1831 replies and 23 files omitted.
>>125910"Alright mate. Just outside we got a truck, I reckon you can ride it to wherever you need to go, and he'll still be in time for the pick up once we're done processing these griffins downstairs"
>>125911"We will find her place to stay while she gets acquinted with Baltimare. We will take care of her."
He pets the colt.
"Talking sounds nice. Maybe I could also give you ponyback ride on way home if you wanted."
>>125912Dark Star smiles at him
"Thnaks,Parade pass. your a Good Pony."
>>125913Loputu is like 16 or 17, by the way"Alright. I think she would fit in in Little Skynavia, though"
He is pet, his fur pulling back and exposing his big, purple eyes
At the mention of a ponyback ride
"Think you could really carry me?"
>>125914"Ya' welcome, mate"
Johann walks around to Dark Star, and asks him:
"And where are you going off to now?"
>>125915Really? Didn't know he was that old."I would have to ask her about it, but I could see it."
He bends down for Loputu to get on him.
"Could not hurt to try, at least."
>>125918Silver is barely able to hold the colt, nigh stallion. But he holds
>>125919"Alright...ready to go, Loputu?"
>>125921And thus, the unicorn heads to leave the building, teenaged colt on his back.
"You will have to guide me to your home when we get to street."
>>125915"Well our Home Base of Sorts, a local Tavern. Its the Best Bar in the City. The Eastside Tavern."
>>125923"Ah. Well good luck."
He looks back over the prisoners, now hoofcuffed, the burned out, turned over pews, and the carnage on the floor
"Looks like you've had quite a night already."
>>125922"Go down Hoebuck until it merges with Horseman Avenue, and you can follow it all the way down until there's a checkpoint of sorts"
>>125924"Want To Grab a Drink,Inquisitor?"
>>125925He looks back to Dark Star
"So long as I am back in the morning. I will take your offer."
>>125924Silver nods, and follows his direction.
"How are you feeling now?"
>>125927"Still shaken... But I figure that's what it's like for the stallions who go off to war as well"
Going down the roads, it's much the same as what he saw coming it. Half lit streets of dark stretches, rats scurrying about between overloaded garbage cans, individuals, mostly griffins and zebras, swaying in drunkenness, or travelling in loud and rowdy groups. Trees that look as if they were dead in the leafless winter, and brown grass that looks much the same. Townhouses and sometimes less pleasing brick tenement buildings of a style popular 40 years ago. Building still partly collapsed in from the war and never completed. Little black and red flags hanging in the windows. It's a fullmoon out
>>125928"Downstairs"
Dark Star is escorted by Parade Pass down the steps, out through the double front doors of the administrative building to the street. An Ambulance being loaded, four police carts, and an idling diesel truck - a military logistics truck, like the one they rode in after the work on the docks.
"Driver's in their. Just tell em where ya' going and he'll take you there"
>>125929Dark Star Shakes Parade Pass's Hoof
"I'll see you tomorrow."
He walks over to the truck
>>125929"You are very strong to keep going through all of that. If you were my son, I would be very proud."
>>125931"Heh" he smiles
"I can say I'll be more careful from now on. Still, I might enlist when I can"
>>125930He shakes right back
"See you"
The creatures get in the back. They are uncertain at first. Undertoe in particular seems nervous. But after some persuading, she gets in
>>125932Dark Star Looks at the Driver.
"To The EastSide Tavern."
>>125932"It is valiant idea, very honorable. What else would you think of doing, when you come of age?"
>>125933The truck proceeds there. It arrives there after the passage of some minutes
>>125934"I don't know. Fishing, I guess. There is some opportunity here. Otherwise, work on the docks. If I were more adventurous, I'd join the Merchant Marine"
>>125935Dark Star gets out and opens the door for Everypony
>>125936Silver smiles.
"You really are drawn to water."
>>125937The creatures come out
Johann stands properly, before pulling at a few feathers. Jubilosa is a bit more reluctant, Mala is careful to carry his saddle bags, and Undertoe is the most reluctant of all.
>>125938"Well, yes. My Cutie Mark is in water. Much of our society is waterbased, really. Our little enclave on the bay. I think that's true for many creatures in this neighborhood"
>>125939After they all get out Dark Star says
"Welcome to the best bar in the city."
