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563409.jpg
Occupied Equestria - Confrontation
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123038
123091
Along the shores of Baltimare Harbor, in the halls of old 33 Hoebuck, our heroes have discovered a dark secret. What started as a mundane mission to stop illegal immigrant smuggling has uncovered something far more horrific - a cult from Griffonia. The party has successfully challenged and defeated many of the cultists and hired criminals, but in the process, has nearly died themselves. Now, low on health, they must both recover and put an end to the evils in 33 Hoebuck once and for all - before it puts an end to them first.

Way up north, in the Iron Range of Whinnysota, the ponies their inquire into exact who or what is damaging so many machines. Investigating and following leads, they may unveil the faults and problems of the Haysabi Iron Mine, and gain favor with Changeling authorities.

Damn it, I missed 123,000
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123039
123040 123041
Oh hey, new bread.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123040
123041
>>123039
Hi, fluff pone!

So does Silver do anything now?
Anonymous
dKMMr
?
No.123041
>>123039
>>123040
Iron opts to snore softly on Silver's barrel.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123044
123045
Alright, who's here?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123045
123046
>>123044
Raises Hoof
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123046
123048
>>123045
Silver begins to make his way to the infirmiry, once everypony's gathered.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123047
123048
Err, "everyone".
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123048
123049
>>123046
>>123047
Silver walks his way to the door that separates the southern dormitory building from the administrative building. Opening the door, he can immediately feel air rush onto him. Cooler and fresher, lacking that horrid burning cloth smell that now permeates the dormitory. Looking down the hallway no creature is visible along so much tile floor and whitewashed walls, unlit at the midnight hour.

Mala: "It's on the second floor, I think"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123049
123050
>>123048
Silver smiles at his newfound companion, before making his way upstairs.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123050
123051
>>123049
Mala smiles back, moving his tail back and forth
Do you want to go down through the first floor in this building to find the staircase to go up, or go up to the second floor in the dormitory before going across?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123051
123052
>>123050
Whichever is closest. I don't have much of a preference.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123052
123053
>>123051
At this point, though only at this point, Khoi walks down. Her mouth hangs partly open, almost in a frown, and her ears droop. She says nothing.

Walking along the tile floor, Silver's hooves clop, a little louder than would be prefered, and the clopping reverberates down the hallway. Some light comes in near the center, evidently from a window or door to the illuminated outdoors. Walking along, he eventually makes it towards what seems to be a staircase in the center of the building
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123053
123054
>>123052
Silver slows down to talk with Khoi.

"What is wrong?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123054
123055
>>123053
She looks up at him, and her eyes betray much, with pain and sadness

"Who are these creatures?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123055
123056
>>123054
Sensing she needs it, the old unicorn gives her a hug.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123056
123057
>>123055
The creature is hugged. She doesn't seem to have been anticipating the hug, and even pulls away for a moment as Silver pulls on her. Scales cover her back and are kind of cold. But on the bottom of her barrel is more equine fur, and this is a softer touch
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123057
123058
>>123056
Silver doesn't try to trap her in the hug. If she doesn't want it and she pulls back, he'll let go.
"What did you see?"
vWLK1
?
No.123058
123059
>>123057
She doesn't push him off. At least, not when she realizes what he's doing. But she doesn't hug back either.

"They left their youngest in a room on the third floor. I tried to care for the chicks"
\r
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123059
123060
>>123058
Silver lets go.

"You did well to, Khoi. You are good person."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123060
123061
>>123059
She scrunches her mouth in a mix between a smile and a frown. Her eyes seem watery

Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123061
123062
>>123060
"It is not out of place of what we have found, so far. Come, we are heading to infirmiry to treat our wounded before facing off against Maakie."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123062
123063
>>123061
"Okay"
She moves her hooves along in a trot
"I came here to get away from civil war, not fight in one"

Opening a large, wooden door into the stairwell, here too the stairs go from an underground level to at least two floors above. The steps are concrete, and the walls are painted in whitewash. Though far from inviting, the whitewash is less old than in some locations, like the fourth floor of the dormitory
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123063
123064
>>123062
"I am sorry, Khoi. It will not be too much longer."

Silver continues to look for the infirmiry.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123064
123065
>>123063
Silver, going to the second floor, opens a heavy wooden door onto the second level. It's less well lit even than the first level, with little light from outside coming in

Mala:
"I think it's one of these rooms"
His face betrays a look of uncertainty"

There are a few doors on both sides, some with plaques above them
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123065
123066
>>123064
Silver tries to read what's on the plaques.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123066
123067
>>123065
One has nothing on it. The other seems to be covered up, though shifting around a piece of paper there seems to be "maternity ward" in faded white lettering. That has since been at least partly covered up
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123067
123068 123069
>>123066
I hope this will not take while...
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123068
>>123067
Okay.....
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123069
123070
>>123067
The good news for Silver sword: it doesn't seem like there are that many rooms on the second floor. Rather a few big ones
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123070
123071
>>123069
Is there any way for him to tell which room is the infirmiry from the outside?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123071
123072
>>123070
A little further down, one is marked as "infirmary"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123072
123073
>>123071
Silver gets set in front of the door, motioning for the party to support him when he enters.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123073
123074
>>123072
Mala is by his side, and Johann, Jubilosa, Khoi, and Blue Skies follow
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123074
123075
>>123073
Silver takes a deep breath, and enters the room.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123075
123076
>>123074
Opening the door (it is unlocked).....

The room is dark. There are the edges of two beds visible, at least, though most of the room is not visible in the darkness
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123076
123077
>>123075
Cautiously, Silver turns his flashlight on to look inside.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123077
123080
>>123076
Turning it on..... from Silver's position, he can see two beds on the opposing side with white sheets and a single dresser. There is a curtain on rails between them. Silver can now see that there are also beds on his side of the wall to the left and the right
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123080
123081
>>123077
Silver lets out a sigh of relief at the lack of enemies. He first checks the dresser for medical supplies.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123081
123082
>>123080
The first dresser reveals a blanket, a surgical mask, a catheter, and a rag, but no medical supplies. But the room stretches on past the narrow light in both directions
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123082
123083
>>123081
Then onwards does Silver search.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123083
123084
>>123082
On each side of the room there are two beds against the wall, and then two opposite those. Eight total. At the very end are wooden doors with glass windows through them.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123084
123085
>>123083
Silver peers through the glass windows with the flashlight.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123085
>>123084
Two rooms. One is smaller and looks something like an office, with a chair in it. The other is a big room with a sink, open space, and a number of drawers and cabinets
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123091
123092
>>123038
If we gain favor with the changelings, does that mean there might be even more changeling friends?
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123092
123093
1AA91CD3-CDCD-4A05-A344-BB3E90FB96FA.png
>>123091
Hopefully you can find out
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123093
>>123092
Hmm...
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123096
123112
1D210B80-A413-477D-AAF1-27420DF3AC67.jpeg
Is anypony here?
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123098
123100
Brie looks around with a start. Had he imagined it? Had he nodded off? No, there are the Lings sitting there, in the coach as before,.... He rubs his head for a moment, certain he could remember exploding in a vibrant display of blood and gore, and then nothingness. An intangible nothingness, which he berates himself momentarily for the redundancy, but something of a 'lapse', and yet here he is. Everything seems as it was. Odd.
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123100
123101
>>123098
Over to his right in the carriage, a Changeling in white, gendarme fur coat taps against the carriage. To his left, and in front of Brie is a bigger, angrier looking Changeling wearing an officer’s cap and grey underneath a white coat.
“Well?”
His right fang is noticeably longer than his left
“What are you doing! You come and threaten our manager”
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123101
123102
>>123100
Patting his coat for a moment to verify his fine sword and throwing knives were still on him, his face brightens and looks at the apparent captain.
"Ah, yes, the manager. No, I didn't come to threaten him, it just seemed like a good idea at the time. I came - on behalf of the Queen - to find out why production has faltered and who is responsible. I do hope none of you are party to the," he clears his throat artificially "arrangement that is going on between the mine, the sabotage, and all the rest."
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123102
123103
>>123101
The Changeling commander, full of energy and rage, now steps back a half foot, and is silent for a moment. His head twitches and his big, solid blue right eye twitches

“So they have... they would be well to send a company, or battalion. Production has fallen because of agitators. They operate out of the woods, and come in at night or when they can blend in with the workers. We dismissed the native workers a few months ago for that very reason. I have gone through my drones personally. They do not have the courage I would expect of them, but they are not disloyal. No one here is helping the insurgents, except maybe disobedient ponies!”

Then he pauses for a moment
“It’s about time they sent someone to do something about these insurgents anyways. I don’t know why you’d want to wear the skin of a bat of all creatures. You stand out like that.”
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123103
123105
>>123102
"Now now, flattery will get you nowhere,...." He pauses for a moment. Seeing that the captain has stepped back, he slowly rises to his feet and steps out of the carriage. "So! I'm to understand that a bunch of rabble-rousers and guerilla ponies has evaded you and your drones?" Tsk tsk tsk. "You'll pardon me if I have a hard time buying that explanation. I mean I suppose its possible, but if thats the case it would be disappointing in the least. What can you tell me about these insurgents?"
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123104
123105
"And he didn't even compliment me on the suit." Brie mutters to himself, deliberately loud enough to be heard.
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123105
123106
>>123103
Zu Lang steps another step back, while the Changeling to Brie’s left moves slightly closer, looking down on Brie

Zu Lang to gendarme: “Ist er legitim?“
Responds: “ Ein anderer, der behauptete, von der Königin geschickt zu werden, hatte Papiere. Ich glaube schon”

He then looks over at Brie, opens his mouth and waves his tongue like a snake at Brie, and there’s a sensation almost if being pressed
To Zu Lang: “Er schmeckt wie ein Wechselbalg”
The gendarme moves back a step, and Zu Lang nods

Zu Lang Speaks to Brie:
“They are a menace everywhere. There are thousands of miles of forest, and two pits. The pits along are two square miles. Besides there are a thousand workers and dozens of machines. Our soldiers can only guard so much, while they can blend in among the workers. Besides the worriers themselves are supplied and emboldened by their ‘brethren’ who hide in the forest. They probably do half the attacks themselves. But they cannot he stopped until those who live in the forest are stopped.

They are likely few in number. We do not know if natives further north are helping them or not. They seem to be recruiting from among the workers, as they do not always report back. My drones are afraid of them. Not so much in the mines. Going into the woods”

>>123104
He looks back to Brie, noting his lack of military uniform
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123106
123107
>>123105
Brie smirks at Zu Lang. "Kein Wechselbalg, nur eine wirklich clevere Fledermaus."
"Very well then. So I'm to, what, scour the forests? Has it not occurred to you to make an example of anypony?"
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123107
123108
>>123106
He closes his mouth and twists his head at the bat remark, twitching once
“It would be helpful. Or have the queen send more forces. My drones are afraid to go into the first for long, especially at night. Of course I make them do it anyways, but aside from clashes with native squatters last June and the occasional runaway they have not found much. I would rather not leave too few drones guarding the mill, rail line and mines. Maybe a bat would fair better.

Of course we’ve made examples of ponies. Those who are lazy, defiant, or let their machines be damaged. So long as they have friends in the woods, they are emboldened. It is hard to catch saboteurs anyways, and when we do, we prioritize information.”
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123108
123109
>>123107
Brie sighs and thinks for a moment. Not just thinks either, he tilts his head to the side, his eyes fixed at a non-specific point in the sky as though he's listening to someone whisper in his ear. His eyebrows furrow for a moment. "But thats...." he trails off, listening again. After a moment, his expression brightens again. "Night-time it is! You wouldn't happen to have any high explosives to spare would you? Perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself." He proffers his documentation to Zu Lang.
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123109
123110
>>123108
Zu Lang looks at the documentation, then hands if off to the Drone next to him, who looks at it, and hands it back to Brie

“This is a mining operation. Of course there are high explosives.”
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123110
123111
>>123109
"Splendid! May I see them?"
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123111
123115
>>123110
He narrows his eyes, twitching again
“What is your intent?”
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123112
123114 123115
>>123096
I am now.
Anonymous
aCXC3
?
No.123113
123115 123116 123117
Rock hoers checking in
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123114
123116
>>123112
Hi little pony! What is Spark doing now?

I think he was last talking to the Lieutenant about the prisoner
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123115
123116 123117
>>123111
"Its a little early to say with any specificity, but I'm thinking of a high-altitude reconnaissance/infiltration, and then I'll figure it out from there. Blowing something the fuck up - whether thats the insurgents, their supplies/resources, or perhaps making essential movement routes impassable - is on the menu, but I'm not sure if thats the main course or simply dessert." He says with a bit of a glint in his eye and a mildly unnerving smile.
>>123112
Ayyy!
>>123113
Ayyy!
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123116
123117
>>123114
I'm trying to recall. I think I was attempting to make a distraction with the prisoner calling out the "guilty" while Onyx goes around to surprise them from the woods. I may have to delay that plan now that Brie is back.
>>123113
>>123115
Hello ponies.
Bi7oe
?
No.123117
123118 123119
>>123115
He nods, and in this he is the most comfortable
“Aerial reconnaissance and support is something I sorely miss from the war. Their fires in particular must stick out. But don’t place too much faith in it either. The pine canopy is thick out there, and will cover nearly anything up. You will want to ask around to learn more about these... superstitious creatures, and you may want to sortie into the forest yourself”

>>123113
Hi pony. The bat is back and probably near onyx

>>123116
Yes, I think he was trying to get the prisoner free somehow. He could also go see Brie
\r
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123118
123120
>>123117
"Oh I've no doubt that they will have done their best to avoid scrutiny, particularly from the air. However, they will be practicing to elude Changeling fliers which - no offense - aren't known to have the strongest wings." he says with,... was that a diss? Hard to be sure.
"In any case, yes. I'll be going there in person. You're welcome, by the way."
Anonymous
aCXC3
?
No.123119
123120
>>123117
Hmmm, onyx leads his parade of foals to find the bat.
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123120
123121
>>123119
This is actually pretty easy. He is right by the carriage Onyx was at earlier

>>123118
He narrows his eyes
“Just don’t come back mumbling about demons, or with arrow wounds from the wildlife”
And he twitches
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123121
123122 123124
>>123120
"Demons? Heavens no" he waves his hoof dismissively. "But they may come out mumbling about me." he says, hiding his confusion about the reference to 'the wildlife'. "So then, to the explosives? Oh wait, one moment." He pokes his head in the carriage.
"Hallo Jungs. Interessiert an einem Mord?"
Anonymous
aCXC3
?
No.123122
123123 123124
>>123121
Onyx stares at the clinically insane bat as he goes about his business, waiting for his turn to speak
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123123
123125
>>123122
Don't wait, carpe diem!
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123124
123125 123128
>>123121
Zu Lang nods, and even smirks at Brie’s boast
“Very well”

Looking into the carriage, a grey earth pony lays in one side and a brown one on the floor, sharing the same quilted blanket. They look up to the bat with a look of mostly concern

Fun: “Solange wir es nicht sind”
Seb: “Ja”

>>123122
The two small ersatz foals come close in curiosity while Ruby keeps a little more distance, looking on from behind Onyx
Anonymous
aCXC3
?
No.123125
123126 123127
>>123124
Onyx pats the colt's head
>>123123
Onyx clears his throat
"Brie, I'd like to speak to you. Now"
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123126
123127
>>123125
Are they in the same area?
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123127
123128
>>123125
The colt, with a look almost of a frightened deer on his face, is pat. His ears eyes close in the pat, but afterwards he smiles a little

>>123126
Yes. Both near the carriage
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123128
123129 123130
>>123127
Oh, splendid. One moment.
>>123124
"Ich meine, bist du bereit dafür? Wie geht es deinen Wunden? Oh, ähm, denk einen Moment darüber nach."
>>123127
"Yes hello! What can I help you with?"
Anonymous
aCXC3
?
No.123129
123131
>>123128
"Yes, I'd like to know how much longer we will be here. I've probably already lost my job by now, and I'm not keen to stay here."
Bi7oe
?
No.123130
123133
>>123128
Fun: “ Ich werde einen Mantel brauchen, um sie zu verstecken”

Seb: ”Sie sind besser. ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob ich versuchen möchte zu fliegen.”

