>118375>>118377>>118380>>118381Get a room you two!
>>118381"Yes...moonshine, or something stronger, would be better suited for that, but whiskey is what we have on hoof. Alternatively, if we knew they were keeping gasoline somewhere, we could use that instead."
>>118381"Ich bin noch nicht sicher. Ich möchte jetzt über meine Ergebnisse berichten, aber etwas davon passt nicht. Ich denke, wir müssen die Nacht verbringen. Wie geht es Seb?"
>>118381Iron stops in place, flinching slightly.
He stops his stroking from both hooves, scooting ever closer.
"I feel like I have made a mistake."
He sneezes against the floor, before grabbing Sands with his hooves.
"You do not mind if I go a bit wild, do you?"
>>118382Fool! We already got a room!
>>118347"oh, I suppose that is fair."
>>118385oh NOOOOOOOOO
>>118382“Neither of them seem to talk much. That one there I call Broody, on account of he always seems to want to stay in the corner. He’s kickin’ rocks. That little one over there, I just call ‘im Mutey, he’s lookin’ at that machine thing”
>>118382Actually they literally already did
>>118383“The most a place like this is probably going to have us heating oil. Maybe cooking oil”
>>118384“ Ihm geht es gut. Gut denke ich. Ein bisschen misstrauisch gegenüber den Pogues und den Changelings”
>>118385She smiles with mischievous glee
“Show me what the wild is, Jungle stallion”
>>118387"That would work." Silver looks over to Mala. "Know where they might be storing any of that?"
>>118387"Verständlich. Warten wir auf Onyx, dann formulieren wir einen Plan."
>>118387"Yeah, they're a quiet pair. Not the worst though"
He raises an eyebrow as he watches them
"At least, I don't think so."
>>118386>>118387And the stallion was ensnared.Iron smiles devilishly before picking Sands up from the floor, walking to the bed.
"With pleasure."
He gently lowers Sands onto the bed, hooves aiming for the ceiling, and proceeds to climb on top of her.
>>118388Mala, almost surprised, answers
“Well, there might be either stored downstairs... maybe heating oil in the boiler room? I think that’s how it’s powered”
>>118389He nods in affirmation
“ Er ging, um spazieren zu gehen”
>>118390Wesley still looks at the machine, waking around, and tapping it with a hoof, listening to the metal “clang”
Kerr keeps kicking rocks. It seems he tries to make them skip across the water, and makes one do so. Then again, that could just be surface ice.
>>118391“Woah!”
She is picked up, evidently surprised. She weighs fairly little or feels like it. Holding her feels almost like a child carrying around a huge, soft, fluffy stuffed animal taken as a prize at a carnival
>>118387>>118376Is Dark Star not back with the group?
>>118392"Das ist okay, je länger wir hier sind, desto unangenehmer werden sie."
>>118392Onyx gets up and walks over by Wesley, looking over the machine with him.
>>118393See
>>118386
>>118393He is in the hall with midnight
>>118394“ Worauf wartest du?” He asks
>>118396He looks up to onyx for a moment, Onyx being much taller. Then, back to the machine. It’s a large power shovel with a huge claw on the end of a metal arm that itself has many large steel teeth. It has a large box-like structure on a set of tracks with a little open cabin where a pony could drive it.
>>118386"Yes,Yes it is. Tie that one up."
He motions to the one she saved.
>>118392"We should look, otherwise these firebombs will not have enough power."
>>118399Onyx taps the machine three times slowly, then three times quickly, judging the little one's reaction.
>>118400"Uhhh, have any rope?"
>>118391Now, she seems a little uncertain, with Iron there
>>118401“It’s downstairs I think...”
>>118403Iron smiles at her, before nuzzling her neck from on top of her, his magic stick revealing itself.
"Hehehe."
He plants a little kiss on her neck.
>>118405An ear twitches, and her face loses expression
>>118404“ Von der?”
>>118408"Wenn ich raten würde, würde ich den Gendarm erraten. Ich könnte mich jedoch irren."
>>118408He starts to nuzzle her lower and lower, planting kisses left and right. He glances upwards from time to time, wondering how she'd be feeling from this act.
>>118410“Pony, what was your name again?”
>>118409“ Wenn sie wirklich für dich kommen, kommen sie mit all ihren Zahlen und Schützen zu weit weg, als dass du etwas dagegen unternehmen könntest. Wenn sie denken, Sie sind aus Eine Königin, sie wird niemals für dich kommen und dich einfach meiden.”
>>118411Iron glances up, planting one last kiss before answering.
"Iron."
>>118403"Should we wait for others?"
>>118413She looks more reluctant now
>>118414“I don’t know where they are”
>>118411Brie, who to this point had been casually looking around while engaging the conversation, smiles and directly faces Fun. "Ich erwarte nie, dass mich jemand rettet"
>>118415Iron looks confused.
"I assume you were not expecting this, were you?"
>>118416“ Rette dich dann, aber warte nicht darauf, dass sie zu dir kommen”
>>118417“It’s just faster than anything before...”
>>118420Iron looks at Sands, before pulling away his head with a bit of guilt present on his face.
"Right. I admit I was going too fast as well. I apologize."
>>118406>>118420Dark Star walks back into the area they were in. With midnight in tow and dragging the griff.
>>118422She pets his chest lightly
>>118424He drags the griffin into the bathroom, probably finding Silver
>>118414"Howdy, we might have a problem, theres a zigger downstairs."
>>118420Brie pats Fun on the shoulder. "Was für ein Spaß wäre das?"
>>118426Iron looks back at Sands with worry.
>>118428Silver looks to the griffon he's dragging. "Who is that?"
>>118434"she found midnight in the hallway, so i shot her."
>>118435"..." Silver slowly nods. "Alright...did you get whiskey bottles?"
Midnight wonders where everything went wrong.
She then follows Dark Star
>>118438No wait! She looks for Meadows!
Where is she? Is she safe?
>>118437"the zigger blocked me from getting them all. i got 3."
>>118429Fun looks unconvinced of the fun of such an encounter
Brie, however, is swiftly vindicated
*knock knock knock*
Two undisguised changelings in white fur coats knock on the cart
>>118431She smiles back at him, and places a hoof on Iron’s cheek
“It’s okay big boy. You can touch me”
>>118438But you see little midnight? The tree has been rotten for a long time. I the lightning just revealed the decay hidden away inside
>>118439She has been standing on the hallway, looking terribly confused and afraid
>>118441Midnight trots up beside her and places a wing over her back.
