1571 replies and 61 files omitted.
>>121977Iron, mainly looking for the missing party members, carefully tiptoes towards the open door, trying to be as stealthy as possible.
[1d20+2 = 14]<Move silently roll >>121978The room is dark, with a single light from a lamp off to the left on what presumably is a table. At the opposite side of the room is a slender form of a quadruped. Though sitting when Iron enters the room, it stands up and faces Iron. A green glow emanates from a cylinder on the top of what must be its head, and a glimmering metal object floats in a cloud of green light in the air five feet in front of it. Further over to the right, another figure slumps down, and in the lantern's light is recognizable as a female griffin, looking almost emaciated and unconscious, laying on its back against the wall. Near the griffin, a little further away from Iron is another doorway, and a light comes out from it as well
>>121979Iron tries to stay hidden, maybe getting to witness what is the situation at hand.
[1d20+2 = 17]<Hidden big guy (Hide roll) >>121980Iron cannot hide in the doorway, though it is very easy to hide simply by moving to the side
If he does so, he can hear - in ponish - a loud whisper:
"Someone's at the door"
>>121981Iron reluctantly walks out with a curious expression, ears folded slightly at the possible chance of danger, even though he may know who is the one.
>>121982Hmmmm.....
From through the trees, a new wind blows harsh and cold down from the North. Spark can feel the winter air drop from the mild cold a minute ago, to something much colder, as the air is filled with the sound of rustling leaves. In front of him, next to the station, is a Changeling, with no disguise, but naked chitin. Perhaps it isn't fair to say "naked," as most of his body is covered in a thick white jacket that seems to be both winter protection and the standard uniform of the Gendarme.
>>121983When he looks in, he sees the form again, silently and delicately walking like a stalking cat nearer the center of the room. But the form is recognizable now as White Sands, still hovering one of those wavy daggers in front of her. She twists her head for a moment, move her head further forward, and says "Oh. Iron! That's you." She light fades and the knife is let down.
>>121981Iron walks towards her, assuming things are in control.
"I am," he answers. "It seems you have caught some griffons."
>>121984Spark hends right up to the station and glances at the changeling, wondering if he will stop Spark from entering.
>>121985She comes in closer to him. Much closer, without regard for Iron's personal space. "Well hello." She says with a smile. She glances over to the griffin collapsed on the floor next to her. The griffin still has a tense facial expression, as if in fear or pain.
"We followed this one up here. Maybe she was trying to hide or access the roof" she shrugs.
>>121986Indeed, he does
"Halt. Papers and your purpose."
>>121987"Unfortunately, I was not given papers. Zu Lang insisted I talk to a prisioner and get the needed information to the terroristic ations halting production immediately or I would join him in there."
>>121987Iron admittedly isn't that uncomfortable with the Sands' bodypressing, aside from a slight blush as she looks appreciatedly at Sands.
"Good. I doubt the boss would want loose ends."
>>121985>>121987A beak sticks out from the open door way, and a griffin comes into the room. White Sands pulls back a little from Iron, but otherwise seems undisturbed. And though the physical appears of the dark and brown griffin doesn't particularly stand out, her response leaves no ambiguity as to her identity.
"Indeed. We can't have them alerting the other parts of this conspiracy..."
She is silent for a moment
"I think I am beginning to understand why the Equestrians sealed the records when they raided this place before. Come look at what is in the next room."
>>121988"Surely you have at least identity papers" he says
>>121990"Surely you can let me pass for a few minutes before I'm sent back to work. Unless you want to argue with Zu Lang about it."
I think this calls for a roll, right?
>>121989>>121990If Iron goes in, he sees a wide open room with unpainted concrete or cinder block walls, and no windows, illuminated by a lantern that sits on the floor. Not far from the doorway, over to the left, a steel hook hangs from the ceiling. Some days before, Iron purchased the hide of a Tiger and of a Bear from a taxidermist. Iron sees here too what looks like a hide cut from an animal. This one is golden color, and comes from a cat, sized to be a cougar or possibly an adolescent lion. Blue Skies comes up to show it to Iron.
"But look at this"
She moves down a few feet to show off a new hide. But the pink colored fur on the hide, and the pattern of a flower, lower on the hide, leaves no doubt as to exactly what it is a hide
of.
>>121991He can
Or he can just show the cards given to them at the check point >>121992Oh, those will work? I thought they were specific to passing the border.
>>121992Iron studies it carefully, unsure of what's he looking at.
"Is... is that a pony hide?" he asks incredulously, before rubbing it softly, feeling strangely nostalgic about home.
>>121993Maybe show off one with a bluff roll
>>121994She nods
"That's
exactly what it looks like. Griffin hide too. I have no idea if it's a popular thing in central Griffonia, or if they remove the fur, tan it and pass it off as cow leather. At this point I wouldn't really doubt either"
Over further to the right is a metal table, with a couple knives on it. Long, straight knives, not the twisted daggers
>>121995Iron blinks, turning to the table, looking curiously.
"It sounds like they worship appearances, possibly," he theorizes as he walks to the metal table, looking at the knife.
[1d20+3 = 23]>>121995He shows his papers from before.
Bluff roll.
>>121996"Some of their bourgeoisie over their are particularly degenerate. It would surprise me. I
know they like to collect unicorn horns"
White sands, walking in, touches her horn
The knife on the table is a straight edged blade, nine inches, and rounded towards a pointed end rather than consistently tapered. Another knife is equal length, and with the dull end of a butcher's knife
>>121997He looks down at the paper, then back up to Spark.
"Sorry to keep you, Sir."
He walks over a step, and opens the door for Spark
>>121999Iron is unsure of what to think of this, inspecting the item in question with a frown.