\r
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123131
123132
>>123129
"Neither am I to be quite honest. Its far too rural for my taste. I had hoped this might be over and done with by this point, but its a bit more... involved than I anticipated. Nothing a bit of high explosives can't fix though. I'd wager we can be on our way before sunrise."
Anonymous
aCXC3
?
No.123132
123133
>>123131
"Good, the sooner the better."
g2jve
?
No.123133
123135 123136
[1d20 = 1]
>>123130
Brie eyes them a bit. Can I roll to assess their battle-readiness? Not sure which modifier to apply, but rolling anyway.
>>123132
"Do try to relax, this will be far more rewarding he means financially than bartending."
>>123130
Looking to Zu Lang. "Almost finished!" he says reassuringly.
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123134
Awww fug
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123135
123137
>>123133
These hardy creatures are ready to fight against anything

Zu Lang nods slowly, his lips pulled back a little
Anonymous
aCXC3
?
No.123136
123137 123138
>>123133
"If you say so..."
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123137
123138 123139
>>123135
"Herrlich!"
>>123136
"Oh, it will be fine. Would you like to join in on the murder?"
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123138
123140
3DE18BA3-2950-46C0-B6F1-FE7B3499BD17.jpeg
>>123136
Pic related

>>123137
He continues looking back, as do Seb and Fun from within the carriage
Anonymous
aCXC3
?
No.123139
123140
>>123137
"Uh, sure?"
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123140
123142
>>123139
>>123138
Brie can't help but fist pump at this, before turning to Zu Lang and proclaiming: "Lead the way to the high explosives!"
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123141
123142
Dare I say, quote of the week?
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123142
123143
>>123140
This.... actually more or less works.
“Very well. We keep them in a hut nearer the town”

Zu Lang starts to walk away, and first the nearby Changeling accompanies him, then another standing further away. They walk towards the ramp, and soon enough go over it, then down the roadway by the railroad tracks that goes towards the direction of the town, alongside the pit. A cold wind from the north blows down, reducing the temperature

Zu Lang speaks to a guard
“Grab Saltpeter”
And he goes off.

They walk further down the road until the reach and area where the rail tracks fork off, and the road goes up a hill into town. Not far down the road is a fenced in area. One of the guards pulls out a key, and goes towards a gate on the fenced in area. Then a unicorn, kind of a mint green color, walks up along with the guard before. With a glow of blue magic he pulls the keys out of the Changeling’s own glow. The Changeling looks back in irritation, but the unicorn pulls a different key on the ring, placed it in the lock, and rotated it, unlocking the gate. As he pushes it in he looks back to Brie

“Hello. I’m Saltpeter. What can I do for you?”

>>123141
It just might be
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123143
123144
>>123142
Brie looks at this Saltpeter, then at Zu Lang, then back at Saltpeter. "Well, since you asked, I will be in need of one,... better make it three charges of explosives, small enough to be carried by one or more individuals without overloading them. One or more of these charges will need to be carried in flight, so not too heavy, but big enough to 'get the point across'" Brie replies with a sweet smile.
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123144
123145 123146
>>123143
He pushes the door open
“Sure thing”
And walks through

Looking inside there are a couple small igloo shaped buildings with doors close the ground. Like concrete eggs stuck partly in the ground.

Saltpeter:
“For most of the bigger charges we use AMFO. Just regular bags of Ammonium Nitrate fertilizer mixed with diesel, the sane we use for the trucks. But if you want something a bit easier to carry, you may want dynamite charges. We use these for smaller charges and to ignite the AMFO.”

He runs towards one of the huts, and pulls out a different key
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123145
123147
>>123144
How big are these concrete partial-eggs?
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123146
123147
>>123144
"How heavy is this AMFO?"
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123147
123148
>>123145
No bigger than 20 feet across, perhaps less.

>>123146
“Well, it is made of pellets, so as much as you put in a container or a hole in the ground. It comes in bags of 55 pounds”
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123148
123149
>>123147
Nevermind, I thought the egg-things WERE the explosives
"Hmmm. And you say dynamite is the activator? I assume that flame is the dynamite activator?"
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123149
123150
>>123148
Gleefully, he starts to open the egg, to show an inside with bags and sticks
“We usually use an electric detonator, but you can use fuses as well, yes”
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123150
123151
>>123149
"I think flame would be preferable,... easier. Alright. Let me think,...."
He again thinks for a moment, with that curious tilt of the head.
"I'm thinking 2 20lbs charges, and 1 50lbs charge."
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123151
123152
>>123150
He looks back at Brie, the smile coming off for a moment
“In... dynamite? That’s 90 pounds...”
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123152
123153
>>123151
"Well not in one charge, of course." Brie says as though the pony isn't grasping his meaning. "Three of them. 2 at 20lbs, and 1 at 50. You have those, yes?"
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123153
>>123152
“Well... that’s about 200 sticks...”
He digs deeper into the igloo
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123154
123155 123156
"Oh, and enough fuse to make the detonation somewhat delayed. A minute each should do fine."
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123155
123157
>>123154
He comes out with around six or so packs of nine sticks. It’s not clear exactly how much explosive he’s holding, and it’s certainly not three sets either
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123156
>>123154
“Let me grab some pre-mixed AMFO”
He goes back in
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123157
123158
>>123155
"I assume the fuses are summarily bundled together? This seems suited otherwise."
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123158
123159
>>123157
“.... Here”
He gives Brie two smaller white bags and a bigger one
“Yes, these should have fuses. And what doesn’t have a fuse will detonate when other explosives next to it are detonated”
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123159
123160
>>123158
"Marvelous. Thank you Mr. Peter, do forget our exchange, it will likely be less consequential if you do." Brie turns to Zu Lang. "I think I'm suited. I'll need to coordinate with my associates, and I'll also need a bit of an inkling of which direction we would do to set off in,... not all of us are capable of flight, but rest assured," he says patting the bundle of explosives ||seriously hoping its not like 19th-century dynamite|| "This will do nicely." ^_^
Bi7oe
?
No.123160
123161
>>123159
“These better not be used against our mine or forces”
Zu Lang says, almost through his teeth

“If they are getting to our mine and to the town, they must cross through these local woods, even if they do not use a base anywhere near here. In any case, you may do well to take some of our soldiers with you. They know something of the area.”

\r
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123161
123162
>>123160
"Sir, you wound me, suggesting I would betray your hospitality - not to mention the Queen's good graces - with shenanigens. No, these will be put to good use on whoever plagues you."
He deliberately doesn't respond to the offer of assistance.
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123162
123163
>>123161
“Very well. Be on.”
He directs a gendarme soldier over towards Brie, however
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123163
123164 123165
>>123162
Brie rolls his eyes and proceeds to lead(?) back toward Onyx, Sparks(?), and the 4 lings (both adults and jungetiere). He seems quite chipper, carrying a pile of high explosives.
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123164
>>123163
And so he does. It’s a pretty big load, surely helped by a companion carrying most of it. Saltpeter waves bye
Anonymous
aCXC3
?
No.123165
123166
>>123163
Onyx looks up to the returning bat
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123166
123167 123169
>>123165
Laden with dynamite. "Don't worry, I've got a plan!" he shouts, his eyes barely peeking over the pile of explosives he's carrying.
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123167
123168
>>123166
Few more dangerous phrases exist than “I’ve got a plan”
Anonymous
g2jve
?
No.123168
123170
>>123167
And this one is no exception
Anonymous
aCXC3
?
No.123169
123170
>>123166
"Oh celestia is this how I'm going to die?"
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123170
123171
>>123168
>>123169
Yes. Yes it is, little pony
Anonymous
MjJSo
?
No.123171
123173
>>123170
Alright. So, Brie is going to rig the explosives at a ratio of 2 - 2 - 5. As he does this, he will have gathered everyone involved and will explain (in his not-so-sufficient explanation manner) that he will be carrying the 50lbs charge, and that 2 others should carry one (or both?) of the 20 lbs charges. The objective is for him to fly up to a great height and then glide, surveying the forest to attempt to ascertain the location of the insurgents. Throughout this explanation he would lament that they have no communication, but whatever. Assuming Onyx doesn't want to carry any explosives (an educated guess) he would then ask Fun and Seb to each carry one of them. The objective would be to either A., blow the fuck out of the insurgents, B. blow the fuck out of their resources, or C. blow up any essential roads, landscape, or essential travel lines, with the intent of crippling the insurgents' ability to engage in shenanigens. As he is detailing this he emphasizes "This will be a bit of an on-site interpretive mission, so feel free to get creative. Also, if you can, try to gather heads to bring back." in his usually nonchalant way of communicating grim things as though detailing groceries to be acquired.
Anonymous
MjJSo
?
No.123172
123173
Each charge should have about a 1 minute fuse to it, so that should he decide to light a fuse and then drop it from altitude, or should someone else decide to set a fuse and then run, they won't(?) get blowed up too
Anonymous
+62YQ
?
No.123173
123174
>>123171
>>123172
And so, the creatures what to do when they locate the insurgents.

Locating them... That's the matter that remains
Anonymous
MjJSo
?
No.123174
123175
>>123173
I'm confused. I issued that as, not a directive, but an indication of what Brie had concocted.
Anonymous
+62YQ
?
No.123175
123177
>>123174
Well, I assume he communicated at least part of that to Seb and Fun. The "hold this" part. But now Brie may go to the next step in his plan
Anonymous
MjJSo
?
No.123177
123179
>>123175
Yes, thats true, but the plan involves Onyx' participation too. Its not JUST a bombing run after all
Not to mention, Sparks has been unrepresented so far. Where's he at?
Anonymous
+62YQ
?
No.123178
123180
>>123176
It's also a stabbing run. Onyx is good for that

Any actions for Brie before Onyx comes back? (talking to other creatures or otherwise?)
Anonymous
+62YQ
?
No.123179
>>123177
Spark talked to Zu Lang himself, who directed him towards a prisoner who was suspected of sabotaging his machine. Spark talked to him, and now has the prisoner in chains before a Lieutenant outside of the mine
Anonymous
MjJSo
?
No.123180
123181
>>123178
At this point, all thats left is refining the plan and making sure everypony knows what to expect,... which is either Brie coming back with recon (he is a rogue after all) or blowing shit up.
Anonymous
+62YQ
?
No.123181
123182
>>123180
Well, that can work
I think Spark wants to get the prisoner free somehow
Anonymous
MjJSo
?
No.123182
123183
>>123181
Fug, there's a prisoner?
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123183
123184
>>123182
Some pony worker suspected of sabotage that Spark convinced them to move out from his jail cell
Anonymous
MjJSo
?
No.123184
123185
>>123183
Sheesh, what side is he on?? Oh,... right
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123185
123186
>>123184
Spark is just a little bit less welcoming of our new insect overlords
Anonymous
MjJSo
?
No.123186
>>123185
Shhhhhh,... all part of my plan
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123188
123189
Are there ponies tonight?
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123189
123190 123191
81B6079B-0E37-422B-B2AA-F637B166CDDA.jpeg
>>123188
Hello Spark pony! Did you read what happened in the thread last night?
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123190
>>123189
Not yet, but I will.
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123191
123192
>>123189
Something about Brie blowing something up.
Anonymous
qtkWN
?
No.123192
123193
>>123191
Not yet, but all in good time
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123193
123195
>>123192
It might actualloy work with my plan.
Anonymous
Bi7oe
?
No.123195
123196
>>123193
Does Spark have any actions to declare?
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123196
123211
>>123195
I think I will wait until everyone is ready to play again. My actions are going to determine the fate of the prisoner rather quickly, because if I play around, the guards would call it out and return him to the cell.
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123211
123212
>>123196
Too bad there are never ponies when I can play.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123212
1503599868353.jpg
>>123211
It's okay, little pony, You'll have an opportunity soon enough
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123216
123217
15444__safe_screencap_princess luna_luna eclipsed_adorkable_animated_cute_huzzah_lunabetes_solo.gif
Are ponies here today?
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123217
123219
>>123216
Yes.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123218
123219 123222
1.png
Lets do this thing yeah!!!!!!
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123219
123220 123222
>>123218
Kek, that's a cute drawing

Adrian Cloudburster finds himself in Baltimare on midday, his train arriving one half hour late. Exitting the train car, he finds ceiling of vaulted square panels recessed into the roof with golden color, a tile flooring with checkered and swastika patterns, and a newsstand further on. There are a number of ponies walking about, some lazily, some standing still, waiting no doubt for an arriving train, and some pegasus in business outfit running towards the platform, presumably to catch his train.

Where does Adrian want to go now?

>>123217
Hi Spark Pony!
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123220
123221
>>123219
I jump over the crowd and fly to my train
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123221
123223
>>123220
Well, his train has just arrived.

It's a stainless steel Pullman coach car pulled by a not quite so modern 4-6-4 steam locomotive, the steam of the idling train slowly bathing the platform in a thin mist
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123222
123223 123226
>>123218
Nice
>>123219
I'm going to think up a new character to join him.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123223
123224 123226
>>123221
I settle into the train car, brashly pushing past people so I can find a spot to sit, being tired from getting here

>>123222
besties!!!

Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123224
123225 123226
>>123223
I mean I fling myself off the train and fly out, stretching my wings after such a long ride
"home sweet home" I say as I take flight, rising above the station
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123225
123226
>>123224
I head towards my best friends house, sunny rays. smiling in the cool breeze
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123226
123227
>>123222
waits patiently

>>123223
D'aww

>>123224
This is rather difficult to do inside the station, as it is still an enclosed space. Nevertheless the ceilings are 20 feet high or higher, making flight indoors possible, though Adrian annoys a mare whose black hat almost flies off as he nearly grazes her. Stepping down to go through brass trimmed revolving doors, Adrian exits onto a stone landing at the top of many steps that lead down to the street level - Ionic columns to either side giving a neoclassical build to Baltimare Union Station.