"Are you okay?"
>>118443She has a small frown
“I am as I was before...”
>>118441Iron blinks.
"Are you sure? My touching always gets out of hoof whenever my mind downstairs wakes up."
>>118441Brie gets an excited look and whispers to Fun "Show Time!"
Then, without opening the door, loudly calls out. "Yeeees?"
>>118440"Well, if you could, go with Blue Skies back downstairs and get some more. And see if you can get some heating oil from boiler room, too. I will take care of...this." He motions to the unconscious griffin."
>>118446Midnight presses her forehead against Meadows neck for a moment before pulling back.
"Is there anything you need that I could provide?"
>>118441Dark Star nuzzles blue shekels
"Would you help me get the rest of the whiskey?"
>>118454Floofster? Want to watch documentaries or something?
>>118649You wanna join the cytube again?
Hey guys? Iron, Dark Star, Brie, Spark, and Onyx? Could you guys post in here when you get a chance? I'm really worried about the GM.
>>118692It's a bat!
It's good to see you, even if it's late. Honestly, I was about the head to bed, it's so late for me. Think you'll be on tomorrow sometime, maybe when one or more of the others are? I'm really worried about the GM. He's really upset about things recently.
>>118693Also, check my ID trips
>>118694
I...think I do? I don't know how things work on there, so you'd have to give me a minute.
>>118696Hurry up, I feel naked with my info out there like this
>>118697I seriously have no idea how any of this works.
>>118697You might as well delete that post, I have no idea how any of this works and nothing makes any sense to me at all.
>>118698>>118699Shid. I don't wanna go into detail on the board, so the short version is that recent events have led him unnecessarily, but unerringly to question the validity and quality of himself and the game. He lashed out at a couple of the players self included and I tried to politely and objectively talk him down without apparent success. What did occur was not intended to trigger a response from him, it was made entirely outside and to not involve him. Unfortunately that was also part of the problem.
>>118699Tl;dr, some shit happened that he took personally. I hope he's alright
>>118701I know, I've been talking to him. He's upset.
Very upset. He needs to hear from everyone, know that they haven't abandonded him.
>>118691>>118702Have cute tsundere pone
>>118702I'm here in spirit for him. This adventure is the best thing on /vx/ (got me into EaQ too) and I think he's been doing a swell job.
>>118704D’aww, thanks. I am glad to see you are still lurking
Also, if you want any summaries or post links, I can help
>>118703That is one tsundere poner.
>>118708She gives ponies the chills.
Rattling dem bones
>>118704Saved
>>118705I'll draw u more poners if you continue.
I like having fun poners to draw.
I like interacting with them more.
I'm thinking about drawing something tomorrow. Any suggestions?
>>118715Neat!
Um... I don’t know
>>118716Maybe a Blue Skies to get the creative juices flowing again.
>>118717That could work. Are you still there floofster?
>>118719Um, here’s a discord link to what historically has been the main server. It’s a bit... lived in, and there is a bit more drama, but I think it’s time you join
https://discord.gg/QkNWyn
>>118720Thanks. At least this seems to work properly.
>>118720Awww, I don't get to be part of the kool kids klub
That only started because of me in the first place
I'm a sad nao
BTW, Brie explodes killing everyone in range
>>118725Is of super cute!
>>118725Nice work, Anon.
Love her confuzzled expression.
>>118727Now that’s an interesting zebra picture
>>118728She a cutie, isn't she?
>>118729She kind of is
>>118725But confuzzled Skies is cuter
>>118731Thank me? Nah. It's you who should be thanked.
Good piece of pony art is always worthy of praise.
>>118732I’m getting the impression you’re trying to suggest a different character to be the subject of art
>>118734You wanna post those images you made in pony creator?
>>118735They're not quite the perfect replica of her, but sure. Gimme a sec.
>>118737Personal preference is the third pic from the left.
>>118737Hmmm. Cute. I’ll think about pressuring the artists into making a Cauldron picture
>>118739Really?
I must thank you for your act of kindness.
It's not Cauldron, but I did draw a lewd Blue Skies.
>>118725>>118741Wow, really nice! Confuzzled expressions are the best.
For such a skinny poner she sure has a T H I C C neck. Also, that snatch is wider than the bore of a Changeling tank cannon.
>>118743Hey! Ponies have huge heads relative to body size. You gotta have a thick neck to support all of that head, and may Celestia help you if you have to give birth to one
>>118741What's with the line from the center of the anus that merges with the vagina?
>>118745I don't know the term for it, but it's natural.
>>118749
Maybe it's a bit too thinkened, by I see similar lines in the pictures you've provided.
>>118750>>118751Yeah, that's most likely it.
>>118752Should probably delet the real hoers nudes, though. Doesn't seem like the GM is very fond of the posts judging from his reaction.
>>118753Is horse puss really that controversial in a horsefucker imageboard?
>>118754Well, it is his thread, it's not related to the game, and understandably not everyone is so welcoming of hoers that aren't pones. Just seems like it would be courteous to do so since the GM doesn't like it.
>>118755Is he telling you this through Discord?
>>118756Sort of? I mean, he's expressed his frustration in the Discord as well as hinting at it in this thread, but he didn't tell me to post anything, either.
>>118760Kek, cute
Are you trying to say you want something?
>>118761I must say I miss a certain zebra.
>>118762Your waifu will wait for you. Probably. Maybe.
>>118763I bet she's being a super cool alchemist while I'm gone.
>>118764Or some serious shit is going down in the city underworld in the meantime. One of the two
>>118765Oh I meant in the distant future. She'd breeze through it like I know she can and fulfill her dreams of self-sufficiency and safety.
>>118766Applejack started with her farm and family. But some creatures have to work a bit harder to get there
>>118767Cauldron is a smart zeeb. She can do with. She only needs some hooves to help.
>>118768Hooves, money, business acumen... a lot can go into it
>>118769I left her a substantial 2500 bits average + her potion revenue for this mission. She has a lot of capital to work with
Not to mention Cauldron is a resourceful zeeb, master of shadows and connections.
>>118771*sneaks up behind u*
>>118772Woah! Where didja come from?