>>125940Johann
"I'm not as sure. Not sure either how it compares the to best of Whitebell, or Griffihiem"
Khoi looks up in evident curiosity. Mala has a clearer aww. Jubilosa is tense, but starts to ease as she comes in. Meadows looks around, somewhat confused
"So is this a fancy establishment in Equestria? For what class?"
Undertoe is nervous
>>125941He Smiles and chukles
"Fancy isnt exactly the word i would use. But its a Reliable Bar with Great ponies and Pretty Alright Food. This i a Bar for the Working Pony,and i Love it."
>>125942"Hmmm? The working pony?"
She is just a little concerned
"Alright..."
>>125943"Don't Worry.
This is meadows?Miss. it is My Responsibility to Protect you all. and i Take this Duty very Seriously. you have my word no harm will befall you here."
>>125944Yes. Highland Meadows"Oh... Alright. It's just quite a change, to go from being a wealthy land owner to... whatever I am now"
She hangs her head
>>125945"I...I Know the Feeling."
>>125946The sand-brown mare with wavy chestnut brown mane is larger than Dark Star, perhaps only Johann is as large as her
She sits down next to him
"Oh really? How is that?"
>>125947"Well, My Family's farm was seized by the Socialist Government. We Had Been there for Generations."
He Sighs
"I Wasn't sure what to do right after it happened either. My Brother and i were out on the streets."
>>125948"Oh..." Her eyes light up
"And what did you do?"
>>125949"...im Not Exactly proud of what i did. My Brother and i Were Dirt Poor,they even took the clothes off of our backs,Although my Brother managed to stow away a small amount of bits. Not Enough for Both of us to eat every day. So i Stole Food when i was hungry.
>>125950She looks concerned, even placing a foreleg in front of her as if in guard
"That is... That happened in Equestria? A socialist government?"
>>125951"Yep. the Princess In her Infinite Wisdom thought it would be a Great idea."
>>125952Oh come on, the Princess wouldn't do that"The... civil war? Did that at least rectify things?"
>>125939"I admittedly do not know much about Skynavian culture. I should learn, someday."
>>125957"You can try. There is only so much left, though. The community becomes more like the rest of Baltimare as time goes by. Baltimare is all I've ever known"
>>125953"Thats a Hard Question to answer, Yes and No. The Black Hooves restored Order after the War. But the Local Government is a Socialist one, Im Going to Attempt to Run for Mayor to attempt to fix politics."
>>125958"Hmm...would you personally say that is good or bad thing?"
>>12959 →"Good luck...
My son prefers the old Equestrian rule, saying they are more open to other creatures and will guard Harmony. There are things I do not like about these 'Black Hooves.' They pander to the workers with programs, they can be intolerant and despotic. But they do have one great virtue. They are jealous of power. They will guard it, and share it only with great reluctance, unlike the old princesses, who had good intentions, but were naive. I've seen how the Shah back in my country compromised with the reformists, and how it was our undoing. My son has not seen this, so he does not know. But I have, and that is why I disagree with him. May Mazda be with you."
>>125960"I don't know. I'm pretty sure there is more money here. More stuff. I like that, But I don't think the older ones got what they were expecting when they came here. It's less change than they wanted."
>>125961Silver looks back to the teenager on his back.
"How so?"
>>125961"Compromise is the death of Nations. What is Mazda?
Is your Son ok?"
>>125963"Ahura Mazda, the creator, mother spirit. But my Son... I don't know. He was studying in Canterlot when the war broke out, and was stuck here for that period of time. He could be in Canterlot or... Ponyville. I received a telegram from him after the war though. So I hope so. I hope so."
>>125962"They wanted to leave a land where they became minorities in their own country, being surrounded by griffins... to come to Red Heart, where they are a minority surrounded by griffins."
>>125964Silver nods after a couple seconds of contemplation.
"I suppose I would also be distressed in that situation. It would be nice to see pony cultural revival in Red Heart, take this part of city back and clean it up...as ambitious as that idea is."