Taking off from the steps, adrian soars higher over Baltimare. It is not a city of many high rises, though the insurance building and the offices of the Tall Sails Shipping company do indeed tower twenty or so floors above the ground level. Far more numerous are smaller buildings with shops on the ground level and apartments above. So too are their rows of townhouses to the west, and tenements to the east. In the north and in the east, the brick walls of factories, mills, and smoke stacks break the monotony, and further east - perhaps out of sight - Adrian may catch a glimpse of a mast of two of a ship in harbor

>>123225
Further south, and a bit west, the urban sprawl gives way to smaller lots of individual houses. Some, older and colonial in origin. Some, cheap shotgun shacks made more recently

Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123227
123228
>>123226
I head towards the the smaller houses where my bestie for life lives <3
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123228
123229
>>123227
Navigating across streets not quite familiar enough to be comited to memory, over a School house, a tan stucco sided post office, past a lot selling automobiles, and past the gleaming dome of a Temple of Boreas, Adrian finds the location.

Down a street carved in the new grid patterned style, until he comes upon one running diagonally too it. An older street. And past so many little pink houses of a singe story, Adrian comes upon a triangular lot with a willow tree in the fore, and a white, colonial style two story house, with a raises porch, as is typical of that style
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123229
123230 123232
>>123228
I land on the porch and clear my throat before I begin banging on the front door in a panic

"HELP HELP I'M BEING ATTACKED BY HERETICS SAVE ME!"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123230
123231
>>123229
Sunny rushes to the door and opens it.
"What? Where?"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123231
123234
>>123230
*prances past her laughing*
"gotcha again!"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123232
123233
>>123229
A stallion walking his dog, a reddish collie, stands still and looks over for a moment from the side walk. After three seconds pause, he turns his head away and trots away. Quickly
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123233
>>123232
kek
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123234
123235 123237
>>123231
"Why do you always do that? One of these days it won't be a laughing matter."
She pouts a little.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123235
123236 123237
>>123234
*he baps her gently on the nose*
"I'm sorry I just love how quickly you rush to my defense. Keep it up and one day I'll be in your debt from your amazing magical power!"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123236
>>123235
She blushes.
"I wouldn't call my magic amazing. But thanks. Do you want to come in?"
vWLK1
?
No.123237
123238 123240
>>123234
Sunny Rays can feel it now. A dark wind blows across the horizon, bringing with it a future of godlessness, where the gods of old and their worship are swept away, and with them, their awe and justice

>>123235
For a winter’s day, the weather is fairly pleasant. In the 60’s
\r
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123238
123239 123240
>>123237
I sit in her living room and stretch my wings
"So how have you been Sunny? I missed you" :3
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123239
123241
>>123238
The wooden floor makes a "knock" with each clop of the hoof across it, and Adrian Cloudburster makes his way to a floral patterned love seat to sit. The living room is a bit warmer than the outside, owing to a fire in the fireplace
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123240
123241
>>123237
She shivers.
>>123238
"I missed you too. I have been having a really bad feeling lately. I can't quite put a hoof on it though."
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123241
123242
fire.gif
>>123239
well thank god for the fire in the fireplace that's on fire

>>123240
"Oh? what kind of feeling?"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123242
123243 123244
>>123241
"It's hard to explain. Like Celestia's warmth is gone from ponies' hearts. Everything seems a bit darker than before."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123243
>>123242
Oh, it's been souring for a decade now. The revitalization that flowed out from Ponyville and filled much of the rest of Equestria - or the planet, for that matter - did not penetrate so far here. Like light blotted out by a dense thorn bush.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123244
123245
>>123242
Adrian gets a bit worried, he likes to tease sunny but he trusts her with these sort of things. Her knowledge of the divine was unmatched in his opinion.
"What can we do?"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123245
123246
>>123244
"I'm not sure. I guess I will just do what I can to keep the spirit of Celestia alive in my heart and share that with ponies."
She shakes off her sadness.
"I don't want to dwell on it though. You are here now and that is making my day that much brighter. What have you been up to?"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123246
123247
>>123245
"went north and got into fights mostly, won some sweet prize money. Oh and I got you something"
He digs in his saddle bag and produces a book of divine hymns for celestia
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123247
123248 123249
>>123246
"Oh thank you Adrian!"
She eagerly looks through the book.
"It's perfect."
She gives him a hug.
"You are the best."
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123248
>>123247
"you're welcome~"
*hug*
"I hadn't seen it in your collection and I figured you'd like it"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123249
123250 123252
>>123247
"Hey what's say we head to the church and ask if anyone needs some help? maybe that'll make you feel better from all this darkness talk"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123250
123251 123252
>>123249
"Yeah. Sounds like a good idea."
She jumps up and heads to the door.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123251
123252 123253
>>123250
*walks behind her with a small grin on his face, glancing at her flank*
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123252
123253
>>123249
>>123250
>>123251
Past more little pink houses, along a grid line street that cuts through older streets, and past a new elementary school, there stands in a lot truncated by a newly constructed bowling alley a church. Made of darker stone covered by a white marble on the front, and with rectangular support that protrudes from an otherwise mostly rectangular structure. A rectangular stone bell tower stands up from above the vaulted slate roof. The building looks older, much older, than what has built up around it, like something from the old Equestria
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123253
123254 123255
>>123251
Sly. You can get her after the adventure. Wouldn't want to ruin the GM's fun.
She is oblivious to the looks, for now.
>>123252
Sunny heads to the church door.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123254
>>123253
No no, let's see where this goes

Openning the door, there is no pony inside at the moment, put so many rows of pews before a central altar, and another row to the left, and the right, with a door further behind. The ceiling has a vaulted design, and the floor is covered in white marble
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123255
123256 123257 123260
>>123253
Adrian walks in beside her, brushing against her flank
"Wow empty today I see, should we look for someone?"
int 9
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123256
123257
>>123255
She blushes a bit, but shakes off the brushing.
"Sure. Let's check inside first."
She attempts to open the door.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123257
123258 123259
>>123255
>>123256
The door opens easily.

From the door in the back of the church, a somewhat older stallion - a white unicron - walks out, wearing a vest of white, black and trimmed in gold. Sunny Rays recognizes the Stallion as Father Caldera
"Oh, nice to see you Sunny Rays. You brought a friend?"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123258
123259 123260
>>123257
"Good to see you too, Father. This is Arian. The colt I have been friends with since I was a little filly."
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123259
123260 123263
>>123257
*whispers*
"wow I didn't know he was your father"
>>123258
*cough* >_>
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123260
123261
>>123258
>>123255
"Huh"
He reaches out a hoof towards Adrian, holding it up high enough it seems as if he may pat, rather than shake the hoof of, Adrian

"Well nice to meet you, Adrian. Your friend here has been a very good pony"

>>123259
*pat pat*
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123261
123262
>>123260
>:I
"Pleasure"
vWLK1
?
No.123262
123263 123265
>>123261
He lowers his hoof an now shakes Adrian's hoof

"We don't get too many ponies this time of week. What brings you here?"
\r
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123263
123264
>>123259
She giggles.
>>123262
"I have been feeling bad, Father. I need to do more for the Church. Ponies just don't have the light of Celestia in their hearts anymore."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123264
123265 123266
>>123263
He goes silent for a moment, and looks at Sunny Rays. Then he nods his head

"Yes, I know. Over in the city center a church was vandalised today. They broke the windows and spray painted the walls. It's terrible what hatred has been stoked up. And even among my own herd I fear for one of them. Gambling debts may get to him..."
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123265
123267
>>123262
>>123264
"surely there's a way to help? we can't just give in to despair" :c
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123266
123267
>>123264
"Gambling debts?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123267
123268 123269
>>123265
"Stay strong, and fight against the darkness. There are many ways to help, and many who need help"

>>123266
"Oh yes. Not all ponies have great strength of will. Some fall into vice. Addiction even. And they borrow money from less than ethical types"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123268
123269 123271
>>123267
"Who is this pony?"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123269
123270 123271
>>123268
>>123267
"Yeah! maybe we can lead him back to the light!"
Adrian ruffles Sunny's mane
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123270
>>123269
mane is ruffled
"That's the spirit!"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123271
123272
>>123268
>>123269
"Oh it's uh..."
He looks around, down then up and around and back to Sunny Rays again, and sighs

"I guess I may as well tell you. All the wrong ponies know anyways, and his habit is well known in the community. Three Leaf Clover. He's a good pony inside. He knows he needs to kick the habit. But he's already ensnared deep in debts"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123272
123273
>>123271
"Sounds like he needs an intervention. We are going to go talk to him and find out what we are looking at in terms of his debt."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123273
123274
>>123272
"You can try."
He responds
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123274
123275
>>123273
"so we have to make him stop gambling but what about his debts, couldn't he get hurt?"

Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123275
123276
>>123274
"Yes, he certainly could. These are not the ponies at the bank he owes money to. Though I wouldn't want to owe money to them either"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123276
123277
>>123275
"Well I may not be one of those fancy College ponys what with a degree and all, but I'm mighty good at punchin stuff, so I aint scared"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123277
123278
>>123276
Calmly, he nods
"You may need to be, to help this poor fellow"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123278
123279 123280
>>123277
"Oh dear... we better hurry Father. Where might we find this poor pony?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123279
123280 123281
>>123278
"He's on 14 Carnival"
He answers with concern
"Of course I don't like to give addresses of church goers, but he needs help I can't give"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123280
123281 123282
>>123278
>>123279
"Don't worry Mr. Rays, we'll save him!"
>:3
*stamps my hoof firmly*
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123281
123282 123284 123285
>>123279
"Thank you Father. And may Celestia's will be that we succeed."
She looks over to Adrian
>>123280
"Let's get going. We have to hurry."
She gallops out the door.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123282
123283
>>123280
>>123281
"May you protect this lost foal, separated from the herd"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123283
123284
>>123282
"Thank you sir, we wont let you down!"
*gallops after her*
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123284
123286
>>123283
>>123281
Travelling down the street, through a commercial area, and branching off to a new, grid-patterned street, the buildings are closer together. despite being only a few decades old they look worn out, sometimes with decaying or chipped paint. Other times the houses are brick. Sometimes there is a yard, sometimes only a brick patio, but usually there is a small, green curtilage around the house.

34 Carnival is a small, rectangular house with a steep, tin roof, and a wooden exterior painted in a weathered red. The small patch of grass surrounding is high, though not quite up to the elevated, grey painted wooden porch. A black door stands between two low windows
Adrian cloudburster
78HhD
?
No.123285
123286
>>123281
“You never told me ur dad ran the church”
:3
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123286
123287 123288
>>123284
Sunny cautiously approaches the house.
>>123285
"Oh, not my father silly."
She giggles.
"He is just called Father. He leads the church like a father would."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123287
123290
>>123286
No contact from within. Further off in the distance, there is the sound of a barking dog. But the house is silent, save maybe for a slight wind from the northwest, moving around the right side of the house
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123288
123289 123290
>>123286
"oh..."
*hangs his head in shame*
"Jeez I musta made myself look pretty stupid back there, why do you hang out with me"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123289
>>123288
Let us hope Adrian can make up for looking stupid by doing something cool later
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123290
123291
>>123288
"No. You are perfect Adrian. I just didn't explain it to you in my rush. That was my fault."
She hugs him.
"And I hang out with you because you are the pony I can trust the most. Now, let's save this pony and then I will make it up to you."
She smiles.
>>123287
She turns back to the house and tries the door.
"I hope we aren't too late."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123291
123292 123293
>>123290
The door is locked
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123292
123294
>>123291
She knocks for good messure.
"Hello? Is anypony there?"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123293
123294 123295
>>123291
"tap on it a few times, lets see if he answers"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123294
>>123293
>>123292
No immediate response
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123295
123296
>>123293
Once more she knocks.
"Three Leaf Clover? This is Sunny Rays. I'm from the church. I want to make sure you are doing ok."
>>123293
"Can you look around the house and see if he has another way in? I have to know if he is home."
vWLK1
?
No.123296
123297 123301
>>123295
For a moment, nothing.

But then..... There is a sound of a lock coming undone, and then the door cracks open, held from opening by a door chain. Through the cracked opening a blue eye looks out

"What is it? Everything's fine"
\r
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123297
123298
>>123296
"Mr. Clover, I have heard about your situation. We want to help. We are going to make sure nopony hurts you while we find a way to get you out of your debt."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123298
123299
>>123297
He seems to move around, moving his head to where the other eye looks out, looking another direction
"You say it's.... it's the church who sent you?"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123299
123300
>>123298
"Yes. Father Caldera is worried about you."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123300
123303
>>123299
"Well then.... who else is out there?"
Spirit of a Sardonic Economist
19XJn
?
No.123301
123302 123303
>>123296
Reminds me of that scene in "The Producers" (old version) where the old lady unlocks a hundred locks, opens the door and exclaims, "Oh! I thought you were a burglar."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123302
>>123301
Kek

Also, nice to see you again!

Try not to get Corona virus
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123303
123304
>>123300
"Just my friend. He is going to make sure no pony hurts you. I'm going to plan a way to get you out of this trouble. Nopony should have to fear like this."
>>123301
Kek
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123304
123305
>>123303
A pause for a moment. Then the eye moves away, and there is the sound of still another lock being undone

The door opens quickly, though only most of the way. revealing a grey earth pony stallion

"Get in. Hurry!"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123305
123306 123307
>>123304
Sunny hurries inside along with Adrian.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123306
123307
>>123305
*scoots in quickly behind her*
"bein a bit overcautious aren't you?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123307
123308
>>123305
When Adrian (presumably) comes inside, he immediately looks around outsidde, closes the door, and proceeds to deadbolt the door, lock the standard lock, and slide in the door chain.