>>118773From the shadows>>118774That’s... not a normal potion mess
>>118775Kek. It happens sometimes when you work with slimy substances.Not the shadows!
>>118776*attacs u with shadows*
>>118777*is game ended
ded*
>>118754There is a big difference between pony art and irl hoers. I know it's similar to the argument furfags put out but they sexualize human-ish personalities with animal bodies; in other words it's a fetish. Ponies are an idealized species in their own right and have radically different personalities, habits and cultures compared with humans while remaining sapient; at worst it's the same as aliens from Mass Effect. As such it's a big jump from drawn pony art to horses which are not sapient.
You could argue that the use of real horses as models for realistic art (because that's what artists do) is a gray area. Also, while ponies in the early days were drawn almost exclusively with human anatomy, a majority of explicit art now is anatomically correct and often has crotchboobs, so you can hypothesize about the influence there. I think the only thing objective you can say about this is that porn of any kind is degenerate, though that of 2d ponies is relatively less so.
tl;dr don't feel bad, DM, if you don't like something but don't be afraid to tell others in the thread if you object to it
>>118780To be fair, horses were exempted from bestiality in the past since they were seen more as equals/companions rather than mere animals. Sure, they can't speak our language, create tools or build the society we live in, but they are much more complex creatures than you give it credit for.Preferences aside, it's not like horse vagina is by itself porn. The image is not intentionally causing arousal to anyone. In fact, The source for the pics were for veterinarian purposes, while the three spoilered images are mostly to appreciate the beauty of the equine in question.
It's so hard to find decent zebra pics these days.
>>118784I did find this OC zeeb around that could also be a nice way to depict Cauldron.
Caution: Not SFW
>>118785Can't believe I forgot pic.
>>118785>>118786That’s not far off from how I imagined her. The way the mane falls down is pretty much what I imagined, as is the body shape. The biggest difference, besides of course the complete absence of any kind of body piercing and probably of any jewelry bar perhaps a religious necklace, is that Black Cauldron is supposed to have a mostly realistic zebra color pattern of black and white, not the grey with small black stripes Zecora has
>>118787So the color scheme from pony maker is still accurate?
Neat.
But hotdamn she'd be pretty tough to draw.
>>118788You are really into this zebra thingMore or less, but I’d add more black to her and make the stripes go further, down the belly and on the neck. Also she’s supposed to have like a black lower jaw but white upper jaw past the snout. That’s only really possible to depict in stylized versions where the muzzles are longer, which is kind of how I think of these characters
>>118789Can't resist perfection in striped form, what else can I say?Dang. Whichever artist that wants to tackle this is going to have a slight headache.
Don't worry. Zebra hugs are relaxing.
>>118788Look into my eyesNot at herFake Unicorn crotch tits are temporaryThis Voodoo spell I placed on you is eternal>>118790I’m afraid you may have Jungle fever..
I mean, I guess she can be grey if white and black are too difficult. At this point you may as well contribute to her design.
Her hugs would be a little stronger than some
>>118791Kek. I know where Iron's heart belongs.Hail Cauldron, master at boop battles and being cute.The color scheme isn't what's complicated. It's more about the stripe patterns that could be time consuming, since I can't really visualize how they'd look like since it's so unique for each zebra.
>>118792Still, Zwolf is willing to help Iron with any pent up romantic energies>MasturboopingShe would
never. She is good girl
I don't know. Just a few stripes
>>118793I must admit. He is quite pent up...Kek. If there was more I'd post it.
I may have some ideas for stripe pattern. Maybe parallel, horizontal jagged stripes. Kinda like oekaki, only a bit thicker.
>>118792>tfw just realized that Changelings can be used like medical leeches to help battered women and those suffering from addictionsUh... it’s supposed to be simpler. I was thinking basically straight or slightly curved stripes
>>118795That's quite the cool use.
>"Smoking? I am your new drug." wink.So kinda like this?
>>118797I know, I know.
It's rather crude.
I hope somebody bites.
This might sound crazy but...
Do ya want to conclude the scene between Iron and Zwolf/Sands?
>>118781>exemptiontbch I can see why as it is the best option for a desperate nomad
Still, explain to anyone in the past several hundred years that it is less objectionable than using, for example, a deer, and you'd be given a wide berth. Understandably so; Metokur watched a documentary of people who got hooked on horse poon (yes, it exists) and they definitely came across as freaks. I know it's not a real "argument" but yours could apply to any particularly complex animal like elephants or dolphins. I once read a science-fiction novel where a woman and a dolphin fell in love with each other (it was pretty bad).
I can't say anything about the picture since I haven't been following this thread very well (still catching up) and I got into the controversy after it was deleted. I'll just say that when I was 12 I read (human) biology textbooks just so I could flip to those pages.>>118792Agreed, styles and shapes are what make drawing something tough, especially if the zebra in question isn't in the Ponymaker "standing stiffly facing to the side" stance. It's the same reason why drawing hands is really challenging.
>>118799Is Zwolf/Sands a mare?
>>118800Sands is a mare but Zwolf... not sure.There's one big difference between a horse and the other examples provided. A deer is not yet domesticated, and elephants and dolphins are too inconvenient to fuck from having to have either tons of food and water (elephant) or a big body of water to submerge themselves in (dolphins) There's a reason horses are one of the most famous animals to fuck, and that's because of its accessibility and intelligence. Dogs and cats are way too small and can never really consent, but if a mare doesn't want your dick in her, her vaginal muscles are not going to let the penis in. Sometimes, though, they need relief from estrus, and they don't mind using males from other species to quell their needs as long as she trusts them. This implies consent. This is why the nomads chose the mare. Because the mare wanted to get rid of her biological urge to mate and the human was there to provide.I know, right?
>>118801Sands is a mare, zwolf is a worker. Changelings are on a three gender system with Drones as males, Queens as full egg-laying females, and workers as infertile females
>>118802I see why she would be hesitant to undisguise then. Iron is going to have coitus with a trap!
Look at him! Look how eager he is to activate the trap! He is savoring every single
moment of affection until he comes out as male! I bet he'd undisguised right as he was about to kiss her fake privates so he becomes gay!
But to be fair. He can always have temporal female genitalia.
>>118804He as in Iron becomes gay, I mean.
>>118803>>118804>>118805Ze is a genetic female, damn it!