>>125964Dark Star has a look of sadness on his face as she talks about her son
"Im Sorry you last contact with your son. i Hope you find him. if i'm ever in ponyville or canterlot,i'll see if i can find him. whats his name?"
>>125965"That's what the Marelanders claim they want. They can't even keep the anarchists in the west side of the neighborhood from seceding. It's a big task. It's not really safe at night... even now. Though I think you could fight any muggers." He smiles. "But yeah"
>>125967Silver smiles back.
"I do not think they could even if they wanted to. It would have to be something residents of Red Heart would have to do themselves."
>>125966"His name is Pistak Gol... Pistak flower. If you could.. please"
She forms a little frown, and though no tears have yet to form in her steel grey eyes, they are watery.
>>125968"Well, they have tried. They've tried to section off their own little community. Form a nightwatch"
>>125969"Hmm...it might require more...aggressive action, unfortunately."
>>125969He Puts his hoof on her shoulder
"Don't Worry. i promise. I'll get him Back."
He Smiles at her
>>125971She smiles, though her lips are tense
"Thank you... It means a lot to me... though I wish I had something like my family plantation to return to... on those rolling hills... to take him back to"
>>125970"Yes... it probably will. But we're able to keep the griffins, the gangsters, and the anarchists out"
>>125972"It might not Be much,But i Could pay for your room here,that is if you wish to live here."
>>125972"I wish ponies of Redheart best. Hopefully what we did today helped."
>>125973"Thank you..." She's almost crying
"I wish I did not have to live off of charity though... But thank you"
>>125974"You helped me" He looks up at Silver. Or down, if he's on Silver's back
>>125976He looks back at Loputu, and smiles.
"Yeah. I guess I did. And I am glad I could."
>>125975"Its No Trouble, i would do the same For Anypony. Do you need a hug?"
>>125978"I suppose that is the norm in Equestria... Yes"
>>125977As Silver walks further down Horseman Avenue, he walks past a few factories, but mostly shops, tenements, rowhouses, or shops with apartments on the upper floors. While there are buildings with clear damage from artillery through out the city, it is more common here to see a damaged building than else where. As he goes down further, he starts to see a few more lights on in the shops down stairs. There are burglar bars on the windows replacing the red and black flags from earlier. And there are pony stallions on the streets, who stare at passers by. Just two now, but still it is noticable
"We're entering the neighborhood. There's a road that branches off Horseman Avenue, Cinnamon Road, that is the main road most of it is on. Here. Take a left"
>>125979He takes a left. Something about the sight of the artillery-damaged buildings makes Silver a little...sad.
"This part of Red Heart took beating..."
>>125980"Yeah, they made us huddle up in the buildings. This part of the neighborhood is on landfill so there is no where to go underground. It was terrifying, the way the walls shook. Listening to the babies crying. It could last hours..."
>>125979Dark Star Gives her a Hug
>>125982She is hugged. She has short, kind of course fur that is loose on her body, and he can feel her ribs. She tries to hug back, with very long, bony legs. Her mane is long and wavy, and it flows onto Dark Star
>>125981He hangs his head slightly while listening.
>>125983"I'll Go pay for your room now."
Dark Star walks over to Mr.Glass
>>125984Silver turns onto a new street, with a cobble road, and gas street lights. Mostly shops on the first floor with two floors of apartments with small balconies and brick walls. There are burglar bars on the windows, and again, a couple stallions on the street. Further down the street becomes wide as there is what looks almost like a town square with a market of wooden stalls, closed down for the night, in the center, and what looks like a church and a school house around it. Further down still, past the market are a few much older looking buildings with jettying over the street and white wash walls. At a couple points, alleys that branch off are covered by corrugated steel panels that block the path, and a few garden plots, planted in vegetables, are behind thick fences.
"Here we are. Little Skynavia. We are on a little that pushes out a little into the harbor, between Red Heart and Locust Promontory."
>>125985"Again, I think you"
She bows her head, and holds out her forelegs, angling her hoof down and touching Dark Star
Glimmering Glass turns around to Dark Star
"Hey, you're back! And you brought friends, it looks like"
\r
>>125986"Its Good to be Back in here. i feel at ease again. That was more than i expected. First of all, can i Get a shot of Apple whiskey?"