The room is not terribly large, with a coffee table, a couch, a love seat, a small table that seems to be a sort of dining table pressed up behind the love seat, and to the left of that is a sort of kitchen area. There are paper bags on the coffee table, a couple articles of clothing on the floor, a pervasive smell of cigarettes, and pots on the stove

The grey earth pony stallion has a black shirt that covers only his forehalf, and a three leaf clover cutie mark

"Okay... What is it you want? Be quiet about it though"

>>123306
"No" He says, not quiet looking back before going to the love seat, leaving the main couch for Adrian and Sunny Rays
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123308
123309
>>123307
"We want to help you Clover. Just who are you in debt to?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123309
123310 123311
>>123308
"Oh uh..."
He pulls his lips up, exposing his teeth in an awkward smile

"Certain.... ponies. Mostly they are ponies, anyways...."
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123310
123312
>>123309
"tell us more man we can help"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123311
123312
>>123309
"There is no judgement for past deeds if you repent from them Clover. You don't have to hide it. If you are honest, then we can help you."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123312
123313 123314
>>123311
>>123310
"I kind of.... borrowed some bits from the mafia. And then borrowed some more bits from the mafia. And sort of haven't paid it back."
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123313
123315
>>123312
"See I aint so good at math but that don't sound like a good idea"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123314
123315
>>123312
"Oh my. How many?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123315
123316
>>123313
>>123314
Rubbing the back of his neck
"A few hundred bits... And I'm already past an extension...."
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123316
123317
>>123315
"That's alot, why'd ya do it?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123317
123318 123319
>>123316
"Well ya see there's this place down on Arabian Avenue that's got this back room where there's blackjack tables. I'd go there once a week but last march - I started winning. And I mean like, big winnings. A hundred bits a night. The mare's would come up to me. I found a rhythm to it. I could guess what card the dealer'd pull next. You shoulda' seen me then. Now I don't know if they changed somethin' but I didn't quite pull it off in the late spring. One of the tables was different. I don't know if they were doin' something sneaky. But I wasn't quite winning like I was before. But, let me tell you, I wasn't losing either. More modest gains, you know. I had some expenses too, back then, you know. So I did it some more, and well, I still had my groove. Then came september. Oh.... September. One night and it was gone. So I tried again. Didn't quite work. Borrowed some money. This was about the time I told Father Caldera and he said I had a gambling problem. I tried to explain to him 'no, I don't have a gambling problem, I have a losing problem, and I didn't have this before.' So I went to a new place because I think they rigged something there, and what do you know. I lose more! So I borrowed more and tried again. And I had a great night! And another great night! And then.... lost more. Anyways it's been a couple months and I am completely out of money and then some"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123318
123319 123324
>>123317
"Any ideas Sunny?"
*looks over at the mare, sad he can't punch this problem away*
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123319
123320 123325
>>123317
"Gambling can ruin a pony's life Clover. You need to be wiser with how you use what Celestia gifts you."
>>123318
"Well, I think we are going to have to confront the mafia. We can only offer so much, but hopefully with some talk and some muscle, we can get them to forget the debt. It won't be worth the trouble."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123320
123321
>>123319
*scrunches*
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123321
123322 123324
>>123320
"So... what do you think Clover?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123322
123323
>>123321
"Anything that'll keep them away from me"
He says
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123323
123324
>>123322
"Then I will just need one thing in return."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123324
123325 123327
>>123321
>>123318
"Well it's uh.... It's Nickel and Dime I owe money to. On 74 Old Cross."

>>123323
He looks up, concerned
"If it's money, I don't have it"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123325
123326
>>123324
"Ok see that's something I can punch >:3"
>>123319
"Yes... talk"
>_>
<_<
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123326
123328
>>123325
"Just so long as I'm not the one getting punched"
He turns his head somewhat
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123327
123328 123330
>>123324
"I am going to need you to go to the church and apologize to the Father."
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123328
123329 123330
>>123326
>>123327
"Yes a good idea, you need to repent!"
*whispers* "did I say that right?"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123329
>>123328
She whispers back
"Yep. Good job."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123330
123331 123332
>>123328
>>123327
His muzzle is tight together in a scrunch

"Mmmm - Mmmm"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123331
123333
>>123330
*gets annoyed at his hesitation*
"Stamps both hooves on the floor and spreads my wings wide"
"REPENT SINNER, WE HAVE COME TO SAVE YOU BUT CELESTIA HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES IF YOU DO NOT REPENT YOU WILL BE IN AS MUCH TROUBLE IN LESS THAN A FORTNIGHT, YOUR SOUL DAMNED AND YOUR LIFE IN TATTERS! REPENT! REPENT!"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123332
>>123330
"The Father is experienced in helping ponies change their lives and getting back on their hooves. Celestia believes in second chances and so do we. If you don't do this, you will wind back in this same situation, but we won't be able to help the next time."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123333
123334 123335
Spoilered
Spoilered
>>123331

Gah!

He falls down to the ground, tries to inch back, places his head against the ground and places both forelegs over his face

"Alright! Alright! I repent! I repent!"

And a visit from Best pony for the GET
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123334
123336
>>123333
Checked!
Hi best pony!
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123335
123336
>>123333
ch-ch-ch-checked!
I don't see derpy anywhere
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123336
123337 123338
>>123335
>>123334
Well, he's sulking on the floor now. Fallen under the weight of his own vice.

BLUE SKIES IS BEST PONY AND SHE WILL LET YOU KNOW IT

Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123337
123338 123340
>>123336
*leans over and whispers*
"I read that in the book I gave you, I dunno what most of those words mean maybe you should say something"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123338
123339
>>123336
Sunny walks over.
"It will be ok Clover. Just go to church and we will make it all better."
>>123337
She pats his head.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123339
123340
>>123338
"I'll do it! I'll do it!"
He is still cowing on the floor, occasionally trembling
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123340
>>123339
"Good. Then there is nothing to worry about."
>>123337
"Ready to go Adrian?"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123342
123343 123344 123346
*begins to head to the door*
"We should hunt these guys down and persuade them to stop being dicks"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123343
>>123342
"Just... make them keep away. Solve it. Please."
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123344
123345 123348
>>123342
"First we have to offer to solve it the peaceful way. Though something tells me that they won't be so rational."
She follows Adrian out the door.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123345
123348
>>123344
"Peace means having a bigger stick than the other guy, but I'll follow your lead."
*cracks his neck*
Spirit of a Sardonic Economist
VPmIp
?
No.123346
123347 123348
>>123342
Isn't calling nasty people "dicks" 21st century parlance and not really matching the setting?
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123347
>>123346
buttmunch then
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123348
123349 123350
>>123344
>>123345
They go out, and are on their way. Despite the changes in buildings they are not very far from Sunny Ray's house. Yet they go further still, through the center of town past commercial district, into an area of shops to 74 Old Cross. They come into what seems to be a restaurant and bar

>>123346
Rapscallion?
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123349
123358 123361
>>123348
*I put my hoof out to stop Sunny*
"Hey promise me if it gets bad you'll get out fast, I don't want anything happening to you"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123350
123351
>>123348
"Hmm... do you think he meant this place?"
Sunny heads closer to the restaurant.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123351
123352
>>123350
It's not a bad establishment. There is a new sign over the door, the Fall Harvest, and a dark brown lacquer over the exterior. Going inside, there is a bar off to the left and seating over to the right
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123352
123353 123354
>>123351
She looks around for somepony that looks to be the boss, most likely surrounded by some goons.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123353
123354
>>123352
*HOOF*
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123354
123356
>>123353
>>123352
No one immediate, instead a mare of a whiteish color and orange mane comes up in a black jacket.

"Can I serve you today?"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123355
123356 123357 123359
I am being ignored and I do not like it
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123356
>>123354
"Not now, but thank you. We are looking for somepony."
>>123355
What? What's wrong?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123357
>>123355
*pet pet*
It's okay, little pony
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123358
123360
>>123349
I PUT MY HOOF OUT TO STOP SUNNY AND HAVE A FUCKING MOMENT BEFORE SHE WALKED INTO THE GOD DAMN BUILDING
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123359
>>123355
I'm sorry. I missed that post. I honestly didn't mean to.
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123360
>>123358
Sorry
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123361
123362
>>123349
"I promise Adrian."
She kisses his cheek.
"Just promise me you will be careful if you do have to fight."
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123362
123363
>>123361
*blush*
"Aw shucks u know I can kick a bull through a wall..."
*he paws the dirt*
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123363
123364
>>123362
"These ponies might have guns though. They aren't in it for honor either. Don't let them make a move."
She steps closer.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123364
123365
>>123363
"Nothin will happen to me I promise, I'll kick the guns out their hands and knock em over with a gust of my mighty wings"
*he puffs himself up as he says this and spreads his wings out*
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123365
123366
>>123364
She giggles.
"Alright big guy. If you say so."
She smiles and stares into his eyes for a moment.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123366
123367
>>123365
*he bites his lower lip and stares down at her*
"You remember when we were kids and I couldn't fly and I wasn't good at school stuff and the other kids would make fun of me, so you told em off and stuff?"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123367
123368
>>123366
"Of course. What about it though?"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123368
123369 123371 123373
>>123367
*breathes deep, he can smell her she's so close*
"I started getting strong then, because I always wanted to be the one who protected you"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123369
123370
>>123368
She smells like...... horse
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123370
>>123369
considering I am also a hors, that's pretty hot
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123371
123372 123373
>>123368
She blushes.
"You always have, haven't you? If I didn't know better, I would have guessed Celestia herself sent you."
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123372
123374
>>123371
*takes a step closer*
"I aint one of them smart stallions what can talk with pretty words, but I've always cared about you, I just always wanted to be good enough for you"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123373
123374 123375
>>123371
>>123368
The off-white mare with the orange mane looks outside

"Would you two lovebirds care for a hayburger? How about a drink?"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123374
123377
>>123372
"Good enough? But Adrian, there is nothing that you have to do to prove yourself. You have always been perfect in my eyes."
>>123373
Sunny blushes.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123375
123376
>>123373
*looks back*
"Gimmie a minute?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123376
>>123375
"Sure thing"
She goes back in
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123377
123378 123379
>>123374
*he gulps nervously and then goes in for a kiss*
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123378
3c6e3702457041c33f7236619510a699f2fe8120a8ebe5db7371ea3e87cb88ef.jpg
>>123377

Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123379
123380
>>123377
She leans into the kiss.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123380
123381 123383
>>123379
*kisses her deeply, relishing every moment that he's waited for for so long*
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123381
123382 123383
>>123380
She wraps her forelegs around his neck as she slightly moans into the kiss.
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123382
123383 123384
>>123381
*He wraps his wings around them both as he enjoys the sound of her moan*
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123383
>>123380
>>123382
>>123381
A mare walks by with her foal. Her foal starts looking at the sight, before the mare covers her foal's eyes with her wing, and pulls him away
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123384
123385
>>123382
She runs the frog of her hoof along his face, breaking the kiss for just a moment.
"Oh, Adrian. I love you."
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123385
123386
>>123384
"I love you too Sunny, we should probably continue on though I think we're causing a scene..."
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123386
123387 123388
>>123385
"R-right."
She steps back.
"Wish me luck."
She heads to the door.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123387
123389
>>123386
She again meets the off-white mare, now smiling
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123388
>>123386
"good luck"
*he trots after her*
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123389
123390
>>123387
Sunny smiles a bit awkwardly.
"Can you help me? I am looking for somepony that I hear might be here."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123390
123391
>>123389
"Well I'm just the server. Who are you looking for?"
She smiles
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123391
123392
>>123390
"Nickle and Dime."
She wonders the kind of reaction she will get for this inquiry.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123392
123393
>>123391
The smile immediately leaves her face, to something harder

"What do you need them for?"
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123393
123394
>>123392
"It is business of the church to try to get somepony out of crushing debt the best we can."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123394
123395
>>123393
"The church....?"
She raises eyebrows at Sunny Rays
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123395
123396
>>123394
"The pony effected attended the church of Celestia. It is my duty to try and set this pony on the right path, which means wiping the slate clean of his debt, lest he be tempted to return for more."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123396
123397 123398
>>123395
"Uh huh."
Her head is lowered towards her

"And how will you be 'wiping the slate clean'?"
Adrian Cloudburster
pCy/G
?
No.123397
123402
>>123396
*takes a defensive position next to her*
Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123398
123399
>>123396
"Paying what I can and asking the rest be forgiven."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123399
123400
>>123398
Hmmm.... roll a diplomacy check
3CXiY
?
No.123400
123401 123402
[1d20+2 = 7]
>>123399

Sunny Rays
3CXiY
?
No.123401
123406
>>123400
Yikes.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123402
123403 123405
>>123400
Not.... stellar

>>123397
Do you want to attempt intimidation?
pCy/G
?
No.123403
123404 123405
>>123402
*I step forward and Puff my chest out*
"IT WOULD BE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO CONSIDER IT"
pCy/G
?
No.123404
123405 123406
[1d20+1 = 12]
>>123403

Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123405
123406
>>123404
>>123403
>>123402
She is not impressed with Sunny Ray's words, or rather, is concerned. But with Adrian's words...

"I'll... see what I can do"

She goes off, out of view
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123406
>>123405
>>123404
>>123401
A midnight blue Unicorn Stallion wearing a black jacket comes storming out

He removes glasses with purple magic
"What the hell are you doing here?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123408
123409 123422
mlems all the cute ponies
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123409
>>123408
Is mlemmed
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123422
123423
>>123408
mlems back
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123423
>>123422
is mlemmed back
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123429
123430
Anypony here?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123430
123431
7D5BB675-F968-49E0-BAFC-613565C6AADE.gif
>>123429
Hi floof pone!
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123431
123433
>>123430
Hi GM pone!
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123433
123434
>>123431
You wanna continue?
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123434
123435
>>123433
Yeah. Silver's gonna look through all the drawers and cabinets in the room he's in.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123435
123436
>>123434
The room has at least six cabinets and drawers. Opening them, Silver can find several batches of medical supplies and equipment. Iodine, Aspirin tablets, IV bags, Saline solution, empty hyopdermic needles, a metal drawer filled with a number of tools such as scalpels and forceps, surgical masks, latex gloves, rubbing alcohol, cold packs, bandages, needles and threads for surgical sutures, splints, rubber and cloth tourniquets, cotton balls and cotton swabs, penicillin and a few other anti-biotics, tongue depressers, and a number of other items not necessarily recognizable. There is a small array of vaccines for typhus, typhoid, diptheria, and even tuberculosis. Little glass bottles labeled as antidotes for two species of snake, some venomous creature that lives in the bay, and even manticore, can be found in another drawer. There are boxes claiming to have color coded tests for the presence of certain bacteria and viruses, or certain drugs collected by various methods. A drawer has orthopedic slings, ostomic pouches, diapers and douches. A corner has a couple walkers. Ontop of the counter, between drawers and cabinets, is an oven that seems to be for sterilization, and there are two sinks, as well as a tube rack with two test tubes. One cabinet is locked, and full of what appear to be medicines
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123436
123437
>>123435
Can Silver see what kinds of medicine are in the locked cabinet?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123437
123438
>>123436
Yes and no. The medicines are in white bottles, transparent glass bottles, visible through a glass or plastic upper part of the door and above what looks like a stainless steal bar across the bottom. There are two levels of medicines. Some has readable labels, some do not. Among those legible are painkillers like morphine, oxycodone, and even diamorphine. There are a couple labeled as tranquilizers. And perhaps most interesting of all, there are bottles that appear to contain magical potions - though these are not identifiable from visible labels, but rather from mint green and pink-purple color
aZTOK
?
No.123438
123439
[1d20+2 = 4]
>>123437
Strength: Considering this to be better than nothing, Silver attempts to bust the lock to the cabinet open with the pommel of his sword.
vWLK1
?
No.123439
123440
>>123438
Silver's pommel simply bounces against the plastic-glass.