>>118806Ohfuck, did you say worker? I forgot drones were the males, not the workers.
Wait a minute... I remember a tidbit on their biology which would make her quite the interesting NPC to have around. Do you know what I mean?
>>118808What happens with a worker when there's no Queens around for a long time?
>>118809SighSome species of bees have the ability of workers to lay eggs after a Queen has been lost, or is failing and not replaced. Normally, the queen’s pheromones prevent the development of ovaries, but they can develop in some workers after a prolonged absence of the pheromones.
Bees have a chromosome set where females have 150% of a normal chromosome set, and males have 100%. A fertilized Queen will always lay worker eggs, an unfertilized Queen will lay only drones. Even a fertile days queen can lay underutilized (drone) eggs. Queens come from the same fertilized eggs as workers. Queen larva become such when workers place the egg in “Royal Jelly” that stimulates development into a Queen. Workers do not possess the ability to store sperm. As such, egg-laying workers can only ever lay unfertilized eggs, which always become drones. There is a species of bee in South Africa that had the ability to kind of mix genes in the eggs it lays, allowing it to lay worker eggs through an asexual process. Workers in hives will tend to eat or remove eggs laid by other workers, and not by the Queen. The high degree of social relation between the members of the hive (something like a 75% genetic similarity between workers rather than the normal 50% in sexually reproducing species) helps kinship-altruism and social behavior.
Ants go a step further than bees, having some female workers called “gamergates” that have the capacity to store sperm. They can reproduce sexually, and can even entirely replace queens, whereas egg-laying worker bees cannot. I am unsure about wasps.
Changeling workers would gather nectar and produce honey for the hive in much the same way as bees. Because they could travel very far from the hive and be gone for very long periods of time, any kind of change that would cause a Changeling to become an egg-layer would take a very long amount of time.
>>118811Ants go a step further than bees, having some female workers called “gamergates” that have the capacity to store sperm.
Zoe Quinn is an insectoid confirmed.
>>118811I didn't say it was immediate, silly goose. I can wait a long time for her ascension. Heck I haven't even shagged a most likely consenting zeeb out of incharacter doubts about his worth as a stallion for about a year IRL, but I can understand if she's not able to transform.
Nevertheless, a worker is a rare find as far as I know.
I hope she values repeat love extractions.Bet they can suck real hard.The love that is.
>>118813How well Iron can handle a succubus-worker, either in the short term or the long term, is a bit up in the air right now.
>>118812I know right? It’s weird how that Greek term sounds like that
>>118814Silly GM. Iron's not a pegasus. Earth Poners are always on the ground.
I do believe his body can take at least two drains before going limp.
Although I don't think he'll ever experience it at this rate.
>>118815> Although I don't think he'll ever experience it at this ratePoor incel Iron
>>118816>Iron writing his manifesto for when he commits a mass rocking in Baltimare
>>118817... Iron can write?
>>118815Iron has that Bug Bite Fever.
>>118818Nope. That's why it's all scribbles.
>>118819Iron has all kinds of fevers these days.
Actually, I lied. He can write, only his hoofwriting sucks so bad his prose is illegible.
>>118819>>118822Oh yeah, he got the bug bite
>>118823I have both fevers.
>>118828Man, you sure have it bad for those two, huh?
>>118829Yeah.Wonder when Iron can move again. I'm pretty much in the dark here.
>>118830Yeah. Sorry you haven't been kept up to date. We're waiting for the others to be ready, as well as the GM's go-ahead.Don't worry, Iron will get his dick wet soon enough.
>>118831I feel like it should have ended a while ago... What even happened?
>>118832The GM just hasn't really been feeling up to it, lately. I think he just needs/needed some time and cheering up. He's said he's up for playing this weekend, but Onyx is out of town this weekend too, so I don't know if/when we'll play this weekend.
>>118833I get that, but I haven't seen anyone else posting here recently either.Did something happen?
>>118834Not that I can tell. I think we're just being affected a little by this whole situation. Either that or it's a case of "Discord strikes again".I would like to see more posts here, though, have everything return to how they were before.
>>118835Did the GM not tell you what's keeping him down?
>>118836You don't know about what's been going on with the GM lately?
>>118838Damn, that sucks. Sorry you've been left out of the loop.Without going into too much detail, an issue between the GM and Ash spiraled out of control and started to engulf certain players here. He's felt abandonded by the players and came pretty much to within a hair's width of abandoning the campaign altogether. Things have been getting better since, but he's still a bit down. But, at least, I know he is planning to continue the campaign.Oh, and a recommendation: the GM likes cute Lunas. Maybe some of those will cheer him up?
>>118839Issue? But I remembered we were playing with him until he suddenly stopped responding as a new D&D thread popped up.
>>118840I'll just say this: the issue is related to that thread. You don't have to quit it or anything, just know that it's been a very touchy subject for the GM for a very specific reason, and that reason is why he's been upset and quit the thread for the past couple days.
>>118841Ok...Anyways, here goes.
>>118842>>118843Moon pone is a qt.
And to top it all off, some lewds.
This concludes the Luna showcase.
>>118847>spoilering lewdsWhere do you think you are?
>>118848In a place where horse puss isn't accepted for some reason.
I assume nothing's gonna happen today either?
>>118854There will definitely be no group advancement. And the next time there is a group advancement, I don’t think it will be the same group
>>118855Do you want to restart the campaign with different characters?
>>118856It’s the players I am not sure are coming back. But I guess that is a possibility. Are you enthusiastic for such a restart?
>>118857I do want Cauldron to accomplish her dream... and Zwolf is a neat character that has promise in the worldbuilding side...
>>118858Okay, so at least you want to continue
>>118859I'd like to continue, myself.
>>118859I confirm your assumption.
>>118861Okay...
Iron’s last question
> "Are you sure? My touching always gets out of hoof whenever my mind downstairs wakes up."She starts to sit up, and looks away. Her head over to the bookshelf, but her eyes further up and to the right, with almost focused eyes and a harder expression
“No no... you are alright”
>>118860Well, Silver was wanting to go get more whiskey bottles and maybe fuel oil. But there will definitely be no Dark Star, and probably no Midnight to join him
>>118862Iron cocks his head while he pouts, lowering his brow with worry.
"You do not seem as eager as before."
He shuffles closer to Sands
"I can tell you have a big weight chaining you down."