>>125986"It looks like nice place."
>>125987"Of course you can" He turns back around, looks through a set of bottles on the back wall, finds nothing, then looks down
"There's no better place to be at ease than the Eastside tavern"
Under his breath: "Where did I put that fucking thing?"He opens a cabinent door, moves some glasses, and then,
"Here we go. One Apple Whiskey, coming up
He pours a glass of straight whiskey for Dark Star
>>125988"It's not too bad. Most of the ponies work outside the community, but other than that and a few items that you have to buy in town like bicycle parts, there is little reason to leave. This area isn't really commonly for through traffick"
As the ponies go further down Cinnamon street, a Stallion comes up. It's an almost shinning light red earth pony stallion, with a coat almost like a crystal pony, and longer, fluffier fur than normal
"Are you lost?" he asks Silver
>>125989Silver shakes his head no, and looks at the fluffy stallion.
"Taking this one back home. Who are you?"
>>125989"Ah,Thank you Mr.Glass. I Also need a A Room For my Friend."
>>125990“I am a part of the neighborhood watch -"
Loputu butts in
“Oh back off Talve, you act like you’re an MP on an Army base or something”
The stallion looks back, astonished at the licorice colt
“Lõputu Sügis?! Is that you?”
“Yeah, it’s me, Talve”
“Where have you been? We thought you had drowned or... well I thought you ran away to look for a job or joined the Army Overseas, but they thought you were dead”
“No, I’m right here and alive, thanks to this fellow”
He points to Silver
>>125991“Hmmm... We’re running low on rooms. But you can do so, sure. Let me just get you...” he bends down and eventually pulls out - “a key”
\r
>>125992"Thank you my friend, My New Friend,Meadows has lost her son"
>>125992Silver nods.
"He was foalnapped by griffons operating out of 33 Hoebuck. I was part of group that raided that fortress, cleared it of its inhabitants, and rescued him from what could have been terrible fate."
He looks back to Loputu.
"You know this stallion?"
>>125993"Awww... I'm sorry to hear that" he says
"Does she need a drink as well?"
>>125994"He was foalnapped?!? Damn, tell me more"
Loputu says to Silver:
"Yeah, it's a close community. That's Talve Süda he was in school with me, though a couple years ahead of me. He thinks he's big being in the neighborhood watch, but really we know he's just wasting time since they cut his hours at the tire factory."
Talve responds
"Hey! It's an important job! And what about your jumping over rooftops and trying to fish in restricted areas
"Alright alright. But good to see you, Talve"
"And good to see you. Like you returned from the dead"
>>125995"Hmmm i Didnt Ask. But she probably could."
Dark Star Waves her over to the bar
>>125995"It is long story. I imagine you can ask Loputu yourself, if he wants to share. I am just taking him back home."
>>125996"Yes?" she walks up, her hooves making a definite clopping sound
Glistening Glass leans over onto the bar, and says to her:
"Are you Meadows?"
"Yes, I am"
"You're a big mare"
"For you, maybe. But I am a horse from Karkadannistan"
>>125998"Mr.Glass would like to know if you would like a drink,meadows."
>>125997"Well I know his parents will be eager to see him."
Loputu:
"My house is over this way"
>>125999Meadows looks at him
"Oh"
She moves her muzzle down even as her steel grey eyes stay on him, and she makes a little smile
"I am sorry, but I do not drink. I appreciate the offer, though"
She smiles at Dark Star
Blue Skies is still best pony >>126000Silver nods, and follows Loputu's directions.
>>126001The stallion goes out in front, followed by Loputu
"This way." They go just a little past the town square, past a building that looks like a church with reddish walls and a red tile pyramid ontop of a tower, and to a big, corrugated door
"Let me just"
He pulls out a key chain, and unlocks a lock on the edge of the door.
click, and he slides it aside. It opens to a little alley that's dirt but kind of clean with some grass on it, into a central common area that includes a few grass areas with some toys, but also garden plots with tomatoes and cabbages.