It seems that the door is made out of that composite of plastic and glass that high ranking mafia members use to armor their cars for its alleged ability to withstand even bullets. Whether or not it is actually that tough, it's tougher than normal glass
\r
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123440
123441
>>123439
"...Fuck." Silver stares degectedly at the cabinet, having been foiled and thinking himself unable to open it.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123441
123442
>>123440
It's also worth noting that Silver's last attempt missed the lock off to the side, and instead landed closer to the center
aZTOK
?
No.123442
123443
[1d20+2 = 15]
>>123441
Strength: "RAAAAH!" Silver tries smashing the lock again.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123443
123444
>>123442
The lock is recessed into the side of the door (it's covered in stainless steel). Silver hits it this time, and does real damage. The lock itself seems to break and bend in, and the steel siding is bent. Some of the contents inside have shaken, and glass containers clink against glass containers. Nothing inside seems to have shattered or tipped over though.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123444
123445
>>123443
Silver sees if he can open it, now.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123445
123446
>>123444
Silver tore something loose, but just a little more force is necessary to pull it free
aZTOK
?
No.123446
123447
[1d20+2 = 3]
>>123445
Strength: Silver grabs on, and pulls.
"NNNGGGH!"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123447
123448
>>123446
Silver pulls on the door....

But whether through faulty legs, or something on the floor, Silver slips and falls to the ground, his right two legs both sliding forward and hitting a cabinet as he falls onto his hind. There is a light "clang" sound though no sound of glass breaking. Jubilosa pokes her head through the door, rather dexterously from an extended neck.

"What happened?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123448
>>123447
"Owww..."
Silver must look rather pathetic, on the ground like that. He slowly gets up.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123449
123451
She keeps her head poking through, moving occasionally in sudden, birdlike movement. The door slowly opens more as Mala slowly walks his way through, behind Silver


aZTOK
?
No.123451
123452
[1d20+2 = 9]
>>123449
Strength: Once up again, Silver tries once more to open the cabinet.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123452
123453
>>123451
Now, Silver rips something loose, and the door is forced open. There is another sound of glass clanking, but nothing seems to have been damaged in the process of breaking the door open
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123453
123454
>>123452
Silver now has a closer look at the potions.
vWLK1
?
No.123454
123455
>>123453
It's a decent array of potions. Multiple healing potions - it looks like a couple vials of cure moderate wounds, maybe four of cure light wounds, two of delay poison, and one each of neutralize poison, magic fang, lesser restoration, and remove paralysis - give or take a vial or two. This is besides containers of more than one variety of opiate anesthetic, tranquilizers, and a single container of chloroform. There is also a cylinder of nitrous oxide
\r
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123455
123456
>>123454
Silver takes it all, as well as the painkillers like the morphine.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123456
123457
>>123455
As most of the containers are small there is not much concern for weight, though the dozens of vials constantly "clang" in his bag as Silver moves
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123457
123458
>>123456 (Nice get.)
Silver gathers all of the wounded party members together.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123458
123459
>>123457
These are Iron, Silver himself, and midnight. Dark Star has a light wound, though nothing serious. None of the rescues nor Blue Skies have any injuries, though Jubilosa and Zwolf were injured before and given potions
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123459
123460
>>123458
Silver knows how badly wounded he's been, and how badly wounded Iron's been. What about Midnight?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123460
>>123459
Midnight suffered the worst of anypony in the big fight, but was healed in part, and also did not take part in the later fight against the two interlopers. She is wounded, but better off than both Silver and especially Iron

(~20 hp of damage, maybe 24 or so remaining. This is an imprecise estimate)
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123461
123462
Let's put off distributing the potions for the moment. Is there anything else of interest in the room?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123462
123463
>>123461
This particular room only has the aforementioned medical supplied and equipment across drawers and cabinets, mostly along a single wall, though with some on the opposite side
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123463
123464
>>123462
Silver sees what's in the other rooms in this area.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123464
123465
>>123463
In another room on this side is what appears to be a very small office, with a desk, a chair, and a type writer. Papers show nothing interesting. On the opposite side is a closed room with a bed. The most interesting things in this room is an oxygen canister and a surgical drill
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123465
123466
>>123464
Is the surgical drill the only bit of surgical equipment in the room?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123466
123467
>>123465
It is the only powered piece of equipment. There are, however, scalpels, lancets, retractors, pipettes, forceps, and clamps in a cabinet
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123467
123468
>>123466
Ah. The sight is slightly less gruesome than I had imagined. What's inside the desk in the other room?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123468
123469
>>123467
(And a few separate types of drill bits)

Note that the great majority of the equipment seems to be more recent that the building's last function as a poorhouse, with most of the drugs having dates within the last three years - though some has expired anyways. Some equipment, especially crutches, is much older though, either inherited or purchased second hand.

The desk is mostly empty, with only a few papers inside, such as requisition papers, medical and surgical records, notes, and a few birth and death certificates.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123469
123470 123471
>>123468
What kind of notes?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123470
123471 123472
>>123469
Hand written, and all of a medical nature. Some notes about triage on a number of wounded. A question of whether an unsuccessful attempt to treat a bullet wound should be transferred to a public hospital (answered in the negative) and the same question about treatment for cancer (answered in the affirmative). A question of whether excessive sleep deprivation may be resolved by means of stimulates - no written answer. A series of questions about what body parts may be disposed in the landfill, the bay, or even sewage. Answered with immediate skepticism towards the placement of any parts of corpses in trash or the harbor bay, though with some suggestion that cremated bone fragments may be spread in either trash or the harbor bay. Suggestion that blood and digested bone fragments may be disposed in sewage. Discussion and notes about what seems to have been a typhus outbreak in miniature, with suggestions to burn clothing, vaccinate, and treat for lice.

Discussion about harm to legs and claws/hooves by restraints and equipment, and treatment. Some actual notes on how to prevent death by blood loss on a claw that is caught in stamping machine, as well as notes on cheap, reusable prosthetics. A single note asking questions about the removal of skins - but this appears to be only the first page of a larger set of notes that has been cut off or is unavailable. An actually fairly long series of questions about Changeling draining and its effects - no quick description can be given because of the complexity of the subject, but the document doesn't seem to offer much in the way of answers.

Finally, there are notes on some specific way of cutting open the chest cavities of several kinds of creature while still leaving the creature alive, with particular detail taken to how to avoid death by blood loss. This one is several pages long and includes some drawings, as well as ways to make cuts or stabbings. It's almost like cuts of steak

Most of these discussions are disorganized scribbling on paper, mostly are one or two pages in length, some include drawings but most don't, and some visibly have multiple colors of pen with orange written next to and over-top of blue ink. Some are written solely in blue ink
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123471
>>123470
>>123469
The notes are mostly in blue ink, and seem to have primarily two handwriting styles. Responses, comments and answers are usually off to the side, underneath, or after sections of writting, and written in orange. Some of these are in one of the aforementioned two styles. But some are written in a very fine, careful calligraphy. And one set of notes, the very last set about vivisection, is written entirely in black ink with the careful calligraphy
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123472
123473
>>123470
"...why would these griffons need to open living being's chest cavity?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123473
123474
>>123472
Only Mala and Jubilosa are around to hear this remark. Jubilosa slowly pulls her head out of the room
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123474
123475
>>123473
Silver puts the notes back.

Are there any other rooms?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123475
123476
>>123474
Not as a part of the infirmary. But there is at least one more room on the other side of the hall on the second floor
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123476
123477
>>123475
Silver decides to check it out.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123477
123478
>>123476
On the opposite side is a door with the plate over it falling off in part. It opens up to a small room less than 20 feet across that has some seats off to the left. To the right is a long glass window covered over on the opposite side with something like a curtain, and a door.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123478
123479
>>123477
"Curious...what is room meant for?"
Silver tries the door in this room on the right.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123479
123480
>>123478
The room Silver was in is a bit... faded. There were a couple chairs. Older, though the wall could have held more, and the walls were a faded white wash. The glass is cracked. Going through the door (unlocked), he enters a very new room. Tile floors, and tile half way up the wall until white wash, and some marks in the wall where something was removed. But it is what is there now that is most interesting. Two large machines, each with rolls of paper and presses. And a table with several books.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123480
123481
>>123479
"Is this book press? Here?"
Silver inspects the books.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123481
123482 123483
>>123480
A book press does indeed seem to be exactly what it is. Looking at the books, they are all the same. Bound and covered in leather - or at least, it looks like leather. No markings of any kind on the outside
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123482
123484
>>123481
Is there anything inside them?
Spirit of a Sardonic Economist
cYl7Y
?
No.123483
123484
>>123481
>leather
I'm guessing that's probably illegal in pony nations.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123484
123485
>>123482
Oh yes. Yes there is. Here now, there is variance. Some have portions in Ponish, some are largely in a foreign language that is probably Herlandish, and some have both. But all have some third language. A language not identifiable, and not sounding much like any speech of griffin, nor kirin or zebra. There are many creatures out there, and who can say what they speak or don't speak? But the harsh consonants and bizarre grammar of this alien tongue seem... wrong.

>>123483
This leather, you can bet is
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123485
123486
>>123484
What do the Ponish portions say?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123486
123487
>>123485
It's difficult to grasp the entire contents of a book in only a few minutes, flipping through. Yet a scanning read, and a few pages flipped here and there, gives a glimpse....

A wise griffin, a sorcerer or druid, named Vortigan, consults with spirits under moonlight. Using the mind as contact to something deeper... broader. Broad as the vastness of space. A tribe called the Maarverni, who found these secrets. Here is an illustration. It's like a giant statue of a griffin, made of sticks, wicker and twine. More than one griffin is inside, and another outside carries a torch. Another illustration of the location of stars, though these are not stars visible in the sky. Descriptions of shadows dancing across mist filled craters on the moons far side, whispering their wisdom to those hidden things that pass in black ether of space
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123487
123488
>>123486
"Maarverni...were these original worshipers of Maar, then? These must be books of worship, then."

Silver investigates the book presses.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123488
123489
>>123487
A number of plates with lettering on them that rotate and press into ink, then onto paper. They are smaller than the printing presses of formal publishing companies and newspapers, yet still fairly large. Only black ink seems to be used, and there are plates off to the side that are not in immediate use but must rather be switched out. The press seems to be powered a black
coated electric cable that comes down directly from the ceiling and no through normal electrical outlets. It isn't entirely clear how the leather cover is added, but one of the machines has many pages in it
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123489
123490
>>123488
"Hmm...seems normal, I suppose, though I have never seen printing presses before. But why is window looking into this room...?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123490
123491
>>123489
From this side, it's completely covered up. They must not have wanted what is in this room to be visible into the other any longer. Over to the right is another door.

At this point, a couple of Silver's followers make their way in. Johann almost seemed to have smelled it, walking in and taking a look. Blue Skies, likewise looks around, becoming less interested when she sees the room is clear. And Mala walks in after the griffins, keeping his head low
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123491
123492
>>123490
He nods to the new arrivals to the room.
"Looks like they have been printing Maarist 'holy' books."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123492
123493
>>123491
Johann is already staring down the presses. The room is dark and Johann is only barely visible in the light Silver uses to illuminate the presses. But his eyes gleam, and Silver can see the death stare he gives the presses, as he slowly walks closer, and looks down to the books on the table. He does not bother to pick them up. After a pause, he responds to Silver

"So they have"

Then he reaches out a claw towards a book, and four inches away, pulls his claw back
"All of this... must be burned. Kill it before it spreads. Metastasizes..."

Skies walks around, looking at other parts of the room, and is somewhat confused. She actually speaks before Johann starts
"Like a damned cancer spreading"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123493
123494
>>123492
Silver looks at Johann and his reaction.
"You act as though merely touching the book would corrupt you...does Maar truly have that effect on Griffons?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123494
123495
>>123493
He blinks

"No... Maar comes into the soul like a grub, or a termite, eating through wood. He never goes for where the soul is strong, and hard. Only where there are weaknesses. Cracks. Rot in the soul, finding his way through weak parts, his tendrils feeling about, eating and working their way in to eat it from the inside. Hollowing it out. Even those who seem to be strong of soul are sometimes corrupted. Maar takes particular pleasure in that. But he may do so only because, and only where, there are weaknesses to exploit.

In that way he is a vulture. Having not the strength of beak to pull apart the toughest flesh, but waiting for it to rot and soften.

But it is not fear of corruption that makes me revile those covers. It is what they are made of..."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123495
123496 123498
>>123494
The pony look down at the books, reexaminating them.
"...oh..."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123496
123497 123498
>>123495
The covers are certainly hide, though at least partly tanned and may qualify as leather. They are light brown or tan color, often lighter towards the center. Silver cannot tell what animal or creature they are made from
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123497
123498
>>123496
"Ugh...Maarists..."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123498
123499
>>123497
>>123496
>>123495
Blue Skies reacts:
"What is wrong with these... creatures"
She seems to stumble over words for a moment, and looks to Johann
"It's like Hellsword all over again"
Johann narrows his eyebrows and looks over to Blue Skies for a moment, but stops just as quickly, and looks back to Silver

Johann:
"I can't say for sure... But it is a good bet"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123499
123500
>>123498
Anywhere else to be explored?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123500
123501
>>123499
A single room in the back. But openning the door shows it to be another room of tile floor and half tile walls. A clean environment, like the surgery room. But whatever was in it has been replaced by a table with a device to cut leather, another to sew it, and a couple bindings on the table.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123501
123502
>>123500
"Well, this is where they were bound..."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123502
123503
>>123501
There's thread - it looks like normal thread - for sewing, and a Springer sewing machine. Johann again looks judgmental at the seen, and Skies even more visibly disgusted. Mala slowly walks around, sad and solemn
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123503
123504
>>123502
Silver pets the sad gnoll behind the ears.
vWLK1
?
No.123504
123505
>>123503
The ears go back, then his mouth moves up to a kind of smile. But it goes back down, and he looks over to Silver.

"We haven't run into all of the Society's security yet... I think they must be upstairs. The Society at least. I don't know where their security is"
\r
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123505
123506
>>123504
"This Society, it is where Maakie would be?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123506
123507
>>123505
"Maakie..." he looks away for a moment

"I think I know who that is. No. He was never a full member. Or didn't quite act like it at least. He did work for them. He would be with their security"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123507
123508
>>123506
"Then he will still be in same area. Perhaps we might confront members of this Society at same time."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123508
123509
>>123507
"I don't know if the Society wants that. Their leader wants to stay out of fighting if he can, or at least that's how it was in skirmishes with the gangs. I am not sure I would want to face all of them at the same time. They are strong. Very strong. Especially when together at the same time. All of us together were very strong when the soldiers came in. There were many of them. Not street gangsters, not police. Soldiers by the dozen. And we beat them back. Of course there were more of us back then. Now they only have the townies, and what is left of their 'security'."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123509
123510
>>123508
"In all honestly, I could not care less about what society wants. They have not earned that privilege. What do you know, or think you know, about what they have at their disposal to fight with?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123510
123511
>>123509
"Well.... there is the head of the hired help himself, Maakie. He was in the military, or something. Or maybe he was a pirate. But he can fight and he still has a couple of his own employees. You killed most of them already I think, or disabled them. He hires zebras and gnolls. I was one of his. I was not a part of the society.