>>118863Her light red tail is spread across to bed, tilted slightly right, in the direction of Iron. Her front right leg supports her weight, while she brings the left forehoove towards her head. She tilts her head lightly, still looking up, and not towards Iron
“Well....”
>>118864Iron's ears rise up at her piping up, ready to hear her problem as his tail swishes once towards the edge of the bed.
>>118865“No.... I don’t have a chain assigning me down...”
Her voice is almost empty
“I don’t have a zebra at home, for instance....”
Now, her head turns back to Iron. Her muzzle faces his firmly, and both of her eyes look right at him. She has dense green eyes. These are not the light green eyes that normally come to mind when you hear the term “green eyes,” those yellow-tinted glasses that are the color of spring tree leaves, at the greenest. These are darker, much darker and denser, like pine tree needles at dusk. And they are staring at Iron
“What was it again that you and your... ‘coworkers’ were trying to do here in this building tonight?”
>>118862I suppose that leaves Silver to do so himself. But first, if I remember correctly, there's an unconscious robed griffon to deal with.
What exactly is her robe made out of? Anything inflammable?
>>118866Iron blushes slightly at the mention of Cauldron.
(Damn Silver.)
But her green eyes leaves him astonished, wondering what's going on.
"I... do not really remember. Some mission to find evidence to bust this place down, but escalated into pseudo-vigilantism."
>>118867That is a shocklingly difficult question to answer. The robes are made from a base fabric of relatively mundane industrially woven cloth of wool or cotton not significantly different from what is normally available, even if they were specially tailored. The problem is: cotton is flammable, and wool is flame resistant. And it’s hard to figure out if they would be wool or cotton
>>118869There's no smoke alarm or fire alarm to go off in the bathroom, is there?
>>118868“Escalated? Pseudo-vigilantism?”
>>118871Iron shakes his head.
"To keep it simple: We were here to take down these griffons by whichever means we desire, authorized by law enforcement."
>>118870No such fire safety measures are present
>>118872She blinks, and quickly shakes her head
“So what are you going to do now?”
>>118873Iron turns determined.
"I plan to take down the griffons for their crimes with my own two hooves, not to mention my coworkers and... current acquaintances."
But his face falls slightly at what he was about to do to Sands,
"Although I have to admit I am frustrated for reasons outside this mission."
His erect member twitches slightly.
>>118873Only one thing to do, then.
Silver tears off a strip from the griffon's robe using his survival knife, and uses his Hippo lighter to try to set fire to it.
[1d2 = 1]>>118874What is Iron’s position? How is he sitting or standing, or what is he doing?
>>118876Standing, currently being passive on top of Sands still, I suppose.
>>118875The fire spreads, enveloping the dyed-brown cloth
>>118877She looks down, over at his penis
“He hehmm”
>>118878Silver nods, and runs the cloth under water from a sink to douse it. "This will do."
He then turns to the griffon, offering the unconscious creature a "Sorry about this" before disrobing her.
>>118879The piece of cloth is wet and falls down, blacked and charred by fire on the ends, and showing so many strands of woven cotton on fraying out
And thus, Silver disrobes the griffin. Actually disrobing more females than Iron
A little tag on the robes read out long list of nations
>>118878Iron looks at Sands.
"Is something wrong?"
>>118880He stops to take a look at the kinds of countries feautred, showing it to Blue Skies.
>>118882She holds it up
“Cloth... cotton grown in Sicameon. Woven and dyed in New Mareland. Tailored in Skyfall. Sold from White Bell.“
She hooves the five back to him
“The interdependence and excessive complexity of the Griffonian economy in a single piece of clothing. No wonder it collapsed so easily and so thoroughly.”
Shaking her head
“International capitalism...”
>>118881She moves her head straight up, again looking at Iron
“And what happens after it is all over?”
>>118883Iron blinks once.
"After that, it is mostly up for each individual, I think. I may have work for you if you want to, but I do not have any guarantees on it and it is pretty shady. Otherwise, I believe you are free to do whatever."
>>118884“Work? Free to do
whatever?”
[1d20+4 = 19]>>118883"It
does seem rather ridiculous. Surely all these countries already had means to make these on their own."
Silver gives the robes and his survival knife over to his current compatriots. "If you could tear this into strips, it would be of great help. Blue, after I tie this griffon up, could you come with me downstairs to acquire more whiskey bottles and some heating oil?"
Use Rope: Accordingly, Silver attempts to bind and gag the griffon with his rope.
>>118885Iron shrugs.
"I do not know exactly. I remember you asked for immunity but you should be fine nonetheless. I am not knowledgable on thess concrete jungle practices on admitting new residents or confirming your identity, but I have not had that issue so far."
He looks at Sands.
"As for work, it is mostly criminal activities. Guard places, patrolling, shaking ponies down. That kind of thing."
>>118886“Cotton doesn’t grow everywhere. Industrial knowhow and a large working class doesn’t exist everywhere. Specialized knowledge of fashion... reputation for fashion... doesn’t exist everywhere. Imagine if it did? What would this working class do if there were no cotton to buy, and no tailors to buy it? Where would they work? Would they work at all? Who would these tailors work for? What would they do then for money and reputation?”
She closes her eyes, her slitted cat eyes, and shakes her head. She looks back to Silver
“Sure...”
>>118887She blinks. Then she looks at Iron with closed, inexpressive lips. Then she blinks
>>118888Iron blinks back.
"I assume you have reservations on that sort of thing, which is fine. I am not about to push you into doing thing you are not fond over."
>>118889“... What do
you want?”
\r
>>118888"Fair point."
Assuming everything else is successful/being taken care of, Silver heads down with Blue to gather more of the nessecary materials.
>>118890Iron blinks, caught off guard by the question.
"Y-you have to be a little more specific."
Images of Cauldron flash in his mind, making his member twitch a little.
"I have many things in mind."
Followed by images of Sands laying next to Cauldron, both awaiting him.
"Some things other ponies do not seem to think it is possible."
Now both of them are a top a mattress held up by a mountain of bits.
>>118891“Almost a shame”
She slices another piece of the naturally dyed cloth, with a clear ripping sound
“They don’t make ‘em like that anymore”
I mean, Silver
can go alone
>>118892She almost speaks through her teeth
“Where does it leave
me?”
>>118893I...guess he does, then?
>>118893Iron smiles.