"I assume this is simply more evidence to further hunt down the griffons, at least."
He ponders slightly as he remembers the chicks a floor below, figuring they must be taught that it's correct to butcher their enemies...
>>122000Spark walks in to see a pastel yellow female pony receptionist to the left. But they don't stop there. The guard from outside escorts Spark through a door in the center, and towards an area in the back, past some offices. Through a door on the left, and then, there are cells.
The pony in question is a Mahogony brown Earth Pony, looking very fatigued and weak, lying on the floor in a 6 foot by eight foot cell
>>122001Shekels is silent for a moment
".... They are certainly efficient"
There cannot be much doubt that the creatures who live in and operate this place - turning griffins and ponies into leather hide just one floor above where they keep their young - intended to induct these children into this system. At least they didn't want to take the children along with them for whatever is happening at Midnight.
A slight sound of something moving against concrete further into the room
>>122002His ear flickers at the sound, intent in finding the sound as he clip clops towards the noise.
>>122003It must be towards the end of the room over to the right of the entrance. There is a lantern on the floor, but it doesn't illuminate enough over there to determine what is making the movement
Iron picks up the magic light with his mouth, trying to make it easier to illuminate the noise maker.
>>122002Spark clears his throat and speaks to the pony in question.
"So, you are the trouble maker, huh?"
>>122002>another sad brown pony that needs therapyMidnight feels she is needed, but as to where, she hasn't a clue
>>122005With the light picked up, Iron can walk over, and see what it is.
Hanging from a wire on the ceiling, though from a longer line, is what is recognizable as a Griffin. He is upside down, hanging low enough that his lower back is on the ground, neck is awkwardly positioned, and his head is on the ground, while his lower back is hanging in the air, as are his hind legs. His wings are tied, and his forelegs are tied. He is skinny and looks somewhat starved, and has bags around the eyes.
Then he moves, wiggling side to side. There is a small string tying his beak down.
>>122006He looks up, lethargically, at Spark.
"I am"
>>122007This one is
Onyx's problem.
Midnight can be aware of the scene in
>>121956 >>122008Iron looks at the griffon, extremely puzzled at the hanging griffon on hanging upside down. He glances back to Shekels, his ears folded slightly.
"Uh, boss? Did you tie up a griffon in here?"
Midnight surveys the damage with a grim expression before beginning to look over all of her team members to assess their injuries.
>>122008"I need to discuss some things with you."
He turns to the guard.
"Why is he so weak? I am going to need him conscious if I'm going to get anywhere in the interogation."
>>121956The griffin opens its eyes. His eyes. A dark brown color, and out of focus, but looking towards Iron. The pupils contract greatly in the lantern light. His feathers and his hide are a distinct yellow color, somewhat rare but not unseen for griffins.
"No....."
She starts to come over
>>122010Midnight herself took the worst of the damage (around -~29 HP after the healing). Silver is moderately injured, as is Iron, though he left. Jubilosa is..... psychologically damaged, but not physically hurt. Khoi was not hit, and though Mala is covered in blood, it isn't his own.
>>122011"Must be from the interrogation" he answers, but then shrugs
>>122012"Fine. Do we have a room for interogations, or should I just do it here?"
>>122012I guess that does it for me.
Midnight's amlet glows a deep blue, before it begins to spread over her entire body closing some of her wounds.
+10 hp from lay on hooves.
She then takes a few deep breaths before stepping over to gently pet Jubilosa.
>>122012Biting off the mouth restraint on the tied griffin's beak, he curiously gazes over him. "Tell me, do you understand me?" he asks sternly at him
>>122013He nods
"You can have him sit at a table in a recorded room.... Or you can do it here. Either way."
>>122014Jubilosa is frightened and looking at the prisoners, but then looks over at Jubilosa when the blue light envelops her
"Woah... I didn't know the winged ponies could do magic"
She is pet. Her fur is short, and her awkward expression suggests she doesn't understand the gesture.
>>122015The restraint is removed
"Scheisse!"
He bits, then gags, then he says - in accented Ponish, but nevertheless, in Ponish:
"Ja, I understand you Pony."
>>122016Midnight continues the pet
"Only some can, and I receive my magic from Princess Luna. As for the petting, I use it a gesture of comfort and calming."
>>122016Iron simply stares at him momentarily.
"What are you doing, hanging out here?"
>>122016"He is probably going to pass out if he is moved any more. I'll just do it here. Go ahead and let me in."
>>122017She still looks awkward
Then she looks down at the female griffin Midnight stabbed twice as she ran from the fire
"Was that.... was that really necessary?"
>>122018He moves his head, which has the effect of just moving his hanging body
"Was zur Hölle denkst du? Verdammt! Get me down from here!"
>>122019He unlocks the door on the cell. Then he says
"If you need anything, I will be outside" and moves back with military organization
>>122020Iron rolls his eyes, before hopping up to grab the griffon by the waist with his forelegs, then biting off the hanging restraint.
>>122021Spark nods and turns to the pony.
"So, what's your story?"
He then sits down to listen.
>>122023"My story? Did they not tell you?"
He still sounds tired, and somewhat apathetic
>>122022He pulls off the restraint, and... Crash! The griffin falls to the floor once Iron lets go.
"Gah!"
He moves over to the side, as he tries to wiggle out of ties on his forelegs and hindlegs
>>122024Who says Iron let go?Iron swiftly follows him to the floor, basically falling ontop of him, albeit not crushing the griffon with his weight, staring at him directly.
"There we go," he states "now do you feel more cooperative?"
>>122024"Well, the thing about stories is they change from pony to pony. I would like to hear it for you now."
>>122020Midnight stays silent a moment, before quietly admitting
"I do not know"