Then there is the society. We... well we... handled? Handled the heartlanders. They are not a problem now. It's only the townies. The townies will not be as willing to fight. The heartlanders fought so hard because they could be deported. No one wants to be deported. Especially not the heartlanders. So it was better for them to fight, and they did, and many of them died. But I don't want to talk about that...

Oh, right. The townies. The townies will probably be more cowardly. They may fight, I don't know. I would not be surprised if some of them have guns. They will surely be willing to use them if they know we handled the heartlanders. It's really their leader that is the most dangerous. The leader of the society, I think he is the founder. He is a townie. He has magical powers. And he has friends who have magic, or who are dangerous. I think there is a heartlander there who was something like a knight. There is another Kaftar I have seen in the townie group. They may be good fighters. The lesser members, I think, will have less reason to fight. But the leadership, they have their backs against the wall"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123511
123512
>>123510
"Hmm...this will be difficult fight, indeed. We will need to prepare ourselves.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123512
123513
>>123511
Mala silently nods, his brown eyes reflecting perhaps more than normal
"Those creatures you have out in the hallway. The hippogriff, the horse, the pony colt. What are they going to do?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123513
123514
>>123512
"I do not entirely know. I am...not very used to leading others in situations like this."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123514
123515
>>123513
Mala twists his head left and looks at Silver, causing his left ear to fall down.
"But you lead us so far"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123515
123516
>>123514
He smiles at him.
"It is first time in very long time."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123516
>>123515
He turns his head up and looks up at floof pone. Or he does so slightly, as his shoulders are about equal to Silver's, and only because his head hangs lower is Silver's head higher. But as he looks up to Silver, he says,
"I will follow you"
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123521
123522
I hear rumors of playing tomorrow.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123522
123523 123529
>>123521
Is excited
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123523
>>123522
is excite to see what happens
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123529
123530
>>123522
Are you free to begin today?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123530
123531
>>123529
Yes. What does Spark do next? I don't recall if he went with Brie or not, but either way, the lieutenant is with the prisoner
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123531
123532
>>123530
I didn't see Brie yet. Can he be seen from outside?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123532
123533
>>123531
Coming back? He would be at some point, for the reason that Spark at this point is not far from the ramp between the pit and the mill
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123533
123534
>>123532
I suppose if I can see him, I would head his way and listen in to his conversation. Can I glean anything from what I overhear?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123534
123535
>>123533
A bizarrely sanguine tone of voice from Brie, Zu Lang saying something, and varied tones from Zu Lang ranging from taking offense to sounding defensive to serious talk. A couple words that can be heard are "explosives" from Brie and "insurgents" from Zu Lang
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123535
123536
>>123534
Spark is definitely worried to hear them talking about explosives. But he politely waits for their discussion to end before interrupting. He also looks around to see if they are heading to something that obviously might house said explosives.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123536
123537
>>123535
It takes them a little time before they leave from that spot in the pit, but they eventually go up the ramp, and out of the pit, on the route that goes back towards the town
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123537
123538
>>123536
Spark decides that he better make explosives work with the light show. He looks for a spot to better servey the area, to plan the logistics of the unpredictable bat of destruction and his bomb surprise.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123538
123539
>>123537
To the left (west) of the pit there is an area a few hundred meters wide with a paved road, a railway track, a clearing, and a little bit further north is processing facility. To the west of that is forest - pine and fir trees 70 feet or higher.
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123539
123540
>>123538
Spark decides he better check out the forest everypony is so concerned about this days. Perhaps Spark can use it to his advantage when the chaos breaks out.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123540
123541
>>123539
Walking up the big stone ramp, Spark finds his way on a small dirt path that quickly merges with a small and somewhat damaged asphalt roadway partly covered in mud. Beyond that a few feet is a railway. Spark may be concerned by the train, with attached black steam locomotive and a few dozen open cars. But it's stationary for the moment, after moving backwards some feet. Beyond this Is an area of stumps, grass, and a few seedlings.

Further beyond this, the pine sea. Some of the trees seem to have damage to bark, or knocked down limbs. Most do not. Looking through the tree line the space between trees is mostly clear enough of brush and vine to allow movement below the trees. It's dark under the canopy. Not so much by the edges where the light bleeds through, but deeper into the trees. It's almost like twilight at midday in some areas.
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123541
123542
>>123540
Spark didn't expect a train. He carefully investigates.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123542
123543
>>123541
Investigates what?
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123543
123544
>>123542
Well, to begin with, where the train is. Is this a loading station? Just track? Why did it stop here?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123544
123545
newsEngin.25049983_AK-Steel-Middletown-008.jpg
>>123543
The train goes along the track to an industrial facility. The facility itself has metal sheets on the exterior, at least one visible conveyor belt on the outside, and is fairly loud, making clanking noises. It's hardly a large factory or anything like that, but is still the largest building Spark has seen in the area. The track - it's a single track, goes underneath an over hanging part of the building covered in grey paint. The train backed up a little, but is now stationary, letting out some steam that turns a thick white in the cold air
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123545
123546
>>123544
Spark looks for anypony tending to the train.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123546
123547
>>123545
Looking down both sides, it's hard to see any pony. But upon closer inspection, there are actually at least two. One is on the right side by the facility, looking forward towards the train. The other is hanging out of the locomotive itself
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123547
123548 123549
>>123546
Spark observes them for a few moments. Perhaps they are loading the train.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123548
123549
>>123547
As the train lines up, there is a wait of at least a couple minutes. But before too long, a stream of small rocks starts to fill into one of the black-painted steel hopper cars
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123549
123550
>>123548
>>123547
The pony on the right seems to make signals, then goes closer to one of the cars. After a minute or so he moves over to the side, and watches the car slowly fill. The pony on the left gets out and looks at a car, then gets back into the locomotive. There is shouting, either from one to the other or to persons unseen
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123550
123551
>>123549
Though hijacking the train and leading the ponies out in a large escape might be the first thing that pops into my head, it is probably best I continue checking out the rest of the place. While the ponies are distracted, Spark crosses the track and continues to look around the forest, wondering why changelings fear it so much.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123551
123552
>>123550
It isn't too difficult to evade observation by the workers, given they are distracted or disinterested at the moment. Peering back into the woods, again, there is only so much grass and bushes on the forest floor. Most of it is covered in brown and decaying needles, pine cones, and in some instances bare brown earth, occasionally depressed by hoof prints, or with knocked down limbs. The first thing about the forest that is noticeable is also a contributing explanation to why it is so scary. Most of the space under the trees is non-distinctive from any other, and though you may see a hundred or more feet out, visibility beyond maybe a tenth of a mile, or even less, is non-existent in the dense woods. There are few landmarks, and it would be easy to get lost.
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123552
123553
>>123551
He doesn't go far, keeping the tracks within eyesight so he can head back, but he makes note that he can make this work to his advantage later. After some exploring, he walks back to the tracks.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123553
123554
>>123552
Spark walks away from the trees, which sway with the north wind, and back towards the pit. Off in the distance a power shovel picks up rock and ore, and places it into the bed of a waiting truck. More processed ore falls into a now-different hopper
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123554
123555
>>123553
He walks along the track away from the train and workers, seeing where it may lead.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123555
123556
>>123554
The track goes two ways. Towards the ore processing mill, and in the direction of town, though it splits and goes around town to the west, as Blackwood is up on the hill, and the tracks go around it. It always stays by the forest, though with a clearing separating them. In this section it is on the other side of the road which follows alongside the pit
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123556
123557
>>123555
Checked.
I suppose next I will see about the town, and how far it is from the tracks. Perhaps this will come in handy.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123557
123558
>>123556
Past where the tracks and road seperate, the track becomes a double track, goes on for a quarter mile or so, and there is a small train station, or at least a small building with an elevated wooden platform and a red tile roof next to the track. This is at the bottom of the hill Blackwood is partly built overtop of.
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123558
123559
>>123557
He sneaks to the building. Are there ponies in view?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123559
123560
>>123558
Through a window in another room is one stallion, he looks like a railway attendant, who is not paying attention
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123560
123561
>>123559
Hmm....
Anything around the building of note?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123561
123562
>>123560
In the train station? Not particularly. An inside section has a room with an attendant - aforementioned stallion - and a waiting room with some chairs. There are posters on the wall. One is a poster of a pony couple eating cotton candy on a Ferris Wheel, with the words in big red letters overtop - "Whinnyapolis State Fair - August 28 - September 8". This Poster is faded, and Partly covered over by a new, blacker themed poster of the close up of a Changeling Queen's Muzzle merging to look out over many Changelings, in uniform and not, standing at attention, who are placed above many ponies standing and dressed in varieties of mundane clothing. At the very top is "Chrysalis, Queen Mother Over All".

On the other side of the room is a poster of a streamlined Diesel Train travelling over a rocky bank, through wheat fields to the left, a lake over to the right, with a forest and a lone wolf visible over in the background. The text is "Ponytown Northern Railway - Serving Whinnysota"
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123562
123563
>>123561
He shrugs and goes for some conversation with the pony.
“Hi there.”
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123563
123564
>>123562
He pops up, like he's startled
"Oh"
He looks back to Spark. He's an elder unicorn of an approximately brownish color with an orange tinge
"Hi there. Didn't see you walking in. You looking to buy a ticket?"
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123564
123565
>>123563
“How much?”
I got no clue how many bits I have left.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123565
123574
>>123564
"Where you lookin' to go? It's 10 bits into Whinnyapolis. 30 bits into Crystal City."
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123566
123567
Alright, se where we at?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123567
123568
>>123566
Brie has just collected a very large set of explosives from the mine after talking to Zu Lang. Spark should be there to meet up with
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123568
123569 123583
>>123567
Alright then. Brie returns to the cart with,... lots of explosives, and I would emote a spring in his step to boot.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123569
123570
>>123568
Brie finds himself followed in light step by another drone, also wearing what appears to be an officer's hat, with a black and white coat.

Opening the door to the cart, some miner ponies stop their work to watch him as he loads it in. So too do Seb and Fun seem impressed, or perhaps concerned, by the quantity of explosives
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123570
123571 123581
>>123569
Brie busies himself rigging up the 3 charges (2 at 2/9 capacity and 1 at 5/9 capacity). "There! This should leave a hole." he says with a bit of satisfaction. He then looks for Sparks, as he's the only party member Brie hasn't checked in with. And the Lings, but they're not gonna want anything to do with this mission (not that Sparks is likely to either, but we'll see).
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123571
123572
>>123570
Seb and Fun have been following Brie, and watch him rigging up the explosives. Kerr and Wesley are with Onyx, presumably close by
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123572
123573
>>123571
So like,... the bombs will only go off if they're lit right? They're not made with nitro-glycerine, are they? Does Brie know? I don't wanna be that guy from Lost.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123573
>>123572
Don't worry, the nitroglycerin in the dynamite is mixed with dolomite. It can still "sweat" and cause headaches if you hold it, but only fire, high temperatures, and adequate electric shocks will cause it to go off
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123574
123575
>>123565
“I’ll take one for Whinnyapolis.”
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123575
123576
>>123574
Pls meet up with Brie?
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123576
123577
>>123575
I’m finishing this scene, then I will
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123577
123578
>>123576
"Alright." He looks down
"Ten bits" He looks back up
"Now you have to have an official Hegemony passport to travel on the rail"
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123578
123579
>>123577
“Ah. That was the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. Mine has expired and I need to get it renewed. Where is the best place to get that done?”
vWLK1
?
No.123579
123580
>>123578
"Go to the office of Changeling police in town. The old police station, right across from the mining office, which is the biggest building up on the hill. Go down the road leading back in town and take a left. You can't miss it."
\r
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123580
123581
>>123579
“Thanks.”
Spark heads out, but back to the pit.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123581
123582 123583
>>123580
Spark soon enough stumbles upon Brie packing.... something into a cart >>123570 >>123568


Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123582
>>123581
"Ah Spark, how are you? Lovely day isn't it? The perfect sort of weather to blow things up with don't you think?"
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123583
123584
>>123581
Oh no.
>>123568
“Umm.. hey there Brie. What are you up to?”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123584
123585 123586
>>123583
"Well, it seems that a number of these insurgents are hiding somewhere in the forest, and a protracted campaign of pressing them and vying for position sounds far too troublesome. I figured," and as he says this he presents the finished bombs "We could just strategically bomb the shit out of them!" ^_^
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123585
123588
>>123584
“Hmmm.....”
Spark ponders for a moment.
“Not bad. I would love to hear more of this plan.”
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123586
123587
2034084.png
>>123584

Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123587
>>123586
....
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123588
123589 123590
>>123585
"Well there's not much to it at the moment. It involves me and either Seb or Fun flying in to gather recon, and then where we go from there depends on what we find. We might bomb them from the air, we might infiltrate a bit and make a more tactical strike,... it really depends."
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123589
123591
>>123588
“I interrogated a prisoner and might have an idea of what to do next. Not a great one, but an idea.”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123590
>>123588
"Technically, the plan could work with me flying in solo, but one never knows what one will find." He sighs. "This would have been so much easier if they had foal-napped somepony like I had hoped."
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123591
123592 123594
>>123589
"Oh? Oh! There's a prisoner! That's marvelous! What did he say? Is he still alive? Has he been tortured? CAN he be tortured?"
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123592
123593 123594 123595
>>123591
“He has been tortured, but gave me all I need to know just by asking. However...”
Spark looks around.
“I might need more privacy to tell you the details.”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123593
123594
>>123592
"I like the sound of this!" Brie looks around to find a secluded spot to converse.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123594
123595 123596 123623 123638
>>123593
>>123592
>>123591
There does indeed seem to be somecreature not far behind in probable listening range. It's the middle officer - the one Spark met before. He stands still and silent, though with an occasionally wobbly right foreleg. He stands there as the ponies go around to the other side of the cart, or perhaps deeper into the pit mine to talk in relative privacy
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123595
123596
>>123594
Looking at the officer, Brie the looks at Spark with a deadpan expression. "I'm gathering we should do this in the cart." :3
>>123592

Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123596
123597
>>123594
>>123595
“Well, I found out the answer to the trouble, though not as satisfying as I had hoped. Turns out all of the issues that have been going on have been accidents due to parties or drunkenness. So even if we executed suspects, the problems will only manifest again. The lost ponies died swimming while intoxicated. The wounds the changelings had were celebratory gunfire gone wrong. The damaged equipment, just fooling around while out of their senses. Apparently both changelings and ponies in this area get wasted and party hard, which is allowed because the changelings think this will help morale.”