"Obviously you will be rewarded with money and temporary housing from my expenses at first. After that, it is freedom for you to do whatever you want to when you properly get settled. It sounds good, right?"
[1d20+5 = 10]>>118894Silver goes down the steps, with Blue skies behind him, as well as Mala further behind
“He said there was a guard down here...”
>>118895And sense motive
>>118896No lies in what he says. That's for sure.
>>118896"Yes, though I imagine you two might be able to convince him that everything is normal. If not...well, we can always try to 'convince' him."
>>118895>>118897“Well, I... I appreciate what you’ve done for me. So far tonight. And I understand you have much more to do still, but the thing is...”
She looks down, winces her face a little bit, then looks back up to Iron
“I just... If I... will you still be there?”
>>118898“Going to do this the easy way, aren’t you?”
>>118899Iron simply keeps smiling.
"Of course I will be. No matter if you are actually a wanted criminal or something along those lines. I am not about to go back on my word and leave you behind."
He gently places a hoof on her shoulder, still standing atop her.
"I promise you I will be there."
He pauses a bit, pondering.
"However, if you have any big secrets that could prove troublesome, I would wish to know."
>>118899"We will see." He smiles at his companions as they travel down the halls.
>>118900She is currently sitting up, meaning Iron would basically be standing next to her, rather than over herShe opens her mouth slightly with her thin, long muzzle of snow white , and moves it past Iron’s lips, past his eyes, to his ears, and whispers
”I am in heat”Then she pulls away, looking at Iron with longing eyes.
“Well, you’re nice, and cute and all, and... and I like you. You’re big and strong and, and, and, I’m just a little hesitant because I’ve known you half an hour, and because you have a mare friend at home and... tell you what. Yes! I know. We’re going to nuzzle and maybe kiss. We are going to nuzzle hard. But we are
not going to have sex. No, we are not.”
She looks down below Iron, then above
“I’m sorry, it’s just when you moved me, and I saw it, I thought you wanted to have sex with me. I shouldn’t have assumed that. You are a nice stallion. I am just nervous is all. It’s been a rough day, I’m just excited and nervous.”
>>118901And....
\r
[1d20+3 = 4][1d20+10 = 12]>>118901
>>118901>>118901Blue sheckels returns
“Well, frankly I’m not sure I’ve told a lie that bad since I was in early grade school. But he was eager to get out of there. He must have needed to go to the bathroom or something. Anyways...
hurry. Get what you need”
>>118904Silver senses the urgency in her voice, and attempts to gather as much heating oil and as many bottles of whiskey as he and his companions can carry.
>>118905I suppose I should add "hastily" in there somewhere.
>>118905“Are you going to try to take that entire barrel?”
She asks
>>118902After hearing her whispered conversation, he knew he'd have been in quite the trouble if he dared done coitus with her, making him blush profusely.
Nevertheless, he listens intently to Sands, nodding.
"It is alright."
His member twitches slightly, making him grunt slightly before breathing in to calm himself.
"Although I might be interested in a bit of nuzzling still. You can take the lead."
(The last thing I need is for me to accidentally blow my load on her fur by being too aggressive with my nuzzling.)
>>118907"Can you think of better idea," he genuinely asks her.
>>118908“Well... you were doing such a fine job earlier...”
She lightly touches his chest with her muzzle, then pulls away
>>118909“How much fo you need?”
Mala joins in
“I can help. I am strong”
>>118910Iron looks at Sands, slightly biting his lip before exhaling, giving her a smile, and plunges his snout onto her chest with his member still up.
(Focus, Iron. No coitus, just some nuzzling...)
>>118911"At least enough to fill few whiskey bottles. Maybe couple gallons." He smiles at Mala. "Thank you. If we bring entire thing up, it will help immensely."
[1d20+3 = 17]>>118912“Woah. Heh heh”
Now she moves her body .She tries to use her legs to pull her rump forward, and under iron. Her hind legs are almost graceful pulling her forward, and under Iron. Then she lies down on her back, places her forehooves against the wall, and pushes back, trying to get back into position. She moves her thighs apart. Her inner thighs have shorter hair, almost velvety, and guard underneath two small teets with pink nipples. Further down, even a small portion of a pink skinned vulva is visible. Mostly, however, Iron can see the white velvet fur, from her chest down, with some parts of her ribs poking through. With a glow of green magic almost the color of her eyes, she moves her tail, straightening it out, and moves her mane, long and flowing on her chest, off to the side. Her hooves now hang as she has an awkward smile on her face. The tufts of fur above her hooves are more noticeable than before.
“Nuzzle away”
>>118913“Oh, I can, I can try”
He goes up to the think, and tries to place it on his back
“Hugggh!”
>>118914Silver looks rather impressed by Mala's strength. "Wow. Is that heavy on you?"
>>118915He winces, and his legs push apart. He tries to pull them in, making scratching sounds as his paws scratch against the floor
“N-no...”
He pants somewhat, then says “can you get the door for me”
>>118916Silver does so, as well as using his magic to help offset some of the weight.
>>118914Iron pulls away to gaze at her fluffy, seductive fur with a dreamy smile before looking at her.
"Anywhere?"
>>118918Longer higher on her body, thinner lower in her body, especially between her rear legs. Fluffy or velvety, either way. Mostly smooth, though some patches if rougher first shows it has not been brushed.
“Where ever you like”
>>118917More than that, Silver can keep it stable
“It’s-It’s... I got it.”
Mala stumbles along with the thing on his back”
“Where are we taking this?”
>>118919"Back upstairs, in bathroom we are set up in."
>>118919Iron smile widens before plunging back again at her chest, slowly drifting upwards until it reaches the neck, delivering a small kiss on it.
(Ah~ Now this is what I am talking about.)
>>118921He parts the small forest of as he leads his nuzzle up it, showing the pink fur underneath, then kisses
“Hehe”
>>118920“Oh-oh-okay”
She trembles, then tries to lead the belfry thing up the stairs. There is a slosh as he turns it upwards
>>118922Silver helps with his magic, knowing that can't be very fun for Mala.
>>118922Iron smile widens at her approval before going down to her belly yet again with a small trail of kisses up to her belly, then nuzzles it gently.
(No need to hurt her accidentally.)
>>118923Did he go to sleep?
>>118925Most likely. It is fairly late, after all.