"This way"
Loputu takes the lead as they go through the center of the the plot, at most an acre and a half surrounded by tan stucco buildings of two and three stories, down a dirt trail between raised beds of vegatables, until they get to an alley on the other side. There is a small road on the other side of this alley, with a line of buildings that look mostly like single houses, and further to the right is what seems like a larger, almost warehouse like building. Silver can smell salt and fish, and through gaps in the houses there he can see what seems to be the harbor bay on the other side of the houses. But Loputu goes down just a few feet on the left, to an opening on a building that was a part of the apartment block around the garden plot, just on the other side.
They go up a set of external stairs, made of wood, up to a landing on the second level. Silver can't quite see over the houses, but there is nothing beyond them, just the clear, full moon night.
Loputu knocks on the door. Then Talve knocks
"Open up!"
>>126003Silver stands and waits with Loputu and Talve.
>>126002She smiles at him, and for the first time, her long, slender horn lights up a blue-grey, letting the key hover in the grip of the blue-grey aura. She smiles at Dark Star. "Thank you, again. And thank you for rescuing me. I know it could have ended so much worse... I didn't think I would get out of that shell at all. But here I am, because of you"
>>126004A big, blue stallion opens the door
"What is it, it's 2 in the morning, what could you possibly need me for?"
He has a black mane, and a big, muscular build. His yellow eyes focus on Loputu, and he is astonished. Then he rushes forward and
squeaky hugs Loputu
"Little Loputu! Where have you been? I though I would never see you again!" He hugs him more, then turns his head back and yells into the apartment
"Soe! Loputu is back!"
>>126005Silver smiles at the father reuniting with his son.
"Your son was foalnapped by griffons operating out of 33 Hoebuck. I was part of group that raided that building, and rescued him. He helped us rescue other people they had captured. You have raised very strong, very brave stallion."
>>126005"You Dont Have to thank me for that,Ma'am. its no problem. Ponies should help each other,is what my mom used to say."
>>126006He looks up
"There were Griffins?"
A new mare comes outside, kind of angry. She is also a little big
'What is going on, why you wake me up at this hour-"
She, too, pauses for a moment, before seeing Loputu
"You're alive! What happened to you?"
The stallion responds
"This stallion here says he was foalnapped by griffins"
"Well what were you doing to get yourself foalnapped?" she yells at Loputu, and then slaps him with a hoof "Ow!"
But then she comes in, and hugs him
"I was so worried about you"
>>126007"Well, I am not entirely a pony"
She tilts her head down while looking at him, as if she is looking up at him
"But you are kind and I am grateful"
>>126008"Your son has grown up to be very respectable stallion. Yes, there are griffons that operate-or, 'used to' would be more appropriate, now-out of 33 Hoebuck, capturing local ponies to put into slavery or...worse."
>>126008"But you arent entirely not a pony either."
he Smiles
>>126009"Griffin slavers?" She says, with horror
"Such terrible things! How can I raise foals in this place if there are griffin slavers"
Loputu:
"Mom, he said 'used to be.' He killed them all"
"He did what?"
"Yeah, he killed them all"
"Well, it serves them right. And you're banned from venturing out beyond the streetlights from now on"
"Mom! I'm almost old enough to join the overseas"
"And you're not going there either. You are staying safe right here"
>>126010She smiles back
"We Karkadanns have a long and proud history and culture independent of Equestria... But I suppose you mean well by that statement"
>>126011Silver shakes his head to himself.
"With all due respect, ma'am, as parent myself, this is not on your son. It is not his fault. Punishing him like this will not save him, much less help him."
>>126011"tell me About Your Culture ,I'd Like to know."
>>126013"What do you want to know about it? It is hard to explain in words, when a culture is something you live in, immerse yourself in, like air, or water, all around you. So much of it, you have to see. The rectangular designs of columns and square walls covered in intricate patterns of blue and white on the old aristocratic houses... like my old family house. The trees on my old plantation, harvested in in the autumn by laborers from the village. The big, free standing columns of the Shah's palace ending in rounded marble tear drops. And the ever-burning goblets of Atar, or fire, at the center of the Fire Temples
>>126012She looks back at him in astonishment
"What..."
The stallion butts in
"We are very glad to have him back alive. Thank you for bringing him back to us"