“So... we have a bit of a problem. There is no target we can hit that would stop this from happening. And even if we could crack down on it, which the commanders don’t believe is the truth, hence the torture while he was saying it, then productivity will grind down anyway. That said, I do have a plan...”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123597
123598
>>123596
"Alright, I'm listening," Brie says, trying to not be disappointed at the idea that doesn't need to be explosions.
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123598
123599
>>123597
“I’ll need you to blow up the bombs rather close by in the forest to get everyone’s attention. Then, I’ll make an illusion of a monster, make him appear to smash something with a little more explosive, then make him vanish in the forest again. That will make them all believe that operations must cease here and they will move in actual troops to hunt through the forest.”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123599
123600
>>123598
"So, you want to trick the lot of them into thinking there is a threat that requires full military support, so that the cause of the lack of productivity is revealed without us having to be the bearers of bad news?" Brie thinks for a moment. "You're sure this pony was sufficiently and thoroughly tortured?"
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123600
123601
>>123599
“Well, he might have been able to take a bit more if you did it right, but he seemed pretty drained of much of his will to live.”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123601
123602
>>123600
"Under what circumstances were this pone captured?"
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123602
123603
>>123601
“Being suspected of being one of the terrorists they are looking for... because he dented a shovel.”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123603
123604
>>123602
Brie runs his hoof across his forehead. "Thats horribly underwhelming."
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123604
123605
>>123603
“Well, I suspect seeing a monster will be more than enough to get them to change their minds.”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123605
123606
>>123604
"Hmmmmmmm."
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123606
123607
>>123605
“Do you like the plan?”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123607
123608
>>123606
"Not really, to be honest. Let me get this straight: the productivity loss is due to drunken-ness and a lack of discipline, and the Changelings who are 'in charge' are afraid to send the truth up the communication lines?"
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123608
123609
>>123607
“Well, seeing as the pony that told them is being tortured to the point of hardly living, I would think they would want to keep south of that. And besides, the commander is stopping the chain of command himself, in order to save his own hide. So we have a choice to make, screw over the ponies and changeling grunts, or the high command.”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123609
123610 123611
>>123608
Brie smiles. "The high command it is! We'll still go with your plan, but it needs a little refinement to accommodate the new target."
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123610
123612
>>123609
“Sure thing. What do you suggest?”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123611
>>123609
"The queen isn't going to want to hear that we sleuthed the cause of the lack of productivity, the High Command is responsible for maintaining discipline. Its quite simple, they have failed in their duty. An example must be made."
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123612
123614
>>123610
"Well, its probably best to go ahead with your existing plan. For one, that will make an impression on the ponies in this town, and for two it will give plenty of distracting cover to acquire the bug in charge."
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123614
123615
>>123612
“Alright. Sounds good. Shall we begin immediately, or should we wait for closer to night to give them a good jolt?”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123615
123616
>>123614
"The detonation of the bombs, is that to draw attention? I'm wondering if we can do that with just one bomb, rather than all three."
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123616
123617
>>123615
“Yeah. Just one, but closer so they believe all three went off. Then another on some structure for the ‘monster’ to destroy, then the last you can keep and do with as you please.”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123617
123618
>>123616
Brie smiles. "Sounds good. So one at the entrance to the forest, one at a 'random' building, and one underneath the High Command? I'll get right on it."
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123618
123619
>>123617
“That might work, but then again, we need the command to report this as a monster and not terrorism. If they are dead, then they will assume the ponies or even changeling grunts are responsible.”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123619
123620
>>123618
"I'm not planning on killing the whole command, just the guy at the top. I'm also planning on taking credit for the kill when the time comes."
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123620
123621
>>123619
“Cool. When do you think the right time will be though?”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123621
123622
>>123620
"Can you see in the dark?"
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123622
123623 123627
>>123621
“Unfortunately no.”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123623
123624
>>123622
"Cover of darkness isn't going to help then. Hmmmm."
>>123594
Is Zu Lang the head bug of the gendarmerie?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123624
123625
>>123623
Yes
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123625
123626
>>123624
K, what time is it 'currently'?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123626
123627
>>123625
Some time in the afternoon

~3 PM

Comparatively early nightfall because of the northern latitude and a little less than a lunar cycle after the Winter Solstice
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123627
123628 123630
>>123626
K
>>123622
"In that event, I would advise nightfall. Just before full darkness, where light is largely diminished but not vacant."
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123628
123629
>>123627
“Ah. Got it.”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123629
>>123628
"No offense, but somehow I don't think this is going to go entirely according to plan. Having said, as long as I end up with,..." he glances around and then whispers the following "As long as I end up with Lang's head, this mission should be a success."
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123630
123631
>>123627
“Anything else we should do in case they don’t buy it?”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123631
123632 123633
>>123630
"Kill 'em?"
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123632
123634
>>123631
“I guess?”
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123633
>>123631
“How do we sneak the explosives by Lang?”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123634
123635
>>123632
"Well its not ideal, but if we start blowing things up and they're not buying it, that will hurt our position. As long as the ponies are sufficiently panicked it shouldn't be an issue, I should be able to make somebug disappear in a crisis."
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123635
123636
>>123634
“Anything else before we start setting up?”
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123636
123637 123638 123641
>>123635
"Not really. These have a 1-minute fuse on them. I'm keeping the big one, but there's the two smaller ones. We'll need 2 units, one at the forest and one at the to-be-demolished building. Demolitions can be one of us, or we might get one of our Bug-friends to lend an appendage. I would prefer to not be setting the two bombs, so I can be close to Lang when they go off. Beyond that, I've got nothing."
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123637
>>123636
“I think I can work with that.”
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123638
123639 123641
>>123636
>>123594
Spark gets to work setting up the explosives out of sight.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123639
123640
>>123638
They are very big sets of explosives. The fuses are set, either by Spark or Brie
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123640
>>123639
Spark stands near the forest, by the tracks, reay to cast an illusion.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123641
123642
>>123636
>>123638
The officer, before this standing still and stoically, comes to the cart, and knocks
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123642
123643
>>123641
Brie opens the door and steps out.
"Yes? Something I can help you with?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123643
123644
>>123642
From a quick look, it seems to be another officer of the Gendarmerie, though one lower ranking than Zu Lang. He blinks

"You are one of those allegedly sent by the queen, are you not? I met your partner, but not you."
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123644
123645
>>123643
"You'll have to be more specific, I have many associates." Brie smiles
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123645
123646
>>123644
"Your unicorn friend who asked the prisoner be brought out. But never mind him. I trust you spoke to Zu Lang?"
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123646
123647
>>123645
"Once, yes. I suppose I should update him on our plan for the insurgents though."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123647
123648
>>123646
"So he told you his theory about insurgents then. What is it, pray tell?"
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123648
123649
>>123647
"And you are?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123649
123650
>>123648
"I am First Lieutenant Drie Zwanzig. Zu Lang's Executive Officer"

He shakes a little in his right foreleg, but otherwise does not move nor inflect his words
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123650
123651
>>123649
"Very well. The plan is to engage arial reconnaissance until the target site is determined. Afterwards, to approach the site and bomb essential supplies/equipment and engage any hostiles. This insurgency should be over before dawn."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123651
123652
>>123650
"Well I hope you have found something then. Have you found information from the workers or the drones?"
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123652
123653
>>123651
"Oh yes, I understand the prisoner you're keeping has been most,... reluctantly, helpful." Brie smiles.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123653
123654
>>123652
"Well, he is still up at the top of the mine. I take it you will scout the forests for yourself?"
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123654
123655
>>123653
"Yes, we have enough preliminary intelligence to move off of. We're just waiting for nightfall."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123655
123656
>>123654
"Very well. I can have a drone help guide you. We don't know where anycreature is in the forest... if indeed it is a creature. But we do have the location of where a patrol disappeared"
Anonymous
rhww4
?
No.123656
123657
>>123655
"I think we're fine with the preparations we've made so far."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123657
>>123656
"Really? In such a short time?"
The limited muscles on his face constraint much of his attempt to emote
"Very well. We shall see"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123658
123659
Will there be explosions?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123659
123676
>>123658
We shall see, little pony
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123676
123677
>>123659
Maybe we can play some tomorrow.
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123677
123678
>>123676
I will be free tomorrow if there are ponies.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123678
>>123677
I shall watch if there are ponies.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123686
123687
All ponies in this thread are beautiful horses.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123687
aryanne_shaded_wallpaper_by_planetarypenguin-d7sxbq6 (2).jpg
>>123686
Yay!
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123701
123702
Where's Undertoe, in relation to Silver?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123702
123703
>>123701
Behind, evidently. She did not come into the Printing room
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123703
123704
>>123702
Silver trots out of the prinint room to look for her, then.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123704
123705
>>123703
She's there in the hallway. Towards the back. With an anxious looking White Sands, and Khoi and Jubilosa outside coming towards Silver
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123705
123706
>>123704
Silver looks to the approaching Khoi and Jubilosa.
"Is something wrong?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123706
123707
>>123705
Jubilosa makes a sound as if about to form words, opening her beak, but little comes out as she seems a bit unsettled. Khoi stands silently in suppressed haste, staying silent out of politesse and deference. Then Jubilosa gets her words out:

"The prisoners in the main area, I am not sure they will be secure if unguarded. Those creatures earlier almost set them free."

Khoi speaks now, though she speaks so quickly that it seems to take the form of an interruption, undoing whatever good form she maintained in her initial silence:
"And what of the straglers? Where will they stay? The big horse, the colt. And her."
She moves her muzzle a bit to the left, as if to point behind her to Undertoe
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123707
123708
>>123706
Silver acknowledges them both, but addresses Jubilosa first.
"Do you have any suggestions about how to deal with prisoners?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123708
123709
>>123707
During a momentary pause her wings move an inch upwards and forwards, moving back down as she speaks
"Well, just do not let them be untied"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123709
123710
>>123708
"Hmm...I see. Give me just moment to think on what to do."
Next, he turns to Khoi.
"I know about Loputu and Meadows, but is something wrong with Undertoe?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123710
123711
>>123709
She blinks
"I do not know"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123711
123712
>>123710
He nods.
"I will go speak with her, and think of plan for how to proceed forward."
With that, he he bids them goodbye for the moment, and trots over to the hippogriff.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123712
123713
>>123711
She's looking forward at him, making her purple eyes contact Silver's Blue, until he nears her, at which point she moves a step back and breaks eye contact
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123713
123714
>>123712
He stops when he sees her take a step back, and he sits down. He smiles at her.
"It is okay, I do not bite. I just wanted to talk with you."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123714
123715
>>123713
"...Yes?"
She says
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123715
123716
>>123714
"I wanted to know how you were doing, and holding up. And learn more about you before we got into next big fight."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123716
123717
>>123715
Her head wobbles around looking kind of like a magnet repulsed by another magnet, turning around clockwise, moving from up to level and right, to down and center. With her head down, her eyes come back up to Silver and look at his directly.

"What do you want to know?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123717
123719
>>123716
He smiles again at what seems to be an attempt by Undertoe to be friendly.
"Well, perhaps you could start by telling about yourself. You know, hobbies, interests, where you come from, that kind of thing."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123719
123720
>>123717
She blinks for a moment. Now she levels her head to where she is staring directly at Silver

"That's quite a question from some one I just met"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123720
123721
>>123719
He looks awkwardly at her, and rubs the back of his neck.
"Sorry...I am not so good with talking to others...where did you come from, before this?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123721
123722
>>123720
A pause

"Alright... I was born in Hippogriffia and raised there"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123722
123723
>>123721
He smiles.
"What is it like, living there?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123723
123724
>>123722
"It was different in those days. We weren't under water, but we were inland, up cliffs away from the coast. There were caves caverns beneath the rock though, at it was our outlet to the sea. We were in a small town, and I can't really say how much different it would be from most anywhere else."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123724
123725
>>123723
He raises an eyebrow and lowers an ear.
"You were not under water?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123725
123726
>>123724
"So you've heard"
She blinks slowly closing her eyes and opening them

"We were further away from the pearl. Something like holdouts. Not wanting to give up our land, but too afraid to be conspicuous either. Or so most of the town was. Farms further way were abandoned. I don't have memories of before the Storm King. Except maybe for one of attending a festival on a mountain, but it is vague. We stayed close to the water though. Very close."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123726
123727
>>123725
He nods slowly, after a few seconds.
"I see...what happened to cause you to be in this mess?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123727
123728
>>123726
She blinks. Her eyes are rounded like a pony's and her ears have tufts of fluff

"I was a student at Jim Haykins, and had been for several years. A friend wanted to visit some part of town, and I went with her. A few wrong creatures trusted, a few mistakes made, and I ended up where you found me."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123728
123729
>>123727
Silver lowers his head.
"I am sorry to hear that, Undertoe. This 'Jim Haykins' school, where is it?"
vWLK1
?
No.123729
123730
>>123728
"Right on the edge between the North and the city center. Nicer neighborhoods to the west. But to the east of campus that's a pretty quick declination."
\r
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123730
123731
>>123729
"I have to ask...what about your friend? Was she captured as well? Do you know?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123731
123733
>>123730
"I know she was held up by gangsters. I think she was transported with me after I was blind folded. What happened afterwards I've spent a lot of time wondering about. She may have been ransomed, for all I know. But I don't know."

She clearly speaks Ponish better than Jubilosa and Khoi, and has much less of an accent than Johann.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123733
123734
>>123731
He looks at her with genuine sorrow. She might notice that her Ponish is less accented than even Silver's.
"Мои соболезнования...I am sorry."

Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123734
123735
>>123733
There's still something... proper in her speech, whether it be a hippogriff accent or something bourgie she picked up in Equestria.