>>118926Imma head out as well then. Night.
>>11893 →Mala’s legs tremble, but the star help is critical, not so much in terms of weight, but in terms of keeping the object in his back
“Just a little... further”
He goes further, up the stairs, upwards, to the landing, and to the hallway. Thankfully, no creature is in the hallway, and they make it to the bathroom
>>118924>>118924Each little kiss presses in on the fur, then let’s it rise with his lips. Her chest and belly, likewise, move slight up and down with her increasing breaths. Her belly is mostly soft when nuzzled, and the skin above has a lot of give, though it pressed back when pressed down
>>118931After nuzzling up and down steadily on Sands' belly, Iron decides to go a little bit lower, where her teats would be.
(No coitus, no coitus, no coitus.)
When his snout is right inbetween her teats, he rests his chin at the middle, rubbing her fur with the bottom of his head from side to side, looking at her with a small grin.
(Yes~)
His member twitches slightly.
>>118932Fur goes slightly up his muzzle, though less so here, as the white velvet is shorter. Her teats are bare in part, showing soft pink flesh below, and prim nipples sticking out below. They are rather squishy against his chin.
“Hehehe”
She twitches, and her legs fold outwitted even further, bouncing a little up and out. As she breath in and out, and twitches her lower areas, the nipples move with them slightly. Looking up, he can see she is looking down at him
>>118933Being a bold stallion, Iron slowly drags his chin towards Sands' left teat before pulling back slightly to quickly kiss the fleshy nipple and goes back to his nuzzling.
(This is life~)
>>118934It twitches and moves, even as it is almost tasteless against the tongue. Her horn lights up in green glow, and her chest moves up and down with increasingly ragged breathes
>>118935Spying with his eyes the increase in the glow of her horn, he gets rather curious.
(Is this what unicorns usually do when flustered?)
His head travels to her right teat, giving another quick little kiss on the nub.
"Seems you are liking this treatment as well as I do."
>>118936“Yes...”
And another little kiss, as the teat is licked
>>118937Deciding to surprise the mare, he nuzzles all the way up to her chest again quickly before pulling up and kissing the tip of her horn.
>>118938She flinches back, when the head comes up, making it more difficult for his mouth to take the backwards moving horn. But he does so. There’s a kind of fuzz on top of the relatively hard surface
>>118939Giggling at the sensation, he looks at Sands with calm glee.
"I never experienced that particular aspect of unicorns before. It tickes."
He starting giving slow pecks around her neck.
>>118940The look of startlement - wide eyes and focused lips - starts to dissipate as her eyes narrow on Iron and her lips fold back. She places her left forehoof on Iron’s neck. Iron can feel her skinny white legs closing on him, and settling down between his barrel and his hind thighs
Her lips pull up to a minor grin
“Tell me. How much of a unicorn
have you experienced?”
>>118942Iron blushes slightly, looking at Sands from under her neck with a sheepish smile.
"You are the first unicorn I have ever interacted with."
>>118943Narrowed eyes slowly become wide, and her bottom jaw opens ever so slightly
“... Really?”
>>118944Iron chuckles nervously, his blush increasing rapidly, before his ears fold and his lips pout slightly.
"...yes."
>>118946Iron raises his brow and his eyes widened at the question.
"Is it rather normal to find unicorns around these parts?"
>>118947Now, one eye closes in part, and the other eye remains wide as her mouth hangs open. She nods her head back and forth
>>118948Iron has a blank expression before a metaphorical torch lights up his memory.
"Wait! I remember I talked to one rather aggressive unicorn mare at the bar one time."
However, he still smiles sheepishly.
"Although I have to admit I have not been long here. I recently got out of under the rock, if you catch my meaning."
He raises a foreleg to gently caress Sands' chest with his hoof.
>>118931Silver smiles at the completion of Mala's impressive feat. "You did great, Mala. Just set it down inside here."
>>118930Dark Star? Is that you?
>>118914How exactly are they positioned? Is Sands pressed up against a wall on her neck? Are they on a bed?
Is Iron to her side and which side? Is he lying down and if not how is he maintaining his modesty?
I'm just saying that spatial clarity helps a lot with any sort of scene.
>>118951Iron is currently on top of Sands on a bed.
She's belly up while Iron is standing. Her legs could potentially wrap around Iron if she wanted to and Iron could easily penetrate her if he wants to.
>>118951They are on a bed. Sands is kind of pressed up against the wall with not much room for her head to move, while she is laying down on her back, and Iron is over her in a move or less sexual position
>>118950He pants with kind of a tongue out. But his tail moves back and forth as he pulls the barrel inside
“Okay!”
And then inside...
>>118949“So.... would it be rude to mention the zebra?”
>>118952>>118953So she can clearly see his state of arousal. Why doesn't she think he wants to smash, or has no one given her The Talk before?
>>118954Once inside, Silver helps to get the barrel off of Mala's back, and looks at the overall haul they managed to get.
>>118955Because Iron doesn't really care if his stallionhood is out in this instance. Not to mention he basically promised her safety if she sticks by him, so she's not about to complain about an unsheathed cock, especially after drawing the line on the activity.>>118954Iron cocks his head.
"Rude? What do you mean?"
>>118957Gotta love pony mores on nudity. I'm surprised there's not much awkwardness, especially given Iron's tendency to spill spaghetti. Though I guess Sands isn't a shy girl.
>>118955What makes you think she thinks he doesn’t want to?>>118956Before that, something more interesting. More immediate, and more threatening.
A male griffin, rust feathers and brown and red robe, stands over the ruins of the cut up robe. He is now staring straight at Silver and Mala, and their barrel
>>118957“What is going on with her?”
>>118960Wait, wait, a male griffon
in the bathroom? Where are the others?
>>118961Yes. Indeed. The others are not presently seen
>>118958He feels less desperate about the chance of failure to woo the mare as still has other options.DISCLAIMER: This does not mean Iron doesn't want to get the cake and eat it, too.
If he can get both mares, he'll try to.>>118960Iron hums in thought for a bit.
"Well... it is a romantic interest... but I have not really confessed to her. At most I rubbed coats with her for an extended period of time."
>>118963She blinks again
“What am I?”
>>118962Silver stares at this intruder with a grave look. "
Who. Are. You?"
>>118964Iron blushes slightly.