She looks silently at Silver, breathing in and out. As she said it she doesn't seem to express much emotion about that set of events, though she doesn't look comfortable
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123735
123736
>>123734
After a few seconds of awkward silence, Silver speaks up again, breaking it.
"What is it you were studying?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123736
123737
>>123735
As if picking up where she left off
"Mechanical Engineering. I was looking to work with a shipping company before the war broke out, and with the Navy afterwards."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123737
123738
>>123736
"Huh. You must be very intelligent, Undertoe."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123738
123739
>>123737
"I'm charmed you think so"

She says it fairly quickly, and with a similar inflection to all of her previous answers. Still, something in her response sounded slightly sarcastic
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123739
123740
>>123738
He gives her a confused look.
"Is something wrong?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123740
123741
>>123739
"No"
She says
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123741
123742
>>123740
"Alright then...I suppose after this is finished with, you will want to return to your school."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123742
123743
>>123741
"I don't know. It's been a long time, and it feels like longer. I imagine the world has changed since I left it."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123743
123744
>>123742
"How long?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123744
123749
>>123743
"I'm not sure. A while."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123749
123750
>>123744
"Hmm...what was last big event in world before you were captured?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123750
123751
>>123749
"Well, the war started. I think Tall Tales fell?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123751
123752
>>123750
Silver's eyes widen a bit.
"It...has been while. War has been over for short time, around one year. We lost."
vWLK1
?
No.123752
123753
>>123751
She is silent for a moment
"I figured as much. I had heard murmuring. Certain items became harder to find... Then there was one day I thought soldiers were going to storm the place. I thought it had happened... But I had to hear it confirmed. You say 'We'? Did you fight for Equestria?"
\r
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123753
123754
>>123752
"Yes, though I was not enlisted soldier. Too old. But I can do mercenary work still, so that is what I did. Changelings own Western half of Equestria now, and New Mareland owns Eastern half where we are."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123754
123757
>>123753
She squints her eyes slightly, and nods
"Unfortunate..."
Switching subjects
"You say you are working for the city against these monsters?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123757
123758
>>123754
He nods.
"Yes, though it seems city was unaware of true scale of what is going on. They will have field day with this, i am sure."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123758
123759
>>123757
"Oh they were?"
She says
"But if the fascists are in control... They may use it to incite suspicion of foreigners. Or immigrants. Or as proof of the 'backwardsness' of Griffin cultures"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123759
123760
>>123758
"That already exists in this part of city. It is inhabited by Severyanans and Skynavians, and these griffons have been terrorizing them for well over two years now, at least."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123760
123761
>>123759
She moves her eyes to look past Silver, into the hallway and down it. It's not clear if she is looking at somecreature behind him or nothing in particular
"They will take it far beyond 'this part of the city'."
She moves her head back and looks straight at him
"Does Equestria still exist as a puppet state?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123761
123762
>>123760
"As far as I know, somewhat. Equestria has been split up into numerous Protectorates."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123762
123763
>>123761
"Is there anything like the old government?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123763
123764
>>123762
He shakes his hoof in a "maybe" motion.
"I think they have kept much of old government, at least locally. I think leader of Baltimare Governate was mayor of city before end of war."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123764
123765
>>123763
She sighs
"I am at once shocked he would want to work with the Fascists and the Fascists with him.... And yet, I'm not surprised at all.

Do the Fascists' secret police swarm over the city like flies on a carcass?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123765
123766
>>123764
"Black Hooves? They have occupied Grand Baltimare Hotel, but I have not seen evidence of them leaving there all too often. Their philosophy for occupation seems to be leave Equestria alone for most part, to avoid building unnecessary resentment for current regime."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123766
123767
>>123765
"I see..."
She ponders for a moment, and even brings her right claw up towards her beak
"How badly 'infested' are the Fascists, or the city, if you understand my meaning?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123767
123768
>>123766
Silver understands what she means.
"It is hard to tell, naturally. It is unknown how many are in Fascists, but some were found to be infesting police station."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123768
123769
>>123767
She stops moving, and her mouth, opened in part for a brrief moment as she moved around, remains in the exact position she left it. Her body freezes as a whole for two seconds. Then she starts to slowly breath out, her chest visibly contracting. After a few more seconds, she responds

"You say you are working for the city?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123769
123770
>>123768
He nods.
"Yes, I am."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123770
123771
>>123769
She blinks
"Alright... Do you need anything of me?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123771
123772
>>123770
"Hmm...I do have question. We will be getting into fight with second group of griffons here, including their leadership. We also need people to guard prisoners in atrium. Which would you prefer to do, Undertoe?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123772
123773
>>123771
"I can fight"
She says, looking straight at Silver
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123773
123774
>>123772
He nods.
"It is your choice. We will give you rifle, then."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123774
123775
>>123773
"I'll take a rifle"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123775
123776
>>123774
He nods again, and smiles.
"So...perhaps you could tell me about your skills and hobbies, now?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123776
123777
>>123775
"Pearl diving I couldn't equal the full seaponies with their magic, but that didn't stop me from trying. Where are these rifles?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123777
123778 123779
>>123776
Silver pulls a rifle off of Iron's unconscious form, and shows it to Undertoe.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123778
123779
>>123777
She takes it off of Silver, grabbing it by the butt
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123779
123780
>>123778
>>123777
She takes the rifle, and moves back onto her rump, balancing herself so that both claws can cover the rifle. Then she looks at it. It has a black barrel, what looks almost like a second barrel underneath, and a grey metal plate around the chamber. She places her claw on the bottom cylinder, pulls something up, and must have unlocked something because she twists the top of the bottom cylinder off. She looks down the cylinder, then twists it back into position. She levels the gun, and pulls the butt of the rifle towards her shoulder. A strap wraps around, and she shows that she can hold it steady with only a single claw. Lowering it slightly, she uses her claw to pull a lever out - the gun evidently having a lever action. There is a loud "cling" as it is pulled out, and she looks into the breach. There is a "clack" as the lever is pulled back up. She lowers the gun to inspect the firing pin. A cartridge falls to the floor. She picks it up, and slides it through the loading gate into the rifle.

Now, she looks down the sight with the cocked and loaded rifle (no talon on the trigger) down the hallway into the blackness. She lowers it down, and finds a slide that looks like a safety, pulling it down, then back up.

"This will work"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123780
123781
>>123779
He looks a little surprised.
"You are quite knowledgable about that rifle."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123781
123782
>>123780
"A little" she says
She looks back to Silver and lets the rifle slide in the sling around her. The sling of course is not simply a sling. The sling is rather tight on her. She sits back on her rump to try to use both claws to reach behind her head, and manages to untie a golden necklace around her neck. She starts to pull it off, though it has to be pulled from under the strap.

She takes the golden chain, and holds it up. She is naked, save for the rifle, and the big, black socks that went far up her hind legs, as far as her hocks, when she was first found hiding in the closet, are nowhere to be seen.

"Do you want this?" She asks, tendering the necklace to Silver
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123782
123783
>>123781
He continues to look surprised, and he looks up at her. He does not take it from her, at least for the moment.
"But...is it not yours?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123783
123784
>>123782
She holds it out for another moment, and then starts to pull it back
"I suppose I should exchange it for bits somewhere. I'll need some money after all of this"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123784
123785
>>123783
"I can give you Bits, if you need them. What do you need to purchase?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123785
123786
>>123784
"Food, boarding, transportation tickets. The basics" She says
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123786
123787
>>123785
He smiles at her.
"I will see what I can do to help you with what I have, Undertoe."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123787
123788
>>123786
She places the necklace back out towards Silver
"If you could give me a few bits for tickets, a hotel and some food, and it's not conditioned on anything else you can take the necklace"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123788
123789
>>123787
He looks in his bags, counts out a total of 500 Bits, and gives it to her with a smile.
"Here, take it. And keep your necklace. It looks nice on you."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123789
123790
>>123788
She takes the bits. And looks to Silver. And looks back at the bits. And looks to Silver. She holds out all of the bits to him, to show the amount, although only after turning her body to try to hide line of sight to the bits from the other creatures
"Did you mean to give me this much?"


Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123790
123791
>>123789
He nods, firmly.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123791
123792
>>123790
Then she says
"I'm... not an escort"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123792
123793
>>123791
He looks confused for a moment, then blushes, and chuckles awkwardly. He keeps his voice low to avoid others listening in.
"Oh, no no no, that is not...I mean, you are very beautiful creature, and I would very much like to...but no, it is not for anything like 'that'. It is gift, to help with lodging, food, and transport. I figure it is better to give too much than not enough."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123793
123794
>>123792
She smiles (or seems to, the ways she pulls her beak), now with a look like embarrassment
"Thank you. I had... forgotten what the kindness of the old Equestria was like. I didn't mean to accuse..."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123794
123795
>>123793
He waves it off with a smiles.
"It is nothing to apologize for, trust me, I understand. Take those Bits with my blessing, Undertoe."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123795
123796
>>123794
She seems to smile more
"Let me get those socks.."
She walks off, right past Silver
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123796
>>123795
Silver feels quite nice, seeing her smile. He looks to the other present people to talk to.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123797
123798
She walks off, and bends down on the floor.

But Khoi is standing there, and so is Jubilosa. White Sands is a little further off, and Blue Skies has taken up a sort of rearguard, staring into the blackness. Johann does not seem to be in the hallway
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123798
123799
>>123797
Silver looks around for Meadows, realizing something he can do to help her.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123799
123800
>>123798
Meadows is on the hall on the right side, kind of facing Silver, but her head is hanging down. She's almost "listing" as she stands, with her left shoulder touching the wall, and her right hoof up and rubbing against the wall. She's strangely tall and large, and looks like she'd only barely fit through doors. She doesn't acknowledge Silver.

Blue Skies is actually behind her, in the center of the hall and facing the other way
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123800
123801
>>123799
Silver trots up to her, bringing out the flask of changeling honey he got from Zwolf's prison room. He looks to her, speaking softly.
"Meadows? Can you work with me for moment? I am going to give you something that should help."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123801
123802
>>123800
She looks up at him
"Huh?"
She looks tired
"Oh? That would be great"
She sounds tired, too
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123802
123803
>>123801
"Oh boy...uh, here..."
He holds Meadow's mouth open. Using his magic as a kind of spoon, he scoops the honey out of the flask and onto her tongue. He then closes her mouth.
"Okay, now swallow."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123803
123804
>>123802
She has a fairly long muzzle, and a tongue both long and wide, at least as long as Zwolf's. She licks it up like honey, and licks more, as if she likes the flavor. Her throat moves visibly as she swallows, repeatedly

For a moment, nothing happens. Then she moves her head side to side, scratches the ground with her hoof, and whips her tail. She snorts
"I feel... So much better"

She looks first at Silver, then right into his eyes. Her eyes become a deepr grey, then add blue, and yellow, and brown color to them. Her coat becomes a darker, with more brown and yellow. Her mane becomes a darker brown. All this over the course of some seconds, perhaps half a minute.
"Your eyes... I can see them. A blue."
She smiles, and looks over to Khoi
"And Gold"
To Undertoe
"And Red!"
She seems excited, and jumps up on her hind legs. She doesn't quite rear - the ceiling isn't high enough to guarantee that could be done without hitting her head - but she jumps up, and stomps back down on her hooves. Skies looks back

"It's so much better! I feel like I could run. I could run if I weren't in this small hallway. I could run from the orchard to the town again, and maybe back!"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123804
123805
>>123803
Silver smiles at the sight as he puts the flask away.
"Heh...heheh, it worked!"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123805
123806
>>123804
She tries to run - or really, trot - down the hallway. She goes around Undertoe on the left and Khoi on the right, unsettling both of them, as she goes on by. She goes down the hallway someways before turning around (though she has some difficulty turning her body in the hallway) and trots back past a somewhat irritated Undertoe and Khoi. Undertoe is wearing her black socks again, and the necklace is run around the trigger guard and her shoulder
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123806
123807
>>123805
Silver shakes his head in amusement at the further sight of her enjoying her newly rediscovered vigor. Still, he trots up to her to reign her in and keep her furth irritating any more of the party members.
"It is good to see you up and well, Meadows."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123807
123808
>>123806
Reaching up, he can place a hoof - or more likely, magic - around the base of her neck, and reign her in
"Oh... Sorry. But I really thought I would never run again. I was surprised to see in black and white. But to see, and to remember, in color... It is a blessing of Mazda"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123808
123809
>>123807
He nods, understanding that feeling at least in part.
"It is good to hear, Meadows. What is it you remember, now?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123809
123810
>>123808
"The orchard. My old home. The mountains beyond the valley"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123810
123811
>>123809
He smiles, softly.
"That sounds very nice. Can you tell me about them?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123811
123812
>>123810
"The trees waving in the wind in the light of the afternoon. The mountains shining in the same, and the gap between them filled with mountains more distant. And the old family home... Beautiful white walls with arches, and intricate painted patterns on the top of every level. The courtyard with arches on every side. And Running down green hills... All these things I remember"
She has a tear in her eyes
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123812
123813
>>123811
The old pony smiles more at hearing Meadows recount the tale of her home.
"It truly sounds amazing, Meadows."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123813
123814
>>123812
She breathes, in and out. Her eyes are fixed at some point on the ceiling 40 feet or so down the hall
"It was. It truly was."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123814
123815 123816
>>123813
Silver looks at her, wondering is she is sorrowful at remember her home.
"...would you like hug, by any chance?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123815
123817
>>123814
She moves her head on top of her long neck, and looks back at Silver. She is visibly smiling, wide
"Yes. I would"
Spirit of a Sardonic Economist
jMKqy
?
No.123816
123817 123818
>>123814
Silver's herd keeps getting bigger
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123817
123818
>>123815
He takes a step forward, and wraps his forelegs around her long neck in a hug. It's in this moment where he privately amazes to himself about how nice it is to hug somepony who is roughly the same height as him.

>>123816
Bit by bit...
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123818
123819
>>123817
Maybe not so much the "same height" thing. Her shoulders are somewhat higher. Her fur has some "give" to it, letting it move. Her fur isn't quite soft, if anything it's a bit courser than most ponies, and it's somewhat short as well. Underneath her fur is muscle and especially bone. She's skinny, and whatever fat she had - even healthy, natural fat - is gone. But she is hugged, and she tries to place her neck and head down to him, to give a hug of her own back. A long, scrawny leg wraps its way over Silver's back.

>>123816
Kek
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123819
123820
>>123818
The Severyanan stallion gladly lets her hug him back. He wonders to himself if her lankiness is natural, or the result of the feeding they put her through.
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123820
123821
>>123819
Her ribs show, and she generally looks emaciated. Johann looks much the same.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123821
123822
>>123820
They could really use some food...maybe I could cook for all of them if I managed to find suitable stove.

He speaks up to Meadows, continuing to hug and hold her if she needs it. If she decides no, she can easily pull out of his grip.

"If I may ask...how did you end up here, Meadows?"
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123822
123823
>>123821
She continues to hug, though her rear hooves move a step back to reposition herself

"I got on a ship in Bitsra to take me to Equestria. And I ended up here..."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123823
123824
>>123822
He grips more for just a second, hearing her tell what happened, if only briefly.

"It is sadly too common story for this place, those people that end up here...I am sorry to hear that these people tricked and trapped you, Meadows."
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123824
123827 123831
>>123823
"They chained me to a table and made me stamp horse shoes. Or carry steel. This went on for a while. Before they sent me to the Rakshaka... This is terrible place"
Shimmering Spark
3CXiY
?
No.123827
123828
>>123824
Can ponies play tomorrow?
Anonymous
vWLK1
?
No.123828
>>123827
Maybe. Maybe...
Silver "The Floof" Sword
aZTOK
?
No.123829
Silver's Herd grows by the minute.
Silver "The Floof" Sword