"You are also a romantic interest but I can understand if it does not appeal to you."
He slowly strokes her chest fluff up and down.
"I hear stallions around these parts tend to settle with only one mare out of fear of changelings, but back at where I was raised, stallions could have more..."
>>118966I hope I don't get chastized for this again
>>118965He looks back. Then starts to back up. Slowly.
>>118966She shrivels her lips up into a pouty face
“No romanticism with you, is there?”
>>118967>again
Kek, I bet that memory of Cauldron still stings
>>118968Iron cocks his head.
"Am I really not that romantic? Is it not helping out the mare you want to expand your relationship to achieve freedom and prosperity not something mares want?"
>>118969It was a big regret.
>>118968Unfortunately for him, there is limited space in the bathroom. Silver motions for Mala to cover the door as the unicorn advances on the griffon.
"Who. Are. You?"
>>118970“Romantic Interest?’ The way you talk about it, you sound like you are talking about whether we should go to war with the Yaks, or some sort of business deal. Not about the mare you wish to spend the rest of your life with. Where is the poetry?”
>>118971Mala’s eyes dart back and forth as he hesitates to move. The griffin, however, picks up the pace, now crawling backwards
>>118972Iron blinks in surprise.
"What do you mean by 'poetry'?"
>>118972Silver practically snarls at the griffon. "Ponish. Speak.
Now."
Silver shows no sign of stopping his advance.
[1d20+5 = 24]>>118973She sighs
Sense motive on general state of emotions
>>118974He backs further up. Then Mala darts over to the door, causing him to turn to try to run, and they both collide, briefly knocking both down.
>>118975Confusion, mostly, as he never was taught the arts of stringing words together in verses since he'd rather be doing physical work.
[1d20+2 = 10]>>118975Strength: Silver attempts to pin the griffon.
[1d20+3 = 4][1d20+2 = 7][1d20 = 20]>>118976Not the specific reaction to the specific posed question. His general emotional state
>>118977Silver jumps down on the creature. From behind, a loud “sling!” and the shower curtain explodes in a frenzy, the blue opaque plastic giving way to brown and tan. First a beak, then the slim body of a cat exits, jumps out, then bounds off the floor in as a cat in pounce does. Slower to start, the pangolin pony follows behind, with a loud “clop” as her hooves hit the floor in a powerful, of less graceful manner. Claws from the griffin lurch forward and onto Silver’s quarry, followed by the added hooves
>>118977>>118978The griffin tries to get up, and slips, falling back down. Khoi Lua leaps forward, strikes him right in the head, and pins him down, adding to Silver’s mostly successful efforts
>>118978General emotional state?
Well he's still kinda horny and eager to please in whatever way possible if his erect phallus is any hint of that. Aside from that, he is intrigued by this poetry stuff Sands is currently talking about as well as her questioning of his relationship with her and Cauldron. There is a looming frustration over his inability to properly reach a satisfactory conclusion with Cauldron due to his insecurity as a provider but ultimately does have hope he can meet the need of both Sands and Cauldron in all aspects given enough time.
Is that good?
[1d20+4 = 14]>>118978>>118979Use Rope: Silver is visibly relieved at the appearance of the others. He uses this opportunity to tie the griffon up with his rope.
>>118980She closes her eyes and and shakes her head
“What happens
tonight? To you, to me, and to us?”
>>118981The griffin on the floor has fallen, is hit in the head, has crashed into another creature, and is triply pounced. Mala stands up with an embarrassed smile, and the griffin in the floor is tied well
Khoi Lua:
“Tie his beak up too, we don’t need him squaking”
Jubilosa seems to be ahead of her. She shoves a luffa sponge into his mouth, pressing it deeper as his tongue slightly leans out.
>>118982Silver actually hugs Jubilosa and Khoi briefly as an expression of his relief. "Thank Goddesses, you two are safe! How are others? Are they safe, too?"
>>118982"We beat the griffons that mistreated you and shut their scheme down by killing the leaders if we have to."
He ponders a bit while he still applies the gentle strokes on her chest.
"After that, I give you a job to rise up economically to further whatever individual desires you may have, like supporting and taking care of the elderly, and I pay you for a place to stay to help you out during the process."
Iron blushes slightly as he continues.
"After that, we can have some dinner together."
>>118983Khoi is surprised. Jubilosa is shocked at this sudden attack, pushing away in futility at the attacking forelegs. Yet both are hugged.
>>118984Her face is twisted until “dinner”
“Tell me more”
>>118985He does relent, if only so he can repeat his question. "Are others safe? Where are they?"
>>118986Jubilosa is still surprised by the... ponies call it a ‘hug’?
Khoi answers
“I think that tall one was in hallway”
>>118985Iron hums a bit, before continuing.
"We could then have a walk in the park, sit on a grassy patch and watch the stars together."
He puts his other hoof on her cheek.
"Have a nice cuddle under the moonlight..."
and moves his muzzle closer to hers, lips hovering inches from hers.
"...maybe a little kiss."
>>118988Now, she smiles back, in a more toothy, malicious grin. She places both of her hooves on Iron’s shoulders
“Maybe a little kiss...
>>118990“The big grey wingless hornless one went off with...”
She shakes her head
“And that griffin that came with the grey one is behind you”
Jubilosa:
“Why did you tackle us?”
>>118989Iron chuckles gleefully before kissing Sands' snot lightly.
>>118991"And Loputu? Where is he?"
Silver gives Jubilose a look of confusion. "You...mean that hug?"
>>118992She goes cross eyed at the approaching muzzle, not expecting that
>>118994“Oh...”
Khoi looks away, wide eyed
“I am... not sure where he is”
>>118995"...Loputu? Loputu, where are you?" Silver looks around for the little colt.
>>118995Iron chuckles some more, deciding to give her one more kiss on her neck and speaks again.
"I am sure the others should have finished preparations by now."
His member twitches slightly.
"Do you want to go back?"
[1d3 = 1]>>118996>>118997She makes a wrinkled frown
“I suppose...”
>>118999Iron chuckles at her frowning before nuzzling her as he gets off of her with a trail of kisses up to her teats.
"Do not worry, we can finish it later," he says as he blows some air inbetween her legs before jumping off the bed.
>>119001New bread, in case you didn't know.
>>119000 →
Henlo, can I have an update?
>>119514Um... see new thread
>>119000 →